Influence of Pre-Weaning Social Isolation on Post-Weaning Emotion Tendency and Mother-Infant Interactions in Infant Octodon Degus.

Our previous research using Octodon degus (degus) revealed that preweaning social isolation negatively affected object exploratory behavior. However, it remains unknown how social isolation affects animal psychology and other behaviors. The present study examined the effects of neonatal social isolation on degu emotion and mother-infant interactions before and after weaning. Because degus have a complex social repertoire, we predicted that they would be sensitive to social isolation and show similarities with humans in their social interaction. Pups in the isolation group were separated from their family seven times for 30 min a day from 8 to 15 days post-birth. Pups in the nonisolation group were reared with their family. At 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks of age, pups underwent a zero-maze test to measure anxiety and a mother-infant interaction test to assess mother-infant attachment. Isolated pups showed more activity in the zero-maze test than nonisolated pups at 3 weeks of age. We found no significant effects of social isolation on mother-infant interactions. These results suggest that while neonatal social isolation might affect emotion during weaning, it does not influence mother-infant relationships.

Psychosocial Strength Enhancing Resilience in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to explore ways of enhancing psychosocial strengths in newly diagnosed and relapsed adolescents and young adults (AYAs) to improve their resilience. A descriptive case study was used. The adolescent resilience model (ARM) and the self-sustaining process model were applied as theories. The data were analyzed using pattern-matching logic. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 patients aged 12 to 24 years and discharged within 10 years. We found that the newly diagnosed and the relapsing AYAs developed the 5 strength factors of the ARM during and after treatment. Whether the individuals cultivated a positive attitude and sense of purpose early or late, the AYAs developed resilience eventually. A positive attitude and sense of purpose during the early phase of care may be essential for improving resilience. The AYAs benefited from the support of their parents, friends, and previous experience. Individualized support and social resources may be important to develop these strengths. Further research is needed to develop strengths and improve resilience in newly diagnosed AYAs.

Chloroplast NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase from Chlorella vulgaris alleviates environmental stresses in yeast together with 2-Cys peroxiredoxin.

Chloroplast NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTRC) catalyzes the reduction of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2-Cys Prx) and, thus, probably functions as an antioxidant system. The functions of the enzyme in oxidative and salt stresses have been reported previously. We have previously identified and characterized NTRC in Chlorella vulgaris. In the present study, we isolated a full-length cDNA clone encoding 2-Cys Prx from C. vulgaris and investigated the involvement of Chlorella NTRC/2-Cys Prx system in several environmental stress tolerances by using yeast as a eukaryotic model. Deduced Chlorella 2-Cys Prx was homologous to those of chloroplast 2-Cys Prxs from plants, and two conserved cysteine residues were found in the deduced sequence. Enzyme assay showed that recombinant mature C. vulgaris NTRC (mCvNTRC) transferred electrons from NADPH to recombinant mature C. vulgaris 2-Cys Prx (mCvPrx), and mCvPrx decomposed hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and peroxynitrite by cooperating with mCvNTRC. Based on the results, the mCvNTRC/mCvPrx antioxidant system was identified in Chlorella. The antioxidant system genes were expressed in yeast separately or coordinately. Stress tolerances of yeast against freezing, heat, and menadione-induced oxidative stresses were significantly improved by expression of mCvNTRC, and the elevated tolerances were more significant when both mCvNTRC and mCvPrx were co-expressed. Our results reveal a novel feature of NTRC: it functions as an antioxidant system with 2-Cys Prx in freezing and heat stress tolerances.

How to improve resilience in adolescents with cancer in Japan.

This case study made use of semistructured interviews and a social network map to explore how adolescents with cancer develop resilience during the cancer experience. Seven adolescents with cancer aged 11 to 18 years and their mothers participated in this research. Pattern-matching logic using a 4-stage Self-Sustaining Process Model was applied to arrive at a comparative analysis. Findings indicated that initially, 5 adolescents who were told of their cancer diagnoses moved through the process during the cancer experience. Also, in newly diagnosed adolescents and in those who experienced relapse, a slight difference was noticed in terms of their response to studies and their hope levels. Second, 2 adolescents who were told of their diagnoses indirectly did not experience a complete passage through the phases comprising the process. Finally, the adolescents received social support from their families, friends, and relatives. This study suggests that an understanding of individual and cultural differences is important to improve resilience in adolescents with cancer. Because of the small sample surveyed by this research, further studies are needed to validate these conclusions and develop appropriate nursing intervention techniques.

Expression pattern of a chloroplast NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase in Chlorella vulgaris during hardening and its interaction with 2-Cys peroxiredoxin.

A chloroplastic NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase gene was identified from Chlorella vulgaris and designated CvNTRC. Mature CvNTRC protein (mCvNTRC) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and it showed both NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR) and thioredoxin (Trx)-like dithiol-disulfide oxidoreductase activities. The transcript of CvNTRC increased throughout 24-h hardening, whereas the encoded protein amount and total NTR activity decreased once and then increased during hardening. By in vitro pull-down assay, a 21.2-kDa protein bound to mCvNTRC was isolated and identified as a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2-Cys Prx) based on the N-terminal sequence. These data suggest that CvNTRC is maintained at a constant level during hardening and functions as an antioxidant with 2-Cys Prx in the acquisition of freezing tolerance of Chlorella.

Molecular characterization of low-temperature-inducible NTR-C in Chlorella vulgaris.

We isolated a cDNA corresponding to a chloroplast NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase gene (NTR-C), in Chlorella that is low-temperature-inducible. The obtained cDNA was 1,838 bp in length and coded for 529 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence showed higher homology to those of Arabidopsis and rice NTR-C, containing a thioredoxin (Trx) and a thioredoxin reductase (TR), than those of NTR-A (mitochondrial) and NTR-B (cytosolic) from various organisms, which contain only a TR domain and differ in subcellular localization. The results of enzyme assays of partially-purified mature NTR-C protein (mNTR-C), expressed in Escherichia coli with a pET-29b(+) expression vector, provided evidence that the gene included both regions. Northern blot analysis showed a remarkable increase in transcripts under low temperature, while the protein level did not significantly change when examined by using Western blotting with anti-mNTR-C antibodies. The TR activity dependent on NADPH was not enhanced by low temperature despite the substantial increase in transcripts. Based on the results of measurement of peroxiredoxin (Prx) activity and Western blotting using both an extract of Chlorella and purified mNTR-C, the Chlorella was suggested to possess a Prx that interacts with NTR-C.