Since April 2018, as a Ph.D student of the Department of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine  III Unit, I have studied the molecular mechanism of neurovegetative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), pathology and the effectiveness of phthalocyanine compounds in order to intervene the AD pathology using advance molecular techniques like liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ELISA, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and animal behavior analysis. During my study, we have developed a rapid identification method of plasmalogen molecular species. This was done using a liquid chromatography-targeted multiplexed selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry system. This was also published in a renowned international scientific journal, and is expected to be useful to find out the role of plasmalogens in different diseases. To find out the role of plasmalogen in AD pathology, we did the time-course analysis of plasmalogens, reactive oxygen species and plasmalogen synthesizing key enzyme like glycerone phosphate O-acyltransferase (GNPAT) at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 months in the hippocampus tissue of AD model mouse known as J20 and wild-type littermate mice. Our result showed some protective role of plasmalogen ethanolamine in AD conditions. This also was published in a renowned international scientific journal. I have also studied the effectiveness of Zinc and Gallium phthalocyanine against AD pathology. Our results showed that phthalocyanine compounds improve AD pathology in J20 mice (unpublished). I have gained knowledge of how to take care of research model animals like feeding, cleaning, breeding, genotyping; how to use these animals for behavior analysis, interventive compounds injection, blood collection from heart, aorta, tail vein; how to collect brain like hippocampus, cortex, subcortex, cerebellum, white matter, liver, kidney, lung, skin, spleen samples for molecular level analysis; and how to do perfusion and freezing of the collected samples to make it suitable for immunohistochemistry.
   The safe, naturally beautiful environment, and friendly city dwellers of Izumo city have benefitted me and my family in several ways. Firstly, as a practicing Muslim family, we (I and my family members) have never experienced any offensive comments and behaviors from anyone of this city. Secondly, we have met with city dwellers in nursery school, kindergarten school, elementary school and hospitals and they have helped us a lot. We always found them very friendly. Sometimes, we go on a picnic and fishing with them and enjoy our time a lot. Thirdly, we always get all services from the city office to make our life easy and comfortable. We have been enjoying our time a lot in this lovely city. Fourthly, Izumo Host Family Club is also helping us in different ways. The environment and dwellers of Izumo city are very kind and welcoming. It is a fantastic place to live in with safety and comfort. We are truly grateful.
   I think that Shimane University is progressing, and hope this progression will continue in the future. I would like to see progress in the following areas to attract more foreign students. Firstly, English-based manuals of research instruments and the English version of class lectures can be encouraged. The Japanese language learning course should be more vibrant. Secondly, different software related to research and study should be more accessible to the students. Thirdly, food services of the canteen could be friendlier for the international students. Fourthly, a platform can be formed where the international students and Japanese students will get a chance to make friendships, and learn each other’s culture and language.
   As a Ph.D student, I have enjoyed a very good student life. Therefore, I want to share some suggestions with those who are interested in studying here as a Ph.D. or Master’s student. Shimane University’s Faculty of Medicine is an excellent institute for learning and gaining research-based knowledge. The teachers are very kind and helpful in teaching and supervising research projects. The staff is also cordial and helpful in solving problems. The university authorities help foreign students in every critical situation. Citizens of Izumo city are also very helpful and friendly. They also help foreign students in different ways and make events for foreign students’ recreational activities. You can apply for graduate admission without hesitation to pursue your Master’s or Ph.D degree in Shimane University.

by ABUL KALAM AZAD, March 2022