Changes in Physiological Indices Before and After Nursing Care of Postoperative Patients With Esophageal Cancer in the ICU.

Introduction: Various stressors have been identified in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including postoperative pain, ventilatory management, and nursing care. However, sedated patients are less responsive, and nurses have difficulty capturing their stressors. Objective: To investigate patient stress caused by nursing care performed in the ICU on sedated patients based on changes in physiological indices. Methods: We observed nursing care performed on patients with postoperative esophageal cancer under sedation in the ICU. This included endotracheal suctioning and turning, the time required for the care, and the patients' behavioral responses. Information on arousal levels, autonomic nervous system indices, and vital signs were also obtained. The changes in indicators before and after care were then compared and analyzed. Results: There were 14 patients in the study. The mean age of the patients was 68 years. Ninety-nine scenes of nursing care were observed, and in six of these, additional bolus sedation was administered because of the patient's significant body movements. In endotracheal suctioning, no significant changes were observed in all indicators. In turning, vital signs changed significantly, and when both were continued, all indicators changed significantly. Conclusion: Our study found that different types and combinations of nursing care may cause different stresses to the patients. Moreover, the autonomic nervous system indices may be more likely to react to stresses in a variety of nursing care, while arousal levels may be more likely to react to burdensome stresses. If the characteristics of these physiological indicators can be understood and effectively utilized during care, it may be possible to better identify and reduce patient stress during sedation management.

Use of platelet lysate for in-vitro embryo production and treatment of repeat breeding in cows.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological hemocomponent derived from blood after the complete removal of red blood cells and the partial or complete removal of white blood cells to concentrate platelets in an appropriate volume of plasma. Platelets have important growth factors, cytokines, and active metabolites that improve the endometrial environment and positively affect implantation. This study evaluated the effect of the addition of activated PRP (platelets lysate; PL) on in vitro bovine oocyte maturation and embryonic development and the effect of intrauterine (IU) infusion of autologous PL in repeat breeder (RB) cows. Experiment 1 examined the effects of allogeneic PL, fetal calf serum (FCS), mixed PL + FCS, or platelet-poor plasma (PPP) supplementations to in vitro maturation and development media on in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo development in good- and poor-quality oocytes of Japanese Black cows. Experiment 2 examined the IU infusion of autologous PL, 24 h post-insemination, in 21 RB Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. The cleavage rate of good-quality oocytes was higher in the PL group (85.93 ± 2.50%) than in the PPP group (67.16 ± 3.41%) (P < 0.05), while the cleavage rate of the poor-quality oocytes was higher in the PL alone (76.13 ± 4.04%) and mixed PL + FCS treated (73.59 ± 4.22%) groups than in the PPP group (54.64 ± 2.93%) (P < 0.05). The blastocyst rate of the good-quality oocytes was higher in the PL group (40.97 ± 3.03%) than in the FCS (27.97 ± 3.31%) and PPP (25.33 ± 2.15%) groups (P < 0.05). The blastocyst rate of poor-quality oocytes and the hatching rates of both good and poor-quality oocytes showed no significant differences among all groups. The conception rate in the autologous PL-treated group was 41.67% (5/12), while it was 11.11% (1/9) in the control group. The platelets' count in the pregnant PL-treated cows (n = 5; mean ± SEM, 1.07 ± 0.10 × 109/mL) was higher than in the non-pregnant ones (n = 7; 0.67 ± 0.10 × 109/mL) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, allogeneic PL was effective in stimulating the in vitro oocyte maturation and embryonic development in both good and poor-quality bovine oocytes, and post-insemination IU infusion of autologous PL derived from high platelets' count-PRP would be recommended for the treatment of RB cows.

Factors and Challenges in Increasing the Utilization Rate of a New Long-term Care Service (Kantaki) in a Superaging Society: Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Japan is a superaging society unparalleled in the world. Elderly people who need medical care do not receive adequate support in the community. As a new service to address this issue, a small-scale multifunctional in-home care nursing service called Kantaki was created in 2012. Kantaki, in collaboration with a primary physician, operates 24 hours a day and provides various nursing services (home visits, home care, day care, and overnight stays) to older people living in the community. The Japanese Nursing Association is working hard to promote this system; however, its low utilization rate is an issue. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine factors influencing the utilization rate of Kantaki facilities. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire on the operation of Kantaki was sent to all administrators of Kantaki facilities operating in Japan from October 1 to December 31, 2020. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with a high utilization rate. RESULTS: Responses from 154 of the 593 facilities were analyzed. The average utilization rate for all valid responding facilities was 79.4%. The average number of actual users and the break-even point were almost equal, resulting in little surplus profit from facility operations. A multiple regression analysis showed that factors that had a significant impact on the utilization rate included the break-even point, a surplus of users relative to the break-even point (ie, the margin of revenues), the number of months in office of the administrator, the type of corporation (ie, nonprofit), and Kantaki's profit from operating home-visit nursing offices. The break-even point, a surplus of users relative to the break-even point, and the number of months in office of the administrator were robust. In addition, support for reducing the burden on family helpers, a service sought by the system, significantly and negatively affected the utilization rate. In the analysis that removed the most influential factors, the cooperation of the home-visit nursing office, Kantaki's profit from operating the home-visit nursing office, and the number of full-time care workers were significantly related. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the utilization rate, managers need to stabilize their organization and increase profitability. However, a positive relationship was found between the break-even point and utilization rate, suggesting that simply increasing users did not contribute to cost reduction. Moreover, providing services that meet the needs of individual clients may result in lower utilization rates. These results, which are inconsistent with common sense, reflect the divergence between the assumptions underlying the system's design and actual conditions. To solve these issues, institutional reforms, such as an increase in nursing care fee points, may be necessary.

Effects of paramylon-rich Euglena gracilisEOD-1 powder on visceral fat obesity in moderately obese Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

To investigate whether supplementation of paramylon (PM)-rich Euglena gracilis EOD-1 powder (EOD-1) reduces visceral fat obesity in moderately obese Japanese subjects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study was conducted involving 36 Japanese adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 and <30 kg/m2. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups to consume EOD-1 capsules (EOD-1 group, 2.6 g PM/day) or cellulose capsules (placebo group) for a 12-week period. Anthropometric measurements including visceral fat area (VFA) and blood samples were measured at baseline and throughout the trial. There was no significant difference in VFA between the two groups, although subgroup analysis by gender showed a significant decrease in VFA in the male EOD-1 group compared with the placebo group. Serum adiponectin levels in all subjects from the EOD-1 group were significantly higher than in the placebo group. By comparison with the placebo group, the subjects in the EOD-1 group showed a significant reduction in serum HbA1c levels. EOD-1 intake led to a significant reduction in VFA in male subjects with moderate obesity (BMI 25-30 kg/m2). PM in EOD-1 may contribute to preventing visceral fat obesity in male Japanese subjects. Moreover, PM may also contribute to improving glucose homeostasis in moderately obese Japanese adults.

Paramylon extracted from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 augmented the expression of SIRT1.

Euglena gracilis, a type of microalgae, contains several nutrients and accumulates paramylon, a ß-1,3-glucan. In recent studies, paramylon has shown to exhibit various activities including immunomoduratory and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, using an in vitro cell culture system, we aimed to determine whether paramylon derived from the E. gracilis EOD-1 strain, which produces large amounts of paramylon, can augment SIRT1 expression in epidermal cells via activating gut-skin interactions. Results showed that paramylon augmented the expression of SIRT1 in Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal cell line. Furthermore, microarray analysis of Caco-2 cells treated with paramylon showed that paramylon activates epidermal cells through inducing the secretion of factors from intestinal cells. Then, we focused on skin cells as target cells of paramylon-activated intestinal cells. Results showed that secretory factors from Caco-2 cells treated with paramylon augmented the expression of SIRT1 in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocyte cell line, and that expression level of genes related to the growth and maintenance of epidermal cells were significantly changed in Caco-2 cells treated with paramylon as evidenced by microarray analysis. All these results suggest that paramylon can activate epidermal cells by inducing the production of secretory factors from intestinal cells.

Effect of Food Containing Paramylon Derived from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 on Fatigue in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Trial.

Euglena gracilis EOD-1, a kind of microalgae, is known to contain a high proportion of paramylon, a type of ß-1,3-glucan. Paramylon derived from E. gracilis EOD-1 is presumed to suppress cellular oxidative injury and expected to reduce fatigue and fatigue sensation. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether food containing paramylon derived from E. gracilis EOD-1 (EOD-1PM) ingestion reduced fatigue and fatigue sensation in healthy adults. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison study in 66 healthy men and women who ingested a placebo or EOD-1PM daily for 4 weeks (daily life fatigue). Furthermore, at the examination days of 0 and 4 weeks, tolerance to fatigue load was evaluated using mental tasks (task-induced fatigue). We evaluated fatigue sensation using the Visual Analogue Scale, the work efficiency of the advanced trail making test and measured serum antioxidant markers. The EOD-1PM group showed significantly lower levels of physical and mental fatigue sensations and higher levels of work efficiency as well as serum biological antioxidant potential levels than the placebo group. These results indicate that EOD-1PM ingestion reduced fatigue and fatigue sensation, which may be due to an increase in antioxidant potential and maintenance of selective attention during work.

Green tea beverages enriched with catechins with a galloyl moiety reduce body fat in moderately obese adults: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Objective To determine whether ingesting a green tea beverage enriched with catechins with a galloyl moiety during a meal reduces body fat in moderately obese adults. Design Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Subjects A total of 126 obese subjects (25 ≤ body mass index < 30 kg m(-2)) were randomly assigned to a group receiving green tea beverages without catechins (placebo), or a group receiving green tea beverages with a low or high content of catechins with a galloyl moiety. Each subject ingested 500 mL bottled green tea beverages containing 25, 180, or 279.5 mg green tea catechins (0, 149.5, or 246.5 mg catechins with a galloyl moiety, respectively), at mealtimes for 12 weeks; the subjects were instructed to ingest the beverage during the meal that had the highest fat content on that day. Methods Anthropometric measurements and blood chemistry analysis were performed during the run-in period; at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 of the intake period; and at the end of the withdrawal period. Abdominal fat area was measured by computed tomography at weeks 0, 8, and 12 of the intake period and at the end of the withdrawal period. Results Both the low- and high-dose groups exhibited significant reductions in visceral and subcutaneous fat areas compared to the control group at 12 weeks post-intervention. Conclusion Ingestion of a green tea beverage enriched with catechins with a galloyl moiety during a high-fat meal reduces body fat in moderately obese adults.

Blue-violet laser modification of titania treated titanium: antibacterial and osteo-inductive effects.

BACKGROUND: Many studies on surface modifications of titanium have been performed in an attempt to accelerate osseointegration. Recently, anatase titanium dioxide has been found to act as a photocatalyst that expresses antibiotic properties and exhibits hydrophilicity after ultraviolet exposure. A blue-violet semiconductor laser (BV-LD) has been developed as near-ultraviolet light. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to this BV-LD on surface modifications of titanium with the goal of enhancing osteoconductive and antibacterial properties. METHODS: The surfaces of pure commercial titanium were polished with #800 waterproof polishing papers and were treated with anatase titania solution. Specimens were exposed using BV-LD (λ = 405 nm) or an ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED, λ = 365 nm) at 6 mW/cm(2) for 3 h. The surface modification was evaluated physically and biologically using the following parameters or tests: surface roughness, surface temperature during exposure, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, contact angle, methylene blue degradation tests, adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, osteoblast and fibroblast proliferation, and histological examination after implantation in rats. RESULTS: No significant changes were found in the surface roughness or XRD profiles after exposure. BV-LD exposure did not raise the surface temperature of titanium. The contact angle was significantly decreased, and methylene blue was significantly degraded. The number of attached P. gingivalis organisms was significantly reduced after BV-LD exposure compared to that in the no exposure group. New bone was observed around exposed specimens in the histological evaluation, and both the bone-to-specimen contact ratio and the new bone area increased significantly in exposed groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that exposure of titanium to BV-LD can enhance the osteoconductivity of the titanium surface and induce antibacterial properties, similar to the properties observed following exposure to UV-LED.

A small peptide sequence is sufficient for initiating kinesin-1 activation through part of TPR region of KLC1.

Kinesin-1 anterogradely transports vesicles containing cargo proteins when a protein-protein interaction activates it from an inhibited state. The C-terminal cytoplasmic region of kinesin-1 cargo protein Alcadeinα (Alcα) interacts with the KLC1 subunit's tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) region, activating kinesin-1's association with vesicles and anterograde transport. We found that either of two 10-amino-acid WD motifs in Alcα cytoplasmic region was necessary and sufficient to initiate this activation. An artificial transmembrane protein containing either WD motif induced kinesin-1's vesicular association and anterograde transport in a KLC-dependent manner, even in the normally inhibiting presence of excess KLC1, thus allowing us to analyze the KLC1 TPR-WD functional interaction in detail in vivo. A part of TPR region was dispensable for the WD motifs' activation of kinesin-1 and transport, indicating that only part of the TPR structure is required for this function in vivo. For a different kinesin-1 cargo protein, JIP1, an 11-amino-acid C-terminal region was sufficient to recruit KLC1 to vesicles, but did not activate transport. These observations suggest that structurally different TPR-interacting peptides may have different effects on kinesin-1. This mechanism may partly explain how kinesin-1 can organize the transport of a wide variety of cargo molecules.

Carbon dioxide laser application enhances the effect of silane primer on the shear bond strength between porcelain and composite resin.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbon dioxide laser irradiation on the performance of silane coupling agent as an adhesion promoter. The carbon dioxide laser used in this study was Opelaser 03S II, which irradiated the silane coupling agent applied on the adhesive surface of porcelain. Before and after thermal cycling, shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine. Without primer treatment, most of the specimens failed adhesively before reaching the end of the thermal cycling period. For the specimens irradiated with carbon dioxide laser after primer treatment, their shear bond strengths before and after thermal cycling were higher than those treated with primer only -with a significantly pronounced difference between these two groups especially after thermal cycling. Therefore, a combined surface treatment which involved silane application followed by laser treatment was feasible and efficacious for chairside porcelain repair.

New glass polyalkenoate temporary cement for cement-retained implant restoration: evaluation of elevation and retentive strength.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate four luting agents for cement-retained implant restorations in two aspects: post-cementation elevation of the superstructure and the retentive strength before and after thermocycling and mechanical cycling. The four evaluated luting agents were: new glass polyalkenoate hard-type (GH) and soft-type (GS) cements, polycarboxylate hard-type (HH) and soft-type (HS) cements. Elevation and retentive strength were measured using a CCD laser displacement sensor and a universal testing machine respectively. Elevation increased in this order: GH, GS, HH, and HS. Thermal and mechanical stresses significantly decreased retentive strength, and the mean values exhibited by GH were significantly higher than the other luting agents. The novel glass polyalkenoate cements (hard- and soft-type) experimentally prepared in the present study augured well as luting agents by virtue of their reduced film thickness and their excellent post-cementation retention and elevation.

The novel cargo Alcadein induces vesicle association of kinesin-1 motor components and activates axonal transport.

Alcadeinalpha (Alcalpha) is an evolutionarily conserved type I membrane protein expressed in neurons. We show here that Alcalpha strongly associates with kinesin light chain (K(D) approximately 4-8x10(-9) M) through a novel tryptophan- and aspartic acid-containing sequence. Alcalpha can induce kinesin-1 association with vesicles and functions as a novel cargo in axonal anterograde transport. JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1), an adaptor protein for kinesin-1, perturbs the transport of Alcalpha, and the kinesin-1 motor complex dissociates from Alcalpha-containing vesicles in a JIP1 concentration-dependent manner. Alcalpha-containing vesicles were transported with a velocity different from that of amyloid beta-protein precursor (APP)-containing vesicles, which are transported by the same kinesin-1 motor. Alcalpha- and APP-containing vesicles comprised mostly separate populations in axons in vivo. Interactions of Alcalpha with kinesin-1 blocked transport of APP-containing vesicles and increased beta-amyloid generation. Inappropriate interactions of Alc- and APP-containing vesicles with kinesin-1 may promote aberrant APP metabolism in Alzheimer's disease.

Femtosecond pulse laser-oriented recording on dental prostheses: a trial introduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a femtosecond pulse laser processing technique to store information on a dental prosthesis. Commercially pure titanium plates were processed by a femtosecond pulse laser system. The processed surface structure was observed with a reflective illumination microscope, scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscope. Processed area was an almost conical pit with a clear boundary. When laser pulse energy was 2 microJ, the diameter and depth were approximately 10microm and 0.2 microm respectively--whereby both increased with laser pulse energy. Further, depth of pit increased with laser pulse number without any thermal effect. This study showed that the femtosecond pulse processing system was capable of recording personal identification and optional additional information on a dental prosthesis.

Effects of microinjection of melatonin into various brain regions of Japanese quail on locomotor activity and body temperature.

We previously reported that peripheral administration of melatonin resulted in simultaneous decreases in locomotor activity and body temperature in the Japanese quail. To examine the site of these melatonin-induced effects, we performed microinjection of melatonin into various brain regions of the Japanese quail. On the basis of the injection site the effects of melatonin were dissociated into four groups: decrease in only body temperature, decrease in only locomotor activity, decrease in both body temperature and locomotor activity, and a change in neither. The decrease in only body temperature was observed when melatonin was injected into areas of the diencephalon including the thalamus and hypothalamus, and the decrease in only locomotor activity was observed when melatonin was injected close to the nuclei septalis medialis and septalis lateralis. These results suggest that melatonin-induced decreases in body temperature and locomotor activity occur by melatonin acting at discrete sites in the brain.