"Quix" is an immunochromatography-based direct detection kit for the E. coli O157 LPS antigen in the patient's stool. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the kit for rapid diagnosis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 infection. Sensitivity of the kit was determined using a pure culture of a clinical isolate of E. coli O157. Analytical sensitivity was found to be 5 x 10(5) CFU/ml. When compared with the culture method using fecal samples of 64 patients and with bloody diarrhea, sensitivity and specificity were 95.0% (19/20) and 86.4% (38/44), respectively, and overall agreement to culture method was 89.1% (57/64). One patient was found positive by culture method while negative in the present method, where the sample contained a low number of the cells less than the detection limit. Four of the six patients with a negative result by culture method and positive in the present method, were confirmed E. coli O157 infection by positive IgM antibody response against the E. coli O157 LPS. The discrepancy between the two methods seemed to be attributable to antibiotic administration. In one patient, Salmonella urbana (O30(1)30(2)) was detected. The O30(1) antigen of this bacterium is well known to be identical to the E. coli O157 antigen. When the present method was compared with an ELISA-based E. coli O157 LPS antigen detection kit, sensitivity and specificity were 100% (11/11) and 82.1% (23/28), and overall agreement to ELISA method was 87.2% (34/39). From these findings, Quix is useful as a rapid diagnostic kit in the primary clinics, outpatient or bedside use. E. coli O157 LPS antigen in patient's fecal samples can be detected in about five minutes with this simple procedure. Early diagnosis using such a simple kit will largely contribute for the early treatment and prevention of severe complications of the E. coli O157 infection.

Phytolith analysis was applied to clarify a vegetation history at stands on the Dorokawa Mire, northern Hokkaido. Phytolith assemblages from surface samples and Holocene deposits from the mire are used to clarify the stand-scale vegetation history, with special focus on the dynamics of Gramineae, which includes dwarf bamboo, and the establishment of stands on the mire. The phytolith records during the early Holocene (to cal BP) indicate the distribution of Pooideae dominated vegetation, which reflects the cool climate. (reed) dominated vegetation from the early to mid Holocene (to cal BP) suggests wet conditions like low-moor. The reed was replaced by dwarf bamboo at cal BP, although the distribution of dwarf bamboo was scattered. At cal BP, dwarf bamboo increased abruptly and has been sustained to the present. Also, Pinaceae type phytoliths began to occur continuously at cal BP. Taking into account the relationship between modern vegetation and modern phytolith assemblages on the mire, the occurrence of the Pinaceae type phytoliths from the sediment samples indicates the existence of in the study sites. On the basis of these results, stands with dense undergrowth of dwarf bamboo would have been established in the study sites on the mire by cal BP at least. canic ash and gravel", "sand dunes", "serpentinite widespread on the mountain slopes of the area. In general, forests are established on dominated stands with dense specific sites. Tatewaki () classified undergrowth of dwarf bamboo are established forests into six habitat types : "mire", "volon the Dorokawa Mire, which covers the drainage basin of the Dorokawa River in northern substrate", "conglomerate" and "remains of fire Hokkaido. On the other hand, mixed forests disturbance" types. According to the habitat composed of some conifers and hardwood trees types, the stands on the Dorokawa (etc.) are Mire are classified as a "mire" type.