Search

Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (DNTM) is typically observed in immunocompromised hosts. Recently, it has been reported that healthy individuals with serum neutralizing autoantibodies for interferon (IFN)-γ can also develop DNTM. We herein report a case of anti-IFN-γ antibody-seropositive DNTM caused by Mycobacterium kansasii with symptoms mimicking TAFRO or POEMS syndrome, including anasarca, organomegaly, skin pigmentation, polyneuropathy, osteosclerotic change, thrombocytopenia, serum M protein, high C-reactive protein level, and reticulin fibrosis. The combination of antimicrobial chemotherapy with glucocorticoid and intravenous immunoglobulin improved his symptoms. Glucocorticoids may be an effective method of suppressing the production of anti-IFN-γ antibodies in DNTM.

Optic perineuritis (OPN), which is an inflammatory disorder affecting the optic nerve sheath, is one of the rare complications in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Although several groups have reported that immunosuppressive therapies are generally effective against GPA-associated OPN, so far, there is little information as to other options for refractory cases. Here we demonstrate a case of GPA-associated OPN, which is refractory to potent immunosuppressive therapy including high-dose glucocorticoid, intravenous cyclophosphamide and rituximab therapy, and effective application of therapeutic plasma exchange. We also report here that CSF IL-6 levels may serve as a new biomarker for GPA-associated OPN.

The concentrations of PCB congeners in the blubber and liver of male and female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; SSLs) collected from the Shakotan Peninsula and the Nemuro Strait, Hokkaido, Japan in 2008 and 2010 were measured by HRGC-HRMS, in order to express the concentration profiles in SSLs at these regions. #153 predominated in both organs, followed by #138, #99 and #118. In males, #28 and #31 were concentrated particularly in the blubber, while #177 and #199 were accumulated specifically in the liver. The differences in these concentration profiles might be expressed by the differences in the organs and their functions. The concentrations of #99, #118, #138, #153, and #180 in the blubber appeared to correspond significantly with the differences between genders. The details of the surveys on PCB congeners in SSLs could clarify the differences in the residue levels of individual congeners for organs and genders.

Inter-decadal and geographic variations in the diets of Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus, were examined based on the contents of 408 stomachs collected from coastal areas around Hokkaido Island during the periods 1994-1998 and 2005-2012. The most important prey species in the 1990s were gadid fishes (walleye pollock [Gadus chalcogrammus], Pacific cod [Gadus microcephalus] and saffron cod [Eleginus gracilis]). The frequency of occurrence and gravimetric contribution of gadids decreased in the 2000s latter period at three study sites (Rausu, Shakotan and Rebun) and were replaced by Okhotsk Atka mackerel (Pleurogrammus azonus) and smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus). However, analysis based on gravimetric composition indicated that the dietary diversity of prey showed only a slight inter-decadal difference, reflecting the wide diversity of prey ingested during both study periods. These results indicate that Steller sea lions along the Hokkaido coast are opportunistic feeders that utilize a wide variety of prey, and appear to feed mainly upon prey that is easily obtained.

2001 年および 2002 年の 5～11 月に北海道周辺海域で採集した 1,421 個体のスルメイカの日齢を平衡石の日周輪解析により推定し，発生時期について検討した。北海道周辺海域には 11～12 月発生群と 2～5 月発生群の 2 つの発生群がみられた。11～12 月発生群は 5～9 月に道西日本海と道南海域に来遊し，2～5 月発生群は 8～10 月に道東太平洋と道南海域に，10～11 月に道西日本海と道東オホーツク海に来遊したと推定された。8～9 月の道南海域では両発生群が混在していた。

Alginate-blended rayon was prepared from a mixture of alginate and cellulose xantate in alkaline solution. Wide distribution of alginate in the whole fiber was revealed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The alginate blended in the rayon could not be removed by aqueous alkaline solution completely, suggesting that a part of the blended alginate formed tight complex with cellulose. The blended rayon had an excellent moisture sorption property such as a superior moisture sorption and a comparable heat of sorption to those of wool.

The spawning season of the Japanese mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria (De Haan) was examined in Ishikari Bay. The spawning season was estimated based on the temporal changes of female gonad somatic index (GSI) and sex ratio (number of female individuals/total number of individuals×100(%)) obtained from data between 1989 and 1991. The female GSI gradually increased from April to June, decreased in July, and began to increase again after October until November. However, GSI in November did not attain the value in the next spring. The sex ratio was low between mid June and July and high in May and November. Changes of sex ratio show the difference between male and female activities outside their burrows. The extreme low sex ratio is caused by the egg nursing behavior of females in the burrow. The spawning season of O. oratoria in Ishikari Bay was between June and July and once a year.

Highly porous chelating resin was fabricated from the natural polysaccharide chitosan. The adsorption capacity was increased by polyamination with poly(ethylene imine) (MW = 10,000). The capacity was about 1-2 times larger than that of commercial chelate resins. The selectivity for adsorption of metal ions on the resin, which was determined for a single solute at pH [approx equal] 7, was Hg(II) > UO[sub 2](II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Ni(II). Mg(II), Ca(II), Ga(III), As(III), and Sr(II) were not adsorbed on the resin at all. The selectivity depended on the pH of each metal solution. The equilibrium isotherms for adsorption of HgCl[sub 2] were correlated by the Langmuir equation. The saturation capacities were close to the concentration of amino group fixed on the resin. When HCl or NaCl coexisted in HgCl[sub 2] solution and their concentrations were lower than 100 mol/m[sup 3], the saturation capacity of HgCl[sub 2] was little affected by them. When 500 mol/m[sup 3] H[sub 2]SO[sub 4] coexisted in HgCl[sub 2] solution, extremely low pH inhibited the adsorption of Hg(II) at all.