Determining Adsorption Parameters of Potentially Contaminant-Releasing Materials Using Batch Tests with Differing Liquid-Solid Ratios

Adsorption parameters such as the distribution coefficient are required to predict the release behavior of contaminants using advection-dispersion models. However, for potentially contaminant-releasing materials (PCMs) such as dredged sludge and coal ash, these parameters cannot be obtained by conventional adsorption tests. This study developed a method to determine adsorption parameters for PCMs from a set of batch tests conducted in parallel as a function of the liquid-solid ratio (LS-parallel test). This LS-parallel test was performed on sandy soil derived from marine sediment using liquid-solid ratios from 1 to 300 L/kg. The water-contact time was also changed from 10 min to 28 d to elucidate the kinetics or equilibrium of contaminants released from the sample. Adsorption parameters were successfully obtained if the substance was under adsorption control. A column percolation test was performed to confirm the effectiveness of the obtained parameters. Good agreements were observed for SO₄²⁻ and B, but discrepancies remained for other substances such as F⁻ and As suggesting that improvements are necessary in both the LS-parallel test procedure and the advection-dispersion model.     

In vivo supramolecular templating enhances the activity of multivalent ligands: a potential therapeutic against the Escherichia coli O157 AB5 toxins

We demonstrate that interactions between multimeric receptors and multivalent ligands are dramatically enhanced by recruiting a complementary templating receptor such as an endogenous multimeric protein but only when individual ligands are attached to a polymer as preorganized, covalent, heterobifunctional pairs. This effect cannot be replicated by a multivalent ligand if the same recognition elements are independently arrayed on the scaffold. Application of this principle offers an approach to create high-avidity inhibitors for multimeric receptors. Judicious selection of the ligand that engages the templating protein allows appropriate effector function to be incorporated in the polymeric construct, thereby providing an opportunity for therapeutic applications. The power of this approach is exemplified by the design of exceptionally potent Escherichia coli Shiga toxin antagonists that protect transgenic mice that constitutively express a human pentraxin, serum amyloid P component.     

Barium peritonitis

A case of generalized peritonitis, secondary to a perforation of the rectosigmoid colon during barium-enema roentgenography, is presented. The patient required immediate surgical intervention with the prime importance of the treatment being removal of as much of the contaminating materials as possible. This was done successfully with irrigation and wiping, using urokinase solution. Peritoneal lavage with urokinase solution was also carried out in the early postoperative period. Fluid replacement with careful monitoring of fluid and electrolyte balance is essential before, during, and after the surgical procedure. Adequate antibiotic therapy and careful respiratory and nutritional support are also important.     

Regulation of FcepsilonRI-mediated degranulation by an adaptor protein 3BP2 in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells

Aggregation of high-affinity IgE receptor FcepsilonRI induces sequential activation of nonreceptor-type protein-tyrosine kinases and subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, leading to degranulation in mast cells. A hematopoietic cell-specific adaptor protein, 3BP2, that was originally identified as an Abl SH3-binding protein was rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated by the aggregation of FcepsilonRI on rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells. Tyrosine phosphorylation of 3BP2 did not depend on calcium influx from external sources. To examine the role of 3BP2 in mast cells, we overexpressed the SH2 domain of 3BP2 in the RBL-2H3 cells. Overexpression of 3BP2-SH2 domain resulted in a suppression of antigen-induced degranulation as assessed by beta-hexosaminidase release. Even though overall tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular protein was not altered, antigen-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) and calcium mobilization were significantly suppressed in the cells overexpressing the 3BP2-SH2 domain. Furthermore, antigen stimulation induced the association of 3BP2-SH2 domain with LAT and other signaling molecule complexes in the RBL-2H3 cells. FcepsilonRI-mediated phosphorylation of JNK and ERK was not affected by the overexpression of 3BP2-SH2 domain. These data indicate that 3BP2 functions to positively regulate the FcepsilonRI-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma and thereby the signals leading to degranulation.     

Establishment and characterization of human T hybrid cells secreting immunoregulatory molecules.

Hybridization of human T cells with an azaguanine-resistant human T cell line gave rise to T hybrid cell lines secreting several immunoregulatory molecules. Analyses of karyotypes, HLA phenotypes, and other surface phenotypes, such as T-cell-specific antigens or receptors for sheep erythrocytes and the patterns of mitogen responsiveness confirmed that the hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine-resistant cell lines were human T-T hybridomas. One of the established hybrid clones (24-A) secreted human interleukin-2 (IL-2). The culture supernatants induced the proliferation of concanavalin A-stimulated murine T cells and supported the proliferation of an IL 2-dependent human cytotoxic T-cell line. In a clone (38-B) that did not show any IL-2 activity in culture supernatants, the addition of macrophages induced IL-2 production in the presence of phytohemagglutinin, suggesting that interleukin-1 induced IL-2 production in T hybrid cells. Hybrid cells secreting killer helper factor were also established. The culture supernatants from this clone, 55-A, helped the induction of cytotoxic T cells against UV-treated human B-blastoid cells but did not show any IL-2 activity.     

Expression and replication of hepatitis B virus genome in transgenic mice.

We produced transgenic mice by microinjecting a partial tandem duplication of the complete hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome into fertilized eggs of C57BL/6 mice. One of eight transgenic mice was a high producer for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV e antigen (HBeAg) in the serum. The HBV genomes were transmitted to the next generation and these F1 mice also produced HBsAg and HBeAg. mRNAs of 3.5, 2.1, and 0.8 kilobases were detected in the livers and the kidneys of these mice. In addition, a 0.8-kilobase RNA was detected in the testis. Single-stranded and partially double-stranded HBV DNAs were shown to be produced in the cytoplasm of the liver and kidneys. These HBV DNAs were associated with the core particles, indistinguishable from nucleocapsid produced in an infected human liver. Viral genome DNA was detected in the serum. These results demonstrate that the HBV genome integrated into the mouse chromosome acted as a template for viral gene expression, allowing viral replication. Thus, these transgenic mice should be useful for detailed studies of the replication and expression of HBV and for pathological studies of hepatitis, including the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Successful treatment by voliconazole for pulmonary and adductor magnus muscle aspergillosis induced by immunosuppressive therapy for hypersensitivity pneumonia]

A 74-year-old woman was treated with steroid and cyclosporine A for hypersensitivity pneumonia. To examine the causes of general fatigue and increased levels of beta-D glucan in serum, she was admitted to our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed nodular opacity with a well-defined margin in the right S1. 67Ga scintigraphy image showed high uptake in the left thigh and CT showed circularly enhanced lesions in the thigh. An ultrasonography-guided needle aspiration and biopsy of the muscle abscess allowed isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus and evidence of necrotic tissues around the granuloma formation. We therefore diagnosed invasive aspergillosis. Because of the poor response to initial therapy with micafungin and itraconazole for 4 weeks, we treated her with voliconazole (VCZ). Spectacular regression of lung lesions and muscle abscesses was rapidly achieved. Furthermore, the high level of beta-D glucan in serum decreased gradually. This case suggests that administration of VCZ can be recommended for deep seated mycoses.     

Physiological and pathological age-associated changes in diurnal rhythm of energy expenditure in rats

Although the idea that energy metabolism of rats decreases with age has been widely accepted, few studies with regard to the diurnal rhythm of energy expenditure have been reported. Whether age alone altered the diurnal rhythm of energy expenditure was examined in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The same determination was conducted in Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats to examine the effect of insulin resistance and diabetes. OLETF rats were developed as a model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with mild obesity. The characteristic features of OLETF rats are late onset of hyperglycemia at about 18 weeks of age, followed by insulin deficiency at about 65 weeks. Age-associated changes in diurnal rhythm of energy expenditure were not observed in SD rats. In OLETF rats, the diurnal rhythm of energy expenditure with two peaks was observed at 8 weeks of age, while these two peaks disappeared at 24 weeks of age (with NIDDM). Then, the pattern of diurnal rhythm at 44 weeks of age (with advanced NIDDM) was resembled to that of 62 weeks of age (with insulin deficiency). In conclusion, we clarified the changes in diurnal rhythm of energy expenditure associated with the progress of diabetes, while age alone did not alter the diurnal rhythm.