Effect of ionization on the temperature- and pressure-induced phase transitions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels.

The ionization effects on the pressure-induced phase transition of weakly charged poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPA-AAc) gels have been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering. At low temperature, T, and pressure, P, the structure factor of PNIPA-AAc gels was well represented by a Lorentzian (L) function, which was similar to noncharged PNIPA gels. However, at high Ps, the contribution of inhomogeneities became large and a squared-Lorentzian term had to be added in addition to the L term.

Fgf18 is required for embryonic lung alveolar development.

Fgf18 is abundantly expressed in mouse embryonic lungs. To elucidate the roles of Fgf18 in mouse embryonic lung development, we examined the Fgf18-/- embryonic lungs. Although the sizes of the Fgf18-/- lungs were a little smaller in appearance than those of wild-type lungs, neither proximal nor distal airway branching in the Fgf18-/- lungs was impaired.

Immunosuppressive treatment inhibits the development of amebic liver abscesses in hamsters.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine if the inflammation and/or immunosuppression induced by Entamoeba histolytica may contribute to amebic invasion.

Material/methods: Dexamethasone was administered three days before and three days after inoculation of hamsters with E. histolytica.

Dynamic light scattering studies of irradiated kappa carrageenan.

Investigation of the dynamic behavior of irradiated kappa carrageenan (in KCl) as a function of irradiation dose and temperature was done by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The intensity correlation function (ICF) shifted towards shorter relaxation times with increasing radiation dose as a result of radiolysis. The characteristic decay time distribution function, G(gamma), indicates the presence of fast and slow mode peaks respectively at around 0.

Induction of morphological and electrophysiological changes in hamster cornea after in vitro interaction with trophozoites of Acanthamoeba spp.

Acanthamoeba castellani and Acanthamoeba polyphaga are free-living amebae that cause keratitis and granulomatous encephalitis in humans. We have analyzed the early morphological and electrophysiological changes occurring during the in vitro interaction of cultured amebae with intact or physically damaged corneas obtained from hamsters. Both species of Acanthamoeba produced similar cytopathic changes, as seen by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

In vitro and in vivo interaction of Entamoeba histolytica Gal/GalNAc lectin with various target cells: an immunocytochemical analysis.

The Gal/GalNAc lectin of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites plays an important role in adhesion. The distribution and final destiny of the lectin during the interaction with host cells are poorly understood. Using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against the lectin we studied by immunocytochemistry the in vitro and in vivo interaction of E.

Preparation and physicochemical properties of compression-molded keratin films.

The S-sulfo keratin was extracted from wool and was then spray-dried to give S-sulfo keratin powder. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the glass transition temperature of S-sulfo keratins became lowered with the increase of moisture content, while perfectly dried S-sulfo keratin powder did not give thermal transition in the temperature range 30-130 degrees C. The compression molding of the S-sulfo keratin powder supplemented with one-tenth weight of water afforded a plastic-like transparent proteinous film above the glass transition temperature.

Nitric oxide synthase in Entamoeba histolytica: its effect on rat aortic rings.

NADPH-diaphorase activity has been considered as a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) marker. Therefore, the presence of NADPH-d activity in Entamoeba histolytica suggests that they have NOS activity. The aim of this work was to provide support for this contention.

Determination of the B820 subunit size of a bacterial core light-harvesting complex by small-angle neutron scattering.

The B820 subunit is an integral pigment-membrane protein complex and can be obtained by both dissociation of the core light-harvesting complex (LH1) in photosynthetic bacteria and reconstitution from its component parts in the presence of n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (OG). Intrinsic size of the B820 subunit from Rhodospirillum rubrum LH1 complex was measured by small-angle neutron scattering in perdeuterated OG solution and evaluated by Guinier analysis. Both the B820 subunits prepared by dissociation of LH1 and reconstitution from apopolypeptides and pigments were shown to have a molecular weight of 11,400 +/- 500 and radius of gyration of 11.

Nuclear localization of nucleocapsid-like particles and HCV core protein in hepatocytes of a chronically HCV-infected patient.

Little is known about the life cycle of hepatitis C virus. Determination of the subcellular localization of HCV proteins may contribute to our understanding of the in vivo functions of the viral proteins. HCV core protein regulates multiple functions in host cells and it has been detected both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus using different expression systems.

Structured HCV nucleocapsids composed of P21 core protein assemble primary in the nucleus of Pichia pastoris yeast.

The relationship between HCV core protein (HCcAg) processing and the structural composition and morphogenesis of nucleocapsid-like particles (NLPs) produced in Pichia pastoris cells was studied. At early stages of heterologous expression, data suggest that HCcAg (in the P21 form) was transported soon after its synthesis in the cytoplasm into the nucleus. HCcAg assembly into nucleocapsid-like particles with 20-30 nm in diameter took place primary in the cell nucleus.

Thalidomide ameliorates carbon tetrachloride induced cirrhosis in the rat.

Objective: Thalidomide has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha and anti-collagen activities. Cirrhosis is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, thalidomide was evaluated in an experimental model of liver cirrhosis.

Rapid and quantitative detection of human septin family Bradeion as a practical diagnostic method of colorectal and urologic cancers.

Background: Malignant tumor progression is a complex and multi-gene event which can not be easily detected or predicted. The detection of malignant cells using marker genes is hampered by the fact that these markers are only expressed by certain malignancies or lack sensitivity and/or specificity. We have reported a human septin family gene Bradeion, which shows strong cancer-specific expression in colorectal and urologic cancers as a result of carcinogenesis.

Decompression sickness and recreational scuba divers.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to clear the status of recreational scuba divers in Japan for promoting safety in recreational diving.

Methods: A five year (from 1996 to 2001) questionnaire survey was performed of Japanese divers at the Osezaki area in Japan. The subjects of this survey included diving instructors as well as recreational divers.

Interaction of secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies with Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and collagen type I.

In this work, we analyzed the in vitro interaction of human secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) antibodies with Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and the capacity of these antibodies to inhibit amoeba adherence to collagen type I. We also studied N. fowleri antigens that are recognized by sIgA, using immunoblot assays.

Suppression of tandem-multimer formation during genetic transformation of the mycotoxin-producing fungus Penicillium paxilli by disrupting an orthologue of Aspergillus nidulans uvsC.

An orthologue of Aspergillus nidulans uvsC and Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD51 was cloned from the filamentous fungus, Penicillium paxilli. A mutation in uvsC causes UV sensitivity during germination. The product of RAD51 is involved in meiotic recombination and DNA damage repair.

Phosphorus supply per capita from food in Japan between 1960 and 1995.

The awareness of phosphorus intake is important because hyperphosphatemia and hypophosphatemia both impair bone metabolism. Phosphorus consumption from food was obtained from values in the Food Balance Sheet (PBS) of Japan from 1960 to 1995. The amounts of phosphorus calculated from the FBS increased gradually from 1,243 mg/d in 1960 to 1,332 mg/d in 1975 and to 1,421 mg/d in 1995.

Development of a diagnostic test for Entamoeba histolytica using idiotype expression in human.

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of human amebiasis. The pathology of the disease starts with the cytolysis of the host target cells by amoebae. It is initiated by the adhesion of trophozoites to the host cells, through surface lectin via specific receptors.

Anisotropic scattering profiles of charged gels in a deformed state.

The structure factor of weakly charged polymer gels under external mechanical strain is calculated considering both thermal and frozen concentration fluctuations as well as the screening of ionic interactions. The butterfly patterns are discussed based on our result.

FGF18 is required for normal cell proliferation and differentiation during osteogenesis and chondrogenesis.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is involved in skeletal development of the vertebrate. Gain-of-function mutations of FGF receptors (FGFR) cause craniosynostosis, premature fusion of the skull, and dwarfism syndromes. Disruption of Fgfr3 results in prolonged growth of long bones and vertebrae.

Acanthamoeba castellanii: ultrastructure of trophozoites using fast freeze-fixation followed by freeze-substitution.

In recent years, the use of fast-freeze fixation followed by freeze-substitution has been shown to be the procedure that best satisfies the ultrastructural preservation of cellular components due to the rapidity of the fixation procedure and the reduction of artifacts compared to chemical fixation. When these techniques were used to study the fine structure of axenically cultured trophozoites of Acantamoeba castellanii, an improved preservation of the whole cell was observed. The ground substance of the cytoplasm is densely packed with fibrogranular material which is frequently removed with the use of conventional techniques.

Kupffer cells inhibition prevents hepatic lipid peroxidation and damage induced by carbon tetrachloride.

The aim of this work was to determine if the action mechanism of gadolinium on CCl(4)-induced liver damage is by preventing lipid peroxidation (that may be induced by Kupffer cells) and its effects on liver carbohydrate metabolism. Four groups of rats were treated with CCl(4), CCl(4)+GdCl(3), GdCl(3), and vehicles. CCl(4) was given orally (0.

IgA and IgM anti-Naegleria fowleri antibodies in human serum and saliva.

Antibodies from IgA and IgM classes that recognize Naegleria fowleri (Nf) proteins were detected by the ELISA assay in serum and saliva from three groups of people: (i) subjects with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) living in the parasite-endemic area, (ii) healthy persons from the same area, and (iii) healthy persons from a parasite-nonendemic area. In serum and in saliva the titers of IgA antibodies to Naegleria fowleri in the group of patients with URTI was significantly higher than that of the healthy group in the parasite-endemic area; also the titers of IgM antibodies in serum were significantly higher in patients. On the contrary, in saliva the antibodies were higher in healthy people from the parasite-endemic area.

Entamoeba histolytica: production of nitric oxide and in situ activity of NADPH diaphorase in amebic liver abscess of hamsters.

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites were inoculated into the liver of hamsters and serum nitrate/nitrite levels [expressed as nitric oxide (NO) production] were determined at different times during amebic liver abscess (ALA) development. We also tested the effects of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors such as N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine, and dexamethasone during ALA production. Since NOS activity has been correlated with expression of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPHd) in tissues, we performed histochemistry studies to determine the activity of the latter in livers infected with E.