[Clinical review of influenza (H1N1) 2009 detected in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 flu season in Nara Prefecture].

This study is based on clinical information on 894 subjects diagnosed with influenza (H1N1) 2009 in Nara Prefecture from June 15, 2009, to March 4, 2010, and from July 9, 2010, to March 6, 2011. Clinical data for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 was compared. Results showed that 43% of 2009-2010 subjects were 0-9 years old and 38% were 10-19 years old.

[Validation study on a method for multiresidue analysis of pesticides in vegetables and fruits with supercritical fluid extraction].

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was applied to extraction of pesticides from vegetables and fruits. Residues were extracted from homogenized samples mixed with water-absorbent polymer with supercritical carbon dioxide in a stainless steel tube, followed by elution with acetone. Co-extractives were removed by means of mini-column clean-up.

[Validation study of a method for multiresidue analysis of pesticides in cereals and pulses using supercritical fluid extraction].

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was applied to extraction of pesticides from cereals and pulses. Residues were extracted from homogenized samples mixed with water-absorbent polymer and supercritical carbon dioxide in a stainless steel tube, followed by elution with acetonitrile. Co-extractives were removed by means of mini-column clean-up.

[Simultaneous determination of dichlorvos, trichlorfon and naled in fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry].

A method for simultaneous determination of Dichlorvos (DDVP), Trichlorfon (DEP) and Naled (BRP) in fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) was developed. Pesticides were extracted with ethyl acetate together with phosphoric acid and anhydrous sodium sulfate, followed by an ENVI-Carb cartridge cleanup. Phosphoric acid prevented BRP from being converted to DDVP during extraction of pesticides from the sample.

A survey of pathogenic genes from diarrhea stool samples obtained in Nara prefecture.

We conducted a survey of diarrhea stool samples in which no virulent agents had previously been detected at clinical laboratories. DNA extracted directly and purified from the diarrhea stool was tested for bacterial pathogenic genes by polymerase chain reaction. The test results for 85 specimens were as follows: one sample was positive for lt, ipaH, and eae; two were positive for aggR; and eight were positive for astA.

High incidence of amantadine-resistant influenza AH3 viruses isolated during the 2005-2006 winter season in Nara, Japan.

We examined the incidence of amantadine-resistant influenza AH3 viruses isolated in Nara Prefecture during the 2005-06 winter season. The genetic analyses of the M2 ion channel protein were conducted using reverse transcriptase PCR and direct sequencing. Thirteen out of 18 (72.

Determination of vanillin and related flavor compounds in cocoa drink by capillary electrophoresis.

A simple, rapid, and reliable capillary electrophoresis (CE) method using a photodiode array detector determined four flavor components (vanillin, ethylvanillin, 2-methoxyphenol, and 2-ethoxyphenol) in cocoa drink. Simple and rapid sample preparation required only dilution. Separation used 50 mM phosphate buffer and 2 mM cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (CTAH) at pH 10 with 10% acetonitrile.

Frequency of amantadine-resistant influenza A virus isolated from 2001-02 to 2004-05 in Nara Prefecture.

We investigated the frequency of amantadine-resistant influenza A viruses in Nara Prefecture during four epidemic seasons from 2001-02 to 2004-05. Point mutations within the M2 gene were identified using RT-PCR and DNA sequencing analysis. Five viruses (3.

Development of a routine laboratory direct detection system of staphylococcal enterotoxin genes.

A novel direct detection system has been developed for eight staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE)-encoding genes (sea, seb, sec, sed, see, seg, seh and sei) in milk. Specific detection by real-time PCR was successful for all SE-encoding genes in the reference strains. Furthermore, a novel DNA-preparation method with good reproducibility [coefficients of variation 0.

An interventional approach to block brain damage caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection, by use of a combination of phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

We tested the combination of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 and PDE4 inhibitors as an interventional approach to prevent the development of brain damage after Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, using mice with protein calorie malnutrition. The combination consisted of pentoxifylline and rolipram; the dose of each inhibitor was 7.5 mg/kg.

Determination of azide as the 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivative by capillary electrophoresis.

A simple, rapid and reliable capillary electrophoresis method with a photodiode array detector was developed for determination of azide as the 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivative in drink samples fortified with sodium azide. Sample preparation was simple and rapid because no more than a simple dilution of samples is needed after quick derivatization. Separation was carried out using a buffer system comprising 25 mM phosphate buffer and 4 mM cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide at pH 3.