Appropriate Needle Lengths Determined Using Ultrasonic Echograms for Intramuscular Injections in Japanese Infants

Adjuvanted vaccines are recommended for administration through an intramuscular route. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the anterolateral thigh using a 22 - 25-G 25-mm (1 inch) needle for infants, injected at a 90° into the skin surface, and using a 16 mm (5/8 inch) for newborns. Appropriate needle lengths may differ depending on racial backgrounds. In the present study, the thickness of the epidermis and lengths from the skin surface to the muscle fascia and bone were measured using ultrasonic echograms in order to determine suitable needle lengths for Japanese infants aged 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 - 15 months old. The thickness of the epidermis was 1.44 - 1.54 mm (95% CI), and the lengths from the skin surface to the muscle fascia and bone were 11.52 - 12.28 mm (95% CI), and 25.66 - 26.93 mm (95% CI), respectively, at the anterolateral thigh. At the center of the deltoid muscle, skin thickness was similar to that at the thigh, furthermore the lengths from the skin surface to the muscle fascia and bone were 8.49 - 9.10 mm (95% CI), and 17.38 - 18.31 mm (95% CI), respectively. The lengths from the skin surface to the muscle fascia and bone were 1 - 2 mm shorter in 2-month-old infants than those in older generations. Therefore, the appropriate needle length for intramuscular injections in Japanese infants was 16 mm (5/8 inch) at any age and sites, and with 25 mm (1 inch) needles at a 90° angle being associated with the risk of over-penetration.

Wetting of Au and Ag particles on monocrystalline graphite substrates

The wetting behavior of Au and Ag particles on a monocrystalline graphite substrate was investigated using the microscopic sessile drop method under a purified Ar atmosphere at 1300 K. The measured contact angles of the liquid Au and Ag on monocrystalline graphite substrates of （0001） face were 129° and 124°, respectively. It is believed that the interaction at the interface is dominated by the physical bonding （van der Waal＇s interaction）.

Change of Subcutaneous Tissue Mass at the Deltoid and Thigh Areas in Japanese Infants Followed from 2 to 15 Months

We previously investigated the thickness of the epidermis and lengths from the skin surface to the muscle fascia and bone based on measurements taken from the ultrasonic echograms of Japanese infants aged 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 - 15 months. The appropriate needle length for intramuscular injection was 16 mm (5/8 inch) in Japanese infants at any age and site. In the present study, we examined these lengths in 21 infants with physical growth from 2 to 15 months. Average height increased from 58.5 to 73.6 cm and average body weight from 5835 to 9226 g until 15 months. The circumference of the thigh increased from 22.3 cm at 2 months to a maximum of 25.9 cm at 6 months, while that of the deltoid area was 15.2 cm at 2 months and 15.9 cm at 6 months. Subcutaneous mass (length from the skin surface to the muscle fascia) at the thigh increased between 3 and 4 months and decreased at 12 - 15 months and showed good relationship to the circumference of the thigh. Subcutaneous mass at the center of the deltoid area showed the same size until 6 months. Muscle mass (lengths from the muscle fascia to the bone) at thigh and deltoid areas remained the same until 6 months. Ultrasonic echogram is an effective tool for evaluating subcutaneous and muscle mass in young infants.

Amplification of Papillomavirus Oncogene Transcripts Assay for Bowenoid Papulosis

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important causative agent of cervical carcinoma and some malignant cutaneous tumors. The integration of HPV DNA into the host genome is one of the most important risk factors for malignant transformation. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man with multiple, black-brown genital macules and nodules. Histological findings resembled those for Bowen’s disease, and we made a diagnosis of bowenoid papulosis. This condition is generally benign, but invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from bowenoid papulosis has been previously reported. Therefore, we took biopsy specimens from 10 lesions and tested them for the presence of HPV DNA. DNA sequencing identified HPV type 16 (HPV-16) DNA in all samples. Next, we excised 4 different relatively large lesions and performed an amplification of papillomavirus oncogene transcripts (APOT) assay. This assay showed that all samples had only episome-derived viral transcripts, indicating no integration of HPV DNA into the host genome. We have followed this case for 3 years, and no progression to Bowen’s disease or SCC has so far been observed. We conclude that the APOT assay is a feasible method for evaluating the malignant potential of bowenoid papulosis.

Flow field, heat transfer and inclusion behavior in a round bloom mold under effect of a swirling flow submerged entry nozzle

Flow field,heat transfer and inclusion behavior in a 700 mm round bloom mold under the effect of a swirling flow submerged entry nozzle(SEN)were investigated with the aim to enhance the casting process.The results indicate that the impinging flow phenomenon,which is commonly observed in conventional single-port SEN casting,was completely suppressed by the swirling flow SEN coming from a novel swirling flow generator design in tundish.Steel from the SEN port moved towards the mold wall in 360 direction,leading to a uniform temperature distribution in the mold.Compared to a conventional single-port SEN casting,the steel super-heat was decreased by about 5 K at the mold center,and the temperature was increased by around 3.5 K near the meniscus.In addition,the removal ratio of inclusions to the mold top surface in the swirling flow SEN casting was found to be increased.Specifically,the removal ratio of spherical inclusions with diameters of 1,10,50 and 100μm was increased by 18.2%,18.5%,22.6% and 42.7%,respectively.Furthermore,the ratio was raised by 18.2%,20.8%,21.5% and 44.1%for non-spherical inclusions,respectively.

Microscopic identification of the remnant hair or feather of five animal drug components in Shenrongbian pill

A comparative study was performed to identify the microscopic characteristics of hair or feather in the five animal drug components contained in Shenrongbian pill.Penis et Testis Canis is 40±0.07 in the medulla index,with long circular,banana or triangular circular shaped medulla cells arranged in one line or network,and the hair cuticle is in imbrication(d,m)and flat wave(p)shape.Penis et Testis Equi is 66±0.10 in the medulla index,with ellipse,spindle or long strip-shaped medulla cells arranged in network,and the hair cuticle is in flat wave shape.Penis et Testis.Bovis is 67±0.05 in the medulla index,with rectangle,spindle or polygon-shaped medulla cells arranged in ladder or network form,and the hair cuticle is in flat wave shape.Penis et Testis Mustelae is 29±0.05 in the medulla index,with ellipse-like,square-like or circular shaped medulla cells arranged in one line generally,and the hair cuticle is in acuminate(d,m),imbrication(m,p)and slightly flat wave(p)shape.Musculus et Bonis Passeris is 24±0.05 in the medulla index,with bam boo joint-shaped barbs and unclear medulla cells,without hair cuticle.