Sequential learning and rule abstraction in Bengalese finches

The Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) is a species of songbird. Males sing courtship songs with complex note-to-note transition rules, while females discriminate these songs when choosing their mate. The present study uses serial reaction time (RT) to examine the characteristics of the Bengalese finches’ sequential behaviours beyond song production. The birds were trained to produce the sequence with an “A–B–A” structure. After the RT to each key position was determined to be stable, we tested the acquisition of the trained sequential response by presenting novel and random three-term sequences (random test). We also examined whether they could abstract the embedded rule in the trained sequence and apply it to the novel test sequence (abstract test). Additionally, we examined rule abstraction through example training by increasing the number of examples in baseline training from 1 to 5. When considered as (gender) groups, training with 5 examples resulted in no statistically significant differences in the abstract tests, while statistically significant differences were observed in the random tests, suggesting that the male birds learned the trained sequences and transferred the abstract structure they had learned during the training trials. Individual data indicated that males, as opposed to females, were likely to learn the motor pattern of the sequence. The results are consistent with observations that males learn to produce songs with complex sequential rules, whereas females do not

新聞広告にみる観光地与論島のイメージ

　本稿の目的は、1970年代から80年代にかけての奄美群島与論島における観光に関する新聞広告の事例に基づき、与論島のイメージを明らかにすることである。本稿では、対象とした55点の広告構成、写真構成、掲載される目的地、コピーなどを整理していった。筆者は、明確な表現の文字と写真の組み合わせによって観光地のイメージが構成されることからも、とくにコピーと写真構成に注目し広告の分析をおこなった。その特徴をふまえると、夏の島、コーラルアイランド、沖縄との関連性、といった与論島のイメージが明らかになった。与論島（奄美群島を含む）には、コーラルアイランドというラベリングが用いられ、国内ではあるものの異国情緒的なイメージを有する島として、他の観光地との差異化が図られていることが考えられる。その一方、同一の広告欄に与論島と沖縄の広告が掲載されることも多く、沖縄とのイメージの類似性は指摘できる。しかしながら、本稿の事例からは与論島のイメージはときに沖縄に内包され、ときには沖縄と個別化、もしくは組み合わさったイメージで表象されることから、類似性のイメージのありかたには複数のつながり方があると指摘できる。結論として、観光地のイメージを検討するための視点として、差異化と類似性という両義性において分析する視点は有効であり、多様な他地域とのつながり方を明らかにする視点も有効であると論じる

Isolation and Characterization of Renal Erythropoietin-Producing Cells from Genetically Produced Anemia Mice

Understanding the nature of renal erythropoietin-producing cells (REPs) remains a central challenge for elucidating the mechanisms involved in hypoxia and/or anemia-induced erythropoietin (Epo) production in adult mammals. Previous studies have shown that REPs are renal peritubular cells, but further details are lacking. Here, we describe an approach to isolate and characterize REPs. We bred mice bearing an Epo gene allele to which green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter cDNA was knocked-in (EpoGFP) with mice bearing an Epo gene allele lacking the 3′ enhancer (EpoΔ3′E). Mice harboring the mutant EpoGFP/Δ3′E gene exhibited anemia (average Hematocrit 18% at 4 to 6 days after birth), and this perinatal anemia enabled us to identify and purify REPs based on GFP expression from the kidney. Light and confocal microscopy revealed that GFP immunostaining was confined to fibroblastic cells that reside in the peritubular interstitial space, confirming our previous observation in Epo-GFP transgenic reporter assays. Flow cytometry analyses revealed that the GFP fraction constitutes approximately 0.2% of the whole kidney cells and 63% of GFP-positive cells co-express CD73 (a marker for cortical fibroblasts and Epo-expressing cells in the kidney). Quantitative RT-PCR analyses confirmed that Epo expression was increased by approximately 100-fold in the purified population of REPs compared with that of the unsorted cells or CD73-positive fraction. Gene expression analyses showed enrichment of Hif2α and Hif3α mRNA in the purified population of REPs. The genetic approach described here provides a means to isolate a pure population of REPs, allowing the analysis of gene expression of a defined population of cells essential for Epo production in the kidney. This has provided evidence that positive regulation by HIF2α and negative regulation by HIF3α might be necessary for correct renal Epo induction. (282 words

Development of System of Checklist Operation among Junior-high School and Public Institution for Non-attendance at School

本研究は中学校および適応指導教室の生徒を対象としたメンタルヘルスと体験活動の充実感を測定可能なチェックリストを作成し、その運用体制に必要な議論を行うことを目的とする。現職教師ら合計10名とともにメンタルヘルスと体験活動充実感のチェックリストを作成した。2006年度に中学生の職場体験活動の評価として111名、また適応指導教室の体験活動後の振り返りとし、のべ108名分のデータを得て分析を行った。その結果、体験活動充実感・チェックリストの得点が高ければ、メンタルヘルス・チェックリストの得点が改善される傾向が中学校と適応指導教室それぞれで確認された。そのため、適応指導教室群の方が中学校群よりも難しさのある回答の得点分布を持つことが確認された。そのため、適応指導教室群の得点分布を参考に不登校等のリスクが高まると考えられるチェックリストの危険域の存在が示唆されるとともに、メンタルヘルスだけでなく適応指導教室の一部通所者の軽度発達障害へのフォローと、今後教育現場にとって経済的・労力的にコストが低く利用できるチェックリストの運用方法を議論した

Predictive Factors for Tracheal Intubation in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treated Using a High-flow Nasal Cannula

Background : In Japan, patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)＊ requiring a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) are often initially treated in non-specialized facilities and transferred to an intensive care unit if tracheal intubation is required. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with severe respiratory failure requiring tracheal intubation at an early stage in patients with COVID-19 treated using HFNCs. Methods : This retrospective cohort study compared the clinical features of consecutively enrolled patients with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection admitted to two centers in Japan between early February 2020 and late June 2021. Results : A total of 35 patients with COVID-19 treated using HFNCs were included. Treatment success and failure occurred in 25 and 10 patients, respectively. The oxygen saturation (ROX) index (ratio of oxygen saturation [SpO2] to fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2] and the respiratory rate) 12 h post-HFNC insertion was a useful predictor of HFNC failure (success group, 8.0 ; failure group, 6.5 : P＝0.0005). Moreover, the time from symptom onset to respiratory failure was significantly shorter in the failure group than in the success group (3.0 and 5.0 days, P＝0.004). Conclusions The ROX index and time from symptom onset to respiratory failure were useful predictors of HFNC failure.Article信州医学雑誌 71(6) : 403-409, (2023)journal articl

Intracellular Calcium Spikes in Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurons Induced by BAPTA-Based Calcium Dyes

Background: Circadian rhythms in spontaneous action potential (AP) firing frequencies and in cytosolic free calcium concentrations have been reported for mammalian circadian pacemaker neurons located within the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Also reported is the existence of "Ca2+ spikes" (i.e., [Ca2+]c transients having a bandwidth of 10～100 seconds) in SCN neurons, but it is unclear if these SCN Ca2+ spikes are related to the slow circadian rhythms. Methodology/Principal Findings: We addressed this issue based on a Ca2+ indicator dye (fluo-4) and a protein Ca2+ sensor (yellow cameleon). Using fluo-4 AM dye, we found spontaneous Ca2+ spikes in 18% of rat SCN cells in acute brain slices, but the Ca2+ spiking frequencies showed no day/night variation. We repeated the same experiments with rat (and mouse) SCN slice cultures that expressed yellow cameleon genes for a number of different circadian phases and, surprisingly, spontaneous Ca2+ spike was barely observed (<3%). When fluo-4 AM or BAPTA-AM was loaded in addition to the cameleon-expressing SCN cultures, however, the number of cells exhibiting Ca2+ spikes was increased to 13～14%. Conclusions/Significance: Despite our extensive set of experiments, no evidence of a circadian rhythm was found in the spontaneous Ca2+ spiking activity of SCN. Furthermore, our study strongly suggests that the spontaneous Ca2+ spiking activity is caused by the Ca2+ chelating effect of the BAPTA-based fluo-4 dye. Therefore, this induced activity seems irrelevant to the intrinsic circadian rhythm of [Ca2+]c in SCN neurons. The problems with BAPTA based dyes are widely known and our study provides a clear case for concern, in particular, for SCN Ca2+ spikes. On the other hand, our study neither invalidates the use of these dyes as a whole, nor undermines the potential role of SCN Ca2+ spikes in the function of SCN

Effect of ultra-high pressure on small animals, tardigrades and Artemia

This research shows that small animals, tardigrades (Milnesium tardigradum) in tun (dehydrated) state and Artemia salina cists (dried eggs) can tolerate the very high hydrostatic pressure of 7.5 GPa. It was really surprising that living organisms can survive after exposure to such a high pressure. We extended these studies to the extremely high pressure of 20 GPa by using a Kawai-type octahedral anvil press. After exposure to this pressure for 30 min, the tardigrades were soaked in pure water and investigated under a microscope. Their bodies regained metabolic state and no serious injury could be seen. But they were not alive. A few of Artemia eggs went part of the way to hatching after soaked in sea water, but they never grew any further. Comparing with the case of blue-green alga, these animals are weaker under ultra-high pressure