Background:We previously reported that Kgp, a lysine gingipain, degraded osteoprotegerin, an osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor, to enhance lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclastogenesis. Results: Kgp enhanced tumor necrosis factor-␣-and interleukin-1␤-induced osteoclastogenesis. Conclusion: Kgp degraded osteoprotegerin more efficiently than other cytokines, which might be related to enhancement of osteoclastogenesis by Kgp. Significance: Degradation of osteoprotegerin may be a crucial event in periodontal osteolysis.

Fusion variations of the pancreatic ducts were studied to elucidate the significance of such variations. We classified structural fusion anomalies of the main and accessory pancreatic ducts on endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in 37 patients with anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system (AAPB). The fusion variations of the pancreatic ducts were classified into five types: common, ansa pancreatica, branch fusion, looped, and separated. These fusion variations, except for common type, were found in 68% of the 37 patients with AAPB on ERCP. Fusion variations of the pancreatic ducts were very frequent (93%) in the 30 patients with congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct (CCD). The branch confluence fashion, in which the terminal bile duct communicated with a pancreatic duct branch, was found only in patients with cystic dilatation cyst of the CCD, and it appeared that cystic dilatation cyst of CCD might differ from spindle or cylindrical cyst originating from embryonic formation of an anomalous confluence. It was also suggested that in patients with fusion variations of the pancreatic ducts, the flow of pancreatic juice might be disordered, leading to the development of acute pancreatitis or pancreatic dysfunction. Consequently, it appears to be necessary to carefully examine patients with AAPB for the presence or absence of any fusion variations of the pancreatic ducts and to observe such patients with long-term monitoring by ERCP, and computed temography, and with pancreatic function tests.

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We report three cases of adenoma associated with sporadic fundic gland polyp (FGP) in the non-atrophic fundic gland mucosa without Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, which was verified with both serological and histopathological examinations. Gastric tubular adenoma (flat adenoma) is common and focal cancers occurring in the hyperplastic polyp of foveolar cell type are also sometimes experienced. However, adenomas occurring in sporadic FGP are valuable, as they are very rare, in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Whether or not these adenoma lesions of three sporadic FGP cases may become the background of protruded gastric cancers without HP infection remains unclear. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of histological examination on fundic gland polyps that are > 5 mm in size to accumulate new similar cases. Follow-up studies of these lesions are also needed to evaluate their outcomes.