“Avian-type” renal medullary tubule organization causes immaturity of urine-concentrating ability in neonates

“Avian-type” renal medullary tubule organization causes immaturity of urine-concentrating ability in neonates.BackgroundWhile neonatal kidneys are not powerful in concentrating urine, they already dilute urine as efficiently as adult kidneys. To elucidate the basis for this paradoxical immaturity in urine-concentrating ability, we investigated the function of Henle's loop and collecting ducts (IMCDs) in the inner medulla of neonatal rat kidneys.MethodsAnalyses of individual renal tubules in the inner medulla of neonatal and adult rat kidneys were performed by measuring mRNA expression of membrane transporters, transepithelial voltages, and isotopic water and ion fluxes. Immunofluorescent identification of the rCCC2 and rCLC-K1 using polyclonal antibodies was also performed in neonatal and adult kidney slices.ResultsOn day 1, the transepithelial voltages (VTs) in the thin ascending limbs (tALs) and IMCDs were 14.6 ± 1.1mV (N = 27) and -42.7 ± 6.1mV (N = 14), respectively. The VTs in the thin descending limbs (tDLs) were zero on day 1. The VTs in the tALs were strongly inhibited by luminal bumetanide or basolateral ouabain, suggesting the presence of a NaCl reabsorption mechanism similar to that in the thick ascending limb (TAL). The diffusional voltage (VD) of the tAL due to transepithelial NaCl gradient was almost insensitive to a chloride channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB). The VTs in the IMCDs were strongly inhibited by luminal amiloride.On day 1, both the tDL and tAL were impermeable to water, indicating the water impermeability of the entire loop. Diffusional water permeability (Pdw) and urea permeabilities (Purea) in the IMCDs indicated virtual impermeability to water and urea on day 1. Stimulation by vasopressin (1nmol/L) revealed that only Pdw was sensitive to vasopressin by day 14. A partial isoosmolar replacement of luminal urea by NaCl evoked negligible water flux across the neonatal IMCDs, indicating the absence of urea-dependent volume flux in the neonatal IMCD. These transport characteristics in each neonatal tubule are similar to those in quail kidneys. Identification of mRNAs and immunofluorescent studies for specific transporters, including rAQP-1, rCCC2, rCLC-K1, rENaC β subunit, rAQP-2, and rUT-A1, supported these findings.ConclusionWe hypothesize that the renal medullary tubule organization of neonatal rats shares a tremendous similarity with avian renal medulla. The qualitative changes in the organization of medullary tubules may be primarily responsible for the immature urine-concentrating ability in mammalian neonates

Study on the qualities and abilities of art and crafts that systematically grow in 12 years of childhood: Through an appreciation class by the active learning

本研究の目的は，アクティブ・ラーニングによる図工・美術科の鑑賞授業を通して，本学校園で育みたい資質・能力のうち，「人間関係形成・社会形成能力」と関連する美術科の本質に根ざした資質・能力が，学年区分ごとについているか明らかにすることである。研究の方法は，小学校２，４年生，中学校１，３年生の子どもに対し共通作品をもとに対話型による鑑賞授業を実施し，授業における子どもの姿を分析し，指導内容や系統の適正について検討する。研究の結果，図工・美術部会で設定した目指す姿に近い様子が見られ，概ね力がついていることが確認できた。今後は，本研究を通して見えてきた鑑賞における学年ごとの発言や思考の特徴を，より具体的な姿として系統表に取り入れ，指導方法とともに改善をしていきたい。The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the qualities and abilities it came from essence of the art department related with "forming human relationships and social development ability" is related to grade level among the qualities and abilities that we want to cultivate at this school through an appreciation class by active learning. In the method of research, we conducted interactive classes based on same works for children of elementary school 2nd, 4th graders, junior high school 1st, 3rd graders, analyzed the appearance of children. As a result, it seemed that it was close to the aim position set by the art group, and it was confirmed that there were abilities almost. In the future, I’d like to incorporate the features of each grade's remarks and thinking in viewing through this research into a systematic table as a more specific form, and improve along with the teaching method

Learning Development that Nurtures Abilities for the 21st Century, Based on the Properties of Such Subjects as Manual and Fine Arts : Through the Improvement and Practice of Taxonomy Table

本研究の目的は，図画工作・美術科の教科特性を踏まえた21世紀型能力を育成する学習開発を行うことである。研究の方法は，まず図画工作・美術科のタキソノミーテーブルの４領域と，本校で培う３つの資質・能力の位置付けを整理する。その上で，「メタ認知」と「認知」の２領域に焦点を当てた題材と学習指導法を開発し，その有効性を検証する。検証方法は，質問紙調査，ポートフォリオの内容分析，授業中の観察記録の内容分析，作品の達成度の分析を行い，児童・生徒の教科の本質に関する資質・能力の向上について評価する。研究の結果，グループ活動を軸にゲストティーチャーや異年齢の子どもに対して相手意識を持ちながらかかわることを通して，資質・能力を育むことができ，学習開発において一定の成果が出た。The purpose of this study is learning development that nurtures abilities for the 21st century, based on the properties of such subjects as manual and fine arts. The research methodology employed positions Taxonomy Tables in four fields of fine arts, and three qualities and skills developed in this school. Moreover, materials that focus on meta-cognition and cognition, as well as learning guidance methods, were developed, and their efficacy was validated. The methods of validation were a questionnaire survey, analyses of portfolios and records of classroom observations, and analyses of achievement in artworks. Improvements in subject-specific qualities and skills acquired by students were also assessed. Certain outcomes showed that, in learning development, qualities and skills can be nurtured through their dealing with guest teachers and children of varying ages in group activities with an awareness of their counterparts

A minor role of WNK3 in regulating phosphorylation of renal NKCC2 and NCC co-transporters in vivo

Mutations in WNK1 and WNK4 kinase genes have been shown to cause a human hereditary hypertensive disease, pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII). We previously discovered that WNK kinases phosphorylate and activate OSR1/SPAK kinases that regulate renal SLC12A family transporters such as NKCC2 and NCC, and clarified that the constitutive activation of this cascade causes PHAII. WNK3, another member of the WNK kinase family, was reported to be a strong activator of NCC/NKCC2 when assayed in Xenopus oocytes, suggesting that WNK3 also plays a major role in regulating blood pressure and sodium reabsorption in the kidney. However, it remains to be determined whether WNK3 is in fact involved in the regulation of these transporters in vivo. To clarify this issue, we generated and analyzed WNK3 knockout mice. Surprisingly, phosphorylation and expression of OSR1, SPAK, NKCC2 and NCC did not decrease in knockout mouse kidney under normal and low-salt diets. Similarly, expression of epithelial Na channel and Na/H exchanger 3 were not affected in knockout mice. Na(+) and K(+) excretion in urine in WNK3 knockout mice was not affected under different salt diets. Blood pressure in WNK3 knockout mice was not lower under normal diet. However, lower blood pressure was observed in WNK3 knockout mice fed low-salt diet. WNK4 and WNK1 expression was slightly elevated in the knockout mice under low-salt diet, suggesting compensation for WNK3 knockout by these WNKs. Thus, WNK3 may have some role in the WNK-OSR1/SPAK-NCC/NKCC2 signal cascade in the kidney, but its contribution to total WNK kinase activity may be minimal