Genome-wide detection of changes in allelic frequency in Landrace pigs selected for resistance to mycoplasma pneumonia of swine.

Closed-pig line breeding could change the genetic structure at a genome-wide scale because of the selection in a pig breeding population. We investigated the changes in population structure among generations at a genome-wide scale and the selected loci across the genome by comparing the observed and expected allele frequency changes in mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS)-selected pigs. Eight hundred and seventy-four Landrace pigs, selected for MPS resistance without reducing average daily gain over five generations, had 37,299 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and were used for genomic analyses.

Nationwide and long-term molecular epidemiologic studies of mumps viruses that circulated in Japan between 1986 and 2017.

In Japan, major mumps outbreaks still occur every 4-5 years because of low mumps vaccine coverage (30-40%) owing to the voluntary immunization program. Herein, to prepare for a regular immunization program, we aimed to reveal the nationwide and long-term molecular epidemiological trends of the mumps virus (MuV) in Japan. Additionally, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using next-generation sequencing to assess results from conventional genotyping using MuV sequences of the small-hydrophobic (SH) gene.

[A case of classical tsutsugamushi disease confirmed after an interval of 15 years in Akita Prefecture, Japan].

We report the confirmation of classical tsutsugamushi disease in August 2008. A 17-year-old woman seen for fever and eschar on the back reported having been bitten by an insect nine days earlier while fishing on the Omonogawa river. The suspected culprit was Leptotrombidium akamushi.

Outbreak of gastroenteritis due to sapovirus.

An outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred at a kindergarten in Yokote City, Japan, between February 2006 and March 2006. Sapovirus was identified in 19 of 26 stool specimens by reverse transcription-PCR. A high viral shedding pattern was found for this strain, which was shown to be antigenically distinct from other genogroups.

Progression and regression of biloma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy evaluated by computed tomography.

The natural course of biloma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was successfully followed and evaluated by computed tomography (CT). Biloma is one of the major complications after LC. However, the processes of biloma progression and regression have not yet been reported in detail.

Liver repopulation and long-term function of rat small hepatocyte transplantation as an alternative cell source for hepatocyte transplantation.

Hepatocyte transplantation (HT) is an attractive therapeutic modality for liver disease as an alternative for liver organ transplantation. Primary fresh hepatocytes (FHs) are the exclusive cell source that has been used for clinical HT. However, the use of FHs is limited due to a shortage of donor cells.

Serum hyaluronate level for predicting subclinical liver dysfunction after hepatectomy.

The serum hyaluronate (HA) level reflects sinusoidal endothelial cell function correlated with liver function. We have reviewed multiple liver function indicators from 37 patients who underwent hepatectomy for various liver diseases. The serum HA level was well correlated with the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (ICGR15), lectin-cholesterol (LCAT), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), liver uptake ratio of technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) at 15 minutes (HH15), prealbumin, and hepatic uptake ratio of 99mTc-GSA at 15 minutes (LHL15).