In vitro evaluation of atmospheric particulate matter and sedimentation particles using yeast bioassay system.

Little information on the evaluation of airborne particulate matter (APM) and sedimentation particles from subway stations is available. The thermal metamorphism of train wheels generating toxic particles in subway stations is a possibility. In this study, the toxicity and physiological effects of particles from subway stations were evaluated using a yeast bioassay system.

Efficacy of atorvastatin therapy in ischaemic heart disease - effects on oxidized low-density lipoprotein and adiponectin.

The lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects of atorvastatin (10 mg/day) were investigated by measuring changes in the levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum lipids (total cholesterol [TC], LDL-cholesterol [LDL-C] and triglycerides [TG]), and in the protein adiponectin. This was undertaken in 22 patients with ischaemic heart disease and serum LDL-C levels > 100 mg/dl. After 3 months of therapy, atorvastatin significantly decreased serum lipids, oxidized LDL was reduced from 457.

[Social interaction and mortality: a seven-year longitudinal study of elderly people].

Objectives: This study was designed to clarify the relation between social interaction and seven-year-mortality in a group of elderly people.

Methods: The participants were all 65 years or older living in farming communities near major urban centers in Japan (n = 801). The contents of the questionnaire covered social interaction (using an "Index of Social Interaction" consisting of 18 items), health status, physical function, activities of daily living (ADL), age and gender.

Oxidative degradation of BPA using TiO2 in water, and transition of estrogenic activity in the degradation pathways.

The oxidative degradation behavior of bisphenol A (BPA) using titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) in water was investigated. The main purposes were to clarify the relationship with estrogenic activity from the degradation pathways demonstrated by oxidation of BPA in water. Approximately 99% of the BPA decomposed within 300 min, and gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry (MS) and liquid chromatography (LC) MS analysis revealed many intermediates during the degradation process.

Endocrine effects generated by photooxidation of coplanar biphenyls in water using titanium dioxide.

The oxidative photodegradation behaviors of selected three coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), (CB77, CB81, and CB169) using titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) in water were investigated. The main purposes were to clarify the structural relation between the original PCBs and the intermediates derived by TiO(2) oxidation and to evaluate the estrogenic and thyroid hormonal activity in the treated three coplanar PCBs during the oxidative reactions. Approximately 90% of the three coplanar PCBs decomposed within 180 min.

Oxidative ability and toxicity of n-hexane insoluble fraction of diesel exhaust particles.

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are known to induce adverse biological responses such as inflammation of the airway. However, the relationship between the chemical characteristics of organic compounds adsorbed on DEP and their biological effects is not yet fully understood. In this study, the dichloromethane-soluble fraction (DMSF) from DEP was fractionated into its n-hexane-soluble fraction (n-HSF) and n-hexane-insoluble fraction (n-HISF).

Production mechanism of hydroxylated PCBs by oxidative degradation of selected PCBs using TiO2 in water and estrogenic activity of their intermediates.

The oxidative photodegradation behaviors of selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) [2,3,3',4'-tetraCB (BZ number: CB56), 2,3',4',5-tetraCB (CB70), and 3,4,4',5-tetraCB (CB81: coplanar PCB)] using titanium dioxide (TiO2) in water were investigated. The main purposes were to clarify the structural relation between the original PCBs and the intermediates derived by TiO2 oxidation and to evaluate the estrogenic activity in the treated PCBs during the oxidative reactions. Approximately 90% of the three tetraCBs decomposed within 120 min.

Effect of hydraulic retention time on the efficiency of vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester treating waste activated sludge.

Treating waste activated sludge at a temperature of 35 degrees C was investigated in vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester and common anaerobic sludge digester, with the working volume of 2.5 m3 each. Compared with common anaerobic sludge digester, the vertical tubular anaerobic sludge digester greatly improved volatile solids and COD removal efficiencies, the methane production and the stability of the anaerobic digestion system under the same condition of hydraulic retention time.

A rapid and sensitive analysis of diphenylarsinic acid in water by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A rapid and sensitive analytical method using pentafluorothiophenol (PFTP) derivatization was applied to detect diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA) in water. In this study, the optimum derivatization conditions, such as acid concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature, were investigated to develop a suitable procedure for DPAA determination. After extracting the derivatives into benzene, the determination was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with selected ion monitoring (SIM).

Effect of estrogenic activity, and phytoestrogen and organochlorine pesticide contents in an experimental fish diet on reproduction and hepatic vitellogenin production in medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are giving rise to serious concerns for humans and wildlife. Phytoestrogens, such as daidzein and genistein in plants, and organochlorine pesticides are suspected EDCs, because their chemical structure is similar to that of natural or synthetic estrogens and they have estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. We assessed estrogenic activity and dietary phytoestrogen and organochlorine pesticide contents of various fish diets made in the United Kingdom, and compared them with those features of diets made in Japan that were tested in a previous study.

Part of membrane-bound Abeta exists in rafts within senile plaques in Tg2576 mouse brain.

To clarify whether rafts are the site of abnormal amyloid beta protein (Abeta) deposition, we examined the ultrastructural localization of both flotillin-1 (pre-embedding) and Abeta (post-embedding) in Tg2576 mouse brains. After observing the exact areas of senile plaques by reflection contrast microscopy, we observed these same plaques under an electron microscope. Membrane-bound Abeta was predominantly observed on plasma membranes of small processes in diffuse plaques.

Contribution of folate biosynthesis to Ralstonia solanacearum proliferation in intercellular spaces.

The vigorous proliferation of Ralstonia solanacearum OE1-1 in host intercellular spaces after the invasion of host plants is necessary for the virulence of this bacterium. A folate auxotroph, RM, in which a mini-Tn5 transposon was inserted into pabB encoding para-aminobenzoate synthase component I, lost its ability to vigorously proliferate in intercellular spaces along with its systemic infectivity and virulence after inoculation into roots and infiltration into leaves of tobacco plants. Complementation of RM with the pabB gene allowed the mutant to multiply in intercellular spaces and to cause disease.

Effects of dental resin metabolites on estrogenic activity in vitro.

Three monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA, and TEGDMA) and five polymerization initiators (CQ, BPO, DMPT, DMAEMA, and ATU) commonly used in dental composite resins were tested for estrogenic activity using a reporter gene assay (yeast two-hybrid system) in vitro, and compared with bisphenol-A (BPA). Estrogenic activity was indicated by agonist and antagonist activity, with (+S9) and without (-S9) metabolic activation using rat liver cells. No estrogenic agonist activity was seen for each monomer and polymerization initiator in either the -S9 and +S9 tests in the concentration ranges examined in this study.

Alteration of urinary sorbitol excretion in WBN-kob diabetic rats - treatment with an aldose reductase inhibitor.

An accelerated polyol pathway in diabetes contributes to the development of diabetic complications. To elucidate diabetic nephropathy involving also renal tubular damage, we measured urinary sorbitol concentration concomitantly with urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion in WBN-kob diabetic rats.Twenty-four-hour urinary sorbitol concentrations increased in the diabetic rats in parallel with whole blood sorbitol concentrations.

Urinary sorbitol measurement and the effect of an aldose reductase inhibitor on its concentration in the diabetic state.

The amounts of sorbitol (SOR) excreted in 24-h urine were determined on two groups, i.e., diabetic and nondiabetic patients, using an improved method in which ion exchange resin column processing was applied, and these levels were compared with SOR levels in whole blood.

Evaluation of antilipid peroxidative action of propolis ethanol extract.

The antilipid peroxidative action of the ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis at a concentration of 47% (w/v) was evaluated by examining the inhibitory effect of the extract on the formation of hydroperoxide- and endoperoxide-type lipid peroxides during heating of authentic polyunsaturated fatty acids and on Fe(3+)-ADP/ascorbic acid- and Fe(3+)-ADP/NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation reactions in rat liver microsomes. Hydroperoxide-type lipid peroxides were measured by the haemoglobin-methylene blue method and endoperoxide-type lipid peroxides by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA), Fe(3+)-TBA and LPO-586 methods. Propolis ethanol extract inhibited dose-dependently the formation of hydroperoxide- and endoperoxide-type lipid peroxides during heating of linoleic acid, linolenic acid or arachidonic acid and the amount of the extract causing a half inhibition of these lipid peroxide formations ranged between 20 and 75 microg.

Scavenging effect of nicorandil on free radicals and lipid peroxide in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Free radicals and lipid peroxide (LPO), easily formed in the diabetic state, play an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Potentially, nicorandil may reduce the production of free radicals and LPO in various organs. In fact, increased LPO levels in the serum, kidney, and cardiac muscle of diabetic (DM) rats were reduced by nicorandil treatment (N treatment).

Changes in superoxide dismutase activities and concentrations and myeloperoxidase activities in leukocytes from patients with diabetes mellitus.

To investigate whether the two free-radical scavengers, Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), are changed in leukocytes of diabetic patients, and the alteration of these enzymes correlates with the diabetic state, we measured the activity and concentration of these enzymes in leukocytes from diabetic patients. Both Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD activities in neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly lower in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls. The concentrations of these enzymes in leukocytes from diabetic patients, however, did not differ from those in controls.

Further study on the photochemistry of non-ortho substituted PCBs by UV irradiation in alkaline 2-propanol.

The photochemical behaviors of six non-ortho substituted PCB congeners, i.e., 3,4-DiCB, 3,5-DiCB, 3,3',5-TriCB, 3,4,5-TriCB, 3,3',4,5-TetraCB, and 3,4,4',5-TetraCB, irradiated at 254 nm in alkaline 2-propanol were investigated.

Serum concentrations of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, fatty acids, and lipid peroxides among Japanese in Japan, and Japanese and Caucasians in the US.

Serum concentrations of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, fatty acids, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in 217 Japanese residents of Japan, and in 99 Japanese and 100 Caucasian residents of the US, aged from 50 y to 74 y. In females, serum values of carotenoids such as beta-carotene (BC) and zeaxanthin & lutein (ZL) were highest among Japanese in Japan, followed by Japanese in the US and Caucasians in the US. In males, these values, except for serum BC values, were also highest among Japanese in Japan.

[The role of discharge coordination nurses in a university hospital--changes in the role with timing of the discharge request].

Unlabelled: We studied the role of discharge assisting nurses who coordinate discharge planning (DP). The requests for DP were ordered at different periods during the admission. The periods were mainly divided into three phases in which the DP was ordered from the wards, which were type 1: just before discharge, type 2: after the decision to discharge, and type 3: between admission and the decision to discharge.

[Actual situations and problems of patients receiving home IVH--trial use of an assessment chart for outpatients].

In order to improve the quality of life (QOL) and continue nursing, we used an assessment chart to investigate the actual situations and problems of the patients receiving home intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH). From January, 1997 to June, 1999, we investigated 20 patients with home IVH. To 7 patients among them, we asked questions using Kurihara's assessment chart for QOL, plus our original questions concerning IVH.

Lipid peroxidation levels in rat cardiac muscle are affected by age and thyroid status.

Free radicals, hydroxyperoxides and H(2)O(2) are all known to damage cell components. This study was designed to compare the concentrations of hydroxyperoxide and free radical scavengers in the cardiac muscles of old rats in the hyper- or hypothyroid condition, to determine whether rates of peroxidation would differ with age, thyroid status, or both. Rats were rendered hyper- or hypothyroid by administration of l-thyroxine or methimazole for 4 weeks.

Contribution of serum albumin to the transport of orally administered L-tryptophan into liver of rats with L-tryptophan depletion.

The role of serum albumin in the transport of orally administered L-tryptophan (Trp) into rat tissues was examined using analbuminemic and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with and without alpha-methyl-DL-tryptophan (AMT)-induced Trp depletion. Trp was orally administered to rats 16 h after AMT or 0.85% NaCl administration, when liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and protein synthetic activities in AMT-treated rats were similar to those of 0.