Detection of New H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Viruses in Winter 2021-2022 in the Far East, Which Are Genetically Close to Those in Europe.

Many high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) cases in wild birds due to H5N1 HPAI virus (HPAIV) infection were reported in northern Japan in the winter of 2021-2022. To investigate the epidemiology of HPAIVs brought to Japan from surrounding areas, a genetic analysis of H5 HPAIVs isolated in northern Japan was performed, and the pathogenicity of the HPAIV in chickens was assessed by experimental infection. Based on the genetic analysis of the hemagglutinin gene, pathogenic viruses detected in northern Japan as well as one in Sakhalin, the eastern part of Russia, were classified into the same subgroup as viruses prevalent in Europe in the same season but distinct from those circulating in Asia in winter 2020-2021.

Monitoring of body position and motion in children with severe cerebral palsy for 24 hours.

Purpose: To investigate differences in position and body movements between children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) and children with typical development (TD) during the daytime and while asleep at night.

Method: Fifteen children with severe quadriplegic CP living at home (GMFCS level V, 7 males, 8 females; mean age 8 years 3 months; range 3-20 years) and 15 children with TD (6 males, 9 females; mean age 8 years 7 months; range 1-16 years) participated. Body position and movements were recorded for 24 h by a body position monitor and a physical activity monitor, respectively.

Stretching exercises enhance vascular endothelial function and improve peripheral circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the acute effects of a single session of stretching exercises on vascular endothelial function and peripheral circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This study evaluated 32 patients (mean age, 66 ± 9 years) who received phase I cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction. Five types of stretching exercises were performed on the floor: wrist dorsiflexion, close-legged trunk flexion, open-legged trunk flexion, open-legged lateral trunk bending, and cross-legged trunk flexion.

Usefulness of pet ownership as a modulator of cardiac autonomic imbalance in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia.

Among patients with coronary artery disease, pet owners exhibit a greater 1-year survival rate than nonowners. Lifestyle-related diseases are well-known risk factors for coronary artery disease and induce imbalances in autonomic nervous activity. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether pet ownership modulates cardiac autonomic nervous activity imbalance in patients with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

Novel promoter sequence required for inductive expression of the Aspergillus nidulans endoglucanase gene eglA.

Expression of the eglA gene, encoding for a major endoglucanse EG A in Aspergillus nidulans, is induced by cellulose and cellobiose, but not by xylose. This suggests that induction is independent of XlnR, a transcriptional activator of xylanolytic and cellulolytic genes in Aspergillus. Mutational analysis of the eglA promoter was performed to identify the novel cis-element responsible for XlnR-independent induction.