We have developed novel procedures for preparing human hair protein films (Pre-cast and Post-cast methods). The light brown films obtained by these procedures were too fragile to apply to human skin. We found that the film was also formed when the hair proteins extracted by the Shindai method were directly exposed to the solution containing MgCl 2 , CaCl 2 , NaCl or KCl. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the surface of the novel protein films was smooth. The protein films mainly consist of a a-keratins and matrix proteins. After drying, the films became translucent and flexible during folding, indicating the possibility that these protein films are useful for practical applications. Hence, we prepared gauze-coated protein films to reinforce their physical strength and tested the influence on human skin. A patch test showed that the protein films made from individual and multiple human hairs only slightly stimulated rubor and anthema, itching, drying, smarting and pain on the contact area of arm skin.
Occurrence of benzimidazole-resistant strains of Penicillium digitatum in plastic greenhouses and orchard on very early ripening Satsuma before spraying benzimidazoles in harvest season and the reduction of control efficacy. Jpn. J. Phytopathol. 74: 89-96. Harvested fruit of mandarin orange developed rot caused by green mold (Penicillium digitatum), in plastic greenhouses, orchards, and packing houses in August to September 1993 in Saga Prefecture. When the disease was found, many benzimidazole-resistant strains were present among strains of P. digitatum isolated from packing houses at different locations in Saga Prefecture. Benzimidazoleresistant strains were also frequently detected among strains of P. digitatum that were collected from fruit of very early ripening Satsuma in plastic greenhouses and from orchards before any benzimidazoles were sprayed. Thus, benzimidazole sprays would not have prevented fruit rot in those orchards, strongly suggesting that the benzimidazole-resistant strains were widely prevalent at harvest, resulting in that rot was found on the harvested fruit in the packing house and market an epidemic of rot on harvested fruit. This finding differs from the previous view that the populations of resistant strains are extremely low before harvest.
From July to October 1999, two Japanese pear varieties, Housui and Niitaka, were unexpectedly infected with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose in Saga Prefecture of Japan. More than 90 % of the anthracnose fungus strains collected in 1999 were highly benzimidazole-resistant and distributed at high frequencies across pear-producing areas. The control of anthracnose by benzimidazole fungicides could not be confirmed in orchards where the isolation frequency of resistant strains was high. The frequency of resistant strains did not significantly decline, even 2-5 years after the last use of benzimidazole fungicides.
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