Cross-shelf investigation of coral reef cryptic benthic organisms reveals diversity patterns of the hidden majority.

Coral reefs harbor diverse assemblages of organisms yet the majority of this diversity is hidden within the three dimensional structure of the reef and neglected using standard visual surveys. This study uses Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) and amplicon sequencing methodologies, targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and 18S rRNA genes, to investigate changes in the cryptic reef biodiversity. ARMS, deployed at 11 sites across a near- to off-shore gradient in the Red Sea were dominated by Porifera (sessile fraction), Arthropoda and Annelida (mobile fractions). The two primer sets detected different taxa lists, but patterns in community composition and structure were similar. While the microhabitat of the ARMS deployment affected the community structure, a clear cross-shelf gradient was observed for all fractions investigated. The partitioning of beta-diversity revealed that replacement (i.e. the substitution of species) made the highest contribution with richness playing a smaller role. Hence, different reef habitats across the shelf are relevant to regional diversity, as they harbor different communities, a result with clear implications for the design of Marine Protected Areas. ARMS can be vital tools to assess biodiversity patterns in the generally neglected but species-rich cryptic benthos, providing invaluable information for the management and conservation of hard-bottomed habitats over local and global scales.

The morphology and ultrastructure of salivary glands of Zoraptera (Insecta).

The salivary glands of two species of Zoraptera, Zorotypus caudelli and Zorotypus hubbardi, were examined and documented mainly using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results obtained for males and females of the two species are compared and functional aspects related to ultrastructural features are discussed. The salivary glands are divided into two regions: the secretory cell region and the long efferent duct, the latter with its distal end opening in the salivarium below the hypopharyngeal base. The secretory region consists of a complex of secretory cells provided with microvillated cavities connected by short ectodermal ducts to large ones, which are connected with the long efferent duct. The secretory cell cytoplasm contains a large system of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus producing numerous dense secretions. The cells of the efferent duct, characterized by reduced cytoplasm and the presence of long membrane infoldings associated with mitochondria, are possibly involved in fluid uptaking from the duct lumen.

The fine structure of the rectal pads of Zorotypus caudelli Karny (Zoraptera, Insecta).

The rectal pads of a species of the controversial polyneopteran order Zoraptera were examined using histological sections and TEM micrographs. Six pads are present along the thin rectal epithelium. Each pad consists of a few large principal cells surrounded by flattened junctional cells, which extend also beneath the principal cells. The cells are lined by a thin apical cuticle. No basal cells and no cavity have been observed beneath the pad. Principal cells have a regular layer of apical microvilli and are joined by intercellular septate junctions, which are interrupted by short dilatations of the intercellular space. At these levels the two adjacent plasma membranes are joined by short zonulae adhaerentes. In the cytoplasm, a rich system of strict associations between lateral plasma membranes and mitochondria forms scalariform junctions. Rectal pads share ultrastructural features with similar excretory organs of several neopteran groups, in particular with Blattodea (roaches and termites) and Thysanoptera, and are involved in fluid reabsorption and ion regulation.

Hanging drop monoculture for selection of optimal antioxidants during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

We analysed the effect of three antioxidants that have different functional mechanisms on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. Single oocyte monoculture using the hanging drop (HD) system has some advantages such as improving analysis efficiency brought by the smaller number of samples than the number of oocytes cultured in one drop. Direct effects of ligands on single oocytes could also be detected without considering the effects of paracrine factors from other oocytes. After 22 h of pre-culture, denuded oocytes were cultured for 22 h with 0.01 and 0.1 µg/ml of L-carnitine (LC), lactoferrin (LF) or sulforaphane (SF) in the presence/non-presence of oxidant stress induced by H2O2 supplementation to evaluate the reducing effects against oxidative stress on nuclear maturation. As a result, compared with LC and SF, LF showed effective reduction in oxidative stress at a lower concentration (0.01 µg/ml), suggesting that LF is a more effective antioxidant in porcine oocyte IVM. Additionally, LF also increased maturation rate even in culture without H2O2. Our results clearly suggest that the HD monoculture system is useful for screening the substances that affect porcine oocyte culture.

Divergent mating patterns and a unique mode of external sperm transfer in Zoraptera: an enigmatic group of pterygote insects.

A remarkable external sperm transfer is described for the first time in a species of a group of winged insects (Pterygota), the enigmatic Zoraptera. Mating and sperm transfer of two species of the order were examined in detail, documented, and compared with each other and with patterns described for other species belonging to the order. The behavior differs strikingly in Zorotypus impolitus and Zorotypus magnicaudelli. A copula is performed by males and females of the latter, as it is also the case in other zorapteran species and generally in pterygote insects. In striking contrast to this, males of Z. impolitus do not copulate but deposit small (100 µm in diameter) spermatophores externally on the abdomen of the female. Each spermatophore contains only one giant spermatozoon (3 mm long and 3 µm wide), a unique feature in the entire Hexapoda. External sperm transfer in Pterygota is a highly unusual case of evolutionary reversal. The very small relict group Zoraptera displays a uniform general morphology but exhibits very different reproductive structures and patterns of mating behavior. This may be an extreme form of a more general situation in insects, with a specific form of selection resulting in an accelerated rate of evolution in the reproductive system.

The male and female reproductive systems of Zorotypus hubbardi Caudell, 1918 (Zoraptera).

Here we present an ultrastructural study of the male and female reproductive systems of Zorotypus hubbardi and compare the findings to those presented in an earlier study. The male reproductive system consists of small testes and thin and short deferent ducts opening into a huge seminal vesicle. At the end of the deferent duct a wiredrawer structure is present which initiates the spermatophore formation. A long ejaculatory duct, originating from the seminal vesicle, receives the secretions of three accessory glands. The copulatory organ is a relatively stout structure consisting of two cuticular claspers connected to a ventral sclerite. The testes contain very large and few germ cells (32 sperm in each cyst) which give rise to large sperm characterized by two giant mitochondrial derivatives, two large accessory bodies, and an axoneme with accessory tubules with 17 protofilaments in their tubular wall. In the seminal vesicle the sperm are joined by a secretion to form an elongate spermatophore. The female system consists of panoistic ovarioles, two lateral oviducts, and a common oviduct which receives the spermathecal duct of a huge spermathecal sac in the terminal part of the vagina. The duct is an anterior prolongation of the sac. Its distal part turns back twisting around its proximal portion. At this level a conspicuous muscle layer gives rise to a valve. The bent spermatophore is hosted in the spermathecal sac, with the sperm heads placed in the proximal part of the spermathecal duct. The opening of the duct is close to the female genital opening. The reproductive systems of Zorotypus caudelli and Z. hubbardi, apart from a distinctly different general organization, also have a different sperm structure: those of the former species are free long-moving cells, while the sperm of Z. hubbardi are giant cells joined in a spermatophore. This allows to hypothesize and discuss a different reproductive behaviour in the two species: monandric in Z. hubbardi and polyandric in Z. caudelli. Apparently different forms of selection have resulted in a very uniform general morphology in Zoraptera, and in highly divergent features related to the reproductive system. The presence of 17 protofilaments in the accessory microtubules of the flagellar axoneme is a potential synapomorphy of Zoraptera and Phasmatodea.

The fine structure of the female reproductive system of Zorotypus caudelli Karny (Zoraptera).

The general structure of the female genital system of Zorotypus caudelli is described. The ovarioles are of the panoistic type. Due to the reduction of the envelope (tunica externa) the ovarioles are in direct contact with the hemolymph like in some other insect groups, Plecoptera included. The calices are much larger in Z. caudelli then in Zorotypus hubbardi and their epithelial cells produce large amounts of secretions, probably protecting the surface of the eggs deposited on the substrate. Eggs taken from the calyx bear a series of long fringes, which are missing in the eggs found in the ovariole, and in other zorapteran species. The long sperm of Z. caudelli and the long spermathecal duct are likely related to a sexual isolating mechanism (cryptic female choice), impeding female re-mating. The apical receptacle and the spermathecal duct - both of ectodermal origin - consist of three cell types. In addition to the cells beneath the cuticle lining the lumen, two other cell types are visible: secretory and canal cells. The cytoplasm of the former is rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum cisterns and Golgi complexes, which produce numerous discrete dense secretory bodies. These products are released into the receiving canal crossing the extracellular cavity of secretory cells, extending over a series of long microvilli. The secretion is transported towards the lumen of the apical receptacle of the spermatheca or to that of the spermathecal duct by a connecting canal formed by the canal cells. It is enriched by material produced by the slender canal cells. Before mating, the sperm cells are enveloped by a thick glycocalyx produced at the level of the male accessory glands, but it is absent when they have reached the apical receptacle, and also in the spermathecal duct lumen. It is likely removed by secretions of the spermatheca. The eggs are fertilized at the level of the common oviduct where the spermathecal duct opens. Two micropyles at the dorsal side of the equator level possibly facilitate fertilization. The presence of these two micropyles is a presumably derived feature shared with Phasmatodea. The fine structure of the female reproductive system of Z. caudelli does not allow to assess the phylogenetic position at the present stage of knowledge. The enlarged calyx and the temporary presence of long fringes on the eggs are potential autapomorphies of Z. caudelli or may indicate relationships with other Zorotypus species.

The male reproductive system of Zorotypus caudelli Karny (Zoraptera): Sperm structure and spermiogenesis.

Considering the overall uniformity of the morphology of Zoraptera, the structural diversity of the male genital system is remarkable. Structures related to the male reproductive system of Zorotypus caudelli differ profoundly from those of Zorotypus hubbardi. The testes are elongated rather than spherical, the seminal vesicle is apparently absent, and the deferent ducts are very long. A feature shared by these two species and other zorapterans examined is that the two accessory glands are closely adherent to each other and form a single large structure, from which the ejaculatory duct originates. This is a potential zorapteran autapomorphy. Another feature possibly present in the groundplan of the order is the strong elongation of the sperm cells. This may be connected with a reproductive strategy of males trying to avoid re-mating of females with other males after the first copulation. The extremely long and coiled spermathecal duct of Z. caudelli and other zorapteran species is possibly correlated with the sperm elongation, and both features combined may result in a sexual isolating mechanism. The short duration of mating of Zorotypus barberi and Zorotypus gurneyi suggests that the male introduces sperm into the female tract up to the opening of the spermathecal duct using their long coiled aedeagus. A thick glycocalyx around the sperm in the distal part of the deferent ducts probably protects the sperm cells during their forward progression towards the long spermathecal duct, and is removed when they reach the apical receptacle. The spermatogenesis of Z. caudelli follows a pattern commonly found in insects, but differs distinctly from that of Z. hubbardi in the number of spermatids in each sperm cyst. An unusual and possibly autapomorphic feature of Z. caudelli is a disconnection of sub-tubules A and B at the level of microtubule doublets 1 and 6 of the mature sperm cells. It is conceivable that this results in a shorter period of sperm motility. The character combination found in different zorapteran species supports the view that the sperm, a very compact functional unit, does not evolve as a unit, but like in other more complex body regions, sperm components can also be modified independently from each other. This results in different mosaic patterns of plesiomorphic and derived features in a very compact entity in different species of the very small and otherwise uniform order Zoraptera. In Z. caudelli, for instance, the bi-layered acrosome and small accessory bodies are plesiomorphic states among several others, whereas the mitochondrial derivatives and the elongate nucleus are apparently derived conditions. Other combinations likely occur in other zorapteran species. Only few but noteworthy sperm characters indicate possible phylogenetic affinities of Zoraptera. A possible synapomorphic feature, the presence of dense laminae radiating in a cartwheel array between neighbouring centriolar triplets, is shared with Phasmatodea and Embioptera. Another potential synapomorphy shared with Phasmatodea is the presence of 17 protofilaments in the tubular wall of the outer accessory microtubules.

Ultrastructural studies on euspermatozoa and paraspermatozoa in Mantispidae (Insecta, Neuroptera).

Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of sperm dimorphism in the Mantispidae Perlamantispa perla. We extended the study on several other mantidflies. In all the examined species the occurrence of euspermatozoa (typical) and paraspermatozoa (atypical) was established. The euspermatozoa are characterized by the presence of a cylindrical nucleus surrounded by an envelope that fans out laterally into two thin wings of different length. The acrosome seems to be missing. The nucleus is surrounded by extracellular material. The flagellum is provided with a 9+9+2 axonemal pattern; the accessory tubules contain 16 protofilaments and the intertubular material has the distribution typical of the taxon. Two elongated accessory bodies flank partially the axoneme and connect this structure with the mitochondrial derivatives. The flagellar axoneme of paraspermatozoa consists of an axoneme and two giant mitochondrial derivatives filled with large globular units. The axoneme exhibits a 9+9+2 pattern, in which the central 9+2 units have a normal structure, in that the microtubular doublets are provided with both dynein arms and radial links. On the contrary, the nine accessory microtubules have a large diameter and their tubular wall consists of 40 protofilaments. This comparative study provided evidences about the uniformity of sperm ultrastructure in Mantispidae. The function of non-fertilizing giant sperm in mantidflies is discussed.

The role of cell death in the midgut epithelium in Filientomon takanawanum (Protura).

Midgut epithelium in Filientomon takanawanum is composed of epithelial cells and single, sporadic regenerative cells. In 80% of analyzed specimens midgut epithelial cells, as fat body and gonads, are infected with rickettsia-like microorganism. In non-infected specimens young and completely differentiated epithelial cells are distinguished among epithelial cells. Characteristic for midgut epithelial cells regionalization in organelles distribution is not observed. Autophagy is the sporadic process, but if the cytoplasm of epithelium cells possesses numerous spherites and sporadic autophagosomes, the apoptosis begins. Necrosis is observed sporadically. In the midgut epithelium cells of about 80% of analyzed specimens rickettsia-like microorganisms are observed. The more rickettsia-like microorganisms occur in the cytoplasm, the more autophagosomes are formed, and the process of apoptosis proceeds intensively.

Development of embryonic membranes in the silverfish Lepisma saccharina linnaeus (insecta: Zygentoma, Lepismatidae).

Development and fate of embryonic membranes in the silverfish Lepisma saccharina was examined throughout embryogenesis. The amnioserosal folds first arise as serosal folds that are completed by the later addition of the amnion from the embryo's margins as in archaeognaths. The close link between production of the amnion and formation of the folds should not be assigned to Dicondylia but to Pterygota as an autapomorphy. During fold formation, folding of embryonic membranes beneath the embryo is less extensive and the ventral cupping of the embryo plays a larger role comparable to that occurring in archaeognath embryos. In L. saccharina, the embryonic membrane pore (the amniopore) varies in its manner of closure, either by complete fusion of serosal folds or by formation of a serosal cuticular plug between them as in archaeognaths. Although, in many aspects of its embryogenesis, L. saccharina retains the primitiveness of archaeognaths, its amnioserosal folds persist and are well integrated into its embryogenesis as the amnioserosal fold-amniotic cavity system is established and as occurs in many pterygote embryos; this may be thus regarded as an autapomorphy of Dicondylia.

Embryogenesis of the dipluran Lepidocampa weberi Oudemans (hexapoda: diplura, campodeidae): formation of dorsal organ and related phenomena.

The developmental changes of embryonic membranes of a dipluran Lepidocampa weberi, with special reference to dorsal organ formation, are described in detail by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopies. Newly differentiated germ band and serosa secrete the blastodermic cuticle at the entire egg surface beneath the chorion. Soon after, the serosal cells start to move dorsad. All the serosal cells finally concentrate at the dorsal side of the egg and form the dorsal organ. During their concentration, the serosal cells attenuate their cytoplasm to form filaments. The extensive area from which the serosa has receded is occupied by a second embryonic membrane, the amnion, which originates from the embryonic margin. The embryo and newly emerged amnion then secrete three fine cuticular layers, "cuticular lamellae I, II, and III," above which the filaments of the (developing) dorsal organ are situated. With the progression of definitive dorsal closure, the amnion reduces its extension, the dorsal organ is incorporated into the body cavity of the embryo, and the amnion and dorsal organ finally degenerate. The dorsal organ of diplurans is formed by the concentration of whole serosal cells, while that of collembolans is formed by the direct differentiation of a part of serosal cells. However, the dorsal organs of diplurans and collembolans closely resemble each other in major aspects, including that of ultrastructural features, and there is no doubt regarding their homology. The amnion, which has been regarded as being a characteristic of Ectognatha, also develops in the Diplura. This might suggest a closer affinity between the Diplura and Ectognatha than previously believed.

Serial homology of the mandible and maxilla in the jumping bristletail Pedetontus unimaculatus Machida, based on external embryology (Hexapoda: Archaeognatha, Machilidae).

The development of the mandible and maxilla is examined with the scanning electron microscope in the Archaeognatha. Serial homology is discussed to elucidate the general construction of the hexapod mandible. The part comparable to the maxillary palp does not develop in the mandible. Thus, the mandible is coxopodal in origin, and not telognathic but coxognathic. The mandible proper is subdivided into two in late embryonic development, and the smaller proximal and larger distal parts are homologized with the maxillary cardo and stipes, respectively, being subcoxal and coxal in nature. The partition into the "mandibular cardo" in which the mandibular monocondyle is formed and the "mandibular stipes" is recognized as a cuticular ridge or the "mandibular basal ridge" in the postembryonic stages including the imaginal. The molar and incisor are comparable in position and homologized with the maxillary lacinia and galea, respectively. The lacinia and galea could be morphologically interpreted as being the endites of the maxillary coxae I and II, respectively, and the molar and incisor might represent the mandibular coxae I and II as their constituents or endites.

Quantification of 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol in urine by automated borate complex anion-exchange chromatography with an immobilized enzyme reactor.

HPLC using a borate form of a strongly anion-exchange resin column and an immobilized enzyme reactor for colorimetric detection was used to quantify urinary 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol. Urine samples were introduced into the system every 7 min without any pretreatment, and after separation of interfering substances in the column, 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol was successively detected. Quantitative determination of urinary 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol was possible within the 1.2-300 micromol/l range. The coefficient of variance was less than 3% and the correlation between results obtained with our system (y) and those obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (x) was y=0.983x-1.287 micromol/l (n=42, r=0.998).

Pharmacokinetics of (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt and (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu administered intravenously to beagle dogs.

The pharmacokinetics of two analogues (NT-1 and NT-2) of the smallest active fragment of neurotensin were investigated in beagle dogs after intravenous (iv) administration at the doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg for NT-1 and of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg for NT-2. After iv administration of these two drugs, the plasma levels decreased with time with a biexponential pattern, and linear kinetic behavior was observed. The pharmacokinetic parameters (mean +/- standard error of mean) after iv administration of NT-1 at 0.1 mg/kg were as follows: the half-life of the distribution phase (t1/2 alpha) was 0.29 +/- 0.11 h, the half-life of the terminal phase (t1/2 beta) was 1.99 +/- 0.41 h, total plasma clearance (CL) was 33.2 +/- 6.3 mL/h/kg, steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss) was 57.1 +/- 2.8 mL/kg, and mean residence time (MRT) was 2.20 +/- 0.55 h. The t1/2 alpha, t1/2 beta, CL, Vdss, and MRT values after iv administration of NT-2 at 0.25 mg/kg were 0.11 +/- 0.02 h, 0.58 +/- 0.04 h, 257.3 +/- 17.2 mL/h/kg, 180.3 +/- 4.6 mL/kg, and 0.71 +/- 0.04 h, respectively. After iv administration of NT-1, NT-2 was detected in the plasma. It was confirmed from this result that NT-1 was metabolically hydrolyzed to NT-2 in the body of beagle dog.

Pharmacokinetics of novel hexapeptides with neurotensin activity in rats.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method to determine (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu (NT-2) with neurotensin (NT) activity in rat plasma was developed and a pharmacokinetic study was performed in rats. Quantitative analysis with high reproducibility was achieved for NT-2 over the concentration range of 1.14-500 ng/ml. (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt (NT-1) was rapidly hydrolyzed to NT-2 in rat plasma at 37 degrees C. This degradation of NT-1 was observed as a pseudo first-order reaction, and the pseudo first-order rate constant was calculated to be 7.26 min-1 (t1/2 = 0.095 min). The pharmacokinetic profiles of NT-2 after intravenous administration of NT-1 at doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg were compatible with that of NT-2 after intravenous administration of NT-2 at 0.5 mg/kg. Range of the half-life of the terminal phase (t1/2 beta) of NT-2 was 0.36-0.53 h. The absolute bioavailabilities after oral administrations of NT-1 and NT-2 at a dose of 20 mg/kg were 0.61 +/- 0.17 (mean +/- S.E.) and 0.19 +/- 0.08%, respectively. It was found that NT-1 was more suitable for oral administration than NT-2.

Preparation of neurotensin analogue-containing poly(dl-lactic acid) microspheres formed by oil-in-water solvent evaporation.

This report describes the preparation of injectable microspheres containing a neurotensin analogue (NA), which is a hexapeptide with neurotensin activity. NA, a hydrophilic drug, was successfully entrapped into poly(dl-lactic acid) microspheres prepared by a novel oil-in-water solvent evaporation method. The preparation method was investigated with regard to the partition of NA into the oily phase and the rapid phase separation of the polymer. Successful entrapment was achieved with the following conditions: (1) an alkaline water phase, (2) addition of fatty acid salt in the oily phase, and (3) addition of a water-miscible solvent in the oily phase. Under these conditions, NA was completely entrapped into the microspheres at poly(dl-lactic acid):NA molar ratios of greater than 3.

In vitro and in vivo release of poly(DL-lactic acid) microspheres containing neurotensin analogue prepared by novel oil-in-water solvent evaporation method.

Poly(DL-lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres containing a neurotensin analogue [NA; H(CH3)-Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt.3HCl] were prepared by a novel oil-in-water (o/w) solvent evaporation method, and the release behaviors were evaluated in vitro. About 20% of the loaded NA was released initially, and the subsequent release lasted for a month from microspheres prepared with PLA of molecular weight 2000 (PLA 2000). A smaller initial release from PLA 4000 and PLA 6000 microspheres was found, but a lag time of 2-3 weeks during which the drug was not released was observed with PLA 4000 and PLA 6000 microspheres. The addition of relatively hydrophilic monoglycerides decreased the lag time, and a fairly constant release of NA was achieved. The pharmacokinetic behavior of NA from PLA 2000 microspheres was studied in rats. The release of the drug after a subcutaneous injection exhibited pseudo-zero-order kinetics for 1 month. The initial release of the drug from the microspheres was reflected in a sharp increase of the plasma levels of the de-ester form of NA [H(CH3)-Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OH], and the subsequent steady-state levels agreed well with the predicted levels obtained from analysis of constant-infusion kinetics.

Stability of a novel hexapeptide, (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt, with neurotensin activity, in aqueous solution and in the solid state.

The stability and some physicochemical properties of a novel hexapeptide, (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt (I), with neurotensin activity, were investigated. The degradation of I in aqueous solution was observed as a pseudo-first order reaction. By determining the degradation rate of I at various pH values, it was found that I was most stable at around pH 4. The activation energies of the degradation in aqueous solutions at pH 2.2, 6.1, 7.0 and 8.0 were 16.3, 22.2, 23.9 and 24.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The enzymatic hydrolysis of I was studied in vitro with a porcine liver esterase at 37 degrees C. The degradation of I in this system was observed as a pseudo-first order reaction. The degradation rate of I in the presence of the esterase was about 10000 times larger than the rate in a buffer solution. I in the solid state was stable under 65 degrees C and labilized by strong light and/or high humidity. The pKa1, pKa2 and pKa3 of I were 7.1, 10.0 and 11.3, respectively. The partition coefficients between n-octanol and the buffer solution at pH values ranging from 2 to 11 were measured. The partition coefficient increased with the increase of the pH value. But the value at pH 7.0 was 2.10 x 10(-2), which was very low. The solubility of I in aqueous solution was more than 10 mg/ml. From the results of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern, I in the solid state was found to be amorphous. The dissolution rates in the 1st and 2nd fluid of JPXI at 37 degrees C and 100 rpm were 19.4 and 9.0 mg/cm2.min, respectively.