Clarithromycin expands CD11b+Gr-1+ MDSC-like cells

Macrolides are used to treat various inflammatory diseases owing to their immunomodulatory properties; however, little is known about their precise mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC)-like CD11b+Gr-1+ cells in response to the macrolide antibiotic clarithromycin (CAM) in mouse models of shock and post-influenza pneumococcal pneumonia as well as in humans. Intraperitoneal administration of CAM markedly expanded splenic and lung CD11b+Gr-1+ cell populations in naïve mice. Notably, CAM pretreatment enhanced survival in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced shock. In addition, adoptive transfer of CAM-treated CD11b+Gr-1+ cells protected mice against LPS-induced lethality via increased IL-10 expression. CAM also improved survival in post-influenza, CAM-resistant pneumococcal pneumonia, with improved lung pathology as well as decreased interferon (IFN)-γ and increased IL-10 levels. Adoptive transfer of CAM-treated CD11b+Gr-1+ cells protected mice from post-influenza pneumococcal pneumonia. Further analysis revealed that the CAM-induced CD11b+Gr-1+ cell expansion was dependent on STAT3-mediated Bv8 production and may be facilitated by the presence of gut commensal microbiota. Lastly, an analysis of peripheral blood obtained from healthy volunteers following oral CAM administration showed a trend toward the expansion of human MDSC-like cells (Lineage−HLA-DR−CD11b+CD33+) with increased arginase 1 mRNA expression. Thus, CAM promoted the expansion of a unique population of immunosuppressive CD11b+Gr-1+ cells essential for the immunomodulatory properties of macrolides

Microstructure-resolved degradation simulation of lithium-ion batteries in space applications

In-orbit satellite REIMEI, developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has been relying on off-the-shelf Li-ion batteries since its launch in 2005. The performance and durability of Li-ion batteries is impacted by various degradation mechanisms, one of which is the growth of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). In this article, we analyse the REIMEI battery and parameterize a full-cell model with electrochemical cycling data, computer tomography images, and capacity fading experiments using image processing and surrogate optimization. We integrate a recent model for SEI growth into a full-cell model and simulate the degradation of batteries during cycling. To validate our model, we use experimental and in-flight data of the satellite batteries. Our combination of SEI growth model and microstructure-resolved 3D simulation shows, for the first time, experimentally observed inhomogeneities in the SEI thickness throughout the negative electrode for the degraded cell

〈研究論文〉新たな学校ガバナンスにおける「教育の専門性」の再定位（2）: 小学校教員の専門性認識に関する分析を中心に

Since the 1990s, the concept of “Governance” has become widely known and has been often discussed in many fields including public education. Contemporary public education reform policies basically include the restructuring of relationships between teaching professionals and other stakeholders. It should be noted that, in fact, some education policies do not take into account the “professionality of teaching” very much; thus, there is a possibility that teaching professionals will be seen as comparatively inferior to other actors. It is therefore important to consider the position of teaching professionals within the new school governance structure and replace it, taking into account the concept of “professionality of education.”..