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Aims Our aim was to evaluate the acute effect of eating sweet snacks at different times of day on glycaemic parameters in young women without diabetes. Methods In this randomized controlled three-treatment crossover study, 17 women [(means ± SD) age: 21.2 ± 0.8 years, BMI: 20.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2, HbA1c: 36 ± 2 mmol/mol (5.1 ± 0.2%)] wore flash (continuous) glucose monitoring systems for 7 days. Each participant consumed identical test meals on days 4, 5 and 6, but consumed sweet snacks (baked cake: 498 kcal; 53.6 g of carbohydrate, 8.0 g of protein, 28.0 g of fat) at 12:30 (post-lunch), 15:30 (mid-afternoon) and 19:30 (post-dinner), respectively, on each of those days. Daily glycaemic parameters on those 3 days of snacking at different times of day were compared within-participant. Results The mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (3.54 ± 0.32 vs. 2.73 ± 0.20 mmol/L; P Conclusion Eating sweet snacks post-dinner should be avoided because it worsens glucose excursions as well as postprandial glucose levels after both dinner and the following day's breakfast in young healthy (non-diabetic) women.

Previous studies have suggested that ID influences the depth of general anaesthesia (GA) and delays emergence from GA. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated whether ID affects the time taken to emerge from GA.We selected dental patients who underwent GA at the Department of Dental Anaesthesiology, Okayama University Hospital, using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, before dividing the selected participants into ID and non-ID (control) groups. Relevant data were collected from electronic anaesthesia records. Emergence time, the time from the discontinuation of propofol and remifentanil to tracheal extubation, was recorded for each patient. We compared the data of the ID group and control group. The association between ID and the emergence time was tested for statistical significance. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to control for confounders.A total of 97 cases (control = 50, ID = 47) were included in the study. The emergence time was significantly longer in the ID group (ID group: 15.8 ± 6.6 min, control group: 10.8 ± 3.6 min). The ID group included more men and lower propofol and remifentanil infusion rates. The treatment time was longer, and the mean bispectral index was lower in the ID group. Sevoflurane inhalation was used only for anaesthesia induction in the ID group. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, ID was found to be significantly associated with a longer emergence time.Our results suggest that ID is associated with a longer emergence time from GA.

Thin films of Co 3 FeN with an antiperovskite structure were epitaxially grown on (La 0.18 Sr 0.82 )(Al 0.59 Ta 0.41 )O 3 (001) substrates by reactive magnetron sputtering. The influence of the N 2 volume concentration in the sputtering gas mixture on the structure and properties of Co 3 FeN thin films was systematically investigated. The optimized Co 3 FeN thin films exhibited a saturation magnetization, Ms, of 1350 emu/cc, which is comparable with the theoretical value. A negative anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) effect with an AMR ratio of up to -0.88% was observed at 4.2 K.

In this study we prepared thin-film samples of the Fe2VAl-based Heusler phase by means of radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The Fe2VAl-based Heusler phase was grown epitaxially, keeping the root-mean-square surface roughness smoother than 20 nm, even when the thickness of the samples exceeded 1000 nm. The composition of the samples was controlled via both target composition and the area of a small vanadium chip placed on the target. We succeeded in obtaining samples that were free from precipitation of a secondary phase. It was confirmed that the lattice thermal conductivity of the film samples can be reduced, irrespective of film thickness, and that the Seebeck coefficient was essentially the same as that of the bulk samples. These experimental results indicate that thin-film Fe2VAl-based Heusler alloys have potential as practical thermoelectric materials.

Epitaxial MgAl2O4 thin films were deposited on a lattice-matched Heusler alloy, Fe2CrSi, by reactive magnetron sputtering of an MgAl2 target in an Ar+O2 atmosphere. Epitaxial Fe2CrSi/MgAl2O4 junctions were obtained by inserting an ultrathin MgAl2 interlayer, which worked as a protective layer for oxidization at the surface of the Fe2CrSi. The growth of MgAl2O4 was found to be very sensitive to the MgAl2 thickness and the oxygen partial pressure during the deposition of MgAl2O4. Both epitaxial growth and characteristics of the efficient tunneling barrier were obtained in an Fe2CrSi/MgAl2O4 (3 nm)/CoFe tunneling device for MgAl2O4 thin films grown by reactive sputtering. The present epitaxial MgAl2O4 barrier deposited by reactive sputtering is expected to realize high performance spintronic devices.

Structural and magnetic properties were investigated for Heusler-type alloy Ru2MnGe thin films. Ru2MnGe films on MgO substrate were subjected to an in-plane compressive strain, and exhibited enhanced antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition temperature (T N ) up to 353 K, which exceeds by 37 K from the cubic bulk material (T N = 316 K). We also observed the exchange coupling between Ru2MnGe and Heusler-type ferromagnetic (FM) half-metal Fe2CrSi thin films. The present AFM Heusler alloy with relatively high T N is useful to fabricate high-quality all Heusler-type half-metal AFM/FM junctions and is a promising material for the emerging field of AFM spintronics.

Polycrystalline bulk and epitaxial thin film samples of double-perovskite SrLaVRuO6 were prepared, and their magnetic and electrical properties were investigated. Structural characterization on the bulk samples has revealed that a double-perovskite phase can be formed in coexistence with the secondary phase of nonmagnetic semiconducting Sr3V2O8. Magnetic and electrical investigations have shown that the double-perovskite SrLaVRuO6 compound is an antiferromagnetic metal. Moreover, it has been found that epitaxy using a lattice-matched substrate leads to suppression of the Sr3V2O8 secondary phase and promoting growth of phase-pure double-perovskite SrLaVRuO6.

Structural and electrical transport properties were investigated for Heusler-type alloy Ru2 MnGe thin films. Ru2 MnGe films on MgO substrate were subjected to an in-plane compressive strain due to their small lattice mismatch (-0.7%), and exhibited enhanced antiferromagnetic transition temperature (TN) up to 353 K, which is much higher than that of the bulk material (TN = 316 K). In contrast, the films on MgAl 2O 4 were almost in a relaxed-strain state, and showed TN close to the bulk value (304 K). It was also found that the TN of Ru2MnGe thin films on MgO exhibited oscillating behavior depending on c/a ratio. We argued that the next-nearest neighbor magnetic interactions (J2) of Mn-Mn atoms has oscillated depending on the degree of strain in Ru2MnGe, which contribute to the oscillating behavior of TN against c/a.

Epitaxial thin films of SrLaVMoO6 with an ordered double perovskite structure have been grown on (001) and (111) SrTiO3 substrates by magnetron sputtering. The optimized (111) film exhibited a clear (111) diffraction peak, which is a superlattice reflection of double perovskite unite cell, indicating clear B-site ordering. Temperature dependences of resistivity ρ show metallic behavior and transition point at 140~150 K, of which behavior is reminiscent of the electrical properties of materials showing long-range magnetic or antiferromagnetic order. XPS results of the Mo 3d core level spectra are discussed in terms of the B-site ordering and oxygen nonstoichiometry.

Magnetization reversal process of ring-shaped Fe/Au/Fe pseudo-spin valve is investigated with different Au thickness by local Hall effect (LHE) using semiconductor two dimensional electron gas. The Hall resistance shows clear hysteresis loop with four different transition fields. By comparing the single-layer Fe rings, four steps are due to the onion (voretex)-to-vortex (onion) transitions both in the top and the bottom rings. The LHE measurement enables us to measure the distinct characterization of the magnetization reversal between the top and bottom Fe rings. Magnetic interactions between two Fe rings are measured as a function of Au thickness. The variation of the onion-to-vortex transition field is explained by the displacement of the domain walls in the onion state due to the stray field from the ring edge. The vortex-to-onion transition fields are shifted to the lower field in both Fe layers with decreasing Au thickness due to the reduction of entire magnetostatic energy in PSV rings. One possible explanation is the absorption of the stray field between two Fe rings. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 2 is a rare hereditary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the XIAP gene. This immunodeficiency frequently results in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, although hypogammaglobulinemia and dysgammaglobulinemia are also common.We identified 17 patients from 12 Japanese families with mutations in XIAP. The Glu349del mutation was observed in 3 patients, each from a different family. Interestingly, these patients exhibited dysgammaglobulinemia but not hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We conducted an immunological study of patients carrying Glu349del and other mutations to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of dysgammaglobulinemia in patients with mutations in the XIAP gene.We performed an immunological study of 2 patients carrying the Glu349del mutation and 8 patients with other mutations.Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of memory B cells in patients with a mutation in XIAP was lower than that observed in the healthy controls. The patients with the Glu349del mutation had a lower percentage of memory B cells than those with other mutations. Ig production was reduced in patients with the Glu349del mutation. Increased susceptibility to apoptosis was observed in the patients with other mutations. Susceptibility to apoptosis was normal in patients with Glu349del. Microarray analysis indicated that expression of Ig-related genes was reduced in patients with the Glu349del mutation and that the pattern was different from that observed in the healthy controls or patients with other mutations in XIAP.Patients carrying the Glu349del mutation in the XIAP gene may have a clinically and immunologically distinct phenotype from patients with other XIAP mutations. The Glu349del mutation may be associated with dysgammaglobulinemia.

Thin films and heterostructures of Mn3GaN with an inverse perovskite structure were grown epitaxially on SrTiO3 (001) and (La0.18Sr0.82)(Al0.59Ta0.41)O3 (001) (LSAT) substrates by ion beam sputtering, and their structural and electrical properties have been investigated. Mn3GaN epitaxial thin films showed metallic behavior of temperature-dependent resistivity with a small maximum at 290–340 K. The maximum resistivity could be attributed to the magnetic transition from antiferromagnetism to paramagnetism. It has been found that epitaxial heterostructures formed by ferroelectric Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 and Mn3GaN layers exhibit a large magnetocapacitance effect of more than 2000% in an applied magnetic filed of 1.5 T.

Background Alport syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous disorder, but most patients showed the X-linked form resulting from mutations in the COL4A5 gene. A few cases of mosaicism in Alport syndrome have been reported. Methods We describe the case of an 8-year-old boy with mosaicism in Alport syndrome. Punch skin biopsies were obtained from the patient's mother and monozygotic twin brother. Five biopsy specimens from non-Alport patients were used as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using rat monoclonal antibodies towards individual collagen IV(NC) domains. Results Kidney tissue of the patient showed: mosaic expression of alpha3(IV), alpha4(IV) and alpha5(IV) in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), distal tubular basement membrane (TBM) and Bowman's capsule; mosaic alpha6(IV) expression in the Bowman's capsule and distal TBM; and well-preserved expression of alpha1(IV) and alpha2(IV). The patient's skin exhibited mosaic alpha5(IV) expression. His mother and monozygotic twin brother disclosed a normal linear staining of alpha5(IV) in their epidermal basement membranes. This unusual mosaicism of alpha3(IV), alpha4(IV), alpha5(IV) and alpha6(IV) is consistent with a pattern of female heterozygotes of Alport syndrome. Conclusion This discordant phenotypic expression of Alport syndrome in monozygotic twins with unaffected parents suggests possible somatic mosaicism in the COL4A5 gene.

Summary Background The T helper type-2 (Th2)-dominated situation can be observed in allergic diseases such as asthma or atopic dermatitis. A reduced ability to produce IL-12, which is a key cytokine for the induction of Th1 responses, has been proposed to lead to aberrant Th2 development in these disease conditions. Objective This study was intended to examine how IL-12-producing ability might associate with allergic diseases as a function of age. Methods IL-12 production by monocytes at various ages was assessed in patients with bronchial asthma and/or atopic dermatitis (n = 100) in comparison with non-allergic control subjects (n = 144). Whole blood cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) after priming with IFN-γ, then intracellular cytokine expression of IL-12 and IL-8 as a control cytokine of CD14-positive cells was assessed by flow cytometric analysis. Results In the control subjects, the ability of monocytes to produce IL-12 was negligible at birth and gradually increased with advancing age, whereas IL-8 production was intense throughout the human life. At more than 7 years of age, IL-12 production of patients with allergic diseases was significantly lower compared with that of control subjects. The unexpected finding was that infants and children below 6 years of age with allergic diseases tended to produce more IL-12 compared with age-matched controls. In this young group, it was noted that enhanced IL-12 production by monocytes was especially observed in allergic patients with specific IgE antibodies against some food allergens. Significant inverse relationships between serum IgE levels and IL-12-producing ability were found in the teenage and adult groups, but not in the younger children. Conclusion IL-12 appeared to play different roles in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases between younger and older ages.

In urethane-anaesthetised artificially ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats, bilateral microinjection of the divalent cation nickel chloride (Ni(2+); 50 mM, 50 nl) into the rostral ventrolateral medulla elicited a dramatic inhibition of splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (-44+/-6%) and a marked depressor response (-35+/-7 mmHg). Selective blockade of high-voltage activated Ca(2+) channels with omega-agatoxin IVA (P/Q-type), omega-conotoxin GVIA (N-type) and nifedipine (L-type) did not decrease arterial pressure or splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity when injected separately into the rostral ventrolateral medulla, or combined with kynurenate. Injection of caesium chloride or ZD 7288, a blocker of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current, into the rostral ventrolateral medulla had no effect on arterial pressure or splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity. Bilateral microinjection of nickel chloride into the caudal ventrolateral medulla/pre-Bötzinger complex elicited small increases in splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (+17+/-13%) and arterial pressure (+12+/-4 mmHg). These were substantially smaller than those evoked by blockade of glutamatergic receptors or high-voltage activated Ca(2+) channels in this area. Injection of kynurenate or high-voltage activated Ca(2+) channel blocker, but not Ni(2+), in this area evoked respiratory termination. The results indicate the existence of a distinct mechanism maintaining the tonic activity of rostral ventrolateral medulla presympathetic neurons that is different from that maintaining the tonic activity in the caudal ventrolateral medulla/pre-Bötzinger region. We conclude that ion channels that are sensitive to Ni(2+), but are insensitive to high-voltage activated (L, P/Q, N) Ca(2+) channel blockers, and are located postsynaptically on the presympathetic rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons are responsible for the tonic activity of the presympathetic neurons in rostral ventrolateral medulla. These channels could well be the low-voltage-activated (or T-type) Ca(2+) channels although other conductances cannot be conclusively excluded.

In this study, we have fabricated Heusler alloy Fe2CrSi/Fe2VSi superlattice on MgAl2O4 substrate and have investigated inter-layer exchange coupling among Fe2CrSi layers. Biquadratic coupling is dominated below the Neel temperature of Fe2VSi. By comparing magnetic coupling energy at 77 K and room temperature, it is suggested that the inter-layer exchange coupling is dominated by the proximity effect, i.e. the antiferromagnetic alignment of magnetic moments in Fe2VSi spacer layer.

Background: Although the association between acute asthma exacerbation and viral infection has been well documented, virus identification rates vary. It has recently been reported that the expression of MxA protein in lymphocytes, inducible by type I interferons, can serve as a sensitive marker for viral infection in the host. The objective was to determine the contribution of viral infection to precipitation of asthma attacks in children. Methods: We studied 186 asthmatic children, aged 0–12 years, over a 1-year period to evaluate MxA protein levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes by using a flow cytometric analysis in whole blood. Results: Of all the subjects, 80 (47%) exhibited significantly elevated levels of MxA expression in lymphocytes, presumably indicating the states of viral infection. The association of viral infections with acute asthma exacerbation seemed to be marked in younger children: enhanced MxA expression was seen in 73.3% of infants (aged 0–1 year), 49.5% of toddlers (aged 2–5 years), and 26% of schoolchildren (aged 6–12 years). Seasonal changes in the frequency of viral infection associated with deterioration were also observed. Conclusions: Flow cytometric assay of MxA protein expression in whole blood appears to be an easy and useful method to evaluate viral infections in acute asthma exacerbation.

Background X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a humoral immunodeficiency caused by disruption of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene. Typical XLA patients suffer recurrent and severe bacterial infections in childhood. Methods Flow cytometric analysis of the peripheral monocytes using the anti-BTK antibody was used to characterize a 27 year old male patient with mild hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG, 635 mg/dl; IgM, 11 mg/dl; IgA, Results Flow cytometric analysis of cytoplasmic BTK protein in peripheral monocytes indicated that the patient presents a rare case of adult-onset XLA and that his mother is an XLA carrier. Sequencing of the BTK gene revealed a deletion of AG in the codon for Glu605 (AGT), resulting in an aberrant stop codon that truncates the BTK protein in its kinase domain. Conclusions This case suggests that some XLA cases may remain undiagnosed because they only show mild hypogammaglobulinemia and they lack repeated infections in childhood. Flow cytometric analysis is a powerful method to screen these patients.

Th2 clones have been reported to express CD30 preferentially, but whether T cells producing Th2-type cytokines may favor CD30 expression in the in vivo state remains unknown. We investigated the expression of CD30 on circulating T cells in atopic dermatitis (AD) as a Th2-dominated disorder. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were prepared from 51 AD patients and 14 nonatopic controls, and their phenotypes were analyzed with flow cytometry. Cytokine production by stimulated CD4+ T cells was also assessed by the single-cell-staining method. Flow cytometric analysis clearly revealed that CD30+ T cells were identifiable in the blood of AD patients with greater frequency compared to controls. The important finding was that CD30 expression was restricted to a small but substantial population of memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ ones. In AD patients, it was demonstrated that the percentages of CD30+ cells within CD45RO+ CD4+ T cells correlated well with the disease severity, serum IgE levels, peripheral eosinophil counts, and tendency toward Th2-dominant cytokine pattern as determined by the ratio of interleukin-4 to interferon-gamma production. This study suggests that CD30 expression in circulating T cells might serve as an in vivo marker for the Th2-dominated condition.

We have recently treated a case of asymptomatic macrocystic schwannoma discovered between the left neck and the supraclavicular fossa. The tumor, originating from the left seventh cervical nerve, was extirpated. Nearly 70 percent of the tumor area showed macrocyst with transparent fluid collection. The tumor was diagnosed as macrocystic schwannoma histopathologically. Schwannoma is often associated with small cysts but rarely with macrocysts. Because schwannoma is a benign tumor, partial resection against an attempt at total removal resulting in progressive neurologic deficits is recommended. In general, schwannoma does not present any apparent symptoms at an early stage, because it occurs and progresses very slowly. Schwannoma originating at the spinal nerve root has been called a dumbbell-shaped tumor because of its characteristic shape on MRI and cystogram images. We recently have treated a case of dumbbell-shaped tumor that was an asymptomatic macrocystic schwannoma in the seventh cervical nerve.

Conflicting results have emerged over the nature of autonomic nervous system abnormalities in human obesity. This present study was designed to investigate the sympatho-vagal activities and their responsiveness to acute cold exposure in age- and height-matched obese and non-obese young women.Twenty-four age- and height-matched obese (Weight: 68.1 +/- 2.64 kg, BMI: 26.3 +/- 0.74 kg/m2, %Fat: 39.9 +/- 1.23%) and non-obese young women (Weight: 46.9 +/- 0.77 kg, BMI: 18.5 +/- 0.18 kg/m2, %Fat: 22.9 +/- 0.8%).Plasma leptin, insulin, glucose and lipid concentrations were measured at rest. The sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) nervous system activities were assessed by means of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) for 15 min under control (25 degrees C) or acute cold exposure (10 degrees C) conditions. The very low (VLO) frequency component, and SNS (low/high power), and PNS (high/total power) indexes were used to evaluate thermoregulatory sympathetic function, and cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activities, respectively.Plasma leptin concentration was significantly greater in the obese than in the control group (47.3 +/- 7.00 vs 12.1 +/- 1.22 ng.ml-1, P0.001). There was a highly positive correlation between plasma leptin concentration and percent of body fat (r = 0.863, P0.001). During the resting condition, there was no significant difference in any of the parameters of the HRV between the obese and control groups. Upon acute cold exposure, the VLO frequency component associated with thermoregulation (309 +/- 49.9 vs 578 +/- 142.2 ms2, P0.05) as well as its responsiveness (25-10 degrees C delta changes: 17 +/- 82.9 vs 326 +/- 138.2 ms2, P0.05) were significantly lower in the obese than in the control group.Our data indicate that a reduced autonomic, especially sympathetic responsiveness associated with thermoregulation and possibly leptin resistance might be aetiological factors of obesity in young women.

We have investigated the lateral and vertical magnetic interactions of submicron-sized Fe single-layer ring arrays and Fe/Au/Fe trilayer ring structures by measuring the magneto-optical Kerr effect. The lateral magnetic interaction significantly increases when the edge-to-edge distance of the ring array decreases to below 200 nm. The onion (vortex) to vortex (onion) transition field is proportional to 1/lxn with n=2.37 (0.73). In the vertical magnetic interaction, the trilayer wide ring shows a drastic change of the magnetization reversal in comparison with the single-layer ring, whereas the trilayer narrow ring shows a clear onion (vortex) to vortex (onion) transition, which is similar to the magnetization reversal process of the single-layer ring.

We present a novel route for patterned gold thin-film deposition on glass substrates with the help of UV-light irradiation. Chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) is used as a source material and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) acts as a reducing agent in an aqueous solution. Ethylene diamine (EDA) is added to increase the solution stability. The deposition solution is injected on the substrate. A patterned metal mask is placed 5 mm above the substrate, and the solution is illuminated for 15 min by an ultrahigh-pressure mercury arc lamp. A patterned Au film with a thickness of 0.1–0.2 µm is deposited.

Recently we have extended the use of the V-Y advancement flap for the purposes of releasing flexion contractures of finger joints, improving the appearance of congenitally anomalous fingers and repairing segmental skin defects in fingers, with gratifying results.

The effects of magnetic anisotropy on domain structures in half-metallic Heusler alloy Fe2CrSi thin film elements were investigated using high resolution x-ray magnetic circular dichroism photoemission electron microscopy. The transition of the dominating contribution from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy to the shape anisotropy is observed in square-shaped elements when reducing the size below 2.0–2.5 μm. In particular, we identify in disk-shaped Heusler elements the vortex state as the ground state. The shape-anisotropy dominated, well-defined magnetization configuration shows the potential of the Fe2CrSi Heusler alloy for applications in vortex-core- or domain-wall-devices, where the high spin polarization is desirable.

Aims: Diagnosis and classification of renal tubular acidosis (RTA) have traditionally been made on the basis of functional studies. Despite recent expanding knowledge about the molecular abnormalities involved in renal bicarbonate (HCO 3 ) and H + transport, the pathophysiology of secondary erythrocytosis in association with distal RTA remains obscure. Case history: A 2-month-old boy with severe hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis with positive urine anion gap was diagnosed with distal RTA. Replacement therapy with sodium bicarbonate and potassium citrate succeeded in improving his metabolic acidosis and growth. His renal function remained normal. He had persistent erythrocytosis. Conclusion: Secondary erythrocytosis is a rarely reported association of distal RTA. It may increase the risk of thromboembolism.

The humoral response in newborns is mainly restricted to IgM production, which may be attributable to the naive nature of both B and T cells at birth. In light of the current evidence that memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells help B cell differentiation, the present study was undertaken to examine whether a specified population within memory CD4+ T cells could induce the maturation of neonatal naive B cells. In the conventional PWM-stimulated cultures, the generation of IgG- and IgA-producing cells in addition to IgM production by neonatal B cells was significantly enhanced by co-cultures with memory, but not naive, CD4+ T cells. Memory CD4+ T cells were further divided into two populations based on expression of homing receptor L-selectin. These memory CD4+ T cell subpopulations appeared to behave in different fashions concerning help for Ig production by naive (sIgD+) and mature (sIgD-) B cells. L-selectin-negative memory CD4+ T cells exhibited helper function for Ig secretion by mature B cells. Intriguingly, Ig production by neonatal B cells as well as adult naive B cells, although less than that by mature B cells, was efficiently promoted by L-selectin-positive memory CD4+ T cells rather than L-selectin-negative ones. The results suggest that the capability of neonatal naive B cells to secrete IgG and IgA can be elicited by appropriate T-cell signals, especially from the L-selectin-positive population within memory CD4+ T cells, seemingly indicating its possible role for isotype switching in B cells.

Reconstitution of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with human lymphocytes has recently allowed the elucidation of abnormalities of immune responses in various immunological disorders. In the present study, mononuclear cells (MNC) from neonatal cord blood and adult peripheral blood were intraperitoneally injected into SCID mice to examine induction of human Ig in respective mice recipients. Human IgG was consistently detected in the serum of SCID transferred with adult MNC, but only a few SCID recipients of cord blood MNC showed detectable but low levels of IgG in the serum. The combination experiments of isolated B and T cells disclosed that some interactions between B and T cells might be necessary for IgG production in transferred SCID mice. Notably, transfer of cord blood B cells with adult but not cord blood T cells resulted in efficient induction of IgG, associated with a change in subclass distribution. The results suggest that inability of neonatal B cells to produce IgG can be overcome by transfer with adult mature T cells into SCID mice.

下部直腸癌症例に対する低位前方切除術の成績とその手術適応について報告する.下部直腸癌症例に対する低位前方切除術施行例35例と直腸切断術施行例58例計93例を対象とし,肛門歯状線から腫瘍下縁までの距離,腫瘍下縁から切離線までの距離,再発様式,予後等について検討した,腫瘍下縁から切離線までの距離は2cm以上を原則とし,2cm未満となった症例も4例みられたが全例aw(－)であった.局所再発は低位前方切除術施行例に1例,直腸切断術施行例に10例みられ,5年生存率は低位前方切除術施行例が71%,直腸切断術施行例が81%であり,両者に有意差はみられなかった.これらの結果よりわれわれは,腫瘍下縁より2cm離した切離線をおき吻合可能な症例は低位前方切除術の適応であり,術前検査で腫瘍下縁が歯状線より3.5cm以上離れていることが必要条件と考える.

The motivation of this paper is to enhance system development efficiency by integrating system modeling methods and system scale measurement methods. Among system modeling methods, FPM (function point method) has been attracting a lot of attention. In this paper, we first propose a method to measure function points from specifications written with a widely used formal specification language VDM-SL (Vienna Development Method-Specification Language). Then the development of an automatic measurement tool based on this method is introduced. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, measurement of a sample case using the proposed method is examined and discussed.

We studied the correlations among the structural properties, valence band spectra, and electrical properties of (111)-oriented half-Heusler LaPtBi thin films. An increase in the C1 order parameter led to a marked change in the valence band spectra just below the Fermi energy, indicating the dominant role of ordering at the Pt sites in the electronic structure of LaPtBi. Magnetotransport measurements at 4.2 K showed that the linearity rather than the classic quadratic component of magnetoresistance becomes more evident with increasing C1 order parameter. The unique electronic structure of LaPtBi showed various quantum phenomena related to zero-gap semiconductivity.