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In this study, we explored the consolidation, solid‐solution formation, and high‐temperature properties of carbides in the Ta–Nb–C system. The tantalum niobium carbide bulks can be consolidated by spark‐plasma sintering only at a temperature of 2200°C using a 30‐min dwell. The ceramics were homogeneous solid solutions and a linear dependence of the lattice parameters on the NbC content was observed. The average grain size varied between 10 and 30 μm, while the reference monolithic tantalum carbide consolidated under similar conditions had a grain size exceeding 40 μm. The room temperature strength linearly decreased from TaC to NbC. The 75 mol% NbC ceramic showed almost an unchanged strength up to 1600°C (450 ± 20 MPa), following the linear decrease in strength to 290 MPa at 2000°C. The monolithic tantalum carbide had showed the lowest strength at 2000°C among the studied ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive Mac-2-binding protein ( WFA+-M2 BP) levels between patients with chronic hepatitis B (n=249) and chronic hepatitis C (n=386) based on the degree of liver fibrosis. We examined WFA+-M2 BP levels in patients with F4 (cirrhosis), F3 or more (advanced fibrosis) and F2 or more (significant fibrosis) in the two groups. We further examined the relationship between five fibrosis markers and the degree of fibrosis. The WFA+-M2 BP values ranged from 0.25 cut-off index ( COI) to 12.9 COI in patients with hepatitis B and 0.34-20.0 COI in patients with hepatitis C ( P<.0001). The median WFA+-M2 BP values in F4 in the two groups were 2.83 COI in patients with hepatitis B and 5.03 COI in patients with hepatitis C ( P=.0046). The median WFA+-M2 BP values in F3 or more in the two groups were 1.79 COI in patients with hepatitis B and 3.79 COI in patients with hepatitis C ( P<.0001). The median WFA+-M2 BP values in F2 or more in the two groups were 1.49 COI in the hepatitis B cohort and 3.19 COI in the hepatitis C group ( P<.0001). Among five liver fibrosis markers, WFA+-M2 BP had the highest correlation coefficient ( r s=.629) in terms of correlation with the degree of fibrosis in the patients with hepatitis C and had the second highest r s value (.415) in the hepatitis B group. Although WFA+-M2 BP could be a useful indicator of liver fibrosis, WFA+-M2 BP levels in the two groups significantly differed even in the same degree of fibrosis. Individual cut-off values in each aetiology for the degree of fibrosis should be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Akinetic mutism is thought to be an appropriate therapeutic end-point in patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease ( sCJD). However, prognostic factors for akinetic mutism are unclear and clinical signs or symptoms that precede this condition have not been defined. The goal of this study was to identify prognostic factors for akinetic mutism and to clarify the order of clinical sign and symptom development prior to its onset. Methods The cumulative incidence of akinetic mutism and other clinical signs and symptoms was estimated based on Japanese CJD surveillance data (455 cases) collected from 2003 to 2008. A proportional hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors for the time to onset of akinetic mutism and other clinical signs and symptoms. Results Periodic synchronous discharges on electroencephalography were present in the majority of cases (93.5%). The presence of psychiatric symptoms or cerebellar disturbance at sCJD diagnosis was associated with the development of akinetic mutism [hazard ratio ( HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.14-1.99, and HR 2.15, 95% CI1.61-2.87, respectively]. The clinical course from cerebellar disturbance to myoclonus or akinetic mutism was classified into three types: (i) direct path, (ii) path via pyramidal or extrapyramidal dysfunction and (iii) path via psychiatric symptoms or visual disturbance. Conclusions The presence of psychiatric symptoms or cerebellar disturbance increased the risk of akinetic mutism of sCJD cases with probable MM/ MV subtypes. Also, there appear to be sequential associations in the development of certain clinical signs and symptoms of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent experimental evidence indicates that angiogenesis affects tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered to be an important regulator of tumor angiogenesis. The present study was designed to examine the role of VEGF on angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs).Study Design: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens were obtained from 29 primary NPCs that consisted of 22 differentiated nonkeratinizing carcinomas and seven undifferentiated carcinomas.Methods: Microvessels were highlighted by staining endothelial cells with von Willebrand factor (VWF) using immunohistochemical techniques, and were counted (per x 400 field) in the most active area of angiogenesis on light microscopy. The expression of VEGF was also studied with immunohistochemistry. Positive ratio for VEGF was graded on a scale of 1 and 2. Scale 1 represents patients with less than the mean value of the positive ratio, and scale 2 represents patients with more than the corresponding value.Results: There was a significant correlation between increased microvessel count and the progression of regional lymph node involvement. The microvessel counts and the progression of N factor were significantly higher in scale 2 patients than in scale 1 patients.Conclusion: These results suggest that VEGF plays an important role in lymph node metastasis through induction of angiogenesis in NPCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemistry of the corrosion products formed from carbon and weathering steel during four years of atmospheric exposure were investigated using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The iron rust products with crystalline nature were identified from their standard formal potential. The corrosion protection ability of the rust layers were determined by polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies using CPE. ATR-FTIR, SEM and XRD studies were employed to identify the composition and morphology of the corrosion products which supports SWV results. Results showed that the weathering steel has higher corrosion resistance than the carbon steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of 13 years of swine-manure application on the changes in soil hydraulic properties, and as associated physicochemical properties, with a focus on heavy metal mobility. Various soil hydraulic properties were measured, including soil water retention (SWR), saturated field hydraulic conductivity ( Kfs) and unsaturated field hydraulic conductivity ( Kfunsat) using a disc infiltrometer. Heavy metal mobility was evaluated with a sequential extraction procedure. At 0-30 cm soil depth in the heavily manured plot (SMhigh plot), SWR at 0 to −100 kPa was significantly larger than in plots amended with a standard amount of manure (SMstd plot) or with chemical fertilizer (CF plot). Kfs and Kfunsat values in both manure-amended plots were less than in the CF plot under dry soil conditions but greater than those of the CF plot under wet soil conditions. Furthermore, Kfs and Kfunsat did not necessarily increase with manure application rates. On the other hand, high-mobility metal fractions, such as the exchangeable fraction of Zn, and the CH3CO2Na-extractable fraction of Zn and Mn, and the metal-organic complex fractions of Zn, Cu and Mn, increased with the greater manure application rate. In addition, low-mobility metal fractions, the organically bound fractions of Zn, Cu and Mn in the high SM plot and the easily reducible metal oxide fraction of Mn in both manure-amended plots were probably affected and released into high-mobility fractions. This indicated that manure application changed the soil redox conditions by improving the soil structure, depending on the water content of soil pores. Despite the reduction of Kfs and Kfunsat by heavy manure application, the transport of high-mobility metal fractions with either surface water flow or infiltration water flow could be controlled by soil water content at the beginning of a rain or irrigation event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The responses of nitrogen (N) uptake by rice ( Oryza sativa L.) to low water temperatures at different growth stages were examined during a 3-year field trial in northern Japan. Cool irrigation water was applied at two to three temperature levels (16-25 °C) for 20-34 days during the vegetative stage and then during reproductive growth. We measured the N uptake rate, N content and canopy radiation interception during both growth stages. Exposure to low water temperature during either the vegetative or the reproductive growth stage slowed N uptake, and the magnitude of the decrease differed between the growth stages; the decrease was greater during vegetative growth than during reproductive growth. Consequently, total N uptake at maturity was most strongly reduced by low water temperature during vegetative growth and was not affected by low water temperature during reproductive growth, even though N distribution to the panicle was greatly reduced. The variations in N uptake during the growing season among growth stages and years were explained better by the amount of canopy radiation capture than by the number of degree-days based on water temperature. This strong dependency on canopy radiation capture improves our understanding of the factors responsible for variations in N uptake under different levels of water temperature, and this knowledge will provide an opportunity to simplify the modelling of N uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background The chemokine receptor CCR4 has been implicated in Th2 cell-mediated immune responses. However, other T cell subsets are also known to participate in allergic inflammation. Objective The role of CCR4 in Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell-mediated allergic airway inflammation was investigated. Method We generated an allergic airway inflammation model by adoptive transfer of in vitro-polarized ovalbumin ( OVA)-specific Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells. The effect of a low-molecular weight CCR4 antagonist, Compound 22, on this model was examined. Results Upon in vitro polarization of DO11.10 naïve T cells, Th1- and Th2-polarized cells dominantly expressed CXCR3 and CCR4, respectively, while Th17-polarized cells expressed CCR6 and CCR4. Intranasal OVA-challenge of mice transferred with each T cell subset induced accumulation of T cells in the lungs. Eosinophils were also massively accumulated in Th2-transferred mice, whereas neutrophils were preferentially recruited in Th1- and Th17-transferred mice. Compound 22, as well as anti- CCL17 or anti- CCL22 antibody selectively suppressed accumulation of Th2 cells and eosinophils in the lungs of Th2-transferred and OVA-challenged mice. Compound 22 also inhibited bronchial hyperresponsiveness but had little effect on goblet cell hyperplasia in Th2-transferred and OVA-challenged mice. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance There were notable differences in allergic lung inflammation mediated by different T cell subsets. CCR4 blockage was selectively effective for suppression of Th2-mediated allergic inflammation by blocking infiltration of Th2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix protein with a wide range of functions, and is involved in various inflammatory diseases. However, the role of OPN in eosinophilic airway inflammation is unclear. Objective To elucidate the role of OPN in eosinophilic airway inflammation. Methods OPN protein levels in induced sputum from asthmatic patients and healthy controls were measured. Eosinophil migration assays were performed in the presence or absence of OPN, a blocking antibody (Ab) recognizing its integrin-binding domain (2K1) and an anti-integrin α4 Ab (P1H4). In the mouse asthma model, the levels of eosinophilia were examined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs) from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and -challenged mice with or without administration of an Ab (M5) corresponding to human 2K1. Results Levels of OPN in induced sputum were significantly higher in asthmatic patients when compared with healthy controls. In addition, levels of OPN were correlated with the percentage of sputum eosinophils. OPN induced significant migration of human eosinophils and this effect was inhibited by 2K1 and P1H4. M5 significantly attenuated OVA-induced eosinophilia in BALFs. Conclusion These results indicate that OPN plays a role in the migration of eosinophils into the airways and may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an evaluation of a residential care practice, which was part of a ‘Dysphagia Management’ course introduced into a 3-year dental hygiene curriculum in Japan. The clinical practice was performed at a care facility for the elderly people. Dental hygiene interventions, which consisted mainly of professional oral care, were implemented on a client who was bed-bound after suffering from a stroke. As the client had severe tension in muscles around oral cavity, it was difficult for the facility care workers to provide daily oral hygiene care. The goals of the dental hygiene care plan included decreasing tension of oral muscles and reducing periodontal inflammation and halitosis. The dental hygiene interventions were given once a month for 5 months. Evaluation in the fifth month demonstrated relaxation of oral muscles, decrease in plaque accumulation, and improvements in levels of gingival inflammation, indicating the partial achievements of the initial goals. Possibilities for revision of the care plan could call for more active involvement of the facility care workers and client-centered goal setting. This learning experience provided an opportunity for continuing intervention and evaluation of dental hygiene care for the same client. The positive results of our limited interventions further confirmed the importance of professional oral care in organic and functional improvements in oral health for the elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of infusion of 50% glucose solution before balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) to occlude collateral vessels draining gastric varices other than gastrorenal shunt was evaluated. In five patients with such collateral vessels, 50% glucose solution was infused from the balloon catheter inflated within the gastrorenal shunt. The degree of collateral vessels had decreased when BRTO was carried out so that sclerotic agents sufficiently occupied the gastric varices in all patients. In three patients, embolization of collateral vessels with coils was unnecessary. There were no complications. In conclusion, retrograde infusion of 50% glucose solution assists in effectively carrying out BRTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine management guidelines for biopsy-induced pneumothorax with the assistance of manual aspiration, mainly based on the duration of complicated pneumothorax. Data from 388 consecutive percutaneous needle lung biopsies were examined. Patients with pneumothorax on postbiopsy chest CT images underwent percutaneous manual aspiration with an 18-G i.v. catheter. Frequency and management of biopsy-induced pneumothorax and period to its disappearance were reviewed. Postbiopsy pneumothorax occurred in 133 of 388 (34.3%) procedures. Manual aspiration in 72 of these 133 patients was carried out immediately after biopsy. The pneumothorax had resolved completely on follow-up chest radiographs without chest tube placement in 121 of the 133 pneumothoraces (91.0%). In cases requiring chest tube, the mean period from biopsy until resolution of the pneumothorax was 6.0 ± 5.3 days, but was only 2.4 ± 2.9 days when chest tube placement was not needed. Specifically, time until recovery was short both in those not requiring manual aspiration (2.1 ± 3.4 days) and in those with a pneumothorax that disappeared completely or almost completely after manual aspiration (1.9 ± 2.0 days). The almost equally short recovery periods in patients not requiring manual aspiration and those requiring immediate manual aspiration indicates the value of rapid management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the study of a 52-year-old man with oesophageal, rectal and anal varices caused by portal hypertension with complete obstruction of the superior mesenteric vein. Treatment by two sessions of interventional radiological procedures was successful. The first was a catheter-directed thrombolysis using the transmesenteric approach. The second was percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent implantation for the obstructed segment of the superior mesenteric vein and the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. In the second session, devices were advanced over a guidewire inserted from the right jugular vein and pulled out of the ileocolic vein using the pull-through technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a patient with gastric varices complicating portal hypertension caused by liver cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus. The patient underwent balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration. The gastric varices almost completely disappeared, without any sclerotic agent being used, after iatrogenic injury of the gastrorenal shunt at the time of the interventional procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case in which hepatic arterial occlusion developed during repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy through an implanted port-catheter system for advanced malignant hepatic neoplasia. After successful recanalization of the hepatic artery by using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, another port-catheter system was placed percutaneously by interventional radiology techniques, allowing the continuation of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report a case in which catheter-related difficulties occurred with a port-catheter system implanted to perform repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinomas. The port-catheter system had been percutaneously implanted with the catheter tip fixation method, and a side hole had been created in the indwelling catheter for placement in the common hepatic artery. Four months after port-catheter placement, however, the indwelling catheter became bent at the location of the side hole in the proper hepatic artery. Subsequently, the side hole moved into the left hepatic artery, resulting in a lack of distribution of chemotherapeutic agents to the tumours in the segments of the liver supplied by the right hepatic artery. This situation was easily corrected with a simple interventional radiological method so that hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy could be resumed with sufficient distribution over the entire liver. To our knowledge, such a problem involving a port-catheter system implanted with the catheter tip fixation method and its management thereafter has not been reported in the published literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrapped air can greatly affect the hydraulic conductivity at or near saturation. In this study, we measured the hydraulic conductivity and volume of entrapped air in a quasi-saturated soil. Two soils, a Masa sandy loam soil from weathered granite rock and a TUAT light clay andisol from volcanic ash, were used. The soils, with three different dry bulk densities, were packed into a steel cylinder. To attain complete saturation, the packed soil samples were immersed in a 0.02 mol L-1 gypsum solution under vacuum conditions. The soil samples were then left on a sintered porous plate with suction of -17.0 kPa for different periods of time to allow drainage and air intrusion. After this drainage process, the samples were again immersed in water to permit air entrapment. The hydraulic conductivity was measured using the falling head method, and the amount of entrapped air was determined gravimetrically. The quasi-saturated hydraulic conductivity was found to decrease with increasing entrapped air content until the soil had the maximum fraction of entrapped air, approximately 10% of the bulk soil volume. A comparison of the quasi-saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities of the soil samples at or near saturation, when the suction of soil water was greater than the air-entry value, showed that the quasi-saturated hydraulic conductivity was smaller than the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experimental study deals with mass-transfer enhancement and fluid dynamic behavior in a wavy-walled tube for pulsatile flow. Three flow parameters are considered here: the net flow Reynolds number, the oscillatory fraction of the flow rate, and the Strouhal number. Among them, we especially focused on the effect of Strouhal number on mass-transfer enhancement under the condition of no reverse flow. Time-averaged transport enhancement by means of imposed fluid oscillation is found to vary with the net flow Reynolds number and with the oscillatory fraction of the flow rate. The most effective mass-transfer enhancement is registered when the net flow falls on just before the transitional flow regime for steady flow. Furthermore, there is an optimum Strouhal number, corresponding to the maximum transport enhancement, that depends on the oscillatory fraction of the flow rate. The results of time variation for flow behavior show that stable and unstable flow states exist during one oscillation cycle. The duration of the unstable flow state, corresponding to the optimum Strouhal number, is found to be the longest, and it leads to a remarkable fluid exchange between the mainstream and the recirculation zone, thus contributing to the mass transfer enhancement. These results indicate that the transport enhancement mechanism for the wavy-walled tube is quite different from the resonant transport enhancement observed in the two-dimensional (2-D) wavy-walled channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succinylated glycerol monostearate (SGMS) was most effective in reducing shear-force value when used as a surfactant to tenderize meat using sheep casings as a model of intramuscular connective tissue. Roasted beef slices that had been treated with 2% granular SGMS showed a marked decrease in toughness due to the penetration of SGMS along the perimysium during heating. Collagen fibrils in the perimysium were transformed into a sheet-like structure that seemed very likely to he a complex of SGMS and thermally denatured collagen. These structural changes could account for the tenderness of the roasted beef slices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of microglial cells as well as DNA fragmentation in pyramidal cells was investigated using immunohisto-chemistry and in situ end-labeling method (TUNEL) in the hippocampus of rats after rapid kindling or kainic acid treatment. In intact rats, no or very little DNA fragmentation was detected in the hippocampus. Resting microglia distributed evenly throughout the hippocampus. Neither major histocompatibility complex antigens class I (MHC I) nor class II (MHC II) immunoreactivity was seen in the hippocampus. In the rapid-kindling model, no DNA fragmentation, reactive microglia or MHC antigen-positive cells were present in the hippocampus. In rats given an intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid (12 mg/kg), reactive microglial cells were seen around pyramidal neurons in the CA1 and CA3 field of the hippocampus as well as in the hilus of the dentate gyrus at 3 h. At that point in time, DNA fragmentation was not detected. DNA fragmentation was clearly observed, mainly in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, from 24 h to 4 weeks after the kainic acid injection. The number of reactive microglia was quickly increased and reached a maximum at 7 days after the injection, and continued until 8 weeks thereafter. During this period, many reactive microglia expressed MHC I and MHC II. The present study indicates that epileptic seizures do not depend on microglial activation and that microglial activation is closely related to the neuronal death process induced by kainic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous study demonstrated that although M+ bacteria bound C3, mainly C3b and iC3b, via the classical pathway of complement activation, they were not phagocytosed by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN). To elucidate this mechanism, we attempted to distinguish between the possibilities that M+ bacteria arc effectively adhering to PMN but arc not being endocytosed, or that the C3 deposited on M+ bacteria is not able to interact with the complement receptors on PMN. In the present study, we studied the interaction of C3-coated M+ bacteria with complement receptor CR1, which was isolated from the stroma of human erythrocytes. We show that the isolated complement receptor CR1 can associate with C3-coated M+ bacteria as well as with C3-coated M- bacteria, and the C3 deposited on M+ bacteria is cleaved and releases a C3 fragment in the presence of factor 1 and liquid-phase CR1. These results suggest that the C3 bound on the surface of M+ bacteria is able to promote adherence to the complement receptor CR1 on PMN. We also studied the distribution of C3 deposited on M+ bacteria in normal human serum (NHS) or normal human plasma (NHP). By immunofluorescence, we show that the C3 bound to M+ bacteria in NHS was deposited uniformly over the surface of the bacteria. On the other hand, the C3 bound to M+ bacteria in NHP was deposited at both ends between adjacent daughter cocci. The results suggest that an additional factor contained in NHP is related to the enhancement of anti-phagocytic activity of M+ bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the susceptibility of primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and metastatic RCC to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells using three RCC cell lines derived from the primary and metastatic tumours in a male patient with advanced RCC. Materials and methods Three RCC cell lines (named HANKS) were derived from a 44-year-old man with advanced RCC. HANKS-Pr, HANKS-Lu and HANKS-LN were established from the primary lesion and the metastatic lung and lymph node lesions, respectively. The susceptibility of HANKS cell lines to 18 different LAK cells obtained from either patients with urological cancer or from healthy volunteers was studied. The three groups of LAK cells were divided as follows: (A) LAK cells from RCC patients ( n= 6); (B) LAK cells from patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)/prostatic carcinoma (CaP) ( n= 4) and (C) healthy volunteers ( n= 8). A 51Cr-releasing cytotoxic assay was used to determine susceptibility. Results The mean percentage lysis of the HANKS cell lines to the 18 allogenic LAK cells were 28.1% in HANKS-Pr, 20.2% in HANKS-Lu and 10.4% in HANKS-LN. The susceptibility of HANKS-LN to LAK cells was significantly lower than that of HANKS-Pr and HANKS-Lu in all three groups ( P<0.05). In contrast, the susceptibility of HANKS-Pr was significantly higher than HANKS-Lu in group A only ( P<0.01). Conclusion This is the first report to describe the different susceptibilities of primary RCC and metastatic RCC derived from the same patient. HANKS-LN itself might be the least susceptible to LAK cells because it was not related to the source of LAK cells. Furthermore, RCC may affect the cytotoxicity of LAK cells to HANKS-Pr. These data indicate there are at least two different types of mechanisms leading to the different susceptibilities of HANKS cells to LAK cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1969, a new kind of epizootic occurred among eels in Japan and virological investigation was initiated. A new virus designated eel: virus european (EVE) was isolated and biological, cytological, serological tests and infectivity trials were carried out. In its OPE on RTG-2 cells and additionally in its biological properties and particle size, EVE was found to be similar to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). Serologically, EVE was similar to the d'Honninethun, France, strain of IPNV. However, infectivity trials showed that EVE and IPNV differed; EVE killed Japanese eels Anguilla japonica but not rainbow trout fry Salmo gairdneri, while IPN virus killed rainbow trout fry but not eels. We consider EVE to be the primary agent causing the new epizootic and propose the name viral kidney disease for the resulting clinical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

- Non-specific esterase staining has been found useful in the detection of macrophages in prostatic fluid (PF). PA In the early stage of acute prostatitis most of the leucocytes in a smear of PF took up the stain, suggesting the dominant participation of macrophages in the inflammatory area in this stage of the disease. In chronic prostatitis, only a few leucocytes took up the stain. In female acute cystitis, none of the large numbers of leucocytes exhibited staining at any stage of the disease. The reason for this is still to be determined. Frozen sections of prostatic tissue from patients with chronic prostatitis revealed similar cells around the acini and these appeared to be the source of the macrophages which appeared in the PF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed five microsatellite primer pairs for the yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata. The loci were highly polymorphic, with eight to 14 alleles per locus, and can be used to study kinship and/or population structure. Many of these primer pairs amplified polymorphic loci in cross-species amplification tests for two other Seriola species ( S. lalandi and S. dumerili). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To report three cases of reverse pupillary block after suture of intraocular lens(IOL) to the ciliary sulcus in avitreous eyes. Methods Visual impairment occurred in three eyes of three patients with past surgical history of vitrectomy and suture of IOL to the ciliary sulcus. Their findings of anterior segment showed deep anterior chamber (6000μm~4330μm) with concavity of the intermediate and peripheral iris, compression bonding of the pupil and IOL, and pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork. The diagnosis of a reverse pupillary block was made by opthalmological examinations and additional tests, e.g., ultrasonography and Pentacam®. In all eyes, laser iridotomy(LI) was performed in the superior peripheral iris to eliminate reverse pupillary block. Results As a result, reverse pupillary block was eliminated and the depth of anterior chamber returned to normal (4018μm~3700μm), furthermore, concavity of the iris and compression bonding of the pupil and IOL were disappeared in all eyes. Conclusion In the eyes with past surgical history of vitrectomy and suture of IOL to the ciliary sulcus, reverse pupillary block might occur and LI can be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To report two cases of uveitis who are lacking the systemic signs were confirmed to be ocular sarcoidosis by vitreous cytology. Methods Case 1 was a 56‐year‐old man who was referred with blurred vision, and was found to have iridocyclitis, vitreous opacities, and papilledema bilaterally. He received pulsed corticosteroid therapy, however, the vitreous opacities and papilledema were not resolved. The second case was a 77‐year‐old man referred with blurred vision, and both eyes had snowball‐like vitreous opacities and optic nerve papilledema. The ocular findings in both cases strongly suggested sarcoidosis, however the systemic findings did not meet the diagnostic criteria of sarcoidosis. We performed pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to remove the vitreous opacities, and collected all of the diluted vitreous during PPV and submitted for cytological analyses. Results Epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, cells pathognomonic of sarcoidosis, were found in the vitreous samples which allowed us to make a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Conclusion Vitreous cytology can help in making a diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis especially in cases of ocular inflammations suggesting sarcoidosis but systemic findings that do not satisfy the diagnostic criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To determine the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the fellow eyes after an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in one eye. Methods Eight patients who had similar findings of with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in both eyes were studied (four patients had rubeosis, and four patients did not have rubeosis in the anterior chamber). All patients received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab(1.25 mg) in one eye. Samples of aqueous humor were collected from the injected eyes just before and one day after the injection, and after 7 days from untreated fellow eyes. The concentration of VEGF was measured by ELISA. Results After one day, the VEGF level in injected eyes was significantly reduced from 3230.3±2136.8 pg/ml to 3.1±3.6 pg /ml (P<0.05) in eyes with rubeosis and 465.0±78.8 pg/ml to 0 pg/ml (P<0.05) in those without rubeosis. After seven days, the VEGF levels of the fellow eyes were still significantly lower than that in the injected eyes before the injection (688.5±443.1 pg/ml in the rubeosis group, and 7.8±13.2 pg/ml in the no rubeosis group, P<0.05, P<0.05). Conclusion A single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab significantly reduced the VEGF concentrations in the aqueous humor of the fellow untreated eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]