吉田 優

Helicobacter pylori CagA protein is considered a major virulence factor associated with gastric cancer. There are two major types of CagA proteins: the Western and East Asian CagA. The East Asian CagA-positive H. pylori infection is more closely associated with gastric cancer. The prevalence of gastric cancer is quite low in the Philippines, although Philippine populations are considered to originate from an East Asia source. This study investigates the characteristics of the cagA gene and CagA protein in Philippine H. pylori strains and compares them with previously characterized reference strains worldwide. The full-length cagA gene was sequenced from 19 Philippine isolates and phylogenetic relationships between the Philippine and 40 reference strains were analyzed. All Philippine strains examined were cagA positive, and 73.7% (14/19) strains were Western CagA-positive. The phylogenetic tree based on the deduced amino acid sequence of CagA indicated that the Philippine strains were classified into the two major groups of CagA protein: the Western and the East Asian group. These findings suggest that the modern Western influence may have resulted in more Western type H. pylori strains in the Philippines. Therefore, H. pylori-infected Filipinos can be considered to be at a low risk of developing gastric cancer.

To tune the miscibility of the gel-forming oligomeric electrolyte, we examined anion exchange reactions using appropriate ammonium or alkali-metal salts. Nine oligomeric electrolytes with different anions were obtained in high yields by the reactions. The solubility of these oligomeric electrolytes in organic solvents was carefully tested. Although the starting material with chloride as a counter anion was not soluble in any organic solvents, excellent miscibility and gelation ability of the oligomeric electrolytes with different anions were consequently observed with dipolar protophilic and aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and N, N-dimethylacetamide. Furthermore, ionogels based on aliphatic ionic liquids were readily formed using the oligomer with bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide anion at a 40 g l(-1) concentration. It is remarkable that the ionic conductivity of the above-mentioned ionogels is almost identical to that of neat ionic liquids, despite the significant increase in the apparent viscosity. This study shows a novel and convenient approach to gelators for multiple solvents. Polymer Journal (2010) 42, 759-765; doi:10.1038/pj.2010.65; published online 4 August 2010

Background and study aims: Laterally spreading tumors - non granular type (LST-NG) are more often considered candidates for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) than laterally spreading tumors - granular type (LST-G), because of their higher potential for submucosal invasion. However, ESD for LST-NG can be technically difficult. The aim of our study was to compare our ESD results for LST-NG and for LST-G. Patients and methods: Ninety-nine LST-NG and 169 LST-G measuring 20 mm in size or more were removed by ESD. We retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathological features of the tumors and treatment results (en bloc resection rate, procedure time and speed, rate of use of ancillary devices, and complication and recurrence rates). Results: Histopathology revealed that there were more submucosally invasive lesions in the LST-NG than in the LST-G group (28% vs. 9%; P < 0.0001). The en bloc resection rate, en bloc R0 resection rate, and en bloc curative resection rate of LST-NG were similar to those of LST-G (LST-NG: 99%, 98%, and 88%; LST-G: 99%, 98%, and 91%). In LST-NG, the median procedure time tended to be longer (LST-NG: 69 min; LST-G: 60 min) and the median procedure speed was slower (LST-NG: 0.15 cm(2)/min; LST-G: 0.25 cm(2)/min; P < 0.0001). Use of ancillary devices was higher for LST-NG (38% vs. 15% for LST-G; P < 0.0001), as was the perforation rate (5.1% vs. 0.6% for LST-G; P = 0.027). No recurrence was seen in either group. Conclusions: ESD was an effective treatment method for both LST-NG and LST-G. However, the degree of technical difficulty appears higher for LST-NG than for LST-G lesions, as shown by the lower dissection speed and higher perforation rate. ESD for LST-NG should probably be performed by those with significant experience of colorectal ESD.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, guidelines for the treatment and prevention of ulcers induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were established. This study investigated the association between the current adherence to the guidelines and the incidence of gastric mucosal lesions caused by NSAIDs. METHODS: This study included 254 NSAIDs users (128 regular and 126 on-demand users) who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The patients were characterized as high risk based on the following: age 65 years or older, history of peptic ulcers, concurrent use of corticosteroids or anticoagulants, and high-dose NSAIDs use. Adherence was defined as the prescription of NSAIDs with proton pump inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues, or high-dose histamine 2 receptor antagonists in high-risk NSAIDs user. The severity of gastric mucosal lesions was evaluated using the modified LANZA score (MLS). RESULTS: Seventy-nine (61.7%) of the regular NSAIDs users and 65 (51.6%) of the on-demand NSAIDs users met our definition of high-risk patients. Adherence in the regular NSAIDs users and on-demand NSAIDs users was 25 (31.7%) and 16 (24.6%), respectively. The incidence of gastric mucosal lesions (MLS ≧ 1) was significantly higher in the nonadherence group than in the adherence group for both regular NSAIDs users (59.3 vs. 28.0%, P = 0.01) and on-demand NSAIDs users (63.3 vs. 25.0%, P = 0.01). Gastric ulcers in the regular NSAIDs users were more frequently observed in the nonadherence group than in the adherence group (29.6 vs. 4.0%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Nonadherence was associated with a high prevalence of NSAIDs-induced gastric mucosal lesions.

In this article, novel gel-forming materials based on oligomeric and polymeric electrolytes for not only water but also organic solvents, including ionic liquids, are highlighted especially the synthesis, derivatization, and physical property. The oligoelectrolytes with cationic pyridinium backbone can be very easily prepared by the intermolecular quaternization of the ampholytic monomer. The ionene polymers with N,N'-(p-phenylene)dibenzamide linkages as polyelectrolyte were also straightforwardly synthesized in high yields by the copolymerization of 1,4-bis[4-(chloromethyl)benzamide]benzene and commercially available alpha,omega-ditertiary amines. The oligo- and polyelectrolytes provided physical hydrogels under ca. 1-5 wt% of the concentrations after heating and cooling at room temperature without any other additives. These cationic gelators have characteristic properties, such as acid resistance, a self-healing nature after mechanical collapse, and a dispersant ability for single-walled carbon nanotubes, which have been rarely attainable for conventional physical gelators.

症例は55歳男性，左上顎洞形質細胞腫治療後に腹痛と背部痛を主訴に施行された腹部CTにて膵頭体部に70mm大の腫瘤性病変を認めた．血清IgG高値及びERCPにて同部位に膵管狭細像を認めた．悪性リンパ腫，自己免疫性膵炎との鑑別が問題となり，開腹生検にて膵形質細胞腫の確定診断に至った．膵形質細胞腫は非常に稀な疾患であるが，膵に腫瘤性病変，IgG高値，膵管狭細像を認めた際には鑑別診断の一つとして念頭に置くべきであると考えられた．

Citrobacter rodentium, a murine model pathogen for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, colonizes the surface of intestinal epithelial cells and causes mucosal inflammation. This bacterium is an ideal model for investigating pathogen-host immune interactions in the gut. It is well known that gene transcripts for Th1 cytokines are highly induced in colonic tissue from mice infected with C. rodentium. However, it remains to be seen whether the Th1 or Th2 cytokines produced by antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells provide effective regulation of the host immune defense against C. rodentium infection. To investigate the antigen-specific immune responses, C. rodentium expressing ovalbumin (OVA-C. rodentium), a model antigen, was generated and used to define antigen-specific responses under gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-deficient or interleukin-4 (IL-4)-deficient conditions in vivo. The activation of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells and macrophage phagocytosis were evaluated in the presence of IFN-gamma or IL-4 in vitro. IFN-gamma-deficient mice exhibited a loss of body weight and a higher bacterial concentration in feces during OVA-C. rodentium infection than C57BL/6 (wild type) or IL-4-deficient mice. This occurred through the decreased efficiency of macrophage phagocytosis and the activation of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. Furthermore, a deficiency in antigen-specific CD4(+) T-cell-expressed IFN-gamma led to a higher susceptibility to mucosal and gut-derived systemic OVA-C. rodentium infection. These results show that the IFN-gamma produced by antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells plays an important role in the defense against C. rodentium.

CagA protein is the most assessed effecter molecule of Helicobacter pylori. In this report, we demonstrate how CagA protein regulates the functions of dendritic cells (DC) against H. pylori infection. In addition, we found that CagA protein was tyrosine-phosphorylated in DC. The responses to cagA-positive H. pylori in DC were reduced in comparison to those induced by cagA-negative H. pylori. CagA-overexpressing DC also exhibited a decline in the responses against LPS stimulation and the differentiation of CD4(+) T cells toward Th1 type cells compared to wild type DC. In addition, the level of phosphorylated IRF3 decreased in CagA-overexpressing DC stimulated with LPS, indicating that activated SHP-2 suppressed the enzymatic activity of TBK1 and consequently IRF3 phosphorylation. These data suggest that CagA protein negatively regulates the functions of DC via CagA phosphorylation and that cagA-positive H. pylori strains suppress host immune responses resulting in their chronic colonization of the stomach.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, several new endoscopic instruments have been developed. However, even with the full use of current modalities, the safety of endoscopic surgery is not guaranteed. Information regarding factors such as fibrosis and the blood vessels under the mucosa is very important for avoiding procedure-related complications. The aim of this study was to define the detailed anatomy of the gastric wall structure in vivo using original endoluminal radiofrequency coils for safer endoscopic therapy. METHODS: Swine were used as the subjects and controlled with general anesthesia. Anatomical images were obtained with T1-weighted fast spin echo (T1FSE) and T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2FSE). Dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) angiography was also obtained with three-dimensional T1-weighted fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (3D-DMRA) following the injection of hyaluronic acid sodium into the submucosal layer. RESULTS: Porcine gastric wall structure was visualized, and four layers were discriminated in the T1FSE and T2FSE images. The vascular structure was clearly recognized in the submucosa on 3D-DMRA. CONCLUSION: Endoluminal MR imaging was able to visualize the porcine stomach with similar quality to endoscopic ultrasonography imaging. Additionally, it was possible to visualize the vascular structures in the submucosal layer. This is the first report to show that blood vessels under the gastric mucosa can be depicted in vivo.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes a wasting syndrome characterized by a loss of body weight accompanied by a decrease in adipose tissue weight, i.e., insulin resistance-like symptoms. Therefore, the effects of TCDD on an insulin signaling pathway in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated to obtain insight into the underlying mechanisms. TCDD downregulated expression of insulin receptor beta-subunit (IRbeta), insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake activity. TCDD also upregulated expression of TNF-alpha, one of insulin resistance-inducing factors. Anti-TNF-alpha neutralization antibody and silencing of TNF-alpha receptor 1 (TNFR1) diminished the TCDD-induced downregulation of IRbeta, IRS1, and GLUT4. Moreover, the experiments using small interfering RNA for an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) revealed that the TCDD-evoked changes of IRbeta, IRS1, GLUT4, and TNF-alpha were dependent on AhR. TCDD also stimulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and their inhibitors abrogated the TCDD-induced downregulation of IRbeta, IRS1, and GLUT4; upregulation of TNF-alpha; and activation of NF-kappaB. Taken together, TCDD stimulates expression and secretion of TNF-alpha in adipocytes through activation of AhR, ERK1/2, and JNK, and the secreted TNF-alpha causes the downregulation of IRbeta, IRS1, and GLUT4 through TNFR1, resulting in insulin resistance.

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A method for grayscale photopatterning of an amorphous polymer film derived from a bisanthracene-functionalized liquid-crystalline monomer is developed. Solution photopolymerization of a monomer with two anthracene moieties, one at each end, affords an amorphous polymer. A combination of irradiation with patterned UV light and heating results in photopatterning on thin films prepared from the polymer. On non-irradiated areas of the film, the polymer reverts to the monomer owing to the thermal back-reaction of the anthracene photodimer, forming an ordered phase. On irradiated areas remaining in the amorphous phase, the thermal back-reaction is suppressed. This phenomenon results in a clear contrast and visual images on the film under polarized light. Grayscale photopatterning is also made possible for the solution-polymerized polymer by controlling the intensity of exposure. In addition, rewritable photopatterning can be achieved by melt photopolymerization of the monomer. The new photopatterning is essentially nondestructive because it needs neither image development nor anthracene-excitation light for reading.

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P&gt;Vitamin K is a family of fat-soluble compounds including phylloquinone (vitamin K-1), menaquinone (vitamin K-2) and menadione (vitamin K-3). Recently, it was reported that vitamin K, especially vitamins K-1 and K-2, exerts a variety of biological effects, and these compounds are expected to be candidates for therapeutic agents against various diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin K-3 in in vitro cultured cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments. In human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells, vitamin K-3 inhibited the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-evoked translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B into the nucleus, although vitamins K-1 and K-2 did not. Vitamin K-3 also suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B and production of TNF-alpha in mouse macrophage RAW264 center dot 7 cells. Moreover, the addition of vitamin K-3 before and after LPS administration attenuated the severity of lung injury in an animal model of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which occurs in the setting of acute severe illness complicated by systemic inflammation. In the ARDS model, vitamin K-3 also suppressed the LPS-induced increase in the serum TNF-alpha level and inhibited the LPS-evoked nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B in lung tissue. Despite marked efforts, little therapeutic progress has been made, and the mortality rate of ARDS remains high. Vitamin K-3 may be an effective therapeutic strategy against acute lung injury including ARDS.

Curcumin, a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), is known to exert a variety of biological functions including anti-inflammatory activity. We examined the inhibitory effects of chemically synthesized derivatives of curcumin against inflammatory responses and compared them with those of curcumin, in order to find derivatives with stronger effects than curcumin. In a cell culture system using the mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7, monoacetylcurcumin strongly inhibited IkappaB phosphorylation, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, oral administration of monoacetylcurcumin to mice led to greater suppression of TNF-alpha production after LPS stimulation than the administration of curcumin or tetrahydrocurcumin in vivo. Monoacetylcurcumin also inhibited the LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation in the liver. Collectively, monoacetylcurcumin is a potential chemopreventive agent for treating inflammatory responses more effectively than curcumin.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperreactivity, increased mucus production, and reversible airway contraction. Asthma is a complex genetic trait caused by environmental factors in genetically predisposed individuals. The transportation of maternal antigen-specific IgG via amniotic fluid, placenta and breast milk plays an important role in passive immunity. First, to examine whether maternal passive immunity by the transportation of antigen-specific IgG via FcRn regulates allergic airway inflammation, ovalbumin-immunized FcRn(+/-) female mice were bred with FcRn(-/-) male mice to evaluate the degree of ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation of FcRn(-/-) offspring. Maternal passive immunity regulated allergic airway inflammation in an FcRn-dependent manner. Second, to examine the role of maternal antigen-specific IgG1 injection into mothers, we intravenously injected ovalbumin-specific IgG1 into wild-type or FcRn(+/-) mice immediately after they gave birth. The offspring were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Antigen-specific IgG1 administered to lactating mice reduced allergic airway inflammation in their offspring in an FcRn-dependent manner. Last, to exclude the factor of maternal passive immunity other than ovalbumin-specific IgG1, we administered ovalbumin-specific IgG1 orally to offspring after birth. Oral administration of ovalbumin-specific IgG1 to offspring during the lactating period prevented the development of allergic airway inflammation in an FcRn-dependent manner. These data show that the transfer of maternal antigen-specific IgG regulates the development of allergic airway inflammation early in life in an FcRn-dependent manner.

Dynamic light scattering and oscillatory rheology experiments were performed to study the effects of various salts on the hydrogel consisting of an oligomeric electrolyte gelator, poly(pyridinium-1,4-diyliminocarbonyl-1,4-phenylenemethylene chloride) (1-Cl). Sol-gel transition temperature increased with increasing salt concentration that Suggested the salt-in behavior. The concentration dependence of the dynamic shear moduli showed power-law scaling behavior and was compared with the predictions made by the fractal gel model. The brittleness was increased by increasing salt concentration, indicating that 1-Cl hydrogel became better packed into stronger networks in ionic solutions. After certain salt concentrations, 1-Cl hydrogel started precipitation that might be due to the excessive network formation resulting in collapse of the network structure. The recovery of the mechanical properties of 1-Cl hydrogel was completely reduced in the presence of salts.

Lipoxins, which are bioactive lipids derived from omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, play important roles in various biological functions. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of lipoxin A(4) (LXA4; 5S,6R,15S-trihydroxy-7,9,13-trans-11-eicosatetraenoic acid) were investigated in in vitro cultured cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments. In mouse peritoneal macrophages and mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells, LXA4 reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced increase in the mRNA expression level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. LXA4 also reduced the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). In an LPS-induced acute inflammation mouse model, the injection of LXA4 at 5 microg/kg b.wt. led to down-regulation of the TNF-alpha level in serum and the TNF-alpha mRNA expression level in intestinal epithelial cells. Moreover, LXA4 reduced the LPS-caused phosphorylation of IkappaB kinases, IkappaB, and NF-kappaB, the degradation of IkappaB, and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB in intestinal epithelial cells. In a coculture system using RAW264.7 cells and human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2 cells, treatment with LXA4 to Caco-2 cells led to reduction of LPS-evoked TNF-alpha production in RAW264.7 cells and interleukin-8 mRNA expression in Caco-2 cells. These results indicate that LXA4 exerts anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation, and, therefore, LXA4 may be useful as a therapeutic strategy against intestinal mucosa inflammation.

We report a simple preparation and color-tunable fluorescence of a series of azobenzene derivatives. The introduction of an electron-withdrawing or electron-donating group at the X position of azobenzenes (1-8) containing a biphenyl unit makes it possible to modulate the fluorescence color of the UV-exposed azobenzene solutions from blue to yellow, which correlates with the electron-donating abilities of the respective substituents. Theoretical calculations suggest that changes in both the dihedral angles between two phenyl rings of the biphenyl unit and the dipole moments between the trans and cis forms depending on the substituents seem to be important factors in determining the photochemical properties of chromophores.

The steady-state absorption and fluorescence properties of (E,E,E)-1,6-diaryl-1,3,5-hexatrienes (2, aryl = 2-nitrophenyl; 3, aryl = 3-nitrophenyl; 4, aryl = 4-nitrophenyl) have been investigated in solution and in the crystalline state. The solid-state absorption spectra of 2-4 shifted to longer wavelengths than those in solution. A combination of theoretical calculations and single-crystal X-ray structure analyses shows considerable planarization of molecules in the solid state, which is mainly responsible for the spectral red shifts. The effects of intermolecular interactions on the absorption spectra appeared to be relatively small in these crystals. This is consistent with the monomeric origin of the solid-state emission. Molecule 2 was nonfluorescent in all solvents studied, probably due to the efficient nonradiative deactivation from ionic species produced by excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) along the C-H center dot center dot center dot O-type hydrogen bonds. The fluorescence of 3, observed only in medium polar solvents, originated from an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT*) state, while that of 4 derived from locally excited (LE*) and/or ICT* states depending on the solvent polarity. All three molecules exhibited LE* fluorescence in the solid state. No observation of ICT* emission in crystals strongly suggests the twisted geometries for ICT* (TICT) of 3 and 4 in solution. The measurable fluorescence from crystal 2 can be attributed to the restricted torsional motions in the solid excited state.

With the world's focus on reducing our dependency on fossil-fuel energy, the scientific community can investigate new plastic materials that are much less dependent on petroleum than are conventional plastics. Given increasing environmental issues, the idea of replacing plastics with water-based gels, so-called hydrogels, seems reasonable. Here we report that water and clay (2-3 per cent by mass), when mixed with a very small proportion (<0.4 per cent by mass) of organic components, quickly form a transparent hydrogel. This material can be moulded into shape-persistent, free-standing objects owing to its exceptionally great mechanical strength, and rapidly and completely self-heals when damaged. Furthermore, it preserves biologically active proteins for catalysis. So far(1) no other hydrogels, including conventional ones formed by mixing polymeric cations and anions(2,3) or polysaccharides and borax(4), have been reported to possess all these features. Notably, this material is formed only by non-covalent forces resulting from the specific design of a telechelic dendritic macromolecule with multiple adhesive termini for binding to clay.

The first discovery of Yamato Meteorites by an inland survey team of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) in 1969 was reported by Yoshida et al. (1971). However, there are important events, issues, and data related to this discovery that have so far not been published. Prior to the author's departure for Antarctica, M. Gorai suggested the author to consider collecting meteorites during the trip. On 21 December 1969, when geodetic measurements for the 250 km span of a triangulation chain were approaching its completion, members of the inland survey team collected three stones on the surface of the ice sheet in the southeastern marginal area of the Yamato Mountains. The author realized that these rocks were possibly meteorites, recalled the suggestion by M. Gorai, and requested all members of the team to collect other possible meteorites while conducting the geodetic survey. After returning to Japan, the nine stones collected in Antarctica were all identified as meteorites by M. Gorai. The concept of a mechanism by which meteorites became concentrated in the area in which they were found, involving the flow, structure, and ablation of the ice sheet, was developed in the field in 1969 during the collection program, and was mentioned briefly in Yoshida et al. (1971); a schematic figure was shown in a Japanese newspaper in the same year. With all these as background, further collections of meteorites in the Yamato Mountains were conducted in the 1973 and 1974-1975 seasons, and a project involving the collection of meteorites was formally incorporated as an important component of the work undertaken by the geology group within JARE from the 1975-1976 season onwards. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. and NIPR. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to elucidate the risk factors and preventive factors associated with chronic low-dose aspirin (L-ASA)-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in Japanese patients with arteriosclerotic disease. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 400 L-ASA users who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We investigated patients' clinical characteristics, including age, peptic ulcer history, concomitant drugs [i.e. gastric agents, antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids], abdominal symptoms, endoscopic findings, and interruption of L-ASA before endoscopy. The severity of gastroduodenal mucosal lesions was evaluated using the modified LANZA score (MLS). RESULTS: Of 400 patients, 249 (62%) and 41 (10%) had gastroduodenal mucosal lesions (MLS ≥1) and gastroduodenal ulcers, respectively. Peptic ulcer history, abdominal symptoms, proton pump inhibitor (PPI), histamine type 2-receptor antagonists (H2RA), and the cessation of L-ASA before endoscopy were significantly associated with L-ASA-induced gastroduodenal ulcers; the odds ratio (OR) (confidence interval (CI)) was 5.49 (1.82-16.55), 4.56 (1.93-10.75), 0.12 (0.03-0.42), 0.13 (0.04-0.40) and 0.11 (0.04-0.29), respectively. Moreover, patients having two or more of five factors [i.e. advanced age (≥75), anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, NSAIDs and corticosteroids] had a significantly higher prevalence of L-ASA-induced gastroduodenal ulcers [OR (CI): 2.39 (1.002-5.69)]. CONCLUSION: Peptic ulcer history, abdominal symptoms and the summation of risk factors increased the risk for L-ASA-induced gastroduodenal ulcers. H2RAs and PPIs were effective for the prevention of L-ASA-induced gastroduodenal ulcers. The cessation of L-ASA before endoscopy might lead to the underestimation of L-ASA-induced gastroduodenal injury.

BACKGROUND: Resolvin E1 (RvE1), an endogenous lipid mediator derived from eicosapentaenoic acid, has been identified in local inflammation during the healing stage. RvE1 reduces inflammation in several types of animal models including peritonitis and retinopathy and blocks human neutrophil transendothelial cell migration. The RvE1 receptor ChemR23 is expressed on myeloid cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether RvE1 regulates colonic inflammation when the innate immune response of macrophages plays a key role in pathogenesis and tissue damage. METHODS: The RvE1 receptor ChemR23 was expressed in mouse peritoneal macrophages as defined by flow cytometry. Peritoneal macrophages were pretreated with RvE1, followed by lipopolysaccharide stimulation, whereupon transcriptional levels of proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed. RESULTS: RvE1 treatment led to inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha and IL-12p40. In HEK293 cells, pretreatment with RvE1 inhibited TNF-alpha-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB in a ChemR23-dependent manner. These results suggested that RvE1 could regulate proinflammatory responses of macrophages expressing ChemR23. Therefore, we investigated the beneficial effects of RvE1 in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. RvE1 treatment led to amelioration of colonic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that RvE1 suppresses proinflammatory responses of macrophages. RvE1 and its receptor may therefore be useful as therapeutic targets in the treatment of human inflammatory bowel disease and other inflammatory disorders.

Swift heavy 56MeV N-15(3+) ions were generated with particle fluences of 0, 3 x 10(6), 3 x 10(7), 3 x 10(8), 3 x 10(9) ions/cm(2) to form a latent track zone in a 25-mu m-thick film of polytetrafluoroethylene (iPTFE). Styrene (St) was then grafted onto the iPTFE films by UV-irradiation or pre-gamma-irradiation, and after sulfonation iPTFE-based proton-conducting membranes were obtained, here called, iPTFE-g(UV)-PStSA and iPTFE-g(gamma)-PStSA membranes, respectively, which had a straight cylindrical damage zone around the ion path. The degree of grafting was found to be about 7.5% with a particle fluence of 3 x 10(7) ions/cm(2) and with either the UV-method or the gamma-method. The ion-exchange capacity, proton conductivity in the thickness direction, MeOH permeability, tensile strength and elongation at break of the obtained iPTFE-g(UV)-PStSA membrane were 0.50mmol/g, 0.06S/cm, 0.15 X 10(-6) cm(2)/s, 50MPa and 600%. in contrast to 0.06 mmol/g, 0.06 S/cm, 0.35 X 10(-6) cm(2)/s, 19 MPa and 210% for the iPTFE-g(gamma)-PStSA membrane, respectively. In comparison, the Nafion 112 measured in our laboratory exhibited an ionexchange capacity of 0.91 mmol/g. a proton conductivity of 0.06S/cm, a MeOH permeability of 1.02 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s, a tensile strength of 35 MPa and an elongation at break of 295%. It can be concluded from these data that the lower crossover of MeOH, the same proton conductibility, the lower ionexchange capacity, and the superior mechanical properties of the W-grafted proton-conducting membranes compared to the Nafion make them promising materials for widespread application in direct methanol fuel cells. On the other hand, the tests of mechanical strength showed that the PTFE base film is subject to degradation by the ion-beam irradiation as well as the gamma-irradiation. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) chronically colonizes human gastric epithelium and induces various diseases. But the mechanism of carcinogenesis in H. pylori infection remains to be assessed. We described that after attachment of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells, CagA is injected directly from the bacteria into the cells and undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation. Tyrosine phosphorylated CagA can bind to SHP-2. Deregulation of SHP -2 by CagA may induce abnormal proliferation and movement of gastric epithelial cells. There are two patterns of CagA motifs between East Asian strains and Western strains. East Asian-type CagA confers stronger SHP-2 binding and transforming activities than Western-type CagA. We assessed the association between CagA diversity and clinical outcome in Asian countries, where mortalities from gastric cancer is different. As results, H. pylori infection with East Asian-type CagA was associated with gastric atrophy and cancer. Therefore, persistent active inflammation induced by the East Asian CagA-positive strain may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease.

The pathogenesis of gastroduodenal diseases is related to the diversity of Helicobacter pylori strains. CagA-positive strains are more likely to cause gastric cancer than CagA-negative strains. Based on EPIYA (Glu-Pro-Ile-Tyr-Ala) motifs at the carboxyl terminus corresponding to phosphorylation sites, H. pylori CagA is divided into East Asian CagA and Western CagA. The former type prevails in East Asia and is more closely associated with gastric cancer. The present study used full sequences of the cagA gene and CagA protein of 22 H. pylori strains in gastric cancer and peptic ulcer patients from Southern Vietnam to make a comparison of genetic homology among Vietnamese strains and between them and other strains in East Asia. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on full amino acid sequences of 22 Vietnamese strains in accordance with 54 references from around the world. The cagA gene was found in all Vietnamese H. pylori strains. Twenty-one of 22 (95.5%) strains belonged to the East Asian type and had similar characteristics of amino acid sequence at the carboxyl terminus to other strains from the East Asian region. From evidence of East Asian CagA and epidemiologic cancerous lesions in Vietnam, H. pylori-infected Vietnamese can be classified into a high-risk group for gastric cancer, but further studies on the interaction among environmental and virulence factors should be done. Finally, phylogenetic data support that there is a Japanese subtype in the Western CagA type.

Probiotics have been used to treat human gastrointestinal inflammations including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the exact mechanisms by which probiotics act to protect against intestinal inflammation have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris FC using in vivo and in vitro inflammation models. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by administration of 3% dextran sulfate sodium to drinking water. In the cellular level assessment, a gut inflammation model with the co-culture system consisting Caco-2 cells and RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS was used. Administration of L. lactis subsp. cremoris FC significantly ameliorated shortening of colon length and histological score of the colon in DSS-induce colitis mice. In addition, the treatment of L. lactis subsp. cremoris FC improved the aberrant mRNA expression in inflamed tissue near to control level through notable suppression of TNF-alpha (P<0.05), IFN-gamma (P<0.05), IL-6, iNOS, and MIP-2 mRNA expression. In addition, in a gut inflammation model, treatment with L. lactis subsp. cremoris FC resulted in significant down-regulation of IL-8 mRNA expression in Caco-2 cells and inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation in RAW264.7 cells. Our findings indicate that administration of L. lactis subsp. cremoris FC improves negative effects of DSS-induced colitis in mice through the inhibition of inflammatory cell infiltration.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The neonatal Fc receptor for immunoglobulin (Ig)G (FcRn) protects monomeric IgG from catabolism in parenchymal and hematopoietic cells during adult life. In dendritic cells, FcRn also promotes presentation of antigens in association with IgG. Because IgGs with anti-bacterial specificity are a hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease, we sought to determine their significance and relationship to FcRn expression in antigen-presenting cells, focusing on IgGs specific for flagellin. METHODS: Levels of circulating anti-flagellin IgG were induced in wild-type and FcRn(-/-) mice, followed by induction of colitis with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Bone marrow chimera models were used to localize the site of FcRn action. RESULTS: Wild-type mice that received anti-flagellin IgG exhibited more severe colitis following administration of DSS, compared with mice that received control IgG. Wild-type mice immunized with flagellin exhibited significantly more severe colitis in response to DSS administration than that observed in similarly treated FcRn(-/-) mice. In chimera studies, FcRn(-/-) mice given wild-type bone marrow and immunized with flagellin exhibited significantly more colitis than wild-type mice given FcRn(-/-) bone marrow and immunized with flagellin. Serum anti-flagellin IgG levels were similar in both sets of chimeric mice, consistent with the equal participation of hematopoietic and nonhematopoeitic cells in FcRn-mediated IgG protection. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-bacterial IgG antibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of colitis; this pathway requires FcRn in antigen presenting cells, the major subset of hematopoietic cells that express FcRn.

We report self-assembled structures of colloidal particles at an air-nematic liquid crystal (LC) interface. On the homeotropically aligned LC layers, pseudo-hexagonal structures with long interparticle distances have been organized with the colloidal particles having strong normal surface anchoring. By localizing the particles at the air-LC interface, the self-assembly of the colloidal particles would be mainly driven by repulsive elastic interparticle force. In addition, an attractive lateral capillary force between the particles would also play an important role for the structure formation. The interparticle distance of the self-assembled structures was found to be tunable by changing the particle diameter. (C) 2009 The Japan Society of Applied Physics DOI: 10.1143/APEX.2.101501

The dynamics of water molecules in aqueous solutions of an oligomeric electrolyte gelator, poly(pyridinium-1,4-diyliminocarbonyl-1,4-phenylene-methylene chloride] (1-CI) was characterized by microwave dielectric measurements using the time domain reflectometry method. The dielectric dispersion and absorption curves related to the orientational motion of water molecules were described by the Cole-Cole equation. Discontinuities were observed in the concentration dependence of the dielectric relaxation strength, Delta epsilon(h), as well as in the Cole-Cole parameter, beta(h). These discontinuities were observed between the samples with concentrations of 6 and 7 g/L 1-Cl/water, which correspond to a change in the transparency. Such a discontinuity corresponds to the observation of the critical concentration of gelation. The interaction between water and 1-Cl molecules was discussed from the tau(h)-beta(h) diagram. As 1-Cl carries an amide group, it could be expected that 1-Cl may interact hydrophilically with water, but the present result suggests that 1-Cl interact hydrophobically with water.

INTRODUCTION: Early stage colorectal tumors can be removed by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) but larger tumors (> or =20 mm) may require piecemeal resection. The development of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has enabled en-bloc resection of lesions regardless of size and shape. However ESD of colorectal tumor is technically difficult. As the resources, we perform EMR with small incision (EMR with SI) for more reliable EMR, and also ESD with snaring (simplified ESD) for easier and safer ESD. AIM & METHODS: The aim of the study was to retrospectively compare the treatment results of the following 3 methods (EMR with SI/ simplified ESD/ ESD). We treated 24/44/468 colorectal tumors, and examined the tumor size, resected specimen size, procedure time, en-bloc resection rate, complication rate. RESULT: The median tumor size (mm) (EMR with SI/simplified EMR/ESD) was 20/17/30 (EMR with SI vs simplified ESD: P = n.s, simplified ESD vs ESD: P < 0.0001). The median resected specimen size (mm) was 22.5/26/41 (EMR with SI vs simplified ESD: P = 0.0018, simplified ESD vs ESD: P < 0.0001). The procedure time (min.) was 19/27/60 (EMR with SI vs simplified ESD: P = n.s, simplified ESD vs ESD: P < 0.0001) The en-bloc resection rate (%) was 83.3/90.9/98.9. The complication rate (post-operative bleeding rate/perforation rate) was 0/0, 2.3/4.5, 1.5/1.5 (simplified ESD vs ESD: P = n.s). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic mucosal resection with small incision (EMR with SI) and ESD with snaring (simplified ESD) are a good option to fill the differences between conventional EMR and ESD, and also considered to become nice steps to the introduction of ESD.