We performed phylogenetic and cluster analysis of human rhinovirus species A (HRV-A) isolated from 76 children with acute respiratory infection in Yamagata prefecture, Japan during the period ...2003–2007. Phylogenetic trees based on the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the
VP4/VP2 coding region showed that the present strains could be classified into 11 and 8 clusters, respectively. The homology among the present strains ranged from 66.6% to 100% at the nucleotide level and 84.7% to 100% at the amino acid level. The interspecies distance (mean
±
standard deviation) was calculated to be 0.235
±
0.048 at the nucleotide level and 0.076
±
0.033 at the amino acid level. In addition, the phylogenetic trees created based on the nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed that HRV-A strains belonging to some clusters were associated with both upper respiratory infection and wheezy bronchiolitis, while other strains were associated with upper respiratory infection alone. These results suggest that the present HRV-A isolates had a wide nucleotide divergence and were associated with acute respiratory infection, including upper respiratory infection and wheezy bronchiolitis, in Yamagata prefecture, Japan during the investigation period.
We developed a new quantification method for the measles virus (MeV) nucleoprotein (N) gene using real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. This method allowed us to quantify 10(1)-10(7) copies per ...reaction (corresponding to 5x10(-1)-5x10(5) copies microl(-1)) of the MeV N gene. We also quantified the MeV N gene from the throat swabs of 22 patients with measles as well as the MeV genotypes A, D3, D5, D9 and H1 in viral suspensions derived from MeV-infected cells. As a result, 3.9x10(3)-5.2x10(6) copies ml(-1) and 7.4x10(7)-2.0x10(8) copies ml(-1) of the MeV genomes (N gene) were detected in the throat swabs and viral suspensions, respectively. No other viruses (enteroviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus or mumps virus) were detected in the assay. The results suggest that this method is applicable to the detection and quantification of some genotypes of MeV.
Catechins, which are polyphenol compounds found in abundance in green tea, have elicited high interest due to their beneficial effects on health. Catechins have also been demonstrated to induce ...chromosomal aberrations in vitro, although no clastogenicity was confirmed in studies in vivo. We investigated the mechanism of catechin-induced chromosomal aberrations in CHL/IU cells. Addition of catalase suppressed chromosomal aberrations, indicating involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). We confirmed that substantial amounts of H2O2 are generated when catechins are incubated under in vitro culture conditions, whereas, interestingly, extremely low amounts of H2O2 were detected when catechins were incubated at the same concentration in water. Generation of H2O2 increased steeply above pH 6, indicating that pH is a key factor in determining how much H2O2 is generated via catechins in vitro. Our assessment indicates that humans have practically non-existent exposure to H2O2 when catechins are ingested in a beverage. Polyphenols, including catechins, are known to act as antioxidants due to their reducing potential. However, under in vitro culture conditions, catechins are thought to act primarily as pro-oxidants by reducing ambient or dissolved oxygen to form H2O2. Based on the above observations, we conclude that in vitro culture conditions as currently employed are inappropriate to address genotoxicity concerns regarding polyphenols, including catechins.
BackgroundMedian sternotomy is a common surgical procedure during cardiac and pulmonary surgeries. There are many reports of patient injury associated with wire breakage. However, there are only a ...few reports of healthcare worker injuries by sternal wire.Case PresentationA patient in his 70s, having a history of thoracic aorta replacement, collapsed suddenly and paramedics started mechanical chest compression. On hospital arrival, the emergency department nurse attempted to initiate manual chest compression but was injured by a sternal wire protrusion on the patient's chest. The emergency physician placed gauze on the sternal wire and continued manual chest compression, but the patient died.ConclusionTo prevent this injury, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) providers should consciously check the patient's chest. If they observe wire exposure, they should immediately place a gauze, pad or consider performing mechanical chest compression. Safety measures such as the installing rubber pads in the AED should be considered.
BackgroundDouble‑lumen tubes (DLTs) are commonly used for differential pulmonary ventilation during thoracic surgery. Few reports exist on subglottic stenosis among patients who underwent surgery ...involving DLTs; we lack immediate postoperative period documentation leading up to the onset and subsequent recovery of subglottic stenosis. Herein, we present a case of a 75-year-old woman successfully treated for subglottic stenosis after DLT.Case DescriptionA 75-year-old woman presented to our hospital with an abnormal chest shadow, which was identified during a medical examination. Chest computed tomography revealed an anterior mediastinal mass with a poor contrast effect measuring 6.0 cm × 3.1 cm × 1.9 cm, which grew from 2.2 to 6.0 cm over 21 months. Low and high signals were detected on T1- and T2-weighted thoracic magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Concordantly, a thymic cyst was suspected. The patient underwent robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resection via the right lateral approach. A 35-Fr left-sided DLT was used for intubation and differential lung ventilation. Hoarseness and stridor were observed on postoperative day (POD) 1. Laryngoscopy showed submucosal hemorrhage around the vocal cords and mild subglottic stenosis; however, there was no arytenoid dislocation or findings necessitating emergency treatment. On POD 4, her stridor became more severe and laryngoscopy was re-performed and revealed subglottic stenosis progression prompting emergency tracheotomy. The stenosis further progressed, and almost complete airway obstruction was observed on POD 7. By POD 9, partially improving the subglottic stenosis, thereafter the subglottic stenosis was almost completely alleviated by POD 12. The tracheal cannula was removed on POD 22. Trachea-cutaneous fistula closure was performed on POD 35, and she was discharged on POD 42, remaining well. The pathological examination of the anterior mediastinal tumor confirmed the diagnosis of thymic cyst.ConclusionsAirway obstruction owing to subglottic stenosis may occur several days post-surgery with a DLT. Prompt tracheostomy is recommended to prevent complete airway obstruction in patients with progressive subglottic stenosis.
BackgroundCannabidiol (CBD) products have increased in popularity in Japan in recent years, particularly among young people. Some CBD products contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main ingredient ...of cannabis, and its analogs, which are illegal in Japan and have become a social issue. This report discusses the safety of CBD products.Case PresentationFive patients with symptoms of CBD ingestion, including nausea, presented to our hospital. Three of the products these patients ingested contained THC. Metabolites of THC were detected in the blood and urine of all three patients, although there were some discrepancies in the urine drug screening test (DS10®). These examination results differed even when the same product was consumed.ConclusionCBD products are unsafe and may unintentionally contain THC. It is also important to understand that CBD can turn into THC, and the effective time needed to conduct urine drug screening.
INTRODUCTIONInhalation injury is a major complication of fire accidents. Delayed onset of tracheal stenosis is one of the chronic complications of inhalation injury. Here, we report a case of acute ...empyema as a complication of inhalation injury.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 38-year-old-man who underwent a tracheostomy following an inhalation injury when he was 25-years of age was admitted with a diagnosis of right-side pyothorax. We attributed the pyothorax to insufficient bronchial toilet secondary to preoperative tracheal stenosis and tracheal mucosal damage as a complication of inhalation injury, as confirmed using laryngofiberscopy. Conservative therapy was insufficient, therefore, surgical drainage was performed. At the time of surgery, following general anesthesia induction, the insertion of a single-lumen tube was difficult owing to severe tracheal stenosis. As a result, we performed an emergency tracheostomy followed by empyema curettage.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONTracheal stenosis due to tracheal basal membrane injury and mucosal membrane injury resulted in sputum clearance disorder. These changes led to pyothorax. Preoperative airway safety should be carefully planned when operating on patients with tracheal stenosis.
Three mitochondrial genes, namely orf25, rps7, atp6 of Aegilops crassa, confer structural alterations around their promoter regions in comparison to those of common wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. ...Chinese Spring, CS). PCR analysis to detect such structural alterations showed that each of three lines, pure lines and alloplasmic wheat {(cr)-CS} contains both genotypes, although mitochondrial genotypes of CR in CS, those of CS in CR were still remained as minor fractions. CS mitochondrial gene frequencies in {(cr)-CS} were grown to be ca. 30%. SNPs analysis of these genes indicated that minor types of all mitochondrial genes in alloplasmic wheat were transmitted through pollens. Since the frequencies of paternally transmitted mitochondrial genes in F1 were about 20%, frequencies of paternally transmitted mitochondrial genes were increased by successive back crossing. Expression profiles of those mitochondrial genes were quantitatively analyzed by RT-PCR. Products of paternally transmitted mitochondrial genes were scarcely found. These lines of evidences strongly suggest that paternally transmitted genes/genomes are silenced in the descendants.
The purpose of this study is to clarify the current state of nursing for the sexuality of patients with cancer at the end-of-life. In December 2018, we asked 313 nurses from 18 palliative care units ...in Kanagawa Prefecture about their awareness, feelings, and behavioral intentions and hands-on experience for the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life. The collection rate of the questionnaire was 52.7% (165 cases). Eighty-two nurses (49.7%) had experience supporting the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life. The contents of the support were “Recommend physical contact”, “Listening”, “Recommend hug”, and “Take sufficient time when entering the room, such as waiting for a reply after knocking or calling out”. Meanwhile, at ward conferences, only 11 (6.7%) had talked about the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life. It has been suggested that, at present, support for the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life is left to individuals and not systematically.
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