Amphidinolide H, a Potent Cytotoxic Macrolide, Covalently Binds on Actin Subdomain 4 and Stabilizes Actin Filament

AbstractThe actin-targeting toxins have not only proven to be invaluable tools in studies of actin cytoskeleton structure and function but they also served as a foundation for a new class of anticancer drugs. Here, we describe that amphidinolide H (AmpH) targets actin cytoskeleton. AmpH induced multinucleated cells by disrupting actin organization in the cells, and the hyperpolymerization of purified actin into filaments of apparently normal morphology in vitro. AmpH covalently binds on actin, and the AmpH binding site is determined as Tyr200 of actin subdomain 4 by mass spectrometry and halo assay using the yeast harboring site-directed mutagenized actins. Time-lapse analyses showed that AmpH stimulated the formation of small actin-patches, followed by F-actin rearrangement into aggregates via the retraction of actin fibers. These results indicate that AmpH is a novel actin inhibitor that covalently binds on actin

The novel heart-specific RING finger protein 207 is involved in energy metabolism in cardiomyocytes

A failing heart shows severe energy insufficiency, and it is presumed that this energy shortage plays a critical role in the development of cardiac dysfunction. However, little is known about the mechanisms that cause energy metabolic alterations in the failing heart. Here, we show that the novel RING-finger protein 207 (RNF207), which is specifically expressed in the heart, plays a role in cardiac energy metabolism. Depletion of RNF207 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCs) leads to a reduced cellular concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Consistent with this result, we observed here that the expression of RNF207 was significantly reduced in mice with common cardiac diseases including heart failure. Intriguingly, proteomic approaches revealed that RNF207 interacts with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), which is considered to be a key regulator of mitochondria function, as an RNF207-interacting protein. Our findings indicate that RNF207 is involved in ATP production by cardiomyocytes, suggesting that RNF207 plays an important role in the development of heart failure

Health Checkup and Telemedical Intervention Program for Preventive Medicine in Developing Countries: Verification Study

Background: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing throughout the world, including developing countries. / Objective: The intent was to conduct a study of a preventive medical service in a developing country, combining eHealth checkups and teleconsultation as well as assess stratification rules and the short-term effects of intervention. / Methods: We developed an eHealth system that comprises a set of sensor devices in an attaché case, a data transmission system linked to a mobile network, and a data management application. We provided eHealth checkups for the populations of five villages and the employees of five factories/offices in Bangladesh. Individual health condition was automatically categorized into four grades based on international diagnostic standards: green (healthy), yellow (caution), orange (affected), and red (emergent). We provided teleconsultation for orange- and red-grade subjects and we provided teleprescription for these subjects as required. / Results: The first checkup was provided to 16,741 subjects. After one year, 2361 subjects participated in the second checkup and the systolic blood pressure of these subjects was significantly decreased from an average of 121 mmHg to an average of 116 mmHg (P<.001). Based on these results, we propose a cost-effective method using a machine learning technique (random forest method) using the medical interview, subject profiles, and checkup results as predictor to avoid costly measurements of blood sugar, to ensure sustainability of the program in developing countries. / Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate the benefits of an eHealth checkup and teleconsultation program as an effective health care system in developing countries

Community Clinical Psychological Support of an Evening High School (II)

昨年、報告したある定時制高校からの支援に対し、筆者らは今年度も院生によるチームで対応することにした。昨年からの継続とはいえ、目標が定まりにくい状況が続いた。学校側のニーズを把握し、スクールカウンセラーに接触するなどして、できるだけ触手を伸ばしつつ、筆者らの専門性を活かす支援をすることを心がけた。本稿は、院生として定時制高校支援のボランティアに入るという、本邦では報告のない手探り的な状況でどのように活動したかを報告し、それをもとに定時制高校支援を、グループワーク、連携、などの視点から考察を試みるものである。The authors continued to support a certain evening high school this year following last year. It has remained unclear what we are expected to and can do, in spite of the fact that it has been the second year. We have been exploring how our professional capacities can be utilized in the school by having opportunities to talk with the teachers and the school counselor. There is no literature on this kind of activities where graduate students of clinical psychology major are involved in supporting evening high school, so it makes sense that this activity is not so easy. So, the aricle is designed to report how we have been groping our way forward this year and discuss it from the perspective of group work and coalition

Plant viruses and viroids in Japan

An increasing number of plant viruses and viroids have been reported from all over the world due largely to metavirogenomics approaches with technological innovation. Herein, the official changes of virus taxonomy, including the establishment of megataxonomy and amendments of the codes of virus classification and nomenclature, recently made by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses were summarized. The continued efforts of the plant virology community of Japan to index all plant viruses and viroids occurring in Japan, which represent 407 viruses, including 303 virus species and 104 unclassified viruses, and 25 viroids, including 20 species and 5 unclassified viroids, as of October 2021, were also introduced. These viruses and viroids are collectively classified into 81 genera within 26 families of 3 kingdoms (Shotokuvirae, Orthornavirae, Pararnavirae) across 2 realms (Monodnaviria and Riboviria). This review also overviewed how Japan’s plant virus/viroid studies have contributed to advance virus/viroid taxonomy

Survey Interviews on How Teachers and Students Recognize our Community Clinical Psychological Support Activities for an Evening High School

これまで筆者らは、ある定時制高校において相談室の開室やグループワークなどの支援活動を続け、その報告を行ってきた。しかし、ユーザーである先生方や生徒らからどのように認識されているのかは明らかになっていなかった。そこで今回、校内支援委員会の先生方と相談室を利用していた生徒を対象にインタビューを実施し、活動がどのように認識されており、どのようなニーズがあるのかについて調査した。その結果、筆者らの活動が、生徒らにとって“安心して話せる居場所”を提供していたことと、生徒同士や、先生と生徒という関係とは異なる「斜めの関係」（平井，1997；文部科学省）で生徒とつながっていることなど、筆者らならではの意義が示された。また、支援活動へのニーズとして、①先生方との情報共有、②学習支援、③就職・キャリア支援の3 点が明らかとなった。今後の課題は①校内支援委員会の機会を持ったり、共有ノートを活用していくこと、②筆者らの専門性を活かしながら関係づくりを行い、生徒らの登校意欲や学習意欲向上につなげること、③筆者らの体験談を生徒に語ることで、生徒らの進路について共に考えていく場を作っていくことなどが考えられた。さらに、相談室をより親しみのあるものにしていくため、「相談室」という名称を見直していく必要性についても考察された。The authors have been reporting on our activities to provide community clinical psychological support for an evening high school. However, thus far, the issue of how teachers and students recognize our activities, have not been addressed. Hence, interviews were conducted. The interviews found that our activities have been offering some space for students to feel safe in a "diagonal" relationship that has a different quality from that between students and teachers. It also became apparent from the interviews that we are expected to: 1) share information with the teachers; 2) assist students for learning in class; and 3) engage further in students\u27 career development. We are hoping to: 1) have a meeting together and share a notebook with teachers; 2) motivate students to attend school and study with our own expertise; and 3) offer some opportunities for students to consider career and academic development by disclosing our own personal experiences. In addition, the possibility of changing the name of the room from "consulting room" to something else in order to make it more accessible for students was discussed