Associations between problematic Internet use and psychiatric symptoms among university students in Japan.

Aim: Research on the adverse effects of Internet use has gained importance recently. However, there is currently insufficient data on Japanese young adults' Internet use, so we conducted a survey targeting Japanese university students to research problematic Internet use (PIU). We also investigated the relationship between PIU and multiple psychiatric symptoms.

Molecular evolution of the fusion protein (F) gene in human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B.

In this study, we examined the molecular evolution of the fusion protein (F) gene in human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B (HRSV-B). First, we performed time-scale evolution analyses using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. Next, we performed genetic distance, linear B-cell epitope prediction, N-glycosylation, positive/negative selection site, and Bayesian skyline plot analyses.

Merging and Fractionation of Muscle Synergy Indicate the Recovery Process in Patients with Hemiplegia: The First Study of Patients after Subacute Stroke.

Loss of motor coordination is one of the main problems for patients after stroke. Muscle synergy is widely accepted as an indicator of motor coordination. Recently, the characteristics of muscle synergy were quantitatively evaluated using nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF) with surface electromyography.

C-type lectin-like receptor 2 promotes hematogenous tumor metastasis and prothrombotic state in tumor-bearing mice.

Unlabelled: Essentials The role of C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2) in cancer progression is unclear. CLEC-2-depleted mouse model is generated by using a rat anti-mouse CLEC-2 monoclonal antibody. CLEC-2 depletion inhibits hematogenous tumor metastasis of podoplanin-expressing B16F10 cells.

IMP-27, a Unique Metallo-β-Lactamase Identified in Geographically Distinct Isolates of Proteus mirabilis.

A novel metallo-β-lactamase gene, blaIMP-27, was identified in unrelated Proteus mirabilis isolates from two geographically distinct locations in the United States. Both isolates harbor blaIMP-27 as part of the first gene cassette in a class 2 integron. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated susceptibility to aztreonam, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ceftazidime but resistance to ertapenem.

Molecular evolution of the fusion protein gene in human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A.

We studied the molecular evolution of the fusion protein (F) gene in the human respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A (HRSV-A). We performed time-scaled phylogenetic analyses using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. We also conducted genetic distance (p-distance), positive/negative selection, and Bayesian skyline plot analyses.

Effect of the presence of trophectoderm vesicles on blastocyst in relation to in vitro hatching, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates.

Trophectoderm vesicles (TVs) are observed in some blastocysts that penetrate cells from the zona pellucida to the outer margin. Therefore, we compared this incidence in relation to hatching, pregnancy, and miscarriage rates between conventional in vitro fertilization (c-IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Vitrified/warmed blastocysts (n = 112) were derived from surplus embryos.

Whole-body vibration training improves the walking ability of a moderately impaired child with cerebral palsy: a case study.

[Purpose] Strength training is recommended for children with cerebral palsy. However, it is difficult for moderately impaired children with cerebral palsy, who require crutches for ambulation, to participate in this type of training. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether whole-body vibration training is an effective method of strengthening in a moderately impaired child with cerebral palsy.

Postural responses accompanying Achilles tendon vibration stimulation during various phases of sit-to-stand movement.

The aim of this study was to determine the postural response accompanying Achilles tendon vibration stimulation during various phases of the sit-to-stand movement. Twelve healthy young adults performed the sit-to-stand movement in response to an auditory signal 2 s after a first one. Vibration stimulation with a 100 Hz frequency was applied to both Achilles tendons during the following phases: (1) 10 s of sitting before standing up; (2) 10 s plus a period until the standing position was achieved; and (3) 5 s after standing.

Empirical analysis of content of support in regional intractable disease consultation.

Aim: The purpose of this research is to study the content of support provided by nurses who were employed in a regional intractable disease consultation project.

Methods: The content of support was classified using records of 943 consultations with intractable disease patients and their families conducted over a 5 year period in a regional intractable disease consultation project in one prefecture of Japan as the subject of analysis. The number of recording units in respective categories was compared.

Development and evaluation of a self-care assessment inventory for workers.

Aim: To develop and evaluate a self-care assessment inventory for workers (SCAI-W).

Methods: A study using a self-care assessment inventory for workers consisting of 27 self-care items, the Japanese version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Japanese version of the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology Mood Adjective Checklist (JUMACL) was conducted. These questionnaires were distributed to 2297 workers.

Stress coping ability in nursing students: studies on the influence factor of Sense of Coherence (SOC).

The researchers conducted an investigation on factors influencing stress coping ability, referred to as a Sense of Coherence (SOC). 278 students in the 2nd to 4th year of "A" University nursing program were subjected to this survey, and the response rate was 75.5%.

Consideration of grand design for the care environment in hospitals--smell, lighting and sound.

We investigated grand designs for the care environment in hospitals, focusing on smell, lighting and sound, based on a database of observed domestic general hospitals (12 institutions), consisting of 1235 photographs and descriptive data. As a result, we identified four areas that should be incorporated into grand designs for this type of care environment: [1] The smell environment with (1) the exclusion of "odors", and (2) regulation of "fragrances"; [2] the lighting environment with lighting that successfully incorporates nature; [3] the sound environment that incorporates (1) pleasant sounds, and (2) the exclusion of excess noise; and [4] a natural environment and a healing space where individuals can feel at ease. The most important challenges in reform of the care environment are an emphasis on an approach that employs the senses, and the necessity of raising the awareness of healthcare providers in relation to this type of environment.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring obesity: meta-analysis.

Background: Recent reports have suggested that maternal smoking may increase the risk of development of obesity in the unborn child in later life, but relatively few cohort studies have been done on the relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and future development of metabolic syndrome.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) was conducted on the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and obesity of future offspring.

Results: Seventeen papers were identified from 444 English-language papers (key word search: maternal smoking and obesity) in PubMed.

Circulating leptin: a marker of health in female students.

We studied the relationship between serum leptin concentration and lifestyle factors in female nursing students. Serum leptin was estimated by radioimmunoassay and the correlation between these concentrations with serum lipids, physical fitness and Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile score was investigated. A total of 247 students took part in the study: mean age, 19.