Prevalence of Encephalitozoon hellem among companion and exhibition birds in Japan.

Microsporidia can cause infection in various animals and humans. To determine the recent prevalence of Encephalitozoon in companion birds in Japan, 364 bird feces and 16 conjunctival exudates, as well as 28 exhibition bird feces, were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty-five (9.

Toxicokinetics of methylmercury in diabetic KK-Ay mice and C57BL/6 mice.

We compared the toxicokinetics of methylmercury (MeHg) in KK-Ay type 2 diabetic mice and C57BL/6J mice to evaluate how metabolic changes associated with diabetes affect MeHg toxicokinetics. A single dose of MeHg (0.2, 1, or 5 mg mercury/kg) was administered orally to 12-week-old KK-Ay and C57BL/6J male mice.

Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) extract intake during lactation stimulates hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase in offspring of excessive fructose-fed pregnant rats.

Excessive maternal fructose intake during pregnancy and in early postnatal life has metabolic consequences for the offspring. We investigated the effects of melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) extract (MeE) intake during lactation on the expression and phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver of offspring from excessive fructose-fed pregnant dams. Pregnant Wistar rats received a normal diet and 100g/L fructose solution during gestation ad libitum.

Surveys on the competencies of specialist occupational physicians and effective methods for acquisition of competencies in Japan.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study the necessary competencies for specialist occupational physicians in Japan and the effective training methods for acquiring them.

Methods: A competency list (61 items) was developed for the questionnaires in the study by making use of existing competency lists from the Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) as well as lists from the US and Europe. Certified senior occupational physicians (CSOPs) in the certification program of the JSOH completed a questionnaire on the necessary competencies.

Association of COPD exacerbation frequency with gene expression of pattern recognition receptors in inflammatory cells in induced sputum.

Background: Bacteria and viruses are major causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Molecular components of these pathogens are recognized by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) expressed by various cells in the airway, which leads to initiation of inflammatory processes. Expression levels of PRRs in airway inflammatory cells are expected to affect susceptibility to COPD exacerbation.

Abasic site-binding ligands conjugated with cyanine dyes for "off-on" fluorescence sensing of orphan nucleobases in DNA duplexes and DNA-RNA hybrids.

A series of abasic site-binding ligands conjugated with cyanine dyes have been developed for "off-on" fluorescence sensing of an orphan nucleobase in DNA duplexes and DNA-RNA hybrids.

Computed tomography assessment of pharmacological lung volume reduction induced by bronchodilators in COPD.

Pharmacological lung volume reduction in COPD is an important goal in treatment with long-acting bronchodilators because in addition to airflow limitation, lung hyperinflation considerably affects COPD symptoms. Quantitative computed tomography (CT) simultaneously provides structural information about airway dimensions, emphysematous changes, and lung volumes, some of which are difficult to be evaluated by pulmonary function. Here, we evaluated changes in CT parameters and pulmonary function in 30 patients with COPD who underwent CT scans before and one year after starting tiotropium treatment and in 12 patients with COPD who were not treated with long-acting bronchodilators.

Oxidative stress induced interleukin-32 mRNA expression in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow obstruction and persistent inflammation in the airways and lung parenchyma. Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of COPD. Interleukin (IL)-32 expression has been reported to increase in the lung tissue of patients with COPD.

Impact of COPD exacerbations on osteoporosis assessed by chest CT scan.

Background: COPD pathology involves not only the lungs but also extrapulmonary abnormalities. Osteoporosis is one of the most important abnormalities because it may cause vertebral compression fractures and deteriorate pulmonary function. COPD patients have many risk factors for osteoporosis, such as low BMI, decreased activity, systemic inflammation, and use of corticosteroids.

A NOD2 gene polymorphism is associated with the prevalence and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Japanese population.

Background And Objective: Genetic background is thought to be one of the risk factors for development of COPD. Recently, it has been proposed that the innate immune system is involved in the pathophysiology of COPD. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)1 and NOD2 genes would be associated with the pathogenesis of COPD.

Proventricular dilatation disease associated with avian bornavirus infection in a Citron-crested Cockatoo that was born and hand-reared in Japan.

A 5-month-old female Citron-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) that was born and hand-reared in Japan died with suspected proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the bird revealed characteristic features of PDD, i.e.

Abnormal swallowing reflex and COPD exacerbations.

Background: It is unclear whether an abnormal swallowing reflex affects COPD exacerbations. This study investigated the prevalence of abnormal swallowing reflexes and its relationship with COPD exacerbation prospectively. We also clarified its association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and airway bacterial colonization.

Cough-reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin in COPD associated with increased exacerbation frequency.

Background And Objective: The causes of exacerbations in COPD patients are poorly understood. This study examined the association between cough-reflex sensitivity in patients with stable COPD and the frequency of subsequent exacerbations.

Methods: The sampling frame for cases and controls for this study was patients attending a hospital outpatient clinic.

Increased expression of soluble form of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 aggravates autoimmune arthritis in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1, CD106) is important in leukocyte trafficking and its increased expression is associated with a number of chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A soluble form of VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) is generated by shedding of the membrane-bound molecule. The concentration of sVCAM-1 is increased in the sera of RA patients, but its pathological role has not been elucidated.

Structural analyses on the mercuryII-mediated T-T base pair.

Recently, it was reported that T-T mismatches can specifically recognize Hg(II), and form T-Hg(II)-T pairs. In order to understand the structure and properties of the T-Hg(II)-T pair, we measured NMR spectra for a DNA duplex, d(CGCGTTGTCC) x d(GGACTTCGCG), with two successive T-T mismatches (Hg(II)-binding sites) in the middle of the duplex. We identified imino proton resonances of the T-T mismatches in mercury-free duplex, and performed titration experiments with Hg(II) by using 1-dimensional (1D) (1)H NMR spectra.

MercuryII-mediated formation of thymine-HgII-thymine base pairs in DNA duplexes.

The very specific binding of the HgII ion unexpectedly and significantly stabilizes naturally occurring thymine-thymine base mispairing in DNA duplexes. Following this finding, we prepared DNA duplexes containing metal-mediated base pairs at the desired sites, as well as novel double helical architectures consisting only of thymine-HgII-thymine pairs.

[An autopsy case of massive hemoptysis in systemic sarcoidosis with pulmonary granulomatous arteritis].

A 49-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of worsening of congestive heart failure on November 2000 in a state after insertion of permanent pacemaker for complete atrioventricular block in 1986, followed by a clinical history of chronic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. After admission, her general condition had been improved, but, she had massive hemoptysis suddenly and died on February 2001. At autopsy, noncaseating granulomas were observed scattering in lungs, liver and spleen, not associated with any infectious lesions, therefore indicating systemic sarcoidosis.