Disseminated visceral coccidiosis in Eurasian cranes (Grus grus) in the UK

Clinical disease and mortalities due to disseminated visceral coccidiosis were identified for the first time in a group of captive juvenile Eurasian cranes (Grus grus) in the UK during 2008. Presumptive diagnosis was made from the finding of granulomatous nodules in the liver, spleen and other organs at gross postmortem examination, and confirmed histologically by the presence of intracellular coccidial stages within lesions. The species of coccidian was determined to be Eimeria reichenowi on the basis of faecal oocyst morphology and sequencing of 18S rDNA by PCR. A further outbreak of clinical disease occurred in the same enclosure in 2009, affecting a new group of juvenile Eurasian cranes and demoiselle cranes (Anthropoides virgo) and indicating the persistence of infective oocysts in the environment. Clinical sampling of birds during both years demonstrated positive results from examination of both faecal samples and peripheral blood smears.

Anisotropic magnetic fluctuations in the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe studied by direction-dependent 59Co NMR measurements

We have carried out direction-dependent 59Co NMR experiments on a single crystal sample of the ferromagnetic superconductor UCoGe in order to study the magnetic properties in the normal state. The Knight-shift and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate measurements provide microscopic evidence that both static and dynamic susceptibilities are ferromagnetic with strong Ising anisotropy. We discuss that superconductivity induced by these magnetic fluctuations prefers spin-triplet pairing state.

Unconventional superconductivity and antiferromagnetic quantum critical behavior in the isovalent-doped BaFe2(As1-xPx)2

Spin dynamics evolution of BaFe2(As(1-x)Px){2} was probed as a function of P concentration via 31P NMR. Our NMR study reveals that two-dimensional antiferromagnetic (AF) fluctuations are notably enhanced with little change in static susceptibility on approaching the AF phase from the superconducting dome. Moreover, the magnetically ordered temperature θ deduced from the relaxation rate vanishes at optimal doping. These results provide clear-cut evidence for a quantum-critical point, suggesting that the AF fluctuations associated with the quantum-critical point play a central role in the high-T(c) superconductivity.

High temporal and spatial quality petawatt-class Ti:sapphire chirped-pulse amplification laser system

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) operation with low gain by seeding with high-energy, clean pulses is shown to significantly improve the contrast to better than 10(-10) to 10(-11) in a high-intensity Ti:sapphire laser system that is based on chirped-pulse amplification. In addition to the high-contrast broadband, high-energy output from the final amplifier is achieved with a flat-topped spatial profile of filling factor near 77%. This is the result of pump beam spatial profile homogenization with diffractive optical elements. Final pulse energies exceed 30 J, indicating capability for reaching peak powers in excess of 500 TW.

NF2-deficient cells depend on the Rac1-canonical Wnt signaling pathway to promote the loss of contact inhibition of proliferation

The neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene encodes merlin, a membrane/cytoskeleton protein necessary for maintenance of contact inhibition of growth in cells. Biallelic inactivation of NF2 is known to cause multiple cancers in both humans and mice. However, the mechanism through which merlin exerts its tumor suppressive function remains obscure. In this report we reveal that NF2 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lost contact inhibition of cell proliferation and contained significantly increased canonical Wnt signaling. Inhibition of Rac1, whose activity is inversely regulated by NF2, through the use of a dominant negative mutant, small hairpin RNA, or a small molecule inhibitor in the NF2-deficient cells, was able to suppress the elevated Wnt signals as shown by reduced activity of the T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) transcription factor. Dominant negative TCF4 or Rac1 mutant, as well as a small molecule inhibition of Wnt, were able to curb the NF2 deficiency-elicited cell proliferation at the confluent state. Thus, Rac1-mediated canonical Wnt signaling is essential for the loss of contact inhibition in NF2-deficient cells.

Vernet's syndrome caused by large mycotic aneurysm of the extracranial internal carotid artery after acute otitis media--case report

An 85-year-old man presented with a rare large aneurysm of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) due to acute otitis media manifesting as Vernet's syndrome 2 weeks after the diagnosis of right acute otitis media. Angiography of the right extracranial ICA demonstrated an irregularly shaped large aneurysm with partial thrombosis. The aneurysm was treated by proximal ICA occlusion using endovascular coils. The ICA mycotic aneurysm was triggered by acute otitis media, and induced Vernet's syndrome as a result of direct compression to the jugular foramen. Extracranial ICA aneurysms due to focal infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lower cranial nerve palsy, although the incidence is thought to be very low.

Xylitol Gum and Maternal Transmission of Mutans Streptococci

An important caries prevention strategy for children includes measures to interfere with transmission of mutans streptococci (MS). This study confirmed the effectiveness of maternal early exposure to xylitol chewing gum on mother-child transmission of MS. After screening, 107 pregnant women with high salivary MS were randomized into two groups: xylitol gum (Xylitol; n = 56) and no gum (Control; n = 51) groups. Maternal chewing started at the sixth month of pregnancy and terminated 13 months later in the Xylitol group. Outcome measures were the presence of MS in saliva or plaque of the children until age 24 months. The Xylitol-group children were significantly less likely to show MS colonization than Control-group children aged 9–24 months. The Control-group children acquired MS 8.8 months earlier than those in the Xylitol group, suggesting that maternal xylitol gum chewing in Japan shows beneficial effects similar to those demonstrated in Nordic countries.

Electron optical injection with head-on and countercrossing colliding laser pulses

A high stability electron bunch is generated by laser wakefield acceleration with the help of a colliding laser pulse. The wakefield is generated by a laser pulse; the second laser pulse collides with the first pulse at 180 degrees and at 135 degrees realizing optical injection of an electron bunch. The electron bunch has high stability and high reproducibility compared with single pulse electron generation. In the case of 180 degrees collision, special measures have been taken to prevent damage. In the case of 135 degrees collision, since the second pulse is countercrossing, it cannot damage the laser system.

Multicenter phase II study of gemcitabine (GEM) plus S-1 in patients (pts) with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC)

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Background: Pts with advanced BTC have a poor prognosis and no standard palliative chemotherapy has been defined. The purpose of this prospective multicenter phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GEM plus S-1 combination therapy in pts with advanced BTC. Methods: Pts with advanced BTC, with at least one measurable lesion were eligible for this study. Other eligibility criteria included: no previous palliative chemotherapy, ECOG performance status ≤ 2, and adequate organ function. S-1 was given orally at a dose of 80mg/m2 daily from day 1 to day 14. GEM was given intravenously at a dose of 1,000mg/m2 over 30 min on day 1 and day 15, repeated every 4 weeks. Tumor response was the primary endpoint and was assessed according to RECIST every 8 weeks. Planned sample size was 35 according to Simon's two stage method. Results: 35pts were enrolled: median age 67; M/F (22/13); ECOG performance status 0/1/2 (16/18/1). The primary tumor site was; 14 pts in gallbladders, 14 pts in intrahepatic bile ducts, 6 pts in extrahepatic bile ducts, and 1 pt in Vater of papilla. Seven pts had previous surgical resection. Complete and partial responses were achieved in 2 and 9 pts, respectively. Eighteen pts had stable disease. Overall response rate was 31.4% and overall disease control rate was 82.9%. The median TTP was 6.1 months (95%CI, 4.0–8.1 months) and the overall survival was 11.7 months (95%CI, 7.3- months). The grade 3/4 toxicities were: neutropenia (31.4%), anemia (17.1%), thrombocytopenia (2.9%), anorexia (2.9%). No treatment-related deaths occurred during the study. Conclusions: GEM plus S- 1 combination therapy showed promising efficacy and good tolerability in pts with advanced BTC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The role of S-1 in gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic cancer: A retrospective single-institution study

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Background: S-1 was reported to be active against gemcitabine (Gem)-refractory pancreatic cancer (PaC) in Japan and was introduced in February 2005 in our institution. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of S-1 on prognosis of patients with Gem- refractory PaC. Methods: A total of 108 patients (pts) with advanced PaC who were treated with Gem and had disease progression (PD) at the University of Tokyo Hospital were analyzed. The introduction rates of second-line chemotherapy and the causes of introduction failure were assessed. Prognostic factors for residual survival (RS) for Gem-refractory PaC were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: Of 108 pts with Gem-refractory PaC, 47 pts (PreS-1 Group) had PD before February 2005, the time of S-1 introduction in our institution, and 61 pts (PostS-1 Group) after February 2005. There were no differences in baseline characteristics at PD for Gem between PreS-1 and PostS-1 Groups, except for metastasis to peritoneum more prevalent in PreS-1 Group (44.7% in PreS-1 Group and 23.0% in PostS-1 Group, p=0.023). The introduction rate of second-line chemotherapy increased from 12.8% in PreS-1 Group to 45.9% in PostS-1 Group. Second-line chemotherapy was administered in 34 pts, 29 by S-1, 4 by 5-FU-based chemoradiation, and 1 by 5-FU. The causes of introduction failure of second line chemotherapy were poor PS in 64.9%, patients’ refusal in 16.2%, infection in 2.7%, adverse effects of Gem in 1.4% and jaundice in 1.4%. RR, PFS, and OS for second-line S-1 were 17.2%, 2.5 Mo, and 7.8 Mo, respectively. PFS for Gem was not prognostic of PFS for S-1 (2.5 Mo both in pts with PFS >6Mo and in pts with PFS <6Mo for Gem). RS after PD for Gem was prolonged from 3.1 Mo in PreS-1 Group to 6.5 Mo in PostS-1 Group (p<0.001). The Cox hazard model revealed PreS-1 Group (HR2.42, p=0.001) in addition to male gender (HR1.83, p=0.019), poor PS (HR3.52, p<0.001), liver metastasis (HR2.36, p=0.037), elevated LDH (per 100U/L increase) (HR 1.30, p=0.046), elevated CRP (HR 1.14, p=0.023) at PD for Gem as poor prognostic factors of RS for Gem-refractory PaC. Conclusions: Introduction of S-1 might lead to improvement of prognosis in patients with Gem-refractory PaC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Polarization control in three-dimensional resonant coherent excitation

We present an experimental demonstration of an ingenious technique to control the alignment of the atomic internal state in the x-ray region using a periodic crystal field. The alignment directions of Ar16+ and Fe24+ ions were readily controlled by selecting the array of atomic planes using three-dimensional resonant coherent excitation, and were probed via the anisotropy of the deexcitation x-ray emission. We applied this method to a double resonance experiment, and succeeded in controlling the population of the specific magnetic substate in a Lambda-type three-level configuration.

[Vacuum assisted closure for postoperative mediastinitis using a portable aspirator]

We report a case of successful treatment of a methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) mediastinitis by vacuum assisted closure (VAC) using SB VAC system as a portable aspirator. A 67-year-old male with intellectual disability and diabetes mellitus suffered from angina pectoris and underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. He had a MRSA mediastinitis following the surgery. We started vancomycin administration and VAC. It was expected that using wall suction for VAC would be difficult because of his intellectual disability. So we performed VAC using SB VAC system as a portable aspirator. VAC therapy for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery is effective and SB VAC system can be used as a portable aspirator.

Dressed atoms in flight through a periodic crystal field: X-VUV double resonance

We report the Autler-Townes doublet demonstrating a novel type of coherent interaction of atoms not with photons but with a periodic crystal field when the atom is in flight through a crystal at high velocity. It was observed by the nonoptical X-VUV (vacuum-ultraviolet) double resonance of three-dimensional resonant coherent excitation with good coherence. The states strongly coupled in the VUV region were probed by the excitation in the x-ray region. The characteristic spectra are well interpreted by an analogy of the dressed atom concept often adopted for the atom-photon interaction.

Angiographical change of guglielmi detachable coils. Treated cerebral aneurysm in acute stage

SUMMARY

Acute angiographical changes for preventing acute rebleeding on GDC treated cerebral aneurysms were evaluated. From December 2000 to November 2002, 48 total aneurysms in 44 consecutive patients with acute SAH. Acute angiographical evaluations were carried out in 46 aneurysms, including 42 ruptured and 4 unruptured aneurysms. Two cases were excluded because of poor medical condition. In this series, there were no rebleeding cases in acute stage. In the initial embolization for the 46 aneurysms, CO was achieved in eight aneurysms, NR in 15 aneurysms and BF in 23 aneurysms. Acute angiographical observations showed progressive thrombosis in 17 aneurysms (37%). No changes were observed in remaining 29. No recanalization was observed in this series. Only one case of BF, inside the aneurysm bleb was still observed during follow up. Additional embolization was carried out. Progressive thrombosis was frequently observed in GDC treated cerebral aneurysms during acute stage. This angiographical finding seems to show prevention of rebleeding, which is considered important for the management of GDC treatment in acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysm.