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PubMedDate not supplied

Infections caused by Penicillium marneffei in China and Southeast Asia: review of eighteen published cases and report of four more Chinese cases.

One accidental and 17 natural human infections caused by Penicillium marneffei have been reported in the literature. The accidental infection, in Paris, followed inoculation of a culture from a Vietnamese bamboo rat into the finger of a mycologist. All patients with natural infections had lived or traveled in the Far East. Nine of these patients were Chinese, all from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The four additional infections from Guangxi reported herein bring the total to 21 natural infections. P. marneffei is a primary pathogen of humans, causing two clinical types of disease: focal infection and fatal, progressive, disseminated infection. There are three histopathologic reactions: (1) granulomatous; (2) suppurative; and (3) anergic and necrotizing. The first two reactions are seen in patients with "normal" immunity and the third in patients with compromised immunity. P. marneffei is unique among species of Penicillium because of its thermal dimorphism, its recognized ecologic niche (restricted to the Far East), and its propensity to infect the lungs and the reticuloendothelial system and to proliferate within histiocytes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complete nucleotide sequence of the Coturnix chinensis (blue-breasted quail) mitochondrial genome and a phylogenetic analysis with related species.

Coturnix chinensis (blue-breasted quail) has been classically grouped in Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix, based on morphologic features and biochemical evidence. Since the blue-breasted quail has the smallest body size among the species of Galliformes, in addition to a short generation time and an excellent reproductive performance, it is a possible model fowl for breeding and physiological studies of the Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail) and Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken), which are classified in the same family as blue-breasted quail. However, since its phylogenetic position in the family Phasianidae has not been determined conclusively, the sequence of the entire blue-breasted quail mitochondria (mt) genome was obtained to provide genetic information for phylogenetic analysis in the present study. The blue-breasted quail mtDNA was found to be a circular DNA of 16,687 base pairs (bp) with the same genomic structure as the mtDNAs of Japanese quail and chicken, though it is smaller than Japanese quail and chicken mtDNAs by 10 bp and 88 bp, respectively. The sequence identity of all mitochondrial genes, including those for 12S and 16S ribosomal RNAs, between blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail ranged from 84.5% to 93.5%; between blue-breasted quail and chicken, sequence identity ranged from 78.0% to 89.6%. In order to obtain information on the phylogenetic position of blue-breasted quail in Galliformes Phasianidae, the 2,184 bp sequence comprising NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes available for eight species in Galliformes [Japanese quail, chicken, Gallus varius (green junglefowl), Bambusicola thoracica (Chinese bamboo partridge), Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl), Perdix perdix (gray partridge), Phasianus colchicus (ring-neck pheasant), and Tympanchus phasianellus (sharp-tailed grouse)] together with that of Aythya americana (redhead) were examined using a maximum likelihood (ML) method. The ML analyses on the first/second codon positions, the third codon positions, and amino acid sequence consistently demonstrated that blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail are in the same phylogenetic cluster.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Gamna-Gandy bodies in surgical neuropathology specimens: observations and a historical note.

Gamna-Gandy (G-G) bodies are classically defined as spheroidal yellow-brown foci consisting of dense fibrous tissue and collagenous fibers encrusted with iron pigments and calcium salts. These siderotic nodules were first described in the spleen early in the twentieth century and for a short time were considered to be caused by fungal infection due to the presence of unusual "bamboo-like and articulated" fibers in the lesions that vaguely mimicked mycelia forms. This notion was proven to be incorrect in the 1930s and G-G bodies are now considered to result from organization of small hemorrhages. Although originally reported in splenomegaly, G-G bodies are well-recognized findings in atrial myxomas where they form linear arrays of mineral-encrusted fibers, often at the edge of resolving hemorrhages. They rarely have been reported in lymph nodes, thymoma, thyroid adenoma, and renal cell carcinoma. Curiously, published examples of G-G bodies in central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms or vascular malformations have not appeared, despite the known tendency for bleeding, even recurrent episodes of bleeding, in several types of these lesions. Since 1999 I have accrued all the examples of G-G bodies that I have observed in my practice of surgical neuropathology. These cases are presented here and the historical aspects of the entity are reviewed.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed1995

Axial skeletal changes in paralysed patients may mimic ankylosing spondylitis.

Patients with paralysis may develop radiographic changes in the axial skeleton and sacroiliac joints that resemble those seen in ankylosing spondylitis. These similarities can result in confusion when evaluating paralysed patients with back pain. We report on a patient with paralysis secondary to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who developed back pain, apparent sacroiliac joint fusion, and a 'bamboo spine', leading to the misdiagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. Serial radiographs of the bony changes in our patient are presented, along with a brief review of the literature on axial skeletal abnormalities in paralysis and a discussion of the subtle changes that distinguish immobilization spondyloarthropathy from ankylosing spondylitis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2003

Decrease in serum nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a prototype of a group of rheumatic diseases referred to as spondyloarthropathy. AS patients show marked ectopic ossification in the spine, occasionally resulting in so-called bamboo spine. Although a strong association with HLA-B27 has been reported, its aetiology remains undetermined. Another rheumatic disease, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL), demonstrates ectopic ossification of the spinal ligaments very similar to that of AS. Recently, nucleotide pyrophosphatase (NPPS) was implicated in the aetiology of OPLL: an Npps mutation was found to cause OPLL in mice, and an association between a polymorphism of the human NPPS gene and OPLL was identified. The clinical similarities between AS and OPLL led us to hypothesize that NPPS may also be implicated in the aetiology of AS. To elucidate the role of NPPS in the pathogenesis of AS, we examined serum NPPS activity and the possible association of the NPPS gene with AS. METHODS: Forty-four Japanese patients with AS, 43 patients with OPLL, and age- and sex-matched normal volunteers took part in this study. We determined serum NPPS activity using high-performance liquid chromatography and examined the association between AS and NPPS using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NPPS gene. RESULTS: Serum NPPS activity in AS patients was significantly decreased compared with the controls (P < 0.0001). However, there was no association between AS and NPPS gene SNPs. CONCLUSION: NPPS is implicated in the pathogenesis of AS.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Dyella koreensis sp. nov., a beta-glucosidase-producing bacterium.

A bacterial strain (designated BB4(T)), which has beta-glucosidase activity, was isolated from soil around the roots of bamboo plants. Cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile and straight-rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a clear affiliation with members of the family 'Xanthomonadaceae'. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain BB4(T) showed the following sequence similarities: 97.7% to Dyella japonica XD53(T), 97.1% to Frateuria aurantia LMG 1558(T), 96.2% to Fulvimonas soli LMG 19981(T), 94.3% to Rhodanobacter lindaniclasticus RP5575(T) and <90% to other members of the 'Gammaproteobacteria'. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.8 mol%. The major fatty acids were branched forms, especially large proportions of iso-C(15:0), iso-C(17:0) and iso-C(17:1)omega9c, similar to the profile of the genus Dyella. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization with D. japonica XD53(T) and Frateuria aurantia LMG 1558(T), in combination with phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, demonstrated that strain BB4(T) should be classified as a novel Dyella species. The name Dyella koreensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain BB4(T) (=KCTC 12359(T)=NBRC 100831(T)) as the type strain.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed2003

Mechanical phase diagram of shrinking cylindrical gels.

When polymer gels are subjected to an external stimulus such as temperature or solvent change, they undergo a phase transition often driving pattern formation. In this paper, we use an elastic model to investigate the linear stability of shrinking cylindrical NIPA gels. This model exhibits bubble and bamboo patterns. The wavelengths of these patterns and their phase diagram are in agreement with the experiment of Matsuo and Tanaka [Nature (London) 358, 482 (1992)].

Journal Article↗
PubMed1984

Deep Supercooling in Most Tissues of Wintering Sasa senanensis and Its Mechanism in Leaf Blade Tissues.

Cold hardiness of leaf blades, leaf sheaths, culms, rhizomes, and leaf buds in wintering Sasa senanensis (Fr. et Sav.) Rehder, a dwarf bamboo, was studied paying special attention to the types of resistance mechanisms which were determined with differential thermal analysis. Coincidence of LT(25) (lethal temperature at which 25% of the tissues are injured) with the initiation temperature of LTE (low temperature exotherm) suggested that all of these tissues described above owe their cold hardiness mechanism mostly to deep supercooling. Deep supercooling in leaf blades was also substantiated with microscopic observations, suggesting that the units of supercooling were minute tissues compartmentalized by longitudinal and cross veins. It was also shown that cooling rates and storage of shoots at -5 degrees C for 1 to 5 days in the ice-inoculated state did not greatly affect the supercooling ability of leaf blades. Sasa senanensis seemed to exhibit a unique strategy against prolonged subzero temperature, and its leaves would be a good system for the study on mechanisms of deep undercooling in plants.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Variation in Binding and Virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens Chromosomal Virulence (chv) Mutant Bacteria on Different Plant Species.

Chromosomal virulence (chv) mutants of Agrobacterium tumefaciens have been reported to be deficient in binding to cells of zinnia, tobacco, and bamboo. The mutants are nonpathogenic on stems of Kalanchoë, sunflower, tomato, Jerusalem artichoke, and tobacco, but they cause tumors on tubers of Solanum tuberosum. We used a root cap cell binding assay to test ability of cells from individual plants of 13 different plant species to bind parent or chv mutant bacteria. The same plants were then inoculated to test for disease response. Cells from nine of the plant species were grossly deficient in their abilities to bind mutant bacteria, and the plants inoculated with mutant bacteria failed to form tumors. In contrast, root cap cells as well as root hairs and root surfaces of S. tuberosum, S. okadae, and S. hougasii bound chv mutant bacteria as well as wild type. Nevertheless, S. tuberosum roots inoculated with mutant bacteria did not develop tumors. Although S. okadae plants inoculated with mutant bacteria formed a few tumors, and S. hougasii developed as many tumors in response to chv mutants as in response to the parent strain, the tumors induced by mutant bacteria were smaller.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Mucosal proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression of gastroduodenal lesions in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: The stomach and the duodenum are frequent sites of involvement by diminutive lesions in Crohn's disease (CD). AIM: To assess mucosal proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in gastroduodenal lesions of CD. METHODS: 13C-Urea breath test and upper endoscopy were performed in 29 CD patients and seven control subjects, and biopsy specimens were obtained from the gastric cardia and the duodenum. Histology and mucosal levels of IL-1beta, IL-8/CXCL8 and RANTES/CCL5 were assessed and compared according to the presence of gastric cardial lesion [bamboo joint-like appearance (BJA)] and duodenal lesion (notched appearance, aphthous erosion and polypoid lesion). In 11 CD patients, these procedures were repeatedly performed after administration of famotidine. RESULTS: H. pylori was less frequently positive in CD patients than in controls (10% vs. 71%, P = 0.003). Prevalence of cardial and duodenal lesion was significantly higher in CD than in controls (59% vs. 0%, P = 0.008 for gastric lesion; 45% vs. 0%, P = 0.034 for duodenal lesion). There were no differences in IL-1beta, IL-8 and RANTES between CD and controls. Duodenal mucosal IL-1beta and IL-8 were significantly higher in positive duodenal lesion than in negative duodenal lesion. However, there were no such differences with respect to cardial lesions. Endoscopic findings remained unchanged after administration of famotidine, while there was a trend towards decreases in IL-1beta and IL-8 in the gastric cardia. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenesis of diminutive lesions of CD may be different between the stomach and the duodenum. Famotidine may not have a therapeutic effect on duodenal lesion in CD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A Japanese infant with localized ichthyosis linearis circumflexa on the palms and soles harbouring a compound heterozygous mutation in the SPINK5 gene.

We report a 6-month-old Japanese boy showing ichthyosis linearis circumflexa localized on the palms and soles. He showed bamboo hairs and aminoaciduria, and was positive for cow's milk and egg IgE antibodies by radioallergosorbent tests. Trypsin-like hydrolytic activity in the patient's lesional stratum corneum showed an activity seven times higher than that in age-matched controls. DNA analysis showed that the patient harboured the compound heterozygous mutations R790X and 1220+1 G-->C in the SPINK5 gene, compatible with the diagnosis of Netherton syndrome (NS). As the genotype/phenotype correlations in NS have not yet been fully clarified, the position of the premature termination codon in the SPINK5 gene may contribute to explain such a mild form of NS in our patient.

Asian People↗
PubMed2005

Netherton syndrome in two Japanese siblings with a novel mutation in the SPINK5 gene: immunohistochemical studies of LEKTI and other epidermal molecules.

BACKGROUND: Netherton syndrome (NS) is a severe autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ichthyosiform erythroderma, bamboo hair and atopy. The disease is caused by mutations in the SPINK5 gene, which encodes a putative serine protease inhibitor, LEKTI (lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor). Previous studies have clearly shown a crucial role for LEKTI in skin barrier formation. OBJECTIVES: To identify pathogenic mutations in two Japanese siblings with NS, and further to investigate the consequences of the mutations at the protein level. METHODS: To screen for mutations in the SPINK5 gene, all of its exons and splice junctions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of LEKTI, desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and elafin was performed with their specific antibodies. RESULTS: Mutation analysis resulted in the identification of compound heterozygous mutations, Q713X and R790X, in the SPINK5 gene of both patients. The former one is a novel mutation. Immunohistochemical studies in one patient demonstrated a complete absence of LEKTI and a strong expression of elafin in the patient's skin. Dsg1 was normally expressed in our patient. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, we describe compound heterozygous mutations in the SPINK5 gene in two Japanese siblings with NS. The result of immunohistochemistry shows LEKTI deficiency and upregulation of elafin in the skin of one patient. Furthermore, our data indicate that degradation of Dsg1 does not always occur in NS.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed1989

The faecal flora of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

The faecal floras of two adult (male and female) and one infant (male) giant panda kept at the Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, Japan were examined and shown to be quite different from those of other animals. The predominant bacteria in the adults were Streptococcus (including Enterococcus) and Enterobacteriaceae, while obligate anaerobes had minor populations. Fastidious anaerobes were not detected. The predominant bacteria in the suckling infant were Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, followed by Bifidobacterium. After the infant began to eat bamboo leaves the number of Lactobacillus decreased and Bifidobacterium became undetectable, whereas Enterobacteriaceae became one of the most predominant flora. The most dominant streptococcus isolated from the female panda was identified as Streptococcus bovis, but those from the male adult and the weaned infant were not identified as any known species.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Heterogeneous genetic structure in a Fagus crenata population in an old-growth beech forest revealed by microsatellite markers.

The within-population genetic structure of Fagus crenata in a 4-ha plot (200 x 200 m) of an old-growth beech forest was analysed using microsatellite markers. To assess the genetic structure, Moran's I spatial autocorrelation coefficient was calculated. Correlograms of Moran's I showed significant positive values less than 0.100 for short-distance classes, indicating weak genetic structure. The genetic structure within the population is created by limited seed dispersal, and is probably weakened by overlapping seed shadow, secondary seed dispersal, extensive pollen flow and the thinning process. Genetic structure was detected in a western subplot of 50 x 200 m with immature soils and almost no dwarf bamboos (Sasa spp.), where small and intermediate-sized individuals were distributed in aggregations with high density because of successful regeneration. By contrast, genetic structure was not found in an eastern subplot of the same size with mature soils and Sasa cover, where successful regeneration was prevented, and the density of the small and intermediate-sized individuals was low. Moreover, genetic structure of individuals in a small-size class (diameter at breast height < 12 cm) was more obvious than in a large-size class (diameter at breast height >/= 12 cm). The apparent genetic structure detected in the 4-ha plot was therefore probably the result of the structure in the western portion of the plot and in small and intermediate-sized individuals that successfully regenerated under the favourable environment. The heterogeneity in genetic structure presumably reflects variation in the density that should be affected by differences in regeneration dynamics associated with heterogeneity in environmental conditions.

Demography↗
PubMed2006

Implications of the functional anatomy of the hand and forearm of Ailurus fulgens (Carnivora, Ailuridae) for the evolution of the 'false-thumb' in pandas.

Both the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) possess a 'false-thumb', actually an enlarged radial sesamoid bone, which contributes to the gripping action of the hand. These species are not closely related, however, as one is an ursid and the other an ailurid, so the fact that they share this adaptation implies a remarkable convergence. We studied the functional anatomy of this structure in the red panda, comparing it with existing descriptions of the grasping mechanism in both pandas. Previous interpretations of the radial sesamoid in Ailurus as a rod-like structure without direct articulation to the wrist bones are inaccurate. There are various important differences between the red panda and the giant panda. In the former, the lesser development of the radial sesamoid, its connection with the flexor retinaculum, the presence of an insertion of the muscle abductor pollicis longus in the first metacarpal, which enhances its supinatory action, and the presence of a muscle flexor brevis digitorum manus point to thin-branch climbing features serving as an exaptation to the more recent role of the red panda hand in the manipulation of bamboo.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evolution of unisexual flowers in grasses (Poaceae) and the putative sex-determination gene, TASSELSEED2 (TS2).

Unisexuality has evolved repeatedly in flowering plants, but its genetic control is not understood in most cases. In maize (Zea mays), unisexual flower development is regulated by a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase protein, TASSELSEED2 (TS2), but its role in other grass lineages is unknown. TS2 was cloned and sequenced from a broad range of grasses and compared to available sequences from other flowering plants using phylogenetic analysis and tests for selection. Gene expression was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. TS2 orthologs appear to be restricted to monocots. The TS2 protein sequence was found to be generally under purifying selection in bisexual and unisexual lineages alike. Only one site, in unisexual herbaceous bamboos, is potentially under positive selection. TS2 was expressed broadly in all sampled tissues of unisexual and bisexual grasses, and was also expressed in rice flowers in floral organs that do not abort. TS2 may have a more general developmental role in most grasses than programmed cell death of the developing gynoecium, but has been co-opted to this role within a subset of Poaceae, probably as a result of alterations in the activity or regulation of other genes in the gynoecial pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of electrolysed oxidizing water in inactivating Vibrio parahaemolyticus on kitchen cutting boards and food contact surfaces.

AIM: To determine the efficacy of electrolysed oxidizing (EO) water in inactivating Vibrio parahaemolyticus on kitchen cutting boards and food contact surfaces. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cutting boards (bamboo, wood and plastic) and food contact surfaces (stainless steel and glazed ceramic tile) were inoculated with V. parahaemolyticus. Viable cells of V. parahaemolyticus were detected on all cutting boards and food contact surfaces after 10 and 30 min, respectively, at room temperatures. Soaking inoculated food contact surfaces and cutting boards in distilled water for 1 and 3 min, respectively, resulted in various reductions of V. parahaemolyticus, but failed to remove the organism completely from surfaces. However, the treatment of EO water [pH 2.7, chlorine 40 ppm, oxidation-reduction potential 1151 mV] for 30, 45, and 60 s, completely inactivated V. parahaemolyticus on stainless steel, ceramic tile, and plastic cutting boards, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EO water could be used as a disinfecting agent for inactivating V. parahaemolyticus on plastic and wood cutting boards and food contact surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Rinsing the food contact surfaces with EO water or soaking cutting boards in EO water for up to 5 min could be a simple strategy to reduce cross-contamination of V. parahaemolyticus during food preparation.

Ceramics↗