POS0822 HYPERTROPHIC PACHYMENINGITIS IN ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODY-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS: A MULTICENTER SURVEY IN JAPAN

Background

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP), characterized by an inflammatory disorder indicating intracranial or spinal thickening of dura mater, is found to develop as a neurological involvement in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Meanwhile, the previous studies focusing on HP in AAV have been reported as a single-institution study, and the analyses were performed in a small number of patients because HP is a rare neurological disorder. Therefore, neither etiological nor clinical characteristics of HP in AAV have been adequately elucidated.

Objectives

This study clarified the characteristics of HP in AAV by analyzing the information of multicenter study in Japan (Japan collaborative registry of ANCA-associated vasculitis: J-CANVAS).

Methods

We analyzed the clinical information from 541 Asian patients with AAV enrolled in J-CANVAS. Of them, newly diagnosed and relapsed AAV were included in 448 and 93, respectively. The epidemiological and clinical findings were compared between patients with and without HP. Clinical manifestations related to AAV were evaluated based on the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score version 3. To elucidate independent factors in HP development, logistic regression analyses were additionally performed.

Results

Of the total 541 patients (mean age: 71±14 years, M:F = 1:1.2), HP was demonstrated in 28 (5.17%), including 17 (3.79%) in newly diagnosed AAV and 11 (11.8%) in relapsed AAV. The classification of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) was significantly higher in patients with HP than those without HP (50% vs. 21%, p = 0.0007). In newly diagnosed AAV, patients with HP significantly had higher GPA classification and higher positivity for PR3-ANCA than those without HP (53% vs. 17%, p = 0.001; 29% vs. 9%, p = 0.015, respectively). Conversely, positivity for MPO-ANCA was significantly higher in patients with HP than those without HP in relapsed AAV (91% vs. 55%, p = 0.025), despite not significantly different in the classification of AAV. Headache and cranial neuropathies were significant neurological symptoms in patients with HP compared to those without HP (82% vs. 6.6%, p < 0.0001; 32% vs. 2.9%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Besides, ear, nose and throat (ENT) and mucous membranes/eyes were significantly higher involvements in patients with HP than in those without HP (54% vs. 26%, p = 0.003; 29% vs. 9%, p = 0.003, respectively). Moreover, higher complications of “conjunctive hearing loss” and “sudden visual loss”, which are included in the categories of ENT and mucous membranes/eyes involvement, respectively, were significantly indicated in patients with HP than those without HP (39% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.0001; 21% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that ENT (odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confident interval [CI] 1.09 to 1.49, p = 0.002) and mucous membranes/eyes involvement (OR 1.37, CI 1.14 to 1.65, p = 0.0006), as well as conjunctive hearing loss (OR 4.52, CI 1.56 to 13.05, p = 0.005) and sudden visual loss (OR 1.84, CI 1.12 to 3.00, p = 0.015), were independent related factors in patients with HP.

Conclusion

GPA could be significantly classified in patients with HP. Notably, patients with HP significantly showed higher positivity for PR3-ANCA than those without HP in newly diagnosed AAV. Furthermore, sudden visual loss and conjunctive hearing loss might be implicated in HP development.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

AB0625 Association between Cytomegalovirus Reactivation and Renal Prognosis during Remission Induction Therapy for ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been associated with atherosclerosis in patients with chronic renal failure, and may cause secondary nephrotic syndrome. Therefore, we hypothesized that the reactivation of CMV by immunosuppressive therapy in patients with vasculitis may affect renal function.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between CMV infection and renal function during ANCA-associated vasculitis remission induction therapy.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study enrolled microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients at 25 sites in Japan who had a first or severe relapse between January 2017 and June 2020. Of these, patients with MPA or GPA who had a positive renal lesion score on BVAS (version 3) at baseline, or vasculitis findings on renal biopsy, CMV assayed by 48 weeks of treatment, were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of a positive CMV antigen test during the remission induction phase (0–48 weeks of treatment). Outcomes were the rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 48 weeks after initiation of treatment in both groups, as determined by (eGFR at 48 weeks - eGFR at the initiation of treatment)/eGFR at the initiation of treatment; where lower values were associated with worse renal function. General linear models adjusted for age, gender, presence of diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and the use of rituximab or cyclophosphamide were generated.

Results

A total of 387 patients had CMV antigen measured during ANCA-associated vasculitis treatment, of which 164 had renal involvement and eGFR measured at 48 weeks. Seventy-seven (47.0%) were male and the median age was 75 years (range 69–80 years). CMV reactivation was observed in 44 patients (26.8%). The beta coefficient of multiple regression analysis with CMV positive as 1 and negative as 0 was 0.08 (95% confidence interval -0.13 to 0.29) (p = 0.47). The rate of change in eGFR was higher in the CMV positive group, but not statistically significantly.

Conclusion

Contrary to our hypothesis, renal prognoses tended to be better when CMV reactivation was observed. The patients in the CMV reactivation group may have been treated more aggressively, and some patients with a poor prognosis who were not followed up for 48 weeks dropped out. Further research investigating the adjustment of treatment methods is required.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0247 GLUCOCORTICOID TAPERING STRATEGY FOR ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS: ADDRESSING THE GAP BETWEEN RECOMMENDATIONS AND REAL-WORLD PRACTICE

Background

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody -associated vasculitis (AAV) is usually treated with combination of high-dose glucocorticoid (GC) and immunosuppressive agents, followed by tapering GC dose. Although the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has specific recommendations for tapering the GC dose, clinicians often taper it slower than recommended due to concerns of potential disease relapse. However, such slower taper may prolong GC exposure for the patients, increasing the risk of adverse events, particularly infection.

Objectives

The aims of our study were (1) to clarify GC dose tapering in the treatment of AAV in a real-world setting, in contrast to the EULAR recommendation of 2015 and (2) to compare the incidence of AAV relapse and severe infection between patients underdoing EULAR-recommended tapering and those undergoing slower tapering than the recommendation.

Methods

In this multicenter (25 sites in Japan), observational, retrospective study of AAV, 541 patients who had initial or severe relapse were enrolled between January 2017 and June 2020. Of these, 349 patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) or granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) who entered in GC tapering phase after successful induction treatment were included. These patients were then grouped on the pace of GC tapering, defined as the GC dose at 12 weeks after treatment initiation: (1) EULAR group: 7.5-10 mg/day of GC, according to the EULAR recommendation of 2015, and (2) SLOWER group: >10 mg/day of GC. Their baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared. Primary outcome was defined as relapse-free days from treatment initiation, whereas secondary outcome included the incidence of infectious events requiring hospitalization within 48 weeks from treatment initiation. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess the relationship between tapering pace and clinical outcomes.

Results

There were 44 patients (12.6%) in the EULAR group and 290 (83.2%) in the SLOWER group. Regarding baseline characteristics, compared with the EULAR group, the SLOWER group had significantly higher serum C-reactive protein level (EULAR, 5.89 ± 6.89 mg/dL vs SLOWER, 7.56 ± 6.01 mg/dL; p = 0.03), as well as a trend toward higher Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (version 3) (EULAR, 11.80 ± 7.01 SLOWER, 13.93 ± 7.06; p = 0.08) We did not observe any significant differences in the frequency of relapses between the two groups (EULAR, 8/44, 18.2% vs SLOWER, 55/290, 19.0%; p = 0.63). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed no relationship GC dose at 12 weeks from treatment initiation and incidence of relapse. However, upon logistic regression analysis, the SLOWER group was found to have significant higher risk of a severe infectious event within 48 weeks from treatment initiation (p = 0.046; hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.004 – 1.601).

Conclusion

Our finding indicates that clinicians tended to taper GC slower for patients with higher disease activity. However, slower GC taper was not found to reduce the frequency of relapse. In addition, slower GC taper was found to increase the risk of a severe infection. Hence, clinicians should pay attention not only relapsing but also late GC taper resulting in the risk of serious infection, especially in patients with higher disease activity of AAV.

References

[1]Eur J Clin Invest 2015;45 (3): 346–368.

[2]Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Dec 24;61(1):205-212.

[3]Arthritis Res Ther. 2021 Mar 20;23(1):90.

[4]Scand J Rheumatol. 2022 Jan 20;1-13.

[5]J Rheumatol. 2018 Apr;45(4):521-528.

[6]Rheumatol Adv Pract. 2021 Mar 9;5(3):rkab018.

[7]Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Sep;75(9):1583-94.

Figure 1.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Direct k-space mapping of the electronic structure in an oxide-oxide interface

The interface between LaAlO(3) and SrTiO(3) hosts a two-dimensional electron system of itinerant carriers, although both oxides are band insulators. Interface ferromagnetism coexisting with superconductivity has been found and attributed to local moments. Experimentally, it has been established that Ti 3d electrons are confined to the interface. Using soft x-ray angle-resolved resonant photoelectron spectroscopy we have directly mapped the interface states in k space. Our data demonstrate a charge dichotomy. A mobile fraction contributes to Fermi surface sheets, whereas a localized portion at higher binding energies is tentatively attributed to electrons trapped by O vacancies in the SrTiO(3). While photovoltage effects in the polar LaAlO(3) layers cannot be excluded, the apparent absence of surface-related Fermi surface sheets could also be fully reconciled in a recently proposed electronic reconstruction picture where the built-in potential in the LaAlO(3) is compensated by surface O vacancies serving also as a charge reservoir.

The influence of restricted feeding on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-containing cells in the chicken small intestine

The influence of restricted feeding on the distribution of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-containing endocrine cells in the chicken small intestine was investigated using immunohistochemical and morphometrical techniques. This study demonstrated that the restricted feeding had an influence on the activity of GLP-1-immunoreactive cells in the chicken small intestine. There were differences in the localization and the frequency of occurrence of GLP-1-immunoreactive cells in the small intestine between control and restricted groups, especially 25% feed supply group provided with 25% of the intake during the adapting period. GLP-1-immunoreactive cells in the control chickens were mainly located in epithelium from crypts to the lower part of intestinal villi. Those in restricted groups, however, tended to be located from crypts to the middle part of intestinal villi. The frequency of occurrence of GLP-1-immunoreactive cells was lowest in the control group, medium in 50% feed supply group and highest in 25% feed supply group at each intestinal region examined in this study, that is, increased with the advancement of restricting the amount of feed supply. These data show that the quantity of food intake is one of signals that have an influence on the secretion of GLP-1 from L cells in the chicken small intestine.

A randomized-controlled trial to investigate the effects of rivoglitazone, a novel PPAR gamma agonist on glucose-lipid control in type 2 diabetes

AIM

To examine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of rivoglitazone, a novel thiazolidinedione (TZD), and explore its effects on glucose and lipid control compared to placebo and pioglitazone in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients who are treatment naÏve or treated with a single oral blood glucose-lowering drug.

METHODS

This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo- and active-controlled study. A total of 287 Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with suboptimal glycaemic control (defined as HbA1c ≥6.5 to <10% and fasting plasma glucose ≥7 to ≤15 mmol/l) were enrolled. One hundred and seventy-four eligible patients were randomized into one of the five treatment arms for 12 weeks: placebo, pioglitazone 30 mg daily, rivoglitazone of dose 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg daily. In a full set analysis, we used analysis of covariance to compare the primary endpoint defined as change in HbA1c from baseline to week 12/last observation carried forward in the rivoglitazone group at each dose level with the placebo group.

RESULTS

Changes in HbA1c were -0.11% in the 0.5-mg group; -0.22% in the 1-mg group and -0.17% in the 1.5-mg rivoglitazone group; -0.06% in the 30-mg pioglitazone group and 0.61% in the placebo group. Compared to placebo, changes were significant in all active treatment groups (all p < 0.05). Increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decrease in triglyceride were observed in the rivoglitazone 1 and 1.5 mg groups, respectively, compared to placebo from baseline to week 12 (p < 0.05). Drug-related oedema was reported in eight patients (7.7%) in all rivoglitazone groups compared to six patients (16.2%) in the pioglitazone group and one patient (3.0%) in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

Rivoglitazone is an efficacious, safe and well-tolerated TZD which improved glycaemic control in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients up to 3 months.

Intramammary challenge of lipopolysaccharide stimulates secretion of lingual antimicrobial peptide into milk of dairy cows

Lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP) belongs to the beta-defensin family in cattle and is found in bovine milk. However, it is unclear whether LAP is involved in the early immune response to mammary infection. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes of LAP concentration in milk after intramammary challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the gram-negative bacteria cell membrane component, in dairy cows. Milk was collected before and after LPS or phosphate-buffered saline (control) challenge every hour for 12 h on d 0 and twice daily from d 1 to 7. Somatic cell count (SCC), LAP concentration, and lactoperoxidase (LPO) activity in the milk were measured. Somatic cell count started to increase at 2 h postchallenge and remained high until d 5 (694 +/- 187 x 10(3 )to >1,000 +/- 0 x 10(3) cells/mL at d 0; >1,000 +/- 0 x 10(3) cells/mL at d 1 to 3; 684 +/- 194 x 10(3 )to 829 +/- 108 x 10(3 )cells/mL at d 4; 527 +/- 197 x 10(3 )to 656 +/- 145 x 10(3 )cells/mL at d 5). Somatic cell count increased in the control cows, although the levels were lower compared with those in the LPS challenge group. The LAP concentration in milk increased significantly at 2 h post-LPS-challenge and was maintained at high levels until d 2 (8.6 +/- 0.6 to 17.5 +/- 2.3 nM). In the control cow infused with phosphate-buffered saline, there was no increase of LAP concentration in milk (5.1 +/- 0.6 to 7.2 +/- 0.8 nM). Increase of LPO activity in the milk was observed at 6 h after LPS challenge and continued until d 3 (4.7 +/- 0.3 to 9.4 +/- 1.1 U). No increase of LPO activity was observed in the milk of control cows. The increase and subsequent decrease in LAP concentration after LPS challenge occurred earlier than those of LPO activity. In multiparous cows with LPS infusion, there was a significantly negative relationship between the days leading to the basal levels in LAP concentration and LPO activity (r = -0.75). These results suggest that LPS induces secretion of LAP into milk within hours and that LPO may have a synergistic antimicrobial function with LAP in mammary glands of dairy cows.

Oestrogen receptor-alpha contributes to the regulation of the hedgehog signalling pathway in ERalpha-positive gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) is highly expressed in diffuse-type gastric cancer and oestrogen increases the proliferation of ERalpha-positive gastric cancer. However, a detailed mechanism by which oestrogen increases the proliferation of these cells is still unclear.

METHODS

We used 17-beta-oestradiol (E2) as a stimulator against the ERalpha pathway. Pure anti-oestrogen drug ICI 182 780 (ICI) and small interfering RNA against ERalpha (ERalpha siRNA) were used as inhibitors. Cyclopamine (Cyc) was used as the hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitor. Two human ERalpha-positive gastric cancer cells were used as target cells. Effects of the stimulator and inhibitor on E2-induced cell proliferation were also examined.

RESULTS

In ERalpha-positive cells, E2 increased not only cell proliferation but also one of the ligands of the Hh pathway, Shh expression. 17-beta-Oestradiol-induced cell proliferation was suppressed by ICI, ERalpha siRNA or Cyc. The increased expression of Shh induced by E2 was suppressed by ICI and ERalpha siRNA but not by Cyc. Furthermore, recombinant Shh activated the Hh pathway and increased cell proliferation, whereas anti-Shh antibody suppressed E2-induced cell proliferation. When a relationship between ERalpha and Shh expressions was analysed using surgically resected gastric cancer specimens, a positive correlation was found, suggesting a linkage between the ERalpha and Hh pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that activation of the ERalpha pathway promotes cell proliferation by activating the Hh pathway in a ligand-dependent manner through Shh induction of ERalpha-positive gastric cancer.

Expression of heat shock proteins, Hsp70 and Hsp25, in the rat gingiva after irradiation with a CO2 laser in coagulation mode

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The therapeutic rationale of low-energy pulsed CO(2) laser coagulation mode has not been clarified yet. We conducted this study to characterize the effect of low-energy pulsed CO(2) laser coagulation mode irradiation of the rat gingiva in terms of the expression of heat shock proteins.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Laser irradiation was achieved with the parameters of 5 W, 600 mus pulse duration, and fluence of 326 J/cm(2). The gingiva dissected at different times after irradiation was processed for immunohistochemical examination of the expression of the heat shock proteins, Hsp70 and Hsp25.

RESULTS

One hour after irradiation, the epithelial keratinocytes facing the laser wound exhibited an overexpression of Hsp70 in their nucleus. The connective tissue cells facing the laser wound, which included fibroblasts and capillary endothelial cells, showed de novo expression of Hsp70 at 3 h post-irradiation, the level of which peaked at 1 d and thereafter decreased. An enhanced and/or de novo expression of Hsp25 in the connective tissue cells facing the laser wound became evident at 3 h after irradiation, and after 1 d the Hsp25-expressing cells increased in number and spread over the wound as wound repair progressed. There was a temporospatial difference in the expression pattern between Hsp70 and Hsp25, with only a few cells appearing to co-express both heat shock proteins.

CONCLUSION

The CO(2) laser treatment in coagulation mode produced the expression of heat shock proteins, and the findings suggest that while Hsp70 mainly conferred cell protection, Hsp25 was involved in the progress of wound repair as well as cell protection.

Bandstructure meets many-body theory: the LDA+DMFT method

Ab initio calculation of the electronic properties of materials is a major challenge for solid-state theory. Whereas 40 years' experience has proven density-functional theory (DFT) in a suitable form, e.g. local approximation (LDA), to give a satisfactory description when electronic correlations are weak, materials with strongly correlated electrons, say d- or f-electrons, remain a challenge. Such materials often exhibit 'colossal' responses to small changes of external parameters such as pressure, temperature, and magnetic field, and are therefore most interesting for technical applications. Encouraged by the success of dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) in dealing with model Hamiltonians for strongly correlated electron systems, physicists from the bandstructure and many-body communities have joined forces and developed a combined LDA+DMFT method for treating materials with strongly correlated electrons ab initio. As a function of increasing Coulomb correlations, this new approach yields a weakly correlated metal, a strongly correlated metal, or a Mott insulator. In this paper, we introduce the LDA+DMFT method by means of an example, LaMnO(3). Results for this material, including the 'colossal' magnetoresistance of doped manganites, are presented. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the LDA+DMFT approach.

Design of a d(1)-analogue of cuprates: Sr(2)VO(4) and Ba(2)VO(4) under pressure

By means of a combination of the local density approximation and dynamical mean field theory (LDA + DMFT), we study the possibility of making a d(1) analogue of d(9) cuprates on the basis of Sr(2)VO(4). We calculate the electronic structure of Sr(2)VO(4) under pressure, and show that while the material is a 1/6-filled three-band system at ambient pressure with a small level splitting between the d(xy)- and d(yz/zx)-bands, an orbital polarization occurs under sufficiently high uniaxial pressure in the c-direction. While all energy scales are relatively small, the electronic structure of Sr(2)VO(4) under pressure is similar to that of La(2)CuO(4); it is a two-dimensional half-filled single-band system which has, relative to the nearest neighbour hopping, a similar Coulomb repulsion and next-nearest neighbour hopping. We also study the effect of substituting Sr by Ba, i.e., chemical pressure, and show that the pressure needed for the orbital polarization is considerably reduced.

Coexistence of strongly mixed-valence and heavy-fermion character in SmOs4Sb12 studied by soft- and hard-X-ray spectroscopy

Sm-based heavy-fermion compound SmOs4Sb12 has been investigated by soft x-ray (hnu=1070-1600 eV) and hard x-ray (HX; hnu=7932 eV) spectroscopy. The HX photoemission spectroscopy clearly demonstrates that the strongly mixed-valence state and the heavy-fermion state coexist in the bulk. It is found that the Sm valence decreases below 100 K, indicating that the Kondo coherence develops with approaching the proposed Kondo temperature. Our theoretical analyses suggest that the origin of the coexistence in SmOs4Sb12 is the coincidence of two conditions, namely, (i) the energy difference between Sm divalent and trivalent states is very small and (ii) the hybridization between Sm 4f and conduction electrons is weak.

Airway smooth muscle phenotype and function: interactions with current asthma therapies

Asthma incidence has climbed markedly in the past two decades despite an increased use of medications that suppress airway inflammation and repress contraction of smooth muscle that encircles the airways. Asthmatics exhibit episodes of airway inflammation that potentiates reversible airway smooth muscle spasm. A hallmark diagnostic symptom of asthma is airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled non-allergic stimuli, such as methacholine, that directly induce airway smooth muscle contraction. Inhaled gluccocorticoids are used for first-line prevention of airway inflammation, and are frequently combined with inhaled beta2-adrenoceptor agonists that can effectively relax airway smooth muscle and restore airway conductance. Leukotriene receptor antagonists and anti-cholinergics can also be used in many patients to ensure optimal control of symptoms. With increasing disease duration irreversible airway restriction develops from inflammation-driven fibro-proliferative airway remodeling that includes increased deposition of extracellular matrix, the accumulation of airway smooth muscle, and increased numbers of myofibroblasts. Mature airway smooth muscle cells are phenotypically plastic, enabling them to subserve contractile, proliferative, migratory and secretory functional responses that contribute to airway remodeling and persistent hyperresponsiveness. This review assesses current understanding of acute and chronic effects of common anti-asthma medications on the diverse phenotype and functional characteristics of airway smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we describe the significance of these effects in the treatment of asthma symptoms and pathogenesis.

Pressure-induced metal-insulator transition in LaMnO3 is not of Mott-Hubbard type

Calculations employing the local density approximation combined with static and dynamical mean field theories (LDA+U and LDA+DMFT) indicate that the metal-insulator transition observed at 32 GPa in paramagnetic LaMnO3 at room temperature is not a Mott-Hubbard transition, but is caused by orbital splitting of the majority-spin eg bands. For LaMnO3 to be insulating at pressures below 32 GPa, both on-site Coulomb repulsion and Jahn-Teller distortion are needed.

Spiral terraces and spin frustration in layered antiferromagnetic Cr(001) films

We have successfully fabricated a novel type of high-density spiral terraces on Cr(001) films. The influence of nanoscale spiral terraces on layered antiferromagnetic ordering of Cr(001) films has been studied at room temperature by direct imaging of both topographic and magnetic structures using spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Spin frustration and asymmetric magnetic ordering due to dense spiral terraces are observed. Sizable modification of the layered antiferromagnetic order is found to be originating from the topological asymmetry as confirmed by the continuum micromagnetic simulation.

Polymorphisms in ADAM33 are associated with allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen

BACKGROUND

A recent report provided evidence that a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 33 (ADAM33), a member of the ADAM family, is a novel susceptibility gene in asthma linked to bronchial hyper-responsiveness. However, there has been no investigation of the genetic role of ADAM33 variants in nasal allergy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test the association between ADAM33 polymorphisms and Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis), a most common seasonal allergic rhinitis in Japan.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control association study among a Japanese population, involving 95 adult individuals with JCPsis and 95 normal healthy controls. A total of 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADAM33 were genotyped using PCR-based molecular methods.

RESULTS

Six SNPs of ADAM33 gene, three in introns (7575G/A, 9073G/A and 12540C/T) and three in the coding region (10918G/C, 12433T/C and 12462C/T), were strongly associated with JCPsis (P = 0.0002-0.022 for absolute allele frequencies) and most of the SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium with each other. A higher frequency of the common alleles of these SNPs was noted for the subjects with JCPsis in comparison with healthy controls. We also identified a haplotype associated with the disease susceptibility. In addition, associations were found between ADAM33 polymorphisms and various cedar pollinosis phenotypes including clinical severity, eosinophil counts in nasal secretion and allergen-specific IgE levels in sera, but not total serum IgE levels.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that polymorphisms in the ADAM33 gene are associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollen, but the functional relationship still needs clarification.

Effects of lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 on allergen-induced serum antibody responses and active cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice

BACKGROUND

Our previous studies have presented evidence that lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 (LFK), a lysozyme and heat-treated probiotic product, can inhibit allergen-induced local accumulation of eosinophils in mice.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the influence of orally administrated LFK on the host immune responses.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were sensitized subcutaneously, and challenged intraperitoneally by cedar pollen allergen. Blood and spleen samples were collected after oral administration of LFK 60 mg/day for 21 days. The serum levels of total and allergen-specific IgE and IgG2a antibodies and the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma generated by allergen-stimulated cultured splenocytes were determined. Additionally, the effect of LFK on active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA) induced by ovalbumin (OVA) challenge in mice was measured after 28 days LFK treatment.

RESULTS

No significant differences in serum immunoglobulin levels, as well as in cytokine production of splenocytes were observed between LFK-treated and control mice (P>0.05). There was, however, an increasing tendency of allergen-specific IgG2a level in mice after LFK treatment for 21 days compared with controls (P=0.060). Furthermore, the serum ratio of specific IgE to IgG2a was found to be significantly decreased in the LFK group (P=0.005). In addition, a significant inhibition of OVA-induced ACA reaction was observed in mice that had been fed for 28 days with LFK compared with control mice (P=0.008).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that LFK shows an anti-inflammatory effect, which may be part of the mechanism for protection against IgE-mediated allergy.

An asthma-associated genetic variant of STAT6 predicts low burden of ascaris worm infestation

Th-2 immune mechanisms are involved in the pathology of asthma and in the protective immune response to parasitic worms. Common upregulating genetic variants of Th-2 immune signalling are risk factors for asthma, and we tested whether they may confer a counteradvantage in protecting against parasitic worms. We examined the intensity of infection by the parasitic worm, Ascaris lumbricoides, by microsopic counting of ascaris eggs in the stool of 614 schoolchildren from an area of endemic ascaris infection in China. We investigated the relationship between the intensity of ascaris infection and common, asthma-associated genetic variants of Th-2 and Th-1 immune signalling. Ascaris egg counts per gram of stool (epg), mean 1068 epg, ranged from barely detectable (<240 epg) to heavy (approximately 9600 epg) in a skewed distribution. Logistic regression, after exploratory discriminant analysis, showed a major association between a common genetic variant of the 3'-UTR regulatory elements of the signal transducer and transactivating factor (STAT6) (P=0.0002) and egg counts, at the 77 th centile. Linear regression after log transformation of egg counts confirmed a highly significant association with this STAT6 variant (P=0.001). Thus, a common, asthma-associated, genetic variant of the pivotal transduction and transactivating factor for Th-2 immune signalling, STAT6, predicts increased resistance to ascaris worm infection. The evolution of enhanced resistance to parasitic worm infection, through human genetic variation in Th-2 immune signalling, may represent one origin for asthma.

Filling of the mott-hubbard gap in the high temperature photoemission spectrum of (V0.972Cr0.028)2O3

Photoemission spectra of the paramagnetic insulating phase of (V0.972Cr0.028)2O3, taken in ultrahigh vacuum up to the unusually high temperature (T) of 800 K, reveal a property unique to the Mott-Hubbard (MH) insulator that has not been observed previously. With increasing T the MH gap is filled by spectral weight transfer, in qualitative agreement with high-T theoretical calculations combining dynamical mean field theory and band theory in the local density approximation.

Measuring subepithelial thickness using endobronchial ultrasonography in a patient with asthma: a case report

The chronic inflammation of bronchial asthma is characterized by swelling of the subepithelial mucosa. However, it is difficult to assess subepithelial edema clinically. We report the case of a patient with asthma whose subepithelial edema was evaluated by endobronchial ultrasonography. Receiving montelukast 10 mg/day for 2 weeks, a 42-year-old man with mild, persistent asthma had his symptoms controlled by beta2-inhalation alone. Pretreatment endobronchial ultrasonography revealed subepithelial thickening in the right main stem bronchus, with a low absorption area suggestive of edema. Two weeks of montelukast therapy diminished the amount of subepithelial edema. Endobronchial ultrasonography is a promising technique for determining subepithelial edema in the asthmatic airway.

Direct observation of the single-domain limit of Fe nanomagnets by spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy

We have investigated the magnetic structure of self-organized Fe islands on W(001) by means of spin-polarized scanning tunneling spectroscopy (Sp-STS). Single-domain, simple vortex, and distorted vortex states have been observed. The high resolution magnetic images were used to experimentally determine the single-domain limit. The experimental structures were compared with results of micromagnetic calculations confirming the ground state nature of the experimental configurations. The single-domain limit directly observed with Sp-STS is consistent with theoretical predictions.

Prominent quasiparticle peak in the photoemission spectrum of the metallic phase of V2O3

We present the first observation of a prominent quasiparticle peak in the photoemission spectrum of the metallic phase of V2O3 and report new spectral calculations that combine the local-density approximation with the dynamical mean-field theory (using quantum Monte Carlo simulations) to show the development of such a distinct peak with decreasing temperature. The experimental peak width and weight are significantly larger than in the theory.

One-pot conversion of allyl alcohols into selenochroman derivatives

A one-pot conversion of allyl alcohols into selenochroman derivatives was achieved by treatment with a phenyl trimethylsilyl selenide (TMSSePh)-AIBr3 reagent system.