気管支喘息症例における末梢血白血球のロイコトリエンC4産生能とロイコトリエン受容体括抗薬プランルカストの効果に関する検討

The correlation between the efficacy of 4-weeks administration with pranlukast, leukotriene receptor antagonist, and LTs generation by peripheral leukocytes were evaluated in 18 patients with mild-persistent asthma. The efficacy of pranlukast administration was assessed by symptom, morning PEF and pulmonary function. Pranlukast were effective in 12/18(67%) patients. In those patients, LTC4 generation before pranlukast administration was significantly high, compared with that in pranlukast-ineffective patients. LTC4 generation decreased after 4-weeks administration with pranlukast in effective patients. In ineffective patients, however, LTC4 generation increased after 4-weeks administration. LTB4 had shown no significant difference between effective and ineffective patients before administration, and LTB4 decreased after 4-weeks in both groups. Proport ion of peripheral eosinophi Is in effective patients were higher than that in ineffective patients, however not significant. After 4-weeks, proportion of eosinophi Is was decreased in effective patients and increased in ineffective patients. These findings suggest that pranlukast is effective for patients with high LTC4 generation and has the effect to suppress the accumulation of eosinophils in such patients.軽症気管支喘息18例にロイコトリエン受容体桔抗薬プランルカストを4週間投与し，その効果と末梢血白血球からのLTC4，LTB4産生能の関係を検討した．プランルカストの効果は臨床症状，起床時ピークフロー値，肺機能の変化によって判定し，効果群，非効果群の2群に分類した．18例中12例（67％）の症例がプランルカスト投与により，臨床症状の軽減，ピークフロー値の増加，肺機能の改善が認められた．効果群におけるプランルカスト投与前のLTC4値は，非効果群のLTC4値に比較して有意に高値であった．4週間の投与後には 効果群ではLTC4値は減少し，非効果群では増加した．両群のLTB4値はプランルカスト投与前で有意な差は認められず，投与後には両群で減少した．投与前の好酸球分画は，効果群において非効果群に比べ高値であったが，有意な差は認められなかった．4週間の投与後，効果群においては好酸球は減少し，非効果群においては増加した．以上の結果より，プランルカストは末梢血白血球のLTC4産生能が高い症例において効果的であり，好酸球集積を抑制する作用を有すると考えられる

Comparison of Matlantis and VASP bulk formation and surface energies in metal hydrides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, and sulfides

Generic neural network potentials without forcing users to train potentials could result in significantly acceleration of total energy calculations. Takamoto et al. [Nat. Commun. (2022), 13, 2991] developed such a deep neural network potential (NNP) and made it available in their Matlantis package. We compared the Matlantis bulk formation, surface, and surface O vacancy formation energies of metal hydrides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, and sulfides with our previously calculated VASP values obtained from first-principles with the PBEsol(+U) functional. Matlantis bulk formation energies were consistently ~0.1 eV/atom larger and the surface energies were typically ~10 meV/{\AA}^2 smaller than the VASP counterpart. Surface O vacancy formation energies were generally underestimated within ~0.8 eV. These results suggest that Matlantis energies could serve as a relatively good descriptor of the VASP bulk formation and surface energies

気管支喘息患者における白血球ロイコトリエン産生能に対する不飽和脂肪酸食の効果に影響する因子

Dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil, a vegetable oil rich in α -lin- olenic acid, inhibits the generation of leukotrienes(LTs) by leucocytes in patients with bronchial asthma. We examined the factors that affect the suppression of LT generation by leucocytes with perilla seed oil-rich supplementation in patients with asthma, by comparing the clinical features of patients with asthma, whose generation of leukotriene (LT) C4 was suppressed by dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil (n-3 fatty acids) (group A), with those of patients who showed no suppression of LTC4 generation (group B). Group A showed a significant increase in the generation of LTB4 and L TC4 by leucocytes after corn oil-rich supplementation (n-6 fatty acids), and a significant decrease in the generation of LTB4 and LTC4 after perilla seed oil-rich supplementation (n-3 fatty acid). However, this was not observed in group B. The level of serum IgE and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in group A were significantly higher than in group B. Furthermore, the serum levels of LDL-cholesterol, β-lipoprotein and　phospholipid were significantly lower in group A than in group B. These results suggest that the clinical features differ between these two asthmatic populations with respect to suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by n-3 fatty acids in perilla seed oil-rich supplementation.a-リノレン酸の豊富なエゴマ油の食事は気管支喘息患者の白血球ロイコトリエン(LT)産生能を抑制する｡気管支喘息患者の内,エゴマ油食によりLTC4の産生が抑制された群(A群)と抑制されない群(B群)の臨床データを比較することにより,気管支喘息患者の白血球ロイコトリエン産生能に影響する因子を検討した｡A群はコーン油(n-6系脂肪酸)の豊富な食事後,白血LTB4,LTC4の産生能が増加し,エゴマ油(n-3系脂肪酸)の豊富な食事後LTB4,LTC4の産生能が減少した｡これらの変化はB群では認められなかった｡A群のIgE値,ピークフロー(PEF)値はB群に比し,有意に高値であった｡またLDL-コレステロール,β-リポ蛋白,リン脂質はA群ではB群に比し,有意に低値であった｡これらの結果はエゴマ油の豊富な食事のn-3系脂肪酸によるLTB4,LTC4の産生能の抑制に関して2群の気管支喘息患者群間に臨床データの相違があることを示唆している

Nickel-based phosphide superconductor with infinite-layer structure, BaNi2P2

Analogous to cuprate high-Tc superconductors, a NiP-based compound system has several crystals in which the Ni-P layers have different stacking structures. Herein, the properties of BaNi2P2 are reported. BaNi2P2 has an infinite-layer structure, and shows a superconducting transition at ~3 K. Moreover, it exhibits metallic conduction and Pauli paramagnetism in the temperature range of 4-300 K. Below 3 K, the resistivity sharply drops to zero, and the magnetic susceptibility becomes negative, while the volume fraction of the superconducting phase estimated from the diamagnetic susceptibility reaches ~100 vol.% at 1.9 K. These observations substantiate that BaNi2P2 is a bulk superconductor.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, Solid State Communications, in press. Received 4 March 2008. Accepted 2 May 2008. Available online 14 May 200

腰椎MRI画像と腰痛の関係

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of low back pain (LBP). The study group, 19 patients with low back pain (2 subjects aged 32-39 years and 17 aged 59-78), underwent MRI of the lumbar spine. Disc degeneration at L4/5 was the most common finding (68.4%). Overall in present study, all patients with LBP had abnormalities around the lumbar spine (evidence of disc degeneration, deformity of lumbar spine, disc bulging or protrusion, facet hypertrophy, nerve root compression and so on).この研究の目的は腰痛評価におけるMRIの役割を検討することであった｡対象は腰痛を訴え腰椎MRIを受けた19名(32歳から39歳2名,59歳から78歳17名)であった｡椎間板変成はL4/5levelで最も多く認められた(68.4%)｡本研究において腰痛を有する全患者に腰椎の異常(椎間板変性,disc bulging, protrusion, facet hypertrophy,神経根圧迫,腰椎変形など)を認めた

気管支喘息症例における気道過敏性と鼻腔･副鼻腔疾患の関係に関する検討

Pathological changes of nasosinus occur often in subjects with bronchial asthma. Coexisting nasosinus lesion may affect pathophysiology of lower respiratory tract in asthmatics. The extent of nasal and sinus lesion was quantified in 17 patients with bronchial asthma, and their relationships to atopic status, asthma severity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were evaluated in this study. Opacification degree of maxillary sinuses and nasal mucosa thickening were quantified using CT scans. The opacification degree was evaluated as (total opacification area)/(total maxillary sinus area). Although the opacification degree of maxillary sinuses in atopic patients showed no significant difference compared with that in non-atopic patients, maximum nasal mucosa thickening in atopic patients had a significant difference compared with that in non-atopic patients (p=0.028). In severe asthmatics, the opacification degree of maxillary sinuses was significantly more prominent compared with those in moderate and mild asthmatics (p=0.0005, p=0.036, respectively). Significantly marked nasal mucosa thickening was recognized in mild asthmatics compared with that in moderate asthmatics (p=0.0462). Regarding bronchial hyperresponsiveness, a significant correlation between Dmin and the opacification degree of maxillary sinuses was observed (rs= -0.551, p=0.0276). Nasal mucosa thickening had no correlation with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The results suggest that sinusitis may affect bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma severity. Treatment of sinusitis may lead to improvement of asthma symptoms.鼻腔･副鼻腔疾患はしばしば気管支喘息症例に合併が認められ,喘息症例の下気道病態に影響を及ぼしている可能性が考えられる｡今回,気管支喘息17例において,CTを用いて上顎洞の不透明化率･鼻腔粘膜肥厚を計測し,アトピー性の有無,喘息の重症度,気道過敏性との関係を検討した｡上顎洞不透明化率は全上顎洞面積の総計に対する不透明化領域面積総計として計算を行った｡上顎洞不透明化率はアトピー性の有無で差は認められなかったが,鼻腔粘膜はアトピー性喘息症例で有意に肥厚していた｡重症気管支喘息における上顎 洞不透明化率は,中等症および軽症喘息症例に比べ有意に高値であった｡鼻腔粘膜肥厚は中等症喘息症例に比べ,軽症症例で有意に肥厚していた｡気道過敏性(Dmin)は上顎洞不透明化率とのあいだに弱い負の相関が認められた(rs=-0.551,p=0.0276).鼻粘膜肥厚と気道過敏性は相関が認められなかった｡今回の結果から副鼻腔病変が気道過敏性･喘息重症度に影響を及ぼしている可能性が考えられ.副鼻腔疾患の治療により喘息症状の改善に繋がる可能性が考えられた

温泉療法による気管支喘息患者の心理的障害の改善

To evaluate improvement of mental disorders by spa therapy for 1-2 months, three kinds of psychological examinations, CMI (Cornel Medical Index), SDS (Selfrating Depression Scale) and CAI (Comprehensive Asthma Inventory) tests, were performed in 37 patients with asthma before and after spa therapy. 1. In CMI test, the scores of physical symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and CIJ symptoms significantly decreased after spa therapy. The score of psychical symptoms tended to decrease after the therapy, however, this was not significant. 2. The mean score of the subjects over 40 points in SDS test significantly decreased from 45.7 points before spa therapy to 37.5 after the therapy. 3. Mental disorders evaluated by various categories in CAI test were significantly improved after spa therapy. The average score in CAI test significantly decreased from 37.1 to 27.8 after the therapy. These results demonstrate that psychological disorders in patients with asthma are improved by spa therapy.気管支喘息に対する温泉療法(1-2ヶ月)による心理的障害の改善を評価するために,3種類の心理学的調査:CMI(Cornel Medical Index),SDS(Selfrationg Depression Scale),CAI(Comprehensive Asthma Inventory)を,気管支喘息患者37例を対象として,入院時と退院時に実施し比較した｡①CMIでは,身体的自覚症,呼吸器系症状およびCIJ症状が,温泉療法後に有意に改善した｡②SDS値が40以上の症例において,温泉療法後,平均値は45.7から37.5へ有意に減少した｡③CAIの種々の心理学的項目により評価した心理的障害は,温泉療法後に有意に改善した｡各心理項目の平均値であるCAIスコアは,治療後,37.1から27.8へ有意に低下した｡これらの結果から,気管支喘息患者に観察される心理的障害は,温泉療法により改善することが示唆された

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of primary ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma

BACKGROUND: It remains unknown whether primary ocular adnexal extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) is a homogeneous entity, as there are few reports of the results of cytogenetic or molecular analyses of these tumors. METHODS: We performed interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to detect translocations and aneuploidy in 34 cases of primary ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma, and reviewed the histopathological findings. Correlations between the results of FISH analysis, the histopathological features and the clinical data were also analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 34 cases, FISH analysis revealed t(14;18)(q32;q21) in one case, trisomy 3 in 21 cases (62%), and trisomy 18 in 16 cases (47%). The cases with trisomy 18 had significantly more prominent lymphoepithelial lesions (LELs) and less nodularity in the tumors. In regard to the clinical correlations, tumors with trisomy 18 were observed predominantly in females and younger patients; also, in the majority of the cases, the tumor was of conjunctival origin. All the cases with recurrence showed trisomy 18 in the tumor. CONCLUSION: Primary ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma is a significantly heterogeneous entity. Cases with trisomy 18 may have unique clinicopathological features

気管支喘息における血清免疫グロブリン値,末梢血リンパ球数と気管支肺胞洗浄液中の細胞成分との関連

Changes in airway inflammation by glucocorticoids were examined in 26 patients with bronchial asthma, divided into two age groups ; 20-59 and 60+ years, in relation to serum immunoglobulin levels and peripheral lymphocyte count. 1. The levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were significantly lower in patients with steroid-dependent intractable asthma (SDIA) of age over 60 years than in those with non-SDIA of the same age group. In patients between the ages of 20 and 59, only serum IgG level was significantly lower in SDIA than in non-SDIA patients. 2. Peripheral lymphocyte count was significantly decreased in SDIA patients than in non-SDIA patients in age group over 60, but not in age group between 20 and 59. 3. Number of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was significantly lower and number of BAL neutrophils was significantly higher in SDIA patients than in non-SDIA patients in age group over 60, but not in age group between 20 and 59. These results suggest that levels of IgG, IgA and IgM, and peripheral lymphocyte count were significantly suppressed in SDIA patients of age over 60, accompanied with decrease of BAL lymphocytes and increase of BAL neutrophils.気管支喘息26例(ステロイド依存性重症難治性喘息,SDIA 13例,非SDIA 13例)を対象に,血清免疫グロブリン,IgG,IgAおよびIgM値,および末梢血リンパ球数との関連のもとに,副腎皮質ホルモン長期投与による気道炎症細胞の出現頻度の変化について検討を加えた｡なお,年齢による影響を観察する目的で,SDIAおよび非SDIA各13例を,20-59才と60才以上の2群に分けて,それ ぞれのグループの特徴について検討した｡1.血清IgG,IgAおよびIgM値は,60才以上の症例において,いずれも非SDIA症例に比べ,SDIA症例で有意に低い値を示した｡一方,20-59才の症例群においては,IgG値のみSDIA症例で有意の低下傾向が見られた｡2.末梢血リンパ球数は,60才以上の症例では,SDIA症例で,非SDIA症例に比べ有意の低値を示したが,20-59才の症例では両群間に有意の差は見られなかった｡3.気管支肺胞洗浄(BAL)液中のリンパ球数 は,60才以上のSDIA症例で,非SDIA症例に比べ有意に少なく,また同時にこれらの症例ではBAL液中好中球が有意に多い傾向が観察された｡しかし,20-59才の症例群では,SDIAと非SDIAの間にいずれも有意の差は見られなかっ た｡これらの結果より,60才以上の症例では,20-59才の症例群に比べ,副腎皮質ホルモンの長期投与により,血清IgG,IgAおよびIgM値,末梢血リンパ球数の減少とともに,BAL液中のリンパ球減少,好中球増加をきたしやすいことが明らかにされた