Low Dose of Propranolol Does Not Affect Rat Osteotomy Healing and Callus Strength

Experimental studies suggest that the β‐blocker propranolol stimulates bone formation but little work has investigated its effect on fracture healing. In this study, we examined if a low dose of propranolol, previously shown to be preventive against bone loss in rats, improves bone repair. Female Wistar rats were injected with saline or propranolol (0.1 mg/kg/day) (n = 20/group), 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Three weeks after the beginning of treatment, all rats underwent a mid‐diaphyseal transverse osteotomy in the left femur. Radiographic analysis of ostetomy healing was performed 2 and 5 weeks after osteotomy. Rats were sacrificed at 5 weeks and femora collected for measurements of fracture strength by torsional testing, callus volume, and mineral content by micro‐CT analysis and histology of fracture callus. Eighty nine percent of osteotomies achieved apparent radiological union by 5 weeks in both groups. Propranolol treatment did not significantly alter the torsional strength of the fractured femur compared with controls. The volume and mineralization of fracture callus at 5 weeks were not significantly different in both groups. Histology showed that endochondral ossification was not affected by propranolol. Altogether, our results demonstrate that propranolol using the regimen described does not significantly improve or inhibit rat osteotomy healing and mechanical strength

Study on the Teaching Strategy of an Junior High School and Improving the Program for Training Students to be Teachers of University (2) : In the Case of Music, Health and Physical Education, Art, Technology and Home Economics (Field of Technology)

　本研究は，教科内容構成の考え方に基づいて中学校の授業づくりのあり方を検討するとともに，それをふまえることで大学の教員養成プログラムの授業が具体的にどのように改善されるかを明らかにしようとしたものである。教科内容構成とは，教員養成において従来から課題とされてきた教科の内容に関わる知識・技能と教科の指導法に関わる知識・技能の分離という問題を克服するために提案されたものである。教科内容構成は，教科の内容と指導法に関わる知識・技能を統合し，それらを応用して，教師が自ら「どのような内容をどのように教えるべきか」を考え，授業づくりに取り組むことができるようになるための考え方を示すものであり，本研究では教員養成プログラムにおける具体的な授業プランを提示してそれを明らかにしていく。本稿では，特に，中学校の音楽科，保健体育科，美術科，技術・家庭科（技術分野）を事例として論じていくことにしたい

Characteristics of dietary intake in relation to the consumption of home-produced foods among farm women in two rural areas of Kenya: A preliminary study

The present study aimed to clarify the differences in nutritional intake in relation to the consumption of local food products and dietary patterns between two rural Kenyan regions, Kitui and Vihiga, where different ethnic groups live in different agro-ecological zones. A participant observation study with weighted dietary records was conducted in August 2019. Enumerators stayed in each targeted household for approximately one week and measured the ingredients and dishes. We compared the dietary intake of farm women in charge of meal preparation (n = 21) between the two regions and examined the contribution of each dish to the intake and the degree of home production for each food item. The results showed no difference in energy intake, but vitamin B2, B12, and C intakes were significantly higher in Vihiga, influenced by their consuming small fish and a variety of homegrown leafy vegetables. The people in Kitui consumed large quantities of homegrown pigeon peas, largely contributing to their nutritional intake. Dietary patterns were similar; common staple foods and tea with sugar accounted for about 40% of energy and protein intakes and fruit consumption was low. There was no difference in foods purchased frequently. These results suggested that promoting locally available fruits and vegetables would contribute to a sustainable supply of adequate micronutrients. Further studies are required to develop strategies to promote healthy dietary habits and improve health status

Influence of powder/liquid ratio on the radiodensity and diametral tensile strength of glass ionomer cements

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of P/L ratio on the radiodensity and diametral tensile strength (DTS) of glass ionomer cements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 2 factors under study: P/L ratio (manufacturer's recommended P/L ratio and a 50% reduced P/L ratio), and materials (Vitro Molar, Vitro Fil, Vitro Cem conventional GICs and Vitro Fil LC, Ortho Glass LC RMGICs). Five 1-mm-thick samples of each material-P/L ratio were produced for radiodensity evaluation. Samples were x-ray exposed onto Digora phosphor plate and radiodensity was obtained using the software Digora for Windows 2.5 Rev 0. For DTS, five (4.0x8.0 mm) cylinder samples of each material were tested (0.5 mm/min). Data were subjected to one- and two-way ANOVA (5x2) followed by Tukey's HSD test, or Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's method. For paired comparisons, t-test or Mann-Whitney test were used (a=0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant interaction (P=0.001) for the studied factors (materials vs. P/L ratio). Reduced P/L ratio resulted in significantly lower DTS for the RMGICs, but radiodensity was affected for all materials (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced P/L ratio affected properties of the tested glass ionomer cements. RMGICs were more susceptible to lower values of DTS, but radiodensity decreased for all materials following P/L ratio reduction

Photochromism and Electrochemistry of a Dithienylcyclopentene Electroactive Polymer

A bifunctional substituted dithienylcyclopentene photochromic switch bearing electropolymerisable methoxystyryl units, which enable immobilization of the photochromic unit on conducting substrates, is reported. The spectroscopic, electrochemical, and photochemical properties of a monomer in solution are compared with those of the polymer formed through oxidative electropolymerization. The electroactive polymer films prepared on gold, platinum, glassy carbon, and indium titanium oxide (ITO) electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thickness of the films formed is found to be limited to several monolayer equivalents. The photochromic properties and stability of the polymer films have been investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and XPS. Although the films are electrochemically and photochemically stable, their mechanical stability with respect to adhesion to the electrode was found to be sensitive to both the solvent and the electrode material employed, with more apolar solvents, glassy carbon, and ITO electrodes providing good adhesion of the polymer film. The polymer film is formed consistently as a thin film and can be switched both optically and electrochemically between the open and closed state of the photochromic dithienylethene moiety.

Meltrin β/ADAM19 Interacting with EphA4 in Developing Neural Cells Participates in Formation of the Neuromuscular Junction

BACKGROUND: Development of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is initiated by the formation of postsynaptic specializations in the central zones of muscles, followed by the arrival of motor nerve terminals opposite the postsynaptic regions. The post- and presynaptic components are then stabilized and modified to form mature synapses. Roles of ADAM (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease) family proteins in the formation of the NMJ have not been reported previously. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We report here that Meltrin beta, ADAM19, participates in the formation of the NMJ. The zone of acetylcholine receptor alpha mRNA distribution was broader and excess sprouting of motor nerve terminals was more prominent in meltrin beta-deficient than in wild-type embryonic diaphragms. A microarray analysis revealed that the preferential distribution of ephrin-A5 mRNA in the synaptic region of muscles was aberrant in the meltrin beta-deficient muscles. Excess sprouting of motor nerve terminals was also found in ephrin-A5 knockout mice, which lead us to investigate a possible link between Meltrin beta and ephrin-A5-Eph signaling in the development of the NMJ. Meltrin beta and EphA4 interacted with each other in developing motor neurons, and both of these proteins localized in the NMJ. Coexpression of Meltrin beta and EphA4 strongly blocked vesicular internalization of ephrin-A5-EphA4 complexes without requiring the protease activity of Meltrin beta, suggesting a regulatory role of Meltrin beta in ephrin-A5-Eph signaling. CONCLUSION: Meltrin beta plays a regulatory role in formation of the NMJ. The endocytosis of ephrin-Eph complexes is required for efficient contact-dependent repulsion between ephrin and Eph. We propose that Meltrin beta stabilizes the interaction between ephrin-A5 and EphA4 by regulating endocytosis of the ephrinA5-EphA complex negatively, which would contribute to the fine-tuning of the NMJ during development

本学看護学生の「美容医療」に対する意識調査

【目的】 本学の看護基礎教育に「美容医療」を初めて導入するにあたり，本学看護学生が，「美容医療」に対し，どのような意識や興味・関心や期待を持っているかを明らかにし，カリキュラム導入と構築のために一助とすることを目的とした． 【方法】 同意を得られた本学看護学生257名に，無記名自由式質問紙調査法により，「美容医療」対する興味・関心，イメ－ジ，学習意欲等について調査を行い，基本統計，クロス集計，カイ2乗検定を行った．調査に先立ち美容医療に関する講演会を1～3年生に実施した．倫理的配慮：了德寺大学倫理委員会の承認（23-18）を得た． 【結果】 今回の調査結果では，学生の美容医療に対する興味関心は高く，美容医療を学ぶ必要性も感じていることがわかった．84.2%の学生が興味・関心を持ち，「美容医療」へのイメ－ジは「自己肯定感を高める」が70.0%，「美容医療を学びたい」は54.0%，また「美容医療を学びたい」「美容医療を受けたい部位」等では，性別に有意差がみられた． 【考察】 看護は，新生児から高齢者までを対象とし，身体的健康だけでなく精神的健康を保つための取組みは非常に重要であり且つ必要である．美に対する関心は，若者だけではなく超高齢化社会を迎え，美容への関心が高い高齢者も多くなっている．高齢者にとっても美容を楽しむことは，QOL（Quality of Life=生活の質）を維持向上できる効果があることが先行研究によって明らかになっている．また，アンチエイジングという言葉がよく使われ，男女を問わず若返り治療を受ける患者が増加傾向にある．美容医療の科目を開設することにより，美容医療と医療行為の違い，つまり，美容医療は自己の意思による自己選択，自己決定に基づく医療であり生活改善を目的とするサ－ビス医療であり，高いレベルのインフォ－ムドコンセントが求められ，健康な人が美しくなり充実した生活を送るための方法である．一方，医療は，病気や怪我を治すために行われる行為である．日本および世界の美容医療の現状と展望および日本における美容医療の特徴，美容医療のリスクマネジメント，チ－ム医療における看護師の役割等，深く理解できると考える． 【結語】 本学看護学生は美容医療を積極的に評価し，美容医療が国民に広く受け入れられている昨今，「美容医療」を学び，患者支援を行うことは社会のニーズにマッチしているとの結論を得た．conference proceeding

A survey on introducing cosmetic medicine in basic nursing education:Attitude of nursing students toward cosmetic medicine

【目的】本学の看護基礎教育に「美容医療」を初めて導入するにあたり，本学看護学生が，「美容医療」 に対し，どのような意識や興味・関心や期待を持っているかを明らかにし，カリキュラム導入と構築のた めの一助とすることを目的とした．【方法】同意を得られた本学看護学生257名に，無記名自由式質問紙調 査法により，「美容医療」対する興味・関心，イメージ，学習意欲等について調査を行い，基本統計，ク ロス集計，χ2 検定を行った．調査に先立ち美容医療に関する講演会を1 ～ 3年生に実施した．【倫理的配慮】 了德寺大学倫理委員会の承認を得た．【結果】84.2%の学生が興味・関心を持ち，「美容医療」へのイメー ジは「自己肯定感を高める」70.0%，「美容医療を学びたい」54.0%，また「美容医療を学びたい」「美容医 療を受けたい部位」等では，性別に有意差がみられた．【考察・結論】本学看護学生は美容医療を積極的 に評価し，美容医療が国民に広く受け入れられている昨今，「美容医療」を学び，患者支援を行うことは 社会のニーズにマッチしているとの結論を得た．Objectives To ascertain the attitudes, interests, concerns, and expectations of nursing students at this University regarding cosmetic medicine, following its inclusion in basic nursing education, and to contribute to the development and implementation of a relevant curriculum. Methods A total of 257 nursing students at this University participated in the study, providing responses through an anonymous open-ended questionnaire. The survey explored their level of interest, concerns, and perceptions about cosmetic medicine, and their willingness to study the subject. Basic statistics were obtained, cross tabulation was performed, and a χ 2 test was conducted. Lectures on cosmetic medicine were conducted for first- to third-year students prior to the survey. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ryotokuji University. Results Of the total students surveyed, 84.2% expressed their interest or concerns about cosmetic medicine, 70.0% viewed cosmetic medicine as a means of “enhancing self-esteem,” and 54.0% said they “wanted to study cosmetic medicine.” There were significant gender differences noted in terms of “wanting to study cosmetic medicine” and “areas [of the body] for cosmetic medicine treatment.” Discussion and Conclusion Nursing students at this University viewed cosmetic medicine positively. Furthermore, in light of the widespread acceptance of cosmetic medicine by the public, nursing students are eager to study this subject and provide patient assistance in line with societal needs.departmental bulletin pape

New developments in osteoarthritis. Posttraumatic osteoarthritis: pathogenesis and pharmacological treatment options

Joint trauma can lead to a spectrum of acute lesions, including osteochondral fractures, ligament or meniscus tears and damage to the articular cartilage. This is often associated with intraarticular bleeding and causes posttraumatic joint inflammation. Although the acute symptoms resolve and some of the lesions can be surgically repaired, joint injury triggers a chronic remodeling process in cartilage and other joint tissues that ultimately manifests as osteoarthritis in a majority of cases. The objective of the present review is to summarize information on pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the acute and chronic consequences of joint trauma and discuss potential pharmacological interventions. The focus of the review is on the early events that follow joint trauma since therapies for posttraumatic joint inflammation are not available and this represents a unique window of opportunity to limit chronic consequences