This study explored how the rearing environment affects the formation of the skin microbiota in guide dogs. We examined four Labrador Retrievers and four Golden Retrievers, all born around the same time. Skin samples were collected using a microbial collection kit from two sites—the top of the head and the left cheek—both before and after the puppies were entrusted to puppy walkers.　 We assessed the skin microbiota with metagenomic analysis.　 Alpha and beta diversity metrics were compared statistically before and after the puppies began their time with the puppy walkers. Results indicated a significant increase in alpha diversity on the top of the head post-placement with the puppy walker, whereas the left cheek showed a nonsignificant increase. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences at both sampling sites before and after placement, suggesting a notable shift in the structure of the skin microbiota. These changes imply that the transition to the puppy walker environment contributed to the diversity of the skin bacterial flora in the puppies. These findings indicate that maintaining a diverse skin microbiota can be protective against skin diseases, highlighting the importance of the puppy walker system in not only aiding in the puppies’ socialization but also in supporting their overall skin health.

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Communicating pain is challenging in healthcare due to its subjective nature and patients' difficulties in describing it. This study investigates using AI models, DALL-E and ChatGPT, to generate and interpret visual representations of different pain types-burning, radiating, shooting, stabbing, throbbing, dull, and pins and needles. DALL-E created pictograms from specific prompts, and ChatGPT identified the pain types, achieving 6 out of 7 correct identifications. The model's explanations highlighted its ability to recognize visual cues like shapes and colors. A misidentification of ”shooting pain” as ”radiating pain” prompted a refinement of the image, leading to correct identification, underscoring the need for specificity in visual representations. These findings suggest AI-generated images can enhance pain communication between patients and healthcare providers, with future research needed to optimize and validate these tools in clinical settings.

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In recent years, postpartum depression among mothers has become a serious problem, and government support such as postpartum care projects is being promoted. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the course of social awareness of postpartum depression through the analysis of newspaper articles. The survey used the Asahi Shimbun Cross Search, an article database provided by the Asahi Shimbun, to extract 94 articles on postpartum depression published between January 1, 1984 and August 1, 2023, and summarized and coded the semantic content. These codes were classified and subcategorized by focusing on similarities and differences, and then categorized with a higher level of abstraction. As a result, eight categories were extracted: “Knowledge and Trends in Postpartum Depression,” “Mother's Experience of Postpartum Depression,” “Family's Experience of Postpartum Depression,” “Support for Postpartum Depression,” “Issues Related to Postpartum Depression,” “Relationship between Emergencies and Postpartum Depression,” “Concerns Associated with Postpartum Depression,”and“Others.” Furthermore, when the number of articles was tabulated, it was shown that the number of articles increased with each age of publication, although there were variations by year of publication. By examining the content of the articles by age group, it became clear that the content of newspaper articles about postpartum depression has changed over time. Currently, articles about postpartum depression are being written from a more multifaceted perspective. It is expected that social awareness of postpartum depression will continue to expand in the future, not only through newspaper articles but also through articles on the Internet.

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　The purpose of this study is to show the experience of fathers in treating children with chronic diseases. Our study method was to conduct semi-structured interviews with 13 fathers of children with chronic diseases about their experiences from the time of diagnosis to the present, and analyzed them using content analysis in nursing education, referring to the methodology of Berelson, B. As a result of the analysis, 44 categories were formed, including [were able to make judgments and take actions according to their child’s situation], [thoughts and emotions changed after living with a child with disabilities], [had difficulties accepting their child's isabilities], and [experienced mental, physical, and lifestyle disturbances]. As a consideration, 6 characteristics were suggested, including, through interaction between the child and the society surrounding them, new knowledge, and the ability to deal with the child, psychological stability was achieved. Also, in addition to difficulties related to the child's health care, difficulties in raising the child, and difficulties in adjusting family relationships, there were difficulties associated with the process of accepting the disability, and difficulties caused by the father's view of gender roles. These characteristics suggested the necessity of providing explanations and guidance on how to respond to the child's condition and situation, providing information on necessary social resources, and supporting the maintenance of the father's own health.

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The protein expression system of Escherichia coli is one of the most common molecular tools for producing proteins of interest. Target protein expression is linked with green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression, providing a visual indicator of success. This study transformed E. coli strain BL21(DE3) using a pET plasmid with gfp inserted downstream of the T7 promoter and lac operator. The resultant fluorescent strain Green-BL21(DE3) was cultured in either Luria-Bertani (LB)-HI medium (containing a casein peptone produced in Japan) or LB-Bact medium (containing a casein tryptone produced in USA). Measuring green fluorescence revealed notable GFP production in LB-HI medium but less so in LB-Bact medium. Additionally, green fluorescence increased with an increase in the Japanese casein peptone concentration. A high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection was then used to analyze carbohydrates in Japanese- and USA- produced casein digests. The chromatogram demonstrated that the Japanese casein digest contains lactose.　When I cultivated Green-BL21(DE3) in LB-Bact medium added lactose, I observed green fluorescence. I therefore concluded that lactose was the main ingredient in Japanese made casein digest that induced GFP expression. The findings provide important insight into developing inexpensive and stable media for expressing GFP and other proteins, demonstrating that medium base materials to obtain desired outcomes.

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The adult guardianship system is the main means of guaranteeing human rights for the elderly with dementia in Japan, but it is far from being effectively utilized.　Since the introduction of the adult guardianship system in 2000, procedures for guaranteeing human rights, including petitioning the family court, have been established. However, from the perspective of measures for the elderly with dementia, it is difficult to say that there is an organic link between measures for medical and welfare issues and human rights measures, including economic rights.　First, the current status and issues of the adult guardianship system will be examined, taking into consideration the Second Basic Plan for the Promotion of the Use of the Guardianship System for Adults and the general opinion of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and then, the German care system and the recently amended law in the French adult guardianship system will be compared and contrasted.

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