Improving method of listener monitoring by elucidator in the face-to-face explanation

In this study, we have developed teaching methods to improve transmission efficiency of messages in face-to-face explanation. In the current school education system, to improve communication skills of students, the opportunities for students to carry out group work and class presentations are increasing. In general, imparting information is easier with face-to-face communication than in the situations where one cannot see the face of the listener. However, in face-to-face communication, it has been reported that it is possible that the degree of understanding has been overestimated, based on the face of listener. Therefore, it is considered that the efficiency of communication improves by directly asking the degree of the listener's understanding, regardless of the listener's face. In this paper, we used a task which listener draws a geometric figure by listening elucidator's verbal explanation and studied teaching methods improving the metacognitive monitoring of elucidator, especially confirmation to the listener. In the experiment, participants were divided into two groups. One group performed reflection of their explanations by using the checklist for metacognitive monitoring after explaining, and repeating the explanation. Another group repeated explanations without reflection of their explanations. We compared the two groups about their frequency of confirmation to the listener in the second explanation. As a result, the frequency of confirmation increased with reflection with the checklist. This result suggested that using the checklist as a teaching method is effective for improving the efficiency of communication

Risk assessment for hepatitis E virus infection from domestic pigs introduced into an experimental animal facility in a medical school

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is known to cause zoonotic infections from pigs, wild boars and deer. Domestic pigs have been used as an experimental animal model in medical research and training; however, the risks of HEV infection from pigs during animal experiments are largely unknown. Here, we retrospectively investigated the seroprevalence and detection rates of viral RNA in 73 domestic pigs (average 34.5 kg) introduced into an animal experimental facility in a medical school during 2012-2016. We detected anti-HEV immunoglobulin G antibodies in 24 of 73 plasma samples (32.9%), though none of the samples were positive for viral RNA. Plasma samples of 18 pigs were sequentially monitored and were classified into four patterns: sustained positive (5 pigs), sustained negative (5 pigs), conversion to positive (6 pigs) and conversion to negative (2 pigs). HEV genomes were detected in 2 of 4 liver samples from pigs that were transported from the same farm during 2016-2017. Two viral sequences of the overlapping open reading frame (ORF) 2/3 region (97 bp) were identical and phylogenetically fell into genotype 3. A 459-bp length of the ORF2 region of an amplified fragment from a pig transported in 2017 was clustered with the wbJYG1 isolate (subgenotype 3b) with 91.5% (420/459 bp) nucleotide identity. Based on our results, we suggest that domestic pigs introduced into animal facilities carry a potential risk of HEV infection to researchers, trainees and facility staff. Continuous surveillance and precautions are important to prevent HEV infection in animal facilities

Characterization and usefulness of a monoclonal antibody against human herpesvirus-7 DNA polymerase processivity factor

A monoclonal antibody (MAb), IK17, was developed and found useful for the analysis of human herpesvirus-7 (HHV7) genome replication. In Western blot analysis, the MAb IK17 specifically detected an HHV7 DNA polymerase subunit,U27 protein,expressed in both Escherichia coli (E.Coli)and HHV7-infected cells.Analysis by the same method of truncated U27 proteins expressed in E. Coli demonstrated that the MAb IK17 recognizes an epitope between amino acid 1 and 133 of the U27 protein.The indirect immunofluorescence (IF)method with MAb IK17 detected an unexpected reduction of U27 protein in the infected cells that were treated with a viral DNA polymerase inhibitor,phosphonoacetic acid (PAA),although no reduction of U27 mRNA was observed in the cells by Northern blot analysis. The data suggest the possible usefulness of the MAb IK17 for obtaining clues to characterize an unknown feature of the U27 protein. Immunoprecipitation experiments with the MAb IK17 enabled to detect at least four U27 protein-associated phosphorylated polypeptides in addition to the U27 protein itself.The result indicates the usefulness of the MAb IK17 for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the U27 proteinassociated viral and cellular factors. These analyses contribute to elucidation of the HHV7 genome replication system

Nectin-2 Acts as a Viral Entry Mediated Molecule That Binds to Human Herpesvirus 6B Glycoprotein B

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is a T-lymphotropic virus and the etiological agent of exanthem subitum. HHV-6B is present in a latent or persistent form after primary infection and is produced in the salivary glands or transmitted to this organ. Infected individuals continue to secrete the virus in their saliva, which is thus considered a source for virus transmission. HHV-6B primarily propagates in T cells because its entry receptor, CD134, is mainly expressed by activated T cells. The virus then spreads to the host's organs, including the salivary glands, nervous system, and liver. However, CD134 expression is not detected in these organs. Therefore, HHV-6B may be entering cells via a currently unidentified cell surface molecule, but the mechanisms for this have not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated a CD134-independent virus entry mechanism in the parotid-derived cell line HSY. First, we confirmed viral infection in CD134-membrane unanchored HSY cells. We then determined that nectin cell adhesion molecule 2 (nectin-2) mediated virus entry and that HHV-6B-insensitive T-cells transduced with nectin-2 were transformed into virus-permissive cells. We also found that virus entry was significantly reduced in nectin-2 knockout parotid-derived cells. Furthermore, we showed that HHV-6B glycoprotein B (gB) interacted with the nectin-2 V-set domain. The results suggest that nectin-2 acts as an HHV-6B entry-mediated protein

Nectin-2 Acts as a Viral Entry Mediated Molecule That Binds to Human Herpesvirus 6B Glycoprotein B

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is a T-lymphotropic virus and the etiological agent of exanthem subitum. HHV-6B is present in a latent or persistent form after primary infection and is produced in the salivary glands or transmitted to this organ. Infected individuals continue to secrete the virus in their saliva, which is thus considered a source for virus transmission. HHV-6B primarily propagates in T cells because its entry receptor, CD134, is mainly expressed by activated T cells. The virus then spreads to the host's organs, including the salivary glands, nervous system, and liver. However, CD134 expression is not detected in these organs. Therefore, HHV-6B may be entering cells via a currently unidentified cell surface molecule, but the mechanisms for this have not yet been investigated. In this study, we investigated a CD134-independent virus entry mechanism in the parotid-derived cell line HSY. First, we confirmed viral infection in CD134-membrane unanchored HSY cells. We then determined that nectin cell adhesion molecule 2 (nectin-2) mediated virus entry and that HHV-6B-insensitive T-cells transduced with nectin-2 were transformed into virus-permissive cells. We also found that virus entry was significantly reduced in nectin-2 knockout parotid-derived cells. Furthermore, we showed that HHV-6B glycoprotein B (gB) interacted with the nectin-2 V-set domain. The results suggest that nectin-2 acts as an HHV-6B entry-mediated protein

The unexpected role of polyubiquitin chains in the formation of fibrillar aggregates

ポリユビキチン鎖のアミロイド様線維形成を発見 －神経変性疾患における脳内異常タンパク質凝集の形成機構解明に期待－. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2015-01-21.Ubiquitin is known to be one of the most soluble and stably folded intracellular proteins, but it is often found in inclusion bodies associated with various diseases including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. To gain insight into this contradictory behaviour, we have examined the physicochemical properties of ubiquitin and its polymeric chains that lead to aggregate formation. We find that the folding stability of ubiquitin chains unexpectedly decreases with increasing chain length, resulting in the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. Furthermore, when expressed in cells, polyubiquitin chains covalently linked to EGFP also form aggregates depending on chain length. Notably, these aggregates are selectively degraded by autophagy. We propose a novel model in which the physical and chemical instability of polyubiquitin chains drives the formation of fibrils, which then serve as an initiation signal for autophagy