Structure of the guinea pig neutrophil cationic peptide gene

AbstractGuinea pig neutrophils contain the antimicrobial cationic peptides GNCP-1 and GNCP-2 in the granules. In this study, the GNCP gene was isolated, and the structure was characterized. Using cDNA probes, one phage clone was isolated from a guinea pig genomic library. The gene spanned > 3 kb, and comprised three exons and two introns. Sequence analysis revealed that the gene encoded GNCP-2. Exon 1 mainly coded for the 5′ untranslated region, exon 2 coded for the prepro-peptide region of GNCP-2, and exon 3 coded for the mature peptide region of GNCP-2 and the 3′ untranslated region. Primer extension analysis indicated that the transcription initiation site was located to a thymidine residue, 93 bp upstream of the ATG initiation codon or GNCP-2 mRNA. A possible TATA box was located 24 bp upstream or the transcription start site. Interestingly, the pyrimidine-rich sequences identified in the promoter regions of the human neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase genes were also found in the 5′ flanking region of the GNCP-2 gene

Survey of Creative Learning in High School Music Classes: From a Questionnaire Survey of Music Teachers

　本研究は，高等学校芸術科「音楽」における創作学習の実態を調査し，結果の分析を通して多様化した学習形態や教師の創作学習に対する見解を明らかにすることを目的としている。調査に際しては，岡山県内の公立高等学校芸術科（音楽）教諭全員を対象に行い，創作学習に対する教師の考え方，音楽学習全体における創作学習の捉え方に関する項目を設定した。その結果，教師は創作学習において，完成後の作品イメージを先行して伝えていることがわかり，音楽的理論や知識を十分に伝えられていないことが明らかとなった。また，近年のICT機器を活用した取り組みやすい学習内容によって，音楽的理論や知識を取り扱わない傾向が見られ，それに伴って，生徒が創作学習で身につけた事項が，他分野の学習へ活用することが難しい現状であることも明らかとなった

Bilateral Renal Cell Carcinoma and its Treatment

A report is presented on two cases of bilateral renal cell carcinoma together with a review of the literature. Bilateral renal cell carcinoma is rare and there is much controversy concerning its treatment. Our current experience supports conservative therapy for bilateral renal cell carcinoma

Real time assessment of surface interactions with a titanium passivation layer by surface plasmon resonance

Due to the high corrosion resistance and strength to density ratio titanium is widely used in industry, and also in a gamut of medical applications. Here we report for the first time on our development of a titanium passivation layer sensor that makes use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The deposited titanium metal layer on the sensor was passivated in air, similarly to titanium medical devices. Our "Ti-SPR sensor" enables analysis of biomolecule interactions with the passivated surface of titanium in real time. As a proof of concept, corrosion of a titanium passivation layer exposed to acid was monitored in real time. The Ti-SPR sensor can also accurately measure the time-dependence of protein adsorption onto the titanium passivation layer at sub-nanogram per square millimeter accuracy. Besides such SPR analyses, SPR imaging (SPRI) enables real time assessment of chemical surface processes that occur simultaneously at "multiple independent spots" on the Ti-SPR sensor, such as acid corrosion or adhesion of cells. Our Ti-SPR sensor will therefore be very useful to study titanium corrosion phenomena and biomolecular titanium-surface interactions with application in a broad range of industrial and biomedical fields

Therapeutic Potential of Cathelicidin Peptide LL-37, an Antimicrobial Agent, in a Murine Sepsis Model

Among the mechanisms put-up by the host to defend against invading microorganisms, antimicrobial peptides represent the first line. In different species of mammals, the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides AMPs has been identified, and in humans, LL-37 is the only type of cathelicidin identified. LL-37 has many different biological activities, such as regulation of responses to inflammation, besides its lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neutralizing and antimicrobial and activities. Recently, employing a murine septic model that involves cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), we examined the effect of LL-37. The results indicated that LL-37 exhibits multiple protective actions on septic mice; firstly, the survival of CLP mice was found to be improved by LL-37 by the suppression of the macrophage pyroptosis that induces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1β) and augments inflammatory reactions in sepsis; secondly, the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which have potent bactericidal activity, is enhanced by LL-37, and protects mice from CLP-induced sepsis; thirdly, LL-37 stimulates neutrophils to release antimicrobial microvesicles (ectosomes), which improve the pathological condition of sepsis. These findings indicate that LL-37 protects CLP septic mice through at least three mechanisms, i.e., the suppression of pro-inflammatory macrophage pyroptosis and the release of antimicrobial NETs (induction of NETosis) and ectosomes from neutrophils. Thus, LL-37 can be a potential therapeutic candidate for sepsis due to its multiple properties, including the modulation of cell death (pyroptosis and NETosis) and the release of antimicrobial NETs and ectosomes as well as its own bactericidal and LPS-neutralizing activities

Outstanding Contributions of LAL Technology to Pharmaceutical and Medical Science: Review of Methods, Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives in Early Detection and Management of Bacterial Infections and Invasive Fungal Diseases

The blue blood of the horseshoe crab is a natural, irreplaceable, and precious resource that is highly valued by the biomedical industry. The Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) obtained from horseshoe crab blood cells functions as a surprisingly sophisticated sensing system that allows for the extremely sensitive detection of bacterial and fungal cell-wall components. Notably, LAL tests have markedly contributed to the quality control of pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices as successful alternatives to the rabbit pyrogen test. Furthermore, LAL-based endotoxin and (1→3)-β-D-glucan (β-glucan) assay techniques are expected to have optimal use as effective biomarkers, serving as adjuncts in the diagnosis of bacterial sepsis and fungal infections. The innovative β-glucan assay has substantially contributed to the early diagnosis and management of invasive fungal diseases; however, the clinical significance of the endotoxin assay remains unclear and is challenging to elucidate. Many obstacles need to be overcome to enhance the analytical sensitivity and clinical performance of the LAL assay in detecting circulating levels of endotoxin in human blood. Additionally, there are complex interactions between endotoxin molecules and blood components that are attributable to the unique physicochemical properties of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this regard, while exploring the potential of new LPS-sensing technologies, a novel platform for the ultrasensitive detection of blood endotoxin will enable a reappraisal of the LAL assay for the highly sensitive and reliable detection of endotoxemia