Background : Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), a regulatory protein of smooth muscle contraction, not only catalyzes the phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain (MLc 20) but also binds to actin. Full-length MLCK has not yet been successfully expressed, in spite of using various expression systems. Material and Methods : cDNA of the bovine stomach MLCK (BsMLCK) was expressed using an E. coli expression system. Result : Recombinant BsMLCK was expressed in a soluble form and phosphorylated MLc20. It also demonstrated actin-binding and actin-bundling activities. Conclusion : Recombinant BsMLCK, with the properties known for MLCK, was quantifiably expressed and is the first step in analyzing the structure and function of MLCK.

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Background and Objective : The objective of this study was to demonstrate the actual results of the N. E. Project (Project-type technical cooperation of nursing education), which was implemented in seven countries by the Japanese Official Development Assistance. Moreover, another objective was to examine the future challenges of the N. E. Project. Methods : Reports written by evaluation research teams and experts of each N. E. Project were investigated. Results : Though the technical cooperation measures of the N. E. Project have received a positive review (due to the innovation of the evaluation methods and an outside organization), the technical cooperation measures, such as reforming buildings and supplying machinery and equipment have been implemented without review. In some projects, the evaluation of the N. E. Project was not made objectively and the information about it was not released. The Japanese government has carried out the implementation in a conventional manner, and has not sufficiently examined the effect of the N. E. Project in the various countries. This has affected the results of the N. E. Project. Conclusion : Our future challenges include : planning the N. E. Project according to the needs of health and medical care in each partner country, keeping experts who can cooperate for nursing education, and offering them opportunities to continue their studies.

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Objective : Problems to solve for studying were studied to support continuation of studying nursing in working graduate students. Methods : Ten nurses who worked their ways through graduate school were interviewed by the semi-structured method, and their study experience and problems that they faced were analyzed. Results : Concerning problems to overcome for studying, 289 data were initially classified into 25 subcategories according to the similarity of the contents and eventually into 6 categories, i.e., “acquiring confidence as a student and maintaining motivation”, “preparing internal and external environments for studying”, “modifying the lifestyle for studying”, “consistently executing roles as a professional”, “securing new human support for continuation studying”, and “experiencing research processes and incorporating it in self-esteem”. Conclusions : For working graduate students to continue studying, 5 conditions, i.e., being sufficiently able to execute a professional role, receiving trust from colleagues and superiors, being able to secure human support, having clear motivation for studying, and having a sound basis for living, were suggested to be indispensable.

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Background and Aims : To further communicate with class-lecture students, we investigated the use of surveys containing open-ended questions evaluating education among students studying physical and occupational therapy. Methods : The descriptive responses were divided into five categories : “question”, “impression of course contents”, “impression of lecture”, “demand”, and “active opinion based on personal assessment”. Results : The response rates of third-yean students was lown than that of first-year students. Students in both years expressed opinions concerning the contents of cousscs, and their impressions of the lectures. Only third-year students included “questions” or “demands”. We carefully replied to their questions and demands. Conclusion : These results suggest that education evaluations by students wing free-style descriptions are useful for improving lectures.

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Background and Aims : The absorption and/or loss of alveolar bone may occur due to various causes. If the degree of absorption and/or loss is severe, prosthetic function may be poor. Dental implantation is commonly performed at the crest of the alveolar bone, placing the immovable mucous membrane of risk of infection. We studied the use of preprosthetic surgery. Methods : Vestibroplasty was successfully performed in 4 patients with severely atrophic mandibles or severe loss of alveolar bone from various causes. Difficulties in prosthetic function between March 1998 and October 2002 were then examined. Results : After surgery, all the patients had a sufficiently deep alveolar ridge for proper prosthetic function. Patients who underwent the simultaneous downwand transfer of the foramen mentale paresthesia of the mandible. Conclusion : Vestibroplasty and the downward transfer of the foramen mentale are effective preprosthetic treatments.

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Background and Aims : Hematapostema patients are likely to have recurrence or recrudescence after remission. The aim of this study is to clarify the factors that influence self-care achievement, self-efficacy, emotional supporting networks, etc., thereby examining methods of nursing to enhance the patients' feelings of self-care achievement. Subjects and Methods : Question forms consisting of both existing scales and original questionnaires were applied to collect data from outpatients with hematapostema about self-care achievement, self-efficacy, emotional seipporting networks, coping with the disease. The collected data was analyzed by t-test and F-test, and ultimately multiple linear regresstion alalysis was done. Results : There were 110 patients who gave valid answers. Relevance between how to cope with the disease and self-care achievement was seen in 9 items. There was relevance between self-efficacy and self-care achievement. The multiple linear regression analysis of self-care achievement resulted in a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.609 in 13 items. Conclusions : It is essential for nurses to offer knowledge to hematapostema patients to help them understand their disease and to help them acquire self-caring behaviors and enhance self-efficacy.

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Background and Purposes : The purpose of this study is to make clear the concerns and its affecting factors of digestive cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Methods : Digestive patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy at hospitals A and B were chosen as subjects. Question paper investigation was performed on 106 patients who gave their consent. Cancer-chemotherapy Concerns Rating Scale (CCRS), a measurement tool developed by Kanda et al., was applied. The answers of 98 patients (71 men, 27 women, average age : 62.1±9.5 years old) who answered the questionnaires were analyzed. Results : As for character type, the introversion type (type I), apt to suppress their affections and actions, scored higher in CCRS (significant difference was recognized) than the extroversion type (type II), apt to be active and stable in emotions. Patients who did not receive surgery had a significantly higher CCRS score than those who did. As for PS, CCRS scores of 1 was significantly higher than that of 0. As for the satisfaction degrees of chemotherapy, CCRS scores were significantly higher in those who were unsatisfied. As for the relevancy between CCRS scores and the existence of side effects, relevancy was seen in those with malaise, nausea, depression, anxiety/irritation, and change in sense of smell. As the result of applying multiple regression analysis on these factors, satisfactory degree of chemotherapy, character type, and whether or not surgery was applied had strong influence. Conclusion : It is suggested that offering satisfying care for patients receiving chemotherapy, offering a place to let off emotions for the introversion type (type I), and constructing a support system for patients who can't receive surgery are indispensable.

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We report a patient with postoperative abdominal compartment syndrome who had undergone surgical treatment for multiple aneurysms caused by angitis. A 57-year-old man had been followed with a low-grade fever and left dorsolumbar pain. After these symptoms continued for three months, the patient experienced severe pain doubtfully due to ureterolithiasis. Abdominal CT scan revealed an aneurysm of the left renal artery. Laboratory data suggested the existence of an inflammatory disease. However, the MPO-ANCA, PR3-ANCA, antinucleus antibody, and an anticytoplasm antibody were all negative. A coil embolism was performed for the aneurysm of the left renal artery. The aneurysm was recurred, which was confirmed by CT scan 8 weeks later. Then the aneurysm was replaced with an artificial graft. About 24 hours after surgery, shock and abdominal distention suddenly occurred. An emergent catheter inspection was disclosed a rupture of splenic artery aneurysm. His circulation state was stabilized by a splenic artery embolism and abdominal aspiration. Disfunction of the abdominal organs was complicated by abdominal compartment syndrome. The patient improved subsequently with intensive care such as hemodialysis, etc.

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