Case report: Cerebellar swelling and hydrocephalus in familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is a severe inborn error of immunity caused by a genetic defect that impairs the function of cytotoxic T and NK cells. There are only a few reported cases of FHL with diffuse swelling of the cerebellum and obstructive hydrocephalus. We report a case of FHL3 with neurological symptoms associated with cerebellar swelling and obstructive hydrocephalus. A male patient was hospitalized several times due to fever and decreased feeding, hepatosplenomegaly, and cytopenia since the first month of life. At 7 months of age, disturbance of consciousness was seen. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed signal intensity in the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, diffusely increased periventricular white matter, and ventriculomegaly. Although he was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy, he was unresponsive to the treatment. He was then transferred to a local hospital after tracheotomy but died. Targeted clinical sequencing revealed a homozygous splice-site mutation in UNC13D. Pediatric hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) includes some cases of central nervous symptom (CNS)-isolated HLH or CNS HLH preceding systemic lesions, which often do not initially meet the diagnostic criteria for FHL. Patients with FHL initiated by cerebellar symptoms may present with an atypical clinical course for HLH, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes. Despite the usefulness of a combination of a high percentage of lymphocytes in the peripheral leukocytes, a low lactate dehydrogenase level, and a high sIL-2R/ferritin ratio for identifying FHL, the diagnosis may be missed due to the absence of these results. Presymptomatic diagnosis of FHL by screening of newborns and subsequent early treatment of patients with a predicted poor prognosis may contribute to better outcomes.

Efficacy of acotiamide on postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome depending on the estimated gastric acid secretion level

Background/Aims

Gastric acid secretion is suspected to be a pivotal contributor to the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia. The present study investigates the potential association of the gastric acid secretion estimated by measuring serum pepsinogen with therapeutic responsiveness to the prokinetic drug acotiamide.

Methods

Dyspeptic patients consulting participating clinics from October 2017 to March 2019 were prospectively enrolled in the study. The dyspeptic symptoms were classified into postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). Gastric acid secretion levels were estimated by the Helicobacter pylori infection status and serum pepsinogen using established criteria and classified into hypo-, normo-, and hyper-secretion. Each patient was then administered 100 mg acotiamide thrice daily for 4 weeks, and the response rate to the treatment was evaluated using the overall treatment efficacy scale.

Results

Of the 86 enrolled patients, 56 (65.1%) and 26 (30.2%) were classified into PDS and EPS, respectively. The estimated gastric acid secretion was not significantly different between PDS and EPS. The response rates were 66.0% for PDS and 73.1% for EPS, showing no significant difference. While the response rates were stable, ranging from 61.0% to 75.0% regardless of the estimated gastric acid secretion level among subjects with PDF, the rates were significantly lower in hyper-secretors than in non-hyper-secretors among subjects with EPS (42.0% vs 83.0%, P = 0.046).

Conclusion

Although acotiamide is effective for treating EPS as well as PDS overall, the efficacy is somewhat limited in EPS with gastric acid hyper-secretion, with gastric acid suppressants, such as proton pump inhibitors, being more suitable.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the breast as complex cystic lesion: a case report

Spindle cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare tumor. This tumor can proliferate rapidly and cause cystic changes because of internal tissue necrosis. We evaluated a 54-year-old woman with right breast lump. Mammography showed a category four mass with a diameter of 2.5 cm. Ultrasonography (US) revealed a complex cystic lesion, and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology demonstrated bloody fluid and malignant cells. Partial breast resection and sentinel lymph node biopsy were performed. Immunohistology revealed spindle cells with positive results for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and vimentin, partially positive results for s-100, and negative results for desmin and α-actin. The pathological stage was IIA, and biochemical characterization showed that the tumor was triple negative. Six courses of FEC-100 chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m², epirubicin 100 mg/m², and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m²) were administered. Radiotherapy was performed. This case is discussed with reference to the literature.

Localized esophageal eosinophilia: Is it an early manifestation of eosinophilic esophagitis or a subtype of gastroesophageal reflux disease?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We recently encountered patients with localized esophageal eosinophilia in a small area of the esophagus. However, this condition remains to be described in detail, and its clinical significance has not been established. We investigated the clinical, endoscopic and histological features of localized esophageal eosinophilia in comparison with diffuse esophageal eosinophilia.

METHODS

We investigated 10 patients with localized esophageal eosinophilia, and compared them with 23 who had diffuse esophageal eosinophilia. Whether esophageal eosinophilia was localized or diffuse was determined on the basis of endoscopic findings. Localized esophageal eosinophilia was defined endoscopically as a focal area of esophageal eosinophilia, whereas diffuse esophageal eosinophilia was defined as a widespread area of esophageal eosinophilia involving more than one of three locations: the upper, middle and lower esophagus. Histological esophageal eosinophilia in the mucosa showing endoscopic abnormality was confirmed by biopsy with a peak of ≥ 15 eosinophils/high-power field.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, gender distribution, allergic conditions or peripheral eosinophilia between the two groups. In all cases but one, localized esophageal eosinophilia was observed in a small area above the esophagogastric junction. Esophageal symptoms such as dysphagia, heartburn or chest pain were present in 20% of the localized group and in 65% of the diffuse group, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). The maximum amounts of eosinophils infiltrating the esophageal mucosa did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal eosinophilia can be localized in a small area, especially above the esophagogastric junction. Gastric acid reflux or contact may influence this condition in addition to its allergic pathogenesis.

EGFR inhibitors augment antitumour helper T-cell responses of HER family-specific immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy is an attractive strategy alternative to conventional cancer treatments for HNSCC, but its efficacy remains controversial. T-cell-based immunotherapy has been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach to improve the clinical outcome for HNSCC. In this study, we report human epidermal receptor (HER) family epitopes that induced CD4 T-cell responses to HNSCC. The results provide support for a novel strategy to treat HNSCC by combining EGFR-targeted therapy with T-cell-based immunotherapy.

METHODS

We evaluated the capacity of predicted CD4 T-cell peptide epitopes from EGFR to induce antitumour immune responses in vitro. In addition, EGFR inhibitors were evaluated for their ability to augment tumour MHC class II expression in HNSCC cell lines and subsequently increase T-cell recognition.

RESULTS

Among several predicted peptide epitopes, EGFR875-889 elicited CD4 T-cell responses that were restricted by HLA-DR4, DR15, or DR53 molecules, indicating that the peptide functions as a promiscuous T-cell epitope. The peptide-reactive T cells responded to autologous dendritic cells loaded with EGFR-expressing tumour cell lysates, indicating that these epitopes are naturally processed. In addition, the CD4 T cells were capable of directly recognising and killing HNSCC cells expressing EGFR and the appropriate HLA class II molecule. T cells reactive with the EGFR875-889 epitope could be detected in the blood of HNSCC patients. EGFR875-889-reactive CD4 T cells were also able to recognise several peptide analogues derived from homologous regions of EGFR family members, HER-2, HER-3 and c-MET. Finally, we examined the effects of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition or EGFR-blocking antibodies on CD4 T-cell tumour reactivity. Treatment of tumour cells with the EGFR inhibitors enhanced tumour recognition by EGFR875-889-reactive T cells presumably due to the upregulation of HLA-DR expression in the HNSCC cells.

CONCLUSION

We identified novel CD4 T-cell EGFR epitopes and amongst these, EGFR875-889 functions as a promiscuous helper T-cell epitope that can elicit effective antitumour T-cell responses against tumours expressing HER family members and c-MET. These observations should facilitate the translation of T-cell-based immunotherapy into the clinic for the treatment of HNSCC and provide a rational basis for EGFR inhibition, immune-targeted combination therapy.

[A case of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the stomach showing rapid growth]

We report an extremely rare case of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the stomach. A 74-year-old woman was admitted for abdominal discomfort. A 13-cm gastric submucosal tumor and multiple liver and bone metastases were detected by computed tomography. The tumor had not been detected 8 months earlier. We performed EUS-FNAB for a suspected mesenchymal tumor, but the immunohistochemical test (c-kit, CD34, desmin, SMA, S-100) findings were negative. The tumor was confirmed as wild type for c-kit and PDGFRα. It grew rapidly and the patient died 2 months after admission. Pathological analysis of the EUS-FNAB specimens and autopsy revealed an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.

The field and temperature dependence of the magnetic and structural properties of the shape memory compound Ni(1.84)Mn(1.64)In(0.52)

Magnetization and high resolution neutron powder diffraction measurements have been made on the magnetic shape memory alloy Ni(1.84)Mn(1.64)In(0.52). The compound undergoes a broad structural phase transition, which on heating starts at ∼150 K and finishes at ∼215 K. On cooling there is a ∼20 K hysteresis. The high temperature parent phase is cubic (a = 5.988 Å) with the L2(1) structure in which the excess Mn atoms occupy the vacancies on the Ni and In sites. The magnetic moment is located mainly on the Mn atoms with the same magnitude on both the 4a (Mn) and 4b (In) sites. The low temperature martensite is monoclinic with parameters a = 4.405(2), b = 5.553(2), c = 12.950(2) Å, β = 86.47(10)° and space group P2/m. The magnetic properties of the martensitic phase are complex and indicate metamagnetic behaviour.

Phase II trial of S-1 plus low-dose cisplatin for unresectable and recurrent gastric cancer (JFMC27-9902 Step2)

AIMS

The efficacy and the toxicity of oral fluorouracil derivative S-1 plus low-dose cisplatin in unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer were evaluated by a phase II study.

METHODS

S-1 was administered orally for 28 days following 14 days' rest at 80-120 mg/body/day, depending on body surface area. During administration of S-1, cisplatin was given twice a week at the recommended dose (10 mg/m(2)), which was determined by a phase I study. Data from 34 patients in phase II and 8 patients treated with the recommended dose of cisplatin in phase I were analyzed. The primary endpoint was objective response.

RESULTS

The response rate was 47.1%. The median survival time was 11.0 months and the median progression-free survival was 6.9 months. The grade 3/4 toxicities observed in 10% or more of the treated patients were neutropenia (16.7%), anemia (16.7%) and anorexia (11.9%). The serum concentration of cisplatin was 794 ± 341 ng/ml at day 25 of the first course.

CONCLUSIONS

S-1 plus low-dose cisplatin may be a clinically useful regimen for unresectable or recurrent gastric cancer because of its infrequent adverse events in spite of considerable efficacy and its convenience of no hydration and no hospitalization.

Topographic differences in gastric micromucosal patterns observed by magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The distributions and grades of Helicobacter pylori induced gastritis are known to vary among H. pylori-associated diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in distributions of gastric micromucosal structures observed by magnifying narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy among patients with different H. pylori-associated diseases.

METHODS

Ninety-five patients with active duodenal ulcers (n = 24) and diffuse-type (n = 24) and intestinal-type (n = 47) early gastric cancers were enrolled. The magnified NBI findings were evaluated at the lesser and greater curvatures in the upper gastric corpus and were classified according to the modified A-B classification system. Biopsy specimens were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In a total of 190 areas observed with magnifying NBI, histological grading (inflammation, activity, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia) showed significant differences among the classified micromucosal patterns (P < 0.001). Types B-1 and B-2, with mild atrophic changes and few areas of intestinal metaplasia, were seen mostly in the duodenal ulcers group. Types B-3 and A-1, with moderate atrophic changes, were seen in the diffuse-type early gastric cancers at the lesser curvature. Types A-1 and A-2, with severe atrophic change and a high frequency of intestinal metaplasia, were seen in the intestinal-type early gastric cancers at the lesser curvature. The prevalence of micromucosal structures differed significantly among the three groups both at the lesser and greater curvatures (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Magnifying NBI endoscopy clearly revealed detailed micromorphological differences corresponding to the histology and endoscopic findings among patients with different H. pylori-associated diseases.

Influence of experimental esophageal acidification on sleep bruxism: a randomized trial

The aim of this cross-over, randomized, single-blinded trial was to examine whether intra-esophageal acidification induces sleep bruxism (SB). Polysomnography with electromyogram (EMG) of masseter muscle, audio-video recording, and esophageal pH monitoring were performed in a sleep laboratory. Twelve healthy adult males without SB participated. Intra-esophageal infusions of 5-mL acidic solution (0.1 N HCl) or saline were administered. The frequencies of EMG bursts, rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA) episodes, grinding noise, and the RMMA/microarousal ratio were significantly higher in the 20-minute period after acidic infusion than after saline infusion. RMMA episodes including SB were induced by esophageal acidification. This trial is registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000002923.

ABBREVIATIONS

ASDA, American Sleep Disorders Association; EMG, electromyogram; GER, gastroesophageal reflux; LES, lower esophageal sphincter; NREM, non-rapid eye movement; REM, rapid eye movement; RMMA, rhythmic masticatory muscle activity; SB, sleep bruxism; SD, standard deviation; UES, upper esophageal sphincter.

Magnifying endoscopic findings of the surface structure of non-cancerous mucosa surrounding differentiated and undifferentiated gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Several reports have described the usefulness of magnifying endoscopy in observing the surface structure in gastric neoplasia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of the surface structure of non-cancerous mucosa surrounding gastric cancer.

METHODS

Sixty Japanese patients with early gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. We observed the non-cancerous gastric mucosa surrounding gastric carcinoma by magnifying endoscopy and classified the magnified view into four patterns: (A) dotted; (B) short-linear; (C) striped; and (D) granular, according to Sakaki's classification.

RESULTS

All patients were diagnosed as having Helicobacter pylori infection, and histological evaluation revealed 46 types of differentiated and 14 types of undifferentiated-type gastric carcinomas. There were significant differences in the gender, age and endoscopic-atrophic-border scale between patients with these two types. In all, the surface structure at 240 points (4 points each in 60 patients) of non-cancerous mucosa was observed by magnifying endoscopy. The prevalences of the surface patterns of the mucosa surrounding differentiated carcinoma were: A, 1.1%; B, 8.1%; C, 28.3%; D, 62.5%, and those of the mucosa surrounding undifferentiated carcinoma were: A, 8.9%; B, 73.2%; C, 14.3%; D, 3.6%. There were significant differences in the surface structure of the non-cancerous mucosa surrounding differentiated and undifferentiated gastric carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

The microsurface structure of the gastric mucosa surrounding gastric cancer lesions differed between patients with differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancer. These findings are expected to be useful for the early detection of gastric carcinoma lesions or for the determination of extensions of carcinoma lesions.

Magnetic and structural properties of the magnetic shape memory compound Ni(2)Mn(1.48)Sb(0.52)

Magnetization and high resolution neutron powder diffraction measurements on the magnetic shape memory compound Ni(2)Mn(1.48)Sb(0.52) have confirmed that it is ferromagnetic below 350 K and undergoes a structural phase transition at T(M)≈310 K. The high temperature phase has the cubic L2(1) structure with a = 5.958 Å, with the excess manganese atoms occupying the 4(b) Sb sites. In the cubic phase above ≈310 K the manganese moments are ferromagnetically aligned. The magnetic moment at the 4(a) site is 1.57(12) μ(B) and it is almost zero (0.15(9) μ(B)) at the 4(b) site. The low temperature orthorhombic phase which is only fully established below 50 K has the space group Pmma with a cell related to the cubic one by a Bain transformation a(orth) = (a(cub) + b(cub))/2; b(orth) = c(cub) and c(orth) = (a(cub) - b(cub)). The change in cell volume is ≈2.5%. The spontaneous magnetization of samples cooled in fields less than 0.5 T decreases at temperatures below T(M) and at 2 K the magnetic moment per formula unit in fields up to 5.5 T is 2.01(5) μ(B). Neutron diffraction patterns obtained below ≈132 K gave evidence for a weak incommensurate magnetic modulation with propagation vector (2/3, 1/3, 0).

Cochlear protection from acoustic injury by inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and sequestosome 1 stress protein

This study evaluated the protective role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitors and sequestosome 1 (Sqstm1/A170/p62), a stress-induced signal modulator, in acoustic injury of the cochlea in mice. Two weeks after the exposure of mice to acoustic stress, threshold shifts of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) from the pre-exposure level and hair cell loss were evaluated. The activation of p38 MAPK was observed in cochlea by immunostaining 4 h after acoustic stress. To examine the role of p38 MAPK in tissue injury, its inhibitors were i.p. injected into male wild-type C57BL mice before the acoustic overexposure. The inhibitors SB202190 and SB203580 but not the inactive analogue SB202474 dose-dependently decreased the auditory threshold shift and outer hair cell loss induced by acoustic overexposure, suggesting the involvement of p38 MAPK in ototoxicity. We found that acoustic overexposure induced the up-regulation of Sqstm1 mRNA expression in the cochlea of wild-type mice and that SQSTM1-deficient mice exhibited an enhanced ABR threshold shift and hair cell loss, suggesting a role of SQSTM1 in the protection of tissue from acoustic stress.

Stress-assisted large magnetic-field-induced strain in single-variant Co-Ni-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloy

The magnetic anisotropy and the magnetic-field-induced strain (MFIS) in a single-variant Co(47.5)Ni(22.5)Ga(30.0) ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) have been investigated. From the magnetization curves for the single crystal, the hard c-axis was confirmed, and the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy constant K(u) at 300 K was evaluated to be -1.07 × 10(6) erg cm(-3) for the single-variant Co(47.5)Ni(22.5)Ga(30.0) martensite phase. The magnitude of compressive shear stress for the variant rearrangement was estimated to be 6.0-7.5 MPa from the stress-strain curves. An assisted stress τ(assist) of 6.0 MPa was applied before applying a magnetic field, and then a magnetic stress τ(mag) of 0.3 MPa was added. As a result, a large MFIS of about 7.6 % was obtained at room temperature in the martensite phase of the single-variant Co(47.5)Ni(22.5)Ga(30.0).

Magnetic anisotropy of epitaxially grown Co and its alloy thin films

We have performed a systematic study on the correlation between magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) and crystal structures, such as lattice parameters, stacking fault densities, lattice strain, and so on, for epitaxially grown Co, Co-Pt, and Co-Pd alloy thin films, and have found that the MAE strongly depends on the axial ratio c/a of the hcp crystal lattice. As the c/a of hcp Co decreases down to ∼1.61 which is smaller than 1.622 for bulk Co, the MAE becomes significantly enhanced up to ∼10(6) J m(-3). Similar trends have also been verified for hcp Co-Pt and -Pd. These results, which are qualitatively consistent with the classic single-ion anisotropy model and the recent first principles calculation, suggest a new effective way to control the MAE of magnetic thin films.

Magnetic anisotropy in Ni-Fe-Ga-Co ferromagnetic shape memory alloys in the single-variant state

The effects of the addition of Co on the magnetic anisotropy in Ni(55-x)Fe(18)Ga(27)Co(x) (x = 1-6) single-variant ferromagnetic shape memory alloys have been investigated. By the addition of Co from 1 to 6 at.%, the Curie temperature T(C) is increased from 318 to 405 K, keeping the martensitic transformation temperatures above room temperature. As a result, the value of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy constant |K(u)| at 300 K increases with increasing x of the Co concentration and the martensite phase of Ni(49)Fe(18)Ga(27)Co(6) exhibits a relatively high value of |K(u)| = 1.15 × 10(5) J m(-3) at 300 K. With increasing Co concentration, on the other hand, the c axis changes from the magnetic easy axis to the hard axis at 4.2 K, that is, the sign of K(u) is reversed from positive to negative between 2 and 3 at.% Co. Furthermore, K(u) in Ni(53)Fe(18)Ga(27)Co(2) is positive below 100 K and negative above 100 K up to T(C), reducing the magnetic anisotropy around 200 K. From the present results, it is evident that the magnetic anisotropy of Ni(55-x)Fe(18)Ga(27)Co(x) (x = 1-6) single-variant ferromagnetic shape memory alloys is very sensitive to Co concentration and also temperature.

Expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 is associated with breast cancer tumourigenesis

G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) comprise a family of seven mammalian serine/threonine protein kinases that phosphorylate and regulate agonist-bound, activated, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GRKs and beta-arrestins are key participants in the canonical pathways leading to phosphorylation-dependent GPCR desensitization, endocytosis, intracellular trafficking and resensitization. Here we show that GRK4 isoforms are expressed in human breast cancer but not in normal epithelia. In addition, GRK4-over-expressing cells activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediated by ERK 1/2 and JNK phosphorylation in breast cancer-derived cell lines. Furthermore, suppression of beta-arrestins decreased GRK4-stimulated ERK 1/2 or JNK phosphorylations. These data indicate that high-level expression of GRK4 may activate MAPK signalling pathways mediated by beta-arrestins in breast cancer cells, suggesting that GRK4 may be implicated in breast cancer carcinogenesis.

Effects of serine protease inhibitor and prostaglandin I2 on liver transplantation from non-heart-beating rat donors

OBJECTIVES

We sought to preserve the microcirculation as a keystone in liver transplantation from a non-heart-beating donor (NHBD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytoprotective effects of a serine protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate, and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) on livers transplanted from NHBDs.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were used in five groups of nine rats each. In group 1, livers were retrieved from heart-beating donors (HB group); in group 2, livers were retrieved from NHBDs that had experienced agonal apnea (NHB group); in group 3, livers were retrieved in the same manner as in the NHBD group but were pretreated with nafamostat mesilate (NM), 0.2 mg/kg/h, (NM group); in group 4, livers were retrieved in the same manner as in the NHBD group but were pretreated with prostaglandin (PG) I2, 33 ng/kg/h for 30 minutes (PG group); and in group 5, livers were retrieved in the same manner as in the NHBD group but were pretreated with NM plus PG, (NM+PG group). Livers were perfused for 60 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer after 6 hours of cold preservation, after which the perfusate and liver tissue were analyzed in one set of experiments. In another set of experiments, livers retrieved and after 1 hour of cold preservation were transplanted according to the Kamada method.

RESULTS

In the NM+PG group, the values of interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and thromboxane B2 were significantly lower than those in the NHB group. At histologic analysis, sinusoidal endothelial cells were well preserved in the NM+PG group. The number of survivors at 7 days after liver transplantation in the 5 groups were 9, 0, 1, 1, and 3, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The serine protease inhibitor, NM, and PGI2 supported sinusoidal endothelial cells and preserved microcirculation.

Decrease of 4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide in paddy field soil after aerial application

Variation in the fungicide, 4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide (phthalide), in paddy field soil was investigated in order to evaluate its decrease after aerial application by a radio-controlled helicopter. The maximum concentrations of phthalide were 309-320 microg/kg dry, which were 83%-96% of the applied phthalide. The organic carbon normalized soil sorption coefficient (K(oc)) was calculated to be 94-96 mL/g at 1 h after the application. The calculated K(oc) values increased to 620-1,300 mL/g from 1 through 9 days after the application and then 4,700-7,200 mL/g 14 days after the application. The half-life of the phthalide was calculated to be 20-31 days.

Variation of 4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide in water after aerial application to rice cultivation area

Variation in the fungicide, 4,5,6,7-phthalide, in water was investigated in order to evaluate the runoff of the fungicide after aerial application to paddy fields by a radio-controlled helicopter. The survey was conducted for 4 months after the application. The average and maximum concentrations of phthalide were 3.7-4.4 microg/L and 30.5-33.8 microg/L in the paddy fields, 0.37-0.64 microg/L and 2.7-7.5 microg/L in the drainage channels, and 0.18 and 0.83 microg/L in a river, respectively. The runoff ratios of the aerially applied phthalide from the paddy fields into the drainage channels were calculated to be 1.7-2.4%.

Small intestinal follicular lymphoma with multiple tumor formations diagnosed by double-balloon enteroscopy

Follicular lymphoma of the small intestine remains relatively rare, especially in its early stage. Recently, double-balloon endoscopy has enabled observation of the entire small intestine. We describe a case of follicular lymphoma with multiple lesions in the small intestine detected by double-balloon endoscopy. The patient showed multiple whitish granules in descending portion of the duodenum on screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which were subsequently diagnosed as follicular lymphoma by immunohistochemistry. Endoscopic examination of the entire small intestine revealed multiple follicular lymphoma tumors in inferior portion of the duodenum and in the proximal jejunum. Double-balloon endoscopy is useful for evaluating tumor distribution of follicular lymphoma.

[Prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among biopsied cases of a urban hospital in Japan: significance of measurement of serum ferritin in the detection of NASH]

From April 1989 to December 2004, we performed liver biopsy on 475 patients and obtained biopsy proven 35 cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Among them, 18 cases were diagnosed as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). During the last three years, we have tried to detect NASH using ultrasonography and elevated value of serum ferritin (> 300 ng/ml). All of the eligible 7 cases biopsied during the course were diagnosed as NASH. In these 7 cases, ALT levels improved after the body weight loss accompanied by the parallel decrease of serum ferritin levels. Measurement of serum ferritin is useful in the detection of NASH but the normal value of ferritin cannot rule out the possibility of NASH.

Cobalt-base high-temperature alloys

We have identified cobalt-base superalloys showing a high-temperature strength greater than those of conventional nickel-base superalloys. The cobalt-base alloys are strengthened by a ternary compound with the L1(2) structure, gamma' Co3(Al,W), which precipitates in the disordered gamma face-centered cubic cobalt matrix with high coherency and with high melting points. We also identified a ternary compound, gamma' Ir3(Al,W), with the L1(2) structure, which suggests that the Co-Ir-Al-W-base systems with gamma+gamma' (Co,Ir)3(Al,W) structures offer great promise as candidates for next-generation high-temperature materials.

Magnetic-field-induced shape recovery by reverse phase transformation

Large magnetic-field-induced strains have been observed in Heusler alloys with a body-centred cubic ordered structure and have been explained by the rearrangement of martensite structural variants due to an external magnetic field. These materials have attracted considerable attention as potential magnetic actuator materials. Here we report the magnetic-field-induced shape recovery of a compressively deformed NiCoMnIn alloy. Stresses of over 100 MPa are generated in the material on the application of a magnetic field of 70 kOe; such stress levels are approximately 50 times larger than that generated in a previous ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy. We observed 3 per cent deformation and almost full recovery of the original shape of the alloy. We attribute this deformation behaviour to a reverse transformation from the antiferromagnetic (or paramagnetic) martensitic to the ferromagnetic parent phase at 298 K in the Ni45Co5Mn36.7In13.3 single crystal.

The human papillomavirus E6 and E7 inducible oncogene, hWAPL, exhibits potential as a therapeutic target

Here we show that human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncoproteins induce hWAPL expression. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) of hWAPL suppressed the growth of tumours derived from SiHa cells in nude mice. Thus, hWAPL may be one of the effective targets of uterine cervical cancer therapy.

Prevention of critical telomere shortening by oestradiol in human normal hepatic cultured cells and carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver fibrosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Significant telomere shortening of hepatocytes is associated with replicative senescence and a non-dividing state in chronic liver disease, resulting in end stage liver failure and/or development of hepatocellular carcinoma. To prevent critical telomere shortening in hepatocytes, we have focused on oestrogen dependent transactivation of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene as a form of telomerase therapy in chronic liver disease.

METHODS

We examined expression of hTERT mRNA and its protein, and telomerase activity (TA) in three human normal hepatic cell lines (Hc-cells, h-Nheps, and WRL-68) before and after treatment with 17beta-oestradiol. The effects of exogenous oestradiol administration were examined in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced model of liver fibrosis in rats.

RESULTS

Expression of hTERT mRNA and its protein was upregulated by oestradiol treatment. Telomere length decreased in Hc-cells and h-Nheps with accumulated passages whereas with long term oestradiol exposure it was greater than without oestradiol. The incidence of beta-galactosidase positive cells, indicating a state of senescence, decreased significantly in oestradiol treated cells in comparison with non-treated cells (p<0.05). TA in both male and female rats with CCl(4) induced liver fibrosis was significantly higher with oestradiol administration than without (p<0.05). Long term oestradiol administration markedly rescued the hepatic telomere from extensive shortening in both male and female rats.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that oestradiol acts as a positive modulator of the hTERT gene in the liver. Oestrogen dependent transactivation of the hTERT gene is a new strategy for slowing the progression of chronic liver disease.

Mucosal sulfhydryl compounds evaluation by in vivo electron spin resonance spectroscopy in mice with experimental colitis

BACKGROUND

Sulfhydryl (SH) compounds are essential in maintaining mucosal integrity in the gastrointestinal tract. A decrease in colonic mucosal SH compounds affects the redox status of the mucosa, resulting in vulnerability to further attacks. Therefore, there is a strong need for in vivo evaluation of SH compounds in the colonic mucosa.

AIMS

The aim of the current study was to establish a method of evaluating levels of SH compounds in the colonic mucosa of live animals before and after induction of colitis.

METHODS

Murine experimental colitis was induced by instillation of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 50% ethanol into the colon via the anus. For evaluation of mucosal SH compounds in the colon, 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl (carbamoyl-PROXYL), a stable nitroxide radical, was instilled into the colonic lumen of live mice and the spin clearance rate was measured by L-band electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Morphological study showed that mucosal damage was severe one or two days after TNBS instillation. The colonic mucosa started to regenerate at four days, and looked normal at seven days, after induction of colitis. The spin clearance rate of carbamoyl-PROXYL decreased significantly at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 days after induction of colitis compared with mice before TNBS instillation. Surprisingly, although the colonic mucosa looked normal seven days after TNBS administration, the spin clearance rate still remained significantly slow. The spin clearance rate returned to normal 14 days after induction of colitis. The change in in vivo spin clearance rate was consistent with the time dependent change in mucosal reduced glutathione, a major component of SH compounds.

CONCLUSION

The spin clearance rate obtained by L-band ESR spectroscopy in combination with carbamoyl-PROXYL can give an estimate of the level of colonic mucosal SH compounds in live animals and is useful for evaluating the mucosal defence system against oxidative stress.