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Background The pig is currently considered to be the most likely candidate for a xenogenic-organ source. Anti-pig human T-cell response via co-stimulatory molecules has been studied with great interest. The soluble form of porcine CD80 has recently been cloned and characterized, but the sequence of the transmembrane form has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional interaction between porcine CD80 and human T cells using the full-length clone of porcine CD80. Materials and methods Specific complementary DNA (cDNA) clones encoding porcine CD80 were isolated and sequenced using rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction. Polymerase chain reaction-amplified cDNA coding for the open reading frame of the porcine CD80 transmembrane form was subcloned into an expression vector and then transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells transfected with porcine CD80 (CHO-pCD80) were co-cultured with human CD4+ T cells and then interleukin-2 secretion was measured and transferred pCD80 expression in these human T cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results We cloned and determined the complete nucleotide sequence for the transmembrane form of porcine CD80. Results from our T-cell co-stimulatory assay showed significant interleukin-2 production when co-stimulated with CHO-pCD80. Human naive CD4+ T cells acquired xenogenic pCD80 molecules in the process of T-cell activation. Conclusions Findings from this study seem to suggest that pCD80 has the functional ability to regulate human anti-pig cellular response. In addition, genetic manipulation of porcine co-stimulatory molecules offers a potentially new therapeutic strategy to prevent xenogeneic rejection across species.

This study aimed to assess outcomes of liver transplantation (LTx) in patients with biliary atresia (BA). The Kasai procedure was performed for 358 patients at Tohoku University Hospital between January 1955 and December 2013; 64 (17.9 %) required LTx. These 64 patients were divided into 4 groups according to their age at the time of transplantation: Group 1, aged

Introduction: We investigated the effect of Ricetrienol, which is an anti‐oxidant extracted from rice bran, and α‐tocopherol on the adipocytokine abnormalities and fatty liver in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 18 OLETF rats were bred using a 30% sucrose solution (the diabetic group; DM), whereas another 18 OLETF rats were bred using ordinary water (the non‐diabetic obese group; OB) as drinking water, respectively. After the sucrose‐fed rats developed diabetes, all of the rats from the diabetic and obese groups were randomly divided into three groups. Then each group was fed either standard chow (DM‐S, OB‐S group), 0.05% Ricetrienol‐containing chow (DM‐R, OB‐R group) or 0.05%α‐tocopherol‐containing chow (DM‐A, OB‐A group), respectively. After 12 weeks of feeding, all the rats were killed. Plasma insulin, adiponectin, resistin and leptin were assayed by enzyme immunoassay. Histopathological findings of liver tissue were scored according to Brunt and Kleiner’s method, and triglyceride contents of the liver tissue were investigated. Results: Plasma adiponectin was significantly reduced in DM‐S compared with OB‐S, but it had significantly increased in DM‐R and DM‐A as opposed to DM‐S. Plasma resistin showed a significant increase in DM‐S compared with OB‐S, but it was significantly reduced in DM‐A than in DM‐S. Though the triglyceride contents of liver tissue significantly increased in DM‐S as opposed to OB‐S, they were significantly reduced in DM‐R compared with DM‐S. Histopathological scores were significantly higher in DM‐S than OB‐S. Conclusions: The present study shows that Ricetrienol might prevent adipocytokine abnormalities and fatty liver in OLETF diabetic rats. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00090.x, 2011)

Purpose Recent advances in ultrasonography have increased prenatal diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) and choledochal cyst (CC). These conditions are not easy to distinguish before or just after birth. This study investigated diagnostic and therapeutic problems in prenatal diagnosis of BA and CC. Methods We retrospectively studied clinical characteristics and progression of hepatobiliary cysts in 10 patients (4 cases of BA, 6 cases of CC) from the time of diagnosis. Chronological changes in cyst size and gallbladder morphology were assessed and measured sequentially by ultrasonography. Results Three cases of BA were type I cyst and 1 case was type III-d. All cases of CC were type Ia. Cyst size decreased between birth and surgery in BA but increased in CC. The gallbladder appeared atrophic in BA. There was no significant difference in gestational age or cyst size at prenatal diagnosis, changes in cyst size between birth and surgery, and degree of liver fibrosis. Conclusions BA should be suspected if cyst size decreases before and after birth and the gallbladder atrophies after birth. Cholangiography is the only reliable method to differentiate BA from CC. Neonatal surgery is indicated for CC with icterus and liver dysfunction.

The etiology of biliary atresia (BA) remains unknown, but ductal-plate malformation and insufficient ductal-plate remodeling have been suggested to play important roles, so it is beneficial to examine the maturation and differentiation of bile ducts in BA. Different epithelial types are characterized by the expression of specific cytokeratin (CK) subtypes. CK can therefore serve as a 'lineage marker' of epithelial cells. CK subtypes have not been previously examined in BA. In this study, we examined the maturation of bile-duct cells in BA (n = 45) using immunohistochemistry of CK subtypes, with mouse monoclonal antibodies to CAM5.2, and CK subtypes 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 19 and 20. We then compared these findings with pediatric non-BA (n = 11) and fetal (n = 21) liver. We semiquantitatively evaluated the findings using a H score method. In the fetal liver, immunoreactivity for CAM5.2, CK-7, CK-8 and CK-19 was detected in bile-duct cells, and CAM5.2 and CK-8 immunoreactivity was also detected in hepatocytes. The distribution of these CK subtypes was the same in fetal, pediatric non-BA and BA liver. However, CK-7 immunoreactivity was markedly weaker in bile ducts of fetal (H scores: ductal plate 0 +/- 0; remodeling 9.5 +/- 40.3; remodeled 37.3 +/- 60.8) and BA (H score: 200.9 +/- 55.3) liver compared to non-BA liver (H score: 251.1 +/- 33.5). In addition, CK-20 was detected in the bile ducts of the fetal and BA liver, but not in non-BA liver. These findings suggest that the expression patterns of CK subtypes in bile-duct cells in BA are similar to that in developing bile-duct cells, which is indicative of bile-duct cell immaturity.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to examine the chemical states and depth profiles of Cu, Cd and S in p-type Cu-doped CdS (CdS(Cu)) thin films. An Auger parameter was used to examine the chemical states of the elements. Auger parameters of Cu and Cd were similar to those of Cu 2 S and CdS, respectively. Therefore, it is thought that the doped Cu was Cu + and Cd was Cd 2+ in the CdS(Cu) films. Depth profiles of the elements in the CdS(Cu) films showed that the concentration of S was about 50% and constant, that Cu was diffused throughout the films, but rich at the surface and interface of CdS and the substrate, and that the concentration of Cd decreased with Cu doping, although the sum of the concentrations of Cd and Cu was also about 50%. Since Cu–S compounds such as Cu 2 S were not detected by XRD and EDX analyses using TEM in CdS(Cu) films. It is thought that the p-type characteristics of CdS(Cu) films are due to a Cu acceptor in which some of the Cd 2+ are substituted by Cu + in unit cells of CdS, not to the formation of p-type Cu–S compounds.

Polymer plating of triazine dithiols on magnesium alloys and applications of the plated alloys were investigated, focusing on important factors for improvement of corrosion resistance and adhesion properties of magnesium alloys. Three kinds of triazine dithiols; 6-dihexylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol monosodium salts (DHN), 6-diallylamino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiols (DAN), and 6-mercapto-1,3,5-triazine-2 4-dithiol (TTN), were prepared for imparting functions such as corrosion resistance and direct adhesion to magnesium alloys. In polymer plating of DHN, film thickness initially increases with current density, reaches a maximum at I A/m 2 , and then decreases. Film thickness initially increases with DHN concentration, reaches a maximum at 8 mol/m 3 , and then decreases. Polymer plating of DAN yields good polymer film on magnesium in terms of adhesion when 10 mol/m 3 NaOH/Na 2 CO 3 aqueous solution is used as an electrolytic solution. An 8 mol/m 3 DHN aqueous solution was found to impart the best corrosion resistance for reaction resistance and corrosion current density. In direct adhesion of EPDM to polymer-plated magnesium alloys, a film thickness of near 100 nm imparts the highest peel strength. In injection molding adhesion of PPS polymer to polymer-plated magnesium alloys, high tensile shear strength is obtained when mold temperature exceeds 140°C.

Postural tachycardia syndrome is defined as the development of orthostatic symptoms without orthostatic hypotension. We report a 28-year-old female patient with postural tachycardia syndrome who exhibited palpitation, lowgrade fever and weight loss. Evaluation of autonomic nervous system functions showed that cardiovagal function was normal. Sweat response to acetylcholine was decreased. Excessive blood pressure elevation was seen in phase IV of the Valsalva maneuver. Pathophysiologic factors in this case were considered to be α adrenergic denervation and β adrenergic hyperresponsiveness. It is important that this syndrome be widely recognized and properly diagnosed.(Internal Medicine 40: 1032-1036, 2001)

We reevaluated the impact of age at Kasai operation on the short- and long-term outcomes of type III biliary atresia (BA).From 1953 to 2009, 242 patients with type III BA underwent Kasai operation at ages ranging between 12 and 421 days (average, 79.7 days). The relationship between age at Kasai operation and jaundice disappearance rates (JDRs), and 10-, 20-, and 30-year native liver survival rates (NLSRs) were assessed retrospectively (JDR [%] = the number of patients in whom jaundice disappeared/the number of patients in each group × 100).Age at Kasai operation had a significant impact on the JDRs (P.001). However, there was no statistical relationship between long-term NLSR of the patients in whom jaundice disappeared after Kasai operation and operative age. From the results of the cumulative NLSRs estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, each survival rate was quite dependent on the age at operation until 30 years after Kasai operation, but the difference became much smaller in the later period provided age at operation was 4 months or younger.The operative age as a prognostic factor might be less significant in the long-term outcome than in the short-term outcome.

The efficacy of early Kasai portoenterostomy has been repeatedly reported. However, the optimal age for performing this procedure remains controversial. This article reviews the literature on the age of patients at the time of Kasai portoenterostomy and its utility as a prognostic indicator. The age at the time of surgery is a known predictor of outcome; however, its exact predictive value in this context is unclear. Multicenter studies involving large volumes of data have tended to show advantages of early Kasai portoenterostomy, and there is no clear evidence to recommend any delay in the timing of surgery. At present, a reasonable strategy would be to perform a Kasai portoenterostomy as early as possible. The stool color card system has recently been implemented in Japan as part of a nationwide screening program, and it is expected to work well based on the early reports. However, efforts to identify an optimal screening system for ensuring the earliest diagnosis of biliary atresia should continue. An early diagnosis of biliary atresia is difficult, and global efforts are required to improve the early diagnosis rates.

The prevaleance of morbid obesity (body mass index of 35.0 or greater) is low in Japan (0.2-0.3%), and little systematic investigation of its cause in this population has been carried out. Leptin plays a central role in regulation of body weight; mice deficient in leptin develop marked obesity. We sought mutations in the leptin gene in 53 morbidly obese Japanese (maximum body mass index 35-60) including 46 with type 2 diabetes. Direct DNA sequencing was performed following polymerase chain reaction amplification. Apart from a silent mutation at codon 25 (CAA/CAG, glutamine) detected in eight subjects, no mutations were detected. We found a significantly higher prevalence of the variant leptin 25CAG allele among the 53 obese subjects (0.085) studied than in 132 nonobese control subjects (0.011, P

—An examination was made of the adhesion of nylon-6 resin to treated metals such as phosphor bronze, brass plates, and electronickel platings during injection molding. No adhesion to any of these metals was noted to occur under ordinary injection molding conditions and an aqueous solution of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trithiol mononatrium (TTN) was thus used to induce adhesion. Following treatment with aqueous TTN solution under optimal conditions, nylon-6 adhered tightly to all the above metals under ordinary injection molding conditions. The TTN treatment led to the formation of surface films containing metal salts of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trithiol (TT). Conditions were made optimal with regard to time, temperature and TTN concentration. Adherent films were generally formed when bronze and brass were treated for short periods, at low temperature, and at low TTN concentration, although this was not the case with nickel plating. There was no adhesion to nickel plating even for a prolonged treatment time...

An examination was made of the adhesion of ABS resin to treated metals such as phosphor bronze, brass plates, and electronickel platings during injection molding. No adhesion to any of these metals was noted to occur under ordinary injection molding conditions, and an aqueous solution of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trithiol monosodium (TTN) was thus used to induce adhesion. Following treatment with TTN aqueous solution under optimum conditions, ABS adhered tightly to all the above metals under ordinary injection molding conditions. TTN treatment led to the formation of surface films containing metal salts of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trithiol (TT). Conditions were made optimal with regard to time, temperature, and TTN concentration. Adherent films were generally formed when bronze and brass were treated for short periods, at low temperature, and at low TTN concentration, though not so in the case of nickel plating. There was adhesion to nickel plating in the case of prolonged treatment time, high temperature, and hig...

A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in December 1996 due to empyema thoracis. A laboratory examination revealed lymphocytopenia and CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (

1,3,5-トリアジン-2,4-ジチオール-6-ナトリウムチオレート (TTN) 水溶液中で電解重合処理し, その表面にトリアジントリチオールポリマー (TTP) を被膜形成したステンレス鋼板は, 射出成形で6-ナイロン樹脂と直接接着し6MPa以上のせん断接着強度を示す. この接着機構をXPS分析および化学的酸化重合で合成したTTPとアミン化合物, ナイロンオリゴマーとのモデル反応から検討した. TTP被膜のXPS分析結果は, ステンレス鋼板との界面でFeあるいはCrメルカプチドが形成されていることを示した. 酸化重合のTTPはアミン化合物と反応しトリアジンチオールアミノ誘導体を与え, またこのTTPを溶融混練したナイロンオリゴマーのNMRスペクトルでは末端アミノ基に隣接するメチレンのシグナルが消失した. 接着機構は, ステンレス鋼と化学結合したTTP被膜上のトリアジン環とナイロン分子末端アミノ基の求核置換反応による化学結合の形成であることが明らかになった.

Purpose This retrospective study reviews the long-term outcome of type I biliary atresia (BA). Methods Three hundred twenty-three patients with BA, including 50 with type I, underwent corrective surgery. The surgical results, role of cholangiograms during the corrective surgery, late complications, and current statuses were evaluated. Results The overall survival rate of the nontransplant type I patients was better than that of the type II/III patients (52% vs 33%, P = .0009). Cholangiograms of 32 patients were classified into 3 types: cloudy (48%), treelike (13%), and mixed (39%). Of 26 patients who underwent corrective surgery in 1972 or later, 7 (50%), 7 (78%), and 3 (100%) patients of the cloudy type, mixed type, and treelike type, respectively, have survived without liver transplantation (LTx). Of 18 type I patients who survived more than 20 years without LTx, 7 developed severe late complications. Two of them eventually required LTx after 20 years old. Conclusions Use of cholangiograms during corrective surgery might have a long-term prognostic value. The overall survival rate of type I BA was better than that of type II/III. The incidence of late complications was, however, considerably high in the type I survivors. All patients required careful long-term follow-up.

The lithium storage mechanism of perylene-based disordered carbon (PBDC) heat-treated at 550 °C, which is a promising material for use as the anode in lithium-ion cells, was studied by solid-state 7 Li NMR and ESR analysis. PBDC is one of carbonaceous materials containing condensed aromatic rings, and showed a high reversible specific capacity of about 800 mAh/g with large hysteresis in the charge/discharge profile. 7 Li NMR spectra for the lithiated PBDCs exhibited two bands at the insertion of above 900 mAh/g. Band A at 7 ppm and band B at 0.3 ppm versus LiCl were assigned to lithium in reversible and irreversible storage sites, respectively. The results of 7 Li NMR analysis supported the presence of ionic lithium located on aromatic rings. ESR spectra for PBDC lithiated by over 300 mAh/g showed sharp and broad signals. The intensity of the broad signal varied significantly with lithium insertion. The variations of 7 Li NMR and ESR spectra with lithium insertion were interpreted by the presence of two kinds of insertion sites: the layer structure site (L-site) and the unorganized carbon site (U-site) located between the L-sites.

The preventive effects of combined or separate treatment for 10 weeks with an aldose reductase inhibitor, epalrestat (50 mg/kg/day), and a vasodilator, cilostazol (30 mg/kg/day), on nerve conduction deficits and morphometric alterations were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The average motor nerve conduction velocities (MNCV) in the tail nerve of the untreated diabetic (DM) group, the group treated with epalrestat (ES), the group treated with cilostazol (CZ), the group with both agents together (ES&CZ), and the normal control group were 34.7, 37.7, 39.3, 39.0 and 42.1 m/s, respectively. All treatments partially but significantly prevented a reduction in MNCV. The MNCV in the ES&CZ group was almost the same as in the CZ group. In a morphometric study of the sural nerve, the DM group showed a reduction in the average diameter of myelinated fiber and in occupancy (percentage of the fascicular area occupied by myelinated fibers), and a shift in the diameter–frequency histogram to smaller diameters. Only the CZ group showed evidence of a partial but significant preventive effect on the decrease in occupancy. In the CS and ES&CZ groups, there was a significant tendency away from the shift of histograms to smaller diameters. The ES&CZ group did not show any fewer morphometric changes than the CZ group. Thus, there was no synergism between the effects of epalrestat and cilostazol on the development of experimental diabetic neuropathy. This finding may provide a useful clue to the mechanisms of action of ES and CZ in diabetic neuropathy.

Vascular perfusion and neuropathologic evaluation of the lumbar spinal roots and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were studied in rats with longstanding (duration 12-15 months) streptozotocin-induced diabetes and age- and sex-matched control rats. We also undertook nerve conduction studies including F-wave recordings and measured blood flow in sciatic nerve, DRG, and superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Light microscopically, changes of the myelin sheath in the dorsal and ventral roots and vacuolated cells in the DRG were the major findings, being significantly higher in diabetic rats than in control rats. The effects of the diabetic state on myelin splitting were greater in the dorsal than ventral roots. Electron microscopic studies revealed a gradation of changes in myelin from mild separation to severe ballooning of myelin with relative axonal sparing. DRG cells showed vacuoles of all sizes with cristae-like residues, suggestive of mitochondria. These findings suggest that diabetes mellitus has a dual effect: it accelerates the normal age-related degenerative changes in the spinal roots and DRG, and it also has a selective effect on the sensory neuron. Nerve conduction studies showed markedly reduced conduction velocities in the distal nerve segments and prolonged F-wave latency and proximal conduction time despite the shorter conduction pathway in diabetic rats. Blood flow, which was measured using iodo[14C]antipyrine autoradiography, was significantly reduced in the sciatic nerves, DRG, and SCG of diabetic rats. We suggest that the combination of hyperglycemia and ischemia results in oxidative-stress and a predominantly sensory neuropathy.

The Kasai redo surgery is important for treating biliary atresia. In the era of liver transplantation (LTx), pediatric surgeons must accurately select patients for redo surgery and ensure that potential LTx can be performed later. Although optimal timing for redo varies among cases, appropriate timing is essential. We reviewed the significance, optimal timing, operative procedures, and indications of Kasai redo surgery. Between 1989 and 2011, 2,630 patients were registered in the Japanese Biliary Atresia Registry (JBAR), and the data collected from JBAR regarding Kasai redo surgery were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 (1989–1999, n = 1,423) and Group 2 (2000–2011, n = 1,207). The redo incidence significantly reduced in Group 2. Although no significant difference was found in the native liver jaundice-free survival rates between the two groups, the overall survival rate at initial registry was significantly higher in Group 2. This may be because of the limited number of patients selected for redo and increased availability of early LTx. Patients who achieved sufficient bile drainage following the initial Kasai surgery but developed sudden bile flow cessation were the best candidates for Kasai redo surgery; it should be performed only once for this subset.

We elucidated the life-threatening risk factors for intestinal failure (IF) and characterized the role of intestinal transplantation (ITx) in affected patients.We conducted a retrospective review of 38 patients with short bowel (SB) and 19 with motility disorders (MD). The SB patients were divided into three categories according to the length of their residual small bowel and the presence of the ileocecal valve. The four disease subcategories were grouped into two categories: low-risk category (mild and moderated SB) and high-risk category (extensive SB and MD). The age at the introduction of parenteral nutrition (PN) was1 year in 50 patients (infant group, IG) and 1-15 years in 7 patients (pediatric group, PG).Enteral autonomy was rarely achieved in the high-risk category (p0.0001). IG was associated with a higher incidence of developing intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) (p = 0.004). Eight patients died, due to IFALD in four, sepsis in three and acute heart failure in one. Twenty-eight patients (49 %) are currently alive without PN, including four after ITx.The treatment of high-risk IF is still challenging. Inclusion of ITx in appropriate timing, along with aggressive medical, nutritional and surgical management, may reduce advanced morbidity and mortality of high-risk IF.

Background/purpose A retrospective review was performed to assess the utility of diagnostic imaging (DI), efficacy of treatment, and outcome of late cholangitis in long-term survivors after surgery for biliary atresia. Methods Sixty-one patients surviving without liver transplantation (LTx) for more than 20 years were divided into 2 groups depending on whether cholangitis developed after age 20. Clinical factors including the type of obstruction, the age at the initial operation, and the early complication with cholangitis were compared between the 2 groups. DI such as computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging, clinical courses after treatment of cholangitis, and current status of the patients were also evaluated. Results Thirteen patients had cholangitis after age 20. There was no statistical difference in the clinical factors studied between the 2 groups. Abnormal DI findings including dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts and hepatic fibrosis were seen in 10 patients with late cholangitis. One patient died, and 2 ultimately underwent LTx. The remaining 10 patients including 4 with normal or near-normal liver function have survived without LTx. Conclusions Although the majority of the patients had potential predisposing factors for cholangitis such as dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts, a few patients unexpectedly had cholangitis without such abnormal findings after an excellent, long-term postoperative course.

Poly(y-benzyl glutamate) (PBG) bonded covalently to a flat substrate at a terminal position of the main chain and formed an aligned dipole layer because of its rigidity. The authors call this a poly(y-benzyl glutamate) chemical reaction alignment (PBG-CRA) film. Using the PBG-CRA film as an orienting film for nematic liquid crystals, liquid crystal molecules were oriented spirally to generate a novel chiral director field in the liquid crystal phase despite the absence of chirality in the liquid crystal molecule, the sense of which depended on that of the α-helical structure of PBG on the surface, resulting in the observation of a spiral texture. Since the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the PBG-CRA film were able to respond more rapidly to an applied electric field than those for a rubbed polyimide film and werq responsive at voltage frequencies in the MHz region, we conclude from our investigations by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy that the PBG molecules are reversibly responsive to an external stimulation due to their rigidity and large dipole moments and that the dipole-dipole interaction takes place between the PBG molecules and the interfacial liquid crystal molecules.

We studied the ability of cilostazol (CL), an antithrombotic and vasodilating agent, to prevent functional, structural and biochemical abnormalities including delayed motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), morphological changes in myelinated fibers, and decreased Na + -K + -ATPase activity in the peripheral nerves of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Cilostazol treatment (30 mg/kg/day p.o.) for 10 weeks significantly prevented the delay in MNCV in the tail nerve, and morphometric analysis of the sural nerves revealed that this dose of cilostazol had a significant effect on reduction of average size of myelinated fibers. In untreated diabetic rats, cyclic AMP content and Na + -K + -ATPase activity of peripheral nerve were each significantly less than in normal control rats. Cilostazol (30 mg/kg/day) prevented reduction of Na + -K + -ATPase activity. Decrease in cyclic AMP content was completely prevented with both doses of cilostazol (30 and 10 mg/kg/day). These findings suggest that cilostazol may have beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, possibly via improvement of nerve Na + -K + -ATPase activity and cyclic AMP content. Cilostazol may thus be a potent drug for the clinical treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Polarized infrared spectroscopy was applied to the analysis of rubbed polyimide films. N2 purge of a sample chamber and increased substrate thickness enhanced the detection sensitivity. Dichroic differences were measured for the rubbed polyimide films at varied translating speed of the rubbing roller and at varied substrate temperature. The results suggest that the orientation of the polyimide was enhanced by increased polyimide surface temperature brought about by the heat of friction or the external heat. Moreover, a correlation between the LC alignment and the orientation of the polyimide chains was revealed by the analysis of the dichroic difference of the rubbed polyimide films immersed in organic solvents and the LC alignment on the films.

Purpose: To elucidate the role of partial splenic embolization (PSE) procedures, long-term outcome was assessed in terms of the recurrence of thrombocytopenia. Methods: A retrospective study was performed after 41 PSE procedures in 36 patients for hypersplenism owing to portal hypertension. The underlying disease was biliary atresia in 32 patients, extrahepatic portal obstruction in 3, and idiopathic cirrhosis in 1. Results: The average volume embolized was 70.1%. The patients were followed up from 20 days to 182 months (average, 70.8 months). Five patients subsequently died, and 6 underwent liver transplantation. The causes of death or the reasons for liver transplantation were not related to hypersplenism. Eleven patients (30.6%) had recurrence of thrombocytopenia ( 3 ). There was no significant difference in the volume embolized or platelet count before PSE between the patients with and without recurrence of thrombocytopenia. The peak value of platelet count after PSE was significantly lower in the patients with recurrence of thrombocytopenia ( P = .0091). In 17 of 24 survivors without liver transplantation, platelet counts remained normal throughout the follow-up period. Conclusions: PSE is a safe and effective procedure. Hematologic indices improved in all 36 patients after PSE, and its long-term efficacy was shown in 70% of the survivors.

To understand changes associated with the menstrual cycle in the human ovary, it is very important to examine chronological changes in P450 aromatase (P450arom) enzymatic activity in the normal cycling ovary. Therefore, we initially examined the correlation between intensity of P450arom immunoreactivity and its biochemical enzymatic activity in five estrogen-producing human cancer cell lines (HHUA, Ishikawa, HEC-59, OMC-2, and MCF-7). P450arom immunointensity per cell was evaluated by the CAS 200 computed image analysis system, and its catalytic activity per 10(6) culture cells was analyzed by the tritiated water method. A significant correlation (r = 0.959) was demonstrated between P450arom immunoreactivity and enzymatic activity under optimal conditions of tissue fixation and immunohistochemical procedures. We then investigated P450arom immunointensity in 31 specimens of normal cycling human ovaries to examine chronological changes in P450arom activity per cell throughout the menstrual cycle. In the follicular phase, P450arom was observed in the granulosa cells of one selected antral follicle per case during the mid- to late proliferative period, and its immunointensity per granulosa cell in the follicle was not significantly different between mid- and late proliferative periods, although serum estradiol level was markedly elevated in the late proliferative period. In the luteal phase, both P450arom immunointensity per luteinized granulosa cell in a corpus luteum and serum estradiol level reached a peak in the mid-secretory period. These findings indicate that different factors may influence ovarian P450arom activity during the follicular and luteal phases, i.e., an increased number of granulosa cells in the selected follicle during the follicular phase but changes in P450arom activity per luteinized granulosa cell in the corpus luteum during the luteal phase.

1,3,5-トリアジン-2,4,6-トリチオール-ナトリウム塩(以下, TTNと略記する)の水溶液に浸せきしたリン青銅板とアクリルニトリル•ブタジエン•スチレン共重合(ABS)樹脂とを射出成形機の金型内で接着(インサート成形)するための諸条件について検討した.その結果, リン青銅板とABS樹脂との間でABS樹脂が破断をする強固な接着が可能となった.最適なTTN処理条件は, TTN溶液濃度0.8～1×10-3mol/l, 浸せき時間10～60秒であり, 金型温度が80°C以上で4MPa以上の高い接着強度が得られる. またABS樹脂中のポリブタジエン含有量が18～20%で最大の接着強度を示すことも明らかにした.この接着の機構は, リン青銅板上に形成されたトリアジンチオールの銅塩皮膜とABS樹脂中のポリブタジエン成分との間の一次結合の形成であると考えられる.

Edwardsiella tarda, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, is found in freshwater and marine environments. Extraintestinal infections of Edwardsiella tarda have been rarely reported. We describe a 70-year-old Japanese woman suffering from autoimmune hemolytic anemia, with liver abscess caused by Edwardsiella tarda. She had a history of cholecystectomy for gallbladder stone 10 years prior to this admission. She was successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic abscess aspiration and meropenem. This is the first report of liver abscess caused by Edwardsiella tarda in Japan.

In toluene containing 1,8-dichloroanthraquinone (DCAQ, 1.2 × 10 −3 mol dm −3 ) and 2,5-dimethylhexa-2,4-diene (DMHD, 1 mol dm −3 ) at room temperature, an equilibrium exists between free DCAQ and a ground-state complex ( 1 (DCAQ—DMHD) G ) of DCAQ with DMHD. However, in DMHD, only 1 (DCAQ—DMHD) G exists. On selective excitation of this complex by a picosecond 435 or 527 nm light pulse, a new absorption band (band C with λ max = 610 nm) is observed. Since band C appears within the duration of the excitation light pulse irrespective of DMHD concentration and decays following a single-exponential function with a lifetime of 100 ps, it is assigned to the absorption of an excited singlet charge-transfer complex ( 1 (DCAQ δ− —DMHD δ+ )*) or a singlet ion pair ( 1 (DCAQ − —DMHD + )) produced by direct excitation of 1 (DCAQ—DMHD) G . The decrease in band C is accompanied by a rate matching absorption increase in the DCAQ semiquinone radical (DCAQH ). Hence, the decay processes of 1 (DCAQ δ− —DMHD δ+ )* (or 1 (DCAQ − —DMHD + )) are interpreted in terms of an intramolecular proton transfer (yielding DCAQH and the DMHD radical (probably 2,5-dimethylhexa-2,4-dienyl radical)) and an intramolecular charge recombination (or a back electron transfer yielding 1 (DCAQ—DMHD) G and/or free DCAQ plus DMHD).

The role of the residual solvent for chemical amplification resists has been investigated. The validity of a model that the mobility of the acid catalyst is governed by the residual solvent assumed to act as a reaction medium is discussed. It has been found that the optimization of the prebake conditions can provide a high resolution without sacrificing the sensitivity. The change in the residual solvent content which is fixed by the prebake conditions has also been found to be a reversible process from the experimental results of a solvent vapor treatment. The optimum post-exposure bake (PEB) conditions which govern the lithographic properties of the resist can be concluded to be strongly dependent on the residual solvent content of the resist film

The dynamic behavior of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) under an electric field has been studied by static and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. The PDLC sample was prepared by polymerization-induced phase separation of a mixture of nematic liquid crystal E7 and acrylate. 2D IR correlation analysis indicates that the rigid core of the liquid crystal molecules reorients as a unit, and suggests that the polymer side chain existing in the interface between the polymer and the liquid crystals may reorient in phase with the liquid crystal reorientation by interaction with the liquid crystal molecules.

A two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectrometer has been modified by the following methods to solve several problems on the 2D IR spectroscopy of electric-field-induced reorientation dynamics of a mixed nematic liquid crystal: (1) The response of the liquid crystal (LC) to an electric field was stabilized by an amplitude-modulated ac electric field. (2) Formulation of an anti-reflection coating (ARC) has been proposed to suppress the interference caused by multiple reflections between IR liquid crystal cell windows. (3) The Fourier transform procedure has been modified to correct the phase of the dynamic difference interferograms without spectral anomalies. These modifications can provide a better signal-to-noise ratio and reproducible 2D IR spectrum of a mixed nematic liquid crystal.

高感度示差走査熱量測定法(DSC)により,ステアリン酸カドミウムLB膜の熱挙動について検討を行った。LB膜は金蒸着したシリコンウエハ基板上に4～21層累積したOLB膜と金蒸着膜をいっしょにはく離する下地膜はく離法を用いて試料を作製し,DSC測定した。ステアリン酸カドミウムLB膜の相転移温度はバルク結晶の相転移より約15℃ 高いことがわかった。21層の累積膜の相転移ではi低温側にサブピークが出現するが,このサプピークは分子配向の乱れに関係していることが高感度赤外反射吸収法(IRRAS)の解析から明らかになった。また,相転移温度以上に加熱し,一定速度で冷却したLB膜の相転移では低温側に新たにピークが出現した。低温側のピークは分子規則性の消滅によって新たに出現したピークと考えられる。加熱後も高温側のピークが存在することは,LBが加熱後も完全にランダムな分子集合状態にならず,分子規則性が残存されることを示唆している。

1,8-dichloroanthraquinone forms a weak ground-state complex with 2,5-dimethylhexa-2,4-diene, and its selective excitation by the picosecond 435-nm light pulse generates an excited singlet charge-transfer complex (or a singlet ion pair) with a lifetime of 100 ps.