Optimal reaction conditions for the production of γ-aminobutyric acid by the marine yeast isolate Pichia anomala MR-1 strain.

The optimal conditions for the production of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by the marine yeast isolate Pichia anomala MR-1 strain appeared to be completely different from those required for growth and biomass production of the yeast strain. By proper reaction temperatures and pH levels, the efficiency of GABA production was improved dramatically. Supplying enough energy for the reaction was another important technical element to improve the production efficiency of GABA. The MR-1 isolate was found to use various saccharides, including glucose and fructose, as well as intermediate metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to promote GABA production. On the other hand, ethanol, various free amino acids, and organic acids were detected along with GABA in the reaction solution. These results suggest that production of GABA by the MR-1 strain is not due to a single enzymatic reaction. Rather it is a fermentation reaction, possibly involving a combination of intracellular metabolic pathways.

Contractile properties of esophageal striated muscle: comparison with cardiac and skeletal muscles in rats.

The external muscle layer of the mammalian esophagus consists of striated muscles. We investigated the contractile properties of esophageal striated muscle by comparison with those of skeletal and cardiac muscles. Electrical field stimulation with single pulses evoked twitch-like contractile responses in esophageal muscle, similar to those in skeletal muscle in duration and similar to those in cardiac muscle in amplitude. The contractions of esophageal muscle were not affected by an inhibitor of gap junctions. Contractile responses induced by high potassium or caffeine in esophageal muscle were analogous to those in skeletal muscle. High-frequency stimulation induced a transient summation of contractions followed by sustained contractions with amplitudes similar to those of twitch-like contractions, although a large summation was observed in skeletal muscle. The results demonstrate that esophageal muscle has properties similar but not identical to those of skeletal muscle and that some specific properties may be beneficial for esophageal peristalsis.

Identification of high gamma-aminobutyric acid producing marine yeast strains by physiological and biochemical characteristics and gene sequence analyses.

Four marine yeasts isolated from the Pacific Ocean off Japan (Siki No. 4, Siki No. 15, Hach No. 6, and Inub No. 11), which showed high gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing abilities, were identified and classified by physiological and biochemical characteristics and gene sequence analyses. Analysis of biochemical data suggested that while Siki No. 15 was identical to Candida, the remaining three isolates belonged to the genus Pichia. However, these data were insufficient to resolve their identity at the species level. Subsequently, analysis of the 5.8S rRNA genes and the two internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) sequences revealed that Siki No. 15 belongs to Pichia guilliermondii, while the remaining three isolates corresponded to Pichia anomala. Since Siki No. 4 showed slightly different biochemical properties than the other two isolates, which were otherwise identical, we sought to investigate the sequences of the intergenic spacer region 1 (IGS1). We observed few nucleotide changes, suggesting that the Hach No. 6 and Inub No. 11 isolates belong to different but new strains for which we propose the names P. anomola MR-1 and MR-2 respectively.

Isolation of marine yeasts collected from the Pacific Ocean showing a high production of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Marine yeasts were collected from coastal and deep sea areas in the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan around central and northern Japan to prepare a novel type of natural seasoning. It was found that one of the marine yeasts collected from the Pacific Ocean off Hachinohe showed a high concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in its extract, about 7-10 times higher than those of commercially available bread yeast and other marine yeasts. The marine yeast isolated and named Hachinohe No. 6 catalyzed the reaction from monosodium glutamate to GABA only in the presence of glucose. Subsequently, several marine yeasts belonging to the genera Pichia and Candida were found to have such catalytic activities, but not those belonging to the genus Saccharomyces. Isolate Hachinohe No. 6 was found to have the highest catalytic activity among the yeasts examined in this study.

The clinical significance of impaction at the femoral neck fracture site in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Factors influencing clinical outcomes of osteosynthesis for elderly patients with Garden stage I and II femoral neck fractures are not well understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the factors influencing the clinical outcomes of in situ osteosynthesis in non-displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly, radiographs and clinical data of patients were retrospectively analyzed. The subjects were 49 patients with femoral neck fractures (Garden stages I and II), who underwent osteosynthesis, with correctly inserted screws and with more than 2 years of follow up. The relationships between preoperative anteroposterior X-ray parameters including Garden stage, the presence or absence of spikes, the Singh grade, the Garden alignment index, the degree of impaction at the fracture site (the capital impaction index) and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 49 cases, there were eight unsuccessfully treated patients, two with non-union and six with late segmental collapse. The "without spikes" fracture type (P < 0.05) and the degree of capital impaction when the capital impaction index (P < 0.0001) was greater than the mean plus the standard deviation, were significantly associated with unsuccessful outcomes. CONCLUSION: Excessive shortening at the fracture site on the anteroposterior radiograph in the femoral neck fracture of Garden stages I and II can be used to predict poor outcomes from in situ osteosynthesis.

Displaced fracture of the femoral shaft from kicking the ground during soccer - a case report.

We report a displaced femoral shaft fracture that occurred with no sign of contact-induced, stress, fatigue, or previous abnormal bone pathology in a 19-y-old man who kicked the ground instead of the ball when playing soccer. After examination to rule out abnormal bone pathology, intramedullary nailing was performed. Bone union was achieved and he could return to recreational soccer. Among soccer injuries, the occurrence of displaced femoral shaft fractures in the absence of stress, fatigue, or pathological fracture is rare. Awareness of such a rare cause of displaced femoral shaft fracture would help clinicians in the field of sports and soccer medicine. Key PointsWe report a very rare displaced femoral shaft fracture in a 19-y-old man who kicked the ground instead of the ball when playing soccer.Abnormal bone pathology was ruled out.Awareness of such a rare cause of displaced femoral shaft fracture would help clinicians in the field of sports and soccer medicine.

Fast MRI used to evaluate the effect of abdominal belts during contraction of trunk muscles.

STUDY DESIGN: This study focused on the effects that abdominal belts have on the sagittal section of the abdominal and pelvic cavity during contraction of the trunk muscles. Fast magnetic resonance imaging was used during the Valsalva maneuver by 11 healthy men. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an abdominal belt on the geometric changes in the sagittal section during Valsalva maneuvers. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several hypotheses about the effect of an abdominal belt have considered intraabdominal pressure, which has a hydraulic effect on the diaphragm, providing stability to the spine. However, there is little information on changes in the sagittal section of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. METHODS: Eleven male volunteers without back problems were studied with fast magnetic resonance images. Sagittal section images of the abdominal and pelvic cavity were obtained under six conditions: without the belt at rest, at full inhalation, and at full inhalation with Valsalva, as well as with the belt at rest, at full inhalation, and at full inhalation with Valsalva. RESULTS: When the belt was worn, the sagittal section area of the abdominal and pelvic cavity did not change, but its shape did. Also, the anteroposterior diameter of the abdominal and pelvic cavity increased at its upper part and decreased at its middle part, elevating the liver and diaphragm. Additionally, the lever arm length of the intraabdominal pressure increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Fast magnetic resonance imaging quantified the effect of an abdominal belt on the abdominal geometric changes during the Valsalva maneuvers with the patient in a supine position.