Evidence for direct CP violation in B±â†’ηh± and observation of B0→ηK0.

We report measurements of the branching fractions and CP asymmetries for B(±)→ηh(±) (h=K or π) and the observation of the decay B(0)→ηK(0) from the final data sample of 772×10(6) B ̅B pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. The measured branching fractions are B(B(±)→ηK(±))=(2.12±0.23±0.11)×10(-6), B(B(±)→ηπ(±))=(4.07±0.26±0.21)×10(-6), and B(B(0)→ηK(0))=(1.27(-0.29)(+0.33)±0.08)×10(-6), where the last decay is observed for the first time with a significance of 5.4 standard deviations (σ). We also find evidence for CP violation in the charged B modes, A(CP)(B(±)→ηK(±))=-0.38±0.11±0.01 and A(CP)(B(±)→ηπ(±))=-0.19±0.06±0.01 with significances of 3.8 σ and 3.0 σ, respectively. For all measurements, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Assessment of Achilles enthesitis in the spondyloarthropathies by colour Doppler energy ultrasound in the context of the 'enthesis organ'.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the characteristic features of Achilles enthesitis of the spondyloarthropathies (SpA) detectable by colour Doppler energy ultrasound (CDEU) in the context of the 'enthesis organ'. METHODS: Seventy patients with SpA and 15 healthy subjects were clinically evaluated and underwent CDEU examination of the Achilles entheses. The CDEU images were evaluated according to five distinctive CDEU features of enthesitis in the context of the enthesis organ. RESULTS: Fifty-six of the 70 SpA patients (80%) showed at least one abnormal finding of the enthesitis on CDEU examination, affecting 91 of 140 Achilles entheses examined (65%). Only 22 of 140 Achilles entheses (15.7%) showed abnormal vascularization in the peri-sesamoidal and periosteal areas or in the area of enthesis fibrocartilage. In addition, 67 (47.9%) and 18 (12.9%) of 140 Achilles entheses examined showed cortical bone irregularities and erosions, respectively, at areas of the periosteal and the enthesis fibrocartilage. Sixteen (88.9%) of 18 clinically detected Achilles enthesitis and six (75%) of eight Achilles entheses with swelling on clinical examination presented corresponding abnormalities on CDEU examination. The Doppler twinkling artefact (TA) was observed consistently in all normal entheses and completely disappeared upon stabilization of the probe application. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level was higher in the patients with cortical bone erosion than in those without erosion. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the characteristic features of enthesitis detectable by CDEU in the context of the enthesis organ and shows a good correlation with clinical as well as with laboratory findings.

Clinical improvement and immunohistochemical findings in severe atopic dermatitis treated with interferon gamma.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical studies have focused on the therapeutic effects of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD), although the dosage of recombinant IFN-gamma (rIFN-gamma), therapeutic schedule, and the degree of clinical improvement were different among studies. Although the exact mechanism of action of IFN-gamma therapy in AD is not clear, the beneficial effects of IFN-gamma have been attributed mainly to an immunomodulating effect on the expression of certain immunologic markers. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study the therapeutic effect of two different dosages of rIFN-gamma on AD and to investigate the change of lesional expression of infiltrating inflammatory cell markers associated with rIFN-gamma therapeutic efficacy. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with severe recalcitrant AD were treated with rIFN-gamma. Twenty patients were treated with 0.5 x 10(6) IU/m(2) of rIFN-gamma (low-dose [LD] group); 21 patients received 1.5 x 10(6) IU/m(2) of rIFN-gamma (high-dose [HD] group); and 10 patients received placebo. The patients were injected subcutaneously 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Immunohistochemical study was performed in 20 patients of the HD group in the initial visit and after completion of rIFN-gamma therapy with a panel of 14 monoclonal antibodies as markers of inflammatory cells and cytokines. RESULTS: The disease severity of the 2 groups treated with rIFN-gamma was reduced significantly at the end of treatment compared with that of the placebo group (P<.05). More rapid clinical improvement and more effective treatment outcome were seen in the HD group than in the LD group for the initial 6-week treatment period; however, the clinical improvement in both of the treated groups was stable and maintained after week 8 of treatment. Immunohistochemical findings showed statistically significant reduction in the lesional expression of CD25 and EG2 cells that infiltrated into skin after rIFN-gamma therapy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that rIFN-gamma therapy for AD is safe and effective. In the early phase of therapy, a higher dosage of rIFN-gamma is more effective; and for the maintenance of clinical improvement, a lower dosage of rIFN-gamma is recommended when high cost and effectiveness of rIFN-gamma are considered. The therapeutic efficacy of rIFN-gamma in AD might be in part related to the decreased number of CD25(+) and EG2(+) inflammatory cells infiltrated into skin.

[Analysis of fertility trends in Korea using vital statistics].

PIP: Demographic changes have occurred continuously in Korea as a result of contraception and these have in turn resulted in general social changes. The family planning program, in place for 25 years, has greatly contributed to fertility decline as well as socioeconomic development. As a result, the total fertility rate has declined to 2.1, or population replacement level, in 1985. It is crucial to analyze the fertility trend which has had the most significant influence on demographic change and thus on population policy decisions and the formulation of population policy measures. The authors analyzed the changes in fertility between 1972-85 using statistical data published by the Economic Planning Board. Annual births occur mostly to women in their 20s. In 1972, 60.2% of annual births were to women in their 20s while 36.3% were to those women age 30 and up. However, by 1985, 86.7% were to women in their 20s while only 10.5% occurred to women 30 and older. The proportion of lower birth order has been increased and the proportion of higher birth order has been decreased. The proportion of 1st birth order increased from 26.7% in 1972 to 51.4% in 1985, and that of 2nd birth order increased from 23.7% to 38.3% during the same period. As a result, the proportion of both 1st and 2nd birth order increased from 50.4% to 89.7% during the same period. Increase in the proportion of the lower birth order and decrease in the proportion of higher birth order are common to all age groups of mothers. These results mean that the fertility level dropped in general and this is a remarkable in the 1980s. The fact that the proportion of a lower birth order is higher in Korea than in China or Japan provides an index to future fertility trends. These phenomena are due to the successful family planning programs, to social support policy measures for family planning enacted at the end of 1981 in line with the 5th 5-year Economic and Social Development Plan, and to the 1-child family campaign begun in 1983. The impact of population policies on demographic change is so great that the necessity of continued research on demographic changes and related fertility changes must be emphasized. In addition, a comparative study with other countries which have already experienced demographic transition could provide guidance to policy formulation and flexible policy direction. (author's modified)^ieng