Management of Cartilage Conduction Hearing Aids in Pediatric Patients.

Forty-nine children who started wearing cartilage conduction hearing aids (CC-HAs) before completing elementary school (17 with bilateral hearing loss and 32 with unilateral hearing loss) were followed-up and examined. The wearing and utilization status of the CC-HA and its progress to date were evaluated. In addition, 33 participants who purchased the CC-HAs were interviewed to assess the wearing effect. Eleven of seventeen children with bilateral hearing loss and 25 of 32 children with unilateral hearing loss continued to use the CC-HAs. In terms of wearing effect, a good wearing effect was reported, even by those with unilateral hearing loss. In cases where it was difficult to wear CC-HAs stably with pasting or ear tips, it was possible to fix them stably using commercially available hair bands and eyeglass vines. In two cases, the CC-HAs were worn from infancy. With ingenuity and appropriate educational and medical support, it is possible to wear CC-HAs from infancy.

Mechanisms underlying enhanced IgA production in Peyer's patch cells by membrane vesicles derived from Lactobacillus sakei.

We analyzed the mechanisms underlying enhanced IgA production in the cells of Peyer's patch cells via membrane vesicles derived from Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei NBRC 15893. Depletion of CD11c+ cells from Peyer's patch cells suppressed the enhanced IgA production mediated by membrane vesicles. Meanwhile, the stimulation of bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells with membrane vesicles increased gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, and several inflammatory cytokines. The production of nitric oxide and interleukin (IL)-6 by membrane vesicle stimulation was induced via Toll-like receptor 2 on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, as well as the neutralization of IL-6 in Peyer's patch cells, suppressed the enhanced IgA production by membrane vesicle stimulation. Hence, nitric oxide, retinoic acid, and IL-6 induced by membrane vesicles play crucial roles in the enhanced IgA production elicited by membrane vesicles in Peyer's patch cells.

IgA-enhancing effects of membrane vesicles derived from Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei NBRC15893.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) A in the mucus of the intestinal tract plays an important role in preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms and regulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Several strains of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to promote intestinal IgA production. Bacteria are also known to naturally release spherical membrane vesicles (MVs) that are involved in various biological functions such as quorum sensing, pathogenesis, and host immunomodulation. However, the production of MVs by LAB and their effects on host immunity remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the MV production by Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei NBRC15893 isolated from kimoto, the traditional seed mash used for brewing sake. MVs were separated from the culture broth of L. sakei NBRC15893 through filtration and density gradient ultracentrifugation and were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The MVs showed a spherical morphology, with a diameter of 30-400 nm, and contained proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, both the LAB cells and purified MVs promoted IgA production by murine Peyer's patch cells. This MV- and cell-induced IgA production was suppressed by neutralization of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, which recognizes cell wall components of gram-positive bacteria, using an anti-TLR2 antibody. Collectively, our results indicate that MVs released from L. sakei NBRC15893 enhance IgA production by activating host TLR2 signaling through its cell wall components. Thus, it is important to consider novel interactions between gut microbiota and hosts via MVs, and MVs derived from probiotic bacteria could have promising applications as safe adjuvants.

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of strontium titanate nanocube-dispersed mesoporous silica.

Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) nanocube-dispersed mesoporous silica was prepared. Oleate-modified SrTiO3 nanocubes with diameter of ca. 10nm were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The nanocubes were embedded into mesoporous silica, aided by the high affinity of surface oleyl groups with surfactants employed as templates of the mesoporous silica. Nanocubes within the nanocomposite maintained their shape and size without fusion or sintering, even after calcination at 1073 K. Oleate groups on the surface of SrTiO3 nanocubes burned out together with CTAB during the calcination process. Nitrogen adsorption behavior of the nanocomposites was comparable to that of conventional mesoporous silica. The nanocomposite exhibited high photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methylene blue because of the combination of preferential molecular adsorption by mesoporous silica and photocatalysis by SrTiO3. The methylene blue decomposition rate by the nanocomposite was larger than that of the composite prepared with conventional SrTiO3.

Lysobacter oligotrophicus sp. nov., isolated from an Antarctic freshwater lake in Antarctica.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium (strain 107-E2(T)) was isolated from freshwater samples containing microbial mats collected at a lake in Skarvsnes, Antarctica (temporary lake name, Lake Tanago Ike). Strain 107-E2(T) grew between 5 and 25 °C, with an optimum of 23 °C. Moreover, colony formation was observed on agar media even at -5 °C. The pH range for growth was between 6.0 and 9.0, with an optimum of pH 7.0-8.0. The range of NaCl concentration for growth was between 0.0 and 0.5% (w/v), with an optimum of 0.0%. No growth was observed in media containing organic compounds at high concentrations, which indicated that strain 107-E2(T) was an oligotroph. In the late stationary phase, strain 107-E2(T) produced a dark brown water-soluble pigment. Esterase, amylase and protease production was observed. Antimicrobial-lytic activities for Gram-negative bacteria and yeast were observed. Ubiquinone-8 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C(17:1)ω9c and iso-C(15:1) at 5. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 66.1 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 107-E2(T) belonged to the genus Lysobacter, and low DNA-DNA relatedness values with closely related species distinguished strain 107-E2(T) from recognized species of the genus Lysobacter. The phylogenetic situation and physiological characteristics indicated that strain 107-E2(T) should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter oligotrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 107-E2(T) ( =JCM 18257(T) =ATCC BAA-2438(T)).

Rhodoligotrophos appendicifer gen. nov., sp. nov., an appendaged bacterium isolated from a freshwater Antarctic lake.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, irregularly circular, aerobic/microaerobic appendaged bacterium (strain 120-1(T)) was isolated from Naga-ike, one of the freshwater lakes in the Skarvsnes ice-free area of Antarctica. Strain 120-1(T) grew between 5 and 35 °C, with optimum growth at 30 °C. The pH range for growth was between 6.0 and 9.0 (optimum of approximately pH 7.0). The range of NaCl concentration allowing growth of strain 120-1(T) was between 0 and 5.0%, with an optimum of 0.5-1.0%. Strain 120-1(T) was able to utilize organic compounds such as glucose, arabinose, gluconate, adipate and malate. Red colonies were formed on plate medium and the carotenoids were present in the cells. Ubiquinones Q-9 and Q-10 were the major respiratory quinones. The major cellular fatty acids were C(16:0), C(18:1)ω9c and C(18:1)ω7c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.1 mol%. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences and physiological characteristics of strain 120-1(T) indicate that strain 120-1(T) is a phylogenetically novel bacterium, and that it represents a novel species in a new genus, Rhodoligotrophos gen. nov., in the order Rhizobiales, family Rhodobiaceae. The name Rhodoligotrophos appendicifer gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed as the type species of this new genus, with 120-1(T) ( = JCM 16873(T) = ATCC BAA-2115(T)) as the type strain.

Surveillance and characterization of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from northern pintail (Anas acuta) in Japan during 2006-09.

A total of 38 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were obtained from 6060 fecal samples from northern pintail (Anas acuta) ducks collected in the Tohoku district in Japan during 2006-09. One isolate from each sampling location and date was selected for a total of 38 isolates, then 15 of these were characterized for their pathogenicity by mean death time of minimum lethal dose (MDT/MLD) using chicken embryos and by plaque formation on chicken embryo fibroblasts. Furthermore, nine isolates were randomly selected from these 15 isolates, and the fusion protein genes were sequenced to characterize amino acid sequences around the cleavage site. All 15 were confirmed to be nonvirulent by MDT/MLD test, and nine isolates were also confirmed as nonvirulent by the cleavage site of the fusion protein 112G/E-K/R-Q-G/E-R*L117 that was specific for nonvirulent NDVs. The characteristics of nine isolates identified by phylogenic analysis of the fusion protein gene indicated that the isolates belong to genotype I or II. In addition, we also isolated 68 avian influenza viruses and 28 other hemagglutinating viruses. Our data indicate that northern pintails are subclinically infected by, perpetuate, and distribute NDV along with different subtypes of avian influenza viruses and other hemagglutinating viruses during their migrations across vast areas over the Northern Hemisphere to Japan.

Constrictibacter antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a cryptoendolithic micro-organism from Antarctic white rock.

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, ovoid to rod-shaped aerobic or microaerobic bacterium, strain 262-8(T), was isolated from a cavity within white rock collected in Antarctica. Strain 262-8(T) grew at 5-30 °C (optimum 25 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum approximately pH 7) and with 0.1-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5 % NaCl). The addition of tryptone or yeast extract was essential for growth. Strain 262-8(T) was able to utilize organic compounds such as ribose, pyruvate and succinate in the presence of a low concentration of tryptone. Ubiquinone 10 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were C(18 : 1), C(16 : 0) and C(18 : 0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.8 mol%. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences and physiological characteristics indicated that strain 262-8(T) was a phylogenetically novel bacterium that should be classified in a new genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Constrictibacter antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 262-8(T) ( = JCM 16422(T) = ATCC BAA-1906(T)).

Ceramic powder made from chicken feces: anti-viral effects against avian influenza viruses.

Ceramic powder prepared by sintering of chicken feces, when mixed with avian influenza viruses or an avian adenovirus, inactivated these organisms to below detection levels. When the ceramic powder was mixed with double-distilled water, the pH of the water rose to 10 but the aqueous phase did not show any antivirus activity. After 10 washings with water or five washings with 1M Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), the ceramic powder still retained antivirus activity. Antivirus activity was not affected by the presence of organic material (33% fetal calf serum). When chicks were fed food containing 5% ceramic powder, there was no difference in body weight between normal feeding and the ceramic-mixture feeding. The mode of action of the ceramic powder remains unknown, but it possibly works by adsorbing the virus. These results show that the ceramic powder has antiviral activities and is a potentially useful tool against avian influenza on poultry farms.

Near-ultraviolet femtosecond laser ionization of dioxins in gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Gas chromatography/multiphoton ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/MPI/TOF-MS) was applied to the trace analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). To determine the optimum wavelength for analysis of PCDD/Fs, the wavelength of the femtosecond laser utilized for multiphoton ionization was converted to near-ultraviolet status using stimulated Raman scattering. A femtosecond laser emitting at 300 nm completely eliminated the background signal arising from the bleeding compounds generated from a stationary phase of the capillary column in GC.

Interferometric characterization of ultrashort deep ultraviolet pulses using a multiphoton ionization mass spectrometer.

The temporal characterization of a femtosecond laser pulse in the deep ultraviolet region using an interferometric autocorrelation scheme is demonstrated. Two-photon ionization of a molecule in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used as a nonlinear detector to obtain an autocorrelation trace. This setup proved useful in not only providing a temporal characterization of a pulse but also investigating the ultrafast dynamics of photochemical processes.