Analysis of cedar pollen time series: no evidence of low-dimensional chaotic behavior.

Much of the current interest in pollen time series analysis is motivated by the possibility that pollen series arise from low-dimensional chaotic systems. If this is the case, short-range prediction using nonlinear modeling is justified and would produce high-quality forecasts that could be useful in providing pollen alerts to allergy sufferers. To date, contradictory reports about the characterization of the dynamics of pollen series can be found in the literature. Pollen series have been alternatively described as featuring and not featuring deterministic chaotic behavior. We showed that the choice of test for detection of deterministic chaos in pollen series is difficult because pollen series exhibit [see text] power spectra. This is a characteristic that is also produced by colored noise series, which mimic deterministic chaos in most tests. We proposed to apply the Ikeguchi-Aihara test to properly detect the presence of deterministic chaos in pollen series. We examined the dynamics of cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) hourly pollen series by means of the Ikeguchi-Aihara test and concluded that these pollen series cannot be described as low-dimensional deterministic chaos. Therefore, the application of low-dimensional chaotic deterministic models to the prediction of short-range pollen concentration will not result in high-accuracy pollen forecasts even though these models may provide useful forecasts for certain applications. We believe that our conclusion can be generalized to pollen series from other wind-pollinated plant species, as wind speed, the forcing parameter of the pollen emission and transport, is best described as a nondeterministic series that originates in the high dimensionality of the atmosphere.

Calbrain, a novel two EF-hand calcium-binding protein that suppresses Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in the brain.

A cDNA clone that encodes a novel Ca2+-binding protein was isolated from a human brain cDNA library. The gene for this clone, termed calbrain, encodes a 70-amino acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 8.06 kDa. The analysis of deduced amino acid sequence revealed that calbrain contains two putative EF-hand motifs that show significantly high homology to those of the calmodulin (CaM) family rather than two EF-hand protein families. By Northern hybridization analysis, an approximate 1.5-kilobase pair transcript of calbrain was detected exclusively in the brain, and in situ hybridization study revealed its abundant expression in the hippocampus, habenular area in the epithalamus, and in the cerebellum. A recombinant calbrain protein showed a Ca2+ binding capacity, suggesting the functional potency as a regulator of Ca2+-mediated cellular processes. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II, the most abundant protein kinase in the hippocampus and strongly implicated in the basic neuronal functions, was used to evaluate the physiological roles of calbrain. Studies in vitro revealed that calbrain competitively inhibited CaM binding to Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (Ki = 129 nM) and reduced its kinase activity and autophosphorylation.

[Massive bleeding from the ruptured liver and the inferior vena cava controlled with autotransfusion and cerebral ischemia treated with mild hypothermia].

A patient suffered massive bleeding from the ruptured liver and laceration of the inferior vena cava due to traffic accident, and developed hypotension and decreased level of consciousness. The patient was transferred to our hospital for an emergency operation against intra-abdominal massive bleeding. This massive bleeding was controlled with autotransfusion using washing salvaging autotransfusion device (Cell Savor). Suspected brain ischemia was treated with intended mild hypothermia. When blood pressure decreased to 30 mmHg of systolic pressure over 7 minutes during the operation, suggesting the possible brain ischemia, mild hypothermia was maintained at 33.8 degrees C. Total bleeding volume was 16,700 ml, and total transfused volume was 10,700 ml. Of total transfused volume, 4,500 ml was washed salvaged blood using the intraoperative autotransfusion device. No neurological deficit was found during the postoperative course. The patient was discharged uneventfully on the 20th postoperative day. In conclusion, intraoperative autotransfusion with washed salvaged blood is a useful method for treatment of massive bleeding, and mild hypothermia is efficacious for protecting the brain from ischemia resulting from accidental hypotension.

[A 4-week repeated percutaneous dose toxicity study of calcipotriol (MC903) followed by a 4-week recovery test in rats].

A 4-week repeated percutaneous dose toxicity of calcipotriol (MC903), an anti-psoriasic agent, followed by a recovery for 4 weeks was studied in Slc:SD rats at doses of 4, 20 and 100 micrograms/kg/day as low, mid and high dose levels. 1. One male and female at high dose died probably due to stress and circulatory failure. One female at mid dose died with clonic convulsion considered to be results in attached error of a neck collar. Survival of rats showed reddish tear, reddening and desquamation of the skin at application site, and vocalization at all groups including control. Furthermore, abnormal gait, dirty hair, emaciation and opacity of the eyeball surface in both sexes were observed at high dose. 2. A decreased body weight and a slight increased water consumption in both sexes, and a decreased food consumption in males were observed at high dose. 3. An increased incidence of corneal opacity was noted significantly in both sexes as compared with control at high dose. Urinalysis revealed an increased Ca excretion in both sexes at more than mid dose, and lower pH in females at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose, and a decreased urinary volume in males at high dose. The increases of neutrophil and serum beta-globulin ratios in females, and serum Ca level in both sexes were observed at high dose. The increased mineralization of the cornea in males at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose, and of the Kidney in males at high dose were observed. At the skin of application site, cellular infiltration in the epidermis and dermis in both sexes at more than mid dose was observed. Furthermore, hyperplasia of the squamous cell in females, and hyperkeratosis in the epidermis and hypertrophy of the sebaceous gland in both sexes were observed at high dose. 4. After a 4-week recovery period, the changes related with application disappeared except for opacity of the eyeball surface and cornea, and mineralization of organs. 5. On the basis of results obtained in the present study, it is considered that 4 micrograms/kg/day is the no-toxic dose of MC903 applied percutaneously in both sexes of rats.

[A 26-week repeated subcutaneous dose toxicity study of calcipotriol (MC903) followed by a 5-week recovery test in rats].

A 26-week repeated subcutaneous dose toxicity of calcipotriol (MC903), an anti-psoriasic agent, followed by a recovery for 5 weeks was studied in Slc:SD rats at doses of 0.4, 2 and 10 micrograms/kg/day as low, mid and high dose levels. 1. No mortality during the experimental period was observed in both sexes of all groups including control. An increased incidence of opacity of the eyeball surface in males was noted at high dose. There were no difference in body weight and food consumption between control. An increased water consumption in both sexes was observed at high dose. 2. An increased incidence of the corneal opacity was noted significantly at high dose in both sexes compared with that observed in control. Urinalysis revealed the increased excretions of Ca at more than mid dose, and Na, Cl and IP in males at high dose, and an decreased urinary volume in females and lower pH in both sexes at high dose. An increased serum Ca level in males at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose, and an elevated ALP activity in males at high dose were observed. The increased weights of the kidney in males at more than mid dose and adrenal gland in both sexes at high dose were observed. The increased incidence of mineralization of the cornea and kidney was noted significantly in males at more than mid dose as compared with control. Dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum of distal tubular cells of the kidney in both sexes was observed at high dose on electron microscopic examination. 3. After a 5-week recovery period, the changes related with the treatment of MC903 almost disappeared except for mineralizations of the cornea and kidney. 4. On the basis of results obtained in the present study, it is considered that 0.4 microgram/kg/day is the no-toxic dose of MC903 administered subcutaneously in both sexes of rats.

[A 26-week repeated percutaneous dose toxicity study of calcipotriol (MC903) in rats].

A 26-week repeated percutaneous dose toxicity of calcipotriol (MC903), an anti-psoriasic agent, was studied in Slc:SD rats at doses of 0.8, 4 and 20 micrograms/kg/day as low, mid and high dose levels. 1. No mortality were observed in both sexes of all groups including control. An increased water consumption was observed in females at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose. 2. An increased incidence of the corneal opacity in males at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose was noted significantly as compared with that observed in control. Urinalysis revealed a slight increased urinary volume, increased excretions of Ca and IP, and lower pH in both sexes at more than mid dose. Levels of the serum IP in females and Ca in both sexes were elevated at high dose. 3. The increased weights of the kidney in males and adrenal gland in females were observed at high dose. The kidney in females at mid dose and in both sexes at high dose showed a higher incidence of mineralization than in control. Furthermore, osteosclerosis of the sternum and femur in both sexes, and hyperkeratosis of the skin at application site in females at high dose were observed. Electron microscopic examination revealed no abnormality in the liver and kidney. 4. On the basis of results obtained in the present study, it is considered that 0.8 microgram/kg/day is the no-toxic dose of MC903 applied percutaneously in both sexes of rats.

[An antigenicity study of calcipotriol (MC903)].

Antigenicity of calcipotriol (MC903), an anti-psoriasic agent, was investigated in mice and guinea-pigs. 1. In mice, MC903 administered alone or with an adjuvant (Alum) did not result in the production of MC903-specific IgE antibody. 2. In guinea-pigs sensitized with MC903 alone or plus an adjuvant (FCA), systemic anaphylaxis was not induced by challenging with MC903. IgG1 antibody in MC903-sensitized guinea-pigs was not detected by the 4-hr PCA test. 3. Ovalbumin induced the production of ovalbumin-specific IgE antibody in mice, and ovalbumin-specific IgG1 antibody in guinea-pigs. Intense systemic anaphylaxis in the ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs was induced by challenging with ovalbumin. 4. Results obtained in the present study suggest that MC903 does not induce the production of IgE antibody in mouse, and IgG1 antibody in guinea-pig, and in MC903-sensitized guinea-pig systemic anaphylaxis is not induced by challenging with MC903.

Effects of beta-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on reproduction and body growth in mice.

Effects of beta-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on reproduction and body growth were investigated in SHN mice. At 2-3 months of age, female mice were placed with males and fed different diets simultaneously throughout the experiment; Group I was provided with AIN-76TM diet containing 2.2 X 10(-4)% retinyl palmitate. Group II or III was given vitamin A deficient AIN-76TM diet supplemented with spray dried powder of Dunaliella or its oily solution. The final concentrations of beta-carotene in the diets were 5.1 X 10(-5)% and 3.0 X 10(-2)% in groups II and III respectively. Groups II and III were markedly lower and higher than group I in still-birth rate and litter size or rearing rate, respectively. Body growth was also enhanced in male offspring fed supplemental beta-carotene continuously (groups II and III). These results have demonstrated that, in mice, reproduction and body growth are improved by beta-carotene from Dunaliella.

Inhibition by beta-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella of spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis in mice.

Effects of beta-carotene-rich algae Dunaliella on spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis were studied in SHN mice. In both breeder and virgin mice, mammary tumourigenesis was significantly inhibited in the experimental groups fed diets supplemented with spray dried powder of D. bardawil and oily solution of D. salina Teod. extract compared with the control. There was little difference between the experimental and the control groups in plasma prolactin level, endocrine organ weights and pattern of oestrous cycles. Moreover, mammary gland susceptibility to mammotrophic hormones was affected little by Dunaliella. These results suggest that the inhibition by Dunaliella of spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis of mice may not be through their modulation of endocrine systems.

Culture substrate dependence of mouse fibroblasts survival at 4 degrees C.

When L-929 mouse fibroblasts grown in Eagle's medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) were stored in a monodisperse suspension at 4 degrees C, the viability decreased rapidly from the beginning of storage. The viability in this study was determined by counting electronically the number of cells with the capacity to attach to glass substrate and with the membrane boundary resistant to a proteolytic digestion. When, however, the dissociated cells were preincubated briefly at 37 degrees C, and subsequently stored at 4 degrees C as they were attaching on a glass substrate, the rapid loss of viability could be reduced effectively. A biphasic survival profile consisting of an initial phase of slowly decreasing viability and the subsequent phase of rapidly decreasing viability were than observed. The rapid viability loss occurred not only when the cell suspension was prepared by mechanical dislodging but also after trypsinization or dispase treatment. Such viability loss was also observed when the dissociated cells were not stored at 4 degrees C directly but preincubated in a monodisperse suspension at 37 degrees C in a siliconized plate and then stored at 4 degrees C. The above results show that the rapid loss of viability is associated closely with the fact that the cells were not attached to the substrate but in suspension.