Staphylococcal γ-hemolysin is a bicomponent pore-forming toxin composed of LukF and Hlg2. These proteins are expressed as water-soluble monomers then assemble into the oligomeric pore form on target cell. Here, we report crystal structure octameric at 2.5 Å resolution, which first high-resolution β-barrel transmembrane protein two reported to date. The assembly consists four molecules Hlg2 located alternately in circular pattern, explains biochemical data accumulated over past decades....

Oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) is known to be involved in atherogenesis. We have previously developed a murine monoclonal antibody, FOH1a/DLH3, which recognized oxidatively lipoproteins as well foam cells human atherosclerotic lesions (Itabe, H., Takeshima, E., Iwasaki, Kimura, J., Yoshida, Y., Imanaka, T., and Takano, T. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 15274-15279). The antigen of this antibody was formed by peroxidation phosphatidylcholine (PC), the antigenic oxidized PC...

Sodefrin‐like female‐attracting pheromone was purified from the abdominal glands of male sword‐tailed newts, Cynops ensicauda , by gel‐filtration chromatography and reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The final product comprises 10 amino acid residues with sequence SILSKDAQLK which coincided deduced its precursor cDNA. This peptide designated silefrin. silefrin different that sodefrin two residues, substitutions Leu for Pro Gln at positions 3 8, respectively. Both native...

Abstract Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important component of the skin’s extracellular matrix, and its degradation leads to wrinkles. Hyaluronan-binding protein involved in hyaluronan depolymerization (HYBID) main factor responsible for HA dermis. This study aimed identify natural plant materials that can effectively suppress HYBID expression protect from degradation. Screening various extracts was performed inhibition histamine-induced mRNA normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). The molecular...

Eicosanoids that are present in inflamed tissues thought to play a significant role angiogenesis. Cyclooxygenase, key enzyme eicosanoid synthesis, has recently been shown exist two isoforms: the constitutive COX-1 and inducible COX-2. This study was undertaken determine of COX-2 corneal angiogenic response.Angiogenesis rat cornea provoked by chemical cautery. Either NS-398, selective inhibitor, or indomethacin, non-selective COX applied topically 3 times daily for 4 days. Neovascularization...

Abstract Matrix population models are one of the most common mathematical in ecology, which describe dynamics stage‐structured populations and provide us many statistics. One statistics, elasticity onto growth rate, is frequently used represents degree relative impact life history parameters to rate. Due utility elasticities for cross‐taxonomic comparisons, Silvertown his coauthors have published multiple papers reported relationship between forms (or history) plant species, using a triangle...

Rhododendron aureum is a weakly self-compatible alpine shrub pollinated by bumblebees. Flower visitation frequency and foraging behavior differed between queen bumblebees workers. Queens exhibited less frequent flower visits, longer flight distances inflorescences, smaller number of sequential inflorescence visits within patches than did worker bees. Flowering in early-snowmelt populations occurred June, when only overwintered queens were available, while flowering late-snowmelt from late...

Because of the contrastive differences in environment and species composition, climatic amelioration may affect alpine vegetation differently between fellfield snowbed communities. To test this prediction, effects warming on plant growth structure were studied two communities northern Japan over 7 years using open-top-chambers (OTCs). OTCs increased temperature by 1.1–1.8 °C, but snowmelt time soil moisture small. Vegetation height canopy volume substantially at both sites as a result use...

Phenological events of alpine plants are strongly influenced by the seasonal thermal conditions at local scale that caused heterogeneity in snowmelt time. Populations late-snowmelt locations suffer from a short period for seed maturation, which rapid flowering occurs soon after (i.e., low requirement flowering) is advantageous. To test possibility adaptation phenology, we compared reproductive preflowering period, and alpine-snowbed species Gentiana nipponica Maxim. between populations...

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze the population pharmacokinetics total and unbound concentrations prophylactic cefazolin (CFZ) in patients with prostatectomy or nephrectomy. We also aimed calculate a pharmacodynamics target concentration that exceeded minimum inhibitory (MIC), design an effective dosing regimen. Briefly, 614 610 samples from 152 individuals were evaluated, using nonlinear mixed-effects model. obtained index value reflected probability maintaining CFZ trough...

Skin brightness and spot have a significant impact on youthful beautiful appearance. One important factor influencing skin is the amount of internal reflected light from skin. Observers recognize total surface-reflected as brightness. The more skin, attractive brighter appears. This study aims to identify new natural cosmetic ingredient that increases skin's light, decreases provides appearance.Lipofuscin in epidermal keratinocytes, aggregating complex denatured proteins peroxidized lipids,...

To achieve a more beautiful and younger appearance, reducing wrinkles is key concern. The process of wrinkle formation complex the development truly effective cosmetic ingredients to reduce remains challenge. Recent studies have revealed close relationship between skin thinning, suggesting that preventing thinning could also prevent formation. In this study, we examined role extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) in progression as eATP reportedly increases ageing factors, such...

The widely known hue-heat effect, a multisensory phenomenon between vision and thermal sensing, is hypothesis based on the idea that light colors affect perceived temperature. However, application of this effect has not been prevalent in our daily lives. To work towards developing more practical use we conducted series psychophysical experiments to investigate relationship temperature illumination well-controlled experimental environment. results showed had three types effects change sense...

Hair loss and greying affect men women of all ages, often causing psychosocial difficulties. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), a major hair factor secreted from dermal papilla (DP) cells in response to the secretion dihydrotestosterone (DHT), has been reported induce accelerate androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In addition, DKK1 acts as potent suppressor melanogenesis is closely related colour. R-spondin 1 (RSPO1) secretory agonist Wnt signalling known antagonize effects DKK1, including DKK1-mediated follicle...

A simple method for the simultaneous determination of five artificial sweeteners, alitame (AL), acesulfame K (AK), saccharin (SA), aspartame (APM) and dulcin (DU) in various foods by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed.Chopped or homogenized samples were packed into cellulose tubing with 0.01mol/L hydrochloric acid containing 10% sodium chloride, dialyzed against 24-48 hours. Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide pH 5.0 phosphate buffer added to dialyzate. The solution passed...

The elasticity of population growth rate λ is a notable statistic in projection matrix models and has been used by many empirical researchers. Silvertown his collaborators published paper 1996 which they mapped vectors stasis, fecundity for 84 plant species ternary plot reported that the vector distribution semelparous (10 species) was located upper-left region plot. To understand clarify why were distributed region, we conducted three analyses. First, 68 matrices populations COMPADRE Plant...

A suitable indicator for the analysis of sodium copper chlorophyllin (Cu-Chl-Na) in foods was investigated by HPLC with a photodiode array detector. Cu-Chl-Na extracted ethyl ether from homogenized sample after pH adjustment to 3-4 adding 0.1N hydrochloride. The solution concentrated dryness, then residue dissolved methanol as test solution. Measurement achieved on Inertsil ODS-2 column mobile phase methanol-H2O (97:3) containing 1% acetic acid, at wavelength 405nm.Cu-Chl-Na market mixture...

Premise of the Study Variation in demographic parameters reflects life‐history strategies plants response to specific environments. We aimed investigate intraspecific variation traits a clonal alpine herb, Gentiana nipponica , various snowmelt conditions. Methods Individual ramets within genets accumulate leaves for 7–9 yr without shedding, and die after reproduction. tested physiological function accumulated reproduction monitored ramet demography early, intermediate, late populations over...

[in Japanese]

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI) is the most common cause of acute failure. Although mechanisms that trigger AILI are well known, it less understood how to halt progression and facilitate recovery. Therefore, necessary understand pathophysiology APAP hepatotoxicity in patients examine predictive/preventive markers. In a clinical study, we had case which aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alanine (ALT) levels increased patient with low ratio glucuronide concentration (AP-G)/APAP...

Abstract Many population statistics describe the characteristics of populations within and among species. These are useful for describing dynamics, understanding how environmental factors alter demographic patterns, testing hypotheses related to evolution life history informing effective management populations. In this study, we propose a statistic: interstage flow. The flow is defined as product element in i th row, j column projection matrix normalized stable stage distribution. sum...