Morphological features of an endangered Japanese strain of Cyprinus carpio: reconstruction based on seven SNP markers.

Morphological analyses of 183 specimens of Japanese common carp Cyprinus carpio (171 from Lake Biwa and 12 from nursery ponds) using genetic hybrid indices demonstrated that the typical native Japanese strain of C. carpio has a more elongate body, more branched dorsal-fin rays, fewer and shorter gill rakers, more developed pneumatic bulb, more coiled pneumatic duct, longer posterior swimbladder and shorter intestine than the typical introduced C. carpio. These results provide a basis for a better understanding of the ecological characteristics and taxonomic status of the endangered Japanese strain of C. carpio.

MR imaging of human herpesvirus-6 encephalopathy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6)-associated encephalopathy tends to develop in immunocompromised patients. Neurologic symptoms, such as disorientation, short-term memory loss, convulsion, coma, and hypopnea could occur, but they may be nonspecific. We retrospectively reviewed MR images of 6 adults with HHV-6-associated encephalopathy to study characteristic imaging findings that could be useful in making the diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2005, we encountered 6 cases of HHV-6-associated encephalopathy (3 men and 3 women; age range, 36-55 years) in 3 hospitals. The diagnosis was made clinically according to the neurologic symptoms accompanied by high-level copies of HHV-6 DNA in CSF or peripheral blood by quantitative polymerase chain reaction without the detection of any other infectious pathogen. RESULTS: All 6 patients had abnormal hippocampus/amygdala findings on presentation, and no other regions were involved. In the early period (0-2 days from onset), abnormal high signal intensity on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging (2 of 3, 67%) and on diffusion-weighted images accompanied by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) reduction (2 of 2, 100%) were observed. In the middle period (3-30 days), abnormal low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (5 of 6, 83%) and abnormal high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (4 of 6, 67%) and FLAIR (5 of 6, 83%) were confirmed. In the late period (> 30 days), we saw the resolution of signal intensity abnormalities and the appearance of atrophic change (4 of 4, 100%) of the affected regions. CONCLUSION: HHV-6-associated encephalopathy in adults tends to affect the mesial temporal lobe. MR imaging is useful for detecting HHV-6 encephalopathy and distinguishing it from the other diseases of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients.

Risk factors for vertebral fractures in renal osteodystrophy.

We determined the prevalence of vertebral fractures in hemodialysis (HD) patients, investigated whether low bone mineral density (BMD) is predictive of vertebral fracture, and evaluated the effect of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels on vertebral fracture. One hundred eighty-seven male HD patients were assessed for vertebral fractures, and lumbar-spine and total-body BMD were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometory. Thirty-nine patients (20.9%) had vertebral fractures. Each standard deviation (SD) decrease in lumbar-spine BMD increased the age-adjusted odds ratio of vertebral fracture 2.0 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 2.0) and 1.6 times (95% CI, 1.1 to 1.6) for total-body BMD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for lumbar-spine BMD was significantly greater than that for total-body BMD (P < 0.05). Patients with serum iPTH levels in the lowest tertile had a 2.4-fold greater risk for vertebral fracture than those in the middle tertile and a 1.6-fold greater risk than those in the highest tertile (P < 0.05). When the two criteria of lowest tertile of serum iPTH level and highest tertile of serum ALP level were combined, the prevalence of vertebral fractures was the greatest. Similarly, when the lowest tertile of serum iPTH level and lowest tertile of serum ALP level were combined, the prevalence was the second greatest among the combined groups according to tertiles of serum iPTH and ALP levels. We conclude that low lumbar-spine BMD might be a sensitive predictor of vertebral fracture in HD patients, and patients with relatively low iPTH levels would have a greater risk for vertebral fracture than those with hyperparathyroidism.

Multivariate analysis of risk factors for thrombus formation in University of Tokyo ventricular assist device.

Of 77 University of Tokyo ventricular assist devices used in a total of 70 patients at 21 institutions, 13 pumps were found to have macroscopic thrombus formations. Because 19 devices that were used for less than 24 hours showed no thrombus deposition, they were considered not to have been sufficiently exposed to the thrombogenic environment for macroscopic thrombus deposition and were removed from the subsequent multivariate study. A total of eight potential risk factors were assessed in relation to thrombosis. Prevalences of thrombus formation were compared between two groups with or without each of the risk factors. In a univariate analysis, the following categoric variables were demonstrated to be significantly associated with complications, in descending order of significance: use of gabexate mesilate (protease inhibitor) as an anticoagulant (p = 0.005), normal platelet count (p = 0.010), duration of support (p = 0.038), leukocytosis (p = 0.042), and minimum pumping flow (p = 0.042). Use of heparin and the consequent increase in activated clotting time showed no relationship. Multivariate discriminant analysis, which was done to identify risk factors rejecting cross correlation between each variable, demonstrated platelet count (p = 0.006), use of gabexate mesilate (p = 0.007), and minimum flow (p = 0.008) to have significant and independent risks. These results indicate the importance of maintaining pumping flow above a certain minimum level, addition of antiplatelet drugs to the antithrombogenic regimen, and nonuse of gabexate mesitate.

Cytogenetic effects of argon laser irradiation on Chinese hamster cells.

The cytogenetic effects of argon laser light on V79 Chinese hamster cells were studied. Irradiation with a defocused continuous beam from an argon laser at doses of 100 to 400 J/cm2 had dose-related cytostatic and cytocidal effects. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytofluorometric measurement indicated that argon laser irradiation induced a temporary block at the G2 + M phase. The survival curve after laser irradiation was exponential without an initial shoulder and the D0 value (34% lethal dose) was calculated as 170 J/cm2. A significant increase in sister chromatid exchange was observed after laser irradiation. Laser irradiation also induced chromatid and chromosome aberrations, most of which were breaks and gaps. These chromosomal changes are probably not an artifact of the experimental procedures such as the use of phenol red and antibiotics or spontaneously emitted uv light. No mutation at the Na+/K+-dependent ATPase locus was induced by argon laser irradiation. Although the mechanism by which an argon laser beam induces cytogenetic damage remains to be investigated, the possible involvement of hyperthermia seemed to be excluded.

Physiological control of a total artificial heart: conductance- and arterial pressure-based control.

To obtain a physiological response by a total artificial heart (TAH), while eliminating the hemodynamic abnormalities commonly observed with its use, we proposed the use of a conductance- and arterial pressure-based method (1/R control) to determine TAH cardiac output. In this study, we endeavored to make use of a variable more closely tied to central nervous system (CNS) efferents, systemic conductance, to provide the CNS with more direct control over the output of the TAH. The control equation that calculates the target cardiac output of the TAH was constructed on the basis of measurement of blood pressures and TAH flow. The 1/R control method was tested in TAH-recipient goats with an automatic method by using a microcomputer. In 1/R control animals, the typical TAH pathologies, such as mild arterial hypertension and substantial systemic venous hypertension, did not occur. Cardiac output varied according to daily activity level and exercise in a manner similar to that observed in natural heart goats. These results indicate that we have determined a control method for the TAH that avoids hemodynamic abnormalities exhibited by other TAH control systems and that exhibits physiological responses to exercise and daily activities under the conditions tested. The stability of the control and the complete lack of inappropriate excursions in cardiac output is suggestive of CNS involvement in stabilizing the system.

Preparation and Characterization of Fully Active Biotinylated Analogs of Phytosulfokine-α.

We report the preparation of biotinylated analogs of phytosulfokine-α (Tyr(SO3H)-Ile-Tyr(SO3H)-Thr-Gln; PSK-α), an endogenous peptide growth factor in plants. Because the modification of the N-terminal amino group leads to significant loss of the activities, a Lys residue was incorporated in the C-terminal region of PSK-α, and its e amino group was reacted with biotinylation reagent. Results of the binding assay showed that [N(ε)-(biotinyl)Lys(5)]PSK-α retained the same binding activity and mitogenic activity as that of native PSK-α. Insertion of a single or double 6-aminohexanoic acid spacer between the ε amino group of Lys(5) and the carboxyl group of biotin did not significantly alter the activities of biotinylated [Lys(5)]PSK-α. Structure-activity information obtained here would be useful for the detection and isolation of PSK-α receptors.

A new antipseudomonal cephalosporin CP6162 and its congeners.

The synthesis and biological activity of a series of 3-[2-(5-hydroxy-4-pyridon-2-yl)ethenyl]cephalosporin derivatives are described. They showed very potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (6R, 7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-Aminothiazol-4-yl)-2 -(1-carboxy-1-methyl)-ethoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[(Z)-2-(1,5-dihydrox y-4- pyridon-2-yl)ethenyl]ceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid, CP6162 (8e), was selected for further evaluation as antipseudomonal chemotherapeutic agent.

Experimental studies of photo radiation therapy on neuroblastoma.

A combination of Photo Radiation Therapy (PRT) using Argon-Dye Laser with hematoporphyrin derivatives (HpD) was used experimentally on a cytogenetically highly malignant neuroblastoma xenograft, which exhibited a homogeneously staining region and caused DNA amplifications in chromosomes. The tumor tissue was treated with 500 joules/cm2 of laser. The dosage of HpD was 50 mg per kg body weight. Necrosis of over 50% of the tumor was observed in half the specimens. Swollen cytoplasmic organelles and ruptured cell and nuclear membranes were observed by electron microscopy after PRT. PRT may be used with other treatment modalities for the removal of residual and metastatic tumors.

Pharmacokinetic properties of recombinant feline interferon and its stimulatory effect on 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity in the cat.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of recombinant feline interferon produced in silkworm infected with recombinant baculovirus harboring cDNA coding for feline interferon was studied in vivo in cats. The decreasing profile of the serum interferon level after intravenous administration was fitted to a two-compartment model. The half-times of the first phase (distribution phase) and second phase (metabolic phase) were 5.0 +/- 0.5 min and 31 +/- 5 min, respectively. In the whole body autoradiogram, at 15 min after the administration, the highest radioactivity was observed in urine in the bladder, and predominant radioactivity in the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland and spleen. Almost no radioactivity was detected in the brain or fat. Three hr after administration, the highest radioactivity was recorded in the thyroid gland, urine in the bladder, intestinal contents, and gastric mucous membrane. The data obtained in this study suggest that recombinant feline interferon has similar pharmacokinetic properties to human interferons and that it is distributed primarily in the liver and kidneys, is catabolized rapidly mainly in the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine without residual accumulation in the body. It was confirmed that 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity was increased by the interferon in vivo for 3 days after an intravenous bolus injection in cats.

[Synthetic cephalosporins. III. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[2-(2-Aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-carboxy-2-propenoamido]cep hal osporins and related compounds].

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-carboxy-2-propenoamido]cepha los porins and their derivatives are described. These compounds are of interest as carbon analogues of oximecephalosporins, 7-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2(Z)-oxyiminoacetamido]cephalo spo rins having remarkable antibacterial activity. The synthesized 7-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-3(Z)-carboxy-2-propenoamido]-c eph alosporins (14, 19) show improved activity especially against the beta-lactamase-producing strains. A 7-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl) maleimido]cephalosporin (15) has been also prepared by cyclization of 7-[3-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-2(Z)-propenoamido++ +]cephalosporin.

[Vitreous surgery for macular hole followed membrane peeling].

We performed vitreous surgery for macular holes following membrane peeling. The cases were five eyes of five females aged 42 to 67 years at the time of membrane peeling, out of 441 eyes of 414 patients who underwent membrane peeling. One eye had secondary epiretinal membrane combined with ocular sarcoidosis, two eyes had idiopathic epiretinal membrane, and two eyes had idiopathic vitreoretinal traction syndrome. The presumed interval from membrane peeling to macular hole formation was 5 to 90 months (average 14 months). For treatment of the macular holes, membrane peeling and SF6 gas tamponade were performed. In four eyes of the five eyes, the macular hole was closed. In the remaining eye, removal of the retinal pigment epithelium from the base of macular hole and application of fibrin glue were used in addition to SF6 gas tamponade, but the macular hole was not closed. The follow-up term was 10-24 months (average 17.6 months). Geometrical mean visual acuity was 0.34 before membrane peeling, 0.94 at maximum after membrane peeling, 0.19 after macular hole formation, 0.51 at maximum after macular hole surgery, and 0.44 at the final visit.

[Variables that influence visual acuity after macular hole surgery].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the variables that influence visual acuity and visual improvement after macular hole surgery. METHODS: Our study included 421 eyes in which maculor holes were successfully closed after surgery and followed up at least 1 year after the last surgery. Surgical techniques were conventional methods (Group 1: 350 eyes) with retinal pigment scalping of the macular hole basis added in the refractory cases (Group 2: 71 eyes). The variables used for the multiple regression were gender, age, preoperative visual acuity, hole stage, duration of symptoms, hole size, and axial length. RESULTS: The variables that most influenced postoperative visual acuity were as follows: Group 1: gender (r = -0.011, p = 0.016), age (r = -0.17, p = 0.005), preoperative visual acuity (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001), duration of symptoms (r = -0.015, p < 0.0001), and axial length (r = -0.090, p = 0.045). Group 2: age (r = -0.18, p = 0.047), and preoperative visual acuity (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The variables that influenced visual acuity and visual improvement after macular hole surgery were common. In Group 1: gender, age, preoperative visual acuity, duration of symptoms, and axial length; in Group 2: age and preoperative visual acuity.

[Incidence of reopening and variables that influence reopening after macular hole surgery].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and variables of reopening of macular holes after macular hole surgery. METHODS: Our study included 467 eyes in which maculor holes were successfully closed after surgery. Surgical techniques consisted of conventional methods (358 eyes) and scalping methods (109 eyes) with retinal pigment scalping of the macular hole basis added in such cases: reoperation, hole size (more than 0.4 disc diameter), duration of symptoms (more than 2 years). Long term incidence of reopening was predicted by life table method. After we compared reopened cases with non-reopened cases, the variables of gender, stage, biocular occurrence, age, duration of symptoms, hole size, preoperative visual acuity, refraction axial length ratio, and intraoperative retinal tears were used for the multiple regression. RESULTS: Reopening was found in 20 eyes (5.6%) treated by conventional methods and in 10 eyes (9.2%) treated by scalping methods. Survival ratio was 87% for the conventional methods in 6 years and 79% for the scalping methods in 5 years. The variables influencing reopening were as follows: conventional methods: gender (r = 0.065, p = 0.19), biocular occurrence (r = 0.12, p = 0.026), and refraction axial length ratio (r = -0.11, p = 0.045); scalping methods: hole size (r = 0.14, p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of reopening in scalping methods was high. The variables that influenced reopening after macular hole surgery were biocular occurrence and refraction axial length ratio in conventional methods. The shape of the eye may be related to reopening.

[Factors related to initial success in macular hole surgery].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors of initial success in macular hole surgery. METHODS: This study included 526 eyes of 480 patients who underwent idiopathic macular hole surgery by one and the same surgeon. Surgical methods included conventional method (392 eyes), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) scalping (61 eyes), internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal (62 eyes), and RPE scalping combined with ILM removal (11 eyes). To evaluate the factors of initial success multiple regression was performed using the variables of (gender, age, stage, duration of symptoms, hole size, axial length, and preoperative visual acuity). RESULTS: The rate of initial success was 81.4% in all eyes, 80.9% in the conventional method, 78.7% in RPE scalping, 83.9% in ILM removal, and 100% in RPE scalping combined with ILM removal. Significant factors of initial success were as follows: gender (r = -0.091, p = 0.053), age (r = -0.14, p = 0.0062), duration of symptoms (r = -0.23, p < 0.0001), hole size (r = -0.23, p < 0.0001), and axial length (r = -0.21, p < 0.0001) in the conventional method, hole size (r = -0.56, p = 0.0006) in ILM removal and stage (r = -0.43, p = 0.0011) and preoperative visual acuity (r = 0.30, p = 0.018) in RPE scalping. CONCLUSIONS: Significant factors of initial success were being male being young, shorter duration of symptoms, smaller hole size, and shorter axial length in the conventional method, smaller hole size in ILM removal and stage 4 and better preoperative visual acuity in RPE scalping method.

[Clinical features of idiopathic macular holes].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of idiopathic macular holes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical features were examined in consequentive 526 eyes of 480 patients with idiopathic macular hole who underwent vitrectomy. RESULTS: Sixty-seven% of the patients were female. The mean onset age was 64.4 years of age and 60% of the cases were in their 60's at the time of onset. The mean refractive value was -0.66 dioptor and 40% of the cases were emmetropia with a refractive value between -1.0 dioptor and +1.0 dioptor. The onset age was positively correlated with refractive value. The visual acuity was negatively correlated with onset age, duration after onset, and the size of the macular hole. The duration was positively correlated with onset age. The size of the macular hole was positively correlated with age and duration. The factors for good visual acuity were determined by bilaterality, youth, or small size. Also we found the factors for large size of macular holes to be female gender, long duration of the hole, being in stage 4, and low visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of idiopathic macular hole is seen more in eyes of patients in their 60's and in emmetropic eyes. Patients with myopic eyes tend to have younger onset. The size of the macular hole in females tends to be larger than in males.

[Factors related to intraoperative retinal breaks in macular hole surgery].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors of intraoperative retinal breaks in macular hole surgery. METHODS: This study included 558 eyes of 506 patients who underwent idiopathic macular hole surgery by one surgeon. Multiple regression was performed using the variables of gender, age, affected eye, lens status, stage, duration of symptoms, hole size, axial length, and lattice degeneration. RESULTS: The rate of retinal breaks was higher in stage 3 (16.0%) than in stage 4 (8.2%) (p = 0.014). In eyes with lattice degeneration intraoperative retinal breaks occurred in about 40% of the cases. Major factors were as follows: lattice degeneration (r = 0.24, p < 0.0001) in all eyes, stage (r = 0.090, p = 0.048) in eyes without lattice degeneration, and gender (r = -0.18, p = 0.035) in eyes of stage 4 without lattice degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The factors of intraoperative retinal breaks in macular hole surgery were lattice degeneration in all eyes and stage 3 in eyes without lattice degeneration. The high incidence of intraoperative retinal breaks in stage 3 was mainly due to the occurrence of posterior vitreous detachment. Male gender was a significant factor associated with intraoperative retinal breaks.

[Operculum in idiopathic macular holes].

PURPOSE: To detect the factors related to the operculum in idiopathic macular holes and present a pathogenesis of idiopathic macular holes. METHODS: This study included 583 eyes of idiopathic macular hole that underwent macular hole surgery. To detect the factor related to the operculum, the variables of age, duration of symptoms, hole size, preoperative visual acuity, refraction, axial length, refraction axial length ratio were used for the comparison between two groups and multiple regression. The success rate of surgery and postoperative visual acuity were examined whether the operculum was present or not. RESULTS: The variables that were significantly related to the operculum were as follows: refraction axial length ratio (r = 0.18, p = 0.0092) in women of stage 3, duration of symptoms (r = -0.44, p < 0.001), preoperative visual acuity (r = -0.33, p = 0.0025), and refraction axial length ratio (r = -0.22, p = 0.020) in women of stage 4, and age (r = 0.19, p = 0.047) in men of stage 3. There were no significant differences in the success rate of surgery and postoperative visual acuity whether the operculum was present or not. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, operculum tends to occur in aged and round eyes and possibly does not occur in younger and back projected eyes because of retinal fissure. In women of stage 4, the operculum is possibly a torn retina and does not occur in atrophic holes.

[Clinical features of idiopathic macular holes-differences between sexes and stages].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in the clinical features of idiopathic macular holes between sexes and stages. METHODS: Five hundred and twenty-six eyes of 480 patients with stage 3 or 4 idiopathic macular hole that had undergone vitrectomy were observed consecutively in this study. The each stage ratio, bilaterality, and affected eye were examined and the differences in age, hole duration, hole size, visual acuity, refractive power, axial length, and corneal refractive power were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-six % of the cases were stage 4 in males and 31% in females. There were no significant differences in bilaterality or affected eye between the sexes. Younger age and larger size were found in females of stage 3. Larger size was found in stage 4. More myopic eye and longer axial length were found in males of stage 4. There were no significant differences in hole duration and visual acuity between sexes or stages. CONCLUSIONS: In females the onset of macular hole occurred at a younger age than in males, size of the hole was larger from an earlier stage, and refractive power was less myopic. More myopic eye and longer axial length were found in stage 4, especially in males. This fact might be related to the existence of posterior vitreous detachment. We concluded that there were some differences in the mechanism of the onset and the progression of idiopathic macular hole between males and females.

[Refraction and anterior chamber depth change after vitrectomy for pseudophakia].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between the vitreous and the refractive error in pseudophakia. METHODS: Vitrectomy was performed in 67 eyes of 61 patients who underwent cataract surgery. Vitrectomy was needed for epiretinal membrane in 30 eyes, macular edema in 22 eyes, macular hole in 3 eyes, lamelar macular hole in 2 eyes, vitreous opacity in 6 eyes, and vitreous hemorrhage in 4 eyes. Refraction was measured before the operation, and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation. Anterior chamber depth was measured in 10 eyes before the operation, and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. We evaluated the refractive error after vitrectomy in 49 eyes that had predicted refraction. RESULTS: The mean value of refractive change was -0.3 D 1 month postoperatively, and then gradually became positive. The variation of refraction (6-month postoperative refraction minus preoperative refraction) was negatively correlated with preoperative refraction (p = 0.0052, R2 = 0.146). If preoperative refraction was more myopic than -1.5 D, then refraction became positive. If preoperative refraction was not more myopic than -1.5 D, then refraction became negative. CONCLUSION: About 15% of postoperative refractive error may be associated with the vitreous, but further investigation is required.