Significant Factors for Modelling Survival of in Lake Sediments.

Currently available numerical models that describe the fecal contamination of aquatic environments using as an indicator bacterium did not consider its survival in sediments. We conducted a series of comparative experiments to reveal the independent and interactive effects of sediment factors, including temperature, pH, water-extractable total dissolved solids (TDSs), coexisting microbes, and sampling sites, in lake environments on survival. In experiments, survival was observed by controlling any two factors at a time.

Comparative experiment to select water quality parameters for modelling the survival of Escherichia coli in lakes.

Numerical health risk assessment models have been developed to describe faecal contamination of water using Escherichia coli as an indicator bacterium. Although many previously established numerical models for E. coli in aquatic environments have only considered the effects of one or two water quality parameters such as temperature and sunlight, it is difficult to simulate E.

Detection and genetic analysis of Escherichia coli from Tonle Sap Lake and its tributaries in Cambodia: Spatial distribution, seasonal variation, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance.

As an indicator of fecal contamination, Escherichia coli was monitored in Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, and its tributaries during low- and high-water seasons, focusing on the impacts on floating villagers inhabiting boathouses. E. coli concentrations in the floating villages (3.

D-Serine inhibits the attachment and biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Introduction: Although therapeutic agents for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are clinically available, MRSA infection is still a life-threatening disease. Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation contribute significantly to the initiation of MRSA infection. Controlling MRSA's attachment and biofilm formation might reduce the frequency of MRSA infection.

The increased frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with low MIC of beta-lactam antibiotics isolated from hospitalized patients.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes severe infectious diseases and can be life-threatening in healthcare-settings. MRSA is classified into health-care associated (HA)-MRSA strains and community acquired (CA)-MRSA strains based on genotype and phenotype. CA-MRSA has been reported to show the lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of some antibiotics as compared to HA-MRSA.

Collagen adhesion gene is associated with bloodstream infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes hospital- and community-acquired infections. It is not clear whether genetic characteristics of the bacteria contribute to disease pathogenesis in MRSA infection. We hypothesized that whole genome analysis of MRSA strains could reveal the key gene loci and/or the gene mutations that affect clinical manifestations of MRSA infection.

Advantages of Unstable Manual Wheelchair.

In this study, many test runs were conducted using experimental manual wheelchair on various floor surface conditions. In the result, operability of manual wheelchair would be improved by shifting the position of drive wheels forward.

Efficiency and Rolling Resistance in Manual Wheelchair Propulsion.

The efficiency and the rolling resistance in wheelchair propulsion play an important role in the comfort and the health of wheelchair users in daily life. Here we identify these fundamental interactions of wheelchair-user system on treadmill and on track. We measured the oxygen uptake (input) and the propelling torque (output) as the parameters with velocity and tire pressure.

Effect of Tire Pressure to Physical Workload at Operating a Manual Wheelchair.

It is often experienced that low tire pressure of the wheelchair not only increases running resistance, but also reduces parking brake performance. In this study, the required driving forces for different tire pressures were experimentally measured and evaluated. It was indicated from the result that the wheelchair with proper tire pressure could be run with less workload of wheelchair-user.

Biomechanics and Physiology for Propelling Wheelchair Uphill Slope.

A vertical slope of sidewalks significantly inhibits to the mobility of manual wheelchair users in their daily life. International guidelines of the vertical slope are specified approximately 4% or 5% (1:20) gradient or less as preferred, and allow 8.3% (1:12) as its maximum when it is impossible.

Microbial contamination of dialysate and its prevention in haemodialysis units.

At the haemodialysis centres of nine hospitals in Japan, microbial contamination of treated water (reverse osmosis method), acid and bicarbonate concentrates, and dialysate was investigated. Among these fluids used in haemodialysis, the dialysate was most frequently contaminated and had the highest concentration of bacteria. Of 40 dialysate samples analysed, 42.

Time of useful consciousness determination in aircrew members with reference to prior altitude chamber experience and age.

Background: Hypoxia tolerance has been evaluated by the secondary responses to oxyhemoglobin deoxygenation: the time of useful consciousness (TUC), subjective symptoms, ventilatory responses, and cardiovascular changes. It is not clear whether the deoxygenation rate per se reflects hypoxia tolerance or how it relates to the former parameters.

Methods: In Study 1, we monitored arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) by pulse oximetry in the nonsmoking subjects experiencing hypoxia at the simulated altitude of 25,000 ft.

A simple method to control tracheal cuff pressure in anaesthesia and in air evacuation.

The pressure within latex balloons remains constant despite the balloons being inflated to more than 40 times their initial volume. We used this property to enable improved tracheal cuff pressure control. A latex balloon with an initial volume of 5 ml was connected via a vinyl duct attached with a roller clamp and three-way stopcock to a standard tracheal tube cuff.

A case of 43-year-old fighter pilot with bronchial asthma.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter pilot with adult onset atopic bronchial asthma was successfully returned to flying status. This was against the common wisdom of most Japanese military flight surgeons. Bronchial asthma generally results in permanent disqualification from flying duties because of possible acute incapacitation during flight.

EEG topographical analysis of spatial disorientation.

Background: We examined EEG topography while subjects experienced spatial disorientation (SD) such as vection and somatogravic illusion (SGI).

Methods: Five healthy male subjects were exposed to a rotating image evoking vection (Experiment 1) and to a 0.58 G linear forward acceleration evoking SGI (Experiment 2).

Probable decompression sickness in a trainee with atopic dermatitis.

Hypobaric chamber training has a potential risk of inducing decompression sickness (DCS). A case of a patient with an atopic dermatitis who complained of paresthesia and numbness in his left arm and shoulder during the altitude exposure is presented here. His symptoms were severe enough for the attending medical officer to diagnose Type II DCS, but it turned out to be a probable case of simple skin bends requiring no treatment.

Comparisons of altitude tolerance and hypoxia symptoms between nonsmokers and habitual smokers.

Background: Increased levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in smokers are blamed for inducing pre-hypoxic tendency classified as anemic hypoxia. If COHb can be simply converted to altitude, there should be significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers with respect to hypoxia tolerance. However, the studies of the effects of carbon monoxide and/or smoking habit on the physiological functions at altitude do not have consistent conclusions, and many pilots still have smoking habits.

The role of SH and S-S groups in Bacillus cereus beta-amylase.

The properties of sulfhydryl (SH) and disulfide (S-S) groups in Bacillus cereus BQ10-S1 Spo III beta-amylase have been investigated to clarify their roles in the enzyme action. Two out of three cysteine residues in B. cereus beta-amylase were found to form an S-S bond, which was found to be located between Cys91 and Cys99 by the analysis of an S-S containing peptide.

Does sex difference influence the neuromuscular blocking potencies of vecuronium?

One hundred and fifty patients of ASA class I-II undergoing elective surgery were given vecuronium 0.1 mg·kg under fentanyl- (NLA), halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane anesthesia, and the spontaneous recovery was monitored to study the sex differences as to onset time, duration [(T, train of four (TOF)], and recovery index (T, TOF). The onset time was significantly shorter in women than in men under isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia.

Effect of atracurium, vecuronium, pancuronium and tubocurarine on renal sympathetic nerve activity in baroreceptor denervated dogs.

The mechanism of arterial hypotension induced by non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents may be multifactorial and differ between drugs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-dose atracurium and equivalent doses of other non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents on haemodynamic state and sympathetic nervous activity. In studies on 24 mongrel dogs anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose, the left kidney was exposed retroperitoneally and renal sympathetic nerve activity was recorded continuously after bilateral sino-aortic denervation and cervical vagi section.

Inhibition by SKF 525A and quinacrine of endogenous glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in follicle-enclosed Xenopus oocytes.

Effects of local anesthetics-related drugs, SKF 525A (proadifen, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor) and quinacrine (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) on glibenclamide-sensitive K+ currents were investigated using native Xenopus oocytes. SKF 525A and quinacrine suppressed cromakalim-induced/glibenclamide-sensitive K+ currents with IC50 values of 9.8 microM and 4.

Attenuation of arterial baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity during lidocaine infusion in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized dogs.

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between sensitivity of arterial baroreflex and plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Using twelve mongrel dogs anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, the left kidney was exposed retroperitoneally, and renal sympathetic nerve activity was recorded continuously. Lidocaine was infused in four different doses: 2 mg.

Effects of local anesthetics and related drugs on endogenous glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in Xenopus oocytes.

Effects of local anesthetics and structurally related drugs on the glibenclamide-sensitive K+ currents evoked by Y-26763 (a K+ channel opener) were investigated in native Xenopus oocytes. The K+ current induced by Y-26763 (100 microM) was reversibly suppressed by all six local anesthetics tested in a concentration-dependent manner with the rank order of potencies (IC50 in microM): bupivacaine (67) > dibucaine (136) > tetracaine (845) > lidocaine (1710) = mepivacaine (1945) > procaine (3112). (+)-Propranolol and mexiletine also suppressed Y-26763-induced K+ currents with IC50 values of 115 microM and 789 microM, respectively.

[Effect of intravenous lidocaine infusion on arterial baroreflex].

The purpose of the first study was to identify the relationship between reflex sympathetic nerve activity and plasma concentration of lidocaine. Lidocaine was infused in 4 different doses: 2 mg.kg-1 bolus + 100 micrograms.