Ferritin 2 domain-containing protein found in lacquer tree (<i>Toxicodendron vernicifluum</i>) sap has negative effects on laccase and peroxidase reactions

<p>Lacquer tree sap, a raw material of traditional paints in East Asia, is hardened through laccase-catalyzed oxidation and the following polymerization of phenolic compound urushiol. In the sap’s water-insoluble fraction, we found two plantacyanins and a ferritin 2 domain-containing protein (TvFe2D, a homolog of <i>Arabidopsis</i> AT1G47980 and AT3G62730). The recombinant TvFe2D protein suppressed the accumulation of laccase-catalyzed oxidation products of a model substrate syringaldazine without decreasing oxygen consumption, the second substrate of laccase. The suppression was also observed when another substrate guaiacol or another oxidizing enzyme peroxidase was used. The functional domain of the suppression was the C-terminal half, downstream of the ferritin 2 domain. The results suggest that this protein may be involved in regulating the sap polymerization/hardening. We also discuss the possibility that homologous proteins of TvFe2D in other plants might be involved in the laccase- or peroxidase-mediated polymerization of phenolic compounds, such as lignin and flavonoids.</p> <p>Sap exuded from the wound site of lacquer tree. The ferritin 2 domain protein in it is a novel candidate regulating urushiol polymerization/hardening.</p

Characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of severe sepsis of 3195 ICU-treated adult patients throughout Japan during 2011-2013

Severe sepsis is a major concern in the intensive care unit (ICU), although there is very little epidemiological information regarding severe sepsis in Japan. This study evaluated 3195 patients with severe sepsis in 42 ICUs throughout Japan. The patients with severe sepsis had a mean age of 70 +/- 15 years and a mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 23 +/- 9. The estimated survival rates at 28 and 90 days after ICU admission were 73.6 and 56.3 %, respectively

Antithrombin Supplementation and Mortality in Sepsis-Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation : A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study

Supplemental doses of antithrombin (AT) are widely used to treat sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in Japan. However, evidence on the benefits of AT supplementation for DIC is insufficient. This multicenter retrospective observational study aimed to clarify the effect of AT supplementation on sepsis-induced DIC using propensity score analyses. Data from 3,195 consecutive adult patients admitted to 42 intensive care units for severe sepsis treatment were retrospectively analyzed; 1,784 patients were diagnosed with DIC (n=715, AT group; n=1,069, control group). Inverse probability of treatment-weighted propensity score analysis indicated a statistically significant association between AT supplementation and lower in-hospital all-cause mortality (n=1,784, odds ratio [95% confidence intervals]: 0.748 [0.572-0.978], P=0.034). However, quintile-stratified propensity score analysis (n=1,784, odds ratio: 0.823 [0.646-1.050], P=0.117) and propensity score matching analysis (461 matching pairs, odds ratio: 0.855 [0.649-1.125], P=0.263) did not show this association. In the early days after intensive care unit admission, the survival rate was statistically higher in the propensity score-matched AT group than in the propensity score-matched control group (P=0.007). In DIC patients without concomitant heparin administration, similar results were observed. In conclusion, AT supplementation may be associated with reduced in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis-induced DIC. However, the statistical robustness of this connection was not strong. In addition, although the number of transfusions needed in patients with AT supplementation increased, severe bleeding complications did not

Comparison of the efficacy of three topical antiseptic solutions for the prevention of catheter colonization: a multicenter randomized controlled study

Abstract Background To compare the efficacy of three antiseptic solutions [0.5%, and 1.0% alcohol/chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and 10% aqueous povidone-iodine (PVI)] for the prevention of intravascular catheter colonization, we conducted a randomized controlled trial in patients from 16 intensive care units in Japan. Methods Adult patients undergoing central venous or arterial catheter insertions were randomized to have one of three antiseptic solutions applied during catheter insertion and dressing changes. The primary endpoint was the incidence of catheter colonization, and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI). Results Of 1132 catheters randomized, 796 (70%) were included in the full analysis set. Catheter-tip colonization incidence was 3.7, 3.9, and 10.5 events per 1000 catheter-days in 0.5% CHG, 1% CHG, and PVI groups, respectively (p = 0.03). Pairwise comparisons of catheter colonization between groups showed a significantly higher catheter colonization risk in the PVI group (0.5% CHG vs. PVI: hazard ratio, HR 0.33 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.12–0.95], p = 0.04; 1.0% CHG vs. PVI: HR 0.35 [95% CI 0.13–0.93], p = 0.04). Sensitivity analyses including all patients by multiple imputations showed consistent quantitative conclusions (0.5% CHG vs. PVI: HR 0.34, p = 0.03; 1.0% CHG vs. PVI: HR 0.35, p = 0.04). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of CRBSI between groups. Conclusions Both 0.5% and 1.0% alcohol CHG are superior to 10% aqueous PVI for the prevention of intravascular catheter colonization. Trial registration Japanese Primary Registries Network; No.: UMIN000008725 Registered on 1 September 201