Transcriptional activities of two newly identified Haemaphysalis longicornis tick-derived promoter regions in the Ixodes scapularis tick cell line (ISE6)

Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites considered to be second to mosquitoes as vectors of human diseases and the most important vector for animals. Despite efforts to control tick infestations, they remain a serious health problem. Gene manipulation has been established in mosquitoes and led to the control of mosquito populations and of mosquito-borne pathogens. Therefore, gene manipulation could be useful for controlling ticks and tick-borne pathogens. To investigate effective gene expression vectors for ticks, the promoter activities of commercial plasmids were evaluated in a tick cell line (ISE6). Dual luciferase assays revealed that pmirGLO, the human phosphoglycerate kinase promoter contained plasmid vector, showed the highest activity in ISE6 cells amongst the tested plasmids. Moreover, we identified the promoter regions of the Haemaphysalis longicornis actin (HlAct) and the intracellular ferritin (HlFer1) genes. To construct a more effective expression vector for ticks, these promoter regions were inserted into pmirGLO (pmirGLO-HlAct pro and pmirGLO-HlFer1 pro). The pmirGLO-HlAct pro vector showed significantly higher promoter activity than pmirGLO, whereas the pmirGLO-HlFer1 pro vector demonstrated significantly lower promoter activity than pmirGLO in ISE6 cells. The HlAct promoter region may have high promoter activity in ISE6 cells. The results of the present study provide useful information for the development of a genetic modification system in ticks.

Susceptibility of isogeneic ginbuna Carassius auratus langsdorfii Temminck et Schlegel to cyprinid herpesvirus-2 (CyHV-2) as a model species

Herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis (HVHN), caused by cyprinid herpesvirus-2 (CyHV-2), has affected the commercial production of the goldfish Carassius auratus and gibelio carp Carassius auratus gibelio. High water temperature treatments are reported to reduce the mortality rate of infected goldfish and elicit immunity in the survivors. To define the mechanism by which this intervention induces resistance, clonal ginbuna Carassius auratus langsdorfii, which is closely related to both species and has been used in fish immunology, may represent a promising model species. In this study, we investigated the susceptibility of clonal ginbuna strains to CyHV-2 and the effect of high water temperature treatment on infected ginbuna and goldfish. Experimental intraperitoneal infection with CyHV-2 at 25 °C caused 100% mortality in ginbuna strains, which was accompanied by histopathological changes typical of HVHN. Both infected ginbuna S3n strain and goldfish, exposed to high temperature for 6 days [shifting from 25 °C (permissive) to 34 °C (non-permissive)], showed reduced mortalities after the 1st inoculation, and subsequent 2nd virus challenge to 0%, indicating induction of immunity. It was concluded that ginbuna showed a similar susceptibility and disease development in CyHV-2 infection compared to goldfish, suggesting that ginbuna can be a useful fish model for the study of CyHV-2 infection and immunity.

Electronic ferroelectricity from charge ordering in RFe(2)O(4)

We report our recent discovery of novel ferroelectricity arising from the polar ordering of Fe(3)+ and Fe(2)+ in a mixed valence triangular lattice oxide LuFe(2)O(4), where the electric polarization is not a result of ionic displacement. The polar ordering of Fe(3)+ and Fe(2)+ was confirmed with a resonant x-ray scattering study in SPring-8. The origin of such ordering is the competitive interaction between Fe(3)+ and Fe(2)+ in the triangular lattice, i.e., the charge frustration. The polar superlattice of Fe(3)+ and Fe(2)+ develops below 350 K, where the electric polarization appears. The ferroelectricity arising from the polar charge ordering or the polar electron distribution may have great potential for the future application of ferroelectrics.

Sub-genomic replicons of Tick-borne encephalitis virus

We constructed three sub-genomic replicons of Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) (Oshima REP, Oshima REP-GFP and Oshima REP-Neo) by deleting genes coding for structural proteins without or with insertion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) or Neo genes, respectively. BHK cells transfected with Oshima REP expressed the viral non-structural antigens in immunofluorescent and western blot analyses. GFP and viral antigens were co-expressed in the transfected cells with Oshima REP-GFP. G418-resistant cells harboring Oshima REP-Neo consistently expressed the antigens without showing any apparent CPE. These replicons constructed in this study will be useful in studies on the replication, assembly and packaging of TBEV, and to develop vaccines and gene-delivering systems.

Energetic protons from a few-micron metallic foil evaporated by an intense laser pulse

With detailed experimental studies and hydrodynamics and particle-in-cell simulations we investigate the role of the prepulse in laser proton acceleration. The prepulse or pedestal (amplified spontaneous emission) can completely evaporate the irradiated region of a sufficiently thin foil; therefore, the main part of the laser pulse interacts with an underdense plasma. The multiparametric particle-in-cell simulations demonstrate that the main pulse generates the quasistatic magnetic field, which in its turn produces the long-lived charge separation electrostatic field, accelerating the ions.

Neurovirulence of Sabin 1-derived polioviruses isolated from an immunodeficient patient with prolonged viral excretion

We have analysed the neurovirulence of Sabin 1-derived isolates which persisted more than nine years in an immunodeficient patient in the U.S.A. Samples were collected from stool specimens at days 11 (St1), 23 (St2), 48 (St3), 126 (St5), and 200 (St7) after the onset of paralysis. Critical nucleotides associated with the reversion of virulence were examined. All the isolates had the substitutions at nucleotide positions 480 (G to A) in the 5'-non-coding region (NCR), 2438 (A to U) in VP3, 2795 (A to G) in VP1, and 6203 (C to U) in 3D. Serially diluted samples were injected intracerebrally to transgenic mice harbouring the human poliovirus receptor gene. Samples St2, 3, 5 and 7 showed typical virulent characters in transgenic mice, whereas the sample ST1 showed intermediate neurovirulence. It seemed that there were two variant viruses providing for a major (M) and a minor (m) populations. After disappearance of the m-variant, samples obtained at the later stages showed neurovirulence almost equivalent to that of the Mahoney strain. Thus, the Sabin 1 strain evolved towards full neuropathogenicity after long-term replication in humans by accumulating mutations. Therefore, OPV-vaccination of immunodeficient persons should be avoided.

[Clean-up procedure with ion-exchange mini column in the analysis of flusulfamide in agricultural products by HPLC]

A clean-up procedure with an ion-exchange column in the analysis of flusulfamide by HPLC was examined. Pesticide in the sample was extracted with methanol following liquid-liquid partition with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate fraction was cleaned up with silica gel column chromatography. The eluate from the silica gel column was further cleaned up with SAX + PSA mini column, then determined by HPLC. Carotenoids and interfering peaks were removed by washing the combined mini columns with 10 mL of 20% acetone-containing n-hexane and 5 mL of acetone, and flusulfamide was eluted with 35 mL of acetone.

Evaluation of European tick-borne encephalitis virus vaccine against recent Siberian and far-eastern subtype strains

To evaluate the efficacy of the European TBE vaccine in east-Siberian and far-eastern regions of Russia, we examined the immune responses of the vaccine against recent TBE virus Siberian (Irkutsk) and far-eastern (Khabarovsk and Vladivostok) isolates. The sera of vaccinated humans showed efficient neutralizing antibody titers (> or =20) against Siberian and far-eastern strains. To evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine in vivo, mice were vaccinated and challenged with lethal doses of the viruses. All vaccinated mice survived each virus challenge. These results suggest that the European vaccine can prevent the TBE virus infection in east-Siberian and far-eastern regions of Russia.

Determination of clethodim and its oxidation metabolites in crops by liquid chromatography with confirmation by LC/MS

A method was developed for determination of the herbicide clethodim (C0) and its oxidation metabolites clethodim sulfoxide (C1) and clethodim sulfone (C2) in agricultural products. Upon extraction, both C0 and C1 were oxidized to C2 by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, and C2 was determined by liquid chromatography (LC). The C2 peak was confirmed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). Recoveries of C0 from radish, tomato, onion, sweet potato, kidney bean, carrot, cabbage, and lettuce ranged from 91 to 118% following fortification at 0.05-1.0 ppm. The detection limit of C2 in crops was 0.01 ppm (S/N > 3). The fortified samples of onion, sweet potato, kidney bean, and carrot were confirmed by LC/MS (ESI), and the peak of C2 was detected.

Kinetics of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation in the reconstituted system with similar ratios of purified CYP3A4, NADPH-cytochrome p450 oxidoreductase and cytochrome B5 to human liver microsomes

Kinetics of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation were determined using a reconstituted system that consisted of CYP3A4, cytochrome b5 and NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (OR) with similar ratios as those seen in human liver microsomes and compared with those determined using human liver microsomes. Two reconstituted systems were constructed in accordance with two human liver microsomal samples that showed extremely high and low ratios of OR/CYP3A4. The Km values of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation obtained from the reconstituted systems with high and low OR/CYP3A4 ratios were 29.3 and 35.2 microM, respectively, which were similar to that of the corresponding human liver microsomal samples (23.2 and 40.0 microM, respectively). However, Vmax values obtained from the reconstituted systems (3.7 and 0.8 pmol/min/pmol CYP3A4) were much lower than those from the human liver microsomes (44.2 and 31.1 pmol/min/pmol CYP3A4). The results suggest that the interaction between substrate and CYP3A4 in the reconstituted systems appear to be similar to human liver microsomes but that the velocity of the substrate metabolism in the reconstituted systems is different from that in human liver microsomes. In conclusion, our reconstituted systems could be used for the determination of affinity but not for the determination of the maximum velocity of substrate metabolism. Further studies on the protein-protein interactions between CYP3A4, OR, cytochrome b5 and/or a specific lipid environment are required to establish a reconstituted system showing similar kinetic properties to those of human liver microsomes.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate contamination of retail packed lunches caused by PVC gloves used in the preparation of foods

Plasticizer contamination of foods sold in retail packed lunches and set lunches in restaurants was determined by GC/MS. The phthalate esters were as follows: diethyl, dipropyl, dibutyl, dipentyl, dihexyl, butylbenzyl, dicyclohexyl, di(2-ethylhexyl), dioctyl, diisooctyl (mixture of isomers) and diisononyl (mixture). Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate was also determined. Sixteen packed lunches and ten set lunches were analysed, and in all samples the concentration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the highest, at 0.80-11.8 mg/kg in packed lunches and 0.012-0.30 mg/kg in set lunches. The DEHP content of five packed lunches exceeded 1.85 mg, which is the EU tolerable daily intake (TDI) for a person of 50 kg body weight. Foodstuffs that were components of the packed lunches were taken from the factory at each step of preparation and phthalates were determined. For example, chicken contained 0.08 mg/kg DEHP when uncooked, 13.1 mg/kg after frying and 16.9 mg/kg after packing. Disposable PVC gloves used in the preparation of foods were apparently the source of high DEHP concentrations. The gloves used during cooking or packaging were sprayed with 68% (w/w) ethanol to sterilize them. PVC gloves from the factory contained 22 or 41% by weight of DEHP. To confirm the link with the contamination problem, samples of boiled rice, croquette and boiled dry radish were handled in the laboratory with PVC gloves containing 30% (w/w) DEHP. DEHP migration levels of 0.05 mg/kg in rice or 0.33 mg/kg in croquette, and 11.1 mg/kg in radish were found. The alcohol sprayed onto the gloves increased the migration of DEHP to 2.03 mg/kg in rice, 2.45 mg, kg in croquette, and 18.4 mg/kg in radish.

Simultaneous determination of residues of emamectin and its metabolites, and milbemectin, ivermectin, and abamectin in crops by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the determination of emamectin and its metabolites (8,9-Z-isomer, N-demethylated, N-formylated, and N-methylformylated emamectin) in various crops. The analytes were extracted with acetone, cleaned up on cartridge columns (C18 and NH2), derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride and 1-methylimidazole, and determined by LC with fluorescence detection. Because radish inhibited the formation of the fluorescent derivatives, an additional Bond Elut PRS cartridge was used in the cleanup of Japanese radish samples. During sample preparation, N-formylated emamectin partially degraded to emamectin B1b and emamectin B1a, and the 8,9-Z-isomer partially degraded to N-demethylated emamectin. Therefore, emamectin and its metabolites were determined as total emamectin, i.e., their sum was estimated as emamectin benzoate. Their recoveries from most crops were approximately 80-110% with the developed method. The detection limits for the analytes in vegetables were 0.1-0.3 parts per trillion (ppt). The results for these compounds were confirmed by LC/mass spectrometry (LC/MS; electrospray ionization mode). Because the fluorescent derivative of emamectin was undetectable by LC/MS, the results for the analyte were confirmed by using a sample solution without derivatization. Limits of detection by LC/MS were similar to the fluorescence detection limits, 0.1-0.3 ppt in vegetables. In addition to the emamectins, milbemectin, ivermectin, and abamectin were also determined by the developed method.

Comparison of neuropathogenicity of poliovirus type 3 in transgenic mice bearing the poliovirus receptor gene and cynomolgus monkeys

To clarify the similarities of poliovirus infection in cynomolgus monkeys and transgenic mice bearing the poliovirus receptor, TgPVR21, we compared the pathological changes of these animals following intraspinal inoculation of two strains of poliovirus type 3 using immunohistochemical detection of the capsid antigen. All of the monkeys inoculated with 10(6) TCID(50) viruses showed flaccid paralysis 2 or 3 days post-inoculation (p.i.). TgPVR21 mice showed paralysis starting from 2 to 3 days p.i. Histologically, neurons having pyknotic nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm and neuronophagia were characteristically observed in both animals, but central chromatolysis was not observed in infected TgPVR21. The median lesion scores in the monkeys and TgPVR21 were well correlated, though the distribution of poliovirus-infected lesions in the central nervous system was different. In both animals the motor neurons and the brainstem nuclei responsible for flaccid paralysis were infected by the virus, while the cerebral cortex and thalamus were infected in the monkeys but not in TgPVR21. These results confirmed the reliability of neurovirulence tests using TgPVR21 as a substitute for monkeys, in respect to the spinal and brainstem lesions of poliovirus type 3.

[Contents of eleven phthalates and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate in retail packed lunches after prohibition of DEHP-containing PVC gloves for cooking purposes]

Ten samples of retail packed lunches purchased from convenience stores were determined for 11 phthalates and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) in August 2000, 2 months after the prohibition of DEHP-containing PVC gloves in Japan. Each homogenized sample was extracted with acetonitrile, partitioned with n-hexane, and cleaned up using Florisil and PSA columns. Phthalates in the extract were determined by GC/MS (SIM). The limits of detection were 14.9 ng/g for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and 18.6 ng/g for dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Levels of phthalates in packed lunch samples were 45 to 517 ng DEHP/g (198 ng/g, average), ND to 90 ng DEHA/g, and ND to 10.0 ng BBP/g. Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was detected in one sample at 76 ng/g. Average DEHP level in ten samples was 4% of that in 1999. The contents of other phthalates were also reduced. DBP was not detected in any sample. Recovery of deuterated isomers added as surrogates was 27.9% for DNP-d4, and 40.6 to 101.5% for the other phthalates.

(1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-[(S)-1-aminopropyl]-N,N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (PPDC), a new class of NMDA-receptor antagonist: molecular design by a novel conformational restriction strategy

We have found that milnacipran, a clinically useful antidepressant due to its inhibition of the re-uptake of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline, is also a non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist. Based on the cyclopropane structure of milnacipran, conformationally restricted analogs were designed and synthesized. Of these analogs, (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[(S)-1-aminopropyl]-N,N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (PPDC) is 30-fold stronger than milnacipran as an NMDA-receptor antagonist with virtually no inhibitory effect on the neurotransmitter re-uptake. PPDC was identified as a new class of NMDA-receptor antagonist because it has a mode of action different from that of the previous antagonists; it selectivly binds the GluRepsilon3/GluRzeta1 and GluRepsilon4/GluRzeta1 subtype receptors in an agonist-independent allosteric manner. Functional assays of PPDC with the Xenopus oocytes system and cultured mouse neurons under voltage-clamp conditions confirmed that it acts as a potent NMDA-receptor antagonist. PPDC effectively protected against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in both cultured mouse cerebral cortex and delayed neuronal death in a gerbil ischemic model. It was also active in a reserpine-treated mouse Parkinsons disease model. Thus, PPDC may be a candidate for a clinically useful NMDA-receptor antagonist, since the development of previous NMDA-receptor antagonists as drugs has been hindered by various undesirable side effects.

XAS and MCD studies in Eu0.6Sr0.4MnO3

Eu(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 system is one of the perovskite manganites that exhibit the giant magneto resistance effect and the transition from the insulator phase to the metal. Eu(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO3 behaves as a ferromagnetic semiconductor and has an Insulator-Metal (IM) transition induced by external magnetic field, which could be found only in this system among the perovskite manganites group. The mechanism of the transition was investigated by X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) at the Mn L2,3-edges of and the Eu M4,5-edges in Eu(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO3.

Liquid chromatographic determination of emamectin, milbemectin, ivermectin and abamectin in crops and confirmation by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Emamectin, milbemectin, ivermectin and abamectin are similar macrocyclic lactone chemicals used as an acaricides or parasiticides. We developed a simultaneous analytical method for determining the residual amounts of these compounds and emamectin metabolites in crops. A sample extracted with acetone was cleaned up with Bond Elut C18 and NH2. The sample was then fluorescence-derivatized with trifluoroacetic anhydride and 1-methylimidazole in acetonitrile. The analyte was measured by HPLC with fluorescence detection using an octadecylsilyl column with 3 microm particle size and gradient elution. In most crops, their recoveries by the developed method were ca. 80-110%. The detection limits of the analytes in vegetables were 0.1-0.3 ppt. Using the developed method, we surveyed the residues of these compounds in 20 commercial crops in Osaka, Japan. The result of the surveillance was that emamectin benzoate of 0.2-6.7 ppb was detected in nine cases and milbemectin of 16.7-279.3 ppb was detected in four cases. The detected samples were confirmed by LC-electrospray ionization (ESI) MS. The limit of detection by LC-ESI-MS was similar to the fluorescence detection level of 0.1-0.3 ppt in vegetables except for milbemectin.

Identification of human cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in the 7-hydroxylation of chlorpromazine by human liver microsomes

Studies to identify the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform(s) involved in chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylation were performed using human liver microsomes and cDNA-expressed human CYPs. The kinetics of chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylation in human liver microsomes showed a simple Michaelis-Menten behavior. The apparent Km and Vmax values were 3.4+/-1.0 microM and 200.5+/-83.7 pmol/min/mg, respectively. The chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylase activity in human liver microsomes showed good correlations with desipramine 2-hydroxylase activity (r = 0.763, p < 0.05), a marker activity for CYP2D6, and phenacetin O-deethylase activity (r = 0.638, p < 0.05), a marker activity for CYP1A2. Quinidine (an inhibitor of CYP2D6) completely inhibited while alpha-naphthoflavone (an inhibitor of CYP1A2) marginally inhibited the chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylase activity in a human liver microsomal sample showing high CYP2D6 activity. On the other hand, alpha-naphthoflavone inhibited the chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylase activity to 55-65% of control in a human liver microsomal sample showing low CYP2D6 activity. Among eleven cDNA-expressed CYPs studied, CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 exhibited significant activity for the chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylation. The Km values for the chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylation of both cDNA-expressed CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 were in agreement with the Km values of human liver microsomes. These results suggest that chlorpromazine 7-hydroxylation is catalyzed mainly by CYP2D6 and partially by CYP1A2.

Degradation of malathion and phenthoate by glutathione reductase in wheat germ

Residual malathion in wheat was estimated at a lower value when analysis was performed by extraction with acetone after addition of water to swell the wheat, according to the Japanese Bulletin Method. The supernatant of the wheat homogenate showed degradation not only of malathion but also of phenthoate. Malathion and phenthoate were not degraded by the boiled supernatant of the wheat homogenate. It was presumed for this reason that glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6. 4.2) in the wheat degraded malathion. The following results were obtained: (1) GR originating in wheat could degrade malathion and phenthoate. (2) The degradation of malathion by the GR was inhibited by excessive GSSG. (3) There was a high correlation between GR activity and malathion degradation activity of the supernatant of wheat homogenates. It is likely that GR acted on the specific structure of malathion and phenthoate, the S=P-S bond, and the blanch structure bonding with the sulfur atom. Following the above, extraction with acetone after addition of water (the Japanese Bulletin Method) should be replaced by extraction with pure organic solvent and without addition of water for swelling.

Mutations in the 2C region of poliovirus responsible for altered sensitivity to benzimidazole derivatives

MRL-1237, [1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-imino-1,4-dihydropyridin-1-yl) methylbenzimidazole hydrochloride], is a potent and selective inhibitor of the replication of enteroviruses. To reveal the target molecule of MRL-1237 in viral replication, we selected spontaneous MRL-1237-resistant poliovirus mutants. Of 15 MRL-1237-resistant mutants obtained, 14 were cross-resistant to guanidine hydrochloride (mrgr), while 1 was susceptible (mrgs). Sequence analysis of the 2C region revealed that the 14 mrgr mutants contained a single nucleotide substitution that altered an amino acid residue from Phe-164 to Tyr. The mrgs mutant, on the other hand, contained a substitution of Ile-120 to Val. Through the construction of a cDNA-derived mutant, we confirmed that the single mutation at Phe-164 was really responsible for the reduced susceptibility to MRL-1237. MRL-1237 inhibited poliovirus-specific RNA synthesis in HeLa cells infected with a wild strain but not with an F164Y mutant. We furthermore examined the effect of mutations of the 2C region on the drug sensitivity of cDNA-derived guanidine-resistant and -dependent mutants. Two guanidine-resistant mutants were cross-resistant to MRL-1237 but remained susceptible to another benzimidazole, enviroxime. Either MRL-1237 or guanidine stimulated the viral replication of two guanidine-dependent mutants, but enviroxime did not. These results indicate that MRL-1237, like guanidine, targets the 2C protein of poliovirus for its antiviral effect.

Purification, identification and phosphorylation of annexin I from rat liver mitochondria

Annexin was purified from rat liver mitochondria to an apparent homogeneity with a molecular weight of 35 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified mitochondrial annexin (AXmito) was identified as annexin I by an immunoblot analysis using anti-annexin I antibody. The inhibitory effect of AXmito I on porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 activity was as potent as that of bovine lung annexin I. The presence of annexin I in mitochondria was confirmed by an electron-microscopic study. AXmito I was shown to be phosphorylated by intrinsic protein tyrosine kinases on its tyrosine residues. This annexin was also phosphorylated by protein kinase C.

[Sense of coherence, stressful life events and psychological health]

Aaron Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence (SOC), as a stable disposition of personality that serves as a major coping resource for the preservation of health, has been widely used in many studies. However, few empirical studies are conducted on the concept of SOC. We examined the stability of SOC and the buffering effect of SOC on the psychological health in dealing with stressful life events. The subjects were 200 adults randomly selected in Tokyo, and follow-up survey was conducted one year after the first survey. Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used for assessing psychological health. Antonovsky's SOC scale was translated into Japanese (and reverse translated) in this study. The test-retest reliability of SOC scale was 0.78. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. The factors related to the SOC supported previous findings and Antonovsky's theory about the positive correlation with educational and economic status. In the follow-up survey, the subjects were also asked about the experience of 56 stressful life events (SLE) composed of four aspects of life during the previous year: personal, family, work and environment. The SLE was assessed through the total number and the weighted score. Contrary to the theory, the results showed that the SOC score has no intra-individual stability. The mean score of SOC in 1998 was 131.1 +/- 23.9, significantly lower than that in the previous year. When the subjects were divided into two groups based on a median 1997 score, the effect of SLE negatively affected SOC scores after one year among those who had a low SOC, although this effect was not observed among those who had a high SOC. The effect of SLE on changes of SOC was stronger among men compared to women. Also, the results showed the SOC was positively related to psychological health, and the buffering effect of SOC on the psychological health in dealing with stressful life events was only observed among men. Findings in this study suggest that SOC is variable for those with weak SOC if they experienced stressful life events. Also, the stressful life events differentially affect the SOC among men and women. The buffering effect was not sufficiently proven in this study. Methodological issues to confirm Antonovsky's theory are also presented.

[The effects of paid employment, social activities participation on women's health and comparison of role qualities]

PURPOSES

We examined how differences in employment status and social activities participation related to mental and physical health of women in middle age. Moreover we examined how the relation between employment status, social activities participation and health could be explained by the differences of role qualities between housework, paid work, and social activities.

METHODS

The subjects were 640 women aged 35 to 44 in Tokyo, and the study was carried out with mailed questionnaires in 1997.

RESULTS

1. Women with full-time jobs had higher purpose-in-life scores than women with part-time jobs, or who didn't work, but they were also most fatigued physically. 2. Women who participated in social activities for 1 to 4 hours per week had lower depression scores and higher purpose-in-life scores than women who did not participate in any social activities, or who participated in social activities for more than 5 hours per week. 3. Women who weren't employed and didn't participate in any social activities were most depressed and had the lowest purpose-in-life scores. 4. Paid work and social activities were evaluated higher in 'fulfillment' and 'relation to society' than housework. Full-time job was evaluated higher in physical and mental 'workload' than housework, but social activities did not differ from housework in physical and mental 'workload'. 5. The role quality differences of housework from that of paid work and social activities, explained the relation between employment status, social activities participation and health.

Genetic analysis of wild polioviruses towards the eradication of poliomyelitis from the Western Pacific Region

Since a laboratory network to eradicate poliomyelitis in the Western Pacific Region started in 1991, the Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, has been functioning as a Regional Reference Laboratory. From 1992 to 1998, we examined 5453 stool samples collected from 3501 patients with acute flaccid paralysis in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, and we isolated 392-type 1 and 10-type 3 wild polioviruses. As a result of the extensive immunization during this time in this area, the numbers of poliomyelitis cases by wild polioviruses have drastically decreased. In 1997, only nine type 1 wild polioviruses were isolated. Eight out of the nine cases were found in Cambodia, and one was in mid-Vietnam. Since then no wild polioviruses have been isolated in the Western Pacific Region for more than two years. A nucleotide sequence analysis of these 1997 isolates indicated that they all belonged to the same strain that has been prevailing in the Indochina area, suggesting the complete interruption of wild poliovirus transmission in the region.

Phylogenic analysis of echovirus type 30 isolated from a large epidemic of aseptic meningitis in Japan during 1997-1998

During 1997 to 1998, a nationwide epidemic of aseptic meningitis occurred in Japan. More than 4,500 isolates from patients with aseptic meningitis were identified as echovirus type 30. To investigate the character of these isolates, we examined the nucleotide sequences of thirty-seven geographical representatives and compared them with 50 strains isolated during the past 20 years. The phylogenic analysis used partial sequences from either the VP1 or VP4-VP2 region of the viral capsid. This analysis revealed that the isolates were divided into six genomic groups. All isolates identified during 1997-1998 belonged to only two genomic groups; these two groups are thought to be the causative viral agents involved in the recent epidemic.

Open channel block of NMDA receptors by conformationally restricted analogs of milnacipran and their protective effect against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity

We investigated the blocking effect of the conformationally restricted analogs of milnacipran on NMDA receptors by recording the whole-cell currents of Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA and the single channel currents of cultured hippocampal neurons under voltage-clamp conditions. Their protective effect against excitotoxicity was also investigated on cultured cortex neurons. All conformationally restricted analogs examined blocked activated NMDA receptors, though their structures were quite different from known NMDA receptor blockers. The analogs with a (1S, 2R, 1'S)-configuration such as PPDC ((1S, 2R)-1-phenyl-2[(S)-1-aminopropyl]-N,N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide+ ++) had lower IC50 values than those with other configurations. The empirical Hill coefficients for each compound were close to unity, indicating a 1:1 stoichiometry for the block. PPDC decreased the maximum responses to both N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) and glycine without altering their dissociation constants. The blocking effect was enhanced on hyperpolarization. PPDC had no effects on other glutamate receptor subtypes (AMPA, kainate, and metabotropic glutamate receptors) or other neurotransmitter receptors (GABA(A), 5HT2C, and AChM1 receptors) produced by the oocytes. PPDC decreased the mean open time of NMDA receptors without decreasing their elementary conductance. The microscopic blocking rate constant was 2.8x10(7) M(-1)s(-1). The macroscopic unblocking rate constant of PPDC was much faster than that of MK-801. Only the analogs with the (1S, 2R, 1'S)-configuration protected the cultures against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity, though they failed to protect against kainate-induced neurotoxicity. These results show that conformationally restricted analogs, at least PPDC, selectively blocked open channels of NMDA receptors.

Enterovirus 71 from fatal and nonfatal cases of hand, foot and mouth disease epidemics in Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan in 1997-1998

Enterovirus 71 (EV71), one of the major causative agents for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), is sometimes associated with severe central nervous system diseases. In 1997, in Malaysia and Japan, and in 1998 in Taiwan, there were HFMD epidemics involving sudden deaths among young children, and EV71 was isolated from the HFMD patients, including the fatal cases. The nucleotide sequences of each EV71 isolate were determined and compared by phylogenetical analysis. EV71 strains from previously reported epidemics belonged to genotype A-1, while those from recent epidemics could be divided into two genotypes, A-2 and B. In Malaysia, genotype A-2 was more prevalent, while in Japan and Taiwan, B genotype was more prevalent. Two isolates from fatal cases in Malaysia and one isolate from a fatal case in Japan were genotype A-2. However, all isolates from three fatal cases in Taiwan belonged to genotype B. The severity of the HFMD did not link directly to certain genotypes of EV71.

Effect of aging on cardiothoracic ratio in women: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The effect of aging on the components of the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) in the chest roentgenogram in women remains obscure. There have been only a few reported studies that have investigated longitudinal changes of the CTR in women.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there is an effect of aging on the CTR in women.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 110 women who attended an annual health screening and underwent chest roentgenography both in 1981 and 1990 in a mountain village in Japan. We used the data obtained from an annual health screening in order to determine thoracic diameter (TD), cardiac diameter (CD), and lung height (LH) and then calculated the CTR. We analyzed CTR, TD, CD, and LH on the basis of the age of the participants.

RESULTS

In the cross-sectional analysis of the groups stratified by age in 1981, mean CD and CTR increased, and TD decreased in the advanced-age group. The percentage of radiographic cardiomegaly (CTR >50%) strikingly increased in the advanced-age group. In the longitudinal analysis between 1981 and 1990, the mean CD increased, and the mean TD decreased significantly. The mean CTR increased by 2.0% (95% CI 1. 2-2.8%). The changes of the CTR in 9 years were positively correlated with those of CD and negatively correlated with those of TD and LH. The longitudinal data generally accorded with the cross-sectional data, except LH.

CONCLUSIONS

The CTR in women increases with aging as a result of the increase in CD, except in the case of advanced old age, and the decrease in TD. LH could be another major factor that has an influence on CTR. Caution should be exercised to avoid overestimating CTR when LH changes. The classical upper limit of 50% for CTR in our adopted method should not be applied to elderly women because of the possibility that changes with normal aging are misclassified as abnormal findings.

A method for in-situ tight-seal recordings from single taste bud cells of mice

In order to investigate taste transduction mechanisms, we developed a method to irrigate the receptor and basolateral membranes of mouse taste bud cells with different solutions under tight-seal recording conditions. A peeled tongue epithelium with taste bud cells was mounted on a recording platform designed to separate irrigating solutions for each membrane. The mucosal surface (receptor membrane side) of the peeled epithelium facing an inner chamber was always irrigated with deionized water or stimulating solutions, and the serosal surface (basolateral membrane side) was irrigated with a physiological saline solution. A recording electrode was placed on the basolateral membrane of a taste bud cell under an upright-microscope with a x 40-water-immersed objective. Investigated taste bud cells generated action potentials, and 1 M glucose, 200 mM NaCl, and 10 mM quinine elicited inward current. Irrigation with deionized water for more than 1 h had no effect. The resistance of the peeled tongue epithelium was 1570 +/- 343 omega cm2. These results show that the peeled tongue epithelium protects basolateral membranes from deionized water or stimulating solutions as the tongue epithelium does in situ and that this method is suitable to investigate the role of each membrane in taste transduction.

Synthesis and biological activity of conformationally restricted analogues of milnacipran: (1S, 2R)-1-phenyl-2-[(R)-1-amino-2-propynyl]-N,N- diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide is a novel class of NMDA receptor channel blocker

Conformationally restricted analogues of (+/-)-(Z)-2-aminomethyl-1-phenyl-N,N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide++ + [milnacipran, (+/-)-1] were designed on the basis of its characteristic cyclopropane structure and were synthesized enantioselectively to develop efficient NMDA receptor antagonists. Among these analogues, (1S,2R)-1-phenyl-2-[(R)-1-amino-2-propynyl]-N, N-diethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (2d) had one of the most potent affinities for the receptor, with a Ki value of 0.29 microM. The blockade of NMDA receptor channels expressed by Xenopus oocytes by 2d was investigated in detail, and 2d was identified as a new class of open channel blocker against this receptor.

Present status and performance of SPring-8 front ends

SPring-8 front ends have a novel structure which makes it easy to rearrange them and exchange the components. The structure has a common support for all the components except X-ray beam-position monitors and lead collimators. The alignment of the common support as well as the components was carried out with an accuracy of 0.25 mm in the vertical and horizontal directions. Replaceable pumping systems have also been placed on the common support and have achieved a vacuum of 2 x 10(-8) Pa at the upstream part of the front ends without synchrotron radiation. During the commissioning with synchrotron radiation, the pumping systems displayed good pumping-down characteristics. Commissioning has been successfully performed for four standard in-vacuum X-ray undulators and three bending-magnet-beamline front ends up to July 1997. Measurements of temperature rise show that absorber, pre-slits and XY slits can handle the anticipated maximum heat load at a ring current of 100 mA.

[Chlormadinone Acetate Reference Standard (Control 961) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material for chlormadinone acetate was tested for preparation of the "Chlormadinone Acetate Reference Standard (Control 961)" of National Institute of Health Sciences. Analytical data obtained were as follows: melting point, 215. 3 degrees C; UV spectrum, lambda max = 283.5 nm; IR spectrum, the same as that of JP Chlormadinone Acetate Reference Standard (Control 885); optical rotation, [alpha]20D = -13.0 degrees; thin-layer chromatography, one impurity was detected; high-performance liquid chromatography, two impurities were detected; loss on drying, 0.01%; assay, 99.4% by spectrophotometry and 99.5% by HPLC. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Chlormadinone Acetate Reference Standard (Control 961) of National Institute of Health Sciences (Japanese Pharmacopoeia).

[Epinephrine Bitartrate Reference Standard (Control 951) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material for epinephrine bitartrate was tested for preparation of the "Epinephrine Bitartrate Reference Standard (Control 951)" of National Institute of Health Sciences. Analytical data obtained were as follows: melting point, 148.6 degrees C (decomposition); UV spectrum, lambda max = 279 nm; IR spectrum, the same as that of JP Epinephrine Bitartrate Reference Standard (Control 792); optical rotation, [alpha]20D = -52.8 degrees; thin-layer chromatography, one impurity was detected; high-performance liquid chromatography, no impurity was detected; loss on drying, 0.01%; assay, 99.6% by potentiometric titration, 100.3% by spectrophotometry. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Epinephrine Bitartrate Reference Standard (Control 951) of National Institute of Health Sciences (Japanese Pharmacopoeia).

[dl-Camphor Reference Standard (Control 961) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of dl-camphor was examined for the preparation of the "dl-Camphor Reference Standard (Control 961)" of National Institute of Health Sciences. Analytical data obtained are as follows: UV spectrum, lambda max = 290 nm; IR spectrum, the same as that of the present JP Camphor Reference Standard (Control 953); melting point, 179.1 degrees C; purity test by gas-chromatography (GC), three kinds of impurities were detected; assay by GC, 99.8%. Based on the above results, the candidate raw material was authorized as the dl-Camphor Reference standard (Control 961) National Institute of Health Sciences (Japanese Pharmacopoeia).

[Hydrocortisone Acetate Reference Standard (Control 961) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material of hydrocortisone acetate was tested for the preparation of the "Hydrocortisone Acetate Reference Standard (Control 961)". Analytical data obtained were as follows: IR spectrum, specific absorption wave numbers at 3428, 1748, 1723, 1631, and 1375 cm-1; specific absorbance, E1cm1% (242 nm) = 406; thin-layer chromatography, no impurities were detected until 0.05 microgram; high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), 2-3 impurities were detected and the amount of the total impurities was estimated to be about 0.2%; assay by HPLC, 100.7%. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Reference Standard (Control 961).

[Estradiol Reference Standard (Control 961) of National Institute of Health Sciences]

The raw material for estradiol was examined for preparation of the "Estradiol Reference Standard (Control 961)" of National Institute of Health Sciences. Analytical data obtained were as follows: melting point, 179.1 degrees C; UV spectrum, lambda max = 281 nm; IR spectrum, the same as that of the Estradiol Reference Standard of National Institute of Health Sciences (Control 931); optical rotation, [alpha]20D = +79.5 degrees; thin-layer chromatography, one impurity was detected; high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a trace amount of three impurities were detected; loss on drying, 3.17%; assay, 99.4% by UV spectrophotometry and 99.0% by HPLC. Based on the above results, the raw material was authorized as the Estradiol Reference Standard (Control 961) of National Institute of Health Sciences.

Antagonism between the suppressive effects of NH3 and CO2 on bullfrog taste nerve responses to quinine

The suppression mechanism of NH3 and CO2 on bullfrog taste nerve responses to 0.1 mM quinine was investigated by applying them directly on the tongue surface (surface application) or at the tongue interstices through the lingual artery (interstitial application). The surface application of NH3 and CO2 reversibly suppressed the taste nerve responses with IC50 values of 0.37 mM and 2.2 mM, respectively, whereas their hydrates were ineffective. The interstitial application of NH3 reversibly suppressed the taste nerve responses. The surface application of CO2 recovered the suppressed responses to quinine. The 4 s application of CO2 prior to that of 0.1 mM quinine had the maximum effect. These results show that NH3-induced alkalosis and CO2-induced acidosis of taste cells, taste nerve endings, or tongue interstices surrounding them suppressed the taste nerve responses, and that the neutralization of their intracellular pH recovered these responses. The time-dependent recovery suggests that the neutralization at a layer inside taste cells, taste nerve endings, or the interstices surrounding them is critical in taste transduction.