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Xenotransplantation of porcine cells, tissues, and organs may be associated with the transmission of porcine microorganisms to the human recipient. A previous, 2009, version of this consensus statement focused on strategies to prevent transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs). This version addresses potential transmission of all porcine microorganisms including monitoring of the recipient and provides suggested approaches to the monitoring and prevention of disease transmission. Prior analyses assumed that most microorganisms other than the endogenous retroviruses could be eliminated from donor animals under appropriate conditions which have been called "designated pathogen-free" (DPF) source animal production. PERVs integrated as proviruses in the genome of all pigs cannot be eliminated in that manner and represent a unique risk. Certain microorganisms are by nature difficult to eliminate even under DPF conditions; any such clinically relevant microorganisms should be included in pig screening programs. With the use of porcine islets in clinical trials, special consideration has to be given to the presence of microorganisms in the isolated islet tissue to be used and also to the potential use of encapsulation. It is proposed that microorganisms absent in the donor animals by sensitive microbiological examination do not need to be monitored in the transplant recipient; this will reduce costs and screening requirements. Valid detection assays for donor and manufacturing-derived microorganisms must be established. Special consideration is needed to preempt potential unknown pathogens which may pose a risk to the recipient. This statement summarizes the main achievements in the field since 2009 and focus on issues and solutions with microorganisms other than PERV.

Objective Methotrexate (MTX) is used as an anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) occasionally develops in patients treated with MTX, and is known as MTX-associated LPD (MTX-LPD). Although MTX-LPD occurs mainly in RA patients, it has not been established if MTX administration is an independent risk factor for LPD in RA patients. We examined the clinical characteristics of MTX-LPD in Japanese RA patients and attempted to determine the risk factors for MTX-LPD development. Methods We performed a nested case–control study on RA patients. We enrolled 5,753 RA patients from Kagawa, Japan. In age- and sex-matched patients, we separated patients who did not develop LPD under MTX treatment (MTX non-LPD group) from those that did (MTX-LPD group) and conducted a comparative examination. We used multivariate analysis to determine the independent risk factors for MTX-LPD onset. Results There were 28 patients in the MTX-LPD group and 125 patients in the MTX non-LPD group. Multivariate analysis of the parameters extracted by univariate analysis revealed that the mean MTX dose was a risk factor for MTX-LPD after adjusting for age; therefore, higher MTX dose is associated with LPD onset in RA patients. Conclusion MTX is an independent risk factor for LPD onset in Japanese RA patients.

Mechanistic insight into the construction of quaternary silicon chiral centers by rhodium-catalyzed synthesis of spiro-9-silabifluorenes through dehydrogenative silylation is reported. The C2 -symmetric bisphosphine ligand, BINAP, was effective in controlling enantioselectivity, and axially chiral spiro-9-silabifluorenes were obtained in excellent yields with high enantiomeric excess. Monitoring of the reaction revealed the presence of a monohydrosilane intermediate as a mixture of two constitutional isomers. The reaction proceeded through two consecutive dehydrogenative silylations, and the absolute configuration was determined in the first silylative cyclization. Competitive reactions with electron-rich and electron-deficient dihydrosilanes indicated that the rate of silylative cyclization increased with decreasing electron density on the silicon atom of the starting dihydrosilane. Further investigation disclosed a rare interconversion between the two constitutional isomers of the monohydrosilane intermediate with retention of the absolute configuration.

We studied electronic transport properties of quantum wires with electron-electron interactions and random potentials. We focus in particular on the roles of the interactions in various situations. In a single wire system the interactions would enhance the random potential effect in some cases while they would suppress it in other cases. Taking analytical and numerical approaches, we clarified the roles in Hubbard wire based on the analysis of 4k F impurity scattering. We also studied the influence of inter-wire interactions between parallel wires in the presence of random potentials and found a rather different role of the interactions on the localization phenomena.

The prevention of dental caries and periodontal diseases is targeted at the control of dental plaque. In this context, chemical agents could represent a valuable complement to mechanical plaque control. The active agents should prevent biofilm formation without affecting the biological equilibrium within the oral cavity. Depending on the goals of the preventive measures, various strategies may be considered. Anti-plaque agents with properties other than bactericidal or bacteriostatic activities may be used in primary prevention. In this approach, a modest anti-plaque effect may be sufficient or even desirable, as it would decrease the side effects of the active agent. Antimicrobial agents are best indicated in secondary and tertiary prevention, as the objectives are to restore health and to prevent disease recurrence. The rational is to prevent or delay subgingival recolonization by pathogenic micro-organisms. The development of in vitro oral biofilm models certainly represents a major advance for studying and testing oral anti-plaque agents in recent years. The results of these studies have shown that chlorhexidine, hexetidine, delmopinol, amine fluoride/ stannous fluoride, triclosan, phenolic compounds, among others, may inhibit biofilm development and maturation as well as affect bacterial metabolism.

Aim: Pioglitazone is considered to reduce insulin resistance. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety and clinical profile of pioglitazone in patients whose type 2 diabetes were poorly controlled with α-glucosidase inhibitor alone or α-glucosidase in combination with sulfonylurea. Methods: Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes were treated with pioglitazone (30 mg q.d.) orally for 16 weeks. Results: There were significant reductions in HbA1C, FPG and postprandial plasma glucose at week 16. As adverse events, oedema, hypoglycaemia-like reaction, increases in LDH, CPK, etc. were noted. There was no significant change in TNF-α. Leptin levels increased significantly at week 16 and were still increasing 4 weeks after the treatment. Per cent body fat was almost constant throughout the study period. When efficacy was classified by demographic variables, pioglitazone was found to be more effective in the subjects who had a higher postprandial 2-h plasma glucose level, leptin level or per cent body fat value. Conclusion: Pioglitazone was considered to be effective when used in patients whose type 2 diabetes were poorly controlled with α-glucosidase inhibitor alone or α-glucosidase in combination with sulfonylurea.

Histopathological features of livers and blood chemical values in cows with abomasal displacement were investigated. Liver biopsy samples were collected during redressment operations in 92 cows with abomasal displacement, and the samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid Schiff (PAS). Blood was collected for chemical tests. Livers were histopathologically divided into the following four types: normal histology cases (21%), fatty degeneration cases (36%), cloudy swelling cases (19%) and fatty degeneration cases with cloudy swelling (24%). The number of PAS-positive samples was significantly higher in the normal histology group and significantly lower in the severe fatty degeneration group and severe cloudy swelling group. Cows with fatty degeneration had significantly higher levels of serum 3-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid and aspartate aminotransferase than did those with cloudy swelling or normal histology. The results indicate that the morbid conditions of cows with abomasal displacement can be classified into four types.

Soybean (Glycine max) cv. Harosoy 63 is resistant to race 1 and susceptible to race 9 of Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. glycinea (Pmg). In detached primary leaves inoculated with zoospores, growth of race 1 was completely suppressed 16 h after inoculation, while race 9 was unaffected. The amount of the phytoalexin glyceollin that accumulated, however, was not significantly different in either the incompatible or compatible interaction 16 h after inoculation. At the circumference of the inoculated area, a slight accumulation of phytoalexin was observed only in the incompatible interaction 20 h or more after inoculation. Tolerance of race 9 to the phytoalexin was significantly higher than that of race 1 when the phytoalexin was added to agar. Moreover, race 9 degraded glyceollin faster than race 1. On leaves inoculated at separate points with either race, the lesion associated with race 9 never colonized areas inoculated with race 1. These results suggest that factor(s) other than the accumulation of phytoalexin in soybean tissue might cause cessation of growth of Pmg.

Pig-to-human xenotransplantation has been proposed as a possible solution to the world shortage of organ donors. Additionally, cell/tissue xenotransplantation shows promise in the treatment of patients with diabetes, neuronal and eye diseases. At present, barriers to xenotransplantation still include graft rejection, physiological compatibility issues and the threat posed by zoonoses. In this article, the current information from recent publications in the field of porcine zoonoses and xenotransplantation is presented. Pathogens of concern including herpesviruses, endogenous retroviruses and hepatitis E virus are known and risk reduction measures against these in xenotranplantation settings are described. Unidentified pathogens pose a separate risk that may not be identified until clinical trials take place and risks vary depending on the diseases, operation practices and graft production processes including geographical factors. Currently, a number of clinical trials are underway using encapsulated porcine islets, which may alter the perceived risks of pathogen transfer. Key Concepts: Prevention of pathogen transfer in xenotransplantation. The risk of porcine zoonoses is one that should be minimised before xenotransplantation is carried out in human trials. The use of techniques such as encapsulation in cellular xenotransplantation could be used to potentially protect against pathogen transfer. Donor animals used in xenotransplantation should come from specific pathogen-free herds which have been screened and tested negative for known and potentially zoonotic viruses, such as Swine influenza, hepatitis E, porcine cytomegalovirus and porcine lymphotropic viruses. Porcine endogenous retroviruses cannot be eliminated from donor herds and although their zoonotic potential remains unknown, steps should be taken to minimise the possibility of zoonoses by selecting donor pigs with low PERV copy number and absence of known dangerous PERV subtype and loci. The possibility of unknown zoonotic viruses emerging poses a constant threat. To counteract this a high surveillance and investigatory approach is required, using the most advanced molecular techniques available. Keywords: xenotransplantation; zoonosis; virus; PERV; herpesvirus; unknown viruses; safety

Leaf photosynthesis ( Ps ), nitrogen (N) and light environment were measured on Populus tremuloides trees in a developing canopy under free-air CO 2 enrichment in Wisconsin, USA. After 2 years of growth, the trees averaged 1·5 and 1·6 m tall under ambient and elevated CO 2 , respectively, at the beginning of the study period in 1999. They grew to 2·6 and 2·9 m, respectively, by the end of the 1999 growing season. Daily integrated photon flux from cloudfree days (PPFD day,sat ) around the lowermost branches was 16·8 ± ± ± 0·8 and 8·7 ± 0·2% of values at the top for the ambient and elevated CO 2 canopies, respectively. Elevated CO 2 significantly decreased leaf N on a mass, but not on an area, basis. N per unit leaf area was related linearly to PPFD day,sat throughout the canopies, and elevated CO 2 did not affect that relationship. Leaf Ps light-response curves responded differently to elevated CO 2 , depending upon canopy position. Elevated CO 2 increased Ps sat only in the upper (unshaded) canopy, whereas characteristics that would favour photosynthesis in shade were unaffected by elevated CO 2 . Consequently, estimated daily integrated Ps on cloudfree days ( Ps day,sat ) was stimulated by elevated CO 2 only in the upper canopy. Ps day,sat of the lowermost branches was actually lower with elevated CO 2 because of the darker light environment. The lack of CO 2 stimulation at the midand lower canopy was probably related to significant down-regulation of photosynthetic capacity; there was no down-regulation of Ps in the upper canopy. The relationship between Ps day,sat and leaf N indicated that N was not optimally allocated within the canopy in a manner that would maximize whole-canopy Ps or photosynthetic N use efficiency. Elevated CO 2 had no effect on the optimization of canopy N allocation.

The potential risk of viral transmission in the setting of xenotransplantation has gained major attention. Different porcine cell types have been shown to release retroviral particles, which are infectious for human cell lines in vitro. However, there are only a few data on whether PERV (pig endogenous retrovirus) is able to infect primary human cells. In this study we have analyzed endothelial cells, vascular fibroblasts, mesangial cells, mononuclear cells, hematopoetic stem cells and bone marrow stromal cells for PERV transmission. We now provide evidence for primary human endothelial cells, vascular fibroblasts, and mesangial cells to be susceptible to PERV transmission. PERV infection was productive in endothelial cells and mesangial cells. Our data confirm and extend former reports concerning the PERV infection of human cells. The PERV infection of different primary human cells represents further significant evidence for a viral risk during xenotransplantation. In this context, special attention should be directed towards productive infection of human endothelial cells: in the setting of xenotransplantation this cell type will have close contact with porcine cells and PERV particles.

This paper describes a new photo alignment method based on the •-(4-Chalconyloxy) Alkyl side group with styrene units and phenylmaleimide units. We compared the proposed photo alignment method with the rubbing method and found that there was a gain in anchoring energy at the interface between the alignment film and LC. Furthermore, we found the improvement in TN cell electro-optical characteristics when we used this new photo alignment method. We think this photo alignment method was available in practical applications.

A spermatocele refers to the cystic accumulation of semen in the male reproductive tract. Although it is thought to be caused by narrowing of the lumen of the excurrent duct with resultant cystic dilatation of the duct, the pathogenesis of the narrowing remains unknown. In the present study, we histologically examined spontaneous spermatoceles in C3H/He mice to elucidate the pathogenesis of the lesions. Testes, efferent ducts, epididymides and vas deferens obtained from young and aged C3H/He mice were embedded in plastic for histological observation at the light microscopic level. It was found that spontaneous spermatoceles were localized in the rete testis and efferent ducts of aged mice, as seen in man. The dilated rete testis and efferent ducts contained many degenerated and aggregated germ cells derived from the exfoliated seminiferous epithelium in the aged testis. In particular, it was noted that the agglutinated germ cells obstructed the narrow lumen of the efferent ducts, resulting in the failure of transport of germ cells to the caput epididymis, and spermatoceles were consistently found in the region between the rete testis and the obstructed site in the efferent ducts. However, no inflammatory cell infiltration, traumatic injury or spermatic granulomas were found in the occluded region. These results suggest that agglutinated germ cells may occupy the narrow lumen of the efferent ducts, resulting in the formation of a spermatocele. It may be that a senile change to the seminiferous epithelium, which releases immature germ cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, is the cause of this type of spermatocele.

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of routine clinical examination using three-dimensional power Doppler sonography of intratumoral blood flow. Twenty-two hepatocellular carcinomas, seven cases of hepatic metastasis, four hepatic hemangiomas, six renal cell carcinomas, two cases of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia, and one case of splenic metastasis were included in the study. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed by maximum intensity projection method using cine-loop data on a built-in computer in a LOGIQ 500 and a LOGIQ 700 from GE Yokogawa Medical Systems. The three-dimensional images obtained were viewed multidirectionally on a monitor screen. Three-dimensional representations of intratumoral blood flow became available for all tumors approximately 5 s to 30 s after scanning. In every case, the entire vasculature of the tumor was appreciated more easily from three-dimensional images than from cross-sectional two-dimensional images. These three-dimensional images of intratumoral blood flows corresponded to the tumor vessels that could be visualized by angiography at the early arterial phase. Differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors based on distinct difference in their intratumoral vascular structures was performed. Our results suggest that three-dimensional power Doppler sonography can be used for routine clinical examination of tumor vascularity and may provide improved diagnostic information.

Objectives. The angiotensinogen (AGT) gene has been implicated as a candidate gene of high blood pressure. However, because the variants of the AGT gene are point mutations, it is difficult to detect them in large scale population studies. The aims of this study were to develop a rapid screening method for the point mutations and, using this method, to determine the possible role of the AGT gene variant in high blood pressure in the Japanese population. Design and subjects. A rapid screening method for the point mutations by means of primer-specified restriction map modification is described here. Using this method, the distribution of two variants of the AGT gene, M235T and T174M, was determined in 80 patients with essential hypertension (EHT) and 100 normotensive controls (control). Result. The hypertensive group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher frequency for the T174M variant but the same frequency for the M235T variant. Conclusion. These data provide evidence in favour of an association between hypertension and a genetic variant of AGT in human EHT, and a marked ethnic difference in the AGT gene.

C 17 H 25 N 3 O 5 S.3H 2 O cristallise dans P2 1 avec a=9.279, b=14.035, c=9.123A, β=117.37°, Z=2; affinement jusqu'a R=0.034. Confirmation de la configuration absolue de ce compose. Cristallisation sous forme d'ion amphotere avec trois molecules d'eau. La somme des angles de liaison autour de l'atome N du cycle lactame est de 329.1°. La deviation de l'atome N par rapport au plan des trois atomes adjacents est de 0.457A. Contacts intramoleculaires courts entre le groupe methyl 1β et le cycle β-lactame

The 3-germabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane moiety in the title compound, C 17 H 16 Ge, adopts a boat form even though the ring bears bulky substituents. This stresses the difference in the structures of germa- versus carbocycles

Asymmetric synthesis of optically active 2-fluorinated 1,3-propanediols was achieved by enzymatical resolution and applied to obtain a chiral monofluorinated synthon for lignan derivatives.

For the past few years, intermetallic systems with the formula RCo3, where R is a rare earth, have attracted the attention of the magnetism community. In these systems, the magnetism associated to the Co ions presents a magnetic instability which gives rise to metamagnetic phase transitions observed as a change on the Co magnetic moment for some critical values of the molecular field acting on this sublattice. A number of publications about these systems is concerned with basic magnetic measurements and 59Co NMR in compounds such as Y1−x R x Co3, where R = Gd, Nd, Er. The Co ions are distributed among three crystal sites with different symmetries, one of these sites being further split into two magnetic sites, a fact in itself that considerably complicates the NMR spectra. Besides, as we have observed, the linewidths and even the number of lines appearing on the NMR spectra are strongly dependent on some NMR features, such as the radiofrequency power applied to the sample. Adding to this fact, these magnetic peculiarities depend on the compounds stoichiometry; therefore it is no surprise to find conflicting results in the literature. In the present paper a review of the NMR published data will be made, including some new results of our own.

This study focused on the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to shoot regeneration from mature seed-derived calli of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The F 2 population from a cross between 'Norin 1' (japonica) and 'Tadukan' (indica), which showed lower and higher shoot regeneration rates, respectively, was used for QTL interval mapping. The population was analyzed for 103 RFLP markers distributed over the 12 rice chromosomes. The QTL with the largest effect on shoot regeneration, which accounted for about 19% of the total variation, was mapped on chromosome 2. A minor QTL on chromosome 4 exhibited a smaller effect, accounting for about 3% of the total variation in percentage shoot regeneration. No QTLs were detected on other chromosomes with the RFLP markers that were used in the present experiments. These results indicate that at least one major gene is associated with the percentage shoot regeneration, and agree with previous genetic studies, indicating that one dominant gene is associated with shoot regeneration.

Cristallisation dans R3 m avec a=10,788, c=13,460 A, Z=9, affinement jusqu'a R=0,051. La structure presente un cycle a six chainons de tetraedres GeO 4 et contient des sous-mailles pseudocubiques. Comparaison avec le silicate analogue Na 2 CaSi 2 O 6

A novel micro structure of electron emitting portion has been developed for Field Effect — Ferroelectric Electron Emitter. This micro structure has numerous electron emitting micro-holes in high density. We have successfully improved luminance efficiency and emission angle dispersion by this micro structure.

In this paper, factors affecting the pretilt angle are investigated for our newly-developed photo-alignment materials. We believe that two factors are crucial for the pretilt angle generation. That is, surface tension of the alignment films, and the incident angle of the LPUV light which may affect the surface order degeneracy. In addition, our development efforts of the photo-alignment materials will be shortly summarized.

We have developed a novel display device driven by micro ceramic actuator arrays. Typically 60–150 inch diagonal size direct viewing flat display can be flexibly built up by tiled display technology with non-seal structure. We successfully built up 33 inch engineering model display.

New photo LC alignment materials based on poly (ω -(4-chalconyloxy) alkoxyphenyl maleimide) were synthesized and evaluated. On the films of these materials, LC alignment was regulated parallel to the polarization plane of the exposed LPUV at a large dose, and thus generated pretilt angle among 1–5° by one-step slantwise LPUV exposure. TN cells were fabricated using these materials.