Phylogenetic characterization of Isospora jaracimrmani oocysts from a veiled chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae; Chamaeleo calyptratus) reared at a zoo in Ishikawa, Japan.

Oocysts of Isospora sp. were detected in the feces of a veiled chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae; Chamaeleo calyptratus) kept at a zoo in Ishikawa, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis placed the sequence in the cluster of Isospora spp. isolated from reptiles. Based on a comparison of morphological data of ten previously reported Isospora species from the Chamaeleonidae family, this isolate was morphologically similar to I. jaracimrmani, which has been considered to be a virulent species. This case study suggests the possibility that species of Isospora might not always cause disease because the animal that shed these oocysts showed no symptoms for more than two months.

Molecular identification of Eimeria hestermani and Eimeria prionotemni from a red-necked wallaby (Macropodidae; Macropus rufogriseus) in Japan.

To date, more than 50 Eimeria spp. have been isolated from marsupials of the family Macropodidae. Although 18 species of Eimeria have been previously detected from multiple animal species belonging to the genus Macropus of the family, limited genetic analyses of the parasites are available, and their pathogenicity remains unclear. Here, we report the isolation of Eimeria spp. from a zoo specimen of red-necked wallaby (Macropodidae; Macropus rufogriseus). Specifically, two distinct types of Eimeria oocysts were recovered, one from the feces before treatment with an anthelmintic and the second from the intestinal contents after death of the animal. The oocysts obtained from the two sources were morphologically identified as E. hestermani and E. prionotemni, respectively. We successfully determined partial gene sequences from the two isolates, including segments of the 18S rRNA genes, and for the first time have used phylogenetic analyses of these sequences to assign the species to distinct clades. In combination with further genetic data, these results are expected to help elucidate the pathogenicity and host ranges of Eimeria spp. within the respective family and genus.

Locational diversity of alpha satellite DNA and intergeneric hybridization aspects in the Nomascus and Hylobates genera of small apes.

Recently, we discovered that alpha satellite DNA has unique and genus-specific localizations on the chromosomes of small apes. This study describes the details of alpha satellite localization in the genera Nomascus and Hylobates and explores their usefulness in distinguishing parental genome sets in hybrids between these genera. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to establish diagnostic criteria of alpha satellite DNA markers in discriminating small ape genomes. In particular we established the genus specificity of alpha satellite distribution in three species of light-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys, N. siki, and N. gabriellae) in comparison to that of Hylobates lar. Then we determined the localization of alpha satellite DNA in a hybrid individual which resulted from a cross between these two genera. In Nomascus the alpha satellite DNA blocks were located at the centromere, telomere, and four interstitial regions. In Hylobates detectable amounts of alpha satellite DNA were seen only at centromeric regions. The differences in alpha satellite DNA locations between Nomascus and Hylobates allowed us to easily distinguish the parental chromosomal sets in the genome of intergeneric hybrid individuals found in Thai and Japanese zoos. Our study illustrates how molecular cytogenetic markers can serve as diagnostic tools to identify the origin of individuals. These molecular tools can aid zoos, captive breeding programs and conservation efforts in managing small apes species. Discovering more information on alpha satellite distribution is also an opportunity to examine phylogenetic and evolutionary questions that are still controversial in small apes.

Long-term outcome of acute myocardial infarction patients treated with stents versus balloon angioplasty: results from randomized trials.

AIM: To examine the impact of primary stent implantation versus balloon angioplasty on long-term outcome (median 8 years) in 117 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from randomized trials. METHODS: Enrolled patients were those presenting with STEMI within 12 h of symptom onset. Patients were randomized to either Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation (N=25) or balloon angioplasty (N=23) between January and November 1996; or Palmaz-Schatz (N=26), or Cordis coil stent implantation (N=24) or balloon angioplasty (N=19) between February 1998 and March 1999. RESULTS: Patients (67+/-11 years) arrived to the hospital within median 2.5 h of symptom onset with Killip 1/2/3/4 grade (72/19/7/2%, respectively). The culprit lesion was located in the left anterior descending (50%), right (39%), or left circumflex coronary artery (11%) with TIMI 0/1/2/3 flow (81/5/12/2%, respectively). Clinical/angiographic features were comparable between the 2 groups. During follow-up, there was a significant reduction in cardiac mortality in the stent group (5%) compared to the angioplasty group (17%, log-rank test p=0.04). In addition, the stent group had a lower target lesion revascularization rate (28% versus 52%, p=0.008), and a significantly lower major adverse cardiac event rate (37% versus 67%, p=0.005), than the angioplasty group. CONCLUSION: Compared to balloon angioplasty, primary stenting resulted in a sustained beneficial effect on cardiac mortality at 8 years.

[Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of coronary plaques with 64-slice computed tomography in comparison with intravascular ultrasound].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic feasibility of noninvasive assessment of coronary atherosclerotic plaques with MSCT in comparison with IVUS. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced MSCT angiography (Sensation 64, Siemens Medical Solutions) was performed before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and three-vessel IVUS (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) was performed during procedure in 12 patients with stable angina pectoris. Complete investigation was digitally stored, and assessed offline with EchoPlaque (Indec Systems, Mountain View, CA). The comparison of MSCT with IVUS was performed based on segment at plaque site (American Heart Association 15-segment model). RESULTS: A total of 88 segments in 31 vessels (left anterior descending: 12, left circumflex: 10, and right coronary artery: 9) were investigated by both IVUS and MSCT. Among 68 assessable segments (54 proximal-middle segments and 14 distal segments) by MSCT (20 segments were excluded for poor image quality: 16 for severe calcification, 2 for motion artifact, 2 for poor opacification), MSCT correctly detected 47 of the 51 segments with plaques (sensitivity: 92%), and correctly evaluated 16 of 17 segments without plaques (specificity: 94%). Concerning plaque quantification, MSCT correlated well with IVUS in grading whether the vessel obstruction was less or more than 50% (simple kappa: 0.63, 95% CI: from 0.47 to 0.78). Plaque area by MSCT also correlated with that by IVUS (r = 0.53, P < 0.01), but overestimated plaque area [(9.09 +/- 3.89) mm(2) vs. (6.80 +/- 2.81) mm(2), P < 0.01]. In addition, 30 of 43 hypoechoic compositions were detected as low-density compositions by MSCT with average CT number as 67.39 HU. CONCLUSIONS: In segments without severe calcification, contrast-enhanced 64-slice CT angiography could detect plaques in coronary artery with high accuracy. Plaque area quantification by MSCT correlated with that of IVUS though with limited accuracy.

A most distant intergeneric hybrid offspring (Larcon) of lesser apes, Nomascus leucogenys and Hylobates lar.

Unlike humans, which are the sole remaining representatives of a once larger group of bipedal apes (hominins), the "lesser apes" (hylobatids) are a diverse radiation with numerous extant species. Consequently, the lesser apes can provide a valuable evolutionary window onto the possible interactions (e.g., interbreeding) of hominin lineages coexisting in the same time and place. In the present work, we employ chromosomal analyses to verify the hybrid ancestry of an individual (Larcon) produced by two of the most distant genera of lesser apes, Hylobates (lar-group gibbons) and Nomascus (concolor-group gibbons). In addition to a mixed pelage pattern, the hybrid animal carries a 48-chromosome karyotype that consists of the haploid complements of each parental species: Hylobates lar (n = 22) and Nomascus leucogenys leucogenys (n = 26). Studies of this animal's karyotype shed light onto the processes of speciation and genus-level divergence in the lesser apes and, by extension, across the Hominoidea.

Late angiographic stent thrombosis after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: Although drug-eluting stents dramatically reduce revascularization after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), it is still unclear whether they increase the risk of stent thrombosis. Late stent thrombosis (>30 days) was a very rare complication after bare metal stent implantation. Four cases of confirmed late angiographic stent thrombosis (LAST) after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation are presented and the incidence, promoting factors and outcomes of such cases in Japan, where clopidogrel has not been approved, are described. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between September 2004 and March 2006, 725 patients underwent PCI with SES implantation and 679 patients (94%) were clinically followed up (median 271 days). There were 4 cases (0.6%) of LAST (at 60, 180, 215, and 508 days, respectively) after elective SES implantation resulting in myocardial infarction. Three cases occurred soon after antiplatelet therapy discontinuation 3 patients died after LAST events. The incidence of LAST was 0.6%. CONCLUSIONS: LAST is a rare complication, even after SES implantation, at least in patients with appropriate antiplatelet therapy. However, as it can lead to fatal complications, it must be taken into account, especially when antiplatelet therapy is discontinued.

A serious complication of a power injector for coronary angiography.

Recently several contrast delivery systems for coronary angiography have been introduced to provide adequate artery opacification through small catheters, which are thought to facilitate patient comfort and reduce hemorrhagic/vascular complications. However, the safety profile of a specific system has not been fully examined. In this case report, we present patients who underwent angiography using a contrast delivery system and suffered from massive air embolism necessitating mechanical support. We discuss the potential mechanism and the prevention of this complication.

New method to increase a backup support of a 6 French guiding coronary catheter.

A 6 Fr guiding catheter is commonly used in the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, one of the limitations of the 6 Fr guiding catheter is its weak backup support compared to a 7 or an 8 Fr guiding catheter. In this article, we present a new system for PCI called the five-in-six system. Between March 2003 and September 2003, this system was tried on eight chronic total occlusion cases. The advantage of the five-in-six system is that it increases backup support of a 6 Fr guiding catheter.