Fumakilla (Japan)

Numerous studies have focussed on the mechanisms of entry of pesticides into insect body parts such as oral intake, penetration through the integument of the body wall, and inhalation through spiracles. However, little is known about how insecticides spread to the points of entry or the paths on the body surface that are used to reach the target sites. In this study, elemental signals of pesticide-mimicking test solutions were tracked and their routes of spreading in experimental insects (Blattella germanica L.) were investigated using NanoSuit (a method of surface modification) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, combined with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. When the test solution initially adhered to the dorsal and/or ventral body surface, it tended to spread horizontally to reach lateral plates. Whereas, when the solution directly adhered to the anterior side of the lateral plates, it spread to posterior segments. In this case, however, spreading in the opposite direction (i.e., the solution directly adhered to the posterior side of the lateral plates) was interrupted at a boundary erected by different groups of fine structures; each protrusion was large, and the arrangement was rather dense in the posterior segments. Morphological features of these fine structures and chemical characteristics of the hydrophobic surface substances potentially regulate the strength of the capillary force, which determines pesticide spreading.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease. Animal models induced by relevant allergens play a very important role in the elucidation of the disease. The patients with atopic dermatitis are highly sensitized with mite allergens such as Dermatophagoides farinae (Df). Therefore, in the present study, we tried to develop a novel model for atopic dermatitis by repeated application with Df extract ointment. Df extract ointment was repeatedly applied to the back of NC/Nga mice together with barrier disruption. Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions were evaluated by dermatitis scores, skin histology and immunological parameters. The effect of corticosteroid and calcineurin inhibitor was also examined. Repeated application of Df extract ointment caused rapid increase in dermatitis scores. Clinical (skin dryness, erythema, edema and erosion) and histological symptoms (dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and inflammatory cell infiltration) in this model were very similar to those in human atopic dermatitis. Serum total and Df-specific IgE levels were elevated in this model compared with normal mice, and draining lymph node cells isolated from the mice that exhibited dermatitis produced significant amounts of interleukin-5, interleukin-13 and interferon-gamma after re-stimulation with Df. Furthermore, current first-line drugs for the treatment of human atopic dermatitis, corticosteroid and tacrolimus ointments, were effective against the clinical and histological symptoms in this model. These results suggest that the model we have established is useful for not only elucidating the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis but also for evaluating therapeutic agents.

An immunoreactive clone, which shares no homology with the major allergens, Der f I and Der f II, was isolated by screening of a Dermatophagoides farinae cDNA library with rabbit antiserum raised against an extract of the house dust mite and sera from patients with mite allergy. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cDNA of the clone is significantly homologous, up to 65.5%, to the carboxyl-terminal region of the heat shock cognate protein (hsc) 71 in the heat shock protein (hsp) 70 family. A pool of the recombinant protein-specific IgE purified from mite-allergic sera recognized a 67 kDa protein on a blot of ATP-binding components partially purified from the mite body extract, while the antibody did not bind to the major allergens. We conclude that the recombinant protein, one of several important allergens, may be a protein in the heat shock protein 70 family from the house dust mite, D. farinae.

Abstract Asymmetric reduction of ethyl benzoylformate were conducted using chiral NADH model compounds with various substituents at the 3‐ and N1‐positions of the dihydronicotinamide. In one case, in which l‐prolinamide resides at the terminal of the N1‐substituent, the optical yield was 90%; the remote asymmetric induction was ascribed to a stereospecific blockage of one of the diastereotopic faces in the dihydronicotinamide by an interaction of the amide functions with magnesium.

Journal Article Asymmetric Reduction with Bis(NADH) Model Compounds Get access Fumitoshi Hoshide, Fumitoshi Hoshide Fumakilla Co., Ltd., Ohno-cho, Saeki-gun, Hiroshima-ken 739-04 Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Satoshi Ohi, Satoshi Ohi Fumakilla Co., Ltd., Ohno-cho, Saeki-gun, Hiroshima-ken 739-04 Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Naomichi Baba, Naomichi Baba Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Jun-ichi Oda, Jun-ichi Oda Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Yuzo Inouye Yuzo Inouye Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, Volume 46, Issue 8, 1 August 1982, Pages 2173–2175, https://doi.org/10.1080/00021369.1982.10865408 Published: 01 August 1982 Article history Received: 15 April 1982 Published: 01 August 1982