Complete genome sequence of PETase type IIa-harboring Marinobacter nanhaiticus D15-8W, isolated from a South China Sea sediment.

Marinobacter nanhaiticus D15-8W is known for its ability to metabolize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Here, we report the complete circular genome sequence of this strain to be 5,336,660 bp (G + C content, 58.6%; 4,869 protein-coding sequences) with one plasmid (69,655 bp).

Cross-Cultural Validity of a Dietary Questionnaire for Studying Dental Caries in Japanese Children.

This study examines the cross-cultural validity of the Japanese version of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), designed for studies on dental caries to assess dietary intake in Japanese children. Parent-reported dietary data were collected (274 children, 3-6 years old) using the 38-item FFQ, whose reliability and validity have been demonstrated in adults. Factor analysis was used to determine dimensionality. Dietary cariogenicity scores were compared with the levels of plaque mutans streptococci, and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index to evaluate the criterion validity using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The FFQ showed good criterion validity, assessed through its relationship with the dmft index (r = 0.119; p = 0.05) and Dentocult SM score (r = 0.124; p = 0.04). Factor analysis revealed six questionnaire subscales. Internal consistency was from low to acceptable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.64 for the total scale, 0.39-0.53 for each subscale). Children with a higher SM score were more likely to have higher dietary cariogenicity scores (p = 0.01; Kruskal-Wallis test). These results confirm the validity of the Japanese version of the FFQ for children, which can be used to track dietary structure dynamics regarding cariogenicity from childhood to adulthood.

Comparative Metabolomics of Small Molecules Specifically Expressed in the Dorsal or Ventral Marginal Zones in Vertebrate Gastrula.

Many previous studies have reported the various proteins specifically secreted as inducers in the dorsal or ventral regions in vertebrate gastrula. However, little is known about the effect on cell fate of small molecules below 1000 Da. We therefore tried to identify small molecules specifically expressed in the dorsal marginal zone (DMZ) or ventral marginal zone (VMZ) in vertebrate gastrula. Small intracellular and secreted molecules were detected using explants and supernatant samples. Hydrophilic metabolites were analyzed by capillary ion chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and lipids were analyzed by supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 190 hydrophilic metabolites and 396 lipids were identified. The DMZ was found to have high amounts of glycolysis- and glutathione metabolism-related metabolites in explants, and the VMZ was richer in purine metabolism-related metabolites. We also discovered some hydrophilic metabolites and lipids differentially contained in the DMZ or VMZ. Our research would contribute to a deeper understanding of the cellular physiology that regulates early embryogenesis.

Impact of Dietary Patterns on Plaque Acidogenicity and Dental Caries in Early Childhood: A Retrospective Analysis in Japan.

This study aimed to assess the relationship of dietary patterns, such as frequency, timing, and cariogenicity of food/beverage consumption, with plaque acidogenicity and early childhood caries (ECC) in Japan. A total of 118 children aged 1-4 years who had visited the pediatric dental clinic were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed their records to collect data including age, sex, medical history, medication, caries status, and plaque acidogenicity level at the first dental visit. The plaque acidogenicity level was measured using Cariostat®. Dietary data were collected from 3-day dietary records, and the dietary cariogenicity score was calculated from these data. Children with ECC or high plaque acidogenicity consumed between-meal sugars more frequently than did their counterparts (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006, respectively). Children with ECC or high plaque acidogenicity drank juices between meals more frequently than at mealtimes (p = 0.02). Frequent consumption of between-meal sugars was associated with higher plaque acidogenicity and ECC, and frequent breast/bottle feeding was associated with ECC. No differences were found in the dietary cariogenicity scores between these groups. Therefore, the frequency and timing of sugar consumption, might affect plaque acidogenicity and ECC, and reducing the frequency of sugar intake could prevent ECC.

Relationship Between Anterior Knee Laxity and General Joint Laxity During the Menstrual Cycle.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has been reported to have a higher incidence in women than in men. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to examine the relationship of anterior knee laxity (AKL), stiffness, and generalized joint laxity (GJL) with respect to the menstrual cycle. It was hypothesized that AKL and GJL would increase during the ovulation phase, when estrogen levels are high. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 15 female university students aged >20 years and with normal menstrual cycles were evaluated. AKL was measured as anterior tibial displacement of the femur after application of 44-, 89-, and 133-N loads to the tibia. Stiffness was calculated as Δ force/Δ displacement at loads between 44 and 89 N and between 89 and 133 N. The University of Tokyo joint laxity test was used for evaluation of GJL. The participants' menstrual cycle was divided into the early follicular, late follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases using the basal body temperature method and an ovulation kit; AKL and GJL were measured once during each phase. Participants were also stratified according to the presence or absence of genu recurvatum (GR). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in AKL, stiffness, or GJL among the menstrual phases. In the GR group, AKL values at 89 N and 133 N were significantly higher in the ovulation phase than in the early follicular phase (P = .025 and P =.018, respectively); there were no significant differences in AKL among the phases in the non-GR group. In addition, the GR group in the ovulation phase had significantly higher AKL values at 44 N, 89 N, and 133 N compared with the non-GR group (P = .013, P = .005, and P = .010, respectively). There were no significant differences in GJL among the phases in the GR or non-GR groups. CONCLUSION: Women with GR may have increased AKL in the ovulation phase when compared with the early follicular phase, which may be a risk factor for ACL injury. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study suggest that the ovulation phase may be related to the greater incidence of ACL injuries in women.

A preliminary study exploring the change in ankle joint laxity and general joint laxity during the menstrual cycle in cis women.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between ankle joint laxity and general joint laxity (GJL) in relation to the menstrual cycle, which was divided into four phases based on basal body temperature and ovulation, assessed using an ovulation kit. METHODS: Participants were 14 female college students (21-22 years) with normal menstrual cycles (cis gender). Anterior drawer stress to a magnitude of 120 N was applied for all participants. Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) length was measured as the linear distance (mm) between its points of attachment on the lateral malleolus and talus using ultrasonography. Data on ATFL length from each subject were used to calculate each subject's normalized length change with anterior drawer stress (AD%). The University of Tokyo method was used for evaluation of GJL. AD% and GJL were measured once in each menstrual phase. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between AD% in each phase. GJL score was significantly higher in the ovulation and luteal phases compared with the early follicular phase. AD% and GJL showed a positive correlation with each other in the ovulation phase. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is unclear whether estrogen receptors are present in the ATFL, the present study suggests that women with high GJL scores might be more sensitive to the effects of estrogen, resulting in ATFL length change in the ovulation phase.

Bone regeneration in calvarial defects in a rat model by implantation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell spheroids.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) condensation contributes to membrane ossification by enhancing their osteodifferentiation. We investigated bone regeneration in rats using the human bone marrow-derived MSC-spheroids prepared by rotation culture, without synthetic or exogenous biomaterials. Bilateral calvarial defects (8 mm) were created in nude male rats; the left-sided defects were implanted with MSC-spheroids, ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) granules, or ß-TCP granules + MSC-spheroids, while the right-sided defects served as internal controls. Micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemical staining for osteocalcin/osteopontin indicated formation of new, full-thickness bones at the implantation sites, but not at the control sites in the MSC-spheroid group. Raman spectroscopy revealed similarity in the spectral properties of the repaired bone and native calvarial bone. Mechanical performance of the bones in the MSC-implanted group was good (50 and 60% those of native bones, respectively). All tests showed poor bone regeneration in the ß-TCP and ß-TCP + MSC-spheroid groups. Thus, significant bone regeneration was achieved with MSC-spheroid implantation into bone defects, justifying further investigation.

An infant with heart failure due to ventricular dyssynchrony and refractory tachycardia caused by a right anterolateral accessory pathway.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is associated with heart failure (HF) mainly via tachycardia. Several case report series have suggested dyssynchrony due to an accessory pathway as a possible cause of HF even in the absence of tachyarrhythmias. The role of cardiac resynchronization in the suppression of anterograde conduction of accessory pathways by catheter ablation or pharmacotherapy in such patients remains unclear, especially in the pediatric population. We describe an infant case with HF due to ventricular dyssynchrony and refractory tachycardia caused by a right anterolateral accessory pathway. Cardiac resynchronization either by catheter ablation or amiodarone appears to be of value in such cases.

Measurement of QTc in patients receiving chronic methadone therapy.

Recent reports suggest that methadone may prolong the QTc interval and cause torsades de pointes. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of QTc prolongation during oral methadone therapy and identify factors associated with prolongation. Patients receiving oral methadone as treatment for chronic pain or addiction were eligible for the study. One hundred four patients who were receiving > or = 20 mg methadone per day for > or = 2 weeks underwent electrocardiograms to measure QTc interval duration. Sixty-three (61%) patients were male and 63 (61%) were receiving methadone maintenance for opioid addiction. The mean (+/- SD) age was 45.3 +/- 9.4 years. The median (range) methadone dose was 110 mg/day (20-1200 mg/day); median (range) number of months on methadone was 12.5 months (1-444 months). The median (range) QTc interval was 428 msec (396-494 msec). Thirty-three percent had QTc prolongation (males 40%, females 20%; P=0.03). No patient had a QTc longer than 500 msec. Significant dose response was observed in males on methadone <12 months (rho=0.60, P=0.02). Our study suggests that methadone may prolong the QTc interval in specific subpopulations but poses little risk of serious prolongation.