Some Properties of O-Methyltransferase from Bamboo Shoot

この論文は国立情報学研究所の学術雑誌公開支援事業により電子化されました。The incubation of CA, 5-HFA and TCA with sliced bamboo shoot in the presence of methionine-^CH_3 gave radioactive FA and SA. On the other hand, the incubation of those compounds with sliced gingko shoot yielded only FA from CA and did not SA from 5-HFA and TCA. The enzyme preparation obtained from bamboo shoot was fractionated by (NH_4)_2SO_4-and iso-electric point precipitations and column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose. Variation of the ratios (SA/FA) which were obtained by assay of O-methyltransferase are indicative of possible presence of two enzymes in the bamboo enzyme preparation. The results are discussed in relation to the biochemical differences of the methoxyl patterns in lignins between angiosperms and gymnosperms

Aromatic ring cleavage of β-O-4 lignin substructure model dimers by lignin peroxidase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

AbstractExtracellular lignin peroxidase (ligninase) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium catalyzed aromatic ring cleavage of β-O-4 lignin substructure model dimers to give three esters of arylglycerol, cyclic carbonate, formate and methyl oxalate. H2O2, was required for the activity of the enzyme

Comparison of T-Cell Interferon-γ Release Assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific Antigens in Patients with Active and Latent Tuberculosis

Through the use of QuantiFERON-TB Gold, a commercial IFN-γ assay, we compared differences in quantitative T-cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific antigens [QuantiFERON TB-2G (QFT-2G)] between patients with active tuberculosis (TB) disease and those with latent TB infection (LTBI). The patient group consisted of 180 patients with active TB disease (culture-positive for MTB) and 50 screening contacts with LTBI-positive response to the QFT-2G test. We prospectively performed a tuberculin skin test (TST) and a QFT-2G test for all subjects. The median IFN-γ levels upon the application of both antigens, ESAT-6 and CFP-10, were significantly higher in patients with active TB disease than in those with LTBI. A combined positive response to both antigens occurred at a higher rate in patients with active TB disease than in those with LTBI. There were no significant relationships between the quantitative responses of IFN-γ to both antigens and the maximum induration on TST in both patient groups. We demonstrated significant differences in the quantitative responses of IFN-γ to MTB between patients with active TB disease and those with LTBI in this study. However, there was an overlap in the IFN-γ levels between active TB disease and LTBI groups. Therefore, it would be difficult to use the QFT-2G test to completely discriminate active TB disease from LTBI

Pituitary Volume and Socio-Cognitive Functions in Individuals at Risk of Psychosis and Patients With Schizophrenia

Objectives: Increased pituitary volume, which probably reflects hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) hyperactivity, has been reported in patients with schizophrenia and individuals at risk of psychosis. On the basis of potential role of abnormal HPA axis function on cognitive impairments in psychosis, we aimed to examine possible relations between the pituitary volume and socio-cognitive impairments in these subjects.Methods: This magnetic resonance imaging study examined the pituitary gland volume in 38 subjects with at-risk mental state (ARMS) [of whom 4 (10.5%) exhibited the transition to schizophrenia], 63 patients with schizophrenia, and 61 healthy controls. Social and cognitive functions of the ARMS and schizophrenia groups were assessed using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS), the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS), and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).Results: Both the ARMS and schizophrenia groups had a significantly larger pituitary volume compared to controls. In the schizophrenia group, the pituitary volume was negatively associated with the BACS working memory score. No association was found between the pituitary volume and clinical variables (medication, symptom severity) in either clinical group.Conclusion: Our findings support the notion of common HPA hyperactivity in the ARMS and schizophrenia groups, but abnormal HPA axis function may contribute differently to cognitive deficits according to the illness stages of schizophrenia

SORL1 Is Genetically Associated with Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in Japanese, Koreans and Caucasians

To discover susceptibility genes of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD), we conducted a 3-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) using three populations: Japanese from the Japanese Genetic Consortium for Alzheimer Disease (JGSCAD), Koreans, and Caucasians from the Alzheimer Disease Genetic Consortium (ADGC). In Stage 1, we evaluated data for 5,877,918 genotyped and imputed SNPs in Japanese cases (n = 1,008) and controls (n = 1,016). Genome-wide significance was observed with 12 SNPs in the APOE region. Seven SNPs from other distinct regions with p-values ,261025 were genotyped in a second Japanese sample (885 cases, 985 controls), and evidence of association was confirmed for one SORL1 SNP (rs3781834, P=7.3361027 in the combined sample). Subsequent analysis combining results for several SORL1 SNPs in the Japanese, Korean (339 cases, 1,129 controls) and Caucasians (11,840 AD cases, 10,931 controls) revealed genome wide significance with rs11218343 (P=1.7761029) and rs3781834 (P=1.0461028). SNPs in previously established AD loci in Caucasians showed strong evidence of association in Japanese including rs3851179 near PICALM (P=1.7161025) and rs744373 near BIN1 (P = 1.3961024). The associated allele for each of these SNPs was the same as in Caucasians. These data demonstrate for the first time genome-wide significance of LOAD with SORL1 and confirm the role of other known loci for LOAD in Japanese. Our study highlights the importance of examining associations in multiple ethnic populations

Float zone growth of Dy:GdVO4 single crystals for potential use in solid-state yellow lasers

Single crystals of dysprosium-doped gadolinium orthovanadate (Dy:GdVO4) were successfully grown by the floating zone method and their fluorescence properties were investigated. The as-grown crystals did not contain any macroscopic defects such as cracks and inclusions for any Dy-concentration of up to 4 at%. Every crystal showed optical homogeneity under observation with a polarizing microscope; that is, no low-angle grain boundaries and growth striations were detected. In the visible region two distinct, fluorescence bands were observed around 480 and 575 nm, corresponding to F-4(9/2) → H-6(15/2) and F-4(9/2) → H-6(13/2) transitions, respectively. The excitation spectrum for the emission of 573 nm indicates the possibility to use a commercially available laser diode of 450 nm as a pumping source for solid-state yellow laser