Cooling dynamics of photoexcited C6(-) and C6H(-)

We report conclusive evidence of an efficient cooling mechanism via the electronic radiative transitions of hot small molecular anions isolated in vacuum. We stored C6(-) and C6H(-) in an ion storage ring and observed laser-induced electron detachment with delays up to several milliseconds. The terminal hydrogen atom caused a drastic change in the decay profiles. The decay of photoexcited C6H(-) is slow and nonexponential, which can be explained by depletion cooling, whereas that for C6(-) occurs extremely fast, on a time scale below 0.1 ms and can only be explained by electronic radiative cooling via low-lying electronic excited states.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis among shelter dogs in Tokyo, Japan, after a decade: comparison of 1999-2001 and 2009-2011

Changes in the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection among shelter dogs between a decade ago and the present were evaluated. Serum samples were collected from 200 adult dogs in urban and suburban areas in Tokyo, Japan, during two 2-year periods (April 1999 to March 2001 and April 2009 to March 2011). Sera were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using a specific commercialized kit. The seroprevalence of D. immitis infection was 46% in 1999–2001 and 23% in 2009–2011. A decrease was observed in the prevalence of infection between 1999–2001 and 2009–2011; in particular, the prevalence in urban areas decreased significantly compared with that in suburban areas (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in prevalence between the sexes in each period, but there was a significant difference between mixed-breed and purebred dogs (P < 0.01). The decrease in prevalence of canine heartworm disease in urban areas could be related to better veterinary care.

Case report: First confirmed case of canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis caused by Mesocestoides vogae (syn. M. corti) in Japan

Canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis (CPLC) is an unusual parasitic disease in dogs that is caused by asexual proliferation of larval Mesocestoides. A 12 year-old spayed Shetland sheepdog with abdominal distension was referred to the Animal Medical Center at Nihon University, Japan. The presence of ascites was confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography and X-ray imaging. In addition, a number of parasites were observed in the ascitic fluid collected by abdominal paracentesis. Each of the whitish colored parasites was less than 1mm in size. The parasites were morphologically identified as Mesocestoides sp. tetrathyridia. The parasites had four suckers and calcareous corpuscles, but no hooks or rostellum. Mitochondrial (mt) 12S rDNA and mt cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 DNA amplified from the tetrathyridia were used for molecular identification to species level. DNA sequence analysis showed that the tetrathyridia shared more than 99% identity with M. vogae (syn. M. corti) for each gene. The patient was treated with a standard dose (5mg/kg) of praziquantel, which was administered subcutaneously twice at an interval of 14 days. This resulted in successful deworming. This is the first case that CPLC was diagnosed in a dog that had never been taken outside of Japan, indicating that M. vogae is distributed in this country.

Echinostoma hortense infection with enteritis diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a dog

An 8-year-old male Shiba dog presented with chronic vomiting and diarrhea. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed severe enteritis and infection of the duodenal mucosa with Echinostoma hortense. We performed therapy for parasites and enteritis. The therapy was successful for deworming and temporarily improved the symptoms, but the dog died soon thereafter. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of an antemortem diagnosis of E. hortense infection in a dog.

Successful resolution of esophageal granulomas in a dog infected with Spirocerca lupi

A 13-year-old female Labrador Retriever presented with chronic regurgitation. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) revealed nodules in the caudal esophagus. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy followed by histopathological examination revealed esophageal granulomas caused by Spirocerca lupi. The infection was treated with milbemycin oxime. The therapy was successful, and a remarkable reduction in granulomas was observed. This case report describes the diagnostic imaging findings and treatment outcome of a dog with S. lupi infection in Japan.

Characterization of a surface glycoprotein from Echinococcus multilocularis and its mucosal vaccine potential in dogs

Alveolar echinococcosis is a refractory disease caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. The life cycle of this parasite is maintained primarily between foxes and many species of rodents; thus, dogs are thought to be a minor definitive host except in some endemic areas. However, dogs are highly susceptible to E. multilocularis infection. Because of the close contact between dogs and humans, infection of dogs with this parasite can be an important risk to human health. Therefore, new measures and tools to control and prevent parasite transmission required. Using 2-dimensional electrophoresis followed by western blot (2D-WB) analysis, a large glycoprotein component of protoscoleces was identified based on reactivity to intestinal IgA in dogs experimentally infected with E. multilocularis. This component, designated SRf1, was purified by gel filtration using a Superose 6 column. Glycosylation analysis and immunostaining revealed that SRf1 could be distinguished from Em2, a major mucin-type antigen of E. multilocularis. Dogs (n = 6) were immunized intranasally with 500 µg of SRf1 with cholera toxin subunit B by using a spray syringe, and a booster was given orally using an enteric capsule containing 15 mg of the same antigen. As a result, dogs immunized with this antigen showed an 87.6% reduction in worm numbers compared to control dogs (n = 5) who received only PBS administration. A weak serum antibody response was observed in SRf1-immunized dogs, but there was no correlation between antibody response and worm number. We demonstrated for the first time that mucosal immunization using SRf1, a glycoprotein component newly isolated from E. multilocularis protoscoleces, induced a protection response to E. multilocularis infection in dogs. Thus, our data indicated that mucosal immunization using surface antigens will be an important tool to facilitate the development of practical vaccines for definitive hosts.

Resection of an intrapericardial paraganglioma under cardiopulmonary bypass

We describe the case of a 52-year-old woman with a non-functional middle mediastinal paraganglioma. Radiologic diagnosis of paraganglioma was confirmed by multidetector computed tomography and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography, without biopsy. Surgical resection was performed via a median sternotomy, and cardiopulmonary bypass was required for complete resection of the tumor because of invasion to the intrapericardial pulmonary artery. Preoperative pathological diagnosis of mediastinal paraganglioma by biopsy is dangerous due to bleeding, and should be avoided.

Functional characterization of seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the steroid sulfatase gene found in a Japanese population

Steroid sulfatase (STS) is an enzyme that hydrolyzes steroid sulfates such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estrone sulfate. STS has a key role in the synthesis of steroid hormones in placenta and breast cancer cells. Recently, we have identified six novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one nonsynonymous SNP (V476M) in the STS gene in a Japanese population. To clarify the effects of SNPs in the 5'-flanking region or 5' untranslated region on transcriptional activity, a reporter gene assay was conducted. In addition, DHEA-S desulfatase activity of a variant (Met at codon 476)-type enzyme was compared with that of the wild (Wd)-type enzyme in COS-1 cells. The transcriptional activities were significantly decreased (155A) and increased (-2837A and -1588C) in MCF-7 cells. On the other hand, no significant difference was found in expression levels of STS protein or specific activities of DHEA-S desulfation between Wd and the variant enzymes. This is the first report on the effects of various SNPs in the STS gene detected in Japanese healthy subjects.

Impact of visceral fat on laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Obesity is known to be a preoperative risk factor for gastric cancer surgery. However, the influence of obesity on laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) remains controversial. In the present study, we evaluated several obesity parameters and investigated the influence of obesity on the surgical outcomes of LADG for gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2010 and July 2011, 84 patients who underwent LADG for gastric cancer were enrolled. Visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were measured in cross-sectional CT scan using SlimVision(®) software. Patients were classified into two groups by the degree of BMI or VFA. Surgery time and blood loss were compared between each two groups. Predictive factors for perioperative complications were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in surgery time or blood loss between patients with high and low BMIs. In contrast, high VFA patients had significantly longer surgery times (p=0.0047) and higher estimated blood loss (p=0.0034) than low VFA patients. By univariate and multivariate analyses, only a high VFA significantly predicted perioperative complications (p=0.0162, p=0.0288).

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that VFA is more accurate than BMI in predicting surgery time, blood loss, and perioperative complications associated with LADG for gastric cancer. The visceral fat area could be efficiently assessed before laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer in obese patients.

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt(II) complexes with tripodal polypyridine ligand bearing pivalamide groups. Selective formation of six- and seven-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes

The reactions of CoX(2) (X = Cl(-), Br(-), I(-) and ClO(4)(-)) with the tripodal polypyridine N(4)O(2)-type ligand bearing pivalamide groups, bis(6-(pivalamide-2-pyridyl)methyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand (H(2)BPPA), afforded two types of Co(II) complexes as follows. One type is purple-coloured Co(II) complexes, [CoCl(2)(H(2)BPPA)] (1(Cl)) and [CoBr(2)(H(2)BPPA)] (1(Br)) which were prepared when X = Cl(-) and Br(-), respectively. The other type is pale pink-coloured Co(II) complexes, [Co(MeOH)(H(2)BPPA)](ClO(4)(-))(2) (2·(ClO(4)(-))(2)) and [Co(MeCN)(H(2)BPPA)](I(-))(2) (2·(I(-))(2)), which were obtained when X = I(-) and ClO(4)(-), respectively. From the reaction of 1(Cl) and NaN(3), a purple-coloured complex, [Co(N(3))(2)(H(2)BPPA)] (1(azide)), was obtained. These Co(II) complexes were characterized by X-ray structural analysis, IR and reflectance spectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. All these Co(II) complexes were shown to be in a d(7) high-spin state based on magnetic susceptibility measurements. The former Co(II) complexes revealed a six-coordinate octahedron with one amine nitrogen, three pyridyl nitrogens, and two counter anions, and one coordinated anion, Cl(-), Br(-) and N(3)(-), forming intramolecular hydrogen bonds with two pivalamide N-H groups. On the other hand, the latter Co(II) complexes showed a seven-coordinate face-capped octahedron with one amine nitrogen, three pyridyl nitrogens, two pivalamide carbonyl oxygens and MeCN or MeOH. In these structures, intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction was not observed, and the metal ion was coordinated by the pivalamide carbonyl oxygens and solvent molecule instead of the counter anions. The difference in coordination geometries might be attributable to the coordination ability and ionic radii of the counteranions; smaller strongly binding anions such as Cl(-), Br(-) and N(3)(-) gave the former complexes, whereas bulky weakly binding anions such as I(-) and ClO(4)(-) afforded the latter ones. In order to demonstrate this hypothesis, the small stronger coordinating ligand, azide, was added to complexes 2·(ClO(4)(-))(2) to obtain the dinuclear cobalt(II) complex in which two six-coordinate octahedral cobalt(II) species were bridged with azide, 3·(ClO(4)(-)). Also, the abstraction reaction of halogen anions from complexes 1(Cl) by AgSbF(6) gave a pale pink Co(II) complex assignable to 2·(SbF(6)(-))(2).

A pilot study on developing mucosal vaccine against alveolar echinococcosis (AE) using recombinant tetraspanin 3: Vaccine efficacy and immunology

Background

We have previously evaluated the vaccine efficacies of seven tetraspanins of Echinococcus multilocularis (Em-TSP1–7) against alveolar echinococcosis (AE) by subcutaneous (s.c.) administration with Freund's adjuvant. Over 85% of liver cyst lesion number reductions (CLNR) were achieved by recombinant Em-TSP1 (rEm-TSP1) and -TSP3 (rEm-TSP3). However, to develop an efficient and safe human vaccine, the efficacy of TSP mucosal vaccines must be thoroughly evaluated.

Methodology/Principal Findings

rEm-TSP1 and -TSP3 along with nontoxic CpG ODN (CpG oligodeoxynucleotides) adjuvant were intranasally (i.n.) immunized to BALB/c mice and their vaccine efficacies were evaluated by counting liver CLNR (experiment I). 37.1% (p<0.05) and 62.1% (p<0.001) of CLNR were achieved by these two proteins, respectively. To study the protection-associated immune responses induced by rEm-TSP3 via different immunization routes (i.n. administration with CpG or s.c. immunization with Freund's adjuvant), the systemic and mucosal antibody responses were detected by ELISA (experiment II). S.c. and i.n. administration of rEm-TSP3 achieved 81.9% (p<0.001) and 62.8% (p<0.01) CLNR in the liver, respectively. Both the immunization routes evoked strong serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG2α responses; i.n. immunization induced significantly higher IgA responses in nasal cavity and intestine compared with s.c. immunization (p<0.001). Both immunization routes induced extremely strong liver IgA antibody responses (p<0.001). The Th1 and Th2 cell responses were assessed by examining the IgG1/IgG2α ratio at two and three weeks post-immunization. S.c. immunization resulted in a reduction in the IgG1/IgG2α ratio (Th1 tendency), whereas i.n. immunization caused a shift from Th1 to Th2. Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed that Em-TSP1 and -TSP3 were extensively located on the surface of E. multilocularis cysts, protoscoleces and adult worms with additional expression of Em-TSP3 in the inner part of protoscoleces and oncospheres.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that i.n. administration of rEm-TSP3 with CpG is able to induce both systemic and local immune responses and thus provides significant protection against AE.

Humans and rodents become infected with E. multilocularis by oral ingesting of the eggs, which then develop into cysts in the liver and progress an endless proliferation. Untreated AE has a fatality rate of >90% in humans. Tetraspanins have been identified in Schistosoma and showed potential as the prospective vaccine candidates. In our recent study, we first identified seven tetraspanins in E. multilocularis and evaluated their protective efficacies as vaccines against AE when subcutaneously administered to BALB/c mice. Mucosal immunization of protective proteins is able to induce strong local and systemic immune responses, which might play a crucial role in protecting humans against E. multilocularis infection via the intestine, blood and liver. We focused on Em-TSP3, which achieved significant vaccine efficacy via both s.c. and i.n. routes. The adjuvanticity of nontoxic CpG OND as i.n. vaccine adjuvant was evaluated. The widespread expression of Em-TSP3 in all the developmental stages of E. multilocularis, and the strong local and systemic immune responses evoked by i.n. administration of rEm-TSP3 with CpG OND adjuvant suggest that this study might open the way for developing efficient, nontoxic human mucosal vaccines against AE.

Coprological survey of alimentary tract parasites in dogs from Zambia and evaluation of a coproantigen assay for canine echinococcosis

Faecal samples were collected from the rectum of 540 domestic dogs from four districts (Lusaka, Katete, Petauke and Luangwa) in Zambia between 2005 and 2006 and prevalences of canine alimentary tract parasites were determined by coprological examination. Thirteen different ova and parasites including strongyle (43.3%), Spirocerca lupi (18.7%), taeniid (13.1%), Toxocara canis (7.6%), Sarcocystis sp.* (7.5%), Isospora sp.* (5.7%), Physaloptera sp.* (4.6%), Capillaria sp.* (2.8%), Dipylidium caninum (2.2%), Mesocestoides sp.* (2.0%), Ascaris sp.* (1.7%), Trichuris vulpis* (0.4%) and Schistosoma mansoni* (0.4%) were detected, Ascaris and Schistosoma probably originating from coprophagy. The species with asterisks and later-described Taenia multiceps are for the first time reported from dogs in Zambia. A coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CoproAg-ELISA) developed for Echinococcus spp. revealed 43 positive dogs and 37 of these harboured taeniid eggs. From 63 of the 71 taeniid egg-positive samples, eggs and DNA thereof were isolated and subjected to a multiplex polymerase chain reaction for differentiating E. granulosus sensu lato, E. multilocularis and Taenia spp. Amplicons indicative for Taenia spp. were obtained from 60 samples. Sequencing of amplicons spanning part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, which was possible with 38 samples, revealed 35 infections with T. hydatigena and 3 with T. multiceps. Therefore, the CoproAg-ELISA showed some positives, but concrete evidence for the existence of canine E. granulosus infection could not be established. Comparison of the results of the CoproAg-ELISA and Taenia species identification indicated that the CoproAg-ELISA cross-reacts with patent infections of T. hydatigena (57%) and T. multiceps (33%).