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Aims To clarify the polyhydroxyalkanoate ( PHA) accumulation potential and the PHA-accumulating microbial community structure in activated sludge in municipal wastewater treatment plants ( WWTPs) and to identify their influential factors. Methods and Results Nine activated sludge samples were collected from municipal WWTPs employing various biological treatment processes. In acetate-fed 24-h batch experiments under aerobic and nitrogen- and phosphorus-limited conditions, polyhydroxybutyrate ( PHB) content of activated sludge increased from 0-1·3 wt% to 7·9-24 wt%, with PHB yields of 0·22-0·50 C-mol 3-hydroxybutyrate (C-mol acetate)−1. Microbial community analyses found that activated sludge samples that accumulated >20 wt% of PHB after 24-h PHA accumulation experiments had >5·0 × 108 copies g−1-mixed liquor-suspended solid of phaC genes. Conclusions Results indicated that (i) activated sludge in municipal WWTPs can accumulate up to approx. 20 wt% of PHA without enrichment processes, (ii) PHA accumulation potential of activated sludge varied depending on the operational conditions (treatment processes) of WWTPs, and (iii) phaC gene number can provide a simple indication of PHA accumulation potential. Significance and Impact of the Study This is the first study to compare the PHA accumulation potential and PHA-accumulating microbial communities in activated sludge of various treatment processes. Our findings may be useful for enhancing the resource recovery potential of wastewater treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) is known to be abnormally expressed in many human carcinomas, suggesting that there may be an increase in serum EGFR levels in patients with malignant melanoma ( MM) and that this might be a possible new tumour marker. Aim To assess whether serum EGFR levels might be a marker of MM. Methods Serum samples were obtained from 66 patients with MM and 12 healthy controls, and EGFR levels were measured by double-determinant ELISA. Results Patients with in situ or stage I MM had significantly higher serum EGFR levels compared with healthy controls. Interestingly, serum EGFR levels decreased gradually with the stage of the tumour, being highest at stage I and lowest at stage IV. There was also a trend towards a reverse correlation between tumour thickness and serum EGFR levels. Moreover, a longitudinal study identified a trend for serum EGFR levels in patients with preoperative MM to decrease compared with patients with recurrent MM. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report investigating the serum EGFR levels of patients with MM, and gives new insight into the relationship between EGFR and MM. We found that serum EGFR levels were significantly increased in patients with early-stage MM such as in situ and stage I tumours. Measurements of serum EGFR levels might be of clinical value in the detection of early-stage MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense proliferation and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes, although the pathogenesis is still not completely clarified. Objectives We investigated the mechanism of keratinocyte proliferation seen in psoriasis, focusing on microRNA (miRNA). Materials and methods miRNAs were extracted from tissues and sera of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and healthy control. To determine pathogenic miRNAs, we performed miRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array analysis. The results were confirmed with quantitative real-time PCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, transient transfection of siRNA and inhibitor in cultured keratinocytes and Western blotting. Results PCR array analysis using tissue miRNA demonstrated miR-424 level was markedly decreased in psoriasis skin in vivo. Protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) or cyclin E1, predicted target genes of miR-424, was increased in psoriatic skin, although their mRNA levels were not. The transfection of specific inhibitor of miR-424 in normal human keratinocytes led to upregulation of MEK1 or cyclin E1 protein, and resulted in increased cell proliferation. On the other hand, cell number was significantly decreased when cells were transfected with siRNA for MEK1 or cyclin E1. Furthermore, we first investigated serum miRNA levels in psoriasis. Although not significant, serum miR-424 concentration tended to be decreased in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls. Conclusions Decreased miR-424 expression and subsequently increased MEK1 or cyclin E1 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of keratinocyte proliferation by miRNA may lead to new treatments and a disease activity marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE) (OMIM 242100) is a major type of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) showing generalized scaling and erythroderma without blister formation. 1 Mutations in ALOX12B (OMIM 603741), encoding 12 R-lipoxygenase (LOX), were identified in patients with CIE in 2002. 2 To date, several ALOX12B mutations have been reported in CIE families. 3,4 LOXs are a family of nonhaem, iron-containing dioxygenases which catalyse dioxygenation of fatty acids with one or more ( Z,Z)-1,4-pentadiene moieties. 5 Three members of the human LOX family, 15-LOX-2, 12 R-LOX and eLOX-3, are preferentially expressed in the skin. 5,6 The 12 R-LOX pathway leads to hepoxilin B3 and trioxilin B3 7 resulting in 20-carboxy-trioxilin A3, 5 which is thought to be a key biological regulator in the skin. 8 12 R-LOX deficiency results in a CIE phenotype in humans 2,9,10 and in mice. 11,12 We report that a Japanese patient with CIE, harbouring one previously unreported ALOX12B mutation p.Arg442Gln and another known mutation p.Arg432X, showed partially disturbed secretion of lamellar granule (LG) contents in the epidermis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To check internal contamination, whole-body counters (WBCs) have been used continuously in Fukushima prefecture since the 2011 disaster. Many WBCs have been installed recently. The accuracy of these WBCs has been tested with bottle manikin absorption phantoms. No significant problems with the performance or accuracy of the WBCs have been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct measurements of seven highly exposed workers at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident have been performed continuously since June 2011. Caesium clearance in the monitored workers is in agreement with the biokinetic models proposed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. After 500 d from the initial measurement, however, the caesium clearance slowed. It was thought to be unlikely that additional Cs intake had occurred after the initial intake, as activity in foods was kept low. And, the contribution from the detector over the chest was enhanced with time. This indicates that insoluble Cs particles were inhaled and a long metabolic rate showed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of epidermolysis bullosa simplex with mottled pigmentation with noncicatricial alopecia in a 28-year-old Japanese man. Topics discussed include asymptomatic reticulate hyper- and hypopigmentation on the trunk and extremities, anomalous polymorphous keratinocytes with dilated intercellular spaces, and p.P25L mutation in KRT5 in all the affected family members.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article on novel compound heterozygous nonsense and missense ABCA12 mutations published in the previous issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article about a family with mild bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (BCIE) showing clinical and histological features similar to ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens (IBS).

In order to differentiate brewing from non-brewing yeasts, a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which targeted the open reading frame of FLO1 was employed. Non-brewing yeasts include ‘non-brewing Saccharomyces yeasts’ and ‘non-Saccharomyces yeasts’. The molecular sizes of the PCR products differed between brewing and non-brewing Saccharomyces yeasts. No FLO1 PCR products were obtained from non-Saccharomyces yeasts. Specific PCR, using oligonucleotide primers that targeted the region between the 5S and 26S rRNA genes, could be used to differentiate brewing yeasts from some non-brewing yeasts. These PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes, Scr FI and Msp I. Different restriction profiles were obtained from brewing and non-brewing yeasts which could not be differentiated using specific PCR of rDNA. These results suggest that it is possible to identify brewing from non-brewing yeasts using specific PCR of FLO1 and rDNA, and detection of restriction fragment polymorphism of rDNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related changes in alpha-tocopherol dynamics in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of 10- to 120-week-old rats were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with redox detection mode. Furthermore, changes in lipid hydroperoxide content and fluidity of erythrocyte membrane with age were assessed using chemiluminescence-HPLC and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, respectively. A slight increase in the alpha-tocopherolquinone/alpha-tocopherol ratio in erythrocyte membrane and a decrease in the alpha-tocopherol in erythrocyte membrane/alpha-tocopherol in plasma ratio were observed. A significant increase in lipid hydroperoxide content and a marked decrease in the fluidity of erythrocyte membrane were seen with age. These findings suggest that alpha-tocopherol uptake in erythrocyte membrane declines, and utilization rate of alpha-tocopherol in erythrocyte membrane increases age-dependently. These changes, which enhanced lipid peroxidation and consequently reduced membrane fluidity, may be caused by the impairment of this transfer mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study elucidates changes in membrane structure and permeability due to the methods of sterilisation and the conditions under which they are carried out. Tubular dialysis membranes of regenerated cellulose having various values for porosity were sterilised by ethylene oxide gas, autoclave or gamma irradiation under varying conditions. Non-sterilised membranes were included as controls. The solute permeability of the membranes was determined using C-urea. The membranes tested showed no difference in clearance of urea or creatinine. Gamma-ray sterilisation under dry conditions greatly reduced the vitamin B clearance and hydraulic permeability of membranes with a water content of below 60%. Hydraulic permeability increased with gamma irradiation for membranes sterilised under wet conditions. A reduction in vitamin B clearance for membranes with a water content of above 60% resulted after autoclave sterilisation. Pore model calculation reveals that membrane shrinkage resulted from sterilisation both by gamma-rays under dry conditions, and by autoclave. Thus, the structure of dialysis membranes varies with the method of sterilisation and the conditions under which the sterilisation is carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effects of gold compounds on the functional activities of rheumatoid synovial fluid and normal serum Cl, C4, and C2 were investigated In vitro. Commercial and purified gold sodium thiomalate in concentrations, us low as 1-25/ig/m! (expressed as elemental gold) inactivated native CT and highly purified CTs, whereas equivalent or higher concentrations of thiomalate had no effect. CT inactivation was caused also by other gold compounds such as gold chloride and gold sodium thiosulphate. The CT inactivation was not reversible following extensive dialysis. The partial protection of C4 and C2, the two natural substrates for CT. indirectly verified the CT inactivation. This is the first study to show that gold compounds inactivate CT, one of the reactants in the pathogenesis and/or perpetuation of rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding associated with automosal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI).

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article about the treatment for inherited skin diseases Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome (CHH) with abnormal lamellar granule contents which appeared in previous issue.

The article presents a case of a baby girl who had been suffering from harlequin ichthyosis, a severe fatal congenital ichthyosis. Its clinical features include thick, plate-like scales with ectropion and flattened ears. After therapy with oral retinoids and local application of carbamide and emollient ointment, the hyperkeratosis has increased. It was found that the mutation of the keratinocyte lipid transporter ABCA12 has caused the disease.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the successful treatment of a cutaneous type adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma through a narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.

Investigates the expression and function of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in human decidual cells. Localization in fibroblasts; Phosphorylation on tyrosine in normal and transformed fibroblasts; Attachment of mouse blastocycts to human decidual cells; Mediation by different mechanisms in blastocyst attachment and outgrowth; Effect of FAK in development and differentiation after attachment.

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic follicular occlusive disease with characteristic recurrent draining sinuses, skin abscesses and disfiguring scars, mainly involving the axilla, groin, perianal and perineal regions. While most HS cases are nonfamilial, familial cases showing autosomal dominant inheritance have been reported. Recently, loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding γ-secretase have been identified as a cause of familial HS in the Chinese and British populations. Objectives To identify mutations in the genes encoding γ-secretase in Japanese patients with familial and nonfamilial HS. Methods Two affected and three unaffected individuals from a Japanese family with familial HS and nine patients with nonfamilial HS were recruited. We conducted mutation analysis of the γ-secretase genes in Japanese patients with familial and nonfamilial HS. Results A novel splice site mutation in the nicastrin gene NCSTN, one of the six key component genes encoding γ-secretase, was identified in the patients with familial HS. Neither unaffected individuals in the family nor 100 ethnically matched control alleles carry this mutation. None of the nine patients with nonfamilial HS carry nonsense, frameshift or splice site mutations in this gene. Conclusions A novel splice site mutation, c.582+1delG, in NCSTN was identified in the familial patients with HS. We also reveal for the first time that a γ-secretase gene mutation is not linked to the development of nonfamilial HS. These results would further pave the way to a better understanding of the contribution of γ-secretase and other genes to the pathogenesis of HS and to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background. Recently, increased evidence has shown that serum micro (mi)RNA levels are a useful biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic value of various diseases. However, serum miRNA has not been investigated in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), to our knowledge. Aim. To investigate the possibility that serum levels of Homo sapiens miR-142 stem-loop (hsa-miR-142-3p), one of the miRNAs regulating the expression of integrin αV, could be a specific disease marker for SSc. Methods. Serum samples were obtained from 61 patients with SSc and 20 healthy controls. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis (DM) and scleroderma spectrum disorder (SSD), who did not fulfil American College of Rheumatology criteria for SSc but might develop SSc in the future, were included as disease controls in this study. miRNAs were purified from serum, and miR-142-3p levels were measured with a quantitative real-time PCR assay. Results. Serum miR-142-3p levels in patients with SSc were significantly higher than in patients with SSD, SLE or DM, and healthy control groups. Patients with increased miR-142-3p levels tended to have a short sublingual frenulum. Conclusions. Our data indicate that serum levels of miR-142-3p may be elevated specifically in patients with SSc, correlating with the severity of this disease, and may be useful diagnostic markers for the presence of SSc and for the differentiation of SSc from SSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]