Effects of physical and morphometric factors on nutrient removal properties in agricultural ponds.

Effects of physical and morphometric factors on nutrient removal properties were studied in small agricultural ponds with different depths, volumes, and residence times in western Japan. Average residence time was estimated to be >15 days, and it tended to decrease from summer to winter because of the increase in water withdrawal for agricultural activity. Water temperature was clearly different between the surface and bottom layers; this indicates that thermal stratification occurred in summer. Chlorophyll-a was significantly high (>20 µg/L) in the surface layer (<0.5 m) and influenced by the thermal stratification. Removal ratios of dissolved total nitrogen (DTN) and dissolved total phosphorus in the ponds were estimated to be 53-98% and 39-98% in August and 10-92% and 36-57% in December, respectively. Residence time of the ponds was longer in August than in December, and DTN removal, in particular, was more significant in ponds with longer residence time. Our results suggest residence time is an important factor for nitrogen removal in small agricultural ponds as well as large lakes.

Suppressive effects of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid administration on bone resorption.

SUMMARY: The main component of the metabolic by-products of fermentation by Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET-3 is 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA), which has a naphthoquinone skeleton, as in vitamin K2. This study showed that DHNA improved bone mass reduction with osteoporosis model mice caused by FK506. INTRODUCTION: Growth of the intestinal bacterium Lactobacillus bifidus is specifically facilitated by DHNA. The present study used osteoporosis model mice to investigate the effects of DHNA on bone remodeling. METHODS: FK506, an immunosuppressant, was used to prepare osteoporosis model mice. Thirty mice were divided into three groups: FK group, FK+DHNA group, and control group. In the FK group, FK506 was administered to induce bone mass reduction. In the FK-DHNA group, FK506 and DHNA were administered concurrently to observe improvements in bone mass reduction. To ascertain systemic and local effects of DHNA, we investigated systemic pathological changes in colon, kidney function and cytokine dynamics, and morphological and organic changes in bone and osteoclast dynamics as assessed by culture experiments. RESULTS: Compared to the FK group without DHNA, colon damage and kidney dysfunction were milder for FK+DHNA group, and production of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) was more suppressed. Furthermore, compared to the group without DHNA, histological analyses and radiography showed that bone resorption was suppressed for the DHNA group. Culture experiments using osteoclasts from murine bone marrow showed osteoclast suppression for the DHNA group compared to the group without DHNA. CONCLUSION: These results show that DHNA has some effects for improving bone mass reduction caused by FK506.

Vasodilative effect of perillaldehyde on isolated rat aorta.

The vasodilative effect of perillaldehyde, one of the major oil components in Perilla frutescens BRITTON, was studied using isolated rat aorta. Perillaldehyde at final concentrations of 0.01 to 1 mM showed dose-dependent relaxation of the aorta contracted by treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha or norepinephrine. Neither the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester nor removal of the aortic endothelium affected the vasodilatation, suggesting that perillaldehyde exerts a direct effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. The vasodilative effect of perillaldehyde was not inhibited by pretreatment with a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker (propranolol), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (theophylline), a delayed rectifier K+ channel blocker (tetraethylammonium chloride), or an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker (glibenclamide). However, perillaldehyde showed contrasting effects on vasodilatation of the aorta contracted by an influx of extracellular Ca2+ - perillaldehyde caused little vasodilatation on the aorta contracted by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, while it inhibited the vasoconstriction induced by treatment with high-concentration K+, which dominantly opened the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. These results suggest that the vasodilative effect of perillaldehyde is derived from blocking the Ca2+ channels.

Inhibitory effects of Choto-san (Diao-teng-san), and hooks and stems of Uncaria sinensis on free radical-induced lysis of rat red blood cells.

The present study is designed to test our hypothesis that the ingestion of Uncaria sinensis (US), the main medicinal plant of Choto-san (Diao-teng-san, CS), would protect red blood cell (RBC) membrane from free radical-induced oxidation if polyphenolics in US could be absorbed and circulated in blood. When incubated with RBC suspension, Choto-san extract (CSE) and Uncaria sinensis extract (USE) exhibited strong protection for RBC membrane against hemolysis induced by 2,2-azo-bis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), an azo free-radical initiator. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent at concentrations of 50 to 1000 microg/mL. Ingestion of 200 mg of USE was associated with a significant decrease in susceptibility of RBC to hemolysis in rats. Furthermore, caffeic acid, an antioxidative hydroxycinnamic acid, was identified in rat plasma after administration of URE.

Survival of memory T cells specific for Japanese cypress pollen allergen is maintained by cross-stimulation of putative pectate lyases from other plants.

In view of recent studies on the mechanisms of the survival of peripheral memory T cells, we tested the biologic role of pectate lyase, a pectin-degrading enzyme, as the cross-reactive antigen required for the recurring survival signals for human T cells specific for Cha o 1, a pollen allergen molecule of the Japanese cypress. We determined a 16-mer epitope peptide for the T-cell clone, and prepared synthetic oligopeptides of homologous regions in putative pectate lyase of other plants. Of these homologous peptides, ZePel (Zinnia elegans), ban 17 (banana), and Amb a 1.1 (short ragweed) induced strong proliferative responses of the Cha o 1-specific T-cell clone in vitro. In addition, suboptimal doses of peptide homologs derived from banana and short ragweed enhanced the survival potency of this T-cell clone without detectable proliferative responses to the peptides. When there was no antigen stimulation, the T-cell clone decreased in viable cell number and lost antigen-specific proliferation activity on day 6 during in vitro incubation. On the other hand, T-cell clones incubated with these survival-inducing peptides maintained proliferative activity to Cha o 1 even on day 9. Serum derived from the donor patient did not contain detectable levels of IgE specific to banana or short ragweed by CAP-RAST. These results show that human T cells specific for pollen allergen seem to use cross-reactive pectate lyase peptides to deliver survival signals even in the absence of pollen allergen, and memory T cells maintained in such a manner might be functioning at the onset of allergic pollinosis, although pollen allergens are seasonal.

Efficacy of a 14-day course of oral ciprofloxacin therapy for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral antibacterial treatment with fluoroquinilone for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis Thirteen female patients with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis were treated with oral fluoroquinilone (ciprofloxacin; CPFX). They received 200 mg of the drug three times a day while febrile (3-5 days). Once they become afebrile, the same dose of the drug, given twice a day, was given for another 9-11 days. The mean duration of the course of CPFX was 14 days. Symptoms were evaluated, and laboratory examinations, including urine culture and measurement of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CPFX were conducted before treatment, and 3, 7, 14, 21, and/or 28 days after the initiation of the treatment. Of the 13 patients, only 5 needed to be hospitalized, and the period of hospitalization was only a few days. On the 14th day after the commencement of treatment, bacteriologic and clinical cure rates were 100%. Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen, being isolated from the urine of 8 patients. No clinical relapse of the disease was found during a follow-up period of up to 4 weeks. The patients tolerated the drug well without developing any serious adverse effects. Oral antimicrobial chemotherapy with fluoroquinolone, given on an outpatient or short-term hospitalization basis, achieved satisfactory bacteriological and clinical outcomes in the treatment of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis. This treatment regimen is indicated for patients with this disease who are not in a serious condition with complications such as shock.

Effect of tooth-bound fluoride on enamel demineralization/ remineralization in vitro.

The effect of tooth-bound fluoride (F) on enamel caries formation was investigated under the condition that loosely bound F was essentially absent. Eighteen thin enamel sections, prepared from the lingual or buccal surfaces of extracted human molars, were embedded in acrylic resin with the enamel surfaces exposed. The sections were placed in a pH 7 remineralizing solution (RS; 1.2 mmol/l Ca, 0.72 mmol/l P, 30 mmol/l KCl, 50 mmol/l HEPES) for 5 days, and were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) control group that received no treatment, (2) acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) group that received 5 cycles of a 4 min treatment with APF gel followed by immersion in the RS for 2 days (RS changed daily) and (3) dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) - APF group that received 5 cycles of a 4-min pH 2.1 DCPD-forming solution followed by 4 min APF gel and then placed in the RS for 2 days. After the treatment cycles, the sections were washed in a constant composition F titration system to remove loosely bound F. An in vitro model, which consisted of cycles of de- (6 h) and remineralization (18 h) each day for 5 days, was used to produce caries-like lesions in the specimens. The DeltaZ (mineral loss) values, measured by quantitative microradiography, of the lesions formed in the three groups were (mean +/- standard deviation; n = 6) 91.2+/-12.3 microm for the control group, 41.3+/-10.1 microm for the APF group and 21.2+/-4.8 microm for the DCPD-APF group. The same system produced lesions in untreated shark enamel with a mean DeltaZ of 4.4+/-0.3 microm (n = 12). One-way fixed-effects ANOVA indicated that mineral loss was significantly different among the different groups (p<0.05). The results showed that enamel resistance to lesion formation increased with increasing tooth-bound F content. Shark enamel was much more resistant to demineralization than human enamel.

Magnetic resonance imaging and 11C-N-methylspiperone/positron emission tomography studies in a patient with the interval form of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Magnetic resonance (MR) and (11)C-N-methylspiperone ((11)C-NMSP)/positron emission tomography (PET) imagings were repeatedly performed in a 50-year-old man with the interval form of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In MR images obtained when delayed neuropsychiatric symptoms developed (two months after poisoning), the inner segments of the bilateral globus pallidus appeared as high signal intensities in the T1-weighted and low signal intensities in the T2-weighted images, suggesting prior focal hemorrhage in these areas. A PET study with (11)C-NMSP performed at that time showed an increase in dopamine D2 receptor binding in the caudate and putamen. Treatment with bromocriptine was very effective and five months after the poisoning, MR and (11)C-NMSP/PET images showed improvement, concomitantly with the disappearance of the neuropsychiatric symptoms.

[Transcatheter oily chemoembolization and intermittent hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy in the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma].

Between 1990 and 1997, 227 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by intrahepatic arterial injection of a Lipiodol-Epirubicin-Mitomycin C emulsion followed by intermittent hepatic artery infusion of Epirubicin, Mitomycin C and 5-FU, employing an implantable subcutaneous infusion port. A catheter was inserted percutaneously into the hepatic artery using the Seldinger technique. Objective remission was induced in 80% of the evaluable patients as evidenced by a decrease in their AFP and PIVKA II levels. These remissions were also confirmed by liver sonogram and CT scan showing decreased tumor volume. Transcatheter oily chemoembolization combined with intermittent hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy seems to be an effective treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma both for palliation of symptoms as well as prolongation of survival with good quality of life.

Influences of supplementary dietary tungsten on methionine metabolism in rabbits fed a low-cholesterol plus methionine diet.

Hyperhomocysteinemia results from an impaired methionine metabolism. Sulfite oxidase, which is an important enzyme in methionine metabolism, contains molybdenum. In contrast, tungsten has a molybdenum-antagonistic effect. Thus, we hypothesized that dietary tungsten may decrease plasma homocysteine levels and influence methionine metabolism. Male New Zealand White rabbits (n=15) were fed a low-cholesterol basal diet and then placed on three different diets: 0.1% cholesterol (Chol), Chol plus 1% methionine (Met), and Chol plus Met plus 0.1% tungsten (W). The animals received these diets for 20 weeks. Biochemical tests of blood and urine were performed. Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly lower in the Chol+Met+W group than in the Chol+Met group. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid peroxide, and urinary 24-h taurine concentrations were higher in the Chol + Met + W group than in the Chol + Met group. In comparison, concentrations of 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (2, 3-DPG), reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes, and urinary 24-h SO4(2) were lower in the Chol+Met+W group than in the Chol+Met group. From these results, tungsten could be expected to exhibit an antiatherogenic effect. Conversely, it may have effects on atherogenic factors. Thus, tungsten may play a number of roles in the methionine metabolism.

Effect of ginseng radix on GLUT2 protein content in mouse liver in normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice.

The oral administration of the water extract of Ginseng Radix (GR) to normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice caused a significant decrease in the blood glucose level 4 h after its administration. The hepatic content of facilitative glucose transporter isoform 2, liver type glucose transporter (GLUT2) protein content from mouse liver significantly increased in the orally GR-treated normal and epinephrine-induced hyperglycemic mice compared to that in the controls. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic activity of GR is presumably due, at least in part, to the increment of GLUT2 protein content.

Quantitative assessment of the efficacy of amorphous calcium phosphate/methacrylate composites in remineralizing caries-like lesions artificially produced in bovine enamel.

Recent studies show that methacrylate-based composites with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) as a filler can release supersaturating levels of calcium and phosphate ions in proportions favorable for apatite formation. These findings suggest that such composites could be effectively used as coatings for remineralizing teeth damaged by tooth decay. To examine this hypothesis, we tested composites in vitro for their efficacy to remineralize artificially formed caries-like lesions in extracted bovine incisors. Single 120-microns-thick sagittal tooth sections were placed in holders that exposed only the carious enamel surface. The exposed surfaces were coated with a 1-mm- to 1.5-mm-thick layer of the composite containing, by mass, 40% apatite, silica, or P2O7(-4)-stabilized ACP and 60% photoactivated resin comprised of Bis-GMA, TEGDMA, HEMA, and ZrM. The photocured composite-coated sections were immersed either in a remineralizing solution for 4 weeks at 37 degrees C (static model) or cyclically immersed in demineralizing (0.5 h) and remineralizing solutions (11.5 h) for 2 weeks (dynamic model). Quantitative digital image analysis of matched 102 microns x 220 microns areas from contact microradiographs taken of the sections before and after immersion showed that lesions coated with ACP-filled composites fractionally recovered 71% +/- 33% of their lost mineral compared with 14% +/- 13% for apatite controls in the static model and 38% +/- 16% compared with -6% +/- 24% in the dynamic model. The results suggest that sealants based on ACP-filled methacrylate composites have the potential to remineralize carious enamel lesions.

Plexin: a novel neuronal cell surface molecule that mediates cell adhesion via a homophilic binding mechanism in the presence of calcium ions.

Plexin (previously referred to as B2) is a neuronal cell surface molecule that has been identified in Xenopus. cDNA cloning reveals that plexin has no homology to known neuronal cell surface molecules but possesses, in its extracellular segment, three internal repeats of cysteine clusters that are homologous to the cysteine-rich domain of the c-met proto-oncogene protein product. The exogenous plexin proteins expressed on the surfaces of L cells by cDNA transfection mediate cell adhesion via a homophilic binding mechanism, under the presence of calcium ions. Plexin is expressed in the receptors and neurons of particular sensory systems. These findings indicate that plexin is a novel calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule and suggest its involvement in specific neuronal cell interaction and/or contact.

[Effect of oak pollen on patients with birch pollinosis].

The author reviewed 53 cases of birch pollinosis treated in our ENT-clinic between 1990 and 1991. Of interest is the fact that many of these patients complained of typical symptoms in and after June, when birch pollen has usually disappeared. We considered this discrepancy to be attributable to the effects of grass pollen, one of the common causal agents in this period. However, only a few patients tested positive for grass pollinosis. We therefore postulated that cross-reactivity between birch and oak pollen accounted for this phenomenon, because both trees belong to same order, Fagales. A strong correlation between RAST scores for birch and oak pollen was detected, and the oak pollen RAST score was significantly reduced by birch pollen extract in an inhibition test. These findings demonstrated actual cross-reactivity between birch and oak pollen. Birch pollinosis patients in Sapporo therefore have allergic symptoms from March to July.

[Clinical and immunological analysis of Birch pollenosis].

In recent years, the number of cases Birch pollenosis has increased, but there have been very few reports, and therefore we decided to carry on this clinical and immunological analysis as follows. (1) Statistical analysis of Birch pollenosis patients who visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo. (2) Study of atmospheric birch pollen counts and investigation of the relationship between the incidence of pollenosis and pollen count. (3) Allergen analysis of Japanese Birch pollen using Western blotting method. (1) From 1990 to 1992, 392 cases of nasal allergy visited our hospital and 74 cases (18.9% of all cases) were birch pollenosis. There was a significant increase in the number of cases birch pollenosis, compared with previous reports. (2) Atmospheric pollen grains of birch pollen were collected by Durham's pollen trap at Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo from 1990 to 1992. In this study, birch pollen was collected from the beginning of April to the middle of June. The first day when birch pollen was collected in this study was about one month earlier than previously reported. We suspected that the mean temperature rise of Sapporo city in April is one of the factors that lead to the increase of incidence of birch pollenosis. (3) Allergens in birch pollens from Betula platyphylla Sukatchev var. japonica and Betula Ermanii Cham in Japan were identified by Western blotting, following separation by SDS-PAGE, transfer to PVDF membranes and incubation with sera from 35 birch pollenosis patients. In almost all cases, 17kd molecular from B. platyphylla and B. Ermanii pollen proteins were detected as the major IgE binding components.

Effects of dietary supplementation with lactosucrose (4G-beta-D-galactosylsucrose) on cecal flora, cecal metabolites, and performance in broiler chickens.

The effects of dietary lactosucrose on cecal flora, cecal metabolites, and performance were studied in eight 20-d-old and eight 62-d-old broiler chickens fed a basal diet (control) or a diet with .15% lactosucrose added. On Day 20 of age, the frequency of occurrence of lecithinase-negative clostridia were decreased (P < .05) by lactosucrose consumption. On Day 62 of age, the numbers of bifidobacteria were increased (P < .05) by lactosucrose consumption, but the counts of lecithinase-positive clostridia, including Clostridium perfringens, bacteriodaceae, and staphylococci, total anaerobic bacteria, and the frequency of occurrence of pseudomonads were decreased (P < .05). No detectable change was observed in counts of other organisms throughout the experimental period. Cecal concentration of ammonia (P < .01), phenol (P < .05), and cresol (P < .05) were decreased on Day 62 of lactosucrose consumption. Acetic acid and butyric acid were increased (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively) on Day 62 of lactosucrose consumption. Environmental ammonia and odor of chicken ceca were greatly reduced by lactosucrose consumption.

Effect of trimebutine maleate on the contractile response of the isolated ileum from diabetic rats.

1. Tension of the isolated ileum from diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin was measured isometrically to study the mode of action of trimebutine maleate (TMB). 2. The hyperreactivity of contractile response to KCl was observed in the isolated ileum from diabetic rats. TMB inhibited the contraction induced by KCl and acetylcholine (ACh) in normal solution. 3. In Ca2+ free solution, the hyperreactivity of contractile response to KCl was attenuated, and TMB did not inhibit the contraction induced by KCl. In contrast, TMB inhibited the contraction induced by ACh even in Ca2+ free solution. 4. These results suggest that the hyperreactivity of contractile response to KCl in the ileum from diabetic rats is due to the enhancement of Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel and that TMB inhibits the hyperreactivity of contractile response through the inhibition of Ca2+ movement by the cell.

Chemical structures of two subunits, A-subunit and B-subunit, of galactose-specific isolectins from Erythrina variegata seeds.

We previously isolated galactose-specific isolectins, EVLI, EVLII, and EVLIII, from the Erythrina variegata seeds [J. Chromatogr. 597, 207-211 (1992)]. The amino acid sequences of the two subunits, A- and B-subunits, of which the isolectins are composed, were determined. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides from the two subunits revealed seven amino acid substitutions. Among them, Asn46, to which the oligosaccharide chain is linked in the A-subunit, is replaced by Asp46 in the B-subunit, causing the B-subunit to lack one glycosylation site. The N-linked oligosaccharides of these subunits were also analyzed. The N-linked oligosaccharides were first liberated by hydrazinolysis. After N-acetylation, the reducing ends of the oligosaccharides were coupled with 2-aminopyridine, and then the pyridylamino (PA-) derivatives were purified by gel filtration and HPLC on an ODS-silica column. One major sugar chain, accounting for more than 98% of the total, was purified from both species. The structure of this major sugar chain was established to be Man alpha 6(Man alpha 3)(Xyl beta 2)Man beta 4GlcNAc beta 4(Fuc alpha 3)GlcNAc. This finding that there is no structural difference of the sugar chains linked to the two subunits of E. variegata lectins, together with the results of amino acid sequence comparisons, indicates that the difference in molecular mass of these two subunits results almost wholly from the difference in the number of oligosaccharides linked to them.

[Birch pollen nasal allergy in Sapporo and its cross reactivity with alder pollen].

We reported here 53 cases of birch pollen nasal allergy treated in our department from 1990 to 1991. The 53 patients constituted 16% of 335 total nasal allergy patients. In recent years, the number of birch pollen nasal allergy patients has apparently been gradually increasing in Sapporo. Skin tests, radioallergosorbent test (RAST) determinations and nasal provocation tests were performed for the diagnosis of birch pollen nasal allergy, and high degrees of correlation were observed among these tests. Therefore, it seems to be reasonable to determine the birch pollen allergy with only a positive case history of early springtime hay fever and RAST determination. A high correlation coefficient (Rho) value was found with RAST determinations between birch pollen and alder pollen. Furthermore, RAST of alder pollen was significantly inhibited by birch pollen extracts. These results indicate cross reactivity, presumably due to partial immunologic identity between these two pollen allergens.