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To compare intraluminal ultrasonographic (ILUS) findings with histological findings of rectal carcinoid tumors, 35 patients with rectal carcinoid tumors were reviewed. The results were as follows: 1) The rectal wall was visualized as a seven- or nine-layer structure by means of ILUS in 81% of the patients. 2) The possibility that the thin hyperechoic third layer above the tumor on ILUS corresponds to the muscularis mucosae and fibrointerstitium above the tumor histologically. 3) In cases with relatively high internal echoes, the amount of fibrointerstitium exceeded that of tumor cells histologically. 4) In cases with nonuniform internal echo patterns, tumor cells were separated by thick fibrointerstitium forming nodular nests.

Localized organizing pneumonia is one of the benign conditions which must be differentiated from lung cancer. We have reported two cases of localized organizing pneumonia diagnosed by histological study of surgical specimens. Two cases were initially regarded as lung cancer, because the symptoms of respiratory tract infection were not remarkable and initial roentgenographic findings revealed a tumor-like shadow. Diagnostic thoracoscopy which was less invasive upon a patient were very useful in differentiating organizing pneumonia from lung cancer.

Successful opacification of the lumen of the esophagus with cancer or paraesophageal diseases has not yet been fully achieved. Therefore, we have recently adopted a new method for complete and continuous opacification of the whole thoracic esophagus using our newly developed oral contrast agent with a helical (slip-ring) CT scanner. The agent consists of 3.6 (wt/vol)% carboxy-methyl cellulose sodium paste containing 2 (wt/vol)% barium sulfate. The results indicate that almost complete and continuous opacification of esophageal lumen was achieved. Our new method of esophageal CT is easy to perform and was well tolerated by patients, being therefore ideal for routine examinations.

We performed a clinico-pathological study on cases with early gallbladder carcinoma to elucidate its morphological characteristics. Thirty cases (33 lesions) were included, invasion was confined to the mucosa in 24 of these cases and involvement of both the mucosa and muscularis propria was seen in 6 cases. The results are as follows: 1) In all cases with I p-type cancer, the depth of invasion was limited to the mucosa. 2) In I s cases in which the tumor had a broad base, 10mm in size or less, the depth of invasion was up to the muscularis propria. 3) In cases with II a-type carcinoma in which the base was less than 15mm in size, no involvement of the subserosa was observed. In conclusion, it is suggested that with lesions diagnosed by imaging modalities as I p-type cancers, broad-based tumors with a base of 10mm or less, or II a-like lesions with a base less than 15mm, there is a high probability that the depth of invasion is limited to the mucosa or up to the muscularis propria.

Immobility induced by forced swimming is well known as an animal model of depression. To develop an animal model for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, in particular, the depressive symptoms, the effect of phencyclidine (PCP) on immobility in the forced swimming test was investigated in mice, since PCP produces negative symptoms-like behavioral changes in humans. Repeated treatment with PCP (10 mg/kg/day, sc, once a day for 14 days) prolonged the immobility time in the forced swimming test 24 hr after the final injection compared with saline treatment; the effect was not obtained by single treatment with PCP (10 mg/kg), or by repeated treatment with methamphetamine (0.3 and 1 mg/kg/day, sc, once a day for 14 days). The enhancing effect of PCP on the immobility persisted for at least 21 days after the withdrawal of the drug. Desipramine (10 mg/kg, po) attenuated the immobility induced by the forced swimming in mice repeatedly treated with saline. The enhancing effect of PCP on the immobility was attenuated by risperidone (0.3 mg/kg), clozapine (3 and 10 mg/kg), and desipramine (20 and 50 mg/kg), whereas haloperidol (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) had no effect. These results suggest that the enhancement of immobility in the forced swimming test brought about by repeated PCP treatment could be used as a model of the negative symptoms, particularly the depression, of schizophrenia.

The detectability of superficial-type carcinoma of the gallbladder by ultrasonography (US) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) were investigated. Eight patients with such carcinoma of the gallbladder were reviewed. They had undergone both US and EUS previous to surgery. The tumor was detected in 3 patients by US, 2 patients with IIa + IIb-type carcinoma and 1 patient with IIa-type carcinoma. Those lesions were visualized as localized thickening of the gallbladder wall or as broad-based tumor. In 2 patients, lesions were not initially detected by US, but were shown by US after the examination by EUS. The tumor was detected by EUS also in 1 case of IIb + IIa-type carcinoma besides those 3 patients mentioned above. All four of these lesions were visualized as broad-based tumor by EUS. It was difficult to detect pure IIb-type or small IIa-type carcinoma even by EUS. In patients with concomitant acute cholecystitis or gallbladder stone, it was difficult to evaluate the abnormal findings of the gallbladder wall.

We investigated prognosis of 12 children with severe head injury, whose Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was less than 8 during the acute period. We divided the cases into two groups according to the age of incidence: less than 4 years (6 cases) and more than 4 years (6 cases). We examined the acute conditions (cause, type of the lesion, GCS, period of consciousness loss) and the present status (disability, intelligence quotient: IQ, functional independence measure: FIM). We used IQ and FIM scores for the indices to assess prognosis, and compared those two groups. IQ and FIM scores were better in the group whose onset was under 4 years. This difference was thought to be related to the greater plasticity and to the rehabilitation effect in younger brain.

We investigated the role played by nitric oxide in the dizocilpine-induced impairment of both spontaneous alternation behavior in a Y-maze and of performance in a multiple-trial passive avoidance task in mice. Dizocilpine (0.1 mg/kg) impaired the spontaneous alternation behavior and the retention of passive avoidance without affecting acquisition in the multiple-trial passive avoidance task. NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, dose-dependently impaired the spontaneous alternation behavior, but had no effect on either the acquisition or retention of passive avoidance. NG-nitro-D-arginine methylester had no effect on either task. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME on the spontaneous alternation behavior was completely reversed by the coadministration of L-arginine. Pretreatment with L-arginine ameliorated the dizocilpine-induced impairment of spontaneous alternation behavior, but not the impairment of the retention of passive avoidance. S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a generator of NO, completely inhibited the dizocilpine-induced impairment of spontaneous alternation behavior. Finally, the impairment of spontaneous alternation behavior caused by dizocilpine was significantly diminished by pretreatment with dibutyryl cyclic GMP. These results suggest that, although N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors play a critical role in both spatial working memory and long-term memory processes assessed by spontaneous alternation behavior and the passive avoidance, respectively, different neuronal mechanisms may be involved in these two processes. Further, it is suggested that the NO/cyclic GMP system may play a role in spatial working memory.

The role of immunological surveillance in carcinogenesis is still controversial. In our previous experiments, urethan-induced lung tumorigenesis in athymic (nu/nu) mice and euthymic (nu/+) littermates was examined, and it was concluded that immunosurveillance mediated by T cells could not be demonstrated. However, the reported enhancement of development of various tumors following ionizing radiation might be achieved through modulating the host immunological conditions. In the present experiment, nu/nu and littermate nu/+ mice were treated with 1-4 Gy gamma-rays alone at 6 weeks of age or treated with urethan at 0.5 mg/g body weight when aged 14 days followed by 1-4 GY gamma-rays 4 weeks later. Lung tumors were assessed at 6.5 months of age. Ionizing radiation itself caused a very low incidence of these lesions. On the other hand, multiplicities and incidences of lung tumors after urethan treatment at 0.5 mg/g body weight were similar between the two phenotypically different groups of mice (1.66 and 1.84 tumors/mouse, 73% and 80% incidences, for nu/nu and nu/+ cases respectively). This urethan-induced lung tumorigenesis was significantly enhanced by gamma-rays in both nu/nu and nu/+ mice, and the magnitude of tumor enhancement was somewhat higher in nu/+ mice than in nu/nu mice, especially with a 2-Gy dose. In conclusion, it may be said that lung tumorigenicity of gamma-ray irradiation itself and the enhancing effect of radiation on urethan-induced tumorigenesis are scarcely influenced by immunosurveillance mechanisms mediated by T cells.

We did anesthetic management on a pediatric patient with Cornelia de Lange syndrome presenting a peculiar look, variable physical deformities, and some growth and mental retardations. An 8-year-old male patient was scheduled for inguinal hernioplasty under general anesthesia. This patient had been suffering from dehydration for apodeisis and self-destructive tendency due to psychologic stress. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane and N2O in oxygen. The area of skin incision was infiltrated with 0.25 % bupivacaine for the purpose of post-operative analgesia, and as a result, psychologically and physically stable condition was obtained during post-operative periods. It is necessary to understand not only the patient's physical conditions but also mental ones in order to make the anesthetic management safer and more satisfactory.

Association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human malignancies, including sino-nasal lymphoma (SNL), has been suggested. EBV-associated malignancies have been reported to show distinct geographic distribution.In the present study, the presence of an EBV genome and its subtypes (type A and B) were examined in 52 cases of sino-nasal lymphomas of B and T cell type collected from two areas of Japan: Osaka, situated on the mainland, and Okinawa, islands situated in a southwest part of Japan with a subtropical climate. Our previous epidemiologic study showed that the frequency of nasal T cell lymphoma was 3.5 times higher in Okinawa than in Osaka.There were no prominent differences in age distribution or sex ratio between these two areas: age ranged 8 to 85 (median 54) years, with a male to female ratio of 1.26:1. Immunophenotypically, 27 cases were B cell type (20 Osaka, 7 Okinawa), 20 were T cell type (9 Osaka, 11 Okinawa), and 5 were undefined. By PCR, EBV positivity in throat washings of normal individuals in Osaka and Okinawa was 52 and 53%, respectively, with marked preponderance of subtype A in both areas. EBV genome was found in 6 of 15 cases (40%) and 4 of 5 cases (80%) of nasal B and T cell lymphomas in Osaka and in 3 of 7 cases (43%) and 7 of 7 cases (100%) in Okinawa, showing the different frequencies of positivity by immunophenotype but not by district. All but one patient had type A EBV. The in situ hybridization confirmed the results of PCR as positive signals in the nucleus of proliferating cells. Latent membrane protein-1 was expressed in 13 of 22 cases (59%).These findings suggest that EBV, exclusively type A, might be a causative factor in sino-nasal lymphoma of not only T cell but also B cell type in Japan.

We investigated the relationship between macro-EMG and muscle Uber conduction velocity in the right biceps brachii in 5 normal subjects using a single-Uber macroelectrode and surface array electrodes. The macro-EMG signal and the surface electrode signals were triggered and averaged by the single-Uber action potential. The amplitude and area of the macro-EMG was correlated with the muscle Uber conduction velocity, suggesting that the macro-EMG can serve as a parameter of the size principle in both the clinical and research settings.

A clinico-pathological study was done to elucidate characteristic features of subacute interstitial pneumonia. The patients were four men and mine women, with a mean age of 60 years. In ten patients, the disease was idiopathic, three had collagen vascular disease, (and one was undergoing gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis). The time interval between onset of symptoms and open lung biopsy was 80 +/- 40 days. Eleven patients had progressive dyspnea, seven had coughing, and only one complained of fever. Fine crakles were heard in ten patients. Mild increases in CRP were observed in all cases. Mild increases in total serum IgG concentration were observed in five of eight cases. Multiple patchy infiltration or diffuse interstitial shadows, located predominantly in the lower fields of both lungs were the characteristic chest roentgenographic findings. The average %VC was 62.7 +/- 17% and the average PaO2 was 68.3 +/- 10 Torr. Bronchoalveolar lavage was done in nine patients, and the mean total cell count was 16.5 +/- 10.2 x 10(4)/ml. A moderate increase in lymphocytes (30.8 +/- 18.6%) with a low CD4/8 ratio (0.48 +/- 0.57), a mild increase in neutrophils (6.2 +/- 9.1%), and a mild increase in eosinophils (2.3 +/- 3.7%) were observed. Pathologically, interstitial cellulo-fibrous changes associated with alveolar space closure due to organization of exudate were the main features. Patients were given steroid pulse therapy or oral steroids. The results were mild to marked improvements in chest roentgenographic findings and lung function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Forty-two patients with head and neck cancer were treated with tegafur suppository for 7 days preoperatively and clinical value of this treatment was assessed. In a group which indicated tumor tissue concentrations of 5-FU were more than 0.5 micrograms/g, local recurrence decreased in the period of postoperative observation for 42 months. A survival rate of this group was better than others. From these results, preoperative tegafur suppository treatment seemed to have a role in expectation of improvement of local control in head and neck cancer therapy.

A 68-year-old man had a malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung that was found at autopsy. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of exertional dyspnea. A chest X-ray film and chest CT scan showed atelectasis in the left upper lobe. Examination with a fiberoptic bronchoscope revealed a necrotic mass in the left mainstem bronchus. Microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen disclosed several atypical giant cells but was not diagnostic. He underwent chemotherapy with CBDCA, IFM and VP-16, because a malignant tumor of the lung was strongly suspected. After three cycles of chemotherapy, the tumor had shrunk, as demonstrated on repeated bronchoscopy. The patient's condition improved temporarily, but he began to complain of dyspnea, and died of respiratory insufficiency despite radiotherapy. Postmortem examination was done. The tumor in the lung was mainly composed of spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells and several pleomorphic giant cells with multiple nuclei, with storiform and fascicular patterns. Immunohistochemically, these tumor cells were shown to contain vimentin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and LN-5. These findings were compatible with malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung.

To improve the thrust characteristics of the linear induction motor (LEVI) in a slope, authors have already investigated light weight LEVI and effects of LEVI with the ladder-shaped secondary conductor. These characteristics is measured with locked primary and secondary. To measure the dynamic characteristics, we construct a experimental railroad. The thrust force characteristics to the slip frequency with the sheet and ladder-shaped conductors are shown in this paper. As a result, a more compact power supply unit on board and leads to climbing capability are expected because thrust force is increased in a low frequency with using it

SRPX2 (Sushi repeat-containing protein, X-linked 2) has recently emerged as a multifunctional protein that is involved in seizure disorders, angiogenesis and cellular adhesion. Here, we analyzed this protein biochemically. SRPX2 protein was secreted with a highly post-translational modification. Chondroitinase ABC treatment completely decreased the molecular mass of purified SRPX2 protein to its predicted size, whereas heparitinase, keratanase and hyaluroinidase did not. Secreted SRPX2 protein was also detected using an anti-chondroitin sulfate antibody. These results indicate that SRPX2 is a novel chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG). Furthermore, a binding assay revealed that hepatocyte growth factor dose-dependently binds to SRPX2 protein, and a ligand–glycosaminoglycans interaction was speculated to be likely in proteoglycans. Regarding its molecular architecture, SRPX2 has sushi repeat modules similar to four other CSPGs/lecticans; however, the molecular architecture of SRPX2 seems to be quite different from that of the lecticans. Taken together, we found that SRPX2 is a novel CSPG that is overexpressed in gastrointestinal cancer cells. Our findings provide key glycobiological insight into SRPX2 in cancer cells and demonstrate that SRPX2 is a new member of the cancer-related proteoglycan family.

Objective The standard therapy for recurrent esophageal cancer is systemic chemotherapy. However, in cases in which the recurrent lesion is confined to the area where radiotherapy is applied, chemoradiotherapy will be able to provide better local control and prognosis. Method A retrospective study was carried out on 14 patients with local recurrent esophageal cancer but no other metastasis who underwent chemoradiotherapy (FP-RT: 5FU 700 mg/m2 on days 1–4, CDDP 70 mg/m2 on day 1, 4 weeks for one course × 2, RT: 60–66 Gy/30–33 Fr) at Toyama Prefectural Central Hospital between April 2008 and February 2012. Result The subjects included 13 men and 1 woman. The median age was 64 years (PS0/1/2 = 3/9/2). The histology was classified into squamous cell carcinoma in 13 subjects and carcinosarcoma in one subject. The site of the radiation therapy was recurrence in the lymph nodes in 10 patients, anastomotic recurrence in 3 patients and recurrence in pleural nodes in 1 patient. Regarding the tumor reduction effect, the lesions of 12 patients were evaluable by RECIST, and the response rate was 66.6%. The median of progression-free survival (PFS) was 251 days (8.4 months) and the median of overall survival was 475 days (15.8 months). Exacerbation of the irradiated lesions was observed in four patients (31%), whereas new lesions at other sites were observed in seven patients (55%). G3 or more adverse events were hematologic toxicity (23%) and non-hematologic toxicity (23%), such as anorexia and nausea. Discussion and conclusion This study showed that chemoradiotherapy for local recurrent esophageal cancer provides the excellent local control. The severity of adverse reactions caused by the therapy was relatively mild, and OS was good. In the future, the relationship between transient local control and survival time should be studied in a prospective setting.

A new oral contrast agent for CT of the esophagus was evaluated for its ability to coat the esophageal lumen in 12 patients with esophageal diseases. This agent is made of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, potato starch and low-density barium, and has remarkably high viscosity of 13600 centipoise. The esophagus was divided into proximal, mid, and distal segments to analyze the effectiveness of lumenal opacification. The average percent opacification of these segments was 78.7, 86.4, and 63.4%, respectively, for all patients. This agent is expected to play a possible role in the CT diagnosis of esophageal cancer by helping to determine the indications for radical surgery and/or radiotherapy.

The neurological deficits caused by tethered cord syndrome do not necessarily follow a dermatomal pattern of the affected spinal cord from caudal to cephalic fashion. The authors defined these neurological deficits as "skip lesions", and reviewed the neurological deficits in tethered cord syndrome. Among 29 cases, inconsecutive segmental motor weakness in 3 cases, inconsecutive segmental sensory impairment in 6 cases, positive Babinski reflex in 8 cases, supranuclear neurogenic bladder in 3 cases and lumbago or leg pain in 4 cases were observed and they were thought to be compatible with the neurological deficits called "skip lesions". The basic mechanism of this sign is that the cephalic portion of the spinal cord is functionally impaired during flexion of the lumbosacral spine, while the caudal spinal cord with decreased visco-elasticity dose not elongate. Inconsecutive motor-sensory disturbance, accelerated deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities, positive Babinski or other pathological reflexes in the lower extremities, uninhibited neurogenic bladder, lumbago and pain in the legs were considered to belong to the category of "skip lesions" and they can be treated by the untethering procedure. The authors concluded that preoperative careful insight into the mechanism of "skip lesions" revealed surgical efficacy for the reversible neurological deficits by the untethering procedure, or the efficacy of decompression of the lipoma or neurolysis around the involved spinal nerve roots.

We discuss the usefulness of Helical scanning CT (Helical CT) in the 52 patients with space occupying lesions of the pancreas. Information acquired during the early phase was found to be particularly useful in the evaluation of the extent of pancreatic carcinoma. The diagnostic rate of pancreatic tumors by Helical CT was 78% in 18 operative cases. The detection rate of involvement of the major arteries around the pancreas was compared with angiographic results in 22 cases each other, and the overall accuracy of Helical CT was 100%. On the other hand, the detection rate of PV invasion by Helical CT was compared with histological results in 14 cases, and the overall accuracy was 71.4%. In the cine mode and the multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) image, the courses of the major blood vessels and the degree of invasion into the blood vessels by pancreatic carcinoma could be continuously observed, both enabled reconstruction of the lesion and surrounding areas three dimensionally.

For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of esophageal diseases, we have developed a new contrast-enhancement agent, cellulose-ferric ammonium citrate solution. Using this agent, the esophageal lumen is easily identified. This agent is expected to play a role in the MRI diagnosis of esophageal cancer and to help determine the indications for radical surgery and/or intracavitary irradiation.

For improved fermentation of shoyu (soy sauce), a useful koji-making system has been developed using a mixed tane-koji of two shoyu koji moulds, namely Aspergillus oryzae K2 (length of conidiophores about 350 μm) and the late-conidiation strain, A. oryzae HG (length of conidiophores about 2500 μm). The mixed culture of strains K2 and HG had about twice the glutaminase activity of the single-strain cultures. In addition, the number of conidia in the mixed culture was about 10% of that in a culture of strain K2 alone.

Fifty patients with head and neck cancer were treated with tegafur suppository for 7 days preoperatively. The tissues were obtained during surgical operation and the concentrations of 5-FU in cancer tissue, normal tissue and blood were measured. It was revealed that a high concentration of 5-FU was seen in cancer tissue and then metastatic lymph nodes. The 5-FU concentration in cancer tissue was parallel with T stage of the patients. Subsites which showed a high concentration of 5-FU were nasal-paranasal cavity, tongue and mesopharynx. The tegafur suppository was useful because of the high concentration in cancer tissue and metastatic lymph nodes without any obvious side effects in the head and neck region.

The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and its relation to thyroid autoantibodies (TAA) and urinary iodide concentration (UI) was studied in apparently healthy adults in Sapporo (n = 4110) (Sapporo group), and in five coastal areas of Hokkaido (n = 1061) (coastal group) which produce iodine-rich seaweed (kelp). The frequency of above normal UI (high UI) in the morning urinary samples of coastal group was 10.8%, significantly higher than that of Sapporo group (6.4%) (p0.001). Frequency of positive TAA in both groups were similar. In Sapporo group TAA was positive in 6.4% of males and 13.8% of females with an age-related increase. The overall prevalence of hyperthyroidism (TSH0.15 mU/L) in coastal group (0.6%) was similar to that in Sapporo group (1.1%), while that of hypothyroidism (TSH5.0 mU/L) in coastal group (3.8%) was significantly higher than that in Sapporo group (1.3%) (P0.001). The frequency of high UI correlated significantly with that of hypothyroidism with negative TAA (r = 0.829, P0.05), but not with positive TAA, or with that of hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism was more prevalent in TAA negative subjects with high UI than with normal UI. Moreover, serum TSH and thyroglobulin levels were higher and free T4 level was lower in former than in latter group. These results indicate that 1) the prevalence of TAA negative hypothyroidism in iodine sufficient areas may be associated with the amount of iodine ingested, 2) this hypothyroidism is more prevalent and marked in subjects consuming further excess amounts of iodine, and 3) excessive intake of iodine should be considered an etiology of hypothyroidism in addition to chronic thyroiditis in these areas.

The incidence and significant risk factors for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were investigated in 48 patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Twenty-four (50.0%) of the 48 patients had para-aortic and/or pelvic lymph node metastases. In retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy at primary cytoreductive surgery, all patients with lymph node metastases were found to have both para-aortic and pelvic lymph node metastases. It is possible that the lymphatic extension, from the pelvic lymph node to the para-aortic lymph node, is one of the routes of retroperitoneal lymph node metastases in primary epithelial ovarian cancer. The incidence of lymph node metastases significantly increased with the spread of the abdominal tumor, peritoneal cytology, peritoneal metastasis, omental metastasis, involvement of both ovaries and poor histological grade. In the multiple analysis, the spread of the abdominal tumor, positive peritoneal cytology and poor histological grade were found to be the most important risk factors for retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in ovarian cancer.

From September 1989 to September 1992, 17 patients (pts) with non-curative or recurrent colorectal cancer were treated with 5-fluorouracil (FU) plus leucovorin (LV) systemic therapy. The sites of evaluable metastases were liver (10), peritoneum (4), lung (3) and others (6). The LV dosage was 30 mg/body (low-dose method) and the FU dosage was 500-750 mg/body. Both drugs were administered either 5 days/every 4 weeks or one day/every 1 to 2 weeks via protracted or bolus infusion. The regimen was generally well tolerated, although 9 pts (53%) experienced toxicity which required dose reductions. Overall response rate was 29% (5 PR). No CR was observed. Improvement in tumor-related symptoms was noted temporarily in 7 out of 10 pts. Serum CEA level decreased in 13 out of 14 pts. All the response sites were liver (5), with simultaneous lung (1) or peritoneum (1) metastasis. The response duration was 3 to 10 months (mean 6.2 months). Second-line therapy after progression of diseases, such as combination with CDDP, was attempted in some of the PR pts, but no re-response was observed. We conclude that FU plus low-dose LV regimen is an effective therapy for advanced colorectal cancer, but further attempts should be made to increase response rate, prolongation of response duration and effective second-line therapy after progression.

An experimental study was carried out on the peparation for activated carbon with zinc chloride, phosphoric acid and alkari hydroxide from bark wastes in wood industry. Parameters such as internal surface area, pore size distribution and pore volume of the activated product were measured and the adsorptive capacity with methylene blue, benzene trichloroethylene tetrachloroethylene was tested. The tests showed that activated products which could be obtained with chemical reagents activation process have more adsorptive capacity than the commercial activated carbon.

Several metallurgical properties of a traditional Japanese sword were investigated from sharp edge to core area in cross-section and on surface. The microstructure is found to be lath martensite at the sharp edge and the prior austenite grain size is observed to be very fine. Towards the inside from the sharp edge in the cross-section, the microstructure changes gradually from hard martensite to soft ferrite. Micro hardness along the centre line in the crosssection was measured. The sharp edge is very hard and the hardness decreases drastically with the detachment from the sharp edge. The hardness gradient on the hardness distribution curve, tan θ is defined here. The value of tan θ is estimated as an important factor for the explanation of mechanical properties of Japanese swords. Furthermore, residual stress was measured with XRD. Large compressive stress is consequently found on the surface including the sharp edge, which is effective for strengthening the Japanese sword.

To investigate the molecular basis of initial interactions between the trophoblast and the uterine epithelium at implantation, we developed an in vitro model for implantation in mice using primary uterine organ cultures as the substrate. In this model, embryos attached to the endometrial explants within 60 min. We were able to observe the attachment between embryos and endometrial explants in real time. Using this model, we investigated the attachment of embryos to uterine strips cultured from pregnant mice, pseudopregnant mice, pseudopregnant mice that had received hCG injections, and pregnant mice whose utero-tubal junctions had been ligated on Day 2 of pregnancy. The serum levels of progesterone in pregnant and pseudopregnant mice were also compared. The percentages of embryos that attached to uterine strips cultured from pregnant mice on Days 1-4 were low (0.0-15.0%). However, by Days 5-7, percentages of attachment increased markedly (66.8-74.8%). These levels were significantly higher than those observed for pseudopregnant mice (0.0-18.0%) and pseudopregnant mice that had received hCG injections (0.0-15.0%). The percentages of attachment to the ligated horns of pregnant Day 5 uteri (58.3-61.5%) were significantly higher than that of pseudopregnant mice (10.0%). The percentages of attachment to the ligated horns of pregnant Day 6 and 7 uteri decreased significantly (3.2%-19.4%). On the other hand, the percentages of attachment to the unligated horns of pregnant Day 6 and 7 mouse uteri did not decrease significantly (61.1-70.0%). The serum progesterone levels of pseudopregnant mice were not significantly lower than those of pregnant mice on Days 1-5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A 50-year-old male spray paint worker was admitted with non-productive cough and dyspnea on exertion. Chest X-ray and chest CT showed diffuse interstitial shadows in the bilateral lung fields. After admission, the symptoms and chest X-ray findings improved over several days, and he was followed as an outpatient. He then developed nocturnal dyspnea with wheezing and dry cough every day. About two months later, chest X-ray showed more severe diffuse interstitial shadows which did not disappear after admission. Bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy revealed allergic exudative interstitial pneumonia, and he was treated with steroid therapy. Paint contains toluene diisocyanate, and challenge test to toluene diisocyanate was positive. In the early course, this case presented with bronchoconstriction; bronchial reversibility and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine were positive. Bronchoconstriction may cause worsening of respiratory symptoms in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by isocyanates.

Fifty-two patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer received surgical treatment and chemotherapy at the Hospital of Shiga University of Medical Science and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases were evaluated clinico-pathologically. Forty patients underwent paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy, although 12 patients with stage IIIc underwent no lymphadenectomy. In the patients with lymphadenectomy, stage I and II groups had 100% of 3-year survival, stage III group, 40.0% and stage IV group, 0.0%. A series of 27 patients with stage IIIc diagnosed from findings in the abdominal cavity had cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy including cisplatinum, and were evaluated for 3-year survival. No significant difference in the survival rate was found between the stage IIIc groups with and without para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The most important prognostic factors for 3-year survival were retroperitoneal lymph node metastases, complete remission, and residual tumor at second surgery. A three year survival analysis confirmed that para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy is not an important procedure for the treatment for stage III ovarian cancer. However, retroperitoneal lymph node metastases was one of the most important prognostic factors.

We developed a non-radioisotopic quantitative RT-PCR method with high sensitivity and reproducibility. The results of this RT-PCR were in agreement with those of the Northern blot analysis. We measured the mRNA levels of beta-actin, transferrin receptor, and two cell cycle-related genes, cyclin B and cdc25, in early mouse embryos by the RT-PCR. In late two-cell stage embryos, beta-actin, transferrin receptor and cyclin B mRNA levels were 10-20% of those in MII stage oocytes. In contrast, the cdc25 mRNA levels were not different between these stages. When we cultured mouse embryos, the presence of an RNA polymerase inhibitor, alpha-amanitin, in the medium did not affect the mRNA levels at the two-cell stage, indicating that most of the detected mRNAs in two-cell embryos were maternally derived. These results suggest that the rate of mRNA degradation is different between cyclin B and cdc25 during early embryogenesis.

Ferric citrate was examined for its possible induction of acute and chronic changes in bile acids in rats. Three hours after a single intravenous Fe(III) injection both the biliary bile acid level and the percentage of cholic acid in bile were significantly higher in treated rats than in control rats. However, no significant difference was observed after treatment with the same daily dose for one week. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver tissue increased in the chronic group. These results suggest that oxygen free radicals, mainly the hydroxyl radical, promote hydroxylation during bile acid biosynthesis by enhanced monooxygenase activity.

A 49-year-old man was admitted with non-productive cough and left chest discomfort. About one month prior to the admission, he suffered a non-penetrating injury to the left anterior chest. Although rib fracture or pleural effusion was not reported, left chest discomfort and non-productive cough progressed gradually. Chest X-ray film and chest CT scan on admission showed left massive pleural effusion. Close examination revealed a marked increase of eosinophils in the pleural effusion (77% of total cell counts). Because malignancy, parasitic disease, and collagen disease were differentiated, we diagnosed this case as post-traumatic eosinophilic pleural effusion, and decided to administers corticosteroid therapy; hydrocortisone 300 mg was infused into the left pleural space. Seven days after the treatment, the pleural effusion and peripheral eosinophilia had completely disappeared. This case suggests that direct infusion of corticosteroid into the pleural space provides greater drug availability in the treatment of post-traumatic eosinophilic pleural effusion related to immunological reaction of the pleura. The indication and dosage of corticosteroids should be established, however, because there have been some reports of cases of improvement without any special treatment.

We studied on clinical availability of determination of serum anti-Helicobacter pylori (HP) IgG antibody in diagnosis of HP infection compared with bacterial culture. The population of this study consisted of patients who underwent endoscopic examination in our hospital. Detection and quantification of HP were made by the culture of biopsy specimens taken from the antrum and the body of the stomach. And, simultaneously, serum anti-HP antibody (HP-Ab) was measured by ELISA. The levels of HP-Ab in culture positive patients, 40.6 +/- 33.7U, are significantly higher than that of culture negative patients, 10.6 +/- 9.1U. Sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of HP infection using determination of serum HP-Ab were 96.2% and 60.0% respectively. Significant correlation was found between the levels of serum HP-Ab and the amounts of HP bacilli in the biopsy specimen taken from body of the stomach.