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This study was performed to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and genetic relatedness of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica and Campylobacter spp. in poultry meat, and to analyze the association of genetic types of these bacteria with their geographical distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles. Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates have been detected, respectively, in 54 and 71 samples out of 100 samples tested. Nine Salmonella serotypes were found, including S. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis (33%), Schwarzengrund (12%), Manhattan (9%), and others. Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli were detected in 64 (64%) and 14 (14%) samples, respectively. S. enterica subsp. enterica isolates were very frequently resistant to tetracycline (78.3%) and streptomycin (68.3%). Many C. jejuni and C. coli isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (90.5%), nalidixic acid (47.3%), ampicillin (45.9%), and ciprofloxacin (40.5%). Cluster analysis was performed for the Salmonella isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) data. For Campylobacter isolates, the cluster analysis was based on both PFGE and comparative genomic fingerprinting. The molecular typing results were compared with the information about antimicrobial resistance and geographical locations in which the poultry meat was produced. This analysis revealed that C. jejuni strains with a particular genotype and antimicrobial resistance profile are spreading in specific areas of Japan.

Salmonella is a major causative agent of food borne diseases. Recently, monophasic strains of Salmonella, such as S. enterica 4: i: -, have been frequently reported. Here, we investigated the genetic background of S. enterica 4: b: - using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A total of 10 strains of S. enterica (I) 4: b: - were examined and compared with 34 strains including serovar Paratyphi B and Paratyphi B var Java, Schleissheim, and II b: -. All I 4: b: - strains were negative for hin which encodes an invertase that converts the H phases, and six were also negative for fljB, which encodes the second phase of the H antigen. An MLST analysis identified 12 sequence types (ST) and 6 ST complexes (STC) from the 44 strains. A clustering analysis of PFGE patterns almost corresponded to the STC. The monophasic I 4: b: - strains were assigned to 3 STCs (19, 32 and 155), corresponding to those of Paratyphi B var. Java or a monophasic strain according to the data of this and previous studies. These findings suggest that the monophasic strains examined in this study might have been derived from multiple clones of Paratyphi B var Java. This study shows the usefulness of molecular typing as complementation tools of the conventional serotyping system.

The Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) started a new nationwide gastric cancer registry in 2008. Approximately 50 data items, including surgical procedures, pathological diagnoses, and survival outcomes, for 12004 patients with primary gastric cancer treated in 2001 were collected retrospectively from 187 participating hospitals. Data were entered into the JGCA database according to the JGCA Classification of gastric carcinoma, 13th edition and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM Classification of malignant tumors, 5th edition by using an electronic data collecting system. Finally, data of 11261 patients with gastric resection were analyzed. The 5-year follow-up rate was 83.5%. The direct death rate was 0.6%. TNM 5-year survival rates (5YSRs)/JGCA 5YSRs were 91.8/91.9% for stage IA, 84.6/85.1% for stage IB, 70.5/73.1% for stage II, 46.6/51.0% for stage IIIA, 29.9/33.4% for stage IIIB, and 16.6/15.8% for stage IV. The proportion of patients more than 80 years old was 7.0%, and their 5YSR was 48.7%. Compared to the JGCA archived data, though the follow-up rate needs to be improved, these data suggest that the postoperative results of patients with primary gastric carcinoma have improved in those with advanced disease and in the aged population in Japan.

Mitochondrial dysfunction causes increased oxidative stress and depletion of ATP, which are involved in the etiology of a variety of renal diseases, such as CKD, AKI, and steroid–resistant nephrotic syndrome. Antioxidant therapies are being investigated, but clinical outcomes have yet to be determined. Recently, we reported that a newly synthesized indole derivative, mitochonic acid 5 (MA-5), increases cellular ATP level and survival of fibroblasts from patients with mitochondrial disease. MA-5 modulates mitochondrial ATP synthesis independently of oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain. Here, we further investigated the mechanism of action for MA-5. Administration of MA-5 to an ischemia-reperfusion injury model and a cisplatin–induced nephropathy model improved renal function. In in vitro bioenergetic studies, MA-5 facilitated ATP production and reduced the level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) without affecting activity of mitochondrial complexes I–IV. Additional assays revealed that MA-5 targets the mitochondrial protein mitofilin at the crista junction of the inner membrane. In Hep3B cells, overexpression of mitofilin increased the basal ATP level, and treatment with MA-5 amplified this effect. In a unique mitochondrial disease model (Mitomice with mitochondrial DNA deletion that mimics typical human mitochondrial disease phenotype), MA-5 improved the reduced cardiac and renal mitochondrial respiration and seemed to prolong survival, although statistical analysis of survival times could not be conducted. These results suggest that MA-5 functions in a manner differing from that of antioxidant therapy and could be a novel therapeutic drug for the treatment of cardiac and renal diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are differentiated from non-pathogenic members with enterotoxin production, enteroinvasiveness and serotyping. However, the serotypic members are rarely sufficient to reliably identify a strain as diarrheagenic on E. coli. Recently, there are many definite articles which the adhesive E. coli strain against intestinal epithelial cells is enterovirulent. In this study, 1,748 E. coli isolates of diarrheagenic and non-diarrheagenic categories which belonged to EHEC, ETEC, EIEC EPEC and non-EPEC were examinated by PCR method for the presence of eaeA, aggR and bfpA regarding adherence factor genes, and astA of EAST1. The strains examined were recognized to variable carrying geno-patterns, and a large number of EHEC, EPEC and non-EPEC had carried either eaeA or aggR genes. In EHEC isolates, a carrying pattern with the most high frequency was only eaeA, and this type was recognized in the isolates of serotype O157, O26 and O111. EPEC and non-EPEC isolates were recognized eaeA or aggR which harboring with astA or not. Of 508 EPEC isolates from human, a total of 137 isolates (27.0%) carried aggR, and a total of 74 isolates (14.6%) had eaeA, while of the 91 isolates from non-human were recognized aggR and eaeA with 2.2% (2 isolates) and 12.1% (11 isolates), respectively. Also, of 266 non-EPEC isolates from human, a total of 16 isolates (6.0%) carried aggR, and a total of 58 isolates (21.8%) had eaeA. On the other hand, 22 (7.0%) of 316 isolates examined from non-human had eaeA, however no isolate had aggR. Thirteen isolates of EIEC and 218 ETEC isolates were screened, and only 6 ETEC isolates had either eaeA or aggR. The astA gene was recognized in the isolates of all categories, and ETEC strains had more frequently. The bfpA gene was recognized with more frequently in a serotype O157: H45, which is obtained from human with diarrhea, however, this strain was not recognized a member of the EPEC serotype. There is no diagnostic system for the strain of E. coli that cause diarrheal diseases, therefore more laboratories are unable to identify them. The authors had confirmed which PCR technique is a useful simple and rapid method for the detection of adherence factor genes on E. coli strains. From the these results, we showed a differentiation method using PCR technique which have relation with adherence factor, enterotoxin-production and invasiveness, and we firmly believe that application of the procedure is a reasonable and useful method for the identification of diarrheagenic E. coli.

Based on material col­ lected from shallow hydrothermal vent fields in Kagoshima Bay, southern Japan, a neAV species of the subfamily Pontoniinae, Periclimenes thertnohydrophiluSy is described and il­ lustrated. A combination of several char­ acters distinguishes the present new^ spe­ cies from all other members of this genus. A short and narrow rostrum w^ithout basal crest, an isolated epigastric spine, a submarginal antennal spine and a long carpus of the second pereopod are char­ acteristics of the new^ species. The rela­ tionship betw^een this shrimp and host tube w^orms is briefly discussed.

Based on several type specimens and material collected from various localities, the East Asian species of Crangon are revised. C. affinis De Haan, 1849, C. propinquus Stimpson, 1860, C. dalli Rathbun, 1902a, C. hakodatei, Rathbun, 1902b, C. cassiope De Man, 1906, C. amurensis Brashnikov, 1907 and C. uritai new species are recognized. C. affinis is given full specific status. A neotype is designated for C. propinquus. C. septemspinosa forma amurensis and C. septemspinosa forma anivensis are assigned to C. amurensis. The taxonomic status of C. dalli, C. hakodatei and C. cassiope is clarified by the examination of the type specimens and/or topotypic specimens. Each species is diagnosed and illustrated. C. uritai, which had been confused with C. affinis, is fully described and illustrated. Affinities and distribution of these seven species are discussed and a key is provided., Crustacean research No.28, pp. 62-103; 1999

西日本に分布する両側回遊性ヌマエビ類5種,ヒメヌマエビCaridina serratirostris,トゲナシヌマエビC.typus,ミゾレヌマエビC.leucosticta,ヤマトヌマエビC.japonica,およびヌマエビ(小卵型)paratya compressa compressaの第1・第2ゾエア期幼生について,腹部の色素胞の位置と形状を観察し,それらの出現傾向を記載した.さらにこれを利用して第1・2ゾエア期幼生の種を識別する方法を示し,検索表を作成した., The abdominal chromatophores of the first and second zoeae were examined in five amphidromous atyid shrimps, which are widely distributing in southwest Japan: Caridina serratirostris De Man, C. typus H. Milne Edwards, C. leucosticta Stimpson, C. japonica De Man, and Paratya compressa compressa (De Haan) (small egg type). Chromatophore distribution pattern of larvae was found to be an effective character to identify respective species., 甲殻類の研究=Crustacean research. 1995, 24, p.194-202

Olefination of dialkyl squarates 1–5 with several ylides 6 and phosphonates 7 gave the corresponding alkylidene products 8–12 . In the case of Horner-Emmons reactions, stereoselective formation of Z -alkylidene products was observed. An acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of 8–12 gave squarylacetic acid esters 13 .

An enolate-like intermediate A derived from 1,2-dioxo-3-isopropyloxy-4-methyl-3-cyclobutene ( 6 ) has proven to be a novel nucleophilic synthon for an aldol condensation reaction with an arylaldehyde to give a variety of 4-hydroxy-2,3-dioxocyclobut-1-enyl group (Sq group)-containing cinnamic acid derivatives.

The Japanese Gastric Cancer Association Registration Committee reported the treatment results and causes of death of patients with primary gastric cancer treated in 1991 at the leading hospitals in Japan. Data of 8851 patients with primary gastric cancer were collected from 113 hospitals, and data of 7935 patients with gastric resection were finally analyzed. The lost-to-follow-up rate was 6.9%; the direct death rate was 1.0%. The cumulative 5-year survival rate (5YSR) of all the patients was 68.2%; 89.9% for Stage I, 69.1% for Stage II, 43.5% for Stage III, and 9.9% for Stage IV. Characteristic findings of the analyzed data were (1) high proportion of early-stage cancer, (2) high resection rate, (3) low mortality rate, (4) low incidence of upper-third cancer, (5) poor treatment results in cases with scirrhous cancer, infiltrating growth, and marked lymphatic or venous invasion, and (6) predominance of systematic (D2) and extended lymphadenectomies possibly resulting in reducing local recurrence and improving survivals.

The morphologies of stearic acid and cytochrome c (cyt.c)-adsorbed stearic acid monolayers were investigated by Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) with various molecular areas of stearic acid. With an area of more than 0.38 nm2/molecule, many blight island domains and some bright circles were observed in the BAM image of the stearic acid monolayer. The blight site part became to occupy all the surface with compression, and then became more closely packed with an area of 0.22 nm2/molecule. On the other hand, a different BAM image was obtained for the cyt.c-adsorbed stearic acid monolayer, as follows: (i) a striped pattern was only observed in the presence of cyt.c; (ii) the number of bright circles in the presence of cyt.c was less than that in its absence. Furthermore, when a uniform BAM image was observed for the stearic acid monolayer with cyt.c, the intensity of the absorbance at 409 nm of cyt.c was the highest. By calculating the amount of cyt.c adsorbed on a stearic acid monolayer from the absorbance value, it was shown that cyt.c was most closely packed when an uniform BAM image was observed. These results suggest that the use of BAM and visible absorption spectroscopy together is useful for studying the morphology of a monolayer.

In June, 1984, a large-scale outbreak of type A botulism occurred in 14 different prefectures in Japan, involving 36 cases and 11 deaths, due to consumption of vacuum-packed ‘karashi-renkon’ (deep-fried mustard-stuffed lotus root). The onset of symptoms ranged from June 9th through July 28th and many batches of ‘karashi-renkon’, having been manufactured by a factory during a period of three weeks from June 5th to June 25th, were found to be contaminated with type A spores. Type A spores (1.0 × 104 cfu/g) experimentally inoculated into the mustard-miso stuffing [water activity (aw) 0.92, pH 5.0, NaCl 5.7%] did not multiply. By adjusting the stuffing to aw 0.98 (pH 5.4) growth of type A was still inhibited. When the stuffing with elevated aw and pH was heat-treated for 60 min at 80°C or autoclaved, it supported growth of Clostridium botulinum type A as indicated by the achievement of toxin levels higher than 105 LD50/g. When mustard-miso was stuffed into the holes of lotus roots and refrigerated overnight or a longer period, both aw and pH of the stuffing increased to 0.98 and 5.3, respectively. The changes were apparently due to dialysis between the stuffing and the lotus root. This refrigeration process was actually performed at the plant, where the incriminated foodstuff was manufactured. The dialyzed mustard-miso stuffing, when heat-treated, supported the growth of type A organisms. Thus, we substantiated the possibility of primary multiplication of C. botulinum type A in mustard-miso stuffing subjected to refrigeration in lotus roots and then heat-treated.

Isozyme polymorphism of esterase in Oryza sativa L. was investigated with leaves of 776 native varieties collected from known sites of Asian countries by the use of horizontal agar gel thin layer electrophoresis.The esterase isozymes occurred in altogether fourteen all anodic bands. Of them, nine bands (1A, 2A, 6A, 7A, 10A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 14A) were easily distinguishable and their combination composed 27 different zymograms, indicating the presence of substantially complex variation. Each isozyme differed in its frequency of occurrence in each of the eight areas extended from Sri Lanka to Japan. The bands were grouped into two; one such as 1A and 11A occurred commonly through the areas, the other such as 6A, 7A, 12A and 13A occurred in a distinctive geographic cline.Zymogram patterns comprising the latter group's bands demonstrated a very conspicuous and sequential geographic cline, terminating in very simple zymograms at both south-and north-most areas of Asia. On the contrary, an area including Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, Burma, Vietnam and Yunnan of China was widest in variation of the zymogram patterns. Consequently, this area was postulated to be the center of genetic diversity in esterase isozymes of O. sativa, proposing an important working hypothesis in advancing researches on its speciation and migration.

本報は酢酸繊維素溶液における網目構造の性質を調べるために, 溶液中に少量の水, メタノール, クロロホルム, 四塩化炭素,酵酸エチル,塩化カルシウム,グリオキサール,ポリメタクリル酸メチルおよび塩化ビニル・酢酸ビニル共重合物等を添加して,そのワイセンベルグ効果を測定した。二重円筒型装置を用いたが,その円筒を上昇する溶液の高さをh , 内筒壁面の剪断応力を S1 とすると, h=BSp1 で表わされる。ここにB およびp は定数で, p は1.0～1.4 の間にある。

Treatment of 2-phenyl-1-azirine in cyclohexane with Cu(II) bromide afforded ω-bromoacetophenone azine, but in carbon tetrachloride gave 2-bromomethyl-2,4-diphenyl-2H-imidazole via 2-bromo-3,5-diphenyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene.