Tuberculin sensitivity to purified protein derivatives from Mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (PPD-B, PPD-Y, PPD-F and PPD-C) and PPDs among patients with mycobacteriosis--cooperative study of the Research Committee for the Mycobacteriosis in Japan

Purified protein derivatives (PPDs) prepared from M. intracellulare (PPD-B), M. kansasii (PPD-Y), M. fortuitum (PPD-F), M. chelonei subsp. abscessus (PPD-C) and M. tuberculosis (PPDs) were simultaneously used in skin tests on patients diagnosed as having tuberculosis or atypical mycobacteriosis to reveal their specificity, clinical usefulness and immunological status of the patients. The mean diameter of reaction (redness) for patients with M. tuberculosis positive sputum (TB group, n = 71; age, 20-90 yrs) was PPDs, 20.4 mm; PPD-B, 7.9 mm; PPD-Y, 11.7 mm; PPD-F, 0.8 mm; and PPD-C, 0.3 mm. For M. avium complex positive patients (MAC group, n = 100; age, 31-89 yrs), the results were PPDs, 10.9; PPD-B, 16.9 mm; PPD-Y, 10.7 mm; PPD-F, 1.6 mm; and PPD-C, 0.3 mm. The M. kansasii positive patients (K group; n = 8) showed results of PPDs, 12.6 mm; PPD-B, 10.7 mm; PPD-Y, 20.8 mm; PPD-F, 0.5 mm; PPD-C, 0.0 mm. The M. fortuitum positive patients (F group; n = 5) had measurements of PPDs, 5.8 mm; PPD-B, 4.4 mm; PPD-Y, 9.8 mm; PPD-F, 17.8 mm; and PPD-C, 16.0 mm. The patients who were previously M. tbc. positive but presently negative patients (pre. TB group; n = 50) showed the following results: PPDs, 16.6 mm; PPD-B, 7.4 mm; and PPD-Y, 10.9 mm. For the patients who were previously M. avium complex positive (previous MAC group; n = 19), the results were PPDs, 10.4 mm; PPD-B, 9.9 mm; and PPD-Y, 7.7 mm. Also considering their frequency distribution curve, with exception of the previous MAC group, the patient groups showed specificity to the PPD of the bacilli detected. The previous MAC group recorded no significant difference in response to PPDs and PPD-B. Strong cross reactions were observed between PPD-F and PPD-C, and moderate reactions between PPDs, PPD-B and PPD-Y. Cross reactions were scarce between PPDs, PPD-B or PPD-Y and PPD-F or PPD-C. Though it is difficult to distinguish cross-reaction and multiple infections, majority of the patients (72-85%) showed greatest response to the PPD that corresponds with the species of bacilli detected. In conclusion, two or more PPDs applied simultaneously can be of aid in diagnosing mycobacteriosis especially in the early stages of the disease. Also, cross-reactions between atypical mycobacteria and PPDs should be taken into consideration when diagnosing infection caused by M. tuberculosis.     

Four aromatic residues in the active center of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. 1011: effects of replacements on substrate binding and cyclization characteristics

Three-dimensional structures of cyclodextrin glucanotransferases (CGTases) have revealed that four aromatic residues, which are highly conserved among CGTases but not found in alpha-amylases, are located in the active center. To analyze the roles of these aromatic residues, Phe-183, Tyr-195, Phe-259, and Phe-283 of Bacillus sp. 1011 CGTase were replaced by site-directed mutagenesis, and the effects of this procedure were examined. Y195L-CGTase, in which Tyr-195 was replaced by a leucine residue, underwent a drastic change in its cyclization characteristics: it produced considerably more gamma-cyclodextrin than the wild-type enzyme and virtually no alpha-cyclodextrin. Y195L-CGTase had increased Km values for cyclodextrins, whereas the values for a linear maltooligosaccharide donor were insignificantly changed. Taken together with the structural information of CGTase crystals soaked with substrates, we propose that Tyr-195 plays an important role in the spiral binding of substrate. Replacing either Phe-183 or Phe-259 with leucine induced increased Km values for acceptors. Furthermore, the double mutant F183L/F259L-CGTase had considerably decreased cyclization efficiency, but the intermolecular transglycosylation activity remained normal. These results indicated that Phe-183 and Phe-259 are cooperatively involved in acceptor binding, and that they play a critical role in cyclization when the nonreducing end of amylose binds to the active center of CGTase. Replacing Phe-283 with a leucine residue induced a decrease in kcat and in affinity for acarbose, suggesting that Phe-283 is involved in transition-state stabilization.     

Dc power system for mutual coupled large scale superconducting coils

The large helical device (LHD) is a fusion experimental facility which has a large scale mutually coupled superconducting coil system and it is now under operation at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS). This paper shows the design and the operation results of the dc power systems to drive these coils. First, the outline of the LHD and the power supplies are described. Next, a control system and the current controller for the power supplies are introduced. Finally, some experimental results are introduced.     

Formation of one-way-structured cultured neuronal networks in microfluidic devices combining with micropatterning techniques

We present a simple method to regulate the direction of axon development in cultured neurons using microfabrication and microfluidics techniques. We fabricate a PDMS-based device and place it onto a chemically micropatterned glass substrate. We confirm that cultured neurons extend neurites along the medium flow direction and the micropatterned regions.     

High-resolution inventory of Japanese anthropogenic mercury emissions

Heavy metals like mercury that are emitted into the environment remain there indefinitely, posing a long-term threat to both the environment and human health. Elemental mercury is volatile and is in gaseous form, and because of the long residence time, transported over long distances. Comprehensive control of mercury emissions therefore remains an important international issue. The crucial steps for designing effective approaches for such control include the quantification of mercury emissions by sources and the identification of geographical characteristics of the emissions. In this study a detailed, high-resolution inventory of Japanese mercury emissions in 2005 was developed to improve understanding of their geographical distribution. Proceeding from a national emissions inventory per source category, emissions were spatially allocated with increasing geographical resolution in a stepwise procedure using statistics from geographic information resources, yielding mercury emissions per prefecture, per municipality and per grid cell of approximately 1 × 1 km. The five prefectures with the highest emissions were Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Hyogo, Oita, and Hokkaido, accounting for 35.2% of all emissions. In each prefecture a small number of municipalities account for a major share of emissions. Distribution by grid cell is characterized by a concentration of 50% of all emissions in a mere 32 of the 255?954 grid cells over which emissions are distributed in this study. It was also quantitatively confirmed that use of larger grid cells leads to greater uncertainty in emissions distribution. Problems with data collection are clarified and measures to improve the accuracy of future estimation are proposed.     

Survival of Salmonella in spices and growth in cooked food

Contamination of spices with pathogens has been reported worldwide, and Salmonella might result in foodborne infections. In this study, we investigated the survival of Salmonella in black pepper and red pepper, and the growth of the surviving Salmonella in cooked food. Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Weltevreden and Salmonella Senftenberg were inoculated into spices, and their survival during storage was examined. In black pepper, S. Enteritidis was no longer viable after storage for 28 days, but S. Weltevreden and S. Senftenberg remained viable. In red pepper, S. Weltevreden and S. Senftenberg survived for 28 days although S. Enteritidis was not viable after 7 days. Salmonella Weltevreden and Salmonella Senftenberg were inoculated into cooked food, and their survival during storage was determined. In potato salad, egg salad, namul and kimchi as cooked foods, both pathogens grew at 30 degrees C, but not at 10 degrees C. Our results indicate that cooked food should be stored at low temperature after addition of spices, such as black pepper and red pepper, following the cooking.     

Adsorptive and photocatalytic removal of phenol by layered niobates organically modified through intercalation and silylation

Layered hexaniobate K4Nb6O17 was modified with dodecylammonium ions and octadecyltrimethoxysilane molecules, which were held in the interlayer spaces by electrostatic interactions and covalent attachment to the layers, respectively. Interlayer spacing of the niobate was expanded by incorporation of the bulky organic species. Vapor adsorption isotherms of benzene and water indicated hydrophobic interlayer microenvironments of the organically modified niobates. Both of the modified niobates fairly adsorbed phenol dissolved in water. The photocatalytic activity of hexaniobate allowed the organically modified materials to photocatalytically decompose phenol upon UV irradiation. Decomposition time courses and quantitative analysis of phenol present in the system indicated that the phenol molecules adsorbed on the niobates were preferentially degraded. XRD and IR analyses of the modified niobates indicated that the silylated niobate was more durable than the ion-exchanged sample; the former kept the structure during the photocatalytic process while the latter was partly collapsed.     

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-9 immunoreactivity in senile plaques

We examined fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-9 immunoreactivity in human hippocampal sections of Alzheimer's disease (AD). FGF-9 immunoreactivity was observed in dystrophic neurites of senile plaques in AD and control cases, in addition to the hippocampal and cortical neurons. The amyloid core and neurofibrillary tangles lacked immunoreactivity. FGF-9 immunoreactive astrocytes were conspicuous in AD brains. FGF-9 may be involved in the neuropathology of AD.     

Relationship between nutrient intake and bone mineral density in an urban community of healthy elderly women

The relationship between nutrient intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in a community of healthy elderly women was investigated. A three-day nutritional survey was carried out. Subjects were divided into two groups using criteria set by the Recommended Dietary Allowances for the Japanese Fifth Revision (1994). Relationship between nutritional intake and BMD was explored. Intake of energy, protein, fats, and vitamins B1 and B2 correlated positively with BMD, as did the intake of eggs, meat, legume and soya products, other vegetables and potatoes, as well as fat and oil. Those with larger average number of food ingested per day had higher average of BMD. In conclusion, the hypothesis: adequate dietary intake protects against BMD loss, agreed with the results. Sufficient nutrient and food intake is associated with BMD increase, and possibly reduced risk of osteoporosis.     

Elastic properties of CeRu2

We present data of the elastic properties of the Laves phase compound CeRu₂ in the normal and superconducting state obtained from ultrasound measurements. In the temperature range between the superconducting transition temperature of 6.1 K and 300 K we used a deformation potential coupling approach to describe the temperature dependence of the elastic constants. The elastic anomalies in the superconducting state are characterised with the model of thermally assisted flux flow (TAFF). This enables us to construct a detailed superconducting B-T phase diagram including the vortex dynamics and interpret the peak effect region. Especially the ultrasonic measurements exhibit clearly the connection between the normal state and the superconducting properties. They show that structural fluctuations have strong effects on the superconductivity and on the vortex dynamics.