Effects of Calcium Ions on the Thermostability and Spectroscopic Properties of the LH1-RC Complex from a New Thermophilic Purple Bacterium Allochromatium tepidum.

The light harvesting-reaction center (LH1-RC) complex from a new thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Allochromatium (Alc.) tepidum was isolated and characterized by spectroscopic and thermodynamic analyses. The purified Alc. tepidum LH1-RC complex showed a high thermostability comparable to that of another thermophilic purple sulfur bacterium Thermochromatium tepidum, and spectroscopic characteristics similar to those of a mesophilic bacterium Alc. vinosum. Approximately 4-5 Ca2+ per LH1-RC were detected by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. Upon removal of Ca2+, the denaturing temperature of the Alc. tepidum LH1-RC complex dropped accompanied by a blue-shift of the LH1 Qy absorption band. The effect of Ca2+ was also observed in the resonance Raman shift of the C3-acetyl νC═O band of bacteriochlorophyll-a, indicating changes in the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the pigment and LH1 polypeptides. Thermodynamic parameters for the Ca2+-binding to the Alc. tepidum LH1-RC complex indicated that this reaction is predominantly driven by the largely favorable electrostatic interactions that counteract the unfavorable negative entropy change. Our data support a hypothesis that Alc. tepidum may be a transitional organism between mesophilic and thermophilic purple bacteria and that Ca2+ is one of the major keys to the thermostability of LH1-RC complexes in purple bacteria.

Analysis of the association of cobalt(III) chelates with fluorine-containing phenols in supercritical carbon dioxide.

The solubilities of several cobalt(III) chelates (CoL3) with in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) were investigated in the presence of fluorine- and trifluoromethyl-substituted phenols (PhOH) using UV-vis spectrophotometry. Solubility enhancement of CoL3 complexes in SC-CO2 was accomplished by adding PhOH. The association constants for tris(pentane-2,4-dionato)cobalt(III) (Co(acac)3) with various PhOH in SC-CO2 were determined from the relationship between the solubility enhancement and the PhOH concentration for each corresponding phenol. For compounds with no fluorine or trifluoromethyl groups in the ortho position, the association constants decreased as the pKa values of the PhOH compounds increased. In addition, the association constants for the PhOH compounds bearing a fluorine or trifluoromethyl group in the ortho position were less than the values expected based on their pKa values. These results are ascribed to the occurrence of the steric hindrance of the ortho-fluorine or trifluoromethyl group. Furthermore, the association constants for various CoL3 complexes and 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenol (BTMP) increased as the basicity of the chelating ligand increased. Finally, the thermodynamic parameters and the numbers of CO2 molecules released upon association of Co(acac)3 and BTMP were calculated using data for the dependence of the association constant on the pressure and temperature.

Analysis of the aggregation of an anionic porphyrin with a cationic surfactant at the supercritical carbon dioxide-water interface using UV-visible external reflection spectrometry.

An external reflection (ER) spectrometric device was developed to directly measure adsorbates at the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2)-water interface. The aggregation of diprotonated species of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphinetetrasulfonic acid (H4tpps(2-)) at the positively charged SC-CO2-water interface, prepared by adsorption by the cetyltrimethylammonium ion (CTA(+)), was studied using this device. Orientations of the H4tpps(2-) monomers and J-aggregates at the SC-CO2-water interface were assessed using s- and p-polarized external reflection (ER) spectra. It appeared that the porphyrin plane of the H4tpps(2-) monomer was nearly parallel to the SC-CO2-water interface, and that the long axis of the rod-like H4tpps(2-) J-aggregate was also nearly parallel to the interface. Dependence of the ER spectra on CTA(+) concentration and CO2 pressure were investigated, and the interfacial CTA(+) concentration was found to cause changes in the interfacial H4tpps(2-) species present. Increasing the CO2 pressure changed the interfacial species from the H4tpps(2-) monomer to the H4tpps(2-) J-aggregate because the interfacial CTA(+) concentration increased as the pressure increased. This suggests that the interfacial chemical species can be changed by controlling the pressure and temperature of the SC-CO2. This is the first report of direct measurements of the chemical species at the SC-CO2-water interface, as far as we know.

Comprehensive extraction study using N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid.

We report on the acid dissociation constants (Ka) of diglycolamic acid-type ligands together with comprehensive data on the extraction performance of N,N-dioctyldiglycolamic acid (DODGAA) for 54 metal ions. The pKa of the diglycolamic acid framework was determined to be 3.54 ± 0.03 in water (0.1 M LiCl, 25°C) by potentiometric titration, indicating that DODGAA is strongly acidic compared with acetic acid. DODGAA can quantitatively transfer various metal ions among the 54 metal ions through a proton-exchange reaction, and provides excellent extraction performance and separation ability for rare-earth metal ions, In(III), Fe(III), Hg(II), and Pb(II) among the 54 metal ions.

Synergistic extraction equilibrium of gallium(III) with di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and 8-quinolinol derivatives into supercritical carbon dioxide.

The synergistic effect of five 8-quinolinol derivatives (HQs) on the extraction of gallium(III) with di(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid (D2EHPA or HA) from weak nitric acid into supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) was investigated. 8-Quinolinol (Hq), 5-ethoxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HO(2)q), 5-hexyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HO(6)q), 5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxymethyl)-8-quinolinol (HFO(2)q), and 5-chloro-8-quinolinol (5-Cl-Hq) were used as synergists. Synergism was observed for all of the HQs. The synergistic effect increased in the following order: Hq < HO(2)q < HFO(2)q < 5-Cl-Hq ≍ HO(6)q. The extent of synergism can be related to both the distribution constant and the acid dissociation constant of the HQ. The synergistic extraction equilibrium of gallium(III) with D2EHPA and 5-Cl-Hq into SC-CO(2) was investigated; the results suggest that the composition of the extracted complex is as GaA(2)Q·HA. The synergistic extraction mechanism was the same for both SC-CO(2) and n-heptane. The synergistic extraction equilibrium constants in both cases were calculated based on the experimental results.

Extraction behavior and selective separation of lead(II) using N,N-dioctyldiglycol amic acid.

Selective separation of lead ions (Pb(2+)) from aqueous solutions containing multiple divalent metal ions (Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+)) was investigated using liquid-liquid extraction. N,N-Dioctyldiglycol amic acid (DODGAA) enabled quantitative extraction and efficient separation of Pb(2+) from the metal ion mixture under mildly acidic conditions. Compared with conventional commercial extractants, DODGAA provided better extraction and excellent selectivity for Pb(2+). The extraction of Pb(2+) with DODGAA proceeded through a proton-exchange reaction and formed a 1:2 complex, Pb(DODGAA)(2). The Pb(2+) was readily stripped from the extracting phase under acidic conditions, and the organic solution with DODGAA could be recycled.

Structural study on 2,2'-(methylimino)bis(N,N-dioctylacetamide) complex with Re(VII)O4- and Tc(VII)O4- by 1H NMR, EXAFS, and IR spectroscopy.

The structures of the complex of 2,2'-(methylimino)bis(N,N-dioctylacetamide) (MIDOA) with M(VII)O(4)(-) (M = Re and Tc), which were prepared by liquid-liquid solvent extraction, were investigated by using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The (1)H NMR spectra of the complex of MIDOA with Re(VII)O(4)(-) prepared in the organic solution suggest the transfer of a proton from aqueous to organic solution and the formation of the H(+)MIDOA ion. The EXAFS spectra of the complexes of H(+)MIDOA with Re(VII)O(4)(-) and Tc(VII)O(4)(-) show only the M-O coordination of the aquo complexes, suggesting that the chemical state of M(VII)O(4)(-) was unchanged during the extraction process. The results from (1)H NMR and EXAFS, therefore, provide evidence of M(VII)O(4)(-)···H(+)MIDOA complex formation in the organic solution. The IR spectra of Re(VII)O(4)(-)···H(+)MIDOA and Tc(VII)O(4)(-)···H(+)MIDOA were analyzed based on the structures and the IR spectra that were calculated at the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ level. Comparison of the observed and calculated IR spectra demonstrates that an intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed in H(+)MIDOA, and the M(VII)O(4)(-) ion interacts with H(+)MIDOA through multiple C-H(n)···O hydrogen bonds.

Development of a microfluidic device for measurement of distribution behavior between supercritical carbon dioxide and water.

A measuring method for the distribution behavior between supercritical carbon dioxide and water by a microchip was developed. A surface modification of the microchannel by dichlorodimethylsilane induced a spontaneous phase separation of the supercritical carbon dioxide and aqueous phases in the microchip. The maximum contact time of the aqueous phase to the supercritical carbon dioxide phase was obtained as 0.58 s. This device withstood pressure up to 12.8 MPa. The distribution of tris(acetylacetonato)cobalt(III) (Co(acac)(3)) from the supercritical carbon dioxide phase to the aqueous phase in a microchannel could be measured. The concentration of Co(acac)(3) distributed into the aqueous phase was increased by lengthening the contact time of both phases. These demonstrations showed that the method developed in this study could be used to measure the distribution behavior between supercritical carbon dioxide and water.

Positive effects of experience in terminal care on nursing home staff in Japan.

This study aimed to examine the psychological effects of terminal care experience on nursing home staff and analyze the differences between staff who are experienced and those who are inexperienced in providing terminal care. A mailed survey was conducted in 2007. A total of 37% (N = 72) of the participants had experience in terminal care in nursing homes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the professional efficacy (a subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey [MBI-GS]) and tenure (duration of service) of the experienced staff were significantly higher than those of the inexperienced staff. The high professional efficacy noted among the experienced staff suggests that the provision of terminal care in nursing homes does not necessarily lead to burnout among caregivers and may in fact serve as an important motivational factor.

Risk factors for recurrent bile duct stones after endoscopic papillary balloon dilation: long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term results of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) for bile duct stones. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2000, 204 patients with bile duct stones successfully underwent EPBD and stone removal. Complete stone clearance was confirmed using balloon cholangiography and intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS). Long-term outcomes of EPBD were investigated retrospectively in the year 2007, and risk factors for stone recurrence were multivariately analyzed. RESULTS: Long-term information was available in 182 cases (89.2%), with a mean overall follow-up duration of 9.3 years. Late biliary complications occurred in 22 patients (12.1%), stone recurrence in 13 (7.1%), cholangitis in 10 (5.5%), cholecystitis in four, and gallstone pancreatitis in one. In 11 of 13 patients (84.6%), stone recurrence developed within 3 years after EPBD. All recurrent stones were bilirubinate. Multivariate analysis identified three risk factors for stone recurrence: dilated bile duct (>15 mm), previous cholecystectomy, and no confirmation of clean duct using IDUS. CONCLUSION: Approximately 7% of patients develop stone recurrence after EPBD; however, retreatment with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is effective. Careful follow up is necessary in patients with dilated bile duct or previous cholecystectomy. IDUS is useful for reducing stone recurrence after EPBD.

Development and testing of a staff questionnaire for evaluating the quality of services at nursing homes in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a self-assessment tool for evaluating the quality of services provided in nursing homes in Japan and to test the validity of the imputation method for the analysis of missing data. DESIGN: A mailed survey based on a self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: Gifu Prefecture in central Japan. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited 124 health care workers from 15 nursing homes located in the Gifu Prefecture. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic data, self-assessment of the quality of services provided in nursing homes, Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, General Health Questionnaire, self-rated score of the nursing facility, and job satisfaction. RESULTS: Factor analysis with maximum-likelihood estimation extracted a factor in both the complete observed data and the data obtained by imputing values using the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The factor score was significantly associated with burnout, self-rated score of the nursing facility, and job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The simple self-assessment tool that was developed in this study for evaluating the quality of services provided in nursing homes has high internal reliability and criterion-related validity. The imputation method using the EM algorithm might be useful for the analysis of missing data with regard to long-term care and management.

Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with a large pancreatic pseudocyst that disappeared after corticosteroid therapy: a case report and literature review.

A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of upper abdominal pain. The serum IgG4 concentration was elevated, and abdominal computed tomography revealed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas associated with a large cyst, measuring 8 cm in diameter. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (from the body to the tail), narrowing of the intrapancreatic bile duct, and dilatation of the bile ducts. The patient was given a diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst and intrapancreatic bile duct stenosis. Oral steroid therapy resulted in reduced pancreatic swelling, complete disappearance of the pancreatic cyst, and an improvement in biliary stenosis. AIP is rarely associated with pancreatic cyst, and only 13 cases, including ours, have been reported to date. In our patient, intense inflammation apparently led to cyst formation in association with AIP, which responded remarkably to corticosteroid therapy. Correct diagnosis of AIP associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst might save patients from undergoing unnecessary endoscopic and surgical procedures.

Solid-phase extraction of gallium(III) with hydrophobic 8-quinolinol derivatives-impregnated resin from aqueous acidic and alkaline solutions.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) of gallium(III) with hydrophobic 8-quinolinol derivatives (HQs)-impregnated resin from aqueous acidic and alkaline solutions has been investigated. The HQs used were 7-(4-ethyl-1-methyloctyl)-8-quinolinol (HEMOQ), 5-octyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HO(8)Q), 2-methyl-5-octyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HMO(8)Q), 5-dioctylaminomethyl-8-quinolinol (HN(8)Q), 7-bromo-5-octyloxymethyl-8-quinolinol (HBrO(8)Q), and 5-(2-ethylhexyloxymethyl)-8-quinolinol (HOEHQ). Various factors affecting the SPE, such as the substituents of the HQs, HCl and NaOH concentrations in the aqueous phase, the HQ concentration in the resin, and the equilibration time were clarified. The extractability for gallium(III) from the aqueous solution became higher in the following order: HBrO(8)Q < HEMOQ < HO(8)Q < HN(8)Q < HMO(8)Q at 3 mol l(-1) HCl; HMO(8)Q < HO(8)Q < HOEHQ < HEMOQ < HN(8)Q < HBrO(8)Q at pH 0.4; HMO(8)Q < HO(8)Q asymptotically equal to HOEHQ < HN(8)Q < HEMOQ at 3 mol l(-1) NaOH.

A case of choledochocele mimicking choledocholithiasis on MR cholangiography: A new differential diagnosis of pseudo-filling defect.

We present the case of a 79-year-old female with acute cholangitis and cholecystitis who presented with right upper quadrant pain. Thin-collimation MR cholangiogram showed a filling defect measuring 1 cm, which was less prominent on single-slab images. Endoscopy showed dynamic ballooning and collapsing of the ampulla of Vater, and a cholangiogram showed characteristic bulging at the distal common bile duct, which led to the diagnosis of choledochocele. It is important to differentiate choledochocele as a cause of filling defect of the lower common bile duct on the MR cholangiogram.

Solid phase extraction of phosphorus-containing amino acid-type herbicides and their metabolites from human blood with titania for determination by capillary electrophoresis.

Phosphorus-containing amino acid-type herbicides (PAAHs) and their metabolites in human plasma and whole blood were extracted with titania and determined by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The recoveries of glyphosate (GLYP), aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), gluphosinate (GLUF), and 3-methylphosphonico-propionic acid (MPPA) from human plasma were 84.6, 76.8, 90.4, and 89.6%, respectively. The recoveries of GLYP, AMPA, GLUF, and MPPA from whole blood were 79.6, 84.4, 36.9, and 31.8%, respectively. The low recoveries of GLUF and MPPA from whole blood were improved by the dilution of whole blood with water to 4-fold.

Gastric GIST malignancy evaluated by 18FDG-PET as compared with EUS-FNA and endoscopic biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: The usefulness of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET), whose high rate of FDG accumulation indicates high metabolism and malignant potential, has already been reported. The aims of this study were to evaluate the malignancy of primary gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) in the stomach by 18FDG-PET and to correlate the FDG uptake values with known risk factors as determined by histology after EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or endoscopic biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 29 patients with histologically proven GI-mesenchymal tumours, 21 with gastric GISTs underwent 18FDG-PET. Tumour size, mitotic index, Ki-67 labelling index (LI) and cellularity of the tumour tissue were compared with the standardized uptake value (SUV) of FDG. RESULTS: Strong correlations were found between the SUV of FDG and EUS size, and mitotic index of EUS-FNA specimens (tumour size versus SUV, p=0.004, r=0.542; number of mitotic cells versus SUV, p=0.0078; n=21). Moreover, we examined the association between SUV and risk categories based on EUS-FNA findings using ROC curves. The cut-off values of FDG SUV were 2.2, 4.2 and 6.5 for the very low-, low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 18FDG-PET may be used to assess malignancy of GISTs. This image modality helps us determine the management strategy for these patients and complements the information on the biological behaviour and cellular proliferation of the tumours.

Cloud point extraction equilibrium of lanthanum(III), europium(III) and lutetium(III) using di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and Triton X-100.

The cloud point extraction behaviors of lanthanoids(III) (Ln(III)=La(III), Eu(III) and Lu(III)) with and without di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) using Triton X-100 were investigated. It was suggested that the extraction of Ln(III) into the surfactant-rich phase without added chelating agent was caused by the impurities contained in Triton X-100. The extraction percentage more than 91% for all Ln(III) metals was obtained using 3.0x10(-5)moldm(-3) HDEHP and 2.0% (v/v) Triton X-100. From the equilibrium analysis, it was clarified that Ln(III) was extracted as Ln(DEHP)(3) into the surfactant-rich phase. The extraction constant of Ln(III) with HDEHP and 2.0% (v/v) Triton X-100 were also obtained.

Association of tris(pentane-2,4-dionato)chromium(III) with modifiers of hydrogen-bond donors in supercritical carbon dioxide.

The solubility of tris(pentane-2,4-dionato)chromium(III) (Cr(acac)(3)) in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) containing organic modifiers (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP) and 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenol (BTMP)) of hydrogen-bond donors was investigated by UV/VIS spectrophotometry. A great solubility enhancement of Cr(acac)(3) in SC-CO(2) was accomplished by adding HFP and BTMP. The association constant of Cr(acac)(3) with HFP and BTMP in SC-CO(2) could be determined from the relationship of the solubility enhancement against the concentration of the modifier. The association constant linearly increases with an increase in the acid dissociation constant of the modifiers.