Predicting the Start of the Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Female Adult Biting Season Using the Spring Temperature in Japan

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) is distributed widely and is common in much of Japan. In Japan, female adults begin to bite in between April and June, except in the southern subtropics where the mosquito has no dormant period. It is difficult to estimate the first Ae. albopictus biting day because it varies annually depending on the location. Over several years, we surveyed the mosquitoes at different locations that covered a range of warmer to cooler areas of Japan. We found an association between the timing of first biting day by Ae. albopictus and spring temperature. In spring months, the strongest correlation was found with mean April temperatures, followed by March. Based on these data, it may, therefore, be possible to apply a simple formula to predict the timing of the first biting day at various geographical locations in Japan. Forecasting maps were created using a simple prediction formula. We found that the first biting day for Ae. albopictus changed depending on early spring temperatures for each year. There was an approximate 20-d difference in first biting day between years with warmer and cooler springs. This prediction model will provide useful insight for planning and practice of Ae. albopictus control programs, targeting larvae and adults, in temperate regions globally.ArticleJournal of Medical Entomology.54(6):1519-1524(2017)journal articl

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the experiential avoidance in caregiving questionnaire (EACQ)

This study developed the Japanese version of the Experiential Avoidance in Caregiving Questionnaire (J-EACQ) and assessed its reliability and validity. A 2-wave longitudinal study with an interval of two weeks was conducted with Japanese dementia family caregivers (n = 355 at T1; n = 246 at T2). Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses (CFA/EFA) were performed, and the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability were assessed. The convergent and discriminant validity were examined by correlations between the J-EACQ and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and measures assessing related constructs (e.g., cognitive fusion). The incremental validity was assessed through the hierarchical regression analysis examining whether the J-EACQ predicts depression/anxiety over and above the AAQ-II. The CFA demonstrated a poor fit to our data for the original factor model. The EFA resulted in a new factor model retaining a similar factor structure but with reduced items. Both models showed similar acceptable levels of internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. However, the original model had a less systematic error and a higher incremental validity. The J-EACQ has acceptable reliability and validity. It is recommended to use the original factor model to allow for international comparisons in future research

How Do the Childcare Teachers in Charge of 0 and 1-Year-Olds Reflect on Their Responsive Interactions with Infants? -Focusing on the Sense of Prompted Reflection-

3歳未満児の保育の重要な視点として、保育所保育指針解説(2018)の乳児保育と１歳以上３歳未満児の保育の項に多数記載されている「応答的な関わり」が挙げられる。また、保育の過程における省察や応答的な関わりには瞬時の省察が含まれることが見出されている（武藤ら2022）。 そこで本研究では、 0・１歳児クラスの保育士が応答的な関わりについてどのように省察しているのかを明らかにすると同時に、保育士自身の省察が促された実感の内実を見出すことを目的とした。X市内の0・1歳児担当保育士129名に無記名式WEB調査を実施し、統計学的に分析した結果、応答的な関わりに関する省察を強く実感している方法の上位３つは「保育記録記載による省察」「他者との対話による省察」「子どもと関わっている瞬間における省察」であり、保育士は実践中と実践後の省察を織り交ぜながら総体的に行っていることが示された。また、経験年数群による有意差が見られた「他者との対話後の保育記録記載による省察」等の3項目から省察と実践知の関係が明らかになり、省察方法を検討する際の保育業務全般を視野に入れる必要性が示された。departmental bulletin pape

zTrap: zebrafish gene trap and enhancer trap database

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have developed genetic methods in zebrafish by using the <it>Tol2 </it>transposable element; namely, transgenesis, gene trapping, enhancer trapping and the Gal4FF-UAS system. Gene trap constructs contain a splice acceptor and the GFP or Gal4FF (a modified version of the yeast Gal4 transcription activator) gene, and enhancer trap constructs contain the zebrafish <it>hsp70l </it>promoter and the GFP or Gal4FF gene. By performing genetic screens using these constructs, we have generated transgenic zebrafish that express GFP and Gal4FF in specific cells, tissues and organs. Gal4FF expression is visualized by creating double transgenic fish carrying a Gal4FF transgene and the GFP reporter gene placed downstream of the Gal4-recognition sequence (UAS). Further, the Gal4FF-expressing cells can be manipulated by mating with UAS effector fish. For instance, when fish expressing Gal4FF in specific neurons are crossed with the UAS:TeTxLC fish carrying the tetanus neurotoxin gene downstream of UAS, the neuronal activities are inhibited in the double transgenic fish. Thus, these transgenic fish are useful to study developmental biology and neurobiology.</p> <p>Description</p> <p>To increase the usefulness of the transgenic fish resource, we developed a web-based database named <it>z</it>Trap <url>http://kawakami.lab.nig.ac.jp/ztrap/</url>. The <it>z</it>Trap database contains images of GFP and Gal4FF expression patterns, and genomic DNA sequences surrounding the integration sites of the gene trap and enhancer trap constructs. The integration sites are mapped onto the <it>Ensembl </it>zebrafish genome by in-house Blat analysis and can be viewed on the <it>z</it>Trap and <it>Ensembl </it>genome browsers. Furthermore, <it>z</it>Trap is equipped with the functionality to search these data for expression patterns and genomic loci of interest. <it>z</it>Trap contains the information about transgenic fish including UAS reporter and effector fish.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>z</it>Trap is a useful resource to find gene trap and enhancer trap fish lines that express GFP and Gal4FF in desired patterns, and to find insertions of the gene trap and enhancer trap constructs that are located within or near genes of interest. These transgenic fish can be utilized to observe specific cell types during embryogenesis, to manipulate their functions, and to discover novel genes and <it>cis</it>-regulatory elements. Therefore, <it>z</it>Trap should facilitate studies on genomics, developmental biology and neurobiology utilizing the transgenic zebrafish resource.</p

A phase 2 basket trial of combination therapy with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in patients with solid cancers harboring human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 amplification (JUPITER trial)

Introduction: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene amplification and mutations have emerged as oncogenic drivers and therapeutic targets not limited to breast and gastric cancers, but also in a variety of cancers. However, even if an actionable gene alteration is found, the incidence of HER2 amplification in these cancers is less than 5%. It is too difficult to conduct a conventional randomized, controlled trial in a rare fraction. Therefore, we have designed a organ-agnostic basket study, which covers a variety of solid cancers harboring HER2 amplification, in 1 study protocol. Methods/Design: This trial is a multicenter, single-arm, basket phase 2 study in Japan. Patients with solid cancers harboring HER2 amplification that have progressed with standard treatment, or rare cancers for which there is no standard treatment, will be eligible. Target cancers include bile duct, urothelial, uterine, ovarian, and other solid cancers where HER2 amplification is detected by comprehensive genomic profiling using next-generation sequencing technology. A total of 38 patients will be treated with combination therapy with trastuzumab and pertuzumab every 3 weeks until disease progression, unmanageable toxicity, death, or patient refusal. The primary endpoint is the objective response rate, and secondary endpoints are progression-free survival, overall survival, and duration of response. Discussion: The aim of this trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in patients with locally advanced or metastatic, solid cancers harboring HER2 amplification. Instead of focusing on 1 organ type, our trial design uses a basket study focusing on HER2 amplification, regardless of the site or origin of the cancer. The results of our study will advance clinical and scientific knowledge concerning the treatment of locally advanced, rare solid cancers harboring HER2 amplification, using the combination of trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Trial registration: This trial was registered in Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jCRT) on February 25, 2019, as jRCT2031180150

Recent Results from LHD Experiment with Emphasis on Relation to Theory from Experimentalist’s View

he Large Helical Device (LHD) has been extending an operational regime of net-current free plasmas towardsthe fusion relevant condition with taking advantage of a net current-free heliotron concept and employing a superconducting coil system. Heating capability has exceeded 10 MW and the central ion and electron temperatureshave reached 7 and 10 keV, respectively. The maximum value of β and pulse length have been extended to 3.2% and 150 s, respectively. Many encouraging physical findings have been obtained. Topics from recent experiments, which should be emphasized from the aspect of theoretical approaches, are reviewed. Those are (1) Prominent features in the inward shifted configuration, i.e., mitigation of an ideal interchange mode in the configuration with magnetic hill, and confinement improvement due to suppression of both anomalous and neoclassical transport, (2) Demonstration ofbifurcation of radial electric field and associated formation of an internal transport barrier, and (3) Dynamics of magnetic islands and clarification of the role of separatrix