Rich Periphery, Poor Center: Myanmar's Rural Economy under Partial Transition to a Market Economy

This paper looks at the case of Myanmar in order to investigate the behavior and welfare of rural households in an economy under transition from a planned to a market system. Myanmar's case is particularly interesting because of the country's unique attempt to preserve a policy of intervention in land transactions and marketing institutions. A sample household survey that we conducted in 2001, covering more than 500 households in eight villages with diverse agro-ecological environments, revealed two paradoxes. First, income levels are higher in villages far from the center than in villages located in regions under the tight control of the central authorities. Second, farmers and villages that emphasize a paddy-based, irrigated cropping system have lower farming incomes than those that do not. The reason for these paradoxes are the distortions created by agricultural policies that restrict land use and the marketing of agricultural produce. Because of these distortions, the transition to a market economy in Myanmar since the late 1980s is only a partial one. The partial transition, which initially led to an increase in output and income from agriculture, revealed its limit in the survey period.

The leech excitatory peptide, a member of the GGNG peptide family: isolation and comparison with the earthworm GGNG peptides

AbstractA member of the GGNG peptide family was isolated from Hirudo nipponia (leech). GGNG peptides had only been isolated previously from earthworms. The C-terminus structure of the leech peptide, LEP (leech excitatory peptide), was –Gly–Gly–Asn–amide, while that of the earthworm peptides, EEP (earthworm excitatory peptide), was –Gly–Gly–Asn–Gly. LEP exerted 1000-fold more potent activities on leech gut than did EEP-2. On the other hand, EEP-2 was 1000-fold more potent than LEP on the crop-gizzard of the earthworm. Analog peptides of LEP and EEP-2 were synthesized, and the myoactive potency of each analog on the leech and earthworm tissues was compared

K+-Cl- Cotransporter-3a Up-regulates Na+,K+-ATPase in Lipid Rafts of Gastric Luminal Parietal Cells*

Gastric parietal cells migrate from the luminal to the basal region of the gland and they gradually lose acid secretory activity. So far, distribution and function of K+-Clcotransporters (KCCs) in gastric parietal cells have not been reported. We found that KCC3a but not KCC3b mRNA was highly expressed and KCC3a protein was predominantly expressed in the basolateral membrane of rat gastric parietal cells located in the luminal region of the glands. KCC3a and Na+,K+-ATPase α1-subunit (α1NaK) were co-immunoprecipitated and both of them were highly localized in a lipid raft fraction. The ouabain-sensitive K+-dependent ATP-hydrolyzing activity (Na+,K+-ATPase activity) was significantly inhibited by a KCC inhibitor (DIOA). The stable exogenous expression of KCC3a in LLC-PK1 cells resulted in association of KCC3a with endogenous α1NaK and it recruited α1NaK in lipid rafts, accompanying increases of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and ouabain-sensitive Na+ transport activity which were suppressed by DIOA, while the total expression level of α1NaK in the cells was not significantly altered. On the other hand, the expression of KCC4 induced no association with α1NaK. In conclusion, KCC3a forms a functional complex with α1NaK in the basolateral membrane of luminal parietal cells and it up-regulates α1NaK in lipid rafts, while KCC3a is absent in basal parietal cells

Mechanisms With Clinical Implications for Atrial Fibrillation–Associated Remodeling: Cathepsin K Expression, Regulation, and Therapeutic Target and Biomarker

Background: The cysteine protease cathepsin K (CatK) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the link between atrial fibrillation (AF) and plasma CatK levels and to investigate the expression of and therapeutic target for CatK in vivo and in vitro. Methods and Results: Plasma CatK and extracellular matrix protein peptides (intact procollagen type I of N‐terminal propeptide; carboxyl‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [ICTP]) were measured in 209 consecutive patients with AF (paroxysmal AF, 146; persistent AF, 63) and 112 control subjects. In addition, the regulation of CatK expression was investigated in vivo and vitro. Patients with AF had higher plasma CatK and ICTP levels than did control subjects. Patients with persistent AF had higher levels of plasma CatK and ICTP than did patients with paroxysmal AF. CatK was correlated with ICTP concentration and left atrial diameter in all subjects. In rabbits, superoxide production, CatK activity, fibrosis, and the levels of atrial tissue angiotensin II, angiotensin type 1 receptor, gp91phox, phospho‐p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and CatK were greater in those with tachypacing‐induced AF than in controls, and these changes were reversed with angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist. Olmesartan and mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitor decreased the CatK expression induced by angiotensin II in rat neonatal myocytes. Conclusions: These data indicated that increased plasma CatK levels are linked with the presence of AF. Angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist appears to be effective in alleviating atrial fibrosis in a rabbit AF model, partly reducing angiotensin type 1 receptor‐p38mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐dependent and ‐independent CatK activation, thus preventing AF

Microplastic Beads Incorporated into a Single Cell ： Analyses Using the Green Paramecium, Paramecium bursaria

The unicellular protist Paramecium bursaria harbors hundreds of symbiotic algae resembling Chlorella species in the cell. It is thought that the host P. bursaria uses some of photosynthetic products from these algae when sunlight is available. When photosynthesis cannot be performed, P. bursaria preys on bacteria, molds, algae, etc. in the surroundings for an energy source. Interestingly, some of the algae were observed to move from the food vacuole to the cytoplasm, becoming symbionts, within several days after incorporation into the cell. Since P. bursaria is benthic, it should be possible for various kinds of precipitated tiny particles to be taken up into the cell body during predation. In this study, microplastic (MP) beads with a diameter of 1 μm, which is about the same size as the algae, were mixed in the suspension medium of P. bursaria . It was observed that uptake of the beads into the cell body of P. bursaria started within 5 min after mixing, and the beads were observed inside P. bursaria even several days after the addition to the P. bursaria culture suspension. It is highly probable that the MP beads observed in the cell body somehow escaped from the food vacuole and moved into the cytoplasm.Full-Length PaperBy a grant from Research Institute for Integrated Science, Kanagawa Universit

含糖酸化鉄注射液の長期投与でFGF23関連低リン血症性骨軟化症を来たしたクローン病の１例

症例は50歳代，男性．クローン病で２年前に右半結腸切除術，小腸部分切除を施行．術後に他院にてアダリムマブを導入され，クローン病は臨床的寛解の状態であった．４か月前より下肢を中心とした疼痛が出現した．アダリムマブによる薬剤起因性ループスあるいは腸炎性関節炎を疑い，２か月前よりアダリムマブ投与を中止し，プレドニゾロンの内服を開始するも改善を認めなかった．血液検査にて，低リン血症と高アルカリフォスファターゼ血症を認め，精査治療目的で当院に紹介入院となった．骨塩定量検査にて骨密度の低下を，骨シンチグラフィーで疼痛を認める骨への多発取り込みを認め，骨軟化症と診断した．血清のfibroblast growth factor 23（FGF23）が175pg/ml と高値であり，入院前まで定期的に使用されていた含糖酸化鉄注射液による，FGF23関連低リン血症性骨軟化症と診断した．含糖酸化鉄注射液投与を中止し，リン製剤とビタミンD 製剤の投与を開始したところ，徐々に低リン血症と高アルカリフォスファターゼ血症の改善を認めた．その後の経過は良好で，FGF23値は徐々に低下を示し，下肢を中心とした疼痛は軽快し，退院した．長期的に含糖酸化鉄注射液を投与する場合は，FGF23関連低リン血症の早期発見のため，血中リン濃度を定期的に測定する必要がある．The case is a man in his 50s. He underwent operations of right half colon resection and small intestine segmental resection due to Crohn’s disease two years ago. After surgery, Adalimumab was introduced in other hospital, and he was a state of the clinical remission in Crohn’s disease. The sharp pain mainly on lower limbs develops from four months ago. We doubted drug origin-related lupus with Adalimumab or enteritis-related joint pain. Therefore, we stopped Adalimumab injection and started internal use of the prednisolone, however the symptoms did not improve and had continued for two months.Laboratory test showed hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatasemia and then he was transported to our hospital. Bone mineral quantity showed bone salt decrease and bone scan showed increased uptakes in multiple bones. Fibroblast growth factor23 (FGF23) of the serum was high (175pg/ml), and we diagnosed him FGF23-mediated hypophosphatemic osteomalasia induced by prolonged administration of saccharated ferric acid.Saccharated ferric acid has regularly been used until hospitalization. After stopping the ferric acid injection, and taking phosphorus and vitamin D, hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatasemia was gradually improved. FGF23 level gradually reduced, and the sharp pain mainly on lower limbs was relieved, and it became a discharge. Regular measurement of serum phosphorus concentration is necessary for early detection of the FGF23-related hypophosphatemia in patients with long term use of saccharated ferric acid

内視鏡的ドレナージが有効であった胃壁膿瘍を合併した胃迷入膵の１例

　症例は30歳代女性．３日前から心窩部痛が出現し，徐々に増悪してきたため当院を受診した．血液検査でWBC 15,120/μl，CRP 2.95mg/dl と炎症反応上昇を認め，腹部超音波検査で胃幽門前庭部前壁に約3.5cm の粘膜下腫瘍様隆起を認めた．腫瘍内部はechogenic particles の混在する液体の貯留を認めた．腹部造影CT 検査では，胃前庭部から胃体部前壁にリング状の造影効果を伴う著明な壁肥厚を認めた．以上より胃壁膿瘍と診断した．胃前庭部前壁の弾性硬のやや発赤した粘膜下腫瘍様隆起に対して，超音波内視鏡下穿刺術（EUS-FNA）を行った．粘稠な白色液体の流出を認め，膿瘍を示唆する所見であった．絶食・点滴・抗生剤投与による保存的加療を施行後，速やかに腹部症状は消失し，EUS-FNA 施行後５日目に退院した．４か月後，病変は上部内視鏡検査で頂部に陥凹を有する腫瘍に形態変化を認め，さらに縮小傾向であった．また，腹部超音波検査では粘膜下層内に約５mm 大の嚢胞性領域とそれに接する約４mm 大の境界不明瞭な低エコー域，不整な固有筋層の肥厚を認め，胃迷入膵の所見であった．以上より，胃壁膿瘍を合併した胃迷入膵と診断した．現在，再発なく当科で経過観察中である．胃壁膿瘍を合併した胃迷入膵の報告は非常に稀であり，貴重な症例と考えられた．　Here, we report a case of gastric wall abscess in aberrant pancreas. A 30-yearold woman visited our hospital for epigastric pain. Routine hematological examination showed increased white blood cell count and biochemical tests revealed elevated C reactive protein levels. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a submucosal tumor that appeared as a hypoechoic heterogenous mass in the stomach. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a thickened gastric wall with a low-density area. This mass was diagnosed as a gastric wall abscess, which was treated with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and conservative therapy with antibiotics. The patient’s pain resolved after the treatment. Four months after the episode, follow-up examinations showed that the submucosal tumor had changed to a small submucosal mass with depression. This lesion was diagnosed as an aberrant pancreas. Thus, the final diagnosis was a gastric wall abscess in the aberrant pancreas. This patient was followed up for one year following this episode with no incidence of recurrence