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Aim A complete cure for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection requires elimination of covalently closed circular DNA; however, this remains to be clinically achieved. Interferon (IFN)-γ, a type II IFN, is produced by intrahepatic cytotoxic T lymphocytes and has non-cytolytic antiviral potential. However, the mechanism by which IFN-γ regulates HBV infection has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we developed an in vitro HBV infection assay system and analyzed the molecular signature of HBV regulation by IFN-γ. Methods The in vitro HBV infection assay system was established in primary human hepatocytes infected with HBV derived from the plasmid containing 1.3-mer HBV genome, and treated with IFN-γ. The antiviral effects and signaling pathways of IFN-γ were examined using microarray, and assessed by siRNA knockdown experiments of the related genes. Results IFN-γ treatment suppressed both HBV propagation and transcription as efficiently as IFN-α. Microarray analysis showed that IFN-γ stimulation induced the activation of both IFN-γ and IFN-α signaling, regulating HBV covalently closed circular DNA. HBV production was decreased by IFN-γ through Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling and interferon-stimulated genes, such as 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase 2 and apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3G. Conclusions IFN-γ can suppress HBV propagation and transcription in hepatocytes by activating specific intracellular signaling pathways in hepatocytes, and suggests the future application of these particular signaling pathways or genes for the complete elimination of HBV.

Objective Immunoglobulin (Ig) A vasculitis (IgAV) is a systemic vasculitis characterized by purpura and gastrointestinal involvement showing abdominal pain that usually occurs after the emergence of purpura. Criteria for evaluating gastrointestinal manifestations of IgAV are unavailable at present, so we conducted a study to investigate the usefulness of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for detecting gastrointestinal manifestations of IgAV. Methods The clinical data of 10 patients who underwent VCE for IgAV at our hospital from 2012 to 2017 were collected. Nine patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and five underwent colonoscopy. We compared the endoscopic severity determined by VCE to the findings of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. Results The rates of positive findings of esophagogastroduodenoscopy, VCE, and colonoscopy were 56%, 100%, and 80%, respectively. In 70% of cases, the most severe gastrointestinal findings were detected by VCE. VCE was performed on average 16.8 days after the emergence of purpura, and in 8 of 10 patients, its result triggered the initiation of steroid therapy or the control of the steroid dose. Conclusion VCE is very useful for confirming gastrointestinal involvement in IgAV and may be used to determine the timing of steroid therapy initiation. We recommend performing VCE when IgAV is suspected in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term outcomes of complete common bile duct (CBD) stone removal and biliary stenting in elderly patients (≥85 years) with CBD stones. METHODS We retrospectively examined 65 patients who underwent complete CBD stone removal (the duct clearance group) and 40 patients who underwent biliary stenting (the biliary stenting group) between July 2006 and March 2016. To reduce selection bias, we also conducted a propensity score matching analysis and generated 30 pairs of patients. Cholangitis recurrence-free survival and overall survival were compared between the two groups and independent prognostic factors of survival were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Cholangitis recurrence-free survival was significantly better in the duct clearance group than in the biliary stenting group (P < 0.001). Their overall survival did not significantly differ after propensity score matching (P = 0.388). In all cohorts, univariate analysis demonstrated that poor performance status and biliary stenting were factors of poor prognosis, and in multivariate analysis only performance status remained associated with poor prognosis for survival. Similarly, in the propensity score-matched cohort, only performance status independently predicted poorer survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.726, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.105-6.675, P = 0.029). The choice of endoscopic treatment was not a significant factor associated with prognosis (HR 1.354, 95% CI 0.678-2.701, P = 0.391). CONCLUSIONS Biliary stenting was similar to complete stone removal in terms of prognosis for long-term survival. Biliary stenting for CBD stones could be an effective therapeutic tool in high-risk elderly patients.

Owing to effective treatments and sanitary improvements, the incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has decreased. However, approximately one-quarter of the world's population is thought to have LTBI, and the reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) sometimes occurs in immunocompromised hosts. A 54-year-old man presented with a fever. The patient had past histories of alcoholic and hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). He was treated with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for HCC three times, beginning 10 months before his current visit. A computed tomography scan showed enlarged intraabdominal lymph nodes with calcification, and the interferon-gamma release assay for TB infection was positive. The patient was diagnosed with tuberculous reactivation. Anti-TB therapy was administered to the patient, after which we restarted TACE and the TB infection remains controlled. In this case, we presumed that DEB-TACE is associated with the reactivation of TB infection and that anthracycline increases the risk of reactivating TB infection. In summary, we experienced a case of TB reactivation during the clinical course of a patient with HCC who was treated with DEB-TACE. When patients with HCC are treated with TACE, their symptoms, laboratory data, and imaging results should be monitored when latent TB infections are suspected.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation can be triggered by immunosuppressive chemotherapy. HLA class II molecules may play a role in HBV reactivation. Genetic polymorphism and mRNA expression of HLA class II were examined in patients with latent HBV infection treated with immunosuppressive therapies. Subjects with resolved HBV infection who had undergone treatment with immunosuppressive chemotherapies were retrospectively enrolled (n = 42) and divided into reactivated (n = 9) and non-reactivated groups (n = 33). Patients were genotyped for 17 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within HLA class II DPA1, and DPB1, and mRNA expression levels of HLA class II genes were assessed. The frequency of the AA genotype of rs872956, a SNP in HLA-DPB1, was significantly higher in the reactivated group than in the non-reactivated group (55.6% vs 12.1%, P < 0.05). The frequencies of the T allele and non-AA genotypes (AT/TT) of rs3116996 (located in DPB1) were significantly higher in the reactivated group (T allele frequency: 16.7% vs 0.0% [P < 0.01], non-AA genotype frequency: 22.2% vs 0.0% [P < 0.05]). Multivariate logistic regression identified the AA genotype of rs872956 as an independent protective factor against HBV reactivation (odds ratio [OR] = 18.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-126.7, P < 0.01). mRNA expression of HLA-DPB1 was lower in the HBV reactivated group than in the non-reactivated group (median 276.1 ± 165.6/β-actin vs 371.4 ± 407.5/β-actin [P < 0.05]). These results suggest the involvement of HLA class II molecules in HBV reactivation after treatment with immunomodulatory agents.

Infiltration by IgG-positive plasma cells is a common finding in tubulointerstitial nephritis. Indeed, it has been thought that CD138-positive mature plasma cells secrete mainly IgG, and the occurrence of tubulointerstitial nephritis with CD138-positive plasma cells secreting IgM has rarely been reported. Routine immunofluorescence of fresh frozen sections is considered the gold standard for detection of immune deposits. However, the immunoenzyme method with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections is superior for detecting IgM- or IgG-positive cells within the renal interstitium, thus histologic variants may often go undetected. We recently discovered a case of tubulointerstitial nephritis showing IgM-positive plasma cell accumulation within the interstitium. To further explore the morphologic and clinical features of such cases, we performed a nationwide search for patients with biopsy-proven tubulointerstitial nephritis and high serum IgM levels. We identified 13 patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis and IgM-positive plasma cell infiltration confirmed with the immunoenzyme method. The clinical findings for these patients included a high prevalence of distal renal tubular acidosis (100%), Fanconi syndrome (92%), and anti-mitochondrial antibodies (82%). The pathologic findings were interstitial nephritis with diffusely distributed CD3-positive T lymphocytes and colocalized IgM-positive plasma cells, as well as tubulitis with CD3-positive T lymphocytes in the proximal tubules and collecting ducts. Additionally, levels of H+-ATPase, H+, K+-ATPase, and the HCO3−-Cl− anion exchanger were markedly decreased in the collecting ducts. We propose to designate this group of cases, which have a common histologic and clinical form, as IgM-positive plasma cell–tubulointerstitial nephritis.

A 75-year-old man presented with abdominal distension, hypoproteinemia, ascites and a 35-mm mass in the small bowel mesentery. Laparotomy was performed, and he was diagnosed with sclerosing mesenteritis. His clinical condition improved, with computed tomography (CT) showing tumor shrinkage and decreasing ascites after administration of prednisolone; however, on drug withdrawal, abdominal fullness recurred and CT revealed an enlarging tumor and increasing ascites. Capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) were performed to further investigate hypoalbuminemia, which revealed white villi, white nodules, white debris, and mucosal edema in the jejunum. Biopsies from the jejunal mucosa demonstrated infiltration by chronic inflammatory cells consisting mostly of lymphocytes and plasma cells, with marked lymphangiectasia of the lamina propria and submucosa. A fecal alpha-1-antitrypsin clearance test revealed abnormal leakage from the gastrointestinal tract, confirming that hypoalbuminemia was secondary to protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). The incidence of sclerosing mesenteritis accompanied by PLE is very rare. Only six cases have been reported so far. CE and DBE were helpful for diagnosing this condition, and should be performed in patients in whom the cause of hypoalbuminemia is unknown, and in those with PLE.

Recent genome-wide studies have demonstrated that HLA class II gene may play an important role in viral hepatitis. We studied genetic polymorphism and RNA expression of HLA class II genes in HCV-related liver diseases. The study was performed in groups consisting of 24 patients with HCV-related liver disease (12 of persistent normal ALT: PNALT group and 12 of advanced liver disease: ALD group) and 26 patients without HCV infection (control group). In PBMC samples, RNA expression of HLA class II genes (HLA-DPA1, DPB1, DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1) was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HLA class II gene and two SNPs in IL28B gene were genotyped by genetic analyzer (GENECUBE®). In expression analysis, only DPB1 level was significantly different. Mean expression level of DPB1gene in control group was 160.0, PNALT group 233.8, and ALD group 465.0 (P

To understand the porous polymer films' mechanical behavior from the perspective of their structural features, a three-dimensional reconstruction based on the focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope images was applied to obtain the microstructural information for two samples with distinct structures. With accurate image-based 3D models, the finite element analysis was carried out to investigate the effects of film microstructure on the mechanical properties under uniaxial tensile loading. Good agreement is found by comparing the modeling and simulation results with the experimentally measured stress-strain data from tensile tests. Insights from mechanical simulation incorporated with 3D microstructure characterization can help guide the development of porous polymer films with high strength and toughness.

Accurate determination of the stage of liver fibrosis is an essential component in choice of treatment and assessment of cancer risk in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of strain elastography based on tissue Doppler imaging for liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis.A total of 37 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and 8 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Strain value was measured by using a conventional ultrasound machine that included strain imaging technolo- gy. Strain elastography was performed at the right subcostal area with manual compression. Liver fibrosis stages were assessed by using liver biopsy and compared with strain values. Diagnostic performance of the strain value for fibrosis stage 4, cirrhosis, was determined by performing a receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis.Twenty-seven patients were positive for HCV RNA, 9 were positive for HBs antigen, and 1 was positive for both (Fibrosis stage F1, n=11; F2, n=7; F3, n=15; F4, n=4). The strain value of F3 and F4 was 0.066±0.02 and 0.042±0.011, respectively. These strain Values were significantly lower compared to those of healthy volunteers (0.112 ±0.018) (P0.05). Using a cutoff value of 0.042, the area under ROC curve was 0.88 for the diagnosis of F4. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 75%, 92%, 50%, and 94%, respectively.Strain elastography based on tissue Doppler imaging with manual compression appears to be a useful tool to diagnose cirrhosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. [Original].

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of complete common bile duct (CBD) stone removal and biliary stenting in elderly patients (≥85 years) with CBD stones.We retrospectively examined 65 patients who underwent complete CBD stone removal (the duct clearance group) and 40 patients who underwent biliary stenting (the biliary stenting group) between July 2006 and March 2016. To reduce selection bias, we also conducted a propensity score matching analysis and generated 30 pairs of patients. Cholangitis recurrence-free survival and overall survival were compared between the two groups and independent prognostic factors of survival were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses.Cholangitis recurrence-free survival was significantly better in the duct clearance group than in the biliary stenting group (P0.001). Their overall survival did not significantly differ after propensity score matching (P = 0.388). In all cohorts, univariate analysis demonstrated that poor performance status and biliary stenting were factors of poor prognosis, and in multivariate analysis only performance status remained associated with poor prognosis for survival. Similarly, in the propensity score-matched cohort, only performance status independently predicted poorer survival (hazard ratio [HR] 2.726, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.105-6.675, P = 0.029). The choice of endoscopic treatment was not a significant factor associated with prognosis (HR 1.354, 95% CI 0.678-2.701, P = 0.391).Biliary stenting was similar to complete stone removal in terms of prognosis for long-term survival. Biliary stenting for CBD stones could be an effective therapeutic tool in high-risk elderly patients.

A 68-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with MGUS (IgG-λ) 11 years ago, was referred to our hospital because of a progressing pancytopenia. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) and was hospitalized because of fever and pneumonia. Although empiric antibiotic and antifungal therapies were promptly initiated, his pneumonia worsened. Chest CT images revealed diffuse interstitial pneumonia. Although bortezomib/dexamethasone therapy was initiated as a treatment for MM and pneumonia, he showed little response. His pneumonia worsened and progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Using mPSL (500 mg/day), sivelestat, and MM treatment switching to lenalidomide/dexamethasone (Rd), his respiratory status and CT findings rapidly improved. He received Rd therapy as an outpatient; however, after the completion of six cycles of therapy, his MM progressed, with a recurrence of pneumonia and high fever again. The onset of pneumonia was closely associated with MM progression. His pneumonia improved by treatment with mPSL half-pulse and MM treatment switching to carfilzomib/Rd. In the present study, we report the case of a patient with myeloma, who presented with multiple interstitial pneumonia, resulting in respiratory failure twice in concordance with myeloma progression.

A woman in her 30s visited our hospital with stool abnormality. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a depressed lesion on the greater curvature of the gastric antrum. The tumor was diagnosed as a well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma based on the analysis of the biopsy specimen. The rapid urease test, histological examination, and serum anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody indicated that the patient was Helicobacter pylori negative. Gastric mucosal atrophy was not evident on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Complete cure en bloc resection was successfully performed. The tumor was confined to the mucosa (pT1a-M). Immunohistochemistry showed positive CD10, MUC2, and CDX2 expression and negative MUC5AC and MUC6 expression. Thus, the phenotype was diagnosed as the intestinal phenotype. Helicobacter pylori-negative, well-differentiated early gastric cancer with intestinal phenotype has not been previously reported. Here, we report a rare and valuable case of Helicobacter pylori-negative early gastric cancer with intestinal phenotype treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

In-situ synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) were carried out to investigate the deformation and the void formation behavior of β nucleated isotactic polypropylene during uniaxial stretching at 100 °C. WAXD results indicated that β crystal started to deform after yielding, followed by recrystallization to α-phase. A quasi-quantitative SAXS analysis was attempted to evaluate the length, width, and relative number of ellipsoidal nano-voids. The length of initial nano-void corresponded well to that of amorphous thickness of iPP. It strongly suggests that the nano-void was generated by the fragmentation of β lamellae. The nano-void length kept increasing exponentially up to the strain of 3, while the number of nano-voids decreased exponentially with the same rate constant as that of the length. In this strain region, the width kept constant. Above results clearly demonstrated that the nano-void grows only by one-dimensional coalescence along PP chain direction. The excellent ductility, i.e. the toughness, of β-PP was attributed to the plasticizing effect of nano-voids, which inhibits the stress concentration at the edge of the void.

Background and study aims: Primary neoplasms of the small intestine are relatively rare in all age groups, accounting for about 5 % of all gastrointestinal tumors 1 . Cavernous hemangiomas of the small intestine are also rare, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, and are extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively 2 . We present a patient who presented with melena and iron deficiency anemia, for whom wireless capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy facilitated the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma.

Lespedeza (tribe Desmodieae, Fabaceae) follows a disjunct distribution in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Phylogenetic relationships among its species and related taxa were inferred from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid sequences (trnH-psbA, psbK-psbI, trnK-matK and rpoC1). We examined 35 species of Lespedeza, two of Kummerowia and one of Campylotropis, the sole constituents of the Lespedeza group. An analysis of these data revealed that the genus Campylotropis is sister to the other two genera. However, we were unable to resolve the relationships between Kummerowia and Lespedeza in the strict consensus trees of parsimony analyses based on plastid and combined DNA data. In the genus Lespedeza, the Old World subgenus Macrolespedeza is monophyletic, whereas the transcontinental subgenus Lespedeza is paraphyletic. Monophyly of eastern Asian species and of North American species is strongly supported. Although inconsistent with the traditional classification, this phylogenetic finding is consistent with seedling morphology. Three subgroups recognized in subgenus Macrolespedeza were unresolved in our phylogenetic trees. An incongruence length difference (ILD) test indicated that the two partitions (nuclear ITS and plastid sequences) were significantly incongruent, perhaps because of hybridization between species in Lespedeza. Most of the primary clades of tribe Desmodieae are Asian, implying that the relatively few New World ones, such as those in Lespedeza, are more recently derived from Asia. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 164, 221–235.

Plastic foam with a nanoscale cell structure was prepared from poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/para-diamine poly(ether imide) (p-PEI) as well as PEEK/meta-diamine poly(ether imide) (m-PEI) blends by a temperature quench foaming method with CO2. The difference in chemical configuration between m- and p-PEI gave rise to a prominent change in the higher order blend morphology and cell structure of the respective foams. The bubble nucleation site and bubble size were controlled by templating the morphology of the PEEK/p-PEI blend, which shows an immiscible and unique strip-patterned crystalline morphology. The properties influenced by the immiscibility of the PEEK/p-PEI blend were investigated using SEM, thermal analysis and rheology and compared with the properties of the miscible PEEK/m-PEI blend. The bubble size and location were highly controlled in the PEI disperse domain that was aligned between the PEEK crystalline layers in the PEEK/p-PEI blend. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers

Plastic foams with nano/micro-scale cellular structures were prepared from poly(propylene)/ thermoplastic polystyrene elastomer (PP/TPS) systems, specifically the copolymer blends PP/ hydrogenated polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene rubber and PP/hydrogen-ated polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene. These PP/TPS systems have the unique characteristic that the elastomer domain can be highly dispersed and oriented in the machine direction by changing the draw-down ratio in the extrusion process. A temperature-quench batch physical foaming method was used to foam these two systems with CO 2 . The cell size and location were highly controlled in the dispersed elastomer domains by exploiting the differences in CO 2 solubility, diffusivity, and viscoelasticity between the elastomer domains and the PP matrix. The average cell diameter of the PP/ TPS blend foams was controlled to be 200-400 nm on the finest level by manipulating the PP/rubber ratio, the draw-down ratio of extrusion and the foaming temperature. Furthermore, the cellular structure could be highly oriented in one direction by using the highly-oriented elastomer domains in the polymer blend morphology as a template for foaming.

Green tea catechins (GTCs) have been implicated in various physiological effects, including anti-carcinogenic activities. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of GTCs specifically on the development of gastritis and pre-malignant lesions in insulin-gastrin mice. Nine-week-old male INS-GAS mice (n=38) were supplemented with GTCs for 4 and 28 weeks, and their body weights, serum gastrin levels, histopathology and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in gastric tissue and mucosal cell proliferation were monitored. Body weights of the GTC-treated mice were significantly lower than those of the untreated controls (P≤0.05). Serum gastrin levels were suppressed at the age of 37-weeks (P≤0.05). The histopathological scores indicated that the extent of dysplasia was significantly diminished (P≤0.05), although GTC supplementation did not affect the inflammation scores. The messenger RNA levels of interferon (IFN)-γ were significantly reduced at the age of 13 weeks (P≤0.05), although the changes did not reach statistical significance at the age of 37 weeks (P=0.056). The labeling index of Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was significantly decreased (P≤0.05). These results demonstrated that GTCs may play a protective role in the development of gastritis and pre-malignant lesions via an IFN-γ, gastrin, and mucosal cell proliferation-dependent mechanism in this rodent model and potentially in humans.

Background The spontaneous rupture of hepatic metastases is rare compared to that of primary hepatic tumors. In addition, vemurafenib, a selective inhibitor of the mutant BRAF protein or gene product, has been reported to be extremely effective in patients with metastatic melanoma who harbor a BRAF V600E mutation. Case presentation A 44-year-old female had previously undergone surgery for resection of a malignant melanoma in the lower right leg. Four years later, hepatic metastases became apparent, and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed. Then she underwent treatment with vemurafenib. The size of the hepatic metastases markedly decreased. Two months later, they enlarged rapidly and ruptured, requiring emergency TAE. However, the patient developed hemorrhagic shock and died of renewed intra-abdominal bleeding on the 26th postoperative day. Conclusions This is a rare case of ruptured hepatic metastases of malignant melanoma during treatment with vemurafenib. Postmortem examination and immunohistochemical analysis indicated reactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in the metastatic tumor, suggesting secondary resistance to vemurafenib as the possible underlying mechanism.

Background Metastasis to the pituitary gland is extremely rare and is often detected incidentally by symptoms associated with endocrine dysfunction. Breast and lung cancer are the most common primary metastasizing to pituitary gland. Metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma to the pituitary gland is extremely rare, with only 10 cases having been previously reported. We present here the first case of pituitary metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with panhypopituitarism diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. Case presentation We report the case of an 80-year-old Japanese woman who presented with the sudden onset of hypotension and bradycardia after having previously been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on low levels of pituitary hormones, she was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism caused by metastasis of the hepatocellular carcinoma to the pituitary gland. Magnetic resonance imaging with arterial spin-labeling was effective in the differential diagnosis of the intrasellar tumor. The patient died despite hormone replacement therapy because of hypovolemic shock. Conclusion Metastasis to the pituitary gland causes various non-specific symptoms, so it is difficult to diagnose. The present case emphasizes the importance of diagnostic imaging in identifying these metastases. Clinicians should consider the possibility of pituitary metastasis in patients with malignant tumors who demonstrate hypopituitarism.

The enhancement of tensile strength and elongation of poly(L-lactic acid) without using additives has been awaited to open new environmentally friendly markets. To improve the brittle mechanical properties of poly(L-lactic acid), we have investigated the effect of draw ratios and process temperatures on the mechanical properties. The results suggested that tensile strength linearly increased as a function of draw ratio, but elongation at break had a maximum value around draw ratio 2. It was found that the mechanical properties of the films were strongly affected by the draw ratio and not by the process temperature. Δn increased as a function of draw ratio up to 4 (the highest limit of the present test). These results allowed us to interpret that the mechanical properties reflected mainly molecular orientations in the amorphous regions, which were governed by the draw ratio.

A well balanced body energy budget controlled by limitation of calorie uptake and/or increment of energy expenditure, which is typically achieved by proper physical exercise, is most effective against obesity and diabetes mellitus. Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, a member of the nuclear receptor, and its cofactors have been shown to be involved in lipid metabolism and in the control of energy expenditure. Here we show that PPARγ coactivator 1 (PGC-1) β functions as ERRL1 (for ERR l igand 1 ), which can bind and activate orphan ERRs (estrogen receptor-related receptors) in vitro . Consistently, PGC-1β/ERRL1 transgenic mice exhibit increased expression of the medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase, a known ERR target and a pivotal enzyme of mitochondrial β-oxidation in skeletal muscle. As a result, the PGC-1β/ERRL1 mice show a state similar to an athlete; namely, the mice are hyperphagic and of elevated energy expenditure and are resistant to obesity induced by a high-fat diet or by a genetic abnormality. These results demonstrate that PGC-1β/ERRL1 can function as a protein ligand of ERR, and that its level contributes to the control of energy balance in vivo , and provide a strategy for developing novel antiobesity drugs.

Biodegradable Poly (L-lactic acid) [PLLA]/Poly (bu-tylenes succinate) [PBS] or PLLA/Poly (butylenes succinate adipate) [PBSA] blend films were prepared. We have investigated the thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting films by using dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile properties and morphological analysis. The experimental dynamic mechanical results suggested that blending of PBS or PBSA into PLLA caused an increase of the storage modulus (E') as a result of the crystallization of PLLA. From the DSC results, it was also demonstrated that the crystallization of PLLA was accelerated by blending it with PBS or PBSA. An improvement in the mechanical properties was observed by blending PLLA with PBS or PBSA. This improvement was believed to be due to the PBS or PBSA becoming the matrix in the blended films.

Sorafenib and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) are both indicated for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of HAIC to that of sorafenib in elderly patients with HCC. Eligible patients included those aged ≥70 years, with histologically or clinically confirmed advanced HCC. A total of 12 patients received sorafenib (800 mg per day) and 8 patients received HAIC with 5‑fluorouracil (300 mg/m 2 on days 1-5 and 8-12) with or without cisplatin (20 mg/m 2 on days 1 and 8), with interferon-α (3 times per week for 4 weeks). The response rate was significantly higher in patients treated with HAIC (37.5%) compared to that in patients treated with sorafenib (no response). The median overall survival (18.6 and 11.7 months) and progression‑free survival (4.0 and 5.0 months) were similar between the sorafenib and HAIC groups, respectively. In the sorafenib group, 58.3% of the patients discontinued treatment compared to none in the HAIC group. The most frequent adverse event leading to discontinuation of sorafenib was anorexia. Similar to sorafenib, HAIC appears to be a feasible treatment and may also have the advantage of an adequate safety profile for elderly patients with advanced HCC. Further study of HAIC in a larger population of elderly patients is required to assess its potential as an alternative to sorafenib for HCC.

A woman in her 70s visited our hospital to undergo endoscopy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a white submucosal tumor-like lesion in the upper esophagus. Analysis of a biopsy specimen revealed that the tumor was a basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. A superficial squamous cell carcinoma was also revealed near the basaloid squamous cell carcinoma before endoscopic submucosal dissection. Curative en bloc resection was successfully performed. Histopathological examination revealed that the basaloid and superficial squamous cell carcinomas had invaded the lamina propria (pT1a-LPM) and epithelium (pT1a-EP), respectively. In addition, the basaloid squamous cell carcinoma had two different components in terms of malignancy and differentiation. Here we report a rare case of esophageal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Type I collagen is produced predominantly in mesenchymal cells, but molecular mechanisms responsible for cell type-specific expression are virtually unknown. During fibrogenic process in the liver, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the main producers of type I collagen, whereas parenchymal hepatocytes produce little, if any, of this protein. We have previously reported that Sp1 and an interacting unknown factor(s) bind to the -313 to -255 sequence of the alpha2(I) collagen gene (COL1A2) and play essential roles for basal and TGF-beta-stimulated transcription in skin fibroblasts and HSC. Recently, Smad3 has been shown to bind to this region, and its interaction with Sp1 has been implicated in TGF-beta-elicited COL1A2 stimulation. The present study demonstrates predominant binding of Sp3 rather than Sp1 to this regulatory element in parenchymal hepatocytes. In these cells, this region did not exhibit strong enhancer activity or mediate the effect of TGF-beta. Transfection of HSC with an Sp3 expression plasmid abolished the COL1A2 response to TGF-beta, whereas overexpression of Sp1 in hepatocytes increased basal COL1A2 transcription and conferred TGF-beta responsiveness. Functional and physical interactions between Sp1 and Smad3, but not between Sp3 and Smad3, were demonstrated using the bacterial GAL4 system and immunoprecipitation-Western blot analyses. These results indicate that cell lineage-specific interactions between GC box binding factors and Smad protein(s) may account, at least in part, for differential COL1A2 transcription and TGF-beta responsiveness in HSC and parenchymal hepatocytes.

Although heterozygous lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency is not rare, only part of the phenotypes may have been reported in Japan. Here we describe a Japanese family with LPL(Arita), the most common mutation linked to familial LPL deficiency in Japan, and show for the first time a heterozygote for the mutation who had marked hypercholesterolemia due to increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The proband's mother, one of the heterozygotes for LPL(Arita) in the family, had both severe hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol 306 mg/dl) with an especially increase in LDL-cholesterol and mild hypertriglyceridemia (180 mg/dl). She had normal LDL receptor activity and did not show clear evidence of possible causes of secondary hyperlipidemia. In addition to being heterozygous for LPL deficiency, she was also heterozygous for apo epsilon4. Because the epsilon4 allele is known to be associated with higher LDL-cholesterol, heterozygous apo epsilon4 may be one of causes of her LDL-cholesterol elevation. The other three heterozygotes for LPL(Arita) were moderate drinkers, and all of them had both remarkable hypertriglyceridemia and mild hypercholesterolemia due to increased very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). The results suggest that heterozygotes for LPL(Arita) can exhibit various phenotypes of hyperlipidemia, that is, hypertrigliceridemia and/or hypercholesterolemia due to not only increased VLDL but also increased LDL. The phenotypes appear to depend on some other genetic and environmental factors.

症例は35歳男性.1965年より露光部に紅斑・浮腫が出現し,1987年,赤血球中プロトポルフィジン(PP)の高値より造血性プロトポルフィリン症(EPP)と診断された.1994年,肝障害にて当科入院.入院時の血液生化学検査で,AST 63IU/l, ALT 92IU/l, γGTP 303IU/lの肝障害と赤血球中PP値の増加(7,606μg/l)を認めた.肝組織像では小葉構造は乱れ,一部に再生結節が認められた.偏光顕微鏡で重屈折性を示す,褐色色業沈着を肝細胞,Kupffer細胞に認め,以上よりEPPによる早期肝硬変と診断した.ケノデオキシコール酸900mg/日の投与により,ALTは30IU/lと正常化し,γGTP 63IU/l,赤血球中PP5, 748μg/lと低下した.EPPにおいては時に肝不全を呈することがあり,早期診断と肝機能の厳重な経過観察が必要である.本例ではケノデオキシコール酸療法が赤血球中PPの低下と肝機能の改善に有効であったと考えられた.

Seedling morphology was studied in 22 species ofLespedeza, of which six belong to subgenusMacroles-pedeza and 16 to subgenusLespedeza. Two seedling types were recognized: 1) those with opposite leaves at the first node; 2) those having the first and subsequent leaves alternate. The two types are distinguished in the number of leaf primordia in the plumule of the seed: the opposite type has two leaf primordia, but the alternate type has only one primordium. Most species exhibited one of the two types, but rarely both types were observed in several species. In species having two types, one type always far outnumbers the other. The opposite type was common in Asian species, while the alternate type was common in North American ones. Because seedlings are of the opposite type inKummerowia which is the most closely related genus withLespdeza, the alternate type is considered to be apomorphic inLespedeza. The apomorphic seedling morphology is, there-fore, dominantly occurred in North American species ofLespedeza. This fact may be an evidence which suggests a monophyletic origin for North American species from an Asian ancesfor.

Inflorescences of Kummerowia are compound and the component axes appear to terminate in a flower. In order to clarify whether or not the flower is truly terminal, inflorescences of Kummerowia were studied organographically, ontogenetically and anatomically. Four inflorescence phyllomes are usually produced immediately below the seemingly terminal flower and appear to be borne on the same axis. The second phyllome subsequent to the lowest one is located at right angles to the lowest one, and the third and fourth ones located opposite each other and at right angles to the second. The lowest phyllome is sometimes undeveloped in K. stipulacea . Ontogenetic observation revealed the presence of two abortive apices. Anatomical observation revealed that these two abortive apices remain rudimentary in the flowering stage. On the basis of the arrangement of these phyllomes and the presence of the remnants of apices, the structure of the component inflorescence axis in Kummerowia is interpreted as follows: the component axis branches off a lateral axis, which is reduced entirely in length, from the axil of the lowest phyllome, and terminates in an abortive apex; the lateral axis in turn branches off one lateral axis of the next order, which is also reduced in length, from the axil of the second phyllome and terminates in an abortive apex; the lateral axis of the next order produces the third and fourth phyllomes and is terminated by a flower. The flower, which seems to terminate the component axis, is therefore axillary in origin. The axillary branch of the lowest phyllomes occasionally bears two lateral flowers. The branching system of the inflorescence of Kummerowia is identical with that of an inflorescence of Lespedeza cuneata . Kummerowia and Lespedeza are continuous in characteristics of the inflorescence, indicating the relationship between the inflorescence of Kummerowia and the pseudoraceme of Lespedeza.

Structure of inflorescence and its variation were organographically and ontogenetically studied inLespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don. An axillary inflorescence of the species forms a compound inflorescence which is composed of three or four component inflorescences. Each component inflorescence bears four (rarely six), three, two, or one flowers. Based on the arrangement of inflorescence phyllomes, the component inflorescence with four flowers is interpreted as a pseudoraceme bearing two shortened lateral shoots (partial inflorescences) each of which has two flowers. The component inflorescence with one flower appears to be terminated by the flower and to compose the cyme. Organographic observations revealed that the terminally located flower is not truly terminal, but axillary in origin. Ontogenetic observations showed that the apices of component inflorescence and partial inflorescence exist in early developmental stages in spite of variation in the form of component inflorescence. The terminally located flower in the cyme-like inflorescence was thus demonstrated to be laterally borne on the partial inflorescence axis. The component inflorescence composing the cyme-like one inL. cuneata is a reduced form in the number of partial inflorescences and of flowers from the pseudoraceme. The cyme-like inflorescence inL. cuneata resembles the inflorescence ofKummerowia.

Id2, a negative regulator of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, is involved in regulating cell differentiation and proliferation. To obtain insight into the role of Id2 in cell cycle control, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the immediate early response of Id2 expression to serum stimulation in NIH3T3 cells. Luciferase reporter analysis with deletion and point mutants demonstrated the serum response element of Id2 (Id2-SRE) to be a consensus binding site for RFX1 (regulatory factor for X-box 1) present 3.0 kb upstream of the transcription initiation site of Id2. Gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the binding of RFX1 to Id2-SRE in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In both assays, RFX1 binding was observed not only in serum-stimulated cells, but also in serum-starved cells. Knockdown of RFX1 by RNA interference disturbed the immediate early response of Id2 expression in cells and abrogated the Id2-SRE-mediated induction of luciferase activity by serum. These alterations were rescued by the introduction of RNA interference-resistant RFX1 into cells. On the other hand, in the Id2-SRE-mediated reporter assay, RFX1 with an N-terminal deletion abrogated the serum response, whereas RFX1 with a C-terminal deletion enhanced the reporter activity in serum-starved cells. Furthermore, HDAC1 was recruited to Id2-SRE in serum-starved cells. These results demonstrate that RFX1 mediates the immediate early response of the Id2 gene by serum stimulation and suggest that the function of RFX1 is regulated intramolecularly in its suppression in growth-arrested cells. Our results unveil a novel transcriptional control of immediate early gene expression.