Ergot alkaloids in sclerotia collected in Japan: synthetic profiles and induction of apoptosis by Clavine-type compounds.

The genus Claviceps (Clavicipitaceae) is famous for producing ergot alkaloids (EAs) in sclerotia. EAs can cause ergotism, resulting in convulsions and necrosis when ingested, making these compounds a serious concern for food safety. Agroclavine (2), a typical Clavine-type EA, is a causative agent of ergotism and is listed as a compound to be monitored by the European Food Safety Authority.

Identification of a multi-component berberine 11-hydroxylase from sp. strain CJ1.

Berberine (BBR) is a protoberberine alkaloid extracted from plants such as (Ranunculaceae). In a previous report, we demonstrated the existence of a 11-hydroxylation pathway employed by BBR-utilizing bacteria for metabolism of BBR. In the present study, we report the identification of the genes , and as encoding a multicomponent BBR 11-hydroxylase in sp.

Characterization of sp. strain CJ1, a newly isolated berberine-degrading bacterium from rhizosphere of .

sp. strain CJ1 was newly isolated as berberine (BBR) degrading bacteria from rhizosphere of . CJ1 had the ability to utilize BBR as the sole carbon source and revealed that BBR metabolism via 11-hydroxylation and demethylenation pathway.

Antimicrobial agent isolated from Coptidis rhizome extract incubated with Rhodococcus sp. strain BD7100.

Coptidis rhizome (CR) is a widely used herbal medicine that contains protoberberine-type alkaloids. CR extract exhibits various pharmacologic activities. A previous study reported the isolation of Rhodococcus sp.

[Estimate of the Approximation Function of Spectral Hounsfield Unit Curves in Dual Energy CT Imaging].

The purpose of this study was to reveal the optimal function for regression of spectral Hounsfield Unit (HU) curves. The optimization procedure consists of the following steps: 1) obtaining dual energy CT (DECT) images of the RMI 467 phantom, 2) obtaining virtual monochromatic images from DECT images, 3) mapping each region of interest (ROI) to a phantom rod on virtual monochromatic images, 4) obtaining spectral HU curves for all rods, 5) regression of spectral HU curves using various functions, including linear, quadratic polynomial, cubic polynomial, quartic polynomial, quintic polynomial, sextic polynomial, septic polynomial, exponential, corrected exponential, bi-exponential, and logarithm, and 6) calculating the coefficients and the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) of the functions listed above. Results indicated that the quintic polynomial function is suitable for analyzing the regression of spectral HU curves.

Production of an emericellin and its analogues as fungal biological responses for Shimbu-to extract.

This research examined the production of fungal metabolites as a biological response to Kampo medicines. Shimbu-to (SMB) is a Kampo medicine composed of five herbal components: peony root (Shakuyaku), ginger (Shokyo), processed aconite root (Bushi), Poria sclerotium (Bukuryo), and Atractylodes lancea rhizomes (Sojutsu). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans CBS 112.

Intraocular pressure and visual field changes in normal-tension glaucoma patients treated using either unoprostone or latanoprost: a prospective comparative study.

Purpose: We conducted a prospective study in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) who received either isopropyl unoprostone or latanoprost. We compared the drugs in terms of their effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual field loss progression over a 3-year period.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized controlled study.

Common origin of methylenedioxy ring degradation and demethylation in bacteria.

Plants produce many specific secondary metabolites as a response to environmental stress, especially biological stress. These compounds show strong biological activities and high stability against degradation by microbes and animals. Berberine, a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, is found in many plant species and has strong antimicrobial activity, and is often included in traditional herbal medicines.

Asnovolins A-G, Spiromeroterpenoids Isolated from the Fungus Aspergillus novofumigatus, and Suppression of Fibronectin Expression by Asnovolin E.

Seven novel spiromeroterpenoids, asnovolins A-G (1-7), one of which was shown to suppress fibronectin expression, were isolated from Aspergillus novofumigatus CBS117520 along with a known compound, novofumigatonin (8). The structures of asnovolins A-G were elucidated using MS and 2D-NMR data. Asnovolin E (5) suppressed fibronectin expression by normal human neonatal dermal fibroblast cells.

Isolation and identification of berberine and berberrubine metabolites by berberine-utilizing bacterium Rhodococcus sp. strain BD7100.

Based on the finding of a novel berberine (BBR)-utilizing bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. strain BD7100, we investigated the degradation of BBR and its analog berberrubine (BRU). Resting cells of BD7100 demethylenated BBR and BRU, yielding benzeneacetic acid analogs.

Isolation of growth inhibitors of the snow rot pathogen Pythium iwayamai from an arctic strain of Trichoderma polysporum.

Growth inhibitors were isolated from an arctic strain of Trichoderma polysporum, and the structures were elucidated and the in vitro inhibitory effects of these compounds against Pythium iwayamai were investigated. Eleven compounds were isolated; four showed a concentration-dependent growth-inhibitory effect against P. iwayamai.

11-Hydroxylation of Protoberberine by the Novel Berberine-Utilizing Aerobic Bacterium Sphingobium sp. Strain BD3100.

Protoberberine alkaloids, including berberine, palmatine, and berberrubine, are produced by medicinal plants and are known to have various pharmacological effects. We isolated two berberine-utilizing bacteria, Sphingobium sp. strain BD3100 and Rhodococcus sp.

Isolation and structure elucidation of new phthalide and phthalane derivatives, isolated as antimicrobial agents from Emericella sp. IFM57991.

Three new phthalide derivatives, emefuranones A1, A2 and B (1-3); six new phthalane derivatives, emefuran A, B1, B2, C1, C2 and D (4-9); three new farnesylated phthalide derivatives, farnesylemefuranones A-C (10-12); xylarinol C (13); and emericelloxide (14), along with four known compounds (dustanin, sorbicillin, aspergillodiol and xylarinol A), were isolated from the culture extracts of Emericella sp. IFM57991. Structures of 1-14 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence.

Association between genetic polymorphisms of the prostaglandin F2α receptor gene, and response to latanoprost in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Aim: To examine whether intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction by latanoprost correlates with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the prostaglandin F2α (FP) receptor gene in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH).

Methods: The genotype of nine SNPs in the FP receptor gene was determined by direct DNA sequencing, or other techniques, in 82 patients with glaucoma or OH who were treated with latanoprost monotherapy in one eye. The IOP reduction was evaluated by the percent IOP reduction (%ΔIOP), estimated by subtracting IOP fluctuations in the untreated fellow eye.

Effect of cataract and its removal on ganglion cell complex thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements by fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To examine the effect of cataract on signal strength index (SSI) and thickness measurements of the ganglion cell complex (GCC) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) with the RTVue-100 Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography device.

Method: GCC and pRNFL measurements were obtained preoperatively in 53 eyes of 53 patients, including 13 glaucoma patients and measurements were repeated postoperatively. Cataract degree was graded by the Lens Opacities Classification System III.

Differentiation by imaging of superior segmental optic hypoplasia and normal-tension glaucoma with inferior visual field defects only.

Purpose: To differentiate superior segmental optic hypoplasia (SSOH) from normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with inferior visual field defects only.

Methods: Eighteen eyes with SSOH (SSOH group) and 19 eyes with NTG (NTG group) were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), Heidelberg retina tomography (Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II, HRT II) and standard automated perimetry.

Results: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) based on OCT measurements was significantly reduced (thinner) in the superior to superonasal sectors and significantly greater (thicker) in the inferotemporal sector in the SSOH group than in the NTG group.

Relationship between optic disc ovality and horizontal disc tilt in normal young subjects.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between optic disc ovality and horizontal disc tilt.

Methods: The ovality index (the ratio of minimum to maximum disc diameter), horizontal and vertical optic disc tilt, and optic disc torsion were measured on the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 printout in 381 right eyes of 381 normal young subjects. Stereophotographically obvious horizontal tilt and the relationship between the ovality index and horizontal tilt were determined in non-torted discs with an absolute value of disc torsion ≤15°.

Relationship between macular ganglion cell complex parameters and visual field parameters after tumor resection in chiasmal compression.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) parameters and visual field (VF) parameters in chiasmal compression and the potential for GCC parameters in order to predict the short-term postsurgical VF.

Methods: Twenty-three eyes of 12 patients with chiasmal compression and 33 control eyes were studied. All patients underwent transsphenoidal tumor resection.

[Basic concept for the inspection of imported foods].

According to Article 4 of the Food Safety Basic Law (Law No. 48 of 2003), food safety must be ensured by taking necessary measures appropriately at each step of the food supply process both in Japan and overseas. From this viewpoint, for ensuring safety of imported foods further, the quarantine stations have obligations such as confirmation of the import-notification documents submitted under Article 27 of the Law, issue of inspection orders in accordance with Article 26 of the Law for imported foods suspected with high probability of violating the Act (in order to prevent harm to public health from the perspective of food sanitation), and implement of monitoring inspection under Article 28 of the Law to enforce checking of the food-sanitation conditions of various imported foods.

Association between genetic polymorphisms of adrenergic receptor and diurnal intraocular pressure in Japanese normal-tension glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of the adrenergic receptor (ADR) and diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) in Japanese normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.

Design: Prospective, comparative case series.

Participants: Ninety-two untreated NTG patients.

Dual two-component regulatory systems are involved in aromatic compound degradation in a polychlorinated-biphenyl degrader, Rhodococcus jostii RHA1.

A Gram-positive polychlorinated-biphenyl (PCB) degrader, Rhodococcus jostii RHA1, degrades PCBs by cometabolism with biphenyl. A two-component BphS1T1 system encoded by bphS1 and bphT1 (formerly bphS and bphT) is responsible for the transcription induction of the five gene clusters, bphAaAbAcAdC1B1, etbAa1Ab1CbphD1, etbAa2Ab2AcD2, etbAdbphB2, and etbD1, which constitute multiple enzyme systems for biphenyl/PCB degradation. The bphS2 and bphT2 genes, which encode BphS2 and BphT2, virtually identical to BphS1 (92%) and BphT1 (97%), respectively, were characterized.

Evaluation of macular thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness for detection of early glaucoma using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic ability of macular parameters and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters for early glaucoma using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Materials And Methods: One eye from 32 early glaucoma patients (including preperimetric glaucoma) and 32 normal participants underwent macular scans and peripapillary RNFL scans with SD-OCT 3 times on the same day. The discrimination power of each parameter to detect early glaucoma was determined by areas under receiver operating characteristics curve (AROC) and sensitivity at fixed specificity.

Clinical factors related to recurrence of anterior segment neovascularization after treatment including intravitreal bevacizumab.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of clinical factors on the recurrence of anterior segment neovascularization after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Design: Retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series.

Methods: Charts of 54 eyes of 54 consecutive patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab injections (1.

Comparison between stereo angiographic findings and histopathologic findings in endotoxin-induced uveitis.

Purpose: To carry out a three-dimensional analysis of uveitis using stereo angiography.

Materials And Methods: Endotoxin-induced uveitis was induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide into the rat footpad, and the findings of stereo angiography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope were compared to histopathologic results.

Results: On day 2, multiple hyperfluorescent spots were observed by indocyanine green stereo angiography, which appeared to be in the superficial layer of the retina.

Beneficial effects of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab on trabeculectomy outcomes in neovascular glaucoma.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on outcomes in trabeculectomy for neovascular glaucoma (NVG).

Methods: Charts for 52 NVG eyes of 52 consecutive patients who received primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) were reviewed. Postoperative follow-up periods for all patients were > or = 4 months.