Aichi Bunkyo University

Piezoelectric ceramics tailored for high-power resonance applications are investigated, utilizing a composite structure comprising the ferroelectric phase (K,Na)NbO3 as a matrix integrated with the alkali titanoniobate dielectric phase KTiNbO5. Achieving a mechanical quality factor of 750, comparable to lead-based counterparts, highlights their suitability for demanding applications. Crucially, these ceramics exhibit exceptional temperature stability of electromechanical properties, a critical attribute for real-world applications subject to temperature variations. Characterization employs the small signal resonance method and high-power resonance measurements. Notably, within the 25 to 200 °C range, minimal decay of the mechanical quality factor is observed, affirming robust temperature stability under high-power conditions.

To develop and validate a scale that assesses quality of life in patients receiving home-based medical care. A new quality of life scale was developed and evaluated in four phases: (i) item generation; (ii) first field study with a 14-item questionnaire; (iii) preliminary validation study, to reduce the number of items to four; and (iv) second field study comprising 40 patients, to evaluate the validity of the final version. Participants were requested to answer both the final version of the scale and the Short Form-8, to enable identification of any relationship between the two. Items were generated after discussions with doctors and care managers, and 14 items were selected for the draft version. In the preliminary validation study, 10 items were deleted, based on the results of statistical analysis of the data from the first field study. A psychometric analysis showed that the final four-item questionnaire had internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.7), and a significant association with the Short Form-8. We created the first quality of life scale for patients receiving home-based medical care. The scale's internal consistency was confirmed, as well as its external validity. This scale can be used independently of factors such as a patient's age, sex, level of independence in the presence of dementia or disability, swallowing function, hearing ability and communication ability, and can be used with ease in routine clinical practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 440-448.

The cytoplasmic signal adaptor protein designated sequestosome1 (SQSTM1) (A170 in mouse, ZIP in rat or p62 in human) plays a key role in modulating signal transduction via membrane receptors. SQSTM1 has a UBA ubiquitin-binding domain in the C-terminus and participates in the assembly of ubiquitinated protein aggregates termed sequestosome and modulation of ubiquitination pathways involved in NF- κ B activity and receptor trafficking. We have found that deficiency of SQSTM1 in mice exhibits mature-onset obesity accompanied by insulin and leptin resistance. We previously established that redox sensitive transcription factor Nrf2 upregulates SQSTM1 expression in response to atherogenic stimuli or laminar shear stress in vascular cells, and here examine role of SQSTM1 in neointimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling in vivo following carotid artery ligation. Neointimal hyperplasia was markedly enhanced at proximal sites of ligation after 3 weeks in SQSTM1−/− (n=10) compared with wild type mice (n=10). The intimal area and stenotic ratio were 2.1- and 1.7-fold higher in SQSTM1−/− mice, respectively, indicating enhanced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). When aortic SMCs were isolated from wild type and SQSTM1−/− mice and cultured in vitro, we found that SQSTM1−/− SMCs proliferated more rapidly in response to fetal calf serum (FCS) and attained 2–3-fold higher cell densities compared to wild type SMCs. Moreover, FCS caused a rapid transient down regulation of SQSTM1 in wild type SMCs. Early and late phases of p38MAPK activation in response to FCS stimulation were more enhanced in SQSTM1−/− SMCs, and inhibitors of p38 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways significantly attenuated SMCs proliferation. In summary, SQSTM1−/− mice exhibit enhanced neointimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling following arterial ligation in vivo. The enhanced proliferation of SQSTM1−/− aortic SMCs in vitro highlights a novel role for SQSTM1 in suppressing smooth muscle proliferation following vascular injury.