Bovine Endocarditis Associated with Mycoplasma bovis.

Mycoplasma bovis is a microorganism associated with pneumonia, mastitis, arthritis and otitis media of cattle; however, there are no reports of this organism causing bovine endocarditis. Five adult cattle with endocarditis characterized by caseated lesions (diameter 5-12 cm) of the endocardial surface of the left atrium, but without lesions in heart valves or affecting the right side of the heart, were identified in slaughterhouses in Japan. M. bovis was successfully isolated from the lesions and M. bovis antigen was detected immunohistochemically within the lesions. The results suggest that the lesions may have been associated with M. bovis alone. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of bovine endocarditis associated with M. bovis.

Reduced marine phytoplankton sulphur emissions in the Southern Ocean during the past seven glacials.

Marine biogenic sulphur affects Earth's radiation budget and may be an indicator of primary productivity in the Southern Ocean, which is closely related to atmospheric CO2 variability through the biological pump. Previous ice-core studies in Antarctica show little climate dependence of marine biogenic sulphur emissions and hence primary productivity, contradictory to marine sediment records. Here we present new 720,000-year ice core records from Dome Fuji in East Antarctica and show that a large portion of non-sea-salt sulphate, which was traditionally used as a proxy for marine biogenic sulphate, likely originates from terrestrial dust during glacials. By correcting for this, we make a revised calculation of biogenic sulphate and find that its flux is reduced in glacial periods. Our results suggest reduced dimethylsulphide emissions in the Antarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean during glacials and provide new evidence for the coupling between climate and the Southern Ocean sulphur cycle.

UVA-activated riboflavin promotes collagen crosslinking to prevent root caries.

Root caries is an increasingly problem in aging societies with severe implications for the general health and wellbeing of large numbers of people. Strengthening type-I collagen, a major organic component of human dentin, has proved effective in preventing root caries. This study sought to determine whether exposure to riboflavin followed by UVA irradiation (RF/UVA) could promote additional collagen crosslinking, and thus improve the acid and enzymatic resistance of human dentin under simulated oral environments. If so, it could offer potential for treatment of the intractable problem of root caries. The greatest flexural strengths were found in dentin exposed to a 0.1% riboflavin solution for 1 minute followed by 1,600 mW/cm2 UVA irradiation for 10 minutes. Mineral loss and lesion depth were significantly lower in the RF/UVA group than in the control group. The microstructures of dentinal tubules and collagen networks after RF/UVA treatment retained their original forms after acidic and enzymatic degradation. In conclusion, RF/UVA treatment may be a new method for preventing root caries with promising prospects for clinical application.

Use of PIXE/PIGE for sequential Ca and F measurements in root carious model.

The progress of caries has conventionally been evaluated by checking changes in mineral density using transverse microradiography (TMR). Recent advances have seen development of a new measurement system, using in-air micro proton induced X-ray/gamma-ray emission (PIXE/PIGE). PIXE/PIGE enables analysis of distributions and concentrations of multiple mineral elements in a carious lesion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PIXE/PIGE for investigating the development of root caries. In summary, we successfully established a multi-elemental sequential measuring method using in-air micro-PIXE/PIGE to identify the dynamic distributions and concentrations of Ca and F in human root dentin. The PIXE/PIGE potentially offers a useful advantageous technique for studying carious development by using as a combination with conventional techniques such as TMR and Micro-computed tomography (µCT).

Campylobacter and Salmonella are prevalent in broiler farms in Kyushu, Japan: results of a 2-year distribution and circulation dynamics audit.

AIM: To elucidate the distribution and circulation dynamics of Campylobacter and Salmonella in Japanese chicken broiler flocks. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 2-year investigation of the distribution of Campylobacter and Salmonella was conducted in 25 broiler flocks at nine farms in Japan from 2013 to 2014. Campylobacter and Salmonella tested positive in 11 (44·0%) and 24 (96·0%) broiler flocks respectively. One hundred and ninety-five Campylobacter and 184 Salmonella isolates were characterized into 12 Campylobacter (including two novel genotypes) and three Salmonella MLST genotypes. Only Salmonella isolation between caecal and environmental samples were significantly correlated. Further, one litter sample tested positive for Salmonella before new chicks were introduced. The Campylobacter strains rapidly lost culturability within 2-18 days; in contrast, the Salmonella strains survived from 64-211 days in artificially inoculated water samples. CONCLUSION: No persistent circulation-mediated Campylobacter contamination was observed. In contrast, circulation of Salmonella in broiler houses was seen, apparently due to the litter excreted from broiler flocks, as well as Salmonella-contaminated water and feed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This paper provides the distribution, genotypic data and circulation dynamics of Campylobacter and Salmonella as recently observed in Japanese chicken broiler farms.

An analysis of factors affecting production performance in broiler flocks on Japanese commercial farms.

1. The present study determined descriptive values of the main production measurements of flocks and assessed the relationship between these measurements and related management factors in Japanese commercial broiler farms. 2. The data set included 5060 flock records from 183 farms. The production index was calculated as follows: liveability × average daily gain/feed conversion ratio × 10. Management factors included in the analysis were broiler breeder age, the time interval between successive flocks, the season of placement and stocking density. 3. The mean (±SD) production index was 283.9 ± 28.83. Management factors significantly associated with a decreased production index were low broiler breeder age, flocks placed in summer and high stocking density (P < 0.05). 4. In regard to an interaction for the production index, flocks with high stocking density had a lower production index than those with low stocking density in flocks with a low broiler breeder age (P < 0.05). In summer, flocks with a short time interval between successive flocks had a lower production index than those with an intermediate or long time interval (P < 0.05). 5. The present study identified factors related to flock performance. The knowledge obtained from this analysis will contribute to improve flock performance by optimising management.

[Endolifter, a new tool for safe and rapid submucosal endoscopic dissection]. / Endolifter, una nueva herramienta para una segura y rápida disección endoscópica submucosa.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is similar to that of surgery in the treatment of early lesions. The technique requires a high level of technical skill. Training on biologic models and the mastering of accessories facilitate ESD. AIMS: The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the Endolifter in facilitating tissue exposure during ESD in an in vivo porcine model performed at the experimental surgery laboratory of the School of Medicine at the Universidad de São Paulo in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A study with an experimental design employing an in vivo porcine model was conducted on 5 Yorkshire pigs weighing 20-25kg. ESDs were performed using the Endolifter. Mucosal layer dissection was carried out with a dual knife and IT knife and all the endoscopic procedures were performed by a single expert endoscopist. RESULTS: A total of 25 ESDs were performed, with a technical success rate of 100%. The mean dissection time was 12.34min (range: 10.40-14.50 min) and the mean lesion size was 2.7cm (range: 2.3-3.2cm). There were no episodes of bleeding or perforations during the procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The Endolifter enables rapid and effective ESDs to be carried out. It is an applicable and easy-to-use device that can be manipulated by a single operator.

Comparative studies of the persistence of animal mycoplasmas under different environmental conditions.

A comparison of the persistence of mycoplasmas in animals was carried out. When inoculated into liquid media, strains of Mycoplasma bovis, M. arginini, Acholeplasma laidlawii, and A. axanthum persisted for 59-185 days post-inoculation. The survival periods were not significantly influenced by temperature (4, 30, 37 degrees C, and room temperature). The survival periods for M. bovigenitalium, M. gallisepticum, M. bovirhinis, and M. gateae ranged from <7 to 185 days depending on medium components and temperature. Further, it was determined that strains of M. bovigenitalium, M. bovis, M. bovirhinis, M. arginini, and A. laidlawii persisted in a dry paper disc for at most 28, 126, 154, 56 and over >168 days at 4 degrees C, respectively. At 4 degrees C, strains of M. gallisepticum, M. columborale, M. edwardii, M. felis, and M. gateae survived for at most 28, 21, 42, 28, 28 and 70 days, respectively. At 30 degrees C, strains of M. bovis, M. bovirhinis, M. arginini, A. laidlawii, and M. gallisepticum persisted for at most 28, 84, 56, >168 and 14 days, respectively, but strains of M. gallisepticum, M. columborale, M. edwardii, M. felis, M. gateae, and U. diversum did not survive for more than 14 days. In an outdoor environment, strains of M. bovirhinis and A. laidlawii survived for at most 28 and 14 days, respectively. Finally, it was found that 14 isolates of M. gallisepticum persisted for periods similar to those of the reference strains. The results under dry conditions at a variety of temperatures presented contribute to understanding the epizootiology of mycoplasmal infections in the field.

[Clinical significance of pressure measurement in the infarct-related coronary artery in acute myocardial infarction: evaluation of variables predicting recovery of left ventricular function in the convalescent stage].

Early reperfusion and good antegrade flow are essential in restoring better regional left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction, but they do not always correlate with the extent of recovery. This study evaluated coronary circulation using the new "pressure wire" technique to measure the direct pressure of the coronary circulation including antegrade and collateral flow before and after reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction, and to clarify the influence of these variables on recovery of left ventricular function in the convalescent stage. Fifty six consecutive patients with first acute myocardial infarction underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) for totally occluded or severely narrowed infarct-related lesion and evaluation of coronary circulation using pressure wire. Left ventriculography was analyzed at 1 month after the onset in 41 patients. Treatment variables including reperfusion time, reperfusion modality, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction(TIMI) grade after PTCA, and pressure wire variables were compared with parameters of left ventricular function. Reperfusion time was not related to regional wall motion evaluated by the SD chord of left ventriculography in the infarcted zone. Pressure wire measurements showed a correlation between fractional flow reserve measured after PTCA and infarcted regional wall motion(r = 0.558, p < 0.01). Patients with infarct-related lesion in the right coronary artery showed the magnitude of left ventricular regional wall motion was related to fractional collateral flow reserve(maxQc/Qn) during PTCA(r = 0.768, p < 0.05), but no such relationship was observed in patients with infarct-related lesion in the left anterior descending artery. Fractional flow reserve measured after PTCA varied widely in patients with the same TIMI flow grade, so did not vary with it. The pressure wire technique enables assessment of the collateral circulation distal to infarct-related lesion quantitatively before reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The fractional flow reserve derived by coronary pressure after reperfusion was significantly related to the recovery of regional wall motion in the infarcted area in the convalescent stage. The fractional flow reserve after reperfusion with PTCA is a better parameter than TIMI flow grade for predicting recovery of regional left ventricular function after myocardial infarction.

Effect of bicozamycin on the eradication of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in calves.

Fifty-nine calves, aged 11 days to 9 months, from three farms breeding Japanese Black beef cattle in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, were examined for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). A high prevalence of STEC was detected among calves, with 45 (76.3%) animals carrying STEC including different serogroups (O26, O74, O111, O114, O119, O127, O153, O157, and ONT) and toxin types. The number of STEC in the feces was estimated by a combined method involving enumeration of colony-forming units by a plate-most-probable-number (plate-MPN) technique and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Shiga toxin genes. Fecal shedding ranged from 10(1) to 10(10) MPN/g feces. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of bicozamycin (BCM: previously named as bicyclomycin) in eradicating STEC, 30 calves carrying STEC with or without diarrhea were examined. Fifteen calves were treated orally with BCM (10 mg/kg/day) once daily for 5 days, and the other 15 were untreated. Twenty-four hours after the last dose, fecal specimens were collected from both groups to compare the number of coliforms and STEC with those before treatment. BCM-treated animals had a significantly lower number of coliforms and STEC compared to the untreated calves. The STEC eradication rate was 86.6% (13/15) in the BCM-treated group, compared to 0% (0/15) in the control group. The corresponding cure rates for diarrhea were 87.5 (7/8) and 0% (0/3), respectively. No adverse reactions were observed in the calves during treatment. It is concluded that BCM is an effective agent for the eradication of STEC in calves with or without diarrhea.

[N,N'-Bis(3-carboxysalicylidene)-1,2-diphenyl-(RR,SS)-1,2-ethanediyldiaminato-O,N,N',O'](methanol-O)oxovanadium(IV) and [N,N'-bis(3-carboxysalicylidene)-2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediyldiaminato-O,N,N',O']oxovanadium(IV) monohydrate.

The two title mononuclear oxovanadium (IV) complexes, [VO(C(30)H(22)N(2)O(6))(CH(3)OH)] and [VO(C(22)H(22)N(2)O(6))].H(2)O, respectively, have distorted square-pyramidal coordination and the 3-carboxy groups form intramolecular hydrogen bonds with the coordinated salicyl O atoms. In (I), methanol coordinates to the vanadium atom trans with respect to the oxo ligand.

Percutaneous transluminal angioscopy during coronary intervention.

To investigate the feasibility of angioscopic-guided percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and to elucidate the mechanism of efficacy of coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction, we performed coronary angioscopy in 102 patients with stable angina or acute myocardial infarction. Thrombi and intimal flaps were observed in most patients after coronary angioplasty. Large intimal splits were seen in one third of patients. Stents were inserted in 10 patients who were revealed to have a large flap or protruding split to the inner lumen. Thrombolytic agents were administered in 2 patients with large thrombi. Additional treatments were required in 32% of patients. No acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina occurred in patients during hospitalization. Thus, angioscopy of the coronary lumen enables clinicians to determine the most appropriate and least risky coronary intervention strategy. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, angioscopy revealed occlusive or protruding thrombi in 34 of 35 patients. The protruding thrombi disappeared after stenting. The frequency of large intimal flaps increased after predilatation with balloon, but these disappeared after stenting. The present angioscopic study demonstrates that the coronary stent compresses the occlusive or protruding thrombi and covers the ruptured thrombogenic plaque Consequently, smooth-surfaced and wide vessel lumen are obtained.

Identification of connexins in human oral mucosa and therapeutic effect of irsogladine maleate on aphthous stomatitis.

We identified connexins 26 and 32 in human oral mucosa. The presence of the connexins indicates the presence of gap junctions in this tissue. However, immunofluorescence study found no significant differences in the expression of the connexins between patients with aphthons stomatitis and controls. Irsogladine maleate, which reinforces gap junctional intercellular communication in vitro, was effective for the treatment of transient and relapsing aphthous stomatitis, as well as symptomatic and drug-induced aphthous stomatitis. It was also useful for prevention of episodes of relapsing aphthous stomatitis, with daily administration preverting recurrence of stomatitis for more than 4 years one patient. These findings suggest that irsogladine maleate accelerates the wound healing process in oral mucosa by reinforcing gap junctional intercellular communication among oral mucosal cells; and that it is useful for the treatment and prevention of aphthous stomatitis.