Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in dairy cattle with reproductive disorders

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in 207 cattle with reproductive disorders was studied by using an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isolation. IF antibodies to phase I and phase II antigens of C. burnetii were found in 122 (58.9%) and 125 (60.4%) of the sera, respectively, and PCR-positives were found in 8 (3.9%) of the sera and in 51 (24.6%) of the milk samples. In addition, C. burnetii was isolated from 51 (24.6%) of the milk samples by inoculating laboratory mice. The results indicate that the IF test plus PCR are useful in the diagnosis of bovine coxiellosis. It is difficult to deny that dairy cattle with reproductive disorders would be one of the important reservoirs of C. burnetii responsible for infection in both animal and human populations in Japan.     

Resistive random access memory utilizing ferritin protein with Pt nanoparticles

This study reports controlled single conductive paths found in resistive random access memory (ReRAM) formed by embedding Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) in NiO film. Homogeneous Pt NPs produced and placed by ferritin protein produce electric field convergence which leads to controlled conductive path formation. The ReRAM with Pt NPs shows stable switching behavior. A Pt NP density decrease results in an increase of OFF state resistance and decrease of forming voltage, whereas ON resistance was independent of the Pt NP density, which indicates that a single metal NP in a memory cell will achieve low power and stable operation.     

Monohydrocalcite: a promising remediation material for hazardous anions

The formation conditions, solubility and stability of monohydrocalcite (MHC, CaCO₃·H₂O), as well as sorption behaviors of toxic anions on MHC, are reviewed to evaluate MHC as a remediation material for hazardous oxyanions. MHC is a rare mineral in geological settings that occurs in recent sediments in saline lakes. Water temperature does not seem to be an important factor for MHC formation. The pH of lake water is usually higher than 8 and the Mg/Ca ratio exceeds 4. MHC synthesis experiments as a function of time indicate that MHC is formed from amorphous calcium carbonate and transforms to calcite and/or aragonite. Most studies show that MHC forms from solutions containing Mg, which inhibits the formation of stable calcium carbonates. The solubility of MHC is higher than those of calcite, aragonite and vaterite, but lower than those of ikaite and amorphous calcium carbonate at ambient temperature. The solubility of MHC decreases with temperature. MHC is unstable and readily transforms to calcite or aragonite. The transformation consists of the dissolution of MHC and the subsequent formation of stable phases from the solution. The rate-limiting steps of the transformation of MHC are the nucleation and growth of stable crystalline phases. Natural occurrences indicate that certain additives, particularly PO₄ and Mg, stabilize MHC. Laboratory studies confirm that a small amount of PO₄ in solution (>30 μM) can significantly inhibit the transformation of MHC. MHC has a higher sorption capacity for PO₄ than calcite and aragonite. The modes of PO₄ uptake are adsorption on the MHC surface at moderate phosphate concentrations and precipitation of secondary calcium phosphate minerals at higher concentrations. Arsenate is most likely removed from the solution during the transformation of MHC. The proposed sorption mechanism of arsenate is coprecipitation during crystallization of aragonite. The arsenic sorption capacity by MHC is significantly higher than simple adsorption on calcite.     

Annual output estimation of concentrator photovoltaic systems using high-efficiency InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells based on experimental solar cell's characteristics and field-test meteorological data

The temperature dependences of the electrical characteristics of InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells under concentration were evaluated. For these solar cells, conversion efficiency (η) decreased with increasing temperature, and increased with increasing concentration ratio owing to an increase in open-circuit voltage. The decrease in η with increasing temperature decreases with increasing concentration ratio. Moreover, the annual output of a concentrator system with a high-efficiency triple-junction cell was estimated utilizing the experimental solar cell's characteristics obtained in this study and field-test meteorological data collected for 1 year at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology, and compared with that of a nonconcentration flat-plate system.     

The microstructure of starchy food modulates its digestibility

ABSTRACT

Starch is the main carbohydrate in human nutrition and shows a range of desired food properties. It has been demonstrated that fast digestion of starchy food can induce many health issues (e.g., hyperglycaemia, diabetes, etc.); therefore, how to modulate its digestion is an interesting topic. Previous studies have revealed that the microstructure and digestibility of starchy food of different botanical origin or from multiple processes are quite different; modulating starch digestion by retaining or altering its microstructure may be effective. In the present review, the current knowledge of the relationship between microstructural changes to starchy food and its digestibility at molecular, cell and tissue, and food processing levels is summarized. New technologies focused on microstructure studies and ways to manipulate food microstructure to modulate starch digestibility are also reviewed. In particular, some insights focusing on the future study of microstructure and the digestibility of starchy food are also suggested.     

Seroprevalence of infectious bursal disease virus in free-living wild birds in Japan

Serum samples collected from 739 free-living wild birds of 44 species from Gifu, Mie and Hyogo Prefectures in Japan during the period 1989 to 1997 were tested for antibodies to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) serotypes 1 and 2 by a virus neutralization test. Serological evidence of infection with serotypes 1 and 2 was found in 15 (2%) of the sera of 6 species and 36 (4.9%) of the sera of 11 species, respectively. Antibodies to IBDV were detected from both sedentary and migratory species. These findings suggest that free-living wild birds have an important role in the natural history of IBDV. These findings raise the possibility that the IBDV prevalent in the breeding grounds of these birds in other countries could be imported by the migratory species. This is the first report of an extensive serological survey of IBDV in wild birds.     

Differentiation of Coxiella burnetii by sequence analysis of the gene (com1) encoding a 27-kDa outer membrane protein

Classification of brain infarcts based on the location, size and shape of parenchymal damage alone can be difficult and misleading. This is particularly true in subcortical infarctions and infarcts in so-called watershed areas between neighboring territories of the main hemispheric arteries. Pathogenetic mechanisms, signs and symptoms, lesion patterns in CT and MRI are discussed as well as angiomorphological conditions. Hemodynamically induced low-flow infarcts are rare and show typical, but not pathognomic lesion patterns on CT and MRI. Characteristic subcortical chainlike and confluent lesions are located in the supra- and paraventricular white matter, representing the core of a hemodynamically induced infarction. Definite diagnosis of low-flow infarcts requires information on the underlying complex vascular compromise of the extra- and intracranial arterial circulation. A noncompetent circle of Willis is the main predisposing condition in hemispheric low-flow infarcts even in severe occlusive disease of the internal carotid arteries.     

Design and evaluation of radioactive acetylcholine analogs for mapping brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in vivo

For mapping brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in vivo, seven radioactive acetylcholine analogs, N-[14C]methylpiperidyl-3- and 4-acetates, propionates, isobutyrates, and 3-butyrate were newly synthesized and evaluated in mice. The esters readily entered the brain and were hydrolyzed into the hydrophilic metabolite, which was trapped. In brain homogenates, the esters showed a wide range of enzymatic reactivity (about 40-fold), and high specificity for AchE (more than 82%) except the butyrate. Intra-brain distribution of the esters reflected a pattern of AchE activity.     

Evaluation of a long-term operation of a submerged nanofiltration membrane bioreactor (NF MBR) for advanced wastewater treatment.

Nanofiltration (NF) is considered as one of the most promising separation technologies to obtain a very good-quality permeate in water and wastewater treatment. A submerged NF membrane bioreactor (NF MBR) using polyamide membranes was tested for a long-term operation and the performance of the NF MBR was compared with that of a microfiltration MBR (MF MBR). Total organic carbon (TOC) concentration in the permeate of the NF MBR ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 mg/L, whereas that of the MF MBR showed an average of 5 mg/L. This could be explained by the tightness of the NF membrane. Although the concentration of organic matter in the supernatant of the NF MBR was higher than that in the permeate due to high rejection by the NF membrane, the NF MBR showed excellent treatment efficiency and satisfactory operational stability for a long-term operation.