Degradation of the persistent organic pollutant [14C]heptachlor in Japanese field soils.

The fate of [(14)C]heptachlor in Saitama soil and the degradation of [(14)C]heptachlor in four Japanese field soils over 112 d after application were investigated. Heptachlor was degraded mainly to cis-heptachlor epoxide by a biotic process and to 1-hydroxychlordene by an abiotic process in the field soils. Volatilization of heptachlor and cis-heptachlor epoxide from the soil was observed over the experimental period. The amount of 1-hydroxychlordene produced in the soils appeared to be related to the soil water contents. Because heptachlor and heptachlor epoxides are predicted to volatilize to the atmosphere and to persist in soils, these compounds are thought to spread among Japanese environmental compartments even after a ban on their use.

Bioconcentration and biotransformation of [¹4C]methoxychlor in the brackish water bivalve Corbicula japonica.

To obtain basic information on the metabolic fate of xenobiotics in the brackish water, bivalve Corbicula japonica, bioconcentration and biotransformation experiments were performed using methoxychlor (MXC) as a model compound. Bivalves were exposed to [ring-U-¹4C]MXC (10 µg L⁻¹) for 28 days under semi-static conditions followed by a 14-day depuration phase. The ¹4C concentration in the bivalves rapidly increased and reached a steady state after exposure for 7 days (BCFss = 2010); however, it rapidly decreased with a half-life of 2.2 days in the depuration phase. Mono- and bis-demethylated MXC, and their corresponding sulphate conjugates, were identified as minor metabolites. No glycoside conjugates (including glucuronide and glucoside) were detected. Despite this biotransformation system, bivalves were found to excrete retained MXC mostly unchanged although its relatively hydrophobic nature.

Hochuekkito, a Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal) Medicine, Enhances Mucosal IgA Antibody Response in Mice Immunized with Antigen-entrapped Biodegradable Microparticles.

The effect of oral administration of Hochuekkito (HET; Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang in Chinese), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, on mucosal IgA immune response was investigated. To induce the antigen-specific antibodies in mucosal site, ovalbumin (OVA)-entrapped biodegradable microparticles (OVA-microparticles) were used as an antigen. Mice were orally immunized with OVA-microparticles for 3 successive days with intragastric gavage. From 7 days after the onset of immunization, the mice were boosted twice a week with the same antigen for 2 weeks. HET or water alone was orally administered to the mice via the intragastric route from 7 days before to 27 days after the onset of immunization. Although no significant change in total secretory IgA antibody level was observed in intestinal and nasal washes, OVA-specific IgA titers in intestinal washes were significantly enhanced by oral administration of HET. When lymphocytes from spleen, peripheral blood and Payer's patches were investigated for cytokines production, it was found that the IFN-γ secretion from the lymphocytes was increased by the administration of HET. Microarray analysis of Peyer's patch cells revealed enhanced expression of L-selectin gene. The increase of L-selectin positive cells in B lymphocytes fraction was observed in Peyer's patch cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. These results suggest that the enhanced IFN-γ secretion and increased population of L-selectin positive B lymphocytes by orally administered HET may partly contribute to enhancement of IgA immune response against intestinal antigens, and orally administered HET may strengthen defensive systems against various pathogens and food antigens in intestine.

Magnaporthe oryzae chrysovirus 1 strain D confers growth inhibition to the host fungus and exhibits multiform viral structural proteins.

A Japanese isolate of Magnaporthe oryzae is infected by Magnaporthe oryzae chrysovirus 1-D (MoCV1-D), which is classified in cluster II of the family Chrysoviridae. The genome of MoCV1-D consists of five dsRNAs. dsRNAs 1-4 show high identity with those of related MoCV1 viruses, whereas dsRNA5 shows relatively low identity and is sometimes deleted during virus propagation. MoCV1-D causes growth inhibition of its host fungus, and the protein encoded by its dsRNA4 impairs cell growth when expressed in yeast cells. It also causes abnormal pigmentation and colony albinization, and we showed that these phenotypes are associated with reduced accumulation of the melanin biosynthesis intermediate scylatone. MoCV1-D exhibits multiform viral structural proteins during prolonged culture. The original host isolate is co-infected with MoCV1-D, a victorivirus, and a partitivirus, and these mycoviruses are detected in cell-free supernatant fractions after prolonged liquid culturing. Hyphal fusion experiments demonstrated that MoCV1-D is transmissible via anastomosis.

Differences in concentrations of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA in shoots and roots of Zea mays.

We measured the concentrations of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA in shoots and roots of corn (Zea mays, L., cv. "Peter Corn"). Acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA concentrations were found to be relatively constant in shoots and in roots under a light-dark cycle. Acetyl-CoA concentrations were lower in shoots than in roots, whereas malonyl-CoA concentrations were higher in shoots than in roots.

Bioaccumulation and metabolism of [14C]bisphenol A in the brackish water bivalve Corbicula japonica.

The brackish water bivalve mollusk Corbicula japonica was exposed to brackish water containing approximately 9 microg/l [(14)C]bisphenol A (BPA) for 168 h (the uptake phase), and subsequently transferred to clean brackish water for 144 h (the depuration phase) under semi-static conditions. Mono and disulfate conjugates of BPA were detected in the bivalves as major metabolites. At the end of the uptake phase, the visceral mass contained the highest (14)C-concentration, and the monosulfate conjugate of BPA was a major metabolite in the visceral mass. These data suggest that the visceral mass is the major tissue/organ to take up and metabolize BPA in these bivalves. The BPA concentration in the bivalves readily reached steady state during the uptake phase and immediately decreased in the depuration phase. The accumulation and elimination rates of the mono and disulfate conjugates of BPA were slower than those of BPA.

Root uptake and translocation of 14C-heptachlor and its degradation products in soil by zucchini and tomato seedlings.

To investigate root uptake and translocation of heptachlor and its degradates (cis-heptachlor epoxide and 1-hydroxychlordene) in soil, zucchini and tomato seedlings were transplanted to soil approximately four months after treatment with 14C-heptachlor. The results indicated that a relation between the root concentration factor and the log P ow did not follow Briggs' theory, probably due to the contribution of plant metabolism. It also appeared that a compound with a lower log P ow tends to show higher mobility from root to shoot.

Common neural processing regions for dynamic and static stereopsis in human parieto-occipital cortices.

We performed functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the neural processing regions in the parieto-occipital cortices for human dynamic and static stereopsis. The subjects were ten ophthalmologists professionally trained to do microscopic surgery. Visual stimuli for dynamic or static stereopsis were performed with solid stereograms displayed in the image guides of a binocular visual stimulation device that we developed. The dorsal occipital portion and the superior parietal lobule (i.e. dorsal parieto-occipital portion) were activated not only in static stereopsis, but also in dynamic stereopsis. The activation showed a right hemispherical dominancy. On the other hand, the temporo-occipital junction (i.e. human MT (middle temporal area) / MST (medial superior temporal area) complex) was activated in dynamic stereopsis. This demonstrates that the dorsal parieto-occipital portion is a common neural processing region for dynamic and static stereopsis.

Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of extraocular muscle path shift and posterior eyeball prolapse from the muscle cone in acquired esotropia with high myopia.

PURPOSE: To investigate extraocular muscle (EOM) path shift and prolapse of posterior eyeball from muscle cone in acquired esotropia with high myopia (AEHM), using magnetic resonance imaging. DESIGN: A case-control study. METHODS: There were 16 eyes with AEHM, 11 with high myopia (HM), 12 with moderate myopia (MM), and 11 control eyes. Extraocular muscle shift was evaluated by measuring angles formed by the line connecting orbital centroids and the line connecting each orbital centroid and each EOM centroid. The ratio of the prolapse in the posterior eyeball from the muscle cone was also measured. RESULTS: Both inferior shift of lateral rectus (LR) and nasal shift of superior rectus (SR) muscle were observed in the AEHM group, compared with HM, MM, and control groups. Neither shifted significantly in the HM group compared with control group. The prolapse ratio in AEHM group was higher than in the HM, MM, and control groups. Greater EOM shifts and eyeball prolapse were observed when the AEHM was more severe, as in esotropia fixus. CONCLUSIONS: In AEHM, a prolapsing eyeball shifts LR inferiorly and SR nasally; these findings were not observed in high myopia with neither ocular deviation nor restriction. These shifts reduce abduction and supraduction and increase infraduction and adduction in AEHM. The shifts would be predicted to create a hypoesodeviation, which is a common finding in AEHM. Both EOM shifts and superotemporal eyeball prolapse tend to be greater in esotropia fixus.

Quantitative evaluation of ocular motility in blow-out fractures for selection of nonsurgically managed cases.

PURPOSE: To clarify in which cases of blow-out fractures ocular motility will naturally recover. DESIGN: A retrospective review of observational cases. METHODS: Involved ocular motility ranges were measured by the Hess screen test at 15 or 30 degrees in 23 nonsurgical blow-out fracture patients without muscle entrapment or strong mechanical ocular restriction and in eight surgical patients with the above. RESULTS: In nonsurgical patients, the eyes moved more than 10 or 20 degrees respectively on a 15- or 30-degree Hess screen test in the early period, whereas in the surgical patients, the eyes did not. No nonsurgical patients had serious ocular motility disturbances; however, natural ocular motility recovery in many patients took more than 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: When an involved eye without muscle entrapment or strong mechanical restrictions moves more than 10 or 20 degrees on each Hess chart, natural recovery can be expected.

Phycocyanin enhances secretary IgA antibody response and suppresses allergic IgE antibody response in mice immunized with antigen-entrapped biodegradable microparticles.

In the present study, we have investigated the effects of phycocyanin, a biliprotein of Spirulina platensis, on mucosal and systemic immune responses and allergic inflammation in C3H/HeN and BALB/cA mice. To induce the antigen-specific antibodies in the peripheral lymphoid tissues such as Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, biodegradable ovalbumin-entrapped poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) particles were used as an antigen. Two weeks after the onset of phycocyanin ingestion, mice were immunized with an aqueous ovalbumin (OVA) solution. Starting at one week after the primary immunization, the mice were subjected to oral immunization with the biodegradable OVA microparticles twice a week. IgA, IgE and IgG1 antibodies were determined by ELISA. The OVA microparticles of 4-microm diameter successfully induced antigen-specific antibodies. In the mice that received phycocyanin treatment for 6 wk, a marked increase in the antigen-specific, as well as the total, IgA antibody level was observed in the Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and intestinal mucosa as well as in the spleen cells. Both antigen-specific IgG1 and IgE antibody levels in the serum were suppressed by ingestion of phycocyanin for 8 wk. However, inflammation of the small intestine, monitored as vascular permeability by the Evans blue-leaking method was reduced by phycocyanin at 6 wk, which preceded the suppression of antigen-specific IgG1 and IgE antibody production by 2 wk. These results suggest that phycocyanin enhances biological defense activity against infectious diseases through sustaining functions of the mucosal immune system and reduces allergic inflammation by the suppression of antigen-specific IgE antibody.

A muscle transposition procedure for abducens palsy, in which the halves of the vertical rectus muscle bellies are sutured onto the sclera.

PURPOSE: To review the results of a muscle transposition procedure in which the halves of the vertical rectus muscle bellies are sutured onto the sclera, without tenotomy of vertical recti as in Hummelsheim's procedure or surgical treatment of the lateral rectus (LR) as in Jensen's procedure. METHODS: Ten patients with abducens palsy received the procedure. We measured the ocular deviation and the field of single binocular vision, and observed the LR using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Preoperative or postoperative deviation was distributed from +27 to +58 prism diopters (PD) or orthophoria to +12 PD, respectively, in 7 patients with unilateral paresis, and +75 to +120 PD or +2 to +37 PD in 3 patients with bilateral paresis. The average correction was 42.4 PD per eye. Seven patients were able to regain the field of single binocular vision at least in the primary position. No postoperative complications were observed. MRI showed that the LR was atrophic and floppy, lacking muscle tension. CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure enabled the patients to obtain satisfactory postoperative results without treatment of the LR or tenotomy of the transposed muscles. This procedure can reduce operative damage to the eye more than Hummelsheim's or Jensen's procedure.

Flow cytometric analysis of age-related changes in intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte subsets and their functional preservation after feeding mice on spirulina.

We investigated age-related changes in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) subsets in mice by flow cytometric analysis and their functional preservation as affected by feeding Spirulina, a cyanobacterium that is known to possess various therapeutic effects, including immune modulation activity. The number of cells possessing the leukocyte-common antigen CD45(+) cells in mice (43 weeks old) of the aged group, used as a representative marker for IELs, was significantly lower than that of adult mice (5 weeks old). Either the proportion or the number of CD45(+)CD8(+) cells of the aged mice was significantly lower than that of adult mice, corresponding to previous reports. Proportions and numbers of CD4(+)CD8(+) cells in aged mice, on the other hand, were higher than those in adult mice. Increased or decreased levels of the cell surface antigens observed in the aged mice tended to be restored in aged mice fed Spirulina (aged-SP group), which ingested a hot water extract of Spirulina (SpHW). In fact, the proportions of CD45(+)CD8(+) cells and CD45(+)TCRgammadelta(+) cells in the aged-SP group significantly increased in comparison to the control aged group, which ingested ordinary chow and water ad libitum. These results suggest that ingestion of SpHW in the aged-SP group may contribute to the functional preservation of the intestinal epithelium as a first line of mucosal barrier against infectious agents through retaining the number of certain IELs. Changes in the number of other IEL subsets and blood cells are also discussed.

Determination of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA in germinating rice seeds using the LC-MS/MS technique.

A highly sensitive and selective analytical method was developed to determine levels of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA in plant tissues. The analytical method includes a convenient extraction method for plant samples and a new LC-MS/MS technique utilizing an ion pair reagent. These acyl-CoAs, present in germinating rice seeds, were then determined by the method developed. It was found that the concentrations of both acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA increased with time during the germination of rice seeds and also increased at the elevated cultivation temperatures among tested. These results reflect the development of enzymes that produce these acyl-CoAs in germinating rice seeds.

Significance of orbital fatty tissue for exophthalmos in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: To correlate exophthalmos with the volume of extraocular muscle and orbital fatty tissue in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), using MRI that enables the orbital soft tissues to be well defined. METHODS: Thirty-three orbits, 20 from 10 patients with TAO and 13 from 13 controls, were employed. T1-weighted orbital MR slices 2 or 3 mm thick were obtained in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. Tracing the outlines of each structure, we measured the total sectional areas. Volumes of the extraocular muscle, of the fatty tissue and of the bony orbital cavity were calculated by multiplying the slice thickness. Exophthalmos was also measured using axial MRI. RESULTS: In TAO the volume increment of orbital fatty tissue (6.19 cm(3)) was much greater than that of extraocular muscle (1.16 cm(3)). Increase of exophthalmos by 1 mm needed a total orbital volume increment of 0.92 cm(3). The total orbital fatty tissue volume (correlation coefficient 0.70, P=0.06%) and the anterior orbital fatty tissue volume (0.64, P=0.23%) were more closely correlated with the degree of exophthalmos than was extraocular muscle volume (0.58, P=0.8%). Moreover, the volume increment of extraocular muscle and orbital fatty tissue was not always proportional. CONCLUSION: The results show that the orbital fatty tissue involvement is closely related to the degree of exophthalmos. For studying exophthalmos in TAO, the volumetric change, not only in ocular muscles, but also in orbital fatty tissue, should be taken into consideration.