Spirodecosporaceae fam. nov. (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes) and two new species of Spirodecospora.

The genus Spirodecospora has been placed in Xylariaceae based on morphological similarities. Spirodecospora spp., found on bamboo in Japan, were taxonomically and phylogenetically studied using molecular data for first time. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were based on the DNA sequence data of three regions: the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the large subunit (LSU) of rDNA, and the second largest RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) gene. Results showed that Spirodecospora formed an independent lineage from other known families in Xylariales. The new family Spirodecosporaceae is introduced in this study to accommodate this lineage based on the phylogenetic evidence and morphological differences from the other known families. Spirodecospora is characterised by having deeply immersed ascomata with a cylindrical ostiolar neck, unitunicate, cylindrical asci with I+, wedge-shaped apical ring, and broadly ellipsoidal to fusoid, aseptate, brown, verruculose ascospores with spirally or almost straight linear ornamentation. Based on morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses, S. melnikii and two new species of Spirodecospora, S. paramelnikii and S. paulospiralis, are described and illustrated. A key to the four accepted species of Spirodecospora is provided. Citation: Sugita R, Hirayama K, Shirouzu T, Tanaka K (2022). Spirodecosporaceae fam. nov. (Xylariales, Sordariomycetes) and two new species of Spirodecospora. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 10: 217-229. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2022.10.09.

A pneumatic pressure-driven multi-throughput microfluidic circulation culture system.

Here, we report a pneumatic pressure-driven microfluidic device capable of multi-throughput medium circulation culture. The circulation culture system has the following advantages for application in drug discovery: (i) simultaneous operation of multiple circulation units, (ii) use of a small amount of circulating medium (3.5 mL), (iii) pipette-friendly liquid handling, and (iv) a detachable interface with pneumatic pressure lines via sterile air-vent filters. The microfluidic device contains three independent circulation culture units, in which human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured under physiological shear stress induced by circulation of the medium. Circulation of the medium in the three culture units was generated by programmed sequentially applied pressure from two pressure-control lines. HUVECs cultured in the microfluidic device were aligned under a one-way circulating flow with a shear stress of 10 dyn cm(-2); they exhibited a randomly ordered alignment under no shear stress and under reciprocating flow with a shear stress of 10 dyn cm(-2). We also observed 2.8- to 4.9-fold increases in expression of the mRNAs of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and thrombomodulin under one-way circulating flow with a shear stress of 10 dyn cm(-2) compared with conditions of no shear stress or reciprocating flow.

Characterization of ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the lumbosacral defecation center in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is involved in the regulation of somatic growth, feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Ghrelin stimulates neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons and activates intracellular AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hypothalamus. These NPY neurons also express the leptin receptor and leptin inhibits ghrelin-induced activation of NPY neurons. In the spinal cord, we have demonstrated colokinetic action of ghrelin. However, the precise characteristics of the ghrelin-sensitive neurons remain to be clarified. The aim of this study was firstly to confirm that the action of ghrelin is mediated via a neurogenic pathway in the spinal cord, and secondly to characterize the ghrelin-sensitive neurons by comparing with hypothalamic ghrelin-sensitive neurons. METHODS: Rats were anesthetised with alpha-chloralose and ketamine, and colorectal intraluminal pressure and expelled volume were recorded in vivo. Drugs were applied intrathecally. KEY RESULTS: Ghrelin caused enhancement of propulsive contractions. Tetrodotoxin completely blocked the colokinetic effect of ghrelin. An AMPK activator, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide, failed to mimic the ghrelin effect. Leptin had no effect on the spontaneous contractions and did not exert a suppressive effect on the ghrelin-enhanced colorectal motility. An NPY Y1 receptor antagonist did not affect the action of ghrelin. NPY had no effect on the colorectal motility. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: This study showed that intrathecal injection of ghrelin stimulates colorectal motility by acting on ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the lumbosacral defecation center. The characteristics of ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the spinal cord are quite different from those of ghrelin-sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus.

Effect of p-chloroamphetamine administration on monoamine metabolism in the rat nucleus accumbens and locomotor activity: studies with intracerebral dialysis in freely moving rats.

Changes in the level of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites [3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA)] and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite [5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)] were determined sequentially in freely moving rats by using a brain dialysis method. The purpose of the study was to find the relationship between changes in the monoamine metabolism in the nucleus accumbens and locomotor activities following PCA administration. Subsequently it was found that locomotor activity significantly increased 1 and 2 h after PCA administration (2 mg/kg, i.p.) while the DA content in the dialysis fluid rose significantly after 1 and 2 h. On the other hand, the 5-HT level did not show significant changes. The DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA levels were significantly reduced 1 to 6 h after PCA administration. It was suggested that the increase in locomotor activity caused by PCA administration is an expression of abnormal behavior caused by DA release from the nucleus accumbens.

Antidromic discharge property of meso-accumbens dopaminergic VTA neurons in rats.

Three groups of meso-accumbens (Acc) neurons in the ventral tegmental area were differentiated by their antidromic discharge property; dopaminergic type 1 (n = 10), non-dopaminergic type 2 (n = 2) and unclassified (n = 2) neurons. During repetitive activation at 10 Hz, the latency of the initial segment (IS) spike, which was often not followed by the somadendritic (SD) spike, was gradually prolonged in type 1, but not in type 2 and unclassified neurons. The latency prolongation of type 1 neurons was reduced to about a half of the normal in rats treated with kainic acid plus haloperidol, but only slightly when treated with kainic acid or picrotoxin. The rate of SD invasion tended to increase after all kinds of chemical treatment. Stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle in type 1 neurons gave responses comparable to Acc stimulation. It is suggested that the latency prolongation of IS spike is produced mainly by axonal mechanism. But additional somatic mechanisms such as dopaminergic self-inhibition and GABAergic and non-GABAergic inputs from the Acc would make some contribution, and at the same time produce frequent suppression of the antidromic SD spike.

Clinical usefulness of corrected QT intervals in diabetic autonomic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: It is recognized that QTc intervals reflect autonomic nerve function. To investigate the clinical usefulness of corrected QT intervals (QTc) in assessing autonomic nerve function in type 2 diabetes, we measured QTc intervals using Bazett's formula in 58 type 2 diabetic patients and 20 age-matched healthy subjects. METHODS: We examined relationships between QTc intervals and the coefficient of variation of RR intervals (CV(RR)), systolic blood pressure response to standing, and sympathetic skin response (SSR) whose tests reflect autonomic nerve function. We also studied the correlation between QTc and blood pressure or serum lipid concentrations. RESULTS: QTc intervals in diabetic patients were significantly longer than those in healthy subjects and showed a significant but weak negative correlation with CV(RR), as well as systolic blood pressure response to standing. No significant difference in QTc intervals was observed between patients with and without a detectable SSR. QTc intervals showed a significant positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure although it did not correlate with serum lipid concentrations. QTc also tended to be long in obese diabetic subjects (body mass index > 25). CONCLUSION: QTc intervals might also be affected by other factors such as arteriosclerotic macroangiopathy and obesity, and not only autonomic nerve function. Therefore it might be considered as an overall index for complications, and not for pure autonomic impairment.

The connection between QT dispersion and autonomic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

It is controversial whether an increase in the QT dispersion (QTd) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients. In the current study, the QTd was compared in 60 type 2 diabetic patients and in 30 healthy subjects, and its association with autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients was investigated. An increased QTd was found in diabetic patients, compared to healthy subjects. The QTd had significant negative associations with the log of the low and high frequency power (log LF and HF, respectively) of the power spectral analyses (PSA) of heart rate variations and the systolic blood response during standing (Delta BP). There was no significant difference in the QTd between patients with and without sympathetic skin response (SSR), reflecting peripheral sympathetic function. A significant positive correlation was also found between QTd and the systolic blood pressure (SBP). On the other hand, there was no correlation between QTd and serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin (Hb) A (1C) concentrations or body mass index (BMI). By multiple regression analysis, the log HF, which reflects cardiac parasympathetic function, and the SBP alone were significantly associated with QTd as the dependent variable. The Delta BP and log LF, which partially reflect sympathetic nerve function, had no significant associations with QTd. These findings suggest that QTd reflects cardiac autonomic neuropathy (relative parasympathetic neuropathy) and that the QTd is also influenced by SBP, independent of autonomic neuro-function.

Relationship between sympathetic skin response and power spectral analysis of heart rate variation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

We measured sympathetic skin response (SSR), a measure of sympathetic sudomotor function, and compared SSR with other quantitative neurological tests including power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variations in 60 type 2 diabetic subjects. SSR was detected in all 20 age-matched healthy subjects but was absent in 17 patients with type 2 diabetes (28%) (P<.01). Even after exclusion of diabetic patients with absent SSR, the SSR amplitude in diabetic patients was significantly lower than in healthy subjects (P<.05). Both the low frequency power of R-R intervals, which reflects both cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic function, and the postural fall in systolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the diabetic patients with absent SSR than in those with present SSR (P<.05 and.001, respectively). However, we found no significant difference in the high frequency power of R-R intervals, which reflects accurately cardiac parasympathetic function, between the diabetic patients with absent SSR and those with present SSR. In the diabetic patients with present SSR, SSR amplitude was also positively correlated with the postural fall in systolic blood pressure, low-frequency (LF) power, and high-frequency (HF) power. These results suggest that SSR is a useful and sensitive method for evaluating diabetic autonomic neuropathy, and that sympathetic sudomotor neuropathy may be preceded by cardiac parasympathetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Studies of anaerobic bacteria in chronic otitis media.

In the 760 cases of chronic otitis media studied from 1970 to 1976, the detection ratio of anaerobic bacteria and the relation between the nature of anaerobic bacteria and the conditions of focus were investigated. In 8.2% of 760 cases 9 kinds and 81 strains of anaerobic bacteria was detected. Most of the anaerobic bacteria were Peptococcus sp. or Bacteroides sp. and in general non-sporogenic anaerobic bacteria accounted for 97.5%. Anaerobes were frequently detected in cases where the middle ear cavity was filled with cholesteatoma or granulation and in cases of infection recurring after operation.

Microorganisms isolated from infected aural fistulas.

Aural fistula is a congenital deformity of the external ear relatively common in Orientals and rare in Caucasians. Suppuration tends to occur, and chemotherapy rather than surgical drainage should be attempted. However, the lack of information concerning infected aural fistulas has made appropriate chemotherapy difficult. Microorganisms isolated from 13 cases of infected aural fistulas were studied from January 1981 to December 1982. Six species and 22 strains were isolated; nonsporeforming faculative anaerobes were detected in 12 cases. The isolated pathogens included Peptococcus sp (10 cases), Peptostreptococcus sp (3), Bacteroides sp (3), and Fusobacterium sp (2). One case exhibited only Staphylococcus aureus. Our data also stresses the etiologic importance of anaerobic gram-positive cocci in infected aural fistulas.

Inflammatory pseudotumour of the bladder: CT and MRI findings.

The MRI findings are described in a case of inflammatory pseudotumour of the bladder. The signal characteristics are correlated with the histological findings.

Non-destructive elemental analysis of vertebral body trabecular bone using muonic X-rays.

Non-destructive elemental analysis with muonic X-rays was performed on human vertebral bone and lumbar torso phantoms. It can provide quantitative information on all elements in small deep-seated localized volumes. The experiment was carried out using the superconducting muon channel at TRIUMF in Vancouver, Canada and a lithium drifted germanium detector with an active area of 18.5 cm2. The muon channel produced backward-decayed negative muons with wide kinetic energy range from 0.5 to 54.2 MeV. The muon beam was collimated to a diameter of 18 mm. The number of incoming muons was about 4 x 10(6) approximately 5 x 10(7) per data point. In the measurements with human vertebral bones fixed with neutralized formaldehyde, the correlation coefficient between calcium content measured by muons and by atomic absorption analysis was 0.99 and the level of significance was 0.0003. In the measurements with lumbar torso phantoms, the correlation coefficient between calcium content measured by muons and by atomic absorption analysis was 0.99 and the level of significance was 0.02. The results suggest that elemental analysis in vertebral body trabecular bone using muonic X-rays closely correlates with measurements by atomic absorption analysis.

Intrapleural bronchogenic cyst.

We report the first case of a 14-year-old male presenting with intrapleural bronchogenic cyst investigation by CT and MRI. Our findings emphasize the value of the combination of CT and MRI for differential diagnosis of intrapleural tumors.

Screening of soil evidence by a combination of simple techniques: validity of particle size distribution.

The validity of the determination of particle size distribution for forensic soil identification was studied using 73 soil samples collected from a 20 km x 15 km area. Soil particles were first divided into two fractions by wet sieving with a sieve with a 0.05 mm aperture size. Dry sieving was used to analyze the coarse particle fraction and a particle size analyzer was used for the fine particle fraction. The number of particle size classes measured by sieving could be reduced to three, <0.05, 0.05-0.2, and 0.2-2 mm, which enabled 87.9% of the soil samples to be discriminated. Measurements made with the particle size analyzer on the fine particle fraction increased the discriminating power to 95.9%. The use of particle size analysis by sieving in combination with color examination allowed us to discriminate 99.5% of the soil samples, even when particle size analysis of the fine particle fraction was not carried out.

Bacteriology of acute otitis media in Japan and chemotherapy, with special reference to Haemophilus influenzae.

Middle ear effusions from 574 patients with acute otitis media (AOM) were sampled and cultured in metropolitan Tokyo. Sampling was done by myringectomy and from otorrhea after the occurrence of spontaneous perforation. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were isolated more widely in 'fresh' (myringotomized) cases than in 'old' cases. The freshness of cases, and the sampling and culture techniques appear to account for the difference in reports concerning causative pathogens of AOM from Japan on one hand and the U.S.A. and Scandanavia on the other. The relatively high detection rate of H. influenzae indicates its importance in all age groups. H. influenzae was isolated from a second group of 50 patients, and MIC values were determined. ABPC proved to be the most effective chemotherapy, except in cases (10%) of beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae. The correlation between the main causative pathogens of AOM and penicillin concentrations found in middle ear effusions was also investigated. The oral administration of 10-12 mg/kg of ABPC surpassed the 85% MIC level against H. influenzae.

Bacteriological features and chemotherapy of adult acute purulent otitis media.

Eighty-eight patients from 16 to 79 years old, with acute purulent otitis media, were bacteriologically examined at the Otorhinolaryngology Department of a primary care hospital in Tokyo from July 1979 to May 1983. Fifty-six patients underwent paracentesis, and 32 patients exhibited otorrhea due to previous spontaneous perforation of the tympanic membrane. Bacteriologic cultures revealed the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (62.5 per cent), including S. pneumoniae Type III (28.1 per cent), Haemophilus influenzae (10.5 per cent), Staphylococcus aureus (11.5 per cent), and Streptococcus pyogenes (7.3 per cent). S. pneumoniae Type III had a notably high detection rate in patients from 50 to 79 years old (50-75 per cent). Because Haemophilus influenzae was detected at a relatively high rate in patients of all ages, if can be considered as a major causative pathogen of AOM. In 44 patients, selected mainly from those who underwent paracentesis, a comparative study of bacteria found in middle ear fluid and naso-pharyngeal mucus revealed the same bacteria in 43 out of 44 cases (97.7 per cent), indicating the presence of bacterial infection through the auditory canal. Antibiotics were selected according to an Expected Efficacy Index (EEI), the antibiotic of first choice being Ampicillin or Cefaclor.

The usefulness of computed tomography in the diagnosis of impacted fish bones in the oesophagus.

The usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of fish bone impaction in the oesophagus was evaluated. Thirty-two patients were examined by plain X-ray followed by direct oesophagoscopy for suspected fish bone impaction. Among 25 cases in which fish bones were actually removed, foreign bodies were not clearly demonstrated by plain X-ray in 14 cases (56 per cent). Eleven cases underwent CT prior to the oesophagoscopic examination. Fish bones were clearly demonstrated by CT in all patients. CT also clearly visualized secondarily-induced inflammatory changes in the neighbouring structures. In order to confirm this result, we made a simulation model of oesophageal fish bone impaction, using fish bones of three different species surrounded by a water bag. In comparison with plain X-ray, CT depicted a superior image of fine fish bones and provides extremely useful information for the management of impacted fish bones in the oesophagus.

[Effect of XKJ-001, a crude drug preparation, on body water distribution and water excretion in mice].

The effect of XKJ-001, a crude drug preparation based on Seisho-ekki-to, was investigated on the hematocrit, plasma volume, extracellular and interstitial fluid volumes as well as water excretion in mice. Mice were housed in an animal room maintained at 34 degrees C for 3 d with water and food freely available. While the hematocrit, extracellular and interstitial fluid volumes increased, the plasma volume decreased. These results suggest that the distribution of body water in mice housed at high environmental temperature exhibit the state of water metabolism disorders (Suitai) described in Kampo medicine. After the administration of XKJ-001 (3 g/kg, once a day) for 5 d, mice were housed in an animal room maintained at 34 degrees C for 3 d. The administration of XKJ-001 was allowed to continue on the day 0, day 1 and day 2. XKJ-001 inhibited the increase in hematocrit and the changes in body water distribution of mice induced by high environmental temperature. An effect of XKJ-001 on water excretion in mice was investigated in comparison with hydrochlorothiazide (HTZ). Distilled water (D.W., 100 ml/kg) or bicarbonate saline (B.S., 100 ml/kg) was intraperitoneally injected immediately after the oral administration of XKJ-001 (1.5 g/kg) or HTZ (15 mg/kg). The water excretion was enhanced after 3 h for XKJ-001 and after 6 h for HTZ after the intraperitoneal injection of D.W. As for the intraperitoneal injection of BS, HTZ enhanced the water excretion, however, XKJ-001 exhibited no effect. These results suggest that XKJ-001 has activities on water maldistribution and facilitates the water excretion.

[Transport of cefotetan into the otorhinolaryngeal tissues].

The tissue specimens were taken to evaluate the efficacy of cefotetan (CTT), a new cephamycin antibiotic, for otorhinolaryngological infectious diseases. The concentrations of CTT in palatine tonsils, maxillary sinus mucosa, wall of maxillary sinus cysts, discharge from otitis media and saliva were studied. The serum level determined at 3 hours following intravenous injection of 1 g of the drug was 49.2 micrograms/ml (n = 4). The serum level at 12 hours following intravenous injection of 2 g of the drug was 14.4 micrograms/ml (n = 4). 15-25% of the serum levels of CTT were demonstrated in palatine tonsils, 20.7-35.7% in maxillary sinus mucosa. We detected high levels of CTT in the effusion of acute maxillary sinusitis, 24.0 micrograms/ml (2 g, i.v., 90 min.), 26.3 micrograms/ml (1 g, i.v., 120 min.). On the other hand, we detected only a few per cent of the serum level of CTT in the effusion of chronic maxillary sinusitis.

[Experimental and clinical studies on BRL 25000 (clavulanic acid-amoxicillin) in the field of otorhinolaryngology].

We studied BRL 25000, (amoxicillin trihydrate and potassium clavulanate a beta-lactamase inhibitor in ratio of 2: 1), in the otorhinolaryngological field in terms of its basic and clinical utility. Pharmacokinetics The distribution of BRL 25000 in mucous membrane of maxillary sinus and retaining liquid of maxillary sinus after administration of 1 tablet (375 mg) was favorable and the good transitional properties were obtained. It was similar to chephems. Clinical results BRL 25000 was administered to 26 patients (6 cases with otitis media, 9 cases with tonsillitis, 2 cases with sinusitis, 1 case with laryngitis, 5 cases with pharyngitis, 1 case with epipharyngitis and 2 cases with pharyngolaryngitis). The overall clinical effective response was obtained in 88.5% of patients. Bacteriological effects BRL 25000 was effective against amoxicillin-resistant S. aureus and K. rhinoscleromatis. Side effects No adverse reactions were seen.