Characterization of a novel plasmid in Serratia marcescens harbouring blaGES-5 isolated from a nosocomial outbreak in Japan.

Serratia marcescens is a nosocomial pathogen with carbapenem resistance, which limits the availability of effective treatment options. In this study, molecular characterization of GES-5 carbapenemase-producing S. marcescens isolated from an outbreak in Japan was undertaken. Comparative genetic analysis revealed that the blaGES-5-encoding plasmid p2020-O-9 is a unique plasmid contributing to carbapenem resistance. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for surveillance programmes to monitor both novel and commonly occurring carbapenemases in clinical settings.

Effects of the roughage/concentrate ratio on the expression of angiogenic growth factors in adipose tissue of fattening Wagyu steers.

In this experiment, we studied the effects of the dietary roughage/concentrate ratio on the expression of the angiogenic growth factor (VEGF and FGF-2) and the adipogenic transcription factor (C/EBPß, C/EBPα, and PPARγ) gene in the adipose tissues of Wagyu steers. Steers were fed a high-roughage diet (R group, 35% roughage and 65% concentrate on a TDN basis) or a high-concentrate diet (C group, 10% roughage and 90% concentrate) during the entire fattening period (from 10 to 30months of age) with the same amount of TDN intake between groups. In mesenteric and intermuscular adipocytes, the expression of the angiogenic growth factors was higher in the R group than in the C group. In contrast, the expression of adipogenic transcription factors in the subcutaneous and intramuscular adipocytes was higher in the C group than in the R group. These results indicate that the dietary roughage/concentrate ratio affects the fat depot-specific differences in the angiogenic and adipogenic gene expression pattern.

Ezetimibe decreases serum amyloid A levels in HDL3 in hemodialysis patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ezetimibe on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subspecies and serum amyloid A (SAA), an apolipoprotein mainly bound and transported by HDL particles, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ERSD), a condition typically characterized by high SAA- and low HDL-cholesterol (C ) levels. METHODS: 26 ERSD patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) were given ezetimibe (10 mg/d) for 6 - 8 weeks. HDL3 was separated from serum by a single precipitation method established by our group. HDL2 was estimated by subtracting HDL3 from total HDL. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was measured by the ELISA method. RESULTS: Ezetimibe significantly reduced remnant-like particle (RLP)-C, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C, and apolipoprotein (apo) B without affecting triglyceride, HDL-C and LCAT activities. HDL2-C levels were lower and HDL3-C was substantially lower in the HD patients than in the controls. Ezetimibe increased HDL2-apoAI but decreased HDL3-apoAI without affecting serum apoAI or AII. HDL-SAA was 5-fold higher in the HD patients than in the controls (56 ± 49 vs. 12 ± 9 µg/ml). Ezetimibe decreased HDL-SAA by 43 % (to 32 ± 36 µg/ml), and this inhibitory effect was exclusively attributable to a 72% reduction in HDL3-SAA in response to the ezetimibe treatment. The reduction of HDL3-SAA was significantly associated with increased HDL2-apo AI and reduced HDL3-apo AI. CONCLUSIONS: Ezetimibe treatment decreased "inflammatory" (SAA-containing) HDL3, and may thus have restored the anti-atherogenic function of HDL particles in ESRD patients.

Expression of adipogenic transcription factors in adipose tissue of fattening Wagyu and Holstein steers.

In this experiment, we studied the effects of breed differences on the protein expression of adipogenic transcription factors, the C/EBP family (C/EBPα, C/EBPß-LAP, C/EBPß-LIP and C/EBPδ) and PPARγ, in the adipose tissues of Japanese Black (Wagyu) and Holstein steers from various anatomical sites (subcutaneous, intermuscular, and mesenteric) at different fattening periods (19 and 24 months of age). The expression of C/EBPß-LAP and C/EBPα in the mesenteric fat tissue of Wagyu at 19 months of age was significantly higher than that of Holstein. The expression of C/EBPδ in the subcutaneous, intermuscular and mesenteric fat tissue of Wagyu at 19 months of age was significantly higher than that of Holstein. The plasma insulin concentrations of Wagyu steers at 19 months of age tended to be higher than those of Holstein. No significant differences in the expression of the adipogenic transcription factors and plasma insulin concentration were observed between the breeds at 24 months of age. These results suggest the existence of breed difference on the expression of the C/EBP family between fattening Wagyu and Holstein steers at 19 months of age, whereas breed difference might have disappeared before 24 months of age.

Effects of dietary roughage levels on the expression of adipogenic transcription factors in Wagyu steers.

We hypothesized that dietary roughage level would alter the expression levels of adipogenic transcription factors in adipose tissue of Japanese black (Wagyu) steers. Steers were fed whole crop rice silage at three levels: (1) high-roughage feeding group, fed 8kg silage and 5kg concentrate (HR); (2) middle roughage feeding group, fed 5kg silage and 6kg concentrate (MR); and (3) low roughage feeding group, fed 2kg silage and 7kg concentrate (LR) from 22 to 30months of age. In subcutaneous adipose tissue, there were no significant differences in the expression of the adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte size among feeding groups. In mesenteric adipose tissue, the expression of C/EBPα in the LR and MR groups was significantly higher than that in the HR group. Adipocyte size in the mesenteric adipose tissue of the LR group was significantly larger than that of the HR group. In intermuscular adipose tissue, the expression of C/EBPß-LAP in the LR group was significantly higher than that in the HR group, and the expression of C/EBPß-LIP in the LR and MR groups was significantly higher than that in the HR group. Adipocyte size in the intermuscular adipose tissue of the LR and MR groups was significantly smaller than that of the HR group. These results suggest that dietary roughage revel affects the adipose tissue depot-specific differences in C/EBP family expression pattern and adipocyte cellularity in Wagyu steers.

Effects of fattening periods on the expression of adipogenic transcription factors in Wagyu beef cattle.

In this experiment, we studied the effects of fattening periods (at 19, 24, and 29 months of age) on the expression of the C/EBP family (C/EBPα, C/EBPß, and C/EBPδ) and PPARγ protein levels by Western blot analysis from different fat depots (subcutaneous, intermuscular, and mesenteric fat tissue) of Japanese Black steers. The expressions of C/EBPß-liver-enriched activator protein (LAP), which activates preadipocyte differentiation, in subcutaneous, intermuscular, and mesenteric fat tissue at 29 months of age were significantly lower than those at 19 months. On the other hand, the expressions of C/EBPß-liver-enriched inhibitory protein (LIP), which represses preadipocyte differentiation, in subcutaneous and intermuscular fat tissue in 29 months of age were significantly higher than those at 19 months. The expressions of C/EBPα, which activates adipocyte terminal differentiation, in intermuscular fat tissue at 29 months of age were significantly higher than those at 19 months. No significant differences in the C/EBPδ and PPAR γ levels were observed in the fattening periods for any fat depots. These results suggest that adipogenic transcription factors, especially C/EBPß and C/EBPα, play an important role in regulating adipogenesis during the fattening periods of Japanese Black cattle.

The relationship between self-reported difficulty with hearing in the worse ear and the better ear.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of self-reported hearing difficulty with hearing in the worse ear and the better ear at 1 and 4 kHz. DESIGN: Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in community-residing population. SETTINGS: The Settsu City Health Center (Osaka, Japan). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 919 consecutive participants who were provided health check-ups. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Comparison is based on the measurement of the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC. RESULTS: At 1 kHz, the area under the curve (AUC) of the worse ear (0.625 +/- 0.021) was significantly larger than that of the better ear (0.570 +/- 0.021) (P < 0.01). At 4 kHz, the AUC of the worse ear (0.665 +/- 0.019) was significantly larger than that of the better ear (0.622 +/- 0.020) (P < 0.01). Excluding the subjects with noise exposure, tinnitus and ear disease, at both frequencies, the AUC of the worse ear was not significantly larger than that of the better ear at both 1 and 4 kHz. Hearing in the worse ear was significantly more related to self-reported hearing difficulty than in the better ear without excluding those with noise exposure, tinnitus and ear disease. CONCLUSIONS: ROC curve analysis would provide a method to help us judge the difference between the worse hearing ear and the better hearing ear on the subject of hearing loss.

Daily life activity and risk of developing impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Japanese men.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between daily life activity and risk of developing diabetes. METHODS: The study population included 2924 Japanese male office workers aged 35 to 59 years who did not have IFG (fasting plasma glucose level 6.1-6.9 mmol/l), type 2 diabetes (fasting plasma glucose level > or =7.0 mmol/l and/or medication for diabetes) or a history of cardiovascular disease, and were not receiving medication for hypertension. A 1-day activity record during an ordinary weekday was used to estimate daily energy expenditure. Fasting glucose levels were measured at annual health examinations performed in May from 1994 to 2001. RESULTS: Over a 7-year follow-up period the relative risk of IFG and type 2 diabetes decreased with increasing daily energy expenditure after controlling for potential predictors of diabetes (p<0.001 and p=0.001 for trend respectively). The age-adjusted relative risk of IFG or type 2 diabetes decreased with increasing energy expenditure on occupational physical activity, brisk walking, riding on vehicles (standing position) to and from work and other physical activities (all p<0.001 for trend). The association with riding on vehicles (standing position) and other physical activities remained after controlling for other potential confounders of diabetes (p=0.026 and p=0.003 for trend respectively). Results of stratified analyses by the presence or absence of different risk factors for diabetes revealed that the risk of IFG or type 2 diabetes was inversely related to daily energy expenditure both in men at low risk of diabetes and those at high risk. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Physical activity in daily life is inversely associated with the risk of developing IFG or type 2 diabetes.

Lattice imaging in low-angle and high-angle bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Atomic resolution low-angle bright-field (LABF) scanning transmission electron-microscope (STEM) images and high-angle bright-field (HABF) STEM images of [011]-orientated Si have been experimentally obtained together with high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) STEM images. The contrast formation mechanisms of the LABF STEM and HABF STEM images are examined in comparison with HAADF STEM images. The HABF STEM images independent of defocus and thickness have spatial resolution comparable with HAADF STEM images, and are shown to be given as a simple convolution under the non-dispersion approximation of localized Bloch waves.

Haematocrit and risk of development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Japanese men.

AIMS: To investigate the association between haematocrit and risk of development of diabetes. Methods The study enrolled 2953 normoglycaemic [fasting plasma glucose (FPG) < 6.1 mmol/l and taking no hypoglycaemic medication] Japanese men aged 35-59 years and free of medication for hypertension and history of cardiovascular disease. FPG was measured at periodic annual health examinations from May 1994 through May 2001. Men in whom Type 2 diabetes mellitus (FPG > or = 7.0 mmol/l or receiving hypoglycaemic medication) was found during repeated surveys were classified as having Type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: The estimated incidence rates for Type 2 diabetes during 7 years of follow-up were 3.1% [[95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6, 4.6]], 4.6% (2.8, 6.4), 5.0% (3.2, 6.9), 6.4% (4.4, 8.5), and 11.5% (8.9, 14.2) for respective haematocrit levels of < 42.6, 42.6-44.0, 44.1-45.3, 45.4-46.8, and >/= 46.9% (the log-rank test: P < 0.001). After controlling for potential predictors of diabetes, the respective relative risks for Type 2 diabetes were 1.0 (reference), 1.52 (95% CI 0.81, 2.86), 1.24 (0.66, 2.31), 1.57 (0.86, 2.88), and 2.30 (1.30, 4.08) (P for trend = 0.002). From stratified analyses by presence or absence of a risk factor, a linear association of haematocrit level with risk of development of Type 2 diabetes was also observed. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that haematocrit contributes to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Role of surface amorphous film in high-resolution high-angle annular dark field STEM imaging.

A different scheme for high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy image calculation of multilayers, such as a crystal covered by amorphous films, has been developed, in which intensities of electrons collected by an annular detector at each layer are evaluated by two kinds of optical potential for thermal diffuse scattering on the layer-by-layer representation. One beam condition caused by an amorphous structure changes the present method into a simplified method. Through a molecular dynamics study of amorphous SiO2, it is found that an off-axis cristobalite, regarded as one-beam condition, can be used for a model of amorphous SiO2 structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate how surface amorphous films adhering to a crystal reduce image contrast and show that a top surface amorphous film acts as changing defocus in coherent convergent electron beam.

Quantitative high-resolution HAADF-STEM analysis of inversion boundaries in Sb(2)O(3)-doped zinc oxide.

[Formula: see text] -doped ZnO crystals including inversion boundaries were investigated by high-resolution high-angle annular-dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The images were analysed with the aid of the image simulation based on Bethe method and also the retrieval processing using deconvolution. Utility of these two approaches for the HAADF-STEM analysis is discussed.

Serum uric acid and risk for development of hypertension and impaired fasting glucose or Type II diabetes in Japanese male office workers.

We examined the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with development of hypertension (blood pressure > or = 140/90 mmHg and/or medication for hypertension) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (a fasting plasma glucose level 6.1-6.9 mmol/l) or Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes (a fasting plasma glucose level > or = 7.0 mmol/l and/or medication for diabetes) over a 6-year follow-up among 2310 Japanese male office workers aged 35-59 years who did not have hypertension, IFG, Type II diabetes, or past history of cardiovascular disease at study entry. After controlling for potential predictors of hypertension and diabetes, the relative risk for hypertension compared with quintile 1 of SUA level was 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.62] for quintile 2, 1.34 (95% CI: 1.08-1.74) for quintile 3, 1.48 (95% CI: 1.18-1.89) for quintile 4, and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.26-1.99) for quintile 5 (p for trend <0.001). The respective multivariate-adjusted relative risks for IFG or Type II diabetes compared with quintile 1 of SUA level were 1.55 (95% CI: 0.95-2.63), 1.62 (95% CI: 0.98-2.67), 1.61 (95% CI: 1.01-2.58), and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.11-2.85) (p for trend = 0.030). The association between SUA level and risk for hypertension and IFG or Type II diabetes was stronger among men with a body mass index (BMI) <24.2 kg/m2 than among men with a BMI > or = 24.2 kg/m2, although the absolute risk was greater in more obese men. These results indicate that SUA level is closely associated with an increased risk for hypertension and IFG or Type II diabetes.

Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and development of impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Japanese men.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and risk for development of diabetes. DESIGN: Longitudinal study (followed from 1994 to 2001). SETTING: A work site in Japan. SUBJECTS: A total of 2918 Japanese male office workers aged 35-59 years who did not have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (a fasting plasma glucose concentration of 6.1-6.9 mmol L-1), type 2 diabetes (a fasting plasma glucose concentration of >/=7.0 mmol L-1 or receipt of hypoglycaemic medication), medication for hypertension or hepatitis, alanine aminotransferase concentrations higher than three times the upper limit of the reference range or a history of cardiovascular disease at study entry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Incidence of IFG or type 2 diabetes over a 7-year period. RESULTS: With adjustment for potential risk factors for diabetes, the relative risk for IFG compared with serum GGT <16 U L-1 was 1.23 (95% CI, 0.79-1.90), 1.50 (CI, 0.97-2.32) and 1.70 (CI, 1.07-2.71) with serum GGT of 16-24, 25-43 and >/=44 U L-1, respectively (P for trend = 0.014). The respective relative risks for type 2 diabetes compared with serum GGT <16 U L-1 were 2.54 (CI, 1.29-5.01), 2.64 (CI, 1.33-5.23) and 3.44 (CI, 1.69-6.70) (P for trend = 0.002). From stratified analyses by body mass index (BMI) and alcohol intake, a stronger linear association between serum GGT and development of IFG or type 2 diabetes was found in men with a BMI >/=23.2 kg m-2 in both those who drank <46 and >/=46 g day-1 of ethanol. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for development of IFG or type 2 diabetes increased in a dose-dependent manner as serum GGT increased in middle-aged Japanese men. The increased relative risk for IFG or type 2 diabetes associated with serum GGT was more pronounced in obese men.

Association of alcohol consumption with white blood cell count: a study of Japanese male office workers.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of alcohol consumption with white blood cell (WBC) count. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A work site in Japan. SUBJECTS: A total of 5218 Japanese male office workers aged 23-59 years who participated in annual health examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were classified as nondrinkers, or current drinkers who averaged <12, 12-22, 23-34, 35-45, 46-68 or > or = 69 g day(-1) of ethanol. The association between alcohol consumption and WBC count was examined by smoking status. RESULTS: After controlling for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose, WBC count showed a negative dose-response relation with alcohol consumption in each smoking status. The WBC count increment per category of alcohol intake (x10(9) cells L(-1)) was -0.07 [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.11 to -0.04] for never smokers, -0.11 (95% CI, -0.15 to -0.06) for ex-smokers, and -0.04 (-0.08 to -0.00) for current smokers. For current smokers, additional adjustment for cigarettes smoked per day heightened the magnitude of these associations [the respective WBC count increment (x10(9) cells L(-1)), -0.07 (95% CI, -0.11 to -0.03)]. The risk for high WBC count (fifth quintile) also showed a negative linear trend related to alcohol intake in each smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: The WBC count was inversely associated with alcohol consumption in both nonsmokers and smokers. In view of the firm association of WBC count with the increased risk of coronary heart disease, alcohol consumption seems to have a favourable impact on the link between WBC count and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Effect of dietary ß-carotene supplementation on beef color stability during display of two muscles from Japanese Black steers.

Effect of dietary ß-carotene supplementation (7500 mg/head/day) for 28 days prior to slaughter on beef color stability during display of M. semimembranosus (SM) and M. longissimus lumborum (LL) from Japanese Black steers was studied. Steak samples from two muscles were over-wrapped with PVC film and displayed under fluorescent lights at 4°C for 12 days. Metmyoglobin percentages of steak samples were determined at days 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12. The ß-carotene concentration in both muscles was increased (P<0.001) by dietary ß-carotene supplementation. Color display-life of muscles was calculated by the metmyoglobin threshold method based on a threshold value of 20% metmyoglobin. Color display-lives of SM and LL were extended 1.5 and 3 days by dietary ß-carotene supplementation, respectively.

Deconvolution processing of HAADF STEM images.

A deconvolution processing of high-resolution high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images, combined with maximum entropy method, is applied to two experimental [0 11]-Si images; one having unresolved dumbbells and the other having resolved dumbbells and artificial bright spots. The deconvoluted images for these images show bright spots corresponding to the projected atomic columns and no artificial bright spots. Thus, the deconvolution processing provides almost a real projected atomic structure by eliminating effects of the probe function from HAADF STEM images.

White blood cell count and clustered features of metabolic syndrome in Japanese male office workers.

We assessed the association of white blood cell (WBC) count with different components of metabolic syndrome (MS)-obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting plasma glucose levels and hyperuricemia-in 5275 Japanese male office workers aged 23-59 years. After controlling for age, smoking and alcohol intake, the relative risks for the presence of 1, 2, 3, 4 and > or =5 features of MS compared with the lowest quintile of WBC count increased in a dose-dependent manner as WBC count increased (P for trend < 0.001 for all) and the increased relative risks for clustered features of MS were more pronounced as the number of features of MS increased. The WBC count increments in subjects with 1, 2, 3, 4 and > or =5 features of MS were 0.28, 0.45, 0.68, 0.76 and 1.40 x10(9) cells/l, respectively, compared with the subjects without features of MS (P for trend < 0.001). These findings indicate a strong association between WBC count and clustered features of MS in middle-aged Japanese men.

Oral beraprost sodium improves exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency in patients with primary or thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of beraprost sodium, an orally active prostacyclin analogue, on exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: Symptom limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed before and 3 (1) months (mean (SEM)) after beraprost treatment in 30 patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (14 with primary pulmonary hypertension and 16 with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension). RESULTS: Long term treatment with beraprost resulted in significant increases (mean (SEM)) in peak workload (87 (4) W to 97 (5) W, p < 0.001) and peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2, 14.9 (0.7) ml/kg/min to 16.8 (0.7) ml/kg/min, p < 0.001). Beraprost decreased the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide production during exercise (VE-VCO2 slope, 42 (2) to 37 (1), p < 0.001). No significant difference in the responses of these variables to beraprost treatment was observed between patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of beraprost sodium may improve exercise capacity and ventilatory efficiency in patients with both primary and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.