Detection of modified measles and super-spreader using a real-time reverse transcription PCR in the largest measles outbreak, Yamagata, Japan, 2017 in its elimination era.

We aimed to verify the effectiveness of real-time reverse transcription (rRT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting cases of modified measles (M-Me) and for predicting super-spreader candidates through the experience of a measles outbreak dominated by M-Me in Yamagata, Japan, during March-April 2017. We applied rRT-PCR to specimens from 35 cases of M-Me, nine cases of typical measles (T-Me) and nine cases of prodromal stage of T-Me (P-Me). From rRT-PCR among the M-Me cases, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed the highest positive rate (80.0%), followed by throat swab (48.6%), urine (33.3%) and serum (3.1%). The negative result of PBMC in M-Me cases was recovered by the result of a throat swab. In specimens of PBMC, throat swab and urine, M-Me group showed the significantly higher cycle of threshold (i.e., lower viral load) in the rRT-PCR than T-Me and P-Me groups, respectively. Furthermore, three super-spreaders in T-Me or P-Me showed an extremely low cycle of threshold in their throat swab specimens. rRT-PCR using PBMC and throat swab might be helpful for clinical management and measles control by certain detection of M-Me cases and by predicting super-spreading events resulting from measles cases with the high viral load.

Diurnal variations of serum leptin in dogs: effects of fasting and re-feeding.

Leptin is a protein synthesized and secreted primarily by adipocytes, and plays a key role in the regulation of energy balance. We have reported that serum leptin is elevated in obese dogs. In the present study, we examined diurnal variations of serum leptin in the dog, with special references to feeding and fasting cycles. Four male beagles were accustomed to feed once a day at 10:00 h, and blood samples were taken every 3 h for 24-36 h. Serum leptin concentration showed clear diurnal variations, being lowest before food intake (2.3+/-0.5 ng/mL) at 09:00 h, and highest (10.5+/-2.4 ng/mL) at 18:00 h. Such diurnal variations disappeared when the dogs were fasted. Serum insulin also showed diurnal variation with higher levels at 12:00-15:00 h. When insulin or glucose was injected in the fasted dogs to mimic the post-prandial insulin rise, serum leptin concentration was significantly increased in 4-8 h, but in both cases to a lesser extents than those after food intake. The results indicate that serum leptin concentrations change diurnally in association with feeding-fasting cycles in the dog, partially due to changes in insulin secretion.

In vivo adaptative regulation of muscarinic receptors and muscarinic stimulation-induced Ca2+ mobilization during short-term heat exposure in rat parotid glands.

1. Adaptation of muscarinic receptors (MR)--muscarinic stimulation--induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization during short-heat exposure (33 degrees C). 2. Heat-exposure for 48 hr decreased the carbachol (CCh)-stimulated cytosolic Ca2+ concentration increase. 3. The number of MR on cell surface increased transiently at 24 hr with a subsequent decrease at 48 hr. 4. CCh-stimulated inositol triphosphate (IP3) formation decreased at 48 hr. 5. In saponin-permeabilized cells, 1,4,5-IP3-induced 45Ca2+ release decreased at 24 hr. 6. The data suggest that the adaptation for increased muscarinic stimulation occurs at IP3 generating sites as well as at intracellular IP3 receptor sites during heat exposure.