Tokushima University Institutional Repository
Not a member yet
12889 research outputs found
Sort by
Measures for Identifying Malnutrition in Geriatric Rehabilitation : A Scoping Review
Get PDFMalnutrition is a common condition in geriatric rehabilitation settings; however, the accuracy and predictive validity of the measures to identify malnutrition have not been established. The current scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute’s evidence synthesis manual and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Literature published through September 2023 was searched using MEDLINE and CINAHL. The inclusion criteria selected studies reporting malnutrition measures, which include static body weight and weight loss. Identified tools were classified as nutritional screening tools, nutritional assessment tools, or diagnostic criteria. The domains of each tool/criterion and their accuracy and predictive validity were extracted. Fifty-six articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and six nutritional screening tools, three nutritional assessment tools, and three diagnostic criteria for malnutrition were identified. These measures consisted of various phenotypes, e.g., weight loss, causes such as inflammation/disease, and risk factors of malnutrition, e.g., functional impairment. The predictive validity of nutritional screening tools (n = 6) and malnutrition diagnostic criteria (n = 5) were inconsistently reported, whereas those for nutritional assessment tools were scarce (n = 1). These findings highlight the need to distinguish the functional impairment of nutritional origin from that of non-nutritional origin in nutritional assessment procedures, and the need to study the accuracy and the predictive validity of these measures in geriatric rehabilitation patients.journal articl
Host ZCCHC3 blocks HIV-1 infection and production through a dual mechanism
Get PDFMost mammalian cells prevent viral infection and proliferation by expressing various restriction factors and sensors that activate the immune system. Several host restriction factors that inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been identified, but most of them are antagonized by viral proteins. Here, we describe CCHC-type zinc-finger-containing protein 3 (ZCCHC3) as a novel HIV-1 restriction factor that suppresses the production of HIV-1 and other retroviruses, but does not appear to be directly antagonized by viral proteins. It acts by binding to Gag nucleocapsid (GagNC) via zinc-finger motifs, which inhibits viral genome recruitment and results in genome-deficient virion production. ZCCHC3 also binds to the long terminal repeat on the viral genome via the middle-folded domain, sequestering the viral genome to P-bodies, which leads to decreased viral replication and production. This distinct, dual-acting antiviral mechanism makes upregulation of ZCCHC3 a novel potential therapeutic strategy.journal articl
Development of an Effective Psoriasis Treatment by Combining Tacrolimus-Encapsulated Liposomes and Iontophoresis
No full textPsoriasis is a chronic T-cell–mediated autoimmune skin disease. Tacrolimus (FK506) is commonly used treatment for psoriasis. However, since the molecular weight of FK506 is more than 500 Da, its skin penetration is limited, so that there is a need to improve the penetrability of FK506 to allow for more effective treatment. To this end, we employed iontophoresis (ItP), which is a physical, intradermal drug delivery technology that relies on the use of weak electric current. Previous findings suggest that activation of cell signaling by the weak electric current applied during ItP may affect the expression of inflammatory cytokines, leading to aggravation of psoriasis. In this study, we analyzed the effect of ItP on the expression of various inflammatory cytokines in the skin, and subsequently examined the therapeutic effect of ItP using negatively-charged liposomes encapsulating FK506 (FK-Lipo) in a rat psoriasis model induced by imiquimod. We found that ItP (0.34 mA/cm2, 1 h) did not affect mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines or epidermis thickness, indicating that ItP is a safe technology for psoriasis treatment. ItP of FK-Lipo suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by imiquimod treatment to a greater extent than skin treated with FK506 ointment for 1 h. Furthermore, epidermis thickening was significantly suppressed only by ItP of FK-Lipo. Taken together, results of this study demonstrate the successful development of an efficient treatment for psoriasis by combining FK-Lipo and ItP, without disease aggravation associated with the weak electric current.journal articl
Effects of ferulic acid combined with light irradiation on deoxynivalenol and its production in Fusarium graminearum
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate the effects of ferulic acid (FA), a natural phenolic phytochemical, in combination with light irradiation at three wavelengths (365, 385 and 405 nm) on the concentration and toxicity of deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium graminearum. Moreover, this study examined the influence of the combination treatment on DON production in the cultured fungus. FA activated by light at a peak wavelength of 365 nm exhibited the most effective decrease in DON concentration of the tested wavelengths; a residual DON ratio of 0.23 at 24 h exposure was observed, compared with the initial concentration. The reduction in DON using 365-nm light was dependent on the concentration of FA, with a good correlation (r2=0.979) between the rate constants of DON decrease and FA concentration, which was confirmed by a pseudo-first-order kinetics analysis of the photoreaction with different FA concentrations (50 to 400 mg/L) for 3 h. The viability of HepG2 cells increased by 56.7% following in vitro treatment with a mixture containing the photoproducts obtained after treatment with 20 mg/L DON and 200 mg/L FA under 365-nm irradiation for 6 h. These results suggested that the photoreaction of FA under 365-nm irradiation induces the detoxification of DON through degradation or modification of DON. The antifungal effects of the combination (FA and 365-nm light) on F. graminearum were investigated. Conidia treated with the combination did not show additive or synergistic inhibition of fungal biomass and DON production in 7-day cultivated fungal samples compared with samples after single treatment. However, successive treatment, composed of 90 min irradiation at 365 nm and then treatment with 200 mg/L FA for 90 min in the dark, suppressed fungal growth and DON yield to 70% and 25% of the untreated sample level, respectively. This photo-technology involving the two treatment methods of 365-nm irradiation and FA addition as a food-grade phenolic acid in combination or successively, can aid in developing alternative approaches to eliminate fungal contaminants in the fields of environmental water and agriculture. However, further research is required to explore the underlying mechanisms of DON decontamination and its biosynthesis in F. graminearum.journal articl
Broadband Ag/SiO2/Fe/TiO2 ultrathin planar absorber with a wide acceptance angle from visible to near-infrared regions
Get PDFWe present theoretical and experimental evidences of a broadband ultrathin optical absorber, constructed using Ag(85 nm)/SiO2(70 nm)/Fe(13 nm)/TiO2(60 nm) planar films, with a wide acceptance angle and effective admittance similar to that of air. Calculations show that this system displays near-complete visible to near-infrared absorption owing to admittance matching. The electromagnetic distribution within the layered film reveals that the high absorption rate is primarily attributed to the deep subwavelength Fe film. Maximum absorption of 99.3% is achieved even with a 13-nm-thick Fe absorptive film, and an average absorption rate of 94.8% is observed in the 400–1100 nm wavelength range. Notably, even at 60° oblique incidence, the fabricated absorber sustains an absorption rate of 85.4% (for unpolarized light). Such absorbers can be applied to efficient thermal generation and various other applications owing to their minimal heat capacity, expansive area, and fabrication simplicity.journal articl
Foreign Language Learning and Career Aspirations Among Nursing Undergraduates Enrolled in JLSP
Get PDFThe current study examines the comparison of the attitudes towards foreign language learning and career aspirations among Vietnamese undergraduate nursing students in the Japanese Language Special Program (JLSP) and the regular program (RP). Data were collected via an online questionnaire administered to students in Vietnam during spring 2023. Results reveal that JLSP students invest more time and effort into in-class language study and self-study compared to RP students, leading to higher perceived proficiency levels. Notably, JLSP students show an inclination towards pursuing job opportunities in Japan, particularly in the caregiving and nursing sectors, while RP students tend to prefer staying in Vietnam. It has become clear that learning attitudes and career aspirations vary greatly depending on the language chosen.本稿は、ベトナムでの看護学部生の日本語特別プログラム（JLSP）と通常プログラム（RP）における外国語学習への態度とキャリア志向比較調査した。データは、2023年春にオンラインで収集された。結果として、JLSP学生はRP学生よりも、語学授業や自己学習により多くの時間と努力を費やし、より高い能力レベル向上に対する認識が示された。特に、JLSP学生は、介護や看護分野での日本での就職に対する意向がある一方、RP学生はベトナムでの就職に対する意向があった。つまり、選択する言語によって、学習態度やキャリア志向が大きく異なることが明らかとなった。departmental bulletin pape
Raman Spectroscopic Evaluation of Composition of Matrix Synthesized by Osteoblasts under Microvibration Stimulation
Get PDFIn this study, we used Raman spectroscopy to observe the process of osteoblast calcification under microvibration stimulation. Osteoblast cultures were prepared under three conditions: the control group was cultured statically without vibration stimulation, and the 45-Hz vibration group and 90-Hz vibration group were stimulated by microvibration at 45 Hz and 90 Hz, respectively, for 30 minutes per day with an acceleration amplitude of 0.2 G. The incubation periods were 7, 9, 11 and 14 days, and observations were conducted using Raman spectroscopy after fixation. In the 45-Hz vibration group, calcification was accelerated. This group produced a large amount of highly crystalline phosphate with large crystal size and a low proportion of hyaluronan precursor and carbonate. In the 90-Hz vibration group, differentiation into mature osteoblasts was not rapid. This group produced more non-crystalline phosphate containing more hyaluronan precursors and carbonate than the other groups. The results suggest that microvibration stimulation promotes calcification, and that the composition of the calcified area may differ depending on the vibration conditions.journal articl
日本の大学教育センター等の現状と課題 : 日本版CTLアセスメント基準を枠組みとした分析をもとに
Get PDF本研究は、日本の大学教育センター等の特徴と課題について「日本版CTLアセスメント基準」を用いて明らかにすることを目的とする。具体的には①センターの特徴や課題は何か、②特徴や課題の背景は何か、③本基準の意義と課題は何か、の3つの問いについて、同基準を分析枠組みに用い、大学教育センター等に所属する教職員を対象としたインタビュー調査を実施した結果をもとに追究した。その結果、日本の大学教育センター等には同基準のカテゴリーである「組織構造」「資源分配とインフラ」「プログラムとサービス」に沿った特徴や課題があり、同基準に4つの意義や2つの課題を有することが示唆された。journal articl