Cytotoxicity of the Bacillus thuringiensis Crystal Protein against Mammalian Cells

The crystal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp, israelensis (Bti) and subsp. coreanensis A1519 strain were examined for the cytotoxicity against MOLT-4 and HeLa cells by MTT assay and LDH assay, The A1519 crystal proteins processed by proteinase K exhibited the specific cell-killing activity toward MOLT-4 with little damage to the cell membrane, On the other hand, the Bti crystal proteins processed by proteinase K caused the substantial damage to the cell membrane of both MOLT-4 and HeLa, leading to the cell lysis. The non-digested crystal proteins of both strains exhibited no cytotoxicity, These data suggested that while the Bti crystal proteins caused the colloid-osmotic swelling and cell lysis of MOLT-4 and HeLa, the proteinase K-digested A1519 crystal proteins induced the specific cell death of MOLT-4 through a mechanism other than that of Bti

The cytotoxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. coreanensis A2316 strain against the human leukemic T cell

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. coreanensis A2316 is a newly isolated strain from Yonakunijima Island in Japan. It produces the proteinaceous inclusion body (crystal) which has no insecticidal and hemolytic activities. When the crystal proteins were digested by proteinase K, they exhibited the strong cytotoxicity against human leukemic T cell, MOLT-4. The proteinase K-digested A2316 crystal proteins have little damage upon the cell membrane of MOLT-4, suggesting that the cell death of MOLT-4 was induced through a mechanism other than the colloid-osmotic swelling and cell lysis as caused by hitherto known B. thuringiensis crystal proteins. The 29-kDa polypeptide proved to be an active component of the proteinase K-digested A2316 crystal proteins. EC(50) of the purified 29-kDa polypeptide was 0.0579 μg/ml. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 29-kDa polypeptide was identical with that of p29 produced by B. thuringiensis A1519 strain and shared no significant homology with all the known proteins, suggesting that this polypeptide belong to a new family of B. thuringiensis crystal proteins

User-Guided Design of a Digital Tool for Health Promotion and Radiation Protection: Results from an Internet Needs Survey

Background: Digital tools can be powerful and effective in connecting people with life-saving and health-promoting support when facing a health crisis. To develop a digital application for radiation protection and health promotion for evacuees returning home after the Fukushima nuclear accident, we conducted a needs assessment survey and explored the association of people’s eHealth literacy (eHL) level with their digital tool knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP). Methods: From 339 responses to an online survey, data from 264 lay persons were analyzed. The KAP items were those used in a prior EU project, and eHL levels were assessed with a Japanese version of the eHealth Literacy Scale. Results: Multivariable analyses showed significant associations between eHL and the digital tool KAP for radiation protection (knowledge: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.10; attitude: 1.06; practice: 1.10) and for health promotion (knowledge: aOR = 1.13; attitude: 1.06; practice: 1.16). Conclusions: People with a higher eHL had a more positive KAP. For those with a lower eHL, we are formulating easy-to-understand explanations to promote the utilization of the digital tool and enthusiasm for future community-oriented digital tools

Needs Survey for Health Support Application Development Project for Residents Returning from Evacuation After the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of stakeholders in developing a mobile application (MP) to be used by returning residents and providers of healthcare and medical/social services. The needs assessment of the residents revealed that among the elderly, ownership of smartphones and tablets was low and they were less likely to use the applications themselves