[Determination of substances in polylactic acid products for food-contact use and mutagenicity of their migration solutions].

Specification tests defined in the Japanese Food Sanitation Law were conducted on 7 polylactic acid food-contact products. Moreover, the content and migration of other compounds were examined by means of ICP-AES, GC/MS and mutagenicity tests. All products met their specifications, and migration levels of heavy metals were negligible.

Molecular epidemiology of noroviruses detected in seasonal outbreaks of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in Osaka City, Japan, from 1996-1997 to 2008-2009.

In seasons from 1996-1997 through 2008-2009, noroviruses (NoVs) were detected in 505 outbreaks (71%) of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in Osaka City, Japan using molecular diagnosis with reverse transcription (RT)-PCR or real-time RT-PCR. The occurrences of NoV-associated outbreaks were related with the cold season during November-March (85.3%), and occasionally small epidemics of NoVs occurring during April-June were observed.

Growth characteristics of four fungal species in bathrooms.

The growth of four fungal species (four isolates) from bathrooms was examined under various environmental conditions. These fungi were found several times in bathrooms and washing machines, but not in other indoor environments such as house dust or windows. The four species (Ramichloridium strelitziae, Cyphellophora laciniata, Phoma fimeti, and Exophiala sp.

Effective range of reproductive interference exerted by an alien dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, on a native congener.

Reproductive interference (RI), defined as the fitness cost of interspecific sexual interactions, such as interspecific pollen transfer (IPT) in plants, is ecologically important. Theoretically, RI could result in competitive exclusion, as it operates in a frequency-dependent manner. Additionally, IPT may have a greater range than resource competition, although information about the range of IPT is lacking.

Comparison of fungi found in bathrooms and sinks.

To identify the pathogenic fungi present in bathrooms, the growth of fungi collected from the drains of bathrooms was studied at various temperatures and compared with that of fungi from kitchen sink drains. Only a small number of fungi from bathrooms and sinks grew on media incubated at 37 degrees C, at which temperature the fungal count was about 1/600 of that at 25 degrees C. Although hot water is used more frequently in bathrooms than in sinks, the fungal counts at 37 degrees C were similar for bathrooms and sinks.

A survey of dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls from food during 2000-2002 in Osaka City, Japan.

Studies of the dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs), collectively referred as dioxins, were conducted using the total diet study (TDS) method with food purchased in Osaka City, Japan during 2000-2002. The daily intake of dioxin-TEQ (toxic equivalent) from food per adult person was estimated respectively as 104.24 pg TEQ/person/day in 2000, 72.

Phylogeographical particularity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing family in South Korea based on international comparison with surrounding countries.

To understand the domestic population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates in the Republic of Korea, we genotypically analysed 80 isolates obtained from various geographical origins in the country. Of these, 64 (80.0 %) isolates were identified as Beijing family strains.

Parachuting behavior and predation by ants in the nettle caterpillar, Scopelodes contracta.

This paper documents the bizarre descending behavior from the tree crown to the ground of the larvae of the moth, Scopelodes contracta Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) and the interaction of the larva with predatory ants. S. contracta larvae infest leaves of many tree species in urban areas and orchards in Japan.

A novel multiplex PCR method for Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type A gene cluster typing.

A rapid, simple and sensitive multiplex PCR method for boNT/A gene cluster typing was developed by combining the results of BoNT/A subtype (boNT/A1 or /A2) gene detection with ha33 and/or p47 gene detection. Ten isolates associated with infant botulism in Japan were examined and divided into boNT/A gene cluster types 2 and 3 by origin (honey feeding or not) and period (1986-1987 or 1999-2007). It is suggested that this multiplex PCR method will be be useful for epidemiological studies of botulism.

Detection and quantitative analysis of human bocavirus associated with respiratory tract infection in Osaka City, Japan.

HBoV was initially identified in patients with RTI in 2005. Since its discovery, there have been continual reports concerning HBoV detection and its prevalence. In this study of clinical specimens from young children, real-time PCR was undertaken to examine whether HBoV infection is associated with RTI and to support quantitative analysis of HBoV in these patients.

Multilocus genotypic analysis of Cryptosporidium isolates from cockatiels, Japan.

Cryptosporidium is a significant pathogen in humans and animals. Cases of infection by Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, and Cryptosporidium baileyi with zoonotic potential have also been reported in domestic birds, and recent studies indicate the presence of new host-adapted species or genotypes in birds. It is generally difficult to discriminate accurately among Cryptosporidium species and genotypes by light microscopy because of the morphological similarity of their oocysts.

Fungal growth on anion surfactant medium.

Before the present study, no fungi using anion surfactant as a nutrient had been identified, although some fungi were known to use nonion surfactant. Washing water collected from 63 washing machines was inoculated onto 0.1% LAS (Sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate) anion surfactant media to identify fungi that can feed on anion-surfactant.

Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis isolates from domestic ferrets.

Giardia duodenalis is a pathogen that has been found in a variety of mammals, including humans, and consists of host-specific (assemblages C, D, E, F, and G) and zoonotic (assemblages A, B) genetic groups. Ferrets are popular pets, and they, like humans, are hosts to this pathogen. The genetic characteristics of the Giardia population in ferrets are unclear because only one ferret isolate has been genotyped.

Evaluation of the probabilistic distribution of dietary biotin intake in Japan using Monte Carlo simulation.

Biotin is a widely distributed water soluble vitamin. Adequate intake of biotin was set at 50 µg/d in Japan 2010. Recently, the importance of the application of probabilistic techniques to estimate the share of the population at risk of deficient and excessive nutrient intake has been increasingly emphasized for assessing nutrient adequacy.

Reconsiderations on evaluating methodology of repellent effects: validation of indices and statistical analyses.

Many pest repellents are in household use, and a variety of procedures, indices, and statistical tests have been used to examine their effectiveness. However, the effect of action mechanism on these indices has not been adequately discussed. In addition, the interreplication variance of data have not been taken into account in some cases.

Crows break off live camphor twigs: an avian disturbance effect on plants.

Birds are usually considered beneficial partners for plants, acting as predators on herbivorous insects, pollinators and seed dispersal agents. However, in an urban area of central Japan, birds break off large quantities of live camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora) twigs in winter. This loss of vegetative parts was examined quantitatively to estimate the impact on the trees.

Molecular survey of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in a Japanese porcine population.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an emerging and clinically significant enteric human pathogen that is mainly associated with chronic diarrhea. It has been identified in a variety of wild, domestic, and companion mammals and birds. This pathogen is genetically diverse and is composed of over 80 host-specific and zoonotic genotypes.

Colors of young and old spring leaves as a potential signal for ant-tended hemipterans.

A new hypothesis explaining the adaptive significance of bright autumn leaf colors argues that these colors signal tree quality to myrmecophilous specialist aphids. In turn, the aphids attract aphid-tending ants during the following spring, which defend the trees from other aphids and herbivores. In this context, other types of plant coloration, such as the color change observed in young and old spring leaves, may function as a signal of plant quality for aphids and other myrmecophilous hemipterans.

Genetic characterization of Clostridium botulinum associated with type B infant botulism in Japan.

The 15 proteolytic Clostridium botulinum type B strains, including 3 isolates associated with infant botulism in Japan, were genetically characterized by phylogenetic analysis of boNT/B gene sequences, genotyping, and determination of the boNT/B gene location by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for molecular epidemiological analysis of infant botulism in Japan. Strain Osaka05, isolated from a case in 2005, showed a unique boNT/B gene sequence and was considered to be a new BoNT/B subtype by phylogenetic analysis. Strain Osaka06, isolated from a case in 2006, was classified as the B2 subtype, the same as strain 111, isolated from a case in 1995.

High transmissibility of the modern Beijing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in homeless patients of Japan.

A population-based study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from homeless tuberculosis patients was performed during 2002-2004 in Osaka City, Japan. The data show that the ancient Beijing subfamily was predominant, whereas clustered isolates based on refined variable number of tandem repeats genotyping (19 loci) mainly belonged to the modern Beijing subfamily, suggesting its increased transmissibility.

Allelic diversity of variable number of tandem repeats provides phylogenetic clues regarding the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing family.

The Beijing family is the putative hypervirulent lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that has been endemic in East Asia and has disseminated worldwide. The genetic population structure of Beijing family strains with regard to Japan is notable in its high diversity and dominance of the ancestral sublineage, in contrast to the modern sublineage found worldwide. Therefore, it is expected to be a suitable population model for investigating the microevolutionary process of the lineage.

Episodic trihalomethane species and levels in tap water at a start of operation of advanced treatment in Osaka Prefectural water supplies.

Dramatic changes in trihalomethanes of tap water caused by decreasing the chlorine dose from to break-point to zero at a pre-chlorination could be found during several years from starting the advanced treatment in Osaka Prefectural water utilities (from 1998 to 2002). In 1998 (break-point chlorination), chloroform was predominant (an average of 14.3 microg/L) and bromodichloromethane (5.

Simulating distribution of trihalomethane in tap water in the area receiving a combination of advanced treated water and conventionally treated different source water: 1998, 1999 and 2002 data on Osaka Prefecture and its surrounding cities, Japan.

Empirical equations for explaining trihalomethane (THM) distribution were established based on data on tap water in Osaka City before and after starting the advanced treatment and were represented by the following equations for bromodichloromethane (S(1)), dibromochloromethane (S(2)) and bromoform distribution factors (S(3)) as a function of chloroform distribution factor (S(0)), respectively: S(1) = -0.97S(0)(2) + 0.75S(0) + 0.