Functional organisation of anterior thoracic stretch receptors in the deep-sea isopod Bathynomus doederleini: Behavioural, morphological and physiological studies

The relationship between segmental mobility and the organisation of thoracic stretch receptors was examined in the deep-sea isopod Bathynomus doederleini, which shows a developed adaptive behaviour during digging. The movements of segments during digging were analysed from video recordings, which showed that a large excursion occurred in the anterior thoracic segments. Dyefills of axons revealed four types of thoracic stretch receptor (TSR): an N-cell type (TSR-1), a differentiated Ncell type (TSR-2), a muscle receptor organ (MRO)-type with a long, single receptor muscle (TSR-3) and an MROtype with a short, single receptor muscle (TSR-4 to TSR-7). Physiologically, TSR-1 and TSR-2 are tonic-type stretch receptors. TSR-3 to TSR-7 show two kinds of stretchactivated responses, a tonic response and a phasico-tonic response in which responses are maintained as long as the stretch stimulus is delivered. Both TSR-2, with a long muscle strand, and TSR-3, with a single, long receptor muscle, have a wide dynamic range in their stretchactivated response. In addition, TSR-2 is controlled by an intersegmental inhibitory reflex from TSR-3. These results suggest that, although TSR-1 has no receptor muscle and TSR-2 has a less-differentiated receptor-like muscle, they are fully functional position detectors of segmental movements, as are the MRO-type receptors TSR-3 to TSR-7.</p

A Rhabdomyosarcoma Arising in the Larynx of a Dog

A neoplastic nodular lesion, 2 × 3 cm in diameter, was found in the larynx of a 6-year-old spayed female dog. The tumor was ill-circumscribed, consisting histologically of large round cells with abundant cytoplasm interspersed with small round cells with less cytoplasm and occasional multinucleated cells (myotubes). Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for myoglobin, desmin and vimentin in varying degrees, but negative for S-100 protein, GFAP or cytokeratin. Cytoplasmic myofilaments/myofibrils with a dense Z-line-like structure were seen, the fine structures of which were complemented by PTAH stain. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare tumor in the larynx of dogs

Impaired bone quality characterized by apatite orientation under stress shielding following fixing of a fracture of the radius with a 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V custom-made bone plate in dogs

Custom-made implants have recently gained attention in veterinary medicine because of their ability to properly fit animal bones having a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The effect of custom-made implants on bone soundness and the regeneration process is not yet clear. We fabricated a 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V custom-made bone plate that fits the shape of the dog radius, and placed it into the radius where an osteotomy had been made. The preferential orientation of the apatite c-axis contributes to the mechanical integrity of the bone and is a reliable measure of bone quality. We determined this parameter as well as the bone shape and bone mineral density (BMD). The bone portion which lies parallel to the bone plate exhibited bone resorption, decreased BMD, and significant degradation of apatite orientation, relative to the portion outside the plate, at 7 months after the operation. This demonstrates the presence of stress shielding in which applied stress is not transmitted to bone due to the insertion of a stiff bone plate. This reduced stress condition clearly influences the bone regeneration process. The apatite orientation in the regenerated site remained different even after 7 months of regeneration, indicating insufficient mechanical function in the regenerated portion. This is the first study in which the apatite orientation and BMD of the radius were evaluated under conditions of stress shielding in dogs. Our results suggest that assessment of bone repair by radiography can indicate the degree of restoration of BMD, but not the apatite orientation.Impaired bone quality characterized by apatite orientation under stress shielding following fixing of a fracture of the radius with a 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V custom-made bone plate in dogs. Keiichiro Mie et al. PLOS ONE. 2020. 9(2) doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.023767

Comparative morpho-functional study in the digestive organs of the Antarctic rock cod, Trematomus bernacchii , in relation to phylogeny

第2回極域科学シンポジウム/第33回極域生物シンポジウム 11月17日（木） 統計数理研究所 3階リフレッシュフロ

Morphological and biochmical studies of the liver correlates of preferred temperature in Antarctic rock cod, Trematomus bernacchii

第3回極域科学シンポジウム/第34回極域生物シンポジウム 11月26日（月） 国立極地研究所 ３階ラウン

Morpho-functional study of the digestive organs of the Antarctic notothenioids

第3回極域科学シンポジウム/第34回極域生物シンポジウム 11月26日（月） 国立極地研究所 ３階ラウン

A real time spectroscopic analysis of the eye tissue of animals in the Antarctic region using a portable Raman spectrophotometer

第2回極域科学シンポジウム/第33回極域生物シンポジウム 11月17日（木） 統計数理研究所 3階リフレッシュフロ

DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19

「コロナ制圧タスクフォース」COVID-19疾患感受性遺伝子DOCK2の重症化機序を解明 --アジア最大のバイオレポジトリーでCOVID-19の治療標的を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-08-10.Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2, 393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3, 289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target

高校吹奏楽部所属学生における身体症状と身体機能に関する研究

高校吹奏楽部所属学生を対象に、演奏楽器別に整形外科的症状の出現時期や出現部位について明確にすること、ならびに身体機能評価から整形外科的症状との関係について言及することを目的とした. 方法として身体症状はアンケート調査、身体機能評価は協力できる部員に筋力や関節柔軟性を測定した. 整形外科的症状が出現していた部員の多くはユーフォニウム、チューバ担当であり、比較的、大型の重量楽器を演奏する部員に多かった. また、サックス、パーカッション、カラーガード担当も複数の関節に症状が出現していた. 関節の柔軟性については低下している部員が多く、長座体前屈距離や下肢伸展挙上で全国平均値を下回っていた. また、体幹筋力を評価する上体起こしや背筋力は全国平均値を下回っていた.We intended that the students belonging to the brass band in high school to clarify for site of origin and time of appearance of symptoms orthopedic by musical instruments, to mention the relationship between symptoms and orthopedic from the assessment body functions and. Physical symptoms questionnaire, physical function evaluation was to measure the strength and joint flexibility to staff as a way to cooperate. Euphonium, many of the staff orthopedic symptoms had appeared tuba is in charge, there were many in the staff that a relatively large weight to playing an instrument. In addition, the symptoms have appeared in multiple joints sax, percussion, and color guard personnel. For many staff the joint flexibility is declining, was below the national average in distance and elevation on sit-and-reach distance and straight leg raising. In addition, the trunk body to evaluate back strength and sit up was below the national average