Corneal neovascularization (NV) is a sight-threatening condition usually associated with inflammatory or infectious disorders of the ocular surface. It has been shown in the field of cancer angiogenesis research that a balance exists between angiogenic factors (such as fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor) and anti-angiogenic molecules (such as angiostatin, endostatin, or pigment epithelium derived factor) in the cornea. Several inflammatory, infectious, degenerative, and traumatic disorders are associated with corneal NV, in which the balance is tilted towards angiogenesis. The pathogenesis of corneal NV may be influenced by matrix metalloproteinases and other proteolytic enzymes. New medical and surgical treatments, including angiostatic steroids, nonsteroidal inflammatory agents, argon laser photocoagulation, and photodynamic therapy have been effective in animal models to inhibit corneal NV and transiently restore corneal "angiogenic privilege."

Approximately 50% of Helicobacter pylori strains produce a cytotoxin that is encoded by vacA and that induces vacuolation of eukaryotic cells. Mosaicism in vacA alleles was reported, and there are three different families of vacA signal sequences (s1a, s1b, and s2) and two different families of middle-region alleles (m1 and m2). In addition, the vacA genotype of a strain is associated with its cytotoxin phenotype and its capacity to induce peptic ulceration. To clarify the strain diversity of H. pylori in Japan, 87 Japanese clinical isolates of H. pylori (40 from patients with chronic atrophic gastritis, 25 from patients with duodenal ulcer, 16 from patients with gastric ulcer, 3 from patients with both duodenal and gastric ulcers, and 3 from patients with intestinal type gastric cancer) were characterized by vacA typing by PCR and DNA sequencing. Eighty-four of the 87 isolates were s1a/m1, one was s1b/m1, and two could not be typed. Moreover, all isolates in this study were cagA positive. There were no distinct differences between the cytotoxin-producing strains and cytotoxin-nonproducing strains within the 0.73-kb middle region. Japanese strains were highly homologous, with more than 96% identity in this region, in which maximum divergence has been reported. In addition, there were no associations between the specific vacA types and the level of in vitro cytotoxin activity or the clinical consequences. These results indicate that the cagA-positive, s1a/m1-type strains are common in Japan, regardless of the vacA phenotype or clinical outcome.

Background-Leptin regulates feeding behaviour and therefore may be a mediator of anorexia associated with acute and chronic inflammation. Recently, leptin mRNA and leptin protein were found in the gastric epithelium. Aim-The aim of the present study was to examine the eVect of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric leptin expression to investigate the pathophysiological role of gastric leptin. Methods-Surgically resected human stomach tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to check for the presence of leptin in the human gastric epithelium. A total of 201 H pylori positive patients with chronic gastritis underwent eradication therapy for H pylori and were examined for the eVect of infection cure in terms of body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels. Biopsy specimens from the gastric fundic mucosa were obtained from 40 of the 201 patients before and three months after eradication therapy. These samples were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR to examine the eVect of eradication therapy on leptin expression in the gastric fundic mucosa. Results-Leptin immunoreactive cells were detected in the lower half of the gastric fundic glands and a leptin PCR product was also found in the gastric fundic mucosa. H pylori infection significantly increased gastric leptin expression. In addition, cure of H pylori infection significantly reduced gastric leptin expression, with a concomitant increase in BMI. In contrast, serum leptin levels did not change significantly after cure of H pylori infection. Conclusion-Leptin is present in the human gastric mucosa. Gastric leptin may play a role in weight gain after eradication of H pylori infection. Gastric leptin may have a local rather than systemic action. (Gut 2001;49:324-329)

Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a surgical technique that may be performed in patients with low myopia who are considering conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), in patients with thin corneas, and in patients with professions or lifestyles that predispose them to trauma. Ethanol (18%) is applied for 25 seconds and a hinged epithelial flap is created. After laser ablation, the flap is repositioned over the ablated stroma. Our data showed that epithelial defects occurred in 63% eyes on Day 1. Postoperative pain was absent in 47%. Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in all patients at 1 week. Data from several studies suggest that LASEK may reduce postoperative pain and corneal haze associated with PRK. LASEK offers the potential advantage of avoiding flap-related complications associated with laser in situ keratomileusis and decreasing postoperative pain and corneal scarring associated with PRK. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these potential advantages and to determine the safety, efficacy, and predictability of this surgical technique.

The goal of the present study was to define the role of gelatinase A in angiogenesis. We performed corneal micropocket assays in gelatinase A-deficient mice and their age-matched wildtype littermates. The corneal neovascular area in gelatinase Adeficient mice (0.15 þ 0.14 mm 2 ) was significantly less than that of wild-type littermates (0.53 þ 0.35 mm 2 ; P 6 0.01). Similarly, aortic ring assays showed significant reduction of endothelial outgrowth in gelatinase A-deficient mice (0.26 þ 0.14 mm 2 ) as compared to wild-type littermates (0.44 þ 0.06 mm 2 ; P 6 0.05). These results suggest that gelatinase A may play an important role in the regulation of corneal angiogenesis. ß 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

RESULTS. Of 70 -90% of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. The epidemiologic features of gastric adenocarcinoma and H. pylori infection are similar,

Background: The relationship between H. pylori infection and body mass indices is controversial. Aim: To investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and body indices, and to examine the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on body indices. Methods: Nine‐hundred and thirty‐two employees of an industrial corporation were examined for H. pylori infection and body mass indices. Three hundred and two H. pylori‐positive cases diagnosed with chronic gastritis by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or radiography underwent eradication therapy. Body mass indices, serum total cholesterol levels and symptom scores were obtained before and at 12 months after eradication therapy. Results: There was no significant difference in body weight, body mass index (BMI) or serum total cholesterol level between the H. pylori‐positive and H. pylori‐negative groups. However, body weight and BMI increased significantly 12 months after eradication of H. pylori infection. In contrast, there was no significant difference in body weight and BMI 12 months after eradication therapy in the non‐eradication group. Serum total cholesterol levels did not change after eradication therapy in either the eradication or non‐eradication groups. Conclusion: Eradication of H. pylori infection induced an increase in BMI in industrial workers with chronic gastritis in Japan.

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