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In contrast-enhanced 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography, images are obtained in a band intermediate between the fundamental and the 2nd harmonic components. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography with the use of the contrast agent Levovist for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), metastatic hepatic tumor, and hepatic hemangioma. The subjects in this study were 64 patients with 70 nodules of hepatic tumors (42 nodules in 36 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 20 nodules in 20 cases of metastatic hepatic tumor, and 8 nodules in 8 cases of hepatic hemangioma). Contrast enhancement of tumors acquired in the early, portal, and late phases with 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography were compared to classify the tumors. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of HCC showed contrast enhancement of 36 nodules (85.7%). Hypervascular enhancement in the early phase, which was maintained in the portal phase, changed to images with no contrast enhancement with partial persistence of contrast enhancement in the late phase. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of metastatic hepatic tumor showed hypervascular enhancement of the margin of 20 nodules (100%) in the early and portal phases, which changed to images with no contrast enhancement in the late phase. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of hepatic hemangiomas maintained hypervascular enhancement on the tumor margin of 5 nodules (62.5%) in the early and portal phases. When early phase 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography did not show hypervascular enhancement in 3 nodules (37.5%), and late-phase images confirmed that these 3 nodules were hypervascular enhancement on the tumor margin. 1.5 harmonic imaging sonography of hepatic tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic hepatic tumor and hepatic hemangioma) provided characteristic findings of contrast enhancement in the early, portal, and late phases, and will contribute to differential diagnosis.

We present the gray-scale ultrasonography (GSUS), power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS), abdominal computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for a case of splenic hamartoma in a 27-year-old man, showing a phi 50 mm homogeneous, iso- and hypo-echoic splenic mass with evidence of a small plural cystic lesion. This splenic hamartoma showed increased vascularity on power Doppler sonograms. PDUS showed multiple circular blood flow signals inside the mass (i.e. a basket pattern), which was consistent with the small plural cystic lesion shown by GSUS. Spectral analysis also confirmed arterial and venous flow. CT scans showed that the mass had low-density relative to the normal spleen and MRI showed that the mass was isodense, relative to the normal spleen. Therefore, CT and MRI are not useful for the diagnosis of splenic hamartoma. Ultrasonography can be used to diagnose splenic hamartoma without administration of a contrast material and therefore is an indispensable method for the diagnosis of splenic hamartoma.

Background: FcγRIIIb genotypes and smoking are risk factors for periodontal disease. However, the interaction of FcγRIIIb- NA1-NA2 polymorphism with smoking remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if FcγRIIIb-NA1-NA2 polymorphism and smoking are associated with periodontal disease progression among elderly people. Methods: Among 70-year-old subjects, 164 with neither diabetes mellitus nor blood sugar ≥140 mg/dl, who had more than 20 teeth and who could participate in both the baseline and the follow-up examinations were included in the study. The NA1 group comprised subjects with FcγRIIIb-NA1NA1 genotype (N = 53), while the NA2 group included subjects with FcγRIIIb-NA1NA2 or NA2NA2 genotype (N = 111). We examined the progression of periodontitis by measuring attachment loss during 3 years. Results: The frequency of subjects who showed ≥4 mm additional attachment loss at one or more sites was 55.6% for smokers and 37.2% for non-smokers. The odds ratio (OR) was 2.13 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.92 to 4.76). We found a better association between periodontal progression and smoking in the NA2 group. The OR for smokers was 3.03 (CI:1.12 to 8.33, P = 0.028). Additionally, the mean number of sites with ≥4 mm additional attachment loss per person between smokers and non-smokers in the NA2 group or between smokers and non-smokers in the NA1 group was 2.90 ± 3.42 and 0.74 ± 1.53 or 0.57 ± 0.79 and 0.68 ± 1.03, respectively (P

To classify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the findings of digital subtraction imaging (DSI) and to compare DSI against other diagnostic imaging modalities to assess its reliability DSI was performed in 68 patients with HCC (72 nodules) and the enhancement patterns of blood flow in the tumor were assessed during the early phase, the portal phase and the late phase. In addition, the findings obtained by DSI were compared with those obtained by helical CT, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), CO2 angiography and CT during arterial portography (CTAP). Of the 72 nodules, blood flow was detected in 64 (88.9%) by early-phase DSI, in 61 (84.7%) by helical CT, in 62 (86.1%) by DSA and in 67 (93.1%) by CO2 angiography. Early-phase DSI did not demonstrate hypervascular enhancement in 8 HCC nodules (16.7%). These included 5 nodules in which other diagnostic imaging modalities also failed to identify tumor blood vessels and 3 nodules located in deep regions 87.5 mm or more from the body surface. With regard to these 5 nodules (10.4%) in which tumor vessels were not visualized during the early phase, late-phase DSI demonstrated relatively poor enhancement compared with normal hepatic parenchyma. Such late-phase defects in tumor enhancement were observed in 69 nodules (95.8%). DSI demonstrated characteristic findings of HCC enhancement during the early phase, the portal phase and the late phase, permitting classification of HCC to be performed.

The aim of this study was to clarify the perioperative hemodynamics of liver grafts without vascular complications during and early after liver transplantation from living donors. This study was carried out in 4 child recipients (lateral segment left lobe grafts) and 6 adult recipients (right lobe grafts) of liver transplantation from living donors. The hemodynamics of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein of the grafts during and until 7 days after surgery were studied by Doppler ultrasonography. The maximum flow velocity of the hepatic artery, mean portal blood flow velocity, and pulsatility index (PI) of the hepatic artery increased in all 10 grafts with no vascular complication after vascular anastomosis. After surgery, the mean portal blood flow velocity showed a peak 3 days after surgery and reached a nadir 7 days after surgery in both the lateral segment left lobe grafts in children and the right lobe grafts in adults, but it was significantly higher in the right lobe grafts in adults (mean +/- SD 31.0 +/- 6.3 vs. 22.4 +/- 0.9 cm/sec). Also, as the hepatic artery blood flow velocity increased the portal blood flow velocity decreased, the hepatic blood flow during liver regeneration was suggested to be controlled by both the artery and portal vein. The range of PI of the hepatic artery was 0.60-1.86. The mean hepatic venous blood flow was stable throughout the observation period (30.4 +/- 8.8 cm/sec). Although the hepatic venous flow waves changed widely from pulsed waves to a flat flow, its changes did not suggest a vascular complication. Evaluation of changes by Doppler ultrasonography in the hemodynamics of the liver grafts without vascular complications during and early after liver transplantation from living donors is considered to be useful for accurate monitoring of the hemodynamics during liver regeneration and early detection of abnormalities.

Functional polymorphisms of immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptors IIIa and IIIb (FcgammaRIIIa and FcgammaRIIIb) have been shown as risk factors for periodontitis. The aim of this study is to examine whether FcgammaRIIa polymorphism is associated with a disease risk as well.Baseline periodontal and general health examinations were carried out on 1,221 Caucasian adults. From these, 422 subjects with moderate to severe, or little or no periodontal disease were assigned to two groups according to their mean clinical attachment loss (CAL). Subjects with mean CALor = 2.94 mm were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis (n = 213, 62 never-smokers and 151 smokers). Subjects with mean CALor = 1.77 mm were considered as having little or no periodontal disease and designated as controls (n = 209, 125 never-smokers and 84 smokers). The FcgammaRIIa genotype for three bi-allelic polymorphisms (FcgammaRIIa-R/ R131, R/H131, and H/H131) was determined by means of allele-specific polymerase chain reactions.The distribution of FcgammaRIIa genotype between the patient and control groups was significantly different, with enrichment of the high ligand-binding genotype FcgammaRIIa-H/H131 in the patients (patients versus controls: 36.6% versus 25.4%; P = 0.04). Multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that subject age and gender, smoking, and the FcgammaRIIa genotype were significantly associated with severity of chronic periodontitis. For smokers, a significant over-representation of FcgammaRIIa-H/H131 in the patient group compared to the control group (patients versus controls: 35.1% versus 19.0%; P = 0.03). Additionally, smokers with FcgammaRIIa-H/H131 exhibited significantly greater mean CAL (mean +/- SE: 3.44 +/- 0.16 mm) than those with FcgammaRIIa-R/H131 (2.91 +/- 0.14 mm) and R/R131 (2.82 +/- 0.16 mm) (P = 0.04). There was no association between FcgammaRIIa genotype and the disease susceptibility or severity in subjects who had never smoked.Our results suggest that the FcgammaRIIa-H/H131 genotype may be associated with chronic periodontitis risk (and disease severity) in Caucasian smokers. Further studies with families and studies of mechanisms are necessary to help establish the extent to which this is a genetic determinant of periodontal diseases.

Immunoglobulin A Fc receptor (FcalphaRI) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, because increased IgA responses and FcalphaRI-bearing neutrophils are observed in the disease lesions. Inter-individual differences in susceptibility to periodontitis may be attributable to genetic variability in FcalphaRI-mediated immunity. We here identified an FcalphaRI novel polymorphism (nt 324 A-to-G transition) in the membrane-distal extracellular domain encompassing the ligand-binding site, not resulting in an amino acid change. We compared the FcalphaRI genotype distributions among 46 Japanese aggressive periodontitis (AGP) patients, 80 race-matched healthy controls (HCs), and 59 Caucasian HCs. No ethnic differences were observed in the FcalphaRI genotype distributions between Japanese and Caucasian HC. Notably, we observed a difference in the genotype distribution between the AGP and HC groups. Carriage rate of the nt 324 A allele was higher in the AGP (65.2%) than that in the HC group (42.5%) (odds ratio 2.54). Polymorphonuclear neutrophils from peripheral blood and gingival crevicular fluid exhibited a decreased phagocytosis of periodontopathic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis) in the nt 324 A/A patients as compared with the nt 324 G/G patients. These results document a genetic polymorphism at the FcalphaRI ligand-binding site to be associated with susceptibility to AGP.

Large and highly variable deformations of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the human knee cannot be adequately quantified by one-dimensional and/or localized measurements. In order to measure strains in the entire area of the ACL, we applied a photoelastic coating method and attempted to analyze stress on the basis of the strains. A specific kind of polyurethane, possessing optically high fringe-sensitivity, was found to be most suitable for the measurement purpose. A specially designed apparatus was used to allow a natural motion of the knee whose medial and lateral femoral bone parts were removed in order for the ACL to be exposed. The photoelastic observation was performed from all the directions around the longitudinal axis of the ACL. Measurement and analysis gave the continuous information of strain distribution including the variations of strain along the principal strain directions in the ACL.

Digital subtraction imaging was compared to helical CT, DSA, and US angiography to assess its usefulness in the evaluation of vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Digital subtraction imaging using Levovist as the contrast agent was performed in 41 patients with 43 nodules (22 men and 19 women, aged 50 to 83 years; mean age, 65 years; mean maximum tumor diameter, 27.8+/-17.1 mm). Digital subtraction imaging showed hypervascular enhancement in 39 of the 43 nodules (91%). Helical CT showed areas of high attenuation in 40 of the 43 nodules (93%), while DSA and US angiography showed positive enhancement in 38 and 43 of the 43 nodules (88% and 100%), respectively. Digital subtraction imaging is useful for evaluating vascularity in HCC when the tumor can be visualized with non-enhanced US angiography.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a newly identified immune mechanism, are induced by inflammatory stimuli. Modification by citrullination of histone H3 is thought to be involved in the in vitro formation of NETs. The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether NETs and citrullinated histone H3 (Cit-H3) are present in the bloodstream of critically ill patients and to identify correlations with clinical and biological parameters. Blood samples were collected from intubated patients at the time of ICU admission from April to June 2011. To identify NETs, DNA and histone H3 were visualized simultaneously by immunofluorescence in blood smears. Cit-H3 was detected using a specific antibody. We assessed relationships of the presence of NETs and Cit-H3 with the existence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate, SIRS, diagnosis, WBC count, and concentrations of IL-8, TNF-a, cf-DNA, lactate, and HMGB1. Forty-nine patients were included. The median of age was 66.0 (IQR: 52.5-76.0) years. The diagnoses included trauma (7, 14.3%), infection (14, 28.6%), resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest (8, 16.3%), acute poisoning (4, 8.1%), heart disease (4, 8.1%), brain stroke (8, 16.3%), heat stroke (2, 4.1%), and others (2, 4.1%). We identified NETs in 5 patients and Cit-H3 in 11 patients. NETs and/or Cit-H3 were observed more frequently in "the presence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate" group (11/22, 50.0%) than in "the absence of bacteria in tracheal aspirate" group (4/27, 14.8%) (p, PLoS ONE, 9(11), e111755; 2014

Functional polymorphisms of immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptors (Fc gamma R) have been shown to be associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) or recurrence of chronic periodontitis (CP) in Japanese patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Fc gamma R polymorphisms are also associated with severity of CP.Fifty Japanese non-smoking patients with severe CP and 39 Japanese non-smoking patients with moderate CP were identified according to established clinical criteria, including measurements of probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and alveolar bone loss (BL). Fc gamma R genotypes for 3 bi-allelic polymorphisms (Fc gamma RIIa-R/H131, Fc gamma RIIIa-158V/F, Fc gamma RIIIb-NA1/NA2) were determined in these CP patients and 64 race-matched, non-smoking healthy controls by means of allele-specific polymerase chain reactions.There was a significant over-representation of Fc gamma RIIIa-158V allele in severe CP patients compared to moderate CP patients (odds ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-4.01, chi 2 = 4.86, P = 0.028). In addition, we found a strong association between CP severity and Fc gamma R composite genotype comprising Fc gamma RIIIa-158V plus Fc gamma RIIIb-NA2 (severe CP versus moderate CP: odds ratio 4.69, 95% CI 1.52-15.10, chi 2 = 9.35, P = 0.002; severe CP versus healthy controls: odds ratio 4.10, 95% CI 1.62-10.59, chi 2 = 11.13, P = 0.0009). Moreover, CP patients positive for the composite genotype exhibited more severe signs of periodontitis than composite genotype-negative individuals (positive versus negative; mean PD: 3.8 mm versus 3.2 mm, P = 0.005; mean CAL: 4.5 mm versus 3.7 mm, P = 0.005; mean % BL: 37.6% versus 29.9%, P = 0.008).Our results document the Fc gamma RIIIa-158V allele and possibly Fc gamma RIIIb-NA2 to be associated with severity of CP in Japanese patients.

The concept of a kind of new micro capillary electrophoresis chip (μ-CE) for DNA analysis is stated. The micro channel array with high aspect ratio is the key part, whose wall should have a slight inclination to ensure the fabrication. It is demonstrated that M2DXL (Moving Mask Deep X-ray Lithography) technology can successfully control the inclination and enables to integrate micro optical components such as micro lens into the chip which improve detection performance greatly.

The strain distribution over the entire medial collateral ligament (MCL) was measured using a photoelastic coating method. This new approach utilized a polyurethane monomer as a photoelastic coating film. The initial experiments investigating MCL strain measurement showed that this film had a high sensitivity for strain and good adhesion to the ligament. It was confirmed that strain distribution could be obtained qualitatively over the entire ligament using this method. The mechanism of MCL injury was studied by applying this polyurethane coating film to the entire MCL in a femur-MCL-tibia complex. When simple tension was applied to the complex, strain concentrations were centred at the tibial insertion site, and all the specimens ruptured at the MCL tibial insertion site. With application of a valgus bending moment, increased strain was seen in the MCL from the medial femoral condyle to the medial epicondyle. Histological analysis demonstrated midsubstance ligament ruptures in this same region. For both tests, rupture sites and increased strain concentration sites correlated. In addition, an impingement phenomenon of the MCL on the medial femoral condyle can be seen during application of valgus force, and this phenomenon may explain the higher incidence of MCL injuries on the femoral side seen in the clinical setting. This polyurethane coating method allows for direct and visual measurements, and can qualitatively measure the strain behaviour over the entire MCL surface. This new technique represents a significant improvement over previous point-by-point strain measurement methods.

Large and highly variable deformations of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the human knee cannot be adequately quantified by one-dimensional and/or localized measurements. In order to measure strains in the entire area of the ACL, we employed the photoelastic coating method to analyze stress on the basis of the strains. A specific kind of polyurethane possessing optically high fringe-sensitivity was found to be most suitable for the measurement purposes. Although the photoelastic method has been successfully applied in various fields for stress analyses, its use in studying large deformations of biological tissues has not been reported. Therefore, before proceeding with our main study, we first examined the effects of polyurethane film on the mechanical properties of the ligament. We found that the film had a negligible effect on the tissues' properties, and closely reflected the strain behavior of the tissues. We then applied the method to measure strains on an actual ACL during free flexion-extension of the knee. A specially designed apparatus was used to allow a natural motion of the knee. A portion of the femoral bone was removed to expose the ACL to view. Measurement and analysis gave continuous information about strain distribution, including the variations of strain along the principal strain directions in the ACL.

Kouji Yamamoto,1 Sadao Tomizawa21Department of Medical Innovation, Osaka University Hospital, Osaka, 2Department of Information Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda City, Chiba, JapanBackground: The aim of the present paper was to develop two new asymmetry probability models to analyze data for tooth decay from 363 women and 349 men aged 18–39 years who visited a dental clinic in Sapporo City, Japan, from 2001 to 2005.Methods: We analyzed the probability relationship between grade of upper and lower tooth decay for men and women using the two new models, and tested goodness-of-fit for the models.Results: The probability that a woman's (man's) grade of lower tooth decay is i (i = 1,2) and her (his) grade of upper tooth decay is j(>i), (j = 2,3) is estimated to be at most 13.52 (10.23) times higher than the probability that the woman's (man's) grade of upper tooth decay is i and grade of lower tooth decay is j.Conclusion: From the data on tooth decay, decay of the upper teeth is worse than of the lower teeth in women and men, and the tendency becomes stronger as the numbers of decayed upper and lower teeth increase.Keywords: distance-proportional symmetry, asymmetry, square contingency table, teeth

本研究では, 高速道路のトンネル照明ランプの劣化過程をワイブル劣化ハザードモデルで記述するとともに, 一連の照明ランプ群で構成されるトンネル照明システムの点検・更新過程を, 集計的マルコフ過程モデルとして定式化する. さらに, トンネル照明システムの管理変数として, 点検・更新間隔と最大使用時間長をとりあげ, これらの管理変数がトンネル照明システムのライフサイクル費用と不点リスク水準に及ぼす影響を分析する. その上で, トンネル照明の不点リスク水準を与件として, トンネル照明システムのライフサイクル費用の最小化を達成しうる最適管理変数を求める方法論を提案する. さらに, 現実の高速道路のトンネル照明システムの管理問題を対象として, 本研究で提案した方法論の有効性を実証的に検証する.

AIM: To employ pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate the changes in portal blood flow velocity in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving interferon (IFN) treatment. METHODS: The subjects in this study were 14 patients (13 men and 1 woman) with CHC who received IFN treatment. Portal blood flow velocity was measured in the vessels at the porta hepatis at four time points: before IFN administration (pre-IFN), 2 wk after the start of administration (wk 2), 24 wk after the start of administration (wk 24, i.e., the end of IFN administration), and 24 wk after the end of administration (wk 48). RESULTS: The patients with CHC in whom IFN treatment resulted in complete elimination or effective elimination of viruses showed a significant increase in portal blood flow velocity at the end of IFN treatment compared with that before IFN treatment. In contrast, when IFN was ineffective, no significant increase in portal blood flow velocity was observed at wk 24 or 48 compared with the pre-IFN value. In addition, the patients with CHC in whom IFN was ineffective showed significantly lower portal blood flow velocity values than control subjects at all measurement time points. CONCLUSION: Pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography is a noninvasive and easily performed method for evaluating the effects of IFN treatment in patients with CHC. This technique is useful for measuring portal blood flow velocity before and 24 wk after IFN administration in order to evaluate the changes over time, thus assessing the effectiveness of IFN treatment.

本研究では, 故障の有無という状態変数のみが観測可能な土木施設の劣化過程を予測するための劣化ハザードモデルについて考察する. 点検データを用いて劣化ハザードモデルを推計する場合, 施設寿命に関する情報が完全に利用できないことから生じる推計バイアスを克服することが課題となる. さらに, 点検方法が異なれば, 獲得可能な施設寿命に関する情報の特性が異なる. このため, 点検方法により獲得できるデータの統計的性質を考慮した劣化ハザードモデルの推計方法を開発する必要がある. 本研究では不完全なモニタリング情報に基づいて劣化ハザードモデルの推計方法を提案するとともに, 劣化ハザードモデルを道路付帯施設の劣化予測問題に適用し, その有用性を実証的に検証する.

AIM To detect the anomaly in the persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) of portal vein (PV) with deviation of the ligamentum tere and left-sided gallbladder. METHODS A total of 5783 candidates for routine analysis were evaluated for hepatic vascular abnormalities by ultrasonography. RESULTS Ten candidates (0.17%) had a portal vein anomaly with a rightward-deviated ligamentum tere. The blood-flow velocity in the PRUV of the portal vein (17.7+/-3.0 cm/s) of the 10 cases was similar to that of the right anterior portal trunk (17.6+/-4.1 cm/s). However, the vessel diameter of the PRUV (eta12.4+/-4.4 mm) was larger than the right anterior portal trunk (eta6.1+/-0.9 mm). Therefore, flow volume in the anomalous portion (0.97+/-0.30 L/min) was more than that in the right anterior portal trunk (0.18+/-0.05 L/min). CONCLUSION The anomaly plays an important role in intra-hepatic PV flow.

Communication is carried out on the basis of an optimum speech coding scheme that is matched to the speech coding schemes provided by the radio zones, and to the speech coding capabilities of the mobile stations. To achieve this, when a traffic channel is set up between a mobile station and a switch, a traffic channel selection condition that has been specified by the switch on the basis of the speech coding capabilities of the mobile station that made the SETUP request and of the mobile station to which the call is made, is stored in the control station. The control station grasps which speech coding scheme is currently being used in the radio zone which it controls. Moreover, by transferring the selection conditions specified by the switch and using these conditions as information required for channel setup by another control station, communication can be carried out using a high-priority speech coding scheme when handover occurs. This happens when channel selection takes place in another radio zone spanning control stations, or when a mobile station has moved to a radio zone in which a high-priority speech coding scheme can be used. As a result, traffic channels based on the optimum speech coding scheme can be changed over smoothly.

A new brace, the hip joint moment reduction brace, has been designed and constructed. The basic construct of the brace incorporates only the thigh, and it minimally restricts one's activities of daily living. The concept of the brace is to reduce the frontal plane moment of the applied force against which the abductor muscle must contract to balance, and this reduction of the frontal plane moment results in reduction of the abductor muscle force. The brace uses the mechanism of the ischial weightbearing and lessens the abductor moment by transmitting load from the ischium through the condyle of the femur. In gait testing, the maximum ischial load taken up by the brace was 36.9% of the ground reaction force in the late stance phase, and the integrated electromyogram of the abductor muscle was reduced by 32.6% during the whole stance phase using this brace. These findings confirmed a reduction in the frontal plane moment of the hip joint and the potential for reduction in the load on the hip joint. The hip joint moment reduction brace is recommended as effective conservative management of hip disorders, such as coxarthrosis, that are caused or worsened by biomechanical insufficiency.

We investigated the effects of ambient temperature on the sudomotor and vasoconstrictor components of skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA). The sympathetic traffic was measured by simultaneous microneurographic recording from post-ganglionic nerve fibres in the tibial and the peroneal nerves. When the ambient temperature was raised from 25 degrees C to 34 degrees C, both sudomotor and vasoconstrictor components of SSNA were enhanced in the peroneal nerve but were suppressed in the tibial nerve. The sudomotor and vasoconstrictor sympathetic outflows were elevated in both nerves when the temperature was lowered from 34 degrees C to 18 degrees C. Our results suggested that the sudomotor and the vasoconstrictor components of SSNA are differently modulated by ambient temperature. The difference in sudomotor and vasoconstrictor components of SSNA in the tibial and the peroneal nerves at different ambient temperature may have been responsible for the differences observed in sweating and vasoconstriction in glabrous and hairy skin.

This paper describes a behaviour of the orthogonal cutting strain in the aluminum workpiece. The cutting strain is measured with a fixed quantity by a photoelastic coating method. The components of an instantaneous cutting strain and a residual one are separated from the observation. The results obtained through this study are as follows : (1) The comportment of the cutting strain in the ductile material is disclosed using the photoelastic coating method. (2) The behaviour of the cutting strain in the strain hardening material is similar to that of the elastic material.

A palatal abscess content was examined bacteriologically following both aerobic and anaerobic transport. Bacterial growth was not recognized after aerobic transport. while anaerobic incubation immediately after anaerobic transport resulted in a positive culture. All isolates were anaerobes, such as Bacteroides ruminicola ss. ruminicola, Fusobacterium russii, Eubacterium lentum, and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius.The anaerobes did not survive a 120 minute-exposure to air. These results indicate that a continuous anaerobic system is necessary to gain information about causative agents in oral infections.

20 obliterative abscesses of endodontic origin were examined bacteriologically. Bacteria were detected in 16 of 20 cases. Obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 16 cases whereas facultative anaerobic bacteria were from 9 cases. The average number of isolates was 3.4 ×106 CFU/ml and 84.7% of all isolates were obligate anaerobic bacteria. Gram negative rods were predominant and Bacteroides and Fusobacterium were frequently isolated, followed by Eubacterium, and Peptostreptococci. Bacteria species isolated from periapical abscesses were similar to root canal bacteria. This indicates that these bacteria play an important role in the formation of periapical abscesses.

A nearly spherical field‐reversed configuration (FRC) is created by employing a combination of a double‐cusp bias magnetic field and laser‐produced plasma, and its plasma stability is studied. The FRC equilibrium configuration is found to last for 20–25 μsec, which is not determined by any plasma instability in the present experiment and is estimated to be longer than the Alfven time by a factor of more than 40. That is, the occurrence of neither the n=2 rotational instability nor the active magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) (tilting) mode is observed during this time period. The stabilization of the rotational mode may be attributed to the effect of magnetic field line bending. Although the exact reason for stabilizing the tilting mode is not known, it has become clear that the geometry of an equilibrium FRC has no significant effect on its stability, based upon comparison with the other experimental results obtained thus far from theta‐pinch‐based FRCs with a very elongated cross section. It is suggested that the ion kinetic, nonadiabatic effect may be largely responsible for this stability.