Comparative genome analysis of test algal strain NIVA-CHL1 (Raphidocelis subcapitata) maintained in microalgal culture collections worldwide.

Raphidocelis subcapitata is one of the most frequently used species for algal growth inhibition tests. Accordingly, many microalgal culture collections worldwide maintain R. subcapitata for distribution to users. All R. subcapitata strains maintained in these collections are derived from the same cultured strain, NIVA-CHL1. However, considering that 61 years have passed since this strain was isolated, we suspected that NIVA-CHL1 in culture collections might have acquired various mutations. In this study, we compared the genome sequences among NIVA-CHL1 from 8 microalgal culture collections and one laboratory in Japan to evaluate the presence of mutations. We found single-nucleotide polymorphisms or indels at 19,576 to 28,212 sites per strain in comparison with the genome sequence of R. subcapitata NIES-35, maintained at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan. These mutations were detected not only in non-coding but also in coding regions; some of the latter mutations may affect protein function. In growth inhibition test with 3,5-dichlorophenol, EC50 values varied 2.6-fold among the 9 strains. In the ATCC 22662-2 and CCAP 278/4 strains, we also detected a mutation in the gene encoding small-conductance mechanosensitive ion channel, which may lead to protein truncation and loss of function. Growth inhibition test with sodium chloride suggested that osmotic regulation has changed in ATCC 22662-2 and CCAP 278/4 in comparison with NIES-35.

Topochemical cross-linking of the [Hf2N2] layers with sulfur in α-HfNBr.

α-HfNBr (space group Pmmn) isostructural with FeOCl consists of orthorhombic [Hf2N2] layers sandwiched by bromide layers. By the reaction with Na2S at 750 °C in a sealed glass tube, the α-type [Hf2N2] layers are topochemically cross-linked with sulfur to form α-Hf2N2S with a mutual shift of the layers in the ab plane by (a/2 + b/2) to crystallize in space group Immm and the lattice parameters a = 4.1422(1), b = 3.5058(1), and c = 11.4043(3) Å. At a higher reaction temperature of 850 °C, the ß-type layered variant ß-Hf2N2S with a double honeycomb network is obtained, which adopts the La2O2S structure with space group P3m1 and the lattice parameters a = 3.5805(1) and c = 6.4063(1) Å.

High drug loading self-microemulsifying/micelle formulation: design by high-throughput formulation screening system and in vivo evaluation.

PURPOSE: To design a high drug loading formulation of self-microemulsifying/micelle system. METHODS: A poorly-soluble model drug (CH5137291), 8 hydrophilic surfactants (HS), 10 lipophilic surfactants (LS), 5 oils, and PEG400 were used. A high loading formulation was designed by a following stepwise approach using a high-throughput formulation screening (HTFS) system: (1) an oil/solvent was selected by solubility of the drug; (2) a suitable HS for highly loading was selected by the screenings of emulsion/micelle size and phase stability in binary systems (HS, oil/solvent) with increasing loading levels; (3) a LS that formed a broad SMEDDS/micelle area on a phase diagram containing the HS and oil/solvent was selected by the same screenings; (4) an optimized formulation was selected by evaluating the loading capacity of the crystalline drug. Aqueous solubility behavior and oral absorption (Beagle dog) of the optimized formulation were compared with conventional formulations (jet-milled, PEG400). RESULTS: As an optimized formulation, d-α-tocopheryl polyoxyethylene 1000 succinic ester: PEG400 = 8:2 was selected, and achieved the target loading level (200 mg/mL). The formulation formed fine emulsion/micelle (49.1 nm), and generated and maintained a supersaturated state at a higher level compared with the conventional formulations. In the oral absorption test, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of the optimized formulation was 16.5-fold higher than that of the jet-milled formulation. CONCLUSIONS: The high loading formulation designed by the stepwise approach using the HTFS system improved the oral absorption of the poorly-soluble model drug.

[Simple preprocessing method for multi-determination of 235 pesticide residues in cooked ingredients of foods by GC/MS and LC/MS/MS].

A simple preprocessing method was developed for multiresidue determination of pesticides in processed agricultural products. Residues were extracted from homogenized samples with acetonitrile in a glass centrifuge tube, followed by salting-out and partitioning with n-hexane. Co-extractives were removed by means of mini-column clean up. Analysis was performed by GC/MS and LC/MS/MS. The prepared sample solutions were examined for matrix effects. Matrix effects had both positive and negative effects on quantitative value. Calibration was achieved by preparing matrix-matched calibration standards to counteract the matrix effects. Of the 235 pesticides spiked at 0.05 or 0.10 microg/g (Method GC), 0.025 or 0.05 microg/g (Method LC) into 8 foods (garlic paste, diced green sweet pepper, green peas paste, celery paste, sweet potato paste, dried adzuki beans, boiled bamboo shoots, tomato paste), recoveries of 214 pesticides were between 50 and 100% and the coefficient of variation was below 20%. This method is useful as a multi-residue analysis method for screening of pesticides in foods.

[A case of multicentric bronchio-alveolar cell carcinomas with mild improvement during clinical course].

It is very important for clinicians to recognize that some lung cancers, especially among the bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinomas (BAC), rarely show mild improvement in opacity during the clinical course. We would like to present a 63-year-old woman who demonstrated very unusual exacerbation and improvement in lung opacity during 7 years of follows up. The abnormal chest shadows pointed out in an initial screening checkup and in a following chest CT presented 4 nodules in both lung fields; 2 of them appeared to have cavities. One of these nodules showed a definitely reduced size in a chest CT taken after one year of follow up study. We therefore determined it was probably not malignant of this time. But, after seven years the patient revisited our institute complaining of bronchorrhea. The chest CT taken immediately revealed increased size of each nodule and progression to pulmonary consolidation of the right lower lobe. A transebroncheal biopsy led to a diagnosis of bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinoma pathologically. The incidence of BAC has recently shown a remarkable increase and radiological images of these tumors are various. It is important, therefore, to consider the possibility of BAC for differential diagnose of cases presenting abnormal pulmonary shadows.