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The structures of GaAs/Ge/GaAs(001) crystals designed for prototypes of nonlinear optical devices were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The intensity distribution of crystal truncation rod (CTR) scattering showed that the quality of GaAs epitaxial layers is good. The results of X-ray standing wave (XSW) measurements clearly indicated that the 90° rotation of the epitaxial layers, which is a necessary condition for the phase matching, occurs.

Precision optical components are now manufactured by CNC (computer numerically controlled) grinding technology using diamond composite tools. Tooling performance, and in particular consistency of performance, is an important issue in this automation. A key measure of performance is the power/forces required for material removal, often summarized in terms of the specific grinding energy or ‘Preston's coefficient’. In this study measurements of grinding energy were used, along with optical profilometry measurements of tool surface features, to quantitatively characterize the performance and development of a bronze-bond composite diamond tool during grinding of three optical glasses with distinctly different grinding behavior. Evolution of grinding performance is strongly related to both the process conditions and the glass type. These effects can be understood in terms of changes in the relative rates of bond and abrasive wear and the consequent evolution of the tool surface. In particular in certain cases the evolution of tool surfaces can be adjusted toward a state of dynamic equilibrium (‘selfsharpening’) by adjusting process conditions.

1. We searched for bioactive peptides, most of which were considered to be neuropeptides, in various animals of several phyla. These peptides were compared with each other and with peptides identified by many other investigators. Consequently, we found that structures of neuropeptides are generally conserved in each phylum. 2. We also found some exceptional interesting aspects. First, there are a number of peptide groups whose members are distributed among several phyla. Second, there are many structural similarities between molluscan and annelidan peptides as if molluscs and annelids were the animals in a phylum. Third, certain toxic peptides of invertebrates are closely related to vertebrate neuropeptides. 3. In addition to the above phylogenetic aspects, we found some other interesting aspects. A wide structural variety of members of a peptide group is generally found in invertebrate species. Invertebrate muscles seem to be generally regulated not only by some or several classical non-peptidic neuromediators but also by various peptidic neuromediators. Peptides containing a D-amino acid residue are not rare.

Reflection and transmission coefficients of X-rays by a single atomic plane are obtained in the general case where the plane consists of any two-dimensional Bravais lattice and the incident and exit X-ray beams take any direction with respect to the plane. A formula obtained for the coefficients is written in a simple form, different from that obtained by Durbin [Acta Cryst. (1995), A51, 258-268]. This makes it possible to extend Darwin's dynamical theory of X-ray diffraction to general geometries which include the cases of asymmetric skew reflection and noncoplanar multibeam diffraction.

Colloidal crystals are formed in dispersions at very low ionic strengths. Various techniques have been used to study the mechanism of colloidal crystal formation, such as the ultra-small-angle technique, whose usefulness has been demonstrated previously. Recently, the use of ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) showed that the nearest interparticle distance in colloidal crystals has a maximum as a function of added salt concentration. This finding could not be explained by classical colloidal theories and was not consistent with the observations based on the microscopic technique. In the present study, we applied the USAXS technique using synchrotron radiation, which provides monochromatic X-rays with a high flux density, to investigate the effect of gravity on colloidal crystal formation. The high flux density of the synchrotron radiation enables one to investigate the structure of colloidal crystals in polystyrene (PS) latex dispersions with a mixture of H 2 O and D 2 O as a medium designed to match the density of the PS latex particle. The synchrotron USAXS study also revealed that the effect of gravity on the colloidal crystal formation is negligible for poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) latex dispersions, in which we observed the novel behavior of the interparticle distance as a function of added salt concentration. We also found the destruction of colloidal crystals due to the continuous irradiation of synchrotron radiation. In addition, we applied ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS) to study colloidal alloy structures by incorporating the contrast matching method. The USANS study confirmed that the structure of colloidal crystals in a mixture of two latex dispersions changed drastically with the physicochemical condition of the mixture.

The modified austempering was applied on the ductile cast iron (DCI) to enhance its mechanical properties. This treatment named ausquenching consists of short time austempering, direct water quenching and light tempering. In this combined heat treatment, the first austempering process takes much effect on the tensile property and toughness of ausquenched DCI (AQDI). AQDI shows higher 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength and fracture toughness than the austempered DCI (ADI) at the temperature range of upper bainite. AQDI has a complex structure of bainitic-ferrite, light tempered martensite and retained austenite. For the purpose of quantitative evaluation on the compound matrix of the martensite and the bainitic-ferrite, the X-ray diffraction profiles of α-Fe were analyzed by the curve fitting technique using Pseudo-Voight function. The profile was able to separate into two parts by the difference of carbon content. From these results, it was possible to estimate appropriate each phase fraction of the complex structure.

An instrument for ultra small angle neutron scattering has been constructed at the beam line C1-3 of JRR-3M. Performance tests show that the instrument fulfills its function within the q range of 10 −5 –10 −2 A −1 at temperatures ranging at least from −20 to 100°C.

Thirty-five hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) were analysed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), to screen for changes in copy-number of DNA sequences. Chromosomal losses were noted in 1p34–36 (37%), 4q12–21 (48%), 5q13–21 (35%), 6q13–16 (23%), 8p21–23 (28%), 13q (20%), 16q (33%) and 17p13 (37%). Gains were noted in 1q (46%), 6p (20%), 8q21–24 (31%) and 17q (43%). High level gains indicative of gene amplifications were found in 7q31 (3%), 11q13 (3%), 14q12 (6%) and 17q12 (3%); amplification at 14q12 may be characteristic for HCCs. No significant difference in chromosomal aberrations was noted between carcinomas associated with HCV-infection in our study and those reported earlier in HCCs infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), indicating that both HBV- and HCV-related carcinomas may progress through a similar cascade of molecular events. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

By means of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), we screened 58 primary gastric cancers for changes in copy number of DNA sequences. We detected frequent losses on Ip32-33 (21%), 3p21-23 (22%), 5q14-22 (36%), 6q16 (26%), 9p21-24 (22%), 16q (21%), 17p13 (48%), 18q11-21(33%), and 19(40%). Gains were most often noted at I p36 (22%), 8p22-23 (24%), 8q23-24 (29%), 11q12-13 (24%), 16p(21%), 20p (38%), 20q (45%), Xp21-22(38%), and Xq21-23 (43%), with high-level amplifications at 6p21(2%),7q31(10%), 8p22-23(5%), 8q23-24 (7%), 11q13(4%), 12p12-13(4%), 17q21(2%), 19q12-13(2%), and 20q13(2%). High-level amplification at 8p22-23 has never been reported in any other cancer type and its frequency was as high as that reported for the MYC, MET, and KRAS genes. We narrowed down the smallest common amplicon to 8p23.1 by reverse-painting FISH to prophase chromosomes. Southern blot analysis using one EST marker (D38736) clearly demonstrated that amplification of this exon-like sequence had occurred in all three tumors in which amplifications at 8p22-23 had been detected by CGH. Our data provide evidence for several, previously undescribed, genomic aberrations that are characteristic of gastric cancers.

During a five-year period, 18 patients with cystic hygroma were treated as follows: 8 patients were treated surgically, 3 patients were treated by sclerosing therapy with Bleomycin (BLM) and 9 patients including 2 secondary to incomplete surgical therapy were treated by sclerosing therapy with OK-432 (Picibanil; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokyo). OK-432 therapy for cystic hygroma showed excellent results; cure was noted in 8 patients, and marked regression with the expectation of subsequent cure was noted in the other patient. Complete excision of the cystic hygromas was possible in 4 patients and resulted in cure; but only partial excisions could be performed in the other 4 patients because of the surrounding tissue and the results were unfavorable. BLM therapy gave insufficient results and was not considered a favorable treatment.

This study was conducted to determine the clinical usefulness of radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) using human-mouse chimeric Fab monoclonal antibody A7 (ch-Fab-A7) for colorectal cancer patients. Ten colorectal cancer patients were given iodine-131-labeled ch-Fab-A7 intravenously (i.v.) 2 to 7 days prior to RIGS. The RIGS was carried out using a portable gamma detecting probe (GDP). Tumor localization was identified by GDP intraoperatively in 4 of the ten patients, while liver metastasis and lymph node metastasis were identified in 2 patients and 1 patient, respectively. The GDP revealed tumor/surrounding tissue radio(gamma)count ratios of 1.5 or greater in 8 of the ten resected tumors. Although RIGS using ch-Fab-A7 is a promising tool for intraoperatively identifying the tumor localization of colorectal cancer, 125I, rather than 131I, should be used as a tracer for RIGS to enhance the accuracy of ch-Fab-A7.

Erysipelothrix strains were isolated from the tonsils of 46 (15.0%) of 307 apparently healthy slaughter pigs in Thailand during the period of August to September, 1997. A total of 27 of the 46 Erysipelothrix isolates could be classified into 5 serovars but the remaining 19 were untypable in this study. Of the 25 isolates serologically identified as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, 20, 4, and 1 isolates belonged to serovars 2, 12, and 17, respectively. Only 2 isolates from the tonsils belonged to Erysipelothrix tonsillarum and represented either serovar 7 or 10. Although the periods and the districts of the survey were limited, the information obtained in the present investigation demonstrates the presence of a variety of serovars in pigs in Thailand. Of 29 selected isolates belonging to serovars 2, 7, 10, 12, 17, and untypable, only 5 (17.2%) were virulent for both mice and pigs. Five of these virulent isolates belonging to serovars 2 and 12 killed less than 30% of mice immunized with a swine erysipelas bacterin commercially available in Thailand, suggesting that the vaccine elicited a sufficient immunity to these field isolates.

A splenectomy or distal pancreaticosplenectomy is often performed simultaneously with total gastrectomy in the treatment of gastric carcinoma to facilitate dissection of the lymph nodes around the splenic artery and splenic hilus. However, the negative impact of splenectomy and pancreaticosplenectomy has also been reported. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the outcomes of distal pancreaticosplenectomy and total gastrectomy, splenectomy and total gastrectomy, and gastrectomy alone in the patients with advanced gastric carcinoma without distant metastasis. Prognostic factors were examined. No significant differences existed in 5-year survival in the patients who underwent gastrectomy with splenectomy, gastrectomy with distal pancreaticosplenectomy, or gastrectomy alone. Neither splenectomy, nor distal pancreaticosplenectomy were prognostic factors. However, distal pancreaticosplenectomy was an independent predictor of pancreatic fistula. In conclusion, the addition of distal pancreaticosplenectomy or splenectomy to total gastrectomy for gastric cancer increases the risk of severe complications, but does not improve survival. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

The antimicrobial activities of aqueous cacao mass extract against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 006 strain were studied. Hot water extract of cacao mass (cocoa extract) was shown to inhibit the growth of EHEC O157:H7 006 strain in PBS or CAYE medium. In addition, the production of verotoxins (types 1 and 2) of EHEC O157:H7 006 strain was significantly inhibited by 8.0% cocoa extract. The cocoa extract did not neutralize the cytotoxity of verotoxins, but had inhibitory effect on adhesion of verotoxins to the target Vero cells. These results demonstrate that cacao mass has antimicrobial effects on EHEC O157:H7.

Ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS) experiments on one- and two-component aqueous colloidal dispersions were carried out at the Bonse-Hart double crystal diffractometers installed at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (Oak Ridge, TN) and at the JRR-3M reactor (Tokai, Japan). The USANS curves from low-concentration suspensions of hydrogenated poly(methyl methacrylate) (h-PMMA) latices in D 2 O show scattering patterns typical for isolated solid spheres, which change dramatically after adding the ion-exchange resin to remove ionic impurities. This additive significantly enhances electrostatic interaction between particles, and thus the diffraction pattern from 2.5% h-PMMA latices in D 2 O + ion-exchange resin corresponds to a colloidal crystal with the fcc structure. The USANS from hydrogenated and deuterated component of the colloidal alloy ofh- and d-polystyrene (h-PS and d-PS) latices was measured separately by matching the scattering length density of h-PS and d-PS particles in H 2 O/D 2 O mixture. It was found that the minority component of large diameter latices were randomly distributed in the alloy dispersion, whereas the majority component of small diameter particles formed colloidal crystals.

Observations of abnormal convection similar to boiling in supercritical fluids have been reported for many years. Recently, a molecular dynamics study performed by the authors clarified that even at the supercritical pressure, an interface accompanied with interfacial tension exists in fluids under a temperature gradient. Such findings have led us to think that the abnormal convection observed slightly above the critical point, which has been called the boiling-like phenomenon, is nothing but a boiling phenomenon. Here we report from this point of view, an experimental observation of the transition from boiling at subcritical pressure to ordinary free convection far above the critical pressure. Visual observation and measurement of the critical heat flux shows that with pressure elevation the phenomenon changes gradually and continuously from boiling to free convection with no drastic changes. The point at which boiling characteristics disappear lies slightly above the critical pressure.

Sphingosine (Sph) is emerging as an intracellular regulator of cellular differentiation and apoptosis (Ohta,et al., Cancer Res.,55, 691–697, 1995). We have recently found that both Sph and its methylated derivativeN,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) inhibit mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, suggesting that Sph-induced apoptosis may be mediated at least partly through inhibition of MAPK (Sakakura,et al., Int J Oncol,11, 31–39, 1997). We report in this study that three stereoisomers, d -erythro-Sph, l -threo-Sph, and dl -erythro-dihydrosphingosine, were tested in induction of apoptosis and inhibition of MAPK activity in three different kinds of solid tumor cell lines. d -erythro-Sph was strongest in these effects among three compounds. l -threo-Sphingosine was partly active. On the other hand, dl -erythro-dihydrosphingosine was totally inactive. These results demonstrate the specificity of sphingosine action in induction of apoptosis and inhibition of MAPK, suggesting that Sph may play an important role as a physiological intracellular messenger of apoptosis in these cancer cells.

In Japan, most high-rise buildings are equipped with vibration control devices in order to improve their habitability by reducing wind-induced vibration. The Hamamatsu ACT Tower is also equipped with active type vibration control devices. For the purpose of confirming the vibration control effects of these devices, observations of winds and vibrations have been carried out. This paper reports on the vibration control effects of the devices on wind-induced vibration, as well as the results obtained from observations of vibration responses of the building during strong seasonal winds and a typhoon.

Rectal cancer patients with contra-indicatory risks may not be able to undergo surgery. In these cases the preferred treatment is chemotherapy. The present dosage formulation, consisting of an anti-cancer drug bound to activated carbon particles, was designed to deliver the anti-cancer drug at high concentration selectively to the injection site as well as to the regional lymph nodes and to improve survival of mice bearing cancer with nodal metastases, as compared to the same dose of aqueous anti-cancer drug in animal experiments. The present clinical trial includes two patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum and who had risks contra-indicating surgery. Carbon particles adsorbing anti-cancer drugs totaling 400 mg of methotrexate and 32 mg of mitomycin C in one patient and 100 mg of methotrexate and 8 mg of mitomycin C in another patient were injected into the cancer tissue under guidance of a colono-fiberscope. The rectal cancers were successfully reduced in size and controlled over 2 years or 6 months until the patients died from other causes. Side effect was mild. Local injection of this dosage formulation will be useful for the control of rectal cancer in patients who cannot undergo surgery.

BACKGROUND Mortality resulting from gastric carcinoma is decreasing. This is mainly due to vigorous endoscopic screening and the consequent higher incidence of early detection of the disease. In this study, to evaluate the effect of surgical treatment on the prognoses of patients with gastric carcinoma, the survival of 1579 patients who underwent gastrectomy between 1970 and 1994 was retrospectively analyzed. METHODS The patients were divided into 5 groups at 5-year intervals. Postoperative survival was compared among the groups. RESULTS Postoperative survival was significantly improved in the later groups for patients with Stage I, II, III, and IV disease. A multivariate analysis of prognostic factors revealed that the time period during which the gastrectomy was performed was an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that survival has been improved by recent advances in the surgical approach to gastric carcinoma. Cancer 1998;82:1233-7. © 1998 American Cancer Society.

We examined hepatic artery ligation combined with an angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, in the treatment of VX2 tumour inoculated into the liver of rabbits. Effects on tumour growth were correlated with arterial collateral development in this system. Three treatment methods were compared: (1) the left hepatic artery was ligated at the liver hilum (ligation group); (2) TNP-470 (40 mg per body) was infused continuously for 7 days via the common hepatic artery (TNP group); (3) the left hepatic artery was ligated and TNP-470 was infused continuously for 7 days via the common hepatic artery (ligation + TNP group). These treatments were started 12-14 days after tumour inoculation. The day of initiating treatment was defined as day 0. Although there were no significant differences in tumour volume among the three treated groups on day 7 after treatment, tumour volumes in the ligation + TNP group were significantly smaller than in the ligation group and the TNP group on day 14 after treatment. The vasculature and arterial collaterals around the tumour were demonstrated by the perfusion of a silicon rubber solution, Microfil. In the ligation + TNP group, the new microvasculature around the tumour decreased compared with the ligation group. The TNP-470 inhibition of microvascular proliferation may limit the development of collaterals that communicate with new feeding arteries. These results suggest that transarterial embolization combined with TNP-470 may enhance the anti-tumour effect of transarterial embolization alone in the treatment of liver tumours. Images Figure 4

The murine monoclonal antibody A7 (MAb A7) is reactive against most human gastric cancer cell lines. Using a nude mouse peritoneal dissemination model of human gastric cancer, we investigated targeted chemotherapy using a conjugate of neocarzinostatin (NCS) with MAb A7 (A7-NCS). After demonstrating cytotoxicity of the complex against the human gastric cancer cell line MKN45 in vitro, we intraperitoneally injected A7-NCS, NCS or saline into nude mice bearing peritoneally disseminated human gastric cancer. A7-NCS inhibited peritoneal dissemination significantly more effectively than NCS. MAb A7 may prove to be an effective carrier for antineoplastic drugs in patients with peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

The tumour-suppressor gene p53 encodes a transcription factor that plays a critical role in the induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis after DNA damage. To clarify the role of the p53 gene and apoptosis in combined hyperthermia, chemotherapy and radiation (hyperthermochemoradiotherapy, HCR therapy) for rectal cancer, we examined the histological response, rate of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation and p53 status in tumours from 28 patients undergoing HCR therapy before surgery and from 22 patients who did not have preoperative treatment. The therapeutic effect of HCR therapy was closely correlated with the rate of apoptosis; the correlation was statistically significant, suggesting that this effect occurs through apoptosis. The incidence of p53 mutations in the treated group were as follows: in tumours resistant to HCR therapy, four of seven (57.1%); intermediately sensitive, 7 of 13 (53.9%); or sensitive, three of eight (37.5%), suggesting that the therapeutic effect and apoptosis rate were related to the p53 status of the tumours to some extent, but the relation was not statistically significant. In the 22 control tumours (non-treated group), the apoptosis rate was 2.0 +/- 1.1%, and there was no significant difference in p53 status compared with the HCR group. Our study indicates that the pathological response to HCR therapy correlates with the rate of apoptosis with statistical significance and that it induces the therapeutic effect more significantly in rectal cancer cells with wild-type p53, although HCR therapy-induced apoptosis also occurs in some rectal cancers with mutated p53. Therefore, this combination therapy can induce an additive or synergistic anti-tumour effect in rectal cancers with wild-type p53 as well as in those with mutated p53 through apoptosis, offering new therapeutic opportunities and a better prognosis. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6

Evaporation experiments of forsterite single crystals were carried out in H2 gas (1.4×10−5 bar H2) at temperatures ranging form 1200 to 1450°C. Forsterite evaporated congruently. The measured evaporation rates of {010} surfaces were jFo=2480[mole cm−2sec−1]exp(−372[kJ mole−1]⁄RT). A model on the evaporation rates of forsterite in the system Mg2SiO4–H2, where free evaporation-dominated (RED) and hydrogen reaction-dominated (HRD) regimes are included, was revised based on the Hertz-Knudsen equations with equilibrium vapor pressures. The measured evaporation rates are less than the ideal rates calculated by the present model, showing that kinetics at the evaporating surfaces constrain the evaporation rates. The evaporation coefficients, which are defined as the ratios between measured and calculated rates, were 0.04–0.12. Data on present and previous experiments of forsterite evaporation in H2 gas and vacuum were compiled, and compared with the calculated rates. The evaporation coefficients varies from about 0.03 to 0.2 in a wide range of temperature and H2 pressure. No specific relation with temperature or total pressure was recognized, and the evaporation coefficient can be roughly regarded as 0.1 both in the FED and HRD regimes.

We investigated the susceptibilities against 7 antimicrobial agents in Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolates from food-producing animals in 2004. In comparison with the results of past surveillance, no significant difference was observed in resistance rates against all of the antimicrobials tested in Campylobacter isolates. However, slight increase of erythromycin (EM) resistance was found in C. coli isolates from pigs. We examined the mutation of the 23S rRNA gene and their susceptibilities against azithromycin, tylosin, and lincomycin in 44 EM-resistant isolates and 28 susceptible isolates of porcine origin. All the EM-resistant isolates contained A2075G in the 23S rRNA gene and showed cross-resistance to azithromycin, tylosin, and lyncomycin.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Infantis isolates from retail raw chicken meat (n = 98) and broiler chickens on farms (n = 70) were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance genes. A total of 15 antimicrobial resistance types, 14 in meat and 10 in broiler isolates, were identified, and 9 of the 15 types were indistinguishable between meat and broiler isolates. Resistance to both oxytetracycline and dihydrostreptomycin accounted for 94.0% of the resistance types in meat and broiler isolates, and each type harbored aadA1 within 1.0 kb of class 1 integron and tetA. Of nalidixic acid resistance types, point mutations at 87Asp (GAC) to Tyr (TAC) in the quinolone resistance-determining region of gyrA was detected in 10 of 13 meat isolates and at 87Asp to Asn (AAC) in four of seven broiler isolates. These findings suggest that the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella Infantis in retail chicken meat predominantly originates from broiler chickens.

Non-neuronal acetylcholine (ACh) is predicted to function as a local cell signaling molecule. However, the physiological significance of the synthesis of non-neuronal ACh in the intestine remains unclear. Here, experiments using crypt–villus organoids that lack nerve and immune cells in culture led us to suggest that endogenous ACh is synthesized in the intestinal epithelium to evoke growth and differentiation of the organoids through activation of muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs). The extracts of the cultured organoids showed a noticeable capacity for ACh synthesis that was sensitive to a potent inhibitor of choline acetyltransferase. Imaging MS revealed endogenous ACh localized in the epithelial layer in mouse small intestinal epithelium in vivo, suggesting that there are non-neuronal resources of ACh. Treatment of organoids with carbachol downregulated the growth of organoids and the expression of marker genes for epithelial cells. On the other hand, antagonists for mAChRs enhanced the growth and differentiation of organoids, indicating the involvement of mAChRs in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of Lgr5-positive stem cells. Collectively, our data provide evidence that endogenous ACh released from intestinal epithelium maintains homeostasis of intestinal epithelial cell growth and differentiation via mAChRs in mice.

A brief introduction to surface X-ray diffraction for studying surface and interface structures is presented. The basic principle and the practical aspect of experiment and analysis for the structure determination are reviewed. Finally, its advanced applications are shortly illustrated.

We have developed a GEM-TPC for H-dibaryon search at J-PARC E42, which reconstructs charged particles from the H-dibaryon decay in (K−,K+) reaction. Since 106 cps/cm2 K− beams are injected to the TPC, GEMs and a gating grid are adopted to suppress positive ion feedback. The TPC is also designed to have good position resolutions corresponding to the ΛΛ invariant mass resolution of a few MeV/c2. The design of the E42 TPC, and performance evaluations of a prototype TPC are described.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated to detect mycoplasma contamination of avian live virus vaccines. The specificity of the primers showed that 34 strains belonging to nine species of avian mycoplasma DNA could be detected. The sensitivity of PCR to detect mycoplasma DNA was 10(0.2) colony forming units (cfu) of Mycoplasma synoviae and 10(0.7) cfu of Mycoplasma gallisepticum. When M. synoviae and M. gallisepticum were spiked into several avian live virus vaccines, PCR gave a positive reaction except for the avian pox and the avian encephalomyelitis vaccines which were prepared from organ homogenates. Short-term incubation of avian encephalomyelitis vaccines improved the sensitivity of PCR to detect both M. synoviae and M. gallisepticum. Therefore, PCR, combined with the short-term incubation, were shown to be most effective in detecting mycoplasma contamination in all of avian live virus vaccines.

Peritoneal metastases occur most often in the greater omentum, where tumor implantation sites are densely distributed. We used dextran sulfate (S-Dex) as an anti-cell-adherence agent to prevent i.p. seeded malignant cells from causing peritoneal metastases. S-Dex was tested for its anti-adherent activity against B-16 melanoma cells on plastic, and was examined for its ability to prevent implantation in the omentum and to improve survival in mice after B-16 melanoma was inoculated i.p. S-Dex prevented B-16 melanoma cells from adhering to the plastic wall. S-Dex reduced the number of B-16 melanoma cells implanted into the greater omentum and improved the survival of mice inoculated with B-16 melanoma cells. We conclude that S-Dex attenuated peritoneal metastases when B-16 melanoma cells were seeded i.p.

ACR-CH, which consists of aclarubicin (ACR) adsorbed onto activated carbon particles, was developed for locoregional chemotherapy for breast cancer. Thirty patients with breast cancer received an ACR (10 mg) injection intra- and peri-tumorally, either as ACR-CH or as ACR aqueous solution (ACR-AQ) 5 min before the operation for breast cancer. The ACR concentrations were significantly higher in the peritumoral regions and regional lymph nodes, and were also significantly lower in the blood plasma in patients given ACR-CH versus patients given ACR-AQ.

Accumulative inactivation of a cloned Aplysia K+ channel (AKv1.1a) was examined in Xenopus oocyte expression system by the patch clamp technique. AKv1.1a inactivates by both N-type and C-type mechanisms. The amino-terminal domain of the channel is indispensable for N-type inactivation, whereas other parts of the channel is involved in C-type inactivation. The accumulative inactivation induced by repetitive pulses (0.2-0.5 Hz) was relatively insensitive to the pulse duration (10-900 msec). The accumulative inactivation was inhibited when the external K+ concentration ([K+]out) was increased, or when tetraethylammonium (TEA) was added in the external solution. The accumulative inactivation of the amino-terminal deletion mutant (delta N) which lacks N-type inactivation was dependent on the pulse duration such that it was less pronounced for short repetitive pulses (< 100 msec). The accumulative inactivation of delta N was also inhibited by high [K+]out and external TEA. By contrast, the accumulative inactivation induced by pair-pulsed protocol was not perturbed by external TEA, and was not observed in delta N. The accumulative inactivation of AKv1.1a was enhanced when the membrane patch was excised out of the cell. Paradoxically, the macroscopic inactivation of AKv1.1a became slower in the excised patch. The accumulative inactivation of the delta N was less sensitive to the patch excision. Some synthetic peptides which were designed based on the amino-terminal sequences of K+ channels induced a use-dependent block of delta N which was apparently similar to the inactivation of AKv1.1a. Our results suggest that either N-type or C-type inactivation can induce the accumulative inactivation of K+ channels, and the C-type inactivation coupled to N-type inactivation plays substantial roles in the frequency dependent accumulative inactivaton of AKv1.1a.

A distal pancreatectomy is often performed simultaneously with splenectomy and total gastrectomy in the treatment of gastric carcinoma to facilitate dissection of the lymph nodes around the splenic artery. However, the morbidity of partial pancreatectomy is high. Patients undergoing pancreaticosplenectomy in conjunction with total gastrectomy are subject to leaks from the pancreatic stump, which may cause further complications. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the end results of simultaneous distal pancreatectomy with total gastrectomy. The effect of distal pancreatectomy on survival was studied by examination of the records of 174 patients who underwent splenectomy and total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. Of these, 93 underwent distal pancreatectomy. Prognostic factors were determined and were examined in relation to the post-operative complications. There was no significant difference in the 5-year survival of the patients who did or did not undergo distal pancreatectomy. There was no correlation between any prognostic factor and distal pancreatectomy. In contrast, distal pancreatectomy was independently associated with post-operative complications. In this retrospective study, the addition of distal pancreatectomy to splenectomy at total gastrectomy for patients with gastric cancer did not affect survival but was associated with severe complications.

A new dosage formulation consisting of an anticancer drug bound to activated carbon particles was developed for the treatment of digestive cancer in patients in whom operation is contraindicated. The new formulation is designed to distribute higher levels of anticancer drug to the regional lymph nodes and at the injection site compared to distribution of the drug in aqueous solution. In 12 patients with histologically proven carcinoma (7 with superficial esophageal cancer and 5 with early or proper muscle layer-infiltrating gastric cancer), an anticancer drug bound to carbon particles (total dose, 40-100 mg peplomycin or 250-500 mg methotrexate per person) was injected endoscopically into the primary lesions. Eleven of the 12 patients are currently alive, 12-64 months after therapy, or they died without evidence of cancer 12-98 months after the treatment. One patient has remained cancer-free for 32 months after a second course of the new formulation therapy given to treat a recurrence detected 26 months after the first treatment. Endoscopic injection of this new dosage formulation seems to control these digestive cancers in patients in whom operation is contraindicated.

From December 1993 to March 1994, a total of 93 wild boar and 30 deer meat samples were purchased from 13 retail shops and examined for the presence of species of Erysipelothrix , Yersinia , Listeria , Salmonella and Campylobacter . Erysipelothrix spp. were isolated from 41 wild boar and 15 deer samples. These isolates were identified as 13 serotypes. Serotypes 6 and 2 were the most predominant. Of 17 isolates examined, 14 isolates were highly virulent for mice. The bacteria of the same serotype were isolated repeatedly from the samples purchased in 4 of the shops. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from 36 wild boar and 10 deer samples; however, all isolates of Y. enterocolitica did not have pathogenic properties. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 5 wild boar samples. The isolates were identified as serotype 1/2c and 4b. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 2 wild boar samples; one isolate was identified as S. typhimurium and the other was untypable. Campylobacter spp. were not detected.

Murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as A7 administered to humans induce a human anti-mouse antibody response. Moreover, because Fab fragments of mAbs are able to penetrate target tumors easily, they may be more suitable than intact mAb to be carriers of anticancer agents such as neocarzinostatin (NCS), which are rapidly inactivated in the blood. To address these problems, chimeric A7 Fab fragment-NCS conjugate (chA7Fab-NCS) was produced. However, large amounts of 125I-labeled chA7Fab-NCS accumulate in the kidney and can lead to renal dysfunction. To decrease renal accumulation of chA7Fab-NCS, chA7Fab was biotinylated and administered with a subsequent injection of avidin. Human pancreatic carcinoma-bearing nude mice were injected with 125I-labeled biotinylated chA7Fab-NCS with or without subsequent administration of avidin. The accumulation of 125I-labeled biotinylated chA7Fab-NCS in tissue samples was measured at appropriate time intervals. 125I-labeled biotinylated chA7Fab-NCS was cleared more rapidly from the blood and the kidney with the administration of avidin than without it. There was no difference between tumor accumulation in these groups. The tumor/blood ratio of radioactivity of 125I-labeled biotinylated chA7Fab-NCS was significantly higher with subsequent administration of avidin than without avidin. The administration of biotinylated chA7Fab-NCS followed by avidin may enhance safety and permit the administration of larger doses of NCS without the subsequent development of renal failure. A larger amount of 125I-labeled biotinylated chA7Fab-NCS was retained in the liver and spleen with the subsequent administration of avidin than without avidin.

We report herein an unusual case of advanced gastric cancer in a 60-year-old man who survived over 10 years after a gastrectomy which resulted in non curative operation for wide-ranging involvement of lymph nodes extending to the paraaortic lymph node. The patient underwent a total gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and splenectomy with D3 plus partial D4 lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer of Borrmann type 3 in 1983. Post operative histological examination revealed poorly differantiated adenocarcinomas in 45 out of the 52 resected lymph node including paraaortic lymph node. The patient uneventfully recovered and was discharged on the day 35 after the surgery. No postoperative chemotherapy was added. The patient had been followed on an ambulant basis for 2 years after the surgey, but thereafter he discontinued visiting the hospital. Ten years after the surgery, the patient was seen at the clinic because of intermittent abdominal pain. Abdominal X-ray, computed tomography and abdominal echogram revealed choledocholithiasis and a tumor mass along the abdominal aorta. The patient underwent a radical surgery for choledocholithiasis and excisional biopsy for histologic diagnosis of the tumor mass along the abdominal aorta. Postoperative histological examination of the biopsy sample revealed poorly differantiated adenocarcinoma. These findings showed that the remnant cancer cells coexisted with the patient without marked growth and expansion during 10 years after the surgery. We might have to reconsider the significance of dissection of paraaortic lymph node in the operation of gastric cancer.

Bax-alpha, a splice variant of bax which promotes apoptosis, is expressed in many kinds of untransformed cell lines and breast tissue, whereas only weak or no expression could be detected in breast cancer cell lines and malignant breast tissue. Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, which have a weak bax gene expression, were stably transfected with pCX2neo bax, encoding human bax and neomycin-resistant genes, and two unique clones (MCF-7/bax-1 and MCF-7/bax-2) were thus generated which expressed different levels of bax-alpha. Sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR) was examined and each was more sensitive to IR than the parental MCF-7 cells. The degree of enhancement in radiosensitivity was dependent on the expression level of bax, and IR was found to induce intranucleosomal DNA fragmentation in stable transfectant but not in parent cells, thus suggesting that this sensitization is due to apoptosis. We suggest that exogenous bax-alpha expression might therefore be one of the factors determining cellular radiosensitivity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and may potentially have a therapeutic application by enhancing radiation sensitivity in breast cancer cells.

Background Since the majority of patients with early gastric cancer show long-term survival after surgery, a special attention must be directed to preserving gastric function in these patients. Little is known about the protocol of surgical treatment appropriate for early gastric cancer patients. This study was designed to determine the appropriate surgical procedure for early gastric cancer. Methods The clinicopathologic features of 52 patients with node-positive early gastric cancer were reviewed retrospectively from hospital records between 1969 and 1994 and were compared with those of 582 patients with node-negative early gastric cancer. Nodal status of positive nodes in the 52 cases was investigated. Results Depth of invasion, lymph vessel invasion, and tumor size were associated with lymph node metastasis. Node-positive patients with early gastric cancer had a poorer survival rate than node-negative patients (P < 0.05). Patients with five or more positive nodes and positive nodes distant from the common hepatic artery showed an extremely poor prognosis. Conclusions The surgical procedures most appropriate for the treatment of early gastric cancer are as follows: (1) local gastric resection without lymphadenectomy for mucosal cancers of