Somatosensory and Visual Deprivation Each Decrease the Density of Parvalbumin Neurons and Their Synapse Terminals in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Mice

In the phenomenon known as cross-modal plasticity, the loss of one sensory system is followed by improved functioning of other intact sensory systems. MRI and functional MRI studies suggested a role of the prefrontal cortex and the temporal lobe in cross-modal plasticity. We used a mouse model to examine the effects of sensory deprivation achieved by whisker trimming and visual deprivation achieved by dark rearing in neonatal mice on the appearance of parvalbumin (PV) neurons and the formation of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67)-positive puncta around pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Whisker trimming, but not dark rearing, decreased the density of PV neurons in the hippocampus at postnatal day 28 (P28). In the prefrontal cortex, whisker trimming and dark rearing decreased the density of PV neurons in layer 5/6 (L5/6) at P28 and in L2/3 at P56, respectively, whereas dark rearing increased the density of PV neurons in L5/6 at P56. Whisker trimming decreased the density of GAD67-positive puncta in CA1 of the hippocampus at both P28 and P56 and in L5/6 of the prefrontal cortex at P28. Dark rearing decreased the density of GAD67-positive puncta in CA1 of the hippocampus and in both L2/3 and L5/6 of the prefrontal cortex at P28, and in L2/3 of the prefrontal cortex at P56. These results demonstrate that somatosensory or visual deprivation causes changes in the PV-interneuronal network in the mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The results also suggest that the alteration of the PV-interneuronal network, especially in the prefrontal cortex, may contribute to cross-modal plasticity

The effect of Coicis semen and Rhizopus oligosporus-fermented Coicis semen (tempeh) on serum cholesterol in the rat

はとむぎ(Coicis semen)をテンペ菌(Rhizopus oligosporus)で発酵したはとむぎテンペ(テンペ)の血清コレステロール代謝に対する作用を検討した｡生後12週齢のSprague-Dawley系雄ラットに市販固形飼料(コントロール群),はとむぎ混合飼料(はとむぎ群),テンペ混合飼料(テンペ群)を投与し,2,6,18週間後に高速液体クロマトグラフィー法で血清コレステロールを測定した｡体重増加,総コレステロールはいずれの時点でも3群間に差がなかったが,テンペ群では投与前と比較して2,6,18週間後にLDLコレステロールが有意に低下し,LDLコレステロール/HDLコレステロール比も2,18週間後に有意に低下した｡テンペ群はコントロール群と比較してもLDLコレステロールとLDLコレステロール/HDLコレステロール比が低く,はとむぎ群でも低い傾向がみられたが,有意差はなかった｡以上から,テンペがコレステロール代謝改善作用をもつことが示唆された｡The effect of Coicis semen and Rhizopus oligosporus-fermented Coicis semen (tempeh) on serum cholesterol fractions was examined in the rat. Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were received commercial MF meal (control group), Coicis semen-containing MF meal (Coicis semen group), or tempeh-containing MF meal (tempeh group). Cholesterol fractions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography at the start of experiment, and 2, 6, 18 weeks later. No difference was found in body weight nor total cholesterol among the three groups. LDL cholesterol was significantly lowered in the tempeh group at 2, 6, 18 weeks. LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio also decreased at 2 and 18 weeks. In the both Coicis semen- and tempeh-fooded groups, LDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio were lower than the control group although they were not statistically significant. No difference was found in HDL cholesterol among the three groups. The results suggest that tempeh may have a favorable effect on cholesterol metabolism

COVID-19 and the Political Economy of the “September School Year Start” in Japan: Overlooked Victims and Foregone Revenues

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a“September School Year Start”has become a central topic of discussion in Japan. While the pros and cons of changing a conventional academic calendar have been raised, two important aspects have been largely disregarded: foregone earnings of new graduates and relevant tax revenues. We therefore analyse national statistics on the number of new graduates as overlooked victims and their expected monthly wages in conjunction with tax payment, revealing that a September Start would force new graduates to give up approximately 715.7 billion yen, which leads to 87.6 billion yen foregone tax revenues for the government. This means both individuals and the society would lose a certain amount of financial resources by merely introducing a September Start. Considering other policy options are available should national budgets equivalent to foregone tax revenues be mobilised, it is essential for policy makers to examine cost-benefit of both a September Start and alternatives so that they make a sound decision. Although the primary focus of this article is on a September Start and its consequences, the said approach with close attention to scientific evidence rather than abstract notions is now required for the effective education policy-making and beyond

地理領域科目における自然地理学的フィールドワークを活用した授業の意義と指導・評価 ―生きる力を伸ばし、持続可能な社会の形成者を育成するために―

新学習指導要領地理領域科目は、「環境条件と人間の営みとの関わり」や「これからの日本の国土像」を探究する科目として新たに設置された。そこでは、科目固有の「社会的事象の地理的な見方・考え方」が再整理され、「考察、構想する際の視点や方法（考え方）」として示された。筆者は、従来の座学や、ICTを活用したバーチャル授業に加えて、フィールドワークを取り人れた地理授業を璽視してきたが、生きる力を育む防災教育や環境教育、チームや個人で進める探究学習などを行う際に、土地の成り立ちに着目した自然地理学的フィールドワークが「考察、構想する際の視点や方法」として今後ますます必要になると考える。本稿では、自然地理学的フィールドワークを活用した授業によって自然環境と人間の営みの関連を明確にし、地理的な見方・考え方が養われることを示した。また、自然地理学的フィールドワークの実践例及びパフォーマンス評価法に基づいたループリックも提示した。A new curriculum of geography classes was established-subjects that examine "the link between environmental conditions and human activities" and "the future image of Japan." "Geographic perspective and thinking of social phenomena" unique to the subjects were reorganized and presented as "perspective and method (thinking) for discussions and formulations." The author evaluated geography lectures that incorporated fieldwork in addition to regular classroom lectures and virtual lectures utilizing ICT. In disaster prevention and environmental education that foster life skills, and in research conducted by a team or an individual, physiographic fieldwork that focuses on land formation will become even more important as "perspective and method for discussions and formulations." The present paper clarifies the link between the natural environment and human activities through lectures that utilize physiographic fieldwork and shows that geographic perspective and thinking can be fostered. Actual examples of physiographic fieldwork and a rubric based on performance evaluation are also presented

Attenuated Sensory Deprivation-induced Changes of Parvalbumin Neuron Density in the Barrel Cortex of FcγRllB-deficient Mice

Recent studies have demonstrated the important role of immune molecules in the development of neuronal circuitry and synaptic plasticity. We have detected the presence of FcγRllB protein in parvalbumin- containing inhibitory interneurons (PV neurons). In the present study, we examined the appearance of PV neurons in the barrel cortex and the effect of sensory deprivation in FcγRllB-deficient mice (FcγRllB-/-) and wild-type mice. There was no substantial difference in the appearance of PV neurons in the developing barrel cortex between FcγRllB-/- and wild-type mice. Sensory deprivation from immediately after birth (P0) or P7 to P12-P14 induced an increase in PV neurons. In contrast, sensory deprivation from P7 or P14 to P28, but not from P21 to P28, decreased PV neurons in wild-type mice. However, sensory deprivation from P0 or P7 to P12-P14 did not increase PV neurons and sensory deprivation from P7 or P14 to P28 did not decrease or only modestly decreased PV neurons in FcγRllB-/- mice. The results indicate that expression of PV is regulated by sensory experience and the second and third postnatal weeks are a sensitive period for sensory deprivation, and suggest that FcγRllB contributes to sensory experience-regulated expression of PV

L-Ascorbate Biosynthesis Involves Carbon Skeleton Rearrangement in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Ascorbate (AsA) is required as a cofactor and is widely distributed in plants and animals. Recently, it has been suggested that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans also synthesizes AsA. However, its biosynthetic pathway is still unknown. To further understand AsA biosynthesis in C. elegans, we analyzed the incorporation of the 13C atom into AsA using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in worms fed with D-Glc (1-13C)-labeled Escherichia coli. GC-MS analysis revealed that AsA biosynthesis in C. elegans, similarly to that in mammalian systems, involves carbon skeleton rearrangement. The addition of L-gulono-1,4-lactone, an AsA precursor in the mammalian pathway, significantly increased AsA level in C. elegans, whereas the addition of L-galactono-1,4-lactone, an AsA precursor in the plant and Euglena pathway, did not affect AsA level. The suppression of E03H4.3 (an ortholog of gluconolactonase) or the deficiency of F54D5.12 (an ortholog of L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase) significantly decreased AsA level in C. elegans. Although N2- and AsA-deficient F54D5.12 knockout mutant worm (tm6671) morphologies and the ratio of collagen to non-collagen protein did not show any significant differences, the mutant worms exhibited increased malondialdehyde levels and reduced lifespan compared with the N2 worms. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the AsA biosynthetic pathway is similar in C. elegans and mammals

Intralesional steroid infusion using a spray tube to prevent stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection of esophageal cancer

Background/Aims Intralesional steroid injections have been administered as prophylaxis for stenosis after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection. However, this method carries a risk of potential complications such as perforation because a fine needle is used to directly puncture the postoperative ulcer. We devised a new method of steroid intralesional infusion using a spray tube and evaluated its efficacy and safety. Methods Intralesional steroid infusion using a spray tube was performed on 27 patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal cancer with three-quarters or more of the lumen circumference resected. The presence or absence of stenosis, complications, and the number of endoscopic balloon dilations (EBDs) performed were evaluated after treatment. Results Although stenosis was not observed in 22 of the 27 patients, five patients had stenosis and dysphagia requiring EBD. The stenosis in these five patients was relieved after four EBDs. No complications related to intralesional steroid infusion using the spray tube were observed. Conclusions Intralesional steroid infusion using a spray tube is a simple and safe technique that is adequately effective in preventing stenosis (clinical trial number, UMIN000037567)