Child restraint seat use behavior and attitude among Japanese mothers.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess associations between child restraint seat use and attitudes among Japanese mothers.

Materials And Methods: Mothers whose children were under 6 years of age were recruited through 11 kindergartens located in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan. Questions were developed based on the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action.

HLA-A2 and -A24-restricted glypican-3-derived peptide vaccine induces specific CTLs: preclinical study using mice.

We previously reported that glypican-3 (GPC3) is uniquely overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma and that it is an ideal tumor antigen for immunotherapy in mouse models. We recently identified both HLA-A24 (A*2402) and H-2Kd-restricted GPC3298-306 (EYILSLEEL) and HLA-A2 (A*0201)-restricted GPC3144-152 (FVGEFFTDV), both of which can induce GPC3-reactive cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). The present study was a preclinical study in a mouse model that was conducted in order to design an optimal schedule for clinical trial of GPC3-derived peptide vaccine.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection by using a grasping-type scissors forceps: a preliminary clinical study (with video).

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with a knife is a technically demanding procedure associated with a high complication rate. The shortcoming of this method is the difficulty of fixing the knife to the target lesion. It can lead to an unexpected incision and result in major complications, such as perforation and bleeding.

Efficient source adaptivity in independent component analysis.

A basic element in most independent component analysis (ICA) algorithms is the choice of a model for the score functions of the unknown sources. While this is usually based on approximations, for large data sets it is possible to achieve "source adaptivity" by directly estimating from the data the "true" score functions of the sources. We describe an efficient scheme for achieving this by extending the fast density estimation method of Silverman (1982).

Enterochromaffin cell and 5-hydroxytryptamine responses to the same infectious agent differ in Th1 and Th2 dominant environments.

Background/aim: 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) released from enterochromaffin cells influences intestinal homeostasis by altering gut physiology and is implicated in the pathophysiology of various gut disorders. The mechanisms regulating 5-HT production in the gut remain unclear. This study investigated the T helper (Th) 1/Th2-based immunoregulation of enterochromaffin cell function and 5-HT production in a model of enteric infection.

Regulation of the Il4 gene is independently controlled by proximal and distal 3' enhancers in mast cells and basophils.

Mast cells and basophils are known to be a critical interleukin 4 (IL-4) source for establishing Th2 protective responses to parasitic infections. Chromatin structure and histone modification patterns in the Il13/Il4 locus of mast cells were similar to those of IL-4-producing type 2 helper T cells. However, using a transgenic approach, we found that Il4 gene expression was distinctly regulated by individual cis regulatory elements in cell types of different lineages.

Regression of intestinal adenomas by vaccination with heat shock protein 105-pulsed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells in Apc(Min/+) mice.

Heat shock protein (HSP) 105 is overexpressed in various cancers, but is expressed at low levels in many normal tissues, except for the testis. A vaccination with HSP105-pulsed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DC) induced antitumor immunity without causing an autoimmune reaction in a mouse model. Because Apc(Min/+) mice develop multiple adenomas throughout the intestinal tract by 4 months of age, the mice provide a clinically relevant model of human intestinal tumor.

Preoperative diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

Aim: To evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the preoperative diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Methods: From September 2002 to June 2006, Fifty-three consecutive EUS-FNAs of GI tract subepithelial hypoechoic tumors with continuity to proper muscle layer suspected as GIST by standard EUS were evaluated prospectively. The reference standards for the final diagnosis were surgery (n = 31), or clinical follow-up (n=22).

Newly developed all in one EUS system: one cart system, forward-viewing optics type 360 degrees electronic radial array echoendoscope and oblique-viewing type convex array echoendoscope.

Most endosonographers use radial scanning instruments for diagnostic imaging, and use longitudinal scanning instruments primarily for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The use of two separate instruments for radial and longitudinal scanning means 2 different echoendoscopes are required, each with its own dedicated US processing unit. Currently available electronic radial echoendoscopes and linear instruments made by the same company require the same other brand US unit.

CD4+ T cell-mediated immunological control of enterochromaffin cell hyperplasia and 5-hydroxytryptamine production in enteric infection.

Background: Enterochromaffin (EC) cells are dispersed throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa and are the main source of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the gut. 5-HT has been implicated in the pathophysiology of several GI disorders, but the mechanisms regulating 5-HT production in the gut are unknown.

Aim: To investigate the role of CD4(+) T cells in the production of 5-HT using a model of enteric parasitic infection.

[Comparison of BIS and Ramsay score for evaluation of sedation with propofol in ICU].

Background: BIS has not been evaluated for sedation in ICU. We examined BIS for evaluation of sedation with propofol in ICU.

Methods: Eighteen male patients undergoing head and neck surgery (ASA-PS 1 x 2 and age<75 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups receiving postoperative sedation with propofol in ICU.

Cotransduction of CCL27 gene can improve the efficacy and safety of IL-12 gene therapy for cancer.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent antitumoral cytokine, but high doses are toxic. Herein, we demonstrate that combinational transduction of IL-12 and CC-chemokine ligand-27 (CCL27) genes into pre-existing murine OV-HM ovarian carcinoma and Meth-A fibrosarcoma, by using RGD fiber-mutant adenoviral vectors, could induce tumor regression and relieve systemic side effects more effectively than either treatment alone. The antitumor activity of the IL-12 and CCL27 combination treatment was T-cell-dependent, and development of long-term specific immunity was confirmed in rechallenge experiments.

Double-balloon endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of GI tract diseases: Methodology, indications, safety, and clinical impact.

Aim: To prospectively evaluate the indications, methodology, safety, and clinical impact of double-balloon endoscopy.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with suspected or documented small- or large-bowel diseases were investigated by double balloon endoscopy. A total of 103 procedures were performed (42 from the oral route, 60 from the anal route, and 1 from the stoma route).

Critical role of MCP-1 in the pathogenesis of experimental colitis in the context of immune and enterochromaffin cells.

Mucosal changes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are characterized by ulcerative lesions accompanied by a prominent infiltrate of inflammatory cells including lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils and alterations in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-producing enterochromaffin (EC) cells. Mechanisms involved in recruiting and activating these cells are thought to involve a complex interplay of inflammatory mediators. Studies in clinical and experimental IBD have shown the upregulation of various chemokines including monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in mucosal tissues.

Endoscopic band ligation therapy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding related to Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

Background: No consensus exists as to the best endoscopic treatment for Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Endoscopic band ligation is a readily available and easily learned technique. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic band ligation therapy for Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

CD4+ T-cell modulation of visceral nociception in mice.

Background & Aims: Although inflammatory and immune cells are present in the gut in the absence of pathology, their presence does not result in sensitization of sensory nerves, implying the existence of a local antinociceptive influence. We hypothesized that a component of the immune system exerts an antinociceptive influence, thus enabling the gut to function in the absence of undue pain or discomfort.

Methods: Visceromotor responses to colorectal distention were measured in mice with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) and their wild-type controls.

Identification of HLA-A2- or HLA-A24-restricted CTL epitopes possibly useful for glypican-3-specific immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose And Experimental Design: We previously reported that glypican-3 (GPC3) was overexpressed, specifically in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and melanoma in humans, and it was useful as a novel tumor marker. We also reported that the preimmunization of BALB/c mice with dendritic cells pulsed with the H-2K(d)-restricted mouse GPC3(298-306) (EYILSLEEL) peptide prevented the growth of tumor-expressing mouse GPC3. Because of similarities in the peptide binding motifs between H-2K(d) and HLA-A24 (A*2402), the GPC3(298-306) peptide therefore seemed to be useful for the immunotherapy of HLA-A24+ patients with HCC and melanoma.

Safety advantage of endocut mode over endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis.

Aim: To evaluate whether an automatically controlled cut system (endocut mode) could reduce the complication rate of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and serum hyperamylasemia after EST compared to the conventional blended cut mode.

Methods: From January 2001 to October 2003, 134 patients with choledocholithiasis were assigned to either endocut mode group or conventional blended cut mode group at the time of sphincterotomy. The two groups were retrospectively compared for the complications after EST and serum amylase level before and 24 h after the procedure.

Embryonic stem cell-derived dendritic cells expressing glypican-3, a recently identified oncofetal antigen, induce protective immunity against highly metastatic mouse melanoma, B16-F10.

We have recently established a method to generate dendritic cells from mouse embryonic stem cells. By introducing exogenous genes into embryonic stem cells and subsequently inducing differentiation to dendritic cells (ES-DC), we can now readily generate transfectant ES-DC expressing the transgenes. A previous study revealed that the transfer of genetically modified ES-DC expressing a model antigen, ovalbumin, protected the recipient mice from a challenge with an ovalbumin-expressing tumor.

Chemical and mineralogical evaluation of slag products derived from the pyrolysis/melting treatment of MSW.

This paper provides the results of studies on the characteristics of novel material derived from pyrolysis/melting treatment of municipal solid waste in Japan. Slag products from pyrolysis/melting plants were sampled for the purpose of detailed phase analysis and characterization of heavy metal-containing phases using optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), XRF and XRD. The study revealed that the slag material contains glass (over 95%), oxide and silicate minerals (spinel, melilite, pseudowollastonite), as well as individual metallic inclusions as the major constituents.

Therapeutic effect of alpha-galactosylceramide-loaded dendritic cells genetically engineered to express SLC/CCL21 along with tumor antigen against peritoneally disseminated tumor cells.

The close cooperation of both innate and acquired immunity is essential for the induction of truly effective antitumor immunity. We tested a strategy to enhance the cross-talk between NKT cells and conventional antigen-specific T cells with the use of alpha GalCer-loaded dendritic cells genetically engineered to express antigen plus chemokine, attracting both conventional T cells and NKT cells. DC genetically engineered to express a model antigen, OVA, along with SLC/CCL21 or monokine induced by IFN-gamma/CXCL9, had been generated using a method based on in vitro differentiation of DC from mouse ES cells.

Induction of a fibrogenic response in mouse colon by overexpression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1.

Background And Aims: Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is increased transmurally in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although MCP-1 is considered to play an important role in fibrotic disease in other organs, the role of MCP-1 in gut fibrosis is unknown. We investigated the fibrotic potential of MCP-1 in the gut by overexpressing this chemokine in the mouse colorectal wall.