Detection of Microorganisms Using Artificial Siderophore-FeIII Complex-Modified Substrates.

Four FeIII complexes of typical artificial siderophore ligands containing catecholate and/or hydroxamate groups of tricatecholate, biscatecholate-monohydroxamate, monocatecholate-bishydroxamate, and trihydroxamate type artificial siderophores (K3[FeIIILC3], K2[FeIIILC2H1], K[FeIIILC1H2], and [FeIIILH3]) were modified on Au substrate surfaces. Their abilities to adsorb microorganisms were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, and AC impedance methods. The artificial siderophore-iron complexes modified on Au substrates (FeLC3/Au, FeLC2H1/Au, FeLC1H2/Au, and FeLH3/Au) showed the selective immobilization behavior for various microorganisms, depending on the structural features of the artificial siderophores (the number of catecholate and hydroxamate arms). Their specificities corresponded well with the structural characteristics of natural siderophores released by microorganisms and used for FeIII ion uptake. These findings suggest that they were generated via specific interactions between the artificial siderophore-FeIII complexes and the receptors on microorganism surfaces. Our observations revealed that the FeL/Au systems may be potentially used as effective microbe-capturing probes that can enable rapid and simple detection and identification of various microorganisms.

[PROSTATE CANCER DETECTION ON INITIAL TRANSRECTAL PROSTATE BIOPSY IN RELATION TO PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVELS].

(Objective) The prostate cancer detection rates on initial transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies were investigated and the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer patients were examined. (Methods) A retrospective review was performed. From 2003 to 2015, 2,246 patients received initial prostate biopsy in Tochigi Cancer Center. Prostate cancer detection rates and clinicopathological features of the prostate cancer patients in relation to prostate-specific antigen levels were evaluated. (Results) Of the biopsies, 1,294 cases (57.6%) were diagnosed as prostate cancer. The prostate cancer detection rates were 27.8%, 39.8%, 53.6%, 67.4%, 88.4%, 100% in the groups with PSA levels 0.0-3.0, 3.1-4.0, 4.1-10.0, 10.1-20.0, 20.1-100.0, >100.0 ng/ml, respectively. Of all 1,294 cases in prostate cancer, patients rates with the low risk were 0%, 30%, 22%, 0%, 0%, 0% in the groups with PSA levels 0.0-3.0, 3.1-4.0, 4.1-10.0, 10.1-20.0, 20.1-100.0, >100.0 ng/ml, respectively. (Conclusions) From the results of the prostate cancer detection rates and the low risk rates, it seems difficult to determine diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer only with PSA values.

ELF exposure from mobile and cordless phones for the epidemiological MOBI-Kids study.

This paper describes measurements and computational modelling carried out in the MOBI-Kids case-control study to assess the extremely low frequency (ELF) exposure of the brain from use of mobile and cordless phones. Four different communication systems were investigated: Global System for Mobile (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) and Wi-Fi Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The magnetic fields produced by the phones during transmission were measured under controlled laboratory conditions, and an equivalent loop was fitted to the data to produce three-dimensional extrapolations of the field. Computational modelling was then used to calculate the induced current density and electric field strength in the brain resulting from exposure to these magnetic fields. Human voxel phantoms of four different ages were used: 8, 11, 14 and adult. The results indicate that the current densities induced in the brain during DECT calls are likely to be an order of magnitude lower than those generated during GSM calls but over twice that during UMTS calls. The average current density during Wi-Fi VoIP calls was found to be lower than for UMTS by 30%, but the variability across the samples investigated was high. Spectral contributions were important to consider in relation to current density, particularly for DECT phones. This study suggests that the spatial distribution of the ELF induced current densities in brain tissues is determined by the physical characteristics of the phone (in particular battery position) while the amplitude is mainly dependent on communication system, thus providing a feasible basis for assessing ELF exposure in the epidemiological study. The number of phantoms was not large enough to provide definitive evidence of an increase of induced current density with age, but the data that are available suggest that, if present, the effect is likely to be very small.

Chemical Modification of Conical Intersections in Photoisomerization Dynamics of Butadiene Derivatives.

Guided by a notion of symmetry-breaking modulation or control of the so-called symmetry-allowed conical intersection by shining laser pulses [ Arasaki , Y. ; et al. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2010 , 12 , 1239 ], we here explore a possibility of the modulation of the symmetry-allowed conical intersection by chemical substitution with functional groups. As a first case study, we choose photoisomerization dynamics of s-trans-1,3-butadiene H2C═CH-CH═CH2 with one of the terminal hydrogen atoms being replaced by -CF3. The target here is not the control of the rate of nonadiabatic transition but to know which one of the double bonds is more frequently isomerized in the radiationless quenching process on the way back to the ground state. We analyze when and how the symmetry is broken by tracking ab initio molecular dynamics paths, the mean-field paths with use of the nonadiabatic electron wavepacket dynamics, and the associated branching paths.

[Usefulness of group work as a teaching strategy for long-term practical training in the 6-year pharmaceutical education].

At the initiation of long-term practical training in the 6-year pharmaceutical education, there are many issues to be solved. For example, it is necessary for teaching pharmacists, who are in charge of both staffing and teaching pharmacy students, to manage their workload with other staff pharmacists. To overcome this situation and to improve the motivation of teaching pharmacists towards student practical training, we twice held group work (GW) sessions for teaching pharmacists, and then evaluated whether such training was effective for their understanding of the Model Core Curriculum for Practical Training and for promoting a higher level of motivation. During the two-day GW discussions, teaching pharmacists, who work daily in the dispensing area, were separated into two groups to discuss teaching skills. A questionnaire survey was completed by participants before and after each GW session. According to the survey, more than 90% of the pharmacists had a higher motivation level for practical training after the sessions. Particularly in the second GW training, the response rate of "being actively involved" improved from 40% to 70%. Furthermore, "The Educational Evaluation Testing" was conducted, which confirmed the increased participant comprehension. The median scores of the comprehensive exams significantly (p<0.01) improved in twice GW, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that GW sessions are a useful tool for both improving professional knowledge about the Model Core Curriculum and motivating teaching pharmacists involved in the practical training of students. We hope that this exercise will lead to higher student motivation and satisfaction during their practical training.

Standard operating procedures for sows and piglets in farrowing and lactation in Japanese commercial herds.

The objectives of the present study were to advance the development of standard operating procedures for sows and piglets during farrowing and lactation in Japanese herds by surveying management procedures and to examine the relationships between the procedures and herd reproductive performance. In 2009, 115 herds using the same recording system were asked to complete a questionnaire about their management procedures. Data from 96 (83.5%) returned questionnaires were coordinated with the respective herd reproductive performance. The participating herds were classified into two groups based on the upper 25th percentile of pigs weaned per mated female per year: high-performing (>23.8 pigs) or ordinary herds. ANOVA was used to compare the procedures between two herd groups. Modeling with backward elimination was performed to establish the most important procedures for herd performance. More high-performing herds practiced farrowing induction and high-performing herds also had a higher percentage of farrowing-induced sows than ordinary herds (P<0.05). Modeling showed that herds feeding lactating sows with dietary fiber had 1.4% lower preweaning mortality risk than those that did not (P<0.05). Herds practicing fostering techniques or using nurse sows had 0.2 kg heavier average pig weaning weight than those not using these procedures (P<0.05). There was no association between pigs born alive and any of the surveyed management procedures. Based on these results, we recommend improving performances in breeding herds by feeding lactating sows with dietary fiber, performing fostering techniques and using nurse sows.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 mutation in voided urine is a useful diagnostic marker and significant indicator of tumor recurrence in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

The fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-3 gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase that is frequently mutated in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A sensitive and quantitative assay using peptide nucleic acid-mediated real-time PCR was developed for detecting FGFR3 mutations in the urine samples and evaluated as a molecular marker for detecting intravesical recurrence of NMIBC in patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor. FGFR3 mutation was examined in tumor tissues and serially taken pre- and postoperative urine sediments in 45 NMIBC patients with a median follow up of 32 months. FGFR3 mutations were detected in 53.3% (24/45) of primary tumor tissues, among which intravesical recurrence developed in 37.5% (9/24) of cases. FGFR3 mutation in the primary tumor was not a significant prognostic indicator for recurrence, while the proportion of FGFR3 mutation (i.e. tumor cellularity was >or=11%) in the preoperative urine sediments was a significant indicator for recurrence in patients with FGFR3 mutations in the primary tumors. FGFR3 mutations were detected in 78% (7/9) of postoperative urine samples from recurrent cases with FGFR3 mutations in the tumor, while no mutations were detected in the urine of 15 non-recurrent cases. Urine cytology was negative in all cases with FGFR3 mutations in the primary tumors, while the sensitivity of cytological examination was as high as 56% (5/9) in cases showing wild-type FGFR3 in the primary tumors. Urine FGFR3 mutation assay and cytological examination may be available in the future as complementary diagnostic modalities in postoperative management of NMIBC.

[A case of primary urethral adenocarcinoma accompanied by vaginal wall infiltration in which the CA19-9 level was very high].

A 55-year-old woman had urinary frequency and a constant urge to urinate. Computed tomography confirmed a urethral tumor, and transurethral biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma. She visited our hospital to undergo treatment, and we performed an anterior pelvic excenteration. On histology, the tumor had spread to the bladder, urethra, and vagina. However, the majority of the tumor was located in the bladder and urethra, a duct with intestinal metaplasia was present around the urethra, and carcinoma in situ was seen in the urethral mucosa. Based on the above findings, the patient was diagnosed as having primary urethral adenocarcinoma. No tumor cells were seen in the resection stump. Six months after surgery, the patient developed bone metastasis, followed by peritoneal and pleural dissemination, as well as multiple lung metastases. The patient died nine months after surgery. In the present patient, the carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level changed with the clinical course, and it was a useful marker. Urethral tumor is relatively rare. A urethral tumor accompanied by vaginal wall infiltration is likely to be mistaken for a primary vaginal tumor. It was very difficult to identify the primary organ in our case. To the best of our knowledge, the present patient is the sixth reported case of primary urethral carcinoma accompanied by vaginal wall infiltration in Japan. The six reported cases are compared and analyzed.

Extension of a DNA molecule by local heating with a laser.

Thermal convection and thermophoresis induced by mum-scale local heating are shown to elongate a single DNA molecule. An infrared laser used as a point heat source is converged into a dispersion solution of DNA molecules, which is observed under a fluorescent microscope. The thermal convection around the laser focus manifests as extensional flow for the long DNA chain. A simulation of thermal convection that reproduces the experimental condition provides numerical support for the stretching caused by thermal convection. This DNA elongation technique is a novel method for manipulating the intact single DNA molecules, and it can be applied to a "lab on a chip".

Sensitive detection of FGFR3 mutations in bladder cancer and urine sediments by peptide nucleic acid-mediated real-time PCR clamping.

Somatic mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene were detected by peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated real-time PCR clamping. Mutation was detected in negative control containing only wild-type DNA due to a misincorporation of dNTPs to PNA binding sites when the amount of template DNA was decreased to 1 ng. Thus, the amount of template DNA was critical determinant of the assay sensitivity in PNA-mediated PCR clamping. Assay conditions were optimized to detect FGFR3 mutations in exons 7, 10, and 15, at a concentration of more than 1% mutated DNA using 50 ng of genomic DNA as the template. Mutations were detected in 12 of 13 (92.3%) tumor tissues and 11 of 13 (84.6%) urine samples from patients with superficial bladder cancer, while no mutations were detected in tissues and/or urine samples from patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer or chronic cystitis.

The spontaneous regression of tufted angioma. A case of regression after two recurrences and a review of 27 cases reported in the literature.

BACKGROUND: Tufted angioma, a peculiar angioma that is characterized by tufts of capillary-sized vessels scattered 'cannonball fashion' within the dermis, is known, on occasion, to regress spontaneously. However, the appropriate waiting period for spontaneous regression has remained unclear. OBJECTIVE: To know the appropriate waiting period for spontaneous regression of tufted angioma. METHODS: We report here a case of tufted angioma that regressed spontaneously after the lesions had recurred twice. We also review previously reported cases of tufted angioma with spontaneous regression, including cases in the Japanese and non-Japanese literature. RESULTS: In 18 (86%) of the 21 cases, the waiting period was more than 6 months and in 20 cases (95%) it was less than 2 years. CONCLUSION: The appropriate wait for spontaneous regression might be between 6 months and 2 years.