The Epidemiology of Circulating Respiratory Pathogens during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective To survey the epidemiology of respiratory pathogens during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods Specimens were assayed using multiplex nested PCR. Materials Specimens were obtained from outpatients who presented with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and asymptomatic outpatients who had contact with patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital in Sendai, Japan, from November 1, 2020, to May 31, 2023. The analysis included multiple specimens collected from the same patients at different time-points. Data were collected from the electronic records after testing. Results This study included 8,335 patients (4,311 men) with a median age of 59 years old, and 11,741 total specimens were collected. At least 1 positive SARS-CoV-2 result was obtained for 1,710 (14.6%) specimens. Furthermore, 15 pathogens were identified in the positive specimens, and rhinovirus/enterovirus was detected more frequently than other viruses. We identified a larger number of SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens in patients ≥10 years old. In contrast, in patients 0-9 years old, we identified a larger number of specimens positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus than for other viruses. Conclusion In this study, we examined the epidemiology of circulating respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Prospective analysis of patient-reported outcomes and physician-reported outcomes with gynecologic cancer chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Gynecologic cancer chemotherapy impacts the quality of life (QOL) of patients, with lasting adverse events that may require treatment adjustments or discontinuation. Consequently, real-time symptom monitoring before outpatient visits has resulted in improved QOL for patients and extended survival times. This study investigated whether there are differences between electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PRO-CTCAE) and physician-assessed outcomes (NCI-CTCAE) evaluated in an outpatient setting in gynecologic cancer chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 patients who received their first chemotherapy treatment at St. Marianna University Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. PRO-CTCAE and NCI-CTCAE were evaluated at each instance of chemotherapy and 2 weeks after. The PRO-CTCAE was additionally collected weekly using e-PRO. RESULTS: The values for "Joint Pain," "Nausea," "Taste Disturbance," "Constipation," "Insomnia," "Fatigue," "Limb Edema," and "Concentration Impairment" were consistently higher in PRO-CTCAE than in NCI-CTCAE, indicating that physicians underestimated the severity of adverse events. In contrast, there was no significant difference in "Peripheral Neuropathy," demonstrating that physicians had a good understanding of this condition in patients. The weekly responses obtained from e-PRO revealed that symptom exacerbations peaked outside of clinic visits. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated physicians tend to underestimate most adverse events. Moreover, the responses using e-PRO revealed peak symptom deterioration occurred outside of outpatient visits. This suggested that e-PRO and actions taken in response to them can improve patients' QOL.

Clinical evaluation of cell-direct polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay for rapid detection of bacterial pathogens in clinically suspected sepsis: A multi-center study in Japan.

Blood culture, a method for identifying causative agents of bacterial sepsis, requires several days. The combination of cell-direct polymerase chain reaction and nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (cdPCR-NALFIA) is a simple and sensitive detection method for identifying pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, this assay, when applied directly to blood samples yields results within 4.5 h, without requiring culture. This study was performed at five hospitals in Japan between 2013 and 2016. Blood samples from 73 patients with clinically suspected sepsis yielded 18 positive blood cultures, and the isolated bacterial species were detectable using cdPCR-NALFIA in nine samples. Thirteen samples were positive on cdPCR-NALFIA. In total, 17 samples confirmed to have bacterial species were detectable using cdPCR-NALFIA and/or blood culture with a true positive rate of 76.5% and 64.7%, respectively. The combination of blood culture and cdPCR-NALFIA could improve the rate of detection of bacterial sepsis.

Use of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for the early detection of an outbreak of human parainfluenza virus type 3 infection in a nursery school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Although outbreaks of parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) have been reported in children, to our knowledge none have been reported in a nursery school. As the symptoms of PIV-3 infection are similar to those of COVID-19 infection, accurate diagnosis of PIV-3 and other respiratory viruses is important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: We experienced an outbreak of upper respiratory symptoms at a nursery school in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, from 29/5/2021 to 13/6/2021 and aimed to determine the causative organism(s). Methods: A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay which enabled rapid detection of a variety of causative microorganisms of respiratory tract infections was used to analyse 13 nasopharyngeal swabs collected during the outbreak. Infection Prevention and control measures were implemented to prevent further spread of infection. Results: All 13 samples were positive for PIV-3 infection. 2 of the 13 samples were also positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus and 1 sample was also positive rhinovirus/enterovirus and coronavirus NL 63. No samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Discussion: Children in school settings are especially vulnerable to respiratory viral infections, including COVID-19. Children under two years are unable to wear masks reliably, and the COVID-19 vaccine was approved only for older children. Multiplex PCR assays can be used for the rapid diagnosis of respiratory infections. Conclusion: We identified an outbreak of PIV-3 in a nursery school during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation of the outbreak highlighted that it was important not to overlook other respiratory infections including PIV-3 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The multiplex PCR assay provided rapid and accurate diagnosis of the causative organisms in the outbreak and helped to direct appropriate interventions to control the outbreak.

Molecular Imaging of Labile Heme in Living Cells Using a Small Molecule Fluorescent Probe.

Labile heme (LH) is a complex of Fe(II) and protoporphyrin IX, an essential signaling molecule in various biological systems. Most of the subcellular dynamics of LH remain unclear because of the lack of efficient chemical tools for detecting LH in cells. Here, we report an activity-based fluorescence probe that can monitor the fluctuations of LH in biological events. H-FluNox is a selective fluorescent probe that senses LH using biomimetic N-oxide deoxygenation to trigger fluorescence. The selectivity of H-FluNox to LH is >100-fold against Fe(II), enabling the discrimination of LH from the labile Fe(II) pool in living cells. The probe can detect the acute release of LH upon NO stimulation and the accumulation of LH by inhibiting the heme exporter. In addition, imaging studies using the probe revealed a partial heme-export activity of the ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), potential LH pooling ability of G-quadruplex, and involvement of LH in ferroptosis. The successful use of H-FluNox in identifying fluctuations of LH in living cells offers opportunities for studying the physiology and pathophysiology of LH in living systems.

Current state of fertility preservation for adolescent and young adult patients with gynecological cancer.

Although the incidence of the various gynecological cancers has been increasing in recent years, long-term survival is now possible for many patients thanks to advances in multimodality treatment. When treating gynecological cancer in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients who desire future pregnancy, it is necessary to preserve the reproductive organs and their function to prevent loss of fertility. However, because treatment targets these organs, in the large majority of cases, patients must have these organs removed. In the subfield of oncofertility, treatment of the underlying disease takes priority, and the main principle is preventing delay in treatment. Close cooperation between obstetricians and gynecologists involved in reproductive medicine and oncologists involved in cancer treatment is necessary. In addition, it is important that clinicians work closely not only with other specialists but also with such medical professionals as nurses and counselors so that cancer patients of the AYA generation can be provided the support they need to fight their cancer with hope. Herein, we describe the current status of fertility-sparing therapy for AYA patients with gynecological cancer (cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer). In addition, we explain points to keep in mind during a patient's pregnancy after fertility preservation, the latest findings on assisted reproductive technology, and the challenges and prospects of fertility preservation therapy for patients with gynecologic cancer.

Utility of a Cell-Direct Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Detection of Bacteria in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes of Suspected Sepsis Cases.

BACKGROUND: The detection of the pathogens in the blood is essential for the management of septic patients; however, conventional blood culture takes 2-3 days. Therefore, rapid and convenient methods may be useful to aid clinical decision-making. METHODS: Blood samples with sepsis clinically diagnosed in cases that fulfilled the diagnostic criteria were used and analyzed the utility of a novel bacterial nucleic acid identification test using a cell-direct polymerase chain reaction (cdPCR)-based nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (NALFIA) which were named as "DiagnoSep" to detect representative bacteria in peripheral blood leukocytes in patients admitted to our hospital and compared the conventional blood culture results simultaneously taken from the patients. RESULTS: We analyzed the total 42 samples in the terms of this study and found 18 (42.8%) were positive on cdPCR-NALFIA, and 24 (57.1%) were positive on blood cultures. Although the positive rate was higher with blood cultures, 15 samples showed positive results from both blood cultures and cdPCR-NALFIA, and the identified bacteria agreed for 10 samples. Of the 18 cdPCR-NALFIA-positive cases, the results for 8 samples differed from the results of blood cultures; four of them had an implanted pacemaker or prosthetic joint and were positive for Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis on cdPCR-NALFIA. CONCLUSION: Blood culture tests are probably the gold standard in identifying causative organisms in sepsis, but the rapid results from cdPCR-NALFIA simultaneously used with blood culture may make it an important auxiliary diagnostic tool for identifying infecting organisms and lead to the improvement of mortality of the septic patients, because these combined results provide the wide information on the possible pathogens in early phase.

Fetal growth restriction as the initial finding of preeclampsia is a clinical predictor of maternal and neonatal prognoses: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder specific to pregnancy that can cause severe maternal-neonatal complications. The International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy revised the PE criteria in 2018; a PE diagnosis can be established in the absence of proteinuria when organ or uteroplacental dysfunction occurs. The initial findings of PE (IFsPE) at the first diagnosis can vary considerably across patients. However, the impacts of different IFsPE on patient prognoses have not been reported. Thus, we investigate the predictors of pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes based on IFsPE according to the new criteria. METHODS: This retrospective study included 3729 women who delivered at our hospital between 2015 and 2019. All women were reclassified based on the new PE criteria and divided into three groups based on the IFsPE: Classification 1 (C-1), proteinuria (classical criteria); Classification 2 (C-2), damage to other maternal organs; and Classification 3 (C-3), uteroplacental dysfunction. Pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes were assessed and compared among the three groups. RESULTS: In total, 104 women with PE were included. Of those, 42 (40.4%), 28 (26.9%), and 34 (32.7%) were assigned to C-1, C-2, and C-3 groups, respectively. No significant differences in maternal characteristics were detected among the three groups, except for gestational age at PE diagnosis (C-1, 35.5 ± 3.0 weeks; C-2, 35.2 ± 3.6 weeks; C-3, 31.6 ± 4.6 weeks, p <  0.01). The rates of premature birth at < 37 weeks of gestation, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and neonatal acidosis were significantly higher in the C-3 group compared to the C-1 and C-2 groups. Additionally, the composite adverse pregnancy outcomes of the C-3 group compared with C-1 and C-2 represented a significantly higher number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: PE patients with uteroplacental dysfunction as IFsPE had the most unfavorable prognoses for premature birth, FGR, acidosis, and composite adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Synthesis of Chloro-Substituted 6H-Dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one Natural Products, Graphislactone G, and Palmariols A and B.

A palladium-mediated intramolecular aryl-aryl coupling reaction was applied to the total synthesis of the bioactive natural products, graphislactone G (1), and palmariols A (2) and B (3), which possess an unusual chloro-subsutituent on the 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one skeleton. Based on the transition state model of the coupling reaction, the mechanistic aspect for the regioselectivity of the aryl-aryl coupling reaction is also discussed.

A Household Microsporum canis Dermatophytosis Suggested by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

BACKGROUND Microsporum canis is a pathogenic dermatophyte that usually colonizes animals, and secondary infection of humans comes from pets. The infected patients show hair loss with erythema and are diagnosed as having dermatophytosis, but the transmission routes of M. canis from animals to others are sometimes unclear, although they are critical to the treatment of patients and infection control. To identify the pathogens and the transmission routes, morphological observations by microscopes and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used; however, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently become a useful tool. CASE REPORT A 4-year-old girl presented with pruritic, erythematous lesions on the head with alopecia. The dermatologists diagnosed dermatophytosis caused by fungal infection, and M. canis was suspected as the pathogen because of the morphologic characteristics. All of her family members subsequently showed similar hair findings and symptoms. The growth of M. canis was also observed in serial cultures, and all strains were confirmed to be identical, but different from the standard strain on MALDI-TOF MS. In this household infection case, abandoned cats were considered to be the origin of M. canis transmission, and the family members finally improved following oral administration of antifungal agents. CONCLUSIONS M. canis should be carefully investigated as the causative pathogen of dermatophytosis secondary to household infection. MALDI-TOF MS appears to be an excellent tool to confirm the transmission routes of the fungal pathogens among infected patients.

Preparation of Isodehydrodigallic Acid Using Ullmann Condensation.

Isodehydrodigallic acid, which is an important component of several ellagitannin compounds, was easily synthesized using a classical Ullmann condensation reaction.

Accuracy of predicting neonatal distress using a five-level classification of fetal heart rate monitoring.

AIM: To assess the accuracy of neonatal distress prediction using the five-level classification of fetal heart rate (FHR) and management protocol of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG). METHODS: A case-control study was conducted. Vertex singleton pregnant women who delivered after 37 weeks' gestation from 2013 to 2015 were enrolled. The participants were categorized into two groups; controls were levels 1-3 (n = 1184), whereas cases were levels 4-5 (n = 117) group. Neonatal distress was defined as Apgar score < 8 points at 5 min or umbilical cord artery pH < 7.1. RESULTS: There were 117 cases (9.0%). The frequency of the neonatal distress was observed in 1.3% controls and 6.8% cases (P < 0.01). Diagnostic accuracy of neonatal distress for cases showed a 6.8% positive-predictive value, 34.8% sensitivity, 91.5% specificity and 98.7% negative-predictive value. Among various obstetrical conditions, high sensitivity (100%) for prediction of neonatal distress was observed in women with chromosome abnormalities, placental abruption, umbilical cord abnormalities and excessive labor pain. Conversely, relatively low specificity (<50%) was observed in cases with oligohydramnios and excessive labor pain. CONCLUSION: The five-level classification scheme was efficient for neonatal distress prediction. However, depending on the obstetric condition, the FHR findings and neonatal condition might be independent.

Mycobacterium abscessus Associated Peritonitis with CAPD Successfully Treated Using a Linezolid and Tedizolid Containing Regimen Suggested Immunomodulatory Effects.

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus is one of the most important mycobacteria, but its associated peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) appears relative rare, and the treatment regimen of the antibiotics are still unclear. CASE REPORT A 38-year-old female with chronic glomerulonephritis on CAPD who was diagnosed with M. abscessus-associated peritonitis. Symptoms exacerbated despite treatment with a 3-antibiotic regimen combining clarithromycin, imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS), and minocycline (MINO). However, after changing IPM/CS and MINO to linezolid (LZD), her condition and inflammation improved, and she was able to be maintained on oral tedizolid (TZD). CONCLUSIONS Oxazolidinones such as LZD and TZD might be candidate antibiotics for the treatment of M. abscessus-associated diseases with chronic renal failure due to their immunomodulatory effects and non-renal excretion.

Modular Redesign of a Cationic Lytic Peptide To Promote the Endosomal Escape of Biomacromolecules.

Endocytosis is an important route for the intracellular delivery of biomacromolecules, wherein their inefficient endosomal escape into the cytosol remains a major barrier. Based on the understanding that endosomal membranes are negatively charged, we focused on the potential of cationic lytic peptides for developing endosomolysis agents to release such entrapped molecules. As such, a venom peptide, Mastoparan X, was employed and redesigned to serve as a delivery tool. Appending a tri-glutamate unit to the N-terminus attenuates the cytotoxicity of Mastoparan X by about 40 fold, while introduction of a NiII -dipicolylamine complex enhances cellular uptake of the peptide by about 17 fold. Using the optimized peptide, various fluorescently labeled macromolecules were successfully delivered to the cytosol, enabling live-cell imaging of acetylated histones.

Improved Synthesis of Nigricanin.

An ellagic acid-related natural product, nigricanin (1), was synthesized via the Ullmann coupling reaction of 2-bromo-3,4-dialkoxybenzaldehyde (4) followed by the Cannizzaro reaction for desymmetrization of the symmetric biaryl compound (5). Compared to our previously reported study, the presented synthesis improved the sequence step number.

Soy peptide ingestion augments the synthesis and metabolism of noradrenaline in the mouse brain.

To examine whether edible peptide intake affects neurotransmitter metabolism in the brain, we evaluated the effect of peptides derived from soy proteins or fish collagen on free amino acids and monoamines in the mouse brain. Ingestion of soy peptides led to markedly higher levels of tyrosine, a catecholamine precursor, in the serum, and cerebral cortex compared to those following ingestion of vehicle alone or collagen peptides. Soy peptide ingestion also effectively increased 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol and normetanephrine, the principal metabolites of noradrenaline, in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem, whereas collagen peptides did not exert such effects. Further, soy peptide ingestion led to a significant increase in noradrenaline itself in the brainstem, where noradrenergic neurons are present. Noradrenergic turnover was also markedly stimulated in these regions after soy peptide ingestion. These in vivo observations suggest that soy peptide ingestion can maintain and promote the synthesis and metabolism of noradrenaline in the brain.

Mobilization of TLR4 Into Lipid Rafts by Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans in Gingival Epithelial Cells.

BACKGROUND: An investigation of the mechanisms underlying the production of inflammatory cytokines through the stimulation of microorganisms on gingival epithelial cells may provide insights into the pathogenesis of the initiation of periodontitis. Lipid rafts, microdomains in the cell membrane, include a large number of receptors, and are centrally involved in signal transduction. We herein examined the involvement of lipid rafts in the expression of interleukin (IL-6) and IL-8 in gingival epithelial cells stimulated by periodontal pathogens. METHODS: OBA9, a human gingival cell line, was stimulated by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the presence of methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (MßCD). RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans or TNF-α increased IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA levels, and promoted the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAP kinase in OBA9. The pretreatment with MßCD abolished increases in IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels and the phosphorylation induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans, but did not suppress the response induced by TNF-α. The transfection of TLR4 inhibited A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced increases in IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA levels. Confocal microscopy revealed that MßCD inhibited the mobilization of TLR4 into lipid rafts. CONCLUSION: The mobilization of TLR4 into lipid rafts is involved in the expression of inflammatory cytokines and phosphorylation of MAP kinase in human gingival epithelial cells stimulated by A. actinomycetemcomitans.

Amphotericin B down-regulates Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced production of IL-8 and IL-6 in human gingival epithelial cells.

Gingival epithelium is the primary barrier against microorganism invasion and produces inflammatory cytokines. Amphotericin B, a major antifungal drug, binds to cholesterol in the mammalian cell membrane in addition to fungal ergosterol. Amphotericin B has been shown to regulate inflammatory cytokines in host cells. To investigate the suppressive effect of amphotericin B on the gingival epithelium, we examined the expression of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6 and involvement of MAP kinase in human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) stimulated by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Amphotericin B and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor down-regulated the A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced increase in the expression of IL-8 and IL-6 at the mRNA. The ERK inhibitor suppressed the A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced IL-8 mRNA expression. Amphotericin B inhibited the A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAP kinase. Furthermore, amphotericin B inhibited the A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced production of prostaglandin E2. These results suggest that amphotericin B regulate inflammatory responses in HGEC.