To elucidate the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we examined procoagulant (tissue factor:TF), fibrinolytic (tissue type plasminogen activator:t-PA and urokinase type plasminogen activator:u-PA) and antifibrinolytic (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1:PAI-1 and PAI-2) activities in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant fluids and BAL cell lysates obtained from IPF patients. The results indicated that TF levels in BAL supernatant fluids from IPF patients were higher than those of normal subjects, especially in patients with progressive disease, suggesting that TF levels in the lung correlate with disease activity. PAI-1 levels in BAL supernatant fluids were significantly higher in IPF patients than in normal subjects (1.7 +/- 4.1 vs 0 ng/mg protein). PAI-2 levels in BAL cell lysates were also significantly higher in IPF patients than those in normal subjects (14.4 +/- 12.2 vs 3.0 +/- 3.0 ng/mg protein). However, u-PA levels in both BAL supernatant fluids and BAL cell lysates did not differ between the two groups. These observations suggest that u-PA inhibition exceeded u-PA activity in alveolar lining fluid resulting in an antifibrinolytic condition. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that TF was intensely stained in cuboidal epithelial cells and PAIs were positively stained in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and cuboidal epithelial cells, suggesting that cuboidal epithelial cells as well as AMs contribute to the increased procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activities in the lungs of IPF patients.

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Good mental health of caregivers is crucial for maintaining strong relationships between caregivers and care-recipients, which in turn is important for positive caregiving outcomes. We have developed a structured floral arrangement (SFA) program for neurocognitive disorders to improve visuospatial memory, whereby patients are asked to arrange real flowers and leaves according to an instruction sheet, and then take the arrangements back home to enjoy with their caregivers (family members or care staff ). Previous studies with the SFA program revealed that it improves the visuospatial memory of treated patients and the production of the arrangements encouraged them to continue the cognitive training. However, the impact of the arrangements on mental health of the caregivers at home has been unclear. We therefore investigated the effects of these floral arrangements on primary caregivers' mental health. Our results showed that the mean total GHQ-28 score of caregivers improved significantly when spending time with the arrangements (P<0.05), although no changes were found in control caregivers who were not exposed to arrangements in the home. Mean scores of the GHQ-28 Anxiety and Insomnia sub-category was significantly improved in caregivers exposed to the arrangements. These results suggest that caregivers are affected positively by arrangements of real flowers and leaves made by their care-recipients. The SFA program could therefore contribute to improving the mental health of caregivers as well as the visuospatial memory of patients with neurocognitive disorders.

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Influence of addition of sodium chloride to milk on the contents of calcium and inorganic phosphorus and their molar ratio of the casein micelles Table 2. Contents of calcium and inorganic phosphorus and their molar ratio in the paracaseins from the milk added with starter and rennet and held Table 3. Contents of calcium and inorganic phosphorus and their molar CM: added 6% NaCl, LM: adjusted to pH 5.5 with lactic acid, RM: added starter and rennet, and pH adjusted to 5.5. 1) Cervantes MA, Lund DB, Olson NF. Effects of salt concentration and freezing on Mozzarella cheese texture.