Molecular epidemiological studies of human herpesvirus 6 in families

The mode of transmission of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) was investigated by molecular epidemiological techniques in four families. HHV-6 was isolated from the peripheral blood of seven infants with exanthem subitum, including siblings, and from the saliva of two mothers. These isolates were examined for genetic relatedness by means of restriction enzymes analysis of purified DNA. While the profiles of the digestion patterns differed among families, they were very similar in a particular family. These results may suggest that HHV-6 is transmitted primarily from mother to child. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Barrett's adenocarcinoma associated with acquired eventration of the diaphragm

We report a rare case of Barrett's adenocarcinoma asso-ciated with acquired eventration of the diaphragm in a 71-year-old woman. She initially developed dysphagia and epigastric discomfort in May, 1997. On July 9, she was referred to our Department of Surgery at the Ryukyus University Hospital for thorough examination and treatment. Esophageal adenocarcinoma and eventration of the diaphragm were revealed by exhaustive examinations, including chest X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, and proximal gastrectomy with reconstruction of jejunal interposition was performed, on August 8. Histologically, the tumor revealed that the adenocarcinoma arose from short-segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE). It thus appears that eventration of the diaphragm may induce SSBE and Barrett's adenocarcinoma. We therefore recommend that periodic examinations of the esophagus and stomach be performed in patients with eventration of the diaphragm. Barrett's adenocarcinoma associated with acquired eventration of the diaphragm is reported. Patients with eventration of the diaphragm should undergo periodic examinations of the esophagus and stomach. Received for publication on Mar. 26, 1998; accepted on Aug. 11, 1998     

Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) Infection in the Central Nervous System

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) was isolated from patients with exanthem subitum (ES) with a high frequency, and it is now believed that this virus causes ES as a primary infection in childhood. HHV-6 infection is highly prevalent in early childhood and this virus may infect infants through the saliva mainly from mother to child. HHV-6 has a tropism to CD4+ cells and destroys cells in vitro. Although children recover from ES without any sequelae, neurological symptoms associated with exanthem subitum are often observed, and we could detect HHV-6 in the cerebrospinal fluid of ES patients. This result suggests that HHV-6 may invade the central nervous system and cause neurological symptoms.     

Enhanced adhesion of endothelial cells onto a polypropylene hollow-fiber membrane by plasma discharge treatment and high inoculum cell density

The effect of plasma discharge treatment of a microporous polypropylene hollow-fiber membrane commonly used for gas exchange in a conventional artificial lung on the adhesion of endothelial cells was investigated with the aim of constructing a hybrid artificial lung bearing endothelial cells on the membrane. The initial adhesion density and growth rate of the cells on the membrane were markedly increased following plasma discharge treatment (13.56 MHz, 30W) of the membrane for 5 to 20 min in the presence of 0.05 mmHg of various gases, such as ammonia, oxygen, and water vapor. Treatment of the membrane with ammonia for 5 min resulted in the highest increase in the cell adhesion density on 5 days from 1.4×10² to 2.0×10³ cells/cm², and the cell density reached 5.0×10³ cells/cm² after cultivation for 14 days. Increasing the inoculum cell concentration from 3.3×10⁵ to 3.2×10⁶ cells/ml resulted in an initial cell adhesion of 0.9×10⁵ cells/cm², even after 1 day. It was observed under a microscope that the cells were distributed uniformly to cover almost all of the surface area of the membrane. After the plasma discharge treatment, the permeability of the membrane to water increased to 9% of that of a polyethylene hollow fiber having pore diameters larger than 0.4 μm.     

The outbreak and control of Ebola viral haemorrhagic fever in a Ugandan medical school

Uganda has just experienced the largest outbreak of Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) ever recorded. Mbarara University Teaching Hospital (MUTH) is responsible for training approximately one-third of Uganda's doctors. Mbarara is located in SouthWest Uganda, 614 km from Gulu, the main epicentre of the outbreak. On 23 October a patient was admitted to the medical ward of MUTH with an acute fever. He soon exhibited haemorrhagic symptoms and died. He was later confirmed to have suffered Ebola. Three more patients subsequently contracted the disease. All died. There were no further cases in Mbarara. No members of staff or medical student was infected. We give details of the clinical features of those patients who contracted the disease, the setting up of an Ebola isolation unit, the case surveillance and the search for the source of the outbreak. The implications for similar institutions in East Africa are discussed.     

供氧对紫苏细胞生长和花色素生产影响的初步试验

报道了在生物反应器中供氧对紫苏细胞的影响。观察到在１００ｍＬ和５００ｍＬ三角摇瓶中进行液体培养时，改善供氧状况，有利于花色素的产生。在工作容量为２Ｌ的气泡反应器和３Ｌ的带螺旋桨的搅拌式反应器中，供氧的改善也使色素产量得到明显提高。但是，过高的通气量升所引直怕剪切力会对细胞产生破坏作用，反而不利于细胞生长和代谢。     

Comparison of the Hemagglutination Inhibition Titers against Influenza Vaccine Strains in Japan from the 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 Seasons Using a Single Set of Serum Samples

In Japan, inactivated influenza vaccines are used. We measured titers of antibodies to vaccine strains of three influenza types—influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B/Victoria—from the 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 seasons, but not for influenza A (H3N2) from the 2018/2019 season, using a single set of serum samples from 34 healthy volunteers, and assessed the consistency in antibody positivity between seasons. The antibody titers in the 2017/2018 season were used as a reference. The influenza A (H1N1) antibody titer in 2019/2020 did not differ significantly from that in the 2017/2018 season, but the titers varied in the two subsequent seasons. The influenza A (H3N2) antibody titers toward the 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022 seasonal viruses differed significantly from that in the 2017/2018 season. The influenza B/Victoria antibody titer toward the 2019/2020 seasonal antigen differed from that in the 2017/2018 season, and the antibody positivity was inconsistent between seasons; however, the antibody titer in the 2020/2021 season did not differ significantly from those in the prior two seasons, and the antibody positivity was consistent between seasons. Antibody titers and their consistency can be used to evaluate cross-immunity of antibodies.