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A 65-year-old man presenting with an esophageal lesion underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography and an upper esophageal submucosal mass was found. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration led to the diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the esophagus. Positron emission tomography showed abnormal uptake in the internal iliac lymph nodes, and laparoscopic biopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The patient declined treatment of any kind and has been followed up for 39 months with no progression of the lymphoma.

A 70-year-old man, who had undergone S-1/oxaliplatin/bevacizumab combination chemotherapy for LNs metastasis of signet-ring cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon, complained of back pain and lumbago.He was diagnosed with disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). He was treated with systemic chemotherapy consisting of CPT-11/panitumumab. After 2 courses of the treatment, the DIC resolved and the back pain and lumbago improved.

This report describes a unique case of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) of the pancreas in order to clarify its oncogenesis and more precisely classify pancreatic intraductal neoplasms. A 74-year-old man visited our institution for follow-up of acute pancreatitis. Imaging examinations revealed a hypovascular intraductal mass in the head of the pancreas with progressive dilation of the pancreatic duct, atrophy of the pancreatic parenchyma, and a non-mucinous appearance. A pancreatoduodenectomy was performed to identify this pancreatic intraductal neoplasm. Macroscopically, the tumor was a solid nodular mass with no visibly secreted mucin obstructing the dilated ducts. Histologically, it had a homogeneous appearance with nodules of back-to-back tubular glands and occasional papillary elements, and there were no apparent transitions to areas with less marked cytoarchitectural atypia. Although the intraductal neoplastic growth corresponded to an ITPN, immunohistochemical staining revealed partial positivity for MUC5AC, for which ITPNs are characteristically negative. Somatic mutations in KRAS, GNAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA were not detected. A loss of MUC5AC expression and mutations in KRAS and GNAS are key elements in the diagnosis of ITPN. Thus, it was difficult to distinguish the present case as a pancreatobiliary-type (PB-type) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) or a phenotypic variant of ITPN. As it is possible that some cases of PB-type IPMN and ITPN overlap, the precise classification of these rare lesions may require re-evaluation., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

A novel naturally occurring compound with a benzofuran skeleton was isolated from a plant, Tephrosia purpurea collected in Bangladesh. The chemical synthesis of this compound confirmed its structure, and preliminary biological results showed its suppressive activity towards histamine H1 gene expression. One isomer and four derivatives were also synthesized, and their suppression activity was investigated. Although only small quantities of this compound can be isolated from its natural source, a 10 g scale synthesis was demonstrated by the newly developed method., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A 7-year-old female boxer dog died suddenly without any clinical signs. It was suspected that the dog had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) due to ventricular premature complexes and ventricular tachycardia at 3 years of age. The final diagnosis of ARVC was confirmed by histological characteristics, such as loss of cardiocytes and fibrofatty replacement, occurring in the right and left ventricular walls. In the cardiocytes, non-lipid vacuoles were observed. Cardiac fibrosis and intimal thickening of the small arteries occurred without fatty replacement in the inner muscle layer including the papillary muscles of the left ventricular wall. This paper describes the pathomorphological details of an ARVC case with coincidental cardiac fibrosis in the inner muscle layer of the left ventricular wall.

Quantum spin liquids, which are spin versions of quantum matter, have been sought after in systems with geometrical frustration. We show that disorder drives a classical magnet into a quantum spin liquid through conducting NMR experiments on an organic Mott insulator, κ-(ET)_{2}Cu[N(CN)_{2}]Cl. Antiferromagnetic ordering in the pristine crystal, when irradiated by x rays, disappears. Spin freezing, spin gap, and critical slowing down are not observed, but gapless spin excitations emerge, suggesting a novel role of disorder that brings forth a quantum spin liquid from a classical ordered state.

A 66-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with the diagnosis of a large thoracoabdominal aneurysm. Computed tomography showed thoracic vertebral erosion, suggesting a chronic contained rupture. He was hemodynamically stable with no neurological complication preoperatively. He underwent successful surgical replacement of the descending aorta. During surgery, the 6th and 7th thoracic vertebral bones adjacent to the thoracic aneurysm were found to be eroded. The postoperative course was uneventful., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

The Flinders Technology Associates filter paper cards (FTA(®) cards) can be used to store nucleic acid from various samples and are easily portable. However, RNA is physicochemically unstable compared with DNA, and appropriate methods have not been established for storage and extraction of RNA from FTA(®) cards. The present study investigated the optimum conditions for storage and elution of viral RNA (vRNA) using rabies virus (RABV) applied to FTA(®) cards. When TE buffer was used, the elution rates of vRNA increased with the length of the elution time. When the cards were stored at -80 °C or -20 °C, vRNA was stable over 3 months. Degradation of vRNAs occurred following storage at 4 °C and room temperature, suggesting that RNA should be extracted from cards as soon as possible if no freezer is available. When we tried to amplify vRNA from RABV-infected animal brains applied to FTA(®) cards and stored at -80 °C for 6 months, we did not detect any amplified products with the primer set for 964 bp of RABV N gene. However, we were able to detect amplified products by increasing the elution time of vRNA from FTA(®) cards from 30 min to 24 hr or by changing the primer sets to amplify 290 bp of N gene. Thus, we recommend extending the elution time for damaged or low concentration samples in FTA(®) cards.

Background: Human hair cuticle is always exposed to various stresses and then gradually lost in daily life. There are two typical patterns of cuticle damage: type L, where the cell membrane complex, the structure located between cuticle cells, is split and the cuticle lifts up, and type E, where the fragile substructure of the cuticle cell (endocuticle) is damaged so that its rugged residue is exposed. We previously reported that type L damage preferentially occurs in the case of Japanese females in their 20s to 40s., Aims: This study aims to elucidate the age-dependent change of cuticle and its effect on hair properties., Methods: Hair fibers collected from Japanese females (ranging from 10 to 70 years old) were evaluated in the aspects of inclination for each type of damage, resistance of cuticle against grooming stresses and content of fatty acid 18-MEA on hair surface., Results: It was revealed that the dominant damage pattern shifts from type L to E with aging. Furthermore, the cuticle becomes gradually less resistant to daily grooming stress. The dominance of type E damage accelerates cuticle loss. Reduction of 18-MEA on weathered hair is accelerated with aging on elder hair., Conclusions: It has been reported that various age-dependent changes of whole hair shaft, such as diameter, density, elasticity, etc., occur in the age range of 40s and 50s. In this study, it was revealed that cuticle becomes more fragile and the hair surface properties deteriorate in the same age range., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The Sonogashira coupling of γ-CD-encapsulated alkynylpyrenes with terphenyl-type stopper molecules gave a doubly alkynylpyrene-threaded [4]rotaxane. The rotaxane showed only excimer emission, with a high fluorescence quantum yield of Φf =0.37, arising from the spatially restricted excimer within the cavity of the γ-CD. The excimer emission suffered little from self-quenching up to a concentration of 1.5×10(-5)  M and was circularly polarized with a high glum  value of -1.5×10(-2) . The strong circularly polarized luminescence may result from the two stacked pyrenes existing in the rotaxane in an asymmetrically twisted manner., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Cardiac tumours are relatively rare and are difficult to diagnose merely with imaging techniques. We demonstrated an unusual case of left atrial myxoma, displaying the successful detection by positron emission tomography using 2-deoxy-2-[18 F] fluoro-D-glucose (18 F-FDG PET), correlated closely to more intense and enhanced immunoreactivity with glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) in a substantial number of cardiac myxoma cells. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the significance of 18 F-FDG PET findings for cardiac myxoma and the association with immunohistochemical GLUT-1 expression in its tumour cells, after collecting and investigating a larger number of surgical cases examined with both of them., Virtual Slides: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2991481941253449.

When boric acid (BA) is added to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a chemical reaction occurs to form the cross-linkages between the amorphous PVA chains. The local structural change caused by this reaction has been clarified concretely from the microscopic level on the basis of the X-ray-analyzed crystal structure, Raman spectra, and ab initio density functional theory using a model compound produced by the reaction between pentanediol (PENT) and boric acid (PENT-BA). The PENT-BA compound was found to take the TT and TG conformations in the methylene segmental parts depending on the stereoregularity of the PENT molecule itself, meso and racemo configurations, respectively. These two conformations give the Raman bands at the different positions. By comparison of the Raman spectra between the PVA-BA and PENT-BA model compounds, the local structures of PVA chains connected to BA molecules have been derived concretely: the syndiotactic PVA parts in the amorphous region form the TG-type ring structure with the 3-coordinate boron atom, where T and G are trans and gauche conformers, respectively. On the other hand, the isotactic PVA part takes the TT conformation when it forms a ring with boron atom. The thus-created rings are hydrogen-bonded to form a dimer, which plays a role as cross-linkage between the neighboring PVA chain segments in the amorphous region.

The development of rapid and simple gene amplification tests is required for detection of pathogens to prevent transmission of infectious diseases between animals or from animals to humans. An easy-to-use rapid gene amplification method that can directly detect RNA and DNA viruses in clinical samples was developed. This method is based on combining loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or reverse transcription-LAMP (RT-LAMP) and RNA GEM Tissue, a thermophilic enzyme that extracts nucleic acid by quickly digesting proteins and ribonucleases. The authors named these methods GEM LAMP and GEM RT-LAMP. These methods were able to detect viral DNA and RNA within 70 min in a single tube using only a water bath. The detection capacities were 10-100-fold more sensitive than those of previously established LAMP and RT-LAMP methods. The GEM LAMP and GEM RT-LAMP methods were used to detect macroscopically the presence of DNA and RNA viruses in sera or fecal samples from cattle, pigs, horses, dolphins, penguins, and sea lions using SYBR green I. The GEM LAMP and GEM RT-LAMP methods thus have considerable versatility as tools for detecting pathogens and are applicable to basic human and veterinary medicine, environmental hygiene, and point-of-care-testing., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Clinical evidence has linked vascular calcification in advanced atherosclerotic plaques with overt cardiovascular disease and mortality. Bone resorbing monocyte-derived osteoclast-like cells are sparse in these plaques, indicating that their differentiation capability could be suppressed. Here, we seek to characterize the process of osteoclastogenesis by identifying novel regulators and pathways, with the aim of exploring possible strategies to reduce calcification., Approach and Results: We used a quantitative mass spectrometry strategy, tandem mass tagging, to quantify changes in the proteome of osteoclast-like cells differentiated from RAW264.7 cells in response to, receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand induction, a common in vitro model for osteogenesis. More than 4000 proteins were quantified, of which 138 were identified as novel osteoclast-related proteins. We selected 5 proteins for subsequent analysis (cystathionine γ-lyase [Cth/CSE], EGF-like repeat and discoidin I-like domain-containing protein 3, integrin α FG-GAP repeat containing 3, adseverin, and serpinb6b) and show that gene expression levels are also increased. Further analysis of the CSE transcript profile reveals an early onset of an mRNA increase. Silencing of CSE by siRNA and dl-propargylglycine, a CSE inhibitor, attenuated receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase type 5 activity and pit formation, suggesting that CSE is a potent inducer of calcium resorption. Moreover, knockdown of CSE suppressed expression of osteoclast differentiation markers., Conclusions: Our large-scale proteomics study identified novel candidate regulators or markers for osteoclastogenesis and demonstrated that CSE may act in early stages of osteoclastogenesis.

Common iliac artery stenosis after renal transplantation is a rare complication; it can occur in the course of hypertension and renal dysfunction. We report a case of suspected renal allograft rejection with iliac artery stenosis proximal to a transplanted kidney. A 52-year-old man with a history of cadaveric kidney transplantation 26 years previously underwent a second cadaveric kidney transplantation in the left iliac fossa because of graft failure 3 years before. In June 2012, the patient had progressive renal dysfunction. In July, a percutaneous needle biopsy was taken, and it showed no rejection; however, his renal function continued to get worse through September. A percutaneous allograft renal biopsy was performed under ultrasound guidance and showed hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus and renin granules. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to evaluate the arteries in the pelvis and showed left common iliac artery stenosis, and a stent was placed. After percutaneous intervention, the patient's ankle brachial pressure index was within the normal range and the allograft function had improved., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Neutrons are produced during radiation treatment by megavolt X-ray energies. However, it is difficult to measure neutron dose especially just during the irradiation. Therefore, we have developed a system for measuring neutrons with the solid state track detector CR-39, which is free from the influence of the X-ray beams. The energy spectrum of the neutrons was estimated by a Monte Carlo simulation method, and the estimated neutron dose was corrected by the contribution ratio of each energy. Pit formation rates of CR-39 ranged from 2.3 x 10(-3) to 8.2 x 10(-3) for each detector studied. According to the estimated neutron energy spectrum, the energy values for calibration were 144 keV and 515keV, and the contribution ratios were approximately 40:60 for 10 MV photons and 20:70 for photons over 15 MV. Neutron doses measured in the center of a high-energy X-ray field were 0.045 mSv/Gy for a 10 MV linear accelerator and 0.85 mSv/Gy for a 20 MV linear accelerator. We successfully developed the new neutron dose measurement system using the solid track detector, CR-39. This on-time neutron measurement system allows users to measure neutron doses produced in the radiation treatment room more easily.

A rabies virus isolate (BRmk1358 strain) was discovered from a rabid tufted capuchin monkey in Brazil. The present study determined the nucleotide sequence of the BRmk1358 strain and compared with the rabies viruses isolated from marmosets and other animals in the Americas. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the BRmk1358 strain formed a lineage distant from that of marmoset rabies virus within the Chiroptera-related rabies virus cluster. This result suggests that the source of rabies infection in the tufted capuchin monkey may have been bat, and that they have a risk to act as rabies reservoir in Brazil., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We isolated an Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain that was negative for verocytotoxin production, but positive for the vtx2 gene using commercial kits, from an asymptomatic food handler. The laboratory investigations revealed that a 1310-bp insertion sequence, IS1203 variant, was present in the B subunit-coding region of the vtx2c gene., (© 2013.)

We performed a genome-wide association study using the porcine 60K SNP array to detect QTL regions for nine traits in a three-generational Duroc samples (n = 651), viz. generations 1, 2 and 3 from a population selected over five generations using a closed nucleus breeding scheme. We applied a linear mixed model for association mapping to detect SNP effects, adjusting for fixed effects (sex and season) and random polygenic effects (reflecting genetic relatedness), and derived a likelihood ratio statistic for each SNP using the efficient mixed-model association method. We detected a region on SSC6 for backfat thickness (BFT) and on SSC7 for cannon bone circumference (CANNON), with a genome-wide significance of P < 0.01 after Bonferroni correction. These regions had been detected previously in other pig populations. Six genes are located in the BFT-associated region, while the CANNON-associated region includes 66 genes. In the future, significantly associated SNPs, derived by sequencing the coding regions of the six genes in the BFT region, can be used in marker-assisted selection of BFT, whereas haplotypes constructed from the SSC7 region with strong LD can be used to select for the CANNON trait in our resource family., (© 2012 The Authors, Animal Genetics © 2012 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.)

The function of cytokines in cetaceans has so far only been determined for the proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we cloned bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) interleukin-10 (IL-10) cDNA from concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and investigated the mRNA expression levels in various tissues and the bioactivity of recombinant dolphin (rd) IL-10. The gene encodes a polypeptide of 178 amino acids which encompasses the mature protein sequence of 158 amino acids. Quantitative expression analysis of dolphin IL-10 revealed that the highest mRNA levels are found in the spleen. To assess its function, rdIL-10 was produced in human embryonic kidney 293 cells and its bioactivity was demonstrated through IL-10-induced inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 of Con A-stimulated PBMC. These results indicated that the structure and function of bottlenose dolphin IL-10 is similar to that of other animals. This is the first report of the characterization of an anti-inflammatory cytokine in cetaceans., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a positive acute-phase protein and a valuable marker of inflammation in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to validate the molecular characterization of Hp in dolphins and to validate commercially available Hp measurement methods such as Hp-ELISA (originally designed for pigs) and Hp-hemoglobin (Hb) binding assay. The dolphin Hp (dHp) amino acid sequence appeared most similar to pig Hp by sequence homology and phylogenetic clustering. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that dHp comprises the Hp1 form of α1 and β chains. The anti-pig Hp antibody cross-reacted with both recombinant dHp, expressed by Escherichia coli, and dHp from serum. The intra- and inter-assay levels of imprecision of pig Hp-ELISA and the Hp-Hb binding assay were found to be tolerable for the determination of Hp in dolphin, and there was no significant discrepancy between the two determination methods. The ability of the assay to differentiate between healthy and inflammation groups was investigated, and a significant increase in Hp concentration was detected in inflammatory conditions. Thus, Hp is a useful inflammation marker for dolphin, and the Hp concentration in dolphin serum samples can be reliably measured using commercially available pig Hp-ELISA and Hp-Hb binding assay.

Several isoforms of serum amyloid A (SAA) have been identified so far and because the plasma concentration of it increases dramatically, it is used as an indicator of inflammation in animals. In many terrestrial mammals, the circulating isoforms are SAA1 and SAA2, which are synthesized in the liver. Extra-hepatically synthesized SAA3, however, is a predominantly local SAA isoform with a characteristic N-terminal TFLK motif and a highly alkaline isoelectric point (pI). The aim of this study was to characterize the circulating SAA isoforms in bottlenose dolphins (dSAA) by determining the deduced amino acid sequence isolated from liver and the pI of plasma from healthy dolphins and those with inflammation. The deduced amino acid sequences of dSAA showed characteristics of SAA3 with an N-terminal TFLK motif, a predicted alkaline pI and were phylogenetically clustered with the SAA3 group rather than the SAA1 and SAA2 groups. Various tissues contained dSAA mRNA with the highest levels being detected in the liver. Isoelectric focusing and western blot analysis showed that one highly alkaline SAA was markedly detected in plasma obtained from dolphins affected by inflammation. These results suggest that, unlike other mammals, the circulating SAA in dolphins exhibits SAA3 properties, as is the case in pigs., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The musculoskeletal system of the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) tail was morphologically examined in two adult specimens. The tail musculature comprised three muscular groups, viz. a dorsal sacrocaudal system that consisted of the irregularly oriented Musculus sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis and M. sacrocaudalis dorsalis lateralis, a lateral inter-vertebral connecting system, and a ventral sacrocaudal system characterized by the thick M. sacrocaudalis ventralis lateralis and M. sacrocaudalis ventralis medialis. Both the dorsal and ventral systems possessed large tendon groups that strengthened the tail structure. Computed tomography (CT) examination showed the presence of large but homogeneous cartilaginous inter-vertebral discs, whereas V-shaped bones were situated at the ventral aspect of the caudal vertebrae at the level of the inter-vertebral discs. CT visualization of the tendons and V-shaped bones in various tail positions suggested that these structures contribute to the tunnel digging action by bearing the trunk weight and lending force when the aardvark are displacing the soil by means of the forelimbs., (© 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Background:   Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is subject to several complications that include a lengthy procedure time, technical difficulty, and active bowel movement induced by air insufflation. In ERCP carried out by non-expert endoscopists who are prone to excessive luminal insufflation, insufflation with carbon dioxide (CO2 ) may provide better and safer outcomes. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of CO2 insufflation during ERCP by non-expert endoscopists., Methods:   This study included 208 consecutive patients who received ERCP, excluding those in poor general health or with obstructive lung disease. The first operator for each patient was a non-expert endoscopist having done 50 or fewer ERCP procedures. Primary outcomes were the changes in cardiopulmonary state during ERCP. Secondary outcomes were ERCP complications. We designed a single-center, randomized, prospective, double-blind, controlled trial with CO2 and air insufflation during ERCP., Results:   CO2 insufflation did not affect overall procedure progression or results. A positive correlation was observed between procedure time and change in maximal systolic blood pressure from baseline among patients in the air insufflation group, but not in the CO2 insufflation group (correlation coefficient 0.408 vs 0.114, change in the maximal systolic blood pressure from baseline +4.2 vs+1.2 mmHg/10 min). This was consistent with our findings in patients treated by the first operator alone. The occurrence rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis tended to be lower in the CO2 group than the air group (4/102 [3.9%]vs 0/106 [0%], P = 0.056)., Conclusions:   CO2 insufflation during ERCP by non-expert endoscopists is recommended from the standpoints of efficacy and safety., (© 2012 The Authors. Digestive Endoscopy © 2012 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is used as a biomarker for infections and inflammation in humans and veterinary medicine. We cloned ferret cDNA encoding SAA from the liver of a ferret via reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The sequence of the cDNA clone revealed that ferret SAA has an open reading frame of 387 bp that encodes 129 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of ferret SAA has 96.1, 89.9, 86.0, 83.8, 83.0, 73.8 and 65.3% similarity to the mink, dog, cat, cattle, horse, human and mouse SAA genes, respectively. Compared to human SAA, the deduced ferret SAA amino acid sequence had an insertion of an 8-amino acid fragment between amino acids 88 and 95. Recombinant ferret SAA (rfrSAA) was expressed using an Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain, BL21 Star. Using Western blot analysis, anti-SAA mAb provided with the multispecies SAA ELISA kit reacted with purified rfrSAA. A significant dose-response relationship was observed between the rfrSAA protein and a commercial multispecies SAA ELISA kit. In contrast, rfrSAA was not recognized with the antibodies included in a commercial human SAA ELISA kit. These results suggest that the structure of ferret SAA is antigenically similar to other domestic animal SAAs, and the multispecies ELISA kit allows for the detection and quantification of ferret SAA in vivo.

A new method for the synthesis of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones, which utilizes photoinduced intramolecular radical cyclization reactions of substrates containing tethered carboxylic acids and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties, has been uncovered. Photocyclization of the carboxylic acids tethered acrylate ester, which were prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, gave the two-carbon elongated macrocyclic lactones via decarboxylation. Similar photoreactions of carboxylic acid tethered acryl amide or α,β-unsaturated ketone moieties, which were also prepared starting from the macrocyclic lactones, produced macrocyclic lactams or ketones, respectively. The simple approach can be readily applied to the preparation of a variety of macrocyclic lactones, lactams, and ketones with tunable ring sizes.

Thick and coarse hair, as typically found among the Japanese population, frequently lacks softness that consumers are acutely aware of. Such poor feeling is accentuated by daily grooming, weathering, and chemical treatments, in particular, which can cause changes in the hair shape and the creation of frizzy or irregularly shaped hair. Existing technologies to improve the soft feel of hair, though effective, usually concentrate on the surface of the fiber and often leave the hair feeling either overconditioned or sometimes even sticky from product buildup. Hair softness is said to be governed by a number of factors, but primarily hair diameter and surface condition. In this study, we have also identified hair alignment as playing a critical role in hair softness. In addition, by studying how Japanese women perceive hair softness when touching their hair, we have identified that the strain on the hair fiber associated with these manipulations is far smaller than previously considered. With these factors in mind, we have studied the mechanisms behind a new softening technology containing glycylglycine (GG). It has been found that treatment with GG can give a tangible feeling of hair softness by dramatically improving alignment in unruly hair and by lowering the modulus of the fiber. Moreover, using the atomic force microscope, it has been revealed that the properties of the cell membrane complex of the hair cortex may be modified after GG treatment; the role of this additive in modifying the internal properties of the hair to create softness will thus be discussed.

Simultaneous determination of four aconitine analogues (ACs) (AC; aconitine, HA; hypaconitine, JA; jesaconitine, MA; mesaconitine) in leaves and roots of wild Aconitum plants (Aconitum japonicum THUNBERG, Aconitum okuyamae Nakai) was carried out to elucidate the relation between toxicity to mice and ACs content determind by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The total amounts of ACs in leaves, roots, petals and nectaries of Aconitum japonicum collected at Sagae-shi Tashiro were 5.9 μg/g, 928.1 μg/g, 46.1 μg/g, and 69.8 μg/g, respectively. Despite the high contents in nectary, commercial honey contained no ACs. Extract of wild Aconitum japonicum roots which contained ACs (2.69 mg/g) was administered to 5 mice orally at 1.0 g/kg (fresh root equivalent), and 2 mice died. On the other hand, 3 of 5 mice died after being given the standard AC (3.0 mg/kg, p.o.). These findings confirmed good coincidence between toxicity and quantitative values. Mice given extract of Aconitum okuyamae root (100 g/kg, p.o.) without ACs showed no toxic symptoms. Residual ACs in Aconitum leaves were examined after boiling. The remaining percentage of ACs in leaves after 0.5 minutes boiling was 31.6%, and the amount in the boiling water was 54.5%. MA is converted into benzoylmesaconine by hydrolysis (by boiling). Therefore food poisoning caused by Aconitum plants is explained by detection of benzoylmesaconine formed during food preparation.

Four kinds of symmetrically branched oligoglyceryl trimeric (BGL003)-paclitaxel conjugates and a corresponding heptameric (BGL007) conjugate were synthesized. Molecular weights of all the compounds were less than two times that of paclitaxel. The anti-tumor activity of the most water-soluble BGL003 conjugate was examined and found to be preserved in spite of the chemical modification that is displacement of the N3'-debenzoyl residue with the BGL003 succinyl residue., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate effects of extracellular lactate on viability, shape change, lactate metabolism, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in equine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)., Sample: PMNs isolated from equine venous blood samples., Procedures: PMNs were incubated with 0 to 300mM lactate for 30 minutes before each experiment. Viability was assessed via trypan blue exclusion. Shape change was assessed via flow cytometry and light microscopy. Relative quantification of monocarboxylic acid transporter and lactate dehydrogenase lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isotype mRNAs was performed with a real-time PCR assay. Effects of lactate at a pH of 7.4 to 6.0 on ROS production in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, opsonized zymosan, or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was assessed by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence., Results: Lactate had no effect on viability of PMNs but did alter their size and density. Monocarboxylic acid transporter 1 and lactate dehydrogenase B mRNA values were not altered. Monocarboxylic acid transporter 4 and lactate dehydrogenase A mRNA values were significantly decreased. Lactate incubation of cells significantly decreased PMN-derived luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and induced different sensitivities to stimulants (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, opsonized zymosan, and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine). The response ratio to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine revealed that PMNs were primed by incubation with up to 50mM lactate, significantly increasing the production of ROS. Incubation with lactate and acidic pH caused a synergistic effect on ROS production., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Extracellular lactate potentially has a direct effect on the capacity to produce ROS by equine PMNs, which may be associated with alterations in innate immune functions within a short period after high-intensity exercise.

Synthesis of four water-soluble resveratrol and piceatannol derivatives bearing symmetrically branched glyceryl trimer (BGL003) with a non-biocleavable linkage, and their biological evaluation as a mitochondrial fusion-inducing agent with cellular fat-reducing effect from cells, is described. The effect of Piceatannol-BGL003 conjugate was as high as that of original stilbenoids., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The coxa of palaeognaths including extinct aepyornithid species was compared by means of osteology, computed tomography (CT) imaging and macroscopic anatomy. The pre-acetabular area of the ilium was proportionally much larger in width and height in aepyornithid species than in other extant palaeognaths. The post-acetabular area of the ilium, ischium and pubis was relatively short and bilaterally extended in aepyornithid species. Although the Aepyornis species might have produced egg with a major axis exceeding 300 mm in major axis, the short post-acetabular coxa and widely opened ischium and pubis would not have been able to stably hold the eggs in the posterior space of the pelvic cavity unlike the situation in the ostrich. As aepyornithid species resembled the kiwi in measurement ratios of length and width in the pre-acetabular area, a functional-morphological model of the coxa in the aepyornithid species can be proposed based on that of the kiwi. From our data, we suggest that the extinct species of Aepyornis and Mullerornis species effectively used the anterior space of the pelvic cavity to support their extraordinary large egg., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Background: Limited or no epidemiological information has been reported for rabies viruses (RABVs) isolated from livestock in the northeastern Brazilian states of Paraíba (PB) and Pernambuco (PE). The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular epidemiology of RABVs circulating in livestock, especially cattle, in these areas between 2003 and 2009., Findings: Phylogenetic analysis based on 890 nt of the nucleoprotein (N) gene revealed that the 52 livestock-derived RABV isolates characterized here belonged to a single lineage. These isolates clustered with a vampire bat-related RABV lineage previously identified in other states in Brazil; within PB and PE, this lineage was divided between the previously characterized main lineage and a novel sub-lineage., Conclusions: The occurrences of livestock rabies in PB and PE originated from vampire bat RABVs, and the causative RABV lineage has been circulating in this area of northeastern Brazil for at least 7 years. This distribution pattern may correlate to that of a vampire bat population isolated by geographic barriers.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to derive optimal coronary angiography (CAG) angle for the form information on the left main trunk (LMT) by use of multi detector computed tomography (MDCT)., Methods: To verify the accuracy of angle measurement with MDCT, the angle of phantom with known angle was compared with MDCT (CT method) and angiography (AG method). The take-off angle of LMT was derived using CT method from 200 cases who underwent cardiac CT in this institution., Results: In the phantom, both CT and AG methods were indicated to have high accuracy and the errors were very small (0.3%, 0.3%). The take-off mean angle of LMT was 130.7±19.0 degrees in male, and 139.1±19.3 degrees in female. The optimal CAG angle was indicated at left anterior oblique (LAO) 41 degrees (male) and LAO 49 degrees (female)., Conclusion: The optimal CAG angle of LMT was derived from the CT method.

A 28-month-old African hedgehog was referred to our hospital with progressive tetraparesis. On the first presentation, the hedgehog was suspected as having wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) and the animal was treated with medication and rehabilitation. The animal died 22 days after onset. Pathological examination revealed that the animal was involved in astrocytoma between the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord (C1). This report indicates that a primary central nervous system tumor should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses for hedgehogs presenting with progressive paresis, together with WHS.

A 79-year-old female who had been observed for an intrapericardial cyst for 3 years was admitted due to severe dyspnea and back pain. During 3 years observation, there were no symptoms and no growth of the cyst. Computed tomography scans showed rapid expansion of the cyst compared with an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) taken 9-days before when she visited our hospital for the 1st time. Urgent complete extirpation of the tumor was successfully done and a histological diagnosis found it was an intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst. This is a 1st report of intrapericardial bronchogenic cyst of which rapid expansion is clearly demonstrated by radiology. It is suggested that complete surgical excision of intrapericardial bronchogenic cysts at the time of diagnosis even if asymptomatic.

The complete genome sequences of two Brazilian wild-type rabies viruses (RABV), a BR-DR1 isolate from a haematophagous bat (Desmodus rotundus) and a BR-AL1 isolate from a frugivorous bat (Artibeus lituratus), were determined. The genomes of the BR-DR1 and BR-AL1 had 11,923 and 11,922 nt, respectively, and both encoded the five standard genes of rhabdoviruses. The complete nucleotide sequence identity between the BR-DR1 and BR-AL1 isolates was 97%. The BR-DR1 and BR-AL1 isolates had some conserved functional sites revealed by the fixed isolates, whereas both isolates had unique amino acid substitutions in the antigenic region IV of the nucleocapsid gene. Therefore, it is speculated that both isolates were nearly identical in virologic character. According to our phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genomes, both isolates belonged to genotype 1, and to the previously defined "vampire bat-related RABV lineage" which consisted of mainly D. rotundus- and A. lituratus-isolates; however, a branch pattern with high bootstrap values suggested that BR-DR1 was more closely related to the 9001FRA isolate, which was collected from a dog bitten by a bat in French Guiana, than to BR-AL1. This result suggests that the vampire bat-related RABV lineage includes Brazilian vampire bat and Brazilian frugivorous bat RABV and is further divided into Brazilian vampire bat and Brazilian frugivorous bat RABV sub-lineages. The phylogenetic analysis based on the complete genomes was valuable in discriminating among very closely related isolates.

Bone marrow biopsy is useful for diagnosis of hematopoietic diseases. We have recently reported that bone marrow biopsy from the flipper might be useful for diagnosis of hematopoietic diseases in dolphins. In this study, to demonstrate whether biopsy from the flipper is useful for clinical diagnosis, we investigated the gene expression profiles and proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) isolated from the humeral bone marrow of bottlenose dolphins. BMMC exhibited gene expression profiles considered to be characteristic of hematopoietic cells. Similarly, a colony forming unit assay showed that dolphin BMMC possessed vigorous colony forming ability. The proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells resulted in the formation of three types of colonies, containing neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages and eosinophils with or without megakaryocytes, all of which could be identified based on the morphological characteristics and gene expression profiles typically associated with hematopoietic markers. Thus, dolphin BMMCs from humeral bone marrow contain many hematopoietic progenitor cells, and bone marrow biopsy from the flipper is suggested useful for clinical diagnosis for the dolphins.

The innominate vein usually courses anterior to the aortic arch, where it joins the right brachiocephalic vein to form the superior caval vein. A retroaortic innominate vein is an uncommon finding in patients with congenital heart disease. We report a patient with a single ventricle, single atrium, pulmonary atresia, nonconfluent pulmonary artery, persistent left superior caval vein, absent inferior caval vein (azygos connection), right aortic arch, and retroaortic innominate vein. His innominate vein took an anomalous course. The right brachiocephalic vein crossed from right to left underneath the aortic arch and formed a left superior caval vein with the left brachiocephalic vein and the azygos vein. We reconstructed the nonconfluent pulmonary artery using the retroaortic innominate vein and then performed a total cavopulmonary shunt when he was 32 months of age. Thereafter, a total cavopulmonary connection was carried out at age 42 months.

In terrestrial mammals, the surface molecule CD34 is used as a marker to identify hematopoietic progenitor cells. To clarify whether CD34 expression can be used to confirm the undifferentiated state of hematopoietic-like cells isolated from the bone marrow of bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncates, we determined in this study the sequence of dolphin CD34 cDNA and analyzed its mRNA expression. Dolphin CD34 cDNA can be expressed as two forms, one that encodes a full-length version and a variant, truncated version of the gene. Both forms were detected in bone marrow mononuclear cells and in various tissues using RT-PCR. The truncated form was not detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and neither form was detected in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. This is the first report on CD34 in marine mammals and our results suggest that dolphin CD34 may be a useful marker to identify hematopoietic progenitor cells., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The registration of images from positron emission tomography (PET) to those from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using mutual information is usually effective, but fails occasionally because of small region of overlap, low-activity defects in the PET image, difference in spatial resolution, etc. In this article, the authors propose the pixel-based individual entropy correlation coefficient (IECC) as a new, more accurate and more robust registration criterion., Methods: The authors compare it to the current criteria: Mutual information (MI), normalized mutual information (NMI), and the entropy correlation coefficient (ECC). The anatomical region to be registered was the head. A rigid-body registration was used; no deformation was employed. The authors established the effectiveness of IECC by both simulated data and clinical studies using brain fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and MRI. Both a normal-activity FDG model and a FDG model with a perfusion defect were used for the PET image. Reconstruction by both filtered backprojection and by ordered subset-expectation maximization was investigated., Results: The mean errors and SDs of IECC were 1.17 +/- 0.85 mm for translation and 1.04 +/- 1.28 degrees for rotation in clinical PET. Those of MI, NMI, and ECC were 1.86 +/- 1.22, 1.86 +/- 0.96, and 1.68 +/- 4 1.05 mm for translations and 1.52 +/- 1.84 degrees, 1.74 +/- 1.68 degrees, and 1.70 +/- 1.90 degrees for rotations. The mean errors and SDs of IECC were 1.56 +/- 0.58 mm for translation and 1.46 +/- 1.66 degrees for rotation in clinical PET model with a 30% perfusion defect. Those of MI, NMI, and ECC were 2.81 +/- 1.41, 2.98 +/- 1.80, and 3.29 +/- 2.08 mm for translations and 3.34 +/- 3.800, 2.87 +/- 3.25 degrees, and 3.04 +/- 3.44 degrees for rotations. The mean errors and SDs of IECC were 1.79 +/- 1.04 mm for translation and 1.64 +/- 1.62 degrees for rotation in clinical PET model with a 50% perfusion defect. Those of MI, NMI, and ECC were 3.49 +/- 1.92, 3.57 +/- 2.22, and 3.49 +/- 1.89 mm for translations and 4.12 +/- 4.24 degrees, 3.62 +/- 4.87 degrees, and 3.44 +/- 3.80 degrees for rotations. The significant differences between IECC and each of the other three criteria were found for displacement misregistration in almost all parameters (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Accuracy of the IECC criterion was higher than that of the other criteria, usually in a statistically significant way.

Although dogs are considered to be the principal transmitter of rabies in Brazil, dog rabies had never been recorded in South America before European colonization. In order to investigate the evolutionary history of dog rabies virus (RABV) in Brazil, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of carnivore RABV isolates from around the world and estimated the divergence times for dog RABV in Brazil. Our estimate for the time of introduction of dog RABV into Brazil was the late-19th to early-20th century, which was later than the colonization period but corresponded to a period of increased immigration from Europe to Brazil. In addition, dog RABVs appeared to have spread to indigenous animals in Brazil during the latter half of the 20th century, when the development and urbanization of Brazil occurred. These results suggest that the movement of rabid dogs, along with human activities since the 19th century, promoted the introduction and expansion of dog RABV in Brazil.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to show the difference in consultation satisfaction between patient and physician in rural settings, and identify the variables affecting their satisfaction regarding these encounters., Methods: We collected data by administering questionnaires that included questions regarding satisfaction for a patient-centered approach to patients and physicians, transcribing data from medical records, and observing consultations in person. We then modeled cumulative logits of patient and physician satisfaction scores by performing ordered logistic regression using the proportional odds model., Patients: Seven physicians and 122 patients participated in the study., Results: Both patients and physicians expressed high satisfaction with their consultation sessions. Patient satisfaction tended to be higher than physician satisfaction. Physicians were satisfied with longer consultations but patients were not. Moreover, the long waiting times dissatisfied patients. In cases of multiple healthcare episodes (courses of treatment for a different condition) during a single visit, patient satisfaction decreased, while physician satisfaction increased. Physician satisfaction for interactions in general was less when they checked the same patient who had previously visited them., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that if physicians feel satisfied with their consultation, patients also feel satisfied regardless of the physician's opinion. The variables that affect patient and physician satisfaction include prior visits with the same physician, consultation length, longer waiting times, and number of episodes. These findings from Japanese clinics are consistent with those previously reported for other countries.

Muscle glycogen synthase (GYS1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in glycogen synthesis, and its activity is regulated by the phosphorylation states of certain amino acid residues encoded by the GYS1 gene. In the present study, the authors molecularly characterized the full-length equine GYS1 (eGYS1) cDNA and found that it contains a less common polyadenylation signal (AATACA). An amino acid alignment with other mammalian GYS1 showed that the phosphorylation sites in eGYS1 are completely conserved. Genomic DNA analysis revealed that the equine-specific substitutions (Glu 16 Asp and Ala 252 Thr) were completely conserved among six equine species. The tissue expression profiles of eGYS1, equine type II hexokinase (eHKII) and muscle-type phosphofructokinase (ePFKM) were determined by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. The mRNA expression level of eGYS1 was significantly higher in the cervical muscle as compared to other tissues. The cervical muscle and heart tissue samples contained a broad range of eGYS1 protein bands that appeared to reflect multiple phosphorylation states. eHKII was predominately expressed only in the cervical muscle; unlike its expression in other mammals, eHKII was not substantially expressed in the insulin-responsive heart or adipose tissue of horse. The expression level of ePFKM mRNA was significantly higher in the heart than in the cervical muscle, which differs from the PFKM expression pattern of other mammals. These tissue expression profiles are fundamental for the understanding of equine glucose metabolism.

The authors expressed recombinant ferret interleukin-8 protein (rfrIL-8) in Escherichia coli as a glutathione-S-transferase fusion protein. Western blot analyses revealed that anti-ovine IL-8 antibody reacted with rfrIL-8 at 10 kDa. To confirm that the rfrIL-8 was biologically active, the authors examined chemotaxis and respiratory burst activity of ferret polymorphonuclear blood cells (PMNs) exposed to rfrIL-8. The rfrIL-8 strongly induced chemotactic and respiratory burst activities in a statistically significant manner as compared with a negative control. Thus, the authors were able to successfully express biologically active rfrIL-8., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To characterize clinical signs and findings from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF analysis for dogs with progressive myelomalacia (PM) diagnosed on the basis of clinical and histologic features., Design: Retrospective case series., Animals: 5 dogs with confirmed PM and 7 with presumptive PM evaluated from 1997 through 2008., Procedures: Medical records of study dogs were reviewed, and clinical signs and MRI and CSF findings were evaluated. A clinical diagnosis of PM was made on the basis of detection of disk-associated spinal cord compression via MRI and progression of clinical signs from initial paraparesis or paraplegia to thoracic limb lower motor neuron paresis to tetraplegia associated with cranial migration of the extent of cutaneous trunci reflex extinction and analgesia, terminating in death due to respiratory paralysis., Results: All dogs were paraplegic and had signs of lower motor neuron lesions. As revealed by MRI of the vertebral column, the length of abnormal signal intensity was more than 6-fold, compared with the body length of L2. In some dogs, these abnormal MRI findings were observed before PM was clinically diagnosed. The CSF examination revealed hemorrhagic xanthochromia., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: A hyperintense region of the spinal cord > 6 times the length of L2 on T2-weighted imaging might be a characteristic MRI finding of PM. In some dogs, such MRI findings were observed before PM was clinically diagnosed. Progressive myelomalacia may thus be diagnosable at the early stage through MRI and CSF examination before signs of PM develop.

Background: Vampire bat related rabies harms both livestock industry and public health sector in central Brazil. The geographical distributions of vampire bat-transmitted rabies virus variants are delimited by mountain chains. These findings were elucidated by analyzing a high conserved nucleoprotein gene. This study aims to elucidate the detailed epidemiological characters of vampire bat-transmitted rabies virus by phylogenetic methods based on 619-nt sequence including unconserved G-L intergenic region., Findings: The vampire bat-transmitted rabies virus isolates divided into 8 phylogenetic lineages in the previous nucleoprotein gene analysis were divided into 10 phylogenetic lineages with significant bootstrap values. The distributions of most variants were reconfirmed to be delimited by mountain chains. Furthermore, variants in undulating areas have narrow distributions and are apparently separated by mountain ridges., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the 619-nt sequence including G-L intergenic region is more useful for a state-level phylogenetic analysis of rabies virus than the partial nucleoprotein gene, and simultaneously that the distribution of vampire bat-transmitted RABV variants tends to be separated not only by mountain chains but also by mountain ridges, thus suggesting that the diversity of vampire bat-transmitted RABV variants was delimited by geographical undulations.

Deuterium exchange of a carboxy group was achieved by photochemical decarboxylation of free carboxylic acids in the presence of thiol and a small amount of D(2)O, and a deuterated product with excellent deuterium content was obtained; this reaction is a practical means of synthesizing regioselective deuterium-labelled compounds under mild reaction conditions.