Chiba University\u27s approach to international-standard education : A report of study tour to International Organizations in Geneva

[要旨] 千葉大学予防医学センターでは，グローバルな視点や課題解決能力を持った学生を育成するための取組みのひとつとして，2013年度よりWHO本部等と連携した「国際機関視察研修」を実施している。千葉大学は2016年4月より三大学（千葉大学・金沢大学・長崎大学）共同大学院として先進予防医学共同専攻を開講したが，2016年9月に実施した第4回目となる同研修には，三大学の一つである金沢大学からも教員・学生が参加し，WHOをはじめとする国際機関の視察や職員からの講義を受ける等，社会医学に関する国際機関の取組み等について幅広く理解を深めた。[Summary] In April 2016, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences（CPMS）, Chiba University launched the Division of Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences in cooperation with Kanazawa University and Nagasaki University in order to nurture research in and further clinical practice of“personalized preventive medicine”with the aim of developing understanding of the impact of biological characteristics and environmental factors to individuals and so that disease can be prevented even before a prodrome appears. As one sphere of its activities, Chiba University and Kanazawa University jointly provided the special training program in cooperation with international organizations such as the WHO, IOM and IFRC, and the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva for three days in September 2016. A total of 40 clinicians, researchers, students and administrative staff from both universities participated in the program and studied through lectures and discussion a range of current global issues relating to public health

Synthesis, Properties and Crystal Structures of 2,7,12,17-Tetraarylporphycenes

We have synthesized 2,7,12,17-tetraarylporphycenes, which have phenyl (7a), p-trifluoromethylphenyl (7b) or p-methoxyphenyl (7c) groups, by McMurry coupling. The crystal structures revealed that 7a formed a herringbone-type arrangement, while 7b formed a slip-stacked structure with π-π stacking. The reduction potentials of these porphycenes depend on the attached aryl groups: -1.02 V (vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium cation) for 7b (Ar = p-C6H4CF3), -1.17 V for 7a (Ar = Ph) and -1.23 V for 7c (Ar = p-C6H4OMe), which are close to that of PC61BM (Ered = -1.08 V). These porphycenes, thus, are expected to behave as n-type semiconducting materials in OTFT and OPV devices

Effectiveness of a Teacher Training Program for Students with Symptoms of Developmental Disorders: Data from a Correspondence High School in Japan

In the present study, a teacher training program based on behavioral therapy was conducted for high school correspondence course teachers of adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years who showed developmental difficulties. Participating teachers were assigned to either an immediate treatment (IT; n = 13) or delayed treatment control (DTC; n = 17) group to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, which comprised five 90-min sessions with small groups of three to six participants and was conducted over three months. The results showed significant improvement in students’ behaviors and social responsiveness and in teachers’ confidence among those in the IT group; however, those in the DTC group did not show any such improvement. We discuss the program’s feasibility in terms of developing support resources for teachers in Japanese high schools

Impact of Exposure to Indoor Air Chemicals on Health and the Progression of Building-Related Symptoms: A Case Report

The aetiology of building-related symptoms (BRSs) is not well supported by sufficient scientific evidence, and it remains unclear whether BRSs are mediated by psychosocial and personal factors or a genuine physical susceptibility to low-dose chemical exposure. In April 2014, a 40-year-old man consulted the Environmental Medical Clinic at Chiba University complaining of recurring BRSs. Indoor air samples were collected from the patient’s house at 11 time points and subjected to chemical analyses. The patient simultaneously completed a questionnaire about his symptoms at the time of the measurements. Statistical examination of the indoor environmental factors and patient survey revealed that the patient’s symptoms were highly correlated with the indoor air quality. Additionally, ventilation may have mitigated his BRSs, whereas aerial odour did not trigger symptoms. These findings suggest that exposure to specific airborne chemicals in an indoor environment can cause BRSs, and ventilation may be one of the treatment options to mitigate symptoms. Additional investigations on the adverse impacts of airborne environmental chemicals on human health are necessary to develop effective treatments and establish preventive measures for BRSs, and further improvement of ventilation systems is required to ensure clean indoor air

Impact of Exposure to Indoor Air Chemicals on Health and the Progression of Building-Related Symptoms: A Case Report

The aetiology of building-related symptoms (BRSs) is not well supported by sufficient scientific evidence, and it remains unclear whether BRSs are mediated by psychosocial and personal factors or a genuine physical susceptibility to low-dose chemical exposure. In April 2014, a 40-year-old man consulted the Environmental Medical Clinic at Chiba University complaining of recurring BRSs. Indoor air samples were collected from the patient’s house at 11 time points and subjected to chemical analyses. The patient simultaneously completed a questionnaire about his symptoms at the time of the measurements. Statistical examination of the indoor environmental factors and patient survey revealed that the patient’s symptoms were highly correlated with the indoor air quality. Additionally, ventilation may have mitigated his BRSs, whereas aerial odour did not trigger symptoms. These findings suggest that exposure to specific airborne chemicals in an indoor environment can cause BRSs, and ventilation may be one of the treatment options to mitigate symptoms. Additional investigations on the adverse impacts of airborne environmental chemicals on human health are necessary to develop effective treatments and establish preventive measures for BRSs, and further improvement of ventilation systems is required to ensure clean indoor air

Is indoor environment a risk factor of building-related symptoms?

The indoor environment, particularly indoor air quality (IAQ), is significantly associated with building-related symptoms (BRSs) in humans. In our previous studies, we demonstrated a significant relationship between BRSs and indoor chemical concentrations. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) guideline recommends an air quality target of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a provisional target of 400 μg/m3 for total VOCs (TVOC). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between TVOC levels and the risk of BRSs using the Japanese provisional target TVOC level of 400 μg/m3. The relationship between odor intensity and BRSs while the TVOC levels were under 400 μg/m3 was also examined. The study was conducted in a laboratory house (LH) on the campus of Chiba University from 2017-2019. The study included 149 participants who spent 60 minutes in the LH. The participants were asked to evaluate the IAQ of the LH. A significant relationship between the risk of BRSs and the provisional target TVOC level was observed (odds ratio: 2.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-7.35). Furthermore, a significant relationship between odor intensity and risk of BRSs in spaces with TVOC levels less than 400 μg/m3 was detected (odds ratio: 6.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.21-30.44). In conclusion, the risk of BRSs is significantly lower in spaces with low TVOC levels and low odor intensity. Reducing the concentration of airborne chemicals and odor intensity may improve IAQ and prevent BRSs

Indoor Air Quality Analysis of Newly Built Houses

Recently, people have become increasingly aware of potential health issues related to indoor environments. In this study, we measure the concentrations of various volatile organic compounds, carbonyl compounds, and semi-volatile organic compounds, as well as the ventilation rates, in 49 new houses with light-gauge steel structures one week after completion. The proper indoor air quality of new residential environments can be ensured by characterizing people’s exposure to certain chemicals and assessing future risks. Our results show that the concentrations of the measured compounds were lower than the guideline values set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, and would continue to decrease. However, we observed that unregulated compounds, assumed to be substitutes for regulated solvents, contributed substantially to the total volatile organic compounds. To reduce indoor chemical exposure risks, the concentrations of these unregulated compounds should also be minimized. In addition, their sources need to be identified, and manufacture and use must be monitored. We believe it is important to select low-emission building materials for reducing residents’ exposure to indoor chemicals