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Improper processing and storage of raw milk contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus at elevated temperatures can result in the production of staphylococcal enterotoxins, especially type A (SEA), which is most frequently associated with food poisoning outbreaks such as the large one in Osaka, Japan, in 2000. In this study, the characteristics of S. aureus growth and SEA production at various high temperatures in raw milk samples were studied using two raw milk samples naturally containing low and high levels of natural microflora. The optimal temperatures found for SEA production in the two milk types were as high as 40 and 44°C (range, 36 to 48°C), and SEA production was dependent on the initial dose of S. aureus. These high temperatures were close to that of the outbreak in Japan. Thus, it was concluded that temperature was critical for SEA production in raw milk It was also observed that natural microflora in the milk samples considerably suppressed SEA production but not staphylococcal growth. On the other hand, the amount of toxin in most milk samples decreased after peaking during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: There is a difference between complete and incomplete cleft lip with regard to the nasal shape. Severe nasal deformity is found in almost all cases of complete cleft lip. This problem has been approached by preoperative nasoalveolar moulding, primary nasal correction and the use of a nostril retainer. We corrected the nasal deformity associated with complete cleft lip by using the combination of a nostril suspender and lip adhesion before cleft lip repair. The present article outlines this treatment strategy and assesses the effects of our treatment on nasal deformity. Methods: Fourteen patients with complete cleft lip and palate were assigned to two groups for retrospective analysis: group A comprised seven patients, who underwent cleft lip repair after a combination of nostril suspension and lip adhesion, while group B had seven patients, who received cleft lip repair alone. In group A, a nostril suspender was fabricated and fitted to each patient at the initial visit, while lip adhesion was done at 1 month of life. At 1 year postoperatively, four parameters (nostril symmetry, alar cartilage slump, alar base level and columellar tilt) were scored on a scale of 1–4 to compare nasal shape between the two groups. Results: With respect to nostril symmetry, alar cartilage slump and columellar tilt, group A showed less deformity compared with group B and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of a nostril suspender and lip adhesion can achieve dynamic correction of the nasal deformity associated with complete cleft lip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tumor cells often express phenotypic markers that are specific to the cells from which they originated. A neural RNA-binding protein, Musashi1, is an evolutionarily well-conserved marker for neural stem cells/progenitor cells. To examine the origin of gliomas, we examined the expression of the human Musashi1 homolog, MSI1, in human glioma tissues and in normal human adult and fetal brains. As we had seen previously in rodents, in the normal human brain, MSI1 was expressed in cells located in the ventricular and subventricular zones, in GFAP-negative glial cells, and in GFAP-positive astrocytes. In glioblastomas, MSI1 was expressed in GFAP-negative tumor cells forming foci that were clearly demarcated and surrounded by GFAP-positive cells. Tumor cells arranged in pseudopalisades were also strongly immunoreactive with MSI1 antibodies. The percentage of MSI1-labeled tumor cells increased in higher-grade astrocytomas and correlated with proliferative activity, as estimated by an MIB-1 staining index. Our results indicate that MSI1 is an excellent marker for neural progenitor cells including neural stem cells in normal human brains. Furthermore, the expression of MSI1 correlates well with the immature nature as well as the malignancy of tumor cells in human gliomas. Thus, we expect the analysis of MSI1 expression to contribute to the understanding of the cellular origin and biology of human gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are attracting major interest as potential non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to identify a novel serum miRNA biomarker for the early detection and/or evaluating prognosis of CRC patients. Patients and methods: Comprehensive miRNA array analysis was carried out using serum samples from patients with colorectal neoplasia and healthy controls. Next, to verify whether the candidate miRNA possessed a secretory potential, we screened miRNA expression levels in culture medium from 2 CRC cell lines, followed by serum analysis from 12 stage IV CRC, 12 adenoma, and 12 control subjects. Thereafter, we validated expression of candidate miRNAs in 179 primary CRC tissues, as well as serum samples from an independent cohort of 211 CRCs, 56 adenomas, and 57 control subjects. Results: Through microarray analysis, we identified significantly higher levels of miRNA-1290 (miR-1290) in serum from patients with colorectal adenomas and cancers. We verified miR-1290 overexpression in serum of CRC patients in a training cohort. In the validation cohort, serum miR-1290 levels were significantly up-regulated in patients with colorectal adenomas (P < 0.0001) and cancers (P < 0.0001). Serum miR-1290 levels could robustly distinguish adenoma [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.718] and CRC patients (AUC = 0.830) from normal subjects. High miR-1290 expression in serum and tissue was significantly associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Moreover, serum miR-1290 levels were an independent prognostic factor [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23-23.69; P=0.0096] and an independent predictor for tumor recurrence (hazard ratio = 3.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.11-25.14; P=0.032) inCRC. Conclusions: Serum miR-1290 is a novel biomarker for early detection, recurrence, and prognosis in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: The mechanism of distant recurrence in rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has yet to be fully elucidated. Further improvements in survival rates cannot be achieved without decreasing distant recurrence after preoperative CRT. Recently, it was reported that hypoxic conditions were correlated with cancer stem cell generation. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between the expression of CD133 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and their association with clinical outcome. Materials and methods: Fifty-two patients with rectal cancer underwent preoperative CRT. Residual cancer cells after CRT were obtained from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens using micro-dissection. The expression levels of CD133 (PROM1) and HIF-1α genes were measured using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between expression and irradiation was evaluated using colon cancer cell lines. Immunohistochemical staining of these proteins after CRT was also investigated. Results: We observed a significant inverse correlation between the gene expression of CD133 (PROM1) and HIF-1α genes in residual cancer cells after CRT. Elevated CD133 gene expression was associated with distant recurrence and poor recurrence-free survival. Elevated HIF-1α gene expression was associated with poor overall survival. In vitro, the change in gene expression levels after irradiation showed inverse patterns. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that residual cancer cells strongly expressed CD133 and lacked HIF-1α expression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CD133 and HIF-1α expression is associated with tumour re-growth and distant recurrence after CRT. These results may assist in clarifying the development of future cancer therapeutics in rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative CRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new measurement of proton resonance scattering on 7Be was performed up to the center-of-mass energy of 6.7 MeV using the low-energy RI beam facility CRIB (CNS Radioactive Ion Beam separator) at the Center for Nuclear Study of the University of Tokyo. The excitation function of elastic scattering above 3.5 MeV was measured successfully for the first time, providing important information about the resonance structure of the 8B nucleus. The resonances are related to the reaction rate of 7Be()8B, which is the key reaction in solar 8B neutrino production. Evidence for the presence of two negative parity states is presented. One of them is a state observed as a broad s-wave resonance, the existence of which had been questionable. Its possible effects on the determination of the astrophysical S-factor of 7Be()8B at solar energy are discussed. The other state had not been observed in previous measurements, and its spin and parity were determined as . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Single-particle properties of low-lying resonance levels in 14O have been studied efficiently by utilizing a technique of proton elastic resonance scattering with a 13N secondary beam and a thick proton target. The excitation functions for the elastic scattering were measured over a wide energy range of and fitted with an R-matrix calculation. A clear assignment of has been made for the level at in 14O for the first time. The excitation functions show a signature of a new level at with . The excitation energies and widths of the 14O levels are discussed in conjunction with the spectroscopic structure of nuclei with . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With using low-energy RI beams from an in-flight RIB separator, CRIB, the most crucial stellar reaction 14O(α,p)17F for the onset of the high-temperature rp-process was directly investigated and the transitions through the states at around 6.2 MeV in 18Ne were first observed, confirming the importance predicted before. The (α,p) reaction leading to the first excited state in 17F was also found to have a large contribution. A proton resonance search experiment of 23Mg + p was also discussed, which is a part of our series of resonance search studies relevant to the early stage of the rp-process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Influences of recently developed methods for coronary intervention on hemostasis in the coronary circulation are unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in coagulation and platelet activation in the coronary circulation induced by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We studied 35 patients with coronary heart disease who underwent elective PTCA to isolated stenotic narrowing of left coronary arteries. Seven patients received only PTCA, 12 underwent percutaneous transluminal rotational atherectomy (PTRA), and 16 underwent stent implantation. Blood samples were drawn from the coronary sinus immediately before and after as well as 4 and 24 hours after PTCA. Plasma levels of tissue factor (TF), thrombin-antithrombin III complex, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), beta-thromboglobulin, and platelet factor 4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In all patients, TF levels in the coronary sinus blood showed significant increases 4 and 24 hours after PTCA and thrombin-antithrombin III complex levels showed significant increases 24 hours after PTCA. PAI-1 showed significant increases 24 hours after PTCA and t-PA showed significant increases 4 and 24 hours after PTCA. Changes in levels of these markers by PTCA were similar among the 3 groups. In PTRA, levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, markers of platelet activation, increased immediately after the procedure and returned to baseline levels after 4 hours. PTCA induced increases in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in the coronary circulation. PTRA caused a marked but transient activation of platelets. These changes may contribute to acute complications during the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]