Search

In trees, leaf anatomy acclimates to the vertical light and hydraulic gradients within the crown. Intra‐crown trait variation reflects phenotypic plasticity, which is considered a measure of individual‐level acclimation to environmental variation. Here, we compared plasticity of leaf anatomical traits among trees from five regional populations of Fagus crenata and assessed the contribution of these traits to leaf mass per area (LMA). Intra‐crown variation of LMA was larger than variation among trees from different sites, suggesting phenotypic plasticity is greater than genetic variation. After intra‐crown light effects were removed, LMA increased with increasing height, suggesting, in addition to light acclimation, hydraulic limitation drives intra‐crown variation. LMA was positively correlated with leaf thickness and negatively correlated with mesophyll porosity. Leaf thickness accounted for 39% of the variation in LMA, while palisade thickness accounted for 62% of the variation in leaf thickness, suggesting light was the main driver of leaf thickness. Thicker leaves also had denser mesophyll and thicker epidermal layers, both acclimations to low water availability (i.e., hydraulic limitation). Among the traits, intra‐crown plasticity was highest for mesophyll porosity, while there was no difference among trees from different sites in overall trait plasticity. Our results indicate phenotypic plasticity of leaf traits in F. crenata is mainly driven by light availability, while some traits, such as leaf density, may be driven by hydraulic limitation. In regional populations with high phenotypic plasticity, individual‐level acclimation may buffer negative effects of future climate change on growth and productivity of F. crenata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The United Kingdom Registry of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons is a national database holding details on > 28,000 parathyroidectomies. Methods: An extract (2004–2017) of the database was analysed to investigate the reported efficacy, safety and use of intra-operative surgical adjuncts in targeted parathyroidectomy (tPTx) and bilateral neck exploration (BNE) for adult, first-time primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Results: 50.9% of 21,738 cases underwent tPTx. Excellent short-term (median follow-up 35 days) post-operative normocalcaemia rates were reported overall (tPTx 96.6%, BNE 94.5%, p < 0.05) and in image-positive cases (tPTx 96.7%, BNE 96%, p < 0.05). Intra-operative PTH improved overall normocalcaemia rates (tPTx 97.8% vs 96.3%, BNE 95% vs 94.4%: both p < 0.05). Intra-operative nerve monitoring reduced vocal cord (VC) dysfunction in image-positive tPTx, but not in BNE (97.8% vs 93.2%, p < 0.05). Complications were higher following BNE (7.4% vs 3.8%, p < 0.05), especially hypocalcaemia (5.3% vs 2%, p < 0.05). There was no difference in rates of subjective dysphonia following tPTx or BNE (2.4% vs 2.3%, p > 0.05), nor any difference in VC dysfunction when formally examined (4.9% vs 4.1%, p > 0.05). Conclusions: In image-positive, first time, adult PHPT cases, tPTx is as safe and effective as BNE, with both achieving excellent short-term results with minimal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Differentiating appendiceal mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies before surgery is difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of CT and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for differentiating mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal mucocele from other pathologies. Method: The study included 25 patients who underwent surgery for clinically diagnosed appendiceal mucoceles detected on CT at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Among these patients, 19 underwent FDG‐PET/CT preoperatively. We compared features of the CT imaging findings and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) detected by FDG‐PET/CT between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies. Results: A total of 13 men (52%) and 12 women (48%) were included in this study, with a median age of 65 years (range 34–83). There were six patients (24%) with pathologically confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma, 15 patients (60%) with appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and four patients (16%) with simple mucocele caused by chronic inflammation. On the CT findings, wall irregularity was the only significant feature for the two groups in this study (83.3% vs 0.0%, P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the SUVmax levels on PET/CT between the two groups (100.0% vs 20.0%, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Distinguishing between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies using imaging modalities is challenging. Our results suggest that wall irregularity on CT and elevated SUVmax on PET/CT are useful factors that can be employed for such discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer, such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, causes inflammation, oedema and fibrosis in the surrounding tissue. However, little is known about the effect of these endoscopic therapies on salvage laparoscopic rectal surgery. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to analyse the effect of preceding endoscopic treatment on the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Method: We analysed 53 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer with clinical Tis or T1 at our department between May 2011 and June 2019. Data from 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery after preceding endoscopic treatment (Group E + S) were compared with those of 23 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery alone (Group S). Results: There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to preoperative details. The mean operative time tended to be longer in Group E + S, and the volume of intra‐operative blood loss was greater in Group E + S than in Group S (median 63 ml vs 10 ml, P = 0.049). There were no significant differences between the groups in other surgical parameters or oncological outcomes. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery after endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer may be difficult due to an increased risk of intra‐operative bleeding. Long‐term prognosis after surgery was not affected by preceding endoscopic treatment in rectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change increases uncertainty in sustained functioning of forest ecosystems. Forest canopies are a key link between terrestrial ecosystems, the atmosphere, and climate. Here, we introduce research presented at the 66th meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan in the symposium "Structure and function of forest canopies under climate change." Old‐growth forest carbon stores are the largest and may be the most vulnerable to climate change as the balance between sequestration and emission could easily be tipped. Detailed structural analysis of individual large, old trees shows they are allocating wood to the trunk and crown in patterns that cannot be deduced from ground, thus can be used to more accurately quantify total forest carbon and sequestration. Slowly migrating species sensitive to novel climatic conditions will have to acclimate at the individual level. Accounting for physiological responses of trees to climate change will improve predictions of future species distributions and subsequent functioning of forest ecosystems. Field experiments manipulating temperature and precipitation show how trees compensate physiologically to mitigate for higher temperatures and drought. However, it is difficult to measure acclimation responses over long timeframes. Intraindividual trait variation is proposed as an indicator of acclimation potential of trees to future conditions and suggests that acclimation potential may vary among regional populations within a species. Integrating whole‐tree structural data with physiological data offers a promising avenue for understanding how trees will respond to climatic shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Recently, the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) has been recognized as the vessel that supplies blood to the splenic flexure. However, the positional relationship between the AMCA and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) has not been evaluated. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the AMCA and the splenic flexure vein (SFV). Method: Two hundred and five patients with colorectal cancer who underwent enhanced CT preoperatively were enrolled in the present study. The locations of the AMCA and IMV were evaluated, focusing on the positional relationship between the vessels and pancreas – below the pancreas or to the dorsal side of the pancreas. Results: The AMCA was observed in 74 (36.1%) patients whereas the SFV was found in 177 (86.3%) patients. The left colic artery (LCA) was the major artery accompanying the SFV in 87 (42.4%) of patients. The AMCA accompanied the SFV in 65 (32.7%) patients. In 15 (7.8%) patients, no artery accompanied the SFV. The origin of the AMCA was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 15 (20.3%) of these 74 patients. Similarly, the destination of the IMV was located on the dorsal side of the pancreas in 65 (31.7%) of patients. Conclusion: The SFV was observed in most patients, and the LCA or AMCA was the common accompanying artery. In some patients these vessels were located on the dorsal side of the pancreas and not below it. Preoperative evaluation of this anatomy may be beneficial for lymph node dissection during left‐sided hemicolectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lignin induced by acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM) during the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) of cucumber plants against the fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare was analysed with electron microscopy and energy‐filtering electron microscopy (EFEM). ASM pretreatment consistently led to the blockage of appressorial penetration pegs into leaves at early stages after inoculation, whereas the fungus was able to grow into the vascular tissue after distilled water pretreatment. The blocked pegs, seen frequently at epidermal pectin layers in leaves of ASM‐treated plants, were surrounded by abundant electron‐dense amorphous material and dots. These were identified as lignin, based on their appearance and high reactivity with KMnO4. Lignin first appeared as an amorphous material at pectin layers, and then as dots in some areas of the material. The results showed that ASM caused SAR in leaves via faster formation of lignin within 1 day after inoculation. After CeCl3 treatment to detect H2O2, H2O2‐reactive products (cerium perhydroxides) were seen near ASM‐induced lignin formation sites in pectin layers. EFEM analysis showed that Ce and O were located at the same sites as the lignin dots, suggesting that lignin was associated with sources of H2O2 generation. The results indicate that the faster H2O2 generation and lignification induced by ASM were the potential causes of SAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY The inductor losses in a three-phase ac filter inductor used in a three-phase pulse-width modulation (PWM) inverter are evaluated. First, a three-phase inductor is designed to obtain the same value of inductance for each phase. Then, based on the design, a three-phase inductor that uses two magnetic materials is proposed. The conversion efficiency of a 1 kVA three-phase PWM inverter that uses the conventional and proposed ac filter inductors is simulated. Simulation results show that conversion efficiency improves. Finally, the conversion efficiency of an actual three-phase 1 kVA PWM inverter that uses the conventional and proposed ac filter inductors is measured. In the experiment, the conversion efficiency obtained for the case of the proposed inductor improves by approximately 1% at low power load as compared to the conventional inductor. Furthermore, the calculated inductor losses are in good agreement with measured losses. Improvement in efficiency is verified trough simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2007, serious damage to tomato from leaf mould caused by Passalora fulva has frequently been observed in commercial greenhouses in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. One of the factors relating to this damage was suspected to be a decrease in azoxystrobin sensitivity of the pathogen. Biological and molecular studies were conducted to characterize fungicide resistance. In in vitro sensitivity tests using mycelial homogenate placed on fungicide-amended medium, the minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MIC) of azoxystrobin for mycelial growth of the isolates divided into two ranges, 0.031-0.5 mg L−1 and 8-32 mg L−1. Isolates with MICs within the two ranges were considered as sensitive and resistant, respectively, to azoxystrobin because, in in vivo tests, the percentage protection conferred by this fungicide (100 mg a.i. L−1) against these isolates was 89.7-100% and 4.5-31.1%, respectively. Resistant isolates had a replacement of phenylalanine with leucine at codon 129 (F129L) in cytochrome b. Forty-five percent of the 271 isolates collected from 63 tomato greenhouses from 2007 to 2008 were resistant to azoxystrobin. In many greenhouses where the isolation frequency of resistant isolates was 80% or more, azoxystrobin had been used twice per crop for approximately 6 years. In 2012, 27% of the 405 isolates collected were resistant to azoxystrobin, and there was a marked difference in the frequency of occurrence of resistant isolates in the field populations between the three locations sampled. The occurrence of azoxystrobin-resistant P. fulva isolates (F129L mutants) inflicted considerable damage on greenhouse tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations indicate that >99% of the small bodies in the solar system reside in its outer reaches-in the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud. Kuiper Belt bodies are probably the best-preserved representatives of the icy planetesimals that dominated the bulk of the solid mass in the early solar system. They likely contain preserved materials inherited from the protosolar cloud, held in cryogenic storage since the formation of the solar system. Despite their importance, they are relatively underrepresented in our extraterrestrial sample collections by many orders of magnitude (~1013 by mass) as compared with the asteroids, represented by meteorites, which are composed of materials that have generally been strongly altered by thermal and aqueous processes. We have only begun to scratch the surface in understanding Kuiper Belt objects, but it is already clear that the very limited samples of them that we have in our laboratories hold the promise of dramatically expanding our understanding of the formation of the solar system. Stardust returned the first samples from a known small solar system body, the Jupiter-family comet 81P/Wild 2, and, in a separate collector, the first solid samples from the local interstellar medium. The first decade of Stardust research resulted in more than 142 peer-reviewed publications, including 15 papers in Science. Analyses of these amazing samples continue to yield unexpected discoveries and to raise new questions about the history of the early solar system. We identify nine high-priority scientific objectives for future Stardust analyses that address important unsolved problems in planetary science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Ulcerative colitis ( UC) is considered to be a disease of continuous mucosal inflammation extending proximally from the rectum. However, appendiceal orifice inflammation ( AOI) is a skip lesion with segments of continuous involvement from the rectum. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and clinical course, particularly focused on proximal extension, of UC in patients with AOI. Method A retrospective evaluation of patients with UC who underwent total colonoscopy at the Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, from 2004 to 2014. The degree of AOI was graded endoscopically as follows: 0 (no inflammation); 1 (slight oedema); 2 (moderate inflammation); and 3 (marked inflammation). A total of 189 patient records were reviewed retrospectively. The presence of AOI was analysed with regard to the clinical information of each patient, and its association with proximal extension of proctitis or left-sided colitis was evaluated. Results Of 189 patients with UC who underwent total colonoscopy at our institution, 92 were diagnosed with pancolitis, 50 with left-sided colitis and 47 with proctitis. Endoscopic findings of AOI were observed in 26 patients, including 11 (12.0%) with pancolitis, six (12.0%) with left-sided colitis and nine (19.1%) with proctitis. During follow up, proximal extension of the disease occurred in all nine patients with proctitis AOI. Conclusion AOI is more frequently observed in patients with proctitis. Our results showed correlations between AOI and subsequent proximal extension of mucosal inflammation in patients with proctitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terrestrial ecosystems, plant species and diverse root-associated fungi form complex networks of host-symbiont associations. Recent studies have revealed that structures of those below-ground plant-fungus networks differ between arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal symbioses. Nonetheless, we still remain ignorant of how ericaceous plant species, which dominate arctic and alpine tundra, constitute networks with their root-associated fungi. Based on a high-throughput DNA sequencing data set, we characterized the statistical properties of a network involving 16 ericaceous plant species and more than 500 fungal taxa in the alpine-subalpine region of Mt. Tateyama, central Japan. While all the 16 ericaceous species were associated mainly with fungi in the order Helotiales, they varied remarkably in association with fungi in other orders such as Sebacinales, Atheliales, Agaricales, Russulales and Thelephorales. The ericaceous plant-fungus network was characterized by high symbiont/host preferences. Moreover, the network had a characteristic structure called 'anti-nestedness', which has been previously reported in ectomycorrhizal plant-fungus networks. The results lead to the hypothesis that ericaceous plants in harsh environments can host unexpectedly diverse root-associated fungal taxa, constituting networks whose structures are similar to those of previously reported ectomycorrhizal networks but not to those of arbuscular mycorrhizal ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives The Fcgamma receptor IIIb (Fc γ RIIIb) carries the human neutrophil antigen ( HNA)-1 system. The three FCGR3B alleles encode four antigens: one allele encodes HNA-1a, and two alleles encode two antigens each, HNA-1b and HNA-1d and HNA-1b and HNA-1c, respectively. Several other non-synonymous substitutions have also been reported. Little is known about the properties of HNA-1d antibodies because HNA-1d was recently discovered, and HNA-1d antibodies have been reported only in a couple of cases. These findings raise the possibility that the polymorphisms in the HNA-1 system and spectrum of the specificity of resulting antibodies are more complex than previously thought. We address this possibility in this work. Materials and Methods Several HNA-1 antibodies, which had been classified as HNA-1a or HNA-1b before HNA-1d was discovered, were re-evaluated for their reactivity to different recombinant variants of Fc γ RIIIb. Results The HNA-1a antibody, but not the reference HNA-1a antibody, cross-reacted to HNA-1d. Further, nucleotide replacement in FCGR3B alleles *02 at 193G→A ( AA position 54 E→K) resulted in the disappearance of HNA-1d, but not HNA-1b, antigenicity. Conclusion The HNA-1 system may be more complex than previously understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The rate of extension of proctitis in Western countries has been reported, but no data regarding long-term follow-up have been described for the Japanese population. Additionally, patients with long-standing or extensive ulcerative colitis have an increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. This study evaluated both the rate of extension of the disease and the development of neoplasia among patients with an initial diagnosis of ulcerative proctitis. Method We retrospectively investigated the medical charts of patients with proctitis from 1979 to 2014. The primary focus of this research was the extension of the inflammatory area. The secondary focus included risk factors for disease extension and the development of neoplasia. Results Sixty-six patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Proximal extension of the disease occurred in 34 patients: 19 patients had left-sided colitis and 15 had pancolitis. According to a multivariate analysis, disease extension was significantly higher in patients with disease onset before 25 years of age ( P-value = 0.043). The cumulative rates of disease extension at 10 and 20 years were 33.8% and 52.2%, respectively. Three patients were diagnosed with dysplasia during follow-up, all of whom experienced disease extension before the development of dysplasia. Conclusion The rate of extension of ulcerative colitis in the Japanese population was comparable to that in Western countries. A younger age of disease onset was associated with disease extension. Extension of proctitis may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constraint on vertical water transport is considered an important factor limiting height growth and maximum attainable height of trees. Here, we show evidence of foliar water storage as a mechanism that could partially compensate for this constraint in Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest species., We measured hydraulic and morpho-anatomical characteristics of foliated shoots of tall S. sempervirens trees near the wet, northern and dry, southern limits of its geographic distribution in California, USA., The ability to store water (hydraulic capacitance) and saturated water content (leaf succulence) of foliage both increased with height and light availability, maintaining tolerance of leaves to water stress (bulk-leaf water potential at turgor loss) constant relative to height., Transverse-sectional area of water-storing, transfusion tissue in leaves increased with height, while the area of xylem tissue decreased, indicating increasing allocation to water storage and decreasing reliance on water transport from roots., Treetop leaves of S. sempervirens absorb moisture via leaf surfaces and have potential to store more than five times the daily transpirational demand. Thus, foliar water storage may be an important adaptation that helps maintain physiological function of treetop leaves and hydraulic status of the crown, allowing this species to partially compensate for hydraulic constraints and sustain turgor for both photosynthesis and height growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives CD36 antibody ( Ab) causes several disorders: neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, platelet transfusion refractoriness and non-haemolytic transfusion reactions. However, there is no gold-standard test for CD36 Ab. Materials and Methods We developed a transfectant panel cell line-based Mo Ab-independent antigen capture assay system for detection of CD36 Ab and compared it with the monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens ( MAIPA) system in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Results Our new system was characterized by (1) gene-transfected cell lines, but not panel platelets; (2) not being hampered by HLA Abs; and (3) no need to use CD36 Mo Abs to ensure the antigen specificity of this detection system. In addition, it showed a much better receiver operating characteristic curve than the MAIPA system. Conclusions The present results indicate that our new system permits highly sensitive and specific detection of CD36 Ab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Samples returned from the carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu by the JAXA Hayabusa2 mission allow us to investigate primitive materials of our Solar System and their evolution [1-2]. Recent studies have shown that the Ryugu samples are composed of minerals similar to those of CI (Ivuna-like) carbonaceous chondrites indicating that the parent planetesimal from which Ryugu was derived experienced severe aqueous alteration [e.g., 1-2]. Our previous study described that magnetite in the Ryugu samples from chamber A occurs as framboids, plaquettes, spherulitic, and irregularly shaped grains [3-5]. They are products of alteration, and their formation is controlled by variation in the diffusion and growth rates during aqueous alteration on the parent body [4]. In this new study, we focus on spherulitic magnetite grains in the Ryugu from chamber C to understand the evolution of the aqueous alteration processes on the carbonaceous (C-type) asteroids [4]. Samples and Methods: Multiple spherulitic magnetite grains were identified embedded in the fine-grained materials returned by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft collected during both touchdowns (chambers A and C). Figure 1 shows the spherulitic magnetite (~13 µm in diameter) analyzed in this study and collected during the second landing operation (chamber C, C0105-039024). The grain is associated with fine-grained phyllosilicates, euhedral sulfides, and framboidal magnetites Fig. 1). We prepared one FIB section for electron microscopy studies using the Helios 660 dualbeam focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM) instrument at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and examined the section by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using the JEOL NEOARM 200CF at the University of New Mexico. Results: The spherulitic magnetite has an internal texture composed of individual radiating fibers varying in length from 5 µm to 8 µm. The fibers radiate from a spherical pore (Fig. 1c, ~130 nm in diameter) located off-center. The widths of the fibers vary in size from 70 nm to 140 nm. The spherulitic magnetites are characterized by high porosity, with randomly distributed pores ranging from a few nanometers up to 2.2 µm in size; however, the magnetites with other morphologies (e.g., framboidal magnetite) are free of pores. Most pores are euhedral to subhedral in shape, located inside the fibers or at their boundaries. Additionally, we identified an amorphous rim (80-350 nm in thickness) composed of 5 wt % Si, 4 wt% S, 2 wt% P, and 13 wt% C around the magnetite grain. Discussion: Spherulitic textures are common in terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples [6]. They were previously described in CI chondrites and the Ryugu samples collected during the first landing operation (chamber A) [4, 6]. This particular texture suggests that spherulitic formation requires crystallization from an amorphous material under conditions that maintain a subtle balance between the diffusion rate and the growth rate of the crystal itself [6]. An aqueous gel containing a colloidal Fe hydroxide probably supplied the requisite amorphous medium for spherulitic growth. Our study suggests that the aqueous fluid from which these spherulitic magnetites crystalized probably contained in addition to Fe hydroxide, also Si, S, P, and C, as indicated by the chemical composition and the texture of the amorphous rim identified around the spherulitic magnetite. The presence of pores and radiating fibers in the internal texture are characteristic of rapid growth processes under nonequilibrium conditions [6]. Their formation could have been triggered by energetic impacts during post-accretional impact events, as indicated recently for the formation of framboidal magnetite in Tagish Lake [7]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Water has been found in the surfaces of silicates in cometary interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and in silicate minerals irradiated with protons in the laboratory [1] demonstrating that solar wind irradiation of airless bodies may generate water signatures observed by remote spectroscopy, e.g. [2]. Regolith from the S-type asteroid Itokawa returned by the Hayabusa mission provides the opportunity to explore the effects of solar wind irradiation in our laboratories. Enrichments in water and hydroxyl in the solar wind-irradiated rim of an Itokawa olivine grain and a lab-irradiated olivine standard have been detected using atom probe tomography [3]; however, background signals from the chamber introduce uncertainty. In this study, we investigated local water signatures in the surface of another Itokawa olivine grain using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Samples and Methods: Hayabusa regolith particle RA-QD02-0332 was carbon-coated for imaging and element-mapping in a focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM: FEI Helios 660 with Oxford Instruments EDS), and FIB sections of selected regions were extracted at Univ. Hawai'i using Pt protective straps. These were further analyzed on (scanning) transmission electron microscopes at the Molecular Foundry (S/TEM: FEI Titan ChemiSTEM with EDS, TEAM I with Gatan Continuum GIF for EELS). Results: RA-QD02-0332 is ~48µm and consists olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase and, likely, K-feldspar. In SEM imaging, glassy melt splashes with degassing vesicles are visible in multiple locations on the surface. Fractures are observed as well as significant fine-grained adhering material, including angular fragments and spheroidal particles with melt droplet appearance. Two FIB sections crossing fine-grained material contain small mineral crystals of albitic plagioclase and fayalitic olivine with lesser amounts of high-Ca pyroxene and iron-sulfide. Fine grain sizes range from ~100 nm to several microns across, and grain shapes range from angular to euhedral to rounded, consistent with some brecciation on the parent body. Another FIB section contains a ~4 µm plagioclase grain with fracture and defects in the interior consistent with shock, an amorphized rim on one face that has lost most of its Na and some Ca relative to the underlying crystal, and surficial lacy Fe-rich material that is likely remnants of the impactor. In a FIB section from the surface of olivine, a vesicular amorphous rim and melt splash glass are observed. Energy dispersive X-ray spectral mapping of the melt splash glass indicates it was likely generated by an impactor with plagioclase-like chemistry. The vesicular amorphous rim is ~40 nm in thickness. A spectrum obtained by EELS of a vesicle in the amorphous rim shows features on the volume plasmon at ~8 and ~13.5 eV features. These features correspond to the energy gap and H core scattering edge from hydroxyl and/or molecular water, like those we previously observed in cometary IDPs, liquid water, proton irradiated silicate standards and electron beam-damaged talc and brucite [1,4]. Weaker features are observed in the amorphous rim off the vesicle. Discussion: The presence of melt splash glass and a vesicular amorphous rim demonstrate unequivocally that this grain was exposed on the surface of the Itokawa asteroid instead of representing fragments generated during sample collection. The detection of water by EELS confirms the prior atom probe tomography detection of water in a solar wind-irradiated rim on Itokawa olivine [3]. The intensity of the features observed here from the vesicle in the amorphous rim on Itokawa olivine is lower than that observed in vesicles in IDPs, consistent with a smaller amount of water generated by lower effective exposure ages of Itokawa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: GEMS are found in anhydrous, carbon-rich interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and micrometeorites (MMs) as spheroids of anhydrous Mg-silicate amorphous matrix with kamacite and pyrrhotite nano-inclusions. Organic carbon is present in some GEMS and as mantles on their surfaces. Because GEMS likely accreted at extremely low temperatures in the outer nebula and/or presolar environments, they are considered a proxy for the most cosmically primitive (least altered) meteoritic materials [1]. GEMS-like material is reported in several chondrites e.g. [2,3] and examination of some chondrites shows key differences with GEMS [4,5]. Recently, GEMS-like material has been reported in less-altered lithologies of regolith grains returned from the near-Earth Cb-type asteroid 162173 Ryugu [6]. Samples and Methods: We studied two recently identified highly porous Ryugu grains, A0104-029025 and C0105-039023, to determine if they contain GEMS. Scanning electron microscopy shows A0104-029025 is ~50 µm long with a silica-rich matrix containing remnant olivine (up to ~5 µm across), pyrrhotite, pentlandite, magnetite, Mnrich Cr-spinel, calcite, and a Fe-Ni-P-bearing phase. Sulfur content shows clear variation in this matrix. C0105-03923 is ~75 µm long, and its silica-rich matrix contains smaller remnant olivine or pyroxene grains, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, magnetite, Cr-spinel, dolomite, calcite, phosphates, and a tiny fragment of the Ta projectile. Both samples were epoxy embedded, FIB-extracted, ultramicrotomed and examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Results: Both samples contain abundant fine-grained material. Mineral identifications in the TEM sections are based on quantified elemental compositions, to be verified by electron diffraction. C0105-039023 is dominated by compact, well-ordered layer silicates consistent with smectites. The high porosity in this sample is due to many cracks. Accessory minerals and phases include abundant pentlandite and pyrrhotite, minor Fe-oxides, Mg, Ca-rich carbonates, and N-bearing organic nanoglobules. A0104-029025 shows morphology that, at modest magnifications, is similar to GEMS. It has two texturally distinct regions, one with high porosity and the other with lower porosity (Fig. 1). The more porous region is a mixture of poorly ordered, hydrated silicate and finer-grained pyrrhotite. Pentlandite is not observed in the high porosity region. The less porous region has a more diverse mineralogy with pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and an as-yet unidentified platy sulfide (possibly proto-tochilinite). We speculate that the boundary between the regions is a leach front and the lower porosity region is more (aqueously) altered, as evidenced by pentlandite, reduced pyrrhotite grain size, and platy sulfide that may be an oxidation product of pyrrhotite. Metal is absent in both samples. Discussion: The bulk compositions of TEM sections of both highly porous Ryugu grains overlap those of GEMS, and both contain regions with textural similarities to GEMS, especially A0104-029025. However, the mineralogy of both samples is inconsistent with GEMS in IDPs and MMs. The amorphous silicate matrices are hydrated, Fe-rich, metal (FeNi) is absent, and organic carbon is less abundant than in GEMs. Abundant layer silicates, pentlandite, and carbonates implicate parent body alteration. Like the GEMS-like material observed in some meteorites from asteroids, the GEMS-like material in the Ryugu samples, although morphologically similar to GEMS, was most likely formed by parent body alteration processes including aqueous alteration, shocks, and/or partial rehydration. The context of these two highly porous grains within the range of Ryugu lithologies is unknown. The observation of anhydrous silicates by FE-SEM, however, shows incomplete alteration, and larger grains of anhydrous silicate in A0104-029025 may suggest it is less heavily modified than C0105-039023. The high porosity of both grains suggests sufficient porosity or a low degree of compaction on the parent body to allow aqueous alteration products to form in void spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We analyzed more than 800 small Ryugu grains as a part of the initial analysis team [1]. Their average sizes of grains collected from the first and the second touchdown sites are ~70 and ~50 μm, respectively. In addition, we also investigated one and three large grains from the "chemistry" and the "stone" teams, respectively. Our "sand" team investigated these grains using FE-SEM, (S)TEM, STXM-XANES, nanobeam XANES, nano-CT, and APT. Several updated results investigated by our team and some results as collaborative work between teams will be presented at this meeting [e.g. 2-8]. The main scientific goals of our team are to clarify the mineralogy of the finegrained samples and to reveal the nature of the space weathering of the asteroid Ryugu, which belongs to the most abundant C-type asteroids. The surfaces of Solar System bodies that lack atmospheres are exposed to the space environment and experience gradual alteration, called space weathering [e.g. 9]. Its effects on C-type asteroids are poorly understood [9]. Samples returned from the C-type asteroid Ryugu by Hayabusa2 enable resolution of this issue. Results and discussion: The mineralogy of most Ryugu grains investigated by (S)TEM is similar to that of CI chondrites, which are chemically the most primitive materials in the Solar System. This result is consistent with other recent studies [10-12]. The major modes of space weathering on Ryugu grains are amorphization and partial melting of phyllosilicate surfaces. Reduction from Fe3+ to Fe2+ in phyllosilicates and dehydration decomposition of the phyllosilicates are associated with the space weathering. Although the physical processes that cause space weathering on Ryugu (solar wind irradiation and (micro)meteoroid impact) are identical to those on the Moon and the S-type asteroid Itokawa [13], the results are substantially different from space weathering of these anhydrous airless bodies. Space weathering of Ryugu promotes dehydration of abundant phyllosilicates via decomposition of serpentine and saponite that has already lost interlayer water molecules (H2O) and may, therefore, weaken the 2.7-μm band assigned to hydroxyl (-OH) in reflectance spectra [14]. Therefore, the weak 2.7-μm band of at least a part of C-type asteroids might be caused by space weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the growth of Japanese infants that were exclusively breastfed to those of national references and World Health Organization ( WHO) standards. Methods Mothers, who delivered a normal term baby and had been exclusively breastfeeding for at least 4 months, were enrolled. The lengths, body weights and head circumferences of 647 children, aged 0-24 months, were obtained and compared to national references and WHO standards. Results Comparisons of the national references for both length and body weight indicated that breastfed infants were significantly shorter and lighter almost throughout the first 24 months. Conversely, head circumferences of breastfed infants were significantly larger at 1 and 6 months of age in boys and 6 months in girls. Compared to WHO standards, similar trends to the comparisons with national references were found. Conclusion There were significant differences identified between the growth of breastfed infants and existing national references and WHO standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 618 isolates of corynespora leaf spot fungus ( Corynespora cassiicola) collected from 24 commercial cucumber greenhouses in 12 cities in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, were tested for their sensitivity to boscalid. Boscalid-resistant isolates were detected in 17 out of 19 greenhouses with a history of use of this fungicide and detection frequencies of the resistant isolates exceeded 47% in nine greenhouses. Frequencies of very highly resistant (VHR) isolates with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of boscalid exceeding 30 μg mL−1 were higher than those of moderately resistant (MR) isolates with EC50 ranging from 2·0 to 5·9 μg mL−1 in 11 greenhouses. Additionally, highly resistant (HR) isolates with EC50 from 8·9 to 10·7 μg mL−1 were first detected. Furthermore, molecular characterization of genes encoding succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits (SdhA, SdhB, SdhC and SdhD) was carried out to elucidate the amino acid substitution responsible for the resistance to boscalid. All 23 VHR isolates had the same mutation from CAC to TAC in the SdhB gene leading to the substitution of histidine with tyrosine at amino acid position 278 (B-H278Y). At the same position, the substitution to arginine conferred by a mutation to CGC (B-H278R) was detected in all four HR isolates. Some MR isolates showed a substitution from serine to proline at position 73 in SdhC (C-S73P), from serine to proline or from glycine to valine at position 89 (D-S89P) and 109 (D-G109V), respectively, in SdhD. There was no common mutation in SDH genes of all MR isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 651 isolates of cucumber corynespora leaf spot fungus ( Corynespora cassiicola) collected from cucumber in Japan, either with (438 isolates) or without (213 isolates) a prior history of boscalid use, were tested for their sensitivity to boscalid by using a mycelial growth inhibition method on YBA agar medium. Additionally, seven isolates of C. cassiicola obtained from tomato, soybean, eggplant (aubergine) and cowpea in different locations in Japan were tested before boscalid registration. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 50% effective concentration (EC50) values for 220 isolates from crops without a prior history of boscalid use ranged from 0·5 to 7·5 μg mL−1 and from 0·04 to 0·59 μg mL−1, respectively. Two hundred and fourteen out of 438 isolates collected from ten cucumber greenhouses in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, which received boscalid spray applications showed boscalid resistance, with MIC values higher than 30 μg mL−1. Moreover, resistant isolates were divided into two groups: a moderately resistant (MR) group consisting of 189 isolates with EC50 values ranging from 1·1 to 6·3 μg mL−1, and a very highly resistant (VHR) group consisting of 25 isolates with EC50 values higher than 24·8 μg mL−1. MR isolates were detected from all ten greenhouses, but VHR isolates were detected from only three. As a result of fungus inoculation tests which used potted cucumber plants, control failures of boscalid were observed against resistant isolates. Efficacy of boscalid was remarkably low against VHR isolates in particular. This is the first known report on boscalid resistance in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The rapid-acting insulin analogue insulin glulisine (glulisine) was compared with insulin lispro (lispro) for efficacy and safety in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), using insulin glargine (glargine) as basal insulin. Methods: This was an open, randomized, parallel-group, comparative non-inferiority study. The primary efficacy measure was change in adjusted mean haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline to endpoint. Safety and treatment satisfaction using the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) were also assessed. Patients were treated for 28 weeks with either glulisine or lispro administered 0–15 min before a meal. Doses were titrated to obtain 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (2h-PPG) of 7.11–9.55 mmol/l (128–172 mg/dl). All patients were concomitantly treated with glargine at bedtime, titrated to obtain a fasting (prebreakfast) plasma glucose level of 5.27–7.11 mmol/l (95–128 mg/dl). Results: Baseline mean HbA1c values were similar for the glulisine (n = 132) and lispro (n = 135) groups (7.44 and 7.50% respectively). From baseline to endpoint, adjusted mean HbA1c increased by 0.10% in the glulisine group and by 0.04% in the lispro group. Non-inferiority of glulisine compared with lispro was shown. There were no significant differences between glulisine and lispro in adjusted mean 2h-PPG [glulisine, 9.06 mmol/l (163 mg/dl) vs. lispro, 8.13 mmol/l (146 mg/dl); p = 0.065] and change in adjusted mean daily rapid-acting insulin dose (glulisine, 0.26 U vs. lispro, 0.26 U; p = 0.994) at study endpoint. There was a significant difference for change in adjusted mean daily basal insulin dose from baseline to study endpoint (glulisine, –0.54 U vs. lispro, 0.26 U; p = 0.013). The most common serious adverse events were hypoglycaemia-related events (hypoglycaemia, hypoglycaemic seizure and hypoglycaemic coma) with no difference observed between the two groups [glulisine, 6.8% (9/132) vs. lispro, 4.4% (6/135); p = 0.437]. No noteworthy differences were observed for change in insulin antibodies from baseline to endpoint. Assessment of treatment satisfaction score and perceived frequency of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia by DTSQ showed no changes from baseline in either group. Conclusions: Glulisine was as effective as lispro with respect to change in HbA1c and was well tolerated when used in combination with glargine in Japanese patients with T1DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones represent the final output neurones in the neuroendocrine system for the control of reproduction. To understand the reproductive neuroendocrine system, an investigation of the intrinsic and extrinsic properties of GnRH neurones is essential. In this review, we focus on the intrinsic properties and summarise our recent findings of ion channels expressed in rat GnRH neurones. Rat GnRH neurones express all four types of high voltage-activated Ca2+channel (L, N, P/Q, R) and the low voltage-activated Ca2+ channel (T). GnRH neurones also express two types of Ca2+-activated K+ [K(Ca)] channel: the small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channel and the large conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channel. The activities of these Ca2+ and K(Ca) channels regulate cell excitability and cellular calcium homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To describe conventional and surgical endodontic treatment of a maxillary right lateral incisor with an unusual root dilaceration and to discuss the treatment outcome. Root dilacerations refer to severe curvature or angulations that may occur anywhere along the length of a root. This anatomical deviation may present an unfavourable outcome if clinicians fail to recognize the difficulties. The following case report describes conventional and surgical endodontic treatment of a maxillary right lateral incisor with an unusual root dilaceration. Key learning points •Root morphology may present a challenge for clinicians during root canal treatment. •Clinicians should be aware of the importance of surgical endodontics and be familiar with microsurgery principals and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones represent the final output neurones in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction, and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) is one of the major players in the regulation of GnRH neurones. GABA inhibits a large proportion of brain neurones in adult animals by acting on A-type GABA receptors (GABAARs). Two contradictory reports on the action of GABA in the GnRH neurones of adult mice have been published. DeFazio et al. ( Mol Endocrinol 2002; 16: 2872) demonstrated that activation of GABAARs excites the GnRH neurones of adult mice, whereas Han et al. ( Endocrinology 2002; 143: 1459) showed that the response to GABA on GnRH neurones switches from depolarisation to hyperpolarisation around puberty in female mice. Therefore, we examined the reversal potential of GABAAR currents by means of perforated patch-clamp recording with gramicidin in overnight-cultured GnRH neurones isolated from adult GnRH-enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic rats. The reversal potential was −26 ± 1.4 mV (mean ± SEM, n = 42) in GnRH neurones, whereas it was −57 ± 2.7 mV (n = 34) in unidentified neurones, and GABA depolarised the GnRH neurones in current-clamp condition. The GABAAR currents in rat GnRH neurones were augmented by neurosteroids, allopregnanolone and 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, at submicromolar concentrations. In addition, the expression patterns of GABAAR subunit mRNAs were determined by multi-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, which revealed that the α2, β3, γ1 and γ2 subunits were dominant and the α6 and γ3 subunits were negative in rat GnRH neurones. These results indicate that GABAARs in the soma of rat GnRH neurones are comprised mainly of α2, β3 and γ1 or γ2 subunits and that they are sensitive to neurosteroids; moreover, they suggest that activation of these receptors depolarises GnRH neurones. Thus, GABA and neurosteroids influence the electrical activity of GnRH neurones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevalence, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, cognitive function and depression are four major aspects of vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (vascular CIND). We performed a community-based study to examine these using 497 community-residents aged 65 years or older. Vascular CIND was defined as a clinical dementia rating (CDR) 0.5 with cerebrovascular disease. Several neuropsychological tests were performed, including MMSE, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Trail Making Test (TMT). Cerebrovascular disease and white matter lesions were visually assessed using MRI. Prevalence of vascular CIND, localization of cerebrovascular disease, and the relationships amongst MRI findings, white matter lesions, cognitive impairment and depression were analyzed. The prevalence of vascular CIND was 8.5% amongst the total population, corresponding to the rate being 37.2% amongst the CDR 0.5 participants. Compared with the CDR 0, the CDR 0.5 group had more subjects with strategic cerebrovascular disease in the thalamus, etc. No effects of cerebrovascular disease on MMSE and GDS scores were found, but the CDR 0.5/strategic cerebrovascular disease group showed impaired TMT-B scores. In the CDR 0 group, only anterior periventricular hyperintensity was associated with TMT-A score independent of cerebrovascular disease. A vascular CIND population was identified, and executive dysfunction in this population is probably based on an impaired fronto-subcortical circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Animal-pollinated plants influence their mating success through characteristics of their individual flowers and the arrangement of flowers into inflorescences. Previous studies of inflorescence function have focused on flower number, so the influences of traits of individual flowers on pollinator attraction and self-pollination between flowers remain unknown. 2. To investigate the effects of flower size and number on pollinator attraction and behaviour on inflorescences, we reduced the perianth size of flowers of Delphinium bicolor Nuttall and Delphinium glaucum S. Watson. 3. Reduction in flower size decreased the number of visits per inflorescence by bumble bees ( Bombus spp.), but increased the number of probes per visit. In contrast, both attraction and probes per visit increased in a decelerating manner with number of open flowers. The average number of probes per flower, which combines the effects of pollinator attraction and behaviour on inflorescences, did not differ significantly between small- and large-flowered plants, or with flower number. 4. The absence of significant variation among plants with different floral and inflorescence characteristics in visits per flower and nectar standing crop per flower indicate that bees achieved an ideal free distribution. 5. Our results suggest that large flowers reduce the incidence of geitonogamous pollination without reducing the frequency of probes per flower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The [13C]-ethanol breath test (EBT) has been proposed as a novel non-invasive laboratory test to detect the degradation of ethanol into CO2. However, this method has not yet been evaluated clinically. Aim To investigate the factors that influence [13C]-EBT. Methods Twenty-six healthy volunteers were instructed to drink 100 mL of beer (4 g ethanol) containing 100 μL of [13C]-ethanol. Breath samples were collected every 15 min before and after the intake of ethanol solution and 13CO2-enrichment was measured using mass spectrometry. CO2 excretion was then calculated, and the results were evaluated using kinetic parameters ( Tmax, Cmax, AUC). Results Tmax (min) was significantly shorter in men than in women but not Cmax and AUC. Infection with H. pylori had no impact on all kinetic parameters. Genetic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) polymorphisms did not affect 13CO2 excretion, but Cmax (11.1 ± 3.4% dose/h, n = 16) and AUC (10.5 ± 3.4% dose) were slightly increased in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-deficient individuals (heterozygote of ALDH2*2) (13.2 ± 3.2 and 12.9 ± 4.5, respectively; n = 10). Conclusions [13C]-EBT is capable of assessing the metabolic processing of 100 mL beer in a non-invasive way. Kinetic parameters are partially influenced by ALDH polymorphism but not by gender, H. pylori infection or ADH polymorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The effect of floral display size (number of open flowers per plant) on subsequent plant choice by bumble bees, Bombus hypocrita sapporensis (Cockerell), was investigated using artificial inflorescences with blue or yellow flowers representing different ‘species’. 2. Bees flew to an inflorescence of the same colour (constant flight) more often after visiting a large inflorescence. This response occurred when the nectar volume per flower was constant (larger inflorescence offered more nectar), and when nectar volume per inflorescence was constant (nectar volume per flower varied with display size). These results indicate that bees did not exhibit higher constancy after visiting larger inflorescences because they extracted more nectar than from smaller ones. 3. Bees spent more time during visits to large vs small inflorescences. Possibly information about the last-visited inflorescence fades from short-term memory during longer visits, which strengthens colour constancy. 4. Selection on floral display size is thought to balance the attraction benefits of large displays with the cost of geitonogamy. However, in habitats with several competing plant species, selection for colour constancy may provide a further reason for selection to favour large floral displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: There are no management criteria for optimum out-patient care in mild-to-moderate acute colonic diverticulitis.: To enable such patients to be managed in an out-patient setting, by establishing criteria and treatment protocols.: We conducted an open trial and follow-up study from 1997 to 2002. On the basis of ultrasonography, we defined and categorized mild-to-moderate acute colonic diverticulitis ranging from limited inflammation within diverticulum to an abscess< 2 cm in diameter. Subjects were treated as out-patients and followed a 10-day treatment protocol consisting of an oral antibiotic and a sports drink for the first 3 days. Physical examination and laboratory testing helped determine whether or not a patient could resume a liquid diet on day 4, and a regular diet on day 7.: Of the 70 patients, 68 were successfully treated. Two patients required hospitalization. Of the 65 patients who were tracked over several months [median (intraquarter range) = 30.8 (11.9–44.2) months], 16 had one or more clinical recurrences. The medical cost per episode was 80% lower than in-patient treatment.: Patients with mild-to-moderate acute colonic diverticulitis can be safely and successfully treated as out-patients using this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Although Helicobacter pylori infection is now acknowledged as a major promoter of gastric cancer in humans, the carcinogenetic process of this effect has not been fully elucidated. Precancerous lesions such as intestinal metaplasia, enhanced proliferation of epithelial cells and elevated level of growth factors have been postulated to play a role. : To analyse a relationship between gastric mucosal proliferation, mucosal content of hepatocyte growth factor and prevalence of intestinal metaplasia before and after successful H. pylori eradication therapy. : We evaluated 25 H. pylori-eradicated patients. At initial endoscopic examination, two biopsy tissue samples each were obtained from the antrum and great curvature of the corpus. Tissue content of hepatocyte growth factor and neutrophil myeloperoxidase were measured using an ELISA method, and histological assessment of intestinal metaplasia (haematoxylin and eosin) and proliferating cells (Ki-67 immunostaining) was performed. The patients were treated with a 1-week course of triple therapy. At 10 months after successful eradication, biochemical and histological assessments were repeated. : Among all patients ( n = 25), no intestinal metaplasia was detected in the corpus mucosa, but was observed in 10 patients (40%) in the antrum. This prevalence ratio was not changed after eradication. A slight decrease in HGF content was demonstrated in both sites, but the level of antral hepatocyte growth factor was significantly decreased in patients with intestinal metaplasia but not in those without. Proliferative index (Ki-67 positive cells/epithelium) was decreased after eradication therapy in both sites. An increase in proliferative index was observed in the antrum with intestinal metaplasia compared with that without, which significantly decreased after eradication therapy. : H. pylori eradication therapy in the present study afforded an inhibitory effect on epithelial cell proliferation and on the mucosal content of HGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin, probably due to the frequent use of this antibiotic for the treatment of other diseases, is the greatest obstacle against its eradication. : To clarify the prevalence of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease receiving multiple antibiotic treatment, including clarithromycin. : We enrolled 88 patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease; 29 underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection prior to treatment, and 60 underwent it during treatment. The diagnosis of H. pylori infection was confirmed by histological examination, urease test and microaerobic bacterial culture. The minimum inhibitory concentration of clarithromycin was determined and the DNA was analysed for each of the isolated H. pylori strains. : Patients during the treatment had a high prevalence rate of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori (100%). Analysis of DNA of the clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori isolates revealed point mutations at A2142G or A2143G. Moreover, a linear correlation was found between the total cumulative dose of clarithromycin and the minimum inhibitory concentration. : All patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease being treated long-term with multiple antibiotics, including clarithromycin, harboured clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori in the stomach. Therefore, eradication of H. pylori before commencement of long-term therapy including clarithromycin should be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Our recent histochemical studies have revealed an increase in myofibroblasts and in leptin and its receptor in endothelial cells, and myofibroblasts in Helicobacter pylori-infected human and Mongolian gerbil fundic mucosa. : The present study was undertaken to clarify the H. pylori–induced interaction between leptin in cultured gastric surface mucous cells and fibroblasts. : GSM06 cells were incubated with an air− liquid interface on a collagen gel layer containing mouse fibroblast cell line L929. Medium containing H. pylori bacilli (ATCC43504) at 10–100 times higher concentration than the GSM06 cells was added from the luminal side and the localization of leptin was observed by immunohistochemistry. The transformation of L929 cells to myofibroblasts was detected by electron microscopy and PR 2D3 immunoreactivity. : L929 cells in the control group showed a spindle shape with scarce cytoplasm. In the H. pylori-treated group, L929 cells showed features characteristic of myofibroblasts, and most GSM06 and L929 cells showed leptin immunoreactivity. In contrast, L929 cells incubated with H. pylori alone did not undergo this differentiation. : Attachment of H. pylori to surface epithelial cells caused conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. We suggest that leptin plays a role in this transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: After unsuccessful first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, the percentage of clarithromycin-resistant strains has been reported as between 30% and 70% in Japan and other countries. A high prevalence of clarithromycin-resistant strains is reported to be associated with eradication failure. : We examined antibiotic susceptibility testing using a combination of dilution agar methods with PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. : We enrolled 41 patients in whom first-line treatment with LAC (lansoprazole, amoxycillin and clarithromycin) was unsuccessful. Endoscopic biopsied specimens were used to examine antibiotic susceptibility to clarithromycin by dilution agar methods. PCR-RFLP analysis was performed to determine the presence of point mutations, which are primarily responsible for resistance to clarithromycin. : Clarithromycin-resistance rate after failure of the LAC regimen was 73.2%. Drug susceptibilities of three strains obtained by PCR-RFLP analysis were different from those by dilution agar methods. One strain with MIC values to clarithromycin of 0.05 µg/mL had a point mutation, A2144G. This strain was not eradicated by repeating LAC, but was eradicated by substituting metronidazole for clarithromycin. : Dilution agar methods should be combined with PCR-RFLP analysis before second-line eradication to increase the accuracy of clarithromycin-susceptibility testing and to improve eradication efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, chicken egg yolk was recognized as an inexpensive antibody source, and the therapeutic usefulness of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in oral passive immunization has been investigated. Although multiple antibiotic treatments eradicate most Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infections, therapy fails in 10–15% of cases due to the development of drug resistance. Consequently, it is important that new, more broadly based therapies for the treatment of H. pylori infection should be identified. The present study evaluated the effect, on H. pylori infection, of IgY prepared from egg yolk of hens immunized with H. pylori urease (anti-HpU IgY). Seventeen asymptomatic volunteers diagnosed as H. pylori-positive by the 13C-urea breath test (UBT) were orally administered anti-HpU IgY for 4 weeks. Four weeks later, UBT values were significantly decreased although no case showed H. pylori eradication. An H. pylori-positive 53-year-old female gastritis patient administered anti-HpU IgY plus lansoprazole for 8 weeks showed a decrease in serum pepsinogen (PG) I and UBT values as well as an increase in the PG I/II ratio. In conclusion, anti-HpU IgY may mitigate H. pylori-associated gastritis and partially attenuate gastric urease activity. Furthermore, anti-HpU IgY combined with antacids appears to ameliorate gastric inflammation. These encouraging results may represent a novel approach to the management of H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: The gastric mucosal alcohol dehydrogenase activity was reported to be reduced in subjects with Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis. However, the role of H. pylori infection in the metabolism of ingested ethanol has not been fully elucidated. : To clarify whether H. pylori infection exerts any influence on the metabolism of small amounts of ethanol in humans. : 13C-ethanol (100 μL) diluted in 100 mL water was administered orally to 22 healthy volunteers before breakfast. Breath samples were then collected every 10 min for up to 60 min. The content of 13CO2 (‰) was analysed using a mass-spectrometric method. The excretion rate of labelled CO2 was analysed by calculation of the following mathematical parameters, i.e., Tmax, Cmax, and AUC60. : In H. pylori-negative controls ( n = 11), the Tmax, Cmax and AUC60 were 0.47 ± 0.13, 19.1 ± 6.0 and 13.7 ± 4.5, respectively. The corresponding values were 0.53 ± 0.16 (n.s.) and 12.7 ± 4.8 ( P < 0.05) and 9.0 ± 3.6 ( P < 0.05), respectively, in subjects with H. pylori infection ( n = 11). Successful eradication of H. pylori was associated with significant increase of these parameters ( Cmax and AUC60, n = 6). : The metabolism of small amounts of ethanol is attenuated in subjects with H. pylori infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although randomized trials have shown enhancement of efficacy for combination therapy with interferon (IFN) α-2b and ribavirin compared with IFN monotherapy as first-line treatment for chronic hepatitis C, infection with genotype lb and high viremia are still associated with significantly low response rates compared with non-1 genotypes and low viremia. We analysed amino acid sequences of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) or nonstructural protein SB (NSSB), responsible for ribavirin misincorporation into RNA products in patients with genotype lb-related chronic hepatitis C and high viremia, and examined the relationship between such RdRp polymorphisms, and the initial decline in viral load induced by combination therapy with IFN-α and ribavirin. Substitution of glutamic acid to lysine at the 124th position (E124K) and of isoleucine to valine at the 85th position (I8 5V) were found to be closely associated with a potent decline of viral load and viral clearance at 8 weeks of treatment (five of five patients, coincidence rate 100%). In conclusion, our results suggest that the polymorphisms of E124K and 185V identified in NS 5B protein are crucial for early viral clearance in patients with genotype lb and high viremia by combination therapy with IFN and ribavirin, and that detection of amino acid sequence motifs might enable prediction of clinical efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional Ecology (2004) 18, 130–137 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Cosmetic Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary Background : Rebamipide is a gastroprotective agent to stimulate prostaglandin generation in gastric mucosa and attenuate the activity of neutrophils, but direct evidence for the effector sites of this agent has remained to be clarified. Aim : The present study was undertaken to show the effector sites of rebamipide in control and ulcer-provoked rats. Methods : The rats were divided into control, acetic acid- and ethanol-treated rats. In the acetic acid-treated group, 100% acetic acid was attached to the serosal surface of the stomach for 30 s, 7 days before the experiments. In the ethanol-treated group, a dose of 0.5 mL/100 g body weight of 50% ethanol was administered through orogastric intubation 2 h before the experiments. Using the unfixed cryostat sections, aqueous solution of [sup 3] H-rebamipide was applied and the localization of the binding sites of rebamipide was investigated by autoradiography. Results : In the control rats, rebamipide was found to bind to the surface epithelial cells. In the ethanol-treated group, few binding sites were observed in the damaged gastric mucosa. In the acetic acid-treated group, the marked accumulation of the binding sites of [sup 3] H-rebamipide was observed in the mesenchymal cells in the lamina propria mucosae between the regenerated gastric epithelial cells. Combination of autoradiography and immunohistochemistry has revealed that iNOS-immunoreactive cells had the strong binding of rebamipide in the acetic acid-treated group. Some of these cells were CD68-positive macrophages, while others were CD68-negative, corresponding to polymorphonuclear leucocytes. In the ethanol-treated acute gastric mucosal injury group, few binding sites were observed in the damaged gastric mucosa. Conclusions : Autoradiography has made it clear that rebamipide binds to iNOS-positive cells in the gastric mucosa 7 days after acetic acid-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Aims : To investigate the effects of rebamipide on the Helicobacter pylori eradication rate with amoxicillin and omeprazole. The trial also examined its histological effects on gastro-mucosal inflammation after eradication. Methods : Two hundred and six H. pylori -positive patients with active gastric ulcer underwent 8-week based therapy (OA) consisting of 2-week amoxicillin with omeprazole and subsequent 6-week omeprazole. They randomly received either rebamipide (OA-R) or placebo (OA-P) for 16 weeks: combined with the OA based therapy, and subsequently for another 8 weeks. Besides eradication rate, inflammatory findings of gastric mucosa after eradication were evaluated histologically. Results : Per Protocol Set analysis showed no significant difference in eradication rate between OA-R (64.6%; 95% confidence interval, 54.3–75.0%) and OA-P (67.9%; 95% CI, 57.6–78.3%). Histological findings in the gastric mucosa of the ulcer region, however, indicated a significant improvement (P = 0.017) in inflammation scores in OA-R (1.84 ± 0.41) compared with that in OA-P (2.02 ± 0.39) after 16-weeks of treatment. This suppressive effect on inflammation was observed even in the OA-R patients unsuccessfully eradicated. Conclusion : Rebamipide demonstrated a suppressive effect on the persistent and possibly chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa of the ulcer region after eradication, but the drug did not improve the eradication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background : Our recent histochemical studies have revealed the marked increase of myofibroblasts in the Helicobacter pylori -infected Mongolian gerbil fundic mucosa, while the mediators, which facilitate the conversion of fibroblasts to the myofibroblasts have remained unknown. Aim : The present study was undertaken to clarify the alteration of leptin in the control and H. pylori -infected Mongolian gerbil stomach. The effector sites of rebamipide were also investigated in relation to leptin. Methods : The localization of leptin was investigated by the indirect immunofluorescence. Plasma leptin levels were determined by ELISA method. The localization of [sup 3] H-rebamipide binding sites was investigated by autoradiography. Results : Serum leptin content in H. pylori -infected Mongolian gerbils was significantly increased. The presence of leptin immunoreactivity was recognized in the endothelial cells of the microcirculatory network and very weakly in the glandular cells in the control group, while in the H. pylori -infected group leptin was markedly recognized in the mesenchymal cells. Rebamipide bound to the fibroblasts and surface mucous cells and decreased the leptin immunoreactivity in the gastric mucosa. Conclusions : Leptin was mostly found in the mesenchymal cells. Rebamipide administration brought about the decrease of leptin in the gastric mucosaof the H. pylori -infected gerbils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]