Myogenic Anti-Nucleolin Aptamer iSN04 Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Differentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

De-differentiation and subsequent increased proliferation and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one of the mechanisms of atherogenesis. Maintaining VSMCs in a contractile differentiated state is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. We have reported the 18-base myogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide, iSN04, which serves as an anti-nucleolin aptamer and promotes skeletal and myocardial differentiation. The present study investigated the effect of iSN04 on VSMCs because nucleolin has been reported to contribute to VSMC de-differentiation under pathophysiological conditions. Nucleolin is localized in the nucleoplasm and nucleoli of both rat and human VSMCs. iSN04 without a carrier was spontaneously incorporated into VSMCs, indicating that iSN04 would serve as an anti-nucleolin aptamer. iSN04 treatment decreased the ratio of 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU)-positive proliferating VSMCs and increased the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a contractile marker of VSMCs. iSN04 also suppressed angiogenesis of mouse aortic rings ex vivo, which is a model of pathological angiogenesis involved in plaque formation, growth, and rupture. These results demonstrate that antagonizing nucleolin with iSN04 preserves VSMC differentiation, providing a nucleic acid drug candidate for the treatment of vascular disease.ArticleBiomolecules 2024, 14(6), 709journal articl

Sedimentary environments change of the Miocene to Pleistocene in the Thakkhola region, central Nepal

The Thakkhola area in Nepal, one of the grabens north-south direction on the boundary between the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, is filled by Miocene to Pleistocene deposits. The Thakkhola Formation in the study area is divided into twelve lithofacies based on grain size, sedimentary structure, and fossil assemblages, and into eight facies association based on the combination of lithofacies. The sedimentation of the Thakkhola Formation can be interpreted as follows, gravel-bed braided river deposits, gravel-sand meandering river deposits, gravel -bed braided river deposits with siltstones, gravel-sand braided river deposits, and sand braided river deposits. Paleosols are found mainly on floodplains, lakes, bars, and levees. Some paleosol horizons with well-developed soil horizons and illuvial clay indicate a warm climate, while paleosols with rhizolith of CaCO3 deposited around the roots suggest an environment of repeated intermittent rain and arid periods.Article環境科学年報 46 : 22-26, (2024)journal articl

On the sources of Shuihu-zhuan translated into Manchu

Article信州大学人文科学論集 11(2) : 91-121, (2024)departmental bulletin pape

Relationships between the understanding of privacy policies, information privacy, and information security knowledge

近年，「歩く」という行為が注目されている。定期的な散歩，ウォーキングを行う人も増加している。特にコロナ禍での自粛要請により，遠隔地への観光旅行が出来なくなったことに伴い，近隣コミュニティでの散歩への注目が集まっている。一方で歩くことの効用について，身体的健康に及ぼす影響については様々な研究がなされているものの，心理的側面に及ぼす影響については十分に検討されていない。何気ない日常の散歩についてはその実態すら明らかになっていない。そこで本研究では，散歩の実態を明らかにし，散歩が精神的回復力に与える影響について検討した。600名を対象としたオンライン調査を実施し，散歩空間の特徴や，散歩中の行為が精神的回復力に与える効果について検討を行った結果，散歩時間や散歩空間による精神的回復力に差異は認められなかった。一方で，高頻度の散歩者はレジリエンスが高いこと，日常的な環境からの離脱がレジリエンスを高める可能性が示唆された。Article信州大学人文科学論集 11(2) : 41-51, (2024)departmental bulletin pape

Analysis of the impact of Child welfare on births

Article信州大学経法論集 16 : 191-205, (2024)departmental bulletin pape

Inspection Survey of Forest Roads under Rainy Weather Conditions Conducted as Practical Training for Students

信州大学農学部附属AFC手良沢山演習林において，2023年６月に実施予定の学生実習による林道維持管理作業は，雨天のため林道巡視（調査）に変更して実施された。学生には実習の目的を明示し，まず講義室にて林道の維持管理の意義や排水施設についての講義を行った。その後，現地に徒歩で移動して，約760ｍの区間を１往復して巡視を行い，路面のえぐれや側溝のつまりなど問題箇所を地図上に記録させた。巡視は実習スタッフを含め36名，11 0分で完了した。レポートの記載内容の集計結果から，林道巡視に関することの記述がのべ64名と最多であった。次いで，雨天時の実習に関することの記述がのべ53名と多く，そのうち雨天時の実習の意義（「実際に水や土砂の動きを観察できた」など）の記述（14名）が雨天時の実習の欠点（「記入用紙が濡れた」など）の記述（10名）より多かった。また，学術的・技術的な興味喚起に関する記述，林道維持管理の重要性に関する記述も，それぞれのべ33名，のべ23名と比較的多かった。雨天時の実習にもかかわらず学習効果が得られたことには，学生への実習目的の明示，雨天時にまさに観察できる内容の設定，代替の実習の用意周到な準備，学生の野外実習への慣れなどが寄与したものと考えられた。As part of practical training for students, maintenance work on forest roads in the Terasawayama Research Forest at the Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, was scheduled for June 2023. However, because of rainy weather, the focus of the exercise was changed to a road inspection survey. We explained the purpose of the survey to students, and gave a lecture about the significance of maintenance of forest road and drainage facilities. After moving to the survey site, students then walked along the road between the northern and southern ends of the site, which measured approximately 760 m in length. During the inspection, they examined problem points, such as hollows in the roads and clogged drainage ditches, and recorded the locations and issues on a map. The survey was conducted by 36 people (32 students and ４ teaching staff) in 110 minutes. From reports returned by the students, a total of 64 students (by multiple answers) described the inspection survey itself, 53 described practical training under rainy weather, 14 described the significance of practical training in rainy weather (e.g., actual observations of water and sediment movement), and 10 students described the disadvantages of practical training in rainy weather (e.g., notes getting wet). A total of 33 students stated that it enhanced their interest in science or technology, and 23 students described the importance of forest road management. Consequently, the change in the survey due to rainy weather seemed to be beneficial for field education. The success is attributed to the explanation of the survey purpose prior to the inspection, the selection of content that precisely matches the rainy weather conditions, the careful preparation of alternative content in case of bad weather, and the students' previous experience with field education.Article信州大学農学部AFC報告 22 : 55-61, (2024)departmental bulletin pape

Current Status of Onfarm Seed Saving of ʻKaida kabuʼ, a Local Turnip Variety in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

長野県木曽郡木曽町開田高原において，長野県在来カブ品種‘開田蕪’の自家採種農家および自家採種圃場を対象に現地調査を行った．その結果，‘開田蕪’は42戸の採種農家により採種され，母本数の平均は20.7個体であった．そのうち，全体の92.5％が16個体以下，70.0％が10個体以下であり，100個体以上の大規模採取種は7.5％であった．また，採種圃場と隣接する採種圃場間の距離や，聞き取り調査から自家採種農家間での遺伝的交流の存在が明らかとなった．同地域内において‘ピンク蕪’と呼ばれる新規の系統が少数の農家間で維持されおり，形態的特徴や由来の解明が求められた．‘開田蕪’は依然として多くの農家によって採種されているが，高齢化などから今後採種農家が減少することが予想され，遺伝的多様性を維持・保全するために地域内で別のカブを開花させない等の採種意識の向上が効果的であると考えられたA field survey was conducted at Kaida Kogen, Kiso-machi, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Japan to investigate the on-farm seed saving farmers and their seed saving field of the local turnip variety ‘Kaida kabu’. The results showed that 42 farmers produdce seeds, and the average number of seed plants in their fields was 20.7. Of the total, 92.5％ had less than 16 plants, 70.0％ had less than 10 plants, and 7.5％ had more than 100 plants. The location of the seed fields revealed the existence of genetic exchange between neighboring seed saving fields, and interviews revealed the existence of genetic exchange between seed saving farmers. Another different turnip strain, ‘Pink kabu’, was recognized and maintained among a small number of farmers. Its morphological characteristics were sought to be elucidated. Although many farmers still produce seeds of ‘Kaida kabu’, the number of farmers is expected to decrease near future due to the aging of the seed saving farmers. To maintain and conserve genetic diversity, it is considered effective to raise awareness of seed-saving practices, such as refraining from cultivating different turnip varieties in the region.Article信州大学農学部AFC報告 22 : 31-36, (2024)departmental bulletin pape

編集後記

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Structure of Home Economics Class Connected to Student Families and Their Houses: Combining Floor Plan Creation Using ICT and Model Experience in Junior High School

Article信州大学教育学部研究論集 18 : 215-226, (2024)departmental bulletin pape

社会体験研修を実施して

Article信州大学附属図書館研究 13 : 199-200, (2024)departmental bulletin pape