Triphala,a formulation of traditional Ayurvedic medicine,shows protective effect against X-radiation in HeLa cells

Ayurveda is a holistic medical system of traditional medicine, and Triphala is one of the most popular formulations in Ayurveda. Triphala is composed of three kinds of herb, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, and Emblica officinalis. Since Triphala is shown to exhibit a protective activity against ionizing radiation in mice, we investigated its activity in HeLa cells. We found that Triphala showed the protective effects against X-radiation and bleomycin, both of which generate DNA strand breaks, in HeLa cells. Further, Triphala efficiently eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells. Thus, the antioxidant activity of Triphala would likely play a role in its protective actions against X-radiation and bleomycin because both agents damage DNA through the generation of ROS. These observations suggested that the radioprotective activity of Triphala can be, at least partly, studied with the cells cultured in vitro. The simple bioassay system with human cultured cells would facilitate the understanding of the molecular basis for the beneficial effects of Triphala.     

First report that the wasp Gronotoma guamensis (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae) parasitizes the orchid‐feeding fly Japanagromyza tokunagai in Japan

Compared with mycorrhizal relationships, the relationships between mycoheterotrophic plants and insects have rarely been studied. Here we report a previously unknown tripartite interaction among an endangered mycoheterotrophic orchid, an orchid‐feeding fly, and a parasitoid wasp. The flowers and stems of Eulophia zollingeri were heavily attacked by Japanagromyza tokunagai (Sasakawa) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), and the parasitoid wasp Gronotoma guamensis (Yoshimoto) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) was reared from these J. tokunagai individuals. Considering the high infestation rate of J. tokunagai, G. guamensis could be important in suppressing the J. tokunagai population, and positively affect the reproductive success of E. zollingeri.     

Exposure and risk assessment of 1,3-butadiene in Japan

1,3-Butadiene is on the list of Substances Requiring Priority Action published by the Central Environmental Council of Japan in 1996. Emission of 1,3-butadiene has been controlled by a voluntary reduction program since 1997. Although the industrial emission of 1,3-butadiene in Japan has decreased in recent years, primarily due to a voluntary industrial emissions reduction program, the risks of exposure to it remain largely unknown. We assessed the risks and consequences of exposure to 1,3-butadiene on human health. A remarkable advantage of our risk assessment approach is the detailed assessment of exposure. Previously, we developed two different models that can be applied for the assessment of exposure: the first, the AIST-ADMER model estimates regional concentration distributions, whereas the second, the METI-LIS model estimates concentration distributions in the vicinity of factories. Both models were used for the assessment of exposure to 1,3-butadiene. Using exposure concentration and carcinogenic potency determined and reported by Environment Canada and Health Canada, we evaluated the excess lifetime cancer risk for persons exposed to 1,3-butadiene over the course of a lifetime. The results suggested that the majority of the population in Japan has an excess lifetime cancer risk of less than 10(-5), whereas a small number of people living close to industrial sources had a risk of greater than 10(-5). The results of the present assessment also showed that 1,3-butadiene in the general environment originates primarily from automobile emissions, such that a countermeasure of reducing emissions from cars is expected to be effective at reducing the total cancer risk among Japanese. On the other hand, individual risks among a population living in the vicinity of certain industrial sources were found to be significantly higher than those of the population living elsewhere, such that a reduction in emissions from a small number of specific industrial sources should be realized in order to reduce the high level of individual risk. Based on the results of our assessment, the Industrial Structure Council of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Japan decided to announce that the voluntary reduction program had been successful, and that emissions reductions should no longer be targeted across all industries in general, but instead that such reductions should be carried out in a small number of selected factories that emit excessively large amounts of emissions.     

Isolation and characterization of sex chromosome rearrangements generating male muscle dystrophy and female abnormal oogenesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

In deletion-mapping of W-specific RAPD (W-RAPD) markers and putative female determinant gene (Fem), we used X-ray irradiation to break the translocation-carrying W chromosome (W ^Ze ). We succeeded in obtaining a fragment of the W ^Ze chromosome designated as Ze ^W, having 3 of 12 W-RAPD markers (W-Bonsai, W-Yukemuri-S, W-Yukemuri-L). Inheritance of the Ze ^W fragment by males indicates that it does not include the Fem gene. On the basis of these results, we determined the relative positions of W-Yukemuri-S and W-Yukemuri-L, and we narrowed down the region where Fem gene is located. In addition to the Ze ^W fragment, the Z chromosome was also broken into a large fragment (Z₁) having the + ^sch (1-21.5) and a small fragment (Z₂) having the + ^od (1-49.6). Moreover, a new chromosomal fragment (Ze ^WZ₂) was generated by a fusion event between the Ze ^W and the Z₂ fragments. We analyzed the genetic behavior of the Z₁ fragment and the Ze ^WZ₂ fragment during male (Z/Z₁ Ze ^WZ₂) and female (Z₁ Ze ^WZ₂/W) meiosis using phenotypic markers. It was observed that the Z₁ fragment and the Z or the W chromosomes separate without fail. On the other hand, non-disjunction between the Ze ^WZ₂ fragment and the Z chromosome and also between the Ze ^WZ₂ fragment and the W chromosome occurred. Furthermore, the females (2A: Z/Ze ^WZ₂/W) and males (2A: Z/Z₁) resulting from non-disjunction between the Ze ^WZ₂ fragment and the W chromosome had phenotypic defects: namely, females exhibited abnormal oogenesis and males were flapless due to abnormal indirect flight muscle structure. These results suggest that Z₂ region of the Z chromosome contains dose-sensitive gene(s), which are involved in oogenesis and indirect flight muscle development.     

Isolation of chymase complexed with physiological inhibitor similar to secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) from hamster cheek pouch tissues

A low molecular weight protein complexed with chymase was isolated from hamster cheek pouch tissues. This protein had an apparent molecular mass of about 10 kDa on SDS-PAGE and the N-terminal sequence showed some homology to secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), which is known as the predominant inhibitor of neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G. Remarkably enhanced inhibition of chymase activity was achieved in the presence of heparin, indicating that the functional property was also similar to SLPI. These findings suggest that this SLPI-like protein is a candidate for a physiological inhibitor of chymase.     

A glucose biosensor operating under non-isothermal conditions: the dynamic response

The results obtained with a glucose biosensor operating under non-isothermal conditions are presented and discussed. Glucose oxidase, immobilized onto Nylon membranes, was used as biological element. An amperometric two electrodes system was employed to measure the anodic current produced by oxidation of hydrogen peroxide. Non-isothermal conditions were characterised in terms of the temperature difference, delta T = Tw - Tc, and of the average temperature of the system, Tav = (Tw + Tc)/2, Tw and Tc being the temperature in the warm and cold half-cells constituting the biosensor. Comparison between the functioning of the biosensor under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions was performed. It was found that, under non-isothermal conditions, the dynamic response and sensitivity increased, while the response times and the detection limit decreased, if comparison was done with the same parameters measured under isothermal conditions. The increase of the dynamic response was found to be proportional to the applied temperature gradient.     

Shifted Cytosolic NADP+-Dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase on 2-D Gel in the Brain of Genetically Epileptic El Mice

We observed a spot on two-dimensional (2-D) gel in the epileptic mutant strain El mice with a similar molecular weight but with a different isoelectric point of approximately 0.2, compared with its mother strain ddY mice. The collected protein from the El mice was identified as cytosolic NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase by internal amino acid sequencing. The enzyme is known to be maximally active during the development of the brain and to play an important role in NADPH production for fatty acids and cholesterol synthesis. In addition, alterations in cholesterol synthesis early in the development of the mammalian brain have been reported to lead to chronic epilepsy. The results in the present study therefore suggest that cytosolic NADP⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase might be involved in the epileptogenesis of the El mouse.     

Inhibitory effect of a SALMFamide neuropeptide on secretion of gonad-stimulating substance from radial nerves in the starfish Asterina pectinifera

In starfish, the peptide hormone gonad-stimulating substance (GSS) secreted from nervous tissue stimulates oocyte maturation to induce 1-methyladenine (1-MeAde) production by ovarian follicle cells. The SALMFamide family is also known to an echinoderm neuropeptide. The present study examined effect of SALMFamide 1 (S1) on oocyte maturation of starfish Asterina pectinifera. Unlike GSS, S1 did not induce spawning in starfish ovary. In contrast, S1 was found to inhibit GSS secretion from radial nerves by treatment with high K+ concentration. Fifty percent inhibition was obtained by 0.1 mM S1. S1 did not have any effect on GSS- and 1-MeAde-induced oocyte maturation. Following incubation with a S1 antibody and subsequently with rhodamine-conjugated second antibody, neural networks were observed in ovaries. The networks were restricted mainly to their surface with little evidence of immunoreactivity inside the basement membranes. This indicates that neural networks are distributed in the ovarian wall. The result further suggests that S1 plays a role in oocyte maturation to regulate GSS secretion from the nervous system.