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Purpose. To present our findings in a case of delayed-onset postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum, a rare organism. Observations. A 57-year-old man presented with epiphora and photophobia 17 weeks after a routine cataract extraction with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Because endophthalmitis was suspected to be caused by a low-grade pathogen or fungus, an anterior chamber tap was performed. However, both multiplex PCR and culturing were negative. The patient was treated with topical cefmenoxime, oral minocycline, and subconjunctival injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime, but the intraocular inflammation increased. Then, the anterior chamber was tapped again, and the second PCR amplification and direct sequencing which targeted Actinomycetes detected Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum. This pathogen is uncommon for human infections. He was treated with oral amoxicillin, and his intraocular condition slowly improved. Conclusion. This is the first reported case of an ocular disorder caused by B. paraconglomeratum. We recommend that B. paraconglomeratum be considered in cases of delayed-onset postcataract endophthalmitis.

The presence or absence of murderous intent is an important fact during criminal trials. To verify autopsy findings that were considered as evidence of murderous intent, we compared autopsy findings in homicide cases committed with and without murderous intent (n = 12 and n = 11, respectively). Although the number of wounds may only be limited to one or two, stab wounds on the trunk of the body from a sharp instrument can be a significant evidence of murderous intent. Bruise or petechial haemorrhage at the back or limbs caused by blunt instruments or without any weapons do not indicate the presence of murderous intent. Although results in this study should be carefully interpreted in other jurisdictions, statistical analysis comparing cases with and without murderous intents might be a valuable methodology to understand autopsy findings involving murderous intent in Japan.

Organophosphorus compounds, such as sarin, are highly toxic nerve agents that inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but not cholinesterase, via multiple mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that organophosphorus compounds increase cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and induce neurotoxicity. In this study, we examined the toxicity of the sarin-like organophosphorus agent bis(isopropyl methyl)phosphonate (BIMP) and the effects of BIMP on COX-2 expression in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells. Exposure to BIMP changed cell morphology and induced caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death accompanied by cleavage of caspase 3, caspase 9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). It also increased COX-2 expression, while pretreatment with a COX inhibitor, ibuprofen, decreased BIMP-dependent cell death and COX-2 expression in SK-N-SH cells. Thus, our findings suggest that BIMP induces apoptotic cell death and upregulates COX-2 expression.

Cancer cells often develop drug resistance. In cisplatin-resistant HeLa cisRcells, fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13/FHF2) gene and protein expression was strongly upregulated, and intracellular platinum concentrations were kept low. When the FGF13 expression was suppressed, both the cells' resistance to platinum drugs and their ability to keep intracellular platinum low were abolished. Overexpression of FGF13 in parent cells led to greater resistance to cisplatin and reductions in the intracellular platinum concentration. These cisplatin-resistant cells also showed increased resistance to copper. In preoperative cervical cancer biopsy samples from poor prognoses patients after cisplatin chemoradiotherapy, FGF13-positive cells were detected more abundantly than in the biopsy samples from patients with good prognoses. These results suggest that FGF13 plays a pivotal role in mediating resistance to platinum drugs, possibly via a mechanism shared by platinum and copper. Our results point to FGF13 as a novel target and useful prognostic guide for cancer therapy.

Nearly ferromagnetic pseudobinary Lu(Co_Ga_x)_2 compounds have been investigated. The lattice constant increases with increasing Ga concentration, x, especially above x=0.09. High field magnetization and magnetoresistance of Lu(Co_Ga_x)_2 compounds have been measured in static and pulsed magnetic fields. No significant difference is obtained between the static and pulsed fields. A clear itinerant electron metamagnetic transition is observed and its critical field increases with increasing temperature for x=0.09. It is suggested from the discussion based on the Clausius-Clapeyron equation that the magnetic entropy of these compounds decreases above the critical field. This is consistent with the recent result of the electronic specific heat coefficient in the magnetic fields. The magnetoresistance of the ferromagnetic state after the transition is reduced about 30% compared with that of the paramagnetic state. This means that the metamagnetic transition results in a reduction of the spin fluctuation.