To evaluate QOL changes during pregnancy in developed country, we analyzed 159 pregnant Japanese women (67 nulliparous and 92 multiparous) who had no complications during pregnancy. Subjects were asked to complete the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) every 4 weeks up to 24 weeks of gestation, and every 2 weeks from 24 weeks of gestation until delivery. Subscales that reflect “Physical functioning (p‹0.001)”, “Role-physical (p‹0.001)” and “Bodily pain (p‹0.001)” showed significant declines throughout the entire pregnancy. On the other hand, subscales that reflect “Vitality,” “General health” and “Mental health” did not change substantially with gestational age. Furthermore, subscales that reflect “Physical functioning,” “Role physical,” “General health” showed no significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous women. Although subscales that reflect “Bodily pain,” “Vitality,” “Social functioning,” “Role emotional” and “Mental health” showed significant differences between nulliparous and multiparous women, these subscales showed significant interactions. Our results suggest that pregnant women need support, regardless of the number of deliveries. Appropriate supports to pregnant women will be available to improve the birth rate in developed countries.

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Protective immunity and immune response were studied in rats after primarily infection with Trichinella spiralis. The parameters measured include serum antibody isotype responses, mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cell and spleen cell proliferation responses in vitro, and the levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-10 as markers of the T-helper (Th) subset. Protective immunity was assessed by the degree of expulsion of adult worms from the rat intestine. Protective immunity against adult worms after challenge infection was 99.80%. Although IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 in both the MLNs and spleen were detected, IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were higher in the spleen than in the MLNs, and IL-4 and an increased amount of IL-10 was released in the MLNs as compared to the spleen. The levels of the specific immunoglobulins (Ig) G, IgM, IgG1 and IgG2a on week 6 after primary infection, and on day 7 after challenge infection, were higher as compared to levels in uninfected rats that only received a challenge infection (P ‹ 0.001), whereas the antibody level of IgG1 was significantly elevated from that of IgG2a (P ‹ 0.001). These results demonstrate that Th1 type responses predominated. In addition, as Th2 type cytokines were also produced, it is proposed that the protective immunity by primary infection was also related to the Th1 type responses.

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Although hyperosmolarity associated with diabetes is known to attenuate contractile response of airway smooth muscle, intracellular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. We examined the effects of hyperosmolarity on carbachol (CCh)- and aluminum fluoride (AF)-induced contractile and phosphatidylinositol (PI) responses of rat trachea. In vitro measurements of isometric tension and [³H] inositol monophosphate (IP₁) formed were conducted by using rat tracheal rings and slices. Hyperosmolarity solutions of 350, 450 and 600 mOsm were made with dissolving glucose in Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution. Hyperosmolarity attenuated dose-dependently CCh-induced contraction of rat trachea (1.86 ± 0.13 g at 300 mOsm, 1.85 ± 0.16 g at 350 mOsm, 1.37 ± 0.07 g at 450 mOsm and 0.50 ± 0.04 g at 600 mOsm, respectively), and also attenuated CCh- induced IP₁ accumulation (5.77 ± 0.33 Bq at 300 mOsm, 3.38 ± 0.26 Bq at 350 mOsm, 2.08 ± 0.30 Bq at 450 mOsm and 1.71 ± 0.40 Bq at 600 mOsm, respectively), and AF-induced IP₁ accumulation (3.93 ± 0.22 Bq at 300 mOsm, 1.63 ± 0.14 Bq at 450 mOsm and 1.02 ± 0.14 Bq at 600 mOsm, respectively). The results suggest that hyperosmolarity would inhibit G-protein-coupled phospholipase C, resulting in attenuation of CCh-induced airway smooth muscle contraction.

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A 29-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of abdominal pain and appetite loss. Superficial lymph node adenopathy was noted. Systemic computed tomography showed multiple liver and lung metastases, as well as ascites. No abnormalities were found on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy; therefore, double-balloon enteroscopy was performed. A stenosis with reddish and edematous mucosal changes from the third part of the duodenum to the upper jejunum was noted; on histopathology of the biopsy specimens, adenocarcinoma was diagnosed. Thus, the patient had advanced small intestinal cancer with carcinomatous peritonitis and liver metastases. Although the patient was given chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, he died 2 months after commencing treatment. Primary small intestinal carcinoma is a rare malignancy; most cases cannot be detected on routine gastrointestinal endoscopy due to their location. Our experience suggests that double-balloon enteroscopy is useful for diagnosing small intestinal adenocarcinoma.

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It is considered that the stabilizing force of dynamic energy balance (harmonization) which controls the universe is relevant to the origin of all living organisms, their evolution, and indeed the existence of life now and in the future. In this paper I will consider the significance of the existence of life and its primary motive force, and the philosophical and religious significance of the existence of life from the above viewpoint. In addition, in this paper I would also like to consider the future of life on earth together with the responsibility of mankind for it.

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