Temperature affects growth, geosmin/2-methylisoborneol production, and gene expression in two cyanobacterial species.

Cyanobacterial blooms accompanied by taste and odor (T&O) compounds affect the recreational function and safe use of drinking water. Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are the most common T&O compounds. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature on geosmin and 2-MIB production in Dolichospermum smithii and Pseudanabaena foetida var. intermedia. More specifically, transcription of one geosmin synthase gene (geoA) and two 2-MIB synthase genes (mtf and mtc) was explored. Of the three temperatures (15, 25, and 35 °C) tested, the maximum Chl-a content was determined at 25 °C in both D. smithii and P. foetida var. intermedia. The maximum total geosmin concentration (19.82 µg/L) produced by D. smithii was detected at 25 °C. The total 2-MIB concentration (82.5 µg/L) produced by P. foetida var. intermedia was the highest at 35 °C. Besides, the lowest Chl-a content and minimum geosmin/2-MIB concentration were observed at 15 °C. There was a good positive correlation between geosmin/2-MIB concentration and Chl-a content. The expression levels of the geoA, mtf, and mtc genes at 15 °C were significantly higher than those at 25 and 35 °C. The transcription of the mtf and mtc genes in P. foetida var. intermedia was higher at 35 °C than at 25 °C. The results highlight unfavorable temperature can increase the potential of geosmin/2-MIB synthesis from the gene expression level in cyanobacteria. This study could provide basic knowledge of geosmin/2-MIB production by cyanobacteria for better understanding and management of T&O problems in drinking water.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Intraocular Penetration of Latanoprost Solutions with Different Preservatives in Human Eyes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of excipients on latanoprost penetration into the aqueous humor with clinically available 6 products with different solutions mainly in the types and concentrations of preservatives. METHODS: In 363 patients with cataracts, we instilled 1 latanoprost drop in 1 eye before surgery. The drop was randomly selected by brand name product (A) and 5 generic products (B-F) composed with different excipients. B contains similar excipients to A. C and D contain lower concentrations of benzalkonium chloride than A. E includes sodium benzoate, and F contains no preservatives. At 0.5-1, 3, and 6 h after instillation, samples of aqueous humor were collected to determine the latanoprost free acid by mass spectrometry. The time course of intraocular concentration and the areas under the aqueous humor latanoprost free acid concentration-time curves (AUCs) were calculated. RESULTS: At 0.5-1 h, the aqueous humor concentration of latanoprost free acid was 8.5 ± 1.0 ng/mL for C, which was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of A (3.4 ± 0.5 ng/mL). At 3 and 6 h, however, no significant difference was noted in the concentrations of latanoprost free acid between the brand name and generic products. For each of the generic products, the peak free acid concentration was above the known threshold concentration for biological activity. At 6 h postdose, however, the levels of latanoprost free acid were below the threshold for Products C, E, and F. Comparisons of AUC0-6h and AUC0-24h values showed that these parameters were the greatest with A, and E was significantly inferior to A (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Currently available latanoprost solutions with different preservatives showed sufficient intraocular concentration to activate the FP receptor, but different pharmacokinetic profiles of absorption or elimination.

A lanostane triterpenoid and three cholestane sterols from Tilia kiusiana.

Kiusianins A-D (1-4) were isolated from the leaves of a Japanese endemic plant, Tilia kiusiana, together with 14 known compounds. The structures of a new lanostane-type triterpenoid 1 and three new cholestane-type sterols 2-4 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including two dimensional (2D) NMR. All the compounds isolated were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines, HeLa and HL-60.

[Current status of practice of providing dietary advice to pregnant women by members of the Japanese Midwives' Association. Knowledge and utilization of the "Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant and Lactating Women"].

OBJECTIVES: Midwives are actively involved in providing dietary advice to pregnant women. In order to describe the current status of prenatal dietary advice provided by midwives, we conducted a questionnaire survey inquiring about their knowledge and usage of the "Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant and Lactating Women" (Guidelines) issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare in 2006. METHODS: In total, 2000 members of the Japanese Midwives' Association were randomly selected for administration of the questionnaire. The recovery rate was 42.1%, and 785 responses were eligible for analyses. The questionnaire collected information on the respondent's age, years of work experience, current involvement in delivery practice, number of deliveries per year in the current affiliation, provision of dietary advice to pregnant women, and knowledge and usage of the Guidelines. RESULTS: The proportion of respondents in their 20 s was low (1.8%). About half of the respondents were practicing delivery. Further, 66.1% (519 midwives) reported they had knowledge of the Guidelines. Among those who had knowledge of the Guidelines and were currently providing dietary advice (426 midwives), 88.0% were using the Guidelines. The most frequently used item in the Guidelines was "Diet for preventing anemia" (75.8%). The least used item was "Shoku-iku (diet and nutrition education) for pregnant and lactating women" (58.5%). Midwives who were practicing delivery showed a significantly lower usage of the Guidelines than those who were not (84.9% vs. 92.6%, P = 0.02). Among midwives practicing delivery, the most common reason for not using the Guidelines was "using original educational material produced by oneself or the facility." CONCLUSION: Providing dietary advice to pregnant women constituted a large fraction of midwives' duties as well as delivery practice. About 90% of the midwives, who had knowledge of the Guidelines and provided dietary advice, were using the Guidelines. In order to increase the usage of individual items of the Guidelines, ready-to-use brochures should be developed for midwives.