Optokinetic nystagmus in artificial hemianopsy

Optokinetic nystagmus in cases of artificial hemianopsy was studied. Hemianopsy was produced by using a combination of a projector, an erasing device and DC ENG. The effect of the condition of foveal vision in hemianopsy, whether reserved or involved, was discussed. When foveal vision was reserved, nystagmus during stimulation in cases of hemianopsy was essentially the same as in the normal eye. In cases of hemianopsy in which foveal vision was involved, there was a remarkable difference between the mystagmus induced by foveofugal stimulation and that induced by foveopetal stimulation. In the former case the nystagmus was very fine and irregular, in spite of the fact that the nystagmus was well induced (it was nearly the same as in the normal eye in the latter case). Foveal vision is very important for the formation of the slow component of optokinetic nystagmus. Foveopetal movement of the image on the peripheral retina is very important for the formation of the quick component. Foveofugal movement on the peripheral retinal has, on the contrary, only a small effect in attracting the eye.

Separated response function ratios in exclusive, forward π(±) electroproduction

The study of exclusive π(±) electroproduction on the nucleon, including separation of the various structure functions, is of interest for a number of reasons. The ratio RL=σL(π-)/σL(π+) is sensitive to isoscalar contamination to the dominant isovector pion exchange amplitude, which is the basis for the determination of the charged pion form factor from electroproduction data. A change in the value of RT=σT(π-)/σT(π+) from unity at small -t, to 1/4 at large -t, would suggest a transition from coupling to a (virtual) pion to coupling to individual quarks. Furthermore, the mentioned ratios may show an earlier approach to perturbative QCD than the individual cross sections. We have performed the first complete separation of the four unpolarized electromagnetic structure functions above the dominant resonances in forward, exclusive π(±) electroproduction on the deuteron at central Q(2) values of 0.6, 1.0, 1.6  GeV(2) at W=1.95  GeV, and Q(2)=2.45  GeV(2) at W=2.22  GeV. Here, we present the L and T cross sections, with emphasis on RL and RT, and compare them with theoretical calculations. Results for the separated ratio RL indicate dominance of the pion-pole diagram at low -t, while results for RT are consistent with a transition between pion knockout and quark knockout mechanisms.

Characterization of putative toxin/antitoxin systems in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

AIM

To obtain more information about the toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems in the Vibrio genus and also to examine their involvement in the induction of a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, we searched homologues of the Escherichia coli TA systems in the Vibrio parahaemolyticus genome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We found that a gene cluster, vp1842/vp1843, in the V. parahaemolyticus genome database has homology to that encoding the E. coli TA proteins, DinJ/YafQ. Expression of the putative toxin gene vp1843 in E. coli cells strongly inhibited the cell growth, while coexpression with the putative antitoxin gene vp1842 neutralized this effect. Mutational analysis identified Lys37 and Pro45 in the gene product VP1843 of vp1843 as crucial residues for the growth retardation of E. coli cells. VP1843, unlike the E. coli toxin YafQ, has no protein synthesis inhibitory activity, and that instead the expression of vp1843 in E. coli caused morphological change of the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The gene cluster vp1842/vp1843 encodes the V. parahaemolyticus TA system; VP1843 inhibits cell growth, whereas VP1842 serves as an antitoxin by forming a stable complex with VP1843.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The putative toxin, VP1843, may be involved in the induction of the VBNC state in V. parahaemolyticus by inhibiting cell division.

Multiple cytokine-producing testicular malignant lymphoma with clinical symptoms resembling infectious signs

We present the case of a 64-year-old male with painful swelling of the bilateral testes and epididymides, high fever, leukocytosis, and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level. This is the first case report of testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL, NOS) immunostained for multiple cytokines and their receptors, which clearly demonstrates that tumor cells express multiple cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)] and their receptors [IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR)]. The clinical course showed that the reduction in tumor size was accompanied by a corresponding improvement in clinical symptoms and peripheral blood findings. Such clinical investigation may lead clinicians to misdiagnose inflammatory disease rather than neoplastic disease. Recognizing this paraneoplastic phenomenon associated with some cases of testicular DLBCL, NOS is important. In addition, this case suggests that the growth of tumor cells may be promoted through autocrine mechanisms of IL-6 and G-CSF, which are produced by tumor cells. The possibility that these cytokines can be produced by tumor cells and can accelerate tumor proliferation should be considered to be a cause of severe clinical symptoms, an aggressive clinical course, and an indication of the necessity of treatment. Certain cytokines may be used as tumor markers in some cases of DLBCL, NOS.

Isolation and characterization of halophilic lactic acid bacteria acting as a starter culture for sauce fermentation of the red alga Nori (Porphyra yezoensis)

AIMS

A screening test was conducted for environmental samples to isolate halophilic lactic acid bacteria (HLAB) that can act as a starter in a Nori (Porphyra yezoensis)-sauce culture.

METHOD AND RESULTS

After 9 months of incubation of enrichment cultures added with 25 kinds of environmental samples, growth of HLAB-like microorganisms was observed in six cultures salted at a 15% w/w level, including culture samples originally from mesopelagic water taken from 321 m-depth and from mountain snow taken at 2450 m-height. Ten strains were isolated and characterized as Tetragenococcus halophilus based on sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. The isolates were inoculated into a newly prepared Nori-sauce culture and were confirmed to be able to act as a starter culture while three reference strains of T. halophilus obtained from a culture collection could not grow in the same culture.

CONCLUSIONS

Halophilic lactic acid bacteria strains that can make growth in a highly salted Nori-sauce culture were isolated from environmental samples for the first time. All the isolates were identified as T. halophilus.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The isolated strains are expected to be utilized as a starter culture for manufacturing fermented seaweed-sauce, which will be the first fermented food products obtained from algae.

A retrospective analysis of the risk factors for allergic reactions induced by the administration of oxaliplatin

This study retrospectively investigated the clinical features and risk factors of allergic reactions induced by oxaliplatin administration. This study investigated the incidence of allergic reactions and analysed the background and laboratory data in patients with colorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy at Kyushu Medical Center between April 2012 and September 2012. A total of 62 patients were included in this study. The number of patients in the allergic and non-allergic groups was 7 and 55 respectively. The incidence of allergic reactions was 11.3%. We compared the patients' characteristics and laboratory data between the two groups and found that the average dose of dexamethasone in the allergic group was significantly lower than that observed in the non-allergic group (P = 0.0111). Furthermore, the incidence of allergic reactions in the group that received prophylaxis of less than 12 mg of dexamethasone was significantly higher than that observed in the group that received more than 12 mg of dexamethasone (P = 0.0103). In conclusion, a lower dexamethasone dose is a possible risk factor for allergic reactions induced by the administration of oxaliplatin; however, given the retrospective design used in this study, further validation of this finding is warranted.

[Clinical efficacy of travoprost-timolol fixed combination on ocular hypotensive agents and ocular surface agents in Japanese glaucoma patients]

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical effects of travoprost-timolol fixed combination on ocular hypotensive agents, ocular surface agents and adherence in Japanese glaucoma patients.

METHODS

28 Japanese glaucoma patients, who had used topical prostaglandin F2alpha analogue (28 eyes; PG group), were assigned to treatment with travoprost-timolol fixed combination. Reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP), grades of conjuctival follicle, conjuctival injection and keratoepitheliopathy, as well as interviews for topical administration, were evaluated. 38 patients, who switched from the topical prostaglandin F2alpha analogue and a beta-blocker to travoprost-timolol fixed combination (38eyes: PG+BB group) were also evaluated in the same manner.

RESULTS

While IOP was significantly reduced in the PG group, IOP was not changed in the PG+BB group. Both groups showed no significant changes in scores for conjuctival follicle, keratoepitheliopathy, or interview.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that travoprost-timolol fixed combination reduces IOP and produces low toxicity on the ocular surface.

Efficacy and safety of prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin injection in Japan

PURPOSE

To report endophthalmitis rates after cataract surgery and the incidence of complications after intracameral moxifloxacin injection.

SETTING

Nineteen clinics in Japanese institutions.

DESIGN

Retrospective survey cohort study.

METHODS

The number of surgeries and endophthalmitis cases in the past 4 years before and after the introduction of intracameral moxifloxacin was evaluated. The survey was performed by mail or interview in February 2013.

RESULTS

All institutions used total-replacement administration rather than small-volume injection. At 3 institutions, 50 to 100 μg/mL moxifloxacin; at 9 institutions, 100 to 300 μg/mL moxifloxacin; and at 7 institutions, 500 μg/mL moxifloxacin was administered. The highest concentration (500 μg/mL) was administered in 14,124 cases. Endophthalmitis cases occurred 1 month or sooner postoperatively in 8 of 15,958 cases (ie, 1 in 1955) without intracameral moxifloxacin administration and in 3 of 18,794 cases (ie, 1 in 6265) with intracameral moxifloxacin administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracameral moxifloxacin (50 to 500 μg/mL) administration decreased the risk for endophthalmitis by 3-fold. In more than 18,000 cases, moxifloxacin administration of 500 μg/mL or less did not result in severe complications, such as toxic anterior segment syndrome or corneal endothelial cell loss.