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We have discovered two molecular features at radial velocities of -35 km s-1 and 0 km s-1 toward the infrared Double Helix Nebula (DHN) in the Galactic center with NANTEN2. The two features show good spatial correspondence with the DHN. We have also found two elongated molecular ridges at these two velocities distributed vertically to the Galactic plane over 0.°8. The two ridges are linked by broad features in velocity and are likely connected physically with each other. The ratio between the 12CO J = 2-1 and J = 1-0 transitions is 0.8 in the ridges which is larger than the average value 0.5 in the foreground gas, suggesting the two ridges are in the Galactic center. An examination of the K band extinction reveals a good coincidence with the CO 0 km s-1 ridge and is consistent with a distance of 8 ± 2 kpc. We discuss the possibility that the DHN was created by a magnetic phenomenon incorporating torsional Alfvén waves launched from the circum-nuclear disk and present a first estimate of the mass and energy involved in the DHN. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

We present new large field observations of molecular clouds with NANTEN2 toward the super star cluster NGC 3603 in the transitions 12CO(J = 2-1, J = 1-0) and 13CO(J = 2-1, J = 1-0). We suggest that two molecular clouds at 13 km s–1 and 28 km s–1 are associated with NGC 3603 as evidenced by higher temperatures toward the H II region, as well as morphological correspondence. The mass of the clouds is too small to gravitationally bind them, given their relative motion of ∼20 km s–1. We suggest that the two clouds collided with each other 1 Myr ago to trigger the formation of the super star cluster. This scenario is able to explain the origin of the highest mass stellar population in the cluster, which is as young as 1 Myr and is segregated within the central sub-pc of the cluster. This is the second super star cluster along with Westerlund 2 where formation may have been triggered by a cloud-cloud collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC), delayed bleeding occurs in 1.7% to 38% of cases. Routine coagulation of all nonbleeding visible vessels (NBVVs) in post-ESD ulcers is currently performed as standard practice, but it cannot eliminate bleeding. An endoscopic Doppler US (DOP-US) probe system has possible benefits for the prediction of recurrent bleeding in peptic ulcer hemorrhage. Objective: To establish optimum use and evaluate feasibility of DOP-US for post-ESD ulcers. Design: Case series study. Setting: Cancer referral center. Patients: Eight patients with mucosal EGC larger than 2 cm without ulceration or scarring and 2 patients with EGC less than 3 cm with scarring. Interventions: We searched for a positive DOP-US signal (DOP-US+), which was defined as pulsatile sound at a depth of 1.5 mm, and NBVVs or areas with DOP-US+ were coagulated with hemostatic forceps. A multibending, double-channel videoendoscope that was fitted with a transparent hood was used. Main Outcome Measurements: Detectability of DOP-US signals in post-ESD ulcers. Results: One of 13 oozing bleeding sites, 24 (18%) of 136 NBVVs, and 7 areas without any bleeding stigmata had DOP-US+ and were coagulated until the signal became silent. One hundred twelve NBVVs (82%) and 8 adherent clots without DOP-US signals were left untreated. No delayed bleeding was experienced at 30 days. Median time required for Doppler examination was 34 minutes, but it improved to 18 and 19 minutes in patients 9 and 10, respectively. Conclusions: DOP-US might be helpful in the endoscopic management of post-ESD ulcers in EGC. Our setting and maneuver warrant further investigation to clarify whether DOP-US can reduce delayed bleeding and avoid unnecessary coagulation for NBVVs in post-ESD ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a specific and rapid detection system for Rickettsia japonica and R. heilongjiangensis, the causative agents of spotted fever, using a TaqMan minor groove binder probe for a particular open reading frame (ORF) identified by the R. japonica genome project. The target ORF was present only in R. japonica-related strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 26-year-old man who had a pathologic transtrochanteric fracture of the left femur due to a grade II giant cell tumor affecting the neck and the trochanteric area. This patient underwent complete resection of the tumor and arthroplasty using a custom-made cemented total hip prosthesis. The good radiologic and functional results of the surgery have been maintained for over 30 years without local recurrence or lung metastasis. Moreover, new bone formation was observed at the reattachment sites of abductors, iliopsoas tendons and vastus lateralis to the femoral component of the prosthesis although local bone resorption was detected at the upper lateral part of the femoral stem and zone I of the cup side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of Rickettsia heilongjiangensis infection in Japan was identified in a 35-year-old man who had rash, fever, and eschars. Serum contained R. heilongjiangensis antibodies, and eschars contained R. heilongjiangensis DNA. R. heilongjiangensis was also isolated from ticks in the suspected geographic area of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenovirus infection (HAdV) may be fatal in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Cidofovir is effective in only a part of the post-HCT HAdV infection. Therefore, posttransplant immune reconstitution is important for HAdV clearance. We describe the detailed immune reconstitution and response of adenovirus-specific T cells in a patient with inborn errors of immunity who had disseminated HAdV infection with hepatitis post-HCT and was treated with cidofovir. Though the patient received cidofovir for only 19 days starting from Day 72 after HCT because of renal dysfunction, we observed T-cell reconstitution, a decrease in HAdV copy number, and amelioration of the symptoms of HAdV infection after Day 90. We initially observed expanded NK and CD8 + CD45RO + memory subsets and later gradual increase of naïve T cells eveloped after cessation of cidofovir treatment. An increase in adenovirus-specific IFN-γ secretion from 2 to 4 months after HCT was confirmed by ELISpot assay. The progression of immune reconstitution and cidofovir treatment are considered to have contributed to survival in this patient. Optimization of transplantation methods, prompt appropriate antiviral medication, and virus-specific T-cell therapy would be necessary as the better strategy for systemic HAdV infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We have no conflict of interest to disclose concerning this study., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia, the causative agent of SFG rickettsiosis, is predominantly carried by ticks, whereas Orientia tsutusgamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus, is primarily transmitted by chigger mites in Japan. In this study, we attempted to isolate intracellular eubacteria from Leptotrombidium scutellare, a major vector of O. tsutsugamushi; moreover, we isolated an SFG rickettsia using a mosquito-derived cell line. Draft genome sequences of this unique isolate, by applying criteria for species delimitation, classified this isolate as a novel strain, proposed as "Rickettsia kedanie." Further genetic analysis identified conserved virulence factors, and the isolate successfully propagated in mammalian cells, suggesting its ability to cause diseases in humans. The presence of SFG rickettsia in unfed larvae implies potential dual-pathogen carriage and reflects a symbiotic relationship similar to that between the mites and O. tsutsugamushi, indicating possibility of its transovarial transmission from female adults. Furthermore, conserved genomic similarity of the novel isolate to known SFG rickettsia suggests potential multiple hosts, including chiggers and ticks. In the natural environment, ticks, chigger mites, and wild animals may carry new isolates, complicating the infection cycle and increasing the transmission risks to humans. This discovery challenges the conventional association of SFG rickettsia with ticks, emphasizing its implications for research and disease control. However, this study was confined to a particular species of chigger mites and geographic area, underscoring the necessity for additional studies to comprehend the ecological dynamics, host interactions, and health implications linked to this newly identified SFG rickettsia., (© 2024 The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

We report a pediatric case developing hypoglycemic encephalopathy during the acute phase of coxsackievirus (CV)-A4 infection. A part of the sequence of the virus detected from our patient was completely identical to that in other CV-A4 strain reported as a recombinant strain with lethal CV-A2, suggesting that the properties of CV-A4 might be associated with the severe hypoglycemic encephalopathy., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective Testing for the Janus activating kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F mutation is important for diagnosing and treating myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Recently, urine cell-free DNA (ucfDNA) was reported to be useful for detecting tumor-specific gene mutations in several solid tumors. However, its utility in detecting such mutations in hematological malignancies has not yet been assessed. In this study, we assessed whether or not the JAK2 V617F mutation could be detected in ucfDNA and whether or not its positivity rate in ucfDNA was associated with the JAK2 V617F allele ratio of peripheral blood cells in patients with MPN. Methods The JAK2 V617F allele ratio of genomic DNA from peripheral blood cells was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). ucfDNA was subjected to ddPCR. The correlation between the JAK2 V617F mutation positivity rates of blood-derived DNA and those of ucfDNA was assessed. Materials Twelve patients with polycythemia vera and 12 patients with essential thrombocythemia were enrolled. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-treated peripheral blood (100 mL) and 15-30 mL of fresh urine were used. Results The JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in the ucfDNA from all 20 JAK2 V617F mutation-positive patients. In addition, the JAK2 V617F mutation positivity rate of ucfDNA was correlated with the JAK2 V617F allele ratio of blood-derived DNA, including in both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) groups (patients with an eGFR ≥50 or <50 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). Conclusion Our results indicate that ucfDNA is a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring MPN. Given these findings, other disease-specific gene mutations in hematological malignancies may also be detectable in ucfDNA.

Background: Acute gastroenteritis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children worldwide. Among these, rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus have been reported as the primary viral pathogens associated with the disease. Rapid diagnosis of viral pathogens is crucial when diarrhea outbreaks occur to ensure the timely administration of appropriate treatment and control measures., Methods: We evaluated three immunochromatographic test kits designed for the detection of norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus in 71 stool specimens collected from children with diarrhea who visited clinics in Japan. The first kit is a triplex immunochromatographic test kit designed for simultaneous detections of norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus on a single strip (this kit was referred to as IC-A). The other two immunochromatographic test kits are a dual detection kit for rotavirus and adenovirus, and a single detection kit for norovirus (IC-B). The RT-PCR/PCR was used as the gold standard method., Results: The results revealed that both IC-A and IC-B kits exhibited the same level of sensitivity of detection for rotavirus (72.7%) and adenovirus (22.7%), although the detection rate was lower than that of the RT-PCR/PCR method. However, there was a slight difference in the sensitivity of detection for norovirus between IC-A and IC-B, at 86.7% and 93.3%, respectively. The sensitivity of detection for adenovirus of both kits was relatively lower than those of RT-PCR method. This could be due to low viral load of adenovirus in clinical specimens below the detection limit of IC-A and IC-B kits. However, both immunochromatographic test kits (IC-A and IC-B) exhibited 100% specificity for norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus., Conclusions: The triplex immunochromatographic test kit (IC-A) designed for simultaneous detection of norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus has been proved to be more practical and convenient than the use of single or dual detection kits with more or less the same sensitivity and specificity of detections., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The author have no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To investigate the virucidal effects of a polyvinyl alcohol iodine, Saniode, against 16 types of human mastadenovirus (HAdV) causing ophthalmic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and systemic infections., Study Design: Laboratory investigation METHODS: Fifty microliters of Saniode were exposed to 10 μL each containing HAdV virus stock solution of 1 × 10 6  copies/μL of HAdV-1, -2, -3, -4, 5, -6, -7, -8, -11, -37, -53, -54, -56, -64, -81, and -85 for 10 s, 30 s, 1 min, and 3 min. After neutralization with 0.5% sodium thiosulfate, the mixture was diluted by ten-fold serial dilution and inoculated into 24 wells containing confluent A549 cell monolayers. Virucidal effects were calculated relative to the positive control on days 7-10 and observed until 30 days post-infection., Results: Saniode satisfied the EN-14476 criterion for virucidal effects (>99.99%) for all HAdV types at all exposure times, including at 10 s on days 7 to 10 post-infection. All types of HAdVs that reacted for > 1 min achieved 99.99% reduction, including after 30 days., Conclusion: Saniode displayed virucidal effects against all tested HAdV types. Currently, with no specific medication available for HAdVs in ocular infection, this could be an option to prevent the spread of keratoconjunctivitis., (© 2023. Japanese Ophthalmological Society.)

Background and Objectives: Granulocyte transfusion (GTX) is a treatment option for severe infections in patients with neutropenia. In previous studies, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) was used to enhance red blood cell sedimentation for granulocyte collection (GC). However, there are safety concerns about HES, and HES is not readily available in some countries. Therefore, we compared the granulocyte counts and GC efficiency achieved by two apheresis systems without HES., Materials and Methods: All consecutive GC procedures performed between July 2011 and March 2018 at our hospital were analysed. COBE Spectra was used until 5 February 2016, and Spectra Optia was used afterwards. HES was not used., Results: Twenty-six GC procedures were performed, including 18 performed using COBE Spectra and 8 using Spectra Optia. When Spectra Optia was used, >1 × 10 10 neutrophils were collected from seven of the eight (88%) procedures. Although there was no significant difference in the granulocyte yield between COBE Spectra-based and Spectra Optia-based GC procedures, the collection efficiency of Spectra Optia was significantly higher than that of COBE Spectra (p = 0.021). Furthermore, the granulocyte yields of Spectra Optia-based GC tended to be more strongly correlated with the peripheral blood neutrophil count on the day of apheresis than those of COBE Spectra-based GC., Conclusion: Our results suggest that Spectra Optia achieves greater GC efficiency than COBE Spectra, even without HES. GTX may be a therapeutic option for severe neutropenia, even in places where HES is not available., (© 2023 International Society of Blood Transfusion.)

Development of reliable noncontact unrestrained respiratory monitoring is capable of augmenting the safety of hospitalized patients in the recovery phase. We previously discovered respiratory-related centroid shifts along the long axis of the bed with load cells under the bed legs [bed sensor system (BSS)]. This prospective exploratory observational study examined whether noncontact measurements of respiratory-related tidal centroid shift amplitude (TA-BSS; primary variable) and respiratory rate (RR-BSS; secondary variable) were correlated with tidal volume (TV-PN) and respiratory rate (RR-PN), respectively, measured by pneumotachograph in 14 ICU patients under mechanical ventilation. Among the 10-min average data automatically obtained for a 48-h period, 14 data samples were randomly selected from each patient. Successfully and evenly selected 196 data points for each variable were used for the purpose of this study. A good agreement between TA-BSS and TV-PN (Pearson's r = 0.669) and an excellent agreement between RR-BSS and RR-PN ( r = 0.982) were observed. Estimated minute ventilatory volume [3.86 · TA-BSS · RR-BSS (MV-BSS)] was found to be in very good agreement with true minute volume (MV-PN) ( r = 0.836). Although Bland-Altman analysis evidenced accuracy of MV-BSS by a small insignificant fixed bias (-0.02 L/min), a significant proportional bias of MV-BSS ( r = -0.664) appeared to produce larger precision (1.9 L/min) of MV-BSS. We conclude that contact-free unconstrained respiratory monitoring with load cells under the bed legs may serve as a new clinical monitoring system, when improved. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We previously discovered that four load cells placed under the bed legs capture a centroid shift during respiration in bedridden human subjects. In 14 ICU patients under mechanical ventilation, this study evidenced that contact-free measurements of respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation with the load cells correlated well with those measured by pneumotachograph. Possible clinical usefulness of this approach as a new clinical respiratory monitor is indicated.

Absence of the pericardium is generally asymptomatic rare congenital disorder. However, it may be life-threatening problem due to cardiac deviation or herniation after the pulmonary resection. We described a case of complete defect of the pericardium found at surgery for metastatic lung cancer. Since the left lower lobectomy was necessary, the pericardium was reconstructed with an ePTFE sheet. Postoperative course was uneventful without any symptoms at two years post-surgery.

Urodele amphibians have the ability to regenerate several organs, including the brain. For this reason, the research on neurogenesis in these species after ablation of some parts of the brain has markedly progressed. However, detailed information on the characteristics and fate of proliferated cells as well as the function of newly generated neurons under normal conditions is still limited. In this study, we focused on investigating the proliferative and neurogenic zones as well as the fate of proliferated cells in the adult brain of the Japanese red-bellied newt to clarify the significance of neurogenesis in adulthood. We found that the proximal region of the lateral ventricles in the telencephalon and the preoptic area in the diencephalon were the main sites for continuous cell proliferation in the adult brain. Furthermore, we characterized proliferative cells and analyzed neurogenesis through a combination of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) labeling and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against the stem cell marker Sox2 and neuronal marker NeuN. Twenty-four hours after EdU injection, most of the EdU-positive cells were Sox2-immunopositive, whereas, EdU-positive signals and NeuN-immunoreactivities were not colocalized. Two months after EdU injection, the colocalization ratio of EdU-positive signals with Sox2-immunoreactivities decreased to approximately 10%, whereas the ratio of colocalization of EdU-positive signals with NeuN-immunoreactivities increased to approximately 60%. Furthermore, a portion of the EdU-incorporated cells developed into γ-aminobutyric acid-producing cells, which are assumed to function as interneurons. On the basis of these results, the significance of newly generated neurons was discussed with special reference to their reproductive behavior., (© 2022 Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists.)