Impact of mercury discharged from submarine volcano on inner bay ecosystems.

Organic mercury, inorganic mercury and total mercury concentrations in phytoplankton (<0.1 mm) and zooplankton (>0.1 mm) collected in Kagoshima Bay, Japan were measured from 2017 to 2019 to estimate the impact of mercury discharged from submarine volcanoes on ecosystems; submarine volcanic activity continues at a depth of 200 m in the inner part of Kagoshima Bay.

The distribution and dynamics of residual mercury from the Chisso chemical plant in sediments of the Yatsushiro Sea, western Kyushu, Japan: have recent sedimentations lowered surface mercury concentrations?

To determine the long-term dynamics of mercury discharged from Chisso chemical plant between 1932 and 1968, the vertical variation in mercury concentrations in Yatsushiro Sea sediments was studied from 2013 to 2020 at 31 locations and compared to the mercury concentration distribution obtained in 1996. The results suggest that new sedimentation occurred after 1996, but the mercury concentrations at the surface ranged from 0.2 to 1.

Sensitive Detection of Nitrite and Nitrate in Seawater by 222 nm UV-Irradiated Photochemical Conversion to Peroxynitrite and Ion Chromatography-Luminol Chemiluminescence System.

Sensitive detection methods for nitrite (NO) and nitrate (NO) ions are essential to understand the nitrogen cycle and for environmental protection and public health. Herein, we report a detection method that combines ion-chromatographic separation of NO and NO, on-line photochemical conversion of these ions to peroxynitrite (ONOO) by irradiation with a 222 nm excimer lamp, and chemiluminescence from the reaction between luminol and ONOO. The detection limits for NO and NO were 0.

Impact of amino acid 233 in Tax on bovine leukemia virus infection in Japanese Black cattle.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an economically important pathogen that both causes fatal enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and reduces lifetime milk production, reproductive efficiency, carcass weight, and longevity in dairy cows. The virus can be divided into two categories based on the amino acid at position 233 in Tax protein, which activates viral transcription and probably plays crucial roles in leukemogenesis. We recently reported that early-onset EBL in Japanese Black (JB) cattle was frequently caused by L233-Tax-carrying virus.

The dynamics of mercury around an artisanal and small-scale gold mining area, Camarines Norte, Philippines.

To elucidate the dynamics of mercury emitted and released by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activity and to estimate its impact on the ecosystems of the bay, the distribution of mercury in the atmosphere, soil, water, and sediment around Mambulao Bay, Camarines Norte, Philippines, was investigated. The ASGM operations use mercury to extract gold from ore and are located on the east shore side of the bay. Samplings were conducted in August 2017 and September 2018.

Epidemiological evidence for early-onset of enzootic bovine leukosis by L233-Tax-carrying bovine leukemia virus in Japanese Black cattle.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), of which annual number has rapidly increased in Japan, and it can be divided into two categories based on the amino acid at position 233 in the Tax protein. Here, we conducted a nationwide surveillance of Japanese Black cattle between 2008 and 2021 in Japan. Among 237 tumor samples, 131 (55.

Thrombotic microangiopathy with transiently positive direct Coombs test in an adult with poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis: a case report.

Background: To date, a few case reports have described the association between poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) and hemolytic anemia/thrombocytopenia, both with or without a pathology similar to that of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). However, the detailed mechanism leading to the complication of TMA in PSAGN patients remains to be clarified. In contrast, infection with neuraminidase-producing Streptococcus pneumoniae is a well-known cause of TMA, and it has been reported that transient positivity of the direct Coombs test is observed in up to 90% of such patients.

Distribution, alkylation, and migration of mercury in soil discharged from the Itomuka mercury mine.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavior of previously discharged mercury (Hg) released from the Itomuka Hg mine into the surrounding environment, especially into soil. Total-Hg (T-Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and ethylmercury (EtHg) concentrations in the surface soil at eight sample sites around the mine were 3.8-64.

Increased expression of epimorphin in a peritoneal fibrosis mouse model.

Background: Long-term peritoneal dialysis results in functional and histopathological alterations of the peritoneal membrane, leading to peritoneal fibrosis (PF). The mechanism of PF has not been fully elucidated, and at present there is no effective therapy for PF. Epimorphin is a mesenchymal protein that not only regulates morphogenesis in organ development but is implicated in tissue repair.

Effects of forest fires on mercury accumulation in soil at the artisanal small-scale gold mining.

In response to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, international organizations, governments, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions as well as individuals have worked to promote the development and implementation of safe and environmentally healthy practices, processes, and products. It is expected that the accumulation of mercury in the natural environment will decrease in volume each year. However, even after Hg ceases to be used, the Hg already accumulated in forests will continue to pose an ecological risk.

Exposure of Thomsen-Friedenreich Antigen on the Renal Tubules of a Patient with Capnocytophaga Infection-induced Acute Kidney Injury.

Infections with neuraminidase-producing bacteria can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). We herein report a 74-year-old woman who developed AKI in the course of Capnocytophaga infection, a neuraminidase-producing bacterium. A renal biopsy showed tubulointerstitial injury accompanied by specific binding of fluorescence-conjugated peanut lectin to the tubular epithelial cells, suggesting exposure of Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T-antigen) on the tubules.

L233P mutation in the bovine leukemia virus Tax protein has impact on annexin A3 and type I collagen secretion by host cells.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and can be classified into two types based on the amino acid at position 233 in Tax protein, which probably plays crucial roles in leukemogenesis. We previously revealed that L233-Tax-expressing cells secreted chemoattractants for endothelial cells and formed significantly larger tumors accompanying neovascularization than P233-Tax-expressing cells in athymic mice. In the present study, comparative proteomic analysis of the culture medium of Tax-expressing cells revealed that annexin A3 and probably extracellular matrix protein 1 served as chemoattractants.

Multimodal Imaging of Microvascular Abnormalities in Retinal Vein Occlusion.

The technologies of ocular imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have progressed remarkably. Of these in vivo imaging modalities, recently advanced OCT technology provides high-resolution images, e.g.

Development of pure red cell aplasia by transmission and persistent infection of parvovirus B19 through a kidney allograft.

We report a case of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) caused by parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection, which was transmitted through a kidney allograft. The patient underwent a living-donor kidney transplant from his wife at the age of 60. Despite successful engraftment with a normal creatinine level, he developed severe anemia that required frequent blood transfusions 2 months after transplantation.

Morphologic Classifications and Locations of Microaneurysms and Clinical Relevance in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Purpose: To classify microaneurysms (MAs) and investigate the relationships with retinal edema in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Study Design: Retrospective, observational, consecutive case series.

Methods: Eyes with MAs due to BRVO that underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were enrolled.

Contamination, Decomposition, and Formation of N-Nitrosodimethylamine in Water Samples at the ng/L Level of Determination.

An ultra-sensitive analytical system that can determine the concentration of N-nitrosamines at the ng/L level without preconcentration was used to investigate the contamination, decomposition, and formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and other N-nitrosamines in water samples during general analytical procedures. A preliminary experiment was performed to estimate the NDMA concentrations in ambient air. Since the air samples contained NDMA at concentrations in the range of 2.

Detailed investigation of methylmercury accumulation in rice grain from Hg-spiked non-contaminated paddy field soils.

Total-Hg (T-Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in rice grains were measured to understand the MeHg accumulation process. Rice plants were cultivated in Hg-spiked non-contaminated soils in experimental pots at three different places. Although soil MeHg concentrations in the pots changed significantly and individually during the rice-growing season, T-Hg concentration of brown rice grain was high at high soil MeHg concentration.

Mercury speciation in preserved historical sludge: Potential risk from sludge contained within reclaimed land of Minamata Bay, Japan.

In the latter half of the 1950s, a large amount of methylmercury (MeHg) was discharged directly into Minamata Bay, Japan by a chemical factory, resulting in the contamination of the fish and shellfish. Ultimately, an outbreak of MeHg intoxication, called Minamata disease, occurred. From 1977 to 1988, the Kumamoto Prefectural Government dredged and transferred sediments exceeding 25 μg/g of total mercury (THg, dry basis) into a strictly segregated area of the bay near the wastewater outlet, then this area was landfilled.

Proton Thermodynamics in a Protic Ionic Liquid, Ethylammonium Nitrate.

In order to investigate the proton solvation state in protic ionic liquids (PILs), ten acid dissociation enthalpies and entropies of eight compounds were determined in ethylammonium nitrate (EAN). Regardless of the nature of the compound, 24 kJ mol larger enthalpy and 65 J mol  K larger entropy than those in water, respectively, were observed. These values were reasonably explained by the differences in the proton solvation structure in EAN and water.

Transport of mercury species by river from artisanal and small-scale gold mining in West Java, Indonesia.

To estimate the impact of mercury discharged from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activity, variations in the concentrations of elemental mercury (Hg0), mercury ion (Hg2+), particulate mercury (P-Hg), and total mercury in filtered river water (FT-Hg) were investigated from sampling locations extending from 10 km upstream to 30 km downstream of ASGM operations in West Java, Indonesia. The average of the annual concentrations at the ASGM site from 2013 to 2017 were 0.14-0.

L233P mutation in the bovine leukemia virus Tax protein depresses endothelial cell recruitment and tumorigenesis in athymic nude mice.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) can be divided into two categories based on the amino acid at position 233 in the Tax protein, which probably plays a crucial role in leukemogenesis. We show here that a rat fibroblast cell line stably expressing L233-Tax formed significantly larger tumors than P233-Tax-expressing cells in a murine xenograft study. Although the microvessel density was comparable in both tumors, visible blood vessel invasion was observed only on tumors from L233-Tax-expressing cells.

Development of anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis during the course of IgA nephropathy: a case report.

Background: Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis does not usually coexist with another glomerulonephritis such as IgA nephropathy. We present a rare case having a combination of these two diseases, and furthermore, histological evaluation could be performed before and after the development of anti-GBM glomerulonephritis over a period of only10 months.

Case Presentation: A 66-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of microscopic hematuria and mild proteinuria for the past 3 years.

Multimodal Imaging in a Case of Idiopathic Neuroretinitis.

A 37-year-old woman presented with painful visual loss in the left eye for 2 weeks. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200. Ophthalmic examination of the left eye revealed vitreous cells, optic disc swelling, serous retinal detachment, and macular star-figure hard exudates.

Collateral vessels on optical coherence tomography angiography in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion.

Aims: To detect collateral vessels using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and to investigate the associations with visual outcomes and macular oedema.

Methods: Eyes with macular oedema secondary to BRVO that underwent OCTA at baseline and were followed up for more than 6 months were enrolled. The presence of collaterals, whether the collaterals were leaky or not, and the associations with visual outcomes and macular oedema were investigated.