Characterization of a non-pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus isolated from a migratory duck flying from Siberia in Hokkaido, Japan, in October 2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infection with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of domestic poultry and wild birds has spread to more than 60 countries in Eurasia and Africa. It is concerned that HPAIVs may be perpetuated in the lakes in Siberia where migratory water birds nest in summer. To monitor whether HPAIVs circulate in migratory water birds, intensive surveillance of avian influenza has been performed in Mongolia and Japan in autumn each year. Until 2008, there had not been any H5N1 viruses isolated from migratory water birds that flew from their nesting lakes in Siberia. In autumn 2009, A/mallard/Hokkaido/24/09 (H5N1) (Mal/Hok/24/09) was isolated from a fecal sample of a mallard (<it>Anas platyrhynchos</it>) that flew from Siberia to Hokkaido, Japan. The isolate was assessed for pathogenicity in chickens, domestic ducks, and quails and analyzed antigenically and phylogenetically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No clinical signs were observed in chickens inoculated intravenously with Mal/Hok/24/09 (H5N1). There was no viral replication in chickens inoculated intranasally with the isolate. None of the domestic ducks and quails inoculated intranasally with the isolate showed any clinical signs. There were no multiple basic amino acid residues at the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin (HA) of the isolate. Each gene of Mal/Hok/24/09 (H5N1) is phylogenetically closely related to that of influenza viruses isolated from migratory water birds that flew from their nesting lakes in autumn. Additionally, the antigenicity of the HA of the isolate was similar to that of the viruses isolated from migratory water birds in Hokkaido that flew from their northern territory in autumn and different from those of HPAIVs isolated from birds found dead in China, Mongolia, and Japan on the way back to their northern territory in spring.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mal/Hok/24/09 (H5N1) is a non-pathogenic avian influenza virus for chickens, domestic ducks, and quails, and is antigenically and genetically distinct from the H5N1 HPAIVs prevailing in birds in Eurasia and Africa. H5 viruses with the HA gene of HPAIV had not been isolated from migratory water birds in the surveillance until 2009, indicating that H5N1 HPAIVs had not become dominant in their nesting lakes in Siberia until 2009.</p

Practical Seminar for the Teaching Profession on the Teacher Training Program at Okayama University（２）

　岡山大学では，平成25年度後期より本格実施する教職実践演習に向けて，独自で通年開講する教育学部を除く7課程認定学部と教師教育開発センター（以降，センター）が協同して準備を行っている。平成24年度後期に教育学部以外の教職希望学生を対象に15講からなる教職実践演習（以降，全学教職実践演習）の試行を実施した。試行は参加学生へのアンケート調査や授業担当者の反省会で得られた意見より，概ね期待された効果が得られた。一方，試行に参加した学生が教育実習後と比較し伸びているのか，必修科目になれば教職を目指さない学生が混じるため試行ほど成果が期待されないのではないか，等の課題が指摘された。試行の反省を基に，平成25年度前期には受講生向けに「全学教職実践演習ガイドブック」を，40 名近くの指導者向けに「全学教職実践演習ハンドブック」を作成した。本稿では試行の成果と課題及び本格実施の実際について報告する

Pulmonary Tuberculous Scar as a Factor Affecting Detection of Lung Cancer

To evaluate the radiologic influence of tuberculous scar on the detection of lung cancer, the results of radiologic screening were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 308, 565 persons above 40 years old underwent the screening from 1986 to 1988. For screening, 100-mm indirect chest radiographs were interpreted by two physicians, and compared to findings on one-year old films if necessary. The screening detected 175 peripheral lung cancers and 25,238 tuberculous scars. Both diseases were prevalent in the elderly. Twenty-seven of 175 lung cancers coexisted with tuberculous scar. The high incidence of tuberculous scar in the elderly caused the seeming increase in the incidence of coexistence of lung cancer. In 14 of 21 coexistent cases reviewed, lung cancer was identified retrospectively on one-year old radiographs. In six patients, lung cancer was misinterpreted as a part of tuberculous scar, despite comparison to one-year old films. The present study suggests that radiographs showing tuberculous scar should be carefully compared to previous films taken at least two years earlier

Cervicomediastinal Lipoma

A 67-year-old female was hospitalized with complaints of cough and shortness of breath. A chest roentgenogram showed a right upper mediatinal mass. Computed tomography demonstrated a well circumscribed large mass, with a fat density, extending from the azygos arch to the thyroid cartilage. The mass displaced the superior vena cava anteriorly and trachea laterally to the left. It was hourglass shaped, 250g in weight and could be easily removed completely along with the thoracic portion from the cervix. The histologic findings were consistent with lipoma. Its CT diagnosis was discussed

Pirfenidone inhibits the expression of HSP47 in TGF-beta1-stimulated human lung fibroblasts.

Pirfenidone (5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone) is a novel anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits the progression of fibrosis in animal models and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Heat shock protein (HSP) 47, a collagen-specific molecular chaperone, is involved in the processing and/or secretion of procollagen and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IPF. The present study evaluated the in vitro effects of pirfenidone on expression of HSP47 and collagen type I in cultured normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF). Expression levels of HSP47 and collagen type I in NHLF stimulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 were evaluated genetically, immunologically and immunocytochemically. Treatment with TGF-beta1 stimulated both mRNA and protein expressions of both HSP47 and collagen type I in NHLF, and pirfenidone significantly inhibited this TGF-beta1-enhanced expression in a dose-dependent manner. We concluded that the anti-fibrotic effect of pirfenidone may be mediated not only through direct inhibition of collagen type I expression but also at least partly through inhibition of HSP47 expression in lung fibroblasts, with a resultant reduction of collagen synthesis in lung fibrosis

Practical Seminar for Teaching Profession in All-University Teacher Training Program at Okayama University

　岡山大学教師教育開発センター（以下，センター）は，全学教職コア・カリキュラム（以下，全学コア・カリ）の研究・開発と運営を行っている。教職実践演習については独自で開講する教育学部を除く7課程認定学部とセンターが協働して本格実施に向けた準備を行い，平成23年12月には「全学教職実践演習授業計画（案）」（以下，授業計画（案））を作成し，認識の共有化を図っている。一方で，各教職課程運営委員（以下，運営委員）からは学部内での説明や周知に関して不安や困難を述べる声も多く挙がった。そのため，平成24年2月にFD研修として教職実践演習のプレ試行を実施した。その結果，イメージがわくという成果と，教科専門科目担当教員（以下，教科教員）がどのように授業へコミットすればよいかという不安等の課題が顕在化した。そこで，教科教員が有している期待や不安等の意識を調査することにより，授業を構築するための成果と課題を明らかにした

A Research on Quality Assurance in Teacher Training Course in Okayama University (2) – Focused on Change of Students’ Consciousness Before and After Teacher Training Program for Freshman –

　岡山大学では，教師教育開発センターによる全学の教員養成教育の質保証に取り組んでいる。本学では，教育学部以外に在籍し，教員免許状の取得を志す学生（文学部，法学部，経済学部，理学部，工学部，農学部，環境理工学部，マッチングプログラムコース）を対象にした1年次の核になるプログラムとして「全学教職オリエンテーション」と「母校訪問」を設けている。本研究では，平成24年度にこれら2つのプログラムを受けた学生を対象にした事前事後によるアンケート調査結果に基づき，学生の意識変容を検討した。その結果，（１）教職志望度が上昇する傾向があるが，教員免許取得希望度や教員採用試験の受験意志は低下すること，（２）「教職観」に関する様々な意識が変容し，教職理解が深まるが，「4 つの力に対する自信」は部分的な変容であること，（３）「大学生活や将来への思い」に関して部分的であるがポジティブに変容していくこと，が主に示唆された

Practical Seminar for Introduction to the Teaching Profession on the Teacher Training Program at Okayama University : For Certain Fixation of Learning Contents and Upbringing of the Practical Qualities , Ability as the Teacher

　全学教職コア・カリキュラムの入門科目に位置付けられている「教職論」の授業については，継続的にその内容や手法に関して改善が図られてきた。平成28 年度についても，過去５年間の取組の成果を踏まえながら，特に次の４つの視点から改善内容を模索し，より実践的で参加型の授業になるように工夫をした。①全学で導入された「60 分授業・4 学期制」に対応し，その利点を生かす。②ワークシートの活用により，個々の受講生が個人で思考する時間を確保する。③ペア学習・グループ学習の時間を設定し，可能な限りアクティブ・ラーニングを導入する。④様々な課題の解決を目指して学校現場で実際に行われている取組を出来るだけ多く紹介する。これらの改善により，学習意欲の向上と学習内容の確実な定着を図った。その結果，受講終了時に実施したアンケート調査では，多くの受講生から授業の意義について肯定的な評価が得られた