HLA-DP and susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Japanese

ABSTRACT: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are candidates for susceptibility genes in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Recently, the association of DR and DQ with IDDM has been reported, but the role of HLA-DP genes remains uncertain. To address the question, we analyzed the DPB1 gene of 20 Japanese IDDM patients and 30 control subjects using a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis (PCR-RFLP method). DPB1*0501 was the most frequent allele both in Japanese patients and control subjects. There was no appreciable association between IDDM and the DPB1 allele in Japanese. The absence of association between IDDM and DP, in spite of the known association between this disease and both DR and DQ, suggests that the HLA locus (loci) telomeric to DP encodes susceptibility to IDDM.     

Two dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms at the D8S1442 and D8S1443 loci

Two polymorphic dinucleotide (CA) repeat clones were isolated from cosmids, cCI8-1121 and cCI8-1199, mapped to chromosome 8p11.2-p12.     

Increased release of glucuronoxylomannan antigen and induced phenotypic changes in Trichosporon asahii by repeated passage in mice

Clinically important fungi such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans are known to undergo phenotypic changes after repeated subculture or passages in vivo. However, there are no reports describing this phenomenon in Trichosporon species. This study investigated whether in-vivo passages of environmental isolates of Trichosporon asahii in mice changes their phenotype; three environmental isolates and 14 clinical isolates (from deep-seated infections) were used. The shape of the colony and cell type were observed, and the titre of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) antigen and concentration of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan were measured for each isolate. Changes in these features were also examined after three passages of the environmental isolates in mice. The shape of colonies and cell types were clearly different in environmental and clinical isolates. Furthermore, the clinical isolates released significantly higher levels of GXM antigen than environmental isolates (titre: log2 9.4 SD 0.7 versus log2 5.4 SD 1.4). The phenotype of passaged isolates was significantly different from the original environmental isolates with respect to the morphology of colonies and cell type and GXM release (titre: log2 10.0 SD 0.7 versus log2 5.4 SD 1.4). These results suggest that the phenotypic changes in T. asahii occur as a result of in-vivo passages. This process may allow a proportion of the fungal population to escape eradication by the host immune system, as GXM antigen is considered to protect the fungi against phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leucocytes and monocytes in vivo.     

Involvement of interleukin-1-like factor(s) in type II collagen-induced arthritis in mice

To explore the role of interleukins in development of arthritis, we induced collagen-induced arthritis in mice and examined interleukin activities in the inflamed joints. Arthritis developed in 90% of mice 4-5 weeks after primary immunization with type II collagen. Joint extracts from mice with collagen-induced arthritis contained high levels of interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like activity but not interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interleukin 4 (IL-4) activity. IL-1-like activities in the lesions were correlated with development of arthritis assessed by joint swelling and erythema. These results suggest that IL-1-like factor(s) may participate in the etiopathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis in mice.     

Participation of Ia reciprocal inhibitory neurons in the spinal circuitry of the tonic neck reflex

Summary As part of our studies of the spinal circuitry of the tonic neck reflex, we have recorded extracellularly from Ia reciprocal inhibitory neurons of the decerebrate, labyrinthectomized cat. The activity of a majority of neurons driven by stimulation of the quadriceps nerve was modulated by sinusoidal rotation of the neck; such modulation was much less frequent in the case of neurons driven by stimulation of nerves to more distal muscles. The results suggest that some of the inhibition which is part of the tonic neck reflex is mediated by Ia reciprocal inhibitory neurons, but that other pathways must also play an important role.     

Precancerous lesions of the stomach

The etiology of stomach cancer in relation to preexisting mucosal alterations is described and discussed from a review of the literature and our own previously reported experience. The incidence of cancerization or malignant change of gastric polyp, chronic gastric ulcer, and chronic gastritis varies considerably from researcher to researcher. Clinical follow-up studies in many cases of gastric polyp and chronic ulcer discovered in the mass survey examination of the stomach revealed incidences of malignant degeneration of 2.3% of the gastric polyp cases and 2.06% of the gastric ulcer cases.

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Résumé Les relations entre altérations préexistantes de la muqueuse et étiologie du cancer gastrique sont décrites et discutées, avec revue de la littérature et de notre expérience personnelle. La fréquence des cancérisations ou des dégénérescences malignes des polypes gastriques, de l'ulcère gastrique chronique et de la gastrite chronique est éminemment variable d'une étude à l'autre. Les follow-up de populations soumises à des examens systématiques de dépistage indiquent que la fréquence des dégénérescences malignes est de 2.3% pour les polypes gastriques et de 2.06% pour l'ulcère gastrique.

     

A case of pulmonary cavernous hemangioma: immunohistological examination revealed its endothelial cell origin

A 29-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for an abnormal shadow on chest roentgenogram. She had no symptom but its shadow was pointed out about 20 years ago. Chest CT scan showed a sharply demarcated homogenous mass measured 10 x 10 mm in the S4 segment. The tumor was resected with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under CT-guided marking wire inserted. Microscopic examination suspected cavernous hemangioma. Immunohistological staining demonstrated most lining cells of the cavernous structure stained positively for von Willebrand factor antibody, which suggests that this tumor was associated with endothelium. Then we decided that this tumor was pulmonary cavernous hemangioma.     

Association between maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels in 8‐year‐old children: The Yamanashi Adjunct Study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy‐related complications; it is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorders in offspring, consistent with the concept of the developmental origins of health and disease. This cohort study of women without diabetes (n = 761), who were part of the Yamanashi Adjunct Study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, aimed to explore the associations between maternal GDM and their offspring’s level of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), a biomarker of inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. We analyzed the associations between GDM and the offspring’s hsCRP levels using a multiple logistic regression model. A mother with GDM significantly increased the risk for high hsCRP level by 4.07‐fold (≥2.0 mg/L) in the child. As such, maternal GDM was significantly associated with increased serum hsCRP levels in 8‐year‐old children.