Clinical characteristics and molecular analysis of USA300 and ST 764 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from outpatients in Japan by PCR-Based open reading frame typing.

Introduction: USA300 is the most common community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. Sequence type (ST) 764 MRSA is a new local variant of the ST 5 lineage. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of USA300 and ST 764 infections among outpatients in Japan.

The Circulation of Type F among Humans, Sewage, and (Asari Clams).

is an important pathogen that is responsible for gastroenteritis; the causative agent for the symptoms is enterotoxin (CPE), which is mainly produced by type F . Since shellfishes may gather . in the water environment, this study estimated the potential circulation of type F among humans, sewage, and (asari clams) as a result of sewage pollution.

Characterization of Isolates from Wastewater Treatment Plant Influents to Estimate Unreported Cases and Infection Sources of Salmonellosis.

is a major cause of gastroenteritis usually caused by animal-based contaminated foods. Since the current passive surveillance is not sufficient to detect all infections and infection sources, we determined the prevalence of isolated from sewage influent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and compared the characteristics of human and food isolates to identify the infection sources. Sewage influent samples were collected monthly from two WWTPs located in the Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, for three years.

Prediction of skeletal-related events in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Advanced lung cancer frequently causes bone metastasis which can be associated with skeletal-related events (SREs) that may cause significant deterioration of the patient's quality of life (QoL). The Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) can be used to assist in standardizing evaluations of neoplastic spinal instability between spinal and non-spine surgeons. This research investigated the association between SREs and SINS for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Transplanting neural progenitors into a complete transection model of spinal cord injury.

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI) because of the potential for cell replacement and restoration of connectivity. Our previous studies have shown that transplants of NPC, composed of neuron- and glia-restricted progenitors derived from the embryonic spinal cord, survived well in partial lesion models and generated graft-derived neurons, which could be used to form a functional relay. We have now examined the properties of a similar NPC transplant using a complete transection model in juvenile and adult rats.

The Sp1 transcription factor is essential for the expression of gliostatin/thymidine phosphorylase in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Introduction: Gliostatin/thymidine phosphorylase (GLS/TP) has angiogenic and arthritogenic activities, and aberrant GLS production has been observed in the active synovial membranes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The human GLS gene promoter contains at least seven consensus binding sites for the DNA binding protein Sp1. Here we examined whether Sp1 is necessary for GLS production in RA.

Phenotypic analysis of astrocytes derived from glial restricted precursors and their impact on axon regeneration.

Although astrocytes are involved in the production of an inhibitory glial scar following injury, they are also capable of providing neuroprotection and supporting axonal growth. There is growing appreciation for a diverse and dynamic population of astrocytes, specified by a variety of glial precursors, whose function is regulated regionally and temporally. Consequently, the therapeutic application of glial precursors and astrocytes by effective transplantation protocols requires a better understanding of their phenotypic and functional properties and effective protocols for their preparation.

FK506 inhibition of gliostatin/thymidine phosphorylase production induced by tumor necrosis factor-α in rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Gliostatin/thymidine phosphorylase (GLS/TP) is known to have angiogenic and arthritogenic activities. The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory effects of FK506 (tacrolimus) on GLS production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the modulation of serum GLS by FK506 therapy and the effect of FK506 on the production of GLS in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs).

TNF-alpha-induced aquaporin 9 in synoviocytes from patients with OA and RA.

Objectives: To determine whether aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed in the synovial tissues of patients with OA and RA, and to examine the patterns of expression in patients with and without hydrarthrosis.

Methods: AQPs were detected in synovial tissue samples from patients with OA and RA using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with OA and RA were cultured and stimulated with TNF-alpha.

[Two cases of group A rotavirus outbreak among adults].

Two cases of group infections with the group A rotavirus (ARV) occurred among adult residents at welfare facilities. Case 1 occurred at a care facility for the elderly between March and April of 2000, where 14 patients aged 68 to 93 (average: 85) of 93 residents developed cardinal symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and fever. ARV was found in 7 stool samples and their G-serotype was G2.

[Evaluation of Norwalk virus detection kit by enzyme immunoassay].

We briefly examined detection kit using the EIA method for Norwalk virus, and compared the results of the tests using the EIA method with those using RT-PCR method. In reproducibility, an amount of variation was observed in data obtained from positive controls and in lower values. The sensitivity obtained from the EIA method was about 300 times lower than that obtained from the RT-PCR method.