Feasibility Studies of X-Ray Computed Tomography for Forensic Examination of Single Fibers.

Non-destructive observations of cross-sectional shapes of acrylic single fibers using X-ray computed tomography (CT) were performed. A commercial X-ray CT apparatus (Rigaku nano3DX) was employed because of its micrometer-scale spatial resolution and remarkable image contrast for soft matter. We assessed two types of sample support, a paraffin strip and a nylon string, for single fiber samples in terms of easy handling and sample recovery.

Environmentally Benign Synthesis and Color Tuning of Strontium-Tantalum Perovskite Oxynitride and Its Solid Solutions.

A facile method was successfully developed to prepare strontium-tantalum perovskite oxynitride, SrTaON, and its solid solutions. Urea was employed as a solid nitriding agent to eliminate the use of toxic NH gas. In addition, utilization of sol-gel-derived TaO gel as a Ta precursor allowed for completion of nitridation within a shorter period and at a lower calcination temperature compared with the conventional ammonolysis process.

Anti-bacterial Effects of MnO on the Enrichment of Manganese-oxidizing Bacteria in Downflow Hanging Sponge Reactors.

We focused on the use of abiotic MnO to develop reactors for enriching manganese-oxidizing bacteria (MnOB), which may then be used to treat harmful heavy metal-containing wastewater and in the recovery of useful minor metals. Downflow hanging sponge (DHS) reactors were used under aerobic and open conditions to investigate the potential for MnOB enrichment. The results of an experiment that required a continuous supply of organic feed solution containing Mn(II) demonstrated that MnOB enrichment and Mn(II) removal were unsuccessful in the DHS reactor when plain sponge cubes were used.

In Vitro Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses Carrying a Dual Neuraminidase Mutation Isolated from Immunocompromised Patients.

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses carrying a dual neuraminidase (NA) substitution were isolated from immunocompromised patients after administration of one or more NA inhibitors. These mutant viruses possessed an H275Y/I223R, H275Y/I223K, or H275Y/G147R substitution in their NA and showed enhanced cross-resistance to oseltamivir and peramivir and reduced susceptibility to zanamivir compared to single H275Y mutant viruses. Baloxavir could be a treatment option against the multidrug-resistant viruses because these dual H275Y mutant viruses showed susceptibility to this drug.

An interlaboratory study on the detection methods for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in vegetables using enterotoxin gene screening and selective agars for ETEC-specific isolation.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) causes acute diarrhea and is transmitted through contaminated food and water; however, systematic procedures for its specific detection in foods have not been established. To establish an efficient detection method for ETEC in food, an interlaboratory study using ETEC O148 and O159 as representative serogroups was first conducted with 13 participating laboratories. A series of tests including enrichment, real-time PCR assays, plating on selective agars, and concentration by immunomagnetic separation followed by plating onto selective agar (IMS-plating methods) were employed.

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus exhibiting reduced susceptibility to baloxavir due to a PA E23K substitution detected from a child without baloxavir treatment.

Human-to-human transmission of PA I38 mutant influenza A(H3N2) viruses with reduced baloxavir susceptibility has been reported in Japan. In December 2019, we detected a PA E23K mutant A(H1N1)pdm09 virus from a child without baloxavir treatment. The PA E23K mutant virus exhibited reduced baloxavir susceptibility but remained susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors.

Correction to: Contribution of thrips to seed production in Habenaria radiata, an orchid morphologically adapted to hawkmoths.

In the original publication of the article, Fig. 2(c) was erroneously identical with Fig. 2(a) and correct version is provided below.

Contribution of thrips to seed production in Habenaria radiata, an orchid morphologically adapted to hawkmoths.

The very high floral diversity of Orchidaceae has often been attributed to the intricate relationships between orchids and their pollinators. In particular, the interaction between long-spurred orchids and hawkmoths has been well-studied. However, several recent studies suggest that pollination is driven by complex factors, including floral syndromes and local pollinator availability.

The false cleanerfish relies on aggressive mimicry to bite fish fins when benthic foods are scarce in their local habitat.

The false cleanerfish, Aspidontus taeniatus (Blenniidae), is known for its morphological resemblance to the bluestreak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus (Labridae). It has been suggested that A. taeniatus, which acts as a mimic, can easily bite the fins of other fishes that are deceived into requesting cleaning from it or allowing it to approach them.

Bioinspired One-Step Synthesis of Pomegranate-like Silica@Gold Nanoparticles with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Activity.

Gold-silica (Au-SiO) nanohybrids are of great technological importance, and it is crucial to develop facile synthetic protocols to prepare Au-SiO nanohybrids with novel structures. Here we report the bioinspired synthesis of pomegranate-like SiO@Au nanoparticles (P-SiO@Au NPs) via one-step aqueous synthesis from chloroauric acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate mediated by a basic amino acid, arginine. Effects of chloroauric acid, tetraethyl orthosilicate, and arginine on the morphology and optical property of the products are investigated in detail.

Development of sake yeast haploid set with diverse brewing properties using sake yeast strain Hiroshima no. 6 exhibiting sexual reproduction.

Among sake yeast strains, Kyokai no. 7 (K7) and its closely related strains (K7 group) are predominantly used because of their excellent brewing properties. In the sake industrial sector, the need for various types of yeast strains is high.

The Ficus erecta genome aids Ceratocystis canker resistance breeding in common fig (F. carica).

Ficus erecta, a wild relative of the common fig (F. carica), is a donor of Ceratocystis canker resistance in fig breeding programmes. Interspecific hybridization followed by recurrent backcrossing is an effective method to transfer the resistance trait from wild to cultivated fig.

Characteristic analysis of the fermentation and sporulation properties of the traditional sake yeast strain Hiroshima no.6.

General sake yeasts (e.g., Kyokai no.

Single-Tube Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Genes Encoding Enterobacteriaceae Carbapenemase.

A multiplex PCR assay in a single tube was developed for the detection of the carbapenemase genes of Enterobacteriaceae. Primers were designed to amplify the following six carbapenemase genes: bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, and bla. Of 70 bla variants, 67 subtypes were simulated to be PCR-positive based on in silico simulation and the primer-design strategy.

T serotyping of group a streptococcus isolated from patients with pharyngitis or streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in Japan between 2005 and 2017.

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus; GAS) is an important gram-positive human pathogen capable of causing diseases ranging from mild superficial skin and pharyngeal infections to more severe invasive diseases, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). GAS produces a T protein, and T serotyping has considerable discriminatory power for epidemiological characterization of GAS. To clarify the relationship between STSS and pharyngitis in Japan, we examined the T serotypes of GAS strains isolated from clinical specimens of streptococcal infections (STSS, 951 isolates; pharyngitis, 16268 isolates) from 2005 to 2017.

Epidemiological Aspects of Outbreaks in Japan and Genetic Characteristics of the Causative Pathogen.

Zoonotic pathogen has been identified as the cause of several human disease outbreaks; however, factors such as the general symptoms and incubation period of infection have yet to be defined. Therefore, we aimed to determine the unique aspects of outbreaks in Japan and to examine the genetic characteristics of the causative pathogen. We studied all known outbreaks that occurred in Japan up until 2015, which consisted of five confirmed outbreaks and one putative outbreak (Outbreaks 1-6).

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of PM2.5 collected by a high-volume air sampler with impactor.

Background: The harmful effects of fine particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) on respiratory organs are emphasized in pollution studies because PM2.

Metabolic Profiling of Fish Meat by GC-MS Analysis, and Correlations with Taste Attributes Obtained Using an Electronic Tongue.

To evaluate the taste of ordinary muscle from white-fleshed fish, we used GC-MS metabolomic analysis to characterise the compounds therein, and correlated the obtained data with taste measurements from an electronic tongue. Prediction models using orthogonal partial least squares were produced for different taste attributes, and the primary metabolic components correlated with the taste attributes were identified. Clear differences were observed in the component profiles for different fish species.

Legionella pneumophila and Other Legionella Species Isolated from Legionellosis Patients in Japan between 2008 and 2016.

The Reference Center in Japan collected 427 clinical isolates between 2008 and 2016, including 7 representative isolates from corresponding outbreaks. The collection included 419 isolates, of which 372 belonged to serogroup 1 (SG1) (87%) and the others belonged to SG2 to SG15 except for SG7 and SG11, and 8 isolates of other species (, , , , , and ). isolates were genotyped by sequence-based typing (SBT) and represented 187 sequence types (STs), of which 126 occurred in a single isolate (index of discrimination of 0.

Evaluation of Diagnostic Assay for Rickettsioses Using Duplex Real-Time PCR in Multiple Laboratories in Japan.

Tsutsugamushi disease and Japanese spotted fever are representative rickettsioses in Japan, and are caused by infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia japonica, respectively. For molecular-based diagnosis, conventional PCR assays, which independently amplify respective rickettsial DNA, are usually used; however, this approach is time-consuming. Here, we describe a new duplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of O.

Changes in plasma concentrations of S100A7 and S100A8 in dairy cows during pregnancy.

This study was carried out to examine the changes in plasma concentrations of the Ca-binding antimicrobial proteins S100A7 and S100A8 during pregnancy in dairy cows. Holstein Friesian cows (n = 19) were inseminated with Holstein Friesian semen. Blood was collected at days 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 and 270 after insemination.

Variations in bovine embryo production between individual donors for OPU-IVF are closely related to glutathione concentrations in oocytes during in vitro maturation.

Variations in embryo production between individual oocyte donors represent a serious problem in cattle production, when implementing ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. However, the precise cause of this problem is unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the glutathione (GSH) concentration in IVM oocytes and embryo development to explore a potential cause of the variations between individual donors.

Draft Genome Sequence of Mn(II)-Oxidizing Pseudomonas resinovorans Strain MO-1.

strain MO-1, which possesses a high ability to oxidize Mn(II), has been isolated from oligotrophic pond sediment. The draft genome sequence consists of 6,252,942 bp and has a G+C content of 63.4%.