L-BSE prions after propagation in a non-human primate model

Classical- (C-) and atypical L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions cause different pathological phenotypes in cattle brains, and the disease-associated forms of each prion protein (PrPSc) has a dissimilar biochemical signature. Bovine C-BSE prions are the causative agent of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. To date, human infection with L-BSE prions has not been reported, but they can be transmitted experimentally from cows to cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), a non-human primate model. When transmitted to monkeys, C- and L-BSE prions induce different pathological phenotypes in the brain. However, when isolated from infected brains, the two prion proteins (PrPSc) have similar biochemical signatures (i.e., electrophoretic mobility, glycoforms, and resistance to proteinase K). Such similarities suggest the possibility that L-BSE prions alter their virulence to that of C-BSE prions during propagation in monkeys. To clarify this possibility, we conducted bioassays using inbred mice. C-BSE prions with or without propagation in monkeys were pathogenic to mice, and exhibited comparable incubation periods in secondary passage in mice. By contrast, L-BSE prions, either with or without propagation in monkeys, did not cause the disease in mice, indicating that the pathogenicity of L-BSE prions does not converge towards a C-BSE prion type in this primate model. These results suggest that, although C- and L-BSE prions propagated in cynomolgus monkeys exhibit similar biochemical PrPSc signatures and consist of the monkey amino acid sequence, the two prions maintain strain-specific conformations of PrPSc in which they encipher and retain unique pathogenic traits

Quantum gapped state in a spin-1/2 distorted honeycomb-based lattice with frustration

We successfully synthesized ($p$-Py-V)[Cu(hfac)$_2$], a verdazyl-based complex. Molecular orbital calculations revealed five types of intermolecular interactions between the radical spins and two types of intramolecular interactions between the radical and the Cu spins, resulting in a spin-1/2 distorted honeycomb-based lattice. Additionally, competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic (AF) interactions induce frustration. The magnetization curve displayed a multistage increase, including a zero-field energy gap. Considering the stronger AF interactions that form dimers and tetramers, the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization curves were qualitatively explained. These findings demonstrated that the quantum state, based on the dominant AF interactions, was stabilized due to the effects of frustration in the lattice. Hence, the exchange interactions forming two-dimensional couplings decoupled, reducing energy loss caused by frustration and leading to frustration-induced dimensional reduction.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Hepatitis E virus in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured around pig farm

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmitted via the oral route through the consumption of contaminated water or uncooked or undercooked contaminated meat has been implicated in major outbreaks. Rats may play a critical role in HEV outbreaks, considering their negative effects on environmental hygiene and food sanitation. Although the serological evidence of HEV infection in wild rodents has been reported worldwide, the infectivity and propagation of HEV in wild rats remain unknown. To investigate if rats are a possible carrier of HEV, we studied wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were caught near a pig farm, where HEV was prevalent among the pigs. METHODS: We examined 56 Norway rats for HEV. RNA from internal organs was examined for RT-PCR and positive samples were sequenced. Positive tissue samples were incubated with A549 cell line to isolate HEV. Anti-HEV antibodies were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Sixteen rats were seropositive, and the HEV RNA was detected in 10 of the 56 rats. Sequencing of the partial ORF1 gene from 7 samples resulted in partially sequenced HEV, belonging to genotype 3, which was genetically identical to the HEV prevalent in the swine from the source farm. The infectious HEVs were isolated from the Norway rats by using the human A549 cell line. CONCLUSIONS: There was a relatively high prevalence (17.9%) of the HEV genome in wild Norway rats. The virus was mainly detected in the liver and spleen. The results indicate that these animals might be possible carrier of swine HEV in endemic regions. The HEV contamination risk due to rats needs to be examined in human habitats

Social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns ("Kodawari") considered from the "Comprehension" section of the WISC-IV in autism spectrum disorder

Background: Many studies have used the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC) to examine the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, most studies have been based on profile analysis, not on content analysis. Objective: The objective of the present study was to apply the WISC-IV to clinical assessment of ASD and clarify how the characteristics of the disorder were reflected in specific items. Methods: The study participants were 20 patients aged 5-16 years diagnosed with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). We recruited 20 patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 20 patients with other disorders (neurotic disorders) as controls. We then compared the scores of the ninth item of the WISC-IV ("Comprehension") among the three groups. Results: The differences observed between the ASD vs. the other disorders group were not significant by the standard scoring method. Thus, a two-level scoring method of 0 and ≥1 point was adopted. As a result, significantly more participants in the ASD group scored 0 points compared with the ADHD and other disorders grou

Field-induced quantum phase in a frustrated zigzag-square lattice

This study presents the experimental realization of a spin-1/2 zigzag-square lattice in a verdazyl-based complex, namely ($m$-Py-V-2,6-F$_2$)$[$Cu(hfac)$_2]$. Molecular orbital calculations suggest the presence of five types of frustrated exchange couplings. Our observations reveal an incremental increase in the magnetization curve beyond a critical field, signifying a phase transition from the antiferromagnetic ordered state to a quantum state characterized by a 1/2 plateau. This intriguing behavior arises from the effective stabilization of a zigzag chain by the external fields. These results provide evidence for field-induced dimensional reduction in a zigzag-square lattice attributed to the effects of frustration.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

地域資源を活用したコミュニケーションデザイン研究/灘・ミュージアムロードの事例

本研究は、神戸市・灘区の通称「ミュージアムロード」を中心としたコミュニティの潜在的魅力と文化・観光資源を活用し、地域活性のためのコミュニケーションデザインの研究と実践をとおして、内外に地域の魅力発信を行うことを目的としている。その中で、地域コミュニティにおけるアートやデザインへの理解促進と、実社会をフィールドにしたデザイナーやアーティスト育成のための教育活動の展開を目指している。2009年より「アートとデザイン」をキーワードに、大学が積極的に地域・行政・企業と連携を深めるべく、該当地域でのデザインワークショップの実施や、コミュニケーションペーパーを発行するなど、さまざまなコラボレーションの機会創出を行ってきた。その結果、ミュージアムロードの阪急高架橋壁画ペイントや、王子動物園内の重要文化財である旧ハンター住宅を活用したイベント、地元企業の空きスペース活用した展覧会企画などの恊働事業が始動した。The primary purpose of this study is introducing the attractiveness of this region to both inside and outside through the study and practice of communication design by utilizing the potential charm, culture and tourist resources of the community centered in Nada Ward, Kobe city known as "Museum Road”. We aimed at progress of the further understanding of design and art in the local community and development of education thorough the activities of designers and artist in the practical field.We have created the opportunities to intensify the different types of collaboration with community, local government and companies actively since 2009, such as holding design workshops and publishing communication magazine, under the keywords, "art and design". As a result, some collaboration projects started to realize, such as wall paintings under the elevated structure of Hankyu Railway on the Museum Road, events in the former Hunter House that is an important cultural property located in OJI Zoo Park, and exhibitions utilizing the vacant space of the local business

街のコミュニケーションをデザインする/神戸市・灘区の事例

近年、地方分権化や人口減少により、日本の地方都市が抱える課題はさまざまである。それぞれの地域の個性や目指す方向を明確にし、より良い暮らしやまちづくりに向けて自治体や地域住民による取り組みが各地で進められている。 本研究では、神戸市・灘区を対象に、ソーシャルでサスティナブルな思考に基づきコミュニケーション・デザインの観点から、街の活性化をテーマに課題に取り組んだ。 該当地域の中でも特に兵庫県立美術館と神戸市立王子動物園を結ぶ、通称「ミュージアムロード」周辺を重点的に、具体的な活動として、 1. 新しい情報発信メディアとしてミニコミ紙の企画・制作 2. 自治体イベントや文化施設に対するデザイン提供 3. 地域イベントにおけるこどもワークショップの企画・運営 4. ミュージアムロードをテーマにしたデザイングッズの提案 を行った。 これらの実践研究をとおして、プロの視点からデザインによる社会貢献と教育活動を展開すると同時に、活動から生じた地域の人々とのデザイン交流をとおして、街の将来像を描きながら活性化に繋げて行くことがねらいである。On this research, we work on the issue to revitalization of Nada-ku, Kobe through the communication design based on the social and sustainable mind. We mainly work on the street and surrounding between Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Kobe Oji Zoo, so called “Museum Road”. The concrete actions we made are as followed. 1. Design and Publishing the local free paper as the new style of the information transmission. 2. Provide the design to the events sponsored by the local authorities and the public cultural facilities. 3. Planning and conducting the local workshop for the children. 4. Propose the design goods for the “Museum Road”. We aim to the revitalization as giving the image of the future city, through the cultural exchange with the local people that we meet during these activities as well as we expand the philanthropy and educational activity by the design with professional vision through these practical studies

創造都市におけるコミュニケーションデザイン/神戸・モダニズムの視点から

本研究では、現在の神戸のイメージ形成に大きく影響を与えていると考える、1920年代に花開いたモダニズムの都市文化に着目し、当時の生活スタイルや精神性を探求し、そこからコミュニケーションデザインの観点で新たな地域イメージを発信する二つの試みを行った。　一つ目は、ビジュアルデザイン学科とファッションデザイン学科の学生とともに行ったプロジェクトで、神戸のパン食文化とモダニズムの関連性をひもとき、グラフィック、ファッション、映像により表現した。それらの成果を、神戸市中央区が地域創造を目的に全国発信するイベントである「KOBEパンのまち散歩」の関連事業として、神戸を代表する観光地である北野町のスペースで発表した。　二つ目は、「神戸の食とモダニズム」をテーマに、近代以降、西洋文化の影響を受けて神戸に根付いた食に注目し、それらの食べ物のパッケージを調査した。そして、パッケージが地域イメージを伝達するメディアであるという観点に立ち、新たに神戸にゆかりの食べ物のパッケージデザインをおこない、都市のアイデンティティを模索した。In this study, we focused on the urban culture of modernism that blossomed in the 1920s in Kobe, and it\u27s great influence on the formation of the current image of the city. We explored the life style and spirit of those times, and using means of communication design we attempted to create a new regional image.First part. Participating students from Visual design department and Fashion design department, through means of graphics, fashion or video, expressed the relevance of bread culture and modernization of Kobe. The resulting works, were presented in a famous Kobe tourist spot - Kitano-cho as a part of “KOBE PAN NO MACHI SANPO (bread town walk)”, during an event meant to promote regional art nationwide, organized by Kobe City Central District.Second part. We focused on the subject of "Kobe food and modernism" as well as post modernization and investigated the influence of Western culture on Kobe foods, and it\u27s packaging. Treating package as media for communicating the regional image, we sought the identity of the city in packaging design of food related to Kobe

Nationwide retrospective observational study of idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification : clinical features with a progressive phenotype

Background: Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a specific lung condition that is accompanied by underlying diseases. However, idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification (IDPO) is extremely rare, and the clinical features remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to report the clinical characteristics of IDPO. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of patients with IDPO from 2017 to 2019 in Japan and evaluated the clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings of patients diagnosed with IDPO. Results: Twenty-two cases of IDPO were identified. Most subjects (82%) were male, aged 22-56 years (mean (SD), 37.9 (9.1)) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects were asymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed.)) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects were asymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed. )) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects wereasymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed. Conclusions: IDPO develops at a young age with gradually progressive phenotype. Further research and long-term (>20 years) follow-up are required to clarify the pathogenesis and clinical findings in IDPO