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

Napping after complex motor learning enhances juggling performance

AbstractThe present study examined whether a nap after complex motor learning enhanced the following day's physical performance. Eighteen volunteers met the inclusion criteria and were assigned to either a nap (n=9; men=5; mean age=21.0±1.5) or no-nap group (n=9; men=5; mean age=21.9±0.3). Participants practiced juggling in the morning and were tested immediately afterwards. Participants of the nap group were given a 70-minute nap opportunity after juggling practice, while the no-nap group stayed awake. Juggling performance was then tested in the evening (retest-1) and the next morning (retest-2). Two-way analysis of variance (group: nap, no-nap×time: test, retest-1, retest-2) found there was a significant effect of test time and a significant group×time interaction. The juggling performance of both groups improved from test to retest-1, respectively. However, the juggling performance level of the nap group was higher than that of the no-nap group at the retest-1. As predicted, a nap promptly after learning motor skills was associated with subsequently improved performance. Moreover, the juggling performance of the nap group showed additional significant improvements in the retest-2. In the no-nap group, however, there were no significant improvements in the juggling performance after nocturnal sleep. These results demonstrate that the benefits of a nap following learning were further enhanced after nocturnal sleep. The present results may provide justification for introducing nap periods into daily athletic training as an active method to improve performance

Impact on mother-child relationships on the female children of mothers working as teachers: a study of the children of elementary and junior high school teachers

The increasingly busy workloads of teachers have been identified as posing particular difficulties in the compatibility between teaching and child rearing. Teaching while child-rearing is considered to be particularly difficult for female teachers. Although it is not solely a mother’s responsibility to balance the roles of teacher and parent, children may be affected by a parent’s heavy teaching workload. The current study examined the influence of the mother’s teaching job on their children. We conducted a qualitative analysis of children’s occupation-related experience, particularly among female children, who are considered to be most strongly affected by their mothers. The results revealed that female children whose mothers were teachers reported various occupation-related influences on their recognition as individuals (e.g., my mother cannot fulfill her mother role because of her teaching job), recognition in the mother-child relationship (e.g., teacher-like mothers), and social recognition (e.g., experiences of being treated differently because they were the child of a teacher)

Nursing care brought behavioral change on a hemodialysispatient, whose body weight increased conspicuously

体重増加が著しく，嘔気や嘔吐を繰り返していた透析患者が，看護婦とのかかわりの中で，徐々に体重コントロールが出来るように変化していった。そこで，透析患者に行動変容をもたらした看護援助が何であったのかを明らかにすることを目的として，本事例を振り返り，Banduraの「自己効力理論」と，河口らの，行動変容への「とっかかり言動」の概念に基づいて考察した。その結果，患者に行動変容をもたらした看護援助は以下のようであることがわかった。(1)患者の気持ちや行動を受け止め，共感することで，患者が感情表出しやすい環境を整えた。(2)患者の行動変容に結びつく言動を逃さずキャッチした。(3)「それぐらいならできそう」という，患者にとって身近で実行可能な行動目標を共に考えた。(4)患者が成功体験を積み重ねることが出来るように，患者を支援し，行動を評価して，患者の自己効力を高めた。The purpose of this study is to clarify what a nursing care brought some changes in a hemodialysis patient's behavior. Based on Bandura's self-efficacy theory and on a concept of "speech and action for clue" proposed by Kawaguchi et al, the nursing care was discussed. The results were as follows : (1) Nurses made positive environments in which for the patient to express his emotion frankly through nurse's acceptable and empathic manner. (2) Nurses appropriately caught the patient's speech and action as clue to change in his behavior. (3) Nurses helped the patient consider his behavioral objectives that he can carry out by himself. (4) Nurses supported the patient and evaluated his behavior, and helped him succeed in his task so that he could improve his self-efficacy

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

Knowledge and self-efficacy among healthcare providers towards novel tobacco products in Japan

Several new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), have become highly prevalent in Japan. As safety data continues to evolve, healthcare providers are considered important sources for product use, yet little is known about provider knowledge or self-efficacy to counsel patient about novel tobacco product use. This cross-sectional study used data from a Japanese Association of Smoking Control Science (JASCS) online survey of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and public health practitioners (N = 277) to assess provider knowledge of novel tobacco products and self-efficacy to counsel patients about product use. Correlates of knowledge and self-efficacy were also assessed. More than half the sample had received previous training in treating tobacco use, but 62% of respondents had no knowledge of HTPs; 80% of respondents indicated that they occasionally or always provide smoking cessation support. Overall knowledge of HTPs was low (41.4% correct) with higher knowledge for HTPs containing nicotine (89% correct) vs. HTPs emitting no carbon monoxide (25%). Self-efficacy to counsel patients about novel tobacco products was low on a scale ranging from 10 to 70 (Mean = 31.2; Standard Deviation = 16.7). Greater knowledge of HTPs was associated with male gender, higher rates of training at JASCS and previous learning about HTPs at JASCS. (p < 0.05). The results suggested that healthcare providers' knowledge and self-efficacy regarding novel tobacco products remains low in Japan, but additional training may improve it

A Case Report of Tooth Wear Associated with a Patient's Inappropriate Efforts to Reduce Oral Malodor Caused by Endodontic Lesion

Here, we report a case of severe tooth wear associated with a patient's inappropriate efforts to reduce oral malodor. A 72-year-old male patient visited our breath clinic complaining of strong breath odor. Former dentists had performed periodontal treatments including scaling and root planing, but his oral malodor did not decrease. His own subsequent breath odor-reducing efforts included daily use of lemons and vinegar to reduce or mask the odor, eating and chewing hard foods to clean his teeth, and extensive tooth brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush. Oral malodor was detected in our breath clinic by several tests, including an organoleptic test, portable sulphide monitor, and gas chromatography. Although patient's oral hygiene and periodontal condition were not poor on presentation, his teeth showed heavy wear and hypersensitiving with an unfitted restoration on tooth 16. Radiographic examination of the tooth did not reveal endodontic lesion, but when the metal crown was removed, severe pus discharge and strong malodor were observed. When this was treated, his breath odor was improved. After dental treatment and oral hygiene instruction, no further tooth wear was observed; he was not concerned about breath odor thereafter