Various Districts Of Japan Research Articles

P1298SEASONAL VRIABILITIES OF HOME AND CLINIC BLOOD PRESSURE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS ARE DPEND ON VOLUME STATUS AND TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN MULTICENTER OF VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN JAPAN

Abstract Background and Aims In general population, there are weekly and seasonal variabilities of blood pressure (BP) which are supposed to be the risk of cardiovascular disease. Home BP is well correlated to the cardiovascular risk compared to clinic BP. We already reported home and clinic BP of hemodialysis (HD) patients fluctuate seasonally partly due to temperature. The aim of this study is to determine in large number of HD patients whether the seasonal BP variability correlates to the volume status and temperature. Method One hundred sixty nine dialysis patients (93 male, 76 female) in ten Saiseikai hospitals in various districts in Japan were recruited. All patients were asked to measure BP at least four times a day in a sitting position, twice consecutively in the morning after urination before breakfast and medication and twice consecutively in the evening just before going to bed. The mean of twice measurements was defined as the data of measurement time. Data from Oct. 2015 to Oct. 2017 were analyzed. If the dialysis were performed 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri), Monday was defined as 1st day. If the dialysis were performed on Tue. Thurs. and Sat., Tuesday was defined as 1st day. Seasonal variabilities in morning home BP and night home BP were evaluated. Seasonal changes in clinic BP just before and after HD were also evaluated in 61 patients. Results Weekly home BP variability in the morning, 1st day 153±16 / 78±13 mmHg, 2nd day 144±28 / 76±12, 3rd day 150±14 / 77±13, 4th day 142±26 / 75±13, 5th day 149±14 / 77±12, 6th day 144±24 / 76±13, 7th day 149±16 / 78±13. Systolic home BPs in 1st, 3rd and 5th days were significantly elevated compared with 2nd, 4th and 6th days. Morning home BP significantly elevated gradually from 6th, 7th and to 1st day. Lowest SBP in the morning was 4th day but not 6th day which was the same as the previous result (CJASN 3: 416-422, 2008). Seasonal variability of morning home BP in 1st day was evident with the rise in autumn and winter (spring 153±19 / 78±12, summer 146±17 / 77±12, autumn 158±16* / 80±12, winter 156±19* / 80±13, * p<0.05 vs summer) (figure). There was almost same seasonal morning home BP variability in 4th day which had the lowest value of morning home BP in a week. Seasonal changes of night home BP in 5th day were not significant through four seasons, which night was supposed to be the driest volume status in a week. Seasonal changes in clinic BP just before and after HD, in 1st day before HD: spring 147±19 / 74±13 mmHg, summer 144±20 / 71±11, autumn 150±19 / 74±13, winter 147±21 / 74±12. Systolic BP in autumn was significantly elevated compared to summer. In the other clinic BPs before and after HD in 3rd and 5th days, there were no significant seasonal changes observed. Seasonal changes of highest temperature were significant (spring 19.9±3.1*°C, summer 30.9±2.6, autumn 23.3±2.7*, winter 8.5±2.8*, *p<0.05 vs summer). Morning BP of 1st day in a randomly selected patient was correlated with highest temperature (r=-0.397 p<0.0001). Discussion There is seasonal home BP variability probably due to temperature change because BP was correlated well with temperature. Seasonal morning BP variability was evident in the 1st day of the HD week, but this seasonal home BP variability was disappeared measuring BP in the night without volume overload. We assumed that vasoconstriction due to change in temperature was enhanced by volume overload and sympathetic activation in the morning. Conclusion In the large number of HD patients in multicenter of various districts in Japan, seasonal BP variabilities were affected by the volume status and temperature.

〈 水文雑話 LII 〉 日本各地の気温の季節変化の型について

〈 水文雑話 LII 〉 日本各地の気温の季節変化の型について

MON-149 SEASONAL AND WEEKLY VARIABILITY OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS IN MULTICENTER OF VARIOUS DISTRICT IN JAPAN

In general population, there are weekly and seasonal variabilities of blood pressure (BP) which are supposed to be the risk of cardiovascular disease. Home BP is well correlated to the cardiovascular risk compared to office BP. The aims of this study are to determine whether home BP in large number of hemodialysis (HD) patients fluctuate seasonally and weekly and whether the seasonal BP variability correlate to the temperature. 169 dialysis patients (93 male, 76 female) in ten Saiseikai hospitals in various districts in Japan were recruited. All patients were asked to measure BP at least twice a day in a sitting position, once in the morning after urination before breakfast and medication and once in the evening just before going to bed. Data from Oct. 2015 to Oct. 2017 were analyzed. If the dialysis were performed 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri), Monday was defined as 1st day. If the dialysis were performed on Tue. Thurs. and Sat., Tuesday was defined as 1st day. Seasonal variabilities in morning home BP of 1st day and night home BP of 5th day were evaluated. Seasonal changes in clinic BP just before and after HD were also evaluated in 61 patients. Weekly home BP variability in the morning, 1st day 153±16 / 78±13 mmHg, 2nd day 144±28 / 76±12, 3rd day 150±14 / 77±13, 4th day 142±26 / 75±13, 5th day 149±14 / 77±12, 6th day 144±24 / 76±13, 7th day 149±16 / 78±13. Systolic home BPs in 1st, 3rd and 5th days were significantly elevated compared with 2nd, 4th and 6th days. Morning home BP significantly elevated gradually from 6th, 7th and to 1st day. Lowest SBP in the morning was 4th day but not 6th day which was the same as the previous result (CJASN 3: 416-422, 2008). Seasonal variability of morning home BP in 1st day was evident with the rise in autumn and winter (spring 153±19 / 78±12, summer 146±17 / 77±12, autumn 158±16* / 80±12, winter 156±19* / 80±13, * p<0.05 vs summer) (figure). Seasonal changes of highest temperature were significant (spring 19.9±3.1*℃, summer 30.9±2.6, autumn 23.3±2.7*, winter 8.5±2.8*, *p<0.05 vs summer) (figure). Morning BP of 1st day in a randomly selected patient was correlated with highest temperature (r=-0.397、p<0.0001). Seasonal changes of night home BP in 5th day were not significant through four seasons. Seasonal changes in clinic BP just before and after HD, in 1st day before HD: spring 147±19 / 74±13 mmHg, summer 144±20 / 71±11, autumn 150±19 / 74±13, winter 147±21 / 74±12. Systolic BP in autumn was significantly elevated compared to summer. In the other clinic BPs before and after HD in 3rd and 5th days, there were no significant seasonal changes observed. Even in the large number of HD patients, there is weekly home BP variability probably due to volume status. Seasonal morning BP variability was evident in the 1st day of the HD week, but this seasonal home BP variability was disappeared measuring BP in the night without volume overload.

Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Japan and in the world

In 1994, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) launched a global project on anti-tuberculosis drug resistance surveillance. The results from the first 4 years (1994-1997) and the second 4 years (1996-1999) of the projects were reported in 1998 and 2000, respectively. These surveillance results showed that resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs is a global problem. The reports also showed that there were several hot spots around the world where prevalence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB, defined as resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampin) was particularly high and could possibly threaten control programs. The Tuberculosis Research Committee of Japan (Ryoken) has conducted nationwide surveys for drug resistant tuberculosis at 2- or 5-yearly intervals since 1957. The 1997 survey showed that among patients with no prior treatment, resistance to any of the four drugs was found in 10.3%, and the prevalence of primary MDR was 0.8%. The prevalence of drug resistance in the previously treated cases was 42.4% for any of the four drugs and 19.7% for MDR, indicating a high prevalence rate compared with those reported in the global project. Compared with the previous survey in 1992, the current survey shows increased prevalence of drug resistance in both new and re-treatment cases. No significant differences in resistance rates by sex, age group, nationality, district, and/or accompanying diseases were observed in any of the new or re-treatment cases. Other factors associated with the high prevalence in re-treatment cases remain to be determined. A total of 78 hospitals in various districts of Japan participated the cooperative study. Each collaborating laboratory sent all the isolated mycobacterial cultures to the Research Institute of Tuberculosis (RIT). In the local laboratories, the absolute concentration method using 1% Ogawa egg slant, its modified methods using a 48-well plate and a 16-well plate, combination of above 2 or 3 methods, and other method were used for drugsusceptibility testing, and the proportion method using 1% Ogawa egg slant was used in the RIT. The results in the local laboratories were compared with those in the RIT. There was no significant difference in the concordance rates according to the test drugs among methods for drug susceptibility testing used in the local laboratories. Relatively lower concordance rates were seen in the laboratories using the Microtiter method related to high overestimation rates, compared with those in the laboratories using the standard method and Well-pack method. However, relatively lower concordance rates (less than 90%) were seen in the laboratories using any of the three methods, indicating that there are variations among facilities.

ANALYSES OF INDOOR HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENT IN NATIONALLY RESIDENTIAL HOUSES OF JAPAN

Based on the energy consumption database of nationally residential houses in various districts of Japan, indoor humidity environment was analyzed. In winter and summer seasons, the statistical values of temperature, relative humidity, absolute humidity and the absolute humidity difference between indoor and outdoor were calculated for each house. In addition, the relations between these statistical values and the level of thermal insulation or airtightness, as well as the possibility of fungal damage were examined.

Jomon-type vs. Yayoi-type Population Ratio in Various Districts of Japan, Recording Formation Processes of Japanese

Jomon-type vs. Yayoi-type Population Ratio in Various Districts of Japan, Recording Formation Processes of Japanese

Chronological Analysis of Canine Parvovirus Type 2 Isolates in Japan

Fifty-five canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV) samples, 12 fecal specimens and 43 cell culture isolates, were examined for their genetic characteristics of VP2 gene. They were collected from the diseased dogs at various districts of Japan during 27 years from 1980 to 2006. A fragment of VP2 gene was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and DNA sequencing. The original antigenic type 2 of CPV (CPV-2) was no longer found in the samples since 1984, and two antigenic variants CPV-2a and CPV-2b replaced CPV-2 as predominant types for about 5 years from 1982. A new genetic variant of prototype CPV-2a with non-synonymous substitution at the VP2 amino acid residue 297 from Ser to Ala was first detected in 1987. New CPV-2b with the same amino acid substitution at position 297 as new CPV-2a was also detected from the samples collected in 1997. Since then new CPV-2b has been the predominant CPV over the field of Japan. Several additional amino acid substitutions were detected in the VP2 gene of some recent CPV strains. Neither CPV-2c(a), CPV-2c(b), nor "Glu-426" of the antigenic variants previously found outside the country was detected in any samples tested. Reactivity of new CPV-2a and 2b variants against antibodies produced by the current vaccine products was determined by a cross hemagglutination-inhibition test. The recent field CPV isolates reacted more efficiently to the antibodies produced in dogs vaccinated with the new CPV-2b vaccine strain than the conventional CPV-2 vaccine strain.

Need for enforcement of ethicolegal education - an analysis of the survey of postgraduate clinical trainees.

BackgroundThe number of medical lawsuits in Japan was between 14 and 21 each year before 1998, but increased to 24 to 35 per year after 1999. There were 210 lawsuits during this 10-year period. There is a need for skills and knowledge related to ethics, which is as fundamental to the practice of medicine as basic sciences or clinical skills. in Japan education in ethics is relatively rare and its importance is not yet recognized. Establishing ethics education using legal precedents, which has already been achieved in Western countries, will be a very important issue in Japan. In the present study, a questionnaire survey was conducted among graduate intern doctors, in order to investigate whether ethics education using precedents might have a positive effect in Japan.MethodsIn 2002, a questionnaire survey entitled Physicians' Clinical Ethics was carried out in a compulsory orientation lecture given to trainees before they started clinical practice in our hospital. The attendees at this lecture were trainees who came from colleges in various districts of Japan. During the lecture, 102 questionnaires were distributed, completed by attendees and collected. The recovery rate was 100%. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions (in three categories), of which 20 were answered by multiple choices, and the other two were answered by description. The time required to complete the questionnaire was about 10 minutes.ResultsThe recovered questionnaires were analyzed using statistical analysis software (SPSS for Windows, Release 10.07J-1/June/2000), in addition to simple statistical analysis. answers using multiple choices for the 20 questions in the questionnaire were input into SPSS. The principal component analysis was performed for each question. As a result, the item that came to the fore was "legal precedent". Since many intern doctors were interested in understanding laws and precedents, learning about ethical considerations through education using precedents might better meet with their needs and interests.ConclusionWe applied a new method in which the results of principal component analysis and frequencies of answers to other questions were combined. From this we deduced that the precedent education used in Western countries was useful to help doctors acquire ethical sensitivity and was not against their will. A relationship was found between reading precedents and the influence of lawsuits, and it was thought that student participation-type precedent education would be useful for doctors in order to acquire ethical sensitivity.

Distinct geographic distributions of hepatitis B virus genotypes in patients with acute infection in Japan

Genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were determined in 145 patients with acute hepatitis B from various districts in Japan to establish their geographic distribution and evaluating the influence on the clinical illness and outcome. Genotypes were A in 27 (19%) patients, B in 8 (5%), C in 109 (75%) and mixed with B and C in the remaining one (1%). Genotype A was more frequent in metropolitan than the other areas (21/69 (30%) vs. 6/76 (8%), P < 0.001). On phylogenetic analysis, seven of the nine (78%) HBV/A isolates selected at random clustered with those from Europe and the United States, while the remaining two with those of subgroup A' prevalent in Asia and Africa. Maximum ALT levels were lower (2069 +/- 1075 vs. 2889 +/- 1867 IU/L, P = 0.03) and baseline HBV DNA titers were higher (5.90 +/- 1.45 vs. 5.13 +/- 1.36 log genome equivalents (LGE)/ml, P = 0.002) in patients infected with genotype A than C. Hepatitis B surface antigen persisted longer in patients infected with genotype A than C (1.95 +/- 1.09 vs. 1.28 +/- 1.42 months, P = 0.02). HBV infection became chronic in one (4%) patient with genotype A and one (1%) with genotype C infection. Fulminant hepatic failure developed in none of the patients with genotype A, one (13%) with genotype B and five (5%) with genotype C. The point mutation in the precore region (A1896) or the double mutations in the basic core promoter (BCP) region (T1762/A1764) were detected in none of the patients with genotype A, two (25%) with genotype B and 27 (26%) with genotype C. In conclusion, genotype A is frequent in patients with acute hepatitis B in metropolitan areas of Japan, probably reflecting particular transmission routes, and associated with longer and milder clinical course than genotype C.

Phylogenetic analysis of the phoretic association between Bursaphelenchus conicaudatus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) and Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

AbstractThe phoretic relationships between the nematode Bursaphelenchus conicaudatus and the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris, collected at various districts in Japan were investigated. A high proportion of all ten subspecies of the beetle examined were infected with the nematodes, suggesting the universality of this phoretic association. Molecular analysis based on the partial base sequence of cytochrome oxidase subunit I in the mitochondrial DNA revealed that the phylogenetic relationships among ten subspecies of the beetle was similar to that among associated nematode isolates obtained from each beetle subspecies. Intraspecific vector replacements were supposed to occur in the isolates of B. conicaudatus on two islands. The phoretic association between the nematode and the beetle is assumed to have been established before the divergence of P.hilaris into subspecies.

土壌から農作物へのウラン，トリウム，ラジウム及び鉛の移行係数と線量評価

The transfer factors (TFs) of uranium (U), thorium (Th), radium (Ra) and lead (Pb) from soil to agricultural products were determined in order to estimate the internal radiation dose to the human body through ingestion. Samples of rice, potato, onion, cabbage, mandarin orange, spinach, apple and soil were collected from various districts in Japan. After appropriate pretreatment of the samples, concentrations in the sample solutions were measured by ICP-MS (for U, Th and Pb) and liquid scintillation counter (for Ra). It was recognized that TFs were 4.9×10-6 (apple) and 3.6×10-4 (spinach) for U, 2.8×10-6 (apple) and 2.3×10-4 (spinach) for Th, and 4.0×10-3 (hulled rice), 7.0×10-5 (onion) and 5.0×10-3 (hulled rice) for Pb. The TF of Ra, however, was not determined due to detection limitations. TF values obtained in the present study range from the same order of magnitude to 1/100 compared to the data in TRS364 as reported by IAEA. It was revealed that the internal radiation dose caused by the intake of uranium series radioactive nuclides through agricultural food ingestion was 16μSv/y, where Pb was the most contributory nuclide.

Bacteriophage P4282, a parasite of Ralstonia solanacearum, encodes a bacteriolytic protein important for lytic infection of its host.

To enhance bacterial wilt resistance in tobacco expressing a foreign protein, we isolated the bacteriolytic gene from a bacteriophage that infects Ralstonia solanacearum. The bacteriolytic protein of phage P4282 isolated in Tochigi Prefecture was purified from a lysate of R. solanacearum M4S cells infected with the phage, and its bacteriolytic activity was assayed by following the decrease in the turbidity of suspensions of R. solancacearum M4S cells. The molecular weight of the bacteriolytic protein was approximately 71 kDa, and the sequence of the N-terminal 13 amino acids was determined. We used oligonucleotide probes based on this amino acid sequence to isolate the bacteriolytic gene from phage P4282 DNA. This gene of 2061 bp encodes a product of 687 amino acids, whose calaculated molecular weight was 70.12 kDa. The bacteriolytic gene was placed under the control of an inducible promoter. and the plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli NM522. The soluble proteins extracted from E.coli NM522 cells harboring the plasmid with the bacteriolytic gene showed obvious bacteriolytic activities against several strains of R. solanacearum isolated in various districts in Japan. DNA fragments from five phages, isolated in Niigata, Aomori, Okinawa, Fukushima and Yamaguchi Prefectures, hybridized to the bacteriolytic gene of phage P4282. These observations indicate that the bacteriolytic protein shows nonspecific activity against R. solanacearum strains, and a sequence similar to that of the bacteriolytic gene is conserved in the DNA of other bacteriophages. These results indicate that the generation of transgenic (tobacco) plants expressing the bacteriolytic gene of phage P4282 might result in enhanced resistance to bacterial wilt in tobacco.

Public status toward radiation and irradiated potatoes at “Youngster’s Science Festival” in several cities including Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima, Japan

Abstract “Youngster’s Science Festival” has been held in several big cities in various districts in Japan for the purpose of induction of young students’ interests in science and scientific experiments. On the basis of the survey results from the participants of the “Radiation Fair” in Osaka, Japan, which was presented at the last IMRP, we expanded the area of survey and distributed questionnaires to the visitors of the above event to inquire their status toward radiation and irradiated products including irradiated potatoes. The survey results indicated the same trends as that of the “Radiation Fair” survey. That is, more than half of the older visitors (16 years old and upward) indicated that they recognized the word of “radiation” when they were at elementary school and the most significant sources of this information were school lessons and the mass media. We will discuss the relationship between consumer’s image toward radiation and the description of radiation related topic in school textbooks.

日本各地における環境因子を考慮した太陽光発電システム出力

日本各地における環境因子を考慮した太陽光発電システム出力

Resistance to antituberculosis drugs in Japan

Setting: Five years after the last survey of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Japan, a serious new phenomenon has gradually begun to appear. A nationwide survey was conducted by the Tuberculosis Research Committee. Objective: To determine resistance patterns to five anti-tuberculosis drugs and risk factors. Design: Cultures were obtained from patients hospitalized at 38 hospitals in various districts of Japan throughout 6 months, from 1 June through 30 November in 1992. Drug susceptibility testing was carried out in the national reference laboratory. Results and Conclusion: Resistance to one or more drugs was found in 5.6% of new cases and 27.8% of recurrent cases ( P < 0.001). About 88% of drug resistant isolates from the new cases were resistant to one drug, while 50.8% of the drug resistant isolates from the recurrent cases had resistance to two or more drugs ( P < 0.001). Resistance rates to both isoniazid and rifampin in new cases was very low (only 0.14%). Primary drug resistance rates were higher in age groups less than 60 years old, compared to those of 60 years and over ( P = 0.05). Compared with the rate in Japanese patients, foreign-born individuals had a higher resistance rate in the recurrent cases ( P = 0.034). This survey indicated a similar trend in resistance rates to five antituberculosis drugs to those of the last survey in 1987.

Antibacterial Activity of Oxolinic Acid on Pseudomonas glumae.

Oxolinic acid (5-ethyl-5, 8-dihydro-8-oxo [1, 3] dioxolo [4, 5-g] quinoline-7-carboxylic acid, Starnere®) is a synthetic bactericide, developed from quinoline derivatives. Oxolinic acid completely inhibited the growth of gram negative bacteria including Pseudomonas glumae, P. plantarii, P. avenae, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica at the concentration of 0.4μg/ml or below in vitro. Oxolinic acid was effective against various isolates of P. glumae from rice grains collected from various districts of Japan. Antibacterial activities of oxolinic acid on P. glumae varied depending on the growth phase of the bacterium. Activity of oxolinic acid was bactericidal for the bacterium at the lag phase, but was bacteristatic for the bacterium at the early logarithmic phase and decreased after the middle logarithmic phase. Oxolinic acid sometimes induced abnormal elongation of P. glumae cells at the early logarithmic phase.

Collaborative study using the preincubation Salmonella typhimurium mutation assay for airborne particulate matter in Japan. A trial to minimize interlaboratory variation

A collaborative study has been performed over a period of 3 years to develop a suitable method for monitoring the mutagenicity of airborne particulate matter. The study was organized with 8 laboratories and performed in the following steps: (1) selection of a suitable technique for each process involved in the mutagenicity monitoring, (2) developing a tentative protocol by combining systematically the selected techniques, (3) evaluation of the protocol by intra- and inter-laboratory studies, (4) modification of the protocol according to the evaluation, and (5) evaluation of the modified protocol by conducting an interlaboratory study. We found a suitable method for mutagenicity monitoring of particles in the atmosphere. Airborne particles were sampled with a high-volume sampler, the samples were stored at −80°C, extracted by sonication using dichloromethane, solvent-exchanged, and assayed by the preincubation method using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. The observed mutagenic activity was normalized with that of an internal standard. Round robin tests revealed that the method resulted in excellent reproducibility. The coefficient of variation for mutagenic activities of airborne particulate samples collected in various districts of Japan were in the range of 14.7 ± 6.6% to 19.6 ± 4,0% for strains TA98 and TA100 with and without metabolic activation. We also found that the plate incorporation method was equivalent to the preincubation method for airborne particulate extracts.

Diagnosis of Viral Epidermal Hyperplasia of Japanese Flounder Larvae by Fluorescent Antibody Technique.

The first occurrence of “viral epidermal hyperplasia” of Japanese flounder larvae was recorded in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1985, and since then the same disease has been prevailing in hatchery-reared flounder in various districts of Japan. In the present study, we applied fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) to the disease as a diagnostic procedure. Electron microscopy and transmission experiments revealed that 4 out of 5 cases examined were due to viral epidermal hyperplasia. FAT test, using a rabbit antiserum against virus particles collected from epithelial cells of affected flounder larvae, exhibited a positive reaction on only the epidermis of the fish in the above 4 epizootics. Thus, the FAT method proved to be useful for rapid diagnosis of the present disease.

Sensitivity of Fusarium moniliforme isolates to pefurazoate.

From the infected rice seeds with “Bakanae” disease collected in various districts in Japan, 518 isolates of Fusarium moniliforme were isolated and examined for their sensitivity to pefurazoate, an inhibitor of an ergosterol biosynthesis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the compound were in a range from 0.78ppm to 12.5ppm, and the less sensitive isolates, which were reported for triflumizole known as an ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor (EBI), to pefurazoate were not observed. However, both the fungicides had a similar trend in the sensitivity pattern of F. moniliforme, so that the isolates less sensitive to triflumizole were also low sensitive to pefurazoate (MIC: 6.25ppm to 12.5ppm). On the base of the different sensitivity to those EBIs and benomyl, the isolates could be classified into four types; isolates sensitive to both of the EBIs and benomyl (I), isolates sensitive to EBIs and resistant against benomyl (II), isolates moderately sensitive to the EBIs and sensitive to benomyl (III) and isolates moderately sensitive to the EBIs and resistant against benomyl (IV). The ratios of the isolates I, II, III and IV were 8.5%, 83.0%, 8.1% and 0.4%, respectively. The ability of these isolates to produce gibberellins and fusaric acid was estimated. The isolates I, II and IV produced gibberellins, but the isolate III did not produce them. Fusaric acid was produced by all the types of isolates, and there was no clear difference in the sensitivity to the fungicides. Rice seeds artificially inoculated with the isolate IV were disinfected with pefurazoate which showed similarly high effect as in the seeds inoculated with the isolate I, indicating that the difference in sensitivity in vitro was irrelevant to the actual effect of seed treatment.

Biochemical characterization of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in various districts of Japan.

The purpose of this study is to disclose the molecular basis of type I familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) in Japan. Amyloid fibril protein of type I FAP consists of a variant transthyretin (also called prealbumin) with one amino acid substitution of methionine-for-valine at position 30. This variant transthyretin is present in the serum as a precursor protein of amyloid. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been established to detect the variant transthyretin. All the 94 patients with FAP who originate from various districts in Japan have the variant transthyretin, but any one of 78 healthy adults of families with FAP do not have it. Half of the symptom-free children of FAP patients have the variant transthyretin even before clinical manifestations appear. The RIA is widely applicable for early diagnosis. The methionine-for-valine substitution is due to a base change from guanine to adenine at the first letter of the valine codon at position 30. Type I FAP in Japan is considered to be a molecular disorder of transthyretin. Since the age of onset ranges from twenties to forties, genetic counseling is recommended to prevent the transmission of this intractable disorder to the next generation.