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The application of superconducting magnetic shields to neuromagnetic superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) is proposed. Magnetic fields emitted from human brains with a 64-channel whole-head SQUID magnetometer in he superconducting magnetic shield of high-Tc superconductor were detected. The characteristics of the superconducting magnetic shield and neuromagnetic SQUID measurements are described.

We examined lingual tissues of Japanese wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) captured in the Amakusa Islands off the coast of Kumamoto Prefecture. One hundred and forty wild boars were caught in 11 different locations in Kamishima (n = 36) and Shimoshima (n = 104) in the Amakusa Islands, Japan between January 2016 and April 2018. Lingual tissues were subjected to histological examinations, where helminths and their eggs were observed in the epithelium of 51 samples (36.4%). No significant differences in prevalence were observed according to maturity, sex or capture location. Lingual tissues positive for helminth infection were randomly selected and intact male and female worms were collected for morphological measurements. Based on the host species, site of infection, and morphological details, we identified the parasite as Eucoleus garfiai (Gállego et Mas-Coma, 1975) Moravec, 1982 (syn. Capillaria garfiai). This is the first report from outside Europe of E. garfiai infection in wild boars. Phylogenetic analysis of the parasite using the 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequence confirmed that the parasite grouped with other Eucoleus species, providing additional nucleotide sequence for this genus. Since wild boar populations are widely distributed in Japan, continuing surveys on the epidemiology of the parasite and identifying possible intermediate host candidates are crucial for elucidating the transmission route of the parasite., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective We compared the pain accompanying the injection of high-concentration (300 units/mL) insulin glargine (U300G) with that accompanying the injection of conventional (100 units/mL) insulin glargine (U100G). Methods U100G was switched to U300G at basically the same dosage. Visual analog scales were used to assess the quality of life (QOL). The primary outcome was the change in the pain accompanying injections in those using ≥30 units of U100G compared with those using <30 units at baseline. Standardized mean differences (Cohen's d) were used to measure the effect size. Patients Adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using U100G. Results One hundred and eight patients were recruited. The numbers of patients who used U100G at ≥30 units, 20 to <30 units, 10 to <20 units, and <10 units were 13, 14, 34, and 47, respectively. The improvement in the pain score was not significant for ≥30 units compared with <30 units (-50.3±24.0 vs. -40.4±28.5, p=0.25, d=0.38), but a significant difference was observed for ≥20 units compared with <20 units (-50.8±22.7 vs. -38.4±29.1, p=0.03, d=0.48), as well as for ≥10 units compared with <10 units (-48.1±25.0 vs. -33.0±29.7, p<0.01, d=0.56). When all patients were analyzed together, significant improvements in the pain score (-41.5±28.0, p<0.01), ease of use score (-37.5±32.2, p<0.01), force needed to inject score (-46.5±28.6, p<0.01), and preference for U300G compared with U100G score (-45.8±33.1, p<0.01) were observed. Conclusion There is possibility that switching from U100G to U300G might be associated with better QOL for patients who require insulin glargine injections. To prove this hypothesis, a randomized controlled trial (preferably double-blinded) will be required in the future.

Background: Ossification of the ligamentum flavum overlying the lower thoracic spine frequently produces myelopathy. This study analyzed the postoperative outcomes after decompressive laminectomy for thoracic OLF., Methods: We retrospectively studied 13 patients (10 male, 3 female; mean age, 58 years; range, 39-69). The mean follow-up duration was 66 months (range, 21-107). All patients had undergone decompressive laminectomy and excision of the OLF. The clinical course was evaluated according to the Frankel grading system and JOA scores. The number of vertebral segments demonstrating OLF, the most frequent level of thoracic cord involvement, and spine lesions coexisting with OLF were determined by MR imaging., Results: By the Frankel system, 7 of 13 patients improved by one grade, whereas the others, classified as grade D, were unchanged after surgery. Using the JOA score, the functional improvement was excellent in 3 patients, good in 4, fair in 2, and unchanged in 4. The number of vertebral segments demonstrating OLF included 4 levels in 2 patients, 3 levels in 2 patients, 2 levels in 5 patients, and 1 level in 4 patients. Ossification of the ligamentum flavum occurred most frequently at the T10/T11 level. Tandem cervical and lumbar lesions were present in 6 patients., Conclusions: Decompressive laminectomy for excision of OLF resulted in clinical improvement using the Frankel grading system in 7 of 13 patients. In myelopathy patients with OLF, preoperative MR imaging of the entire spine is necessary because other coexisting spinal lesions may be present.

Vertebroplasty for pseudoartrosis of vertebral fracture using PMMA (polymethylmetacrylate) or CPC (calcium phosphate cement) is a new less invasive surgical method providing sufficient pain relief and correction of kyphosis.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was surveyed in wild boars (Sus scrofa leucomystax) and domiciled cats obtained in various areas of Amakusa Island, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The antibody titers against T. gondii were measured with a latex agglutination test. Among specimens taken from 90 wild boars, 1 (1.1%) was positive and 3 (3.3%)were doubtfully positive. Among the specimens from 50 cats, none were positive and 1 (3.3%) was doubtfully positive. These results suggest that the wild boars and cats on Amakusa Island have quite low prevalence of the T. gondii infection. Continuous surveys will be needed to monitor the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis and other zoonoses in game animals.

The effects of extracorporeal shock waves (ESWs) on callus formation during bone lengthening were studied in 25 female Japanese white rabbits. Bone lengthening of 9.8 mm was obtained over 2 weeks using the Orthofix M-100 bone fixator. ESWs were applied 3 weeks after surgery. Pins were removed 7 weeks after surgery, and specimens were prepared after the animals were killed at 9 and 24 weeks. The shock wave setting used was 0.42 mJ/mm(2) with a pulse interval of 2 Hz; 3000 shots each were applied to the central and peripheral areas. The specimens were evaluated using radiography, bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy absorptiometry (DXA), and a three-point bending test to evaluate mechanical strength. Histological examination was performed on the lengthened portion. Radiographs and histological observations revealed no apparent fractures in nonlengthening tibias at the shock wave energy densities used. Radiographic observations revealed no apparent differences between the control group and the ESW group. BMD measurements by DXA revealed significantly increased bone mass in the ESW group 9 weeks after surgery. At 24 weeks after surgery the mean BMD had decreased to 25% and 15% of the values at 9 weeks in the control and ESW groups, respectively. The three-point bending test revealed no significant differences between the groups. Histological observations revealed significant capillary formation and osteoblasts and chondrocytes in the bone marrow as well as bridging of newly formed trabeculae 2 weeks after the bone was lengthened. At 4 weeks after treatment, observations included parts of the lengthened portion with no cortex or immature bone. At 9 weeks after surgery, cortex formation and a normal medullary cavity were clearly observed in the control group, whereas observations in the treated group included areas of the lengthened portion with no cortex and formation of immature trabecular structures and increased cancellous bone in the center of the lengthened portion. At 24 weeks after surgery, more prominent cortex formation and fatty marrow were observed in the ESW group than in the control group.

In an Italian patient with severe factor XIII deficiency, a novel mutation, Y283C (TAT to TGT), was identified heterozygously by nucleotide sequencing analysis in exon VII of the gene for the A subunit. The presence of this mutation was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in the proband and his brother. Molecular modelling predicts that the mutant molecule would be misfolded. It is probable that the impaired folding of the mutant Y283C A subunit led to its instability, which is at least in part responsible for the factor XIII deficiency of this patient.

Eight patients with uterine cervical cancer received two or three courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including 254-S i.v. and CDDP i.a. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was added for seven patients. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by MR imaging and postoperative histopathological examination. Three patients achieved a complete response (CR) and five others were evaluated as a partial response (PR) on MR imaging. On postoperative histology, three of eight showed CR or PR, which coincided with MR findings. Viable cancer cells were shown in five patients. To detect these viable tumors, dynamic MR imaging was indispensable. However, because of limited spatial resolution, the detection of small residual tumors was not easy using dynamic MR imaging.

The present study was conducted to determine whether or not the pathologic state of diabetic mellitus serves as a risk factor for the induction of nephropathy by iodinated contrast medium (CM). CM was injected into experimentally induced diabetic rats showing early diabetic nephropathy and these animals were compared with normal rats administered CM. Various types of CM were injected into diabetic rats, and nephropathy was studied morphologically and biochemically. Electron microscopic ultrastructural study revealed vacuolar formation in the cytoplasm of the proximal tubular epithelial cells (PT cells) in both groups. However, some of these changes occurred less frequently in the diabetic group. In the diabetic group, activation of glomerular mesangial cells other than PT cells was observed with amidotrizoate, and retentive deposits in the mesangial areas were found with iopamidol. Biochemical study revealed abnormal values suggesting impaired PT cells in both the diabetic and normal groups. These findings corresponded to the results of electron microscopic ultrastructural observation. The above results suggested the possible occurrence of CM-associated nephrotoxicity in the pathologic stage of diabetic mellitus, even in mild nephropathy.

This study was carried out in order to clarify the effects of rapid intravenous urography performed twice at a three-day interval with contrast medium on renal function and morphologic change in normal rabbits as a means to observe progress or to reexamine patients. The ionic high-osmolal amidotrizoate, non-ionic low-osmolal iopamidol, and ionic low-osmolal ioxaglate were used. A second urography was performed and curves of kidney density plotted against time and nephrograms were obtained. Serum BUN and creatinine were measured, and the kidneys were removed for histologic observations. Following amidotrizoate administration, curves of kidney density showed significantly slower clearance than with iopamidol and ioxaglate. Nephrograms at 40 seconds showed that opacification of the renal pelvis and urinary tracts also was poor. Serum creatinine following the second administration of amidotrizoate was significantly higher than the values before and at the first urography, and both serum BUN and creatinine were significantly higher than they were after iopamidol and ioxaglate. Although light microscopic changes were obscure, marked changes were observed by electron microscopy. In conclusion, intravenous urography conducted twice at a close interval with amidotrizoate induces impairment of glomerular function and morphologic change.