The dual origin of the peripheral olfactory system: placode and neural crest

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The olfactory epithelium (OE) has a unique capacity for continuous neurogenesis, extending axons to the olfactory bulb with the assistance of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs). The OE and OECs have been believed to develop solely from the olfactory placode, while the neural crest (NC) cells have been believed to contribute only the underlying structural elements of the olfactory system. In order to further elucidate the role of NC cells in olfactory development, we examined the olfactory system in the transgenic mice Wnt1-Cre/Floxed-EGFP and P0-Cre/Floxed-EGFP, in which migrating NC cells and its descendents permanently express GFP, and conducted transposon-mediated cell lineage tracing studies in chick embryos.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Examination of these transgenic mice revealed GFP-positive cells in the OE, demonstrating that NC-derived cells give rise to OE cells with morphologic and antigenic properties identical to placode-derived cells. OECs were also positive for GFP, confirming their NC origin. Cell lineage tracing studies performed in chick embryos confirmed the migration of NC cells into the OE. Furthermore, spheres cultured from the dissociated cells of the olfactory mucosa demonstrated self-renewal and trilineage differentiation capacities (neurons, glial cells, and myofibroblasts), demonstrating the presence of NC progenitors in the olfactory mucosa.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data demonstrates that the NC plays a larger role in the development of the olfactory system than previously believed, and suggests that NC-derived cells may in part be responsible for the remarkable capacity of the OE for neurogenesis and regeneration.</p

Schwann-Spheres Derived from Injured Peripheral Nerves in Adult Mice - Their In Vitro Characterization and Therapeutic Potential

Multipotent somatic stem cells have been identified in various adult tissues. However, the stem/progenitor cells of the peripheral nerves have been isolated only from fetal tissues. Here, we isolated Schwann-cell precursors/immature Schwann cells from the injured peripheral nerves of adult mice using a floating culture technique that we call “Schwann-spheres." The Schwann-spheres were derived from de-differentiated mature Schwann cells harvested 24 hours to 6 weeks after peripheral nerve injury. They had extensive self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. They strongly expressed the immature-Schwann-cell marker p75, and differentiated only into the Schwann-cell lineage. The spheres showed enhanced myelin formation and neurite growth compared to mature Schwann cells in vitro. Mature Schwann cells have been considered a promising candidate for cell-transplantation therapies to repair the damaged nervous system, whereas these “Schwann-spheres" would provide a more potential autologous cell source for such transplantation

Changes in Carnosine and its Related Constituents during Embryonic Development in the Breast Muscle of Layer and Broiler Chickens

Developmental changes in the levels of carnosine (&beta;-alanyl-L-histidine), its derivative anserine (&beta;-alanyl-1-methyl-L-histidine), and their constituents including &beta;-alanine, L-histidine and 1-methylhistidine in the pectoralis muscle were investigated. Comparisons were made between broiler and layer type chickens at various embryonic stages (E14 and E18) and hatch (P0). Carnosine and anserine levels increased toward hatch and carnosine levels were higher in broilers than in layers. The &beta;-alanine level was highest at E18 in both types of embryos. L-Histidine and 1-methylhistidine levels were comparable during embryogenesis, but 1-methylhistidine greatly increased at P0. No significant differences in dipeptide constituents were found between broilers and layers. In conclusion, concentration of carnosine was higher in broilers than in layers

Effect of weather and days of the week on number of daily circulation in public libraries

Objective. The study investigated the effect of weather and day of the week on the daily circulation numbers in two public libraries in Japan. Method. Datasets on library circulation were collected from one library in an urban area, and another in a rural area. The data were then divided according to rainy day and other days, holiday and workday, and day of the week, and the presence or absence of significant differences in daily circulation was analyzed. Automatic linear modeling was performed to analyze the effect of weather, day of the week, and holiday on daily circulation. Results. The results revealed that day of the week have a considerable impact on daily circulation for both libraries. However, weather exerted a significant impact in the urban area only. Automatic linear modeling explained the daily circulation based on day of the week and holiday with an accuracy of 71.5% for the rural library, and explained the circulation numbers based on day of the week, holiday, and precipitation amount with an accuracy of 81% for the urban library.Published versionThis work was supported by JSPS grant KAKENHI JP 19H04428 and 16K16161

AirMeet: Communication Support System by Temporarily Sharing Personal Information for Social Gathering

Part 8: Poster and Interactive SessionInternational audienceIn this paper, we propose a system “AirMeet” that supports temporary communication within the venue of the social gathering by limiting personal information to be shared at the time of the social gathering according to its purposes. As a result of carrying out the experiment at the social gatherings, we confirmed that we can promote sharing within the boundary of meeting venue by limiting the personal information participants had not disclosed on the Web. In addition, it confirmed that communication is supported by sharing personal information according to the purpose of the social gathering and using the application in the venue, and it showed the usefulness of the application

Automated design of Li+-conducting polymer by quantum-inspired annealing

Automated molecule design by computers has been an essential topic in materials informatics. Still, generating practical structures is not easy because of the difficulty in treating material stability, synthetic difficulty, mechanical properties, and other miscellaneous parameters, often leading to the generation of junk molecules. We tackle the problem by introducing supervised/unsupervised machine learning and quantum-inspired annealing. Our autonomous molecular design system can help experimental researchers discover practical materials more efficiently. Like the human design process, new molecules are explored based on knowledge of existing compounds. A new solid-state polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries is designed and synthesized, giving a promising room temperature conductivity of 10^-5 S/cm with reasonable thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties

Exploration of organic superionic glassy conductors by process and materials informatics with lossless graph database

Data-driven material exploration is a ground-breaking research style; however, daily experimental results are difficult to record, analyze, and share. We report a new data platform that losslessly describes the relationships of structures, properties, and processes as graphs in electronic laboratory notebooks. As a model project, organic superionic glassy conductors were explored by recording over 500 different experiments. Automated data analysis revealed the essential factors for a remarkable room temperature ionic conductivity of 10^−4-10^−3 S/cm and a lithium transference number of around 0.8. In contrast to previous materials research, everyone can access all the experimental results, including graphs, raw measurement data, and data processing systems, at a public repository. Direct data sharing will improve scientific communication and accelerate integration of material knowledge

Japanese health and physical education teachers’ experiences teaching sexuality education at the high school level

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to describe and explain Japanese health and physical education teachers’ experiences teaching sexuality education at the high school level. This qualitative study used the interview method, with an in-depth, semi-structured approach. The research sites were Japanese high schools located in the Kanto region of Japan. Participants included eight health and physical education teachers who taught sexuality education at the time of this study. A constant comparative analysis method was used to interpret the data, with three themes emerging from the data: (a) teaching how to avoid unwanted and unexpected pregnancy, (b) be careful about sexual comments and terms that could turn to harassment, and (c) use instructional resources that help students’ transformative learning. Findings suggest that health and physical education teachers must be highly ethical professionals, whose attitudes and actions are focused on what is best for their students while teaching sexuality education. To advance the quality of sexuality education instruction, teachers, administrators, and researchers need clear and focused goals related to the status, quality, and relevance of sexuality education programs and curricula