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It is known that Fasciola sp. from Japan and the Republic of Korea consist of diploids (2n = 2x = 20), triploids (2n = 3x = 30), and mixoploids with diploid and triploid cells. Triploids are distributed over Asia and Hawaii. Abnormal spermatogenesis and parthenogenetic reproduction are the main characteristics of Fasciola sp. Here we measured 21 different morphological parameters of diploid and triploid flukes of Fasciola sp. obtained from Japan and the Republic of Korea. Statistical analysis showed that diploid and triploid flukes were morphologically different. No bivalents or trivalents could be detected in diploid and triploid flukes, respectively. Based on our findings, we speculate that parthenogenetic diploids, triploids, and mixoploids (2x/3x) of Fasciola sp. are genetically related to each other.

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ABSTRACT. Diploid and triploid specimens of Japanese and Korean Fasciola sp. showed abnormality in their spermatogenesis. Live germ cells obtained from the testes were observed under a differential interference contrast microscope. In the stages from spermatogonium to spermatid, the cells combined together at the central cytoplasmic bridge during a series of divisions. One spermatogonium becomes a cell group of 8 primary spermatocytes through 3 mitoses. Until the primary spermatocyte stage, cells are divided in a uniform manner. In most of the diploid specimens, the primary spermatocytes are irregularly divided into non-uniform secondary spermatocytes, however, some specimens perform a regular division. In the majority of triploid flukes, the primary spermatocytes are divided in a regular pattern, but some of the specimens perform an irregular division. The non-uniform spermatids do not perform a spermiogenesis. In the diploid specimens, no spermatozoa were found that were produced by spermiogenesis. Whereas in the triploid specimens, some spermatids distributed uniformly on the surface went through a spermiogenesis. We observed some moving spermatozoa in one triploid specimen. The spermatozoa possibly retain their normal reproductive function. -KEY WORDS: chromosome, Fasciola, parthenogenesis, spermatogenesis, triploid.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the long-term application of various fragrances on the suppression of immune response induced by high-pressure stress in mice. The immune response was analyzed based on plaque-forming cell (PFC) count, using mice sensitized with sheep red blood cells. The decreased PFC involving thymic involution induced by high-pressure stress in mice was restored by exposing the stressed mice to tuberose, lemon, oakmoss and labdanum for 24 h following exposure to stress. The decreased PFC and thymic involution from stress were restored by exposure to lemon and oakmoss, but not to tuberose and labdanum when the mice were exposed to those fragrances continuously for 3 weeks before the stress was given, followed by exposure to the same fragrances for 24 h after the stress. The decreased PFC and thymic involution from stress were restored by exposure to lemon and labdanum for 24 h after the stress, but not to tuberose over 3 weeks before the stress was given. These data suggest that the neuroimmunomodulatory effects of fragrances may be affected by tolerance depending on the kinds of fragrances in the case of a long-term application.

Paraaortic lymph nodal (PALN) recurrence is not a rare scenario of abdominal malignancies including pancreas cancer, even after radiotherapy. The role and indication of reirradiation is limited because it is often associated with significant late toxicity in the surrounding normal organs. We developed a new approach and technique of brachytherapy to overcome this difficult situation, with a paravertebral approach and hyaluronate gel injection (HGI). We encountered a patient with pancreatic cancer who developed PALN metastasis as in-field recurrence, 6 months after resection of pancreatic cancer with 50 Gy of preoperative radiotherapy. The applicator brachytherapy needles and gel injection needles were advanced by percutaneous paravertebral approach under local anesthesia, and by injection of a hyaluronate gel to separate the surrounding small intestines and the target. A single fraction of 18 Gy was delivered to the tumor (75.6 Gy equivalent in conventional schedule calculated with LQ model at α/β = 3) and total estimated D2cc (the minimum dose to the most irradiated volume of 2 cc, calculated at α/β = 2) in the small intestines was 61.6 GyE with HGI and 80.6 GyE without. No complications have been observed for six months. Three months later, FDG accumulation had disappeared, the tumor size was reduced, and serum CA-19-9 value decreased from 5150 U/mL to 36.6 U/mL (normal range < 37.5). Conclusively, the brachytherapy with the HGI procedure by paravertebral approach was thought safe and effective in reirradiation of PALN recurrence.