感染予防からみた緑茶の特性に関する研究

We investigated the infection-preventive characteristics of Japanese green tea (middle grade) in reference to itscatechin (CAT) concentration. Colorimetric analysis showed that CAT was extracted most effectively at 80℃. When green tea extract (GTE) was prepared from the same green tea leaves (5g/80ml water) repeatedly six times at 80℃ for 1 min, almost the 2/3 of total CAT content was extracted during the first three extractions in which the second extraction gave the highest CAT concentration. Therefore, GTE prepared under this condition (5g/80ml water at 80℃ for 1 min) was referred to as standard GTE (SGTE) in this study. Bacteriological studies using Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichiac oli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed that the maximum inhibitory and bactericidal dilutions of the second SGET were ranged in 8-and4-fold dilutions, corresponding to 0.33mg/ml and 0.68mg/ml CAT concentrations, respectively, against either bacterial species and the differences between these two values were within 2-fold dilutions, indicating that SGTE shows the bactericidal activity. However, SGTE required as long as 4 to 5 h for bactericidal time in sharp contrast to iodine with that of as short as 1 min. When SGTE with CAT concentration ranging 1.2 mg/ml to 2.7mg/ml was incubated with influenza A/Aichi virus at 37℃ for at least 30min, SGTE also completely inhibited viral hemagglutination (HA) activity essential for the viral attachment to cell surface. The CAT-deficient SGTE, prepared by the treatment with FeCl_3, could not show both bactericidal and HA inhibitory activities, confirming that CAT in GTE is mainly responsible for these activities. In summary, GTE might be taken as a beneficial herbal medicine to promote the infection-safety conditions in the patients. However, on the application of GTE, its advantage/disadvantage and presence of sufficient CAT concentration should betightly recognized.緑茶（煎茶）の抗菌性とインフルエンザウイルス赤血球凝集（HA）活性阻害の特性を検証した．酒石酸鉄比色法による検討から，低温域（50℃と65℃）より高温域（80℃と91℃）でより多くカテキン（CAT）は抽出され，就中80℃が最大CAT量を示した．5g茶葉/80ml水，80℃，1分（標準緑茶液:SGTE）で６回抽出したところ，２回目で最高CAT量（2.7mg/ml）を示し，３回目までにほぼその2/3が抽出された．黄色ブドウ球菌，大腸菌と緑膿菌に対するSGTEの最大発育阻止と最大殺菌希釈度の差は，どの菌に対しても２倍以下であり，緑茶は，広範囲性かつ殺菌的作用を示すことが確認された．但し，ヨード液の１分に比べ，殺菌時間は４～５時間と極めて長いことが注目された．種々CAT量を有するSGTEを，種々時間37℃でインフルエンザウイルスと接触させたところ，CAT量1.2mg/ml～2.7mg/mlの範囲で，30分接触で完全にHA活性を阻害した．さらに，塩化第二鉄処理によるCAT除去SGTEには，抗菌作用も抗HA作用もないことから，種々ある緑茶成分のうち，CATが主な有効成分であることが示された．これらから，緑茶を感染予防として活用する際には，遅効性であること，また十分量なCAT含有（少なくとも1mg/ml）ことの認識は重要であると思われた

Tephrochronological study on the 1986-1987 eruptions of Izu-Oshima volcano, Japan

Sequences and products of the Izu-Oshima 1986-1987 eruptions which started on November 15, 1986, were investigated tephrochronologically. The results are summarized as follows : 1) Summit eruptions (Crater A) During 15-20, Nov. 1986, Strombolian eruptions continued to make a lava lake from where lava flows spilt over and went down the slope of the central cone to the caldera floor (LA I～IV). Volcanic ash and scoria (TA-1～4) were dispersed to the eastern and western parts of the island. On 21 Nov., a little after the beginning of the fissure eruption (Craters B), Strombolian eruptions were reactivated and ejected large volcanic bombs and scoria (TA-5) from Crater A. On Dec. 18, 1986, small explosion occurred from the Crater A for three or four hours, ejecting a scoria fall (TA-6) and bomb. The level of the lava lake lowered about 5 meters. On Nov. 16, 1987, a phreatic explosion occurred to break the crust of the lava lake, and the lava drained back to the deep on Nov. 18. 2) Fissure eruptions in the caldera floor (Craters B) At 16 : 15, on Nov. 21, 1986, fissure eruptions (Craters B) started on the caldera floor and extended to the slope of the central cone. The eruptions became explosive one, generating lava fountains with the height of more than 1500 meters, with a high discharge rate of 8×106 ton/hour, producing pyroclastic cones and rootless (clastogenic) lava flows (LB I and III). Subplinian scoria falls were dispersed to west (TB-1) and east (TB-2). About 5 hours after the beginning, the activity waned to produce only volcanic ash (TB-3 and -6) and finer scoria falls (TB-4 and -5) and ceased on Nov. 23. A rheomorphic lava flow (LB II) occurred from the edge of the deformed cone on Nov. 23. 3) Fissure eruptions on the somma slope (Craters C) At 17 : 45, on Nov. 21, 1986, fissure eruptions occurred on the somma slope, and produced two lava flows (LC I and II), scoria cones, and vesicular scoria falls (TC-1 and -3) from the 11 craters. 4) The 1986 eruptions ejected 0.053 km3, 7.9×107 tons of lava and pyroclasts from A, B and C craters (Table 4)

日本とその近隣諸国で分離されたShigella sonneiのコリシン型,生化学型および薬剤耐性パターン

A modification of Abbott and Shannon\u27s colicin typing method for Shigella sonnei which was established recently as a standard method in Japan was described. This method increases by three or four indicators of E. coli K-12 mutant origin, and it is not only to make a clear distinction between either types 6 and 11 or types 4 and 14, but also to establish three new colicin types 4A, 9A and 13A. Typing results of 1,148 strains representing "foci" which were isolated in Japan especially in the western part, were presented. In Japan at present, type 14 is at the top of epidemic strains, type 6 ranks next, and types O, 8, 13A, 4, 2, etc. follow in order, among them only types 8 and 13A show some difference in interregional distribution. Besides, 39 strains isolated in the neighboring countries of Japan were used for typing. There was a most distinct difference in colicin type between here and there. The strains examined biochemically were determined by 78 percent as type RM of Gillies (xylose negative, raffinose and melibiose positive), and by 96 percent as type "a" of Szturm-Rubinsten (ONPG positive, rhamnose and xylose negative). Both the biochemical types were equally distributed among colicin types other than type 12; in colicin type 12, strains showing various fermentation patterns were found. The resistance of the strains to sulfa-drug and three antibiotics raised gradually since 1963 and thereabout, and it was at its maximum in 1967 irrespective of colicin type. Only strains of colicin type 14, which appeared for the first time in 1963 showed the maximum from the beginning. In the transition stage of resistance acquisition, it was possible to use resistance pattern as a subsidiary epidemiological marker in combination with colicin type provided that epidemics had been caused by colicin types 6, O, 8, etc. Two examples of application of this combination use were presented; the first case deals with epidemiological analysis of a mass outbreak, and the second with epidemiological connection among many epidemics in a district within a definite period of time.日本で改良され,標準法として一般に実施されているAbbott-ShannonのShigella sonneiコリシン型別法(いわゆる型別部会法)を紹介した.本法は大腸菌K-12変異菌から誘導した抵抗変異株3ないし4株を原法指示菌に追加したもので,原法では区別が困難であった6型と11型,および4型と14型を明瞭に分け,また新コリシン型3種,4A,9A,13Aを追加したものである.主として西日本で分離された,ホーカスを代表する1,148株のS. sonneiが本法による型別に供された.現在の日本では14型が首位,6型これに次ぎ,O型,8型,13A,4≦,2型などがこの順に検出され,うち8型と13Aは国内的に地理的分布上のかなりの差異を示した.ほかに近隣諸国分離の39株を型別したが,その成績は日本のそれと大いに差異があった.生化学的型別の結果は,78%までがGilliesのRM型(キシローゼ陰性,ラフィノーゼ,メリビオーゼ陽性),96%までがSzturm-Rubinstenのa型(ONPG陽性,ラムノーゼ,キシローゼ陰性)であった.この両型はともに12型以外の各コリシン型に平均的に分布し,12型においてのみ各種の糖分解型式を示すものが見出された.これらの菌株のサルファ剤と3種の抗生物質に対する抵抗性は1963年頃から次第に高まり,1967年に至ってコリシン型に関係なくすべてが最高の抵抗を示した.ただし14型だけはそれが最初に現われた1963年には,4剤に対して既に最高の抵抗を示していた.この耐性獲得の途上にある時期では,6型,O型,8型などによる流行の場合に限って,薬剤耐性パターンをコリシン型と組合せて一つの補助的な疫学的マーカーとして利用することが可能であった.この組合せ使用の二つの応用例を記述したが,一つはある集団発生の疫学的分析に関するものであり,もう一つは,ある地方ある期間内における各流行例間の関連に関するものであった

The relationship between physical signs of aging and social functioning in persons with Down syndrome in Japan

Background: In Japan, there have been no substantial studies of social function and physical aging in adults with Down syndrome. The aim of the present study was to examine social functions (movement, conversation, and daily living skills) and physical signs of aging in adults with Down syndrome in Japan, and to analyze the relationship between changes in social function and age.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of persons with Down syndrome who were 15 years of age or older (15-65 years old) was conducted. The survey was conducted in patients associations, institutes, group homes, and workplaces from July to December 2009. Primary caregivers, such as family members and institute staff, were asked to complete a questionnaire on the subjects’ living situation, movement ability, conversational skills, daily living skills, and 10 characteristics of physical aging at the time of the survey.Results: The total number of subjects was 315. Subjects’ movement ability, conversational ability, and daily living skills declined as a function of age. Canities (40.6%) were the most prevalent physical sign of aging, followed by missing teeth, hump back, and skin wrinkling. Further, physical aging was related to a decline in social functions (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The present study showed that adults with Down syndrome exhibit signs of physical aging earlier than do the general population, and that physical aging is associated with social functioning. Thus, the appearance of physical aging might indicate a decline in social functioning

Interpretation of Protein Adsorption through Its Intrinsic Electric Charges: A Comparative Study Using a Field-Effect Transistor, Surface Plasmon Resonance, and Quartz Crystal Microbalance

We describe the highly sensitive detection of the nonspecific adsorption of proteins onto a 1-undecanethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-formed gold electrode by parallel analysis using field effect transistor (FET), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors. The FET sensor detects the innate electric charges of the adsorbed protein at the electrode/solution interface, transforming the change in charge density into a potentiometric signal in real time, without the requirement for labels. In particular, using the Debye–Huckel model, the degree of potential shift was proportional to the dry mass of adsorbed albumin and β-casein. A comparison of the FET signal with SPR and QCM data provided information on the conformation and orientation of the surface-bound protein by observing characteristic break points in the correlation slopes between the signals. These slope transitions reflect a multistage process that occurs upon protein adsorption as a function of protein concentration, including interim coverage, film dehydration, and monolayer condensation. The FET biosensor, in combination with SPR and QCM, represents a new technology for interrogating protein–material interactions both quantitatively and qualitatively

Oleyl group-functionalized insulating gate transistors for measuring extracellular pH of floating cells

The extracellular ionic microenvironment has a close relationship to biological activities such as by cellular respiration, cancer development, and immune response. A system composed of ion-sensitive field-effect transistors (ISFET), cells, and program-controlled fluidics has enabled the acquisition of real-time information about the integrity of the cell membrane via pH measurement. Here we aimed to extend this system toward floating cells such as T lymphocytes for investigating complement activation and pharmacokinetics through alternations in the plasma membrane integrity. We functionalized the surface of tantalum oxide gate insulator of ISFET with oleyl-tethered phosphonic acid for interacting with the plasma membranes of floating cells without affecting the cell signaling. The surface modification was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements. The Nernst response of −37.8 mV/pH was obtained for the surface-modified ISFET at 37 °C. The oleyl group-functionalized gate insulator successfully captured Jurkat T cells in a fluidic condition without acute cytotoxicity. The system was able to record the time course of pH changes at the cells/ISFET interface during the process of instant addition and withdrawal of ammonium chloride. Further, the plasma membrane injury of floating cells after exposure by detergent Triton™ X-100 was successfully determined using the modified ISFET with enhanced sensitivity as compared with conventional hemolysis assays

Measurement of Rapid Amiloride-Dependent pH Changes at the Cell Surface Using a Proton-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistor

We present a novel method for the rapid measurement of pH fluxes at close proximity to the surface of the plasma membrane in mammalian cells using an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). In conjuction with an efficient continuous superfusion system, the ISFET sensor was capable of recording rapid changes in pH at the cells’ surface induced by intervals of ammonia loading and unloading, even when using highly buffered solutions. Furthermore, the system was able to isolate physiologically relevant signals by not only detecting the transients caused by ammonia loading and unloading, but display steady-state signals as would be expected by a proton transport-mediated influence on the extracellular proton-gradient. Proof of concept was demonstrated through the use of 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA), a small molecule inhibitor of sodium/hydrogen exchangers (NHE). As the primary transporter responsible for proton balance during cellular regulation of pH, non-electrogenic NHE transport is notoriously difficult to detect with traditional methods. Using the NHE positive cell lines, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and NHE3-reconstituted mouse skin fibroblasts (MSF), the sensor exhibited a significant response to EIPA inhibition, whereas NHE-deficient MSF cells were unaffected by application of the inhibitor

Simultaneous Monitoring of Protein Adsorption Kinetics Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance and Field-Effect Transistor Integrated Device

We developed an integrated device comprising a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and a field-effect transistor (FET) with a single common gold electrode in a flow chamber. An alternating current inducing oscillations in the piezoelectric quartz of the QCM sensor is electrically independent of the circuit for the FET output so that the two sensors in different detection mechanisms simultaneously record binding kinetics from a single protein solution on the same electrode. A conjunction of adsorbed mass from QCM with electric nature of bound protein from FET provided deeper understanding on a complex process of nonspecific protein adsorption and subsequent conformational changes at a solid/liquid interface. Lower apparent <i>k</i>_on values obtained by FET than those obtained by QCM on hydrophobic surfaces are interpreted as preferred binding of protein molecules facing uncharged domains to the electrode surface, whereas higher <i>k</i>_off values by FET than those by QCM imply active macromolecular rearrangements on the surfaces mainly driven by hydrophobic association in an aqueous medium. The advanced features of the combined sensor including in situ, label-free, and real-time monitoring provide information on structural dynamics, beyond measurements of affinities and kinetics in biological binding reactions