Separation of metals and phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge ash

Microbial acidification of incinerated sewage sludge ash and dissolution of metals from the acidified ash were investigated using a semi-batch reactor at different solid retention times (SRTs). The average pH values ranged from 0.91 to 1.2 at SRTs longer than 10 days, whereas the reduction of SRT to 4 days resulted in an increase in the pH value to about 2. The dissolution efficiencies of Al, As, Cd, Cu and Mn were greater than 60% at a SRT of 4 days. Moreover, the effect of pH on precipitation of metals and P (dissolution of 80%) in the filtrate removed from the acidified sewage ash suspension, and the separation of phosphorus and the other metals in the filtrate using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or ferric ion, were examined. Although neutralisation of the filtrate to a pH of 5 simultaneously precipitated 100% of Al and 80% of P recovered from the acidified sewage ash, the addition of EDTA decreased their precipitation to 70 and 50%, respectively, at the same pH value, which would promote precipitation of P as calcium phosphate. Furthermore, neutralising to a pH of 2.5 after the addition of ferric ion precipitated P separately from Al and heavy metals.

Gene cloning and characterization of the protein encoded by the Neospora caninum bradyzoite-specific antigen gene BAG1

Neospora caninum is an Apicomplexan parasite that causes repeated abortion and stillbirth in cattle. The aim of this study was to clone the gene encoding the N. caninum orthologue (NcBAG1) of the Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite-specific protein TgBAG1 and characterize its expression pattern in the parasite. Isolation of the full-length 684-bp gene revealed that it shared 78.3% sequence similarity with TgBAG1. NcBAG1 encodes a predicted protein of 227 amino acids with 80.3% similarity to TgBAG1. A putative signal peptide sequence and an invariant GVL motif characteristic of small heat-shock proteins were identified in the predicted N. caninum amino acid sequence. We expressed the NcBAG1 gene as a recombinant glutathione S-transferase fusion protein (rNcBAG1) in Escherichia coli and used the purified 60 kDa protein to obtain a monoclonal antibody (Mab). rNcBAG1 reacted to Mabs specific for NcBAG1 and TgBAG1. No reaction between the NcBAG1 Mab and N. caninum tachyzoites was observed. Although the predicted molecular mass of NcBAG1 is 25 kDa, Western blot analysis of parasite lysates using the NcBAG1 Mab revealed a cross-reactive protein of approximately 30 kDa. Additionally, immunofluorescence assays using the tachyzoite-specific Mab for NcSAG1 and the bradyzoite-specific Mab for TgBAG1 or NcSAG4 revealed NcBAG1-specific expression in bradyzoites in cultures exposed to sodium nitroprusside, a reagent that increases the frequency of bradyzoites. Interestingly, the NcBAG1 protein was identified in the cytoplasm of the bradyzoite-stage parasites. This preliminary analysis of the NcBAG1 gene will assist investigations into the role of this protein in N. caninum .

Resource dependent biodegradation of estrogens and the role of ammonia oxidising and heterotrophic bacteria

The influence of ammonia oxidising bacteria and bulk organic competition was assessed during laboratory scale activated sludge treatment. Under short and long hydraulic retention time (HRT) and solid retention time (SRT) conditions, bioreactors were supplied with synthetic sewage spiked with 0.04-2.1 mg m(3) d(-1) of steroid estrogens with and without ammonia as a nitrogen source. Non acclimated biomass that had previously not been exposed to estrogens was capable of biodegrading estrogens (89% and 78%) within 24 h in the short HRT/SRT and long HRT/SRT conditions respectively. Changing the nitrogen source from ammonia to nitrate caused reductions in ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) numbers from 2.47×10(8) to 1.17×10(7)AOB mL(-1) and 5.15×10(9) to 4.27×10(7)AOB mL(-1) for the short and long HRT/SRT conditions respectively. Despite these reductions, biodegradation of estrogens was unaffected, which demonstrated that heterotrophic bacteria were able to biodegrade estrogens. Estrogen biodegradation was unrestricted and estrogen could be removed at higher than environmental concentrations following a pseudo-first order relationship. During this study, bulk organic loading appeared not to have any appreciable influence upon estrogen biodegradation. These results suggest heterotrophic bacteria, capable of scavenging a broad spectrum of organic material, carry out estrogen biodegradation.

How regular visits and preventive programs affect onset of adult caries

If it is to be effective, preventive dental treatment must be based on an individual's risk of caries and periodontal disease. However, hitherto, preventive treatment has been generally conducted without proper caries-risk assessment because of lack of knowledge about an individual's caries risk. This study sought to identify high-risk adult patients and examine the effectiveness of preventive programs. Data for 442 patients from a single general practice who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Multiple logistic-regression analysis showed that high levels of mutans streptococci (SM) correlated with the onset of primary and secondary caries, with odds ratios of 2.34 (95%CI: 1.15-4.76, p = 0.019) and 2.22 (95%CI: 1.06-4.62, p = 0.034), respectively. Lactobacilli (LB) also correlated with secondary caries, with an odds ratio of 3.34 (95%CI: 1.35-6.85, p = 0.007). When the patients were checked after three years of a preventive program, the correlation with SM and LB disappeared. Survival analyses by Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier methods showed that secondary caries was difficult to control by conventional preventive programs alone in patients with high levels of cariogenic bacteria. In conclusion, cariogenic bacteria play an important role in the incidence of caries, and additional intensive preventive treatment should be considered for high-risk patients.

Inhibitory effect of transient administration of flutamide (sch-13521, 4'-nitro-3'-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide) on diethyl-nitrosamine (den) induced liver-tumors in male b6c3f1 mice

In order to understand the role of androgen in DEN induced liver tumorigenesis in mice, we studied the influence of anti-androgenic compound, flutamide (SCH 13521, 4'-Nitro-3'-trifluoromethylisobutyranilide) on liver tumors, in B6C3F1 male mice. At 6 weeks of age mice were treated with DEN, (0.2 muM/g body weight). Transient administration of flutamide (0.5 mg/g food) in diet to male mice for (i) three weeks immediately after diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment, for (ii) three weeks starting at the age of 25 weeks and (iii) starting at 25 weeks of age until end of experiment inhibited liver tumors incidence to 63%, 50% and 53%, respectively, compared to that of DEN alone, 81.3% (significantly different). However, continuous administration of this drug throughout the experimental period (58 weeks) produced 96.9% liver tumor incidence. The time-dependent sacrifice of DEN alone treated mice at 25, 30, 38, 44 and 58 weeks of age produced liver tumor incidence of 0, 12.5, 31.5, 43.8 and 81.3%, respectively (r = 0.99). Mean tumor number and size were also correlatively increased with the prolongation of latency and highest value was noted at 58 weeks of age. Implantation of testosterone pellet after castration significantly increased cytosolic androgen receptor levels but decreased in mice treated with flutamide. Three weeks administration of flutamide to male B6C3F1 mice enhanced nuclear BrdU incorporated cells in the liver. Our results suggested that flutamide reduces cytosolic androgen receptor levels and increases DNA synthesis. These factors may in part be responsible for the liver tumor inhibitory effect of flutamide in male mice.

Effects of soy products in reducing risk of spontaneous and neutron-induced liver-tumors in mice

In the Orient people including the Japanese, have traditionally consumed products of fermented soy bean such as miso or soy sauce or sake in their daily life as part of a meal or as a flavor. However, there have been almost no scientific evaluation of their biological effect for human health up to now. This study was designed to examine whether occurrence of spontaneous or radiation induced liver tumors in mice could be influenced by the administration of miso or soy sauce in daily diet. Either intact male C3H/HeN or neutron irradiated B6C3F1 mice of both sexes were fed with 10% miso or 10% soy sauce containing diet for 13 months. In male C3H/HeN mice, both miso and soy sauce diets significantly reduced the frequency and the multiplicity of liver tumors. In neutron irradiated B6C3F1 mice, feeding miso diet significantly decreased the frequency and multiplicity of liver tumors in the male, but not in the female mice. Although there have already been reports of anti-mutagenic or anti-tumorigenic effect of soy bean products, inhibitory effects of dietary miso or soy sauce for mouse liver tumorigenesis obtained in the present study may be caused by multi-factorial mechanisms such as accommodation of immunologic or hormonal status in the body.

Effect of biochanin-a or testosterone on liver-tumors induced by a combined treatment of den and fission neutron in bcf1 mice

To determine the biological effect of biochanin A, miso or NaCl and sexual influence of testosterone on liver tumor induction, male and female BCF1 mice were i.p. injected once with DEN at a dose of 5 mug/g body weight at 15 days of age. In order to shorten the latency of liver tumor occurrence, the whole body of mice were exposed to 2 Gy of Cf-252 fission neutrons at four weeks of age. Three days later, female mice were surgically ovariectomized and given the various doses of testosterone melted into a cholesterol pellet. Male mice were fed on 10 ppm, 20 ppm biochanin A, 10% miso or 2% NaCl supplemented diet for 8 weeks (from 21 to 28 weeks of age) and 4 weeks (from 32 to 36 weeks of age). All mice were sacrificed at 40 weeks of age. Multiplicity of liver tumors was expressed in four different size ranges by <2, 3-5, 6-10 and >10 mm2. Incidence of liver tumors in all experimental groups except in group 1 at 20 weeks were observed at 100%. Average tumor size and multiplicity were smaller at 20 weeks compared to those of 40-week groups. Male groups fed 20 ppm biochanin A and 2% NaCl had an increase in body weight with significant difference from control by p<0.01. Liver weights were more-or-less the same in all groups except an increase was seen in the group of 20 ppm biochanin A (p<0.01). In female groups, both 0.2 mg and 1 mg of testosterone administration resulted in an increase of tumor multiplicities and a decrease of liver weight compared to that of control group with significant differences. In both male and female groups, majority of liver tumor sizes were in the range of 3-5 mm2. Tumor multiplicities and size in less than 2 mm2 in biochanin A groups, 10% miso and 2% NaCl decreased significantly from control group. These findings suggest that 15-20 weeks is the time in which 1-2 mm2 size of liver tumors start to appear. Among others, biochanin A is a component of miso. The potent anti-tumorigenic effect of dietary miso for mouse liver tumorigenesis may be strenghtened by a combination of factors such as the presence of Biochanin A, protease inhibitors and various fermented enzymes.

Anti-obesity role of adzuki bean extract containing polyphenols: in vivo and in vitro effects

BACKGROUND

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of polyphenol-rich adzuki bean extract on lipid metabolism, triglyceride accumulation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

For the in vivo study, rats were divided into four groups: group C was fed a control diet, group A was fed the control diet with 1% adzuki bean extract, group CF was fed a high fat diet, and group AF was fed a high fat diet with 1% adzuki bean extract. For the in vitro study, the ability of adzuki bean extract to suppress triglyceride incorporation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory response was investigated in cultured human adipocytes. Data from the animal study showed that adzuki bean extract improved lipid metabolism in both the normal and high-fat diet groups. Adzuki bean extract treatment in the high-fat group resulted in significant reductions in total hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid secretion into the feces. Incubation of adipocytes with adzuki bean extract significantly decreased triglyceride accumulation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory responses without affecting cell viability.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate that adzuki bean extract has high potential to serve as a natural anti-obesity agent.

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and its expected roles in the bovine endometrium during gestation

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and its induced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in tissue remodeling during the peri-implantation period. However, the role of EMMPRIN in the bovine placenta is still unclear. We have postulated that EMMPRIN might play a regulatory role in trophoblastic cell functions during gestation by itself or through the regulation of MMP expression. In this study, EMMPRIN mRNA was detected in the bovine placentome and interplacentome throughout gestation, and its expression was significantly higher in the cotyledon during late gestation. In situ hybridization showed that EMMPRIN mRNA was expressed in the caruncular epithelium and the cotyledonary epithelium, including binucleate cells. Western blot analysis detected a band representing a protein of approximately 65 kDa in the caruncular and cotyledonary tissues, and the intensity of its expression was increased in both of these tissues during late gestation. The expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-14 in the bovine placenta were higher during late gestation, as was observed for EMMPRIN. Therefore, EMMPRIN might regulate trophoblastic cell functions, especially those of binucleate cells, through MMP expression in the bovine placenta.

Myeloperoxidase anti-cytoplasmic antibody related crescentic glomerulonephritis in a patient with IgG3λ monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease with membranous features

A 68-year-old woman showed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis based on the fact that she had 1+ proteinuria (1.1 g/day), a 3+ occult blood reaction, blood urea nitrogen of 32.4 mg/dL, serum creatinine of 2.96 mg/dL, and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) at 52 ELISA Unit (normal range: below 10). A renal biopsy demonstrated a bubbling appearance associated with cellular crescent formation with segmental necrosis. Immunofluorescence studies showed granular IgG3λ deposition along the basement membrane and in the mesangial area. This is the first English-language case report describing MPO-ANCA positive crescentic glomerulonephritis in a patient demonstrating monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease with mainly membranous features.

Heat induction of reporter gene expression via the gadd153 promoter and its possible application to hyperthermia treatment of cancer

The use of the gadd153promoter to induce expression of a reporter geneunder heat stress conditions was investigated,since the results of previous studies have suggestedthat the gadd153promoter is likely to be activated by the indirecteffects of hyperthermia, that is, by DNA damage thatoccurs when reactive oxygen species are produced byheat stress. The optimum temperature for a significantinduction was found to be between 41 and 43 degrees C andincreased expression of the reporter gene was observedat about 24 h after the heat treatment. Under theseconditions, the cell integrity was not alteredmorphologically and the growth stopped temporarily,while the viability was maintained. A second increasein expression occurred at a later stage when the cellswere severely damaged at 43-45 degrees C. Atthese temperatures, the cellular morphology showedsignificant alteration and the growth was stronglyarrested. This is likely to be due to a differentmechanism which could involve DNA repair processes. Itis expected that this method of induction can beexploited to drive the production of a protein ofinterest in a cancer treatment program that includes hyperthermia.

Induction of DNA DSB and its rejoining in clamped and non-clamped tumours after exposure to carbon ion beams in comparison to X rays

We studied double-strand breaks (DSB) induction and rejoining in clamped and non-clamped transplanted tumours in mice leg after exposure to 80 keV µm(-1) carbon ions and X rays. The yields of DSB in the tumours were analysed by a static-field gel electrophoresis. The OER of DSB after X rays was 1.68±0.31, and this value was not changed after 1 h rejoining time (1.40±0.26). These damages in oxygenated conditions were rejoined 60-70% within 1 h in situ. No difference was found between the exposure to X rays and carbon ions for the induction and rejoining of DSB. Thus, the values of OER and rejoined fraction after exposure to carbon ions were similar to those after X rays, and the calculated relative biological effectivenesses of carbon ion were around 1 under both oxygen conditions. The yields of DSB in vivo depend on exposure doses, oxygen conditions and rejoining time, but not on the types of radiation quality.

DISC1 regulates cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix adhesion and neurite outgrowth

Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a promising susceptibility gene for major mental illness. Recent studies have implicated DISC1 in key neurodevelopmental processes, including neurite outgrowth, neuronal migration and proliferation. Here, we report that DISC1 regulates cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and neurite outgrowth. DISC1 overexpression increased expression of the adherence junction protein N-cadherin and enhanced cell-cell adhesion. The increased N-cadherin accumulated in the areas of cell-cell contact. DISC1 overexpression also enhanced cell-matrix adhesion by inducing expression of beta1-integrin protein. In the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), DISC1 overexpression increased beta1-integrin expression at the cell membrane and growth cone. NGF-induced neurite extension was enhanced by DISC1, and anti-beta1-integrin antibody reduced the neurite outgrowth of DISC1-overexpressing cells to the control level. Furthermore, DISC1 also regulated N-cadherin and beta1-integrin expression at the cell membrane in primary neurons. We conclude that DISC1 regulates cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix adhesion by regulating the expression of adhesion molecules.

Bortezomib-resistant myeloma cell lines: a role for mutated PSMB5 in preventing the accumulation of unfolded proteins and fatal ER stress

Bortezomib is an effective agent for treating multiple myeloma (MM). To investigate the underlying mechanisms associated with acquired resistance to this agent, we established two bortezomib-resistant MM cell lines, KMS-11/BTZ and OPM-2/BTZ, the 50% inhibitory concentration values of which were respectively 24.7- and 16.6-fold higher than their parental cell lines. No activation of caspase and BH3-only proteins such as Noxa was noted in bortezomib-resistant cells after exposure to the drug. The accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins was reduced in bortezomib-resistant cells compared with the parental cells, associated with avoidance of catastrophic ER stress as assessed by downregulation of CHOP expression. These resistant MM cells have a unique point mutation, G322A, in the gene encoding the proteasome beta5 subunit (PSMB5), likely resulting in conformational changes to the bortezomib-binding pocket of this subunit. KMS-11 parental cells transfected to express mutated PSMB5 also showed reduced bortezomib-induced apoptosis compared with those expressing wild-type PSMB5 or the parental cells. Expression of mutated PSMB5 was associated with the prevention of the accumulation of unfolded proteins. Thus, a fraction of MM cells may acquire bortezomib resistance by suppressing apoptotic signals through the inhibition of unfolded protein accumulation and subsequent excessive ER stress by a mutation of the PSMB5 gene.

Effect of intermittent treatment with human Parathyroid Hormone 1-34 in SAMP6 senescence-accelerated mice

We examined trabecular and cortical bone in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6) murine model of senile osteoporosis after treatment with human PTH 1-34. Sixteen-week-old female SAMP6 mice were assigned to control and PTH groups. PTH (20 microg/kg) was administered sc 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The control mouse strain, senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1), was used for comparison. The femoral metaphysis and diaphysis were used to measure bone mineral density (BMD), analyze the trabecular and the cortical structure by micro-computed tomography, and for conducting the bone strength test. PTH significantly attenuated the loss of BMD, improved the trabecular bone microstructure, and increased the bone strength in the femoral metaphysis. We did not find any differences in the bone strength of the femoral diaphysis after PTH treatment, although the cortical bone volume and cortical thickness were improved. Although the cortical thickness increased, the cortical bone density decreased, likely because of the increase of cortical porosity in the distal metaphysis after administration of PTH.

Mongolian and Japanese Joint Conference on "Echinococcosis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention in Mongolia" June 4, 2009

The first Mongolian-Japanese Joint Conference on "Echinococcosis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention in Mongolia" was held in Ulaanbaatar on June 4^th, 2009. It was the first chance for Mongolian experts (clinicians, pathologists, parasitologists, biologists, epidemiologists, veterinarians and others working on echinococcosis) joined together. Increase in the number of cystic echinococcosis (CE) cases year by year was stressed. CE in children may be more than adult cases. Alveolar echinococcosis was suspected chronic malignant hepatic tumors or abscesses. Main discussion was as to how to introduce modern diagnostic tools for pre-surgical diagnosis, how to establish the national system for the data base of echinococcosis with the establishment of a network system by experts from different areas. The importance of molecular identification of the parasites in domestic and wild animals was also stressed.

[Emphysema evaluation of the remaining lung post lobectomy]

The aim of this study was to confirm that the emphysematous changes had increased in the remaining lung on the operation side after lobectomy. Fourteen patients underwent quantitative analysis by computed tomography (CT) and respiratory function testing before and after the operation for upper or lower lobectomy of the lung between March 2005 and May 2007. The degree of emphysema was calculated by dividing the volume of the emphysematous region (CT values: -1,024 to -950 HU) by the volume of the entire lung (CT values: -1,024 to -600 HU) using a 1 mm thickness high resolution CT slice. Comparison by paired t-test showed significant differences between the emphysema rates pre and post operation in the operation side lung (15.3 +/- 7.9% and 21.7 +/- 10.0%, p = 0.02), but there were no significant differences in the contralateral lung (15.8 +/- 7.5% and 17.7 +/- 8.4%, p = 0.25). On the other hand, there was no significant change in the percent forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0%) between pre and post operation (74.4 +/- 10.5% and 75.5 +/- 7.5%, p = 0.60). We consider that it is necessary to note that the emphysematous changes increased in the remaining lung on the operation side after lobectomy even though the FEV1.0% did not decrease at present.