A survey of 165 sporotrichosis cases examined in Nagasaki prefecture from 1951 to 2012.

A total of 165 sporotrichosis cases occurring in Nagasaki prefecture, and examined at Nagasaki University Hospital, were evaluated. Both males and females were equally affected, with no significant differences in the affected body regions. Lesions were frequently seen on the face (49 cases, 29.

Utility of the Aintree Intubation Catheter in fiberoptic tracheal intubation through the three types of intubating supraglottic airways: a manikin simulation study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the Aintree Intubation Catheter (AIC) with three types of supraglottic airway devices for tracheal intubation (ISGAs) using a manikin.

Methods: Participants were 21 anesthesiologists with more than 2 years of experience in clinical anesthesia. Three types of ISGAs were passed through the glottis: Fastrack-Single Use (FSU; size 4), air-Q (size 3.

Retrospective analysis of the clinical course for intubation vs. unspecified laryngeal granulomas.

Intubation laryngeal granulomas (ILGs) are a well-known complication of endotracheal intubation. Cases other than ILGs can be categorized as unspecified laryngeal granulomas (ULGs) since their etiologies are often difficult to confirm. We intended to clarify clinical features of both ILGs and ULGs and that anticoagulant medication could cause the formation and delayed healing of ILGs in terms of wound-healing delay.

Theoretical Study of Substituent Effects on the Gas-Phase Acidities of Benzoic and Phenylacetic Acids.

The relative gas-phase acidities of 25 ring-substituted benzoic and phenylacetic acids were theoretically determined with proton-transfer reactions. The energies and geometries of the acids and their corresponding anions, which were involved in the reactions, were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) level of theory. The obtained substituent effects were compared with each other and those of phenols.

Sporothrix schenckii (sensu strict S. globosa) mating type 1-2 (MAT1-2) gene.

Sporotix schenckii is a pathogenic fungus that causes human and animal sporotrichosis, and based on morphology of the sessile conidia and molecular analysis, it was recently recognized as a species complex comprising at least the following six sibling species: S. albicans, S. brasiliensis, S.

Correlation of serum levels of complement C4a desArg with pathologically estimated severity of glomerular lesions and mesangial hypercellularity scores in patients with IgA nephropathy.

The aim of the present study was to explore serum biomarkers for the pathology of IgA nephropathy using serum proteomics. The subjects were 57 patients with IgA nephropathy who were divided into two groups (group 1, n=25; group 2, n=32) and 14 healthy controls. Serum protein profiles were analyzed using the ProteinChip surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) system.

Low-temperature superstructures of a series of Cd6M (M = Ca, Y, Sr, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) crystalline approximants.

The low-temperature (LT) superstructure and the phase transition temperature have been investigated for a series of Cd6M crystalline approximants by transmission electron microscopy as well as electrical resistivity measurements. Except for M = Lu, Cd6M is found to undergo a phase transition to a monoclinic phase at a low temperature and the transition temperature (Tc) scales well with the size of the M atom. For M = Ca, Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm the LT superstructure is explained by a √2a × a × √2a lattice with the space group C2/c, and for M = Sr and Yb a √2a × 2a × √2a monoclinic lattice with P2/m.

Separation of heavy metals from salts in multicomponent gas by a two-stage dust collection technique.

A Pb and Zn separation method from salts (Na, K, and Cl) in a simulated multicomponent gas generated by the incineration fly ash melting is studied. The heavy metals are separated using a two-stage dust collection technique. A standard reagents mixture is volatilized by heating in a lab-scale reactor to generate the simulated multicomponent gas.

Evaluation of an improved bioluminescence assay for the detection of bacteria in soy milk.

Because soy milk is nutrient rich and nearly neutral in pH, it favors the growth of microbial contaminants. To ensure that soy milk meets food-safety standards, it must be pasteurized and have its sterility confirmed. ATP bioluminescence assay has become a widely accepted means of detecting food microorganisms.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve regeneration through a silicone tube produces reinnervation without vocal fold mobility in rats.

Objectives: We established an animal model of recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation with persistent vocal fold immobility following recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Methods: In 36 rats, the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was transected and the stumps were abutted in a silicone tube with a 1-mm interspace, facilitating regeneration. The mobility of the vocal folds was examined endoscopically 5, 10, and 15 weeks later.

Histopathological diagnosis of primary aldosteronism using CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry.

Context: Although primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension, histopathological methods to reveal the presence and sites of aldosterone overproduction remain to be established.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the significance of immunohistochemical staining to detect CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 in adrenal tissue of patients with PA.

Design And Patients: Thirty-two patients with PA who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy were studied.

Lessons from the gene expression pattern of the rat zona glomerulosa.

We recently identified hundreds of transcripts with differential expression in rat zona glomerulosa (zG) and zona fasciculata. Although the genes up-regulated in the zG may be playing important roles in aldosterone production, the relationship between most of these genes and aldosterone production has not been uncovered. Because aldosterone, in the presence of a high sodium diet, is now considered a significant cardiovascular risk factor, in this review we performed gene ontology and pathway analyses on the same microarray data to better define the genes that may influence zG function.

Glottal configuration in unilaterally paralyzed larynx and vocal function.

Conclusions: Three different types of glottal configuration in unilaterally paralyzed larynx were proposed by utilizing three-dimensional computed tomographic (3DCT) images. This new classification might facilitate understanding of the behavior of the affected vocal fold in terms of vocal function.

Objectives: To develop a classification of glottal configuration in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) based on the thickness and location of the vocal folds utilizing 3DCT and to compare each type of configuration with vocal function.

Nutritional status in relation to adipokines and oxidative stress is associated with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: We assessed whether disease activity was associated with dietary habits, nutritional status, adipokines, and oxidative stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: The subjects were 37 patients with RA. The assessment of the nutritional status included anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

The impact of nimodipine administration combined with nerve-muscle pedicle implantation on long-term denervated rat thyroarytenoid muscle.

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the impact of nimodipineon reinnervation of the long-term denervated rat thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle following nerve-muscle pedicle flap (NMP) implantation.

Study Design: Quantitative histologic and physiologic assessments.

Methods: Using 120 Wistar rats, we performed NMP implantation at different times after transection of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN).

Isolation of a new xanthylium-related pigment from adzuki beans Vigna angularis.

A new type of flavonoid was isolated from an adzuki bean-water extract by various chromatographic techniques. The chemical structure was determined by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and various nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments, and it was found to be unique in that the xanthylium skeleton was present in this molecule.

Nonmagnetic ground states and phase transitions in the caged compounds PrT2Zn20 (T = Ru, Rh and Ir).

We performed electrical resistivity ρ, magnetic susceptibility χ, specific heat C and electron diffraction measurements on single-crystalline samples of PrT2Zn20 (T = Ru, Rh and Ir). The three compounds show the Van Vleck paramagnetic behavior, indicating the nonmagnetic crystalline electric field (CEF) ground states. A Schottky-type peak appears at around 14 K, irrespective of the T element, which can be moderately reproduced by a doublet–triplet model.

Effect of KCNJ5 mutations on gene expression in aldosterone-producing adenomas and adrenocortical cells.

Context: Primary aldosteronism is a heterogeneous disease that includes both sporadic and familial forms. A point mutation in the KCNJ5 gene is responsible for familial hyperaldosteronism type III. Somatic mutations in KCNJ5 also occur in sporadic aldosterone producing adenomas (APA).

A fluorous synthetic receptor that recognizes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) via fluorous interaction obtained by molecular imprinting.

A polymeric sorbent selective for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was synthesized by a molecular imprinting technique using a fluorous monomer and cross-linker, and assessed chromatographically, suggesting that the fluorous imprinted polymer recognizes PFOA via hydrogen bonding and fluorine-fluorine interaction.

Autogenous osteochondral graft transplantation for steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle: A report of three young patients.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle is a relatively uncommon condition and is often difficult to select appropriate treatment especially in young patients. Three young men (aged 25, 18, and 24) presented with severe pain and dysfunction of the knee diagnosed as steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle by magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Full-thickness cartilage defects sized 20 × 10, 15 × 10, and 30 × 20 mm respectively were classified as International Cartilage Repair Society Grade IV lesions and treated with osteochondral autograft transplantation.

The combination therapy of prednisolone and tacrolimus for severe painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

A 47-year-old woman visited our hospital with complaints of frequent urination and intensive pelvic pain. Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC) was suspected based on her symptoms. Hydrodistention was performed, and crack and petechial hemorrhage were found, and she was treated with tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamine.

Rapamycin conditioning of dendritic cells differentiated from human ES cells promotes a tolerogenic phenotype.

While human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) may one day facilitate the treatment of degenerative diseases requiring cell replacement therapy, the success of regenerative medicine is predicated on overcoming the rejection of replacement tissues. Given the role played by dendritic cells (DCs) in the establishment of immunological tolerance, we have proposed that DC, rendered tolerogenic during their differentiation from hESC, might predispose recipients to accept replacement tissues. As a first step towards this goal, we demonstrate that DC differentiated from H1 hESCs (H1-DCs) are particularly responsive to the immunosuppressive agent rapamycin compared to monocyte-derived DC (moDC).

FDG PET/CT and diffusion-weighted imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: comparison of prognostic significance between primary tumor standardized uptake value and apparent diffusion coefficient.

Purpose: To compare primary tumor (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained in the same patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to clarify the prognostic significance of both indexes.

Materials And Methods: The study population comprised 26 patients with HNSCC visible on both pretreatment FDG PET/CT and DWI. Correlation between SUV(max) and ADC (b values; 0 and 800 seconds/mm(2)) was analyzed by the Spearman's rank test.

Transcriptome analysis reveals differentially expressed transcripts in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata.

In mammals, aldosterone is produced in the zona glomerulosa (zG), the outermost layer of the adrenal cortex, whereas glucocorticoids are produced in adjacent zona fasciculata (zF). However, the cellular mechanisms controlling the zonal development and the differential hormone production (i.e.

Nimodipine accelerates reinnervation of denervated rat thyroarytenoid muscle following nerve-muscle pedicle implantation.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine whether nimodipine, an L-type voltage-operated calcium channel antagonist that is an accelerator of axonal regeneration following peripheral nerve injury, can expedite reinnervation of denervated rat thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle following nerve-muscle pedicle (NMP) flap implantation.

Study Design: A quantitative histologic and physiologic assessment of the TA muscle following NMP flap implantation, with or without nimodipine treatment.

Methods: Using 72 Wistar rats, we performed a transection on the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, followed by NMP flap implantation.