Although increasing evidence indicates that interferon-beta (IFN β) substantially reduces clinical exacerbation and disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully characterized. Furthermore, it has become evident that a significant number of MS patients do not well respond to IFN β therapy. Previous studies have shown that IFN β acts as a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine in MS, chiefly by inhibiting the capacity of antigen presentation via down-regulation of IFN γ -induced expression of class II MHC antigen, and more importantly by reversing a Th1 shift of the immune response via reduction in IL-12 production by antigen-presenting cells (APC), and by suppressing the transmigration of autoreactive T cells into the central nervous system across the blood-brain barrier. Recently, by analyzing a gene expression array, we have identified a battery of IFN-responsive genes (IRG) which play an important role in achievement of the biological activities of IFN β in MS. They include interferon-regulatory factor-7 (IRF-7), a positive feedback regulator of IFN β production, and IFN γ -inducible protein 30 (IFI30) and ATP-binding cassette transporter TAP1, both of which serve as a key component of the antigen-presentation machinery. These observations suggest that IRG might provide a surrogate marker to evaluate IFN β responders and nonresponders in MS.

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The features of immunological potential in neonates are clarified.
CD4⁺ lymphocytes in mature cord blood are naive in terms of phenotypic and functional aspects and they lack the helper function to induce immunoglobulin (Ig) secreting cells. However functional molecules participating in T/B cell interaction in cord blood are capable of being upregulated by the appropriate stimulation the same as for an adult. Meanwhile, T-and B-lymphocytes in premature infants are more susceptible to various activation. Certain cytokines upregulate antigen-presenting capacity of adult blood monocytes, but not of cord blood monocytes. The impaired response of cord blood monocytes may be responsible for their functional immaturity. Moreover, the production of inflammatory cytokines is immature, however, the neonatal T cell is competent to respond to TCR-mediated stimulation and to produce both type 1 and type 2 cytokines. Furthermore neutrophils in cord blood could produce the same level of super oxide as adult neutrophils, however, they are impaired in phagocytizing opsonized E, coli. In addition, cord blood serum lacks opsonizing activity against E, coli.
These impaired immune functions in cord blood might play some role in the susceptibility to infection in neonates.

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Subjects were 9 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who had received long-term enteral nutrition with enteral formula. Trace element storage, blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and cellular immunity were examined before and then one and three months after the initiation of the use of enteral formula supplemented with trace elements. Measurements of serum trace elements showed a significant increase and normalization of selenium levels, but no significant changes in iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and chromium levels. However, the ratio of activity of angiotensin converting enzyme that required zinc for enzymatic reactions significantly increased and normalized, indicating sufficient zinc storage. Copper levels in serum tended to increase. In two cases with a remarkable copper deficiency, serum copper levels normalized after three months of supplementation. Laboratory tests on red blood cells showed alleviation of normocytic or macrocytic anemia, while immunologic studies revealed significant increases in bactericidal activity of neutrophils and NK cell activity. Taken together, the improvement in cellular immunity was attributed to the sufficiency of zinc, and anemia was alleviated possibly due to the sufficiency of copper.

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A psychological assessment was performed in order to clarify intellectual ability and cognitive processing of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients in the national hospitals. In the result of Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), the mean standard score of simultaneous processing was slightly higher than that of sequential processing, but with no significant difference. Mean Verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) was higher than that of Performance intelligence quotient (PIQ)(p<0.05) in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III), The low PIQ may be attributed to deterioration of upper limbs' motor function. For psychological and educational intervention in DMD patients, the followings are needed: a) to practice an intervention program that makes full use of each patient's superior ability in cognitive processing, and b) to enrich successful experience in each DMD patient.

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We investigated the change of ventilation-perfusion ratio after incremental exercise in patients with pulmonary emphysema. Ventilation-perfusion ratio was determined by V_D/V_T, P (a-ET) CO₂, which were calculated by analysis of expiratory gas, and AaDO₂. After exercise, V_D/V_T decreased, and P (a-ET) CO₂ changed from a positive value to a negative value, which means the increase of pulmonary blood flow was larger than the increase of alveolar ventilation. AaDO₂ increased after exercise. This result showed that the ventilation-perfusion mismatch became even larger after exercise.

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During the past decade, the proportion of Japanese women giving birth over 30 has significantly increased. Pregnancy after 35 years of age is considered to be important risk factor for intrapartum complications. We conducted a multi-hospital cooperative study to see whether prenatal complications increased in pregnant women of late childbearing age. In order to obtain basic data, a questionnaire was sent to every facility of the clinical obstetric information network (COIN) through e-mail about the maternal age distribution for all pregnant patients, and for high risk patients in the year 2000. Data were also collected through e-mail. The total number of patients was 3, 403, total number of hypertensive disorder was 192, uterine myoma was 110, and Caesarian delivery was 735 respectively.
The mean age of those with these complications (preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, uterine myoma, Caesarian delivery) was significantly older than the control group. Caesarian section was encountered with increased frequency in pregnant women over 36.

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