Japan International Cooperation Agency

About: Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 555 authors who have published 613 publications receiving 9536 citations.

Indonesian Lesson Study in Practice: Case Study of Indonesian Mathematics and Science Teacher Education Project.

Abstract: This paper presents a case study of the experiences under the Indonesian Mathematics and Science Teacher Education Project (IMSTEP) concerning in‐service teacher training through the practice of lesson study collaboratively conducted by schools and universities. The purpose of the case study is two‐fold: first, to examine the changes in teaching practices through the introduction of lesson study under IMSTEP; and, second, to uncover the challenges faced in implementing lesson study under IMSTEP. The results of the analysis revealed that the lessons underwent three changes: (1) a change in the academic base of the lessons, brought about by close liaison between university faculty members; (2) a change in the structure of the lesson by the introduction of experiments or manual activities and discussions; and (3) a change in the reactions of students during the lesson. However, two insights emerged during the IMSTEP case study as tasks to be addressed in order to further develop the practice of lesson study....

Risk factors for iron-deficiency anaemia among pregnant women living in rural Vietnam

Abstract: The objective was to assess the prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam and to determine its risk factors. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Vietnam Nghe An Province. Study population: The total number of participants was 439. Of these participants one was excluded from the study due to a mental disorder. Forty-seven did not participate in the test for parasites and 68 did not complete at least one of the questions. The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin (Hb) < 11.0 g dl/-1) was 43.2% and of severe anaemia (Hb < 8.0 g dl/-1) was 0.5%. Taking iron tablets the consumption of eggs and the preference for Western medicine significantly and positively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women in a multiple regression analysis. Pregnancy duration and hookworm infestation significantly and negatively correlated with Hb concentration in the pregnant women. The prevalence of anaemia in rural Vietnam has remained as high as that found in the national anaemia survey in 2000. The results of the present study could aid in the development of an iron-deficiency anaemia programme among pregnant women in rural Vietnam that emphasises iron supplementation parasite control and improved diet including the consumption of eggs. The programmes focus should be on women who prefer traditional medicine to Western medicine. (authors)

Urinary L-type fatty acid-binding protein as a new biomarker of sepsis complicated with acute kidney injury*

Abstract: Objective:This study is aimed to examine whether urinary L-type fatty acid-binding protein can detect the severity of sepsis with animal sepsis models and septic shock patients complicated with established acute kidney injury.Design:Experimental animal models and a clinical, prospective observationa

Human monoclonal antibodies broadly neutralizing against influenza B virus.

Abstract: Influenza virus has the ability to evade host immune surveillance through rapid viral genetic drift and reassortment; therefore, it remains a continuous public health threat. The development of vaccines producing broadly reactive antibodies, as well as therapeutic strategies using human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) with global reactivity, has been gathering great interest recently. Here, three hybridoma clones producing HuMAbs against influenza B virus, designated 5A7, 3A2 and 10C4, were prepared using peripheral lymphocytes from vaccinated volunteers, and were investigated for broad cross-reactive neutralizing activity. Of these HuMAbs, 3A2 and 10C4, which recognize the readily mutable 190-helix region near the receptor binding site in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein, react only with the Yamagata lineage of influenza B virus. By contrast, HuMAb 5A7 broadly neutralizes influenza B strains that were isolated from 1985 to 2006, belonging to both Yamagata and Victoria lineages. Epitope mapping revealed that 5A7 recognizes 316G, 318C and 321W near the C terminal of HA1, a highly conserved region in influenza B virus. Indeed, no mutations in the amino acid residues of the epitope region were induced, even after the virus was passaged ten times in the presence of HuMAb 5A7. Moreover, 5A7 showed significant therapeutic efficacy in mice, even when it was administered 72 hours post-infection. These results indicate that 5A7 is a promising candidate for developing therapeutics, and provide insight for the development of a universal vaccine against influenza B virus.

Asaia krungthepensis sp. nov., an acetic acid bacterium in the alpha-Proteobacteria.

Abstract: Three bacterial strains were isolated from flowers collected in Bangkok, Thailand, by an enrichment-culture approach for acetic acid bacteria Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were located in the lineage of the genus Asaia but constituted a cluster separate from the type strains of Asaia bogorensis and Asaia siamensis The DNA base composition of the isolates was 602-605 mol% G+C, with a range of 03 mol% The isolates constituted a taxon separate from Asaia bogorensis and Asaia siamensis on the basis of DNA-DNA relatedness The isolates had morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics similar to those of the type strains of Asaia bogorensis and Asaia siamensis, but the isolates grew on maltose The major ubiquinone was Q(10) On the basis of the results obtained, the name Asaia krungthepensis sp nov is proposed for the isolates The type strain is isolate AA08(T) (=BCC 12978(T)=TISTR 1524(T)=NBRC 100057(T)=NRIC 0535(T)), which had a DNA G+C content of 603 mol% and was isolated from a heliconia flower ('paksaasawan' in Thai; Heliconia sp) collected in Bangkok, Thailand