「構造社」研究 : 平和記念東京博覧会から結成まで

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Visualization of avian influenza virus infected cells using self-assembling fragments of green fluorescent protein

AbstractBackgroundAvian influenza viruses (AIVs) are influenza A viruses which are isolated from domestic and wild birds. AIVs that include highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) are a major concern to the poultry industry because they cause outbreaks in poultry with extraordinarily high lethality. In addition, AIVs threaten human health by occasional zoonotic infection of humans from birds. Tools to visualize AIV-infected cells would facilitate the development of diagnostic tests and preventative methods to reduce the spread of AIVs. In this study, a self-assembling split-green fluorescent protein (split-GFP) system, combined with influenza virus reverse genetics was used to construct a visualization method for influenza virus-infected cells.ResultsThe viral nucleoprotein (NP) segment of AIV was genetically modified to co-express GFP11 of self-assembling split-GFP, and the recombinant AIV with the modified NP segment was generated by plasmid-based reverse genetics. Infection with the recombinant AIV in cultured chicken cells was visualized by transient transfection with a GFP1-10 expression vector and fluorescence was observed in the cells at 96hours post-inoculation. Virus titer of the recombinant AIV in embryonated eggs was comparable to wild type AIV titers at 48h post inoculation. The inserted sequence encoding GFP11 was stable for up to ten passages in embryonated eggs.ConclusionsA visualization system for AIV-infected cells using split-GFP was developed. This method could be used to understand AIV infection dynamics in cells

Task support system by displaying instructional video onto AR workspace

This paper presents an instructional support system based on aug-mented reality (AR). This system helps a user to work intuitively by overlaying visual information in the same way of a navigation system. In usual AR systems, the contents to be overlaid onto real space are created with 3D Computer Graphics. In most cases, such contents are newly created according to applications. However, there are many 2D videos that show how to take apart or build elec-tric appliances and PCs, how to cook, etc. Therefore, our system employs such existing 2D videos as instructional videos. By trans-forming an instructional video to display, according to the user’s view, and by overlaying the video onto the user’s view space, the proposed system intuitively provides the user with visual guidance. In order to avoid the problem that the display of the instructional video and the user’s view may be visually confused, we add var-ious visual effects to the instructional video, such as transparency and enhancement of contours. By dividing the instructional video into sections according to the operations to be carried out in order to complete a certain task, we ensure that the user can interactively move to the next step in the instructional video after a certain op-eration is completed. Therefore, the user can carry on with the task at his/her own pace. In the usability test, users evaluated the use of the instructional video in our system through two tasks: a task involving building blocks and an origami task. As a result, we found that a user’s visibility improves when the instructional video is transformed to display according to his/her view. Further, for the evaluation of visual effects, we can classify these effects according to the task and obtain the guideline for the use of our system as an instructional support system for performing various other tasks

Interdisciplinary therapy for severe periodontitis with Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion : A case report with 7-year follow-up

Background: Previous studies have suggested that occlusal discrepancy is a risk factor contributing to periodontal disease. 1-3 Occlusal discrepancy could increase the risk of infrabony defects. This is a case of a patient with severe periodontitis who exhibited many infrabony defects in the molar region due to malocclusion-induced trauma. Here, we report the 7-year prognosis of the patient after periodontal regenerative and comprehensive orthodontic therapies for functional recovery with implant prosthodontics. Case Description: A 54-year-old female presented with the chief complaint of masticatory disturbance. In the molar region, significant tooth mobility, deep periodontal pockets, and infrabony defects were observed. She had excessive overjet, resulting in collapse of anterior guidance. Malocclusion was considered to be an exacerbating factor of the infrabony defects. After initial periodontal therapy, we performed periodontal regenerative therapy in the mandibular molar regions. We carefully placed implants in a position in the maxillary molar region that would ensure an appropriate anterior dental relationship after orthodontic treatment. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment was subsequently performed using implants as anchoring units. Then, definitive surgery was performed on the mandibular molars before placing the final prosthesis. A favorable periodontal condition and a stable occlusion have been maintained for the 7-year post-treatment period. Practical Implications: Comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment enables stable occlusion and establishment of periodontal tissue and peri-implant tissues with high cleansability, even in patients with severe periodontitis and malocclusion. In the present case, a favorable long-term treatment outcome can be expected

Eisenhart Lift of 22--Dimensional Mechanics

The Eisenhart lift is a variant of geometrization of classical mechanics with $d$ degrees of freedom in which the equations of motion are embedded into the geodesic equations of a Brinkmann-type metric defined on $(d+2)$-dimensional spacetime of Lorentzian signature. In this work, the Eisenhart lift of $2$-dimensional mechanics on curved background is studied. The corresponding $4$-dimensional metric is governed by two scalar functions which are just the conformal factor and the potential of the original dynamical system. We derive a conformal symmetry and a corresponding quadratic integral, associated with the Eisenhart lift. The energy--momentum tensor is constructed which, along with the metric, provides a solution to the Einstein equations. Uplifts of $2$-dimensional superintegrable models are discussed with a particular emphasis on the issue of hidden symmetries. It is shown that for the $2$-dimensional Darboux--Koenigs metrics, only type I can result in Eisenhart lifts which satisfy the weak energy condition. However, some physically viable metrics with hidden symmetries are presented.Comment: 20 page

Visualization of avian influenza virus infected cells using self-assembling fragments of green fluorescent protein

Background: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are influenza A viruses which are isolated from domestic and wild birds. AIVs that include highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) are a major concern to the poultry industry because they cause outbreaks in poultry with extraordinarily high lethality. In addition, AIVs threaten human health by occasional zoonotic infection of humans from birds. Tools to visualize AIV-infected cells would facilitate the development of diagnostic tests and preventative methods to reduce the spread of AIVs. In this study, a self-assembling split-green fluorescent protein (split-GFP) system, combined with influenza virus reverse genetics was used to construct a visualization method for influenza virus-infected cells. Results: The viral nucleoprotein (NP) segment of AIV was genetically modified to co-express GFP11 of self-assembling split-GFP, and the recombinant AIV with the modified NP segment was generated by plasmid-based reverse genetics. Infection with the recombinant AIV in cultured chicken cells was visualized by transient transfection with a GFP1-10 expression vector and fluorescence was observed in the cells at 96 hours post-inoculation. Virus titer of the recombinant AIV in embryonated eggs was comparable to wild type AIV titers at 48 h post inoculation. The inserted sequence encoding GFP11 was stable for up to ten passages in embryonated eggs. Conclusions: A visualization system for AIV-infected cells using split-GFP was developed. This method could be used to understand AIV infection dynamics in cells

Quality and safety issues related to traditional animal medicine: role of taurine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Calculus Bovis</it> (:<it>C.Bovis</it>) is one of the most precious and commonly-used medicinal materials in Japan and China. As the natural occurrence is very rare, a source of supply for <it>C. Bovis</it> is far behind the actual need and great efforts have been taken for some substitutes of natural <it>C. Bovis</it>. Unfortunately, very little information is available on the quality and/or clinical efficacy of medication based on <it>C. Bovis</it>. To ensure sustainable use of traditional therapeutic agents derived from <it>C. Bovis</it>, we felt that several issues needed to be addressed: 1) the source of the <it>C. Bovis</it> materials and quality control; 2) the role of taurine in the efficacy of <it>C. Bovis</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nine samples of natural <it>C. Bovis</it> and its substitutes were collected. ICP-MS was used for elemental analysis and the characterization was performed by principal component analysis (PCA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) as multivariate approaches. The efficacy of <it>C. Bovis</it> was evaluated for morphology, viability and beating pattern on cultured cardiac myocytes and/or fibroblasts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PCA and multi-elemental focus was effective in discriminating <it>C. Bovis</it> samples derived from different habitats. A satisfactory classification using SIMCA was obtained among Australia <it>C. Bovis</it>, other habitats and the substitutes. Australian samples had better batch uniformity than other habitats and were composed of fewer elements. We have used Australian<it> C. Bovis</it> for assessment on its bioactive compounds. Rat cardiac cells incubated with <it>C. Bovis</it> extract (0.01-0.1mg/ml) maintained normal morphology, viability and beating pattern. Cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts treated for 48 h with CA (0.5mM) or DCA (0.1mM) caused cell injury, as reflected by changes in appearance and a reduction of viability detected by the MTS assay. In cardiomyocytes, 0.5 h exposure of CA (0.5mM) markedly decreased the velocity ratio of beating, whereas the simultaneous addition of 1 mM taurine largely prevented the decrease.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The multi-elemental focus provided some references for the quality control and the efficacy of <it>C. Bovis</it>. Taurine partly attenuated the harmful actions of bile acids. It is plausible that the relationship between taurine and the bile acids contributes to therapeutic effect of <it>C. Bovis</it>.</p

Comprehensive treatment for severe periodontitis with pathologic tooth migration−related bimaxillary protrusion : A case report with 3-year follow-up

Background: Patients with severe periodontitis often experience pathologic tooth migration (PTM), which impairs esthetics and leads to occlusal disharmony (e.g., premature contacts and/or traumatic occlusion) that can further exacerbate periodontitis. Here, we describe a patient who exhibited severe periodontitis with PTM-related bimaxillary protrusion. This report includes 3-year clinical outcomes following periodontal regenerative therapy, implant-anchored orthodontic therapy, and implant prosthodontics intended to achieve both functional and esthetic improvements. Case Description: A 63-year-old woman presented with the chief complaint of upper anterior tooth mobility. Clinical examination revealed excessive tooth mobility, deep periodontal pockets, and infrabony defects in all teeth. All teeth exhibited PTM; the mandibular anterior teeth exhibited marked protrusion caused by the progression of periodontitis. After initial periodontal therapy, periodontal regenerative therapy was performed in all molar regions. At 9 and 6 months postoperatively, comprehensive orthodontic treatment was initiated for the mandible and maxilla, respectively, using orthodontic anchorage devices to achieve acceptable functional occlusion. After orthodontic treatment, staged guided bone regeneration was performed and dental implants were placed in the severely resorbed maxillary anterior ridge. This comprehensive treatment yielded favorable periodontal conditions, stable occlusion, and good esthetic outcomes. Practical Implications: Favorable esthetics, stable occlusion, and highly cleansable periodontal tissues were achieved with well-planned interdisciplinary and comprehensive treatment, although the patient had severe periodontitis and PTM-related bimaxillary protrusion