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The deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)-which is mainly composed of type I collagen-in anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASCs) during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) decreases visual function. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a key factor in the induction of EMT in LECs. Although Rho kinase (ROCK) plays an important role in EMT induced by TGF-β, it is unknown whether ROCK inhibition affects type I collagen expression in TGF-β-stimulated LECs and ASC formation. This was investigated in the present study both in vitro using human lens epithelium (HLE)-B3 cells and in vivo using mice with ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-B-induced cataracts. We found that TGF-β2 increased type I collagen mRNA expression in HLE-B3 cells; this was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. UVR-B exposure caused ASC formation in mice. A histopathological examination revealed that LECs in the anterior subcapsular area were flattened and multi-layered, and had a spindle shape in cross section. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of α-smooth muscle actin and type I collagen around these flattened LECs; these opacities were reduced by topical instillation of Y-27632. These findings suggest that suppression of TGF-β signaling in LECs by topical application of a ROCK inhibitor can prevent the formation of ASCs.

Background This study aimed to assess the longitudinal health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) and HRQOL change between the nerve-sparing technique in Japanese men treated with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Methods A total of 573 patients who received RARP were included in this study. EPIC questionnaire was administered before treatment and up to 36 months after RARP. Clinical recovery was defined as half of the standard deviation of the baseline score for each domain. We divided all patients into recovery group or nonrecovery group. The time from survey to each domain recovery was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. We compared the sexual and urinary score change between groups using analysis of variance to confirm the effect of nerve-sparing technique. Results The median age was 67 years (interquartile range, 62–71 years). The mean score of all urinary domains worsened noticeably after 1 month. All postoperative urinary summary, function, and incontinence scores were significantly lower than preoperative scores up to 3 years post-RARP. Postoperative sexual summary and functional scores were significantly lower than preoperative score at all follow-up times throughout the 36 months. The recovery rate for the urinary incontinence domain was the lowest (44.5%), whereas the recovery rate for the urinary irritative–obstructive domain was the highest (73.7%). In the sexual domain, the bother domain had a higher recovery rate (73.0%) than the functional domain (29.7%). Although the recovery of sexual domains was slower compared with other domains, by 36 months after RARP, almost all values had recovered. Compared with other technique groups, bilateral intrafascial nerve-sparing group showed significantly decreased change in subscale scores before and after RARP in several sexual and urinary domain. Conclusion The time course and extent of functional and bother domain recovery documented in this study may prove useful for RARP patient selection in Japan.

Surface structural changes of Ti-doped diamond-like carbon (Ti-DLC) film exposed to a hyperthermal atomic oxygen beam were investigated using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. The spectral shape of the C K NEXAFS spectrum of as-deposited Ti-DLC film resembled that of DLC film. After exposure to atomic oxygen, the spectrum resembled that of TiC powder. The sp 2 /( sp 2 + sp 3 ) ratio of as-deposited Ti-DLC film decreased drastically by exposure to a hyperthermal atomic oxygen beam. On the other hand, the spectral shape in the Ti L NEXAFS spectrum of as-deposited Ti-DLC film resembled that of TiC powder and became similar to that of TiO 2 powder after exposure to atomic oxygen. These changes are ascribable to the desorption of C atoms as CO and/or CO 2 from Ti-DLC film due to the irradiation of atomic oxygen beam. On the other hand, oxidized Ti was not desorbed from the Ti-DLC film. As a result, the sp 2 /( sp 2 + sp 3 ) ratio of C in the Ti-DLC film decreased, because residual C atoms were bonded to Ti atoms.

In vegetable production in a plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL), there is almost no work until harvesting after transplantation. Therefore, the work to be automated is seeding, selection of good seedlings, transplanting, moving cultivation panels, harvesting, weight checking, packaging, metal inspection, and panel cleaning. Moving the cultivation panels involves working in high places in a PFAL with a multilayer cultivation system, and so this task should be automated to reduce the risks from such work. This chapter introduces a PFAL of the Green Clocks Corporation (Osaka, Japan), which was completed in September 2014 and contains the latest automation technology for PFAL, as a case study. This modern PFAL facility can produce 5200 leaf lettuce heads per day, with cutting-edge technologies for automatic selection of seedlings using genetic information and cultivation panel movement with a newly developed shuttle-type transfer robot.

Introduction Direct current (DC) shifts are EEG components slower than delta waves. In focal epilepsy, ictal DC shifts recorded with intracranial and scalp electrodes have been reported to be helpful to delineate epileptogenic zone. Here we investigated DC shifts during generalized spike-and-wave complexes (SWC) in adult patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Methods Nine patients with electro-clinical diagnosis of IGE (four males), age 35 ± 13 years (mean ± SD), were included. Conventional scalp EEG was recorded for around 30 min, using Ag/AgCl electrodes set according to international 10–20 system, with sampling frequency of 500 Hz. In total, 55 EEG records for 1836 min (mean 6.9 records per patient) were analyzed. All records were reviewed offline under the condition of TC 0.3 s, 30 mm/s, and HF 60, in various montages, all SWC were marked, and segments with significant artifacts were excluded by visual inspection. Then the reviewing condition was changed into the average reference montage excluding frontopolar and earlobe electrodes, TC 2.0 s, 60 s/page, and HF15. Baselines of each EEG waveform were set referring to the segment from 20 s to 10 s before the SWC onset. DC shifts were defined as sustained negative and/or positive slow potentials with the amplitude higher than 20 μ V, better delineated with TC 2.0 s than 0.3 s, and reproducible in location within each patient. Results Among 272 SWC, 175 eligible SWC were analyzed (duration 1.5 ± 1.6 s, amplitude 9.1 ± 17.1 μ V), and DC shifts were present at 30 times (17.1% of SWC analyzed, amplitude 29.7 ± 20.2 μ V). DC shifts were mainly observed in fontal and frontopolar electrodes. SWC with DC shifts showed significantly longer duration than those without (2.9 ± 3.1 s v.s. 1.2 ± 0.7 s, p = 0.008). Amplitude and duration of DC shifts showed significant positive linear correlation (r = 0.60, p Conclusion Scalp-recorded DC shifts during SWC was associated with persistent EEG seizures in adult patients with IGE. More confined distribution of DC shifts than that of SWC may reflect heterogeneous epileptogenicity within each IGE patient.

The -1584C/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of CYP2D6 was suggested to have the potential to influence CYP2D6 activity. In this report, we demonstrated the frequencies of -1584C to G substitution-related alleles, such as CYP2D6*2, CYP2D6*21, CYP2D6*35 and CYP2D6*41, in the Japanese population. The frequencies of CYP2D6*2, *41 and *21 were 0.102, 0.026 and 0.005, respectively. We also showed a relationship between the SNP and other common alleles, CYP2D6*4, *5, *10, *14 and *18. Interestingly, the SNP was detected in all three subjects carrying CYP2D6*14. This finding suggests the -1584G is included in the CYP2D6*14 allele, which is a null-allele characteristic to the Japanese population. This report presents practical information on CYP2D6 alleles that should be considered in the pharmacokinetic study of CYP2D6 substrates in the Japanese population.

焼却灰・飛灰溶融処理炉内の重金属挙動の把握は, 効率的な重金属の揮発分離回収を行う上で非常に重要であるが, 静的な溶融条件下では, その挙動は溶融塩とスラグの相分離における両者間の重金属の分配挙動に強く関係していると考えられる。そこで, 本研究では, 灰溶融処理における重金属揮発の重要な因子となる溶融塩とスラグ間の重金属分配値 (LM= (mass%M) salt/ (mass%M) slag, M=Pb, Zn) を密封系および開放系にて測定した。その結果, 重金属は, 溶融塩とスラグ間である一定の分配を保ったまま揮発することがわかった。また, スラグ塩基度の増大とともに, PbおよびZnの分配値は減少し, この機構は, CaCl2による重金属の塩化反応式より説明された。スラグ中に溶解する全塩素 (T.Cl) 濃度はスラグ塩基度の増大とともに増加した。この反応機構は, 溶融塩中の塩素イオンとスラグ中の酸素イオンの交換反応式により説明された。

An environmentally sound process for the extraction of neodymium (Nd) from magnet scrap was devised and its feasibility was demonstrated. The developed Nd extraction apparatus circulates the magnesium (Mg) as an extraction medium by maintaining a temperature difference within the reaction vessel, thus achieving continuous extraction of metal Nd from scrap, re-extraction of Mg from a Mg–Nd alloy, and finally, pure Nd metal with 97.7% purity was directly recovered from magnet scrap without oxidation. The concept of ‘‘scrap combination’’ for recycling variable materials, that is demonstrated in this study, is an important technology that can be instrumental in creating a highly developed self-sustainable society.

小児腸重積症は,しばしばみられる疾患であるが,その多くは回腸結腸型であり器質的原因を有するものは稀とされていた.今回,われわれが経験した結腸結腸型は極めて稀であり,その原因が若年性大腸ポリープによる症例は本邦でも少ない.また,内視鏡的ポリープ切除により治癒しえたので報告する. 症例は6歳,男児.腹痛,鮮血便のため入院となった.腹部所見で膀左側に腫瘤を触知しCT検査にて腸重積と診断され,高圧浣腸で整復するが,再度重積を生じたため,当科紹介となった.注腸造影では下行結腸S状結腸移行部にカニの爪状陰影を認め,先進部に径2.5cm大のポリープ様陰影があったため,大腸内視鏡検査を施行した.下行結腸脾曲側に山田IV型の径2.5cm大ポリープがありポリペクトミーを施行した.その後,症状なく, 4日目に退院した.病理組織所見は若年性ポリープであった.

The presence of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a significant risk factor of major perioperative cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing even non-cardiac surgery under anesthetic management. The most important aspect of perioperative care of PAH patients is to avoid pulmonary hypertensive crisis, which can be induced by alveolar hypoxia, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, metabolic acidosis, airway manipulations, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system by noxious stimuli. We report a case of successful monitored anesthesia care supplemented by dexmedetomidine for inguinal hernioplasty of a patient with severe PAH secondary to congenital heart disease.

This paper presents a new technique for reducing frictional drag using a super-water-repellent surface and air-injection (called an SWR & A technique). Its effectiveness was examined by carrying out pressure-loss measurements with a tube of rectangular cross section, along with resistance tests on a horizontal flat plate, a 7.2-m-long tanker model, and a 12-m-long high length-to-beam-ratio model ship. These test results showed that the new technique can significantly reduce the models' frictional drag; for example, the frictional resistance on the SWR surface was reduced by 80% at a speed of 4 m/s and 55% at 8 m/s.

We have encountered a rare case of breast cancer and asymptomatic phechromocytoma associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. A 46-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a left breast lump. She had cafe au lait maculae and multiple neurofibromas since her youth. Physical examination revealed a tumor, measuring 4.0×4.0cm, in the upper half of the left breast. Aspiration cytology offered a diagnosis of breast cancer (Stage II). The operation (Bt+Ax) was done. Histopathological examination revealed papillotubular carcinoma with lymph node metastasis (n1α) and the skin tumor was neurofibroma. ER and PgR were positive. After the operation, abdominal CT revealed a solitary mass in the right adrenal gland. Laboratory data showed that serum catecholamine levels were normal and urine catecholamine levels were elevated.131I-MIBG scintigraphy showed positive imaging that corresponded with the right adrenal tumor. She has not shown symptoms of hypertension. With a suggested diagnosis of asymptomatic pheochromocytoma, she underwent right adrenectomy, and histopathological examination confirmed pheochromocytoma. She remains disease free 7 months after the operation.

In the 1 st report, a new technique for reducing frictional drag using a super water repellent surface and air-injection (SWR & A method) was proposed, and its effectiveness for two-dimensional flow was confirmed by carrying out pressure loss tests in a rectangular tube and resistance tests on a horizontal flat plate.This paper presents the results of resistance tests applying the new technique to a tanker model of 7.2 m long and a high length-to-beam-ratio ship model of 12 m long. The results of these tests show that the new technique can significantly reduce frictional drag of the tanker model and the high length-to-beam-ratio ship model, and that frictional drag on the SWR surface of the 12.0 m high length-to-beam-ratio ship model was reduced by 75% at a speed of 6 m/sec, which is the same reduction rate obtained with the flat plate.

Hydrogen storage alloys based on misch metal (Mm) are commercially used as negative electrode materials for the nickel–hydride battery. In general, cobalt is contained in the alloys to guarantee the long cycle life of the negative electrode. Consequently, cobalt is an essential element in the hydrogen storage alloy. In order to elucidate the function of cobalt in the charge and discharge processes, the electrochemical feature of the negative electrode as well as the diffusion behavior of hydrogen in the alloy were systematically examined for the MmNi 4.0− x Mn 0.75 Al 0.25 Co x (0≤ x ≤0.6) alloys as a function of the cobalt content. The results of electrochemical measurements are interpreted from the viewpoint of the changes in unit cell volume of the alloys that strongly influences the stability of the hydride.

This paper presents a new technique for reducing frictional drag using a super-water-repellent surface and air-injection (called an SWR & A technique). Its effectiveness was examined by carrying out pressure-loss measurements with a tube of rectangular cross section, along with resistance tests on a horizontal flat plate, a 7.2-m-long tanker model, and a 12-m-long high length-to-beam-ratio model ship. These test results showed that the new technique can significantly reduce the models' frictional drag; for example, the frictional resistance on the SWR surface was reduced by 80% at a speed of 4 m/s and 55% at 8 m/s.

牛肉ホモゲネートのペプシンによる消化性をβ-LGとの比較において検討した.牛肉ホモゲネートのタンパク質は,ペプシンにより速やかに分解された.β-LGはペプシン消化に対して強い抵抗性が認められたが,β-LGに牛肉ホモゲネートを加えて消化させたところ,β-LGの消化性は促進した.これらの結果から,ペプシン消化後の牛肉タンパク質には抗原性を保持したペプチド分子の残存は低いものと推察された.さらに,食事として牛肉を組み合わせることにより,消化酵素に抵抗性のあるタンパク質の胃内での消化性が改善される可能性も示唆された.

The time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) technique combined with confocal fluorescence microscopy has revealed the nonexponential character of the fluorescence decay (0.1−10 ns) for highl...

Fluorescence emission spectra of N,N′‐bis(2,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐3,4:9,10‐ Perylenebis(dicarboximide) (DBPI), rhodamine 6G (R6G), and cresyl violet (CV) in spherical polymer beads of less than 20 μm diameter show sharp ripple structures. The observed peak positions and the intervals of the structures are consistent with the calculations of the morphology dependent resonances (MDR). Observed intensities of the MDR in the fluorescence emission spectra are found to show excitation energy dependence. The fluorescence spectra have also been measured as a function of the refractive indexes of the medium and the bead. These MDR in the beads up to 4 μm diameter do not appear to affect the fluorescence decay of the dyes, since the fluorescence lifetime remains constant irrespective of the size of the bead and the refractive index of a surrounding medium. Simulations based on the Lorentz–Mie theory for the microspheres of different refractive indexes have been used to quantify the observed effect on the basis of ...

症例は61歳の女性, 検診の腹部エコ-で肝腫瘤を指摘され当科紹介となった. 腹部computed tomographyにて肝海綿状血管腫と診断したが, 9か月後に胸腹部痛が出現し画像上肝腫瘤の増大を認め入院となった. 腹部血管造影ではcotton-wool like appearanceに加え腫瘍濃染像を認め, magnetic resonance imaging T2 強調画像ではhigh intensityとlow intensityが不均ーに混在しており肝血管肉腫と診断した. 治療としてtranscatheter arterial embolization (以下TAEと略記), interleukin-2 (以下, IL-2と略記) の肝動注およびステロイドの投与を行い一時的であったが症状の改善を認めた. その後再度増悪し症状発現より約4か月で死亡した. 剖検では肝右葉の大部分が暗赤色結節状の腫瘍で占められ, 組織学的に肝血管肉腫と診断された. 肝血管肉腫の治療は肝切除が第1選択であるが切除不能例にはTAE, II-2の肝動注, ステロイドの投与を試みる価値があると思われる.

It is still controversial how old patients we should define the young in the colorectal cancer. First we studied the survival rates by age groups and the patients group under 30 years of age had significantly poorer prognosis than those in other age groups. So we defined the patients group under 30-year-old as young patients and the clinicopathological feature in 25 young patients were compared to other parients over 30-year-old. No significant differences were noted in the location of cancer, family history and histological type. Young patients suffered from symptoms for long time and 40% of them had Dukes D disease, and 48% of them underwent palliative operation. However, the prognosis of patients under 30 undergoing curative operation was good. It is likely that the prognosis of young patients with colorectal cancer was poor because of the late diagnosis of cancer rather than because of its aggressiveness in biologic behaivior.

Primary cancer of the caudate lobe as well as rare metastatic caudate lobe cancer are expected to have poor prognosis because the anatomical specificity of the caudate lobe. We experienced a resected single metastasis in the caudate lobe from a colonic cancer. A 62-year-old male who had undergone total colectomy for multiple colorectal cancers 24 months before was found to have a 4cm mass lesion in the caudate lobe by ultrasonography. The mass was adjacent to the middle hepatic vein and left portal vein. The patient underwent an extended left lobectomy and caudate lobe resection under preparation of IVC shunt. Intensive hepatic arterial chemotherapy (5-FU+CDDP) was performed after the operation. Five cases of resected single caudate lobe metastasis from colonic cancer have been reported. Four of them had a recurrence in the residual liver and none of them survived for 3 years after the resection of the caudate lobe. Caudate lobe metastasis, adjacent to the main vessels, may possiblely spread to other liver tissue secondarily. We think that the co-resection of the hepatic lobe adjoining to the caudate lobe tumor should be performed in terms of probable intrahapatic extension of the tumor, surgical tecnhique and hepatic functional reserve and intensive adjuvant therapy should be added for the residual liver.

左側結腸癌, 直腸癌における大動脈周囲リンパ節郭清の適応と意義を考える目的で, 253番リンパ節転移陽性 (n3群) または216番リンパ節転移陽性 (n4群) が証明された62例の生存率の検討を行った.n3群とn4群の間には有意差はなく, 肉眼的に切除できた症例が有意に生存率が良好であった (p

The authors had previously reported that the accumulation of p53 is clearly demonstrable in microwave-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of colorectal carcinomas. In the present paper, the authors performed an immunohistochemical study of p53 in gastric carcinomas prepared by microwave irradiation. Using a monoclonal antibody (PAb1801), nuclear p53 was detected in 22 of 45 (49%) cases of gastric carcinoma, and no staining for p53 was demonstrated in the adjacent normal epithelium, including areas of intestinal metaplasia. The incidence of p53 accumulation was not affected by clinical features, such as tumor stage, depth of invasion, and metastasis; however, positivity for p53 was significantly higher in intestinal-type carcinomas (56%) than in diffuse-type (27%) carcinomas. Furthermore, a large number of carcinoma cells expressed p53 in the intestinal-type, but only a few cells were positive for p53 in the diffuse-type. The results of the present immunohistochemical study of p53 accumulation in gastric carcinomas suggest that gene alterations of p53 are not rare in gastric carcinomas and may participate in the carcinogenesis of intestinal-type carcinomas of the stomach.

We experienced a relatively rare case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung. An 18-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of an abnormal shadow in the right upper lung field on chest X-ray. The diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor has been often made by postoperative histopathological study. In this case, the diagnosis could be established preoperatively by an echo-guided percutaneous needle biopsy which permit to obtain plenty of specimen.

Neuro-Behçet disease (NBD) can be categorized clinically as the acute type--characterized by meningoencephalitis--and the chronic progressive type- characterized by slowly progressive dementia, ataxia, and dysarthria. We describe a 35-year clinical course of NBD that was characterized by slowly progressive ataxia and dysarthria despite continued corticosteroid treatment. Because of difficulties in swallowing, which interrupted oral corticosteroid therapy, this case was characterized by recurrent manifestations of neurological symptoms and abnormal MRI findings. Resumption of corticosteroid therapy was effective. The patient was a 77-year-old woman who had presented with oral ulceration and dysarthria at the age of 42. She suffered from Entero-Behçet disease at the age of 52 and was treated with corticosteroids for 7 years. Oral corticosteroid therapy was resumed at the age of 64, but her neurological deficit slowly progressed and she developed paraplegia with dysphagia and dysarthria. Corticosteroids treatment was interrupted when she was 76; one year later, she was hospitalized in a state of somnolence. Brain MRI scans revealed new lesions with gadolinium enhancement. We diagnosed acute exacerbation of NBD attacks on the basis of positive findings for HLA-B51, protein elevation, and IL-6 in the cerebrospinal fluid. Corticosteroid treatment was effective. She became alert, and her MRI findings were no longer abnormal. Corticosteroids administration was continued via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Our case suggested that even if neurological exacertion is not obvious during the clinical course, immunosuppressive therapies should be continued for patients with chronic NBD to prevent acute aggravation.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was employed as a model protein emulsifier to conjugate with aldohexose (D-glucose (Glc) or D-allose (All)) and sugar fatty acid ester (6-O-octanoyl-D-glucose (GlcC8)) through the Maillard reaction. It was found during the reaction that rate of decrease of free amino groups in BSA was almost the same for the BSA-sugar mixtures whereas browning and protein aggregation developed in the following order: Glc < All < GlcC8. It was thought that the rate of degradation of the Amadori compound could have been influenced by the OH-group stereochemistry at the C3 position of aldohexose, while denaturation of BSA by GlcC8 enhanced the browning and protein aggregation. To understand the emulsifying ability of the BSA-sugar conjugates, hexadecane-water interfacial tension and the oil droplet size of emulsions prepared by homogenizing hexadecane and aqueous solution of the conjugates were examined. BSA-GlcC8 showed greater improvement in interfacial and emulsifying activity than did BSA-Glc and -All. However, no improvement in emulsion stability was observed for any of the BSA-sugar conjugates, suggesting the weakness of the film formed at the oil droplet interface.

In this study, we tested the influence of the serotonin type 2A, 3A and 3B receptor genes (HTR2A, HTR3A, HTR3B) in addition to a polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (SERTPR), and investigated the different characteristics of clinical responses to paroxetine and fluvoxamine. A total of 100 Japanese patients affected by major recurrent depression were enrolled in a randomized 6-week study. The clinical response was evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and adverse drug reactions were assessed at each visit. Patients with the l allele of SERTPR showed a better response to SSRIs than s/s genotype carriers (p = 0.015–0.042), more significantly to fluvoxamine. The –1438G/G genotype of HTR2A was associated with a good response to SSRIs (p = 0.010–0.039), especially to fluvoxamine, and significantly with severe nausea in paroxetine-treated patients (p = 0.013). The 178C/C genotype of the HTR3A was associated with an antidepressant response (p = 0.022–0.042), and more significantly in paroxetine-treated patients (p = 0.002–0.042). These effects were independent of one another. We replicated the finding that the SERPTR polymorphism was associated with a response to SSRIs. We additionally found that HTR2A and HTR3A polymorphisms are associated with the efficacy, and the HTR2A polymorphism is also associated with adverse drug reactions. Furthermore, the effects of these polymorphisms varied from one SSRI to another and thus may depend on the characteristics of each SSRI.

We encountered DNA samples which showed a positive product using a long PCR-based method for the detection of CYP2D6*5, indicating deletion of the entire CYP2D6 gene, but the samples did not show a band related to CYP2D6*5 in either XbaI- or EcoRI-RFLP analysis. To achieve genotyping with accuracy, we performed a further genetic analysis to clarify the discrepancy. An unknown 1.6-kb insert was identified in a region downstream from the CYP2D6 stop codon where a specific primer was designed for long-PCR analysis for CYP2D6*5 genotyping. This finding suggested that the CYP2D6 gene might not be deleted in the samples even if a positive product was detected by the long-PCR method. Furthermore, the allelic frequency of this type was found to be approximately 0.3% (4 heterozygous/771 samples) in a Japanese population. In conclusion, we found a novel structure of the CYP2D6 gene, which might lead to incorrect genotyping for CYP2D6*5. Although the long PCR-based strategy for the detection of CYP2D6*5 has been widely used due to its usefulness and convenience, we recommend caution when adopting this method and propose re-evaluating the method for detecting CYP2D6*5.

The present study aimed to compare the effects of two currently used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in Japan taking the individual background in 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR) genotype into account. Clinical responses to paroxetine and fluvoxamine were evaluated by total and cluster depressive symptoms for 81 Japanese patients who were diagnosed with major depression. Patients with the l allele had a greater percentage reduction on the total score (P=0.059) and somatic anxiety items (P=0.026) of the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score compared to s/s genotype carriers. Paroxetine was significantly more effective than fluvoxamine in the s/s carriers, as evaluated on the percentage reduction in total score (P=0.012) and core (P=0.049) HAM-D after 4 weeks of medication, but not in the l/s carriers. These findings suggest that the genetic test may be useful in investigating the efficacy of the two SSRIs, and that normalization by the 5HTTLPR genotypes may lead to improvement of the precision of comparative analysis.

Th1 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease likely linked to an autoimmune process. We measured the levels of chemokines in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples by ELISA, and also studied the expression of Th1-related CXCR3/CCR5 chemokine receptors and Th2-related CCR4/CCR3 chemokine receptors on blood cells from MS patients using three-color flow cytometry. The Bonferroni correction was used for the statistical analysis. The levels of CXCL10, CCL3, and CCL5 in the CSF samples for the MS groups were significantly higher than those for the control group. However, the levels of CCL2 in both the CSF and serum samples for the remission group were significantly higher than those for the active group. The percentage of CXCR3-expressing CD4+ T cells in patients with MS was significantly elevated compared with the healthy controls. Moreover, MS patients in an active phase showed a more increased CD4+CXCR3+/CD4+CCR4+ ratio than patients in a remission phase. The increased percentage of CD4+CXCR3+ cells in the blood was associated with relapses in MS. This study suggested that the CD4+CXCR3+/CD4+CCR4+ ratio could be a sensitive maker of immune dysfunction in MS.

We report a case of effective weekly paclitaxel (TXL) administration for metastatic gastric cancer. TXL (80 mg/m2) was infused over 1 hour after short premedication on an outpatient basis. Administration was continued for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest. A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with recurrence 49 months after surgery for gastric cancer. He was treated with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, and thrombocytopenia (grade 3) and creatinin elevation (grade 1) were observed and assessed as progressive disease 2 months after the treatment. We attempted weekly TXL administration and after 5 courses assessed the patient as having a partial response. The treatment is ongoing. The toxic event was leukopenia (grade 2), with no episode of thrombocytopenia. The patient did not complain of nausea or vomiting, and his quality of life was fair during the treatment. Weekly TXL administration is a useful treatment for metastatic gastric cancer.

We report two cases in which weekly paclitaxel (TXL) administration and concurrent radiation was effective for metastatic breast cancer. TXL (80 mg/m2) was infused over 1 hour after short premedication. Case 1: A 50-year-old woman was found to have atelectasis of the middle lobe after treatment for brain metastasis. She was diagnosed with hilar, mediastinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes metastases. She received weekly TXL administration and concurrent radiation to the mediastinum and supraclavicular fossa. The metastatic lymph nodes had disappeared one month after the treatment. Case 2: A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer with lung, pleural, bone and orbital metastases. She received weekly TXL administration and concurrent radiation to the orbit. The lung and pleural metastases had disappeared and the orbital metastasis was decreased by 75% one month after the treatment, and the case was assessed as a partial response. Leukopenia and other major adverse effects were not observed in either of the two cases.

A 36-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a right breast lump. Chest computed tomography revealed pulmonary metastases with lymphangitis carcinomatosa. Additional examination revealed liver metastases and axillary and cervical lymph node metastases. The patient was started on CA therapy (cyclophosphamide 900 mg, adriamycin 90 mg). A minor response was observed in the pulmonary metastases after two courses but new brain metastases were detected. We then tried paclitaxel administration (260 mg). A partial response was observed in the brain and pulmonary metastases. Thus, paclitaxel administration was continued on a weekly basis (120 mg) and the brain and pulmonary metastases continued to diminish. The primary breast cancer, liver metastases and axillary and cervical lymph node metastases were disappeared. Whole brain radiation was done with weekly paclitaxel administration and the brain metastases were diminished even more. Paclitaxel is as a radiosensitizer and seems to have a strong antineoplastic effect with concurrent radiation.

We treated 12 patients with metastatic breast cancer with weekly paclitaxel therapy. Paclitaxel was administrated by 1 hour infusion at a dose of 80 mg/m2 after short premedication every week on an outpatient basis. Administration was continued for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest. All patients had received prior metastatic chemotherapy, and prior anthracycline therapy was done in 66.7% of the patients. Partial responses were observed in 66.7% of the patients and progressive disease in 33.3%. The response rate was 66.7%. Responses were observed in 62.5% of the patients with prior anthracycline therapy. Grade 3/4 leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in 25% of the patients, respectively, and no grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy was observed. Dyspnea occurred in 25% of the patients and was grade 3 in 16.7%. Dyspnea is thought to be one of the adverse events requiring caution with weekly paclitaxel administration. Weekly paclitaxel therapy is effective and well tolerated in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Cyst fluid was aspirated from five thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) and four branchial cleft cysts (BCCs). The cyst fluid levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and amylase were measured and compared between the two types of cyst. The enzyme immunoassay technique was used for CEA and CA19-9, while SCC and amylase levels were measured by the immunoradiometric assay and nitrophenol method, respectively. Immunostaining for CEA, CA19-9, and amylase was also performed. The serum levels of these markers in both groups of patients were within the normal ranges. In contrast, their cyst fluid levels were extremely high. There was no significant difference in the cyst fluid levels of CEA and SCC between the two types of cyst; however, the cyst fluid from the TDCs showed significantly higher levels of CA19-9 and significantly lower levels of amylase compared with that from the BCCs. Immunostaining revealed expression of CA 19-9 in nearly half the columnar epithelial cells in the TDCs, but not in the squamous epithelial cells in the BCCs. CEA and amylase were not found in the epithelial cells of either type of cyst. These findings seem to reflect the difference in etiology between TDCs and BCCs.

Three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the breast, initially diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology, are presented. The first case was a 49-year-old woman with a T1 tumor located in the lower outer quadrant of the left breast. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic tumor. Aspiration cytology suggested squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Mastectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed a pure SCC. The second case was a 40-year-old woman with a T1 tumor located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast.Ultrasonography showed a cystic tumor and aspiration cytology revealed SCC. A quad-rantectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed predominant SCC with an adeno-carcinoma component. Estrogen receptor (ER) was negative. The patient received postoperative radiation. Thirteen months after the first operation,a salvage mastectomy was performed because of local recurrence. The third case was a 61-year-old woman with a T1 tumor located in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Ultrasonography showed a solid tumor. Aspiration cytology revealed both SCC and adenocarcinoma. Wide excision was performed. Histological examination revealed pre-dominant SCC with foci of adenocarcinoma. ER was negative. She received postoperative radiation. The three patients are alive and disease-free 10 to 54 months after operations

資源・素材2006（福岡）、2006年9月11日～2006年9月13日、九州産業大学、福岡市 (Proc. MMIJ Fall Meeting 2006, Sept. 11-13 in 2006, Fukuoka, Japan)

Steady-state and time-resolved laser-fluorescence microscopy has been used to study the fluorescence emission from dye molecules embedded in micrometer-sized spherical polymer particles. Sharp ripple structures are observed in the fluorescence emission spectra of dyes. These structures are found to be consistent with the theoretical calculations of morphology dependent resonances (MDR's). Observed intensities of these MDR's in the fluorescence emission spectra are found to show excitation energy dependence. The MDR's in the beads do not appear to affect the radiative lifetime of the dyes.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Chitosan derivatives, sulfated N-acyl-chitosan (S-Cn-chitosan) possessing various lengths of alkyl chain, were prepared, and the properties of their aqueous solutions were examined. The 1H-NMR spectrum of D2O solutions of S-C12-chitosan showed broadening of the proton signals caused by aggregation of the alkyl chain. The solubility of a hydrophobic compounds, azobenzene, was small in the aqueous solutions of S-Cn-chitosan with shorter alkyl chains, but increased with increasing length of the chains above C10, showing that micelles had been formed. The ESR spectrum of a spin probe, TEMPO, in an S-C14-chitosan solution showed the existence of a hydrophobic region in the solution, but this region did not exist in the S-C2-chitosan solution. The rigidity of this region was examined by using a spin probe, 16-doxyl-stearic acid. From these results, it was revealed that S-Cn-chitosan with longer alkyl chains formed a novel type of micelle called a "polymer micelle," which was more stable than the ordinary micelles formed from low-molecular-weight surfactants.

The growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by chemical vapor deposition using a carbon-rod filament was performed at low temperatures of below 450 °C. Ethanol vapor was used as the carbon source. By heating a cobalt film used as a catalyst at 450 °C in a gaseous mixture of argon and 3% hydrogen beforehand, it was possible to grow SWCNTs even below 400 °C. The proportion of metallic SWCNTs increased with decreasing growth temperature below 400 °C. This may be because SWCNTs grow from cobalt nanoparticles in the solid phase at such low temperatures.