Anti-allergic effects of Lactobacillus crispatus KT-11 strain on ovalbumin-sensitized BALB/c mice

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comIn this study, we investigated the effects of oral ingestion of Lactobacillus crispatus KT-11 strain (KT-11) on the immune response in an allergic rhinitis mouse model, ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized BALB/c mice. Sneezing activity in mice that were administered a KT-11-supplemented diet was significantly lower than that in mice administered a KT-11-free diet (control diet) at age 11 weeks. We found that serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and total number of interleukin (IL)-4+CD4+ spleen cells in mice that were administered a KT-11-supplemented diet were significantly lower than in mice administered a control diet. The ratio of spleen interferon-gamma+CD4+/IL-4+CD4+ cells was higher in the mice administered the KT-11-supplemented diet compared to that in mice administered the control or L. rhamnosus GG-supplemented diet. In contrast, the number of CD11b+CD80+ and Fc epsilon RI alpha+CD117+ cells was significantly lower in mice administered the KT-11-supplemented diet. These results suggested that KT-11 reduced OVA-induced allergic symptoms in BALB/c mice via the adjustment of the T helper type 1/T helper type 2 balance, and a decrease in the number of antigen-presenting cells and high affinity IgE receptor-positive mast cells.ArticleANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL. 81(6):699-705 (2010)journal articl

Recovery of physiological traits in saplings of invasive Bischofia tree compared with three species native to the Bonin Islands under successive drought and irrigation cycles

Partial leaf shedding induced by hydraulic failure under prolonged drought can prevent excess water consumption, resulting in delayed recovery of carbon productivity following rainfall. To understand the manner of water use of invasive species in oceanic island forests under a fluctuating water regime, leaf shedding, multiple physiological traits, and the progress of embolism in the stem xylem under repeated drought-irrigation cycles were examined in the potted saplings of an invasive species, Bischofia javanica Blume, and three endemic native species, Schima mertensiana (Sieb. Et Zucc, ) Koitz., Hibiscus glaber Matsum, and Distylium lepidotum Nakai, from the Bonin Islands, Japan. The progress of xylem embolism was observed by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. The samples exhibited different processes of water saving and drought tolerance based on the different combinations of partial leaf shedding involved in embolized conduits following repeated de-rehydration. Predawn leaf water potential largely decreased with each successive drought-irrigation cycle for all tree species, except for B. javanica. B. javanica shed leaves conspicuously under drought and showed responsive stomatal conductance to VPD, which contributed to recover leaf gas exchange in the remaining leaves, following a restored water supply. In contrast, native tree species did not completely recover photosynthetic rates during the repeated droughtirrigation cycles. H. glaber and D. lepidotum preserved water in vessels and adjusted leaf osmotic rates but did not actively shed leaves. S. mertensiana exhibited partial leaf shedding during the first cycle with an osmotic adjustment, but they showed less responsive stomatal conductance to VPD. Our data indicate that invasive B. javanica saplings can effectively use water supplied suddenly under drought conditions. We predict that fluctuating precipitation in the future may change tree distributions even in mesic or moist sites in the Bonin Islands

Sodium fast reactor gaps analysis of computer codes and models for accident analysis and reactor safety.

This report summarizes the results of an expert-opinion elicitation activity designed to qualitatively assess the status and capabilities of currently available computer codes and models for accident analysis and reactor safety calculations of advanced sodium fast reactors, and identify important gaps. The twelve-member panel consisted of representatives from five U.S. National Laboratories (SNL, ANL, INL, ORNL, and BNL), the University of Wisconsin, the KAERI, the JAEA, and the CEA. The major portion of this elicitation activity occurred during a two-day meeting held on Aug. 10-11, 2010 at Argonne National Laboratory. There were two primary objectives of this work: (1) Identify computer codes currently available for SFR accident analysis and reactor safety calculations; and (2) Assess the status and capability of current US computer codes to adequately model the required accident scenarios and associated phenomena, and identify important gaps. During the review, panel members identified over 60 computer codes that are currently available in the international community to perform different aspects of SFR safety analysis for various event scenarios and accident categories. A brief description of each of these codes together with references (when available) is provided. An adaptation of the Predictive Capability Maturity Model (PCMM) for computational modeling and simulation is described for use in this work. The panel's assessment of the available US codes is presented in the form of nine tables, organized into groups of three for each of three risk categories considered: anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs), design basis accidents (DBA), and beyond design basis accidents (BDBA). A set of summary conclusions are drawn from the results obtained. At the highest level, the panel judged that current US code capabilities are adequate for licensing given reasonable margins, but expressed concern that US code development activities had stagnated and that the experienced user-base and the experimental validation base was decaying away quickly

Sodium fast reactor safety and licensing research plan. Volume II.

Expert panels comprised of subject matter experts identified at the U.S. National Laboratories (SNL, ANL, INL, ORNL, LBL, and BNL), universities (University of Wisconsin and Ohio State University), international agencies (IRSN, CEA, JAEA, KAERI, and JRC-IE) and private consultation companies (Radiation Effects Consulting) were assembled to perform a gap analysis for sodium fast reactor licensing. Expert-opinion elicitation was performed to qualitatively assess the current state of sodium fast reactor technologies. Five independent gap analyses were performed resulting in the following topical reports: (1) Accident Initiators and Sequences (i.e., Initiators/Sequences Technology Gap Analysis), (2) Sodium Technology Phenomena (i.e., Advanced Burner Reactor Sodium Technology Gap Analysis), (3) Fuels and Materials (i.e., Sodium Fast Reactor Fuels and Materials: Research Needs), (4) Source Term Characterization (i.e., Advanced Sodium Fast Reactor Accident Source Terms: Research Needs), and (5) Computer Codes and Models (i.e., Sodium Fast Reactor Gaps Analysis of Computer Codes and Models for Accident Analysis and Reactor Safety). Volume II of the Sodium Research Plan consolidates the five gap analysis reports produced by each expert panel, wherein the importance of the identified phenomena and necessities of further experimental research and code development were addressed. The findings from these five reports comprised the basis for the analysis in Sodium Fast Reactor Research Plan Volume I

Lactobacillus crispatus KT-11 Enhances Intestinal Immune Functions in C3H/HeN Mice

We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus crispatus KT-11 (KT-11) on intestinal immune systems in C3H/HeN mice. The level of intestinal total immunoglobulin (Ig) A was significantly higher in mice given KT-11 than in mice not given KT-11. Gene expression relating to antibody production and innate immune response increased more than 2-fold in the former compared with the later. Moreover, the number of IL-6(+)C11b(+) cells was significantly higher in Peyer's patch cells cultured with KT-11 than in those cultured without KT-11, although the number of CD4(+) cells and the cell ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) were remarkably lower in the culture with KT-11. These results indicate that KT-11 enhances intestinal IgA production and innate immune response in C3H/HeN mice.ArticleJOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE AND VITAMINOLOGY. 56(6): 441-445(2010)journal articl

Lactobacillus crispatus KT-11 Enhances Intestinal Immune Functions in C3H/HeN Mice

We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus crispatus KT-11 (KT-11) on intestinal immune systems in C3H/HeN mice. The level of intestinal total immunoglobulin (Ig) A was significantly higher in mice given KT-11 than in mice not given KT-11. Gene expression relating to antibody production and innate immune response increased more than 2-fold in the former compared with the later. Moreover, the number of IL-6(+)C11b(+) cells was significantly higher in Peyer's patch cells cultured with KT-11 than in those cultured without KT-11, although the number of CD4(+) cells and the cell ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) were remarkably lower in the culture with KT-11. These results indicate that KT-11 enhances intestinal IgA production and innate immune response in C3H/HeN mice.ArticleJOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE AND VITAMINOLOGY. 56(6): 441-445(2010)journal articl

Comparison of growth characteristics and tolerance to serpentine soil of three ectomycorrhizal spruce seedlings in northern Japan

Picea glehnii is distributed widely on serpentine soils in northern Japan. Serpentine soil is characterised by the presence of heavy metals (Ni, Cr) and excessive Mg; these elements often suppress plant growth. We have examined the tolerance to serpentine soil and its effects on growth of P. glehnii, P. jezoensis (distributed in the same region) and P. abies (planted for timber production). The dry mass of each organ was not reduced in P. glehnii planted in serpentine soil contained nursery (serpentine nursery). In contrast, growth of P. jezoensis and P. abies was suppressed. Concentrations of Ni and Mg in needles and roots of P. glehnii planted in serpentine nursery were the lowest of the three species. Moreover, the photosynthetic rate of P. glehnii planted in the serpentine nursery was not reduced. P. glehnii has high capability to maintain low concentration of Ni, and ectomycorrhizal symbiosis may have a positive effect to excluding Ni. As a result, P. glehnii has a high tolerance against Ni toxicity, and its photosynthetic capacity is not suppressed by accumulation of Ni.The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com