Genetics of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus strains responsible for rabbit haemorrhagic disease outbreaks in Japan between 2000 and 2020.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a highly contagious and fatal disease in rabbits caused by the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), which includes two genotypes, RHDV-GI.1 and RHDV2-GI.2.

[Safety and Efficacy of Robot-Assisted Surgery for Early Uterine Cancer in Our Institution over Five Years Since Its Introduction].

Lacking experience of laparoscopic surgery against gynecologic malignancies, we started performing robot-assisted surgery for uterine cancer in September 2017. Here we compared the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted surgery with those of open surgery in early-stage uterine cancer patients. The surgical time was significantly longer and the blood loss and hospital stay were significantly shorter for robot-assisted versus open surgery.

Isolation and immortalization of macrophages derived from fetal porcine small intestine and their susceptibility to porcine viral pathogen infections.

Macrophages are a heterogeneous population of cells that are present in all vertebrate tissues. They play a key role in the innate immune system, and thus, cultures of macrophages provide a valuable model for exploring their tissue-specific functions and interactions with pathogens. Porcine macrophage cultures are often used for the identification and characterization of porcine viral pathogens.

Whole-genome sequencing of live attenuated bovine adenovirus type 7 vaccine strain TS-GT suggests biomarkers for virulence attenuation.

Bovine adenovirus type 7 (BAdV-7) is one of the most important respiratory and enteric pathogens in the cattle industry. Although live attenuated vaccines are used to control the virus in Japan, limited information is available on the genomic regions that determine viral pathogenicity. We determined the complete genome sequence of the attenuated BAdV-7 strain TS-GT.

Iliac artery-enteric fistula developed during bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer: A case report and literature review.

An arterioenteric fistula is a devastating and life-threatening condition. As patients often present in extremis from hemorrhage shock, an early diagnosis and prompt life-saving interventions have to be performed. In this report, we describe a case of a 38-year-old Japanese woman who presented with hematochezia that rapidly progressed to hemorrhagic shock secondary to an iliac artery-enteric fistula that developed during bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer.

Nissle 1917 Enhances Efficacy of Oral Attenuated Human Rotavirus Vaccine in a Gnotobiotic Piglet Model.

Human rotavirus (HRV) infection is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. Current oral vaccines perform poorly in developing countries where efficacious vaccines are needed the most. Therefore, an alternative affordable strategy to enhance efficacy of the current RV vaccines is necessary.

Strains Isolated From the Porcine Gut Modulate Innate Immune Responses in Epithelial Cells and Improve Protection Against Intestinal Viral-Bacterial Superinfection.

Previously, we constructed a library of strains from the intestine of wakame-fed pigs and reported a strain-dependent capacity to modulate IFN-β expression in porcine intestinal epithelial (PIE) cells. In this work, we further characterized the immunomodulatory activities of strains from wakame-fed pigs by evaluating their ability to modulate TLR3- and TLR4-mediated innate immune responses in PIE cells. Two strains with a remarkable immunomodulatory potential were selected: FFIG35 and FFIG58.

An outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) caused by Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in Ehime, Japan.

A total of ten 1-2-year-old rabbits died within 2 weeks at a facility in Ehime prefecture in May 2019. Necropsy revealed liver discoloration and fragility, hemorrhage of some organs and blood coagulation failure. On histopathologic examination, necrotizing hepatitis was a common finding, together with fibrin thrombi in the small vessels and hemorrhage in some organs.

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 Enhances Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in a Ciprofloxacin-Treated Defined-Microbiota Piglet Model of Human Rotavirus Infection.

Human rotavirus (HRV) infection is a major cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Broad-spectrum antibiotic-induced intestinal microbial imbalance and the ensuing immune-metabolic dysregulation contribute to the persistence of HRV diarrhea. Nissle 1917 (EcN), a Gram-negative probiotic, was shown to be a potent immunostimulant and alleviated HRV-induced diarrhea in monocolonized gnotobiotic (Gn) piglets.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bovine Adenovirus Type 7 Strain Fukuroi, Isolated from a Cow with Respiratory Disease.

We determined the complete genome sequence of the bovine adenovirus type 7 prototype strain Fukuroi using next-generation sequencing technology. We found that the viral genome is 30,034 bp long and has the shortest inverted terminal repeats among known adenoviruses.

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 administered as a dextranomar microsphere biofilm enhances immune responses against human rotavirus in a neonatal malnourished pig model colonized with human infant fecal microbiota.

Human rotavirus (HRV) is a leading cause of diarrhea in children. It causes significant morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where HRV vaccine efficacy is low. The probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN) 1917 has been widely used in the treatment of enteric diseases in humans.

Systemic and intestinal porcine epidemic diarrhea virus-specific antibody response and distribution of antibody-secreting cells in experimentally infected conventional pigs.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a coronavirus disease characterized by the rapid spread of severe diarrhea among pigs. PED virus (PEDV) infects and replicates mainly in the epithelial cells of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon. Serum or mucosal IgA antibody levels have been used to predict both vaccine efficacy and the level of protective immunity to enteric infectious diseases in individuals or herds.

Usefulness of Plasma Glucose Adjusted #C (labile HbA1c fraction) Levels for the Screening of Variant Hemoglobin with Diabetes Mellitus.

Labile HbA1c migrates in the #C fraction with modified hemoglobin (Hb) (such as carbamylated Hb, acetaldehyde Hb, and acetylated Hb) when HbA1c is measured by Arkray's high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We previously reported the usefulness of #C levels for the screening of variant Hb without diabetes mellitus. Because the #C levels are affected by plasma glucose levels, we investigated the usefulness of plasma glucose adjusted #C (PGa#C) for the screening of variant Hb complicated with diabetes mellitus.

Malnutrition Decreases Antibody Secreting Cell Numbers Induced by an Oral Attenuated Human Rotavirus Vaccine in a Human Infant Fecal Microbiota Transplanted Gnotobiotic Pig Model.

Human rotavirus (HRV) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in developing countries. Malnutrition is prevalent in these countries, which may contribute to the decreased oral vaccine efficacy, posing a concern for global health. Neonatal gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs closely resemble human infants in their anatomy, physiology, and outbred status and are a unique model to investigate malnutrition, oral live attenuated HRV (AttHRV) vaccination, and subsequent virulent HRV (VirHRV) challenge.

Two cases with Hb Andrew-Minneapolis showing high or low-normal HbA1c levels depending on the measurement method.

We experienced two cases of Hb Andrew-Minneapolis with high or low-normal HbA1c levels depending on the measurement method. Case 1 was a 25-year-old male, and case 2 was a 32-year-old pregnant woman. Both cases showed normal glucose tolerance levels and glycated albumin within the reference range.

IFCC-HbA1c May Be More Useful than NGSP-HbA1c in the Comparison between HbA1c Values in Variant Hemoglobin with a Mutation on α Chain and β Chain.

HbA1c values in variant hemoglobin with a mutation on α chain and β chain are assumed to be different because the α chain and β chain of the globin gene have two and one gene(s), respectively. We examined whether the differentiation between HbA1c values in variant hemoglobin with a mutation on α chain (C1α) and β chain (C1β) is possible. Three patients with C1α and 9 patients with C1β were included.

Paraimmunobiotic Bifidobacteria Modulate the Expression Patterns of Peptidoglycan Recognition Proteins in Porcine Intestinal Epitheliocytes and Antigen Presenting Cells.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGLYRPs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are able to induce innate immune responses through their binding to peptidoglycan (PGN), lipopolysaccharide, or lipoteichoic acid, or by interacting with other PRR-ligands. Recently, progress has been made in understanding the immunobiology of PGLYRPs in human and mice, however, their functions in livestock animals have been less explored. In this study, we characterized the expression patterns of PGLYRPs in porcine intestinal epithelial (PIE) cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and their modulation by the interactions of host cells with PRR-ligands and non-viable immunomodulatory probiotics referred to as paraimmunobiotics.

How the gut microbiome regulates host immune responses to viral vaccines.

The co-evolution of the microbiota and immune system has forged a mutually beneficial relationship. This relationship allows the host to maintain the balance between active immunity to pathogens and vaccines and tolerance to self-antigens and food antigens. In children living in low-income and middle-income countries, undernourishment and repetitive gastrointestinal infections are associated with the failure of oral vaccines.

Effect of acute aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness and thyroid-stimulating hormone in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Acute exercise has been reported to increase thyroid hormone levels and decrease arterial stiffness in healthy young subjects. However, the effect of acute aerobic exercise on circulating thyroid hormone levels and arterial stiffness in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness and thyroid hormone levels, and any relationship between these endpoints, in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Genomic Characterization of TUA4408L and Evaluation of the Antiviral Activities of its Extracellular Polysaccharides in Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

In lactic acid bacteria, the synthesis of exopolysaccharides (EPS) has been associated with some favorable technological properties as well as health-promoting benefits. Research works have shown the potential of EPS produced by lactobacilli to differentially modulate immune responses. However, most studies were performed in immune cells and few works have concentrated in the immunomodulatory activities of EPS in non-immune cells such as intestinal epithelial cells.

Protein deficiency reduces efficacy of oral attenuated human rotavirus vaccine in a human infant fecal microbiota transplanted gnotobiotic pig model.

Background: Low efficacy of rotavirus (RV) vaccines in developing African and Asian countries, where malnutrition is prevalent, remains a major concern and a challenge for global health.

Methods: To understand the effects of protein malnutrition on RV vaccine efficacy, we elucidated the innate, T cell and cytokine immune responses to attenuated human RV (AttHRV) vaccine and virulent human RV (VirHRV) challenge in germ-free (GF) pigs or human infant fecal microbiota (HIFM) transplanted gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs fed protein-deficient or -sufficient bovine milk diets. We also analyzed serum levels of tryptophan (TRP), a predictor of malnutrition, and kynurenine (KYN).

Susceptibility of porcine IPEC-J2 intestinal epithelial cells to infection with porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) and serum cytokine responses of gnotobiotic pigs to acute infection with IPEC-J2 cell culture-passaged PDCoV.

The porcine small intestinal epithelial cell line, IPEC-J2, is useful to characterize the interactions of enterocytes with enteric viruses in vitro. We investigated whether IPEC-J2 cells are susceptible to porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) infection. We conducted quantification of infectious virus or viral RNA, immunofluorescent (IF) staining for the detection of PDCoV antigens, and TUNEL assay in IPEC-J2 cells inoculated with the strain OH-FD22-P8 grown in LLC-PK cells, and supplemented with 10 μg/ml of trypsin in the cell culture medium.

Immunohistochemical detection of the vomiting-inducing monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin and enterochromaffin cells in the intestines of conventional or gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and serum cytokine responses of Gn pigs to acute PEDV infection.

Serotonin is a critical monoamine neurotransmitter molecule stored and released from enterochromaffin (EC) cells into the gut submucosa, transmitting the vomiting signal to the brain. We studied one mechanism by which vomiting is induced in pigs infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) by characterization of swine EC cells by immunohistochemistry. Conventional or gnotobiotic (Gn) 9-day-old pigs [PEDV-inoculated (n = 12); Mock (n = 14)] were inoculated orally (8.