We screened the differentiation-inducing activities of 39 mushroom extracts from Akita prefecture, Japan, on the mouse osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-1. Sixteen phosphate buffered saline (PBS), boiled PBS, 14 ethanol and 12 methanol extracts induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, an indicator of MC3T3-1 cell differentiation. The enzyme activities were markedly induced by extracts of Tricholoma auratum, and we isolated the active compound from methanol extracts of this mushroom. Physical data for the isolated active compound were identical to those for (,24R)-ergosta-,-diene-3β,,-triol (1). 1 induced ALP activities of MC3T3-1 cells and promoted cell proliferation. To investigate the relationships between the chemical structure and differentiation-inducing activity of the compound, ALP-inducing activities of MC3T3-1 cells by 1, ergosterol (2), ergocalciferol (3), cholesta-3β,,-triol (4), -dehydrocholesterol () and cholecalciferol () were tested. The enzyme activities of MC3T3-1 cells were increased 3.0-fold by 10 μM 1 and 2.4-fold by 10 μM 4. However, 2, 3, and did not induce MC3T3-1 cell ALP activity at 0.1—10 μM. These results suggested that the OH groups at - and/or - of 1 and 4 played an important role in their differentiation-inducing activities on MC3T3-1 cells. Furthermore, 1 suppressed induction of MC3T3-1 cell apoptosis by serum starvation.

抄録全体を表示

背景と目的：ステロイド性骨粗鬆症は，積極的な治療介入が必要とされる．その第一選択薬はビスホスホネート製剤（以下ビス）であるが，近年，デノスマブ（以下デノス）も注目を浴びている．ステロイド性骨粗鬆症の骨密度に対する両者の効果を比較検討した．

方法：ステロイド性骨粗鬆症の管理と治療ガイドライン：2014年改訂版の薬物療法開始の基準を満たした患者を対象とした．無治療群（N群）と，治療介入群として当初よりビスで治療したBB群，ビス後デノスに変更したBD群，デノスで治療したDD群，デノス後ビスに変更したDB群を抽出し，ステロイド投与を開始した時，ステロイド性骨粗鬆症に対する治療を開始した時または薬剤変更から

カ月後の腰椎，大腿骨頚部と大転子部の骨密度を測定し，それらの変化を統計学的に比較検討した．

結果：149例が抽出され，その内訳は，N群48例，BB群24例，BD群

例，DD群21例，DB群34例であった．治療開始時または薬剤変更からカ月後にBD群を除くすべての治療介入群で腰椎の骨密度が上昇した．大腿骨の骨密度は，BD群において薬剤変更後に上昇に転じた．

考察：デノスにはビスと同様の骨密度上昇効果があると考えられた．

結論：デノスは，ステロイド性骨粗鬆症治療の第一選択薬となり得る．

抄録全体を表示

An empirical equation in use for estimating the pseudo-elastic shear modulus, G_f, of subsoil, associated with shear strains less than 0.001% is proposed in this paper. In a series of in-situ seismic cone tests performed nationwide, the profiles of both G_f and the in-situ void ratio, , with depth were successfully characterised at five sites, each comprising a soft clay layer deposited in the Holocene era. The database which comprised the original data from the field and laboratory tests, coupled with similar information on well-documented Holocene clay deposits in Europe, was statistically analyzed in attempts to determine a generalised relationship with which G_f of soft clay may be reasonably estimated only from routinely available borehole data; that is and the current geostatic effective overburden pressure, σ'_v. An empirical relationship, G_f=, 000 -√(σ'_v) (kPa), was derived from the statistical analysis applied to data from seven different clays worldwide, for which extended over a range between 1 and , and the overconsolidation ratio ranged roughly between 1 and 2. The applicability of the proposed relationship was evaluated for two case records, each in which the clay exhibited unusual behavior; i.., the undrained shear strength remained more or less constant with depth due to the existence of artesian pressure at one site, and, at the other, G_f decreased, whereas increased, with depth. It was demonstrated that even in these clay deposits exhibiting exceptional profiles, the proposed relationship was capable of predicting G_f with a reasonable accuracy by determining the profiles of and σ'_v with depth. In addition, the prediction when compared to G_max from carefully performed laboratory cyclic tests, yielded a better estimate of G_f from the in-situ seismic survey. Despite the fact that the empirical relationship was initially designated to estimate G_f of soft clays, it may be equally applicable to sandy deposits. This was verified by comparing it to similar, and well-established, relationships developed for sands. A case record as such is also described for a loose sand deposit at Higashi-Ohgishima in Tokyo Bay which was placed in 1960's by land reclamation.

抄録全体を表示

抄録全体を表示

In this paper, consideration is given as to how to characterize depth-variation for the small-strain shear modulus of natural clay sedimentation, in a state of normal consolidation. A case study was carried out for a relatively uniform clay layer deposited in the Holocene era. Initially, the effects of both strain and in-situ stress levels on secant shear modulus were carefully examined in cyclic torsion shear tests using undisturbed samples, which were recovered at different depths in a test borehole. The range of shear strain examined was between 0.001% and 1%. Similar examination was made for a silty clay using reconstituted samples that were isotropically consolidated at different stress levels. On the basis of the results of these laboratory tests, together with the shear modulus from an in-situ seismic survey, the small-strain shear modulus was formulated in terms of the stress and strain levels, and linked also to undrained shear strength. Interactions of the small strain stiffness between in-situ and laboratory are discussed in depth with an attention paid to the existing aging effect in the original subsurface condition.

抄録全体を表示

Distribution of bacteria which produce enzyme capable of lysing Str. mutans 49 strain in human dental plaques was investigated on adults of age 20 to . The activity of the enzyme (MLE) produced by an isolated strain (FDC-63) was also investigated. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. MLE producing bacteria were detected in 43 samples (37.1%) out of 116 samples of dental plaques obtained from adults of age 20 to . 2. Twenty four samples had MLE producing bacteria at the rate of over % of total number of bacteria in each sample. 3. The 40 strains isolated were composed of .% of Gram positive cocci, 2.% of Gram negative cocci and % of Gram positive rods. 4. Most of the isolates (84.%) showed lytic activity against living cells of 49 on GAM agar plates. . The MLE produced by FDC-63 had lytic activity against both living and heat killed cells of 49 under aerobic or anaerobic condition. . The activity of the MLE was rather weak against purified cell walls of 49. . Optimal pH in the activity of the MLE was .0 and optimal temperature 37℃. The activity of the MLE was lost by heating at 60℃ for 60 min. . FDC-63 was identified as Streptococcus milleri.

抄録全体を表示

The behavior of the soft clay grounds subjected to repeated loading is different from that subjected to sustained loading. The difference in settlement between these two loading patterns should be due to secondary compression over a long period of time. Consequently, soft clay grounds subjected to repeated loading tend to be more compressible than those subjected to sustained loading. Therefore, it is necessary for engineers to predict post-construction settlements under repeated loading. In this respect, the preloading is considered to be promising as a countermeasure to reduce the settlement of clay under repeated loading as well as under sustained loading. The effect of preloading on post-construction consolidation settlement of soft clay subjected to repeated loading after removal of a part of preload is investigated in the present paper. It has become clear that the settlement of a clay sample after preconsolidation is mainly affected by the amount of preload, the degree of consolidation due to the preload, the amount of permanent load and the amount of repeated load after removal of preload. The calculated settlement versus time relations using a method to estimate the amount of consolidation settlement of soft clay grounds subjected to repeated loading after removal of preloading were compared with the observed degree of consolidation as parameters of the intensities of preload and repeated load.

抄録全体を表示

Leakage of water due to internal erosion through a dam body or foundation is a major problem with fill-type dams. Recent case histories and research suggest that most cases of internal erosion are possibly triggered by hydraulic fracturing. However, the quantitative mechanism of hydraulic fracturing still remains to be solved. Therefore in-situ hydraulic fracture tests were carried out with a cheap, concise apparatus using boreholes dug in the soft clayey volcanic soil foundation of a low earth dam (Oyachi Dam) in Niigata Prefecture. Water was injected into the foundation through a perforated pipe by two methods : one was under a controlled injection pressure and the other was a controlled injection flow rate. In the former method, the relationship between flow rate and injection pressure was observed and it was found that a yield pressure or fracture pressure existed in all the tests. By repeating the injection test it was confirmed that once a crack is developed, it is very easily reopened by a water pressure a little higher than the earth pressure exerted on the crack. In the latter method, the relationship between injection pressure and time was observed and it was found that fracture pressure varied with flow rate. The boreholes were excavated to observe the development of fracture cracks and it was also found that the cracks had developed perpendicular to the borehole periphery, which means that fracture cracks were induced by tensile stress and denies the explanation that fractures are caused by shear failure.

抄録全体を表示

New-type inducers of differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60, i.

e

., 4- (, , , -tetrahydro-, , , -tetramethyl-2-naphthalenylcarbamoyl) benzoic acid (Am 80) and () -4- [3- (3, -di-tert-butylphenyl) -3-oxo-l-propenyl] benzoic acid (Ch 55), suppress -myc expression as all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) does. The decreased level of -myc expression was detected within -14 h after the start of treatment, and preceded morphological differentiation and functional differentiation measured in terms of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction. Treatment of HL-60 cells with 0.1 μm Am 80, Ch 55 or RA for 96 h caused more than 90% suppression of -myc expression and around 10-fold increase in the percentage of NBT-positive cells.

抄録全体を表示

The ability of Climacodon septentrionalis to immobilize and kill a mycophagous nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.) in vitro is described for the first time. Two isolates produced droplets (20–45 μm in diameter) that formed at the apices of tall, stalked, and branching secretory cells (700–1,500 μm tall). On 2% modified malt extract agar, nematodes became enveloped in the droplets, which restricted their ability to move and resulted in complete immobilization and death within several hours of contact. The rate of decomposition of the nematodes varied considerably, with most individuals persisting for weeks whereas others were degraded within several days and appeared to be colonized by dense hyphal growth. This study provides the first documentation of a non-agaricoid fungus producing secretory cells that are able to immobilize nematodes.

抄録全体を表示

Eight new sterols, , -epidioxy-(, 24R)-23-methylergosta-, -dien-3β-ol (1), 3β, , 9α-trihydroxy-(, 24R)-23-methylergosta-, -dien--one (2), 3β, , 9α-trihydroxy-(24S)-ergost--en--one (3), 3β, , 9α, 14α-tetrahydroxy-(, 24R)-ergosta-, -dien--one (4), (, 24R)-ergosta-, -diene-3β, , , 9α-tetrol (), , 9α-epidioxy-3β-hydroxy-(, 24R)-ergosta-, -dien--one (), , 9α-epidioxy-3β-hydroxy-(24S)-ergost--en--one () and , -epoxy-(, 24R)-ergosta-, -diene-3β, , 14α-triol (), have been isolated from five edible mushrooms, Lentinus edodes, Flammulina velutipes, Hypsizigus marmoreus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pholiota nameko together with fifteen known ones (9-23), of which two (16 and 17) are reported for the first time from a fungal source. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data.

抄録全体を表示

The effects of the pressure of ambient gas and sample temperature on photo-acoustic displacement (PAD) were studied quantitatively using an extremely sensitive laser interferometric probe. For silicon, the PAD signal measured at atmospheric pressure increased by about 18% as compared to that obtained in a vacuum, and varied by less than 0.% for a change in pressure of % around 1 atm. This effect was attributed to the decrease in refractive index of the gas adjacent to the sample. Temperature rise caused PAD to increase proportionally, and for GaAs, PAD varied 0.4% per degree. The variation of PAD with temperature was accurately explained by the temperature dependence of thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity of the sample.

抄録全体を表示