Forecasting the seasonal pollen index by using a hidden Markov model combining meteorological and biological factors.

The seasonal pollen index (SPI) is a continuing concern within the fields of aerobiology, ecology, botany, and epidemiology. The SPI of anemophilous trees, which varies substantially from year to year, reflects the flowering intensity. This intensity is regulated by two factors: weather conditions during flower formation and the inner resource for assimilation.

Comparative study of the effect of 17 parabens on PXR-, CAR- and PPARα-mediated transcriptional activation.

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in personal care products, medicines and foods, resulting in substantial human exposures, even though some harmful effects, such as endocrine-disrupting activity, have been reported. Pregnane X receptor (PXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, regulate the metabolism of endogenous substrates including hormones. Therefore, we hypothesized that parabens may alter hormone-metabolizing activities by acting on these receptors, and such changes could contribute to the endocrine-disrupting activity.

[Determination of Nonvolatile Amines in Foods by HPLC Following Fluorescamine Derivatization].

A method was developed for the determination of nonvolatile amines, such as histamine, tyramine, putrescine, and cadaverine, in foods. These nonvolatile amines were extracted from a sample with 5% trichloroacetic acid, and the extract was purified using an InertSep MC-1 cartridge column. The four amines were derivatized with fluorescamine, determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector, and confirmed by LC-MS/MS.

Non-biogroup 1 or 2 Strains of the Emerging Zoonotic Pathogen , Their Proposed Assignment to Biogroup 3, and Their Commonly Detected Characteristics.

, a zoonotic enteropathogen, is responsible for outbreaks of disease in humans. Identifying strains of by phenotypic characterization tests is difficult because of its poorly defined properties. Screening its phenotypic characteristics is, nevertheless, a necessary prerequisite for further genetic analysis of its properties, and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis can be used to type the pathogen.

Nationwide Molecular Epidemiology of Measles Virus in Japan Between 2008 and 2017.

Genotyping evidence that supports the interruption of endemic measles virus (MV) transmission is one of the essential criteria to be verified in achieving measles elimination. In Japan since 2014, MV genotype analyses have been performed for most of the measles cases in prefectural public health institutes nationwide. With this strong molecular epidemiological data, Japan was verified to have eliminated measles in March, 2015.

Outbreak of aseptic meningitis caused by echovirus 30 in Kushiro, Japan in 2017.

Background: Echovirus 30 (E30) is one of the most common causative agents for aseptic meningitis.

Objectives: In the autumn of 2017, there was an outbreak caused by E30 in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. The aim of this study was to characterize this outbreak.

Simultaneous Determination of Aminoglycoside Residues in Livestock and Fishery Products by Phenylboronic Acid Solid-Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

A rapid and simple method has been developed for simultaneous determinations of the concentrations of nine aminoglycosides (AGs) in livestock and fishery products using phenylboronic acid (PBA) solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up. Unlike the widely employed SPE approaches, based on cation-exchange, PBA SPE relies on the reversible formation of covalent bonds with the analytes. The advantage of using PBA lies in the fact that this compound strongly and stably retains analytes, and the pH of the loading solution can be easily adjusted using a high-concentration buffer.

Synthesis of the Non Reducing End Oligosaccharides of Glycosphingolipids from Ascaris suum.

Stereocontrolled syntheses of biotin-labeled oligosaccharide portions containing the non reducing end oligosaccharides of glycosphingolipids from Ascaris suum have been accomplished. Galα1→3GalNAcβ1→OR (1), Galβ1→3Galα1→3GalNAcβ1→OR (2), Galβ1→6Galα1→3GalNAcβ1→OR (3), Galβ1→6(Galβ1→3)Galα1→3GalNAcβ1→OR (4) and GlcNAcβ1→6Galβ1→6(Galβ1→3)Galα1→3GalNAcβ1→OR (5) (R = biotinylated probe) were synthesized by stepwise condensation (1-4) and block synthesis (5) using 5-(methoxycarbonylpentyl) 2-O-benzoyl-3-O-2-napthylmethyl-4,6-O-di-tert-butylsilylene-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-β-D-galactopyranoside (12) as a common precursor. Compound 12 was converted into two kinds of glycosyl acceptors and was condensed with suitable galactosyl donors, respectively.

Profiling of bisphenol A and eight its analogues on transcriptional activity via human nuclear receptors.

Several bisphenol A (BPA) analogues have been detected in environmental samples, foodstuffs, and/or human biological samples, and there is concern regarding their potential endocrine-disrupting effects. In this study, we characterized the agonistic and/or antagonistic activities of BPA and eight its analogues against human estrogen receptors (ERα/β), androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). All the test compounds, except for bisphenol P (BPP), showed both ERα and ERβ agonistic activities, with bisphenol AF (BPAF) being the most potent.

Genetic Diversity of MHC Class II DRB1 Exon 2 in the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) on Hokkaido, Japan.

To assess the genetic diversity of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population on Hokkaido Island, northern Japan, we examined genotypes of exon 2 of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DRB1 gene for 232 individuals and identified 17 novel alleles. The subpopulation in the Southern area was genetically differentiated from those in all other areas on Hokkaido, suggesting isolation in southern Hokkaido. In addition, the Southern subpopulation is lower in genetic diversity than the other subpopulations, possibly resulting from purifying selection and/or a recent bottleneck.

[Determination of Hexazinone and Its Major Metabolites in Livestock Products by LC-MS/MS].

A method for the determination of hexazinone and three metabolites (hexazinone metabolite B, hexazinone metabolite C, hexazinone metabolite F) in livestock products by LC-MS/MS was developed. Hexazinone and the three metabolites were extracted from a sample with acetonitrile in the presence of n-hexane, and lipid was removed by acetonitrile/n-hexane partition. The acetonitrile extract was cleaned up using a SAX/PSA cartridge column.

Cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) develops metabolic disorders associated with visceral adipose inflammation and fatty pancreas without obesity.

Obesity induces metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases and has become a global health concern. Recent studies imply that fat accumulation in nonadipose tissue correlates with metabolic disorders. However, there are no suitable animal models to evaluate this phenomenon.

Molecular and functional characterization of glucose transporter genes of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonotic parasitosis caused by larvae of the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis. E. multilocularis is distributed widely in the Northern hemisphere, causing serious health problems in various animals and humans.

Analysis for genetic loci controlling protoscolex development in the Echinococcus multilocularis infection using congenic mice.

The resistance/susceptibility to Echinococcus multilocularis infection in mice is genetically controlled. However, genetic factors responsible for these differences remain unknown. Our previous study in genetic linkage analysis has revealed that there is a significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the establishment of cyst (Emcys1), and a highly significant QTL for the development of protoscolex of E.

Gene expression profiles of the small intestinal mucosa of dogs repeatedly infected with the cestode .

he data set presented in this article is related to a previous research article entitled " The timing of worm exclusion in dogs repeatedly infected with the cestode " (Kouguchi et al., 2016) [1]. This article describes the genes >2-fold up- or down-regulated in the first- and repeated-infection groups compared to the healthy controls group.

Genetic characterization of hemagglutinin protein of measles viruses in Hokkaido district, Japan, 2006-2015.

Strains of measles virus of genotypes D5, H1, D4, D8, and B3 were detected among epidemic, endemic, imported and import-associated cases in Hokkaido district, Japan, during 2006-2015. In the present study, their antigenic features were evaluated by determining the complete nucleotide sequences of their hemagglutinin proteins, which are a major target for neutralizing antibodies, and their amino acid sequences deduced. It was found that the hemagglutinin proteins of these strains had several novel amino acid changes in some functional regions.

Echinococcus multilocularis Surveillance Using Copro-DNA and Egg Examination of Shelter Dogs from an Endemic Area in Hokkaido, Japan.

Surveillance of Echinococcus multilocularis infection among 156 shelter dogs was conducted in an urban area (Sapporo city) in Hokkaido, where the parasite is endemic in Japan using copro-DNA and fecal egg examination from September 2013 to April 2017. Echinococcus infection was detected in three dogs (1.9%), including one dog that excreted eggs.

Hepatitis E outbreak at a nursing home for aged people in Hokkaido, Japan, between February and March 2016.

Background: Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 3 and 4 are usually asymptomatic but can occasionally result in life-threatening acute hepatitis. To date, only sporadic cases together with a few outbreaks have been documented. Seroprevalence studies with assays for the detection of HEV IgG antibodies, suggest that HEV is more prevalent than previously thought, even in non-endemic regions.

Close pathological correlations between chronic kidney disease and reproductive organ-associated abnormalities in female cotton rats.

Cotton rat ( Sigmodon hispidus) is a useful experimental rodent for the study of human infectious diseases. We previously clarified that cotton rats, particularly females, developed chronic kidney disease characterized by cystic lesions, inflammation, and fibrosis. The present study investigated female-associated factors for chronic kidney disease development in cotton rats.

First molecular detection of Sarcocystis ovalis in the intestinal mucosa of a Japanese jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) in Hokkaido, Japan.

Although cysts of Sarcocystis spp. have been detected in domestic and wild animals throughout Japan, their natural definitive hosts have not been fully elucidated. Additionally, in Hokkaido, several Sarcocystis spp.

Microbiological Quality Assessment of Game Meats at Retail in Japan.

In this study, we examined the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. and the distribution of indicator bacteria in 248 samples of game meats (120 venison and 128 wild boar) retailed between November 2015 and March 2016 in Japan. No Salmonella spp.

Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) possess pharyngeal pouch remnants originating from different primordia.

Pharyngeal pouches in mammals develop into specific derivatives. If the differentiation of the pharyngeal pouches is anomalous, their remnants can result in cysts, sinuses, and fistulae in the differentiated organs or around the neck. In the present study, we found several pharyngeal pouch remnants, such as cystic structures in thymus and parathyroid gland and fossulae extended from the piriform fossa, in the inbred cotton rats maintained at Hokkaido Institute of Public Health (HIS/Hiph) and University of Miyazaki (HIS/Mz).