Selective Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Nanocrystalline GdF3:Eu 3+

GdF3:Eu3+ nanophosphors with hexagonal or orthorhombic structure have been succeeded to be selectively synthesized at room temperature for the first time via a simple soft chemical route. The structure and morphology of GdF3:Eu3+ nanophosphors were controlled by using different fluoride precursors. Hexagonal GdF3:Eu3+ nanocrystals were formed when NaBF4 was used as a fluoride precursor, while orthorhombic GdF3:Eu3+ nanocrystals were obtained with NaF or NH4F fluoride precursor. It was also experimentally revealed that hexagonal GdF3:Eu3+ nanophosphors emitted essentially stronger Eu3+ luminescence than orthorhombic ones did. The formation mechanism of GdF3 nanocrystals and the possible reasons of the strong PL in hexagonal were discussed

Improving the efficiency of complete denture treatment

In Japan, the number of elderly people with missing teeth has been decreasing. However, the number of patients wearing complete denture has not decreased. Therefore, suitable complete denture adjustment for the elderly people is important. The chair time and treatment contents (medical interview, medical examination, fitting, occlusion, adjustment, denture cleaning, patient’s instruction, polishing, postoperative instruction, denture score, blank time) involved in complete denture adjustment were investigated and it is confirmed that there was a lot of patient’s and blank time. The blank time is defined as “time not engaged in treatment” for the dentist, “observation time” for the assistant, and “time sitting in the chair doing nothing” for the patient. This research aimed to clarify a treatment procedure that allows for effective use of the blank time to provide appropriate treatment to each patient. The participants included 31 patients with complete dentures, 14 dentists, and 12 less experienced dentists. Treatment timetables were created using video data. Analyses were carried out to develop a more effective treatment protocol by changing treatment procedures and contents. Issues associated with treatment were also investigated. Treatment activities and chair time during denture adjustment (57 participants) were investigated to do treatment smoothly. As a result there were 22 out of 31 patients (deficiency of the denture cleaning etc.) whose treatment activities should be improved. The results suggested that treatment procedures that allow for effective use of patient’s and less experienced dentist’s blank time to provide appreciate treatment to each patient can be clarified

Novel prospective umbrella-type lung cancer registry study for clarifying clinical practice patterns: CS-Lung-003 study protocol

Introduction Conventional cancer registries are suitable for simple surveillance of cancer patients, including disease frequency and distribution, demographics, and prognosis; however, the collected data are inadequate to clarify comprehensively diverse clinical questions in daily practice. Methods We constructed an umbrella‐type lung cancer patient registry (CS‐Lung‐003) integrating multiple related prospective observational studies (linked studies) that reflect clinical questions about lung cancer treatment. The primary endpoint of this registry is to clarify daily clinical practice patterns in lung cancer treatment; a key inclusion criterion is pathologically diagnosed lung cancer. Under this registry, indispensable clinical items are detected in advance across all active linked studies and gathered prospectively and systematically to avoid excessive or insufficient data collection. Researchers are to input information mutually, irrespective of the relevance to each researcher's own study. Linked studies under the umbrella of the CS‐Lung‐003 registry will be updated annually with newly raised clinical questions; some linked studies will be newly created, while others will be deleted after the completion of the analysis. Enrollment began in July 2017. Discussion We successfully launched the umbrella‐type CS‐Lung‐003 registry. Under this single registry, researchers collaborate on patient registration and data provision for their own and other studies. Thus, the registry will produce results for multiple domains of study, providing answers to questions about lung cancer treatment raised by other researchers. Through such analysis of each linked study, this registry will contribute to the comprehensive elucidation of actual daily practice patterns in lung cancer treatment. Key points CS‐Lung‐003 registry directly integrates multiple linked studies created under the umbrella of this cancer registry to solve various clinical questions regarding daily practice patterns of lung cancer treatment

Cardiovascular adverse reactions associated with escitalopram in patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundDespite the anticipated efficacy of escitalopram in treating depression and anxiety in individuals with preexisting cardiovascular conditions, persistent concerns regarding its adverse effects have emerged. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular safety profile of escitalopram compared with that of placebo in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease.MethodsWe used a predefined search strategy in PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify studies evaluating adverse cardiovascular reactions to escitalopram in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that provided results on cardiovascular safety outcomes were included. Two independent reviewers screened the abstracts and full texts of the individual studies. The risk of bias was assessed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.ResultsThe primary outcomes were the frequency of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), QTc prolongation, and discontinuation of study medication. We identified 5 RCTs with 773 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Escitalopram was not associated with significantly increased risk of MACE (risk ratio [RR] = 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80 to 4.26; I2 0%; 5 RCTs; n = 773, moderate certainty of evidence), discontinuation of study medication (RR = 1.03; 95% CI 0.84–1.26; I2 0%; 5 RCTs; n = 773, low certainty of evidence), and QTc prolongation (RR = 1.20; 95% CI 0.76–1.90; I2 0%; 4 RCTs; n = 646, low certainty of evidence).ConclusionEscitalopram does not significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular adverse reactions compared with placebo in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease. However, the presence of wide CIs and the limited number of included studies highlight the need for further studies with larger sample sizes to enhance the precision and reliability of these findings.Systematic review registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [CRD42022298181]

A Proteomic Approach for the Diagnosis of ‘Oketsu’ (blood stasis), a Pathophysiologic Concept of Japanese Traditional (Kampo) Medicine

‘Oketsu’ is a pathophysiologic concept in Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine, primarily denoting blood stasis/stagnant syndrome. Here we have explored plasma protein biomarkers and/or diagnostic algorithms for ‘Oketsu’. Sixteen rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were treated with keishibukuryogan (KBG), a representative Kampo medicine for improving ‘Oketsu’. Plasma samples were diagnosed as either having an ‘Oketsu’ (n = 19) or ‘non-Oketsu’ (n = 29) state according to Terasawa's ‘Oketsu’ scoring system. Protein profiles were obtained by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) and hierarchical clustering and decision tree analyses were performed. KBG treatment for 4 or 12 weeks decreased the ‘Oketsu’ scores significantly. SELDI protein profiles gave 266 protein peaks, whose expression was significantly different between the ‘Oketsu’ and ‘non-Oketsu’ states. Hierarchical clustering gave three major clusters (I, II, III). The majority (68.4%) of ‘Oketsu’ samples were clustered into one cluster as the principal component of cluster I. The remaining ‘Oketsu’ profiles constituted a minor component of cluster II and were all derived from patients cured of the ‘Oketsu’ state at 12 weeks. Construction of the decision tree addressed the possibility of developing a diagnostic algorithm for ‘Oketsu’. A reduction in measurement/pre-processing conditions (from 55 to 16) gave a similar outcome in the clustering and decision tree analyses. The present study suggests that the pathophysiologic concept of Kampo medicine ‘Oketsu’ has a physical basis in terms of the profile of blood proteins. It may be possible to establish a set of objective criteria for diagnosing ‘Oketsu’ using a combination of proteomic and bioinformatics-based classification methods

Mutation Analysis of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) Viruses Collected in Japan during the Peak Phase of the Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus infection quickly circulated worldwide in 2009. In Japan, the first case was reported in May 2009, one month after its outbreak in Mexico. Thereafter, A(H1N1) infection spread widely throughout the country. It is of great importance to profile and understand the situation regarding viral mutations and their circulation in Japan to accumulate a knowledge base and to prepare clinical response platforms before a second pandemic (pdm) wave emerges. METHODOLOGY: A total of 253 swab samples were collected from patients with influenza-like illness in the Osaka, Tokyo, and Chiba areas both in May 2009 and between October 2009 and January 2010. We analyzed partial sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the 2009 pdm influenza virus in the collected clinical samples. By phylogenetic analysis, we identified major variants of the 2009 pdm influenza virus and critical mutations associated with severe cases, including drug-resistance mutations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our sequence analysis has revealed that both HA-S220T and NA-N248D are major non-synonymous mutations that clearly discriminate the 2009 pdm influenza viruses identified in the very early phase (May 2009) from those found in the peak phase (October 2009 to January 2010) in Japan. By phylogenetic analysis, we found 14 micro-clades within the viruses collected during the peak phase. Among them, 12 were new micro-clades, while two were previously reported. Oseltamivir resistance-related mutations, i.e., NA-H275Y and NA-N295S, were also detected in sporadic cases in Osaka and Tokyo

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of lascufloxacin for nursing and healthcare associated pneumonia: single-arm, open-label clinical trial: A study protocol

Background: Lascufloxacin hydrochloride (LSFX) is a quinolone antibiotic that inhibits DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV of bacteria, it is anticipated to minimize antibiotic resistance in bacteria. It exhibits antibacterial activity against a relatively wide range of bacterial species, including anaerobic bacteria, and its efficacy and safety against community-acquired pneumonia have been shown; however, its efficacy and safety against nursing and healthcare associated pneumonia (NHCAP) have not been verified.Methods/Design: Here, a single-arm, open-label, uncontrolled study was conducted in which LSFX was administered to patients with NHCAP at 24 facilities. The research subjects (77 cases) were orally administered 75 mg of LSFX once a day for 7 days. The primary endpoint was the clinical efficacy at the time of test of cure (TOC) (TOC; 5–10 days after the end of LSFX administration), while the secondary endpoints were the efficacy at the time of end of treatment, early clinical efficacy, microbiological efficacy at the time of TOC and end of treatment, and safety evaluation of LSFX.Discussion: NHCAP is a common pneumonia in clinical settings and a notable pneumonia whose mortality is high compared to community-acquired pneumonia. The present study showed the efficacy and safety of LSFX against NHCAP, which could lead to a larger number of therapeutic options for NHCAP

グンマケンNチョウザイジュウコウレイシャ ノ カレイ ニ ヨル シンタイ エイヨウジョウタイ ノ ヘンカ ニ カンスル ジッタイチョウサ

本研究は,65歳以上の健康な地域在住高齢者の(対象者95名)栄養状態を把握し,栄養教育における課題を抽出することを目的とした。ベースラインの調査は,2000年に行い,追跡調査を2005年に行った。5年間に,男女ともに身長,体重が有意に低下していた。血液性状は,2000年に比べて2005年で赤血球数,ヘモグロビン濃度,アルブミン濃度およびHbA1c濃度が有意に低下し,HDLコレステロール濃度が有意に増加していた。しかし,アルブミン値が3.8g/dl未満の高齢者は一人もみられなかった。栄養素等摂取状況は,2000年に比べて2005年で男性ではビタミンCおよび鉄摂取量が有意に低下していた。女性ではビタミンB2,鉄摂取量が有意に低下していた。そこで鉄不足状態が発現する可能性についてヘモグロビン値を元に正常群(男性 : Hb≧13g/dl, 女性 : Hb≧12g/dl),鉄不足群(男性 : Hb<13g/dl, 女性 : Hb<12g/dl)の2群に分けて検討したところ,鉄不足群は2000年においては11名であったのに対し,2005年には26名に増えていた。性,年齢を補正した結果,正常群に比べて鉄不足群で,2000年時におけるたんぱく質,鉄およびビタミンB12摂取量が有意に低値を示した。以上の結果より,本研究対象者において低アルブミン血症を示す高齢者は観察されず,たんぱく質栄養状態は全対象者で良好であった可能性,2005年で増加した鉄不足状態の発現には,2000年におけるたんぱく質,鉄およびビタミンB12等の摂取量の不足が関わる可能性が示唆された。The purpose of this study was to estimate nutritional conditions among elderly community residents (95persons, ≧65 years old), and to explore strategies for nutritional education. A baseline survey was carried out in 2000 and was followed-up in 2005. During the 5 years, mean values of height and weight significantly decreased in both sexes. Levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, serum albumin and serum HbA1c significantly decreased, while HDL-cholesterol levels significantly increased in a follow-up survey when compared to levels in the baseline survey. Intakes of dietary fat, iron and vitamin C in males, or iron and vitamin B2 in females were significantly decreased in the follow-up survey compared to those in the baseline survey. Based on hemoglobin levels in 2005, the participants were divided into two groups ; the iron normal group (male : Hb≧13g/dl, female : Hb≧12g/dl) and iron deficient group (male : Hb<13g/dl, female : Hb<12g/dl). Iron deficient group increased in the follow-up survey more than in the baseline survey. Adjusted for sex and age, protein, iron and vitamin B12 intakes in the baseline survey were significantly lower in the iron deficiency group than in the iron normal group. In addition, there were no subjects with hypoalbuminemia (Alb<3.8g/dl). In conclusion, this study suggested that dietary insufficiency of protein, iron and vitamin B12 intake at the onset of 2000 resulted in an increase in the number of iron deficiency persons in the follow-up survey

コウキョウイク ニ オケル ガイコクジン セイト ノ ハイジョ ト ホウセツ 5ツ ノ コウコウ ノ ヒカク チョウサ カラ

本稿は、学校種が異なる5つの学校を対象とし外国人生徒の公教育における排除と包摂について3つの視点から検討する。これまでの先行研究では、「社会統合」と「文化保障」が外国人の排除と包摂を示すものとして用いられてきた。しかし、その2つの視点だけでは外国人生徒が付加的なものとしかみなされていないことになる。そこで、本稿は「参加」を3つ目の視点として、外国人生徒の包摂と排除を考えた。具体的に、コンテクストが異なる5つの学校の生徒や教師への半構造化インタビューや学校でのフィールドワークを通して、学校の経営計画に代表される参加のハード面、社会統合と文化保障の取り組み、生徒の学校経験という参加のソフト面を描き出した。5つの学校で見られた相違点をまとめ、最後にその課題について提示した。This paper aims to examine the exclusion and inclusion of immigrant students in Japanese public education system from three perspectives, focusing on five different types of high schools. In previous studies, "social integration" and "cultural security" have been used to describe the exclusion and inclusion of immigrant students. However, even though these two perspectives are achieved, it cannot change the situation that immigrant students are considered in subordinate positions. Therefore, this paper takes "participation" as the third perspective to reconsider exclusion and inclusion of immigrant students. We conducted semi-structured interviews with students and teachers in five schools and fieldwork in the schools to consider the exclusion and inclusion. We have depicted the hard aspects of participation represented by school management plans, social integration and inherited cultural guarantee efforts, and the soft aspects of participation in terms of students' school experiences. Finally, implications are presented.フォーラム　教育における排除と包摂論文／COMMENTS／REPL

グンマケンNチョウザイジュウコウレイシャ ノ カレイ ニ ヨル シンタイ エイヨウジョウタイ ノ ヘンカ ニ カンスル ジッタイチョウサ

本研究は,65歳以上の健康な地域在住高齢者の(対象者95名)栄養状態を把握し,栄養教育における課題を抽出することを目的とした。ベースラインの調査は,2000年に行い,追跡調査を2005年に行った。5年間に,男女ともに身長,体重が有意に低下していた。血液性状は,2000年に比べて2005年で赤血球数,ヘモグロビン濃度,アルブミン濃度およびHbA1c濃度が有意に低下し,HDLコレステロール濃度が有意に増加していた。しかし,アルブミン値が3.8g/dl未満の高齢者は一人もみられなかった。栄養素等摂取状況は,2000年に比べて2005年で男性ではビタミンCおよび鉄摂取量が有意に低下していた。女性ではビタミンB2,鉄摂取量が有意に低下していた。そこで鉄不足状態が発現する可能性についてヘモグロビン値を元に正常群(男性 : Hb≧13g/dl, 女性 : Hb≧12g/dl),鉄不足群(男性 : Hb<13g/dl, 女性 : Hb<12g/dl)の2群に分けて検討したところ,鉄不足群は2000年においては11名であったのに対し,2005年には26名に増えていた。性,年齢を補正した結果,正常群に比べて鉄不足群で,2000年時におけるたんぱく質,鉄およびビタミンB12摂取量が有意に低値を示した。以上の結果より,本研究対象者において低アルブミン血症を示す高齢者は観察されず,たんぱく質栄養状態は全対象者で良好であった可能性,2005年で増加した鉄不足状態の発現には,2000年におけるたんぱく質,鉄およびビタミンB12等の摂取量の不足が関わる可能性が示唆された。The purpose of this study was to estimate nutritional conditions among elderly community residents (95persons, ≧65 years old), and to explore strategies for nutritional education. A baseline survey was carried out in 2000 and was followed-up in 2005. During the 5 years, mean values of height and weight significantly decreased in both sexes. Levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, serum albumin and serum HbA1c significantly decreased, while HDL-cholesterol levels significantly increased in a follow-up survey when compared to levels in the baseline survey. Intakes of dietary fat, iron and vitamin C in males, or iron and vitamin B2 in females were significantly decreased in the follow-up survey compared to those in the baseline survey. Based on hemoglobin levels in 2005, the participants were divided into two groups ; the iron normal group (male : Hb≧13g/dl, female : Hb≧12g/dl) and iron deficient group (male : Hb<13g/dl, female : Hb<12g/dl). Iron deficient group increased in the follow-up survey more than in the baseline survey. Adjusted for sex and age, protein, iron and vitamin B12 intakes in the baseline survey were significantly lower in the iron deficiency group than in the iron normal group. In addition, there were no subjects with hypoalbuminemia (Alb<3.8g/dl). In conclusion, this study suggested that dietary insufficiency of protein, iron and vitamin B12 intake at the onset of 2000 resulted in an increase in the number of iron deficiency persons in the follow-up survey