Actinoplanes kirromycinicus sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel actinomycete, designated as TPMA0078T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TPMA0078T belongs to the genus Actinoplanes and is closely related to Actinoplanes regularis IFO 12514T (99.86% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The spores of strain TPMA0078T were motile, and the sporangia were cylindrical. The diamino acids in the cell wall peptidoglycan of strain TPMA0078T were meso-diaminopimelic acid and 3OH-meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell sugars were glucose and mannose, with galactose as a minor component. The major cellular fatty acids identified were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, and anteiso-C17:0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4), and the principal polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. These chemotaxonomic properties of strain TPMA0078T were consistent with those of Actinoplanes. Meanwhile, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values showed low relatedness between strain TPMA0078T and A. regularis NBRC 12514T. Furthermore, several phenotypic properties of strain TPMA0078T distinguished it from those of closely related species. Based on its genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strain TPMA0078T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes kirromycinicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TPMA0078T (=NBRC 116422T = TBRC 18262T).

Retroviral association with ovarian adenocarcinoma in laying hens.

The laying hen has been used as a model for ovarian adenocarcinoma (OAC) in women. Previous work has shown an association between expression of endogenous retroviral proteins and elevated envelope mRNA and occurrence of OAC in humans, but causality has not been demonstrated. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a similar association between retrovirus presence and OAC in a commercial laying hen flock at the University of Illinois Poultry Research facility with a history of a high OAC prevalence in older hens. Laying hens of three age strata were randomly selected for a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected, and serum was tested for antigens of endogenous or exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) by ELISA. Birds were humanely euthanized, and spleens, ovaries, and any tissues with gross lesions were sampled. Ovaries and gross lesions were examined histologically and spleens were used for RT-PCR to detect endogenous ALV via ALV-E env mRNA expression. Overall, hens with OAC were 5.2 times more likely to be ALV positive than hens without OAC (95% C.I. 2.06-13.14). Controlled for age, OAC positive hens were 3.6 times more likely to be positive for ALV via antigen-capture ELISA (95% C.I. 1.08-11.96). Endogenous ALV-E in hens may be analogous to human endogenous retroviruses, which have also been associated with OAC in women. Further studies to establish causation are warranted to better understand the potential for laying hens to serve as a laboratory model for viral-induced ovarian tumours in humans. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSOAC in hens was associated with age, seropositivity for ALV, and endogenous ALV mRNA expression.Older hens with OAC were more likely to be ALV seropositive by ELISA and ALV-E mRNA-positive.Associations between OAC, age, and endogenous retrovirus expression have been reported in humans.These findings support the use of hens as models for OAC in humans.

Verification of flow velocity measurements using micrometer-order thermometers.

In flow velocity measurements, resolution, miniaturization, and accuracy of measuring devices are important issues because the measuring devices significantly affect the flow in the micro-space, sonic flow, and turbulent flow. We studied recovery temperature anemometry (RTA) using micrometer-order thermometers and evaluated its validity in two velocity ranges (40-90 and 315-420 m/s) by conducting two experiments and a numerical simulation. The results confirmed that the difference between the reference velocity and RTA was within 5% in the velocity range 60-90 m/s for both the thermocouple and platinum thermometer given the same recovery temperature coefficient of 0.83. It is a valuable finding that velocity measurement by RTA is independent of the type of thermometer used. This suggests that the accuracy of about 5% can be guaranteed even without calibration by giving the recovery temperature coefficient according to the thermometer geometry, which is an excellent advantage not found in other anemometers. Furthermore, the supersonic flow measured using RTA agrees well with the simulation results and theoretical trends. Our findings ensure that the micrometer-order point measurement of flow velocity, which is difficult with existing anemometers, using RTA is possible over a wide range of flow velocities.

Adaptation time, electroretinography, and pupillography in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between adaptation time and the parameters of electroretinography (ERG) and pupillography in healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty-six eyes of 23 healthy women (mean age 21.7 years) were enrolled. ERG and pupillography were tested in each of the right and left 23 eyes, respectively. ERG with a skin electrode was used to determine amplitude and implicit time by the records of rod-, flash-, cone-, and flicker-responses with white light (0.01-30 cd s/m2). Infrared pupillography was used to record the pupillary light reflex to 1-s stimulation of red light (100 cd/m2). Cone- and flicker- (rod-, flash- and pupil) responses were recorded after light (dark) adaptation at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min. RESULTS: Amplitude (µV) was significantly different between 1 min and ≥ 5 or ≥ 10 min after adaptation in b-wave of cone- or rod-response, respectively. Implicit time (ms) differed significantly between 1 min and ≥ 5 min after adaptation with b-wave of cone- and rod-response. There were significant differences between 1 min and ≥ 10 or ≥ 5 min after dark adaptation in parameter of minimum pupil diameter (mm) or constriction rate (%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cone-driven ERG can be recorded, even in 5 min of light adaptation time without any special light condition, whereas rod-driven ERG and pupillary response results can be obtained in 10 min or longer of dark adaptation time in complete darkness.

Rhenium- and manganese-catalyzed synthesis of aromatic compounds from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and alkynes.

We have succeeded in the development of three approaches to the synthesis of aromatic compounds from 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and alkynes. The first approach is a manganese-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition between 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, which have no substituents at the active methylene moiety, and terminal alkynes. This reaction proceeds with high regioselectivity when aryl acetylenes are employed as the alkyne component. The second approach is a rhenium- or manganese-catalyzed formal [2+1+2+1] cycloaddition between beta-keto esters and two kinds of alkynes. In this reaction, the aromatic compounds are obtained by the following reaction sequence: (1) insertion of the first alkyne into a carbon-carbon single bond of a beta-keto ester, (2) formation of 2-pyranones via intramolecular cyclization with the elimination of ethanol, and (3) Diels-Alder reaction between the formed 2-pyranone and the second alkyne. This reaction provides multisubstituted aromatic compounds in a regioselective manner. The third approach is a rhenium-catalyzed formal [2+2+1+1] cycloaddition reaction from two 1,3-diketones and one alkyne. In this reaction, the aromatic skeleton is constructed from three carbons of the first 1,3-diketone, two carbons of the alkyne, and one carbon of the second 1,3-diketone.