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Geophysical properties of oceanic crust are strongly influenced by the presence of cracks. We studied the effects of cracks on the physical properties of oceanic crustal rocks collected from the ICDP Oman Drilling Project Hole GT3A. Electrical resistivity and P‐ and S‐wave velocities were measured under dry and brine‐water‐saturated conditions for each sample. The experimental results reveal that electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocities are differently correlated with porosity. We performed joint inversion of the measured electrical and elastic properties combining an effective medium model by Kachanov and a statistical crack fluid flow model by Guéguen and Dienes with percolation theory. As a result, the variations in electrical and elastic properties can be related to the crack microstructural parameters: crack density and aspect ratio, as well as connectivity of cracks evaluated from crack density. To understand the influence of in situ conditions of oceanic crust, the joint inversion using the proposed cross‐property relationship was performed for geophysical properties obtained by logging measurements at IODP Hole 1256D. Results show the depth variations of resistivity and sonic velocities can be successfully interpreted by decreasing crack porosity and connectivity. Our data and analysis can provide new insights into the interpretation of geophysical data from the oceanic crust at which pore‐fluid plays key roles in various geodynamic activities. Cracks in the oceanic crust play key roles in subsurface processes, including fluid transportation, heat and chemical exchange, and microbial activity. Therefore, it is important to understand how cracks are distributed in the oceanic crust. Given that cracks exert an important influence on the physical properties of rocks, electrical and seismological surveys have been conducted at various locations in the oceanic plates. However, to quantitatively interpret the geophysical data obtained from these surveys, laboratory investigations are essential. In this study, we measured the electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocity of oceanic crustal rocks collected from drillcores of the Oman ophiolite, in which tectonic fragments of ancient oceanic plate are preserved on land. Our experimental data show that electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocity are differently correlated with porosity. Analysis of these data indicates that the variations in the electrical and elastic properties can be related to crack density, aspect ratio, and crack connectivity. The cross‐property relationship established is applied successfully to in situ geophysical data obtained by borehole logging in oceanic crust. Our data and proposed cross‐property relationship provide new insights into the interpretation of geophysical data from the oceanic crust. We measured the electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocity of the sheeted dike–gabbro transition zone of the Oman Drilling ProjectVariation in the electrical and elastic properties of Hole GT3A was interpreted by combining effective medium model and percolation modelApplying the cross‐property relationship to logging data at IODP Hole 1256D, we estimated the crack parameters of in situ oceanic crust We measured the electrical resistivity and elastic wave velocity of the sheeted dike–gabbro transition zone of the Oman Drilling Project Variation in the electrical and elastic properties of Hole GT3A was interpreted by combining effective medium model and percolation model Applying the cross‐property relationship to logging data at IODP Hole 1256D, we estimated the crack parameters of in situ oceanic crust

The photoluminescence (PL) properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of CdSe and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were investigated. From measurements of the temperature dependence of PL spectra, it is demonstrated that the thiol group, which is a constituent of the reagent for formation of the SAM, degrades the PL properties during the SAM formation process. With an additional dipping treatment in a Cd(ClO4)2aqueous solution with pH = 10, the band-edge PL intensity is increased remarkably. The improvement of PL properties is attributed to QD surface modification with a Cd(OH)2layer. On the other hand, the defect-related PL band is not observed at all, even at 10 K, in the SAMs of CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs. This fact indicates that the ZnS shell layer prevents degradation of the PL properties during the SAM process.

We have succeeded in growing various ZnO nanocrystals, such as nanowires, nanorods, and nanowalls, by a nanoparticle-assisted pulsed-laser deposition (NAPLD). In this study, low-density ZnO nanowires were synthesized by introduction of a ZnO buffer layer. Low-density hexagonal cone-shape ZnO cores are formed on the buffer layer, and vertically-aligned ZnO nanowires are grown on the cores. The density of the nanowires was clearly decreased with increasing the thickness of the Buffer layer. The buffer layer can be used as one of the effective additives to control the growth density of the ZnO nano-crystals synthesized by NAPLD.

We investigated whether the extension gap in total knee replacement (TKR) would be changed when the femoral component was inserted. The extension gap was measured with and without the femoral component in place in 80 patients with varus osteoarthritis undergoing posterior-stabilised TKR. The effect of a post-operative increase in the size of the femoral posterior condyles was also evaluated. The results showed that placement of the femoral component significantly reduced the medial and lateral extension gaps by means of 1.0 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively (p < 0.0001). The extension gap was reduced when a larger femoral component was selected relative to the thickness of the resected posterior condyle. When the post-operative posterior lateral condyle was larger than that pre-operatively, 17 of 41 knees (41%) showed a decrease in the extension gap of > 2.0 mm. When a specially made femoral trial component with a posterior condyle enlarged by 4 mm was tested, the medial and lateral extension gaps decreased further by means of 2.1 mm and 2.8 mm, respectively.If the thickness of the posterior condyle is expected to be larger than that pre-operatively, it should be recognised that the extension gap is likely to be altered. This should be taken into consideration when preparing the extension gap.

The lasing characteristics and the alignment methods of ZnO nanocrystals were investigated for an application to ultraviolet (UV) laser diode (LD). ZnO nanowires and nanosheets were synthesized on a silicon substrate by a CVD method or nanoparticle assisted pulsed-laser deposition (NAPLD), and then those ZnO nanocrystals were examined by a photoluminescence (PL) method with a third-harmonic Nd:YAG laser (355 nm, 5 ns). The observed emission spectra showed the obvious lasing characteristics having mode structure and a threshold for lasing. The threshold power density of a ZnO nanowire and a nanosheet were measured to be 100 kW/cm2and 5 kW/cm2, respectively. Furthermore, the threshold power was calculated to be 8.4 mW for a ZnO nanowire and 2.5 mW for a ZnO nanosheet. Then the oscillation mechanisms were discussed on those ZnO nanocrystals. We also observed the laser-induced motion (LIM) of ZnO nanocrystals when they were excited by ultraviolet laser beam.

We have been succeeded in growing vertically aligned ZnO nanowires by a newly developed nanoparticle-assisted pulsed-laser deposition (NAPLD) without any catalyst. In this study, layer structured ZnO nanowires, such as film-wire layered structure and core/shell structure, were synthesized using multi-target changer system. In this paper, synthesis and photoluminescence characteristic of the layer structured ZnO nanowires are described.

We compared the alignment of 39 total knee replacements implanted using the conventional alignment guide system with 37 implanted using a CT-based navigation system, performed by a single surgeon. The knees were evaluated using full-length weight-bearing anteroposterior radiographs, lateral radiographs and CT scans.The mean hip-knee-ankle angle, coronal femoral component angle and coronal tibial component angle were 181.8° (174.2° to 188.3°), 88.5° (84.0° to 91.8°) and 89.7° (86.3° to 95.1°), respectively for the conventional group and 180.8° (178.2° to 185.1°), 89.3° (85.8° to 92.0°) and 89.9° (88.0° to 93.0°), respectively for the navigated group.The mean sagittal femoral component angle was 85.5° (80.6° to 92.8°) for the conventional group and 89.6° (85.5° to 94.0°) for the navigated group.The mean rotational femoral and tibial component angles were -0.7° (-8.8° to 9.8°) and -3.3° (-16.8° to 5.8°) for the conventional group and -0.6° (-3.5° to 3.0°) and 0.3° (-5.3° to 7.7°) for the navigated group.The ideal angles of all alignments in the navigated group were obtained at significantly higher rates than in the conventional group. Our results demonstrated significant improvements in component positioning with a CT-based navigation system, especially with respect to rotational alignment.

Abstract: Background: The first step toward increasing the level of patient safety in endoscopic surgery is for all endoscopic surgeons to acquire fundamental skills, including psychomotor skills, in the preoperation stage of training. The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) simulator training and box training for training the fundamental skills of endoscopic surgery. Methods: For this study, 35 medical students at Kyushu University were divided into three groups: simulator (SIM) group (n = 20), box trainer (BOX) group (n = 20), and control group (n = 15). None of the students had any experience assisting with endoscopic surgery or any previous training for endoscopic surgery. The students in the SIM group underwent training using a VR simulator, the Procedicus MIST, 2 h per day for 2 days. The students in the BOX group underwent training using a box trainer 2 h per day for 2 days. The students in the control group watched an educational video for 30 min. The endoscopic surgical skills of all the students were evaluated before and after training with a task of suturing and knot tying using a box trainer. Results: Although no significant differences were found between the three groups in the total time taken to complete the evaluation task before training, there were significant improvements in the SIM and BOX groups after training compared with the control group. Box training increased errors during the task, but simulator training did not. Conclusion: The findings showed that box training and VR training have different outcomes. The authors expect that the best curriculum for their training center would involve a combination that uses the merits of both methods.

Abstract: Developmental changes of plant in the regulation of photosynthate distribution of leaves were studied in hydroponically cultivated rice by the 14CO2 tracer technique and analysis of the activity of the regulatory enzymes, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), and pyruvate kinase (PK). The distribution of primary photosynthates into sugars, amino acids, organic acids, sugar phosphates, proteins, and polysaccharides was determined by column chromatography. The relative primary photosynthate distribution to the sugar phosphate fraction was significantly larger in the 5th leaf than in the 6th one. Correspondingly, the Vmax of PEPC was significantly higher in the 5th than in the 6th leaf, while no significant differences between leaves were detected in the other enzymes. As a consequence, the ratio of the Vmax of SPS and PEPC was lower in the 5th than in the 6th leaf. As the 5th leaf develops before panicle initiation in rice, it predominantly supports vegetative growth, while the 6th leaf develops after panicle initiation and thus contributes mainly to reproductive growth. We conclude that the physiological properties of each leaf are regulated developmentally. When the 6th leaf became fully expanded (corresponding to the panicle initiation stage of plant), the distribution pattern of 14C was transiently changed in the 5th leaf, indicating that individual organs that are mainly involved in vegetative development are affected to some extent by the whole-plant-level physiological transformation that occurs at the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage.

In order to develop a method to measure resistance to Alternaria brassicicola(cause of dark leaf spot disease) in Brassica rapa, the effects of inoculum concentration, leaf stage, leaf age and incubation temperature of inoculation on infection were studied under controlled conditions using several B. rapagenotypes. Three inoculation methods (cotyledon, detached leaf and seedling inoculation) were evaluated for this purpose. The detached leaf inoculation test was the most suitable for screening B. rapagenotypes because clear symptoms were observed on the leaves in less than 24 h, and there was a significant positive correlation between the results from the detached leaf inoculation test and the seedling inoculation test, an established method considered to yield reliable results. In addition, it was very easy to screen plants for resistance on a large scale and to maintain standard physical conditions using detached leaves. For successful infection, inoculum concentration should be adjusted to 5 × 104conidia  ml−1, and incubation temperature should be between 20 °C and 25 °C. The 3rd/4th true leaves from 30 day-old plants were optimal for inoculation. In a screening test using 52 cultivars of B. rapa, the detached leaf test effectively discriminated between various levels of partial resistance among cultivars. As a result, we identified two cultivars, viz Saori and Edononatsu, as highly resistant and five cultivars, viz Tokinashi Taisai, Yajima Kabu, Purara, Norin-F1-Bekana and Tateiwa Kabu, as having borderline resistance.In order to develop a method to measure resistance to Alternaria brassicicola(cause of dark leaf spot disease) in Brassica rapa, the effects of inoculum concentration, leaf stage, leaf age and incubation temperature of inoculation on infection were studied under controlled conditions using several B. rapagenotypes. Three inoculation methods (cotyledon, detached leaf and seedling inoculation) were evaluated for this purpose. The detached leaf inoculation test was the most suitable for screening B. rapagenotypes because clear symptoms were observed on the leaves in less than 24 h, and there was a significant positive correlation between the results from the detached leaf inoculation test and the seedling inoculation test, an established method considered to yield reliable results. In addition, it was very easy to screen plants for resistance on a large scale and to maintain standard physical conditions using detached leaves. For successful infection, inoculum concentration should be adjusted to 5 × 104conidia  ml−1, and incubation temperature should be between 20 °C and 25 °C. The 3rd/4th true leaves from 30 day-old plants were optimal for inoculation. In a screening test using 52 cultivars of B. rapa, the detached leaf test effectively discriminated between various levels of partial resistance among cultivars. As a result, we identified two cultivars, viz Saori and Edononatsu, as highly resistant and five cultivars, viz Tokinashi Taisai, Yajima Kabu, Purara, Norin-F1-Bekana and Tateiwa Kabu, as having borderline resistance.

We have previously developed a radiographic technique, the oblique posterior condylar view, for assessment of the posterior aspect of the femoral condyles after total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to confirm the validity of this radiographic view based upon intra-operative findings at revision total knee arthroplasty. Lateral and oblique posterior condylar views were performed for 11 knees prior to revision total knee arthroplasty, and radiolucent lines or osteolysis of the posterior aspect of the femoral condyles were identified. These findings were compared with the intra-operative appearance of the posterior aspects of the femoral condyles. Statistical analysis showed that sensitivity and efficacy were significantly better for the oblique posterior condylar than the lateral view. This method can, therefore, be considered as suitable for routine follow-up radiographs of the femoral component and in the pre-operative planning of revision surgery.

A variant of the Asiatic hybrid lilies (Lilium spp.), 'Kiyotsubeni', selected by a grower, was similar to the original form but displayed slight morphological differences. We determined that this variant form was a tetraploid/diploid periclinal chimera based on stomatal guard cells, pollen size, and chromosome number. Morphological and physiological changes associated with polyploidisation were identified by comparing diploid and chimeric forms (4×/2×) of 'Kiyotsubeni' under natural conditions and early forcing culture. Under early forcing culture, the chimeric form flowered earlier and displayed a shorter stem and broader leaves than the diploid form. The chimeric form also had a softer stem. Diploid 'Kiyotsubeni' was more susceptible to leaf scorch than the chimeric form. These results demonstrate that differences in ploidy influence agronomic traits and that the periclinal chimera (4×/ 2×) is effective for generating resistance against leaf scorch.

Background & Aims: Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) therapy has been performed widely to treat or prevent variceal bleeding. We sought to examine the influence of EVL for esophageal varices on collateral vessels in the vicinity of gastric cardia. Methods: In 42 patients with esophagogastric varices, conventional endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography with a 20-MHz probe (CUP-EUS) were performed before and at every 3 months after EVL for esophageal varices. By using conventional endoscopy, cardial variceal sizes were divided into 3 grades: F0, F1, and F2. The sizes of submucosal, perforating, and paracardial vessels at the cardia also were classified into 3 grades according to CUP-EUS findings. Results: Conventional endoscopy showed cardial varices in 33 (79%) patients before and 23 (55%) patients at 3 months after the treatment (P < 0.05). CUP EUS showed that 29 (69%) patients had severe grade cardial submucosal vessels before EVL, but only 13 (31%) patients did after the treatment (P < 0.01). Nineteen (45%) patients had severe grade cardial perforating vessels before EVL, but only 4 (10%) patients did after the treatment (P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with severe grade residual submucosal or perforating vessels at the cardia had shorter recurrence-free times of esophageal varices (P < 0.01, 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Collateral vessels in the vicinity of gastric cardia were improved significantly after EVL, indicating that esophageal varices can be treated by EVL even though they connect with cardial varices. Furthermore, eradication of such collateral vessels by EVL may lead to longer recurrence-free status of esophageal varices.

In interphase cells of fission yeast, the spindle pole body (SPB) is thought to be connected with chromosomal centromeres by an as yet unknown mechanism that spans the nuclear membrane. To elucidate this mechanism, we performed two-hybrid screens for proteins that interact with Kms1 and Sad1, which are constitutive membrane-bound components of the SPB that interact with each other. Seven and 26 genes were identified whose products potentially interact with Kms1 and Sad1, respectively. With the exception of Dlc1 (a homolog of the 14-kDa dynein light chain), all of the Kms1 interactors also interacted with Sad1. Among the genes identified were the previously known genes rhp9+/ crb2+, cut6+, ags1+/ mok1+, gst3+, kms2+, and sid4+. The products of kms2+ and sid4+ localize to the SPB. The novel genes were characterized by constructing disruption mutations and by localization of the gene products. Two of them, putative homologues of budding yeast UFE1 (which encodes a t-SNARE) and SFH1 (an essential component of a chromatin-remodeling complex), were essential for viability. Two further genes, which were only conditionally essential, genetically interact with sad1+. One of these was named sif1+ (for Sad1-interacting factor) and is required for proper septum formation at high temperature. Cells in which this gene was overexpressed displayed a wee -like phenotype. The product of the other gene, apm1+, is very similar to the medium chain of an adaptor protein complex in clathrin-coated vesicles. Apm1 appears to be required for SPB separation and spindle formation, and tended to accumulate at the SPB when it was overproduced. It was functionally distinct from its homologues Apm2 and Apm4. Other novel genes identified in this study included one for a nucleoporin and genes encoding novel membrane-bound proteins that were genetically related to Sad1. We found that none of the newly identified genes tested were necessary for centromere/telomere clustering.

Background & Aims: Biliary leakage and stricture are serious complications that occur in donors whose liver is resected for living donor transplantation. We assessed the usefulness of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage and endoscopic biliary stenting, respectively, in repairing biliary leakage and stricture. Methods: Between July 1999 and December 2001, a total of 276 donors underwent liver resection (left side, 118; right side, 158) for living donor transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital. Seven (2.5%) donors developed biliary leakage, which required endoscopic nasobiliary drainage; 3 of these donors also had biliary stricture. Results: All 7 patients who developed biliary leakage were the right-lobe donors. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography identified the site of the biliary leakage in all 7 of the donors. In 6 of these donors, the biliary leakage resolved within an average of 15 days after an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube was placed. In the seventh donor, the biliary leakage resolved after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed. Three patients developed biliary stricture that required endoscopic biliary stenting. The angles between common hepatic duct and the left hepatic duct were more acute in patients with stricture than in those without stricture (62 degrees vs. 119 degrees). Conclusions: Biliary complications requiring endoscopic treatment developed exclusively in donors for right-lobe living donor transplantation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is a favorable modality for diagnosing and treating postoperative biliary complications in donors for living donor liver transplantation.

To inhibit the swelling of PVA membranes in aqueous alcohol solutions, which leads to lowered water permselectivity during separation, organic−inorganic hybrid membranes composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were prepared. When an aqueous solution of 85 wt % ethanol was permeated through the PVA/TEOS hybrid membranes during pervaporation, the separation factor for water permselectivity increased, but the permeation rate decreased, with increasing TEOS content. We concluded that the decreased permeation rate was caused by decreasing the degree of swelling of the membrane. Therefore, this decrease in the degree of swelling and the increase in membrane density were due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the silanol groups resulting from the hydrolysis of TEOS and the hydroxyl group of PVA. When the PVA and PVA/TEOS hybrid membranes were annealed, the separation factor of these membranes increased with increasing annealing temperature and time. The fact that annealing at higher temperatures promoted the dehydration−condensation reaction between PVA and TEOS in PVA/TEOS membranes was related to the enhanced permselectivity of the PVA/TEOS membranes.

Background: This study assessed the risk of recurrence of esophageal varices by evaluating the severity of cardia vascular structures in patients with portal hypertension by EUS with a catheter US probe before endoscopic variceal ligation. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with esophageal varices at high risk for bleeding were studied. Simultaneous conventional endoscopy and EUS with a 20 MHz catheter US probe were performed before endoscopic variceal ligation. By catheter US probe EUS findings, vascular structures in the gastric cardia were classified into 2 grades, mild and severe, and the relationship between the catheter US probe EUS findings and the recurrence rate of esophageal varices was analyzed. Results: Catheter US probe EUS before endoscopic variceal ligation demonstrated cardial submucosal varices in all patients, whereas conventional endoscopy revealed cardial varices in only 21 patients (70.0%, NS). Patients with recurrent esophageal varices after endoscopic variceal ligation were more likely to have severe-grade perforating veins before treatment than those without recurrence (71.4% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.01). Patients with severe as opposed to mild-grade perforating veins before treatment had a significantly higher recurrence rate (90.9% vs. 21.0%, p < 0.01%). Conclusions: Catheter US probe EUS findings for cardial vascular structures before treatment are useful for predicting the likelihood of recurrence of esophageal varices. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;55:197-203.)

A series of substituted oxindole derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for growth hormone (GH) releasing activity using cultured rat pituitary cells. (+)-6-Carbamoyl-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-4-trifluoromethyloxindole (SM-130686, 37S) was found to have potent activity (EC50 = 3.0 nM), while the other enantiomer 37R had reduced activity. The absolute configuration of 37S was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 37S showed a good pharmacokinetic profile in rats with 28% oral bioavailability at 10 mg/kg and excellent in vivo activity as evidenced by a significant weight gain after 4 days of oral administration at 10 mg/kg twice a day. Compound 37S displaced the binding of ³⁵S-MK-677 to human GHS-R with an IC50 value of 1.2 ± 0.2 nM.

Cobalt(III) porphycenes, structural isomers of cobalt(III) porphyrins, catalyze the addition of alcohols to vinyl ethers in a toluene−dioxane solution containing alcohol and Et3N as well as the autoxidation of the resultant metal-bound adduct; this produces two acetals, namely, those of β-formylacetaldehyde and β-hydroxyacetaldehyde, with a total turnover number of 34−77 after 21 h at 20 °C. Under identical reaction conditions, analogous cobalt(III) porphyrins were found to undergo rapid decomposition. A salient feature of this catalytic process is the formation of an alkylcobalt(III) complex, a species that was characterized using ¹H NMR and UV−vis spectroscopic methods. The pseudo-first-order rate constants for the addition of n-butyl vinyl ether to the chloride adducts of octaethylporphycene cobalt(III) and octaethylporphyrin cobalt(III) complexes were determined to be 8.8 × 10^-4 and 1.9 × 10^-4 s^-1 at 20 °C, respectively. Irradiating a solution of the alkylcobalt(III) complex resulting from the addition of vinyl ether to a tetra-n-propylporphycene cobalt(III) complex under aerobic conditions yielded an alkylperoxocobalt(III) species as the result of insertion of dioxygen into the cobalt−carbon bond. This intermediate species was characterized by the presence of diagnostic proton resonances, ascribed to the axial ligand, in the upfield region of the ¹H NMR spectrum; specifically, the Co−CH2 and Co−OOCH2 proton resonances appear at −3.91 and −1.22 ppm, respectively, in toluene-d8 at −40 °C. Breakdown of the alkylperoxocobalt(III) intermediate, via O−O bond homolysis, produces the two observed acetal products. The exact product ratio of these acetals, aldehyde/alcohol, depends on the viscosity of the solution. This result is taken as support for the idea that alkoxy radicals that diffuse away from the cobalt complex give the alcohol, whereas the aldehyde is produced as the result of oxidation occurring within a solvent cage. The Co(III) complex that results after (1) O−O bond homolysis and then (2) hydrogen atom abstraction from the medium is a five-coordinate species that is capable of continuing the reaction cycle in the presence of excess vinyl ether. As a consequence, the starting octaethylporphycene cobalt(III) complex acts as an efficient catalyst for the oxidation of vinyl ethers.

The cross-linking of the connective tissues in the fetal membranes and placenta is important for their tensile strength and elasticity. We have studied the expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) because it is the classical enzyme responsible for the cross-linking of collagen and elastin. We have also studied the two recently described, genetically distinct lysyl oxidase-like genes and proteins, lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), of unknown functions.

Background & Aims: Although autoimmunity may be involved in some cases of pancreatitis, the mechanism is still unknown. To clarify this, we studied serum autoantibodies, subsets of lymphocytes, and the Th1/Th2 balance of cellular immune responses in patients with autoimmune-related pancreatitis (AIP). Methods: Seventeen patients with AIP (8 men and 9 women; age, 53.2 +/- 13.0 years) were studied. Autoantibodies including antilactoferrin (ALF) or carbonic anhydrase II antibody (ACA-II) were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or the indirect fluorescein antibody method. Intracellular cytokines (interferon gamma and interleukin 4) and subtypes of peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined by flow cytometry and ELISA. Results: More than one autoantibody was observed in all 17 patients. Serum antinuclear antibody was detected in 13 of 17 patients, ALF antibody in 13, ACA-II antibody in 10, rheumatoid factor in 5, and anti-smooth muscle antibody in 3, but antimitochondrial antibody in none. The serum levels of ACA-II and LF antibody were not correlated. HLA-DR^+CD8^+ and HLA-DR^+CD4^+ cells were significantly increased in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). CD4^+ cells producing interferon gamma and the secreted levels were significantly increased compared with those in controls (P < 0.05), but interleukin 4 was not increased. Conclusions: An autoimmune mechanism against CA-II or LF, and Th1-type immune response, may be involved in AIP. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;118:573-581

Isolated spiral strips of rat thoracic aorta with endothelium were suspended for isometric tension recordings in a physiological salt solution. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was elicited by carbachol 10(-6) and 10(-5) mol litre-1 during norepinephrine-induced contractions, and the effects of 1.5% and 3% halothane were evaluated with concomitant measurement of [Ca2+]i using fura-2-Ca2+ fluorescence. The effects of halothane on endothelium-dependent relaxation were compared with those of nitro G-L-arginine methyl ester 10(-4) mol litre-1 (L-NAME: an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase). Carbachol reduced norepinephrine-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent manner, but augmented the norepinephrine-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in endothelium intact strips. In contrast, carbachol did not influence muscle tension or [Ca2+]i when the endothelium was completely denuded. Although 3% halothane and L-NAME 10(-4) mol litre-1 inhibited carbachol-induced vasorelaxation in a similar manner, halothane inhibited carbachol-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that halothane inhibited a carbachol-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in the endothelium, which subsequently attenuated the decrease in muscle tension.

Helicobacter pylori is the major causative agent of chronic antral gastritis and is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) developing in the human stomach. The aim of this study was to clarify whether corporal autoimmune gastritis (AIG), which is known to decrease acidity due to destruction of parietal cells, predisposes mice to H. pylori infection, thereby leading to MALToma-like pathology. BALB/c mice in which AIG had been induced by thymectomy 3 days after birth (AIG mice) were used. The AIG mice were orally administered mouse-adapted H. pylori at the age of 6 weeks and were examined histologically and serologically after 2 to 12 months. The results were compared with those obtained from uninfected AIG mice and infected normal mice. Germinal centers were induced in the corpus in 57% of the H. pylori-infected AIG mice, which elicited anti-H. pylori antibody responses in association with upregulation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) mRNA. In these mice, parietal cells remained in the corpus mucosa. These findings were in contrast to those with the uninfected AIG mice: fundic gland atrophy due to disappearance of parietal cells associated with upregulation of gamma interferon, but not IL-4, mRNA and no germinal center formation in the corpus. These observations suggest that AIG alters the infectivity of H. pylori, leading to MALToma-like follicular gastritis, at an early stage after H. pylori infection.