LIGHT [the name of which is derived from 'homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, competes with herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D for herpes simplex virus entry mediator (HVEM), and expressed by T lymphocytes'], is a member of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily that is involved in various inflammatory diseases. We aimed to estimate the relevance of plasma LIGHT levels as a biomarker for atopic dermatitis (AD). In order to understand the putative role of LIGHT in AD pathogenesis, we also investigate the effects of LIGHT on a monocytic cell line, human acute monocytic leukaemia cell line (THP-1). We examined plasma LIGHT levels, total serum IgE, serum value of CCL17 and peripheral blood eosinophil counts in patients with AD and healthy subjects. The effects of LIGHT on activation and apoptosis in THP-1 cells were also investigated. The plasma concentrations of LIGHT in AD patients were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals and the concentrations decreased as the symptoms were improved by treatment. The LIGHT plasma concentrations correlated with IgE levels and the Severity Scoring of AD (SCORAD) index. In addition, LIGHT stimulation increased expression of CD86 and induced production of interleukin-1β in THP-1 cells. Apoptosis was inhibited, the Bcl-2 level increased and the caspase-3 level decreased in THP-1 cells stimulated with LIGHT, compared to unstimulated control cells. These results suggest that plasma LIGHT levels may be one of the promising biomarkers for AD.

We present measurements of J/ψ yields in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV recorded by the PHENIX experiment and compare them with yields in p+p collisions at the same energy per nucleon-nucleon collision. The measurements cover a large kinematic range in J/ψ rapidity (-2.2<y<2.4) with high statistical precision and are compared with two theoretical models: one with nuclear shadowing combined with final state breakup and one with coherent gluon saturation effects. In order to remove model dependent systematic uncertainties we also compare the data to a simple geometric model. The forward rapidity data are inconsistent with nuclear modifications that are linear or exponential in the density weighted longitudinal thickness, such as those from the final state breakup of the bound state.

The antagonism of CXC-chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) with AMD3100 improves cardiac performance after myocardial infarction by augmenting the recruitment of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the bone marrow to the regenerating vasculature. We investigated whether AMD3100 may accelerate diabetes-impaired wound healing through a similar mechanism. Skin wounds were made on the backs of leptin receptor-deficient mice and treated with AMD3100 or saline. Fourteen days after treatment, wound closure was significantly more complete in AMD3100-treated mice (AMD3100: 87.0 ± 2.6%, saline: 33.1 ± 1.8%; P<0.0001) and was accompanied by greater collagen fiber formation, capillary density, smooth muscle-containing vessel density, and monocyte/macrophage infiltration. On day 7 after treatment, AMD3100 was associated with higher circulating EPC and macrophage counts, and with significantly upregulated mRNA levels of stromal cell-derived factor 1 and platelet-derived growth factor B in the wound bed. AMD3100 also promoted macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis and the migration and proliferation of diabetic mouse primary dermal fibroblasts and 3T3 fibroblasts, which express very little CXCR4. In conclusion, a single topical application of AMD3100 promoted wound healing in diabetic mice by increasing cytokine production, mobilizing bone marrow EPCs, and enhancing the activity of fibroblasts and monocytes/macrophages, thereby increasing both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Not all of the AMD3100-mediated effects evolved through CXCR4 antagonism.

Aims:  Skin autofluorescence, a non-invasive measure of the accumulation for advanced glycation end products, has been reported to be a useful marker for diabetic vascular risks in the Caucasian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between skin autofluorescence and vascular complications in non-Caucasian patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods:  Subjects in this cross-sectional study comprised 130 Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes. Skin advanced glycation end products were assessed by skin autofluorescence using an autofluorescence reader. Association between skin autofluorescence and severity of vascular complications was evaluated. Results:  Of the 130 patients, 60 (46.2%) had microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy, 10 (7.7%) had macrovascular complications and 63 (48.5%) had micro- and/or macrovascular complications. Skin autofluorescence increased with severity of vascular complications. Independent determinants of skin autofluorescence were age (β = 0.24, P < 0.01), mean HbA(1c) in previous year (β = 0.17, P = 0.03), microvascular complications (β = 0.44, P < 0.01) and macrovascular complications (β = 0.27, P < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes duration (odds ratio 1.15, P < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (odds ratio 1.04, P = 0.01), skin autofluorescence (odds ratio 3.62, P = 0.01) and serum albumin (odds ratio 0.84, P < 0.01) were independent factors for the presence of vascular complications in these patients. Conclusions:  Skin autofluorescence had independent effects on vascular complications in Japanese patients with Type 2 diabetes. This indicates that skin advanced glycation end products are a surrogate marker for vascular risk and a non-invasive autofluorescence reader may be a useful tool to detect high-risk cases in non-Caucasian patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) have been reported. Perilla frutescens (Linn.) Britton var. frutescens is grown in Eastern Asia and its seed (perilla seed) is rich in α-linolenic acid, an n-3 PUFA. We investigated the antinephritic effects of perilla seed oil in a mouse model of IgAN. METHODS Ten-week-old high IgA ddY mice were fed diets containing either perilla seed oil (PS group) or corn oil (C group, control). After 20 weeks, we compared body weight, blood pressure, serum creatinine levels, IgA levels, fatty acid composition, urinary protein excretion, mesangial matrix expansion, and glomerular transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA expression between groups. RESULTS Serum n-3 PUFA levels were higher in the PS group than the C group (p<0.001). Blood urea nitrogen levels were lower (p=0.0246) and urinary protein excretion was reduced (p=0.0198) in the PS group. Mesangial matrix expansion (p=0.0063) and glomerular transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA expression (p=0.0291) were suppressed in the PS group. No significant differences between groups were found in body weight, blood pressure, serum IgA, and creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS Dietary perilla seed oil supplement could suppress the progression of IgAN.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is a reactive phenomenon accompanying disorders including autoimmune disease, lymphoproliferative disorders and drug reactions. Histologically, IGD shows a granulomatous infiltrate surrounding piecemeal fragmentation of collagen in the diffuse interstitium. IGD presents with linear cords, papules and plaques mainly on the trunk and extremities. Herein, we report a case with peculiar clinical features that were histopathologically consistent with IGD. A 74-year-old man presented with periungual painful erythema, nail deformity of all fingers and labial, penile and anal erosive erythema. Histopathological examination of the lesions showed interface dermatitis and a diffuse interstitial granulomatous infiltrate mainly composed of CD68-positive histiocytes and lymphocytes. Degenerative collagen bundles were also observed in granulomas. C-reactive protein and the white blood cell count were elevated, but further examinations did not reveal systemic inflammatory disorders such as autoimmune disease, lymphoproliferative disorder, inflammatory bowel disease or drug hypersensitivity. The lesions were successfully treated with oral and topical steroids.

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are significantly increased in end-stage renal disease patients and it has been suggested that AGE accumulation is related to the progression of cardiovascular disease. An autofluorescence reader non-invasively assesses AGE accumulation using skin autofluorescence under ultraviolet light. Skin autofluorescence has been reported to be an independent predictor of mortality in Caucasian hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether skin autofluorescence in Japanese hemodialysis patients is related to the presence of cardiovascular disease. In this cross-sectional study, patients on maintenance hemodialysis (N = 128; 59 men, 69 women) were included. AGE accumulation was assessed by skin autofluorescence using an autofluorescence reader. Associations between skin autofluorescence, cardiovascular disease, and other parameters were studied. Skin autofluorescence correlated with age (r = 0.32, P < 0.01), diabetes (r = 0.21, P = 0.02), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)(r = 0.23, P = 0.02), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)(r = 0.20, P = 0.03), and plasma pentosidine (r = 0.20, P = 0.03). Each parameter was compared in patients with and without cardiovascular disease; the gender distribution, age, carotid IMT, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hsCRP, and skin autofluorescence were significantly related to the presence of cardiovascular disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified carotid IMT (OR 6.76), hsCRP (OR 1.41), and skin autofluorescence (OR 2.29) as significant factors for the presence of cardiovascular disease. Increased skin autofluorescence was related to the presence of cardiovascular disease in Asian (non-Caucasian) hemodialysis patients, and therefore an autofluorescence reader might have the potential to be a useful assessment of cardiovascular risk in these patients.

Tissue accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) is thought to be a contributing factor to the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Skin autofluorescence, a non-invasive measure of AGE accumulation using autofluorescence of the skin under ultraviolet light, has shown associations with CVD in haemodialysis patients. The present study aimed to evaluate relationships of skin autofluorescence to renal function as well as CVD in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Subjects in this cross-sectional analysis comprised 304 pre-dialysis CKD patients [median age, 62.0 years; median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 54.3 mL/min/1.73 m(2); diabetes, n = 81 (26.6%)]. AGE accumulation in skin was assessed by skin autofluorescence using an autofluorescence reader. Relationships between skin autofluorescence, eGFR, CVD history and other parameters were evaluated. Skin autofluorescence correlated negatively with eGFR (r =-0.42, P < 0.01) and increased as CKD stage advanced. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant correlations of skin autofluorescence with age, presence of diabetes, eGFR and CVD history in CKD patients (R(2)= 30%). Age, male gender, smoking history, skin autofluorescence and eGFR were significantly correlated with CVD history, and multiple logistic regression analysis identified age [odds ratio (OR), 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.15; P < 0.01], history of smoking (OR, 6.50; 95%CI, 1.94-21.83; P < 0.01) and skin autofluorescence (OR, 3.74; 95%CI, 1.54-9.24; P < 0.01) as independent factors. Tissue AGE accumulation measured as skin autofluorescence increased as GFR decreased and was related to CVD history in CKD patients. Non-invasive autofluorescence readers may provide potential markers for clinical risk assessment in pre-dialysis CKD patients.

The production of e;{+}e;{-} pairs for m_{e;{+}e;{-}}<0.3 GeV/c;{2} and 1<p_{T}<5 GeV/c is measured in p+p and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. An enhanced yield above hadronic sources is observed. Treating the excess as photon internal conversions, the invariant yield of direct photons is deduced. In central Au+Au collisions, the excess of the direct photon yield over p+p is exponential in transverse momentum, with an inverse slope T=221+/-19;{stat}+/-19;{syst} MeV. Hydrodynamical models with initial temperatures ranging from T_{init} approximately 300-600 MeV at times of approximately 0.6-0.15 fm/c after the collision are in qualitative agreement with the data. Lattice QCD predicts a phase transition to quark gluon plasma at approximately 170 MeV.