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Functional maturation of muscles is related to the constitutional proportion of muscle protein isoforms during development and growth. Although the mouse masseter muscle (MS) is classified as a fast limb muscle, its functions are different from those of a limb muscle. This study investigated the differentiation of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms during the postnatal development periods in mouse MS and mouse tibialis anterior (TA), which is a fast limb muscle. Many anti-MHC slow-type-positive fibres were observed in neonatal MS and TA; these fibres decreased during development. Adult MS was composed of anti-MHC fast-type-positive fibres. MHC isoforms in MS were composed of MHC-2a and MHC-2d soon after birth. MHC-2b was expressed, but MHC-2a was not seen after 21 days. Expression of MHC-2b agreed with the weaning period, that is 2–3 weeks after birth. This fact suggested that the transformation from suckling to mastication changed the MHC isoforms during this period. In this study, the expressions of MHC-2b agree with the weaning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on the cytoskeleton of osteoblasts have been made mainly using cultured cells. However, the morphology of cultured cells may be altered during subculture. Therefore, cytoskeletal changes of calvarial osteoblasts were investigated in situ by electron microscopy using the detergent perfusion method to preserve cell morphology as well as selectively observing the cytoskeleton in the presence of a high concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the calvarial periphery in rats. Rats were perfused with a mixture of Triton X-100 and glutaraldehyde, then the cytoskeleton was observed by transmission electron microscopy. In osteoblasts of the control group, thick bundles of microfilaments ran parallel to the long axis of the cells immediately below the cell membrane adjacent to the osteoid layer. In contrast, in the osteoblasts of the PGE2-administered group, the external morphology was changed to an asteroid or cubic shape, and thick bundles of microfilaments immediately below the cell membrane adjacent to the osteoid were not observed, although microfilament fibres, with a diameter of 5–6 nm, were observed in the cytoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To test the hypothesis that urinary levels of arachidonic acid metabolites may be a predicting factor of the effects of pranlukast, a selective leukotriene (LT) antagonist, on chronic adult asthma, we investigated the relationship between its clinical efficacy and urinary eicosanoid levels. Methods: An open, multicenter trial was conducted involving 38 stable moderate and severe asthmatic patients (mean percent predicted FEV1 was 71%). All patients received pranlukast (225 mg twice daily) for 4 weeks after a 2‐week run‐in period. Urinary levels of LTE4, 11‐dehydro‐thromboxane (TX) B2, 2,3‐ dinor‐6‐keto‐prostaglandin (PG) F1α, and creatinine were measured in 3‐h urine collected on day 1 of the treatment. The responder was defined by an improvement of asthma symptom scores and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Results: One patient was excluded because of an adverse effect, nausea. Thirteen out of 37 subjects were responders and 24 were nonresponders. There were no significant differences in patients' backgrounds and urinary arachidonate levels between the two groups. The urinary LTE4 to 2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α ratio in the responder was significantly lower (P=0.01) than that in the nonresponder. In all patients, a significant inverse correlation was revealed between the baseline urinary LTE4/2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α ratio and the improvement of PEFR in the morning (r=-0.43, P=0.007). Conclusions: These data suggested that the urinary ratio of LTE4 to 2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α might be one of the predictive markers of the clinical efficacy of this LT‐receptor antagonist in asthmatic subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyphenylalanine synthesis by cytoplasmic ribosomes of Gateway barley (Hordeum vulgare) and its virescens single gene nuclear mutant was compared. The cytoplasmic 80S ribosomes were isolated from unimbibed embryo material and the ribosomes were dissociated into their component 60S and 40S subunits by centrifugation through sucrose gradients containing high KCl-to-MgCl2 buffer. These separated subunits could be reassociated by resuspension in butter having about equimolar concentrations of MgCl2 and KCl. Both homologous and heterologous combinations of the subunits reassociated to give monomeric 80S ribosomes, and the derived monomers as well as various combinations of the individual subunits showed equivalent activity in an in vitro system for poly (U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of splenic plaque-forming cells significantly increased in bursectomized chicks immunized secondarily with SRBC. Further experiments using rabbit antiserum specific to the bursa of Fabricius indicate that the different types of antibody-producing cells might be engaged in the synthesis of IgM in bursectomized chicks. The possible presence of a bursa-independent, IgM-producing system in chicks is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymerase chain reaction-directed mitochondria (mt) and microsatellite DNA analyses were performed to examine the kin structure in a spring population of grey-sided voles Clethrionomys rufocanus in Hokkaido, Japan. The spatial distribution of 81 voles in a trapping grid (about 1 ha) was estimated by using the catch-mark-release method. DNA samples were extracted from the toes clipped for individual identification. Maternal lineages of voles were unequivocally determined by themtDNA haplotypes, as identified by nucleotide sequencing of the control region. Relatedness between individuals was estimated based on the genotype and allele frequencies at several microsatellite loci. Although the distribution of voles was uniform within the grid, neighbouring females were frequently from the same maternal lineage. Relatedness values between females correlated negatively with geographical distances. Combination of the two molecular markers revealed four clusters of closely related, matrilineal females in the population, whereas no such cluster was apparent in males. The present study first demonstrated a sex-related spatial kin structure in a natural population of the grey-sided vole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explain biodegradation behavior of sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) in the soil environment, a soil perfusion method has been applied. This method is one of continuous enrichment cultures with soil. The degree of degradation of LAS was evaluated by measuring the amount of ferroin reagent active substances (FRAS) instead of methylene blue active substances (MBAS) and/or of total organic carbon (TOC) in the perfusion fluid. The biodegradation of LAS started after adsorption onto soils. At high LAS concentrations, the biodegradation occurred after some lag phase, but further added LAS was degraded readily without a lag phase. These results of biodegradation are in good agreement with those obtained from the biodegradation tests on river water and activated sludge, and reproducible results were obtained for the soil perfusion with the same soil. This proves the soil perfusion method to be a useful method for evaluation of biodegradation in the soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 12 polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated from the red snow crab, Chionoecetes japonicus (Brachyura: Majidae), one of important fisheries resources in the Far East. The number of alleles observed at each locus ranged from two to 19, with the observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.125–0.875 and 0.156–0.949, respectively, suggesting these loci to be a useful molecular marker for population analysis in this species. Of the 12 loci, seven also were available for genotyping of the snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, implying these loci as a useful molecular marker in the genus Chionoecetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We isolated six microsatellite markers from the partial genomic libraries of two Sorex shrews, S. unguiculatus and S. caecutiens, and examined their allelic variation. All loci showed high allelic variation ranging from 15 to 19 alleles and all but one locus conformed to Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the species where the loci were isolated. Cross-species amplifications showed that all primers derived from S. unguiculatus were useful for S. caecutiens, while among primer sets derived from S. caecutiens only one was useful for S. unguiculatus. Accordingly, at least five microsatellite markers were useful in S. caecutiens and three in S. unguiculatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci were isolated from the neptune whelk Neptunea arthritica, which is an important fishery resource in northern Japan. The number of alleles at the loci ranged from two to six, with observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.192–0.807 and 0.233–0.738, respectively. The observed variations suggest that these loci can be used as markers for population and kinship analyses in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the partial genomic library of the rhinoceros auklet Cerorhinca monocerata. The heterozygosities observed at the isolated loci using eight primer sets in 46 nestlings from one breeding colony in Japan ranged from 0.311 to 0.773, and all but one locus did not deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Cross-species amplification in the tufted puffin Fratercula cirrhata was successfully performed using six of the eight primer sets, indicating their applicability to this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various measures to inactivate/remove viruses have been implemented for manufacturing plasma-derived products. Here, we examined the heat inactivation ability of an agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS coronavirus (CoV).The Frankfurt-1 strain of SARS-CoV was incorporated in manufacturing processes of several products by using samples collected immediately before liquid heat treatment at 60 °C.SARS-CoV was easily inactivated by this treatment for 60 min in all in-process samples. However, the different composition of the tested samples affected the heat sensitivity of the virus strain: the infectivity of the virus in Antithrombin III preparation still remained after heating for 30 min at 60 °C.If by rare chance SARS-CoV contaminates source plasma, there should be no or only minor risk of this virus infection, due to sufficient inactivation by the 60 °C 10 h liquid heating step, although we must pay attention to the composition used for blood product preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the isolation and chracterization of microsatellite loci in the red-crowned crane, Grus japonensis, to assess genetic variability within and among populations of G. japonensis and the other species examined from the East Asia mainland and the Hokkaido Island, Japan. Primer sequences; Repeat array; Number of alleles and heterozygosity of each microsatellite locus.

Studies the genus Microtus. How the Microtus has been studied extensively for diverging ecological adaptations, social organizations and population dynamics; Discussion of DNA markers; How the study isolated several microsatellites loci from the genome of the field vole Microtus montebelli of Japan and assessed their polymorphism in a natural population.

The article discusses polymorphic microsatellite clones from the grey backed vole, Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae, which is a species with frequent population fluctuations. The authors refer to a preliminary study on ten voles with five of ten microsatellites that are polymorphic. The study observed eighty one voles with five microsatellite alleles at loci differing in number of repeat units. The results of the four loci that were used to estimate the heterozygosity suggested that the vole population is subject to random mating. According to the authors, inbreeding linked to a gene subject to assertive mating was not amplified with primers used.

An abstract of the conference paper "Placental multiple chorionic cysts in maternal scleroderma," by E. Whitby and colleagues is presented.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the distribution of halitosis in a general Chinese population and assess the relationship between halitosis and oral health status and other social or behavioral factors. The subjects were 1000 males and 1000 females aged from 15 to 64 years in urban and rural area of Beijing, China. Questionnaire survey and oral examination was conducted. Questionnaire items included socio-economic status (income and education), oral habits (brushing), knowledge for oral health, dental attendance, life habits (smoking), medical history and self-assessment of halitosis. Oral examination comprised of DMFT, plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), pocket depth (PD), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) and tongue coating score (TCS). Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) concentrations in mouth air were assessed by Halimeter. If VSC was 75 ppb and above, the subject was diagnosed halitosis. As a result, the prevalence of halitosis was 35.4% for the total population. Age and area of residence did not related to the VSC value. The levels of VSC were different among the period of assessment time. In the 15–24, 25–34 and 55–64-year-old groups, VSC values were significantly higher in the late afternoon. DMFT was not related with VSC. General health, social and behavioral factors did not relate to VSC. According to the logistic regression analysis, TCS, gender, CI and mSBI was significantly correlated with VSC. TCS had the highest OR value among them. The prevalence of halitosis was high in this population. Tongue coating played the most important role in determining VSC level, followed by periodontal status. However DMFT, smoking, social economic status, oral habits, general health and other social factors did not contribute to the level of VSC. The effective oral health promotion programs would be necessary to improve the poor oral health status and decrease the level of VSC for this study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To test the hypothesis that urinary levels of arachidonic acid metabolites may be a predicting factor of the effects of pranlukast, a selective leukotriene (LT) antagonist, on chronic adult asthma, we investigated the relationship between its clinical efficacy and urinary eicosanoid levels. Methods: An open, multicenter trial was conducted involving 38 stable moderate and severe asthmatic patients (mean percent predicted FEV1 was 71%). All patients received pranlukast (225 mg twice daily) for 4 weeks after a 2‐week run‐in period. Urinary levels of LTE4, 11‐dehydro‐thromboxane (TX) B2, 2,3‐ dinor‐6‐keto‐prostaglandin (PG) F1α, and creatinine were measured in 3‐h urine collected on day 1 of the treatment. The responder was defined by an improvement of asthma symptom scores and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Results: One patient was excluded because of an adverse effect, nausea. Thirteen out of 37 subjects were responders and 24 were nonresponders. There were no significant differences in patients' backgrounds and urinary arachidonate levels between the two groups. The urinary LTE4 to 2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α ratio in the responder was significantly lower (P=0.01) than that in the nonresponder. In all patients, a significant inverse correlation was revealed between the baseline urinary LTE4/2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α ratio and the improvement of PEFR in the morning (r=-0.43, P=0.007). Conclusions: These data suggested that the urinary ratio of LTE4 to 2,3‐dinor‐6‐keto‐PGF1α might be one of the predictive markers of the clinical efficacy of this LT‐receptor antagonist in asthmatic subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke and active cancer have more severe neurological symptoms, elevated risks of stroke recurrence, and death compared with the general population. We examined whether von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen levels at stroke onset were associated with the poor outcomes of patients with stroke and cancer., Methods and Results: Using data from 90 patients with acute ischemic stroke and active cancer who were registered in the SCAN (Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Cancer and Neoplasia) study, a prospective multicenter, observational study in Japan, we divided patients into 2 groups according to their median vWF antigen levels (high, n=46; or low, n=44). The high-vWF group had a significantly higher initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (median, 7 [interquartile range, 3-11.25] versus 3 [interquartile range, 1-8.5]; P <0.05) and a significantly higher incidence of cryptogenic stroke (32 [70%] versus 16 [36%]; P <0.01) and venous thromboembolism (7 [15%] versus 0 [0%]; P <0.01), as well as multiple lesions (28 [62%] versus 12 [27%]; P <0.001), than the low-vWF group. We observed no significant difference in the rate of stroke recurrence within 1 year between the groups. However, increased vWF levels were an independent predictor of death within 1 year of stroke onset, after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio, 6.77 [95% CI, 1.49-30.78]; P <0.05)., Conclusions: Elevated vWF antigen levels were associated with adverse outcomes in patients with cancer-associated stroke and may represent a useful biomarker to guide future therapeutic interventions.