Masticatory performance-related factors in preschool children: establishing a method to assess masticatory performance in preschool children using colour-changeable chewing gum.

A knowledge gap regarding masticatory performance in preschool children exists, which in turn delays intervention for preventive care; therefore, a method to easily assess performance is needed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of assessing masticatory performance using colour-changeable chewing gum and to investigate masticatory performance-related factors in preschool children. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in two childcare facilities and our laboratory. First, a one-third quantity of colour-changeable chewing gum was masticated by six adults to assess the nature and progression of colour changes in this quantity. Then, masticatory performance in 370 children 4-6 years of age was assessed using the same quantity of colour-changeable chewing gum (60 chew strokes). The maximum bite force, body height, weight, age and number of healthy teeth were recorded. A t-test was performed to determine whether gum-chewing experience or lack thereof produced a significant difference in masticatory performance. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was then determined for masticatory performance assessment values and other factors solely for children with gum-chewing experience. Measurements from 259 children were obtained. Children with gum-chewing experience demons trated significantly higher assessment values and were deemed to have been correctly assessed. A very weak but significant positive correlation was observed only between masticatory performance and the number of healthy teeth. The masticatory performance of preschool children was easily assessed using colour-changeable chewing gum. The assessment values demonstrated significant correlation with the number of healthy teeth, but not with maximum bite force, body height, weight or age.

A novel stress monitoring method through stress-induced respiratory alterations: non-contact measurement of respiratory V(T)/T(I) alterations induced by stressful sound using a 10 GHz microwave radar.

We have developed a non-contact stress monitoring system which measures respiratory V(T)/T(I) (tidal volume/inspiration time) alterations using a 10 GHz microwave radar. The measurable distance of the system is 50 cm, which is 10 times longer than our previously developed stress monitoring system which measures heart rate variability using a 24-GHz microwave-radar. The study was conducted with eight subjects (23 ± 1 years old) to evaluate the efficacy of the system. An audio stimulus at 95 dB sound pressure level was presented to the subjects following a silent period of 120 seconds. During the silent period, V(T)/T(I) averaged 826 ± 384 ml s(-1), while it increased significantly (p < 0.05) with an average of 1227 ± 704?ml s(-1) during audio stimulus low frequency component (LF)/high frequency component (HF), which reflects sympatho-vagal valance, showed a peak during audio stimuli. This paper aims to study the efficacy of the non-contact stress monitoring system for its future applications in many fields including health and safety.

[Experience of long term survival in a case with surgery for cancer metastasis to brain and mediastinal lymph node from unknown primary site].

We report a rare case of metastatic brain and lymph node carcinoma of unknown primary origin. A 68-year-old man had been followed up after resection of brain metastasis in right parietooccipital region without suspicious primary site. Seventy-eight months after the resection, a mediastinal lymph node (#2R) of 15 mm in diameter was detected by computed tomography (CT) and was surgically removed. The histological diagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma resembling lymphoepithelial carcinoma, which was similar to the histology of the previously resected brain tumor. This patient is alive without recurrence and apparent primary site at 24 months after lymph node resection.

The development of a non-contact screening system for rapid medical inspection at a quarantine depot using a laser Doppler blood-flow meter, microwave radar and infrared thermography.

In order to conduct fast screening of passengers with infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or pandemic influenza at a quarantine depot, we developed a non-contact screening system with self-produced program to conduct a human screening within five seconds, via a linear discriminant function from non-contact derived variables, i.e. palmer pulse derived from a laser Doppler blood-flow meter, respiration rate determined by a 10-GHz microwave radar, and facial temperature measured by thermography. The system evaluation was conducted on seven healthy male subjects (23 +/- 1 years). In order to achieve a pseudo-infection condition, the subjects maintained an ergometer exercise load (100 W, 10 minutes). Before (normal condition) and after (pseudo-infection condition) exercise, a significant linear discriminant function (p < 0.001) was determined to distinguish pseudo-infection condition from normal condition (Mahalanobis D-square = 20.3, classification error rate <5%). The proposed system appears promising for future application in fast screening of infection at a quarantine depot.

Development of a non-contact screening system for rapid medical inspection at a quarantine depot using a laser Doppler blood-flow meter, microwave radar and infrared thermography.

In order to conduct fast screening of passengers with infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or pandemic influenza at a quarantine depot, we developed a non-contact screening system with a self-produced program to conduct a human screening within five seconds, via a linear discriminant function from non-contact derived variables, i.e. palmer pulse derived from a laser Doppler blood-flow meter, respiration rate determined by a 10-GHz microwave radar, and facial temperature measured by a thermography. The system evaluation was conducted on seven healthy male subjects (23+1 years). In order to achieve a pseudo-infection condition, the subjects maintained an ergo-meter exercise load (100 W, 10 minutes). Before (normal condition) and after (pseudo-infection condition) exercise, a significant linear discriminant function (p50.001) was determined to distinguish the pseudo-infection condition from the normal condition (Mahalanobis D-square 1/4 20.3, classification error rate55%). The proposed system appears promising for future application in fast screening of infection at a quarantine depot.

Adrenal function in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Adrenal insufficiency is believed to occur frequently in severe sepsis and septic shock. The aim of the present study was to determine whether adrenal function is also related to the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In total, 64 Japanese patients with CAP were consecutively enrolled in the present study, which was carried out during 2005-2006. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in each subject, as was the response of cortisol secretion when 250 mug of cosyntropin was administered. Analyses were performed comparing these values with the score calculated according to the Pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) cohort study, the number of in-hospital deaths and the length of hospital stay. As the PORT score increased, serum ACTH and cortisol also increased, while the response of cortisol secretion to the administration of cosyntropin decreased. In the analysis by receiver operating characteristic curves, adrenal dysfunction was related significantly to both the number of in-hospital deaths and the length of hospital stay. Adrenal dysfunction was shown to correlate with the Pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team score and the clinical outcomes, while adrenal insufficiency defined by the cosyntropin stimulation test was rare in the present study.

A novel apparatus for non-contact measurement of heart rate variability: a system to prevent secondary exposure of medical personnel to toxic materials under biochemical hazard conditions, in monitoring sepsis or in predicting multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The impaired balance of the low-frequency/high-frequency ratio obtained from spectral components of RR intervals can be a diagnostic test for sepsis. In addition, it is known that a reduction of heart rate variability (HRV) is useful in identifying septic patients at risk of the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). We have reported a non-contact method using a microwave radar to monitor the heart and respiratory rates of a healthy person placed inside an isolator or of experimental animals exposed to toxic materials. APPARATUS DESIGN AND TESTING: With the purpose of preventing secondary exposure of medical personnel to toxic materials under biochemical hazard conditions, we designed a novel apparatus for non-contact measurement of HRV using a 1215 MHz microwave radar, a high-pass filter, and a personal computer. The microwave radar monitors only the small reflected waves from the subject's chest wall, which are modulated by the cardiac and respiratory motion. The high-pass filter enhances the cardiac signal and attenuates the respiratory signal. In a human trial, RR intervals derived from the non-contact apparatus significantly correlated with those derived from ECG (r=0.98, P<0.0001). The non-contact apparatus showed a similar power spectrum of RR intervals to that of ECG. CONCLUSIONS: Our non-contact HRV measurement apparatus appears promising for future pre-hospital monitoring of septic patients or for predicting MODS patients, inside isolators or in the field for mass casualties under biochemical hazard circumstances.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in breeding monkeys: detection and analysis of strain diversity by PCR.

In the last three decades, several monkeys reared in outdoor/indoor-outdoor breeding colonies and cages of the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, died of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, necessitating introduction of a method to detect the bacteria rapidly and thus allow preventive measures to be undertaken. A rapid nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for identification of Y. pseudotuberculosis in fecal samples and a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR approach for distinguishing between bacterial strains were therefore developed. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolates from monkey specimens were found to be classifiable into several types. To determine the source of infection, hundreds of fecal samples of wild rats, pigeons, and sparrows were collected from around the breeding colonies and cages, and subjected to PCR analyses. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was detected in 1.7% of the fecal samples of wild rats. The DNA fingerprints of the bacteria revealed by RAPD-PCR were the same as that of one strain isolated from macaques, suggesting the wild rat to be a possible source of infection.

Cerebral endothelial cells are a major source of adrenomedullin.

Adrenomedullin is a peptide hormone with multifunctional biological properties. Its most characteristic effects are the regulation of circulation and the control of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis through peripheral and central nervous system actions. Although adrenomedullin is a vasodilator of cerebral vasculature, and it may be implicated in the pathomechanism of cerebrovascular diseases, the source of adrenomedullin in the cerebral circulation has not been investigated thus far. We measured the secretion of adrenomedullin by radioimmunoassay and detected adrenomedullin mRNA expression by Northern blot analysis in primary cultures of rat cerebral endothelial cells (RCECs), pericytes and astrocytes. We also investigated the expression of specific adrenomedullin receptor components by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and intracellular cAMP concentrations in RCECs and pericytes. RCECs had approximately one magnitude higher adrenomedullin production (135 +/- 13 fmol/10(5) cells per 12 h; mean +/- SD, n = 10) compared to that previously reported for other cell types. RCECs secreted adrenomedullin mostly at their luminal cell membrane. Adrenomedullin production was not increased by thrombin, lipopolysaccharide or cytokines, which are known inducers of adrenomedullin release in peripheral endothelial cells, although it was stimulated by astrocyte-derived factors. Pericytes had moderate, while astrocytes had very low basal adrenomedullin secretion. In vivo experiments showed that adrenomedullin plasma concentration in the jugular vein of rats was approximately 50% higher than that in the carotid artery or in the vena cava. Both RCECs and pericytes, which are potential targets of adrenomedullin in cerebral microcirculation, expressed adrenomedullin receptor components, and exhibited a dose-dependent increase in intracellular cAMP concentrations after exogenous adrenomedullin administration. Antisense oligonucleotide treatment significantly reduced adrenomedullin production by RCECs and tended to decrease intraendothelial cAMP concentrations. These findings may suggest an important autocrine and paracrine role for adrenomedullin in the regulation of cerebral circulation and blood-brain barrier functions. Cerebral endothelial cells are a potential source of adrenomedullin in the central nervous system, where adrenomedullin can also be involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine functions.

Adrenomedullin regulates blood-brain barrier functions in vitro.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is an important vasodilator in cerebral circulation, and cerebral endothelial cells are a major source of AM. This in vitro study aimed to determine the AM-induced changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions. AM administration increased, whereas AM antisense oligonucleotide treatment decreased transendothelial electrical resistance. AM incubation decreased BBB permeability for sodium fluorescein (mol. wt 376 Da) but not for Evan's blue albumin (mol. wt 67 kDa), and it also attenuated fluid-phase endocytosis. AM treatment resulted in functional activation of P-glycoprotein efflux pump in vitro. Our results indicate that AM as an autocrine mediator plays an important role in the regulation of BBB properties of the cerebral endothelial cells.

Involvement of the NUP98 gene in a chromosomal translocation t(11;20)(p15;q11.2) in a patient with acute monocytic leukemia (FAB-M5b).

We report here a case of acute monocytic leukemia (M5b subtype according to the French-American-British [FAB] classification) with chromosomal translocation t(11;20)(p15;q11.2). Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with a probe for the NUP98 gene, which is located at chromosome band 11p15, showed that the probe hybridized to both derivative chromosomes 11 and 20 as well as to the remaining normal chromosome 11, indicating that the NUP98 gene was split and involved in this translocation. This is the first report of t(11;20)(p15;q11.2) involving the NUP98 gene in overt leukemia.

The influence of rearing conditions on the physical growth of captive Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

To clarify the influence of rearing conditions on the growth of various body parts of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), two groups reared under different conditions, i.e., a group born and reared in open enclosures (Enclosure group) and another consisting of macaques born and reared in cages (Caged group), were somatometrically analyzed. Somatometric data on 36 measures of various body parts were collected from 77 males and 92 females. Growth in many body parts was smaller in the Caged group than in the Enclosure group. Body parts that exhibited large incremental increases were more sensitive to differences in rearing space at the infantile growth stage in both sexes. Recovery from delayed growth at the pubertal growth stage was found in many body parts. However, the size of some locomotor elements such as the wrist and hand, and ankle and foot strongly reflected limitations of space and changes due to this were irreversible. Females were more sensitive than males to such differences in rearing conditions. We conclude that open enclosures with ample rearing space are necessary for the innate growth of Japanese macaques to occur.

High prevalence of infection with Entamoeba dispar, but not E. histolytica, in captive macaques.

A total of 268 nonhuman primates (20 species) kept in the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan, were surveyed for intestinal amebas. Total positive rates as based on the presence of cysts in the stool following formalin-ether sedimentation were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, 53%; E. coli, 34%; E. hartmanni, 34%; Iodamoeba buetschlii, 25%; Endolimax nana, 8%; and E. chattoni, 3%. Positive rates were higher in Old World monkeys and lower in New World monkeys. All the 141 E. histolytica/E. dispar-positive animals were Macaca monkeys. The E. histolytica/E. dispar-positive samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification of E. histolytica and E. dispar. E. dispar DNA was detected in 137 samples, whereas no E. histolytica DNA was seen. Zymodeme analysis and reactivity to monoclonal antibodies of cultured trophozoites also supported the presence of E. dispar and the absence of E. histolytica. When the sera of 93 macaques were examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test, only 3 animals proved to be positive for E. histolytica, showing the lowest titer. These results demonstrate that infection with E. dispar, but not E. histolytica, is predominant in macaques.

Cadmium-induced mRNA expression of Hsp32 is augmented in metallothionein-I and -II knock-out mice.

Cadmium is toxic and carcinogenic to humans and animals. The testis and lung are the target organs for cadmium carcinogenesis. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) as well as metallothionein (MT) and glutathione (GSH) play an important role in protection against its toxicity. HSP32, also known as heme oxygenase-1, is a 32-kDa protein induced by heme, heavy metals, oxidative stresses, and heat. We investigated expression of the Hsp32 gene of various organs (the liver, lung, heart, stomach, kidney, and testis) in transgenic mice deficient in the MT-I and -II genes (MT-KO) and in control mice (MT-W) after an injection of cadmium chloride (CdCl2). Survival of MT-W mice after a subcutaneously injection of CdCl2 was higher than that of MT-KO mice, while no significant difference was observed in the level of GSH in each organ between MT-W and MT-KO mice. Northern blot analysis showed that the MT-I mRNA was more extensively induced in the liver, kidney, and heart than other organs 6 h after an injection of CdCl2 (30 micromol/kg body wt, sc). There was little increase of the MT-I mRNA in the testis when induced by CdCl2. Expression of the Hsp32 gene in the liver and kidney in response to CdCl2 was more extensively augmented in MT-KO mice than in MT-W mice. In the lung and testis, there was little induction and no augmentation in expression of the Hsp32 gene induced by CdCl2 in both MT-W and MT-KO mice. In the stomach, there was little induction of the Hsp32 mRNA in MT-W mice, but was increased in MT-KO mice. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the HSP32 protein was strongly expressed in the kidney and liver of MT-W mice 24 h after an injection of CdCl2 (20 micromol/kg body wt, sc), while the expression of HSP32 protein was not increased in the testis. In metabolically active organs such as the liver and kidney, expression of the Hsp32 gene as well as the MT-I gene was extensively induced by cadmium in MT-W mice, and more eminently induced in MT-KO mice. We suggest that organs of low stress response to cadmium such as the testis and lung may be vulnerable target sites for cadmium toxicity and carcinogenesis.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in an infant rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta).

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disorder associated with the destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) by autoantibodies. We report a rare case of AIHA in an infant rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) which received a continuous administration of four drugs, a dopamine agonist. dopamine receptor inhibitor, and two gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor inhibitors into the brain during the course of neurophysiological experiments. The main clinical findings were severe anemia and splenomegaly. Hematological and serological examinations revealed the appearance of peripheral erythroblasts and autoantibodies against RBCs. Medical treatments, including washed RBC transfusion and corticosteroids, transiently improved the animal's anemia, but euthanasia was decided on 331 days after the start of the experiment. The pathological findings revealed severe anemia, splenomegaly, and extramedullary hematopoiesis in the liver and kidneys. These findings and the clinical course suggest that this anemia was a warm-antibody type of AIHA induced by the administration of the drugs for the neurophysiological experiment.

Blunt cell growth potential in carcinogen resistant inbred DRH rats.

A carcinogen-resistant inbred strain DRH/Sea has been developed from the Crj:Donryu strain. The rats had a very low incidence of liver tumors when they were fed diets containing a hepatocarcinogen such as 3'-methyl-4-dimethylamino-azobenzene (3'-Me-DAB). Despite using 3'-Me-DAB during the stage of selection, the DRH/Sea rats developed normally, reproduced and did not have any spontaneous tumor in the lung, liver or uterus at over 1 year of age. Although their growth curves were similar to the Crj:Donryu rats, the progression of polyploidization in the liver was significantly delayed when compared with Crj:Donryu rats. Mitogenic changes that occurred in the liver caused by either 3'-Me-DAB or lead nitrate were less significant in the DRH rats than in Crj:Donryu rats. Furthermore, the growth rate of cultured fibroblasts derived from the DRH rats was slower than that of Crj:Donryu rats. These results, together with our previous results, suggest that slow growth potential is present under certain conditions in DRH rats. These findings may explain partly the meaning of the different susceptibility to hepatocarcinogens.

Prognostic factors of chronic rhinosinusitis under long-term low-dose macrolide therapy.

We studied the immunological and histopathological factors that affect the prognosis of chronic rhinosinusitis under long-term low-dose macrolide therapy. Sixteen patients with chronic rhinosinusitis were given 200 mg clarithromycin or 150 mg roxithromycin orally once a day without other concurrent treatments for 2-3 months. Measurement of the serum IgE level, blood cell count and differential leukocyte count of the peripheral blood, cytological assessment of the nasal smear and computed tomographic (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses were performed before treatment. The opacity of the sinuses was estimated and scored by the CT images. After treatment, anterior ethmoidal mucosa samples were collected, an infiltrated inflammatory cells, interferon (IFN)-gamma-positive cells and interleukin (IL)-4-positive cells were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. The severity of nasal symptoms was scored before and after treatment, and the improvement rate of the score (symptomatic improvement rate) was calculated. Patients with normal levels of serum IgE (

Transgenic Nicotiana occidentalis Plants Expressing the 50-kDa Protein of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus Display Increased Susceptibility to Homologous Virus, but Strong Resistance to Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus.

ABSTRACT The 50-kDa protein (P50) encoded by the open reading frame 2 of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), a putative movement protein, was expressed in transgenic Nicotiana occidentalis plants. P50 in transgenic plants was mainly detected in a modified form in the cell wall fraction, similar to that in infected leaves. The P50-expressing plants (P50 plants) complemented the systemic spread of the P50-defective mutants of an infectious cDNA clone of ACLSV (pCLSF), indicating that P50 in transgenic plants was functional. Severity of symptoms was greatly enhanced and accumulation of virus in upper leaves was increased in P50 plants inoculated with pCLSF or ACLSV compared with that in nontransgenic control plants (NT plants). Conversely, transgenic plants expressing the coat protein of ACLSV (CP plants) showed a significant delay in symptom development and a reduction of virus accumulation. However, most P50 plants inoculated with Grapevine berry inner necrosis virus (GINV), another species of the genus Trichovirus, neither developed obvious symptoms nor supported virus accumulation in inoculated or upper leaves. In contrast, systemic symptoms developed and virus accumulated equally in NT and CP plants inoculated with GINV. After inoculation with Apple stem grooving virus or Apple stem pitting virus, there was no difference in symptom development and virus accumulation among P50, CP, and NT plants. Our results indicate that transgenic plants expressing a functional P50 were more susceptible to homologous virus and, on the contrary, showed strong resistance to the heterologous virus GINV.

The occurrence of polymorphism of mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor gene in laboratory and wild rats.

Carcinogen-resistant inbred DRH rat strain was established from closed colony Donryu rats in the presence of 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB). Despite using 3'-Me-DAB during the stage of selection, the DRH rats developed normally and did not show any spontaneous tumor at over 1 year of age. In the present study, we examined the polymorphism in mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (M6p/Igf2r) gene and found that the DRH rat showed CCC (Proline)-type polymorphism in exon 48 and the Donryu rat had GCC (Alanine) sequence. Since the DRH rat was developed from the Donryu rat, we examined whether this polymorphism in exon 48 of M6p/Igf2r gene was due to mutation that occurred at the stage of selection in the presence of 3'-Me-DAB, using several other laboratory and wild rats. We detected the presence of polymorphism at the same site of the M6p/Igf2r gene among these rats. It is likely that the polymorphism in exon 48 of the M6p/Igf2r gene is present broadly in rats since ancient times and not due to the mutation during the course of selection unless this site is a hot spot for chemical carcinogens.

[A simple method for regional cerebral blood flow measurement by one-point arterial blood sampling and 123I-IMP microsphere model (Part 2): A study of time correction of one-point blood sample count].

In our previous paper regarding determination of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using the 123I-IMP microsphere model, we reported that the accuracy of determination of the integrated value of the input function from one-point arterial blood sampling can be increased by performing correction using the 5 min: 29 min ratio for the whole-brain count. However, failure to carry out the arterial blood collection at exactly 5 minutes after 123I-IMP injection causes errors with this method, and there is thus a time limitation. We have now revised our method so that the one-point arterial blood sampling can be performed at any time during the interval between 5 minutes and 20 minutes after 123I-IMP injection, with addition of a correction step for the sampling time. This revised method permits more accurate estimation of the integral of the input functions. This method was then applied to 174 experimental subjects: one-point blood samples collected at random times between 5 and 20 minutes, and the estimated values for the continuous arterial octanol extraction count (COC) were determined. The mean error rate between the COC and the actual measured continuous arterial octanol extraction count (OC) was 3.6%, and the standard deviation was 12.7%. Accordingly, in 70% of the cases, the rCBF was able to be estimated within an error rate of 13%, while estimation was possible in 95% of the cases within an error rate of 25%. This improved method is a simple technique for determination of the rCBF by 123I-IMP microsphere model and one-point arterial blood sampling which no longer shows a time limitation and does not require any octanol extraction step.