Detection of Fibronectin-Binding Proteins in Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic spore-forming pathogen of humans and animals. C. perfringens type A strains, 13, CPN50, and NCTC8237, isolated from human gas gangrene, bound specifically to human fi bronectin (Fn). The trypsin-treatment of the bacterial cells significantly reduced the Fn-binding. A ligand blotting analysis of all three C. perfringens strains revealed that 5 protein bands of 34 kDa, 29 kDa, 26 kDa, 17 kDa, and 12 kDa specifically bound to biotinylated Fn. These results suggest that C. perfringens possesses certain Fn-binding proteins on the cell surface

Propulsion performance optimization of “neighbour duct” by CFD

As one of measures against CO2 reduction regulation by EEDI, energy-saving device (ESD) has been widely used. As one of ESD, the authors developed "Neighbour Duct" which was a vertical-long-oval stern duct. Neighbour Duct generates thrust by harnessing flow along both sides of stern. By CFD, the geometric parameter of Neighbour Duct was optimized, and the principle of thrust generation was made clear. In order to verify the result of CFD, a series of model test was carried out at National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI), the thrust deduction factors of both CFD and model test results were good agreement. As Estimation of performance of actual ship based on the model test, BHP was reduced 4.4% by Neighbour Duct. In addition, 1-w only decreased by 1%. Therefore it was found that CO2 reduction effect would be obtained by Neibour Duct without changing the propeller or propeller design

Electroencephalographic changes during piano playing and related mental tasks.

Theta activity in EEG was found to be augmented in the frontal midline area in 5 young women while they played classical piano pieces and during related mental tasks. This activity was considered to be a frontal midline theta rhythm with the maximal amplitude mostly in Fz and of the frequency ranging from 5 to 7.5 Hz. This theta activity was observed to increase depending on the degree of the subjects' concentration on piano playing or related tasks. In bilateral parietal derivations, increases in the power value of alpha activity were observed in some subjects while they were listening to music, suggesting that alpha activity was involved in appreciation of music.</p

Synthesis and Electrochemical Property of LiMnO_2 Precursor by Complexed Polymerized Method

LiMnO_2 precursors were synthesized by polymerized complex method, using malic acid and ethylene glycol Crystal phase of LiMnO_2 was affected by the reaction temperature and time of starting solution. Differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry revealed that a large amount of organic species and water was involved in the LiMnO_2 precursor. The chemical composition of LiMnO_2 precursors was found to be in good agreement with that of the starting solution composition. Single phase LiMnO_2 was obtained by heating at 900-940℃, for 12 h. The first discharge capacity of LiMnO_2 exhibited about 190 mAh/g at 0.1 mA/cm^2, in which 120 mAh/g were associated with the 4 V region and 70 mAh/g with the 3 V region. The discharge capacity decreased to 140 mA/g at 0.5 mA/cm^2. The discharge capacity gradually decreased with increasing the number of cycles up to several cycles, but showed stable cycling performance after 10 cycles

Some adverse actions of chlorothalonil at sublethal levels in rat thymic lymphocytes : Its relation to Zn2+

Chlorothalonil, a polychlorinated aromatic fungicide, is considered non-toxic to small mammals. However, chlorothalonil inactivates sulfhydryl enzymes and depletes cellular glutathione. Chlorothalonil increases intracellular Zn2+ concentration ([Zn2+]i) in mammalian cells possibly because intracellular Zn2+ is released via zinc-thiol/disulfide interchange. The effects of chlorothalonil at sublethal concentrations on the cellular content of nonprotein thiols ([NPT]i) and [Zn2+]i were examined using flow cytometry in rat thymocytes. Low concentrations (0.3–1 μM) of chlorothalonil increased, but high concentrations (3–10 μM) decreased [NPT]i. These effects of chlorothalonil were partly attenuated by an intracellular Zn2+ chelator. Chlorothalonil at 0.3–10 μM increased [Zn2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, which was largely dependent on the release of intracellular Zn2+. Both the decrease in [NPT]i and increase in [Zn2+]i increase the vulnerability of cells to oxidative stress. Chlorothalonil at 1–10 μM potentiated the cytotoxicity of H2O2 (300 μM). It was also the case for 10 μM pentachloronitrobenzene, but not 10 μM pentachlorophenol. In conclusion, chlorothalonil at low (sublethal) micromolar concentrations is cytotoxic to mammalian cells under oxidative stress

Anesthesia for deep brain stimulation in a patient with X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism/Lubag disease

Lubag disease is a genetic X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism syndrome afflicting Filipino men. This disease is characterized by dystonia dominating the first 10-15 years of the disorder, which is associated with or replaced by parkinsonian features in later years of life. A 49-year-old man with Lubag disease underwent general anesthesia for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Anesthesia was maintained mainly with propofol, remifentanil, rocuronium bromide, and sevoflurane. During magnetic resonance imaging, the patient was anesthetized with midazolam, fentanyl, and rocuronium bromide. The surgery was completed safely using these anesthetic agents. After DBS, some symptoms including involuntary movement improved within 10 days