Failure to achieve 2-log10 viral decrease in first four weeks of peg-IFNalpha-2b plus ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C with genotype 1b and high viral titer is useful in predicting non-response: evaluation of response-guided therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To clarify clinical parameters predicting sustained viral response (SVR) during 48 weeks pegylated-interferon (peg-IFN)alpha-2b plus ribavirin therapy for Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C [CH(C)] genotype 1b and high viral titers. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty-one (151) patients receiving peg-IFNalpha-2b plus ribavirin therapy for 48 weeks were enrolled. SVR and clinical parameters were evaluated. The relationship between virological parameters (substitutions in the core and NS5A) and the degree of early viral decrease was also studied. RESULTS: Seventy (46.4%) patients achieved SVR (per protocol analysis). Negative predictive value (NPV) of <2-log10 decrease after 4 weeks of therapy for SVR was 78.0%; similar to that for failing to achieve early viral response (EVR) at 12 weeks (82.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Failure to achieve 2- log10 decrease in the first 4 weeks may be an important predictor of non-SVR during 48 weeks of peg-IFNalpha-2b plus ribavirin therapy; thus, therapeutic plans should be reassessed at that point.

Delusion of oral parasitosis and thalamic pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Delusional parasitosis is an uncommon psychiatric condition in which patients have the immutable conviction that small, living organisms, such as worms, insects, or larvae infest their skin or other organs. OBJECTIVE/METHOD: The authors describe a case of an unusual association of delusional parasitosis and thalamic pain syndrome after left-posterior thalamic hemorrhage. The patient initially suffered from dysesthesia and burning pain typical of thalamic pain syndrome and subsequently developed delusional oral parasitosis ("worms" infesting her mouth). RESULTS: Sulpiride 100 mg/day administered in addition to amitriptyline gradually improved her delusions within 3 months. DISCUSSION: The authors speculate that this specific type of delusion can be elicited by the disruption of the somatosensory pathway and that the subsequent cortical sensory deafferentiation and reorganization arising from this disruption may contribute to the development of delusional parasitosis.

Short-term dynamics of cyanobacterial toxins (microcystins) following a discharge from a coastal reservoir in Isahaya Bay, Japan.

Freshwater cyanobacteria produce highly toxic substances such as microcystins (MCs), and water containing MCs is often discharged to downstream and coastal areas. We conducted field monitoring in Isahaya Bay to clarify the short-term dynamics of MCs discharged from a reservoir following a cyanobacteria bloom in the warm season. MCs were detected in the seawater of the bay (max. 0.10 µg L(-1)), and were deposited on the sea floor, with the MC content of the surface sediment increasing by approximately five times (0.11±0.077-0.53±0.15 µg kgww(-1), mean±SD) at the four stations near the reservoir drainage gate before and after the discharge. The MCs was then transported from the mouth of the bay by tidal currents during the period of the study. Therefore, the MCs were moved away from the closed water area where the cyanobacteria blooms, and spread throughout the coastal area.

Stainless-Steel Ball-Milling Method for Hydro-/Deutero-genation using H2O/D2O as a Hydrogen/Deuterium Source.

A one-pot continuous-flow method for hydrogen (deuterium) generation and subsequent hydrogenation (deuterogenation) was developed using a stainless-steel (SUS304)-mediated ball-milling approach. SUS304, especially zero-valent Cr and Ni as constituents of the SUS304, and mechanochemical processing played crucial roles in the development of the reactions.

Autoimmune myelofibrosis accompanied by Sjögren's syndrome in a 47, XXX/46, XX mosaic woman.

This report describes a patient with autoimmune myelofibrosis accompanied by Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A 36-year-old woman was admitted due to petechiae, purpura, gingival bleeding, dyspnea on exertion, and a lack of concentration. She had pancytopenia and was diagnosed with SS. A bone marrow study showed hypercellular marrow with reticulin fibrosis. Lymphocytic infiltrates and aggregates composed of a mixture of T and B cells in the marrow were also observed. A chromosomal analysis of the marrow cells showed 47, XXX and an analysis of peripheral lymphocytes revealed 47, XXX/46, XX mosaic results. The patient's cytopenia resolved following treatment with oral prednisolone.

Inhibitory effects of the phenolic fraction from the pomace of Vitis coignetiae on biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans.

OBJECTIVES: The anti-cariogenic properties of the phenolic fraction from the pomace of Vitis coignetiae (VcPP) were evaluated by in vitro assays and compared with fruit juices from V. coignetiae and common grapes and with other phenolic fractions. The effects of VcPP against the biofilm of Streptococcus mutans were investigated. DESIGN: Sucrose-dependent biofilm formation by S. mutans cultured in the presence of VcPP was measured by crystal violet dye uptake. Inhibition of adhesion to the saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (sHA) beads was quantified using fluorescent-labelled cells. The MIC for S. mutans was determined by colony counting on agar plates containing VcPP. The ability of VcPP to inhibit glucan synthesis by three distinct recombinant glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) was assessed by quantifying the production of water-soluble and -insoluble polysaccharides in bacterial cultures. In addition, the buffering effect of VcPP in cultures of S. mutans was evaluated. RESULTS: VcPP reduced adhesion of S. mutans to sHA and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. The MIC of VcPP was 7.50mg/ml. VcPP inhibited GtfB activity associated with the synthesis of water-insoluble glucans. It also inhibited GtfD activity associated with the synthesis of water-soluble glucans at a concentration which was lower than that used for inhibition of GtfB. VcPP had no effect on acidification associated with glucose utilization by S. mutans. CONCLUSIONS: The current study supports the potential of VcPP as a food additive for reducing caries by inhibiting adhesion to the tooth surface and GtfD-mediated soluble glucan synthesis.