The role of proboscis of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi in host-seeking behavior

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The proboscis is an essential head appendage in insects that processes gustatory code during food intake, particularly useful considering that blood-sucking arthropods routinely reach vessels under the host skin using this proboscis as a probe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, using an automated device able to quantify CO₂-activated thermo (35°C)-sensing behavior of the malaria vector <it>Anopheles stephensi</it>, we uncovered that the protruding proboscis of mosquitoes contributes unexpectedly to host identification from a distance. Ablation experiments indicated that not only antennae and maxillary palps, but also proboscis were required for the identification of pseudo-thermo targets. Furthermore, the function of the proboscis during this behavior can be segregated from CO₂detection required to evoke mosquito activation, suggesting that the proboscis of mosquitoes divide the proboscis into a "thermo-antenna" in addition to a "thermo-probe".</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings support an emerging view with a possible role of proboscis as important equipment during host-seeking, and give us an insight into how these appendages likely evolved from a common origin in order to function as antenna organs.</p

New Approach to Teaching Japanese Pronunciation in the Digital Era - Challenges and Practices

Pronunciation has been a black hole in the L2 Japanese classroom on account of a lack of class time, teacher\u2019s confidence, and consciousness of the need to teach pronunciation, among other reasons. The absence of pronunciation instruction is reported to result in fossilized pronunciation errors, communication problems, and learner frustration. With an intention of making a contribution to improve such circumstances, this paper aims at three goals. First, it discusses the importance, necessity, and e ectiveness of teaching prosodic aspects of Japanese pronunciation from an early stage in acquisition. Second, it shows that Japanese prosody is challenging because of its typological rareness, regardless of the L1 backgrounds of learners. Third and finally, it introduces a new approach to teaching L2 pronunciation with the goal of developing L2 comprehensibility by focusing on essential prosodic features, which is followed by discussions on key issues concerning how to implement the new approach both inside and outside the classroom in the digital era

Spatial distribution of phytopigments and organic matter in surface sediments in Lake Saroma (Hokkaido, Japan)

In Lake Saroma, scallops have been adversely affected by hypoxic events, which are caused by long-term scallop culture in summer. In this study, we were conducive to the spatial distribution of ChI a, phaeopigment, total organic carbon (TO C) and total nitrogen on a grid of 54 stations in surface sediments. The temporal changes in the TOC content of the surface sediments since the initiation of scallop culture in Lake Saroma were also studied. The average ChI a j total pigments was 0.7±0.2 in the organic poor area (PA), which was higher than 0.4 ± 0.2 in the organic rich area (RA). Benthic environments were suited for growing microphytobenthos in the PA. In contrast, the RA has become increasingly eutrophic because of the average TOC was 23±5 mg g- l, which was higher than 6± 3 mg g -l in the PA. During the past 40 years, after the TOC content had decreased in surface sediment owing to the excavation work, it has increased in the RA owing to the concentrated scallop culture facilities . This study concludes that benthic environments in Lake Saroma are directly and indirectly affected by human activities, particularly in the RA

Left–right asymmetric cell intercalation drives directional collective cell movement in epithelial morphogenesis

Morphogenetic epithelial movement occurs during embryogenesis and drives complex tissue formation. However, how epithelial cells coordinate their unidirectional movement while maintaining epithelial integrity is unclear. Here we propose a novel mechanism for collective epithelial cell movement based on Drosophila genitalia rotation, in which epithelial tissue rotates clockwise around the genitalia. We found that this cell movement occurs autonomously and requires myosin II. The moving cells exhibit repeated left–right-biased junction remodelling, while maintaining adhesion with their neighbours, in association with a polarized myosin II distribution. Reducing myosinID, known to cause counter-clockwise epithelial-tissue movement, reverses the myosin II distribution. Numerical simulations revealed that a left–right asymmetry in cell intercalation is sufficient to induce unidirectional cellular movement. The cellular movement direction is also associated with planar cell-shape chirality. These findings support a model in which left–right asymmetric cell intercalation within an epithelial sheet drives collective cellular movement in the same direction

OCTN2VT, a splice variant of OCTN2, does not transport carnitine because of the retention in the endoplasmic reticulum caused by insertion of 24 amino acids in the first extracellular loop of OCTN2

A novel organic cation transporter OCTN2 is indispensable for carnitine transport across plasma membrane and subsequent fatty acid metabolism in the mitochondria. Here, we report a novel splice variant of OCTN2 (OCTN2VT), in which a 72-base-pair sequence located in the first intron of OCTN2 gene was spliced between exons 1 and 2 of OCTN2, causing the insertion of 24 amino acids in the first extracellular loop of OCTN2. Despite the similarity between OCTN2 and OCTN2VT regarding primary structure and tissue distribution, their biochemical characteristics were significantly different. OCTN2 was expressed on the plasma membrane with robust N-glycosylation, whereas OCTN2VT was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with poor N-glycosylation. In addition, the retention in the ER caused no carnitine uptake into the cells. These results demonstrate that the biochemical and functional characteristics of OCTN2VT are distinct from OCTN2 due to the insertion of 24 amino acids in the first extracellular loop

Effects of Acute Phase Intensive Physical Activity (ACTIVE-PA) Monitoring and Education for Cardiac Patients: Pilot Study of a Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundAlthough physical activity (PA) decreases dramatically during hospitalization, an effective intervention method has not yet been established for this issue. We recently developed a multiperson PA monitoring system using information and communication technology (ICT) that can provide appropriate management and feedback about PA at the bedside or during rehabilitation. This ICT-based PA monitoring system can store accelerometer data on a tablet device within a few seconds and automatically display a graphical representation of activity trends during hospitalization. ObjectiveThis randomized pilot study aims to estimate the feasibility and effect size of an educational PA intervention using our ICT monitoring system for in-hospital patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. MethodsA total of 41 patients (median age 70 years; 24 men) undergoing inpatient cardiac rehabilitation were randomly assigned to 2 groups as follows: wearing an accelerometer only (control) and using both an accelerometer and an ICT-based PA monitoring system. Patients assigned to the ICT group were instructed to gradually increase their step counts according to their conditions. Adherence to wearing the accelerometer was defined as having enough wear records for at least 2 days to allow for adequate analysis during the lending period. An analysis of covariance was performed to compare the change in average step count during hospitalization as a primary outcome and the 6-minute walking distance at discharge. ResultsThe median duration of wearing the accelerometer was 4 days in the ICT group and 6 days in the control group. Adherence was 100% (n=22) in the ICT group but 83% (n=20) in the control group. The ICT group was more active (mean difference=1370 steps, 95% CI 437-2303) and had longer 6-minute walking distances (mean difference=81.6 m, 95% CI 18.1-145.2) than the control group. ConclusionsThrough this study, the possibility of introducing a multiperson PA monitoring system in a hospital and promoting PA during hospitalization was demonstrated. These findings support the rationale and feasibility of a future clinical trial to test the efficacy of this educational intervention in improving the PA and physical function of in-hospital patients. Trial RegistrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network UMIN000043312; http://tinyurl.com/m2bw8vk

One-, two-dimensional silver(I) coordination polymer with poly(benzylsulfanyl)benzene and photo-induced property

Threesilver(I) complexes [Ag_2(3bsb)_2(ClO_4)_2] (1) (3bsb; 1,3,5-tris(benzylsulfanyl)benzene), [Ag(4bsb)](ClO_4) (2) (4bsb; l,2,4,5-tetrakis(benzylsulfanyl)benzene) and [Ag_2(6bsb)(C_2F_5COO)](C_2F_5COO)(toluene)_2 (3) (6bsb; hexakis(benzylsulfanyl)benzene) have been prepared and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In 1, the silver ion prefers a tetrahedral coordination geometry and produces a two-dimensional sheet structure. Irradiation of this complex 1 with UV light changes its color from white to red; Heat makes the irradiated sample revert back to white. However, only 3bsb has no characteristic like this photochromism. Complex 2 formed linear chain structure consist of Ag-S in the silver coordination polymer. On the other hand complex 3 have zigzag chain structure consist of silver ions with trigonal coordination geometry. However, the latter two complexes have no indicated photochromism such as complex 1.本文データの一部は、CiNiiから複製したものである