Improved Blood Suppression of Motion-Sensitized Driven Equilibrium in High-Resolution Whole-Brain Vessel Wall Imaging: Comparison of Contrast-Enhanced 3D T1-Weighted FSE with Motion-Sensitized Driven Equilibrium and Delay Alternating with Nutation for Tailored Excitation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High-resolution vessel wall MR imaging is prone to slow-flow artifacts, particularly when gadolinium shortens the T1 relaxation time of blood. This study aimed to determine the optimal preparation pulses for contrast-enhanced high-resolution vessel wall MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent both motion-sensitized driven equilibrium and delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation (DANTE) preparation pulses with contrast-enhanced 3D-T1-FSE were retrospectively included. Qualitative analysis was performed using a 4-grade visual scoring system for black-blood performance in the small-sized intracranial vessels, overall image quality, severity of artifacts, and the degree of blood suppression in all cortical veins as well as transverse sinuses. Quantitative analysis of the M1 segment of the MCA was also performed. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis revealed that motion-sensitized driven equilibrium demonstrated a significantly higher black-blood score than DANTE in contrast-enhanced 3D-T1-FSE of the A3 segment (3.90 versus 3.58, P < .001); M3 (3.72 versus 3.26, P = .004); P2 to P3 (3.86 versus 3.64, P = .017); the internal cerebral vein (3.72 versus 2.32, P < .001); and overall cortical veins (3.30 versus 2.74, P < .001); and transverse sinuses (2.82 versus 2.38, P < .001). SNRlumen, contrast-to noise ratiowall-lumen, and SNRwall in the M1 vessel were not significantly different between the 2 preparation pulses (all, P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Motion-sensitized driven equilibrium demonstrated improved blood suppression on contrast-enhanced 3D-T1-FSE in the small intracranial arteries and veins compared with DANTE. Motion-sensitized driven equilibrium is a useful preparation pulse for high-resolution vessel wall MR imaging to decrease venous contamination and suppress slow-flow artifacts when using contrast enhancement.

A self-reported measurement scale on a potential component of competency in the healthcare staff engaged in the prevention and control of non-communicable disease in Fiji.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80% or more deaths in Pacific island countries, including Fiji, were related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Although competency-based approaches have been effective for developing healthcare workers' capabilities, there are only a few reports on competency scales of healthcare workers for NCD prevention. We aimed to develop a self-reported measurement scale on a potential component of competency in the healthcare staff engaged in the prevention and control of NCDs in Fiji. METHODS: There were 378 Ministry of Health and Medical Services staff members working on NCD prevention and control in Fiji included in this study, which was a cross-sectional survey of social factors, working situation factors, and competency. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess potential competency components, whereas Cronbach's α coefficient and analysis of variance were used to assess the validity and reliability of the scale items, respectively. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to analyze the respondents' factor scores relative to social status and work situations. RESULTS: The factor analysis revealed 16 items that identified competency in four work types: 1) work management, 2) monitoring and evaluation, 3) community partnership, and 4) community diagnosis. The monitoring and evaluation roles were related to ethnic background, community partnership was related to religion, and community diagnosis was related to academic qualifications. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, we developed a competency scale for the four work types. This scale can help healthcare workers engage in better management of residents with NCDs in Fiji.

Factors associated with a positive willingness to practise oral health care in the future amongst oral healthcare and nursing students.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the weak points in the knowledge and attitudes of first-year oral health care and nursing students towards oral health care and to identify the factors associated with their positive willingness to practise oral health care after becoming a health professional in order to develop oral healthcare curricula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 88 first-year dental students (DSs), 64 dental hygiene students (DHSs) and 119 nursing students (NSs) enrolled in schools in Japan, as of April 2017. A questionnaire was distributed to subjects in each school to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards oral health care. RESULTS: Less than half knew that oral health care was also provided in cancer hospitals, hospices, acute care hospitals, maternity wards and psychiatric wards. Only 46.2% knew that oral health care was effective in the prevention of aspiration pneumonia. The level of knowledge and attitudes in NSs regarding oral health care were likely to be lowest amongst the student groups. Only NSs' high interest towards oral health care was associated with their positive willingness to practise oral health care in the future although oral health students' high perceptions and interest regarding oral health care were associated with the willingness. CONCLUSION: This study showed oral healthcare and nursing students' weak points regarding their attitudes and knowledge of oral health care at early stages. Oral health academic staff and professionals should develop effective oral healthcare curricula for oral healthcare students and help nursing staff develop a collaborative nursing oral healthcare curriculum to motivate nursing students.

Time course of the antibody response in humans compared with rats experimentally infected with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the accidental ingestion of Echinococcus multilocularis eggs. Early detection is essential as surgical resection is the only treatment for a complete cure. However, details are unclear about changes in the antibody response during the initial stages of infection, yet such information is useful for early serodiagnosis. Therefore, a long-term investigation was performed into the time course of the antibody response before 'positive' detection. Patient sera were used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting (WB) analysis using crude antigens extracted from E. multilocularis protoscoleces. Rats were experimentally infected with AE and similarly analysed by ELISA and WB. Among the markers for diagnoses, the 18 kDa band (main marker) appeared last in the preoperative stages and disappeared first after operation in a WB test. Although the 18 kDa antigen can be useful as a marker for AE diagnosis, it cannot contribute to the detection of some patients before the 18 kDa band appearance. To avoid misdiagnosis, different diagnostic antigens such as the 26-28 and 7-8 kDa bands should also be considered. These bands tend to appear earlier than the 18 kDa band and thus offer the potential for early detection of AE. We first observed changes in the antibody response in a relatively early stage after infection in human AE cases. Notably, changes in the antibody response of two intermediate species were similar. These findings provide valuable information for the early detection of human AE cases in the future.

Demographics, health-related behaviors, eating habits and knowledge associated with vegetable intake in Japanese adults.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze demographic, health-related behaviors, eating habit and knowledge associated with vegetable intake. METHODS: Secondary analyses using the dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2003. Food intake data measured by the food-weighing method in one-day and a questionnaire assessed the dietary intake and health-related behaviors, eating habit and knowledge. This study was made in Japan. The data of 1742 men and 2519 nonpregnant/nonlactating women, aged 20-69 years, energy intake between percentiles 1 and 99 were included. Vegetable intake was analyzed according to the Japanese vegetable recommendation (>or=350 g/day) after age adjustment. RESULTS: Average of VI was 307 g/day in men and 297 g/day in women. Only 35% of men and 31% of women met the recommended amount of vegetable intake. Japanese from city areas, aged 60-69 years, had the highest vegetable intake and subjects from metropolitan areas had the lowest vegetable intake. Depending on the age groups, risks for low vegetable intake in Japanese were found in subjects with skipping meals, alcohol intake and history of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: To increase vegetable intake, it is necessary to provide more nutritional education and lifestyle-related diseases education.

Influence of Helicobacter pylori eradication on reflux esophagitis in Japanese patients.

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori eradication and reflux esophagitis is controversial. We analyzed the development of reflux esophagitis and the change in the grade of pre-existing reflux esophagitis after eradication. Enrolled were 559 Japanese patients who received eradication therapy for H. pylori. The grade of reflux esophagitis by endoscopy before and after therapy was evaluated retrospectively. No esophagitis was present before eradication in 526 patients. H. pylori was and was not eradicated in 429 and 97, respectively. Reflux esophagitis developed in 40 of the eradication group and in three of the treatment failure group, with prevalence higher with successful eradication (P = 0.04). Successful eradication and hiatus hernia were significant risk factors for reflux esophagitis development. Twenty-seven of 33 patients with pre-existing reflux esophagitis had successful eradication and six treatment failure. The reflux esophagitis grade worsened in two (Los Angeles classification from A to B) and improved in 14 patients after eradication. With treatment failure, reflux esophagitis worsened in none and improved in three patients. There showed no significant change in the grade of pre-existing reflux esophagitis after H. pylori eradication but the sample size was too small to evaluate the difference. In conclusion, the eradication of H. pylori increases the prevalence of reflux esophagitis, and hiatus hernia was a significant risk factor for the development of reflux esophagitis.

Diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis using immunoblotting with plural low molecular weight antigens.

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is endemic to Hokkaido, Japan. For the past 20 years, detection of AE among inhabitants has involved serological screening using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) followed by Western blotting (WB). Between the years 1987 and 2000, antigens targeted on 66, 55 and 30-35 kDa bands were routinely used in the WB step of AE diagnosis. However, since 2001 diagnosis has been dependent on three smaller molecular weight antigens (26-28, 18 and 7-8 kDa). Due to its higher sensitivity, this improved WB approach has been used as a confirmation step in the screening process and also for the testing of suspected AE cases in hospital outpatients. Using the improved WB technique, a total of 1745 serum samples were examined in 2001-2006 with 81 patients detected and registered with AE. Interestingly, sera from 76 of the 81 diagnosed AE patients (93.8%) demonstrated reactivity with all three antigens. However, sera from the remaining five patients (6.2%) demonstrated no reactivity with the 18 kDa antigen, even though they exhibited clearly detectable levels of reactivity with the 26-28 and 7-8 kDa bands. These results suggest that medical practitioners need to pay particular attention to the specific reactions to some different diagnostic antigens to minimize the risk of misdiagnosing AE patients. In turn, these results may also provide important diagnostic information for cystic echinococcosis (CE).

Abnormal expression of the genes involved in cytokine networks and mitochondrial function in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis identified by DNA microarray analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a rheumatic disease in childhood characterised by systemic symptoms and a relatively poor prognosis. Peripheral leukocytes are thought to play a pathological role in sJIA although the exact cause of the disease is still obscure. In this study, we aimed to clarify cellular functional abnormalities in sJIA. METHODS: We analysed the gene expression profile in peripheral leukocytes from 51 patients with sJIA, 6 patients with polyarticular type JIA (polyJIA) and 8 healthy children utilising DNA microarrays. Gene ontology analysis and network analysis were performed on the genes differentially expressed in sJIA to clarify the cellular functional abnormalities. RESULT: A total of 3491 genes were differentially expressed in patients with sJIA compared to healthy individuals. They were functionally categorised mainly into a defence response group and a metabolism group according to gene ontology, suggesting the possible abnormalities in these functions. In the defence response group, molecules predominantly constituting interferon (IFN)gamma and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) network cascades were upregulated. In the metabolism group, oxidative phosphorylation-related genes were downregulated, suggesting a mitochondrial disorder. Expression of mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes including cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(MT-CO1) and MT-CO2 were suppressed in patients with sJIA but not in patients with polyJIA or healthy children. However, nuclear DNA-encoded cytochrome c oxidases were intact. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that sJIA is not only an immunological disease but also a metabolic disease involving mitochondria disorder.

The role of bystin in embryo implantation and in ribosomal biogenesis.

Human bystin was identified as a cytoplasmic protein directly binding to trophinin, a cell adhesion molecule potentially involved in human embryo implantation. Although the trophinin gene is unique to mammals, the bystin gene (BYSL) is conserved across eukaryotes. Recent studies show that bystin plays a key role during the transition from silent trophectoderm to an active trophoblast upon trophinin-mediated cell adhesion. Bystin gene knockout and knockdown experiments demonstrate that bystin is essential for embryonic stem cell survival and trophectoderm development in the mouse. Furthermore, biochemical analysis of bystin in human cancer cells and mouse embryos indicates a function in ribosomal biogenesis, specifically in processing of 18S RNA in the 40S subunit. Strong evidence that BYSL is a target of c-MYC is consistent with a role for bystin in rapid protein synthesis, which is required for actively growing cells.

Helicobacter pylori eradication reduced the incidence of gastric cancer, especially of the intestinal type.

BACKGROUND: Although Helicobacter pylori infection is closely associated with gastric cancer development, follow-up studies after H. pylori eradication are still scarce. AIM: To clarify the cancer preventive effect of H. pylori eradication, with special attention to differences in effect according to histology. METHODS: Patients who underwent H. pylori eradication therapy and were followed-up endoscopically for at least 1 year were analysed. The incidence of gastric cancer and factors associated with cancer development were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 1807 patients were enrolled. Six of 1519 H. pylori eradicated and five of 288 persistent subjects developed gastric cancer. Four of the eradicated subjects developed the intestinal type and two the diffuse type, while four of the persistent subjects developed the intestinal type and one the diffuse type. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a significantly lower incidence in eradicated patients than in persistent patients. The incidence of intestinal type was significantly lower than in eradicated patients, while the diffuse type could not be evaluated because of the low incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori-eradicated patients had a reduced incidence of gastric cancer compared with H. pylori-persistent patients, particularly the intestinal type, suggesting that H. pylori is strongly associated with intestinal-type gastric cancer.

Maintenance behaviour and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLITNs) previously introduced into Bourapar district, Khammouane province, Lao PDR.

BACKGROUND: Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLITNs) are expected to be an important advance in malaria control, but operational experience is still scarce. This study presents some operational findings concerning the introduction of Olyset LLITNs (Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd, Japan) in Laos. The study site, Bourapar district, a remote district at high risk of malaria, received Olyset nets during 1999-2000. After distribution of the nets the number of malaria cases in the district hospital decreased for a time, however it began to rise again a year after the intervention. To sustain the effect of the nets, net users were given instructions on maintenance and use. This study aimed to investigate the condition of Olyset nets and the maintenance behaviour of net users after 2-3 years of use, and to examine the associations between maintenance behaviour and the number of malaria episodes during the previous year. METHODS: Questionnaire interviews and inspections of nets were conducted at 240 households during February-March 2003. RESULTS: About 40% of the observed nets had holes/were torn, and the maintenance instructions had not been followed sufficiently. Households following the recommended washing frequency (38.2%) reported fewer malaria episodes during the past year, which demonstrates the importance of the recommended washing frequency in the effective use of the nets. CONCLUSIONS: Our study promotes the idea that, in addition to pursuing high coverage of LLITNs, more effort should be made to ensure that nets are kept in good condition in future LLITN programmes.

Statins induce S1P1 receptors and enhance endothelial nitric oxide production in response to high-density lipoproteins.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a serum-borne naturally occurring sphingolipid, specifically enriched in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions. S1P binds to G-protein-coupled S1P1 receptors to activate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in vascular endothelial cells. We explored whether and how statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, modulate expression of S1P1 receptors and endothelial responses for subsequent stimulation with S1P or with HDL. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Protein expression and phosphorylation and mRNA expression in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were determined using immunoblots and reverse transcription PCR analyses, respectively. NO synthesis was assessed as nitrite production. KEY RESULTS: Stimulation of BAEC with pitavastatin or atorvastatin led to significant increases in S1P1-receptors, at levels of protein and mRNA, in a dose-dependent manner. When BAEC were treated with pitavastatin prior to stimulation with S1P or with normal human HDL, phosphorylation and activation of eNOS evoked by S1P or by HDL was enhanced. These effects of statins were counteracted by L-mevalonate and were mimicked by an inhibitor of geranylgeranyl transferase I, suggesting that inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity and subsequent decreases in protein geranylgeranylation may contribute to these actions of statins. Specific knock down of S1P1 receptors by small interfering RNA led to attenuation of eNOS responses to HDL. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Statins induce S1P1 receptors and potentiate responses of endothelial cells to HDL-associated sphingolipids, identifying a novel aspect of the pleiotropic actions of statins through which they may exert NO-dependent vascular protective effects.

Taste bud contains both short-lived and long-lived cell populations.

Taste bud cells undergo continual turnover even in adulthood, and their average lifespan has been estimated as approximately 10 days. However, it is not clear whether this figure can be applied to all the different cell types contained in a taste bud. Here, we describe the age and life cycle of taste bud cells in rat circumvallate papillae, and indicate that the lifespan is heterogeneous, ranging from 2 days to over 3 weeks. Taste bud cells were incorporated from the basal proliferative layer in 1-2 days after birth. After incorporation, approximately half of the cells were eliminated within 2-3 days, and the remaining half were maintained with gradual decrease, suggesting that there are at least two types of cells; short-lived cells and long-lived cells. Moreover, above 10% of the incorporated cells were maintained at 3 weeks. In order to gain information about the relationship between the cell functions and the cell age, we carried out double-labeling experiments using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and each of two markers for in situ hybridization: mammalian achaete-scute homolog 1 (Mash1) and phospholipase C beta 2 (PLCbeta2) as markers of early differentiation and functional taste signaling, respectively. Mash1 expression began immediately after the incorporation and reached a maximum at 5-6 days after birth. Fewer but distinct Mash1-positive cells were still observed after 3 weeks. PLCbeta2 expression was observed from day 5, reached a maximum at day 12, and continued over 3 weeks. Taken together, a taste bud contains both short-lived and long-lived cells: the short-lived cells are eliminated in a time course similar to the surrounding epithelial cells, and the long-lived cells including taste receptor cells have a lifespan longer than the previous estimation.

Non-polio enterovirus isolation among families in Ulaanbaatar and Tov province, Mongolia: prevalence, intrafamilial spread, and risk factors for infection.

Studies of non-polio enterovirus prevalence and transmissibility in developing countries are limited and few studies have investigated specific risk factors for infection. An epidemiological survey of non-polio enterovirus among families in Mongolia was conducted in the late summer of 2003. Stools of 122 healthy persons were collected weekly for 5 weeks. Eight serotypes of non-polio enteroviruses (echovirus 30, 33, 12, 25, coxsackievirus A10, A2, A4, A24) were isolated from 62 persons, with an overall isolation rate of 51%, and 64% and 35% among children under 10 years and adults over age 21 years. Fifty-four per cent of isolations were due to intrafamilial infection. Analysis of risk factors for infection suggested contamination of indoor kitchen, bathroom, toilet, and waste disposal area. Hand washing after defecation was protective against infection. Our study findings stress the importance of hand washing and cleaning hygienic facilities to prevent infection by enteric viruses in the home environment.

Nutritional status of children in rural Lao PDR: who are the most vulnerable?

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of children aged 3-15 y in remote villages of Lao PDR. Study sites were chosen from two provinces: Luang namtha (north) and Sekong province (south). All the sampled 1075 children were measured for anthropometry, following the standard methods. Dietary intake, morbidity and socio-economic data were obtained by interviews with parents. This study confirmed the high prevalence of growth retardation among children, as well as persistent food insecurity in the remote areas of Lao PDR. Prevalence of stunting was 74.1% in Luang namtha and 62.6% in Sekong province, with school-aged children being worse-off than under-five ones. Children's diets were inadequate in quality as well as in quantity, with very limited availability of rice and other food items throughout the year. Our findings also suggest the negative outcomes of government's development programme were often overlooked, and that more attention should be paid on the fragile living conditions in the resettlement villages, especially for the ethnic minority.

Specific localization of macrophages in pregnant bovine caruncles.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution and phagocytotic function of macrophages in bovine caruncles during pregnancy. Pregnant Holstein caruncles obtained at a slaughterhouse and by Caesarean section just before the onset of parturition were used. Macrophages in these caruncles were observed immunohistochemically and histochemically. Macrophages were present in the parenchyma of caruncles throughout pregnancy. The macrophages were irregular in shape, and exhibited thin, long processes along the main and intermediate septa of caruncles. Macrophages increased as the gestation period progressed. Acid phosphatase activity of the macrophages appeared at 5-6 months of gestation and remained until the end of gestation period. In particular, macrophages showed strong acid phosphatase activity at the peripheral region of the caruncles just facing the chorionic villi. In addition, they were conglomerated in the hyperplastic prominences of caruncles. These results indicate that caruncle macrophages maintain the appropriate size and shape of each caruncle during pregnancy.

Reduced phagocytotic activity of macrophages in the bovine retained placenta.

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of immune cells in the bovine placenta during the postpartum period and to compare these cells between normal and retained placenta. Within 1 h after normal calving, biopsy samples of placentomes were collected from 10 cows. The occurrence of retention of fetal membranes was monitored for more than 8 h post-calving, and the samples obtained were divided into two groups: normally discharged and retained placenta (n = 5 each). Immunohistochemical procedures were utilized to detect macrophages and T lymphocytes. Numerous CD14-positive macrophages were found in the stroma of both normal placenta and retained placenta whereas only a few CD3-positive T lymphocytes were found in both cases. However, histochemical staining for acid phosphatase, a predominant lysozomal enzyme, revealed that almost all macrophages showed strong enzyme activity in the normally discharged placentas, whereas in retained placenta the activity of acid phosphatase was conspicuously decreased in intensity. These results indicate that there are functional differences in placental macrophages between normal and retained placenta.