Low-Frequency Vibrational Spectra of Chlorophylls a and b in Solution: Effects ofAxial Coordination

The far-infrared spectra (500--100 cm-I) of chlorophyll a were observed in three solvent systems (benzene-pyridine, benzene-tetrahydrofuran, and benzene-acetone). The observed spectra could be classified into three types corresponding to the aggregate state, the five-coordinate monomeric state, and the six-coordinate state. The far-infrared spectra of I5N_and 26lV[g-substitutedspecies and the polarized resonance Raman spectra of chlorophyll a and pheophytin a in the region of 500~100 cm-I were studied. These experimental results indicate that bands characteristic of the three states are due to modes to which deformations of the macrocycle make major contributions and vibrations around the Mg atom make some contributions, and that no band observed in the far- -infrared and Raman spectra is attributable to a vibrational mode associated predominantly with the Mg atom and the coordinating atoms. The spectral behavior of chlorophyll b in the benzene-pyridine system was similar to that of chlorophyll a

Immunological Risks Caused by Fibrous and Particulate Substances

The immunological risks caused by fibrous and particulate substances, especially the effects caused by asbestos fibers and silica particles, are discussed in this chapter. Patients with silicosis often suffer from autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–related vasculitis. Silica particles, SiO2, may influence directly various immune cells resulting in the production of many autoantibodies and imbalance between responder and regulatory T cells. The core chemical content of asbestos fibers is Si and O, although the physical feature is different. Considering the complications in asbestos-exposed patients, malignant tumors, such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, are the most important. To think about these situations, asbestos fibers may cause the reduction of antitumor immunity. The experimental findings and measurements of various immunological parameters in silicosis patients, as well as asbestos-exposed population, such as patients with pleural plaque and mesothelioma, are demonstrated and discussed in this chapter

Autoantibodies in Silicosis Patients: Silica-Induced Dysregulation of Autoimmunity

Silica particles cause silicosis (SIL) and represent one of the most typical environmental and occupational substances that induce autoimmune disorders among the exposed population. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-Sjögren’s-syndrome-related antigen A (SS-A), anti-centromere protein B (CENP)-B, and anti-scleroderma (Scl)-70 autoantibodies were examined in SIL and compared with those in healthy volunteers (HV) and patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Individuals with SIL were prone to autoimmune diseases and some autoantibodies seemed to be important as an estimation of this condition. Anti-Fas autoantibody found in SIL was functionally capable of inducing apoptosis in Fas-expressing cells, and this may cause a decrease of regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing Fas in SIL. Moreover, responder T cells (Tresps) in SIL seemed to be activated chronically and protected from Fas-mediated apoptosis. Thus, an imbalance of Tresps (dominant) and Tregs (less) occurred in SIL. All of these causes of SIL are ready to further develop autoimmune diseases

Development of a pedestrian navigation system that presents the optimum route information for mobility constraint people.

We developed a pedestrian navigation system that presents the optimum route information according to the degree of disablement for handicapped or aged people. The system displays information for town walking with ptimum route on the Google Map or by the direction indication on the AR camera window. Based on the system, we developed a mobile application system, named the\u27SAKAI old town map\u27, for sightseeing and walking around the historical area in Sakai·shi, Osaka. As an evaluation experiment, subjects with wheelchairs moved around the area using the system and we analyzed their behavior and introspection. The results showed that our pedestrian navigation system would be effective to support the daily life of move constraint people.平成26年度関西大学研究拠点形成支援経費：研究課題「利用者別最適経路を選択可能なナビゲ ーションシステムの研究開発と実装地域における社会的変化の研究

Impact of HBV Infection on Outcomes of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy of Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: Most clinical trials of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have excluded hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection, and little is known about the effects of DAA on chronic hepatitis C patients with HBV coinfection. Recent studies have reported that DAA therapy for HCV can also cause HBV reactivation in patients with HBV and HCV coinfection. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of DAA on sustained virologic response (SVR) and HBV reactivation in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Participants comprised 199 chronic hepatitis C patients who received DAA therapy (96 men, 103 women; mean age, 66.7 ± 12.0 years). Results: Twelve patients were coinfected with HCV and HBV. Sixty patients were HBV surface antigen negative but positive for hepatitis B core antibody and/or hepatitis B surface antibody, and one hundred and twenty-seven patients had not been exposed to HBV. Rates of SVR in HBV and HCV coinfected patients, HBV prior infection, and no exposure to HBV were 100, 95, and 97%, respectively. Significant differences were seen between each group. No case showed HBV reactivation. Conclusions: DAA treatments were effective in patients with HBV coinfection or HBV prior infection, as well as HCV monoinfection. As the number of cases was small, we still suggest caution regarding HBV reactivation in HCV and HBV coinfected patients undergoing treatment with DAA

Asbestos-Induced Cellular and Molecular Alteration of Immunocompetent Cells and Their Relationship with Chronic Inflammation and Carcinogenesis

Asbestos causes lung fibrosis known as asbestosis as well as cancers such as malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos is a mineral silicate containing iron, magnesium, and calcium with a core of SiO2. The immunological effect of silica, SiO2, involves the dysregulation of autoimmunity because of the complications of autoimmune diseases found in silicosis. Asbestos can therefore cause alteration of immunocompetent cells to result in a decline of tumor immunity. Additionally, due to its physical characteristics, asbestos fibers remain in the lung, regional lymph nodes, and the pleural cavity, particularly at the opening sites of lymphatic vessels. Asbestos can induce chronic inflammation in these areas due to the production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. As a consequence, immunocompetent cells can have their cellular and molecular features altered by chronic and recurrent encounters with asbestos fibers, and there may be modification by the surrounding inflammation, all of which eventually lead to decreased tumor immunity. In this paper, the brief results of our investigation regarding reduction of tumor immunity of immunocompetent cells exposed to asbestos in vitro are discussed, as are our findings concerned with an investigation of chronic inflammation and analyses of peripheral blood samples derived from patients with pleural plaque and mesothelioma that have been exposed to asbestos

生後早期の心理的ストレスが雌雄ラットの性成熟、性行動に与える影響

Purpose: We studied the influence of psychological stress during the early neonatal period on sexual maturation and sexual behavior in rats. Methods: Neonatal male and female rats were divided into control (C) and maternal separation (MS) groups (n = 20‐24 per group). The pups in the MS groups were placed in isolation cages for 240 minutes/d from postnatal days 2‐11. Vaginal opening (VO) in females and preputial separation (PS) in males (indicators of sexual maturation) were monitored, as was the estrous cycle in females. Thereafter, sexual behavior was monitored twice at 13 and 15 weeks of age. Results: As for sexual maturation, the onset of PS occurred significantly earlier in the MS group than in the C group, whereas the onset of VO did not differ between the groups. The length of the estrous cycle did not differ between the groups. The frequencies of sexual behaviors did not differ between the groups in either sex. Conclusions: In conclusion, early‐life psychological stress induced by MS advanced sexual maturation in male rats, whereas it did not affect sexual maturation in female rats. On the other hand, early‐life psychological stress might not affect sexual behavior in adulthood in either sex

Study of Training Programs Designed for Teachers Providing Education in a Globalizing Society : The Development and Delivery of Lessons Based on Principles of Inclusive Teaching of Special Support Class Teachers and Normal Curriculum Teachers

本研究では，教育のグローバル化や共生社会の実現に向け，児童の個別教育ニーズに対応するための教員研修に着目し，教員間の共生関係や教師の力量形成につながる研修を実施した。研究の２年目にあたり，インクルーシブ教育研修を校内研修に位置づけ，その第１段階として異学級編成の集団における授業を実施した。その結果，特別支援学級と通常学級の教員の連携によって互いの専門性を生かし合いながら授業を行い，それぞれの児童実態の把握の仕方・捉え方の違いを検討すること，教科の指導については，学習したことを次の学習に生かしたり，生活に反映させたりするための視点について検討することを通して，成果と課題を得ることができた。This study investigated training programs designed to correspond to the demands of individual tutoring needs and the delivery of training programs. We aimed to enable teachers to develop stronger teaching skills as well as socializing ability with other teachers. In the second year, we set an inclusive educating training program as a staff training. At the first stage, teachers taught a class in a group of the different class organization. By teaching a class in which special support class teachers and normal curriculum teachers cooperated, emphasizing their ability and skills in their field, strong results and future tasks were clarified. The study examined how children are observed and recognized by each of the teaching parties, how children apply the method of learning obtained from one subject of study to another, and how children adapted the learned matter into real life situations