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Deep groundwater in the Kumamoto area affected by nitrate nitrogen with source origin by sterols
No full textNitrate nitrogen contamination of groundwater is often related to agricultural production and is a common problem in many parts of the world, particularly in regions that depend on groundwater for water supply. Nitrate nitrogen concentrations in groundwater in the Kumamoto area have increased in recent years, and countermeasures are urgently needed. Identifying the causes and sources of contamination is important for counteracting such contamination. For this purpose, continuous groundwater monitoring was conducted over a period of more than one year, and nitrate nitrogen concentrations and sterol compounds were analyzed as indicators. Nitrate nitrogen concentrations ranged from 0.07 to 4.86 mg L−1, with most sites remaining below the natural background threshold of 3 mg L−1. Sterol ratios generally remained below the fecal contamination threshold of 0.3, except for 0.354, which was observed in February 2023. Principal component analysis was applied to characterize the variation patterns in sterol composition, revealing that β-sitosterol and cholesterol contributed most strongly to the first principal component, whereas coprostanol and cholestanol dominated the second principal component. Hierarchical cluster analysis further classified the samples into five clusters, identifying beef and dairy cattle manure as the primary sources of groundwater pollution. Although measuring sterols is useful for estimating the origin of nitrate nitrogen pollution and as an indicator of fecal contamination, observations must be continuous and not intermittent because of hydrophobicity and high adsorption rates in the solid phase. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously collect and measure water samples for longer periods, probably for at least one year.Journal of Hydrology, 662, art. no. 134101; 2025journal articl
Loneliness, insomnia symptoms, social jetlag, and vitamin D deficiency in relation to mental health problems in Japanese female university students: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Vitamin D defciency is highly prevalent among Japanese female university students. Vitamin D defciency is associated with physical and mental health problems, including sleep disorders. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between vitamin D defciency and sleep and mental health problems among Japanese female university students. Methods: Participants were 224 female university students. Blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for vitamin D assessment. Mental health was assessed using the K6. Sleep–wake status as a factor related to mental health was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Munich ChronoType Questionnaire. Loneliness was assessed using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale. Factors predicting mental health problems with a K6 score≥5 were explored using the Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact probability test, and classifcation and regression tree (CART) analysis. Results: The median (interquartile range) serum 25(OH)D concentration was 14.5 (11.8–18.3) ng/mL. Of the participants, 80.8% had vitamin D defciency (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL), and 26.3% had severe vitamin D defciency (25(OH) D<12 ng/mL). In total, 41.1% had mental health problems with a K6 score of≥5. Although there was no signifcant association between vitamin D defciency and sleep–wake problems, vitamin D defciency was more prevalent among those with K6 scores≥5 (P=0.02). Compared to those with K6<5, those with K6≥5 had signifcantly higher Loneliness and AIS scores (P<0.001), greater social jetlag (P=0.03), shorter sleep duration on weekdays (P=0.03), and lower serum 25(OH)D concentration (P=0.02). In the CART analysis, the algorithm was set in the order of Loneliness score≥6, AIS score≥7, social jetlag≥150 min, and serum 25(OH)D concentration<14 ng/mL, and the target accuracy (95% confdence interval: CI) was 76.5 (70.3–81.9)%, and sensitivity and specifcity (95% CI) were 62.2 (51.4–72.2)% and 86.3 (79.2–91.6)%, respectively. Conclusions; Loneliness, insomnia symptoms, social jetlag, and vitamin D defciency were associated with mental health problems among Japanese female university students.Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 44(1), art. no. 19; 2025journal articl
A Printed Hybrid-Mode Antenna for Dual-Band Circular Polarization with Flexible Frequency Ratio
Get PDFIn this paper, a printed hybrid-mode antenna for dual-band circular polarization (CP) is proposed. In the proposed antenna, one T-shaped element is fed by a coplanar waveguide and one L-shaped element is loaded to the ground plane. The relationship between the antenna’s geometric parameters and the circular polarization characteristic (axial ratio) is examined through electric current distribution and radiation field components. In addition, the antenna’s resonant modes are investigated through characteristic mode analysis (CMA). Through parametric studies, the range of two frequency ratios is explored, revealing that the antenna operates as a dual-band single-sense CP antenna, even in ranges where the two frequency ratios (the ratio of high frequency to low frequency) are smaller compared to antennas in other studies. The proposed antenna has a frequency ratio of less than 1.5 between the two frequencies and can be flexibly designed. The proposed antenna is designed for the 2.5 GHz band and 3.5 GHz band. The measured bandwidths of 10 dB impedance with a 3 dB axial ratio are 2.35–2.52 GHz and 3.36–3.71 GHz, respectively.Electronics, 14(13), art. no. 2504; 2025journal articl
知的障害のある生徒の他者へ働き掛ける力を高める指導―自立活動、国語の指導を中心に―
Get PDF長崎大学教育学部教育実践研究紀要, 24, pp.23-32; 2025departmental bulletin pape
学校運営に主体的に参画するミドルリーダーの育成―「育成指標」第１ステージの教員に対する教頭の働きかけ―
Get PDF長崎大学教育学部教育実践研究紀要, 24, pp.117-126; 2025departmental bulletin pape
Impact of weight loss and lifestyle modifications on liver fibrosis in MASLD and MetALD: A cohort study
Get PDFThe present study aimed to investigate the impact of weight loss and abstinence and exercise on liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease and alcoholic‑related liver disease (MetALD). A total of 67 patients with MASLD and 33 patients with MetALD were retrospectively evaluated after six months of follow‑up for weight loss, abstinence and exercise. A decrease in liver fibrosis (decrease in dLSM2B) was defined as a reduction in liver stiffness (LS) by FibroScan and macrophage galactose‑specific lectin‑2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) over the observation period. The decrease in dLSM2B levels was 35.8 and 39.4% in the MASLD and MetALD groups, respectively. In MASLD, the decreased weight rate (dBW%) was lower for a decrease in dLSM2B than for an increase. However, in MetALD, the dBW% was not significantly different between the groups. In MetALD, patients with complete abstinence and exercise frequency had a higher rate of decrease in dLSM2B. A prediction score of 0, 1 or 2 points was developed to predict the decrease in dLSM2B, with 1 point awarded for a dBW% reduction of ≥3.8 and 1 point for a FIB‑4 reduction of ≥0.201. In patients with MASLD, there was a significant difference in the decrease in dLSM2B by 8.3% for a prediction score of 0, 36% for 1, and 72.2% for 2 points, whereas there was no significant difference in the improvement rate for 0‑2 points. In conclusion, weight loss during MASLD and abstinence and exercise during MetALD were associated with a decrease in dLSM2B.Biomedical Reports, 23(4), art. no. 158; 2025journal articl
The overlapping coinfection of hepatitis B virus and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody in tuberculosis patients: Unraveling co-infection patterns and clinical implications
Get PDFAims: Viral hepatitis and tuberculosis are major public health concerns with shared risk factors, especially in marginalized communities. Despite this, routine hepatitis B and C viruses screening in tuberculosis patients is uncommon. This study, conducted in Golestan Province, where tuberculosis and hepatitis B virus have high incidence rates, aimed to assess the rates and prevalence of hepatitis B and anti-hepatitis C viruses testing among active tuberculosis patients. Materials and methods: Our cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2018 and March 2023 and included patient records of 2283 tuberculosis cases registered in the database of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Hepatitis B and anti-hepatitis C viruses were tested among patients with confirmed tuberculosis. Clinical and demographic data were collected by taking patient records and performing structured interviews. Exclusions were limited to patients with a confirmed tuberculosis diagnosis. Patients who did not consent to participate and had incomplete information were excluded from the study. Results: Among 2280 tuberculosis patients, 50.1% were male, with a mean age of 46.22 years. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen was detected in 10.57%, and 2.32% tested positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies. Men were more frequently tested for anti-hepatitis C virus positivity than women (62.15% versus 37.85%, p > 0.3). Most co-infected patients resided in rural areas, with pulmonary tuberculosis being the predominant manifestation. Co-infection rates among chronic hepatitis B virus patients varied by family structure: 6.7% in three-generation families, 15% in two-generation families, and 15% in intrafamilial cases. Additionally, 20% of mother–child pairs and 7.5% of intrafamilial hepatitis B virus patients tested positive for anti-hepatitis C virus. Liver function test abnormalities were more common in hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis patients, especially in hepatitis B/anti-hepatitis C viruses positive tuberculosis cases (p = 0.05). Hepatitis B virus DNA levels were higher in CHB/tuberculosis patients compared to CHB-only patients (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Tuberculosis patients were more likely to test positive for hepatitis B and anti-hepatitis C viruses than the general population. These results emphasize the need for regular screening and coordinated care for co-infected patients.SAGE Open Medicine, 13, art. no. 20503121251376150; 2025journal articl
Exploring the Garden Design and Underlying Philosophy of Lion Grove as a Chan Garden During the Yuan Dynasty
Get PDFLion Grove was established in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty and is one of the four most famous classical gardens in China. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Although Lion Grove is now regarded as a private garden representing the culture of Confucian scholars, it was originally a Chan Buddhist garden during its inception in the Yuan Dynasty. This study examines the natural landscapes of Lion Grove at its inception, focusing on four main aspects: the philosophy of nature, planning intent, creators, and the philosophical ideas they represent. Key findings include the following: Firstly, Lion Grove’s attitude towards nature is rooted in China’s indigenous culture, making it both a physical expression of Chan philosophy and a space reflecting the scholar–bureaucrats’ vision of an ideal landscape. Secondly, from the perspective of landscape planning, the Lion Grove of the Yuan Dynasty placed greater emphasis on natural elements compared to its modern counterpart, with rock landscapes serving as the core element throughout the garden. Thirdly, hermitic philosophy emerged as a significant cultural theme alongside Chan Buddhism during the Yuan Dynasty. Fourthly, the landscape elements of Lion Grove symbolize Chan Buddhist wisdom and the hermit’s idealism, with poetry playing a key role in conveying these cultural ideals, preserving the site’s early philosophical significance.Architecture, 5(3), art. no. 57; 2025journal articl
Carbon ion radiotherapy and AI chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma of the temporomandibular joint: A case report of 5-year disease-free survival without wide resection
No full textWe report a case of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) arising in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a rare site associated with considerable functional and aesthetic challenges when resection is required. A 33-year-old female with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with progressive swelling in the right TMJ. Imaging revealed an enlarging, irregular region. Histopathological findings were suggestive of a high-grade STS, but definitive subclassification was not possible. The patient declined surgery due to potential facial nerve injury and cosmetic concerns. As an alternative, a combination of carbon ion radiotherapy and AI chemotherapy (ifosfamide and doxorubicin) was administered. At 5 years and 7 months post-treatment, the patient remains recurrence-free with preserved function and appearance. This case highlights the therapeutic potential of multidisciplinary, non-surgical strategies for head and neck STS when histologic ambiguity exists and radical surgery poses significant risk.Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 127(2), art. no. 102616; 2025journal articl