Search

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of multiple applications of S(1)-flurbiprofen plaster (SFPP), a novel Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) patch, for the alleviation of inflammatory pain and edema in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model as compared to other NSAID patches. The AIA model was induced by the injection of Mycobacterium butyricum and rats were treated with a patch (1.0 cm 3 0.88 cm) containing each NSAID (SFP, ketoprofen, loxoprofen, diclofenac, felbinac, flurbiprofen, or indomethacin) applied to the paw for 6 h per day for 5 days. The pain threshold was evaluated using a flexion test of the ankle joint, and the inflamed paw edema was evaluated using a plethysmometer. cyclooxygenase (COX)21 and COX-2 inhibition was evaluated using human recombinant proteins. Multiple applications of SFPP exerted a significant analgesic effect from the first day of application as compared to the other NSAID patches. In terms of paw edema, SFPP decreased edema from the second day after application, Multiple applications of SFPP were superior to those of other NSAID patches, in terms of the analgesic effect with multiple applications. These results suggest that SFPP may be a beneficial patch for providing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects clinically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Rigging is a process for creating skeletons used to animate articulated characters. In conventional computer-animation software, this process must be performed manually. Although several automatic rigging algorithms have been proposed, these methods still require user intervention. This paper proposes an automatic algorithm that generates an inverse kinematic skeleton for a character by locating an appropriate template skeleton on the extracted curve skeleton of the input 3D character model. After the curve skeleton is extracted, it is analyzed and classified into an appropriate category. The classification conditions are developed from the characteristics of each kind of real animal. We also develop an algorithm to extract the anatomical meaning of each skeleton segment. On the basis of the classification result, a suitable template skeleton is retrieved from the database. Each bone of the template skeleton can then be located on the appropriate skeleton segment of the input skeleton graph by using the extracted anatomical meanings. In contrast to previous methods, the algorithm does not require the input 3D character models to have certain poses or orientations. Moreover, all processes can be completed without user intervention. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is related to immunoglobulin E (IgE) production, and a type-1 and type-2 helper T cell (Th1/Th2) imbalance has been hypothesized as the aetiology. While itching and scratching are important factors in the development of dermatitis, the mechanisms underlying these phenomena are poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between scratching, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), signs of dermatitis and serum Ig levels in NC/Nga mice, a model of AD. We also sensitized specific pathogen-free (SPF)-NC/Nga mice and BALB/c mice to mite antigen to determine the effects of IgE overproduction on scratching and investigated the involvement of mast cells and T/B cells in the induction of scratching using WBB6F1-W/Wv mice and C.B.17/Icr-scid mice. Under conventional conditions, the scratch counts increased, followed by increases in TEWL and the inflammation score in NC/Nga mice that were not kept under SPF conditions. However, no change was observed in scratching, TEWL, or signs of dermatitis in mite antigen-sensitized SPF-NC/Nga and BALB/c mice, although the serum total IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a levels increased. The scratch count increased significantly in both the WBB6F1-W/Wv mice and C.B.17/Icr-scid mice when they were co-housed with skin-lesioned NC/Nga mice, raised under conventional conditions. These results show that IgE overproduction results from itch-associated scratching-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background RNA interference (RNAi) is rapidly becoming a major tool that is revolutionizing research in the bioscience and biomedical fields. To apply the RNAi technique in vivo, it is crucial to develop appropriate methods of guiding the short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules to the right tissues and cells. Here, we demonstrate an efficient method for performing gene knockdown in the body skin using the in vivo electro-transduction of siRNA. Using this method, we examined whether the targeted silencing of the cyclooxygenase (COX) gene in the skin could modulate the scratching behavior of an atopic dermatitis mouse model. Methods NC/Nga mice were used as the atopic dermatitis model. Using our optimized in vivo electroporation conditions, siRNAs were introduced into the skin; the silencing efficiency was then analyzed by Western blotting, measuring the levels of prostaglandins, and immunohistochemistry. The scratching behaviors of the mice were measured using an automatic system. Results Targeted silencing of the COX-1 gene using our in vivo siRNA technique significantly accelerated the scratching behavior of NC/Nga mice, whereas the COX-2 siRNA showed no effect. In addition, the effect of COX-1 siRNA was mimicked by treatment with a COX-1-selective inhibitor (SC-560). Conclusions We have demonstrated the successful silencing of endogenous gene expression in the skin using the intradermal transfection of unmodified siRNA via electroporation. Using this method, we revealed that COX- 1-mediated prostaglandins may act as endogenous inhibitors of scratching behavior. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NC/Nga mice are known to develop scratching dermatitis akin to atopic dermatitis, under conventional (Conv), but not under the specific-pathogen-free (SPF) condition. In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical-scratching on the spontaneous scratching counts (sign of itching), in relation to the cutaneous prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels in NC/Nga or BALB/c mice. Mechanical-scratching increased the cutaneous barrier damage and PGD2 levels in both strain mice under the SPF condition. By 4 weeks of cohabitation with the skin-lesioned NC/Nga mice, both the increase in the spontaneous scratching and development of dermatitis score were higher in the Conv-NC/Nga than in the Conv-BALB/c mice. At this time-point, the cutaneous PGD2 level induced by mechanical-scratching was significantly lower in the Conv-NC/Nga when compared with that in the SPF-NC/Nga mice, and that in the Conv-BALB/c was almost equal to that in the SPF-BALB/c mice. With mechanical scratches, the cohabitation-induced scratching was suppressed in the Conv-BALB/c, but not in the Conv-NC/Nga mice. These results suggest that the scratch-induced cutaneous PGD2 inhibits scratching and the subsequent development of dermatitis in BALB/c, while the impaired scratch-induced cutaneous PGD2 production in the NC/Nga mice resulted in no suppression of scratching, and aggravated the dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NC/Nga (NC) mice are known to develop dermatitis resembling atopic dermatitis (AD) in conventional (Conv) conditions, but not in specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. We reported that the ability of skin prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) production, which might be the endogenous inhibitor of itching, was attenuated in skin-lesioned Conv-NC mice. We examined the age-related change in scratching, dermatitis symptoms, and skin PGs of SPF- and Conv-NC mice. In Conv-NC, PGD2 increased at 7 weeks, at which scratching counts increased, but dermatitis did not develop. PGE2, PGI2 and PGF2 α increased at 10 and 13 weeks, at which dermatitis developed. The ability to produce skin PGs was examined by measuring PGs after application of arachidonic acid or after mechanical scratching using a wire brush. In Conv-NC, PGD2 production at 13 weeks was lower than at 7 weeks. In Conv-NC, hematopoietic PGD synthase (hPGDS) expression in the skin at 13 weeks was lower than at 7 weeks by Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. The increase of skin PGD2 level in the early phase of the development of dermatitis is due to the stress of extensive scratching, but did not increase in spite of the stress of extensive scratching in the late phase, due to decreasing capacity of PGD2 production attributable to decreasing hPGDS expression in Conv-NC mice. These results suggest that a decreased ability to produce skin PGD2 production could enhance scratching and aggravate dermatitis in Conv-NC mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NC/Nga (NC) mice, spontaneously develop an eczematous atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesion when kept under conventional condition (Conv), but not under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions, have been thought to be an animal model of AD. We have previously shown that PGD2 and arachidonic acid inhibited the scratching behaviour of NC mice, while indomethacin enhanced it. This study was designed to assess the role of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 in the itch-related scratching behaviour of NC mice. We examined the expression of COX in the skin using real-time PCR and Western blotting and the effects of SC-560 (a COX-1 selective inhibitor) or NS-398 (a COX-2 selective inhibitor) on scratching behaviour in relation to skin prostaglandin (PG) levels in NC mice. COX-1 mRNA expression was unchanged and protein expression decreased in Conv NC mice compared with that of SPF mice. By contrast, COX-2 mRNA and protein expression increased in Conv NC mice. SC-560 increased scratching behaviour and significantly reduced skin PGD2, PGE2 and PGF2 α levels, but NS-398 did not have effects on scratching and skin PG level. Moreover, the topical application of PGD2, which might be the endogenous inhibitor of itching, suppressed the SC-560-induced enhancement of scratching behaviour by NC mice. These results suggest COX-1-coupled skin PGD2 biosynthesis plays a physiological role in inhibiting regulation of pruritus in NC mice with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of indomethacin and dexamethasone on recovery of cutaneous barrier disruption induced by mechanical scratching were examined. Cutaneous barrier was disrupted by scratching using a stainless-steel wire brush (mechanical scratching) and compared to cutaneous application of acetone/ether (1 : 1) mixture (AE) and tape-stripping. Increase of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as an indicator of a broken skin barrier, and recovery period for mechanical scratching were higher and longer than those for AE treatment and tape-stripping and we also confirmed the severity of skin damage in a histological study. Topical application of moisturizers showed a temporal effect, rapidly decreased TEWL on mechanical scratching- or AE treatment-induced cutaneous barrier disruption, and gradually increased base levels from 4 to 12 h after treatment. Topical application of indomethacin or dexamethasone prolonged the recovery period for the cutaneous barrier, and concomitant use further worsened the status of the barrier. Additionally, we examined the effects of prostaglandins (PGs) and inflammatory cytokine on mechanical scratching-induced cutaneous barrier disruption pretreated with indomethacin and dexamethasone. As a results, PGD2 and interleukin (IL)-1β significantly accelerated the recovery of cutaneous barrier disruption by mechanical scratching but such was not the case with PGE2, IL-1α, and tumor necrosis factor-α treatment. These results suggest that indomethacin and dexamethasone prolonged the recovery period caused by inhibition of PGD2 and IL-1β. Mechanical scratching-induced cutaneous barrier disruption may be a useful method for evaluating means of recovery from skin damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, handheld devices have been playing an important role in children's learning. How to utilize mobile devices such as handheld devices to support collaborative learning has been an important research topic of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). Educators in Japan are seeking an educational system structure that supports “integrated courses,” which have been introduced due to the revision of National Curriculum Standards. We focused on a museum as one of the appropriate locations where “integrated courses” are held and constructed a system named Musex for supporting children's learning with two personal digital assistants (PDAs). Musex provides children with opportunities to answer questions related to exhibitions collaboratively. We performed an experiment on Musex in a science museum and discuss the results in this paper. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(14): 54–63, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10696 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have used sensing boards based on RFID technology to construct a face-to-face group learning support system integrating the physical world and the virtual world. The system is shown to be useful through performance in that a learner without sufficient skill in using a computer can easily participate in learning, and knowledge acquired through textbooks and the like can be tested in the physical world. On the other hand, some problems have been pointed out: the utterances depend more strongly on the leader, and learning support with a higher degree of realism is desired. Consequently, in the system proposed in this paper, multiple sensing boards are placed at different sites so that the learner groups can communicate face-to-face. The sensing boards are connected through a network so that the operations on the board can influence each other. The learners in the group gather around the board and try to solve the problem face-to-face. They also interact with the learners in another group through a chat system. The learners in a primary school classroom used the system to study city design and environmental problems, and the effectiveness of the proposed system was demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(9): 39–50, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10502 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a group learning support system that promotes the externalization of thinking and sharing of understanding. The proposed system has the following two features. (1) Game characteristics are introduced in order to motivate the participation of the learners. (2) By combining a board game with computer simulation, externalization of thinking and sharing of understanding are supported. The effectiveness of the proposed system was evaluated experimentally in a primary school. The results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 33(6): 93–100, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1136 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]