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The distribution of the ring component in [2]rotaxanes was modulated by the introduction of a less symmetric spiro ring.

Here we explored the reactivity of a set of multivalent electrophiles cofunctionalized with a carbohydrate ligand on gold nanoparticles to achieve efficient affinity labeling for target protein analysis. Evaluation of the reactivity and selectivity of the electrophiles against three different cognate binding proteins identified arylsulfonyl fluoride as the most efficient protein-reactive group in this study. We demonstrated that multivalent arylsulfonyl fluoride probe 4 at 50 nm concentration achieved selective affinity labeling and enrichment of a model protein PNA in cell lysate, which was more effective than photoaffinity probe 1 with arylazide group. Labeling site analysis by LC-MS/MS revealed that the nanoparticle-immobilized arylsulfonyl fluoride group can target multiple amino acid residues around the ligand binding site of the target proteins. Our study highlights the utility of arylsulfonyl fluoride as a highly effective multivalent affinity label suitable for covalently capturing unknown target proteins.

A series of [2]rotaxanes with various functional groups in the axle component was synthesized by the oxidative dimerization of alkynes, which is mediated by a macrocyclic phenanthroline-Cu complex. The rotaxanes were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the structure of a rotaxane was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The interaction between the ring component and the axle component was studied in detail to understand the conformation of the rotaxanes. The presence of the hydrogen bond between the phenanthroline moiety in the macrocyclic component and the acidic proton in the axle component influenced the conformation of rotaxane.

Vascular inflammation is critical for the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Previously, we reported that neutrophils adhere to the vascular endothelium in low-density lipoprotein receptor null mice fed a high-fat diet through hypercitrullination of histone H3 by peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) in neutrophils. However, the involvement of PAD4 and citrullination of proteins other than histone H3 in neutrophil adhesion is not well known. In this study, we investigated the function of PAD4 and identified citrullinated proteins during vascular inflammation.We pefformed flow assay under physiological flow conditions using differentiated HL-60 (dHL-60) cells stimulated with CXCL1 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, phalloidin stain for dHL-60 stimulated with CXCL1 to observe F-actin polymerization and immunohistochemistry for the activated β2-integrin was conducted. To identify a target of citrullination in the cytoplasm of dHL-60 cells, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for dHL-60 stimulated with CXCL1 was performed.Inhibition or knockdown of PAD4 significantly decreased adhesion of under physiological flow conditions. Thr-Asp-F-amidine trifluoroacetate salt (TDFA), a PAD4 inhibitor, inhibited cytoplasmic translocation of PAD4 by CXCL1. TDFA or knockdown of PAD4 significantly decreased expression of β2-integrin and F-actin polymerization activated by CXCL1. Moreover, LC-MS/MS identified protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDIA1) as a target of citrullination in the cytoplasm of dHL-60 cells. Knockdown of PDIA1 significantly decreased adhesion of dHL-60 cells to HUVECs, expression of β2-integrin, and F-actin polymerization.Cytoplasmic translocation of PAD4 by CXCL1 induces neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelial cells and citrullination of PDIA1.

Mechanically planar chiral [2]rotaxanes were synthesized by the introduction of bulky pyrrole moieties into the axle component of an achiral [2]rotaxane. The enantiomers were separated by chiral HPLC. The shuttling of the ring component between the two compartments at high temperature induced the stereoinversion of the mechanically planar chiral [2]rotaxane. The rate of the stereoinversion was studied quantitatively, and the kinetic parameters were determined.

Purpose In this study, we aimed to characterize toll-like receptor (TLR)-3-mediated inflammatory immune response in porcine intestinal epithelial (PIE) cells and in PIE-immune cell co-cultures and, to evaluate if these in vitro systems are useful for selecting immunomodulatory lactic acid bacteria. Results We demonstrated that these systems are valuable tools for the in vitro study of the inflammatory response triggered by TLR3 in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and of the interaction between IECs and immune cells. In addition, we showed that PIE cells could be used for the selection of immunobiotic lactobacilli strains with anti-inflammatory activities. We found that Lactobacillus casei MEP221114 is an immunobiotic candidate for modulation of TLR3-mediated inflammatory responses. Conclusion The present study deepened our understanding of the mechanisms of immunobiotic action by demonstrating that the interaction between some lactobacilli strains and IECs can up-regulate the mRNA expression of TLR negative regulators and that this effect could help to regulate the production of inflammatory mediators during the generation of a TLR3-mediated immune response.

We evaluated whether a bovine intestinal epithelial (BIE) cell line could serve as a useful in vitro model system for studying antiviral immune responses in bovine intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and for the primary screening of immunobiotic microorganisms with antiviral protective capabilities. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed that toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) was expressed in BIE cells, and the results of real-time quantitative PCR showed that these cells respond to stimulation with poly(I:C) by up-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. In addition, we demonstrated that BIE cells are useful for the primary screening of immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria strains which are able to beneficially modulate antiviral immune responses triggered by TLR3 activation in bovine IECs. The characterization of BIE cells performed in the present study represents an important step towards the establishment of a valuable bovine in vitro system that could be used for the development of immunomodulatory feed for bovine hosts.

Two heterotrophic, agarolytic bacteria were isolated from marine environments. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the isolates (designated strains J42-3A(T) and 04OZ-AS15-7A) to be positioned in a separate lineage within the genus Psychromonas. Members of the genus Psychromonas are recognized as being psychrophilic or psychrotolerant, whereas none of the currently established Psychromonas species is known to be agarolytic. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were about 42 mol% and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1omega7c and 16 : 0. Based on the results of the phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses and DNA-DNA hybridization data, the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Psychromonas agarivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J42-3A(T) (=NBRC 104585(T)=KCTC 22285(T)).

Two marine heterotrophic bacteria, A5K-61(T) and A5K-106(T), were isolated from marine animals. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis data showed that the isolates were affiliated with the genus Thalassomonas; highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were found with Thalassomonas viridans DSM 13754(T) (97.5 and 98.1 %, respectively). DNA-DNA hybridization values of strains A5K-61(T) and A5K-106(T) with T. viridans DSM 13754(T) (22.2-49.1 %) were clearly below 70 %, the generally accepted limit for species delineation. The isolates produced a brown diffusible pigment. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 1)omega7c and C(16 : 0). Based on DNA-DNA hybridization data, some biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, the isolates represent two novel species of the genus Thalassomonas, for which the names Thalassomonas actiniarum sp. nov. (type strain A5K-106(T) =MBIC08328(T) =NCIMB 14418(T) =NBRC 104231(T)) and Thalassomonas haliotis sp. nov. (type strain A5K-61(T) =MBIC08329(T) =NCIMB 14417(T) =NBRC 104232(T)) are proposed.

Two strains of marine, heterotrophic, alkaliphilic bacteria, designated A3F-7(T) and ssthio04PA2-7c, were isolated from hard coral and marine sand, respectively, collected in the Republic of Palau. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were related to members of the genus Moritella. However, the sequence similarities between the isolates and the type strains of the Moritella species were less than 93 %. The G+C contents of the isolates were around 57 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1omega7c, 16 : 0, 18 : 1omega7c and 14 : 0. On the basis of the phylogenetic data, phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strains A3F-7(T) and ssthio04PA2-7c represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Paramoritella alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paramoritella alkaliphila is A3F-7(T) (=MBIC06429(T) =DSM 19956(T)).

Recent isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from the open ocean and subsequent pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analyses indicate that these strains have a unique genotype (N. H. Khan, Y. Ishii, N. Kimata-Kino, H. Esaki, T. Nishino, M. Nishimura, and K. Kogure, Microb. Ecol. 53:173-186, 2007). We hypothesized that ocean P. aeruginosa strains have a unique phylogenetic position relative to other strains. The objective of this study was to clarify the intraspecies phylogenetic relationship between marine strains and other strains from various geographical locations. Considering the advantages of using databases, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was chosen for the typing and discrimination of ocean P. aeruginosa strains. Seven housekeeping genes ( acsA , aroE , guaA , mutL , nuoD , ppsA , and trpE ) were analyzed, and the results were compared with data on the MLST website. These genes were also used for phylogenetic analysis of P. aeruginosa . Rooted and unrooted phylogenetic trees were generated for each gene locus and the concatenated gene fragments. MLST data showed that all the ocean strains were new. Trees constructed for individual and concatenated genes revealed that ocean P. aeruginosa strains have clusters distinct from those of other P. aeruginosa strains. These clusters roughly reflected the geographical locations of the isolates. These data support our previous findings that P. aeruginosa strains are present in the ocean. It can be concluded that the ocean P. aeruginosa strains have diverged from other isolates and form a distinct cluster based on MLST and phylogenetic analyses of seven housekeeping genes.

Four bacterial strains, 04HE-4-40, A4I-9, A4I-21 and AK15-027(T), were isolated from Heita Bay off Kamaishi in Japan. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolates were placed as a new lineage within the genus Psychromonas. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between the isolates and type strains of recognized Psychromonas species were less than 97 %. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were about 38 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8, and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1omega7c and 16 : 0. The isolates were able to grow at 30 degrees C, unlike other Psychromonas species. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Psychromonas heitensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AK15-027(T) (=MBIC 06898(T)=NCIMB 14416(T)).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, IG8T, was isolated from seawater off the Sanriku coast, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain IG8T represented a separate lineage within the genus Loktanella; the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were found with the type strains of Loktanella salsilacus (98.6 %) and Loktanella fryxellensis (98.4 %). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain IG8T and the type strains of L. salsilacus (27.9–36.1 %) and L. fryxellensis (11.3–31.0 %) were clearly below 70 %, the generally accepted limit for species delineation. The DNA G+C content of strain IG8T was 66.3 mol%. On the basis of DNA–DNA hybridization, some biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Loktanella atrilutea sp. nov. The type strain is IG8T (=IAM 15450T=NCIMB 14280T).

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium (WSF2T) was isolated from coastal seawater of the Boso Peninsula in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WSF2T represented a separate lineage within the genus Pseudovibrio. The DNA G+C content of strain WSF2T was 51.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain WSF2T and the type strains of Pseudovibrio species were significantly lower than those accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. Furthermore, some biochemical characteristics indicated that strain WSF2T differed from other Pseudovibrio species. Based on these characteristics, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Pseudovibrio japonicus sp. nov. The type strain is WSF2T (=IAM 15442T=NCIMB 14279T=KCTC 12861T).

Single crystal neutron diffraction was used to characterize the structural evolution of electrochemically oxidized La2NiO4+δ crystals as a function of temperature. In order to better describe the disorder of the apical and interstitial oxygen atoms we used the maximum entropy method. There is structural evidence not to attribute a peroxide character between the apical and interstitial oxygen atoms situated in exactly ( 1 4 1 4 1 4 ) of the F4/mmm unit cell. We have also reinvestigated the structural phase transition of stoichiometric La2NiO4 crystals at 74 K. The symmetry changes from Bmab to Pccn and remains orthorhombic down to 5 K.

A highly aggregating elastin peptide was prepared efficiently using a high pressure–liquid phase synthesis approach assisted by a soluble tag strategy. Two standard syringes were connected to each other to construct a reactor. This simple reactor was used to apply high pressure to the highly viscous reaction mixture thereby maintaining its fluidity. The reactions were completely inhibited due to aggregation when conducted in a standard flask reactor, whereas our high pressure approach accelerated the couplings to realize complete conversion within 5–7 min. All steps were conducted at 0.10 M concentration, affording grams of the desired product.

Background: Immunoregulatory probiotics (immunobiotics) have been proposed to improve piglets? immune system to avoid intestinal infections and reduce unproductive inflammation after weaning. Previously, it was demonstrated that Lactobacillus jensenii TL2937 (LjTL2937) attenuated the inflammatory response triggered by activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) in porcine intestinal epithelial (PIE) cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) from porcine Peyer?s patches (PP). Objective: In view of the critical importance of PIE-APCs interactions in the regulation of intestinal immune responses, we aimed to examine the effect of LjTL2937 on activation patterns of APCs from swine PPs in co-cultures with PIE cells. In addition, we investigated whether LjTL2937 was able to beneficially modulate intestinal immunity of piglets after weaning to improve immune-health status. Results: Stimulation of PIE-APCs co-cultures with LjTL2937 increased the expression of MHC-II, CD80/86, IL-10, and Bcl-3 in CD172a+CD11R1␣ and CD172a+CD11R1high APCs. In addition, the TL2937 strain caused the upregulation of three negative regulators of TLR4 in PIE cells: MKP-1, Bcl-3 and A20. These changes significantly reduced the inflammatory response triggered by TLR4 activation in PIE-APCs co-cultures. The in vivo experiments using castrated male piglets (crossbreeding (LWD) with Landrace (L), Large Yorkshire (W) and Duroc (D))of 3 weeks of age demonstrated that feeding with LjTL2937 significantly reduced blood complement activity and C reactive protein concentrations while no changes were observed in blood leukocytes, ratio of granulocytes to lymphocyte numbers, macrophages? activity and antibody levels. In addition, treatment with LjTL2937 significantly improved growth performance and productivity, and increased carcass quality. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the use of immunobiotics strains like LjTL2937, as supplemental additives for piglets feedings, could be used as a strategy to maintain and improve intestinal homeostasis; that is important for the development of the pig and for health and performance throughout the productive life of the animal. Fil: Suda, Yoshihito. Miyagi University. Department of Food, Agriculture and Environment; Japón Fil: Villena, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (i); Argentina. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry. Food and Feed Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Takahashi, Yu. Miyagi University. Department of Food, Agriculture and Environment; Japón Fil: Hosoya, Shoichi . Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry. Food and Feed Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Tomosada, Yohsuke. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry. Food and Feed Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Tsukida, Kohichiro. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry. Food and Feed Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Shimazu, Tomoyuki. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Laboratory of Animal Breading and Genetics ; Japón Fil: Aso, Hisashi. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Cell Biology Laboratory; Japón Fil: Tohno, Masanori . National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science; Japón Fil: Ishida, Mitsuharu . Miyagi University. Department of Food, Agriculture and Environment; Japón Fil: Makino, Seiya . Meiji Co., Ltd. Division of Research and Development ; Japón Fil: Ikegami, Shuji . Meiji Co., Ltd. Division of Research and Development; Japón Fil: Kitazawa, Haruki . Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry. Food and Feed Immunology Group; Japón

The relationship between the structure of perovskite-type BaXO3 and the ionic radius of X was investigated. The size of the X ion was controlled by an appropriate combination of a pair of tetravalent ions such as (Ce, Tb), (Pr, Tb), (Pr, Zr) and (Tb, Zr). The phases examined were prepared by solid–solid reaction at 1500°C. Structural characterization was carried out by the powder X-ray diffraction technique. As a result, the change from orthorhombic to a rhombohedral-like structure takes place at 0.0745 nm for X, and another change from rhombohedral-like to a cubic structure occurs at around 0.0825 nm. These structural characteristics are discussed compared with perovskite-type (Ndx, Sm1−x)AlO3, which shows similar phenomena to BaXO3.

In the low-temperature tetragonal phase of antiferromagnetic La 2 CoO 4 ( T N =270 K), we have observed a 59 Co zero-field nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectrum that consists of three lines: two domi...

Systematic heat treatments of single crystals of La 2- x Bi x CuO 4+ y ( x =0.05) and La 2- x Sr x CuO 4- y ( x =0.15) combined with accurate measurements of the sample weight demonstrated that the doping rate can be controlled and determined without decomposing the sample. For the former, the absolute doping rate 2 y was determined in the region of 0≤2 y ≤0.020 and the detailed doping dependence of the Neel temperature was obtained. For the latter, the effective doping x eff ≡ x -2 y can be reduced continuously from 0.15 to around 0.07 by deoxygenation. It is confirmed that the superconductivity was destroyed at x eff ≈0.10 irrespective of the details of the heat treatments.

The effect of Lactobacillus jensenii TL2937 on the inflammatory immune response triggered by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a porcine intestinal epitheliocyte cell line (PIE cells) was evaluated. Challenges with ETEC or LPS elicited toll-like receptor (TLR)-4-mediated inflammatory responses in cultured PIE cells, indicating that our cell line may be useful for studying inflammation in the guts of weaning piglets. In addition, we demonstrated that L. jensenii TL2937 attenuated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines caused by ETEC or LPS challenge by downregulating TLR4-dependent nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that L. jensenii TL2937 stimulation of PIE cells upregulated three negative regulators of TLRs: A20, Bcl-3 and MPK-1, deepening the understanding of an immunobiotic mechanism of action. L. jensenii TL2937-mediated induction of negative regulators of TLRs would have a substantial physiological impact on homeostasis in PIE cells because excessive TLR inflammatory signaling would be downregulated. These results indicated that PIE cells can be used to study the mechanisms involved in the protective activity of immunobiotics against intestinal inflammatory damage and may provide useful information for the development of new immunologically functional feeds that help to prevent inflammatory intestinal disorders, including weaning-associated intestinal inflammation. Fil: Shimazu, Tomoyuki. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Villena, Julio Cesar. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentina Fil: Tohno, Masanori. National Institute Of Livestock And Grassland Science; Japón Fil: Fujie, Hitomi. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón. Josai University. Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science. Department of Nutritional Physiology; Japón Fil: Hosoya, Shoichi. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Shimosato, Takeshi. Shinshu University. Fiber-Nanotech Young Researcher Empowerment Center; Japón Fil: Aso, Hisashi. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Cell Biology Laboratory; Japón Fil: Suda, Yoshihito. Miyagi University. Department of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science; Japón Fil: Kawai, Yasushi. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Saito, Tadao. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Makino, Seiya. Meiji Dairies Corporation. Division of Research and Development; Japón Fil: Ikegami, Shuji. Meiji Dairies Corporation. Division of Research and Development; Japón Fil: Itoh, Hiroyuki. Meiji Dairies Corporation. Division of Research and Development; Japón Fil: Kitazawa, Haruki. Tohoku University. Graduate School of Agricultural Science. Food Immunology Group; Japón

International audience; We report a combined synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction study on as-grown La2CoO4.14 single-crystal from 10 to 470 K. Unprecedented structural features in terms of a (3 + 2)D incommensurate modulation have been detected and characterized in the Low Temperature Orthorhombic (LTO) phase already at room temperature despite the complex twinning that was unravelled. A new intermediate phase between the LTO and High Temperature Tetragonal (HTT) phases has been observed for the first time (in the range of 413?433 K). The transformation from LTO to this so-called HTLO (High Temperature Less Orthorhombic) phase is associated to a lowering of orthorhombicity and a loss of one modulation vector, yielding a (3 + 1)D incommensurate modulation. Conversely, above 433 K the HTT phase appears as nonmodulated but exhibits a strong dynamic disorder of CoO6 octahedra, which has been characterized in detail by reconstruction of nuclear densities via the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM).

This study analyzed the functional expression of TLR3 in various gastrointestinal tissues from adult swine and shows that TLR3 is expressed preferentially in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), CD172a +CD11R1 high and CD4 + cells from ileal Peyer's patches. We characterized the inflammatory immune response triggered by TLR3 activation in a clonal porcine intestinal epitheliocyte cell line (PIE cells) and in PIE-immune cell co-cultures, and demonstrated that these systems are valuable tools to study in vitro the immune response triggered by TLR3 on IEC and the interaction between IEC and immune cells. In addition, we selected an immunobiotic lactic acid bacteria strain, Lactobacillus casei MEP221106, able to beneficially regulate the anti-viral immune response triggered by poly(I:C) stimulation in PIE cells. Moreover, we deepened our understanding of the possible mechanisms of immunobiotic action by demonstrating that L. casei MEP221106 modulates the interaction between IEC and immune cells during the generation of a TLR3-mediated immune response. Fil: Hosoya, Soichi. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Villena, Julio Cesar. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina Fil: Shimazu, Tomoyuki. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Tohno, Masanori. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Fujie, Hitomi. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Chiba, Eriko. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Shimosato, Takeshi. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Aso, Hisashi. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Suda, Yoshihito. Miyagi University. Department of Food Agriculture; Japón Fil: Kawai, Yasushi. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Saito, Tadao. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón Fil: Alvarez, Gladis Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada; Argentina Fil: Ikegami, Shuji. Meiji Dairies Corporation Japan; Japón Fil: Itoh, Hiroyuki. Meiji Dairies Corporation Japan; Japón Fil: Kitazawa, Haruki. Tohoku University. Food Immunology Group; Japón

Paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic resonances have been observed for powder samples of Li 2 CuO 2 in submillimeter wave region using pulsed magnetic fields at temperatures from 1.9 K to 265 K. At the paramagnetic state, the g -values have been determined to be g // =2.30 and g ⊥ =2.01. The line-width estimated from the powder signal increases as the frequency increases. Antiferromagnetic resonance modes along the principal axes have been clearly observed even in the powder samples below the Neel temperature and explained by the conventional antiferromagnetic resonance theory. It has been found that the easy axis is parallel to the direction of g // and the anisotropy is almost uniaxial and fairly strong. This fact is quite different from other antiferromagnetic copper oxides. Obtained parameters by AFMR are A =90 mol/emu, A x ′ =0.061 A, A y ′ =-0.021 A, A z ′ =-0.040 A, Γ x ′ =-0.028 A, Γ y ′ =0.018 A and Γ z ′ = 0.010 A.

The taxonomic positions of three strains of marine gliding bacteria, TISTR 1736, TISTR 1741 and TISTR 1750T, isolated from the southern coastline of Thailand were evaluated by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the three isolates formed a distinct lineage within the family ‘Flammeovirgaceae’, phylum Bacteroidetes, and were related to the genus Flexithrix. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were in the range 40–43 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1ω5c (cis-5-hexadecenoic acid) and 15 : 0 (pentadecanoic acid). The major hydroxyl fatty acids were 3-OH 17 : 0 (3-hydroxyheptadecanoic acid), 3-OH 15 : 0 (3-hydroxypentadecanoic acid) and 3-OH 16 : 0 (3-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, these marine bacteria are considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Rapidithrix thailandica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rapidithrix thailandica is TISTR 1750T (=IAM 15448T).

A novel gliding marine bacterium (strain 59SAT) was isolated from marine barnacle debris. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct lineage within the genus Aureispira in the family ‘Saprospiraceae’. The DNA G+C content of strain 59SAT was 38.7 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 20 : 4ω6c and 16 : 0. On the basis of the data from DNA–DNA hybridization, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain 59SAT represents a novel species of the genus Aureispira, for which the name Aureispira maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 59SAT (=IAM 15439T=TISTR 1726T).

Two strains of gliding, agarolytic bacteria, strains YS10T and YML5, were isolated from coastal seawater off Kamogawa, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolates represent a separate lineage within the genus Flammeovirga. DNA–DNA hybridization values between these isolates and the type strains of species of the genus Flammeovirga were significantly lower than those accepted as threshold values for the phylogenetic definition of a species. Furthermore, some of the phenotypic characteristics indicate that the isolates differ from other Flammeovirga species. Based on these differences, it is suggested that the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Flammeovirga kamogawensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YS10T (=IAM 15451T=NCIMB 14281T).

An obligately piezophilic bacterium was isolated from sediment collected from the bottom of the Japan Trench at a depth of 7542 m. The isolated strain, designated K41GT, was closely affiliated with members of the genus Psychromonas on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain K41GT and Psychromonas reference strains were significantly lower than that accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. The optimal temperature and pressure for growth of strain K41GT were 6 °C and 60 MPa, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 39.1 mol%. Whole-cell fatty acids consisted of significant amounts of unsaturated fatty acids C16 : 1 (37 %) and C14 : 1 (17 %), saturated fatty acid C16 : 0 (31 %) and polyunsaturated fatty acid C22 : 6 (8 %). Based on the taxonomic differences observed, strain K41GT is considered to represent a novel obligately piezophilic Psychromonas species. The name Psychromonas hadalis (type strain, K41GT=JCM 11830T=ATCC BAA-638T) is proposed. This is the second species of obligately piezophilic bacteria to be proposed in the genus Psychromonas.

The taxonomic relationship between [Flexibacter] aggregans IAM 14894T and Flexithrix dorotheae NBRC 15987T was investigated by means of DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that Flexibacter aggregans (Lewin 1969) Leadbetter 1974 be considered a later heterotypic synonym of Flexithrix dorotheae Lewin 1970. Emended descriptions of the species Flexithrix dorotheae and the genus Flexithrix are also given.

Three strains of gliding bacteria, 24T, 62 and 71, isolated from a marine sponge and algae from the southern coastline of Thailand, were studied using a polyphasic approach to clarify their taxonomic positions. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three isolates formed a distinct lineage within the family ‘Saprospiraceae’ of the phylum Bacteroidetes and were related to members of the genus Saprospira. The G+C contents of the isolates were in the range 38–39 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The predominant cellular fatty acids were 20 : 4ω6c (arachidonic acid), 16 : 0 and iso-17 : 0. On the basis of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, together with DNA–DNA hybridization data and 16S rRNA gene sequences, the isolates represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Aureispira marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Aureispira marina is 24T (=IAM 15389T=TISTR 1719T).

The structure of La2NiO4.13 has been studied as a function of temperature (20–673 K) with single crystal neutron diffraction. In order to achieve a high resolution, data sets were measured up to 1.05 A −1 . Structure refinements were carried out in this space group F4/mmm. Due to the incorporated oxygen on interstitial lattice sites the apical oxygen becomes disordered and the NiO6 octahedra are partly tilted around the [110] direction. The disorder is still present at temperatures above the high temperature orthorhombic/tetragonal phase transition of stoichiometric La2NiO4.00 at 670 K.

Two strains of obligately piezophilic bacteria were isolated from sediment collected from the bottom surface of a small canyon on the seaward slope of the Japan Trench at a depth of 6278 m. The isolated strains, Y223GT and Y251E, are closely affiliated with members of the genus Colwellia on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The G+C contents of both strains were about 39 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between these strains and Colwellia reference strains were significantly lower than those accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. The novel strains are Gram-negative, polarly flagellated and facultatively anaerobic. The optimal pressure for growth was 60 MPa at both 4 and 10 °C; the most rapid growth rate was observed at 10 °C and 60 MPa. No growth occurred at 15 °C under any pressure studied. The major isoprenoid quinone is Q-8. The predominant cellular fatty acids are C16 : 0 and C16 : 1. Based on the taxonomic differences observed, the isolated strains appear to represent a novel obligately piezophilic Colwellia species. The name Colwellia piezophila sp. nov. (type strain Y223GT=JCM 11831T=ATCC BAA-637T) is proposed.

Effect of pressure on the superconducting transition temperature of La–Sr–Cu–O system has been studied up to 5.9 kbar with the use of a conventional clamp cell method. The transition temperature TC where the resistivity vanishes increases linearly in response to the applied pressure p within the observed range, namely dTC/dp=0.2 K/kbar, and the onset temperature of the superconductivity seems to increase more sensitively with the pressure.

Photoemission measurements with synchrotron radiation have been performed on single crystal Bi2Sr2CaCu208. Two energy bands with dispersion of 0.2–0.5 eV were observed in the vicinity of the Fermi level and one of them crosses the Fermi level midway between the center and boundary of the Brillouin zone, giving a clear evidence for existence of a Fermi surface. The Fermi-edge peak exhibits a pronounced enhancement at photon energy of the 0 2s core threshold, meaning a dominant 0 2p nature of the Fermi-edge states. These results indicate existence of the Fermi-liquid states with dominant 0 2p nature in the high-Tc superconductor. The superconductivity could be driven by formation of Cooper-pairs of the 0 2p holes in the Fermi-liquid states, probably through the spin or charge fluctuation.

Ultraviolet photoemission spectra of high-T c superconductor (La1-x Sr x )2CuO4-δ, (x=0.075 and δ≤0.04) are presented. The experimental result was compared with the band calculations of La2CuO4 by Mattheiss and Takegahara et al. It was found that as regards the valence-band width (about 7 eV) the experiment and the calculations are in good agreement with each other, but the position of the calculated valence bands contributed mainly by weakly bonding Cu(3d)-O(2p) states are shiftd toward the lower binding energy by about 1 eV with respect to the experiment. The possible origins for this discrepancy were discussed.

Raman and infrared studies of lattice vibrations in new superconductors (La1-xMx)2CuO4 are presented. The 664 cm-1 mode which shows resonant enhancement in La2CuO4 is assigned to the planar breathing mode which strongly interacts with electrons at EF. This resonant scattering is produced by the electronic transition spanning the quasi-square Fermi surface to the nesting directions. In the spectra of Im(ε) a strong peak appears at 246 cm-1 on substituting Sr for La. It is suggested that this mode is related to the electronic transition.

Electronic structure and chemical state of high-Tc superconductor (La1-xSrx)2CuO4-δ (x=0.075 and δ≦0.04) were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy. Resonant photoemission with synchrotron radiation snowed that the copper atom in the La–Sr–Cu–0 system is mostly divalent. The experimental results were compared with the band calculations performed for La2CuO4.

Superconducting transitions have been observed by resistivity measurements for several specimens of L-M-Cu-O system with L being Yb, Lu, Y, La and the mixture of Yb and La, and M being Ba and mixture of Ba and Sr. The onset transition temperature T c becomes very close to 100 K. Since Yb-Ba-Cu-O and Lu-Ba-Cu-O have almost the same transition temperatures (T c>90 K), the magnetic moment of Yb atoms does not seem to destroy the superconductivity in the present system. This suggests that the superconductivity occurs in certain parts of the system which are, at least, far from the Yb atom sites. Therefore M-Cu-O or Cu-O system may have an essential role in the occurrence of the superconductivity.

Lattice vibrations in high T c superconductors (La1-x Sr x )2CuO4 are investigated by Raman scattering using single crystals. In La2CuO4 the 664 and 153 cm-1 peaks are resonantly enhanced at low temperatures. The enhancement is caused by the electronic transition spanning the quasi-square Fermi surface to the nesting directions. The 664 cm-1 mode is assigned to the planar breathing mode which strongly interacts with electrons at the Fermi level and the 796 cm-1 mode in (La0.925Sr0.075)2CuO4 is tentatively assigned to the axial breathing mode.