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Background: Nosocomial infections by respiratory viruses undetected by rapid tests are not often diagnosed. For paediatric patients with background diseases, nosocomial infection could be fatal.Aim: To determine the relationship between developing symptoms by respiratory viruses undetectable by rapid tests and respiratory risks and to improve the management of infection control.Methods: Two episodes of nosocomial infection by human bocavirus (HBoV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) were retrospectively investigated in a tertiary hospital paediatric ward in Japan. Viruses were identified by polymerase chain reaction to determine infection control management. When viruses of the same species were detected from different patients, the virus homology was investigated. The relationship between respiratory risks and developing symptoms was statistically investigated.Findings: Three and four patients with respiratory risks in the HBoV and HRV outbreaks, respectively, developed respiratory symptoms. The nucleotide sequences of two patients in the HBoV outbreak and all four patients in the HRV outbreak were phylogenetically close. In both outbreaks, the patients with respiratory risks developed significantly more symptoms than those without any risk (P = 0.035 and 0.018, respectively). After the patients with respiratory infection were separated from those with respiratory risks, no additional nosocomial infection occurred.Conclusion: Patients with respiratory risks easily develop respiratory symptoms and acquire severe symptoms of nosocomial infection by those viruses. In a paediatric ward, we should adopt not only standard precautions but also isolation management of the patients with respiratory symptoms, even if they have negative results in rapid tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is an infectious disease caused by Lawsonia intracellularis (Li), an obligate intracellular bacterium. PE is endemic in swine herds and has been reported in a variety of mammals including horses, hamsters, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, foxes, dogs, sheep, deer and non-human primates. Avian cases are reported only in ratite birds, including emus and ostriches. Some studies show an absence of Lawsonia spp. infection in chickens. In this study, we performed morphological and bacteriological examinations on the intestines of two broiler chickens that had been condemned at a poultry slaughter plant in Japan due to intestinal haemorrhage, which was a result of focal coccidial enteritis. Histopathology revealed proliferation of the villous epithelium in the small and/or large intestines, especially the caeca, regardless of coccidial lesions. Warthin–Starry silver staining and immunohistochemistry using anti-Li monoclonal antibody revealed numerous bacteria and/or antigens in the villous epithelium. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of curved rods, morphologically compatible with Li, in the apical cytoplasm of the epithelium. Polymerase chain reaction products specific for Li were amplified from DNA samples extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded tissue. These results suggest that Li can cause PE, characterized by proliferation of the villous epithelium, in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Knowledge of departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) heat flux is important for design of superconducting systems cooled by cryogenic liquids. We have already presented the equation of DNB heat flux that can describe the experimental data of liquid hydrogen. To see the applicability of the equation to other cryogenic liquids, similar heat transfer tests in forced flow of liquid nitrogen are performed for wide ranges of conditions in this work. It was confirmed that the DNB heat flux equation derived by the authors can express not only the data for liquid hydrogen but also those for liquid nitrogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examined relationships between starting points of head and mandibular movements in 11 female control subjects and 10 TMD patients showing disc displacement with reduction during consecutive open-close movements, using a six-degree-of-freedom measuring device. During the first mandibular opening cycle, in the TMD group, head movement was significantly preceded in relation to mandibular movement when compared with the control group, and major differences in onset were seen between maximum and minimal values at the beginning of mandibular movements. After the second cycle, significant differences in starting points were not evident. In TMD patients showing disc displacement with reduction, in the first cycle, at the commencement of opening movements, it is proposed that the head precedes the mandible in order to compensate for irregular condylar movements, and the degree of the condylar movement irregularity might affect the onset relation between the head and the mandible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the correlation between the force applied to a ball and the joint motion of the hip, trunk, shoulder and elbow in adolescent baseball players. The subjects were 15 adolescent baseball players (13.7±0.8 yrs) and 15 college-age baseball players (22.1±1.5). Pitching motion images were captured by three high-speed cameras, and 3D analysis established by the direct leaner translation method was performed to obtain the angles and the angular velocity of each joint, as well as the acceleration of the wrist toward the target at ball release (Acc). In the adolescent players, a significant linear correlation was found between Acc and trunk rotation angle (r=-0.59), elbow extension angle (r=-0.75), shoulder internal rotation velocity (r=-0.76) and elbow extension velocity (r=-0.61). In the college-age players, a significant linear correlation was found between Acc and hip adduction velocity (r=-0.51) and elbow extension velocity (r=-0.61). The finding indicates that adolescent players may depend more on the upper extremity motion than the hip joint motion when pitching. Coaches and athletic trainers may need to focus on the hip joint motion in order to prevent pitching injuries among adolescent baseball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During early pregnancy, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells are exposed to very low pO2 values. In this study, we investigated the proteolytic functions and invasiveness of human primary EVT cells under hypoxic conditions to show the early placental pathophysiology. Placental samples (from 5 to 10 weeks gestation) were obtained at termination of pregnancy. Cytotrophoblast cells were separated by Percoll® gradient method and cultured on Matrigel® to obtain an invasive phenotype (similar to EVT). The invasion capacity (Matrigel-coated invasion assay), migration of the cells (wound healing assay), activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor for MMP (TIMP)-2 (gelatin gel zymography, ELISA, and quantitative RT-PCR), and expression of membrane-type (MT)1-MMP (western blot) were investigated. All cultures (except for quantitative RT-PCR) were performed under 20% oxygen, 5% oxygen, and 5% oxygen with 3 repetitions of 0.1% oxygen hypoxic stimulation for 1 h. Invasion and MMP2 activity of the cells were significantly increased in 20% and decreased in 0.1% oxygen. There was no significant difference in cell migration among the oxygen environments. Concentrations of MMP2 in the supernatant and expression of MT1-MMP were increased in both the 0.1% and 20% oxygen environments. The MMP2 mRNA level was increased after 1-h stimulation with 0.1% oxygen. The TIMP2 concentration was increased only in 20% oxygen, but the mRNA level was decreased in 0.1% oxygen. These results suggested that hypoxia might inhibit the invasive capacity and MMP2 activation of EVT cells in the early first trimester of pregnancy. Decrease in TIMP2 production may reduce the MMP2/TIMP2/MT1-MMP complex and lead to this unique behavior of EVT cells under hypoxic conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Multifocal, raised, ulcerated firm nodules accompanied by an intussuscepted area were detected in the jejunum of an 8-year-old Holstein cow. The cut surfaces of the nodules were yellow–white. Microscopically, the lamina propria was expanded by an intense infiltration of epithelioid cells, multinucleate giant cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Numerous bacteria were found within the granulomatous lesions. These were argyrophilic, gram-positive, periodic acid–Schiff-positive, segmented, rarely branched, elongate filamentous bacteria (2–28μm in length, 0.2–0.35μm in diameter). Ultrastructurally, a cell wall with an electron-transparent zone was detected. The present pathogen was clearly different from the argyrophilic, gram-negative, non-segmented, filamentous bacterium previously reported in a Holstein cow with jejunal granuloma. Comparative 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that the organism was an unpublished species (GenBank accession number AB539875). This is the first report of bovine jejunal granuloma associated with an argyrophilic gram-positive segmented filamentous bacterium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight phenolic compounds, including (-)-epicatechin (1) and seven proanthocyanidins (2-8), were obtained from the butanol extract of Parabarium huaitingii (PHB). Their chemical structures were identified based on analyses of mass spectra (MS), NMR, CD spectra, and partial acid catalyzed thiolytic degradation. The observation made by laser scanning confocal microscope found a significant increase of the concentration of intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) in single myocytes when the PHB was added, while compounds 1 and 3 had the same physiological effect. Further investigations showed PHB had a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect on isolated right atria and papillary muscle of left ventricle of the rat, while having no significant influence on the spontaneous beating rate of the isolated right atria. The inotropic effect of PHB could be greatly abolished by pretreating the myocardium in Ca(2+)-free solution. These findings indicated that PHB could significantly increase [Ca(2+)](i) in myocytes, which was greatly dependent on the influx of extracellular Ca(2+). Compounds 1 and 3 might be the effective ingredients of the inotropic effect of PHB. In addition, PHB could also significantly decrease the infarct size of the heart on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model rats, which suggested its myocardial protective effect on ischemic myocardium. The positive inotropic effect of PHB, together with its myocardial protective effect on AMI, suggested that PHB had a promising potential for the prevention and treatment of heart failure, especially the one that was caused by AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eight phenolic compounds, including (−)-epicatechin (1) and seven proanthocyanidins (2–8), were obtained from the butanol extract of Parabarium huaitingii (PHB). Their chemical structures were identified based on analyses of mass spectra (MS), NMR, CD spectra, and partial acid catalyzed thiolytic degradation. The observation made by laser scanning confocal microscope found a significant increase of the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+] i ) in single myocytes when the PHB was added, while compounds 1 and 3 had the same physiological effect. Further investigations showed PHB had a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect on isolated right atria and papillary muscle of left ventricle of the rat, while having no significant influence on the spontaneous beating rate of the isolated right atria. The inotropic effect of PHB could be greatly abolished by pretreating the myocardium in Ca2+-free solution. These findings indicated that PHB could significantly increase [Ca2+] i in myocytes, which was greatly dependent on the influx of extracellular Ca2+. Compounds 1 and 3 might be the effective ingredients of the inotropic effect of PHB. In addition, PHB could also significantly decrease the infarct size of the heart on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model rats, which suggested its myocardial protective effect on ischemic myocardium. The positive inotropic effect of PHB, together with its myocardial protective effect on AMI, suggested that PHB had a promising potential for the prevention and treatment of heart failure, especially the one that was caused by AMI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tilapia fish-scale type I atelocollagen hydrogels with aligned fibril structures were fabricated under a strong magnetic field of 6 or 12 T using two different methods. In the first method, a solution of acid-soluble collagen was neutralized with phosphate buffer saline and maintained in the magnetic field at 28°C for 3h. Under these conditions fibrogenesis occurs, and a hydrogel is formed. The hydrogel was subsequently crosslinked with ethyl-dimethylcarbodiimide (EDC). In the second method, the hydrogels were formed as described above, but in the absence of an applied magnetic field. Only after being crosslinked with EDC were these gels exposed to the magnetic field (28°C for 3h). Both methods led to alignment of the collagen fibrils perpendicular to the magnetic direction, the extent of which depended on the duration of magnetic treatment. Even after EDC treatment, collagen fibrils can align, indicating that crosslinking has taken place within fibrils. Both sorts of aligned hydrogels exhibited similar rheological properties with higher storage and loss moduli than were observed with unoriented gels. The hydrogels treated at 6 T had the best rheological properties. The decrease in tangent angle phase delta indicated that the ratio of elasticity to viscosity was greater in the crosslinked than in the non-crosslinked hydrogels. Atomic force microscopy images showed that magnetic treatment had no effect on the nanostructure of collagen fibrils. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicated that collagen hydrogels with and without magnetic treatment had the same denaturation temperature, 48°C, while EDC crosslinking increased the denaturation temperature to 62°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 26-month-old thoroughbred colt with a 4-month history of continuous diarrhoea and weight loss was subject to necropsy examination. The small intestinal mucosa was thickened and this change particularly affected the terminal ileum. Microscopical examination revealed multifocal epithelial hyperplasia, with multifocal granulomas and marked lymphocytic infiltration of the lamina propria. Numerous gram-negative argyrophilic curved bacilli were observed within the cytoplasm of affected enterocytes. Macrophages and epithelioid cells forming the granulomas had abundant, lightly eosinophilic, foamy cytoplasm, with occasional large, clear vacuoles containing gram-positive coccobacilli. Immunohistochemical studies suggested that the argyrophilic bacilli were Lawsonia intracellularis and the gram-positive coccobacilli were Rhodococcus equi. L. intracellularis-specific DNA fragments were amplified from the affected ileocaecal mucosa by polymerase chain reaction. Virulent R. equi (VapA positive) was isolated in pure culture from the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. These results suggested that the two intracytoplasmic organisms had induced multifocal proliferative and granulomatous enteritis accompanied by severe and extensive lymphocytic infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A length of intussuscepted jejunum, associated with a granuloma, was removed surgically from a 35-month-old Holstein cow. Microscopically, the granuloma consisted of multifocal aggregates of macrophages, epithelioid cells and occasional multinucleated giant cells within the lamina propria. Numerous argyrophilic, gram-negative, periodic acid Schiff-negative, non-segmented, long filamentous bacteria (2–17μm in length, 0.1–0.3μm in diameter) were detected in the cytoplasm of the epithelioid cells. The bacteria were localized to the granulomatous lesions. Comparative 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that the organism was an unpublished species (accession number AB472332). This argyrophilic non-segmented filamentous bacterium appears to have been the cause of multifocal granulomatous jejunitis accompanied by intestinal intussusception in this cow. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to demonstrate each joint angle at the maximum external rotation of the shoulder complex during the throwing of adolescent baseball players. The subjects were 15 adolescent baseball players (13.7±0.8 yrs) and 15 collegiate baseball players (22.1±1.5yrs). Throwing motion images were captured by three high-speed cameras, and a 3D analysis established by the direct leaner translation method was performed to obtain the shoulder external rotation, the glenohumeral external rotation (ER), and scapular posterior tilt angles. In the adolescent baseball players, the mean (±SD) value of the maximum external rotation angle (MER) was 141 ±15°, whereas the mean values of the glenohumeral ER and the scapula posterior tilt angles at the MER were 109±15° and 31±14°. Conversely, each angle of the college baseball players was 144±11°, 107±15°, and 29±14° respectively. There were no differences between the adolescent players and the college players. The adolescent players may need the same shoulder joint angles as the college players [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topical heat application has a number of therapeutic uses in nursing practice. However, factors such as surface temperature and duration of heat exposure to the modality used may result in accidental burning. The purpose of this clinical project was to find an effective and safe method of heat application for the pediatric population. Based on literature findings, the practice of heat therapy requires careful consideration of the benefits and risks involved and vigilant monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Several studies have reported green tea catechin to have both antifibrotic and anti-oxidative effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of green tea cathechin therapy in hepatic tissue injury using cholestatic rats with bile duct ligation. Materials and methods: We performed bile duct ligation on cholestatic seven-week-old male Wistar rats and classified them into three groups according to the method of treatment. The groups comprised the SHAM group, the NT-group (no-treatment-group), and the T-group (treatment-group). The rats were orally administered green tea catechin at a dose of 50mg/kg/day and were sacrificed on the 17th postoperative day. We subsequently investigated the levels of fibrosis and antioxidant activity associated with various clinical markers. We evaluated the serum AST and ALT levels and performed immunohistochemical analyses for 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 8-oxo-2′deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). We also evaluated the levels of activator protein-1 m-RNA (AP-1 m-RNA) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 m-RNA (TIMP-1 m-RNA) by Real Time PCR. Finally, we performed Azan staining and immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) to evaluate the degree of fibrosis. Results: The values of serum AST, serum ALT, AP-1 m-RNA, α‐SMA, TGF-β1, 4-HNE, and 8-OHdG in the T-Group were significantly lower than those in NT-Group. Therefore, the administration of green tea catechin might have suppressed the oxidative stress, controlled the stellate cell activation and consequently reduced the fibrosis. Conclusion: Green tea catechin may reduce hepatic fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress and controlling the transcription factor expression involved in stellate cell activation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the correlation between MER during throwing and each range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder complex, which consist of external rotation of glenohumeral joint and posterior tipping of the scapula in baseball players. The subjects were 19 collegiate baseball players. A three-dimensional analysis was performed to obtain the MER. The ROM of the external rotation of the shoulder complex (ER-ROM), ROM of the external rotation of the glenohumeral joint (GHE), and ROM of the posterior tipping of the scapula (SPT) were also passively measured. The mean (± SD) value of the MER was 150 ± 10°. The mean (± SD) values of the ER-ROM, GHE, and SPT were 135 ± 12°, 89 &plumsn; 12°, and 32 &plumsn; 7° respectively. Significant linear correlations were found between SPT and MER (r = 0.48), ER-ROM (r = 0.65). No significant correlations were found between GHE and MER and ER-ROM. The finding may indicate the importance of scapula motion more than glenohumeral joint motion for MER and ROM of the shoulder complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Survival after invasive coronary revascularization is worse in patients with chronic kidney disease than in patients without chronic kidney disease. We examined whether oral administration of nicorandil, a hybrid nitrate and adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, could improve outcome after coronary revascularization in hemodialysis patients. STUDY DESIGN: Open-labeled prospective randomized trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Maintenance hemodialysis patients who underwent percutaneous coronary artery intervention and had complete coronary revascularization (absence of both restenosis and de novo coronary lesion) at coronary arteriography 6 months later. Enrollment occurred between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2004. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with or without oral administration of nicorandil, 15 mg/d. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: The primary end point was cardiac death (sudden cardiac death or death from acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure). The secondary end point was all-cause death. End-point adjudication was performed masked to the intervention. RESULTS: 129 patients (91 men, 38 women) with a mean age of 66 +/- 9 (SD) years. During a 2.7 +/- 1.5-year follow-up, 26 died of cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction, 6; congestive heart failure, 5; sudden cardiac death, 15), and 12 died of noncardiac causes. Cardiac death-free survival rates were greater in the nicorandil group than in the control group (P = 0.009; at 3 years, 86.6% in the nicorandil group and 70.7% in the control group). All-cause death-free survival rates were also greater in the nicorandil group than in the control group (P = 0.01; at 3 years, 79.2% in the nicorandil group versus 60.5% in the control group). Additional percutaneous coronary artery intervention was performed in 6 participants in the nicorandil group and 2 participants in the control group. No serious side effects of nicorandil were reported during the course of the study. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size and open-label design. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of nicorandil may reduce cardiac death and improve the survival of hemodialysis patients after coronary revascularization. Copyright © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Edaravone (MCI-186) is a newly developed antioxidative radical scavenger for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction, exerting neuroprotective effects against ischemic insult. The neuroprotective effects of edaravone on pilocarpine-induced seizures in rats were investigated. Methods: Rats were treated intraperitoneally with saline or edaravone (1–30mg/kg), applied 30min before pilocarpine hydrochloride (330mg/kg). The onset of status epilepticus (SE) and mortality were recorded for a period of at least 3 days. The cell loss and immunoreactivities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the hippocampus from control and the day 3 rats after SE, treated with saline or edaravone, were evaluated. Results: Edaravone (1mg/kg) significantly prevented cell loss in the hippocampus after SE while easier inducing SE. The higher dose of drug could not induce SE significantly but tended to increase the rate of mortality. Inducible NOS (iNOS) expression was significantly decreased in the hippocampus from day 3 rats treated with 1mg/kg edaravone, compared with saline group, while neuronal NOS (nNOS) and iNOS significantly increased in the hippocampus treated with saline, compared with control group. Significant alteration of endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression in the hippocampus among control group, saline group, and edaravone group was not shown. Conclusions: Edaravone may act as a neuroprotector for the hippocampus after SE by reducing at least iNOS although the low dose of drug easier induces SE because of preventing an endogenous antiepileptic effect of NO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: There are no prospective comparison of the etiology and clinical outcome between hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP) in non-intubated elderly. This study prospectively evaluated the etiology of HAP and NHAP in non-intubated elderly. A prospective cohort study was carried out in a rural region of Japan where the population over 65 years of age represents 30% of the population. A total of 108 patients were enrolled. There were 33 patients with HAP and 75 with NHAP. Etiologic diagnosis was established in 78.8% of HAP and in 72% of NHAP patients. The most frequent pathogens were Chlamydophila pneumoniae followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza virus. The frequency of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza virus was significantly higher, whereas the frequency of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae was significantly lower in NHAP compared to HAP. Performance and nutritional status were significantly worse in patients with HAP than in those with NHAP. Hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients with NHAP compared to those with HAP. This study demonstrated that C. pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza virus are frequent causative agents of pneumonia in non-intubated elderly and that the responsible pathogens and clinical outcome differ between NHAP and HAP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: In a survey of 66 894 slaughter pigs, 11 animals from three farms were found to have multifocal granulomatous lesions in the liver, caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2. The lesions consisted of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, with asteroid bodies and discernible gram-negative bacteria. Lymph nodes and spleen were occasionally affected. The results suggested that haematogenous spread had occurred from pre-existing pulmonary infections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]