Programmed death-1 ligands and tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes in primary and lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer patients.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is administered to many patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) prior to surgery, but it is also true that some of these patients demonstrated no response to the therapy following surgery. In addition, the prognosis of advanced case such as ESCC patients with lymph node metastasis has remained relatively low. Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in conjunction with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been studied as a potential mechanism of "immune escape" in several human malignancies. Therefore, in this study, we studied PD-L1 status in carcinoma cells and forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) and CD8 status among TILs in the residual tumors of primary and metastatic sites following NAC. We also studied the association of these factors with the clinicopathological findings in 44 patients with ESCC harboring lymph node metastasis. There was discordance in the pathological response to chemotherapy between the primary tumor and lymph node metastasis, and histologically identified resistance to NAC in lymph node metastases tended to be correlated with an adverse clinical outcome (P = 0.0765) than resistance in the primary tumor. Both univariate and multivariate analyses for disease-specific survival (DSS) revealed that the PD-L1 status of carcinoma cells in metastatic lymph nodes and a higher FOXP3/CD8 ratio in the primary tumor were both significantly correlated with an eventual adverse clinical outcome of the patients (P = 0.0178, P = 0.0463, respectively). These results all indicated that the PD-L1 status of carcinoma cells in metastatic lymph nodes and the FOXP3/CD8 ratio in primary tumors could predict eventual clinical outcomes in ESCC patients with NAC.

Investigation of antibody to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in blood samples donated in a SFTS-endemic area in Japan.

The risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a concern because person-to-person transmission resulting from contact with SFTSV-contaminated blood has been reported. To obtain information regarding the risk of TTI-SFTSV, antibody testing was performed for blood samples donated in an severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome-endemic area in Japan. No antibody-positive samples were detected among 3990 samples. This finding suggested that there were few cases of SFTSV infection among donors and that the risk of TTI-SFTSV was also estimated low in Japan.

Chemical properties of commercially available honey species and the functional properties of caramelization and Maillard reaction products derived from these honey species.

The chemical parameters and the functionalities of six monofloral honeys of different botanical and geographical origins were investigated. Vitamins B1, B2, and C and the protein content of majority of honeys were distinguishable from general honey. Honeys not only were rich in a variety of functional components like flavonoids but also had strong anti-oxidant activities, scavenging activities against ROS, and anti-hypertensive and anti-allergic activities. Honeys were heated at 100 °C for 24 h and their browning intensity during heating process was observed to vary with botanical origin. The functional properties of caramelization and maillard reaction (MR) products derived from honeys during heating were evaluated. The browning of honeys progressed regardless of honey species. Anti-oxidant activities and scavenging activities against superoxide and DPPH radicals of products drastically increased, but ACE and hyaluronidase activities gradually decreased with passage of heating time. It concluded that the products, mainly melanoidins, produced simultaneously to browning process in caramelization and MR contributed to the expression of its useful function.

Risk assessment of medically assisted reproduction and advanced maternal ages in the development of Prader-Willi syndrome due to UPD(15)mat.

Recent studies have suggested that disomic oocyte-mediated uniparental disomy 15 (UPD(15)mat) is increased in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) born after medically assisted reproduction (MAR). However, it remains unknown whether the increase is primarily due to MAR procedure itself or advanced maternal childbearing ages as a predisposing factor for the disomic oocyte production. To examine this matter, we studied 122 naturally conceived PWS patients (PWS-NC group) and 13 MAR-conceived patients (PWS-MAR group). The relative frequency of disomic oocyte-mediated UPD(15)mat was significantly higher in PWS-MAR group than in PWS-NC group (7/13 vs 20/122, p = 0.0045), and the maternal childbearing ages were significantly higher in PWS-MAR group than in PWS-NC group [median (range), 38 (26-45) vs 30 (19-42), p = 0.0015]. However, the logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association between the occurrence of disomic oocyte-mediated UPD(15)mat and MAR, after adjusting for childbearing age (p = 0.25). Consistent with this, while the frequency of assisted reproductive technology (ART)-conceived livebirths was higher in the PWS patients than in the Japanese general population (6.4% vs 1.1%, p = 0.00018), the distribution of childbearing ages was significantly skewed to the increased ages in the PWS patients (p < 2.2 × 10(-16) ). These results argue against a positive association of MAR procedure itself with the development of UPD(15)mat.

Delineation of clinical features in Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome caused by KMT2A mutations.

Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome (WSS) is an autosomal dominant congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by hairy elbows, dysmorphic facial appearances (hypertelorism, thick eyebrows, downslanted and vertically narrow palpebral fissures), pre- and post-natal growth deficiency, and psychomotor delay. WSS is caused by heterozygous mutations in KMT2A (also known as MLL), a gene encoding a histone methyltransferase. Here, we identify six novel KMT2A mutations in six WSS patients, with four mutations occurring de novo. Interestingly, some of the patients were initially diagnosed with atypical Kabuki syndrome, which is caused by mutations in KMT2D or KDM6A, genes also involved in histone methylation. KMT2A mutations and clinical features are summarized in our six patients together with eight previously reported patients. Furthermore, clinical comparison of the two syndromes is discussed in detail.

Post-Fukushima radiation education for public health nursing students: a case study.

BACKGROUND: The recent Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident was one of more than 200 serious nuclear/radiation incidents (accidents and disasters) that occurred worldwide since 1945. The current Fukushima disaster is in the recovery phase with the decreasing levels of radiation in the environment. However, fears and stigma related to the perceived risk of radiation exposure persist among the general population. INTRODUCTION: To improve on students' preparedness for social and public health challenges after a radiation incidence, radiation education was provided for undergraduate public health nursing students. AIM: This case study reports the development and implementation of the first class of radiation education in public health nursing, as well as students' reflections on their class experience. METHODS: We included a 90-min radiation class in an undergraduate public health nursing course in Tokyo, Japan. Lectures/discussion on technical and environmental aspects provided the minimally essential content for basic radiation knowledge. After class, all the 65 students were invited to freely write their reflections on the class. With their consent, 61 students' anonymous written accounts were qualitatively analysed. RESULTS: Five themes emerged: awareness of ignorance about radiation, problems produced by the mass media, becoming knowledgeable about radiation, public health nurses' role, and trustful and enjoyable lecture. DISCUSSION: The class inspired students to consider social, psychological and relational aspects of knowing and not knowing about radiation and their future professional role. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Once radiation is taught at school, nursing students will emerge as professionals with the belief that radiation is within their professional purview. Education is key to disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery. Given the ubiquitous nature of health challenges after a radiation incident, radiation education is indispensable for nursing students worldwide.

Direct heating of a laser-imploded core by ultraintense laser-driven ions.

A novel direct core heating fusion process is introduced, in which a preimploded core is predominantly heated by energetic ions driven by LFEX, an extremely energetic ultrashort pulse laser. Consequently, we have observed the D(d,n)^{3}He-reacted neutrons (DD beam-fusion neutrons) with the yield of 5×10^{8} n/4π sr. Examination of the beam-fusion neutrons verified that the ions directly collide with the core plasma. While the hot electrons heat the whole core volume, the energetic ions deposit their energies locally in the core, forming hot spots for fuel ignition. As evidenced in the spectrum, the process simultaneously excited thermal neutrons with the yield of 6×10^{7} n/4π sr, raising the local core temperature from 0.8 to 1.8 keV. A one-dimensional hydrocode STAR 1D explains the shell implosion dynamics including the beam fusion and thermal fusion initiated by fast deuterons and carbon ions. A two-dimensional collisional particle-in-cell code predicts the core heating due to resistive processes driven by hot electrons, and also the generation of fast ions, which could be an additional heating source when they reach the core. Since the core density is limited to 2 g/cm^{3} in the current experiment, neither hot electrons nor fast ions can efficiently deposit their energy and the neutron yield remains low. In future work, we will achieve the higher core density (>10 g/cm^{3}); then hot electrons could contribute more to the core heating via drag heating. Together with hot electrons, the ion contribution to fast ignition is indispensable for realizing high-gain fusion. By virtue of its core heating and ignition, the proposed scheme can potentially achieve high gain fusion.

Development and external validation of a nomogram for overall survival after curative resection in serosa-negative, locally advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Few nomograms can predict overall survival (OS) after curative resection of advanced gastric cancer (AGC), and these nomograms were developed using data from only a few large centers over a long time period. The aim of this study was to develop and externally validate an elaborative nomogram that predicts 5-year OS after curative resection for serosa-negative, locally AGC using a large amount of data from multiple centers in Japan over a short time period (2001-2003). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 39 859 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer between 2001 and 2003 at multiple centers in Japan, we retrospectively analyzed 5196 patients with serosa-negative AGC who underwent Resection A according to the 13th Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma. The data of 3085 patients who underwent surgery from 2001 to 2002 were used as a training set for the construction of a nomogram and Web software. The data of 2111 patients who underwent surgery in 2003 were used as an external validation set. RESULTS: Age at operation, gender, tumor size and location, macroscopic type, histological type, depth of invasion, number of positive and examined lymph nodes, and lymphovascular invasion, but not the extent of lymphadenectomy, were associated with OS. Discrimination of the developed nomogram was superior to that of the TNM classification (concordance indices of 0.68 versus 0.61; P < 0.001). Moreover, calibration was accurate. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed and externally validated an elaborative nomogram that predicts the 5-year OS of postoperative serosa-negative AGC. This nomogram would be helpful in the assessment of individual risks and in the consideration of additional therapy in clinical practice, and we have created freely available Web software to more easily and quickly predict OS and to draw a survival curve for these purposes.

Forensic identification using multiple lot numbers of an implanted device.

We report a case in which identification of a deceased individual was established using multiple lot numbers printed on a body implantable device. Autopsy of an unknown woman revealed an intramedullary nail inserted within her right femur. The device manufacturer was identified from the configuration of the intramedullary nail, and the "use history" was traced from lot numbers printed on the device's multiple parts. The deceased individual was thus identified as a woman who had attempted suicide by jumping from a height about a year previously and had been transported to a hospital and undergone surgery that included implantation of the intramedullary nail. The main factor contributing to the rapid identification was the manufacturer's and distributor's record of the use history (traceability) of the product, because of their accountability for purposes of quality control. A second contributing factor was multiple lot numbers, resulting in extremely low probability of the same combination of lot numbers being present in multiple individuals. This case confirmed the utility of multiple lot numbers of body implantable devices in forensic identification.

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the SH2D1A intronic region with systemic lupus erythematosus.

SH2D1A, also known as signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP), is an adaptor protein. Recently, it was reported that SAP deficient mice were protected from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we postulated SH2D1A gene to be a candidate susceptibility gene for SLE and analyzed its association with SLE. A case-control association study was conducted on 5 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SH2D1A region in 506 Japanese female SLE patients and 330 healthy female controls. The luciferase assay was performed to determine the functional role of the SNP associated with SLE. One SNP in the intron 2, rs2049995, showed association with SLE (p=0.0110, odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-3.34, under the dominant model). The association of rs2049995 seemed to be stronger in the subset with the age of onset less than 20 years (p=0.0067, OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.28-5.46). Functional evaluation of rs2049995 showed that reporter gene activity was increased 1.9-fold for the susceptible allele compared with the resistant allele. An intronic SNP of SH2D1A is associated with SLE.

Association of Chr17q25 with cerebral white matter hyperintensities and cognitive impairment: the J-SHIPP study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A recent genome-wide association study has successfully identified several genetic variations in the Chr17q25 locus as susceptible genotypes for white matter hyperintensities. We report the first replication study in subjects of non-European origin. We also investigated possible associations with other asymptomatic cerebrovascular diseases and cognitive function. METHODS: Study subjects were 1190 general Japanese persons (66.0 ± 8.9 years old). Asymptomatic cerebrovascular damage, including lacunar infarctions, microbleeds, periventricular hyperintensity and deep and subcortical white matter hyperintensity (DSWMH), was evaluated by brain magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: A polymorphism rs3744028 was significantly associated with DSWMH grade (P = 0.015) but not periventricular hyperintensity, lacunar infarction, and microbleeds. Although age, hypertension, insulin resistance, B-type natriuretic peptide, and carotid atherosclerosis were also correlated with DSWMH, association of the genotype was independent of these environmental risk factors. In contrast, the risk allele had a protective effect against reduced cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Susceptibility of the 17q25 locus may be conserved beyond ethnic differences. Genetic variants may have bipolar effects on brain histological and functional changes.

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics, Ovarian Follicular Growth, Oocyte Yield, In vitro Embryo Production and Repeated Oocyte Pick Up in Thai Native Heifers Undergoing Superstimulation.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the protocols for superstimulation of follicular growth in Thai native heifers. Heifers (n = 20) were randomly divided into four groups of five heifers/group. Heifers were given a single dose by i.m. administration of 100 mg Follicle Stimulating Hormone dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (FSHp) at 24 h. Ovum pick up (OPU) occurred at 72 h (F24O72 protocol; Group 1) or 96 h (F24O96 protocol; Group 2), and at 36 h and OPU at 72 h (F36O72 protocol; Group 3) or 96 h (F36O96 protocol; Group 4) after follicular ablation. The dynamics of ovarian follicular growth were monitored by twice-daily ultrasonographic examinations. Blood sample collections were performed every 12 h after initiation of treatment for assessment of FSH, E2 and P4 profiles. All heifers were subjected to eight repeated sequential sessions of OPU. The follicular deviation commenced 24±5.32 h after follicular ablation in all groups. The circulatory FSH surged quickly from 24 to 36 h (>0.8 ng/ml) after follicular ablation and circulatory estrogen levels steadily increased from 36 h until OPU in all groups. At the end of the OPU sessions, the mean number of aspirated follicles/heifer/session in F36O72 protocol (Group 3) and F36O96 protocol (Group 4) were higher than in the two other groups (p<0.05). The number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), cleaved and day 8 blastocysts rates in the F36O72 protocol (Group 3) were higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). It can be concluded that a single dose i.m. administration of 100 mg FSHp at 36 h and OPU at 72 h after follicular ablation (F36O72 protocol; Group 3) was the most effective protocol for superstimulation of follicular growth for repeated OPU and subsequent in vitro embryo production in Thai native heifers.

Neutron resonance absorption imaging of simulated high-level radioactive waste in borosilicate glass.

We performed a preliminary study of neutron resonance absorption imaging to investigate the spatial distribution of constituent elements in borosilicate glasses containing simulated high-level radioactive waste, in which elemental inhomogeneities affect the physical and chemical stabilities of the glass. Dips generated by the resonance absorptions of Rh, Pd, Na, Gd, Cs, and Sm were observed in the neutron transmission spectra of the glass samples. The spatial distributions of these elements were obtained from the neutron transmission images at the resonance energies. The distributions of Rh and Pd visualized the sedimentation of these platinum group elements. In contrast, the lanthanides (Gd and Sm) and Cs were uniformly dispersed. These results show that neutron resonance absorption imaging is a promising tool for characterizing borosilicate glasses and investigating the vitrification mechanism of high-level radioactive waste.

Activation of JNK and high expression level of CD133 predict a poor response to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. While sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor targeting the Raf/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway, has been shown recently to provide a survival advantage to patients with advanced HCC, a predictive biomarker has not been developed. We studied whether c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which promotes liver carcinogenesis in mice, affects therapeutic response to sorafenib in HCC patients. METHODS: We collected pathological specimens from 39 patients with advanced HCC before starting sorafenib treatment, and measured JNK activity in HCCs. RESULTS: In patients treated with sorafenib, the expression of phospho-c-Jun in HCC, as a read out of JNK activity, was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the non-responder group than in the responder group. c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in HCC was associated with a decreased time to progression and a poor overall survival (P=0.0028 and P=0.0008, respectively). CONCLUSION: In addition, JNK activity was significantly correlated with CD133 expression level. Correspondingly, high expression level of CD133 was linked to a poor response to sorafenib. Furthermore, D-JNKi, a specific JNK inhibitor, reduced the growth of xenografted CD133(+) cells in athymic mice. In conclusion, JNK activation was positively correlated with CD133 expression level and inversely correlated with the therapeutic response to sorafenib, suggesting that JNK activity may be considered as a new predictive biomarker for response to sorafenib treatment.

Functional folate receptor beta-expressing macrophages in osteoarthritis synovium and their M1/M2 expression profiles.

OBJECTIVE: The distribution of folate receptor (FR)-ß+ macrophages and their M1/M2 expression profiles were examined in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissues, and compared to those in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissues and CD163+ macrophages in both OA and RA synovial tissues. METHOD: The phenotypes and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-folate uptake of FR-ß+ synovial macrophages were analysed by flow cytometry. The distribution of FR-ß+ macrophages in OA and RA synovial tissues was examined by immunofluorescent microscopy. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß expression in FR-ß+ macrophages was detected by double-immunostaining in both OA and RA synovial tissues. RESULTS: FR-ß+ macrophages were predominantly present in the synovial lining layer in OA patients. The proportion of CD163-FR-ß+ cells in synovial mononuclear cells (MNCs) was increased in OA compared to RA synovial tissues. FR-ß(high) macrophages from OA synovial tissues represented the majority of folic acid-binding cells. Although FR-ß+ or CD163+ macrophages in the synovial tissues of OA and RA patients expressed a mixed pattern of M1 and M2 macrophage markers, there were more M2 markers expressing synovial macrophages in OA than in RA patients. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution and M1/M2 expression profiles of FR-ß+ synovial macrophages were different between OA and RA synovial tissues. Thus, the findings underscore that the M1/M2 paradigm using surface markers FR-ß and CD163 is an oversimplification of macrophage subsets. Functional FR-ß present on OA synovial macrophages provides a potential tool for the diagnosis and treatment of OA.

Effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on the motility and penetrability of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa incubated in the fertilization medium.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenol in green tea (Camellia sinensis) and is known for its antioxidant effects. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of EGCG during in vitro fertilization (IVF) on the sperm quality and penetrability into oocytes. In the first experiment, the effects of concentration and incubation period of EGCG on the motility and penetrability of spermatozoa were examined. When frozen-thawed spermatozoa were incubated in IVF medium supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 50 and 100 µm EGCG for 1, 3 and 5 h, supplementation with 50 and 100 µm EGCG improved motility of the spermatozoa (p < 0.05), but not viability, as compared with the control group. When frozen-thawed spermatozoa were co-incubated with in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes in IVF medium supplemented with 50 and 100 µm EGCG for 5 h, supplementation of EGCG had positive effects on sperm penetration rates. In the second experiment, the effects of supplementation of EGCG in IVF medium on penetrability of sperm from different boars and development of fertilized oocytes were evaluated. When frozen-thawed spermatozoa from six boars were co-incubated with IVM oocytes in IVF medium supplemented with 50 µm EGCG, the effect of EGCG on sperm penetration and development of oocytes after fertilization was found to vary with individual boar. Our results indicate that motility and penetrability of boar spermatozoa are improved by co-incubation with 50 µm EGCG, but the effects vary with individual boars.

Activin A inhibits vascular endothelial cell growth and suppresses tumour angiogenesis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Activin A is a multi-functional cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) superfamily; however, the effect of activin A on angiogenesis remains largely unclear. We found that inhibin ß A subunit (INHBA) mRNA is overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC) specimens and investigated the effect of activin A, a homodimer of INHBA, on angiogenesis in GC. METHODS: Anti-angiogenic effects of activin A via p21 induction were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and a stable INHBA-introduced GC cell line in vivo. RESULTS: Compared with TGF-ß, activin A potently inhibited the cellular proliferation and tube formation of HUVECs with induction of p21. A promoter assay and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that activin A directly regulates p21 transcriptional activity through Smads. Stable p21-knockdown significantly enhanced the cellular proliferation of HUVECs. Notably, stable p21-knockdown exhibited a resistance to activin-mediated growth inhibition in HUVECs, indicating that p21 induction has a key role on activin A-mediated growth inhibition in vascular endothelial cells. Finally, a stable INHBA-introduced GC cell line exhibited a decrease in tumour growth and angiogenesis in vivo. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the suppressive role of activin A, unlike TGF-ß, on tumour growth and angiogenesis in GC.

Imaging the dynamics of intracellular protein translocation by photoconversion of phamret-cybr/ROM.

Cybr/Reduced On-random Motile (ROM) is a scaffold protein, containing a postsynaptic density protein-95/discs-large/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain, a LEU region and a PDZ domain binding region at the C-terminus. In the immune system, Cybr/ROM was found to localize in vesicles and at the plasma membrane, through interactions with cytohesin-1. In this investigation, we reported Cybr/ROM as occurring in vesicles, the cytoplasm and at membrane ruffles of H1299 lung cancer cells. Its localization at the ruffles was dependent on intact actin structures as indicated by latrunculin A treatment, which abrogated ruffle formation and staining of Cybr/ROM at the cells' periphery. Transfection of truncation mutants consisting of either the PDZ or LEU domain showed that the LEU domain of ROM was localized to membrane ruffles, vesicles and the cytoplasm, whereas, the PDZ domain localized to the membrane ruffles and cytoplasm only. There was therefore, domain/molecular segregation of Cybr/ROM in different cellular compartments. Cybr/ROM was subcloned into a plasmid carrying the photoactivation-mediated resonance energy transfer (Phamret) protein. The photoconversion experiments demonstrated the diffusion of ROM from the cytoplasm to the membrane ruffling sites and conversely from membrane ruffles to the cytoplasm. Large variances in the transport velocity of Cybr/ROM in the cytoplasm suggested that its movements were facilitated by other mechanisms in addition to diffusion.

Antidepressant-like Effect of l-perillaldehyde in Stress-induced Depression-like Model Mice through Regulation of the Olfactory Nervous System.

Perillae Herba (a leaf of Perilla frutescens) has been prescribed as one of the component herbs in certain Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicines that are used clinically for the improvement of depressive mood. l-Perillaldehyde (PAH) is a major component in the essential oil containing in Perillae Herba, but its antidepressant-like effect has not been reported. To clarify the antidepressant-like effect of PAH, the inhaled effect of PAH on stress-induced depression-like model mice prepared by subjection to a combination of forced swimming and chronic mild stresses was investigated. The degree of the depression-like state was measured by the animal's duration of immobility using a forced swimming test. Inhalation of PAH (0.0965 and 0.965 mg/mouse/day, 9 days) significantly shortened the duration of immobility of the depression-like model mice and did not affect locomotor activity. However, another odor substance, cinnamaldehyde containing in Cinnamomi Cortex, exhibited no reduction in the immobility. The reduction in the immobility induced by the inhalation of PAH was prevented on anosmia-induced mice prepared by intranasal irrigation with zinc sulfate. These results suggest that the inhalation of PAH shows antidepressant-like activity through the olfactory nervous function.

Growth of Flavobacterium psychrophilum in fish serum correlates with pathogenicity.

Flavobacterium psychrophilum isolates, obtained from ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, three species of salmonids and two species of cyprinids in Japan, were used in this study. Bacteria were inoculated to serum prepared from ayu or red spotted masu trout (RSMT), Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae, and incubated at 18 °C for 24 h. All isolates (n = 19) from ayu grew well with a 9- to 116-fold increase of CFU in ayu serum, while CFU decreased markedly in RSMT serum. In contrast, isolates (n = 17) from fish species other than ayu exhibited no growth in ayu serum, but some isolates from salmonids survived or grew (1.2-23.5 fold increase of CFU) in RSMT serum. The isolates that could not survive or grow in ayu and RSMT sera grew well in both heat-inactivated sera of ayu and RSMT. Experimental infection by intraperitoneal injection showed that ayu isolates examined were all pathogenic to ayu but not to RSMT, while none of the isolates from salmonids and cyprinids were pathogenic to ayu but some showed pathogenicity to RSMT. These results indicate that the in vitro growth ability of F. psychrophilum isolates in fish serum correlates well with their pathogenicity to fish, particularly in ayu.