Determination of S-Methylmethionine,Vitamin U,in Various Teas

S-Methylmethionine (MMS, an anti-ulcer factor, Vitamin u) was determined in the extracts of various kinds of teas, such as green teas, black teas and oolong teas, using an amino acid analyzer for physiological-fluid analysis or for rapid analysis. MMS in the column eluates was confirmed to be dimethyl sulfide by a gas-chromatographic method with a flame photometric detector. The quantity of MMS obtained from the various green teas depended on the quality and the freshness, i.e.fresh, high-quality gyokuro, 15.7 to 24.5 mg%; fresh sen-cha, 7.0 to 10.3 mg%; and the other green teas 1 to 6mg%. Oolong tea and black tea did not contain MMS.

The extraction conditions for and the heat-stability of MMS were also discussed.     

Impact of Coronary Dominance on In-Hospital Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective

This study evaluated the manner in which coronary dominance affects in-hospital outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Previous studies have shown that left dominant coronary anatomies are associated with worse prognoses in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 4873 ACS patients undergoing PCI between September 2008 and April 2013 at 14 hospitals participating in the Japanese Cardiovascular Database Registry. The patients were grouped based on diagnostic coronary angiograms performed prior to PCI; those with right- or co-dominant anatomy (RD group) and those with left-dominant anatomy (LD group).

Results

The average patient age was 67.6±11.8 years and both patient groups had similar ages, coronary risk factors, comorbidities, and prior histories. The numbers of patients presenting with symptoms of heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or cardiopulmonary arrest were significantly higher in the LD group than in the RD group (heart failure: 650 RD patients [14.7%] vs. 87 LD patients [18.8%], P = 0.025; cardiogenic shock: 322 RD patients [7.3%] vs. 48 LD patients [10.3%], P = 0.021; and cardiopulmonary arrest: 197 RD patients [4.5%] vs. 36 LD patients [7.8%], P = 0.003). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among LD patients than among RD patients (182 RD patients [4.1%] vs. 36 LD patients [7.8%], P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that LD anatomy was an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.89; P = 0.030).

Conclusion

Among ACS patients who underwent PCI, LD patients had significantly worse in-hospital outcomes compared with RD patients, and LD anatomy was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.     

Bacterial population in Russian space station "Mir"

We had the opportunity to investigate the bacterial population in air samples, condensation water, and inner wall swabs from the Russian space station Mir. From the first and second air samples during the mission, 29 and 7 bacterial colonies were collected, respectively. The values were equivalent to 16.8 and 4.0 cfu/100 liter air, respectively. Condensation water was collected from three different sites. The total viable bacterial counts were 2.1 x 10(6), 5.2 x 10(2), and 3.0 x 10(1) cfu/ml. The phylogenetic position of each isolate was determined by total 16S rDNA sequencing. Bacteria from air samples were mainly Gram-positive (35/36 colonies), and staphylococci occupied dominant specifically (23/36 colonies). On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria were mainly isolated from condensation water samples. Most strains were thought to be opportunistic pathogens or environmental bacteria (such as those that inhabit soil, water, or air) found on earth. However, 6 of 23 isolates were suspected to be new species according to phylogenetic analysis and quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization data. The isolation of the other levels 3 and 2 bacteria, using specific selective media, was unsuccessful because all samples were heavily contaminated with fungi. To overcome this situation, PCR methods were applied to survey most levels 3 and 2 pathogenic bacteria in the condensation water samples. Up to 380 different primers for bacterial pathogens were used in this study. Only Mycobacterium avium 16S DNA sequences, however, could be amplified from the three water samples. The average bacteria count was estimated to be about 10(4) organisms/ml water.     

Genetic analysis of an incomplete bio operon in a biotin auxotrophic strain of Bacillus subtilis natto OK2

We describe the genetic analysis of the bio operon of the biotin auxotrophic Bacillus subtilis natto OK2 strain. The OK2 strain would only cross-feed with the Escherichia coli bioB mutant and also grew well in medium containing dethiobiotin. Sequencing analysis revealed two significant genetic alterations in the bioW and bioF genes within the bio operon of the OK2 strain. Complementation analysis with B. subtilis 168 bio mutants demonstrated that only the bioB gene could complement, but other bio operon genes could not. A bio(+) transformant, isolated from an OK2 strain, has biotin autotrophy.     

Multipotential acceptance of Peyer's patches in the intestine for both thymus-derived T cells and extrathymic T cells in mice

Peyer's patches (PP) are important inductive sites for the mucosal immune response. It is well known that lymphocytes that migrate into PP are mainly of T-cell lineage from thymus-derived cells (i.e. alphabetaTCR(high) cells). In this study, we further characterized the properties of PP lymphocytes in mice using a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). Although the major site of the inflammation induced by DSS is known to be the large intestine, the small intestine was also damaged. When mice developed DSS-induced colitis, CD3+CD8+B220+ gammadelta T cells increased in PP in the small intestine. These gammadelta T cells, which are not seen in the PP of normal mice, resembled intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in the small intestine in terms of their expression of CD5, CD103 and Thy1.2. In addition, the Vgamma/delta repertoire of these gammadelta T cells was similar to that of gammadelta IEL. When DSS-treated mice were injected with IEL isolated from normal mice, IEL including gammadelta T cells preferentially migrated to PP, raising the possibility that B220+ T cells seen in PP of diseased mice may derive from IEL in the small intestine. Our present study suggests that PP might be able to accept T-cell lineages from intestinal IEL as well as from thymus-derived T cells.     

Radiation transfer and heat budget during the ice season in Lake Pääjärvi, Finland

Lake Pääjärvi, a boreal Finnish lake, was investigated in winter for weather conditions, structure and thickness of ice and snow, solar radiation, and under-ice current and temperature. Heat budget of Lake Pääjärvi in January–March was governed by terrestrial radiation losses of 20–35 W m^?2 recompensed by ice growth of 0.5–1.0 cm day^?1. In April, snow melted, albedo decreased from 0.8 to <0.1, and the mean ice melt rate was 1.5 cm day^?1. Internal melting and surface melting were about equal. The mean turbulent heat loss was small. The heat flux from the water to ice was about 5 W m^?2 in winter, increasing to 12 W m^?2 in the melting season. The light attenuation coefficient was 1.1 m^?1 for the congelation ice (black ice) in winter, compared with 1.5 m^?1 for the lake water, and it was up to 3 m^?1 for candled congelation ice in spring, and about 10 m^?1 for superimposed ice (white ice) and snow. Gas bubbles were the main factor that reduced the transparency of ice. The radiation penetrating the ice heated the water body causing convective currents and horizontal heat transfer. This increased the temperature of the water body to about 3°C before the ice break-up. After the snow had melted, the euphotic depth (the depth of 1% surface irradiance) was estimated as 2.0 m, only two-thirds that in summer.     

Color Vision Variation as Evidenced by Hybrid L/M Opsin Genes in Wild Populations of Trichromatic Alouatta New World Monkeys

Platyrrhine (New World) monkeys possess highly polymorphic color vision owing to allelic variation of the single-locus L/M opsin gene on the X chromosome. Most species consist of female trichromats and female and male dichromats. Howlers (genus Alouatta) are an exception; they are considered to be routinely trichromatic with L and M opsin genes juxtaposed on the X chromosome, as seen in catarrhine primates (Old World monkeys, apes, and humans). Yet it is not known whether trichromacy is invariable in howlers. We examined L/M opsin variation in wild howler populations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua (Alouatta palliata) and Belize (A. pigra), using fecal DNA. We surveyed exon 5 sequences (containing the diagnostic 277th and 285th residues for λ_max) for 8 and 18 X chromosomes from Alouatta palliata and A. pigra, respectively. The wavelengths of maximal absorption (λ_max) of the reconstituted L and M opsin photopigments were 564 nm and 532 nm, respectively, in both species. We found one M–L hybrid sequence with a recombinant 277/285 haplotype in Alouatta palliata and two L–M hybrid sequences in A. pigra. The λ_max values of the reconstituted hybrid photopigments were in the range of 546~554 nm, which should result in trichromat phenotypes comparable to those found in other New World monkey species. Our finding of color vision variation due to high frequencies of L/M hybrid opsin genes in howlers challenges the current view that howlers are routine and uniform trichromats. These results deepen our understanding of the evolutionary significance of color vision polymorphisms and routine trichromacy and emphasize the need for further assessment of opsin gene variation as well as behavioral differences among subtypes of trichromacy.     

Genetically modified bone marrow-derived vehicle cells site specifically deliver an anti-inflammatory cytokine to inflamed interstitium of obstructive nephropathy

In this study, we used genetically modified bone marrow-derived CD11b(+)CD18(+) vehicle cells to deliver IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) for treatment of inflamed renal interstitium in an animal model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Vehicle cells that expressed the ICAM-1 ligands, CD11b and CD18, were obtained from bone marrow cells of DBA/2j mice and adenovirally transduced with the IL-1ra gene or glucocerebrosidase (GC) gene ex vivo. In kidneys treated to develop UUO, levels of ICAM-1, IL-1 beta, and IL-1R expression increased within 3 days compared with contralateral untreated kidneys in the same mice. Similarly, the macrophage infiltration in the cortical interstitium increased after 3 days in UUO kidneys, but not untreated kidneys. After UUO developed, DBA/2j mice were injected i.v. with either IL-1ra(+) vehicle cells (IL-1ra-treated mice) or GC(+) vehicle cells (GC-treated mice) at 24 h after UUO. Six days after the injection of these vehicle cells, marked increase of CD11b(+) IL-1ra(+) vehicle cells was observed in the ICAM-1-positive interstitium of UUO kidneys from IL-1ra-treated mice. In contrast, no CD11b(+) IL-1ra(+) cells appeared in ICAM-1-negative contralateral kidneys from these mice. Furthermore, the infiltration of macrophages (p < 0.001), expression of ICAM-1 (p < 0.005), and presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin (p = 0.005) in the interstitium of UUO kidneys were significantly decreased in IL-1ra-treated mice compared with GC-treated mice. These findings suggest that IL-1 may contribute to the development of renal interstitial injury and that our method can deliver a functioning gene encoding an antiinflammatory cytokine gene specifically at that site by interacting with local adhesion molecules.     

The faecal flora of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

The faecal floras of two adult (male and female) and one infant (male) giant panda kept at the Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, Japan were examined and shown to be quite different from those of other animals. The predominant bacteria in the adults were Streptococcus (including Enterococcus ) and Enterobacteriaceae, while obligate anaerobes had minor populations. Fastidious anaerobes were not detected. The predominant bacteria in the suckling infant were Lactobacillus and Streptococcus , followed by Bifidobacterium. After the infant began to eat bamboo leaves the number of Lactobacillus decreased and Bifidobacterium became undetectable, whereas Enterobacteriaceae became one of the most predominant flora. The most dominant streptococcus isolated from the female panda was identified as Streptococcus bovis , but those from the male adult and the weaned infant were not identified as any known species.     

Possible relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and cap polyposis of the colon

BACKGROUND: Cap polyposis is a rarely encountered disease characterized by multiple distinctive inflammatory colonic polyps located from the rectum to the distal colon. The etiology of this disease is still unknown, and no specific treatment has been established. AIM: We report three cases of cap polyposis that were cured following eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three women were referred to Shinshu University Hospital because of mucoid and/or bloody diarrhea. Laboratory data showed hypoproteinemia in all cases; markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein were negative. Colonoscopy revealed multiple sessile polyps with mucus adherent on the apices of the mucosal folds in the rectum and/or the sigmoid colon. The intervening mucosa was normal. Microscopic examinations of biopsy specimens taken from sessile polyps revealed inflamed mucosa with elongated tortuous crypts attenuated towards the mucosal surface. A granulation tissue 'cap' was observed on the surface of the mucosa. Various treatments were unsuccessful, including administration of metronidazole or prednisolone, avoidance of straining at defecation, and surgical or endoscopic resection. All were diagnosed with H. pylori infection in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori was not detected in the biopsy specimens from the colonic inflammatory polyps by immunohistochemical study using polyclonal anti-H. pylori antibody. After successful eradication therapy the clinical symptoms improved. Disappearance of cap polyposis was confirmed by colonoscopy in all three cases. CONCLUSION: We speculate that H. pylori infection might play a role in the pathogenesis of cap polyposis.