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Background: We investigated the association between age, duration of clinical symptoms and viral shedding in outpatient children infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Japan. Methods: Outpatients younger than 2 years of age, with suspected RSV infection between 2014 and 2018, were enrolled in the study. Following informed consent, nasal samples were collected at first and second clinic visits (with 0–9 days gap). RSV-A or -B infection and viral load were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Clinical symptoms were recorded at first clinic visit, and fever and symptoms were recorded at home for up to 8 days. Association between clinical symptoms and patient characteristics, such as age, sex and birth weight, were analyzed using ordered logistic regression analysis. The association between viral reduction and estimated shedding period was examined using linear regression analysis. Results: Among the 205 cases enrolled in the study, no difference was found in patient characteristics between RSV-A and -B infection. Duration of fever was prolonged with increased age. Duration of rhinorrhea and cough was shorter in females than in males and in groups with birth weight ≥3 kg than in those with

Background Infants with influenza, particularly those younger than 1 year of age, are at high risk of developing a severe case or of dying. Recently, owing to the spread of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended maternal immunization to reduce the risk of influenza infection in pregnant women and infants. Such reporting is rare in Japan. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect on the newborn of influenza vaccination of pregnant women in Japan. Methods The study included 200 infants who were born to healthy mothers at Kobayashi Ladies Clinic during influenza season from November 2010 to April 2011. The incidence of fever and laboratory-confirmed influenza was assessed in the infants for the 6 months after their birth. Results Of the 200 infants, four were excluded from this study due to loss to follow up. The 106 infants in the group whose mothers received the influenza vaccine (vaccinated group) before parturition were compared with the 90 infants in the group whose mothers did not receive the influenza vaccine (non-vaccinated group). Fever was noted in 36 infants (34.0%) in the vaccinated group and in 47 infants (52.2%) in the non-vaccinated group (P < 0.007), and the incidence of influenza was 0 (0%) and 5 (5.6%), respectively (P = 0.019). The incidence of fever and influenza among infants was significantly lower in the vaccinated group compared with the non-vaccinated group. Conclusions Maternal influenza immunization should be actively recommended in Japan to protect newborns from influenza viruses.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of aseptic meningitis after mumps vaccination in younger children compared with older children. Methods This prospective cohort study included a total of 21,465 children under 18 years of age who had received the first dose of three of the Japanese mumps monovalent vaccine. We compared the cumulative incidence of aseptic meningitis for 30 days after vaccination among the following age groups: ≤1, 2, 3–4, and ≥5 years old. We also investigated the cumulative incidence of salivary gland swelling, a fever (≥38 °C) lasting at least 3 days during the 10 to 25 days following immunization, vomiting of 3 times or more, headache, and seizure. Results A total of 10 aseptic meningitis, 551 salivary gland swelling, 844 fevers, 669 vomiting, 757 headaches, and 29 seizure cases were identified. The cumulative incidence of aseptic meningitis increased with age (0.016%, 0.021%, 0.066%, and 0.096%, respectively). Statistical significance was observed between children ≥3 years old and those p = 0.04]. The cumulative incidence of salivary gland swelling also increased with age (1.8%, 3.0%, 3.5%, and 4.5%, respectively). For non-specific adverse events, the cumulative incidence of fever or seizure decreased with age. In contrast, the cumulative incidence of headache increased with age. The cumulative incidence of vomiting was similar among children ≤4 years of age; however, that in those children ≥5 years old was significantly lower. Conclusions The first dose of mumps vaccine that is currently available for use in Japan may be administered in children less than 3 years of age in order to complicate a less aseptic meningitis after immunization.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and 7-valent pneumococcal (PCV7) vaccines both became recommended in Japan in 2010. In this study, cytokine production was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cultures stimulated with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids combined with acellular pertussis vaccine (DPT), Hib, and PCV7 separately or concurrent different combinations, all as final off-the-shelf vaccines without the individual vaccine components as controls. Higher IL-1β levels were produced when cultures were stimulated with PCV than with DPT or Hib, and the concurrent stimulation including PCV7 enhanced the production of IL-1β. Although Hib induced higher levels of IL-6, no significant difference was observed in IL-6 production with the concurrent stimulation. The concurrent stimulation with Hib/PCV7 and DPT/Hib/PCV7 produced higher levels of TNF-α and human G-CSF. Cytokine profiles were examined in serum samples obtained from 61 vaccine recipients with febrile reactions and 18 recipients without febrile illness within 24 h of vaccination. No significant difference was observed in cytokine levels of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ, MIP-1, TNF-α, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in sera between the two groups. However, significantly higher levels of human G-CSF were observed in recipients with febrile illness than in those without febrile reactions. Further investigations of the significance of elevated serum G-CSF levels are required in vaccine recipients with febrile illness.

The FIREX-1 project, the goal of which is to demonstrate fuel heating up to 5 keV by fast ignition scheme, has been carried out since 2003 including construction and tuning of LFEX laser and integrated experiments. Implosion and heating experiment of Fast Ignition targets have been performed since 2009 with Gekko-XII and LFEX lasers. A deuterated polystyrene shell target was imploded with the 0.53- μm Gekko-XII, and the 1.053- μm beam of the LFEX laser was injected through a gold cone attached to the shell to generate hot electrons to heat the imploded fuel plasma. Pulse contrast ratio of the LFEX beam was significantly improved. Also a variety of plasma diagnostic instruments were developed to be compatible with harsh environment of intense hard x-rays (γ rays) and electromagnetic pulses due to the intense LFEX beam on the target. Large background signals around the DD neutron signal in time-of-flight record of neutron detector were found to consist of neutrons via (γ,n) reactions and scattered gamma rays. Enhanced neutron yield was confirmed by carefully eliminating such backgrounds. Neutron enhancement up to 3.5 × 107 was observed. Heating efficiency was estimated to be 10-20% assuming a uniform temperature rise model. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2013.

The incidence of reported cases with pertussis has increased in young adults in Japan and the lack of additional booster immunizations containing pertussis components is suspected to be one of the causal reasons. Instead of DT immunization at 11-12 years of age, safety and immunogenicity were investigated using 0.2 ml and 0.5 ml of DTaP. 176 subjects in DTaP 0.5ml, 178 in DTaP 0.2 ml, and 197 in DT 0.1 ml groups were enrolled in clinical trial. The relative risk of local reactions in the DTaP 0.2 ml group compared to the DT 0.1 ml group was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.97-1.30), and that of the DTaP 0.5 ml to the DT 0.1 ml group was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.18-1.53). The relative risks of local pain and heat were 1.62 (95% CI: 1.33-1.98) and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.19-2.13), respectively, in the DTaP 0.5 ml group compared to the DT 0.1 ml group. Sero-positive rates against PT and FHA were 54% and 82% before immunization and increased to >95% for both after vaccination with no significant difference in GMT. Instead of the scheduled DT program, 0.2 ml of DTaP was acceptable and demonstrated efficient immunogenicity.

Recently developed construction machinery continues to advance from machines only capable of performing a stated task or function to machinery that provides automatic feedback regarding where and how the equipment is being used and the unit’s current status. A number of such construction machines equipped with optional computerized construction features have even proved capable of interpreting construction designs and automatically regulating tools such as bulldozer blades. These new developments have led to conventional approaches to construction - such as continually interrupting operations in order to take measurements and check the project’s finished status - no longer being necessary, thereby allowing for extremely effective and streamlined operations. In this study I will present specific examples of the application of this information technology to construction machinery and consider how such construction machinery will continue to advance.

To compare the incidence of aseptic meningitis associated with symptomatic natural mumps infection and in mumps vaccine recipients, we conducted a prospective comparative study. Consecutive samples of 1051 children with mumps were enrolled by 10 pediatricians and 21,465 vaccine recipients by 143 pediatric primary care practitioners, from January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2003. Parents used a daily diary to record symptoms during the period of illness (15 days) or 30-day period following immunization. Mumps infection was confirmed by virus isolation and/or detection of mumps virus genome in salivary and CSF samples. The incidence of aseptic meningitis was 13/1051 (1.24%) in patients with symptomatic natural mumps infection and was estimated to be 0.7-1.1% of overall infection in considering asymptomatic infection, and 10/21,465 (0.05%) in vaccine recipients. Although aseptic meningitis is a clear side effect of the mumps vaccine, the incidence is considerably lower than among those with symptomatic natural infection. Our results provide an informative data for consideration to resume mumps vaccine as a part of routine immunization schedule for Japanese children.

Infants with influenza, particularly those younger than 1 year of age, are at high risk of developing a severe case or of dying. Recently, owing to the spread of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended maternal immunization to reduce the risk of influenza infection in pregnant women and infants. Such reporting is rare in Japan. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effect on the newborn of influenza vaccination of pregnant women in Japan.The study included 200 infants who were born to healthy mothers at Kobayashi Ladies Clinic during influenza season from November 2010 to April 2011. The incidence of fever and laboratory-confirmed influenza was assessed in the infants for the 6 months after their birth.Of the 200 infants, four were excluded from this study due to loss to follow up. The 106 infants in the group whose mothers received the influenza vaccine (vaccinated group) before parturition were compared with the 90 infants in the group whose mothers did not receive the influenza vaccine (non-vaccinated group). Fever was noted in 36 infants (34.0%) in the vaccinated group and in 47 infants (52.2%) in the non-vaccinated group (P0.007), and the incidence of influenza was 0 (0%) and 5 (5.6%), respectively (P = 0.019). The incidence of fever and influenza among infants was significantly lower in the vaccinated group compared with the non-vaccinated group.Maternal influenza immunization should be actively recommended in Japan to protect newborns from influenza viruses.

This paper reports an experimental investigation of a scheme to produce an intense, pulsed, point-like, and quasi-monoenergy neutron source. In this scheme, the inner wall of a deuterated plastic spherical cavity is mono-directionally irradiated by a 2.4 kJ laser beam through an open-tip gold cone inserted into the cavity. The whole inner wall of the cavity is illuminated by laser light owing to multiple laser reflections, and the laser-ablated plasma stagnates near the center of the cavity, at which a several keV hot spot is generated. Thermonuclear and beam D-D fusion reactions occur in the hot spot. We have demonstrated the neutron yield exceeding 107 neutrons per pulse from a

A method was developed to distinguish the Oka vaccine strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) from other clinical isolates. The molecular characteristics of 52 clinical isolates from varicella or zoster patients with no history of VZV vaccination and the Oka strain, including vaccine and parental viruses, were analyzed by PstI cleavage of the PstI site-less (PSL) region. This was followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) after polymerase chain reaction amplification of repeating region 2 (R2). Most of the clinical isolates tested, especially recent isolates, had a PstI site in the PSL region, but the Oka strain did not. The SSCP patterns of R2 in Oka strain virus differed from those of other viruses. These results suggest that analysis of the PstI site followed by SSCP of R2 will be useful for identifying the Oka vaccine virus in isolates.

A fast-decay and low-afterglow liquid scintillator was developed for the fast ignition experiment at the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE). The liquid scintillator was coupled to a gated photomultiplier (PMT), and the gating performance under high-intensity γ-rays was experimentally checked. In 2010, a detector with a high detection efficiency of 10−4 was developed and installed in this experiment. The neutron yield in the fast heating experiment was successfully measured using this detector.

The distribution of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was examined in autopsy samples from a fatal case with both virus infections. A 9-month-old boy developed convulsive seizures followed by macular skin rashes, rapidly progressed to brain death, and died 15 days after the onset, when signs of varicella were noted. An isolation of HHV-6 from blood and evaluation of antibody activities to various viral agents including HHV-6 were performed before his death. Postmortem examinations included: (i) isolation of HHV-6 and VZV from tissues or organs; (ii) detection of both virus antigens in tissues or organs by an indirect immunofluorescent assay using monoclonal antibodies to both viruses; (iii) amplification of both viruses and human herpesvirus 7 DNA sequences by a nested polymerase chain reaction assay; and (iv) endonuclease digestion of amplified products of HHV-6 DNA for differentation of variants A and B. Human herpesvirus 6 DNA was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma obtained at the eruptive stage but present only in PBMC 15 days after, indicating the primary infection with HHV-6, although the virus was not isolated from the same blood sample and a significant rise in the antibody titers to HHV-6 was not observed. Both virus antigens and DNA were detected in various tissues or organs obtained at autopsy, but only VZV was isolated from these samples, suggesting disseminated infection with both viruses in an infant. All the amplified products of HHV-6 DNA were variant B. Among the findings for the distribution of virus antigens, it was noteworthy that HHV-6 antigen was demonstrated in the endothelial cells of small vessels in the frontal lobe of the brain. There was no evidence of HHV-7 infection. These data indicate that the primary HHV-6 infection closely followed by the primary VZV infection had the potential hazard of an unexpected and apparently life-threatening event, in which disseminated infections with both viruses were noted in multiple tissues or organs including the brain.

Hot electrons which are generated from targets irradiated by a high-intense laser are measured by two electron spectrometers (ESMs). However, total electron energy observed by the ESM is only less than 1%. Hot electrons are confined by self-fields due to the huge current. When an external magnetic field of several hundred Tesla is applied during the laser irradiation on targets, the ESM signals always increase. In the simulation, the same result can be obtained. The reason is that the Alfven limit can be mitigated due to the external longitudinal magnetic field.

The traditional fast ignition scheme is that a compressed core created by an imploding laser is auxiliary heated and ignited by the hot electrons (produced by a short pulse laser guided through the cone and guided under-dense plasma). However sufficient heating has not be achieved because the hot electron energy is too high and dissipated in the cone, the angular divergence of the hot electron is too large, and the distance from the generation point to the core is too long. Here we clarify the problems of fast ignition by observation of the hot-electron spectra.

The energy coupling efficiency (CE) in Fast Ignition (FI) laser fusion was studied at GEKKO XII and LFEx laser facility by using newly developed targets and plasma diagnostic instruments. The gated-liquid scintillator neutron detectors had been upgraded by using neutron collimators for intense background fluxes of γ-rays and neutrons in the FI experiment. Clear fusion neutron signal was successfully recorded in the sub-kJ heating FI experiment. Up to 5 times neutron yield enhancement was observed, and the CE of the heating laser to core plasma was estimated to be 1.6% for cone-in-shell target implosion by 9 beams and core heating by LFEX pulse 115 ps before bang time. The laser-to-electron energy conversion efficiency was separately diagnosed using a newly developed target and resulted to be 45%. The fast electron energy spectrum was estimated to be 2.3 MeV slope temperature by hard x-ray spectroscopy. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the consistency of the data set.

A set of experiments has been performed exploring unique characteristics of pair jets and plasmas at several energetic short-pulse laser facilities including Titan at Livermore and OMEGA EP in Rochester, as well as the Osaka LFEX and AWE Orion lasers. New results are summarized, including positron beam emittance, scaling of pair production vs. laser energy, and initial results on the pair jet collimation using electromagnetic fields.

Seven children were followed for up to 42 days post-vaccination with live mumps vaccine and 37 throat swabs were obtained serially. Viral genomic RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the phosphoprotein (P) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) regions. Virus isolation was also attempted. Genomic differentiation of detected mumps virus genome was performed by sequence analysis and/or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). No adverse reaction was observed in these children. Although mumps virus was not isolated from any of the samples, viral RNA was detected in four samples from three vaccine recipients, 18, 18 and 26, and 7 days after vaccination, respectively. Detected viral RNA was identified as the vaccine strain. Our data suggests that vaccine virus inoculated replicates in the parotid glands but the incidence of virus transmission from recipients to other susceptible subjects should be low.

A 52-year-old man, who had had uncontrolable ulcers in the bilateral toes since the age of 25 and diagnosed as Buerger's disease, developed a pulsative mass at the left popliteal fossa. Angiography showed a saccular aneurysm in the popliteal artery. Operation was performed on 18th Sep. 1989.The aneurysm was 13×8 cm in size. Because it adhered firmly to the popliteal vein, it was not resectable. The popliteal artery was reconstructed with an autograft of his long saphenous vein.Microscopically, the aneurysm was a true one consisting of internal, middle and external layers. Inflammatory cell infiltration was found in the wall, so clinically and histologically an angiitic aneurysm was suspected.Only 10 cases of Buerger's disease associated with peripheral aneurysm have been reported in the literature, of which 9 were in Japan and the remaining one, in a foreign country.

A chiral diazo ester having a hydroxy group in the proper geometry produces an adduct with water up to 92% de upon treatment with a rhodium catalyst. This high stereoselectivity is attributable to ...

Clinically apparent mumps reinfection is considered extremely rare, but several cases have been suspected of reinfection in an out-patient clinic. In this study, virological examination, virus isolation, the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), and IgG and IgM EIA antibodies, were examined in order to identify mumps reinfection. Patients were divided into three categories; the reinfection group comprised 29 patients with a history of natural infection, the vaccine-failure group consisted of 37 patients with an immunization history, and two patients had histories of both immunization and mumps infection. Another 25 patients were enrolled as a primary infection group. Mumps virus was isolated in 5 (17%) and the genome was detected in 12 (41%) of 29 in the reinfection group. Reinfection was confirmed in 21/28, demonstrating high avidity of IgG EIA. Mumps virus was isolated in 15 (41%) and there was a higher positivity of genome amplification in 25 (68%) of 37 patients in the vaccine-failure group. Among these, 23 were confirmed as secondary vaccine failure by high avidity IgG EIA serology. In the primary infection group, the isolation rate and genome detection rate was higher in 16 (64%) and in 18 (72%) of 25 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in virus load among the three groups but high mumps virus load was suspected in the IgM EIA-positive group based on the shorter amplification time on RT-LAMP. Mumps virus reinfection was confirmed by RT-LAMP and an IgG avidity test and was not a rare event.

Aneurysms of renal artery are frequently aocompanied with hypertention. We experienced a case renovascular hypertention because of right renal artery aneurysm after reconstruction of fibromuscular dysplasia. The patient was a 34-year-old female. She was operated for renovascular hypertention because of renal artery stenosis at 20 was a 34-year-old female. She was operated for renovascular hypertention because of renal artery stenosis at 20 have an aneurysm of right renal artery in August 1986 and admitted to our hospital on November 15. Blood pressure was 180/120mmHg (right arm) and 172/130mmHg (left arm); plasma renin activity (PRA) 3.5ng/ml/hr; and renal vein renin activity (RVRA) was 6.2ng/ml/hr at the right side and 4.7ng/ml/hr at the left side. RVRA ratio in the right to left was 1.32. The shape of aneurysm was oval with its size of 17×35mm. The operation was performed with nephrectomy. Blood pressure became normal postoperatively and PRA decreased to 0.49ng/ml/hr.

A neutron bang time and burn history monitor in inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition are necessary for plasma diagnostics. In the FIREX project, however, no detector attained those capabilities because high-intensity X-rays accompanied fast electrons used for plasma heating. To solve this problem, single-crystal CVD diamond was grown and fabricated into a radiation detector. The detector, which had excellent charge transportation property, was tested to obtain a response function for intense X-rays. The applicability for neutron bang time and burn history monitor was verified experimentally. Charge collection efficiency of 99.5% ± 0.8% and 97.1% ± 1.4% for holes and electrons were obtained using 5.486 MeV alpha particles. The drift velocity at electric field which saturates charge collection efficiency was 1.1 ± 0.4 × 10(7) cm/s and 1.0 ± 0.3 × 10(7) cm/s for holes and electrons. Fast response of several ns pulse width for intense X-ray was obtained at the GEKKO XII experiment, which is sufficiently fast for ToF measurements to obtain a neutron signal separately from X-rays. Based on these results, we confirmed that the single-crystal CVD diamond detector obtained neutron signal with good S/N under ion temperature 0.5-1 keV and neutron yield of more than 10(9) neutrons/shot.

The pH dependence of the reaction of purified recombinant human renin with purified recombinant sheep angiotensinogen was not a typical bell-shape but had two peaks, pH 6.4 and 8.9. The pH dependence of the reaction of human renin with human, hog, and rat angiotensinogens partially purified from plasma had a peak with a shoulder containing two peaks close together. These findings indicate that the reaction of renin with angiotensinogen involves at least two amino acid residues other than the two aspartic acid residues known to be involved and occurs at acidic pH and basic pH by two different pairs of these amino acid residues.

We isolated 872 strains of mumps virus from naso-pharyngeal secretions in seven different districts of Japan from January 2000 to July 2001. Among them, 57 strains were geno-typed by nucleotide sequencing in part of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and small hydrophobic (SH) protein regions. Four different genotypes (B, G, K, and L) of mumps virus were co-circulating in Japan and the distribution of genotypes varied in geographically different districts. Two new clusters designated as genotypes K and L had more than 7% nucleotide variation in the SH gene. Among the 57 strains, 11 were classified as B, 35 as G, three as K, and eight as L, which was mainly isolated in Tokyo. We also examined 104 stains isolated in a clinic in Mie prefecture from 1993 to 2003. Genotype B was the indigenous strain and genotype K was introduced in 1994. Genotypes B and K co-circulated in the 1990s and were replaced by genotype G in 2000. There was no significant change in neutralizing test antibody titers against genotypes B, G, K, and L using seven post-vaccination sera with Hoshino strain (genotype B) and these four genotypes had a different antigenicity from genotype A. We should continue to watch on mumps virus molecular epidemiology.

The traditional fast ignition scheme is that a compressed core created using an imploding laser is auxiliary heated and ignited by hot electrons (produced using a short pulse laser guided through the cone). However, sufficient heating cannot be achieved due to the highly hot-electron energy spectra, the energy loss in the cone, the large divergence of the hot electron and the long distance between the core and the generation point. Here, we propose a new target based on a hole-cone shell target experiment.

The pH dependence of the reaction of human renin with sheep angiotensinogen had a couple of peaks at pH 6.5 and 8.7. The renin activity at pH 8.7 was 1.4 times higher than that at pH 6.5. After the substitutions of Phe, Ala, and His for Tyr83 of human renin, the peak at pH 6.5 could be observed but the peak at pH 8.7 disappeared. At pH 6.5, these substitutions reduced the kcat of human renin to 11.1, 1.31, and 3.49% of that of wild-type renin, respectively, while their Km remained at similar levels to that of the wild type. These results indicate that Tyr83 of human renin contributes to the renin-angiotensinogen reaction at both pHs and it is essential for the catalytic reaction particularly at the basic pH.

A chiral diazo ester having a hydroxy group in the proper geometry produces an adduct with water up to 92% de upon treatment with a rhodium catalyst. This high stereoselectivity is attributable to ...

Objective. To elucidate clinical features of patients with primary human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) infection and serologic and virologic findings between HHV-7 and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Materials and Methods. During a 19-month observation period, 71 infants and children (35 boys and 36 girls with a mean age of 14.5 months [range, 1 month to 48 months]) who had acute febrile respiratory illness with or without skin rash were examined clinically and virologically. Heparinized blood samples were used for isolation of HHV-6 and HHV-7 and detection of both virus DNA sequences by a nested polymerase chain reaction amplification. Both virus antibody activities were measured by an indirect immunofluorescent assay. Results. HHV-7 infection was observed in 15 (6 boys and 9 girls with a mean age of 12.9 months [range, 7 months to 27 months]), 1 of 10 with upper respiratory infection and 14 (28%) of 50 with febrile exanthem, whereas HHV-6 infection was in 22 (44%) of the 50. Fever (37.5°C) was observed in all 15, with an average maximum body temperature of 38.7°C (range, 37.6°C to 39.8°C), which persisted for 2.9 days (range, 1 to 5 days). Papular, macular, or maculopapular rash was observed in 14 (93%) of the 15, which appeared on day 2.9 of fever (range, days 2 to 5) on the face, trunk, and extremities and persisted for 2.7 days (range, 1 to 5 days). A convulsive seizure that persisted for a few minutes developed in 1 patient on the first day of elevation of fever. HHV-6 antibody was demonstrated in 13 (87%), and a simultaneous significant increase to HHV-6 antibody titers was observed in 8 (53%) of the 15 during primary HHV-7 infection. HHV-7 and HHV-6 DNAs were almost always detected in mononuclear cells (MNCs) during acute and convalescent phases, whereas HHV-7 DNA was positive in some plasma samples obtained during the acute phase of the disease. Conclusions. Primary HHV-7 infection occurred somewhat later than HHV-6, which was confirmed by the isolation of HHV-7 from blood and/or seroconversion to the virus. Clinical features of a virologically confirmed patient with primary HHV-7 infection were comparable with those of primary HHV-6 infection. Preexisting HHV-6 antibody increased significantly in the half of patients with primary HHV-7 infection. HHV-7 DNA was detected in peripheral blood MNCs and plasma in the acute phase and persisted in MNCs thereafter. human herpesvirus 7, human herpesvirus 6, exanthem subitum, roseola infantum, polymerase chain reaction.

A down-scattered neutron detector operating in the multichannel counting mode was developed for areal density (ρ R) measurement. Equipped with a newly developed 6 Li glass scintillator (APLF80), the detector was tested in a fusion experiment at the GEKKO XII facility, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. For a low-ρ R fusion shot, the detector clearly discriminated the γ -rays, primary neutrons, γ -rays produced via (n, γ ) reactions from the target chamber, and neutrons scattered by the target chamber. Furthermore, the observed signal was in good agreement with predictions made by Monte Carlo simulation.

In the fast-ignition scheme, very hard x-rays (hereinafter referred to as γ-rays) are generated by Bremsstrahlung radiation from fast electrons. Significant backgrounds were observed around the deuterium-deuterium fusion neutron signals in the experiment in 2010. In this paper the backgrounds were studied in detail, based on Monte Carlo simulations, and they were confirmed to be γ-rays from the target, scattered γ-rays from the experimental bay walls (γ'-rays), and neutrons generated by (γ, n) reactions in either the target vacuum chamber or the diagnostic instruments (γ-n neutrons).

逆流性食道炎の診断は, 臨床症状, 内視鏡所見, 生検標本の病理組織学的所見, 食道粘膜pHなど, いろいろな診断方法により検討されている.しかし, 同一症例がいろいろな診断法により必ずしも同じ診断, すなわち逆流性食道炎が否かにならない場合がある.そこで, 比較的信頼性の高い内視鏡的所見を中心に, ほかの診断法の成績と対比させ, 診断の問題点を探ってみた.内視鏡所見の「色調変化型」が, 病理組織学的診断と一致しにくかった.この原因を求めるため, 逆流刺激に対する食道粘膜基底細胞のH3-Thymidineの標識率についても検討を加えた.

Commercially available mouse monoclonal antibodies to human IgG subclass (IgG1 to IgG4) were applied to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure IgG subclass-specific antibodies to varicellazoster virus in children naturally infected with varicellazoster virus and in varicella vaccine recipients. In children naturally infected with varicella-zoster virus, IgG 1 antibody was detected 2 weeks after onset of the disease in all cases, its activity increased at 1 month after onset, and almost equal antibody value was maintained 10 years after infection. This pattern of antibody response was similar to that of total IgG antibody to varicella-zoster virus after natural infection. On the other hand, low antibody activity was found in IgG2 only at 1 month of the disease. The highest antibody level of IgG3 was shown 2 weeks after onset of the disease; then, it gradually decreased, and no antibody activity was detected 10 years later. IgG4 antibody was first detected 1 month after onset and an almost equal level of antibody was shown 10 years after the disease. After inoculation of children with a live varicella vaccine, in contrast, IgG subclass antibody responses to vaccine recipients were almost equal to those after natural infection.

Replication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and immunologic responses to VZV were examined by a sensitive culture technique for viral isolation and standard immunologic assays in children after close exposure to wild-type VZV or after inoculation with strain Oka varicella vaccine. Naturally infected children who developed clinical varicella had viremia between five days before and one day after clinical onset of disease, with the highest isolation rate one and two days before onset, and seroconversion followed two days later. Virus was not isolated from blood 12 and 13 days after contact in subclinically infected children. In the vaccine recipients a positive skin test reaction to VZV was observed as early as four to five days after immunization, and antibody appeared later. Virus was not isolated from blood and throat of the vaccinees from three to 14 days after immunization.

Summary Haemagglutinating (HA) antigens of four strains of virus related to that causing haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were prepared from infected tissue culture fluids by ultracentrifugation. The titres of the precipitated antigens were increased considerably by acetone extraction and sonication. Acetone extraction completely inactivated infectious virus in the antigen preparations. The antigens were pH-dependent, with pH optima at 5.8. Good correlations were observed in human and rat sera between the titres obtained by the haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test and an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Moreover, strong cross-reactions among these strains were demonstrated by the HI test. The HI test has not been used previously with HFRS viruses because of the danger involved in preparing HA antigen, but these results indicate that a safe method is available for serological identification of HFRS.

Experimental pyelonephritis induced in rats by a single intrarenal injection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans &

Antimicrobial antibody titer (AMT) in the sera was determined in 5 patients with infective endocarditis (IE), 8 with septicemia without endocarditis, 3 with fungemia, and 4 with false-positive blood culture. AMT in cases of IE in the early stage of clinical course was over 350 and decreased to less than 50 with clinical improvement following appropriate antibiotic therapy. AMT in cases of septicemia without endocarditis was over 20 and less than 200 and the titer in patients with false-positive blood culture was less than 10. AMT in cases of fungemia without endocarditis ranged from 200-800.

Glomerular localization of fibrinogen reactive antigens (FRA) and fibrinogen degradation products reactive antigens (FDP-E) was investigated in 184 renal biopsy specimens of diseased kidneys by an immunofluorescent method. There was clear dissociation of FRA and neoantigen deposits in the glomeruli in a moderately active stage of acute glomerulonephritis, chronic glomerulonephritis and in all 5 cases of lipoid nephrosis. In lupus nephritis and membranous nephropathy there were almost coincident deposits of these antigens.