Mental and physical distress of field veterinarians during and soon after the 2010 foot and mouth disease outbreak in Miyazaki, Japan.

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease occurred in Miyazaki, Japan, in April 2010, and nearly 290,000 animals were culled to control the disease. This study was conducted to demonstrate the causes and intensity of mental distress felt by the field veterinarians participating in the control programme. A focus group discussion was conducted with ten veterinarians to understand their distress during the outbreak, and a questionnaire to quantify the degree of distress experienced each week was administered to 16 veterinarians. A detailed questionnaire was separately administered to 70 veterinarians six months after the outbreak was controlled, to assess mental distress status and to identify the risk factors for serious mental illness (SMI) using the six-item Kessler scale (K6). Overall, mental distress (mean 3.1) was significantly greater than physical distress (mean 1.9, p < 0.001). The risk factors for mental distress were categorised into three groups: culling, communication with farmers, and gender; each category was qualitatively described. Only two respondents (2.9%) had high K6 scores suggesting SMI. In the final generalised linear models with quasi-Poisson errors, the riskfactorsfor SMI that remained were: disinfecting vehicles (p = 0.01), distress (p <0.001), and increased alcohol consumption (p = 0.057), and a protective factor: participation in culling (p = 0.07), which suggested healthy worker bias. Sensitive individuals had been allocated to non-culling activities during disease control. In conclusion, human resource management was adequate during the outbreak from a public-health perspective. However, monitoring delayed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is recommended.

The mandible advancement may alter the coordination between breathing and the non-nutritive swallowing reflex.

The coordination between nasal breathing and non-nutritive swallowing serves as a protective reflex against potentially asphyxiating material, i.e. saliva and secretions, entering the respiratory tract. Although this protective reflex is influenced by positional changes in the head and body, the effect of mandible position on this reflex is not fully understood. We examined the effect of mandible advancement associated with mouth opening on the coordination between nasal breathing and non-nutritive swallowing induced by continuous infusion of distilled water into the pharyngeal cavity. The combination of mandible advancement and mouth opening increased the duration of swallowing apnoea and submental electromyographic burst duration. When the mandible was advanced with the mouth open, the duration of swallowing apnoea increased significantly compared with the centric position (0.79 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.64 +/- 0.12 s, P < 0.05, n = 12), and the duration of submental electromyographic activity increased significantly (2.11 +/- 0.63 vs. 1.46 +/- 0.25 s, P < 0.05, n = 12). Mandible advancement with mouth opening altered the respiratory phase resetting during swallowing and the timing of swallow in relation to respiratory cycle phase. We conclude that mandible re-positioning may strongly influence the coordination between nasal breathing and non-nutritive swallowing by altering respiratory parameters and by inhibiting movement of the tongue-jaw complex.

Converting an insulating silicon nanochain to a conducting carbon nanotube by electrical breakdown.

Electrical breakdowns of individual silicon nanochains, in which silicon nanoparticles are covered with and connected by oxide alternatively forming nanowires, are studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy using a microprobe system. Individual silicon nanochains can endure a current typically as large as 10(0) nA, and we found that a silicon nanochain can be converted to a nanotube by applying a current as large as 10(1) nA. In the nanotubes, some silicon particles are left. Experimental results suggest that nanotubes are heavily distorted carbon nanotubes, which are formed through the aggregation of contaminating carbon on the nanochain surface and the evaporation of the oxide core due to Joule heating.

Phase I trial of oral 2'-deoxy-2'-methylidenecytidine: on a daily x 14-day schedule.

2'-deoxy-2'-methylidenecytidine (DMDC) is a potent deoxycytidine analogue. Preclinical studies of DMDC demonstrated activity against a variety of murine and human tumors in cell cultures and murine models and indicate enhanced antitumor activity of DMDC when it was administered in a manner that provided prolonged systemic exposure. In view of this observation, this study was designed to determine the toxicities, maximum-tolerated dose, and pharmacokinetic profile of DMDC. DMDC was given p.o. under fasting conditions for 14 consecutive days every 4 weeks in patients with advanced solid tumors. The starting dose was 12 mg/m2/day. Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out on days 1 and 14 of the first cycle. Fourteen patients received 22 courses of DMDC. The dose-limiting toxicities were anorexia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. General fatigue was the common nonhematological toxicity. The maximum-tolerated dose was 18 mg/m2/day, at which two of six patients developed grade 3 toxicities. This dose level could also be considered for Phase II testing with this schedule. At the 18-mg/m2/day dose level, the mean terminal half-life, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), the area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC(0-infinity)) on day 1 were 1.7496 h, 112.9 ng/ml, and 399.8 ng x h/ml, respectively. Forty to 50% of the administered dose was recovered in the urine, indicating a good bioavailability and resulting significant systemic exposure to the drug, which may enable chronic oral treatment.

Enhanced reactivity of electron-deficient enynes in the palladium-catalyzed homo-benzannulation of conjugated enynes

We report the high reactivity of electron-deficient enynes in the homo-benzannulation of conjugated enynes in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4. The introduction of electron-withdrawing groups enabled us to carry out the benzannulation of 1-substituted enynes as well as 1,2- and 2,4-disubstituted enynes. Polysubstituted benzenes were prepared in a highly regioselective manner in good to excellent yields.

Laparoscopic intervention for intrathoracic stomach in infants.

BACKGROUND: Intrathoracic stomach is an uncommon condition in infants. We report our experience managing such a condition successfully by laparoscopy in four patients. METHODS: Patients' ages at the time of operation ranged from 30 days to 14 months. In all cases, the intrathoracic stomach was easily pulled down into the abdominal cavity. The phrenoesophageal ligament was completely resected, and the enlarged hiatus was narrowed by intraabdominal suturing technique. The esophagus was wrapped with the mobilized fundus in a floppy fundoplication. Anchoring sutures were placed between the wrapping cuff and crura. RESULT: One patient had paraesophageal hernia (type 2), whereas the other had combined hiatal hernia (type 3). No adverse complications were observed in any of the cases. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux and radiographic recurrence of hernia were not seen in any case. The cosmesis was excellent in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that laparoscopic repair for intrathoracic stomach is a safe and feasible method when preoperative evaluation is conducted adequately.

TEMPO radicals showing magnetic interactions. I. 4-(4-Halobenzylideneamino)TEMPO and related compounds.

X-ray crystal structure analyses of the 4-(4-halobenzylideneamino)TEMPO (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl) radicals 4-(4-fluorobenzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl, 4-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl, 4-(4-bromobenzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl and 4-(4-iodobenzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl, and other 4-Ar-CH=N-TEMPO [Ar = 4-Ph-Ph, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(4-phenylbenzylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl, 4-Py, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(4-pyridylmethylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl, and 3,5-diCl-Ph, 4-(3,5-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl] radicals have been performed at room temperature. Some of these radicals show intermolecular ferromagnetic interactions at extremely low temperatures. X-ray analysis revealed that crystals of the 4-I-Ph derivative showed two modifications [(a) and (b)]; measurements of the magnetic properties of these crystals showed a ferromagnetic transition at an extremely low temperature for modification (a) and an antiferromagnetic interaction for modification (b). The structural features of these TEMPO radical crystals can be classified into three groups: (i) the crystal structures of the 4-Cl-Ph, 4-I-Ph(a) and 4-Ph-Ph derivatives, which show a ferromagnetic transition; (ii) the structures of the 4-Br-Ph and 4-Py derivatives, which show a ferromagnetic interaction (straight theta > 0); (iii) miscellaneous: the antiferromagnetic 4-F-Ph and 4-I-Ph(b) derivatives (straight theta < 0) and the ferromagnetic 3,5-diCl-Ph (straight theta > 0) derivative. Sheet-like arrangements of O atoms and intra-sheet interactions through the CH(2) or CH(3) groups of the TEMPO rings are related to the mechanisms of the ferromagnetic interactions.

TEMPO radicals showing magnetic interactions. II. 4-(Benzylideneamino)-TEMPO and related compounds.

X-ray crystal structure analyses were performed on 4-(Ar-methyleneamino)-TEMPO radicals at room temperature (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl): Ar = Ph [4-(benzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl], 4-MeS-Ph [2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(4-methylthiobenzylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl], 4-Me-Ph [4-(4-methylbenzylideneamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl-1-oxyl], 4-PhO-Ph [2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(4-phenoxybenzylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl], 4-MeSO(2)-Ph [2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonylbenzylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl], 3-Py [2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(3-pyridylmethylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl] and 2-Naph [2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(2-naphthylideneamino)piperidyl-1-oxyl]. Structures of Ph and 4-Me-Ph derivatives were also determined at 100 K. Some of these crystals have been revealed to show intermolecular ferromagnetic interactions at an extremely low temperature. Structural features of crystals of Ph, 4-MeS-Ph and 3-Py derivatives, which show ferromagnetic interactions, are very similar to each other. In these crystals, O atoms are arranged to form a sheet. The ferromagnetic interactions are considered to be transferred through O.H van der Waals' interactions of the beta-H atoms of the neighboring TEMPO rings within the sheet. Between O.O sheets, the aryl groups are arranged in a herringbone manner. The crystal structure of the 4-Me-Ph derivative, which shows an antiferromagnetic interaction, is also pseudo-isostructural with those of Ph, 4-MeS-Ph and 3-Py derivatives, while the arrangement of the aryl groups is different. The packing mode of the crystals of the 4-MeSO(2)-Ph derivative, of which the Weiss constant straight theta is nearly zero, is very different from those of the other derivatives showing magnetic interactions. The fact that the crystal structure of the paramagnetic 4-MeSO(2)-Ph derivative does not show the O.O sheet structure accompanying the O.beta-H interactions indicates that the intermolecular ferromagnetic interactions through beta-H atoms within the O.O sheet are important for these TEMPO radical crystals.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus-associated reverse transcriptase by aminoacridines.

A semi-synthetic bleomycin analogue and its DNA binding moiety, an alkylamino-2-methoxy-6-chloroacridine, have been found to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus-associated reverse transcriptase. The authors have synthesized various new alkylaminoacridine derivatives. Alkylaminoacridines with basic functional groups showed the enzyme inhibitory activity with less cytotoxicity.

Benign transient non-organic ileus of neonates.

There are a substantial number of neonates who present with Hirschsprung's disease-like symptoms, but respond very well to conservative therapy. However, once Hirschsprung's disease is ruled out, little attention is paid to these infants, because of the lack of necessity for surgical treatment and their excellent prognosis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical features of functional ileus of neonates, which we named benign transient non-organic ileus of neonates (BTNIN). Out of 61 neonates referred to our institution with suspected neonatal Hirschsprung's disease (NH), 10 were diagnosed as having NH and 51 as having BTNIN. All the cases of BTNIN showed marked abdominal distension, and 12 showed explosive defecation on digital examination at the first visit. Plain X-ray demonstrated marked whole intestinal dilatation in 12 cases including cases with niveau formation and segmental dilatation. These findings were indistinguishable from those of NH. However, all had a normal anorectal reflex, and rectal suction biopsy revealed normal acetylcholinesterase activity and submucosal ganglion cells. All the cases of BTNIN were treated with periodic glycerin enemas until daily spontaneous defecation was established, which took 2 to 14 months, with an average of 5.0 +/- 2.9 months. None of them showed residual symptoms during the follow-up period.

[A fundamental study of immunoscintigraphy with 131I-labeled anti-CA 19-9 and anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies--imaging of tumor-bearing mice by IMACIS-1 and cell ELISA with human tumor cells].

A study was made on 2 types of 131I-labeled anti-CA 19-9 and anti-CEA mouse monoclonal antibodies (IMACIS-1) against human cancer related antigen as to their usefulness in radioimmunoimaging. Tumor-bearing nude mice were used for comparison. The transplanted tumors (SW948, COLO 201) were clearly visualized 48-72 hours after administration of IMACIS-1. Tumor/blood ratio 72 hours after administration: 8.69 in COLO 201 and 5.70 in SW948, showing ca. 10-15 times as high as those in PC-3 and HEp-2. IMACIS-1 therefore is considered useful in radioimmunoimaging of cancer. Analysis was made by in vitro cell ELISA. As a result, both of the cells specifically reacted with anti-CA 19-9 but not anti-CEA.

[A case of complete remission of gastric endocrine cell carcinoma with multiple bone metastasis by combination chemotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation].

A 31-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of epigastric discomfort and severe lumbago. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed several submucosallike tumors. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of endocrine cell carcinoma. Gallium scintigraphy and CT revealed multiple bone metastasis. He was treated with 6 cycles of combination chemotherapy consisting of CDDP, etoposide, CPA, EPI and VCR. Both gastric tumors and bone metastasis completely disappeared. After 7 cycles of the chemotherapy, he was treated with HDCT with PBSCT. There was no severe complication. This result suggested that the combination of conventional chemotherapy and HDCT with PBSCT was useful in cancer patients with poor prognoses, such as advanced gastric endocrine cell carcinoma.