eaeA genes in Escherichia coli derived from Japanese patients with sporadic diarrhea

To investigate the prevalence of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli, we examined 364 strains isolated from the feces of 9,684 patients with diarrhea at the Anjo Kosei Hospital in Japan for the presence of eaeA. Twenty-nine (8%) of the strains were eaeA positive. Of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), 11 of the 87 (13%) strains were for the positive eaeA gene. The serotypes and the numbers of eaeA-positive strains among the strains tested were as follows: O26:H-(2/3), O55:H7 (4/4), O55:H-(2/ 2) and O128:H2(3/3). Two enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strains (Verotoxin positive O157:H7) were also eaeA positive. Among 260 non-EPEC strains that were not categorized as diarrheagenic E. coli, 16 (6%) were eaeA positive. Those serotypes were as follows: O15:H2, O20:H6, O28:H28, O63:H6. O153:H7, O28:H6, O153:H19 and O157:H45. EPEC strains including O18:H7 and six other serotypes, enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were all eaeA negative.     

Formylmethanofuran: tetrahydromethanopterin formyltransferase from Methanopyrus kandleri - new insights into salt-dependence and thermostability

DNA vaccines induce immune responses against antigens synthesized in vivo after direct introduction of the DNA's encoding sequences. This unique approach to immunization may overcome deficits of traditional antigen-based approaches and provide safe and effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. DNA vaccines are also useful as a research tool, such as for production of monoclonal antibodies. Efforts are now focusing on understanding the mechanism of antigen presentation and the adjuvant effect of immunostimulatory CpG motifs in the vectors to aid optimization of DNA vaccines.     

Osteoclast differentiation factor is a ligand for osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory factor and is identical to TRANCE/RANKL

Osteoclasts, the multinucleated cells that resorb bone, develop from hematopoietic cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage. Osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) are formed by coculturing spleen cells with osteoblasts or bone marrow stromal cells in the presence of bone-resorbing factors. The cell-to-cell interaction between osteoblasts/stromal cells and osteoclast progenitors is essential for OCL formation. Recently, we purified and molecularly cloned osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory factor (OCIF), which was identical to osteoprotegerin (OPG). OPG/OCIF is a secreted member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and inhibits osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the cell-to-cell interaction. Here we report the expression cloning of a ligand for OPG/OCIF from a complementary DNA library of mouse stromal cells. The protein was found to be a member of the membrane-associated tumor necrosis factor ligand family and induced OCL formation from osteoclast progenitors. A genetically engineered soluble form containing the extracellular domain of the protein induced OCL formation from spleen cells in the absence of osteoblasts/stromal cells. OPG/OCIF abolished the OCL formation induced by the protein. Expression of its gene in osteoblasts/stromal cells was up-regulated by bone-resorbing factors. We conclude that the membrane-bound protein is osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), a long-sought ligand mediating an essential signal to osteoclast progenitors for their differentiation into osteoclasts. ODF was found to be identical to TRANCE/RANKL, which enhances T-cell growth and dendritic-cell function. ODF seems to be an important regulator in not only osteoclastogenesis but also immune system.     

Computer aided plant operation

In contrast with the big empahsis put on the process design technology, not much attention has been drawn to the technical development in the field of plant operation. Application of computers to the problem of plant operation is considered to have a great significance in establishing the man-machine system of high qualityThe roles of human operators seems to be changing along with the extent of computer application in plant operation. The importance of development of the inteligent man-machine interface with the aid of computer is stressed.One of the most crucial problems in plant operation is the system failure, where the systematic diagnositics is required. The possibility of development the computer aided diagnostic system is investigated.From recognition of the needs for avoidance of the chaos in plant operations to be created by the human factors, synthesis of operational procedures is considered to be an interesting target for process system engineering.     

Simulation of pyramid type three-roll bending process

A simulation of the deformation of a workpiece with a U-shaped cross section in a three-roll bending process is performed. Based on the properties of the workpiece, the distribution of curvature and bending moment are calculated in accordance with the displacement and the rotation of the rolls. The relationship between the position of the rolls and the final curvature of the workpiece is obtained. An experiment is performed and the accuracy of the simulation is confirmed.     

The novel compound NO-1886 increases lipoprotein lipase activity with resulting elevation of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and long-term administration inhibits atherogenesis in the coronary arteries of rats with experimental atherosclerosis

We have discovered a novel compound, NO-1886, which possesses a powerful lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity-increasing action. Administration of NO-1886 increased LPL activity in the postheparin plasma, adipose tissue, and myocardium of rats, and produced a reduction in plasma triglyceride levels with concomitant elevation of HDL cholesterol levels. Administration of NO-1886 increased LPL enzyme mass in postheparin plasma and mRNA activity in epididymal adipose tissue, and it was concluded that the mode of action of this compound is stimulation of tissue LPL synthesis. We also conducted long-term studies to assess the impact of increases in LPL activity and HDL levels on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in rats. Administration of NO-1886 for as long as 90 d significantly decreased the degree of atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries of vitamin D2-treated, cholesterol-fed rats. Statistical analysis indicated that increased concentration of HDL is the factor contributing mostly to the prevention of coronary artery sclerosis. In summary, the results of our study indicate that compound NO-1886 increases LPL activity, causing an elevation in HDL levels, and that long-term administration of NO-1886 to rats with experimental atherosclerosis provides significant protection against the development of coronary artery lesions.     

A graphical approach to cause and effect analysis of chemical processing systems

A method for cause and effect analysis of chemical processing systems has been developed on the concept of a signed directed graph. The signed directed graph, called a “model graph,” is used for representing cause and effect relationships among process variables in a system, and a “Pattern” on the graph is introduced to represent a state of the system, which is specified by “0” for normal state, “ + ” and “ ? ” for larger and smaller deviation from the normal state, respectively. For a given model graph and pattern on it, the cause of state changes and the manner of their propagation are easily found out by the present approach, which is mainly based on the depth-first search algorithm developed by Tarjan. As an illustrative example, a propane vaporizer has been taken to show the usefulness of the present approach.     

Crystal structure of NMC-4 fab anti-von Willebrand factor A1 domain

We have solved the crystal structure of the Fab fragment of NMC-4, a mouse monoclonal antibody that binds to the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (vWF). Two Asp and three Tyr residues in the complementarity determining regions 1 and 3 of the heavy chain exhibited a spatial orientation suggestive of a dominant role in establishing contact with the antigen. A cluster of Asp and Tyr residues occurs also in a region of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib alpha amino terminal domain known to be critically involved in vWF binding. Thus, the structural information obtained with NMC-4 may prove relevant to understand the stereochemical bases of the GP Ib alpha-vWF interaction essential for thrombus formation at sites of vascular lesion.     

Primary pineal melanoma with long-term survival: case report

A rare case of primary pineal melanoma is reported. The patient was a 53-year-old woman who complained of a severe headache. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images revealed obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a mass lesion in the pineal region. A biopsy was performed through an occipital transtentorial approach. A black pigmented solitary tumor was seen without leptomeningeal dissemination. Histologic examination revealed melanoma. Chemotherapy consisting of dacarbazine, ACNU, vincristine, and interferon was used. Follow-up imaging studies showed dramatic reduction of the tumor without recurrence for 4 years. This report demonstrates that a solitary primary intracranial melanoma without leptomeningeal dissemination and with rare mitoses may yield a good result with chemotherapy.