Predicting Sequential Data with LSTMs Augmented with Strictly 2-Piecewise Input Vectors

Abstract Recurrent neural networks such as Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) are often used to learn from various kinds of time-series data, especially those that involved long-distance dependencies. We introduce a vector representation for the Strictly 2-Piecewise (SP-2) formal languages, which encode certain kinds of long-distance dependencies using subsequences. These vectors are added to the LSTM architecture as an additional input. Through experiments with the problems in the SPiCe datase

Polymorphisms in pattern recognition receptors and their relationship to infectious disease susceptibility in pigs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), are censoring receptors for molecules derived from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The PRR system is a prerequisite for proper responses to pathogens, for example by cytokine production, resulting in pathogen eradication. Many cases of polymorphisms in PRR genes affecting the immune response and disease susceptibility are known in humans and mice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We surveyed polymorphisms in pig genes encoding PRRs and investigated the relationship between some of the detected polymorphisms and molecular function or disease onset.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nonsynonymous polymorphisms abounded in pig TLR genes, particularly in the region corresponding to the ectodomains of TLRs expressed on the cell surface. Intracellular TLRs such as TLR3, TLR7, and TLR8, and other intracellular PRRs, such as the peptidoglycan receptor NOD2 and viral RNA receptors RIG-I and MDA5, also possessed nonsynonymous polymorphisms. Several of the polymorphisms influenced molecular functions such as ligand recognition. Polymorphisms in the PRR genes may be related to disease susceptibility in pigs: pigs with a particular allele of <it>TLR2</it> showed an increased tendency to contract pneumonia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We propose the possibility of pig breeding aimed at disease resistance by the selection of PRR gene alleles that affect pathogen recognition.</p

The dual origin of the peripheral olfactory system: placode and neural crest

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The olfactory epithelium (OE) has a unique capacity for continuous neurogenesis, extending axons to the olfactory bulb with the assistance of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs). The OE and OECs have been believed to develop solely from the olfactory placode, while the neural crest (NC) cells have been believed to contribute only the underlying structural elements of the olfactory system. In order to further elucidate the role of NC cells in olfactory development, we examined the olfactory system in the transgenic mice Wnt1-Cre/Floxed-EGFP and P0-Cre/Floxed-EGFP, in which migrating NC cells and its descendents permanently express GFP, and conducted transposon-mediated cell lineage tracing studies in chick embryos.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Examination of these transgenic mice revealed GFP-positive cells in the OE, demonstrating that NC-derived cells give rise to OE cells with morphologic and antigenic properties identical to placode-derived cells. OECs were also positive for GFP, confirming their NC origin. Cell lineage tracing studies performed in chick embryos confirmed the migration of NC cells into the OE. Furthermore, spheres cultured from the dissociated cells of the olfactory mucosa demonstrated self-renewal and trilineage differentiation capacities (neurons, glial cells, and myofibroblasts), demonstrating the presence of NC progenitors in the olfactory mucosa.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data demonstrates that the NC plays a larger role in the development of the olfactory system than previously believed, and suggests that NC-derived cells may in part be responsible for the remarkable capacity of the OE for neurogenesis and regeneration.</p

Functions of mucosal associated invariant T cells in eye diseases

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a unique subset of T cells that recognizes metabolites derived from the vitamin B2 biosynthetic pathway. Since the identification of cognate antigens for MAIT cells, knowledge of the functions of MAIT cells in cancer, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases has been rapidly expanding. Recently, MAIT cells have been found to contribute to visual protection against autoimmunity in the eye. The protective functions of MAIT cells are induced by T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, this mini-review aims to discuss our findings and the complexity of MAIT cell-mediated immune regulation in the eye

Translocator protein imaging with 18F-FEDAC-positron emission tomography in rabbit atherosclerosis and its presence in human coronary vulnerable plaques

Background and aims: This study aimed to investigate whether N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-[7,8-dihydro-7-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-8-oxo-2-phenyl-9H-purin-9-yl]acetamide (18F-FEDAC), a probe for translocator protein (TSPO), can visualize atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits and whether TSPO is localized in human coronary plaques.Methods: 18F-FEDAC-PET of a rabbit model of atherosclerosis induced by a 0.5% cholesterol diet and ballooninjury of the left carotid artery (n = 7) was performed eight weeks after the injury. The autoradiography intensity of 18F-FEDAC in carotid artery tissue sections was measured, and TSPO expression was evaluated immunohistochemically.TSPO expression was examined in human coronary arteries obtained from autopsy cases (n = 16), and in human coronary plaques (n = 12) aspirated from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Results: 18F-FEDAC-PET visualized the atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits as high-uptake areas, and the standard uptake value was higher in injured arteries (0.574 ± 0.24) than in uninjured arteries (0.277 ± 0.13, p < 0.05) or myocardium (0.189 ± 0.07, p < 0.05). Immunostaining showed more macrophages and more TSPO expression in atherosclerotic lesions than in uninjured arteries. TSPO was localized in macrophages, and arterial autoradiography intensity was positively correlated with macrophage concentration (r = 0.64) and TSPO (r = 0.67). TSPO expression in human coronary arteries was higher in AMI cases than in non-cardiac death, or in the vulnerable plaques than in early or stable lesions, respectively. TSPO was localized in macrophages in all aspirated coronary plaques with thrombi.Conclusions: 18F-FEDAC-PET can visualize atherosclerotic lesions, and TSPO-expression may be a marker of highrisk coronary plaques

Large-Area Fluorescence and Electron Microscopic Correlative Imaging With Multibeam Scanning Electron Microscopy

Recent improvements in correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) technology have led to dramatic improvements in the ability to observe tissues and cells. Fluorescence labeling has been used to visualize the localization of molecules of interest through immunostaining or genetic modification strategies for the identification of the molecular signatures of biological specimens. Newer technologies such as tissue clearing have expanded the field of observation available for fluorescence labeling; however, the area of correlative observation available for electron microscopy (EM) remains restricted. In this study, we developed a large-area CLEM imaging procedure to show specific molecular localization in large-scale EM sections of mouse and marmoset brain. Target molecules were labeled with antibodies and sequentially visualized in cryostat sections using fluorescence and gold particles. Fluorescence images were obtained by light microscopy immediately after antibody staining. Immunostained sections were postfixed for EM, and silver-enhanced sections were dehydrated in a graded ethanol series and embedded in resin. Ultrathin sections for EM were prepared from fully polymerized resin blocks, collected on silicon wafers, and observed by multibeam scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Multibeam SEM has made rapid, large-area observation at high resolution possible, paving the way for the analysis of detailed structures using the CLEM approach. Here, we describe detailed methods for large-area CLEM in various tissues of both rodents and primates

デンマーク ニオケル ビョウキ ノ コドモ ノ トクベツ キョウイク システム ノ ドウコウ : レキシテキ ヘンセン ト ゲンコウ ノ トクベツ キョウイク セイド ヲ チュウシン ニ

「北欧福祉国家と子ども・若者の特別ケア」研究チーム(代表:髙橋智日本大学文理学部教育学科教授・東京学芸大学名誉教授)は、1994年から四半世紀以上にわたり北欧福祉国家(スウェーデン、デンマーク、ノルウェー、フィンランド、アイスランド)を調査訪問して、多様な発達困難を有する子ども・若者の発達支援・特別ケアのあり方について日本との比較研究を行ってきた。本稿はその一環として、病気の子どもの特別教育の先進国でありながら、日本においてはほとんど知られていないデンマークの病気の子どもの特別教育システムの動向、とくに病気の子どもの特別教育の歴史的変遷と現行の病気の子どもの特別教育に係わる法制度(就学前教育を含む)について検討した。デンマークではコムーネ(基礎自治体)の学校保健サービス、教育心理センター等の協力の下で、国民学校においても病気の子どものニーズに応じた行動計画を策定してトータルケアが実施されている。病気療養等の理由での長期入院・自宅療養を余儀なくされる子どもに対しても、居住地の在籍校がコムーネの保健・福祉サービス等と連携しながら入院期間中に教育支援を実施する。こうした病気の子どものトータルケアは保育・就学前教育段階より始まっており、自治体の幼児保健師、ソーシャルワーカー、病院、就学前学校と連携しながら、子どもの成長と発達を見守る体制が構築されており、とくに小児がん等により免疫力が低下している子ども、アレルギー・喘息を有する子どものための特別なデイケアセンターが開設されている。また、病院に長期入院している子どもに対しては、病気・治療に伴う痛みや不安を和らげるために「遊び」や「動き」を取り入れて活動的な日常生活をつくり出すことで、子どもの生活の質(QOL)を向上させることがめざされている