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et al., Feedhorn- and orthomode transducer- (OMT) coupled transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers have been designed and micro-fabricated to meet the optical specifications of the LiteBIRD high frequency telescope (HFT) focal plane. We discuss the design and optical characterization of two LiteBIRD HFT detector types: dual-polarization, dual-frequency-band pixels with 195/280 GHz and 235/337 GHz band centers. Results show well-matched passbands between orthogonal polarization channels and frequency centers within 3% of the design values. The optical efficiency of each frequency channel is conservatively reported to be within the range 0.64−0.72, determined from the response to a cryogenic, temperature-controlled thermal source. These values are in good agreement with expectations and either exceed or are within 10% of the values used in the LiteBIRD sensitivity forecast. Lastly, we report a measurement of loss in Nb/SiNx/Nb microstrip at 100 mK and over the frequency range 200–350 GHz, which is comparable to values previously reported in the literature., This work is supported by NASA under grant no. 80NSSC18K0132.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) are standard therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The inter-individual variability of these pharmacokinetics is reported remarkably large, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can be useful to improve the likelihood of the desired therapeutic and safety outcomes. This study aimed to develop a LC-MS method to determine the concentrations of five PAH drugs (PDE-5 inhibitors: sildenafil and tadalafil, ERAs: bosentan, macitentan, and ambrisentan) from plasma samples using a simple process followed by a single mass spectrometric run, and to validate this approach through pharmacokinetic analyses in patients. A solid extraction method was used for sample preparation of the drugs from human plasma. The total run time for a single injection was within 10 min. The calibration curves for all drugs were linear, and the lower limits of quantitation were 1 (sildenafil), 2 (tadalafil), 5 (ambrisentan), and 10 ng/mL (bosentan, macitentan). The accuracy and precision values suggested that the assay had high accuracy and reliability. To prove the utility of this method, the plasma concentrations of the five PAH drugs were determined after their oral administration to nine PAH patients.

Purpose Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a relatively rare malignancy that usually arises in the genital areas. Wide surgical excision remains the standard and most reliable curative treatment of EMPD. However, surgery is sometimes not possible, because many patients are elderly, and complete excision can be difficult owing to the tumor location. We, therefore, performed a review to determine the role of radiotherapy (RT) for EMPD. Methods and Materials A total of 22 patients with EMPD in their external genitalia (4 men and 18 women, age 52–94 years at RT) underwent RT with curative intent. Nine patients had regional lymph node metastases. A total dose of 45–70.2 Gy (median, 60) was delivered to the pelvis, including the tumors, in 25–39 fractions (median, 33). Results In all but 3 patients, the irradiated tumors were controlled during a follow-up period of 8–133 months (median, 42). Of the 22 patients, 13 developed recurrences, including local progression within the radiation field in 3 and lymph node and/or distant metastases outside the radiation field in 10, at 3–43 months after treatment. The 2- and 5-year local progression-free rates were 91% and 84%, respectively. Of the 22 patients, 7 patients had died at 33–73 months after RT. The cause of death was tumor progression in 4, infectious pneumonia in 2, and renal failure in 1 patient. The overall and cause-specific survival rates were 100% for both at 2 years and 53% and 73% at 5 years, respectively. No therapy-related Grade 3 or greater toxicity was observed. Conclusions RT is safe and effective for patients with EMPD. It appears to contribute to prolonged survival as a result of good tumor control.

We retrospectively assessed the factors that may impede tumour reduction of locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma treated with balloon-occluded arterial infusion chemotherapy (BOAI) as initial therapy. We reviewed the medical records and MRI scans of 31 patients (mean age, 54.7 years; age range, 33-78 years). BOAI was performed via uterine arteries in 21 patients, and via the anterior division or main trunk of the internal iliac artery (when the uterine arteries were obscured) in 10 patients. Tumour reduction rate was calculated from the tumour size on MRI before and after BOAI, and patients given chemotherapy were classified as "non-responders" or "responders". Factors including the patient's age, tumour stage (using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification), the artery used for infusion, infused drug, presence of intravenous systemic chemotherapy, initial tumour size, tumour volume and presence of lymph node metastases were assessed for their ability to predict tumour response to BOAI using univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients who underwent chemotherapy included 10 non-responders and 21 responders. The age of non-responders was significantly higher than that of responders (66 years vs 49 years, p

We consider the process $\gamma\gamma\to H_1\bar H_2$ where $H_1$ and $H_2$ are either mesons or baryons. The experimental findings for such quantities as the $p\bar p$ and $K_SK_S$ differential cross sections, in the energy range currently probed, are found often to be in disparity with the scaling behaviour expected from hard constituent scattering. We discuss the long-distance pole--resonance contribution in understanding the origin of these phenomena, as well as the amplitude relations governing the short-distance contribution which we model as a scaling contribution. When considering the latter, we argue that the difference found for the $K_SK_S$ and the $K^+K^-$ integrated cross sections can be attributed to the s-channel isovector component. This corresponds to the $\rho\omega\to a$ subprocess in the VMD (vector-meson-dominance) language. The ratio of the two cross sections is enhanced by the suppression of the $\phi$ component, and is hence constrained. We give similar constraints to a number of other hadron pair production channels. After writing down the scaling and pole--resonance contributions accordingly, the direct summation of the two contributions is found to reproduce some salient features of the $p\bar p$ and $K^+K^-$ data., Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, revised version to be published in EPJC

About 16,000 spent hens from 23 farms in the northern area of Japan were purchased in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 to isolate Salmonella in two poultry processing plants. Salmonella was detected in 12 of 23 farms (52.2%). In particular, the serotypes Enteritidis and Infantis were detected in four and three farms, respectively. The prevalence rates in the hens' ceca, immature eggs, and the yolk of mature eggs in oviducts were 14%, 7.2%, and 6.8%, respectively. A total of 23 serotypes were detected. The major serotypes of the strains were Enteritidis, Corvallis, Typhimurium, and Infantis, but most of the strains were untypable. In the same area during 1992 to 1996, Salmonella was detected in eggs associated with four outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis infection and one outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infection. The ratio of contamination was approximately 1%, and the level was estimated to be 93 MPN(most probable number)/100 g in one outbreak. In farms that produced the eggs associated with all of the five outbreaks of Salmonella, the serotype Enteritidis or Infantis was isolated from hens. Farms where Salmonella was not detected were not related to any of the outbreaks.

The present study investigated whether circuit training with body weight alone (no external load) can cause muscular hypertrophy when combined with moderate venous occlusion (‘Kaatsu Training’). Healthy women (mean age, 32.7 ± 4.0 yr; n=22) were randomly assigned into the occlusive training group (OCC, n=11) and the normal training group (NOR, n=11). Both groups performed the same circuit-training regimen consisting of six, successive exercises for muscles in the upper and lower limbs and the trunk, at a frequency of 3 sessions/wk. Each session lasted for 5-10 min. In OCC group, proximal ends of the upper and lower limbs of both sides were moderately compressed by means of ‘KAATS Sportswear’, to restrict the venous blood flow during the exercises (preset pressure, 50-80 mmHg and 80-120 mmHg for upper and lower limbs, respectively). Cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh muscle was measured with spiral computer tomography. After an 8-wk period of training, the muscle CSA of both right and left limbs showed significant increases by ∼3% (P

An umbilical cord pseudocyst was detected in the 28th week of gestation in a fetus complicated with growth restriction and polyhydramnios. The combination of cord pseudocysts, growth restriction, and polyhydramnios prompted us to perform a detailed ultrasonographic examination (gray scale and three-dimensional), which revealed the presence of micrognathia, overlapping fingers, and congenital heart defects, features characteristic of trisomy 18. Karyotyping confirmed a diagnosis of trisomy 18. After spontaneous labor onset, the infant was delivered at 31 weeks of gestation, and died soon after delivery. An umbilical cord pseudocyst is a good marker for the prenatal detection of trisomy 18.

Background: Standard treatment strategies for embryonal central nervous system (CNS) tumors have not yet been established. We treated these tumors using an original chemoradiation therapy protocol; the clinical outcomes and toxicities were retrospectively evaluated. Methods: Twenty-four patients were enrolled including sixteen with medulloblastoma, four with supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (sPNET), three with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, and one with pineoblastoma. Immediately after diagnosis, all patients underwent surgery initially. They were then categorized as high- or average-risk groups independent of tumor type/pathogenesis. The average-risk group included patients who were aged ≥3 years at diagnosis, had non-metastatic disease at diagnosis (M0), and had undergone gross total resection. Other patients were categorized as the high-risk group; this group received more intensive treatment than the average-risk group, including high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation. All patients received craniospinal irradiation (CSI). The CSI dose was 23.4 Gy for M0 patients aged ≥5 years, 18 Gy for M0 patients aged

Wide surgical excision is the standard treatment for angiosarcoma of the scalp, but many patients are inoperable. Therefore, we investigated the outcome of radiation therapy for angiosarcoma of the scalp. Seventeen patients with angiosarcoma of the scalp underwent radiation therapy with total scalp irradiation. Four patients had cervical lymph node metastases, but none had distant metastases. A median initial dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions was delivered to the entire scalp. Subsequently, local radiation boost to the tumor sites achieved a median total dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions. Fourteen of the 17 patients developed recurrences during the median follow-up period of 14 months after radiation therapy; 7 had recurrences in the scalp, including primary tumor progression in 2 patients and new disease in 5, and 12 patients developed distant metastases. The primary progression-free, scalp relapse-free, and distant metastasis-free rates were 86, 67, and 38 % at 1 year and 86, 38, and 16 % at 3 years, respectively. Thirteen patients died; the overall and cause-specific survival rates were both 73 % at 1 year and 23 and 44 % at 3 years, respectively. The median survival time was 16 months. There were no therapy-related toxicities ≥ grade 3. Total scalp irradiation is safe and effective for local tumor control, but a dose of ≤ 50 Gy in conventional fractions may be insufficient to eradicate microscopic tumors. For gross tumors, a total dose of 70 Gy, and > 70 Gy for tumors with deep invasion, is recommended.

Primary subglottic cancer is a rare malignancy. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy for subglottic cancer. Nineteen patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottis received radiotherapy, 14 of whom also underwent chemotherapy. Of the 19 patients, 15 received definitive radiotherapy to the gross tumors with total doses of 70–70.2 Gy in 35–39 fractions, and 4 underwent preoperative radiotherapy with total doses of 37.8–55.8 Gy in 21–31 fractions, followed by total laryngectomy. Of the 19 patients, 5 developed local progression and 2 developed distant metastasis at the median follow-up period of 5 years. The 5-year local control and disease-free rates were 74 and 63%, respectively. Three patients died of tumor progression, and the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 80 and 63%, respectively. Regarding acute toxicities, transient mucositis and dermatitis of grade 3 or lower were observed in all patients, but there were no late toxicities of grade 3 or higher. Radiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the subglottis. The use of chemotherapy together with radiotherapy may enhance treatment efficacy and contribute to larynx preservation through good local control.

In radiotherapy and chemotherapy tumor hypoxia is recognized as a major obstacle to effective treatment. We undertook a pilot study in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer to determine whether there is a relationship between tumor uptake of (62)Cu-ATSM and response to chemoradiotherapy.Seventeen patients were studied using PET/CT with (62)Cu-ATSM and (18)F-FDG prior to the initiation of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. All patients had locally advanced head and neck cancer (stage III or IV). Tumor uptake in all patients was measured by region of interest analysis using the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax). A total dose of 50.4-70.2 Gy (median 70.2 Gy) was delivered in 29-39 fractions (median 39 fractions) to tumor. In patients with (non CR) and without (CR) residual/recurrent tumors at 2-year post irradiation, the statistical significance of the differences in tumor (62)Cu-ATSM SUVmax, T/M ratio, (18)F-FDG SUVmax and tumor volume were analyzed using Student's t test and Welch test. The relationship between clinical outcome and (62)Cu-ATSM/(18)F-FDG uptake patterns was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation between SUVmax of (62)Cu-ATSM and (18)F-FDG was compared by Spearman's rank correlation test.Two of the 17 patients that were enrolled in our study were excluded from the final analysis. Of the 15 remaining patients, 9 patients were free of disease and 6 patients had residual/recurrent tumors. The SUVmax differed significantly (p 0.05) between patients with or without residual/recurrent tumor on (62)Cu-ATSM PET/CT. Six of the 10 patients with tumors SUVmax5.00 had residual/recurrent tumor, whereas all of the 5 patients with tumors SUVmax5.00 were free of disease. There was no significant difference in FDG uptake between patients with and without residual/recurrent tumor.The results of this pilot study suggested that (62)Cu-ATSM uptake may be a predictive indicator of tumor response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Purpose Among extranodal lymphomas, orbital mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a relatively rare presentation. We performed a review to ascertain treatment efficacy and toxicity of radiation therapy for orbital MALT lymphoma. We also evaluated changes in visual acuity after irradiation. Methods and Materials Thirty patients with orbital MALT lymphoma underwent radiation therapy with curative intent. Clinical stages at diagnosis were stage I E A in 29 patients and stage II E A in 1 patient. Total doses of 28.8 to 45.8 Gy (median, 30 Gy) in 15 to 26 fractions (median, 16 fractions) were delivered to the tumors. Results All irradiated tumors were controlled during the follow-up period of 2 to 157 months (median, 35 months) after treatment. Two patients had relapses that arose in the cervical lymph node and the ipsilateral palpebral conjunctiva outside the radiation field at 15 and 67 months after treatment, respectively. The 5-year local progression-free and relapse-free rates were 100% and 96%, respectively. All 30 patients are presently alive; the overall and relapse-free survival rates at 5 years were 100% and 96%, respectively. Although 5 patients developed cataracts of grade 2 at 8 to 45 months after irradiation, they underwent intraocular lens implantation, and their eyesight recovered. Additionally, there was no marked deterioration in the visual acuity of patients due to irradiation, with the exception of cataracts. No therapy-related toxicity of grade 3 or greater was observed. Conclusions Radiation therapy was effective and safe for patients with orbital MALT lymphoma. Although some patients developed cataracts after irradiation, visual acuity was well preserved.

We argue that the evolution of coloured partons into colour-singlet hadrons has approximate factorization into an extended parton-shower phase and a colour-singlet resonance--pole phase. The amplitude for the conversion of colour connected partons into hadrons necessarily resembles Regge-pole amplitudes since qq-bar resonance amplitudes and Regge-pole amplitudes are related by duality. A `Regge-cascade' factorization property of the N-point Veneziano amplitude provides further justification of this protocol. This latter factorization property, in turn, allows the construction of general multi-hadron amplitudes in amplitude-squared factorized form from (1->2) link amplitudes. We suggest an algorithm with cascade-decay configuration, ordered in the transverse momentum, suitable for Monte-Carlo simulation. We make a simple implementation of this procedure in Herwig++, obtaining some improvement to the description of the event-shape distributions at LEP., 10 pages, 9 figures

The Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV) is a key technology in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), a sophisticated road traffic information system in many countries. Robust and real-time lane detection in an outdoor environment is essential for AGVs. In order to apply outdoor AGV we employ an omni-directional camera.

It is ideal to prevent all failures. However, when a failure occurs, it is important to quickly specify the cause stage and take countermeasures. There are various types of failures, ranging from the failures due to simple mis-operation to the failures whose cause analysis takes many highly skilled engineers a long time. If the failure cause in the latter case can be specified simply by anyone, the yield enhancement will be accelerated. We are developing a method that enables us to specify a failure cause, without depending on the experience and skills of engineers. Data mining is a method for extracting buried information and rules from data of enormous quantity, by using a statistical method. Some examples have been reported in various fields but only a few in the semiconductor field. This time, we have applied a regression tree analysis system, which is one of data mining tool's codeveloped by Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and FLT, to failure analysis in LSI manufacturing. As a result, a failure cause which has been difficult to be detected even in the in-process monitoring was specified automatically only in six hours. Then, through the verification process, we ascertained that the failure cause was correct. We could specify the cause and take countermeasures at a speed six times faster than by the conventional method.

We discuss single charged Higgs boson production from $e^+e^-$ annihilation at next generation linear colliders. They can be important to study the phenomenology of charged Higgs bosons, especially when charged Higgs bosons are too heavy to be produced by the pair production mechanism. Cross sections for various single production processes are evaluated at the leading order. Our analysis shows that in some parameter regions the phenomenology of charged Higgs bosons can be explored even beyond the kinematic limit for pair production by using single production processes., Talk given by S. Kanemura at the Linear Collider Workshop 2000, October 24-28, 2000, Fermilab

The interaction of various amyloid precursors and apolipoprotein E (apoE) is important for Congophilic amyloid formation. As for cerebral amyloidoses, although the correlation between amyloid beta protein (Abeta) and apoE in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been clarified, the interaction of prion protein isoform (PrPsc) and apoE in several types of prion diseases (PDs) has not been examined in detail. ApoE colocalization has been confirmed in Congophilic PrPsc plaques, but to clarify the participation of apoE in the early stage of PDs, apoE deposition in immature lesions without Congophilic amyloid in PDs needs to be examined. In the present study two squirrel monkeys were inoculated with mouse PrPsc derived from sheep scrapie, and showed signs of severe spongiform degeneration. These lesions were immunohistochemically characterized as patchy perivacuolar and diffuse synaptic lesions without Congophilic amyloid. The central portion of the assemblies involving a few patchy perivacuolar lesions was detected by methenamine silver staining and appeared as a plaque-like lesion. ApoE was colocalized in all the plaque-like lesions and in half of the patchy perivacuolar lesions, but not in any diffuse synaptic lesions. These immunohistochemical characteristics indicated that apoE colocalization occurred in moderate mature lesions in PDs, and apoE might play an important role in the aggregation of PrPsc after a conformational change from cellular PrP isoform to PrPsc.

In breast cancer, diagnosis of a small internal mammary lymph node (IMLN) metastasis of less than 10 mm in size has been difficult. Our purpose was to retrospectively evaluate MRI findings of small IMLN metastases in comparison with dissected IMLNs.We studied 43 dissected IMLNs (range 2-12 mm, mean 4.512+/-2.763 mm) in 16 women with breast cancer (15 primary, and 1 recurrent). MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 Tesla scanner (200FX; Toshiba, Tokyo, Japan) to obtain noncontrast T1-weighted SE images (TR/TE; 500/15 or 400/15ms), with a slice thickness of 5 mm on coronal images, 10 mm or 7 mm on sagittal images, FOV 15x15 cm, matrix 256x256, using a surface coil with patients in the supine position. MR images were evaluated regarding the major diameter and shape and margin of each node.Regarding the presence of IMLN metastases, there was a significant difference between nodes with a major diameter of 5 mm or more and those of less than 5 mm (p0.05). Using the size-based criterion (definingor =5 mm as positive), MRI had 90.7% accuracy, 93.3% sensitivity, and 89.3% specificity. There were no significant differences in the shape-or margin-based criterion.MRI was useful in diagnosing small IMLN metastases, using a size-based criterion.

Nine patients with locally recurrent carcinoma of the cervix were treated with balloon-occluded arterial infusion chemotherapy (BOAI) in order to secure high concentrations of antitumor agents. All the patients had previously received radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Recurrence was diagnosed by cytology and/or biopsy, or CT. Either cisplatin 100 mg/body and doxorubicin hydrochloride 40 mg/body or cisplatin 50-100 mg/body and pirarubicin 40-60 mg/body were infused after the bilateral internal iliac arteries had been occluded using balloon catheters. As the largest diameter of the tumors on CT increased, the mean survival after BOAI decreased. The mean survival of 4 patients with no detectable masses on CT was 45 +/- 30.7 months. In 5 patients, neurological complications, subcutaneous and/ or skin reactions of the buttock, or necrosis of the uterus developed. The neurological complications were damage to the sciatic nerve at the level of S1 or S2. Our study suggests that BOAI therapy may lead to a high complication rate in patients with locally recurrent carcinoma of the cervix who previously received radiation therapy, although long-term survival can be expected in patients with no detectable masses on CT.

The colour connection structure of QCD ($2\to2$) processes is discussed, with emphasis on its application to the supersymmetric 2 parton $\to$ 2 sparton processes, which are currently being implemented in the HERWIG Monte Carlo event generator. The procedure described by Marchesini and Webber is found to be inadequate, and a new method is proposed. However, this alteration is unlikely to significantly affect the theoretical predictions for soft gluon radiation. A complete list of supersymmetric QCD $2\to2$ matrix elements and their colour decompositions is presented., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, LaTeX2e

Surgical excision remains the standard and most reliable curative treatment for eyelid carcinoma, but frequently causes functional and cosmetic impairment of the eyelid. We therefore investigated the efficacy and safety of radiation therapy in eyelid carcinoma. Twenty-three patients with primary carcinoma of the eyelid underwent radiation therapy. Sebaceous carcinoma was histologically confirmed in 16 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 6, and basal cell carcinoma in 1. A total dose of 50–66.6 Gy (median, 60 Gy) was delivered to tumor sites in 18–37 fractions (median, 30 fractions). All but 3 of the 23 patients had survived at a median follow-up period of 49 months. The overall survival and local progression-free rates were 87% and 93% at 2 years, and 80% and 93% at 5 years, respectively. Although radiation-induced cataracts developed in 3 patients, visual acuity in the other patients was relatively well preserved. There were no other therapy-related toxicities of grade 3 or greater. Radiation therapy is safe and effective for patients with primary carcinoma of the eyelid. It appears to contribute to prolonged survival as a result of good tumor control, and it also facilitates functional and cosmetic preservation of the eyelid.

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) includes focal dilatation of the portal vein, and was formerly thought to be a rare disease. We report a 46-year-old man with chronic aggressive hepatitis and intrahepatic portal vein ancurysm communicating with the hepatic vein. Hemangiomas in the liver and intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) were also found. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of PVA in a patient with congenital intracranial AVM. As the PVA in this patient communicated with the hepatic vein, and as hemangiomas in the liver and intracranial AVM were also present, the pathogenesis in this patient seems to have been congenital anomaly of the vasculature.

In selecting the teeth for fabrication of complete or partial dentures, each patient's anatomic and physiologic requirements and the properties of the artificial teeth themselves should be taken into consideration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of the artificial teeth by the static compression test and the impact test. Specimens were the lower first molar porcelain and resin teeth (Livdent FB-20 teeth by G. C. Co., Tokyo, Japan). All were of the same shape. In the static compression test, the fracture load and deformation of the artificial teeth were measured with an Instron-type universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 1.0 mm/min. Elastic modulus, ultimate strength and absorbed energy were calculated. In the impact test, the acceleration of a falling impactor was measured with a drop impact apparatus. The load applied to the specimen was equivalent to 300N. Absorbed energy and deformation were calculated. The resin teeth showed a lower elastic modulus, higher fracture toughness and shock-absorbing ability than the porcelain teeth. Resin teeth should be selected when the first requisite is high shock-absorbing ability, and porcelain teeth should be selected when the first requisite is high masticating efficiency.

Practical usefulness of a teleradiology system using CCD camera, personal computer and telephone line was evaluated in a daily clinical practice. Image quality of this system is diagnostic for the majority of abnormalities on radiological images including plain radiographs. Radiological consultation between hospitals in the same city as well as between distant cities using this moderately priced system was thought to be useful in 90% of cases. Teleradiology using compact systems like ours is expected to be useful in the urban clinical environment as well as in distant areas.

Gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadolinium chelated by DTPA, has been used safely as a contrast material in MR imaging [1]. High attenuation of X-rays by gadopentetate dimeglumine (0.5 mmollml, Magnevist, Schening, Berlin, Germany) administered IV in preparation for MR imaging has been reported on CT scans in laboratory studies and on radiographs of the kidneys [2]. We report a case in which a patient who had a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma and a history of hypersensitivity to nonionic iodinated contrast media was treated with emergency transcatheter arterial embolization. Gadopentetate dimeglumine was used as a contrast material for digital subtraction angiography.

We report two cases of histiocytosis-X (Langerhans cell histiocytosis) in infants with an anterior mediastinal mass containing punctate calcifications on CT.

We reviewed the chest x-ray (CXR) findings and clinical courses of 129 patients with Kawasaki disease and found abnormal CXR findings in 14.7% of the patients. Reticulogranular pattern was the most frequent abnormality (89.5%), while peribronchial cuffing (21.1%), pleural effusion (15.8%), atelectasis (10.5%) and air trapping (5.3%) were also seen. In each of these patients, CXR abnormalities appeared within 10 days after the onset of illness. In the group with abnormal CXR findings, a statistically significant increase was noted in duration of fever, incidence of adventitious sounds, serum CRP levels and incidence of coronary arterial lesions and pericardial effusion, as compared with the group having normal CXR findings. The pathological basis of these CXR changes is not clear, since no biopsy or autopsy specimen was obtained from these patients, none of these patients showed definite heart failure, it is difficult to consider that abnormal CXR findings were due to heart failure. On the other hand, physical signs and previous pathological reports suggested that the causes of abnormal CXR findings were lower respiratory tract inflammation and/or pulmonary arteritis.

Expectoration of large, branching, bronchial casts, termed plastic bronchitis, is an uncommon condition in children. Asthma or allergy often is the cause of cast production, but in some instances no etiology is found. Five children produced large, obstructing bronchial casts that either were expectorated or were extracted at bronchoscopy. Four of the children had asthma or allergies and the fifth had congenital tricuspid atresia and chronic pericardial and pleural effusions. In two patients, expectorated casts initially were thought to be aspirated food material. Radiographic findings during periods of cast formation included atelectasis, obstructive emphysema, bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, and pneumomediastinum. Cast formation may be self-limited but generally ceases with appropriate treatment of the causative disorder. Bronchoscopic extraction of casts may benefit some patients.

A study was performed to establish the value of a computed radiography (CR) system in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). CR images obtained with various X-ray doses were compared with the images of a standard film-screen system. The image quality of CR taken with about one half radiation exposure, was comparable to that of the standard high speed film-screen combination. The use of CR could lead to a significant reduction in radiation in the neonatal I.C.U.

The diagnostic value of the portable chest radiography obtained with Fuji computed radiography (FCR) was evaluated in comparison with conventional images in 23 patients who were admitted to ICU in Yokohama City University Hospital. On the whole, FCR produced more excellent images than conventional screen-film radiographs. Especially the evaluation for the demonstration of the catheters, the endotracheal tubes and the tracheal shadows obtained high score. We discuss the clinically utility of FCR for the portable chest radiographs in ICU.

A study of 29 neonates with intestinal obstruction has shown that a massively dilated, bulbous terminal segment of bowel is characteristic of neonatal infestinal obstruction of congenital origin. The sign is an important diagnostic indicator but its absence does not exclude intestinal atresia.