The plant pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) regulates the expression of virulence factors by N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated quorum sensing. The LuxI family protein, ExpI, catalyzes AHL biosynthesis in Pcc. The structure of the predominant AHL produced by ExpI differs among Pcc strains, which may be divided into two quorum-sensing classes (QS classes) based on the AHL produced. In the present study, AHL produced by 282 Pcc strains were extracted and identified by LC-MS/MS. Seventy Pcc strains produced N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C8-HSL) as the predominant AHL and were categorized into QS class I. Two hundred Pcc strains produced N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-lhomoserine lactone (3-oxo-C6-HSL) as the predominant AHL, and were categorized into QS class II-1. Twelve Pcc strains produced only small amounts of 3-oxo-C6-HSL, and were categorized into QS class II-2. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amino acid sequences of ExpI may be divided into two major clades (I and II). The Pcc strains categorized into ExpI clades I and II entirely matched QS classes I and II, respectively. A multiple alignment analysis demonstrated that only 6 amino acid substitutions were observed among ExpI from QS classes II-1 and II-2. Furthermore, many amino acid substitutions between QS classes I and II were concentrated at the C-terminal region. These amino acid substitutions are assumed to cause significant reductions in 3-oxo-C6-HSL in QS class II-2 or affect the substrate specificity of ExpI between QS classes I and II.

To evaluate the measurement accuracy of lower leg volumes using a container filled with water and to verify the volumes by using a simulated edema lower leg. [Participants and Methods] Sixteen healthy adults (10 males, 6 females) participated in this study. Their lower legs were inserted twice into a container filled with water. The amount of displaced water overflow was measured. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(1,1)) and Bland-Altman analysis (B-A) were used to determine the reliability of this method, and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was calculated. The amount of displaced water overflow was also assessed using a simulated edema lower leg. [Results] The ICC(1,1) was 0.980. No systematic error was found in B-A. The MDC of measurement error was 159 ml. The amount of displaced water overflow was more than MDC when the simulated edema lower leg was inserted. [Conclusion] The accuracy of the measurement was confirmed in this study. The results suggest that this overflow method can be used to evaluate lower leg volume.

Taping is a therapeutic technique used to prevent and treat sporting injuries and other conditions. This study aimed to clarify how kinesio taping versus non-elastic taping of the trunk affects postural control.[Participants and Methods] Thirty-three healthy male participants were included in this study. Participants were assigned to low or high trunk skeletal muscle mass groups. Main outcomes of path length and area representing the center of gravity sway were measured using a Zebris FDM-S system in three conditions: control, kinesio taping, and non-elastic taping. Tapes were applied to the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and erector spinae muscles. The measured limb position was seated on a balance cushion. [Results] The area of the low trunk mass group differed significantly between kinesio and non-elastic taping. However, the path length of the low trunk mass group and path length and area of participants with high trunk mass did not differ significantly between groups.[Conclusion] This study's findings indicated that two types of taping methods affected the area of gravitational sway in healthy adult males with a low trunk muscle mass.