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Cefiderocol is a novel siderophore cephalosporin antibiotic exhibiting activities against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. Drug efflux pumps are reportedly involved in both intrinsic and acquired drug resistance, although their role in bacterial cefiderocol susceptibility remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how drug efflux pumps contribute to bacterial cefiderocol susceptibility using the efflux pump(s)-deficient and overexpressing strains of P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica. We observed that the mexAB-oprM-deficient P. aeruginosa mutant displayed increased cefiderocol susceptibility compared to the wild-type strain. The overexpression of mexAB-oprM or mexXY-oprM in the mexAB-oprM-deficient mutant increased the MIC value of cefiderocol. Furthermore, the pump inhibitor phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide increased cefiderocol susceptibility in wild-type P. aeruginosa whereas it did not affect the susceptibility of the mexAB-oprM-deficient mutant. These data indicate that the MexAB-OprM drug efflux system contributes to the intrinsic cefiderocol resistance of P. aeruginosa. In addition, MexXY-OprM partially complemented the function of MexAB-OprM in the cefiderocol susceptibility, when expressed.

Some strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have anti-inflammatory effects, but the mechanism underlying the alleviation of inflammation by LAB is not fully understood. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of a certain strain of LAB, Lactobacillus paracasei, on inflammasome activation, which is associated with various inflammatory disorders. Using bone marrow–derived macrophages from BALB/c mice, we found that L. paracasei, but not L. rhamnosus, suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inhibited subsequent caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion. L. paracasei also had inhibitory effects on AIM2 and NLRC4 inflammasome activation as well as the NLRP3 inflammasome. These inhibitory effects of L. paracasei on inflammasome activation were dependent on autocrine IL-10 induced by L. paracasei–stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, IL-10 production by L. paracasei–stimulated macrophages was involved with phagocytosis and the NOD2 signaling pathway in macrophages. In addition to in vitro studies, oral administration of L. paracasei in C57BL/6 mice reduced monosodium urate crystal–induced peritoneal inflammation in vivo. Moreover, continuous intake of L. paracasei in C57BL/6 mice alleviated high fat diet–induced insulin resistance and aging-induced expression of biomarkers for T cell senescence. Taken together, we demonstrated that L. paracasei inhibits inflammasome activation in vitro and exhibits an anti-inflammatory function in vivo. These results indicate that LAB that have inhibitory effects on inflammasome activation might contribute to the alleviation of inflammation-related disorders.

Increased expression of efflux pumps is an important mechanism of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and treatment with inhibitors of active efflux pumps seems an attractive strategy to combat with multidrug resistance. Assays using ethidium bromide (EtBr), which accumulates by binding to nucleic acids, are often employed to assess the efficacy of efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs). However, few studies have reported on assays using other nucleic acid dyes.We used different classes of EPIs for MexAB- or MexXY-OprM to measure the accumulation of various fluorescent dyes, including SYBR Safe, AtlasSight, and GelGreen.Escherichia coli MG1655ΔacrBΔtolC strain harboring plasmids carrying the mexAB-oprM (pABM) or mexXY-oprM (pXYM) genes of P. aeruginosa were constructed. Then, the accumulation of the above-mentioned nucleic acid dyes and EtBr was measured to assess the efflux ability in the presence and absence of EPIs (MexAB-OprM-specific inhibitor of pyridopyrimidine derivative [ABI-PP], berberine, non-specific inhibitor of phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide [PAβN], and protonophore of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone [CCCP]).Decreased accumulations of nucleic acid dyes were observed in strains with pABM or pXYM compared with the parental strain. ABI-PP or berberine addition significantly increased the accumulation of any nucleic acids in the strains with the specific pumps. PAβN or CCCP addition showed increased accumulation of almost all dye in strains with pABM or pXYM. However, the inhibition patterns of EPIs differed according to the nucleic acid dyes used.Accumulation assays for EPIs were suitable to evaluate EPI candidates using various nucleic acid dyes.

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a serious problem due to hospital- and healthcare-associated infections. A major drug resistance mechanism of P. aeruginosa involves active efflux via resistance nodulation cell division (RND)-type multidrug efflux pumps of which MexXY is increasingly recognized as a primary determinant of aminoglycoside resistance in P. aeruginosa. MexXY overexpression is often observed in drug-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. MexXY deficiency increased pyoverdine production in all four P. aeruginosa strains we tested. MexXY-overproducing multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa PA7 exhibited the greatest effect among the strains. Complementation with a MexXY-expressing plasmid restored low-level pyoverdine production in a MexXY-deficient P. aeruginosa mutant from PA7, indicating that MexXY expression decreases pyoverdine production. Because P. aeruginosa produces pyoverdine to acquire iron, MexXY-deficient mutants might be more susceptible to iron deficiency than MexXY-producing strains or might require extra iron. High-risk clones of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa reportedly tend to be MexXY overproducers but defective pyoverdine producers. This study suggests that P. aeruginosa reduces production of a virulence factor after acquiring a drug resistance factor.

Aging involves age-progressive loss of physiological functions in organs and tissues. We previously showed that Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 suppressed age-related inflammation and prevented age-related retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. As RGCs mediate biological behaviors associated with responses to ambient light, we assessed whether L. paracasei KW3110 affects circadian locomotor activities in physiologically aged mice. The ratio of locomotor activity during the nighttime (active phase) to daytime (inactive phase) significantly decreased in physiologically aged mice compared with young mice: intake of L. paracasei KW3110 prevented this decrease. We also performed metabolomics analysis of cecal contents using both capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry to better understand the benefical effects for aging of L. paracasei KW3110 through a gut retina axis, since our previous study showed that L. paracasei KW3110 mitigated not only age-related expansions of intestinal inflammatory immune cells but age-related alternation of gut microbiome composition. Principal component analysis showed clear changes in metabolites between physiologically aged mice fed a diet containing L. paracasei KW3110 and age-matched control mice. Furthermore, we found that intake of L. paracasei KW3110 mitigated age-related changes in some fatty acids compared with age-matched control mice. Taken together, L. paracasei KW3110 might regulate age-related alternation of metabolites in cecal contents, potentially leading to suppression of age-related decline in physiological functions, including impairment of circadian locomotor activities.

Two gram-negative, catalase-negative, oxidase-positive strains (PAGU 1467T and PAGU 1468) isolated from patients with infective endocarditis were investigated to determine their taxonomic status. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the two strains were members of the Bergeyella-Chryseobacterium-Riemerella branch of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strains PAGU 1467T and PAGU 1468 were highly related to each other (98.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Phylogenetically closely-related species to PAGU 1467T comprised Bergeyella zoohelcum (95.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Riemerella anatipestifer (94.3%) and Cloacibacterium normanense (94.3%). The major fatty acids of the two isolates were iso-C15:0 , iso-C17:0 3-OH and iso-C15:0 3-OH. The presence of C16:0 3-OH and iso-C15:0 2-OH allowed these isolates to be distinguished from B. zoohelcum. Menaquinone MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone in these organisms; this is a consistent characteristic of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the genomic DNA was 42.0%, which is higher than that of other close phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of their phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness, isolates PAGU 1467T and PAGU 1468 were classified within the novel genus Spodiobacter, as Spodiobacter cordis gen. nov., sp. nov., which is also the type species. The type strain of S. cordis is PAGU 1467T ( = CCUG 65564T = NBRC 109998T ).

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of necrosis and insufficiency fracture of the hip and knee using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in renal transplant patients. Methods: We examined 300 consecutive renal transplant patients using MRI of the hips and knees (T1-weighted coronal MRI) preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Oblique axial-plane T1-weighted MRI and short-tau inversion-recovery T2-weighted MRI were performed parallel to the femoral neck when distinguishing the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) from subchondral insufficiency fracture (SIF) of the femoral head was difficult. Results: ONFH was observed in 3 hips (3 cases, 1.0%). Osteonecrosis of the knee was observed in 2 knees (1 case, 0.3%). SIF of the femoral head was observed in 5 hips (3 cases, 1.0%). Bilateral simultaneous onset of SIF of the femoral head was observed in 2 cases (0.7%). Insufficiency fracture of the knee was observed in 2 knees (1 case, 0.3%). Conclusions: When it was difficult to distinguish ONFH from SIF of the femoral head, oblique axial-plane T1-weighted MRI and the short-tau inversion-recovery T2-weighted MRI parallel to the femoral neck were useful to establish the correct diagnosis.

Age-related chronic inflammation is a major risk factor for the incidence and prevalence of age-related diseases, including infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. We previously reported that a lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110, activated macrophages and suppressed inflammation in mice and humans. In this study, we investigated whether long-term intake of heat-killed L. paracasei KW3110 modulated age-related inflammation and altered the gut microbiota in physiologically aged mice. Compared with age-matched control mice, fecal analyses of gut microbiota revealed that intake of L. paracasei KW3110 mitigated age-related changes of beneficial bacterial composition, including the Bifidobacteriaceae family. L. paracasei KW3110 intake also mitigated age-related immune defects by reducing the prevalence of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) -producing inflammatory CD4-positive T cells in the lamina propia of the small intestine, and reduced serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, L. paracasei KW3110 intake suppressed retinal inflammation by reducing proinflammatory cytokine-producing macrophage, and age-related retinal cell loss. Taken together, these findings suggested that L. paracasei KW3110 mitigated age-related chronic inflammation through modulation of gut microbiota composition and immune system functions in aged mice, and also reduced age-related retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect in age-related senescent changes of the retina.

A variety of eye-related symptoms due to the overuse of digital devices is collectively referred to as computer vision syndrome (CVS). In this study, a web-based survey about mind and body functions, including eye strain, was conducted on 1998 Japanese volunteers. To investigate the biological mechanisms behind CVS, a multi-trait genome-wide association study (GWAS), a multivariate analysis on individual-level multivariate data, was performed based on the structural equation modeling methodology assuming a causal pathway for a genetic variant to influence each symptom via a single common latent variable. Twelve loci containing lead variants with a suggestive level of significance were identified. Two loci showed relatively strong signals and were associated with TRABD2B relative to the Wnt signaling pathway and SDK1 having neuronal adhesion and immune functions, respectively. By utilizing publicly available eQTL data, colocalization between GWAS and eQTL signals for four loci was detected, and a locus on 2p25.3 showed a strong colocalization (PPH4 > 0.9) on retinal MYT1L, known to play an important role in neuronal differentiation. This study suggested that the use of multivariate questionnaire data and multi-trait GWAS can lead to biologically reasonable findings and enhance our genetic understanding of complex relationships among symptoms related to CVS.

After resecting colonic polyps, retrieval through the scope channel may lead to polyp fragmentation, making pathologic evaluation challenging. An easy and reliable method for complete polyp retrieval is needed.We developed the water-slider method (WSM), in which the resected polyp is surrounded by water from an auxiliary water channel during suctioning. We prospectively randomized patients who underwent endoscopic resection for colonic polyps in our institute into WSM and non-WSM groups, and evaluated the polyp fragmentation rate.Analysis of the data regarding small polyps (≤10 mm in size) revealed that the WSM group had a significantly lower polyp fragmentation rate (8.2%) than the non-WSM group (23.8%, p0.001). Polyp retrieval time did not differ significantly between groups. The rate of a clear-cut end on neoplastic polyps was significantly higher in the WSM group (63.8%) than in the non-WSM group (50.0%; p = 0.029).The WSM achieved a significantly lower polyp fragmentation rate, allowing for more accurate histologic evaluation than the conventional method. The WSM did not influence the polyp retrieval time.

Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 (KW3110) has anti-inflammatory effects and mitigates retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell damage caused by blue-light exposure. We investigated whether KW3110 suppresses chronic inflammatory stress-induced RPE cell damage by modulating immune cell activity and whether it improves ocular disorders in healthy humans. First, we showed that KW3110 treatment of mouse macrophages (J774A.1) produced significantly higher levels of interleukin-10 as compared with other lactic acid bacterium strains (all p &lt, 0.01). Transferring supernatant from KW3110- and E. coli 0111:B4 strain and adenosine 5&prime, triphosphate (LPS/ATP)-stimulated J774A.1 cells to human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells suppressed senescence-associated phenotypes, including proliferation arrest, abnormal appearance, cell cycle arrest, and upregulation of cytokines, and also suppressed expression of tight junction molecule claudin-1. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study of healthy subjects (n = 88, 35 to below 50 years) ingesting placebo or KW3110-containing supplements for 8 weeks showed that changes in critical flicker frequency, an indicator of eye fatigue, from the week-0 value were significantly larger in the KW3110 group at weeks 4 (p = 0.040) and 8 (p = 0.036). These results suggest that KW3110 protects ARPE-19 cells against premature senescence and aberrant expression of tight junction molecules caused by chronic inflammatory stress, and may improve chronic eye disorders including eye fatigue.

A strain of lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 (KW3110), activates M2 macrophages with anti-inflammatory reactions and mitigates aging-related chronic inflammation and blue-light exposure-induced retinal inflammation in mice. However, the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of KW3110 remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of KW3110 using both mouse and human immune cells and evaluated the suppressive effect of KW3110 on the inflammatory reactions of the cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (LPS/ATP). KW3110 treatment induced anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 production in the supernatants of murine macrophage-like cells, J774A.1, and suppressed IL-1β production in the supernatants of LPS/ATP-stimulated cells. The influence of KW3110 on the production of these cytokines was inhibited by pre-treatment with phagocytosis blocker or transfection with siRNAs for IL-10 signaling components. KW3110 treatment also suppressed activation of caspase-1, an active component of inflammasome complexes, in LPS/ATP-stimulated J774A.1 cells, and its effect was inhibited by transfection with siRNAs for IL-10 signaling components. In addition to the effects of KW3110 on J774A.1 cells, KW3110 treatment induced IL-10 production in the supernatants of human monocytes, and KW3110 or IL-10 treatment suppressed caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production in the supernatants of LPS/ATP-stimulated cells. These results suggest that KW3110 suppresses LPS/ATP stimulation-induced caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production by promoting IL-10 production in mouse and human immune cells. Our findings reveal a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism of LAB and the effect of KW3110 on caspase-1 activation is expected to contribute to constructing future preventive strategies for inflammation-related disorders using food ingredients.

We previously showed that berberine attenuates MexXY efflux-dependent aminoglycoside resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we aimed to synthesize berberine derivatives with higher MexXY inhibitory activities. We synthesized 11 berberine derivatives, of which 13-(2-methylbenzyl) berberine (13-o-MBB) but not its regiomers showed the most promising MexXY inhibitory activity. 13-o-MBB reduced the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of various aminoglycosides 4- to 128 fold for a highly multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa strain. Moreover, 13-o-MBB significantly reduced the MICs of gentamicin and amikacin in Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Burkholderia cepacia. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices indicated that 13-o-MBB acted synergistically with aminoglycosides in only MexXY-positive P. aeruginosa strains. Time-kill curves showed that 13-o-MBB or higher concentrations of berberine increased the bactericidal activity of gentamicin by inhibiting MexXY in P. aeruginosa. Our findings indicate that 13-o-MBB inhibits MexXY-dependent aminoglycoside drug resistance more strongly than berberine and that 13-o-MBB is a useful inhibitor of aminoglycoside drug resistance due to MexXY.

Diaporthols A (1) and B (2), two diphenyl ether derivatives, were isolated from cultures of an endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. ECN-137 obtained from the leaves of Phellodendron amurense. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the structure of 2 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed anti-migration activities in TGF-β1-elicited MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at a concentration of 20 μM.

Three new isocoumarins and two new phthalides, tubakialactones A–E ( 1 – 5 ), together with three known polyketides including ( R )-3,4-dihydro-4-hydroxyl-6,8-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-methylene-1 H -2-benzopyran-1-one ( 6 ), (−)-5,7-dimethoxy-3-methyl-1(3 H )-isobenzofuranone ( 7 ), and isosclerone ( 8 ) were found in the endophytic fungus Tubakia sp. ECN-111 isolated from the leaves of Houttuynia cordata . The chemical structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including extensive 2D-NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 3 and 7 was determined by optical rotation and circular dichroism.

The hip placement with a metal-on-metal (MOM) bearing has been used for both surface replacement and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Use of MOM bearing for hip replacement reduces the wear compared to conventional bearings. We prospectively assessed 30 patients who underwent unilateral MOM THA. A control group of 30 patients who underwent metal-on-polyethylene THA using the implants as the other group, except for bearing, were accessed. Blood samples were collected preoperatively and at 3- , 6- , 9- , 12- , 15- , 18- , and 24-month intervals. Changes in mean blood metal ion concentration were compared between the MOM and metal-on-polyethylene groups. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between blood cobalt and chromium concentrations in all of the patients. The mean blood ion concentrations of the MOM were significantly higher than those of the metal-on-polyethylene. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between maximum blood cobalt concentration and cup version angle. The maximum blood chromium concentrations in the patients who had larger cup version angles were more likely to decrease. We considered that cup version angle is one of the factors that have the greatest effect on blood metal ion concentration, and the target cup version angle that did not induce an increase in blood metal ion concentrations was approximately 20°.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the usefulness of measuring acetabular anterior coverage by tomosynthesis and false profile (FP) radiography. Methods 70 hips in 35 patients who were diagnosed with early stage osteoarthritis of the hip, and 60 hips from 30 healthy volunteers were analysed. Plain FP radiographs were taken, and vertical-centre-anterior margin (FP-VCA) angles were measured. Acetabular anterior coverage was measured in the natural standing position using a tomosynthesis imaging system in the sagittal plane. As with FP radiography, we measured vertical-centre-anterior margin (TS-VCA) angles. Results The median values of the FP-VCA angle, and TS-VCA angle were 43.8°, 54.4°, respectively. The TS-VCA angle was significantly larger than the FP-VCA angle. For FP radiographs, the intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.68, and the interobserver ICC was 0.79. For tomosynthesis sagittal images, the intraobserver ICC was 0.85, and the interobserver ICC was 0.92. There was a strong positive correlation between the TS-VCA angle and the FP-VCA angle. When the FP-VCA angle was 25°, the TS-VCA angle was 35° in regression analysis. Conclusions Measuring acetabular anterior coverage using sagittal plane tomosynthesis correlates well with FP radiography. Regardless of the presence of acetabular deformities, tomosynthesis demonstrated high reproducibility, simple posture setting, low effective doses, and high versatility. A cut-off value of 35° was useful for the detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip joint using the TS-VCA angle.

Taxonomic studies of strain PAGU 1678T , an obligately anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium isolated from biobreeding rat feces, were performed. This strain has been demonstrated to have the ability to exacerbate pathosis in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed high homology with Paraclostridium bifermentans. To clarify the correct taxonomic position of strain PAGU 1678T , a comparative taxonomic study using P. bifermentans PAGU 2008T (═JCM 1386T ) and the closely related bacterial species P. benzoelyticum PAGU 2068T (═LMG 28745T ) was carried out. Despite the close similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA-DNA hybridization between strain PAGU 1678T and P. bifermentans PAGU 2008T was 60.03% on average, average nucleotide identity was 96.17%, and it was shown to have different genomic sequences. Biochemically, strain PAGU 1678T could be differentiated from P. bifermentans PAGU 2008T by H2 S production. Furthermore, strain PAGU 1678T was characterized by the presence of two phospholipids with different polarity on polar lipid analysis. In addition, strain PAGU 1678T differed from P. bifermentans PAGU 2008T in findings on whole-cell protein analysis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. On the basis of these biochemical and genetic characteristics, a novel subspecies of P. bifermentans with the name Paraclostridium bifermentans subsp. muricolitidis subsp. nov. is here proposed, with PAGU 1678T (═CCUG 72489T ═NBRC 113386T ) as the type strain, which automatically creates P. bifermentans subsp. bifermentans subsp. nov. JCM 1386T (═ATCC 638T ═DSM 14991T ).

Healing technology for metallic materials is an important subject in terms of long-term reliability and durability of structural members, a healing technology to heal fatigue crack by applying heat treatment at annealing temperature level has been discovered. In this study, the influences of plasticity-induced crack closure on healing were evaluated by obtaining the crack opening load during the pre-crack introduction and evaluating the fatigue crack propagation characteristics before and after the healing heat treatment, using compact tension specimens made of carbon steel with different test conditions. As a result, the specimen with high crack opening load showed high healing effect and were able to heal up to 95% of the pre-crack length. This suggested that the residual compressive stress due to the plasticity-induced crack closure accelerates the solid-state diffusion bonding during the crack healing process and this leads to the improvement of the healing effect.

Taxonomic studies of strain PAGU 1678

The J-SICT DC Vaccine Study Group provides dendritic cell (DC) vaccines for compassionate use under unified cell production and patient treatment regimens. We previously reported beneficial effects of DC vaccines on the overall survival of 62 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a single-center analysis. Here, we extended analysis to 260 patients with NSCLC who were treated at six centers. Of the 337 patients who met the inclusion criteria, we analyzed 260 patients who received ≥5 peptide-pulsed DC vaccinations once every 2 weeks. The mean survival time (MST) from diagnosis was 33.0 months (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 27.9–39.2), and that from time of first vaccination was 13.8 months (95 % CI 11.4–16.8). An erythema reaction at the injection site that was ≥30 mm in diameter was correlated most strongly with overall survival from the first vaccine (≥30 vs.

PurposeSeptic arthritis of the hip joint in adults often progresses to recurrent infections that require repeated surgeries for treatment. The purpose of the present study was to assess the risk of a recalcitrant hip infection and the usefulness of musculocutaneous flap transposition.Methods15 adult patients who underwent surgeries for the treatment of hip infections were retrospectively analysed. Patients who recovered from infection by undergoing arthroscopy, open irrigation, debridement, continuous irrigation, resection arthroplasty, and/or the placement of antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement were classified into Group A (n = 10). Patients who showed residual infection after multiple surgeries and ultimately recovered after undergoing musculocutaneous flap transposition were classified into Group B (n = 5). The age at onset, sex, incidence of multi-drug-resistant organisms, incidence of infection at other sites, compromising factors, peak pre-operative C-reactive protein level, and period from onset to initial surgery were compared between groups.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in the period from onset to initial surgery (p = 0.024). The infections remained chronic after multiple surgeries in most patients who had complications and/or a poor general or local condition. All of the patients recovered after musculocutaneous flap transposition without the need for additional surgery and did not experience recurrence during the follow-up period in Group B.ConclusionsDelayed diagnosis and/or treatment and compromised host caused recurrent septic arthritis of the hip in adults. Musculocutaneous flap transposition may be a useful method for the treatment of recalcitrant hip infection.

We developed micro-machines constructed using metal or polymer materials that move by converting the chemical energy of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glucose to the mechanical energy of dioxygen (O2) bubble impulses. The conversion process is based on electrochemical and enzymatic reactions. The micro-machines with enzymatic reactions exhibited a higher moving speed than the conventional micro-machines with electrochemical reactions. Our originally designed Au/Pt/cationic polymer/glucose oxidase (GOx)/catalase type micro-machines could move using glucose as fuel. However, the speed of movement achieved using glucose is much smaller compared with other micro-machines that move using H2O2 as fuel.

Background: Visual display terminals (VDTs) emitting blue light can cause ocular disorders including eye fatigue. Some dietary constituents have been reported to be effective in improving ocular disorders while few clinical studies have been performed. We evaluated the effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus paracasei KW 3110 on improving ocular disorders and symptoms of eye fatigue among healthy human subjects with VDT loads. Methods: In vitro, the effect of L. paracasei KW3110 on blue light-induced human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cell damage. For clinical studies, 62 healthy Japanese volunteers of 35 to 45 years of age who had experienced eye fatigue were randomized into two groups and given a placebo or L. paracasei KW3110-containing supplements for eight weeks. The primary endpoint was changes in VDT load-induced eye fatigue as determined by critical flicker frequency four and eight weeks after the start of supplementation. Results: In vitro, blue light-induced human retinal cell death was suppressed with the culture supernatants of cells treated with L. paracasei KW3110. In clinical study, the VDT load-induced reduction of critical flicker frequency tended to be milder in the L. paracasei KW3110 group when compared with the placebo group during the fourth week. Subgroup analysis classified by the degree of eye fatigue showed that the VDT load-induced reduction of critical flicker frequency was significantly better in the high-level eye fatigue subjects from the L. paracasei KW3110 group when compared with the placebo group during the fourth week (p = 0.020). Conclusions: L. paracasei KW3110 suppressed blue light-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell death. In the clinical study, ingestion of L. paracasei KW3110 had a potential to improve eye fatigue induced by VDT loads especially high levels of eye fatigue. However, further studies should be required to show more dependable clinical efficacy of L. paracasei KW3110.

RNA or ssDNA aptamers, which are capable of binding to target molecules with high affinity and specificity, are selected in vitro from large combinatorial nucleic acid libraries by a process known as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Using this SELEX technology, many aptamers have been generated against a wide range of target molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, small molecules, and whole cells. In this chapter, we described various methods for generating aptamers, including methods that do not require target immobilization. Among these aptamers, ones that are specific for natural toxins, such as mycotoxins, are of great interest to the food industry, as they can used in developing tools (biosensors) for ensuring food safety. We also summarized several aptamer-based detection strategies. Lastly, we described biosensor applications of aptamers for natural toxins.

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM 5805 (LC-Plasma) is a strain of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that activates murine and human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to express interferons (IFNs). Oral administration of LC-Plasma drastically decreased fatality levels caused by parainfluenza virus infection in a murine model. In this study, we investigated the anti-viral effects of oral administration of LC-Plasma using a suckling mouse model of rhesus rotavirus (RV) infection. LC-Plasma-fed mice showed improvement in retardation of body weight gain, fecal scores, and a reduction in RV titer in the feces when compared to control mice. The mechanism of anti-viral effects elicited by LC-Plasma administration was investigated using naive mice: in the LC-Plasma -fed mice, lamina propria (LP) pDCs resident in the small intestine were significantly matured and the proportion of pDCs was increased. The expression levels of anti-viral factors induced by IFNs, such as Isg15, Mx1, Oasl2 and Viperin, and an anti-bacterial factor Reg3γ, were up-regulated in the small intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of LC-Plasma-fed mice. The specific LAB strain may affect the anti-viral immunological profile of IECs via maturation of LP pDCs, leading to protection from RV virus infection in vivo.

The authors investigated the effect of an auditory cue on the choice of the initial swing leg in gait initiation. Healthy humans initiated a gait in response to a monaural or binaural auditory cue. When the auditory cue was given in the ear ipsilateral to the preferred leg side, the participants consistently initiated their gait with the preferred leg. In the session in which the side of the monaural auditory cue was altered trial by trial randomly, the probability of initiating the gait with the nonpreferred leg increased when the auditory cue was given in the ear contralateral to the preferred leg side. The probability of choosing the nonpreferred leg did not increase significantly when the auditory cue was given in the ear contralateral to the preferred leg side in the session in which the auditory cue was constantly given in the ear contralateral to the preferred leg side. The reaction time of anticipatory postural adjustment was shortened, but the probability of choosing the nonpreferred leg was not significantly increased when the gait was initiated in response to a binaural auditory cue. An auditory cue in the ear contralateral to the preferred leg side weakens the preference for choosing the preferred leg as the initial swing leg in gait initiation when the side of the auditory cue is unpredictable.

Helicobacter cinaedi was first isolated from rectal cultures from homosexual men in 1984. In the 1980s to mid 1990s, the microorganism was mainly isolated from samples from homosexual men or immunocompromised patients; however, during the last two decades, H. cinaedi has been isolated from immunocompromised and from immunocompetent individuals worldwide. In Japan, the isolation of this microorganism was first reported in 2003. Since then, many cases have been reported in hospitals across the country. Despite many reports, the etiological properties and pathogenicity of H. cinaedi remain elusive; however, we are increasingly able to recognize some of the features and the clinical relevance of infection. In particular, a long incubation period is essential for detection in an automatic blood culture system and many of the recent isolates are resistant to both macrolides and quinolones. Furthermore, there is an association between infection and severe or chronic illnesses, such as meningitis or arteriosclerosis, in addition to mild diseases such as fever, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, proctitis, diarrhea, erysipelas, cellulitis, arthritis, and bacteremia. In this review, we introduce the current knowledge and our latest findings relating to H. cinaedi .

Antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement (ALAC) spacers are useful for treatment of infected prostheses in the course of a two-stage revision. Spacers are handmade or are made using a commercial template, with reportedly good treatment outcomes. This study aimed to confirm the usefulness of custom-made ALAC spacers shaped like bipolar hip prostheses using a dental silicone template for treatment of infected hip prostheses, and described their manufacture. This study evaluated 10 patients who underwent two-stage revision for treatment of infected hip prostheses. Custom-made ALAC spacers were used in all patients. Templates were made with dental silicone. We investigated the following in treatment of the infected hip prostheses: bacterial pathogens; antibiotic-cement mixtures; waiting time to revision; dislocation, breakage, and migration of custom-made ALAC spacers; current hip status; progress during follow-up; presence or absence of recurrence; and walking ability. Dislocation, breakage, and migration were not observed in custom-made ALAC spacers. All patients recovered after two-stage revision without additional surgery and showed no recurrence during the follow-up period. Custom-made ALAC spacers shaped like bipolar hip prostheses using a template made of dental silicone may be useful for treatment of infected hip prostheses.