Raphe AMPA receptors and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate ketamine-induced serotonin release in the rat prefrontal cortex.

Several lines of evidence indicate that ketamine has a rapid antidepressant-like effect in rodents and humans, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ketamine on serotonin (5-HT) release in the rat prefrontal cortex by in vivo microdialysis. A subcutaneous administration of ketamine (5 and 25 mg/kg) significantly increased the prefrontal 5-HT level in a dose-dependent manner, which was attenuated by local injection of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) antagonists into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Direct stimulation of AMPARs in the DRN significantly increased prefrontal 5-HT level, while intra-DRN injection of ketamine (36.5 nmol) had no effect. Furthermore, intra-DRN injection of an α 4 β 2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist, dihydro-β-erythroidine (10 nmol), significantly attenuated the subcutaneous ketamine-induced increase in prefrontal 5-HT levels. These results suggest that AMPARs and α 4 β 2-nAChRs in the DRN play a key role in the ketamine-induced 5-HT release in the prefrontal cortex

Improving Teaching Methods, Student Learning Outcomes, and Curricula through Cross-Phase Teaching in Primary and Junior High School

In order to obtain a certain hint of forming a good cooperation between primary and junior high schools through Cross-Phase Teaching (CPT), it is necessary to verify the effect of CPT. We analyzed our CPT, surveyed the teachers and students by questionnaire, and interviewed the teachers, so that we might verify the effect of the CPT. While verifying, we not only recognized the change of the teachers' mind but also found the concrete way of improving their teaching

The Relationship between Generic Competency and Music-Specific Attributes and Abilities: Experimental Schools of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

The current study examined experimental schools of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which were set up to research generic competency. The current study sought to clarify the relationships between generic competency and music-specific ability in theses experimental schools. All of the schools and kindergartens examined in the current study aimed to foster generic competency in new domains and new subjects, and showed a clear connection between other existing subjects including music and these new domains and/or subjects. We founded the attributes, abilities, aims and content in music were connected to generic competency. Music was not just a tool to foster generic competency. As mentioned above, in all of the schools we examined, competency in specific subjects was not the focus. The current results raised several important suggestions for improving curriculum management

Development of the Curriculum for the Connection Period of an Elementary School and a Junior High School : Through Teachers in Kindergarten Joining Classes at Elementary School

本研究は，幼稚園教員・小学校教員がそれぞれの校種の保育・授業に参観・参加し，それぞれの専門性を活かして交流することを通し，幼小接続期におけるカリキュラムの開発に向けた基礎的情報を得ることを目的とする。特に，本研究では幼稚園教員による１年生の授業参加を通して認識した共通点・差異点に着目する。研究の方法としては，幼稚園教員が小学校１年生の生活科・音楽科の授業にＴ２として参加し，他の幼稚園教員は参観する。その後，幼稚園教員に対して質問紙調査を実施した。また，生活科・音楽科の授業後に，幼稚園教員と小学校教員で授業参加に関する研究協議を実施した。結果としては，次の３点である。１点目は，ねらいによって，受容・共感の言葉がけやねらいに向けて展開していく言葉がけが必要である。２点目は，幼稚園教師は子どもの成長を見ており，小学校教師は子どもを教科の枠で見ていることに違いがあり，この点に関しては接続期において配慮することが必要である。３点目は，ねらいが幼小で同じようでも活動の展開の仕方に違いがあり，子どもの発達に応じて活動の展開を工夫することが必要である。The purpose of this study was to develop a connective curriculum between kindergarten and elementary school. To achieve this, the differences between kindergarten and elementary school teachers were investigated. Kindergarten teachers participated in a music or a human life and science class in a team teaching staff or as observers. After this experiences, participants were asked some open-ended questions. The main results are as follows: (1) it is important to express sympathy to and adoption of the aims and goals of the class a; (2) kindergarten teachers tend to focus on the growth of children, compared with elementary school teachers, who focus on the goal of the class; (3) there are differences in the ways of conducting teaching activities even when the aims of classes are same

本学看護学部における3年次OSCEの実施と今後の課題

本報告は、2013年4月に開設した当看護学部において、2015年8月に3年生に対して初めて行ったOSCE (客観的臨床能力試験)の準備から実施までの総括である。一連の記録やマニュアル等から経過を振り返り、今後の改善点を検討した結果、学生の基礎技術の習熟に資する自主練習環境の整備、模擬患者の効果的な導入、評価者役や模擬患者役として実習病院や近隣機関の関係者が教育に参加できるような協力関係の構築が課題として示された

TCDD-induced chick cardiotoxicity is abolished by a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor NS398

Halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are known to cause severe heart defects in avian species. However, the mechanism of TCDD-induced chick cardiovascular toxicity is unclear. In this study, we investigated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) as a possible mechanism of TCDD-induced cardiotoxicity. Fertile chicken eggs were injected with TCDD and a COX-2 selective inhibitor, NS398, and we investigated chick heart failure on day 10. We found that the chick heart to body weight ratio and atrial natriuretic factor mRNA expression were increased, but this increase was abolished with treatment of NS398. In addition, the morphological abnormality of an enlarged ventricle resulting from TCDD exposure was also abolished with co-treatment of TCDD and NS398. Our results suggested that TCDD-induced chick heart defects are mediated via the nongenomic pathway and that they do not require the genomic pathway

Molecular evidence predicts aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand insensitivity in the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrines)

Some wild populations of fish-eating birds and raptors are exposed to high concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds such as other 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, resulting in accumulation in their tissues. It has been demonstrated that TCDD-like chemicals cause toxic effects via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-mediated signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to characterize the AHR from the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrines) to predict its sensitivity to TCDD-like chemicals. The AHR1, AHR2, and AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) 1 of the peregrine falcon are more similar in amino acid sequence to avian species less sensitive to TCDD-like chemicals such as the cormorant (95%) than to more sensitive species such as the chicken (90%). From the amino acid sequence, it is likely that the ligand-binding affinity of peregrine falcon AHR1 and AHR2 would be very low compared with the chicken or other sensitive species, and it was actually proved by an in vitro reporter gene assay. We concluded that the peregrine falcon, one of raptor species, may be relatively resistant to TCDD-like chemicals

Cellular therapy for myocardial ischemia using a temperature-responsive biodegradable injectable polymer system with adipose-derived stem cells

Adipose-derived stem cell (AdSC) has been attracting attention as a convenient stem cell source. Not only AdSC can differentiate into various tissue cells, but it can also accelerate cell proliferation, anti-inflammation, and angiogenesis by secreting paracrine factors. Studies have demonstrated AdSC treatment of ischemic heart. However, an improvement in the remaining live AdSCs administered at the injected site while maintaining paracrine factor secretion is desired to achieve effective regenerative medicine. We previously reported the ABA-type tri-block copolymer of poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-glycolic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) (tri-PCG), exhibiting temperature-responsive sol-to-gel transition as biodegradable injectable polymer (IP) systems. Moreover, we recently reported that the biodegradable temperature-triggered chemically cross-linked gelation systems exhibited longer gel state durations using tri-PCG attaching acryloyl groups and a polythiol derivative. In this study, we explored this IP-mediated AdSC delivery system. We investigated the cell viability, mRNA expression, and cytokine secretion of AdSCs cultured in the physical or chemical IP hydrogels. Both of these IP hydrogels retained a certain number of viable cells, and RT-PCR and ELISA analyses revealed that mRNA expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor of the AdSCs cultured in the chemical hydrogel were higher than the physical hydrogel. Moreover, AdSCs injected with the chemical hydrogel into ischemic heart model mice showed longer retention of the cells at the injected site and recovery from the ischemic condition. The results mean that the IP system is a promising candidate for a stem cell delivery system that exhibits the recovery of cardiac function for myocardial infarction treatment