Hochuekkito (TJ-41), a Kampo Formula, Ameliorates Cachexia Induced by Colon 26 Adenocarcinoma in Mice

Cachexia, a major cause of cancer-related death, is characterized by depletion of muscle and fat tissues, anorexia, asthenia, and hypoglycemia. Recent studies indicate that secretions of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a crucial role in cachexia development, and that these cytokines are secreted from not only cancer cells but also host cells such as macrophages. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of hochuekkito, a Kampo formula, on cachexia induced by colon 26 adenocarcinoma in mice. Hochuekkito treatment did not inhibit tumor growth, but significantly attenuated the reduction in carcass weight, food and water intake, weight of the gastrocnemius muscle and fat tissue around the testes, and decrease of serum triglyceride level compared with controls. Furthermore, hochuekkito treatment significantly reduced serum IL-6 level and IL-6 expression level in macrophages in tissues surrounding the tumor. In vitro studies showed that hochuekkito suppressed the production of IL-6 by THP-1 or RAW264.7 macrophage cells, although it did not affect IL-6 production by colon 26 carcinoma cells. These results suggest that hochuekkito inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, by host cells such as macrophages. Therefore, hochuekkito may be a promising anticachectic agent for the treatment of patients with cancer

Emergence of Many Mini-Circles from a Coffee Suspension with Mechanical Rotation

Drying of an aqueous suspension containing fine granules leads to the formation of a circular pattern, i.e., the coffee-ring effect. Here, we report the effect of mechanical rotation with drying of an aqueous suspension containing a large amount of granular particles as in the Turkish coffee. It was found that wavy fragmented stripes, or a “waggly pattern”, appear in the early stage of the drying process and a “polka-dot pattern” with many small circles is generated in the late stage. We discuss the mechanism of these patterns in terms of the kinetic effect on micro phase-segregation. We suggest that the waggly pattern is induced through a mechanism similar to spinodal decomposition, whereas polka-dot formation is accompanied by the enhanced segregation of a water-rich phase under mechanical rotation

Elastic properties of indium nitrides grown on sapphire substrates determined by nano-indentation: In comparison with other nitrides

The hardness of wurtzite indium nitride (α-InN) films of 0.5 to 4 μm in thickness was measured by the nano-indentation method at room temperature. After investigation of crystalline quality by x-ray diffraction, the hardness and Young’s modulus were determined to be 8.8 ± 0.4 and 184 ± 5 GPa, respectively, for the In (0001)- and N ( 000 1 ̄ ) -growth faces of InN films. The bulk and shear moduli were then derived to be 99 ± 3 and 77 ± 2 GPa, respectively. The Poisson’s ratio was evaluated to be 0.17 ± 0.03. The results were examined comprehensively in comparison with previously reported data of InN as well as those of other nitrides of aluminum nitride and gallium nitride. The underlying physical process determining the moduli and hardness was examined in terms of atomic bonding and dislocation energy of the nitrides and wurtzite zinc oxide

Importance and problem of group therapy for parents with Developmental Disabilities in \u22Mokumoku group\u22 : follow -up research of experience in a group for former members

近年，発達障害のある子どもへの支援に関しては，本人だけでなく，家族も視野にいれた支援が必要となっている。本研究では，発達障害児を対象としたグループセラピーである「もくもくグループ」の「親の会」の意義と課題について追跡調査を行い検討した。その結果，参加者の多くは「親の会」にポジテイブなイメージを持っていた。「親の会」は保護者同士が情報・知識を得られ，同じ発達障害の子を持つ親同士で関わることで，自分一人ではないという安心感を得ていることが考えられた。ネガテイプなイメージをもった保護者は，「もくもくグループJの意義についても認識できていないことが考えられた。「もくもくグループ」の活動の意義や狙いについてもセラピストは意識して保護者と共有していくことが重要であると考えられた。Recently, it has been recognized that not only children with developmental disabilities but also their families have needs for special support. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance and problem of a group therapy for parents in \u22Mokurnoku-guroup\u22. Almost all subjects have a positive impression on a group for parents. It is suggested that Parents at a group get information and feel relieved each other. And It is suggested that parents having negative impression on a group don\u27t recognize importance of \u22Mokurnoku-group\u22. It is important that parents and therapist share the purpose of \u22Mokurnoku- guroup\u22

The process of support and experience in Clinical Dohsa-hou for elderly people living in local communities

A program using Clinical Dohsa-hou was conducted with a group of elderly people living in local communities and its effects were examined. It is known that negative physical conditions have a negative effect on the quality of life and causes passivity in old age. It has been suggested that being attentive to one’s own body, making efforts with self initiative, and feeling changes through Dohsa-hou might be effective for elderly people in maintaining an active life. The use of pair-relaxation between elderly people facilitated the experiencing the roles of both helpers and recipients, and moreover, mutual communication between elderly people was observed through their bodies, which might be useful for them to construct mutually supportive relationships. So far, few studies have been conducted on the concrete and ideal methods of group-self-relaxation and pair-relaxation. The present study gives new information on concrete methods and problems encountered in providing support