Development of Microalgae Biosensor Chip by Incorporating Microarray Oxygen Sensor for Pesticides Sensing.

A microalgae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) biosensor chip for pesticide sensing has been developed by attaching the immobilized microalgae biofilm pon the microarray dye spots (size 100 µm and pitch 200 µm). The dye spots (ruthenium complex) were printed upon SO3-modified glass slides using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp and a microcontact printer (µCP). Emitted fluorescence intensity (FI) variance due to photosynthetic activity (O2 production) of microalgae was monitored by an inverted fluorescent microscope and inhibition of the oxygen generation rate was calculated based on the FI responses both before and after injection of pesticide sample. The calibration curves, as the inhibition of oxygen generation rate (%) due to photosynthetic activity inhibition by the pesticides, depicted that among the 6 tested pesticides, the biosensor showed good sensitivity for 4 pesticides (diuron, simetryn, simazine, and atrazine) but was insensitive for mefenacet and pendimethalin. The detection limits were 1 ppb for diuron and 10 ppb for simetryn, simazine, and atrazine. The simple and low-cost nature of sensing of the developed biosensor sensor chip has apparently created opportunities for regular water quality monitoring, where pesticides are an important concern.

Non-immune mediated thrombocytopenia caused by thromboprophylaxis for the perioperative care of urological surgery: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but serious condition due to heparin use for treating thromboprophylaxis, regardless of the dosage. Here, we present a case of non-immune thrombocytopenia caused by thromboprophylaxis for urological surgery, which is sometimes difficult to discriminate from immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 55-year-old man with renal cancer underwent portless endoscopic radical nephrectomy through a single small incision and was subsequently administered unfractionated heparin as well as mechanical devices to prevent venous thromboembolism. On postoperative day 2, a subcutaneous hemorrhage developed around the surgical site and the lower abdomen, and the platelet count simultaneously decreased to 50% of the baseline value. We suspected HIT and immediately conducted the 4Ts score examination. The 4Ts score was 3 points (low probability), and the result of the platelet factor 4-heparin complex antibody assay was negative. The patient was diagnosed with non-immune mediated thrombocytopenia. We took precaution by discontinuing heparin, which fortunately did not result in any adverse effects, and this led to platelet count normalization. DISCUSSION: Due to the rarity of HIT, it is difficult to distinguish HIT from non-immune mediated thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: This article emphasizes that early and accurate diagnosis of postoperative thrombocytopenia is important for accurate therapy. Hence, all surgeons should know that the HIT diagnosis is based on clinical and serologic findings.

Meningitis-retention Syndrome; A Case Report.

We report a case of meningitis-retention syndrome followed by urodynamic tests. A 48-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for an undiagnosed fever with headache and urinary retention. Aseptic meningitis was suspected according to cerebrospinal fluid analyses, and urodynamic test showed an underactive detrusor, leading to inadequate contraction of the bladder on voiding in spite of a normal sensation during bladder filling. Clean intermittent self-catheterization was required temporarily, but normal urinary voiding without the need for medication was restored in 2 weeks after discharge from the hospital, when urodynamic tests showed normal contractility of the bladder during voiding.

High pressure balloon dilation for vesicourethral anastomotic strictures after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Vesicourethral anastomotic stricture (VAS) is a rare but serious complication following radical prostatectomy (RP), and various types of managements for VAS have been proposed. We investigated the efficacy of transurethral balloon dilation in the management of VAS after RP. METHODS: A total of 128 consecutive patients underwent open RP at our hospital between 2008 and 2013; of these, 10 patients (7.8%) developed VAS. Transurethral balloon dilation was performed in all 10 patients, using a high pressure balloon catheter under fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance. Follow-up endoscopy was performed, and patients in whom the stricture had recurred underwent repeat dilation. We retrospectively evaluated the management of VAS and short-term efficacy of high pressure balloon dilation. RESULTS: The mean time from RP to diagnosis of VAS was 9 months (2-40 months); eight patients (80%) were diagnosed within 6 months of RP. Balloon dilation of VAS was technically successful in all patients, and no perioperative complications were recorded. The median follow-up after balloon dilation was 24 months (7-67 months). There was no recurrence of VAS in eight patients (80%) after the first balloon dilation, and all patients were controlled within the twice. CONCLUSION: High pressure balloon dilation is a highly effective and minimally invasive procedure for treating VAS.

[Docetaxel for small cell carcinoma of the prostate with a metastatic pelvic tumor: a case report].

Small cell carcinoma of the prostate is known to have a poor prognosis. We report a case of a large pelvic tumor with small cell carcinoma, which responded well to docetaxel. A 72-year-old man who was receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for prostatic adenocarcinoma presented with constipation. Although the prostate specific antigen level had decreased, a large pelvic tumor was detected between the prostate and the rectum, which caused bowel obstruction. A biopsy of the pelvic tumor revealed small cell carcinoma of the prostate, and chemotherapy with docetaxel and prednisolone was administered. Five months after the administration of docetaxel, the pelvic tumor disappeared completely. At the time of the last follow up, the response was still maintained.

Application of an enzyme chip to the microquantification of l-phenylalanine.

We describe here a new microquantification method of l-phenylalanine concentration in an extract from a dried blood spot by using the diaphorase-resazurin system. To miniaturize the fluorometric enzymatic microplate assay for the diagnosis of phenylketonuria, an enzyme chip immobilized with His-tag fused phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH) was developed. His-tag fused PheDH was immobilized on the surface of nickel-coated slide glass. A microarray sheet (8 x 30 well) was fabricated with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using the photolithographic technique. An enzyme reaction chamber in a double-layered structure was constructed with different types of microarray PDMS sheets on the surface of Ni-coated slide glass immobilized with His-tagged PheDH. To evaluate the affinity toward the Ni-chelating ligand, eight kinds of His-tagged PheDH variants were constructed and expressed. (His)(6)- and (His)(9)-PheDH variants at the N terminus showed high adsorption ratio to Ni-chelating ligand. The V(max) and k(cat) values of the (His)(6)-PheDH variant at the N terminus for l-phenylalanine were higher than those of the (His)(9)-PheDH variant, and the (His)(6)-PheDH variant was found to be most suitable for immobilization onto nickel-coated slide glass. Fluorescence formed by resazurin-coupled enzymatic reaction (in a 0.2-microl reaction mixture) on the enzyme chip exhibited good linearity and a correlation coefficient up to 12.8 mg/dl of the l-phenylalanine-containing sample extracted from a dried blood spot on filter paper.

[Carcinoma of urachus: report of 15 cases and review of literature--is total cystectomy the treatment of choice for urachal carcinoma?].

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the most appropriate type of operation for the improvement of the radical cure rate and QOL of patients with urachal cancer. We assessed the association between the stage, type of operation, and prognosis of cases we experienced and those reported in Japan. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The subjects included 15 cases of urachal cancer we have experienced in the past 14 years. While clarifying the clinical patterns of these cases, the association between stage, type of operation, and prognosis was studied. Of the cases of urachal cancer reported in Japan in the recent 20 years, 75 cases in which the stage, type of operation, and prognosis were documented were selected, and the association between the stage and outcome in each type of operation was studied. RESULTS: In regard to stage, all the cases were rated as more than IIIA. As for prognosis, 9 cases (60%) are alive without cancer at the present time with a mean survival time of 7 years. Of the above patients, 3 underwent cystectomy and 6 underwent en bloc segmental resection (herein after referred to en bloc). Recurrence or cancer death was experienced in 5 patients, 2 of which were classified as stage IIIA and 3 as IIID. Of these patients, one underwent en bloc, 3 partial resection of the bladder, and one underwent exploratory laparotomy. As far as our study of the cases reported in Japan is concerned, the prognosis of the cases having undergone only partial resection of the bladder was poor, while of the cases having undergone en bloc or total cystectomy 88-100% were alive without cancer for more than 2 years if their stage was classified as IIIA or below. On the other hand, prognosis was very poor whatever the type of operation in the cases whose cancer was stage IIIC or above. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the en bloc is most appropriate as the type of operation for the cases of urachal cancer and that the application of total cystectomy is limited to some cases. In performing the en bloc, an extensive resection of the peritoneum, resection of the posterior sheath of the rectus muscle of the abdomen, and dissection of the intrapelvic lymph nodes in addition to the conventional types of operation should be carried out positively.

[A case of orchitis following vaccination with freeze-dried live attenuated mumps vaccine].

In Japan, freeze-dried live attenuated mumps vaccine has been used optionally since 1981. The effectiveness of mumps vaccination has been established by worldwide research since 1971. On the other hand, because of it's live activity several untoward effects have been reported. Vaccination-related mumps orchitis is a rare adverse effect of mumps vaccine. Only 9 cases of vaccination-related mumps orchitis have been reported in Japan. We describe a case of orchitis following mumps vaccination in adolescence. A 16 years-old male has admitted because of acute orchitis with high fever and painful swelling of right testis. The patient had received vaccination with freeze-dried live attenuated mumps vaccine 16 days before admission. After admission, the bed-rest had completely relieved the symptoms on 6th hospital day. The impaired testis has maintained normal size and consistency 6 months after discharge.

Miniature surface-plasmon resonance immunosensors--rapid and repetitive procedure.

Miniaturized immunosensors based on surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) have been developed by using the sensor recently developed by Texas Instruments. By using this sensor for human immunoglobulin G (IgG) rapid and repetitive measurements could be performed by alternate injection of sample and glycine-HCl buffer. A sensor for human serum albumin (HSA) could also be developed similarly. One difficulty in immunosensor development is dissociation of the strongly bound antigen-antibody complex. A "regenerable" immunosensor has also been developed for this reason.