Effect of soil components on adsorption of Pepper Mild Mottle Virus by Japanese soils

Poster Sessio

Utilization of Ammoniated Rice Hulls as a Roughage in Barley-Beef Production

アンモニア処理もみ殻(ARH)の飼料価値について検討し,あわせてARHを唯一の粗飼料源としたオールインワン飼料の開発が可能か否かを検討するため,乳用雄子牛6頭を使用し,肥育試験と消化試験を行なった。試験は肥育期(238日)と仕上期(84日)に分け,それぞれTrial 1および2とした。 Trial 1は,開放追込式牛舎で群飼とし,粉砕大麦,ARHおよび添加剤をそれぞれ,80%,14.4%,56%配合したオールインワン飼料(Ration I)を自由採食させた。 Trial 1の終了後,ただちに全頭をスタンチョンに繋留し,Ration Iを引き続き給与した群(大麦区)と大麦をトウモロコシに切替えた群(トウモロコシ区)の2群に,平均体重が等しくなるよう3頭ずつ区分けし,Trial 2を実施した。14日間の飼料切替の後14日間の予備飼育をし,56日間の肥育試験を行なった。 Trial 2の試験終了前に4日間採糞し,消化試験を行なった。それらの結果は次の通りである。 (1) Trial 1の238日間の6頭の平均増体量は241㎏,1日当り増体量は1.01㎏であった。 (2) Tria1 2では,トウモロコシ区の3頭に下痢が発生したため,増体成績は明らかに大麦区より劣った。しかし,枝肉量では両区に差はなかった。 (3) 大麦区およびトウモロコシ区の摂食飼料の消化率(%)は,それぞれ,乾物;71.3, 56.2,粗蛋白質;77.4, 50.6,粗脂肪;75.8, 71.7,粗繊維;17.3, 0, NFE;83.5, 68.6であった。 (4) Trial 1および2においてRation 1を給与した3頭の322日間の増体量は324kgであり,1日当り増体量は1.00kg,肥育終了時体重は584㎏であった。また,肥育期間中の飼料摂取量は1日1頭当り9.45㎏となり,1㎏増体に要したDCP量,TDN量はそれぞれ,0.86㎏, 5.69㎏であった。 (5) 試験開始後22週頃より,各牛とも1～2回の鼓脹症の発生とそれにともなう発育の停滞が見られたが,その治癒とともに,増体も代償的に回復した。各牛にルーメンパラケラトーシスが認められたが,肝のう瘍は認められなかった。 以上の結果から,粉砕大麦,ARHおよび添加剤の単純な配合でも,体重584kg,1日当り増体量1.0㎏の成績は可能であるが,鼓脹症およびルーメンパラケラトーシスの予防についてさらに研究が必要と思われる。Two feeding trials were conducted to estimate the value of ammoniated rice hulls (ARH) as a roughage in barley-beef production. In trial 1, six Holstein steers averaging 265 kg. were fed 80% barley ration for 238 days. This ration (Ration I) contained ground barley, ARH and premix; 80.0%, 14.4% and 5.6%, respectively. The steers were group-fed, twice daily, on an ad libitum basis. In trial 2, the steers were raised in stanchion stalls, immediately after trial 1, and were divided into two groups of three each on a basis of weight. The steers of one group were fed Ration I, and the other ones Ration II containing 80% ground corn, which was substituted for barley in Ration I. This trial was conducted to determine the feeding value and digestion coefficients of both rations. A 28-day preliminary period to allow the steers to adjust to ground corn was followed by a 56-day experimental period. The rations were fed ad libitum with water available at all times by a water-cup. The results collected were as follows: 1) Average weight gain and daily gain for 238 days were respectively 241 kg. and 1.01 kg. in trial 1. 2) Steers fed Ration I gained more than those fed Ration II, which elicited diarrhea. In spite of this, carcass weights were remarkedly similar in both steers fed Ration I and Ration II. 3) Digestion coefficients of Ration I and Ration II were respectively as follows: dry matter; 71.3%, 56.2%, crude protein; 77.4%, 50.6%, crude fat; 75.8%, 71.7%, crude fiber; 17.3%, 0%, NFE; 83.5%, 68.6%. 4) Fattening performance data of steers fed Ration I for 322 days through two trials were as follows: average final weight, daily gain and daily feed intake were respectively 584 kg., 1.00 kg. and 9.45 kg., and the amount of DCP and TDN per kg. of gain were respectively 0.86 kg. and 5.69 kg.. 5) After fattening for a 22-week period, steers sometimes suffered from bloat, so that body weight gain and feed intake decreased. However, the tendency of compensatry growth was observed in all steers, after recovery from this digestive disturbance. Rumens of all steers were generally parakeratotic, however, no incidence of livers abscessation were found. From the above results, it was found that dairy beef steers fed diet containing ground barley, ARH and premix reached successfully a final 584 kg. wt. with 1.00 kg. daily gain except for cases of bloat and rumenparakeratosis. It is necessary to carry out still further experiments so as to find the means to prevent these digestive disturvances

Prediction Models of Breast Cancer Outcome

The goal of this study is to establish a method for predicting overall survival (OS ) and disease‐free survival (DFS ) in breast cancer patients after surgical operation. The gene expression profiles of cancer tissues from the patients, who underwent complete surgical resection of breast cancer and were subsequently monitored for postoperative survival, were analyzed using cDNA microarrays. We detected seven and three probes/genes associated with the postoperative OS and DFS , respectively, from our discovery cohort data. By incorporating these genes associated with the postoperative survival into MammaPrint genes, often used to predict prognosis of patients with early‐stage breast cancer, we constructed postoperative OS and DFS prediction models from the discovery cohort data using a Cox proportional hazard model. The predictive ability of the models was evaluated in another independent cohort using Kaplan–Meier (KM ) curves and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC ). The KM curves showed a statistically significant difference between the predicted high‐ and low‐risk groups in both OS (log‐rank trend test P = 0.0033) and DFS (log‐rank trend test P = 0.00030). The models also achieved high AUC scores of 0.71 in OS and of 0.60 in DFS . Furthermore, our models had improved KM curves when compared to the models using MammaPrint genes (OS : P = 0.0058, DFS : P = 0.00054). Similar results were observed when our model was tested in publicly available datasets. These observations indicate that there is still room for improvement in the current methods of predicting postoperative OS and DFS in breast cancer

Effectiveness of Screening and Brief Alcohol Intervention at the Workplace: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial at Five Japan-Based Companies

Background: Despite evidence regarding the effectiveness of screening and brief interventions for excessive alcohol use in primary care, these tools are not a part of routine practice. It has been suggested that using these tools at the workplace may be critical to alcohol-associated harm; however, evidence for this claim is unclear. The aim of this article is to develop a study protocol which evaluates the effect of brief alcohol intervention at the workplace to reduce harmful alcohol drinking. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving employees (aged 20–74 years) of five Japan-based companies who were screened “positive” by Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is on-going. Participants were randomized into “Patient Information Leaflet” (control group), “Brief Advice and Counselling,” and “Five-minute Brief Advice” groups. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess alcohol consumption, lifestyle behavior, health status, work performance, and consequences of alcohol use. Data of laboratory markers were collected from routine health checkups.Results: A total of 351 participants were randomized into Patient Information Leaflet (n = 111), Brief Advice and Counselling (n = 128), and Five-minute Brief Advice (n = 112) groups. Participants were mostly men with a median age of 49 years. Median AUDIT score and weekly alcohol consumption were 11 points and 238 g/week, respectively. Two-thirds of the participants were manufacturing workers. Conclusion: This study protocol developed the first trial in Japan to investigate the effect of brief alcohol intervention combined with a recommended screening tool at the workplace. Our findings can provide evidence on the effectiveness and relevance of these tools to occupational health

The outcome and a new ISN/RPS 2003 classification of lupus nephritis in Japanese

The outcome and a new ISN/RPS 2003 classification of lupus nephritis in Japanese.BackgroundA considerable diversity in prognosis is seen with lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN). Hence, the clinical usefulness of a recent International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) 2003 classification to judge the long-term outcome of human LGN has been investigated.MethodsWe studied retrospectively 60 subjects with LGN (7 males, 53 females, mean age of 33 years old) who underwent renal biopsies and were followed from 1 to 366 months, with a mean of 187 months. We diagnosed renal pathology as classes, active and sclerosing lesions, according to the new and WHO1995 classification of LGN, and analyzed the clinicopathologic factors affecting to the prognosis of LGN.ResultsNew classification got much higher consensus in the judgment of classes (98% vs. 83%, P = 0.0084). The group of Class IV-S (N = 6) or IV-G (N = 17) at initial biopsies showed higher rate of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) compared with that of Class I, II, III or V (40.9% vs. 2.6%, P < 0.001). The mean 50% renal survival time of Class IV was 189 ± 29 months, and patients with Class IV-S tended to have a poorer prognosis (95 ± 22 months for IV-S vs. 214 ± 35 months for IV-G, P = 0.1495). Class IV was also selected as the most significant risk factor for ESRF by stepwise model (P = 0.002). In subanalysis for ESRF in Class IV (-S or –G), treatment including methylprednisolone pulse therapy was only selected as a significant improving factor for primary outcome (P = 0.034). In addition, activity index was the significant risk factor of death and/or ESRF after initial renal biopsies (P = 0.043). As for actuarial patient death during all follow-up periods, complications with anti-phospholipid syndrome or nephrotic syndrome were significant risk factors (P = 0.013, P = 0.041, respectively).ConclusionNew ISN/RPS 2003 classification provided beneficial pathologic information relevant to the long-term renal outcome and the optimal therapy preventing ESRF and/or death in patients with LGN

Heat-not-burn tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and combustible cigarette use among Japanese adolescents: a nationwide population survey 2017

Background: From among the global public health concerns, smoking remains one of the most crucial challenges. Especially for adolescents, the increase in the use of electronic cigarettes is controversial, as its use may lead to established smoking. In Japan, where a unique tobacco regulation system exists, the heat-not-burn tobacco market has been growing. However, the prevalence and association of combustible cigarettes and new tobacco-related products have not yet been closely investigated among Japanese adolescents. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of smoking among adolescents, including new types of tobacco-related products, and to compare the characteristics of their users. Methods: The 2017 Lifestyle Survey of Adolescents is a nationally-representative survey collected in Japan. From the national school directory, 98 junior high schools and 86 high schools were randomly sampled throughout Japan. The students completed an anonymous questionnaire at school. We calculated the prevalence of use for each type of tobacco product. Then, the use of a combination of products and the characteristics of different types of products were examined. Results: In total, 64,152 students from 48 junior high schools and 55 high schools were included the analysis (school response rate = 56%, Mage = 15.7 years, 53.9% boys). The age-adjusted rate of ever (current) use of electronic cigarettes was 2.1% (0.7%) in junior high school and 3.5% (1.0%) in high school; that of combustible cigarettes was 2.6% (0.6%) in junior high school and 5.1% (1.5%) in high school. The rate of heat-not-burn tobacco use was lower relative to other products: 1.1% (0.5%) in junior high school and 2.2% (0.9%) in high school. An examination of the combined use of the three products identified a high number of dual users. Comparisons between different types of users indicated different backgrounds for combustible cigarette users and new product users. Conclusions: The prevalence of new tobacco-alternative products is growing in popularity among Japanese adolescents. Dual use is common, and many adolescents use new products only. Moreover, e-cigarettes might attract a broader range of groups to smoking. Continuous monitoring and research are needed to investigate their influence as a possible gateway to tobacco smoking

Laparoscopic repair of an abdominal incisional hernia above the pubis

　　Laparoscopic repair of a suprapubic hernia typically carries a high risk of recurrence, because fixation of the mesh in the peripubic area is difficult. We herein report a patient undergoing laparoscopic repair of a suprapubic hernia, along with a description of the surgical techniques employed. 　A 78-year-old woman visited our hospital with a chief complaint of swelling at the median hypogastric incision site after surgery for an ovarian cyst performed at age 25 years. Laparoscopic examination revealed the hernia orifice to be 3.5×3.0 cm in size and that the distance between the caudal margin of the hernia orifice and the pubis was 2.5 cm. Parietex composite mesh was used for fixation through all layers of the abdominal wall with non-absorbable sutures and tack fixation. On the pubic side, after the pubis had been exposed by separating it from the bladder, we performed mesh fixation through all layers of the abdominal wall immediately above the pubis with the sutures placed inside the mesh, combined with tack mesh fixation directly to the pubis. This procedure enabled definite fixation of the mesh. Six days after surgery, she was discharged without complications. To date, two years and five months after surgery, no recurrence has been observed

Usefulness of Choline-PET for the detection of residual hemangiopericytoma in the skull base: comparison with FDG-PET

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Choline is a new PET tracer that is useful for the detection of malignant tumor. Choline is a precursor of the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major phospholipid in the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells. Malignant tumors have an elevated level of phosphatidylcholine in cell membrane. Thus, choline is a marker of tumor malignancy.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The patient was a 51-year-old man with repeated recurrent hemangiopericytoma in the skull base. We performed Choline-PET in this patient after various treatments and compared findings with those of FDG-PET.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Choline accumulated in this tumor, but FDG did not accumulate. We diagnosed this tumor as residual hemangiopericytoma and performed the resection of the residual tumor. FDG-PET is not appropriate for skull base tumor detection because uptake in the brain is very strong.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We emphasize the usefulness of Choline-PET for the detection of residual hemangiopericytoma in the skull base after various treatments, compared with FDG-PET.</p

Prevention of Adoptively Transferred Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice with IL-10–Transduced Islet-specific Th1 Lymphocytes A Gene Therapy Model for Autoimmune Diabetes

Four pancreatic islet-specific CD4+ helper T (Th) 1 (Th1) clones and two Th1 clones transduced with an SRα promoter-linked murine IL-10 (mIL-10) cDNA of 2.0–6.0×10[6] cells were adoptively transferred to nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice at age 8 d. Cyclophosphamide (CY) was administered at age 37 d (plus CY), and the incidence of diabetes and the histological grade of insulitis were examined at age 47 d. After the adoptive transfer of IL-10–transduced Th1 cells, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reversetranscription (RT)-PCR detected the neo gene and the retrovirus vector-mediated IL-10 mRNA in situ in recipient islets, respectively. RT-PCR detected the decrease of IFN-γ mRNA relative to IL-10 mRNA in IL-10–transduced Th1 clones in vitro and also in recipient islets. All four wild type Th1 clones plus CY induced the insulitis grade of 2.75 and diabetes in 66% of recipient NOD mice. IL-10–transduced two Th1 clones plus CY induced periinsulitis with the grade of 1.43 and diabetes in 8.0%. The 1:1 mixture of wild type Th1 cells and IL-10–transduced Th1 cells plus CY induced periinsulitis with the grade of 1.85 and diabetes in 20%. The suppression of diabetes through decreasing IFN-γ mRNA by the tissue-specific delivery of IL-10 to pancreatic islets with IL-10–transduced Th1 cells affords us the starting basis to develop the gene therapy for autoimmune diabetes