Nitrogen supply rate regulates microbial resource allocation for synthesis of nitrogen-acquiring enzymes.

Although microorganisms will preferentially allocate resources to synthesis of nitrogen (N)-acquiring enzymes when soil N availability is low according to the resource allocation model for extracellular enzyme synthesis, a robust link between microbial N-acquiring enzyme activity and soil N concentration has not been reported. To verify this link, we measured several indices of soil N availability and enzyme activity of four N-acquiring enzymes [N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), protease (PR), urease (UR), and L-asparaginase (LA)] and a carbon (C)-acquiring enzyme [β-D-glucosidase (BG)] in arable and forest soils. Although the ratios of NAG/BG and PR/BG were not significantly related with indices of soil N availability, ratios of LA/BG and UR/BG were strongly and negatively related with potentially mineralizable N estimated by aerobic incubation but not with pools of labile inorganic N and organic N.

Pull-through technique with pincer tactics for stent placement in severe superior vena cava syndrome.

The pull-through technique is an interventional radiological procedure used when an occluded lesion cannot be traversed from one direction. To pass the lesion, a long guidewire is traversed from the opposite side and pulled through the ipsilateral sheath using a snare wire. The present report describes a case of severe superior vena cava syndrome treated by stent placement using a pull-through technique with pincer tactics.

The N- and L-type calcium channel blocker cilnidipine suppresses renal injury in dahl rats fed a high-sucrose diet, an experimental model of metabolic syndrome.

Background/aims: The L/N-type calcium channel blocker (CCB) cilnidipine has been demonstrated to suppress progressive renal disease in a variety of experimental models, but the characteristic effects of N-type calcium channel blocking action on renal injury have not been examined in detail. Therefore, we investigated the beneficial effects of cilnidipine on renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats fed a high-sucrose diet (HSD), which mimics metabolic syndrome, and compared them with the effects of an L-type CCB, amlodipine.

Methods: Male Dahl S rats were divided into groups with similar blood pressure at 8 weeks of age and fed an HSD.

Distribution and immune responses resulting from oral administration of D-limonene in rats.

We investigated the relationship between the absorptive pathway and the immune responses of the lung, particularly the phagocytic function of alveolar macrophages (Mphi) after oral administration of D-limonene in rats. D-Limonene was orally administered in oily solution with a stomach tube in thoracic duct-cannulated rats, and the lymphatic output of D-limonene was measured. D-Limonene levels reached a maximum in thoracic duct lymph and lung 3 h after its oral administration.

Effect of a humanized monoclonal antibody to von Willebrand factor in a canine model of coronary arterial thrombosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antithrombotic effect and bleeding time prolongation of AJW200, a humanized monoclonal antibody to von Willebrand factor (vWF), in a canine model of coronary arterial thrombosis. AJW200 significantly inhibited cyclic flow reductions, as well as botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation, at 0.1 mg/kg.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of AJW200, a humanized monoclonal antibody to von Willebrand factor, in monkeys.

The interaction between platelet glycoprotein Ib and von Willebrand factor (vWF) plays a crucial role in platelet-mediated thrombus formation under high-shear-stress conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiplatelet profile of a humanized anti-vWF monoclonal antibody, AJW200. In vitro studies were performed with a modified cone-and-plate viscometer and human platelets.