NADase as a target molecule of in vivo suppression of the toxicity in the invasive M-1 group A Streptococcal isolates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>NAD-glycohydrolase (NADase) secreted by M-1 group A streptococcal (GAS) isolates are suspected as one of the virulence factors to cause severe invasive disease including streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSS). M-1 GAS strains were divided into three groups based on NADase activity: high activity, low activity and no activity in our previous report.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The representative high activity isolates taken from STSS patients showed higher virulence compared with isolates from the low activity group, when used to infect mice. The knockout mutant of the <it>nga </it>gene, which encodes NADase also showed reduced virulence in a mouse infection study. The cloned <it>nga </it>gene was able to significantly complement the lost virulence. In addition, the solution containing purified recombinant IFS, which is an inhibitor of NADase, partially rescued mice infected with <it>S. pyogenes</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results indicate that NADase is important for the virulence of <it>S. pyogenes </it>in vivo and is the potential target to suppress the virulence.</p

Si-H and N-H vibrational properties in glow-discharge amorphous SiNx:H films (0<x<1.55)

Amorphous SiNx:H films were prepared by rf glow discharge of SiH4‐NH3 mixtures at 300 °C, and the SiH, NH, and SiN vibrational absorptions were investigated as a function of x. The stretching absorption profiles due to SiH and SiN bonds are reproduced by a superposition of two components at around 2000 and 2100 cm−1, and of three components at around 750, 840, and 960 cm−1, respectively. The dependence of these intensities on x was examined by means of a generation probability analysis on the basis of the random bonding model including SiH and NH bonds which play an important role in the film growth mechanism

An Analysis of Factors that Exacerbate Asthma, Based on a Japanese Questionnaire

ABSTRACTBackgroundIt is known that a wide variety of factors exacerbate asthma; however, few studies have investigated the factors that exacerbate asthma from a patient's perspective. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that exacerbate asthma, based on a questionnaire completed by asthma patients in Niigata Prefecture.MethodsBased on questionnaires given to 3085 patients who visited the medical institutes in the Niigata Prefecture monthly from September through October 2006, groups stratified by sex, age, disease type and disease severity, were analyzed for factors contributing to asthma exacerbation, as described in the guideline of the Japanese Society of Allergology.ResultsThe leading exacerbating factor chosen by patients was a change in the weather, followed by smoking, allergen exposure, fatigue, stimulants, and air pollutants. Respiratory infection, widely recognized as a critical factor of severe exacerbation, was ranked seventh. Allergen exposure and air pollutants were prominent in younger individuals, whereas respiratory infection tended to be more common in elderly subjects. Allergen exposure, air pollutants, and exercise were significantly more common in atopic-type patients, in contrast with respiratory infection in non-atopic-type patients. According to multiple regression analysis, poor asthma control during the last one year was associated with changes in the weather, whereas the non-atopic disease type was related to exacerbation by respiratory infection. Current smoking was associated with both factors.ConclusionsMany factors exacerbate asthma, depending on the individual case and his/her background. These data suggest that changes in the weather may be more important factor for patients in asthma exacerbation

The expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I in rat retina is regulated by light stimulation

AbstractCa2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I (CaM-kinase I) in rat retina was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis, Western blot analysis and kinase activity assay. Western blot analysis revealed two immunoreactive bands similar to those detected in the brain. Developmental studies revealed that CaM-kinase I expression increased in accordance with postnatal development. Expression of CaM-kinase I in the retinas of rats raised in the complete darkness markedly decreased. CaM-kinase I activity assay supported these findings. Synapsin I was shown to be a possible intrinsic substrate of CaM-kinase I in rat retina. These results elucidated that CaM-kinase I is expressed in the retina and may play an important role in the retinal functions and that the expression of CaM-kinase I is regulated by light stimulation