Biomedical subjects

S Sakai

Publications and source records attributed to S Sakai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Genogrouping of vaccine breakdown strains (VBS) of feline calicivirus in Japan.

Although prevention of feline calcivirus (FCV) infection by vaccination has been attempted, and isolation of FCV, development of the disease, and a few fatal cases in vaccinated cats have been reported. Fifteen FCV strains isolated from cats that had been vaccinated with commercially available FCV vaccines (F9, FCV-255, and FC-7) were genogrouped. Molecular analysis of viral genomes involved the construction of a phylogenetic tree of capsid genes using the NJ method. Cat anti-F9 serum and rabbit anti-FCV-255 serum were used for virus neutralization tests. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences of 15 virus isolates and those of the previously published and GenBank-deposited 9 global and 14 Japanese strains showed that 8 (53%) of the 15 virus isolates as well as the vaccine strains F9 and FCV-255 belonged to genogroup I (G(A)I), and 7 (47%) belonged to genogroup II (G(A)II). Of the 8 G(A)I strains, 2 were isolated from cats that had been vaccinated with an F9 strain live vaccine, 5 from cats vaccinated with an FCV-255-derived vaccine, and 1 from a cat vaccinated with an FC-7-derived vaccine. Of the 7 GAll strains, 5 were isolated from cats that had been vaccinated with the F9 strain live vaccine, 1 from a cat vaccinated with the FCV-255-derived vaccine, and 1 from a cat vaccinated with the FC-7-derived vaccine. These results indicate that more vaccine breakdown strains isolated from the cats vaccinated with the F9 strain-derived vaccine belong to G(A)II than to G(A)I, whereas more vaccine breakdown strains isolated from the cats vaccinated with the FCV-255 strain-derived vaccine belong to G(A)I than to G(A)II, and that when the FC-7 strain-derived vaccine is used, the vaccine breakdown strains belong almost equally to G(A)I and G(A)II. Thus, the genogroups of virus isolates varied with the vaccine strain used (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the neutralizing titres of feline anti-F9 serum and rabbit anti-FCV-255 serum against the 15 isolates were very low, showing no relationships between neutralizing antibody titres and genogroups. The DNA sequence identities between the virus isolates and the vaccine strains were low, at 70.6-82.9%, and no strains were found to have sequences derived from the vaccine strains. Alignment of amino acid sequences showed that the G(A)I or G(A)II virus isolates from the F9-vaccinated cats differed at position 428 of the 5' hypervariable region (HVR) of capsid region of the F9 strain, whereas those from the FCV-255-vaccinated cats differed at positions 438, 453, and 460 of the 5'HVR of capsid region E of the F9 strain. We speculate that these differences influence genogrouping. The amino acid changes within the F9 linear epitopes common to G(A)I and G(A)II were noted at positions 450, 451, 457 of 5'HVR of the capsid region E in the isolates from F9-derived vaccine-treated cats, and 449, 450, and 451 of 5'HVR of capsid region E in the isolates from FCV-255-derived vaccine-treated cats, suggesting that these amino acid changes are involved in escapes. These results suggest that alternate vaccination with the F9 and FCV-255 strains or the use of a polyvalent vaccine containing GAll strains serves to inhibit development.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Detection of feline calicivirus (FCV) from vaccinated cats and phylogenetic analysis of its capsid genes.

We analysed genogroups of four feline calcivirus (FCV) isolates (FCV-S, H10, Ao198-1 and ML89) obtained from cats that experienced FCV infection after having been vaccinated against FCV. New PCR primer sets (8F/8R, Ao-S/Ao-A, cp-S/cp-A) were also designed, since the conventional Seal primer failed to amplify the target sequences in two samples. The genogroups of the four isolates as well as eight global and 17 domestic strains were determined by phylogenetic analysis of their amino acid sequences. One out of the four strains (25%) isolated in this study, H10, was grouped into genogroup I, along with the vaccine strains F9 and FCV-255. The other three isolates (75%) belonged to genogroup II. Thus, there were more isolates in genogroup II than in genogroup I. However, the antibody values of the four isolates against cat anti-F9 antisera were significantly decreased. There may be no relationship between the neutralizing antibody titre and genogroup. Amino acid sequence alignment of the four isolates showed that only a single amino acid in region C, which is involved in neutralization epitopes, was different in ML89 strain from that of F9. The other three strains, H10, Ao198-1 and FCV-B, shared the same amino acid sequence with F9. Alignment of amino acids for linear epitopes in the F9 strain, which are located at regions D and E, showed variations in 5' hypervariable region (HVR) of E, whereas D and conE had only synonymous substitutions i.e. no change in the amino acid sequence. This mutation in 5' HVR of region E suggested a vaccine breakdown, as the region is known to be essential for antigenicity. The genogroup II FCV is likely to be the cause of the FCV infection in this study, while the vaccine strains belong to genogroup I. Thus, the existing vaccine may need reevaluation for its effectiveness.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Effect of diglucosamine on the entrapment of protein into liposomes.

Liposomes, which had entrapped bovine serum albumin (BSA), were modified with diglucosamine by two methods. The liposome was prepared by a freeze-thawing method in the presence of the disaccharide, or the disaccharide was added to the liposome prepared in advance without it. To examine the effects of diglucosamine, the morphology, mean particle size, and zeta potential of both liposomes were compared with those of BSA-entrapping liposome prepared without the disaccharide. Diglucosamine caused no remarkable change in shape and no aggregation of the liposome. The presence of the disaccharide was confirmed on the surfaces of modified liposomes, and the entrapment of BSA into the liposomes was increased by the disaccharide. The entrapment behavior was affected by the way the disaccharide was added, and the difference in the way the BSA was entrapped was also indicated.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

By-side chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols in technical chlorobiphenyl formulations of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, Kanechlor 600, and Kanechlor 1000.

All 19 possible chlorophenol (CPh) and 12 chlorobenzene (CBz) congeners as potential impurities or additive were quantified in a relatively highly chlorinated type of technical chlorobiphenyl (CB) mixtures of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, Kanechlor 600, and Kanechlor 1000 using isotope dilution technique and HRGC/HRMS. The total CBzs content of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen and Clophen T 64, Kanechlor 600, and Kanechlor 1000 was 0.039, 0.5, 230, 0.068, and 400 mg/g, respectively, while of CPhs was < 0.007, 0.48, 10, 0.093, and 0.98 microg/g. All 12 congeners of chlorobenzene could be quantified in all the formulations examined, but their proportions varied largely. It seems that stockpiles of technical chlorobiphenyl formulations and hazardous wastes containing CBs, both with added and/or by-side CBzs are also a somehow forgotten source of environmental contamination with those environmentally relevant compounds. No CPhs were found in Aroclor 1268 (< 7 ng/g). 2-MoCPh, 2,6-DiCPh, 3,5-DiCPh, 3,4,5-TrCPh, and 2,3,4,5,6-PeCPh were absent (< 1- < 20 ng/g) in Chlorofen and Clophen T 64, while other chlorophenol congeners were found at concentration from 7.4 to 130 and from 9.9 to 8,800 ng/g, respectively. Then, 3- and 4-chlorophenol, which co-eluted, were main contributors (88%) to the total CPhs content of Clophen T 64, while 2,3,4,6-TeCPh with 27% abundance was a major congener among CPhs in Chlorofen. Then, 2,4,6-TrCPh was the most abundant congener in Kanechlor 600, while 2,4,5-TrCPh was the most abundant congener in Kanechlor 1000.

Chlorobenzenes↗

PubMed2006

Tight regulation of transgene expression by tetracycline-dependent activator and repressor in brain.

Methods to temporally and spatially regulate gene mutations will provide a powerful strategy to investigate gene function in the brain. To develop these methods, we have established a tightly regulated system for transgene expression in the forebrain using both a tetracycline (Tc)-dependent transcription activator (rtTA) and a repressor (TetR-Kruppel-associated box). In this system, the repressor binds to the Tc-responsive element (TRE) in the absence of doxycycline (Dox), leading to the repression of leaky activation of TRE-mediated transcription caused by weak binding of rtTA to TRE. Upon Dox administration, only the activator binds to TRE and activates transcription. We tested this system in cultured cells by bicistronically expressing both the regulators using an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). In COS-1, HeLa and SHSY5Y cells, leaky transcription activation led by rtTA in the absence of Dox was repressed without decreasing the level of activated transcription in the presence of Dox. Using this system, transgenic mice were produced that express both the regulators using IRES in the forebrain under the control of the alphaCaMKII promoter and were bred with transgenic mice carrying the TRE-dependent reporter transgene. In reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization analyses of the forebrain in adult double transgenic mice, the treatment of Dox induces reporter mRNA expression, which was not detected before the treatment and after the withdraw of Dox following the treatment. These results indicate that this system allows the tight regulation of transgene expression in a Dox-dependent fashion in the forebrain and will be useful in investigating gene function in the brain.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Estrogen-receptor-alpha-positive extramammary Paget's disease treated with hormonal therapy.

The patient was an 80-year-old man with scrotal and penile extramammary Paget's disease and prostate cancer. Both diseases were in advanced stages. Tumor cells of extramammary Paget's disease strongly expressed estrogen receptor alpha. The patient was concurrently treated with two kinds of hormonal therapy: the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (20 mg/day orally) for extramammary Paget's disease and the anti-androgen bicalutamide (80 mg/day orally) for prostate cancer. The toxicity of the therapy was mild. All of the metastatic lesions remained stable for 2 months after initiation of dual hormonal therapy. During a follow-up period of 22 months, performance status was well maintained for 17 months. Hormonal therapy may be an alternative for selected cases of advanced extramammary Paget's disease.

Aged, 80 and over↗

PubMed2006

Size and orientation of masticatory muscles in patients with mandibular laterognathism.

Size measurements of jaw muscles reflect their force capabilities and correlate with facial morphology. Using MRI, we examined the size and orientation of jaw muscles in patients with mandibular laterognathism in comparison with a control group. We hypothesized that the muscles of the deviated side would be smaller than those of the non-deviated side, and that the muscles of both sides would be smaller than in controls. In patients, a comparison of deviated and non-deviated sides showed, in orientation, differences for masseter and medial pterygoid muscles, but, in size, differences only for the masseter muscle. Nevertheless, muscle sizes in patients were much smaller than in controls. Lateral displacement of the mandible can explain the orientation differences, but not the smaller muscle size, in patients. It is possible that the laterodeviation initiates an adaptive process in the entire jaw system, resulting in extensive atrophy of the jaw muscles.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2005

Capsid protein genetic analysis and viral spread to the spinal cord in cats experimentally infected with feline calicivirus (FCV).

We investigated primitively the molecular basis of the neural spread of a feline calcivirus isolate (FCV-S) from the spinal cord of a cat that died after manifesting excitation. Experimental infections of cats with three clones from parent virus isolate FCV-S, isolated based on plaque size, were performed, and virus recovery from the spinal cord and the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of the viral capsid protein region (ORF2) were compared. In the experimental infection with the one-time cloned virus (C1L1) isolated from a large plaque, the C1L1 was recovered from the spinal cord. In contrast, seven-times cloned C6L7 (from large plaque) and five-times cloned C5S2 (isolated from small plaque) were not recovered from the spinal cord. Genetic analysis of the capsid protein gene of the three viral clones revealed that four bases were different and two amino acids were different at positions 34 (Val in C6L7 and Ala in C1L1 and C5S2) and 46 (Leu in C6L7 and Pro in C1L1 and C5S2) between C6L7 (with large plaque) and C5S2 (with small plaque). The amino acid at position 434 of C1L1 was different from those of C6L7 and C5S2 (Gly in C1L1, D (Asp) in C6L7 and C5S2). From these results, the plaque size seemed not to be related to the spread of virus to the spinal cord. Clone C1L1, which spread to the spinal cord, had a difference of one amino acid from the other two clones, which may be related to the ability to spread to the spinal cord.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

The effect of Juzen-taiho-to/TJ-48 on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (CD158a/b) on peripheral lymphocytes in vitro experiment.

Juzen-taiho-to (TJ-48), a mixture of extracts from 10 medicinal herbs, has been used traditionally to treat patients with anemia, anorexia or fatigue. It is well known that the treatment of TJ-48 result in the decrease of patient's complaints, as well as the increase of NK cytolytic activity (NK activity) although its augmentation is not clear in the other kampo formula from the clinical viewpoint. To investigate its biological activities, such as the augmentation of NK activity, we analyzed the effects of TJ-48 on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) in vitro experiment. The peripheral lymphocytes were incubated in medium alone, or medium containing TJ-48 or interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus TJ-48 at several concentrations for 48 h. After each incubation, cells were collected and their KIRs were detected by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies CD158a and CD158b. TJ-48 increased the populations of CD16+CD158a+ and CD16+CD158b+ cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, CD16-CD158a/b+ cells did not increase. Additionally, the extract of TJ-48 enhanced the increase of KIRs expression induced by IL-2. These actions contribute to the augmentation of NK cytolytic activity by TJ-48, and might explain, in part, its antitumor effects which has been observed in vivo.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2005

A randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of Hochuekkito, a traditional herbal medicine, in the treatment of elderly patients with weakness N of one and responder restricted design.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Hochuekkito, a traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, in the treatment of elderly patients with general weakness. To devise a suitable study design for assessing the clinical effectiveness of traditional herbal medicines. METHODS: Fifteen elderly patients (mean +/- SD: age 78.4 +/- 7.8; m/f 3/12) participated in this study. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with N of one and responder restricted design was performed. After the run-in period, the patients were divided into responders and non-responders. Only responders were entered in the study, and were randomized into three groups: an active-placebo group, a placebo-active group and an active-active group. The study consisted of two 6-week terms with a 2-week washout period in between. We assessed the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) as an endpoint of quality of life (QOL). In addition, we assessed the biodefense status by measuring the natural killer cytolytic activity (NK activity), IL-2 producing activity of peripheral lymphocytes, lymphocyte proliferating activity and lymphocyte cell-surface antigens. RESULTS: The physical component summary of the SF-36 analysis significantly improved in the Hochuekkito-treated group. Four components (A-H: anger-hostility, F: fatigue, T-A: tension-anxiety, C: confusion) out of six improved in the Hochuekkito-treated group in the POMS analysis. Lymphocyte proliferating activity improved in the Hochuekkito-treated group but not significantly. Concerning the surface antigens of peripheral lymphocytes, the population of CD3 positive cells and CD3CD4 double positive cells increased in the Hochuekkito-treated group. CONCLUSION: We revealed that Hochuekkito improved the QOL and immunological status of elderly patients with weakness by randomized controlled trial. Our study design might be useful for assessing the efficacy of traditional herbal medicine in the future.

Affect↗

PubMed2005

Bio/chemical analysis of dioxin-like compounds in sediment samples from Osaka Bay, Japan.

The combinatorial bio/chemical investigation of sediments (six surface samples and one core sample) from Osaka Bay, Japan was conducted to clarify the horizontal and vertical distribution profiles of persistent organic pollutants in the sediments. Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) were determined by chemical analysis and compared to bioassay results using H4IIE-luc/Dioxin Responsive-Chemical Activated LUciferase eXpression (DR-CALUX). For surface sediments, World Health Organization-toxicity equivalent (WHO-TEQ) values ranged from 1.8 to 92 pg g(-1) dry weight and the bioassay-TEQ (CALUX-TEQ) values (3.7-140 pg g(-1) dry weight) yielded significant correlation with them (r2 = 0.96). On the other hand, correlation between both TEQs (for WHO-TEQ, 5.5-47 and for CALUX-TEQ, 27-76 pg g(-1) dry weight) for core samples was not so good (r2 = 0.46). Comparing the vertical profiles of CALUX-TEQ and WHO-TEQ, they were different in that WHO-TEQ reached the maximum in the 1957 core section, while CALUX-TEQ reached in the 1984 core section. CALUX-TEQ values were 1-5-fold more than WHO-TEQ values in all the surface and core samples. CALUX-TEQ values were calculated for PBDE and PBDD/F concentrations, employing their CALUX toxicity equivalent factors (CALUX-TEFs). The estimated CALUX-TEQ values obtained for the brominated compounds could explain for 11% on average (range 4.7-31%) of the experimentally obtained CALUX-TEQ values in the investigated surface sediments.

Benzofurans↗

PubMed2005

Chlorobiphenyl constituents of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, KC-600, and KC-1000 technical formulations.

All 209 chlorobiphenyls (CBs) theoretically possible and potentially present in relatively highly chlorinated types of technical CB formulations of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, KC-600, and KC-1000 have been quantified using isotope dilution techniques and high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). CB constituents of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, KC-600, and KC-1000 could be separated, detected, identified and quantified as "bulk CBs," using a capillary column (60 m length x 0.25 mm i.d.) coated by 8% phenyl polycarborane-siloxane (HT-8PCB, SGE, Australia) liquid phase for GC coupled to HRMS, into 111, 78, 126, 137, and 148 peaks, respectively, which covered 140, 100, 158, 169, and 180 possible CB congeners. 87, 60, 99, 110, and 121 peaks represented single CB congeners in Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, KC-600, and KC-1000, respectively, while 34, 18, 27, 27, and 27 peaks represented 53, 40, 59, 59, and 59 co-eluting CBs. After enrichment procedures using multilayer silica beds, alumina beds, and carbon-impregnated silica beds in glass columns, all four planar non-ortho CBs and all eight mono-ortho CBs (but with the exception of CB no. 123 in Chlorofen) could be quantified in all five technical CB formulations examined. The planar non- and mono-ortho CBs content of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, Clophen T 64, KC-600 and KC-1000 were 6.2, 7.0, 47, 120, 470 mu g/g and 220, 410, 34,000, 12,000, 5900 mu g/g, respectively, and their 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity equivalents (2,3,7,8-TeCDD TEQs) were 31, 390, 710, 260, 1900 ng-TEQ/g and 35, 99, 5900, 2600, 8900 ng-TEQ/g, and the total 2,3,7,8-TeCDD TEQs of planar CBs were 66, 490, 6600, 2900, and 11,000 ng-TEQ/g.

Aroclors↗

PubMed2005

By-side impurities in chloronaphthalene mixtures of the Halowax series: all 135 chlorodibenzofurans.

One hundred twenty five congeners of CDF off 135 theoretically possible were quantified in seven of various type Halowax formulations but still 45 co-eluted under the gas chromatographic conditions applied. The total CDFs concentration of Halowax formulations was between 250 and 16,000 ng/g. The compositional profile of CDF homologue groups of the Halowaxes frequently followed a degree of chlorination of the parent chloronaphthalene mixture and an exception was Halowax 1031. The compositional profile of many isomers of trichlorodibenzofuran, found and often highly abundant, was characteristic to majority of the formulations examined, and each of them demonstrated to have its own pattern but mysterious to explain remained Halowax 1031. In term of dioxin-like toxicity the most potent due to CDFs content was Halowax 1014 with 210 ng TCDD TEQ/g and next was Halowax 1013 with 36 ng TEQ/g, while between 1.3 and 5.0 ng TEQ/g were for other formulations. A tentative estimation made implies that the net total CDFs production due to manufacture of the technical CNs in the XX century could reach an amount between 420 kg (median) and 825 kg (mean), and for most toxic dioxin-like congeners between 705 g (median) and 5700 g (mean) TCDD TEQ, while for the worst case of Halowax 1014 alone scenario it could be 750 kg of the total CDFs and 16 kg of TCDD TEQ for most toxic congeners.

Benzofurans↗

PubMed2005

By-side impurities in chloronaphthalene mixtures of the Halowax series: all 75 chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins.

A by-side chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) has been identified as impurity in concentration between 1.5 and 370 ng/g in the Halowax formulations of all type. Halowax 1014 was relatively richer in number of CDD congeners detected when compared to six other CN formulations examined. Amongst the mono- to tri-CDDs, the most prevalent in the Halowaxes were 1- and 2-MoCDD, and especially they were abundant in the formulations of a lower than a higher degree of chlorination. Amongst the tetra- to octaCDD only 1,2,3,4-/1,2,4,6-/1,2,4,9-/ 1,2,3,8-TeCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and OcCDD were found in all the Halowaxes, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,9-HpCDD remained undetected only in Halowax 1099 and 1013, while most of TeCDDs, PeCDD, and HxCDDs were absent in a majority of the formulations examined. The compositional profile of 1,2,3,4-/1,2,4,6-/1,2,4,9,-/1,2,3,8-TeCDD and OcCDD congeners found in the Halowaxes seem to indicate, that after an initial in situ formation of mono- and di-CDDs during CNs synthesis, a further increase of reaction time, temperature, and pressure can lead to successive chlorination of the already established chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin molecule, and so to enrichment in 1,2,3,4-/ 1,2,4,6-/1,2,4,9,-/1,2,3,8-TeCDD but also OcCDD content for most of the final products obtained. Nevertheless, also due to the co-synthesis of chlorophenols in the Halowaxes, their condensation reactions could also contribute to the formation of CDDs. In term of dioxin-like toxicity the most potent due to CDDs content was Halowax 1014 with 0.95 ng TCDD TEQ/g, and between 0.00068 and 0.058 ng/g were for other formulations. A rough estimation made implies that a net CDDs production due to manufacture of the technical CNs in the XX century could reach an amount between 3.0 and 12.6 kg, while for most toxic dioxin-like constituents between 5.25 and 24 g TCDD TEQ, For the worst case scenario and involvement of Halowax 1014 only the net total CDDs production was estimated to be 1.5 kg, and for highly-toxic congeners 71 g TCDD TEQ. All these figures are much lower when compared to co-production of CDFs.

Dioxins↗

PubMed2005

By-side chlorodibenzo-P-dioxins and chlorodibenzofurans in technical chlorobiphenyl formulations of aroclor 1268, chlorofen, and clophen T 64.

Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, and Clophen T 64 technical chlorobiphenyl formulations were examined for 75 congeners of chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (CDD) and 135 congeners of chlorodibenzofuran (CDF) using isotope dilution technique, separation, and enrichment on silica gel impregnated with activated carbon and final high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC)/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) quantification. Three the most highly chlorinated congeners of CDD were found in Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, and Clophen T 64. In the case of CDF, the number of congeners identified was 108 with 44 coeluting in pairs and 3 in triplicate in Aroclor 1268, 16 with 4 coeluting in pairs in Chlorofen, and 88 with 46 coeluting in pairs and 3 in triplicate in Clophen T 64. The total CDD and CDF concentrations of Aroclor 1268, Chlorofen, and Clophen T 64 were 24, 160, and 8.5 ng/g and 1600,270,000, and 4000 ng/g, respectively. No mono- to hexa-CDDs could be quantified in Aroclor 1268 (<0.03 to <1 ng/g), Chlorofen (<0.07 to <0.3 ng/g), or Clophen T 64 (<0.007 to <2 ng/g), whereas two hepta-CDDs and octa-CDD were found in all three formulations, and Chlorofen was richer in those compounds, followed by Aroclor 1268 and Clophen T 64.

Aroclors↗

PubMed2005

Functional properties of the stratum corneum in patients with diabetes mellitus: similarities to senile xerosis.

BACKGROUND: Although diabetes mellitus is known to induce many pathophysiological changes in the skin, none of the earlier studies has focused on the state of the stratum corneum (SC) in patients with diabetes. In our previous report on a diabetic mouse model, we described a decreased SC hydration state and abnormalities in the function of the sebaceous gland together with a normally retained barrier function of the SC. OBJECTIVES: To examine the functional changes of the SC in patients with diabetes. METHODS: The following values were measured in 49 patients with diabetes: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c); skin surface lipid level on the forehead; and high-frequency conductance (HFC) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of the SC of the volar forearm and extensor surface of the lower leg. These functions of the SC were compared in two pairs of patient groups, i.e. between groups with high and low FPG, and between groups with high and low HbA1c. RESULTS: The HFC levels on the extensor leg and volar forearm were significantly lower in the group with high FPG (FPG > 110 mg dL(-1)) than in the group with low FPG (FPG < 110 mg dL(-1)), although TEWL values were almost the same in these two groups. The skin surface lipids on the forehead were significantly lower in the former than in the latter. The HFC did not differ significantly between the group with high HbA1c (HbA1c > 5.8%) and the group with low HbA1c (HbA1c < 5.8%), whereas the TEWL of the volar forearm was slightly lower in the former than in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: These new results as well as our earlier results with diabetic mice suggest that patients with diabetes mellitus tend to show a reduced hydration state of the SC together with decreased sebaceous gland activity, without any impairment of the SC barrier function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Behavior of cellulose-degrading bacteria in thermophilic anaerobic digestion process.

Previously, we found that the newly isolated Clostridium sp. strain JC3 became the dominant cellulose-degrading bacterium in thermophilic methanogenic sludge. In the present study, the behavior of strain JC3 in the thermophilic anaerobic digestion process was investigated quantitatively by molecular biological techniques. A cellulose-degrading experiment was conducted at 55 degrees C with a 9.5 L of anaerobic baffled reactor having three compartments (Nos. 1, 2, 3). Over 80% of the COD input was converted into methane when 2.5 kgCOD m(-3) d(-1) was loaded for an HRT of 27 days. A FISH probe specific for strain JC3 was applied to sludge samples harvested from the baffled reactor. Consequently, the ratio of JC3 cells to DAPI-stained cells increased from below 0.5% (undetectable) to 9.4% (compartment 1), 13.1% (compartment 2) and 21.6% (compartment 3) at day 84 (2.5 kgCOD m(-3)d(-1)). The strain JC3 cell numbers determined by FISH correlated closely with the cellulose-degrading methanogenic activities of retained sludge. A specific primer set targeting the cellulase gene (cellobiohydrolaseA: cbhA) of strain JC3 was designed and applied to digested sludge for treating solid waste such as coffee grounds, wastepaper, garbage, cellulose and so on. The strain JC3 cell numbers determined by quantitative PCR correlated closely with the cellulose-sludge loading of the thermophilic digester. Strain JC3 is thus important in the anaerobic hydrolysis of cellulose in thermophilic anaerobic digestion processes.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed2004

Ethanol production from H2 and CO2 by a newly isolated thermophilic bacterium, Moorella sp. HUC22-1.

The thermophilic bacterium, Moorella sp. HUC22-1, newly isolated from a mud sample, produced ethanol from H(2) and CO(2) during growth at 55 degrees C. In batch cultures in serum bottles, 1.5 mM ethanol was produced from 270 mM H(2) and 130 mM CO(2) after 156 h, whereas less than 1 mM ethanol was produced from 23 mM fructose after 33 h. Alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activities were higher in cells grown with H(2) and CO(2) than those grown with fructose. The NADH/NAD(+) and NADPH/NADP(+) ratios in cells grown with H(2) and CO(2) were also higher than those in cells grown with fructose. When the culture pH was controlled at 5 with H(2) and CO(2) in a fermenter, ethanol production was 3.7-fold higher than that in a pH-uncontrolled culture after 220 h.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗