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Background: Craniofacial anomalies are among the most frequent birth defects worldwide, and are thought to be caused by gene‐environment interactions. Genetically manipulated zebrafish simulate human diseases and provide great advantages for investigating the etiology and pathology of craniofacial anomalies. Although substantial advances have been made in understanding genetic factors causing craniofacial disorders, limited information about the etiology by which environmental factors, such as teratogens, induce craniofacial anomalies is available in zebrafish. Results: Zebrafish embryos displayed craniofacial malformations after teratogen treatments. Further observations revealed characteristic disruption of chondrocyte number, shape and stacking. These findings suggested aberrant development of cranial neural crest (CNC) cells, which was confirmed by gene expression analysis of the CNC. Notably, these observations suggested conserved etiological pathways between zebrafish and mammals including human. Furthermore, several of these chemicals caused malformations of the eyes, otic vesicle, and/or heart, representing a phenocopy of neurocristopathy, and these chemicals altered the expression levels of the responsible genes. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that chemical‐induced craniofacial malformation is caused by aberrant development of neural crest. This study indicates that zebrafish provide a platform for investigating contributions of environmental factors as causative agents of craniofacial anomalies and neurocristopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia causes pneumonia and CVC-CRBSI in HSCT. However, there are few reports of pyomyositis due to S. maltophilia. We report a patient with CRBSI and pyomyositis due to S. maltophilia after allogeneic HSCT who was successfully treated by removing the CVC and antibiotics without surgical drainage. Removing the CVC and the combined antibiotics without preventing the neutrophil engraftment could avoid surgical drainage in pyomyositis due to S. maltophilia when detected in an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT To investigate the effects of crosslinker density on the properties of hydrogels, compression tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Raman measurements were performed on poly- N, N-dimethylacrylamide hydrogels. The results of the compression tests showed that the Young's modulus increases as the crosslinker density increases. To understand the mechanism of the change in the mechanical properties, the structures of the polymer networks and water and the molecular vibrations were analyzed using SEM, DSC, and Raman methods. From the SEM images, it was found that the porosity estimated from the mesh size and cell density increases with increasing crosslinker density. In addition, the DSC and Raman results show that the thickness of the bound water increases as the porosity increases, although the density of the polymer chains in the porous wall remains nearly constant. The increase in the number density of polymer chains can be one of the mechanisms contributing to the increase in the mechanical strength of the hydrogels at lower crosslinker density below 5 mol %, as proposed by previous studies. At higher crosslinker density, however, the number density of polymer chains does not increase with increasing crosslinker density. The present results suggest that the bound water plays an important role in strengthening the hydrogel. The water structure may be one of the dominant factors governing the chemical and physical properties of hydrogels. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1017-1027 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To report a case of a traumatic macular hole with severe retinal folds in which vitreous surgery combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was beneficial. To demonstrate that the area from which the ILM was peeled can be clearly differentiated by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Methods: A posterior hyaloid detachment was created during vitreous surgery on a 34 year old man with a traumatic macular hole. The remaining vitreous was resected and the ILM was peeled. The fundus was examined through a scanning laser ophthalmoscope before and after the surgery. Results: The retinal folds disappeared concurrently with the detachment of the ILM, resulting in closure of the macular hole. The area from which the ILM was peeled was clearly observed through the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Conclusion: In this patient, it was helpful to perform not only posterior hyaloid detachment but also ILM peeling. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope was highly useful for observing the area from which the ILM was peeled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report a patient with a Leber’s idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis-like lesion that was caused by vitreous traction accompanying a posterior hyaloid detachment. Methods: We present a 49-year-old woman who showed segmental optic disc edema, peripapillary retinal detachment, and a macular star. Results: An incomplete posterior hyaloid detachment was present, and the posterior hyaloid membrane was attached to the nasal margin of the optic disc. Fluorescein angiography revealed a bent retinal artery on the upper margin of the optic disc, and leakage of fluorescein was observed from this area. Conclusion: Vascular damage to the optic disc due to vitreous traction should also be considered as a mechanism for the ophthalmoscopic appearance of the fundus when lesions suggestive of Leber’s idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis are present in an adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]