Inverse gene expression of prostacyclin and thromboxane synthases in resident and activated peritoneal macrophages 1The nucleotide sequence reported in this paper has been submitted to the GenBank/DDBJ/EMBL Data Bank under the accession number AB001607.1

AbstractProstacyclin and thromboxaneA2 produced from prostaglandinH2 are known to be important modulators with opposite biological activities. To examine possible roles of these prostanoids in immune responses, we have studied the gene expression of prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) and thromboxane synthase (TXS) in murine resident macrophages or in macrophages elicited with casein or bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Northern blot analyses showed that the PGIS mRNA was expressed in a decreasing order in the resident, and casein- and BCG-elicited macrophages. In contrast, the TXS mRNA was expressed in an increasing order in the resident, and casein- and BCG-elicited macrophages. On the other hand, the mRNA for cyclooxygenase-2, which produces PGH2 and participates in the production of prostanoids in inflammation, was expressed in both the resident and BCG-elicited macrophages but barely in the casein-elicited cells. In situ hybridization analysis showed that the expression of mRNAs for PGIS and TXS was ascribable not only to the alteration of the expression levels of both mRNAs in the each macrophage but also to the changes in subpopulations of the cells expressing these mRNAs. These observations suggested that the inverse gene expression of PGIS and TXS in macrophages contributes to immune responses by modulating the relative levels of prostacyclin and thromboxaneA2

Selection of regional factors associated with low birthweight in Japan

Background　Babies with low birthweight have potential physical and mental disadvantages.Purpose　The purpose of this study was to determine the social and demographic variables (SDVs) related to the low birthweight rate (LBWR) in Japan using a combination of the correlation coefficient (CC) and coefficient of determination (R2)．Methods　We obtained 704 variables from 13 statistical tables in the SDVs of the 2017 e-Stat database of Japan. We calculated the CCs between the LBWR and the 704 variables in each Japanese prefecture. Of the original 704 variables, 21 were selected, as the CCs between the LBWR and variables were ≥0.4. We conducted multiple regression analysis between the LBWR and these 21 variables to obtain a list of 21 explanatory variables in ascending order by p-value. We also repeated the multiple regression analysis 21 times to obtain the R2 and adjusted R2.Results　The median LBWR was 9.5%, the maximum was 11.5%, the minimum was 8.2%, and the mean was 9.5% among 47 prefectures. Only the variable amount of saving per household” exhibited statistical significance (p＝0.048)， and its R2 and R2adj were 0.164 and 0.149, respectively. The R2 was 0.669 (88.3% of the maximum)， and the R2adj was 0.610 (95.3% of the maximum) and the maximum in seven explanatory variables that reached the plateau.Conclusion　The combination of CCs and R2 indicated that the LBWR was significantly related to the regional factor “amount of savings per household,” as determined from the social and demographic database in Japan

Developing Trans-Curriculum Learning of Japanese Language Arts in a K-9 Integrated School : For Nurturing Each Student’s Language Sense and Thought about their Own Life Through Collaborative Work with Peers

本研究は，幼小中一貫校としての特色を生かして，通教科的能力を位置付けた国語科の学習開発を行うことによって，新領域「希望（のぞみ）」との関連を明らかにすることを目的としている。本年度は，幼稚園における言葉の育ちを見とり，小学校での国語科の授業に生かすことによって，幼小期の通教科的能力の育成のあり方について検討し，幼小中12年間を見通した通教科的能力の育成につなげていった。小学校２年生では「スイミー」を，小学校３年生では「モチモチの木」を教材にし，幼稚園児および中学生の読みの解釈を踏まえて授業のねらいを設定した。結果として，読みの系統性を踏まえた課題設定を通して上位学年の読みに近づく学習活動により，通教科的能力の育成に資することができた。The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between “NOZOMI (a Japanese word meaning hope or wish) as a new subject in our school, and our developing literature units for nurturing students’ learning abilities beyond school subjects. After analyzing and interpreting literary texts, including two famous Japanese texts in textbooks for elementary Language Arts from infants’ view, the teaching objectives were determined for lessons aimed at nurturing students’ abilities to adapt to any situation. Based on the outcomes of the lessons about SWIMMY (by Leo Leoni) and THE TREE OF COURAGE (by Ryusuke Saito), the effects on students’ learning abilities were revealed. To develop “NOZOMI” related learning, it would be important to implement learning activities with the task settings following the ladders for reading development so much

Developing Trans-Curriculum Learning of Japanese Language Arts in a K-9 integrated school II: For nurturing students with the zest for living and with capabilities to solving their own tasks for themselves

本研究は，昨年度に引き続き，幼小中一貫校としての特色を生かして，通教科的能力を位置づけた国語科の学習開発を行うことによって，新領域「希望（のぞみ）」との関連を明らかにすることを目的としている。本年度は，幼小中各学校段階において，「物語で作者が伝えたいこと」をどのようにとらえているのかを比較・検討することによって，幼小中12年間を見通した通教科的能力の育成につなげていった。幼稚園年長児・小学校１年生・中学校３年生では「おおきなかぶ」を，小学校４年生と中学校１年生では「世界でいちばんやかましい音」を教材として，その読みを比較・検討した。結果として，読みの系統性を踏まえた課題設定を通して上位学年の読みに近づく学習活動により，通教科的能力の育成に資することができた。The purpose of this study is intended to clarify the relationship with “NOZOMI” and our developing literature units for nurturing students’ learning abilities beyond each school subject. In this paper, by examining how students make out “what authors convey through stories” in each grade levels of elementary and secondary classes, the teaching objectives for lessons for nurturing students’ abilities adapting any situations were settled. Based on the outcomes of the lessons about A BIG TURNIP(a Russian folk tale) in the eldest class in kindergarten, Grade1 and Grade9 classes, and THE LOUDEST NOISE IN THE WORLD(by Benjamin Elkin) in Grade4 and Grade7 classes, any features of students’ responses were revealed through comparing and examining reader responses to each texts in each grades. For developing “NOZOMI” related learnings, it would be important to implement learning activities with the task settings following the ladders for reading development so much

Nephrotoxicity with VCM and Nephrotoxins

There is a growing concern about the relationship between vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity (VAN) and concomitant use of nephrotoxins. We examined this relationship by combined retrospective analyses of two real-world databases. Initially, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) was analyzed for the effects of concomitant use of one or more nephrotoxins on VAN and the types of combinations of nephrotoxins that exacerbate VAN. Next, electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients who received vancomycin (VCM) at Tokushima University Hospital between January 2006 and March 2019 were examined to confirm the FAERS analysis. An elevated reporting odds ratio (ROR) was observed with increases in the number of nephrotoxins administered (VCM + one nephrotoxin, adjusted ROR (95% confidence interval [CI]) 1.67 [1.51–1.85]; VCM + ≥ 2 nephrotoxins, adjusted ROR [95% CI] 1.54 [1.37–1.73]) in FAERS. EMRs analysis showed that the number of nephrotoxins was associated with higher incidences of VAN [odds ratio: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.42–2.78]. Overall, concomitant use of nephrotoxins was associated with an increased incidence of VAN, especially when at least one of those nephrotoxins was a renal hypoperfusion medication (furosemide, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vasopressors). The concomitant use of multiple nephrotoxins, especially including renal hypoperfusion medication, should be avoided to prevent VAN

Concomitant Use of Multiple Nephrotoxins including Renal Hypoperfusion Medications Causes Vancomycin-Associated Nephrotoxicity: Combined Retrospective Analyses of Two Real-World Databases

There is a growing concern about the relationship between vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity (VAN) and concomitant use of nephrotoxins. We examined this relationship by combined retrospective analyses of two real-world databases. Initially, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) was analyzed for the effects of concomitant use of one or more nephrotoxins on VAN and the types of combinations of nephrotoxins that exacerbate VAN. Next, electronic medical records (EMRs) of patients who received vancomycin (VCM) at Tokushima University Hospital between January 2006 and March 2019 were examined to confirm the FAERS analysis. An elevated reporting odds ratio (ROR) was observed with increases in the number of nephrotoxins administered (VCM + one nephrotoxin, adjusted ROR (95% confidence interval [CI]) 1.67 [1.51-1.85]; VCM + ≥2 nephrotoxins, adjusted ROR [95% CI] 1.54 [1.37-1.73]) in FAERS. EMRs analysis showed that the number of nephrotoxins was associated with higher incidences of VAN [odds ratio: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.42-2.78]. Overall, concomitant use of nephrotoxins was associated with an increased incidence of VAN, especially when at least one of those nephrotoxins was a renal hypoperfusion medication (furosemide, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vasopressors). The concomitant use of multiple nephrotoxins, especially including renal hypoperfusion medication, should be avoided to prevent VAN

Evolution of tetragonal phase in the FeSe wire fabricated by a novel chemical-transformation PIT process

We fabricated superconducting FeSe wires by the chemical-transformation PIT process. The obvious correlation between annealing temperature and phase transformation was observed. Annealing above 500^{\circ}C produced wire-core transformation from hexagonal to tetragonal phase. Furthermore the hexagonal phase completely transformed into the tetragonal phase by annealing at 1000^{\circ}C. With increasing annealing temperature, the superconducting property was dramatically improved, associated with the evolution of the tetragonal phase.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Nationwide retrospective observational study of idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification : clinical features with a progressive phenotype

Background: Diffuse pulmonary ossification is a specific lung condition that is accompanied by underlying diseases. However, idiopathic dendriform pulmonary ossification (IDPO) is extremely rare, and the clinical features remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to report the clinical characteristics of IDPO. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of patients with IDPO from 2017 to 2019 in Japan and evaluated the clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings of patients diagnosed with IDPO. Results: Twenty-two cases of IDPO were identified. Most subjects (82%) were male, aged 22-56 years (mean (SD), 37.9 (9.1)) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects were asymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed.)) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects were asymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed. )) at diagnosis. Nearly 80% of the subjects wereasymptomatic, and the condition was discovered during a medical check-up. However, 36% of the subjects showed a decline in forced vital capacity (%FVC) predicted <80% at diagnosis. The typical radiological features of high-resolution CT (HRCT) are calcified branching structures that are predominantly distributed in the lower lung fields without any other conspicuous finding. Histopathological analysis also showed dendriform ossified lesions from the intraluminal areas to interstitial areas. Notably, during the follow-up period of 20 years, disease progression was found in 88% on HRCT and more than 50% on pulmonary function tests (FVC and/or forced expiratory volume in 1s). Two cases with rapid decline of 10% /year in %FVC predicted were observed. Conclusions: IDPO develops at a young age with gradually progressive phenotype. Further research and long-term (>20 years) follow-up are required to clarify the pathogenesis and clinical findings in IDPO