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H Noda

Publications and source records attributed to H Noda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Characteristics of wine produced by mushroom fermentation.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main microorganism used in wine brewing, because this microbe has potent ability to produce alcohol dehydrogenase. We have recently discovered that some genera of mushroom produced alcohol dehydrogenase, and made wine by using a mushroom in place of S. cerevisiae. The highest alcohol concentration in this wine was achieved with Pleurotus ostreatus (2.6 M, 12.2%). In the case of Agaricus blazei, the same alcohol concentration (1.7 M, 8%) was produced under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This wine produced by A. blazei contained about 0.68% beta-D-glucan, which is known to have a preventive effects against cancer. The wine made by using Flammulina velutipes showed thrombosis-preventing activity, giving a prolonged thrombin clotting time 2.2-fold that of the control. Thus, the wine made by using mushroom seems to be a functional food which can be expected to have preventive effects against cancer and thrombosis.

Agaricales↗
PubMed2001

[The significance of early detection for prostate cancer in mass screening].

PURPOSE: In Mitaka city, mass screening for prostate cancer was conducted for 3 years from 1995 to 1997. Clinical stages were compared between patients found by screening and those diagnosed at our clinic during the same time. The significance of serum-free prostate specific antigen (PSA) in mass screening for prostate cancer was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was conducted on men aged 50 years or older. The primary examination consisted of taking the international prostate symptom score, quality of life score, PSA (Tandem-R) and digital rectal examination (DRE). If PSA was greater than 4.0 ng./ml and/or if DRE suggested cancer, transrectal ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsies were indicated. RESULTS: Of the men screened, 23.2% (320/1375) had serum PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. and/or suspicious findings on DRE. Biopsy was performed in 199 of 320 (62.1%). Cancer was detected in 21 (1.5%, 21/1375). Prostate cancer was found in one case among 154 males (0.65%, 1/154) who were screened twice or more. The cancer stage found by screening was significantly earlier than that diagnosed at the outpatient clinic (Wilcoxon's rank-sum test: p = 0.0047). Receiver operating characteristics analysis showed that the optimal free PSA-to-PSA ratio was 12%. Positive predictive value increased from 18% to 50% when free PSA-to-PSA ratio was combined with PSA. CONCLUSION: 1. Cancer detection rate was 1.5% in the mass screening in Mitaka City. 2. Cancer stage found by screening was significantly earlier than that diagnosed at the outpatient clinic. 3. Free PSA determination might eliminate unnecessary biopsies in men with PSA above 4.0 ng./ml with minimal loss of cancer detection.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Comparisons of factors affecting voiding disorders between patients with benign prostate hyperplasia and volunteers].

PURPOSE: The prostate size and motivation to visit clinics were investigated in patients with prostate hyperplasia. OBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety-five patients who had urinary symptoms and visited our outpatient clinic between September 1994 and October 1999 and 268 age-matched volunteers in Mitaka City who underwent a medical examination of the prostate in June 1997 were compared. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality Of Life Score (QOL score), residual urine volume, prostate volume and urinary flow rate were measured. RESULTS: The prostate volume of the volunteers was 20-25 cm3 irrespective of the age. The prostate size of the outpatients was larger than that of the volunteers for every age group. IPSS and QOL score were significantly higher in the outpatients than in the volunteers. Diurnal urinary frequency and sense of residual urine contributed to the discrimination index of the two groups more significantly than the other scores. There was a significant correlation between prostate volume and residual urine volume. The score of weak urinary steam was inversely and significantly correlated with peak urinary flow rate. CONCLUSIONS: There was no age-related enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate gland was significantly larger in the patients than in the volunteers even in those in their fifties. Urinary frequency and sense of residual urine are important factors for men to seek and receive medical care.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Value of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay in pathological stage T3N0 prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: We tested the ability of the nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect signs of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer in the lymph nodes and peripheral blood of patients with pT3N0 prostate cancer. METHODS: Using lymph nodes and pre- and postoperative peripheral blood dissected from 30 patients with pT3N0 prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy, we used RT-PCR for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSM) and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to determine the presence of prostate cancer. Results of the nested RT-PCR assay were compared with pathological stages and biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Two of 13 patients with capsular penetration (15%), 6 of 10 patients with invasion of seminal vesicles (60%), and 3 of 7 patients with a positive surgical margin (43%) were RT-PCR-positive for PSM and/or PSA in the lymph nodes. Results of preoperative RT-PCRs of peripheral blood for PSM and for PSA significantly differed between positive and negative results of RT-PCR in lymph nodes (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Results of postoperative RT-PCRs of peripheral blood for PSM and for PSA also significantly different between positive and negative results of RT-PCR in lymph nodes (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively). Nine of 11 patients with positive nested RT-PCR for PSM and/or PSA in the lymph nodes (82%) experienced biochemical recurrence. Significant difference in Kaplan-Meier recurrence-free actuarial curves was noted between patients who nested positive and negative on RT-PCR in the lymph nodes, pre- and postoperative peripheral blood, biopsy and prostatectomy Gleason score, and preoperative PSA values. In multivariate analysis, biopsy and prostatectomy Gleason score (P = 0.026, P = 0.020, respectively), pre- and postoperative RT-PCR for PSM in peripheral blood (P = 0.030 and P = 0.040, respectively), and RT-PCR for PSM in lymph nodes (P = 0.035) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Nested RT-PCR assay of the lymph nodes or peripheral blood significantly predicted biochemical recurrence after surgery. It may help identify patients at risk for recurrence and progression of prostate cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Evidence from multiple gene sequences indicates that termites evolved from wood-feeding cockroaches.

Despite more than half a century of research, the evolutionary origin of termites remains unresolved [1] [2] [3]. A clear picture of termite ancestry is crucial for understanding how these insects evolved eusociality, particularly because they lack the haplodiploid genetic system associated with eusocial evolution in bees, ants, wasps and thrips [4] [5]. Termites, together with cockroaches and praying mantids, constitute the order Dictyoptera, which has been the focus of numerous conflicting phylogenetic studies in recent decades [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]. With the aim of settling the debate over the sister-group of termites, we have determined the sequences of genes encoding 18S ribosomal RNA, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) and endogenous endo-beta-1, 4-glucanase (EG) from a diverse range of dictyopterans. Maximum parsimony and likelihood analyses of these sequences revealed strong support for a clade consisting of termites and subsocial, wood-feeding cockroaches of the genus Cryptocercus. This clade is nested within a larger cockroach clade, implicating wood-feeding cockroaches as an evolutionary intermediate between primitive non-social taxa and eusocial termites.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Clinical effects of ventricular assist system in end-stage cardiac failure. Advantages of left ventricular blood drainage for recovery from cardiac dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Heart transplantation is extremely limited currently in Japan. As a consequence ventricular assist system implantation is employed the patient falls into end-stage cardiogenic shock. This preliminary report describes our initial clinical experience with use of 2 kinds of ventricular assist system for 13 Japanese patients. METHODS: 7 patients were supported by a left ventricular assist system with blood drainage from the left atrium (LA drainage Group) using a Toyobo ventricular assist system, while another 6 patients were supported by a left ventricular assist system with blood drainage from the left ventricle (LV drainage Group) using the Toyobo ventricular assist system (1 patient) or TCI-LVAS (5 patients). RESULTS: The average duration of ventricular assist system support in the LV drainage Group was 112 days including two on-going patients (now at 39 days and 241 days) and in the LA drainage Group was 49 days. The average left ventricular ejection fraction at 3 weeks after ventricular assist system implantation was improved from 12.3 to 54% using the TCI-LVAS and from 14 to 33% using the Toyobo ventricular assist system with drainage from the left ventricle. However, this was decreased from 20 to 10% using the Toyobo ventricular assist system with drainage from the left atrium. The ventricular assist system was explanted in 4 patients (31%) with recovery of cardiac dysfunction and 3 were long survivors. The 2 on-going patients are awaiting heart transplantation. Thus the current survival rate overall is 38%. The survival rate (67%) is excellent in the LV drainage Group including 2 long survivors after explantation. CONCLUSION: Ventricular assist system support with drainage from the left ventricle seems to be more advantageous for cardiac functional recovery than from the left atrium for end-stage heart failure.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of two investigative assays for the complexed prostate-specific antigen in total prostate-specific antigen between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/mL.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the ability of complexed prostate-specific antigen (cPSA) levels to diagnose prostate cancer. METHODS: Between September 1998 and March 1999, cPSA levels in 182 consecutive patients with an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) or a total PSA (tPSA; Tandem-R assay) level greater than 4.1 ng/mL were examined. Levels of cPSA were measured by the Markit-M PSA-ACT (alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin) assay (cPSA-MM) and Bayer Immuno 1 complexed PSA assay (cPSA-BI). Free PSA (fPSA) was measured by the Tandem-R free PSA assay. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients with tPSA between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/mL, 116 were histologically confirmed as having benign tissue; the remaining 24 were diagnosed with prostate cancer. To ensure a 92% sensitivity of cancer detection, a cutoff value for the tPSA, cPSA-MM, and cPSA-BI assays of 4.8 ng/mL, 2.7 ng/mL, and 4.6 ng/mL, respectively, was determined. The percentage of negative biopsies prevented at these cutoff (ie, specificity) values was 14%, 23%, and 24%. No significant differences among these three assays were found. At 92% sensitivity, the cutoff value for the fPSA/tPSA, fPSA/cPSA-MM, and fPSA/cPSA-BI ratios was 18%, 27%, and 18%, respectively. The specificity was 35%, 49%, and 51%. No significant differences were found among these three fPSA ratios. Significant differences were noted between tPSA and the fPSA/cPSA-MM ratio and between tPSA and the fPSA/cPSA-BI ratio. No differences were seen among the other PSA parameters. CONCLUSIONS: No difference in the ability of cPSA levels to distinguish prostate cancer and noncancer was observed between cPSA-MM and cPSA-BI or between their fPSA ratios. Only the fPSA/cPSA-MM and fPSA/cPSA-BI ratios provided significantly enhanced diagnostic performance compared with tPSA.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

An autopsy case of a charred body which committed suicide after arson.

A severely burned body was found lying on its right side at the scene of the fire in a 2-story wooden apartment house. The presence of a ligature (an electrical cord) running horizontally around the neck aroused suspicion of arson after homicidal strangulation (murder-arson). The entire body was severely burned and partly charred. The head and neck were severely charred, and the left temporal bone had been consumed exposing the brain. Around the neck was looped an electrical cord, which ran horizontally and canted downward toward the nape, leaving a furrow resulting from the knot being tightened up. No other injuries or pathologic lesions suggestive of the cause of death were noted. No drug, poison or alcohol was detectable in the blood or urine. The peculiar method of making a noose of the ligature around the neck is called clove hitch, which makes the noose tighten further with increased load. The fallen curtain rod had a bend with an acute angle, which was considered to have been the point of suspension in hanging. In addition, a lighter was found under the corpse, which was presumably used to ignite the gasoline that the deceased sprinkled. We speculate, therefore, that the deceased hanged himself by placing the electrical cord around his neck (by clove hitch), suspending it from the curtain rod, sprinkling gasoline in his room, igniting it with a lighter, executing suicidal hanging after the start of the fire. Probably the body was wrapped in flames while dangling, then fell to the floor together with the collapsing curtain rod.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Development of mushrooms for thrombosis prevention by protoplast fusion.

With thrombosis a major cause of death in Japan and the Western world, thrombin-inhibitory agents that constrain the formation of fibrin are sought. We screened for basidiomycetes showing anti-thrombin activity and isolated Laetiporus sulphureus. However, it was difficult to cultivate and its form was not satisfactory. We therefore used protoplast fusion between L. sulphureus and the commonly cultivated basidiomycete Hypsizygus marmoreaus to obtain cultivable basidiomycetes that produced an anti-thrombin substance. For the protoplast fusion of L. sulphureus and H. marmoreaus, the protoplast concentration, alternating electric field intensity, dielectrophoresis duration, and field pulse intensity used were of 1 x 10(7) protoplasts/ml, 100 V/cm.1 MHz, 60 s, and 8 kV/cm, respectively. The number of regenerated colonies obtained was 4961, from which 43 strains were selected for electrophoretic analysis. Four of the fusants were found to have a band from each parent in isozyme patterns obtained using their crude extract. The fruiting bodies of the fusants were very similar to those of H. marmoreaus. Crude extract from each of the fusants and from L. sulphureus showed anti-coagulative activity in terms of the thrombin clotting time. We thus obtained improved basidiomycetes that produce an anti-thrombin substance, are easily cultivated, and whose form resembles H. marmoreaus, a commonly used culinary mushroom.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

The significance of the free-to-complexed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio in prostate cancer detection in patients with a PSA level of 4.1-10.0 ng/mL.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the ratio of free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), total PSA (tPSA) and complexed PSA (cPSA, measured using a novel immunoassay) with other variables used to detect prostate cancer in patients with intermediate serum PSA levels of 4.1-10.0 ng/mL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 1997 to August 1998, 140 consecutive patients were assessed; all had intermediate serum PSA levels and/or abnormal findings on a digital rectal examination. All patients underwent transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy, and the prostate and transition zone volumes were determined by TRUS. Free and tPSA were measured using the Tandem-R assay (Hybritech Corp., San Diego, CA). PSA complexed with alpha1-antichymotrypsin (cPSA) was measured using an appropriate assay. The ability of cPSA, free-to-total PSA ratio (f/tPSA), free-to-complexed PSA ratio (f/cPSA), tPSA density of the whole prostate (PSAD), of the transition zone (tPSATZ), and cPSA density of the whole prostate (cPSAD) and of the transition zone (cPSATZ) to improve the power of PSA in detecting prostate cancer was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Of the 140 patients, 126 had histologically confirmed benign disease and 14 had prostate cancer. The cPSA alone had better specificity for detecting prostate cancer than had tPSA alone but the difference was not significant. The area under the ROC curve for f/cPSA was larger than those for all other variables. With a 93% sensitivity for detecting prostate cancer, a f/cPSA threshold of 25% would result in fewer unnecessary biopsies (40% f/cPSA specificity) than with all other PSA variables. The difference in the resolution was significant between f/cPSA and tPSA, cPSA, tPSAD and tPSATZ, but not with f/tPSA, cPSAD or cPSATZ. In patients with a prostate volume of < 30 mL, the cPSATZ showed better specificity for prostate cancer than tPSA alone. CONCLUSION: Measuring the level of cPSA and its derivatives may provide better differentiation of prostate cancer and benign disease than tPSA alone in patients with a tPSA level of 4.1-10.0 ng/mL.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Localization of symbiotic clostridia in the mixed segment of the termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Shiraki).

Phylogeny and the distribution of symbiotic bacteria in the mixed segment of the wood-eating termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Shiraki) were studied. Bacterial 16S rRNA genes (rDNA) were amplified from the mixed segment of the gut by PCR, and two kinds of sequences were identified. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods to identify symbionts harbored in the mixed segment. They are classified as low-G+C-content gram-positive bacteria and are most closely related to the genus Clostridium. The distribution of these bacteria throughout the whole gut was examined by PCR using specific primers, which suggested that they are confined to the mixed segment despite the presence of bacteria throughout the gut. In situ hybridization indicated that the symbiotic bacteria were localized to the ectoperitrophic space between the midgut wall and the peritrophic membrane in the mixed segment. Electron microscopy revealed the close association between these bacteria and the mesenteric epithelium, suggesting that they have some interactions with the gut tissue of termites.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Comparisons of the various combinations of free, complexed, and total prostate-specific antigen for the detection of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the ability of three prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratios - free-to- total PSA ratio (fPSA/tPSA), free-to-complexed PSA ratio (fPSA/cPSA), and complexed-to-total PSA ratio (cPSA/tPSA) - to distinguish prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We tested 258 consecutive patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy because of an abnormal digital rectal examination or a Tandem-R PSA of >4.1 ng/ml. Free PSA (fPSA) and total PSA (tPSA) were measured by Tandem-R assay. alpha(1)-Antichymotrypsin-complexed PSA (cPSA) was measured by Markit-M PSA-ACT assay. RESULTS: Of the 258 patients, 204 had BPH, and 54 had prostate cancer. The specificity at 96% sensitivity for fPSA/tPSA, fPSA/cPSA, and cPSA/tPSA was 23, 25, and 33%, respectively. Of 162 patients with tPSA between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/ml, 132 had BPH and 30 had prostate cancer. The specificity at 96% sensitivity for f/tPSA, f/cPSA and c/tPSA was 32, 44, and 41%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves among fPSA/tPSA, fPSA/cPSA, and cPSA/tPSA in the overall PSA range or in tPSA between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: fPSA/tPSA, fPSA/cPSA, and cPSA/tPSA did not differ in their ability to distinguish prostate cancer from BPH.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Estrogen secreting adrenal adenocarcinoma in an 18-month-old boy: aromatase activity, protein expression, mRNA and utilization of gonadal type promoter.

We examined clinical, endocrinological and molecular biological aspects of an estrogen-secreting adrenal carcinoma in an 18-month-old male to clarify the pathogenesis of this condition. An 18-month-old boy was referred for evaluation of progressive bilateral gynecomastia and appearance of pubic hair. The patient had elevated plasma estradiol (349 pg/ml) and testosterone (260 ng/dl) levels that completely suppressed FSH and LH levels, and was subsequently diagnosed with an adrenal tumor on the right side. After removal of a 300-g adenocarcinoma, gynecomastia regressed and essentially normal hormone levels were restored. Aromatase activity in the tumor tissue determined by the 3H-water method was 71.0-104.4 pmol/min/mg protein. High levels of aromatase protein and mRNA in the tumor tissue were also demonstrated, while neither aromatase activity nor protein was detected in normal adrenal glands. To investigate the regulation of aromatase expression in the adrenal carcinoma, we examined the usage of alternate promoters responsible for aromatase gene transcription. In the present case, the amounts of aromatase mRNA utilizing gonadal types of exon 1c (1.3) and 1d (II) were significantly higher than those that using other exon 1s. This result suggested that the utilization of a gonadal-type exon 1 might be involved in the over-production of aromatase in estrogen-secreting adrenal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

[Dietary intake of trace elements in the general population, estimated from a regional nutritional survey, and comparison with recommended dietary allowances and tolerable upper intake levels].

OBJECTIVES: Dietary intake by the general population of trace elements related to human health is not well known. Therefore, values for zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium, molybdenum, cobalt and aluminum were estimated from food intake data from the 1993 Tottori Prefecture Nutritional Survey. For each element, consumption by the individual person was compared to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and the tolerable upper intake level (UL). METHODS: Daily intake of trace elements by individuals was calculated from food intake data of 1993 Tottori Prefecture Nutrition Survey by computer program written by visual C++ using the trace element food table published by Suzuki (1993) and compared with RDA and UL values. RESULTS: 1. The percentage of people whose intake of zinc was lower than the RDA was 72.0%. Those for copper and manganese were 69.8% and 39.2%, respectively. Persons aged over 60 years consumed less of those trace elements. 2. Few people had a chromium intake lower than the RDA. The same was the case for molybdenum and selenium. However, 9.2% of people had on intake of chromium in excess of the UL, and for manganese, molybdenum and selenium the figures were 0.7%, 81.6% and 9.6%, respectively. 3. The major sources of the trace elements were cereals, fish, meats, vegetables and beans. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to investigate the reason for the low intake of zinc, copper and manganese. It is also to be recommended that food tables for trace elements be produced to feel compliance with the RDA and UL for trace elements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Preoperative cerebrovascular screening before cardiovascular surgery in a high risk area of cerebrovascular events in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular disease and cervical artery diseases are potentially treatable conditions that are associated with an increased incidence of stroke after cardiac surgery. This prospective study was designed to determine the prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases in the high risk population of cerebrovascular event including some young patients in Japan and establish the strategy for cardiac surgery of patients with cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: 100 (71 male, 29 female) of 126 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass were screened for the presence of cerebrovascular disease by intra-arterial angiogram. RESULTS: In seven patients angiographic evaluation disclosed some evidence of cerebrovascular disease for 50% or greater stenosis or cerebral aneurysm. Preoperative 99mTc-Hexamethyl propylene amino oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) single emission computed tomography (SPECT) with combination of balloon arterial occlusion test provided detailed information of cerebral ischemic tolerance and reliable decision making for surgical repair of cerebrovascular disease. No deaths were recorded and a small stroke in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that cerebrovascular screening in patients with cardiovascular disease may be requested in a high risk population of cerebrovascular events.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Pretreatment of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase for biodiesel fuel production from plant oil.

The effects of the pretreatment of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase enzyme (Novozym 435) on methanolysis for biodiesel fuel production were investigated. Methanolysis progressed much faster when Novozym 435 was preincubated in methyl oleate for 0.5 h and subsequently in soybean oil for 12 h. The initial reaction rate of methanolysis catalyzed by both the non-treated and preincubated enzyme decreased significantly with increasing water content. The initial reaction rate increased with increasing methanol content, showed a maximum, and thereafter decreased when the methanol content was increased further. The variation of the initial reaction rate with the methanol content was therefore analyzed using a Michaelis-Menten-type equation with substrate inhibition. Based on this equation, a procedure for the stepwise addition of methanol to the reaction mixture so as to maintain the desired methanol content was determined. When preincubated Novozym 435 was used, the ME content reached over 97% within 3.5 h by stepwise addition of 0.33 molar equivalent of methanol at 0.25-0.4 h intervals.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Metazoan cellulase genes from termites: intron/exon structures and sites of expression.

Endogenous endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (EGase, EC 3.2.1.4) cDNAs were cloned from representatives of the termite families Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae. These EGases are all composed of 448 amino acids and belong to glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GHF9), sharing high levels of identity (40-52%) with selected bacterial, mycetozoan and plant EGases. Like most plant EGases, they consist of a single catalytic domain, lacking the ancillary domains found in most microbial cellulases. Using a PCR-based strategy, the entire sequence of the coding region of NtEG, a gene putatively encoding an EGase from Nasutitermes takasagoensis (Termitidae), was determined. NtEG consists of 10 exons interrupted by 9 introns and contains typical eukaryotic promoter elements. Genomic fragments of EGase genes from Reticulitermes speratus (Rhinotermitidae) were also sequenced. In situ hybridization of N. takasagoensis guts with an antisense NtEG RNA probe demonstrated that expression occurs in the midgut, which contrasts to EGase expression being detected only in the salivary glands of R. speratus. NtEG, when expressed in Escherichia coli, was shown to have in vitro activity against carboxymethylcellulose.

Animals↗