Mathematical Model for The Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis and Its Applications

We have constructed a stochastic transmission model for lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, and have analyzed its prevalence using computer simulations. In Pondicherry, India, where Wuchereria bancrofti has been spreading, the Vector Control Research Centre has carried out an integrated vector control strategy against malaria and filariasis for five years (1981~1985) with good results reported. Our study was aimed at evaluating the effect of vector control in the context of Pondicherry, and in particular the continuous effect for the post-control period. In this paper, we have used the LYMFASIM model proposed by Plaisier et al., the carrying capacity model by Rochet and the population dynamics model by us. In the LYMFASIM model and the carrying capacity model, we have modified the quantities of parameters in order to fit the models to the parasitological, entomological and epidemiological data in Pondicherry. We have combined the improved LYMFASIM model with the other models. Through simulations of our combinated model, we have compared the prevalence rate in the human population as well as the mean number of L3-larvae in the mosquito population, with and without vector control. As a result, the simulations show that the prevalence rate would be restrained for a long time even if only a small continuous effect of the vector control remains in the post-control period. However, the mean number of L3-larvae would recovered within a short time comparatively. This is because of the differences in life spans between human and mosquito as well as the incubation periods between the adult worm in the human host and L3-larvae in the mosquito vector

Studies on the transmission model of HIV/AIDS among commercial sex workers in Thailand

In 1990s, there were rapid increases in the number of HIV epidemics and AIDS cases in Thailand, Southeast Asia. In particular the risk of HIV infection was very high among female prostitutes who played a large part in the transmission of HIV infection. We formulated a mathematical model for the transmission of HIV in prostitutes. We carried out the model simulations to analyze the incipient spread of HIV infection and the effect of AIDS prevention methods in prostitutes. The simulation of our model indicates that even if the effect of AIDS prevention methods such as the recommendation of condom use for commercial sex workers would block the transmission at rate by 70%, the elimination of the HIV epidemic is still beyond attainment

Chaperonin Contributes to Cold Hardiness of the Onion Maggot Delia antiqua through Repression of Depolymerization of Actin at Low Temperatures

Winter-diapause and cold-acclimated non-diapause pupae of the onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), show strong cold hardiness. To obtain insights into the mechanisms involved in the enhancement of cold hardiness, we investigated the expression patterns of genes encoding subunits of chaperonin (CCT) and the morphology of actin, a substrate of CCT, at low temperatures. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses showed the mRNA levels of CCT subunits in pupal tissues to be highly correlated with the cold hardiness of the pupae. While actin in the Malpighian tubules of non-cold-hardy pupae showed extensive depolymerization after a cold treatment, actin in the same tissue of cold-hardy pupae was not depolymerized. Damage to cell membranes became apparent after the depolymerization of actin. Moreover, administration of Latrunculin B, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, to the larvae markedly decreased the cold hardiness of the pupae obtained. These findings suggest that CCT contributes to the cold hardiness of D. antiqua through the repression of depolymerization of actin at low temperatures

Simulations on Prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in Hokkaido on the Basis of Vole Population Dynamics

In our study, we have investigated the influence of the intermediate host population density on the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the definitive host using a mathematical model of transmission. For the vole population (intermediate host) in Hokkaido, a model of population dynamics has been constructed in this paper which follows the seasonal and annual fluctuations. In the northeastern area, the vole density appears to fluctuate periodically with a 4 year cycle. The prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the fox population (definitive host) can be affected by the density of vole through the fox ingesting infectious voles. Therefore we have prepared a food habit function of foxes and the logistic distribution has been proposed. The simulations which have been carried out using the mathematical model for transmission of Echinococcus multilocularis together with the vole dynamics have indicated that the prevalence in foxes is correlated and synchronized with the population dynamics of vole. In addition they have also made us recognize that it is necessary to introduce a suitable food habit function into the transmission model

A male-killing Wolbachia carries a feminizing factor and is associated with degradation of the sex-determining system of its host

Endosymbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia induce diverse reproductive alterations in their insect hosts. Wolbachia (wSca) infecting the moth Ostrinia scapulalis causes unusual male killing, in which males (genotype: ZZ) selectively die during embryonic and larval development, whereas females (genotype: ZW), in turn, selectively die when cured of infection. To gain insight into the interaction between wSca and the host, we analysed phenotypic and genetic sexes of the embryos and larvae of normal, wSca-infected, and infected-and-cured O. scapulalis by diagnosing the sex-specifically spliced transcripts of Osdsx—a homologue of the sex-determining gene doublesex—and sex chromatin in interphase nuclei, respectively. It was observed that the female-type Osdsx was expressed in the infected male (ZZ) progenies destined to die, whereas the male-type Osdsx was expressed in the cured female (ZW) progenies destined to die. These findings suggest that (i) wSca, a male killer, carries a genetic factor that feminizes the male host, (ii) the sex-determining system of the host is degraded, and (iii) a mismatch between the genetic and phenotypic sexes underlies the sex-specific death

Solar horizontal flow evaluation using neural network and numerical simulation with snapshot data

We suggest a method that evaluates the horizontal velocity in the solar photosphere with easily observable values using a combination of neural network and radiative magnetohydrodynamics simulations. All three-component velocities of thermal convection on the solar surface have important roles in generating waves in the upper atmosphere. However, the velocity perpendicular to the line of sight (LoS) is difficult to observe. To deal with this problem, the local correlation tracking (LCT) method, which employs the difference between two images, has been widely used, but LCT has several disadvantages. We develop a method that evaluates the horizontal velocity from a snapshot of the intensity and the LoS velocity with a neural network. We use data from numerical simulations for training the neural network. While two consecutive intensity images are required for LCT, our network needs just one intensity image at only a specific moment for input. From these input array, our network outputs a same-size array of two-component velocity field. With only the intensity data, the network achieves a high correlation coefficient between the simulated and evaluated velocities of 0.83. In addition, the network performance can be improved when we add LoS velocity for input, enabling achieving a correlation coefficient of 0.90. Our method is also applied to observed data.Comment: 13 pages, 20 figures, accepted for publication in pas

Report of a case of acinic cell carcinoma of the upper lip and review of Japanese cases of acinic cell carcinoma of the minor salivary glands

Acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor of the salivary glands. The majority of ACCs occur in the parotid gland, and ACCs of the minor salivary glands (MSGs) are relatively infrequent. We describe here a patient with ACC of the upper lip. The patient was a 31-year-old male who presented with a nodular mass on the left upper lip. The preoperative diagnosis was benign tumor or cyst, and the lesion was surgically excised. The histological diagnosis was ACC. The postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence or metastasis was detected at 13 months postoperatively. In addition, we retrospectively reviewed 21 reported Japanese patients with ACC of the MSGs. In 7 of the 21 patients, the preoperative diagnosis was benign tumor, and the tumors were resected without preoperative biopsy. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that disease-free survival was worse in patients who underwent resection with a preoperative diagnosis of benign tumor than in patients who underwent resection with a preoperative diagnosis of malignant tumor. The rate of recurrence was higher for ACCs assumed to be benign lesions on a purely clinical basis, or without an accurate preoperative biopsy. ACCs of the MSGs are easy to be misdiagnosed for benign lesions such as mucous cysts or hemangiomas. Correct preoperative diagnosis and initial therapy may therefore be the most important prognostic factors

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Cholelithiasis in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis on four patients with cirrhosis of the liver, two of whom had clinical portal hypertension and splenomegaly. Preoperative examination disclosed hypersplenism in one patient, while mild thrombocytopenia and decreased prothrombin concentration were noted in three patients. However, no remarkable bleeding tendency was recognized clinically in any of the patients. Preoperatively, by Child-Pugh's criteria, three patients had class B disease and one class A disease. Intraoperatively, remarkable inflammatory change or fibrotic change of the gallbladder wall and Calot's triangle was observed in two cases, and collateral veins and lymphangial congestion were observed in all four cases. In the first case, extreme bleeding and lymphorrhea from dissected sites were observed, and a 1.5 unit of transfusion of whole blood was required during operation. Postoperatively, increase in ascites which was controlled with diuretics was recognized in one case. However, the postoperative course was uneventful in all cases, and no serious complications were recognized

Experimental study on dynamic pipe fracture in consideration of hydropower plant model

AbstractIn the case of sudden valve closure, water hammer creates the most powerful pressure and damage to pipeline systems. The best way to protect the pipeline system is to eliminate water hammer. The main reasons for water hammer occurrence are valve closure, high initial velocity, and static pressure. However, it is difficult to eliminate water hammer. Water hammer tends to occur when the valve is being closed. In this study, the pipe fracture caused by static water pressure, gradually increasing pressure, and suddenly increasing pressure were compared experimentally in a breaking PVC test pipe. The quasi-static zone, the dynamic zone, and the transition zone are defined through the results of those experiments, with consideration of the fracture patterns of test pipes and impulses. The maximum pressure results were used to design the pipeline even though it is in the dynamic zone