The Pathogenic Factors from Oral Streptococci for Systemic Diseases

The oral cavity is suggested as the reservoir of bacterial infection, and the oral and pharyngeal biofilms formed by oral bacterial flora, which is comprised of over 700 microbial species, have been found to be associated with systemic conditions. Almost all oral microorganisms are non-pathogenic opportunistic commensals to maintain oral health condition and defend against pathogenic microorganisms. However, oral Streptococci, the first microorganisms to colonize oral surfaces and the dominant microorganisms in the human mouth, has recently gained attention as the pathogens of various systemic diseases, such as infective endocarditis, purulent infections, brain hemorrhage, intestinal inflammation, and autoimmune diseases, as well as bacteremia. As pathogenic factors from oral Streptococci, extracellular polymeric substances, toxins, proteins and nucleic acids as well as vesicles, which secrete these components outside of bacterial cells in biofilm, have been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to consider that the relevance of these pathogenic factors to systemic diseases and also vaccine candidates to protect infectious diseases caused by Streptococci. This review article focuses on the mechanistic links among pathogenic factors from oral Streptococci, inflammation, and systemic diseases to provide the current understanding of oral biofilm infections based on biofilm and widespread systemic diseases

口腔上皮細胞に対するJuncus effusus L.水抽出物の抗炎症及び保護効果

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by periodontopathogenic bacteria that form biofilms in periodontal pockets. The gingival epithelium acts as the first physical barrier in fighting attacks by periodontopathogenic pathogens, such as the primary etiological agent Porphyromonas gingivalis, and various exogenous chemicals, as well as regulates the local innate immune responses. Therefore, the development of novel oral care products to inhibit inflammatory reactions caused by bacterial infection and protect the gingival epithelium is necessary. Juncus effusus L. has generally been used as an indigenous medicine, such as a diuretic, an antipyretic, and an analgesic, in ancient practice. In this study, we examined the effects of a water extract from J. effusus L. on the inhibition of the inflammatory reaction elicited by bacterial infection and protection of the oral epithelium by chemical irritation. Pretreatment of oral epithelial cells with the water extract from J. effusus L. significantly reduced P. gingivalis or its lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) mediated production of chemokines (interleukin-8 and C-C-chemokine ligand20) in a concentration-dependent manner with comparable to or greater effects than epigallocatechin gallate and protected oral epithelial cells from injury by chemical irritants, cetylpyridinium chloride, and benzethonium chloride. Moreover, the water extract from J. effusus L. in the presence of antimicrobial agents or antifibrinolytics already used as ingredients in mouthwash could significantly reduce the production of chemokines from P. gingivalis LPS-stimulated oral epithelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the water extract from J. effusus L. is potentially useful for oral care to prevent oral infections, such as periodontal infections, and maintain oral epithelial function

細菌の培養実験を取り入れた保健の授業実践 : 感染症と人間 <第2部 教科研究>

感染症の原因となる病原体の多くは， 目に見えず存在が実感できないものである。しかし，それらは人間とともに生物界の一員として生態系の中で共存しているという視点を持つことで，耐性菌の間題や新興感染症• 再興感染症の間題の根本がより理解できると考える。そうした共存関係を理解させるために，私たちの周りに存在する細菌を採集して培養する実験をおこなって，その結果から「感染症と人間の関係」についてお互いに意見を出し合いながら考えを深めていく授業を構成し実施した。生徒は，積極的に実験に取り組み，「感染症と人間の関係」について考えを深め，「細菌との共生」「免疫力の向上」「生活習慣の重要性」といったキーワードをつかってそれぞれの考えを述べており，感染症を防ぐための行動選択や意思決定につながる授業であったと考える

体のしくみと薬について考える保健の授業 : 探究活動を通して <第2部 教科研究>

薬と正しく付き合うための思考力や実践力を育成するとともに，運動や食事などの生活習慣と健康に関する知識や理解を深めることを目指し保健の授業を実践した。その際，学習する知識や理解の内容や単元のつながりを整理し，「体のしくみ」に重点をおいた学習計画を作成した。また，思考力を高め実生活に生きる実践力を育むために，探究活動として4つの実験を取り入れ， 「体のしくみ」と「薬」について考察する時間を設けた。 その結果，各自がこれまでの生活を振り返り，改善点をみつけ，今後の薬との関わり方や生活の在り方について考える事ができるようになった。特に，探究活動は，学習した知識や理解を深めるだけでなく，多面的・複眼的な視点で考察することができ，思考力を高め実践力を育むのに大変効果的であることを確認できた

骨盤から姿勢を考える授業 : 首はね跳びへのアプローチ <第2部 教科研究>

体育授業における生徒の動きを観察すると，骨盤が後傾したまま動かすことができなかったり，肩甲骨周りも固まってきていたりするような状況が多々見受けられる。そこで，まず，骨盤の活性化を中心にした体つくりを取り入れて， 日頃の姿勢の見直しを図り，身体の使い方を考えさせることから始めた。これらの学習を基盤とし，その後の跳び箱運動（首はね跳び）にチャレンジする過程においても，準備運動などで骨盤から脊柱に連動する動きづくりから身体のしなやかさの向上を図り，自身の身体とじっくりと向き合い，その変化を感じながら取り組めるようにした。また，お互いの関わり合いを感じながら活動できるように，仲間同士の補助やアドバイス場面を多く設定した。このような場面設定や段階的な指導を丁寧に仕組み，「もう少しでできる」と思えるような体験を繰り返し味わわせることを大切にしながら技の習得に取り組ませ，中学1年生女子生徒にとっては難易度が高いと思われる「首はね跳び」に，みんなが安心してチャレンジできるような授業展開を工夫した。その結果，生徒は日常における自己の姿勢の状態について意識を高め，その改善を図りながら，授業中の運動場面へのつながりも考えるようになり，難易度の高い技に仲間とともに積極的にチャレンジすることができた

Sports Competence in Softball : How to Improve Control

本研究の目的は，ソフトボール初心者の中学２年生を対象に技術認識の向上によるパフォーマンスの向上と戦術学習により，自分で結果をコントロールできる自信である「統制感」を高めることであった。宣言的知識と手続き的知識の学習及び，スモールステップによるペッパーゲームとステップアンドスローのドリルによって学び方を考えながらプレイする授業プログラムを構成した。単元前統制感の高低によって反復測定分散分析を行った。結果，統制感下位群において，身体的有能さの認知，統制感，学習方略が有意に高まった。このことより，統制感下位群の生徒が実際のゲームで使える技術認識を向上させ，自分の上達を実感することによって運動学習に見通しを持って挑戦する意欲が高まったことが明らかになった。学習ノートの記述分析をしたところ，授業の進行とともに「手続き的知識」の記述とともに，「状況判断」や「運営」の記述数が増加した。技術認識と統制感を高めることによって状況判断のあるゲームを楽しんでいることが示唆された。The purpose of this study was to improve the control of sports competence. It was studied in softball novices among junior high school students (N=61). Learning about declarative knowledge and the procedural knowledge were programmed in physical education classes. Learning from a challenge, the ‘correction pepper game drill’ and the ‘step and throw drill’ by a small step were programed. As for the results of analysis of variance, the learning strategies and physical competence for control were improved in the lower group after the program. It was suggested that this program made the readiness to enjoy softball with making a prediction and judgment

Royal Jelly Inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa Adherence and Reduces Excessive Inflammatory Responses in Human Epithelial Cells

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium and causes respiratory infection especially in elderly patients. Royal jelly has been used worldwide as a traditional remedy and as a nutrient; however, the effect against P. aeruginosa is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze antibacterial, antiadherent, and anti-inflammatory effects of royal jelly against P. aeruginosa. Wild-type strain PAO1 and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were used for antibacterial assay and antiadherent assay to abiotic surface and epithelial cells, which are pharynx (Detroit 562) and lung (NCI-H292) epithelial cells. In anti-inflammatory assay, epithelial cells were pretreated with royal jelly before bacterial exposure to investigate its inhibitory effect on interleukin (IL-8) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3/CCL20 overproduction. Although royal jelly did not have antibacterial activity at concentration of 50%w/v, antiadherent activity was confirmed on the abiotic surface and epithelial cells under concentration of 25%. Pretreatment with royal jelly significantly inhibited overproduction of IL-8 and CCL20 from both cells. These results demonstrated that royal jelly inhibits P. aeruginosa adherence and protects epithelial cells from excessive inflammatory responses against P. aeruginosa infection. Our findings suggested that royal jelly may be a useful supplement as complementary and alternative medicine for preventing respiratory infection caused by P. aeruginosa

Antibiofilm and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Houttuynia cordata Decoction for Oral Care

Dental biofilms that form in the oral cavity play a critical role in the pathogenesis of several infectious oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral candidiasis. Houttuynia cordata (HC, Saururaceae) is a widely used traditional medicine, for both internal and external application. A decoction of dried HC leaves (dHC) has long been consumed as a health-promoting herbal tea in Japan. We have recently reported that a water solution of HC poultice ethanol extract (wHCP) exerts antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against several important oral pathogens. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on human keratinocytes. In our current study, we examined the effects of dHC on infectious oral pathogens and inflammation. Our results demonstrated that dHC exerts moderate antimicrobial effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other oral microorganisms. dHC also exhibited antibiofilm effects against MRSA, Fusobacterium nucleatum (involved in dental plaque formation), and Candida albicans and inhibitory effects on interleukin-8, CCL20, IP-10, and GRO productions by human oral keratinocytes stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (a cause of periodontal disease), without cytotoxic effects. This suggests that dHC exhibits multiple activities in microorganisms and host cells. dHC can be easily prepared and may be effective in preventing infectious oral diseases

Antibiofilm and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Houttuynia cordata

Dental biofilms that form in the oral cavity play a critical role in the pathogenesis of several infectious oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral candidiasis. Houttuynia cordata (HC, Saururaceae) is a widely used traditional medicine, for both internal and external application. A decoction of dried HC leaves (dHC) has long been consumed as a health-promoting herbal tea in Japan. We have recently reported that a water solution of HC poultice ethanol extract (wHCP) exerts antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects against several important oral pathogens. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on human keratinocytes. In our current study, we examined the effects of dHC on infectious oral pathogens and inflammation. Our results demonstrated that dHC exerts moderate antimicrobial effects against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other oral microorganisms. dHC also exhibited antibiofilm effects against MRSA, Fusobacterium nucleatum (involved in dental plaque formation), and Candida albicans and inhibitory effects on interleukin-8, CCL20, IP-10, and GROα productions by human oral keratinocytes stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (a cause of periodontal disease), without cytotoxic effects. This suggests that dHC exhibits multiple activities in microorganisms and host cells. dHC can be easily prepared and may be effective in preventing infectious oral diseases