Catheter-related bloodstream infection due to Rhodotorula mucilaginosa with normal serum (1→3)-ß-D-glucan level.

Rhodotorula species are environmental basidiomycete yeasts that have emerged as a cause of fungemia in immunocompromised hosts. The insertion of a central venous catheter was identified as a major risk factor for Rhodotorula fungemia. Few cases reports have reported (1→3)-ß-D-glucan testing at the onset of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fungemia. We report a case of catheter-related bloodstream infection due to R. mucilaginosa. Serum ß-D-glucan level was normal at the onset of the bloodstream infection. It took 5 days to culture the isolate. The patient's fever persisted after empiric treatment with micafungin, and a switch to oral voriconazole immediately resolved the fungemia.

Distance learning for maternal and child health nurses and midwives in Mongolia: a qualitative evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Continuing education is vital for the development of the competencies of nurses and midwives. We analysed the effectiveness of a distance education programme for maternal and child health nurses and midwives in Mongolia, assessing its strengths and limitations and ways in which it could be improved. The aim of this research is to provide an analysis of the successes and failures of the programme, in order to improve future versions of this and similar programmes in Mongolia and elsewhere. METHODS: We carried out a qualitative descriptive study in Mongolia in August 2015. This consisted of three semi-structured interviews and two focus groups in the Second National Hospital, Ulaanbaatar, and three semi-structured interviews and one focus group in Dornogovi Provincial Maternal Hospital, Sainshand, Dornogovi Province. In total, there were 22 participants in our research. Data from the interviews and focus groups were thematically coded and analysed using NVivo version 10. FINDINGS: The distance education programme is well received by participants. They suggest that it has improved their clinical practice and education in a number of areas, and are anxious for the programme to continue. A number of alterations would be necessary to improve both the quality of the programme and the ability of participants to foster change on the basis of what they have learnt. This provides challenges for both the programme organizers and the providers of maternal and child health services in Mongolia. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND/OR HEALTH POLICY: The success of the distance education programme suggests that collaborations of this type are a cost-effective method of disseminating best practice in policy and practice to improve the quality of care provided to mothers and children in low-resource settings. CONCLUSIONS: A distance education programme is vital to link maternal care providers in Mongolia to new trends in care. Mongolia's relative isolation means that this programme is particularly valuable there. However, the programme could work equally well in other developing country settings.

Calcineurin Inhibitor-Induced Pain Syndrome in ABO-Incompatible Living Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Calcineurin-inhibitor-induced pain syndrome (CIPS) was used as a reference in the literature as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome related to calcineurin inhibitors. Much of the literature describes CIPS that occurred after kidney and bone marrow transplantation. We describe a rare case of CIPS in induction immunosuppression before kidney transplantation, under administration of an anti-rheumatoid drug. METHODS: A 53-year-old woman had pre-status of ABO-incompatible living kidney transplantation. The patient had rheumatoid arthritis, but that was well-controlled with salazosulfapyridine as an anti-rheumatoid drug. Fourteen days before transplantation, she received induction immunosuppressive therapy consisting of tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and she stopped taking salazosulfapyridine. The third day after that treatment, she had a high fever, fatigue, and joint pains of the knees, elbows, and wrists. RESULTS: When the patient stopped taking TAC and MMF and started taking salazosulfapyridine again, she soon recovered. Next, we challenged same induction immunosuppression therapy with administration of salazosulfapyridine; however, the patient had the same symptom. We considered that the symptom was caused by TAC or MMF, and we did not challenge-test each drug. We found that taking only TAC caused the same symptom for the patient. Also, we challenged cyclosporine (CsA) with MMF and confirmed that she did not have the symptom. CONCLUSIONS: We decided that drugs of the induction immunosuppression therapy were CsA, MMF, prednisolone, and basiliximab. The patient received induction therapy with plasmapheresis and rituximab in addition to the above-mentioned drugs, and we performed ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation for her. The post-surgical course was good, without acute rejection, and she had no pain.

Thymic Carcinoma with Cartilage Formation in a Dog.

An 11-year-old female Chihuahua exhibited respiratory distress and a computed tomography scan showed a large mass in the anterior thoracic cavity. During surgery, it was found that the mass was strongly adherent to surrounding tissue. A histopathological examination of a biopsy sample from the mass revealed proliferation of atypical epithelial cells and cartilage formation admixed with mature lymphocytes. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells, as well as the normal canine thymic epithelial cells, were positive for pan-cytokeratin (CK), CK5/6, CK19, p63 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 6. Foci of cartilage tissue were formed in association with the neoplastic epithelial tissue. In the normal canine thymus, the subcapsular epithelial cells are positive for both CK19 and BMP6. These findings indicate that the cartilage element within the tumour developed from CK19-positive neoplastic epithelial cells, which were derived from the thymic subcapsular epithelium. This case represents a novel variant of canine thymic epithelial tumour that exhibits cartilage differentiation.

Aggressive surgical treatment with bony pelvic resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: In the current era of total mesorectal excision, local relapse remains a main cause of recurrence. Although standard treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) has not been established, R0 resection represents the only potentially curative treatment. However, extended surgery accompanying bony pelvic resection is technically demanding and is still challenging. METHODS: Studied were 35 patients with LRRC who underwent combined resection of bony pelvis between August 2006 and October 2013. Safety and prognostic factors for survival were analyzed. Median follow-up was 33 months. RESULTS: Sacrectomy was performed in 32 patients and 3 patients underwent combined resection of the pubis and ischium. The dominant operative procedure was total pelvic exenteration in 30 (86%) patients. R0 resection was achieved in 27 (77%) patients. No patients died. Pelvic sepsis was the most frequent complication (40%). Recurrence developed in 20 (57%), with the lung the most frequent site (10 patients). Three-year local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 72.1% and 32.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, R1 resection was the only independent risk factor for local recurrence (p = 0.010), and concomitant liver metastasis and initial non sphincter-preserving surgery were independent predictors of worse DFS (p = 0.008 and p = 0.042, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive surgical treatment combined with bony resection for carefully selected patients with LRRC was safe with a high rate of R0 resection and favorable LRFS. However, DFS was not satisfactory even after R0 resection and the main cause was lung metastasis. Preventing distant recurrence might be a key to improve survival.

Missense variants of the alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 gene correlated with carotid atherosclerosis in the Japanese population.

Alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2; EC 2.6.1.44) degrades asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Increased ADMA, reduced NO, and hypertension are shown in Agxt2 knockout mice. There are four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs37370, rs37369, rs180749, and rs16899974) with which AGXT2 activity changes in humans and may be related to vulnerability of vascular sclerosis. To examine the relationship between them, we studied the functional haplotypes of the AGXT2 gene and decided their relationship with arteriosclerotic changes via carotid intima-media thickness (carotid IMT) in Japanese subjects. Genotyping of those polymorphisms and the carotid IMT in 1,426 Japanese subjects were then evaluated. Subjects with C-A-A-A haplotype (rs37370, rs37369, rs180749, rs16899974) showed low AGXT2 activity (P<0.0001; Pearson’s correlation coefficients: 0.497). The C-A-A-A haplotype was significantly associated with mean carotid IMT (P=0.049) and max carotid IMT (P=0.004). Subjects with two C-A-A-A haplotypes exhibited thicker mean carotid IMT (P=0.022) and maximum carotid IMT (P=0.001). In multiple regression analysis, subjects with two C-A-A-A haplotypes were independently and positively associated with mean carotid IMT (P=0.02) and maximum IMT (P=0.005) after correction. There was a significant correlation between the functional variants in the AGXT2 gene and carotid IMT in Japanese. The AGXT2 genotype may be an important factor underlying atherosclerosis.

Clinical features of Bacteroides bacteremia and their association with colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical features of Bacteroides bacteremia for 5 years to determine the risk factors for mortality and to ascertain whether bacteremia due to Bacteroides spp. is associated with colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: This study comprised a review of all patients with Bacteroides bacteremia at a teaching hospital in Tokyo from April 2003 to March 2008. We also conducted a case-control study between Bacteroides bacteremia and bacteremia due to other pathogens. RESULTS: During the study period, 25 cases of bacteremia were due to Bacteroides spp. Bacteroides bacteremia was associated with a high mortality rate (24%). Malignancy (76%) was the major comorbidity, followed by a history of surgery (40%). Colorectal carcinoma was the most frequent (n = 8, 32%) of the comorbid malignancies and was recognized as the primary infection site in six cases. Prevalence of colorectal carcinoma as comorbidity was significantly higher in Bacteroides bacteremia than in other bacteremia. CONCLUSIONS: In the Bacteroides bacteremia cases of this study, colorectal carcinoma was the major comorbidity and primary infection site. Colorectal carcinoma screening in Bacteroides bacteremia patients is potentially an important diagnostic marker for the early detection of this infection in the future.

[Solitary fibrous tumor of the seminal vesicle]. / Solitärer fibröser Tumor der Samenblase.

A 56-year-old man presented to our hospital with a pelvic mass. The tumor was diagnosed to occur from right seminal vesicle and to be a benign solitary fibrous tumor by transrectal tumor biopsy. The tumor enlarged during follow up, and he under-went resection of the tumor.

Ewing's sarcoma / primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney.

A 42-year-old female presented with right back pain. The CT scan revealed a 72-mm space-occupying lesion in the middle portion of the right kidney. No metastasis was proven. She underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and lymph node disection. The histopathological examination revealed a high-grade primitive small round tumor the cells of which were strongly positive for CD99 and vimentin. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using a DNA probe for the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR 1) on chromosome 22g12 revealed a rearrangement of the EWSR 1 locus. The diagnosis was Ewing's sarcoma / primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney. She underwent 13 cycles of chemotherapy, and has no evidence of recurrence 19 months after surgery.

Efficiency of laparoscopic-assisted renal biopsy.

BACKGROUND: This study was made to present our experience and results with transperitoneal laparoscopic-assisted renal biopsy (LARB) in Nagoya University Hospital as a good alternative for open renal biopsy. METHODS: 21 patients (14 male, 7 female, mean age 58 years, range 21-83 years) were unsuitable for percutaneous renal biopsy. Therefore, they underwent laparoscopic-assisted renal biopsy. The kidney was approached transperitoneally via three ports, cortical tissue was obtained using a 16-gauge gun-mounted semiautomatic biopsy needle. Hemostasis was obtained by applying pressure on the renal puncture using gauze until bleeding had been stopped (range 5-20 min). RESULTS: Adequate cortical tissue and accurate diagnoses were obtained in all patients. Mean operative time was 83 min (range 65-120 min) and mean estimated blood loss was 5.5 ml (range 1-10 ml). There were no intraoperative complications: no open conversion, blood transfusions or gross hematuria. All patients walked about freely and could tolerate regular food on the first postoperative day. The only postoperative complication was a hernia formation at the place of trocar insertion 3 months after the operation in one patient who previously underwent multiple surgery for 3 arterial grafts and appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: LARB is a safe and accurate procedure for obtaining cortical biopsies with minimal blood loss. Although LARB remains a surgical procedure which requires general anesthesia, LARB to date may be considered as a good alternative to open renal biopsy for patients in whom a closed percutaneous approach is either a relative or absolute contraindication.

Effects of size of cellulose granules on dough rheology, microscopy, and breadmaking properties.

Breadmaking was performed with cellulose-blended wheat flour. Cellulose granules (7 types) of various sizes (diameter) were prepared by kneading. With increase of the blend percent of the cellulose samples from 10% to 20%, breadmaking properties such as bread height and specific volume (SV) gradually decreased in every sample; however, the decreasing levels of the properties in 7 types of various sizes varied. The decrease of bread height and SV was associated with the size of the cellulose granule. It was observed at both 10% and 20% blends that the same bread height and SV as for bread baked with only wheat flour could be obtained when the diameter of cellulose granule was above 154 mum in cellulose/wheat flour breadmaking, while they gradually decreased with granules below 154 mum. When the largest cellulose granules were mechanically ground to make smaller ones, the bread height and SV decreased with increasing grinding time. It was ascertained that the size of the cellulose granule was important for breadmaking properties. Cellulose-blended wheat flour was subjected to mixograph tests. When cellulose granules above 154-mum dia were blended with wheat flour, the profile of the mixogram was almost the same as that for wheat flour; that is, the profile had a short mixing requirement and showed a viscous gluten matrix. However, when cellulose granules below 81-mum dia were blended, a different curve showing a nonviscous dough due to breakdown of the gluten protein was observed, as ascertained by microscopy. Farmograph test showed that the amount of the released gas from cellulose-blended bread dough increased with decrease of the size of the cellulose granule due to breakdown of the gluten protein.

Review of combination of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis as a modality of treatment for end-stage renal disease.

Because the contribution of residual renal function (RRF) to total solute clearance is often significant in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), loss of RRF over time can lead to inadequate dialysis if appropriate prescription management strategies are not pursued. Additionally, declines in ultrafiltration caused by increases in peritoneal permeability may limit continuation of CAPD therapy. Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis (PD + HD) combination therapy (complementary dialysis therapy) is an alternative method. This therapy allows the patient to maintain daily activities, as with CAPD, while undergoing once-a-week HD supplements for the insufficient removal of solutes and water. This therapy allows for the continuation of PD without shifting to total HD in PD patients who continue to have uremic symptoms even after individualization of the PD prescription. This treatment option is psychologically more acceptable to patients and may be expected to provide such accompanying beneficial effects as peritoneal resting, improvement of QOL and reduction in medical cost.

Conventional and Novel Methods for Facial-Image Identification.

This article reviews conventional and novel methods for facial-image identification from forensic aspects. Among the conventional approaches, three methods, i.e., morphological comparison of facial features, anthropometric indices comparison, and face-to-face superimposition, are generally used. The methods most commonly used in caseworks are in the order of morphological comparison, anthropometric indices comparison, and face-to-face superimposition. A novel method based on the superimposition of 2D/3D facial images is introduced and its advantages and disadvantages are described. Assessments of the reliability of facial-image identification, including expert opinions, are discussed. A new retrieval system using a 3D facial-image database is proposed for the screening of suspects' facial images.

Cellular localization of the signaling components of Arabidopsis His-to-Asp phosphorelay.

In the higher plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, histidine-to-aspartate (His-to-Asp) phosphorelay signal transduction systems play crucial roles in propagation of environmental stimuli, including plant hormones. This plant has 11 sensor His-kinases, 5 histidine-containing phosphotransfer (HPt) factors (AHPs), and 20 response regulators (ARRs). To gain new insight into the functions of these phosphorelay components, their intracellular localization was examined with use of GFP-fusion proteins, constructed for certain representatives of HPt factors (AHP2) and type-A and type-B ARRs (ARR6/ARR7 and ARR10, respectively). The results showed that AHP2 is mainly located in the cytoplasmic space, while both the types of ARRs have an ability to enter preferentially into the nuclei, if not exclusively. Together with the results from an in vitro phosphorelay assay with AHP2 and ARRs, these results are discussed, in terms of a geneal framework of the Arabidopsis His-to-Asp phosphorelay network.

Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy for impacted ureteral stone.

Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy was successfully performed in two patients with impacted upper ureteral stone. The retroperitoneal space was extended using a balloon dissector and four ports were established into the retroperitoneal space according to Gaur's procedure (1993). The impacted ureteral stone was removed after the ureter was incised using a hook electrode. An indwelling splint or stent was placed in the ureter. The incised ureter was not sutured and an indwelling drain was placed in the retroperitoneal space. Urine leakage ceased within 3 days postoperatively. With regard to complications, the first patient developed wound infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the second patient had abscess formation in the psoas muscle. Retroperitoneoscopic ureterolithotomy should be useful as an alternative treatment for impacted ureteral stones because it involves minimal postoperative pain.

CT findings of descending necrotising mediastinitis via the carotid space ('Lincoln Highway').

A 3-year-old girl with fever and neck swelling showed widening of the superior mediastinum on chest radiographs. Contrast-enhanced CT of the neck revealed ill-defined low-attenuation areas with a thick, enhanced rim adjacent to the hypertrophied palatine tonsil. The abscess extended inferiorly within the carotid sheath between the carotid artery and the internal jugular vein into the anterior mediastinum. The carotid space is considered an important conduit of descending necrotising mediastinitis and is called the 'Lincoln Highway' as previously suggested.

Human follicular papilla cells carry out nonadipose tissue production of leptin.

Leptin, a satiety-regulating cytokine, is predominantly expressed by adipocytes, although recently the nonadipose tissue production of leptin has been reported. To investigate the possibility of leptin production by human scalp hair follicles, we examined leptin production and its mRNA expression by cultured human follicular papilla cells. We isolated 12 human follicular papilla cell lines from different individuals. They were identified by their morphology, their high alpha-smooth-muscle actin expression, their inability to differentiate into adipocytes, and by the lack of mRNA for adipose-specific fatty acid binding protein. All the human follicular papilla cell lines, but not neonatal human dermal fibroblasts, produced significant amounts of leptin demonstrable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We demonstrated leptin mRNA expression by human follicular papilla cell lines, but not by neonatal human dermal fibroblasts, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. By immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we detected both leptin protein and mRNA at the lower portion of the hair follicle, i.e., hair matrix, inner root sheath of the hair bulb, and human follicular papilla cells. In contrast, the leptin receptor with intracytoplasmic signal sequence was detected in the follicular papilla cells immunohistochemically, and the long isoform of the leptin receptor mRNA was demonstrated in the human follicular papilla cell lines by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Finally, by using these human follicular papilla cell lines, we showed that cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-4, and growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta1, but not vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor 1, significantly downregulated the production of leptin. These data demonstrated that human follicular papilla cells produce leptin and express the functional leptin receptor in vivo and in vitro, suggesting its autocrine function. Moreover, the regulation pattern of its production by various factors suggests a pivotal role of leptin in hair biology.

Purification and characterization of a basic amino acid-specific peptidase from seeds of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis).

A peptidase was purified from seeds of Canavalia ensiformis by extraction with water, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and successive chromatographies on DEAE-Toyopearl 650M, butyl-Toyopearl 650M, and G-3000 SW columns. The enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 41,000. Activity is maximal at pH 9 and 60 degrees C. The enzyme hydrolyzed synthetic substrates at Arg-X and Lys-X bonds more rapidly than bovine trypsin did, and did not cleave protein or ester substrates. The enzyme was inhibited by alkylamines and several serine protease inhibitors such as diisopropylfluorophosphate, chymostatin, leupeptin, and benzamidine. Cysteine protease-, metalloprotease-, and proteinous trypsin inhibitors were ineffective. Inhibition by alkylamines was dependent on length of the alkyl chains. From the substrate specificity and susceptibility to chemicals, the enzyme is a unique peptidase with trypsin-like specificity.

Efficient oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds with molecular oxygen catalyzed by N-hydroxyphthalimide combined with a Co species

Highly efficient catalytic oxidation of alcohols with molecular oxygen by N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) combined with a Co species was developed. The oxidation of 2-octanol in the presence of catalytic amounts of NHPI and Co(OAc)2 under atmospheric dioxygen in AcOEt at 70 degrees C gave 2-octanone in 93% yield. The oxidation was significantly enhanced by adding a small amount of benzoic acid to proceed smoothly even at room temperature. Primary alcohols were oxidized by NHPI in the absence of any metal catalyst to form the corresponding carboxylic acids in good yields. In the oxidation of terminal vic-diols such as 1,2-butanediol, carbon-carbon bond cleavage was induced to give one carbon less carboxylic acids such as propionic acid, while internal vic-diols were selectively oxidized to 1,2-diketones.

In vitro treatment of human transforming growth factor-beta1-treated monocyte-derived dendritic cells with haptens can induce the phenotypic and functional changes similar to epidermal Langerhans cells in the initiation phase of allergic contact sensitivity reaction.

Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) obtained from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) can be activated in vitro by a variety of simple chemicals such as haptens and several metals. Recently, it has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) can induce further differentiation of MoDCs to the cells that share some characteristics with epidermal Langerhans cells, i.e. they contain Birbeck granules and express E-cadherin. In this study, using such TGF-beta1-treated dendritic cells (TGF-beta1+ DCs), we examined the in vitro effects of representative haptens, i.e. NiCl2 and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), on their phenotypic and functional characteristics, comparing with those reported in vivo in epidermal Langerhans cells during the sensitization phase of a contact sensitivity reaction. Treatment of TGF-beta1+ DCs with NiCl2 increased their expression of the molecules related to antigen presentation such as CD86, major histocompatibility complex class I and class II, and CD83, although weakly, in addition to that of those essential for their migration to the regional lymph nodes, such as CD49e, CD44 and its variant 6, while it down-regulated the expression of the molecules required for homing to the skin and staying in the epidermis, such as cutaneous leucocyte antigen (CLA) and E-cadherin. It also increased the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, but not that of IL-1beta or IL-12. DNCB also increased their CD86 expression and down-regulated E-cadherin and CLA, but did not affect other phenotypic changes that were observed in TGF-beta1+ DCs treated with NiCl2. TGF-beta1+ DCs treated with either NiCl2 or DNCB increased their allogeneic T-cell stimulatory function. In addition, reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction revealed augmented expression of chemokine receptor 7 mRNA by TGF-beta1+ DCs when treated with either NiCl2 or DNCB. Moreover, consistent with this data, TGF-beta1+ DCs treated with these chemicals chemotactically responded to macrophage inflammatory protein-3beta. These data suggest the possibility that TGF-beta1+ DCs present a good in vitro model to study the biology of epidermal Langerhans cells.