Association between evacuation and becoming overweight after the Great East Japan Earthquake: a 7-year follow-up of the Fukushima Health Management Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Disaster evacuation increases the risk of becoming overweight or obese owing to lifestyle changes and psychosocial factors. This study evaluated the effect of evacuation on becoming overweight during a 7-year follow-up among residents of Fukushima Prefecture during the Great East Japan Earthquake. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. METHODS: We analysed data collected from 18,977 non-overweight Japanese participants who completed the 'Comprehensive Health Checkup Program' and 'Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey', as part of the Fukushima Health Management Survey, between July 2011 and November 2012. An evacuation was defined as the moving out of residents of municipalities designated as an evacuation zone by the government or having a self-reported experience of moving into shelters or temporary housing. Follow-up examinations were conducted in March 2018 to identify patients who became overweight. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Among 15,875 participants (6091 men and 9784 women; mean age 63.0 ± 11.1 years) who received follow-up examination (mean follow-up, 4.29 years), 2042 (856 men and 1186 women) became overweight. Age-, baseline body mass index-, lifestyle-, and psychosocial status-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for becoming overweight after evacuation were 1.44 (1.24-1.66) for men and 1.66 (1.47-1.89) for women. CONCLUSION: Evacuation was associated with the risk of becoming overweight 7 years after the disaster. Thus, maintaining physical activity, healthy diet, and sleep quality and removing barriers to healthy behaviour caused by disasters, including anxiety concerning radiation, may prevent this health risk among evacuees.

Reorientational Dynamics in Y(BH4)3·xNH3 (x = 0, 3, and 7): The Impact of NH3 on BH4- Dynamics.

The reorientational dynamics of Y(BH4)3·xNH3 (x = 0, 3, and 7) was studied using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) and neutron spin echo (NSE). The results showed that changing the number of NH3 ligands drastically alters the reorientational mobility of the BH4- anion. From the QENS experiments, it was determined that the BH4- anion performs 2-fold reorientations around the C2 axis in Y(BH4)3, 3-fold reorientations around the C3 axis in Y(BH4)3·3NH3, and either 2-fold reorientations around the C2 axis or 3-fold reorientations around the C3 axis in Y(BH4)3·7NH3. The relaxation time of the BH4- anion at 300 K decreases from 2 × 10-7 s for x = 0 to 1 × 10-12 s for x = 3 and to 7 × 10-13 s for x = 7. In addition to the reorientational dynamics of the BH4- anion, it was shown that the NH3 ligands exhibit 3-fold reorientations around the C3 axis in Y(BH4)3·3NH3 and Y(BH4)3·7NH3 as well as 3-fold quantum mechanical rotational tunneling around the same axis at 5 K. The new insights constitute a significant step toward understanding the relationship between the addition of ligands and the enhanced ionic conductivity observed in systems such as LiBH4·xNH3 and Mg(BH4)2·xCH3NH2.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and focal nodular hyperplasia in patients with Fontan-associated liver disease: characterisation using dynamic gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MRI.

AIM: To identify the characteristic diagnostic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) patients using dynamic gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one FALD patients (mean age, 28.3 ± 7.2 years) with liver nodules who underwent dynamic Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were enrolled prospectively. Twenty-five patients (mean age, 72.8 ± 11.4 years) with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC constituted the control group. The tumour-to-liver signal intensity (SI) ratio was measured at 30, 60, 100, 180 seconds and 15 minutes, and the SI ratio was compared among FALD-HCC, FALD-FNH, and HCV-HCC. RESULTS: FALD-HCC exhibited weak early enhancement with mild washout in late phases. FALD-FNH exhibited marked early enhancement that continued until the late phases. The SI ratio was significantly lower for FALD-HCC than for FALD-FNH in all phases. The SI ratio was significantly lower for FALD-HCC than for HCV-HCC only at 30 seconds (p<0.05), whereas poorer washout was seen in FALD-HCC than HCV-HCC in other phases. In 15 minutes, FALD-HCC had a significantly lower SI ratio compared to FALD-FNH (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The time course of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI signal intensity in FALD-HCC was different from that in FALD-FNH or HCV-HCC. This imaging finding may be useful adjunctive information to distinguish FALD-HCC from FALD-FNH.

Appropriateness of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in Japanese university hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is one of the major purposes of antimicrobial use. AIM: To determine the adherence to the Japanese SAP guidelines in Japanese university hospitals. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including 15 general hospitals and one dental university hospital. Up to three cases of 18 designated surgeries were evaluated regarding adherence to Japanese SAP guidelines: selection of antibiotics, timing of administration, re-dosing intervals, and duration of SAP. When all items were appropriate, surgery was defined as 'appropriate'. FINDINGS: In total, 688 cases (22-45 cases per surgery) were included. The overall appropriateness was 46.8% (322/688), and the appropriateness of each surgery ranged from 8.0% (2/25, cardiac implantable electronic device implantation) to 92.1% (35/38, distal gastrectomy). The appropriateness of each item was as follows: pre/intraoperative selections, 78.5% (540/688); timing of administrations, 96.0% (630/656); re-dosing intervals, 91.6% (601/656); postoperative selection, 78.9% (543/688); and duration of SAP, 61.4% (423/688). The overall appropriateness of hospitals ranged from 17.6% (9/51) to 73.3% (33/45). The common reasons for inappropriateness were the longer duration (38.5%, 265/688) and choice of antibiotics with a non-optimal antimicrobial spectrum before/during, and after surgery (19.0%, 131/688 and 16.9%, 116/688, respectively), compared to the guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the guidelines differed greatly between the surgeries and hospitals. Large-scale multi-centre surveillance of SAP in Japanese hospitals is necessary to identify inappropriate surgeries, factors related to the appropriateness, and incidences of surgical site infections.

Effects of mechanical stress and deficiency of dihydrotestosterone or 17ß-estradiol on Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To observe and analyze the interaction between excessive mechanical stress (MS) and decreased sex hormones on Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA), and to discover TMJ-OA disease susceptibility genes by molecular biological analysis to elucidate part of the mechanism of TMJ-OA onset. DESIGN: For experimental groups, orchiectomy (ORX) or ovariectomy (OVX) was performed on sexually mature 8-week-old mice. A metal plate was attached to the posterior surface of the maxillary incisors to apply excessive MS on mandibular condyles. Male mice were divided into control, ORX, MS, and ORX + MS groups, while female mice were divided into control, OVX, MS, and OVX + MS groups. Mandibular condyles were evaluated by histology and molecular biology. RESULTS: Histomorphometric analysis of the TMJ in ORX + MS and OVX + MS groups revealed the thinnest chondrocyte layers, highest modified Mankin scores, and significant increases in the number of osteoclasts. Gene expression analysis indicated upregulation of Angptl7 and Car1 genes in the mandibular condyles of mice subjected to the combined effects of excessive MS and reduced sex hormones. In vitro analysis suggested that cartilage-like cells overexpressing Angptl7 enhanced calcification, and osteoblast-like cells overexpression Car1 suppressed cell proliferation and calcification. CONCLUSIONS: A severe TMJ-OA mouse model was successfully developed by applying excessive MS on the mandibular condyle of male and female mice with reduced sex hormones. Disease-susceptibility genes Angptl7 and Car1 were newly discovered in the experimental groups, suggesting their involvement in the onset mechanism of TMJ-OA.

Kinetic Control of the Li0.9Mn1.6Ni0.4O4 Spinel Structure with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance.

The development of more sustainable societies has become an urgent goal worldwide. Electrical batteries are currently seen as one of the most important energy storage technologies for the development of decarbonized societies. However, many lithium-ion battery manufacturers currently utilize cobalt, a toxic and hazardous mineral, in their batteries. Lithium-deficient manganese nickel oxide spinels are considered promising candidates owing to their high potential and environmental friendliness. Their electrochemical performance highly depends on their average and local structures, such as phase purities, lattice parameters, and cation sites. Thus, a synthesis protocol should be designed to control these structural parameters to improve their electrochemical performance. In this study, we controlled the average and local structures of Li0.9Mn1.6Ni0.4O4 spinels obtained by co-precipitation by optimizing their cooling rates. High-resolution techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and Auger-composition analysis combined with density functional theory calculations, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis, were used to understand the average and local structural variations and their effects on the electrochemical properties. As a result, the control of oxygen diffusion at different cooling rates can promote the rearrangement of the structure, resulting in a cation-disordered spinel with minimal variations in lattice parameters and composition. Excellent electrochemical properties were noted in the cation-disordered spinel with high crystallinity and a slightly oxygen-rich surface produced via optimized cooling rates.

Smectic Liquid-Crystalline Structure of Skyrmions in Chiral Magnet Co_{8.5}Zn_{7.5}Mn_{4}(110) Thin Film.

The organizing of magnetic skyrmions shows several forms similar to atomic arrays of solid states. Using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we report the first direct observation of a stable liquid-crystalline structure of skyrmions in chiral magnet Co_{8.5}Zn_{7.5}Mn_{4}(110) thin film, caused by magnetic anisotropy and chiral surface twist. Elongated skyrmions are oriented and periodically arranged only in the ⟨110⟩ directions, whereas they exhibit short-range order along the ⟨001⟩ directions, indicating a smectic skyrmion state. In addition, skyrmions possess anisotropic interaction with an opposite sign depending on the crystal orientation, in contrast to existing isotropic interaction.

Mechanical regulation of bone homeostasis through p130Cas-mediated alleviation of NF-κB activity.

Mechanical loading plays an important role in bone homeostasis. However, molecular mechanisms behind the mechanical regulation of bone homeostasis are poorly understood. We previously reported p130Cas (Cas) as a key molecule in cellular mechanosensing at focal adhesions. Here, we demonstrate that Cas is distributed in the nucleus and supports mechanical loading-mediated bone homeostasis by alleviating NF-κB activity, which would otherwise prompt inflammatory processes. Mechanical unloading modulates Cas distribution and NF-κB activity in osteocytes, the mechanosensory cells in bones. Cas deficiency in osteocytes increases osteoclastic bone resorption associated with NF-κB-mediated RANKL expression, leading to osteopenia. Upon shear stress application on cultured osteocytes, Cas translocates into the nucleus and down-regulates NF-κB activity. Collectively, fluid shear stress-dependent Cas-mediated alleviation of NF-κB activity supports bone homeostasis. Given the ubiquitous expression of Cas and NF-κB together with systemic distribution of interstitial fluid, the Cas-NF-κB interplay may also underpin regulatory mechanisms in other tissues and organs.

Membrane softening by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs investigated by neutron spin echo.

In spite of their well-known side effects, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for their antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions. Interaction of NSAIDs with the plasma membrane plays a vital role in their therapeutic actions and defines many of their side effects. In the present study, we investigate the effects of three NSAIDs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin, on the structure and dynamics of a model plasma membrane using a combination of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron spin echo (NSE) techniques. The SANS and NSE measurements were carried out on a 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) membrane, with and without NSAIDs, at two different temperatures, 11 °C and 37 °C, where the DMPC membrane is in the gel and fluid phase, respectively. SANS data analysis shows that incorporation of NSAIDs leads to bilayer thinning of the membrane in both the phases. The dynamic properties of the membrane are represented by the intermediate scattering functions for NSE data, which are successfully described by the Zilman and Granek model. NSE data analysis shows that in both gel and fluid phases, addition of NSAIDs results in a decrease in the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane, which is more prominent when the membrane is in the gel phase. The magnitude of the effect of NSAIDs on the bending rigidity and compressibility modulus of the membrane in the gel phase follows an order of ibuprofen > aspirin > indomethacin, whereas in the fluid phase, it is in the order of aspirin > ibuprofen > indomethacin. We find that the interaction between NSAIDs and phospholipid membranes is strongly dependent on the chemical structure of the drugs and physical state of the membrane. Mechanical properties of the membrane can be quantified by the membrane's bending rigidity. Hence, the present study reveals that incorporation of NSAIDs modulates the mechanical properties of the membrane, which may affect several physiological processes, particularly those linked to the membrane curvature.

Worldwide practices on flexible endoscope reprocessing.

Background: Endoscopy related infections represent an important threat for healthcare systems worldwide. Recent outbreaks of infections with multidrug resistant micro-organisms have highlighted the problems of contaminated endoscopes. Endoscopes at highest risk for contamination have intricate mechanisms, multiple internal channels and narrow lumens that are especially problematic to clean. In light of raised awareness about the necessity for meticulous reprocessing of all types of endoscopes, a call for international collaboration is needed. An overview is presented on current practices for endoscope reprocessing in facilities worldwide. Method: An electronic survey was developed and disseminated by the International Society for Antimicrobials and Chemotherapy. The survey consisted of 50 questions aimed at assessing the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes internationally. It covered three core elements: stakeholder involvement, assessment of perceived risks, and reprocessing process. Results: The survey received a total of 165 completed responses from 39 countries. It is evident that most facilities, 82% (n = 136), have a standard operating procedure. There is, however a lot of variation within the flexible endoscope reprocessing practices observed. The need for regular training and education of reprocessing practitioners were identified by 50% (n = 83) of the respondents as main concerns that need to be addressed in order to increase patient safety in endoscope reprocessing procedures. Conclusion: This international survey on current flexible endoscope reprocessing identified a large variation for reprocessing practices among different health care facilities/countries. A standardised education and training programme with a competency assessment is essential to prevent reprocessing lapses and improve patient safety.

Evaluation of serum IgE in peach-allergic patients with systemic reaction by using recombinant Pru p 7 (gibberellin-regulated protein)

BACKGROUND: Lipid transfer protein (LTP) is a major fruit allergen. It has, however, recently been revealed that the systemic reaction in peach-allergic patients is related not only to LTP (Pru p 3) but also to gibberellin-regulated protein (Pru p 7). We investigated recombinant Pru p 7 (rPru p 7) for its potential use in worldwide standardization for the diagnosis of peach allergy. METHODS: Natural Pru p 7 (nPru p 7) was purified from peach crude extract using a monoclonal antibody affinity column. Complementary DNA for Pru p 7 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E in peach-allergic patients was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using nPru p 7 and rPru p 7 (E. coli product: erPru p 7 and P. pastoris product: prPru p 7). RESULTS: Peach-allergic patients (n = 27) were diagnosed and categorized into oral reaction (n=10) or systemic reaction (n = 17). The nPru p 7 positivity based on serum IgE levels was 52% in the systemic-reaction group and 0% in the oral-reaction group (P<0.05). In the systemic-reaction group, there was no significant difference in reactivity between nPru p 7 and prPru p 7, but the reactivity of erPru p 7 was significantly lower than those of nPru p 7 and prPru p 7 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that prPru p 7 exhibited reactivity in ELISA comparable to that of nPru p 7 for the diagnosis of peach allergy with systemic reaction

No disponible

Enterococcal bacteraemia: predictive and prognostic risk factors for ampicillin resistance.

To identify the predictive and prognostic factors associated with ampicillin-resistant enterococcal bacteraemia, we retrospectively reviewed demographic, microbiological and clinical data of patients attending the Kyoto University Hospital, Japan, between 2009 and 2015. Logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the predictive and prognostic factors, respectively. In total, 235 episodes of enterococcal bacteraemia were identified. As ampicillin susceptibility was uniform for Enterococcus faecalis isolates and almost all ampicillin-resistant isolates were E. faecium, bacteraemia due to these species was investigated separately. E. faecalis and E. faecium accounted for 41.7% (98/235) and 48.1% (113/235) of the isolates, respectively and 91.2% of all E. faecium were ampicillin resistant. Nosocomial E. faecium bacteraemia acquisition (odds ratio (OR), 13.6; 95% confidence intervals, 3.16-58.3) was associated with ampicillin-resistant isolates. Bacteraemia from an unknown source (hazard ratio (HR), 2.91; 95% CI 1.36-6.21) and an increased Pitt bacteraemia score (PBS) (HR, 1.36; 95% CI 1.21-1.52) were associated with 30-day mortality in E. faecium infections. Likewise, bacteraemia from an unknown source (HR, 4.17; 95% CI 1.25-13.9) and increased PBS (HR, 1.27; 95% CI 1.09-1.48) were associated with 30-day mortality in patients with E. faecalis bacteraemia. The empirical therapeutic administration of glycopeptides is recommended for patients with bacteraemia from an unknown source in whom severe E. faecium bacteraemia is suspected.

Evaluation of serum IgE in peach-allergic patients with systemic reaction by using recombinant Pru p 7 (gibberellin-regulated protein).

BACKGROUND: Lipid transfer protein (LTP) is a major fruit allergen. It has, however, recently been revealed that the systemic reaction in peach-allergic patients is related not only to LTP (Pru p 3) but also to gibberellin-regulated protein (Pru p 7). We investigated recombinant Pru p 7 (rPru p 7) for its potential use in worldwide standardization for the diagnosis of peach allergy. METHODS: Natural Pru p 7 (nPru p 7) was purified from peach crude extract using a monoclonal antibody affinity column. Complementary DNA for Pru p 7 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E in peach-allergic patients was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using nPru p 7 and rPru p 7 (E. coli product: erPru p 7 and P. pastoris product: prPru p 7). RESULTS: Peach-allergic patients (n=27) were diagnosed and categorized into oral reaction (n=10) or systemic reaction (n=17). The nPru p 7 positivity based on serum IgE levels was 52% in the systemic-reaction group and 0% in the oral-reaction group (P<0.05). In the systemic-reaction group, there was no significant difference in reactivity between nPru p 7 and prPru p 7, but the reactivity of erPru p 7 was significantly lower than those of nPru p 7 and prPru p 7 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that prPru p 7 exhibited reactivity in ELISA comparable to that of nPru p 7 for the diagnosis of peach allergy with systemic reaction.

The first multi-centre point-prevalence survey in four Japanese university hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The Japanese government adopted a national action plan on antimicrobial resistance, which aims to reduce drug-resistant pathogens and antimicrobial use. A point-prevalence survey (PPS) is a useful surveillance method to gain information about hospital epidemiology; however, no multi-centre PPS has previously been performed in Japan. AIM: To investigate general information about hospital epidemiology, healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), and antimicrobial use in multiple Japanese university hospitals. METHODS: In July 2016, a multi-centre PPS was conducted using a standardized protocol at four university hospitals in Japan. FINDINGS: A total of 3199 patients were included. Median age and duration of hospital stay were 64 years and 10 days, respectively. A total of 246 (7.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.8-8.7) patients had 256 active HCAIs, and 933 (29.2%; 95% CI: 27.6-30.8) patients received 1318 antimicrobials. Pneumonia and gastrointestinal system infection were the most common HCAIs (N = 42, 16.4%), and Enterobacteriaceae (N = 49, 30.8%) were the predominant causative organisms. Carbapenems (N = 52, 17.8%), anti-MRSA medications, and cephems with antipseudomonal activity were the most frequently prescribed antimicrobials for HCAIs. As surgical prophylaxis, 46 of 278 antimicrobials (16.5%) were administered orally. Proportions of HCAI and antimicrobial use in each hospital ranged from 4.8% to 9.5% and 19.3%-35.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This multi-centre PPS recorded detailed HCAI data and distinct antimicrobial use in Japanese university hospitals. Further surveillance is necessary to reduce HCAIs and formulate feasible plans to achieve the national action plan on antimicrobial resistance.

Controlling the lectin recognition of glycopolymers via distance arrangement of sugar blocks.

The arrangement of sugars in glycopolymers contributes to their recognition. The molecular recognition of proteins was controlled by the living radical polymerization of glycopolymers. The glycopolymers were prepared by the copolymerization of propargyl methacrylate (Pr-MA) and triethyleneglycol methacrylate (TEG-MA) via living radical polymerization with a reversible addition-fragmentation glycopolymer chain transfer (RAFT) reagent and by subsequent sugar conjugation by click chemistry. The block copolymers were prepared by the polymerization of Pr-MA and TEG-MA. The molecular recognition of glycopolymers was analyzed using the fluorescence quenching of lectin and found to be dependent on the glycopolymer structures. Two-site binding of glycopolymers to concanavalin A (ConA) was attained by both the glycopolymer with a 105-mer and the tri-block glycopolymer with a 103-mer. Glycopolymers with either a 27- or 54-mer showed much weaker interaction because of one-site binding. The molecular recognition of the glycopolymer was controlled by the arrangement and size of the sugar cluster and not by the sugar density.

Manifestation of hopping conductivity and granularity within phase diagrams of LaO1-x F x BiS2, Sr1-x La x FBiS2 and related BiS2-based compounds.

Layered BiS [Formula: see text] -based series, such as LaO [Formula: see text] F [Formula: see text] BiS [Formula: see text] and Sr [Formula: see text] La [Formula: see text] FBiS [Formula: see text] , offer ideal examples for studying normal and superconducting phase diagram of a solid solution that evolves from a nonmagnetic band-insulator parent. We constructed typical [Formula: see text] phase diagrams of these systems based on events occurring in thermal evolution of their electrical resistivity, [Formula: see text]. Overall evolution of these diagrams can be rationalized in terms of (i) Mott-Efros-Shklovskii scenario which, within the semiconducting [Formula: see text] regime ([Formula: see text] metal-insulator transition), describes the doping influence on the thermally activated hopping conductivity. (ii) A granular metal (superconductor) scenario which, within [Formula: see text], describes the evolution of normal and superconducting properties in terms of conductance g, Coulomb charging energy E c and Josephson coupling J; their joint influence is usually captured within a [Formula: see text] phase diagram. Based on analysis of the granular character of [Formula: see text], we converted the [Formula: see text] diagrams into projected g - T diagrams which, being fundamental, allow a better understanding of evolution of various granular-related properties (in particular the hallmarks of normal-state [Formula: see text] feature and superconductor-insulator transition) and how such properties are influenced by x, pressure or heat treatment.

Effect of interlamellar interactions on shear induced multilamellar vesicle formation.

Shear-induced multilamellar vesicle (MLV) formation has been studied by coupling the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique with neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy. A 10% mass fraction of the nonionic surfactant pentaethylene glycol dodecyl ether (C12E5) in water was selected as a model system for studying weak inter-lamellar interactions. These interactions are controlled either by adding an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, or an antagonistic salt, rubidium tetraphenylborate. Increasing the charge density in the bilayer induces an enhanced ordering of the lamellar structure. The charge density dependence of the membrane bending modulus was determined by NSE and showed an increasing trend with charge. This behavior is well explained by a classical theoretical model. By considering the Caillé parameters calculated from the SANS data, the layer compressibility modulus B¯ is estimated and the nature of the dominant inter-lamellar interaction is determined. Shear flow induces MLV formation around a shear rate of 10 s-1, when a small amount of charge is included in the membrane. The flow-induced layer undulations are in-phase between neighboring layers when the inter-lamellar interaction is sufficiently strong. Under these conditions, MLV formation can occur without significantly changing the inter-lamellar spacing. On the other hand, in the case of weak inter-lamellar interactions, the flow-induced undulations are not in-phase, and greater steric repulsion leads to an increase in the inter-lamellar spacing with shear rate. In this case, MLV formation occurs as the amplitude of the undulations gets larger and the steric interaction leads to in-phase undulations between neighboring membranes.

Predictive values of egg-specific IgE by two commonly used assay systems for the diagnosis of egg allergy in young children: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Specific IgE (sIgE) is often used to predict oral food challenge (OFC) outcomes in food allergy, but interpretation of the results may vary depending on the assay method employed and the patient population tested. The aim of this study was to use two commercial assay systems to determine egg-sIgE values predictive of allergy within the most common populations treated at pediatric clinics. METHODS: In a multicenter prospective study, 433 children with suspected or confirmed egg allergy underwent oral challenge (OFC) using cooked egg (CE) and raw egg (RE) powders to diagnose either true allergy in 1-year-old (group A, n = 220) or tolerance in 2- to 6-year-old (group B, n = 213). Egg white (EW)- and ovomucoid (OM)-sIgE values were measured using the ImmunoCAP(®) sIgE (ImmunoCAP) and the IMMULITE(®) 2000 3 gAllergy(™) (3gAllergy) systems. Children were recruited from six primary care clinics and 18 hospitals in Japan. RESULTS: Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis yielded similar areas under the curve (AUC) for the two assays (0.7-0.8). The optimal cutoff values and the probability curves (PCs) of the sIgE by the two assays to predict CE and RE OFC outcomes were determined for both groups. Values for 3gAllergy were higher than for ImmunoCAP; however, correlation of sIgE and predicted probability calculated by PCs were strong between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: Cutoff values and PCs for egg-sIgE established using both ImmunoCAP and 3gAllergy may be useful for predicting egg allergy in early childhood patient populations.

Erratum to: Seasonal trend and clinical presentation of Bacillus cereus bloodstream infection: association with summer and indwelling catheter.

Bacillus cereus, an opportunistic pathogen, can cause fatal infection. However, B. cereus bloodstream infections (BSIs) have not been well characterised. From 2008 to 2013, B. cereus isolates from all of the specimens and patients with B. cereus BSIs were identified. Environmental samples were collected to detect B. cereus contamination. We also characterised the clinical presentation of B. cereus BSI through analyses of risk factors for BSI and mortality. A total of 143 clinical B. cereus isolates was detected. Fifty-one patients with nosocomial infections were diagnosed as B. cereus BSI, and 37 had contaminated blood cultures. The number of B. cereus isolates and BSI patients was significantly greater from June to September than from January to April (3.4 vs. 1.0 per month and 1.4 vs. 0.2, respectively). All BSIs were nosocomial and related to central or peripheral vascular catheter. Urinary catheter [odds ratio (OR) 6.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.40-20.0] was the independent risk factor associated with BSI patients when compared to patients regarded as contaminated. In-hospital mortality among BSI patients was 20 % and was associated with urinary catheter (OR 12.3, 95 % CI 0.67-225, p=0.045) and higher Charlson index (OR 1.99, 95 % CI 1.26-3.12). The number of B. cereus isolates and BSI increased during summer. Inpatients with indwelling vascular or urinary catheters should be carefully monitored for potential B. cereus BSIs.