Molecular analysis of Neorickettsia risticii in adult aquatic insects in Pennsylvania, in horses infected by ingestion of insects, and isolated in cell culture

Upon ingestion of adult aquatic insects, horses developed clinical signs of Potomac horse fever, and Neorickettsia risticii was isolated from the blood. 16S rRNA and 51-kDa antigen gene sequences from blood, isolates, and caddis flies fed to the horses were identical, proving oral transmission of N. risticii from caddis flies to horses.

Increased polyploid incidence is associated with abnormal copper accumulation in the liver of LEC mutant rat

Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats are deleted at the p-type copper transport ATPase gene (Atp7b), so that they exhibit abnormal hepatic copper concentration. In this study, it was confirmed that LEC rat liver possesses a feature of increase in polyploid. Furthermore, a segregation analysis using backcrosses between LEC and F344 normal rats showed that the increased polyploid incidence is strongly associated with excessive copper content in their liver. These results should demonstrate that copper cytotoxicity leads to the impairment of mitotic progression, resulting in the increase of polyploid in the liver of LEC rats.

Transfer factors of radioactive Cs, Sr, Mn, Co and Zn from Japanese soils to root and leaf of radish

Transfer factors (TFs) of some selected radionuclides from ten different Japanese soils to radish have been studied by radiotracer experiments. The geometric mean values of TFs (on a wet weight basis) of radioactive Cs, Sr, Co, Mn and Zn for edible parts of radish (tuber) were 0.0090. 0.029, 0.00094, 0.0034 and 0.067, respectively. TFs for leaf were higher than those for tuber. The geometric mean values of leaf/tuber ratios were 4.1 for Cs, 4.9 for Sr, 1.6 for Co, 11 for Mn and 1.9 for Zn. Most of the Cs TFs obtained for andosol, which is the most common arable soil in Japan, were higher than those for the other soils. This might be due to the high concentrations of organic matter and alophen in andosol. The obtained TFs were compared to reference values of IAEA Technical Report 364.

Determination of uranium isotopes in soil core samples collected on the JCO grounds after the criticality accident

To evaluate the impact of the 1999 criticality accident in Tokai-mura on the U isotope composition in soils, U isotopes (235U and 238U) were determined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for soil core samples collected on the JCO grounds after the accident. The 235U/238U ratios were higher than the natural ratio in most samples. The highest ratio observed was 0.0262. Although vertical profiles of the 235U/238U ratio differed among the soil cores, the ratios tended to be high at the surface and decreased with depth. The U concentration also changed with depth. The percentages of 235U in the excess U, estimated from the positive correlation between U concentration and the 235U/238U ratio in soil samples, were less than 4% by mass (mostly 1-3%) and were much lower than the enrichment of the U used in the uranium conversion building at the time of the criticality accident (18.8%). These findings indicate that enriched U had been released before the criticality accident during the U processing at JCO in connection with the reconversion of light water reactor fuel. Since the range of the U concentrations found was comparable to the range of uncontaminated Japanese surface soils, the amount of U added to the soil was judged negligible from a radiation protection viewpoint.

Chromosomal mapping of calmodulin 1 (CALM1) and alpha-globin 1 genes (HBA1) in the bovine

Chromosomal mapping of the bovine calmodulin 1 and alpha-globin 1 genes was performed by analyzing bovine/murine somatic cell hybrid DNAs with PCR using primers specific for 3'-untranslated regions of those bovine genes. The calmodulin 1 and alpha-globin 1 genes were assigned to bovine chromosomes 25 and 29, respectively. Results from the present study should contribute to improvement in map resolution of bovine chromosomes and increase comparative information available on bovine chromosomes.

Measurement of 240Pu/239Pu isotopic ratios in soils from the Marshall Islands using ICP-MS

Nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States in the Marshall Islands produced significant quantities of regional or tropospheric fallout contamination. Here we report on some preliminary inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements of plutonium isolated from seven composite soil samples collected from Bikini, Enewetak and Rongelap Atolls in the northern Marshall Islands. These data show that 240Pu/239Pu isotopic signatures in surface soils from the Marshall Island vary significantly and could potentially be used to help quantify the range and extent of fallout deposition (and associated impacts) from specific weapons tests. 137Cs and 60Co were also determined on the same set of soil samples for comparative purposes.

Seroprevalence of antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsia among dogs and humans in Okinawa, Japan

We evaluated serum antibodies against Rickettsia japonica in 517 dogs (430 stray dogs and 87 pet dogs) and 164 humans in Okinawa, Japan, by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The seropositive rate in stray dogs was significantly higher than that in pet dogs (30.7 versus 4.6%, P<0.01). This high prevalence rate is attributed to the understandably frequent environmental exposure of stray dogs to tick infestation. Human samples obtained from Okinawa and Sapporo also showed a significant difference in seropositive antibody percentages (45.1 and 12.0%, respectively, P<0.01). This result suggests that there has been pre-exposure to spotted fever group rickettsia in humans in Okinawa.

First detection of Ehrlichia platys in dogs and ticks in Okinawa, Japan

We investigated Ehrlichia platys infection of dogs and ticks in Okinawa, Japan. Using E. platys specific primers, E. platys and HE3-R, PCR-positive results were obtained with 32.0% (64/200) of blood samples of dogs and 3.8% (3/77) of ticks. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified DNA fragment from the dogs and the ticks infesting them were identical, and the sequence corresponded to that of the E. platys Gzh981 strain. We concluded that there is a cyclic maintenance of E. platys between dogs and ticks in Okinawa.

Riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole) attenuates MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) neurotoxicity in mice

The protective effects of 2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole (riluzole), a Na(+) channel blocker with antiglutamatergic activity were investigated in the model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced depletion of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in mice. The mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with four administrations of MPTP (10 mg/kg) at 1 h intervals and then the brains were analyzed at 3 and 7 days after the treatments. Dopamine, DOPAC and HVA levels were significantly decreased in the striatum 3 days after MPTP treatments. Riluzole dose-dependently antagonized the MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine, DOPAC and HVA levels in the striatum. MPTP treatment also caused a severe decrease in the amount of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase protein (TH) and microtuble-associated protein 2 (MAP 2) and produced a marked increase in the striatal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Our immunohistochemical study with TH and MAP 2 staining showed that riluzole can protect against MPTP-induced neuronal damage in the substantia nigra. Furthermore, riluzole markedly increased the striatal GFAP-positive astrocytes 3 days after MPTP treatments. These results suggest that riluzole is effective against MPTP-induced neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal pathway. Our findings also may provide a rationale for the identification of astrocytes as a prominent target for the development of new therapies of Parkinson's disease.

Determination of radionuclides produced by neutrons in heavily exposed workers of the JCO criticality accident in Tokai-mura for estimating an individual's neutron fluence

In the Tokai-mura criticality accident, three workers were heavily exposed. Biological materials, such as blood, urine, vomit and hair, were collected from the workers and analyzed for radioactivities, produced by the neutron irradiation. Activation products. such as 24Na, -K and 82Br, were found in these materials by gamma-ray spectrometry. The radionuclide of the highest activity observed in biological materials was 24Na, e.g. the concentrations of this nuclide in the blood samples from the three patients at the accident time were 169, 92 and 23 Bq/ml, respectively. The concentrations of stable sodium in the same samples were determined by ICP-AES to obtain specific activities of 24Na (concentration ratio between the produced 24Na and stable 23Na), which are essential for estimating the neutron fluences and radiation doses. The specific activities of 24Na obtained for the three patients through the blood analysis were 8.2 x 10(4),4.3 x 10(4) and 1.2 x 10(4) Bq24Na/g23Na. Based on these values, individual's neutron fluences were estimated to be 5.7 x 10(11), 3.0 x 10(-1) and 0.85 x 10(11) cm(-2), respectively.

Biological functions of extravasated serum IgG in rat brain

During blood-brain barrier opening serum IgG could be extravasated. The function of intraparenchymal IgG, however, is unknown. Its biological effects in the acute phase were currently investigated. From rat autoserum IgG was purified and injected into the cortex. Similarly, IgG-Fab fragment was prepared and administered likewise. As for the control group, only vehicle was injected. Animals were sacrificed on days 1, 2 and 4 after the infusion and were histologically evaluated. On days 1 and 2, the infusion of IgG caused significant intraparenchymal infiltration of neutrophils which expressed LFA-1-alpha. It also induced CR3 up-regulation in microglia and endothelial ICAM-1 expression. On day 4, these findings had disappeared. HE stained brain sections and the TUNEL method did not reveal significant nerve cell death in IgG injected animals during the experiment as compared to the controls. IgG-Fab did not cause significant changes either. Extravasated IgG has been viewed to have biochemical functions. Its Fc fragment seemed to cause microglial and endothelial activation, followed by leukocytic infiltration. This sequence itself was not neurotoxic. Therefore, it is suggested that extravasated IgG is one of the inducers that modulate cellular responses in the acute phase of brain damage.

Bacteria mediate methylation of iodine in marine and terrestrial environments

Methyl iodide (CH(3)I) plays an important role in the natural iodine cycle and participates in atmospheric ozone destruction. However, the main source of this compound in nature is still unclear. Here we report that a wide variety of bacteria including terrestrial and marine bacteria are capable of methylating the environmental level of iodide (0.1 microM). Of the strains tested, Rhizobium sp. strain MRCD 19 was chosen for further analysis, and it was found that the cell extract catalyzed the methylation of iodide with S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the methyl donor. These results strongly indicate that bacteria contribute to iodine transfer from the terrestrial and marine ecosystems into the atmosphere.

Urocortin in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Urocortin is a newly identified member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neuropeptide family, and is known to be involved in the modulation of the inflammatory process. We examined the expression of urocortin, CRF and their receptors (CRF receptor; CRF-R) in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to study the possible biological roles of urocortin. Synovial tissues/fluids were obtained from 38 patients with RA, nine patients with osteoarthritis and four with trauma. We studied the concentration of urocortin in the synovial fluid using RIA, and the expression of urocortin in synovial tissue using immunohistochemistry, mRNA in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, we examined the immunolocalization of CRF and the expression of CRF-R1, -R2-alpha and -R2-beta mRNAs utilizing RT-PCR in these synovial tissues. Urocortin concentrations in synovial fluid were higher in RA patients (79.8+/-154 pg/ml) than in control patients (12.3+/-4.8 pg/ml; P< or =0.05). Urocortin immunoreactivity and mRNA signals were both detected in synovial cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts and macrophages. The number of urocortin-positive cells in the synovium was significantly higher in RA (73.1+/-32.1 cells per high-power field) than in control (18.4+/-10.4 cells per high-power field) patients. In addition, both urocortin immunoreactivity and mRNA signals in the synovium reached maximum levels in the active stage of RA inflammation. Moreover, the number of immunoreactive urocortin-positive cells was significantly correlated with the urocortin concentration in synovial fluid (r=0.705; P<0.001) and with histologically defined local inflammatory activity (r=0.641; P<0.001). The distribution and number of immunoreactive CRF-positive cells in synovial tissue were similar to those of urocortin-positive cells (r=0.701; P<0.001). Urocortin, CRF-R1 and CRF-R2-alpha mRNAs detected by RT-PCR were expressed in in the synovium of 10/10, 10/10 and 2/10 RA patients respectively, but CRF-R2-beta was not expressed. Urocortin was actively synthesized in the synovium of RA patients. The present study suggests that urocortin may play an important role as an autocrine and/or paracrine regulator of synovial inflammation in RA.

Age-related changes in the concentrations of major and trace elements in the brain of rats and mice

Age-related changes in the concentrations of constituent elements in the brains of rats and mice 1 wk to 24 mo old were determined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Seventeen elements could be determined with reasonable accuracy and reproducibility. They were P, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Rb, Al, Mn, Sr, Mo, Co, Pb, Cs, and Cd in order of concentrations in the adult rat brains. In these elements, six major elements (P, K, Na, Fe, Mg, Ca) were determined with ICP-AES and the others with ICP-MS. The concentrations of each element and the pattern of age-related changes were similar between the rat and mouse brains. The elements of which concentrations decreased with aging were K and Rb. On the other hand, the concentrations of some metal elements, including Fe, Cu, Sr, and Co, appeared to increase with growth and aging. The concentrations of other elements were relatively constant throughout the age examined.

Urocortin and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor expression in normal cycling human ovaries

Urocortin is a member of the CRF neuropeptide family and has a 43% homology to CRF in amino acid sequence. Urocortin has been found to bind with high affinity to CRF receptors. CRF has been detected in the human ovary and has been demonstrated to suppress ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro. In this study we examined urocortin and CRF receptor expression in normal cycling human ovaries, using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Normal cycling human ovaries were obtained at oophorectomy and hysterectomy from patients who underwent surgery for cervical cancer or myoma uteri. Intense urocortin immunoreactivity was detected in luteinized thecal cells of regressing corpora lutea, in which only luteinized thecal cells have the capacity for steroidogenesis. Immunoreactive urocortin was also detected in luteinized granulosa and thecal cells of functioning corpora lutea, in which both cell components are capable of producing steroids. RT-PCR analyses revealed that messenger ribonucleic acid levels for urocortin, CRF, and CRF receptor type 1 and type 2alpha were significantly higher in the regressing corpus luteum than in the functioning corpus luteum. The spatial and temporal immunolocalization patterns of CRF receptor were similar to those of urocortin. These results suggest that urocortin is locally synthesized in steroidogenic luteal cells and acts on them as an autocrine and/or paracrine regulator of ovarian steroidogenesis, especially during luteal regression.

Targeted transarterial oily chemoembolization for small foci of hepatocellular carcinoma using a unified helical CT and angiography system: analysis of factors affecting local recurrence and survival rates

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the local recurrence rate after a single targeted transarterial oily chemoembolization for small hepatocellular carcinoma with the unified helical CT and angiography system and analyzed the factors affecting the local recurrence rate and survival rate with Cox proportional hazards model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For 54 consecutive patients with 71 small hepatocellular carcinomas (< or = 5 cm) with no more than two associated lesions, targeted oily chemoembolization was performed with an emulsion of doxorubicin hydrochloride mixed with iodized oil or a suspension of zinostatin stimalamer followed by gelatin sponge particles. When local recurrence or a new lesion appeared, follow-up targeted oily chemoembolization was performed.

RESULTS

For 52 of 71 lesions, the catheterization to a subsegmental or more distal feeding artery could be performed. Local recurrence was recognized in 33.2% at 1 year and 37.8% at 2 and 3 years. The significant factors that affected local recurrence were tumor size (p = 0.005) and degree of deposition of iodized oil within the lesion (p = 0.049). The survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 93.3%, 77.1%, and 77.1%, respectively. The significant factors affecting survival rate were tumor thrombus in large vessels (p = 0.0001), appearing after the first chemoembolization, and maximum tumor size (p = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Single targeted transarterial oily chemoembolization with the unified helical CT and angiography system had a low local recurrence rate for small hepatocellular carcinoma, and follow-up embolization resulted in a good survival rate. Tumor size along with degree of intratumoral iodized oil deposition and tumor thrombus along with maximum tumor size were significant factors affecting local recurrence and survival rate, respectively.

Experimental technique for radiative-process-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the inner-shell excitation thresholds

Partial-fluorescence-yield (PFY) x-ray absorption measurements, rising the optimized window widths of position sensitive detectors in wave-length dispersive x-ray spectrometers, have been applied for radiative process-resolved (RPR) x-ray absorption spectroscopy. We have measured PFY-absorption spectra of graphite and diamond at the C K threshold and of h-BN and c-BN at the B K threshold. Resonant elastic x-ray scattering was observed in graphite and h-BN on their PFY-absorption spectra, and excitonic x-ray scattering was observed in diamond and c-BN. These results show that PFY-absorption measurements for RPR x-ray absorption spectroscopy can provide the information about the electronic structures and the radiative-decay process in inner-shell excitation.

Transfer of iodine from soil to cereal grains in agricultural areas of Austria

The concentrations of iodine in cereal grains cultivated at 38 locations in Austria from cereal-producing sites in agricultural areas and soil-to-grain transfer factors (TF) were determined. The concentrations of iodine in cereal grains, which were analyzed by radiochemical neutron activation analysis ranged from 0.002 to 0.03 microg g(-1), the arithmetic mean and the median were 0.0061 microg g(-1) and 0.0046 microg g(-1), respectively. The TF values for cereal grains were calculated to be 0.0005-0.02 and the median was 0.0016. The TF values correlated positively with the iodine concentrations in cereal grains. However, the TF values correlated negatively with the iodine concentrations in soils as well as with the amount of clay contents of soils. The TF values were almost independent on pH values (5.4-7.6) of soils.

Urocortin and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor expression in the human colonic mucosa

Urocortin is a newly identified member of the CRF neuropeptide family. Urocortin has been found to bind with high affinity to CRF receptors. The present study investigated urocortin and CRF receptor expression in human colonic mucosa. Non-pathologic sections of adult colorectal tissues were obtained from patients with colorectal cancer at surgery. Urocortin expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and messenger (m) RNA in situ hybridization. Isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) and epithelial cells were also analyzed by flow cytometry for the characterization of urocortin-positive cells, and by RT-PCR for detection of urocortin, CRF, and CRF receptor mRNA. Urocortin peptide distribution at various stages of human development (n = 35, from 11 weeks of gestation to 6 years of age) was examined by immunohistochemistry using surgical and autopsy specimens. Immunoreactive urocortin and urocortin mRNA were predominantly detected in lamina propria macrophages. Urocortin peptide expression was detected from as early as three months of age, but not before birth or in neonates. Urocortin, CRF receptor type 1 and type 2 alpha mRNA were detected in LPMC. CRF receptor type 2 beta mRNA, a minor isoform in human tissues, was also detected in LPMC, but at lower levels. Urocortin is locally synthesized in lamina propria macrophages and may act on lamina propria inflammatory cells as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of the mucosal immune system. The appearance of urocortin after birth indicates that the exposure to dietary intake and/or luminal bacteria after birth may contribute to the initiation of urocortin expression in human gastrointestinal tract mucosa.

Degree of apoptosis induced by adenovirus-mediated transduction of p53 or p73alpha depends on the p53 status of glioma cells

It has been reported that U-87MG glioma cells with wild-type p53 are resistant to p53 replacement gene therapy. As some gliomas harbor wild-type p53, it would be important to override the resistance mechanism due to wild-type p53 in glioma gene therapy. In this study, we transduced U-87MG cells or U251 glioma cells harboring mutated p53 with the p53 or p73alpha gene (a homologue of p53, that differently induces some p53-responsive genes) via adenovirus vectors (Advs) at same multiplicities of infection (MOIs) into respective cells (U-87MG: MOI 1000, U251: MOI 100), and evaluated the degree of apoptosis. The results demonstrate that the degree of apoptosis induced by Adv-mediated transduction of p53 in U-87MG cells was lower than that in U251 cells, whereas that induced by Adv-mediated transduction of p73alpha in U-87MG cells was higher than that in U251 cells. Bax expression in U-87MG and U251 cells induced by Adv-mediated transduction of p53 was almost the same as that of p73alpha. On the other hand, Adv-mediated transduction of p73alpha induced caspase-9 at higher levels than that of p53 in both cells. The results indicate that Adv-mediated transduction of p73alpha might be beneficial to overcome the resistance mechanism of glioma cells harboring wild-type p53.

Dynamical Auger emission induced by multistate vibronic coupling in the core-excited states of the BCl3 molecule

The Auger emission following the resonant excitation of the BCl3 molecule has been investigated using monochromatized synchrotron radiation. The B 1s excitation to the unoccupied Anti-bonding 4e(') orbital enhances the shoulder structure in the low kinetic energy side of the photoemission from the 2e(') valence bonding orbital. Based on a series of quantum mechanical calculations, this shoulder structure is interpreted as the dynamical Auger emission which reflects the B-Cl stretching nuclear motion and appears as a result of the purely multistate vibronic coupling effect among the Jahn-Teller split B 1s(-1)4e(') E' states and the closely lying B 1s(-1)3a(')(1) A'1 state.

Detection of serum antibodies to Bartonella henselae and Coxiella burnetii from Japanese children and pregnant women

The participation of Bartonella henselae and Coxiella burnetii in the pathogenesis of fever of unknown origin (FUO) and lymphadenopathy has not been completely clarified. Prevalence of these two agents in Japanese children is also unknown. Serum IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae and to C. burnetii were examined by the indirect fluorescence antibody assay. Enzyme immunoassay kits were used to detect serum IgG and IgA antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis. Out of 200 healthy normal pregnant women, two (1.0%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, four (2.0%) to C. burnetii and 49 (24.5%) to C. trachomatis. Out of 29 patients with FUO, one (3.4%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, four (13.8%) to C. burnetii and none to C. trachomatis. Out of 31 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy, three (9.6%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, two (6.5%) to C. burnetii and none to C. trachomatis. Out of 22 patients with generalized lymphadenopathy, one (4.5%) had serum IgG antibodies to B. henselae, three (13.6%) to C. burnetii and none to C. trachomatis. Prevalences of serum antibodies to C. burnetii in the patients with FUO and generalized lymphadenopathy and to B. henselae in the patients with cervical lymphadenopathy were significantly higher than those of normal pregnant women (Welch's t-test; P<0.01). These two agents may have some roles in the pathogenesis of FUO and lymphadenopathy in Japanese children.