Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with liver cirrhosis in a patient with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome

We report the first case of a girl who presented with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) and subsequently developed systemic lupus erythematosus and liver cirrhosis. This indicates that autoimmune diseases can be a complication in patients with PLS. Cathepsin C gene mutations were not found in our patient or her mother. Thus, other genetic factors may have been involved in this patient.

Acceptor Specificity of Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase fromBacillus stearothermophilusand Synthesis of α-D-GlucosylO-β-D-galactosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucoside

Bacillus stearothermophilus CGTase had a wider acceptor specificity than Bacillus macerans CGTase did and produced large amounts of transfer products of various acceptors such as D-galactose, D-mannose, D-fructose, D- and L-arabinose, D- and L-fucose, L-rhamnose, D-glucosamine, and lactose, which were inefficient acceptors for B. macerans CGTase. The main component of the smallest transfer products of lactose was assumed to be alpha-D-glucosyl O-beta-D-galactosyl-(1----4)-beta-D-glucoside.

Imaging findings of necrotizing sialometaplasia of the parotid gland: case report and literature review

Although necrotizing sialometaplasia (NS) of the parotid gland is rare and occasionally presents as a lesion that mimics a malignant tumour, imaging findings in cases of NS have been rarely reported. We describe here a case of NS in which there was an increasing lesion manifesting overnight on the parotid gland in an 83-year-old male. We also investigated the use of pre-operative imaging based on previous reports and discuss the importance of these images in helping to guard against overzealous treatment. It is critically important to closely examine whether there are aspects of NS, such as the present case, in pre-operative MRI findings that can be useful in proper diagnosis and treatment.

Antibody against chromatin assembly factor-1 is a novel autoantibody specifically recognized in systemic lupus erythematosus

Autoantibodies to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are specifically, if rarely, present in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient sera. Even SLE patients lacking PCNA reactivity often show reaction to PCNA-binding protein. Here, immunoreactivity to chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), an essential molecule for DNA replication and a PCNA-binding protein, was compared for the sera of SLE patients, normal healthy controls (NHCs) and other disease controls, and in autoimmune sera reactive to standard autoantigens, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. CAF1 and IRF1 expression in SLE and NHC peripheral mononuclear cells were compared by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum interferon-γ-inducing protein-10 and anti-double-stranded (ds)DNA antibody levels were measured by ELISA. Increased CAF-1 autoimmune reactivity was recognized in SLE or serum anti-dsDNA antibody-positive patients. Significantly greater central nervous system (CNS) involvement (aseptic meningitis) and serum anti-dsDNA antibody titers were present more often in anti-CAF-1 antibody-positive than antibody-negative SLE patients. IFN-γ positively regulated CAF-1 expression in vitro and was associated with anti-CAF-1 antibody production in SLE. Thus, a novel anti-CAF-1 autoantibody is frequently found in patients with SLE and is a useful biomarker for diagnosis, especially in cases with CNS involvement. Aberrant IFN-γ regulation appears to play an important role in anti-CAF-1 antibody production in SLE.

Development of spectrally selective imaging system for negative hydrogen ion source

A spectrally selective imaging system has been developed to obtain a distribution of Hα emissions at the extraction region in a hydrogen negative ion source. The diagnostic system consisted of an aspherical lens, optical filters, a fiber image conduit, and a charge coupled device detector was installed on the 1/3-scaled hydrogen negative ion source in the National Institute for Fusion Science. The center of sight line passes beside the plasma grid (PG) surface with the distance of 11 mm, and the viewing angle has coverage 35 mm from the PG surface. Two dimensional Hα distribution in the range up to 20 mm from the PG surface was clearly observed. The reduction area for Hα emission caused by beam extraction was widely distributed in the extraction region near the PG surface.

Characteristics of plasma grid bias in large-scaled negative ion source

The electron density was measured at various bias voltages to understand how the plasma grid bias affects the electron near the plasma grid in large-scaled negative ion sources. It was found that the response of the electron to the bias voltage changes depending on negative ion production processes. The electron density remarkably decreases with increasing the bias voltage in the pure-volume plasma. On the other hand, the electron density depends on the bias voltage weakly in the Cs-seeded plasma. In addition, it was observed that the response of the co-extracted electron current to the bias voltage has similar trend to that of the electron density.

Migratory properties of pulmonary dendritic cells are determined by their developmental lineage

The chemokine receptor, CCR7, directs the migration of dendritic cells (DCs) from peripheral tissue to draining lymph nodes (LNs). However, it is unknown whether all pulmonary DCs possess migratory potential. Using novel Ccr7(gfp) reporter mice, we found that Ccr7 is expressed in CD103⁺ and a CD14(med/lo) subset of CD11b(hi) classical (c)DCs but not in monocyte-derived (mo)DCs, including Ly-6C(hi)CD11b(hi) inflammatory DCs and CD14(hi)CD11b(hi) DCs. Consequently, cDCs migrated to lung-draining LNs but moDCs did not. Mice lacking the chemokine receptor, CCR2, also lacked inflammatory DCs in the lung after lipopolysaccharide inhalation but retained normal levels of migratory DCs. Conversely, the lungs of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L)-deficient mice lacked cDCs but retained moDCs, which were functionally mature but did not express Ccr7 and were uniformly non-migratory. Thus, the migratory properties of pulmonary DCs are determined by their developmental lineage.

Unconventional magnetic and thermodynamic properties of S=1/2 spin ladder with ferromagnetic legs

We have succeeded in synthesizing single crystals of a new organic radical 3-Cl-4-F-V [3-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-1,5-diphenylverdazyl]. Through the ab initio molecular orbital calculation and the analysis of the magnetic properties, this compound was confirmed to be the first experimental realization of an S=1/2 spin-ladder system with ferromagnetic leg interactions. The field-temperature phase diagram indicated that the ground state is situated very close to the quantum critical point. Furthermore, we found an unexpected field-induced successive phase transition, which possibly originates from the interplay of low dimensionality and frustration.

Optimum interpolation analysis of basin-scale ¹³⁷Cs transport in surface seawater in the North Pacific Ocean

¹³⁷Cs is one of the conservative tracers applied to the study of oceanic circulation processes on decadal time scales. To investigate the spatial distribution and the temporal variation of ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in surface seawater in the North Pacific Ocean after 1957, a technique for optimum interpolation (OI) was applied to understand the behaviour of ¹³⁷Cs that revealed the basin-scale circulation of Cs ¹³⁷Cs in surface seawater in the North Pacific Ocean: ¹³⁷Cs deposited in the western North Pacific Ocean from global fallout (late 1950s and early 1960s) and from local fallout (transported from the Bikini and Enewetak Atolls during the late 1950s) was further transported eastward with the Kuroshio and North Pacific Currents within several years of deposition and was accumulated in the eastern North Pacific Ocean until 1967. Subsequently, ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in the eastern North Pacific Ocean decreased due to southward transport. Less radioactively contaminated seawater was also transported northward, upstream of the North Equatorial Current in the western North Pacific Ocean in the 1970s, indicating seawater re-circulation in the North Pacific Gyre.

A new method for determining the optimal CT threshold for extracting the upper airway

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optimal upper threshold levels of a number of individuals and determine the most suitable upper threshold.

METHODS

A phantom model and ten patients were used in this study. The phantom was made of acrylic resin and urethane resin and had nine pillar-shaped air spaces. The subjects were ten female patients with jaw deformities who were not affected by respiratory disease. The optimal threshold levels were determined using the "calculation of CT value disparities" (CCTD) technique, which we devised. In other words, the mean CT values along two lines (air space and soft tissue) were calculated and the optimal threshold level was determined as the level that produced the maximum difference between the CT values measured inside and outside of the air-space border.

RESULTS

The optimal upper threshold levels of the nine phantom holes calculated using the CCTD technique in the front-on standing position and side-on standing position were -434 HU and -456 HU, respectively. The optimal upper threshold level of the ten patients calculated using the CCTD technique was -472 HU. The true threshold level of each patient was defined as the optimal threshold level calculated using the CCTD technique. The mean threshold level was defined as -472 HU. The absolute differences between the volume measurements obtained with these two measures were considered. Therefore, the no error values were -460 HU and -470 HU.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider that the most suitable upper threshold level for extracting the airway is from -460 HU to -470 HU.

Effects of sex and age on serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol in nondiabetic subjects

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of sex and age on serum levels of 1,5-AG in nondiabetic subjects.A total of 1 134 nondiabetic subjects aged 16-96 years with HbA1c less than 6.8% were recruited and divided into 4 HbA1c groups (Q1: HbA1c≤5.3; Q2: 5.4-5.8; Q3: 5.9-6.3; and Q4: 6.4-6.8 [%]). 38 elderly subjects (65 years or older) in the Q3 and Q4 groups (13 men and 25 women) underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).The Q4 group had significantly lower 1,5-AG levels than did the Q1 group among nonelderly males, nonelderly females, and elderly men. In elderly women, 1,5-AG levels did not differ among the 4 HbA1c groups. In both nonelderly and elderly subjects, the 1,5-AG level of the Q1 group was significantly higher in males than in females. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that age was significantly associated with 1,5-AG level in both sexes. HbA1c was significantly associated with the 1,5-AG level in males, while there was no significant association between HbA1c and the 1,5-AG level in females. In the elderly OGTT group, although the glucose levels of both sexes during OGTT were identical, the mean urinary glucose levels and the percentages of subjects with glucosuria were significantly higher in elderly men than in elderly women.Serum 1,5-AG levels were significantly associated with age and sex. The sensitivity of the 1,5-AG level for identifying postprandial hyperglycemia in elderly women with near-normoglycemia is less reliable because they have a higher renal threshold for glucose.

Electron density measurement of cesium seeded negative ion source by surface wave probe

Electron density measurements of a large-scaled negative ion source were carried out with a surface wave probe. By comparison of the electron densities determined with the surface wave probe and a Langmuir probe, it was confirmed that the surface wave probe is highly available for diagnostic of the electron density in H(-) ion sources. In addition, it was found that the ratio of the electron density to the H(-) ion density dramatically decreases with increase of a bias voltage and the H(-) ions become dominant negative particles at the bias voltage of more than 6 V.

Spatial distribution of the charged particles and potentials during beam extraction in a negative-ion source

We report on the characteristics of the electronegative plasma in a large-scale hydrogen negative ion (H(-)) source. The measurement has been made with a time-resolved Langmuir probe installed in the beam extraction region. The H(-) density is monitored with a cavity ring-down system to identify the electrons in the negative charges. The electron-saturation current decreases rapidly after starting to seed Cs, and ion-ion plasma is observed in the extraction region. The H(-) density steps down during the beam extraction and the electron density jumps up correspondingly. The time integral of the decreasing H(-) charge density agrees well with the electron charge collected with the probe. The agreement of the charges is interpreted to indicate that the H(-) density decreasing at the beam extraction is compensated by the electrons diffusing from the driver region. In the plasmas with very low electron density, the pre-sheath of the extraction field penetrates deeply inside the plasmas. That is because the shielding length in those plasmas is longer than that in the usual electron-ion plasmas, and furthermore the electrons are suppressed to diffuse to the extraction region due to the strong magnetic field.

Analysis of the H- ion emissive surface in the extraction region of negative ion sources

To understand the plasma characteristics in the extraction region of negative H(-) sources is very important for the optimization of H(-) extraction from the sources. The profile of plasma density and electrostatic potential in the extraction region with and without extraction grid voltage are analyzed with a 2D particle in cell modeling of the NIFS-RD H(-) sources. The simulation results make clear the physical process forming a double ion plasma layer (which consists only of positive H(+) and negative H(-) ions) recently observed in the Cs-seeded experiments of the NIFS-R&D source in the vicinity of the extraction hole and the plasma grid. The results also give a useful insight into the formation mechanism of the plasma meniscus and the H(-) extraction process for such double ion plasma.

Laser measurement of H- ions in a field-effect-transistor based radio frequency ion source

Hydrogen negative ion density measurements are required to clarify the characteristics of negative ion production and ion source performance. Both of laser photodetachment and cavity ring down (CRD) measurements have been implemented to a field-effect-transistor based radio-frequency ion source. The density ratio of negative hydrogen ions to electrons was successfully measured by laser photodetachment and effect of magnetic filter field on negative ion density was confirmed. The calculated CRD signal showed that CRD mirrors with >99.990% reflectivity are required and loss of reflectivity due to cesium contamination should be minimized.

Pulmonary CD103(+) dendritic cells prime Th2 responses to inhaled allergens

Allergic asthma stems largely from the actions of T helper 2 (Th2) cells, but the pathways that initiate Th2 responses to inhaled allergens are not fully understood. In the lung, there are two major subsets of dendritic cells (DCs), displaying CD11b or CD103. We found that after taking up inhaled ovalbumin in vivo, purified CD103(+) DCs from the lung or lung-draining lymph nodes primed Th2 differentiation ex vivo. Th2 induction by CD103(+) DCs was also seen when cockroach or house dust mite allergens were used. In contrast, CD11b(hi) DCs primed Th1 differentiation. Moreover, mice lacking CD103(+) DCs displayed diminished Th2 priming to various inhaled allergens and did not develop asthma-like responses following subsequent allergen challenge. Low-level antigen presentation by CD103(+) DCs was necessary, but not sufficient for Th2 priming. Together, these findings show that CD103(+) DCs have a significant role in priming Th2 responses to inhaled allergens.

Fine mapping of porcine SSC14 QTL and SCD gene effects on fatty acid composition and melting point of fat in a Duroc purebred population

The stearoyl-CoA desaturase (delta-9-desaturase; SCD) gene is a candidate gene for fatty acid composition. It is located on pig SSC14 in a region where quantitative trait loci (QTL) for fatty acid composition were previously detected in a Duroc purebred population. The objective of the present study was to fine map the QTL, to identify polymorphisms of the pig SCD gene and to examine the effects of SCD polymorphisms on fatty acid composition and melting point of fat in the population. The pigs were examined for fatty acid composition and melting point of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and inter- and intramuscular fat; the number of pigs examined was 479-521. Two SNPs (g.-353C>T and g.-233T>C) were identified in the promoter region of the SCD gene and were completely linked in the pigs from the base generation. In all pigs, 19 microsatellite markers and SCD haplotypes were then genotyped. Different statistical models were applied to evaluate the effects of QTL and the possible causality of the SCD gene variants with respect to the QTL. The results show that all significant QTL for C14:0, C18:0, C18:1 and melting point of fat were detected in the same region, located near the SCD gene. The results also show a significant association between SCD haplotypes and fatty acid composition and fat melting point in this population. These results indicate that the haplotype of the SCD gene has a strong effect on fatty acid composition and melting point of fat.

Associations between weight change since 20 years of age and sleep-disordered breathing among male truck drivers

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence for association of weight gain with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been produced for Asian populations whose body mass index (BMI) levels are lower than in western countries.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine weight change since 20 years of age and risk of SDB among Japanese.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

This study includes a large sample of 5320 male Japanese truck drivers aged 30-69 years.

MEASUREMENTS

The respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was selected as an indicator of SDB, and it was estimated with a one-night sleep test using an airflow monitor, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to estimate excessive daytime sleepiness.

RESULTS

Respiratory disturbance and sleepiness were more prevalent among men with BMI of 25.0-29.9 and > or =30.0 kg/m(2) than among those with BMI of 18.5-24.9; multivariable odds ratios (ORs) were 1.8(1.5-2.0), P<0.001 and 4.4(3.5-5.5), P<0.001 for RDI > or =10, and 1.2(0.9-1.4), P=0.18 and 1.5(1.1-2.1), P=0.02 for ESS > or =11, respectively. Compared with men showing BMI changes within +/-1.0, the respective multivariable ORs for those with BMI changes of 3.0-4.9 and > or =5.0 were 1.4(1.2-1.6), P<0.001 and 2.4(2.0-2.9), P<0.001 for RDI > or =10, and 1.2(0.9-1.6), P=0.22 and 2.0(1.5-2.6), P<0.001 for ESS > or =11. The corresponding ORs for weight gain of > or =10.0 kg compared with weight change less than +/-5.0 kg were 2.0(1.7-2.4), P<0.001 for RDI > or =10 and 1.5(1.2-2.0), P=0.002 for ESS > or =11. Similar trends were observed for RDI > or =20.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that an increase in BMI of > or =5 kg/m(2) or weight gain of > or =10 kg is a risk factor for SDB and excessive daytime sleepiness among Japanese truck drivers.

Poloidal beam emission spectroscopy system for the measurement of density fluctuations in Large Helical Device

A system of beam emission spectroscopy (BES) for density fluctuation measurements having the sightlines passing through the plasma in the poloidal direction was developed in the Large Helical Device (LHD). Even though the angle between the beam and the sightline is slightly larger than a right angle, Doppler-shifted beam emission can be distinguished from background emission because of the high energy (120-170 keV) of the neutral beam for heating with negative ion sources. Spatial resolution is about 0.1-0.2 in the normalized radius. Compared with the prototype BES system with toroidal sightlines, the BES system with poloidal sightlines showed improved spatial resolution.