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Presents a study on diamond particles that were produced by microwave-assisted combustion of acetylene in oxygen. Experimental procedures; Results and discussion.

Reports the homogeneous nucleation of diamond powder in the gas phase. Description of the experimental setup; Details of the operating conditions of the successful experiments; Discussion of results.

The present study describes the clinical and pathological characteristics of skin lesions in two four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). We performed inverse PCR to identify the genome of papillomavirus (PV) in the skin lesions and subsequently sequenced the full genome of the virus, which was tentatively named Atelerix albiventris papillomavirus 1 (AalbPV1). The overall sequences of the viral genomes of both four-toed hedgehogs were identical. This study first identified the presence of a novel PV in Japanese four-toed hedgehogs and provided genetic information about this virus., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Feline calicivirus (FCV) causes upper respiratory tract diseases in cats and has highly variable antigenicity for neutralization of each strain. Neutralizing epitopes of FCV are currently found in the hypervariable region (HVR) in the P2 domain of the major capsid protein VP1. Due to its unique ability to neutralize various FCV strains, 1D7 is a monoclonal antibody that may recognize a novel neutralizing epitope. While other neutralizing epitopes were characterized by producing neutralization-resistant variants, only 1D7-resistant variants could not be obtained, and its epitope has not been identified in the previous studies. In this study, we successfully generated these variants by multiple passaging of the FCV F4 strain in the presence of 1D7 and discovered that several amino acid substitutions (K638N, R662G, and T666I in the P1 domain of VP1) are involved in the decreased binding of 1D7. These substitution sites are also highly conserved among FCV strains compared with the substitution sites of other neutralization-resistant variants found in the HVR. Our results indicate that amino acid substitutions in the P1 domain, which are not responsible for direct interaction with the FCV receptor, are associated with neutralization escape. Since FCV can be conveniently cultured in vitro and the receptor required for infection is known, a detailed analysis of the 1D7 epitope could shed more light on the neutralization mechanism of the epitopes of viruses belonging to the Caliciviridae., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Calicivirus infection in patients and animals is associated with the production of multiple inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Here we studied the feline calicivirus (FCV) non-structural proteins and found that the FCV protease was a key factor for TNF-α gene expression in cultured cells. The expression of the TNF-α gene in cells expressing FCV, human norovirus, and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus protease was compared, revealing that the induction of TNF-α could be a common phenomenon during the infection by the viruses in the Caliciviridae. The level of TNF-α mRNA in the cells expressing mutant proteases that lacked the active site was measured. These data indicate that the protease activity is crucial for TNF-α expression. These findings provide new insight into the induction of inflammation during calicivirus infection., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To investigate safety management at Japanese facilities performing human MRI studies., Methods: All Japanese facilities performing human MRI studies were invited to participate in a comprehensive survey that evaluated their MRI safety management. The survey used a questionnaire prepared with the cooperation of the Safety Committee of the Japanese Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. The survey addressed items pertaining to the overall MRI safety management, questions on the occurrence of incidents, and questions specific to facility and MRI scanner or examination. The survey covered the period from October 2017 to September 2018. Automated machine learning was used to identify factors associated with major incidents., Results: Of 5914 facilities, 2015 (34%) responded to the questionnaire. There was a wide variation in the rate of compliance with MRI safety management items among the participating facilities. Among the facilities responding to this questionnaire, 5% reported major incidents and 27% reported minor incidents related to MRI studies. Most major incidents involved the administration of contrast agents. The most influential factor in major incidents was the total number of MRI studies performed at the facility; this number was significantly correlated with the risk of major incidents (P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: There were large variations in the safety standards applied at Japanese facilities performing clinical MRI studies. The total number of MRI studies performed at a facility affected the number of major incidents.

Skin lesions possibly caused by Papillomavirus infections in two four-toed hedgehogs are described. In case 1, there was a papillary mass on the right hind limb. Histologically, the mass was consistent with a viral papilloma. In the other case, multifocal papillary masses with erosions and ulcers were found throughout the body, mainly on the extremities. Histology showed continuative lesions composed of acanthosis, Bowenoid in situ carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, with abrupt transitions between the lesions. In both cases, keratinocytes in the granular layer infrequently had features of koilocytes and intranuclear inclusion bodies, and immunohistochemical staining was positive for anti-human papillomavirus antibody. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first pathological documentation of possibly papillomavirus-associated skin lesions in four-toed hedgehogs.

A novel polyomavirus (PyV) was identified in the intestinal contents of Japanese eastern bent-wing bats (Miniopterus fuliginosus) via metagenomic analysis. We subsequently sequenced the full genome of the virus, which has been tentatively named Miniopterus fuliginosus polyomavirus (MfPyV). The nucleotide sequence identity of the genome with those of other bat PyVs was less than 80%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MfPyV belonged to the same cluster as PyVs detected in Miniopterus schreibersii. This study has identified the presence of a novel PyV in Japanese bats and provided genetic information about the virus.

Oxaliplatin (l-OHP), a platinum-based drug, is a key chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer (CRC), but drug resistance and toxic effects have been major limitations of its use. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SR-XRF) is a rapid, nondestructive technique for monitoring the distribution of metals and trace elements in cells or tissue samples. We applied SR-XRF to visualize the distribution of platinum and other elements in 30 rectal cancer specimens resected from patients who received l-OHP-based preoperative chemotherapy and quantified platinum concentration in the tumor epithelium and stroma, respectively, using calibration curves. The platinum concentration in rectal cancer tissue ranged 2.85-11.44 ppm, and the detection limit of platinum was 1.848 ppm. In the tumor epithelium, the platinum concentration was significantly higher in areas of degeneration caused by chemotherapy than in nondegenerated area (p < 0.001). Conversely, in the tumor stroma, the platinum concentration was significantly higher in patients with limited therapeutic responses than in those with strong therapeutic responses (p < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis illustrated that higher platinum concentration in the tumor stroma was an independent predictive factor of limited histologic response (odds ratio; 19.99, 95% confidence interval; 2.04-196.37, p = 0.013). This is the first study to visualize and quantify the distribution of platinum in human cancer tissues using SR-XRF. These results suggest that SR-XRF analysis may contribute to predicting the therapeutic effect of l-OHP-based chemotherapy by quantifying the distribution of platinum., (© 2019 UICC.)

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) causes enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). The BLV genome encodes Tax protein, a transcriptional activator of viral gene expression that binds to the BLV long terminal repeat (LTR). Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a known regulator of the heat shock response proteins, including heat shock proteins. In the present study, the BLV LTR was investigated for interaction of heat shock element (HSE) with HSF1 and the viral Tax protein. It could be confirmed that a functional HSE is well conserved in different BLV strains. The LTR transcriptional activity, as measured by luciferase reporter assay, was upregulated by bovine HSF1 - without Tax expression - in feline CC81 cells. The HSF1 activated LTR transcription by binding to the HSE. LTR-activation was lost upon HSE removal from the LTR and upon expression of a mutant HSF1 lacking the DNA-binding domain. We conclude that BLV LTR is activated to a basal level by host transcriptional factor HSF1, but without Tax protein involvement., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection for transverse colon cancer is technically demanding because of complicated anatomy. Here, we reviewed the vascular structure of the transverse mesocolon, explored the extent of the base of the transverse mesocolon, and evaluated the feasibility and oncological safety of D3 lymph node dissection. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 42 patients with advanced transverse colon cancer who underwent curative surgery and D3 dissection at Kyushu University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2015. We examined the venous and arterial anatomy of the transverse mesocolon of each resection and compared surgical outcomes between patients who underwent laparoscopic D3 (Lap D3) and open D3 (Open D3) dissection. Patients included two with Stage I, 18 with Stage II, 20 with Stage III, and two with Stage IVA. Thirty-six (85.7%) and six (14.3%) patients underwent Lap D3 or Open D3, respectively. The tumor sizes of the Open D3 and Lap D3 groups were 7.8 and 3.7 cm, respectively (P < 0.001). The Lap D3 group had significantly less blood loss (26 mL vs 272 mL, P = 0.002). The other outcomes of the two groups were not significantly different, including 3-year overall survival (87.7% vs 83.3%, P = 0.385). We observed four patterns of the middle colic artery (MCA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the frequency of occurrence of a single MCA was 64.3%. The right-middle colic vein (MCV) was present in 92.9% of resections and served as a tributary of the gastrocolic trunk, and 90.5% of the left MCVs drained into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). The root of the transverse mesocolon was broadly attached to the head of the pancreas and to the surfaces of the SMV and SMA. Laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection may be tolerated by patients with advanced transverse colon cancer.

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) belongs to a class of cellular proteins involved in lipid metabolism. ApoE is a polymorphic protein produced primarily in macrophages and astrocytes. Different isoforms of ApoE have been associated with susceptibility to various diseases including Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases. ApoE expression has also been found to affect susceptibility to several viral diseases, including Hepatitis C and E, but its effect on the life cycle of HIV-1 remains obscure. In this study, we initially found that HIV-1 infection selectively up-regulated ApoE in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Interestingly, ApoE knockdown in MDMs enhanced the production and infectivity of HIV-1, and was associated with increased localization of viral envelope (Env) proteins to the cell surface. Consistent with this, ApoE over-expression in 293T cells suppressed Env expression and viral infectivity, which was also observed with HIV-2 Env, but not with VSV-G Env. Mechanistic studies revealed that the C-terminal region of ApoE was required for its inhibitory effect on HIV-1 Env expression. Moreover, we found that ApoE and Env co-localized in the cells, and ApoE associated with gp160, the precursor form of Env, and that the suppression of Env expression by ApoE was cancelled by the treatment with lysosomal inhibitors. Overall, our study revealed that ApoE is an HIV-1-inducible inhibitor of viral production and infectivity in macrophages that exerts its anti-HIV-1 activity through association with gp160 Env via the C-terminal region, which results in subsequent degradation of gp160 Env in the lysosomes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

The retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptor (RLR) family is a group of cytosolic RNA helicase proteins that play an important role in sensing viral RNAs. Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5), an RLR protein, recognizes viral double-stranded RNA and 5'-triphosphate single-stranded RNA in the cytoplasm for the expression of type I interferon (IFN). The expression of MDA5 is also induced by type I IFN. In the present study, we determined the complete coding sequence of the feline MDA5 gene, and analyzed its structure. In addition, we examined tissue expression patterns, inducibilities of the feline MDA5 by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and type I IFN, and a functional role of feline MDA5 on type I IFN expression.

Purpose: To investigate the global variation in radiologist potential workload for CT and MRI examinations, and the regional variation in potential workload and extent of radiologists' involvement in CT and MRI examinations in Japan., Methods: "Radiologist potential workload" was defined as the annual number of CT plus MRI examinations divided by the total number of diagnostic radiologists. The extent of radiologists' involvement was measured as the proportion of CT and MRI examinations to which "Added-fees for Radiological Managements on Imaging-studies (ARMIs)" were applied among eligible examinations. Maximum variation was computed as the ratio of the highest-to-lowest values among the countries or Japanese prefectures., Results: The radiologist potential workload in Japan was 2.78-4.17 times higher than those in other countries. A maximum prefecture-to-prefecture variation was 3.88. The average percentage of CT plus MRI examinations with ARMI applied was 43.3%, with a maximum prefecture-to-prefecture variation of 3.97. Prefectures with more radiologists tended to have a higher extent of radiologists' involvement., Conclusions: Japan had a far greater radiologist potential workload compared with other countries, with a large regional variation among prefectures. Prefectures with more radiologists tended to have a higher extent of radiologists' involvement in CT and MRI examinations.

Learning and memory processes are similarly organized in humans and monkeys; therefore, monkeys can be ideal models for analyzing human aging processes and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. With the development of novel gene modification methods, common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ) have been suggested as an animal model for neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, the common marmoset's lifespan is relatively short, which makes it a practical animal model for aging. Working memory deficits are a prominent symptom of both dementia and aging, but no data are currently available for visual working memory in common marmosets. The delayed matching-to-sample task is a powerful tool for evaluating visual working memory in humans and monkeys; therefore, we developed a novel procedure for training common marmosets in such a task. Using visual discrimination and reversal tasks to direct the marmosets' attention to the physical properties of visual stimuli, we successfully trained 11 out of 13 marmosets in the initial stage of the delayed matching-to-sample task and provided the first available data on visual working memory in common marmosets. We found that the marmosets required many trials to initially learn the task (median: 1316 trials), but once the task was learned, the animals needed fewer trials to learn the task with novel stimuli (476 trials or fewer, with the exception of one marmoset). The marmosets could retain visual information for up to 16 s. Our novel training procedure could enable us to use the common marmoset as a useful non-human primate model for studying visual working memory deficits in neurodegenerative diseases and aging.

Retrorectal tumors (RT) are uncommon and usually managed by open surgical excision. Laparoscopic excision for RT has been reported in only a small number of papers. We aimed to assess the laparoscopic approach for RT and to discuss the factors that made this procedure difficult. We performed laparoscopic excision using a five-trocar technique for neurogenic RT in three patients. Tumors were successfully excised laparoscopically in two patients. However, the third patient required open conversion because the tumor was strongly adhered to the sacrum and could not be mobilized by dissection, resulting in poor visualization of the dissected site. Laparoscopic excision for RT provides excellent intraoperative visualization and good cosmesis in selected patients, but firm adherence to the sacrum may cause difficulty with this procedure., (© 2017 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Introduction: Hybrid ablation (HABL) of atrial fibrillation combining endoscopic, minimally invasive, closed chest epicardial ablation with endocardial CARTO-guided accuracy was introduced to overcome the limitations of current therapeutic options for patients with persistent (PSAF) and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the procedural safety and feasibility as well as effectiveness of HABL in patients with PSAF and LSPAF 1 year after the procedure., Material and Methods: The study is a single-center, prospective clinical registry. From 07/2009 to 12.2014, 90 patients with PSAF ( n = 39) and LSPAF ( n = 51), at the mean age of 54.8 ±9.8, in mean EHRA class 2.6, underwent HABL. 64.4% of patients had a history of prior cardioversion or catheter ablation. Thirteen patients had LVEF less than 35%. Mean AF duration was 4.5 ±3.7 years. Patients were scheduled for 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up with 7-day Holter monitoring., Results: At 6 months after the procedure 78% (54/69) of patients were in SR. At 12 months after the procedure 86% (59/69) were in SR and 62.3% (43/69) in SR and off class I/III antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). Only 1% (1/69) of patients required a repeat ablation for atrial flutter. A significant decrease in LA dimension and an increase in LVEF were noted., Conclusions: A combination of epicardial and endocardial RF ablation should be considered as a treatment option for patients with persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation as it is safe and effective in restoring sinus rhythm., Competing Interests: Michal Zembala MD PhD served as a consultant (proctor) for nContact Inc. from January 2012 until January 2013. Other authors report no conflicts of interests. No corporate funding supported the study. The Reveal XT implantable loop monitors were purchased from funds received from the Polish Society of Cardiology/Servier Prize for the Best Research Proposal in 2011.

Background and Aim: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven to be a valuable alternative to conventional surgical aortic valve replacement in high-risk and surgically inoperable patients who suffer from severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. With the second generation of TAVI devices improvements in both handling and performance are highly demanded. This brief clinical communication reports the first Polish experience with the second generation of transfemoral TAVI device--Symetis Acurate Neo., Methods: From November 19th 2014 until February 18th 2015 nine (n = 9) patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis have been operated on using the Symetis Acurate Neo. Patients were subject to seven-day evaluation and 30-day phone follow-up., Results: The procedure was safely and successfully performed in all patients. A SMALL (S) valve (21-23 mm equivalent) was used in two patients, MEDIUM valve (M; 23-25 mm equivalent) in five patients, and a LARGE valve (L; 25-26 mm equivalent) in two patients. In three cases post-release balloon dilatation was required. There were no intraoperative complications and no major adverse events (as per VARC classification) during initial hospitalisation, including conduction or rhythm disturbances. In all cases, the mean gradient on the prosthetic valves was 7.8 mm Hg (10.2 mm Hg on the "S" valves). Rapid improvement in patients' functional class was noted. Perivalvular leak was evaluated as "mild" in three cases, "trace" in one, and "not existing" in five., Conclusions: This initial experience with the Symetis Acurate Neo demonstrates its good safety profile and excellent haemodynamics. Low radial stress of the valve results in minimal incidence of atrioventricular rhythm disturbances, and a sealing crown for nearly non-existent paravalvular leak.

Tripartite motif-containing 25 (TRIM25) regulates various cellular processes through E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Previous studies have revealed that the expression of TRIM25 is induced by type I interferon and that TRIM25 is involved in the host cellular innate immune response against retroviral infection. Although retroviral infection is prevalent in domestic cats, the roles of feline TRIM25 in the immune response against these viral infections are poorly understood. Because feline TRIM25 is expected to modulate the infection of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), we investigated its effects on early- and late-stage FeLV replication. This study revealed that ectopic expression of feline TRIM25 in HEK293T cells reduced viral protein levels leading to the inhibition of FeLV release. Our findings show that feline TRIM25 has a potent antiviral activity and implicate an antiviral mechanism whereby feline TRIM25 interferes with late-stage FeLV replication., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Detailed information about the characteristics of learning behavior in marmosets is useful for future marmoset research. We trained 42 marmosets in visual discrimination and reversal learning. All marmosets could learn visual discrimination, and all but one could complete reversal learning, though some marmosets failed to touch the visual stimuli and were screened out. In 87% of measurements, the final percentage of correct responses was over 95%. We quantified performance with two measures: onset trial and dynamic interval. Onset trial represents the number of trials that elapsed before the marmoset started to learn. Dynamic interval represents the number of trials from the start before reaching the final percentage of correct responses. Both measures decreased drastically as a result of the formation of discrimination learning sets. In reversal learning, both measures worsened, but the effect on onset trial was far greater. The effects of age and sex were not significant as far as we used adolescent or young adult marmosets. Unexpectedly, experimental circumstance (in the colony or isolator) had only a subtle effect on performance. However, we found that marmosets from different families exhibited different learning process characteristics, suggesting some family effect on learning., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.)

We generated transmitochondrial mice (mito-mice) that carry a mutation in the tRNA(Lys) gene encoded by mtDNA for use in studies of its pathogenesis and transmission profiles. Because patients with mitochondrial diseases frequently carry mutations in the mitochondrial tRNA(Lys) and tRNA(Leu(UUR)) genes, we focused our efforts on identifying somatic mutations of these genes in mouse lung carcinoma P29 cells. Of the 43 clones of PCR products including the tRNA(Lys) or tRNA(Leu(UUR)) genes in mtDNA of P29 cells, one had a potentially pathogenic mutation (G7731A) in the tRNA(Lys) gene. P29 subclones with predominant amounts of G7731A mtDNA expressed respiration defects, thus suggesting the pathogenicity of this mutation. We then transferred G7731A mtDNA into mouse ES cells and obtained F0 chimeric mice. Mating these F0 mice with C57BL/6J (B6) male mice resulted in the generation of F1 mice with G7731A mtDNA, named "mito-mice-tRNA(Lys7731)." Maternal inheritance and random segregation of G7731A mtDNA occurred in subsequent generations. Mito-mice-tRNA(Lys7731) with high proportions of G7731A mtDNA exclusively expressed respiration defects and disease-related phenotypes and therefore are potential models for mitochondrial diseases due to mutations in the mitochondrial tRNA(Lys) gene. Moreover, the proportion of mutated mtDNA varied markedly among the pups born to each dam, suggesting that selecting oocytes with high proportions of normal mtDNA from affected mothers with tRNA(Lys)-based mitochondrial diseases may be effective as a primary prevention for obtaining unaffected children.

Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family in mammals are responsible for various cellular processes. Previous studies have revealed that several TRIM proteins were induced by interferons (IFN) and that these proteins were involved in innate immune response against retroviral infection. Although retroviral infection is prevalent in domestic cats, the expression profiles and roles of feline TRIM genes against these viral infections are not well understood. In the present study, we examined tissue expression and IFN inducibility of nine feline TRIM genes. In addition, the complete coding sequences of six cloned TRIM genes were determined, and their structures were analyzed. Nine TRIM genes were expressed in feline tissues and five were up-regulated by type I IFN. The predicted amino acid sequence of six feline TRIM proteins showed high sequence similarities to other mammalian TRIM proteins, and suggest that feline TRIM genes are potentially involved in antiviral reactivity in IFN-mediated immune response., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the current study, primers described previously and modified versions of these primers were evaluated for amplification of full-length gag genes from different equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) strains from several countries, including the USA, Germany and Japan. Each strain was inoculated into a primary horse leukocyte culture, and the full-length gag gene was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Each amplified gag gene was cloned into a plasmid vector for sequencing, and the detectable copy numbers of target DNA were determined. Use of a mixture of two forward primers and one reverse primer in the polymerase chain reaction enabled the amplification of all EIAV strains used in this study. However, further study is required to confirm these primers as universal for all EIAV strains. The nucleotide sequence of gag is considered highly conserved, as evidenced by the use of gag-encoded capsid proteins as a common antigen for the detection of EIAV in serological tests. However, significant sequence variation in the gag genes of different EIAV strains was found in the current study., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the characteristics of serial order learning in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Five marmosets were trained in a sequential responding task in which they were required to touch four graphic patterns in a given order (A→B→C→D) to obtain a reward. All five marmosets learned the task with over 65% accuracy. Shuffling the positions of B, C, and D immediately after the marmoset had correctly identified and selected the first stimulus (A) either decreased accuracy or lengthened response latency for the second stimulus (B). These results suggest that the marmosets planned the response to the second stimulus before they touched the first stimulus. In addition, when we presented a pair of stimuli (AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, and CD pairs), the marmosets responded to the stimuli in the pair in the appropriate order, according to the learned order (A→B→C→D). The analyses of first and second response latencies clearly demonstrated both the first-item and missing-item effects in task performance. Our data provide direct evidence that marmosets can learn the relative order of the four stimuli in a sequential responding task., (2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Background: The recent outbreak of AH1N1 influenza was associated with an increased number of respiratory complications. There were some extremely severe cases of ARDS, in which conventional therapy could not secure adequate gas exchange. These patients fulfilled ECMO criteria, however, due to late referral, were not suitable for transportation. To solve this problem, a portable ECMO system, providing for safe management of these patients, has been introduced in our institution., Case Report: We reviewed five adult ARDS patients, who were transported by an ambulance for a distance ranging from 2 to 95 km, over 35 to 120 min. In four cases, a veno-venous ECMO system was used, and one patient had an arterio-venous circuit. All circuits were implanted before transportation by a dedicated team from the reference hospital, comprising an anaesthesiologist, a cardiac surgeon and a perfusionist. All transportations were successful and no complications and/or technical problems were observed. During the subsequent ITU treatment, three patients survived and two died (one because of uncontrollable bleeding from the ECMO cannula, and one because of sepsis and multiple organ failure)., Conclusion: We conclude that safe use of ECMO during transportation is possible, and does not require very sophisticated and expensive equipment. A standard ambulance is sufficient for the purpose.

Pandemic influenza particularly often is associated with symptoms of acute respiratory failure, and in case of refractory hypoxemia patients may have indications for the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The paper presents a case of a pandemic influenza virus infection, where classical indications for veno-venous ECMO occured. Practical aspects of this kind of treatment in the intensive care unit are discussed.

The authors examined the ability of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) to discriminate between sexes based on facial features. The shape and position of facial features (facial morphology) were measured to quantify the differences between sexes. The distance between the chin and nose was longer in males than females, and the outline of the face around the upper jaw and upper face differed between sexes. Using operant conditioning, 2 monkeys succeeded in discriminating sex based on facial pictures. Furthermore, they successfully generalized the discrimination to novel pictures of faces. Tests with morphed pictures of faces revealed that the monkeys used facial morphology to discriminate between males and females. Our results suggest that Japanese monkeys have sexual dimorphism in facial shape and they can use the morphological differences to discriminate conspecific sex., (Copyright 2009 APA, all rights reserved.)

We investigated whether Japanese monkeys can discriminate pictures of conspecific males and females using a visual paired comparison (VPC) task. Whole-body pictures of adult and nonadult monkeys were used as stimuli. The monkeys were first familiarized with pairs of pictures of different monkeys from one sex category (the familiarized sex). Pairs of novel pictures of a member of the familiarized sex and the opposite sex (novel) were then presented in test. The monkeys showed a preference for novel-sex pictures of both adult and nonadult individuals, indicating that they perceive the differences between familiarized- and novel-sex pictures. These results suggest that monkeys discriminate between pictures of males and females without specific training.

We investigated whether monkeys discriminate the sex of individuals from their pictures. Whole-body pictures of adult and nonadult monkeys were used as stimuli. Two male Japanese monkeys were trained for a two-choice sex categorization task in which each of two choice pictures were assigned to male and female, respectively. Following the training, the monkeys were presented with novel monkey pictures, and whether they had acquired the categorization task was tested. The results suggested that while monkeys discriminate between the pictures of adult males and females, discrimination of nonadult pictures was difficult. Partial presentations of the pictures showed that conspicuous and sexually characteristic parts (i.e., underbellies including male scrotums or breasts including female nipples) played an important role in the sex categorization.

The purpose of this study was to compare ERCP and MRCP in terms of invasiveness and cost. A questionnaire regarding patient satisfaction was distributed to 23 ERCP patients and 63 MRCP patients. The practical cost of each examination and total yearly cost for 2002, including medication costs for post-ERCP pancreatitis, were calculated. On a trial basis, the total yearly cost for 2002 was also calculated as a percentage of the cost in 1996. Results of the questionnaire showed that patients tended to favor MRCP over ERCP. In our hospital, the practical costs of MRCP and ERCP were 2063 points and 3964 points, respectively. Medication costs for pancreatitis corresponded to about 3% of the total yearly cost for ERCP. The total yearly costs for both examinations and the medication costs for pancreatitis were about 1,360,000 points. The result of trial calculation with the examination percentage of 1996 was about 1,950,000 points. The results of our study demonstrated that MRCP is a noninvasive examination for patients and that its popularization contributed to a reduction in medical costs. For further popularization of equipment and advanced imaging methods, careful assessment of examination costs is important.

Using specimens from the posterior-superior quadrant of the human tympanic membrane, meatal skin, retroauricular skin and middle ear cholesteatoma, epidermal cell proliferation was studied by cultures in FC43 emulsion containing bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and cell death was detected by in situ labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation (TUNEL staining). The culture of specimens with BrdU revealed labeling in the basal cell layer and/or the layer immediately above it. The counts of BrdU-labeled cells both at and beside the malleus handle and at the annulus were significantly higher than those in the tympanic membrane, meatal skin, retroauricular skin and cholesteatoma, indicating the existence of epidermal proliferation centers in the annulus and malleus handle. TUNEL-positive cells were observed in the uppermost layer of the epidermis, and counts of dying cells did not show any significant differences among specimens from the different areas. From these observations, we conclude that addition of newly proliferated cells at the proliferation center and uniform cell death cause epidermal cell migration over the tympanic membrane and ear canal. In addition, no proliferation center was seen in the epidermis of cholesteatoma, suggesting a disturbance of epidermal cell migration. Furthermore, BrdU-labeling at the margin of persistently perforated tympanic membranes from patients with chronic otitis media revealed that, at the perforation margin, the counts of BrdU-labeled cells were not higher than those of the normal tympanic membrane. In addition, a few BrdU-labeled cells were observed in the lamina propria and mucosal cell layer, indicating that persistent perforation of the tympanic membrane results from the failure of proliferating cells to increase at the margin of the perforation.

Apoptosis of the human tonsillar germinal center was studied by means of immunocytochemical methods. It is generally accepted that the germinal center of the lymphoid tissues plays an important role both in cell proliferation and cell death. Although many studies on cell proliferation have been reported, the cell death mechanism is not yet well understood. According to recent studies, apoptosis is the result of programmed, not pathological cell death, and it plays an important role in the maintenance, immunity and development of life. The present study showed that the tingible body was a mass of nuclear chromatin of dead cells, and that cells with a tingible body are macrophages, called tingible-body macrophages. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between tingible-body macrophages and apoptosis. The structure of tingible-body macrophages were observed by immunostaining methods.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the morphological maturation of the germinal center of newborn rabbit tonsil and the appearance of apoptosis in it. Germinal centers were observed using immunostaining. Apoptosis is shown to be scarce in immature type of germinal center, but abundant in mature type. The findings suggest apoptosis to have an important function in the germinal center of the tonsil.