The Association of Body Image Self-Discrepancy With Female Gender, Calorie-Restricted Diet, and Psychological Symptoms Among Healthy Junior High School Students in Japan.

Background: Body image self-discrepancy reflects a preference for weight loss regardless of normal body size and is a distorted cognition that may be a precursor to eating disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with body image self-discrepancy among healthy junior high school students in Japan. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at one junior high school in Saitama, Japan, in December 2016. After excluding obese participants (defined as 20% above their ideal weight), 304 students (mean age, 13.9years; n=181 girls, 59.5%) who fell into underweight (n=22, 7.2%) and normal weight categories were selected. Body image self-discrepancy was measured using the Contour Drawing Rating Scale which includes eight separate figures representing body sizes. We then calculated the difference by subtracting ideal from current body sizes and defined body image self-discrepancy if the difference >1. Results: Girls constituted 92% (n=49) of the 53 students with body image self-discrepancy. In all students, multivariable stepwise models demonstrated that female gender (OR, 6.92, 95% CI: 2.33-20.51), a calorie-restricted diet (OR, 5.18, 95% CI: 2.22-12.05), and psychological symptoms (OR, 1.47, 95% CI: 1.15-1.87) were significantly associated with an increased risk of body image self-discrepancy. Specifically for girls, an increased risk of body image self-discrepancy was associated with calorie-restricted suppers and psychological symptoms. Conclusion: Body image self-discrepancy among healthy adolescents in Japan was found to be closely linked to being a girl, having a calorie-restricted diet, and having psychological symptoms.

Detailed Structure and Pathophysiological Roles of the IgA-Albumin Complex in Multiple Myeloma.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)-albumin complexes may be associated with pathophysiology of multiple myeloma, although the etiology is not clear. Detailed structural analyses of these protein-protein complexes may contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease. We analyzed the structure of the IgA-albumin complex using various electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and in silico techniques. The data based on the electrophoresis and mass spectrometry showed that IgA in the sera of patients was dimeric, linked via the J chain. Only dimeric IgA can bind to albumin molecules leading to IgA-albumin complexes, although both monomeric and dimeric forms of IgA were present in the sera. Molecular interaction analyses in silico implied that dimeric IgA and albumin interacted not only via disulfide bond formation, but also via noncovalent bonds. Disulfide bonds were predicted between Cys34 of albumin and Cys311 of IgA, resulting in an oxidized form of albumin. Furthermore, complex formation prolongs the half-life of IgA molecules in the IgA-albumin complex, leading to excessive glycation of IgA molecules and affects the accumulation of IgA in serum. These findings may demonstrate why complications such as hyperviscosity syndrome occur more often in patients with IgA dimer producing multiple myeloma.

Unusual photoresponses in the upper critical solution temperature of polymer solutions mediated by changes in intermolecular interactions in an azo-doped liquid crystalline solvent.

Photoinduced changes in the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) were investigated for polymer solutions in an azobenzene-doped liquid crystal solvent. The UCST of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) solutions dropped upon irradiation with UV light, which induces trans-cis photoisomerization of the doped azo dye. In the case of PMMA solutions, the photoinduced drop in UCST was significantly larger than that expected from previous studies using azo-based polymers and common solvents. Moreover, the UCST of PS solutions also decreased under photoirradiation, in a direction opposite to that expected from the contribution of polarity. X-ray diffraction data of the solvent suggest that the decreased intermolecular interaction in the solvent (i.e. larger distance between the solvent molecules) is responsible for the photoresponsive behavior of the UCST. The proposed mechanism is consistent with the Flory-Huggins theory. Using such photoresponses in the UCST, the isothermal transition between 2-phase and 1-phase states by photoirradiation was demonstrated.

Japanese and Korean Nursing Students' Motivation for Joining Disaster Relief Activities as Nurses in the Future.

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in motivation for joining disaster relief activities as a nurse in the future between Japanese and Korean nursing students. A descriptive 2-group comparative study design was used. The participants were 721 first- to fourth-year nursing students (Japanese, n = 324; Korean, n = 397). From June to September 2014, data were collected through a researcher-administered questionnaire and self-reported answers. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the χ test, and the t test.No significant difference was found between Japanese and Korean students in motivation to join domestic relief activities should a disaster occur in the area in which they lived. Compared with Korean students, Japanese students strongly agreed that it is necessary to carry out relief work across borders when disasters occur in foreign countries (p = .001). Meanwhile, Japanese students showed less motivation than Korean students to join relief activities in other domestic areas and foreign countries (p = .020).The results of this study suggest that the motivation of Japanese students to join disaster relief activities as nurses in the future should a disaster occur in other domestic areas and foreign countries needs to be increased. The results also suggest that undergraduate students should be well prepared for disasters through disaster nursing education, including practical training, disaster drills, and simulation.

Three Gel States of Colloidal Composites Consisting of Polymer-Brush-Afforded Silica Particles and a Nematic Liquid Crystal with Distinct Viscoelastic and Optical Properties.

Colloidal composites consisting of polymer-brush-afforded silica particles (P-SiPs) and a nematic liquid crystal (LC) exhibited three gel states with distinct viscoelastic and/or optical properties depending on temperature: (1) opaque hard gel, (2) translucent hard gel, and (3) translucent soft gel. We demonstrated that the transitions of the optical property and the hardness of the gels were due to the phase transition of the LC matrix and the glass transition of the grafted polymers of P-SiPs, respectively. We then revealed that the gelation (the formation of the translucent soft gel) was caused by the phase separation of P-SiPs and LC matrix in an isotropic phase based on spinodal decomposition. In addition, the particle concentration and molecular weight of the grafted polymer of P-SiPs were observed to significantly affect the elastic moduli and thermal stability of the composite gels. By the addition of an azobenzene derivative into an LC matrix, we achieved photochemical switching of the transparency of the composites based on the photoinduced phase transition of LCs, while keeping self-supporting ability of the composite gel.

Sex Differences in the Renal Function Decline of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Aims. We aimed to investigate the sex differences in the renal function decline among patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM), focusing on the differences in the risk factors at early stage of renal dysfunction. Methods. A clinic-based retrospective longitudinal study (follow-up duration: 8.1 ± 1.4 years) was conducted to assess the sex differences in the annual estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change in 344 (247 male and 97 female) Japanese T2DM patients. The sex differences in the risk factors of annual eGFR decline were subjected to linear regression analyses. Results. The mean annual eGFR change was -3.5 ± 2.7%/year in females and -2.0 ± 2.2%/year in males (P < 0.001). Baseline retinopathy and proteinuria were significantly associated with a larger eGFR decline, irrespective of sex, while HbA1c and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly associated with an eGFR decline in females only. Interactive effects were observed between sex and the HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, retinopathy, or proteinuria levels on the annual eGFR decline. Conclusions. The increased susceptibility to poor metabolic control seemed to contribute to a higher risk of renal dysfunction in females with T2DM. Our study highlights the importance of aggressive therapeutic intervention to improve metabolic profiles at early stage, especially in females.

Interactive effects of a common γ-glutamyltransferase 1 variant and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol on diabetic macro- and micro-angiopathy.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the clinical relevance of a common variant, rs4820599, in the γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT)1 gene, associated with the serum GGT level, in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study (4.9 ± 2.5 years) including 352 T2DM patients (T2DM subjects) and a cross-sectional study including 796 health screening program participants (general subjects). A real-time TaqMan allelic discrimination assay was used to identify the genotypes. Risk factors for a high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) (≥1750 cm/sec) or diabetic retinopathy (DR) were determined using a generalized estimating equations approach, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis or Cox proportional hazards model, etc. RESULTS: The frequency of the GGT1 G allele was 20.8% in the T2DM subjects, and no associations were found between the GGT1 genotype and risk of T2DM. The mean log GGT values in the T2DM and general subjects were significantly higher among G allele carriers than non-carriers. The G allele and a low HDL-C level were identified to be risk factors for a high baPWV in the T2DM subjects [odds ratio (OR) 1.80, P = 0.008; OR 1.71, P = 0.03; respectively), and a significant interactive effect between these factors was found on the risk of a high baPWV and DR. The HDL-C level at baseline was a significant predictor of a high baPWV only in G allele carriers according to the ROC analysis. This result regarding baPWV in the T2DM subjects was replicated in the general population. Meanwhile, the GGT1 genotype was not associated with the risk of DR, although it affected the principal factors involved in the risk of DR, and a low HDL-C level was also found to be a risk factor for DR only in G allele carriers. CONCLUSIONS: We herein describe for the first time the significant interactive effects of the GGT1 G allele and a low HDL-C level on a high baPWV and DR. These findings may encourage future clinical trials comparing the efficacy of agents increasing the HDL-C levels among the GGT1 genotypes. However, well-designed studies in larger cohorts are needed to confirm our results.

Dual self-healing abilities of composite gels consisting of polymer-brush-afforded particles and an azobenzene-doped liquid crystal.

We prepared the composite gels from polymer-brush-afforded silica particles (P-SiPs) and an azobenzene-doped liquid crystal, and investigated their inner structure, dynamic viscoelastic properties, thermo- and photoresponsive properties, and self-healing behaviors. It was found that the composite gels had a sponge-like inner structure formed with P-SiPs and exhibited good elastic property and shape recoverability. The surface dents made on the composite gel could be repaired spontaneously at room temperature. Moreover, the composite gel exhibited a gel-sol transition induced by the trans-cis photoisomerization of the azo dye, and the transition could be used as a mending mechanism for surface cracks. Consequently, we successfully developed a material exhibiting two types of self-healing abilities simultaneously: (1) spontaneous repair of surface dents by means of the excellent elasticity of the composite gel and (2) light-assisted mending of surface cracks by photoinduced gel-sol transition.

Contrasting roles of layered structures in the molecular assembly of liquid crystal matrices on the viscoelastic properties of microparticle/liquid crystal composite gels leading to rigidification and destabilization.

We investigated the effects of the nematic and smectic A (SmA) phase structures of liquid crystalline matrices on the viscoelastic properties of microparticle/liquid-crystal composite gels. The storage (G') and loss (G″) moduli of the gels were largely increased in gels containing SmA matrices with a layered molecular assembly. However, the critical strain at which the gel state transformed into the sol state by the application of mechanical strain showed no significant changes with variation in the liquid crystal phase of the matrix. These results indicate that the introduction of a layered molecular assembly could be effective for rigidification of composite gels, while maintaining their critical strains. However, the composite gels tended to show a metastable state when SmA matrices were used because G' and G″ of the gels were close to each other in the entire frequency region. This behavior was in contrast to the gels with nematic matrices, which showed a larger value in G' than that in G″. The metastable state of gels with SmA matrices was also reflected in the frequency dependence of G' and in the deterioration of the recovery of the gel state after mechanical breakdown.

[Effects of intravenous and oral OCT on secondary hyperparathyroidism in dogs with chronic renal failure].

In this study, we compare the relative potency of single intravenous OCT (IV OCT) and 1,25 (OH) (2)D(3) [IV 1,25 (OH) (2)D(3)] on serum PTH and ionized calcium (ICa) in dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF). In addition, we examine the efficacy of intermittent IV OCT. A single dose of OCT (5 microg/kg) to uremic dogs suppressed PTH by 81% without a statistical significant change in serum I Ca. On the other hand, any of the effective doses of 1,25 (OH) (2)D(3) on PTH suppression were hypercalcemic. The intermittent administration of OCT (0.1 microg/kg) or 1,25 (OH) (2)D(3) (0.025 microg/kg), 3 times per week IV suppressed serum PTH by 83% or 77%, relatively without hypercalcemia. To evaluate OCT as an oral drag, it was given intermittently (3 times per week) to a group of 6 uremic dogs for a period of 4 weeks. Subsequently it was changed to a daily administration (0.05 microg/kg) for a period of 2 weeks. Finally the dose was reducted to 0.025 microg/kg. Daily OCT 0.05 microg/kg suppressed serum PTH by 67%. Subsequently 0.025 micro/kg maintained serum PTH within the normal range without hypercalcemia for 4 weeks. OCT seems to be promising as a useful agent not only for hemodialysis patients but also for predialysis and CAPD patients. In conclusion, our results suggest that OCT is a useful vitamin D(3) analogue, which has a potentially larger therapeutic window than that of 1,25 (OH) (2)D(3) and which is available for IV/oral, for the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism.