Background. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) refl ects infl ammatory status. An elevated NLR has been reported to be a prognostic indicator in some malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical signifi cance of the preoperative NLR in patients with primary gastric cancer. Results. The 5-year survival of patients with a high NLR was signifi cantly worse than that of patients with a low NLR (57% vs 82%, P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinicopathological factors affecting survival revealed that high NLR, depth of tumor, positive lymph nodes, distant metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, poorly differentiated type, and high platelet count were signifi cant risk factors for reduced survival. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for tumor stage, a high NLR was an independent risk factor for reduced survival (P = 0.003; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.845; 95% confidence interval, 1.236-2.747). Conclusion. A high preoperative NLR may be a convenient biomarker to identify patients with a poor prognosis after resection for primary gastric cancer.

The data from the Nobeyama Radio Observatory 45 m telescope Galactic Center CO survey have been analyzed to generate a compilation of molecular clouds with intense CO emission in this region. Clouds are identiÐed in an automated manner through the main part of the survey data for all CO emission peaks exceeding 10 K The measured parameters of identiÐed clouds are analyzed and (T R *). cross-correlated to compare with those of clouds in the Galactic disk. For the clouds in the Galactic center (GC), we Ðnd the scaling laws of the type and which are similar to88, those of clouds in the Galactic disk. All the GC clouds identiÐed have larger velocity widths and virial theorem masses each above the and lines of the disk clouds. We diagnosed gravitational p V -S L CO -M VT stabilities of identiÐed clouds assuming that the disk clouds are nearly at the onset of gravitational instability. All the clouds and cloud complexes in the GC are gravitationally stable, indicating they are in equilibrium with high pressure in the GC environment. Gravitationally less stable clouds follow the main ridge of intense CO emission, part of which deÐne two rigidly rotating molecular arms. The velocity dispersion of a cloud correlates inversely with the degree of gravitational instability. It is concluded that mechanisms such as orbit crowding at the inner Lindblad resonance may promote gravitational instability and subsequent star formation.

We present high-resolution CO images of the Galactic center region taken with the 2 ] 2 focal-plane array receiver mounted on the 45 m telescope of Nobeyama Radio Observatory. We have collected about 44,000 12C16O (J \ 1È0) spectra and over 13,000 13C16O (J \ 1È0) spectra with a 34A (1.4 pc) grid spacing. The 12CO mapping area is roughly and which covers.6, almost the full extent of the molecular gas concentration in the Galactic center. These CO images demonstrate extremely complex distribution and kinematics of molecular gas in the Galactic center. While its large-scale behavior can be attributed to the well-known coherent features, bright CO emission arises from a number of compact (d ¹ 10 pc) clouds with large velocity widths (*V º 30 km s~1 ). The small-scale structure of molecular gas is characterized by Ðlaments, arcs, and shells. The boisterous molecular gas kinematics there may be a result of violent release of kinetic energy by a number of supernova explosions and/or Wolf-Rayet stellar winds.

Aims/hypothesisSeveral lines of evidence suggest that incretin-based therapies suppress the development of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. We investigated the possibility that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) can prevent the development of atherosclerosis in Apoe−/− mice.MethodsApoe−/− mice (17 weeks old) were administered GLP-1(7–36)amide, GLP-1(9–36)amide, GIP(1–42) or GIP(3–42) for 4 weeks. Aortic atherosclerosis, oxidised LDL-induced foam cell formation and related gene expression in exudate peritoneal macrophages were determined.ResultsAdministration of GLP-1(7–36)amide or GIP(1–42) significantly suppressed atherosclerotic lesions and macrophage infiltration in the aortic wall, compared with vehicle controls. These effects were cancelled by co-infusion with specific antagonists for GLP-1 and GIP receptors, namely exendin(9–39) or Pro3(GIP). The anti-atherosclerotic effects of GLP-1(7–36)amide and GIP(1–42) were associated with significant decreases in foam cell formation and downregulation of CD36 and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT-1) in macrophages. GLP-1 and GIP receptors were both detected in Apoe−/− mouse macrophages. Ex vivo incubation of macrophages with GLP-1(7–36)amide or GIP(1–42) for 48 h significantly suppressed foam cell formation. This effect was wholly abolished in macrophages pretreated with exendin(9−39) or (Pro3)GIP, or with an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, MDL12,330A, and was mimicked by incubation with an adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin. The inactive forms, GLP-1(9–36)amide and GIP(3–42), had no effects on atherosclerosis and macrophage foam cell formation.Conclusions/interpretationOur study is the first to demonstrate that active forms of GLP-1 and GIP exert anti-atherogenic effects by suppressing macrophage foam cell formation via their own receptors, followed by cAMP activation. Molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are associated with the downregulation of CD36 and ACAT-1 by incretins.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-011-2241-2) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.

Desmin is a smooth muscle protein consisting of intermediate filaments. It is also present in other cell types. We obtained desmin antibodies from New Zealand white rabbits which were immunized with desmin following its extraction from chicken gizzard smooth muscle. By immunocytochemical methods, the antibody stained the Z-line of rat skeletal myofibrils and produced only one band with chicken gizzard desmin by immunoblotting. The antibody was specific for desmin, but was not tissue-specific. Wistar rat liver was studied by indirect immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent methods using the antibody. Cells which reacted were diffusely distributed in the hepatic lobule, had stellate shape, bore elongated cytoplasmic extensions and contained few fat droplets. The fat droplets increased in size and amount after administration of vitamin A, and contained vitamin A as determined by ultraviolet exposure and gold impregnation. The fat-containing cells did not phagocytose carbon particles after injection of colloidal carbon and were, therefore, classified as fat-storing cells (Ito cells).

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We report the detection of variable emission from Sgr A* in almost all wavelength bands (i.e. centimeter, millimeter, submillimeter, near-IR and X-rays) during a multi-wavelength observing campaign. Three new moderate flares are detected simultaneously in both near-IR and X-ray bands. The ratio of X-ray to near-IR flux in the flares is consistent with inverse Compton scattering of near-IR photons by submillimeter emitting relativistic particles which follow scaling relations obtained from size measurements of Sgr A*. We also find that the flare statistics in near-IR wavelengths is consistent with the probability of flare emission being inversely proportional to the flux. At millimeter wavelengths, the presence of flare emission at 43 GHz (7mm) using VLBA with milli-arcsecond spatial resolution indicates the first direct evidence that hourly time scale flares are localized within the inner 30×70 Schwarzschild radii of Sgr A*. We also show several cross correlation plots between near-IR, millimeter and submillimeter light curves that collectively demonstrate the presence of time delays between the peaks of emission up to three hours. The evidence for time delays at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are consistent with the source of emission being optically thick initially followed by a transition to an optically thin regime. In particular, there is an intriguing correlation between the optically thin near-IR and X-ray flare and optically thick radio flare at 43 GHz that occurred on 2007 April 4. This would be the first evidence of a radio flare emission at 43 GHz delayed with respect to the near-IR and X-ray flare emission. The time delay measurements support the expansion of hot self-absorbed synchrotron plasma blob and weaken the hot spot model of flare emission. In addition, a simultaneous fit to 43 and 84 GHz light curves, using an adiabatic expansion model of hot plasma, appears to support a power law rather than a relativistic Maxwellian distribution of particles.