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Objectives The aim of this AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial subgroup analysis was to examine rivaroxaban monotherapy benefits and their relation to the time between stenting and enrollment among patients after coronary stenting. Background Of 2,215 patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease in the AFIRE trial, rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy (combination therapy) in terms of efficacy and superior for safety endpoints. However, thrombotic risk after antiplatelet therapy cessation remained a concern among 1,444 patients who had undergone coronary stenting >1 year before enrollment. Methods The benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy in coronary stenting subgroups were assessed for efficacy (a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, or death of any cause), safety (major bleeding defined according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria), ischemic endpoints, net adverse clinical event, and time between stenting and enrollment. Results Efficacy and safety endpoints for monotherapy were superior to combination therapy, with HRs of 0.70 for efficacy (95% CI: 0.50-0.98; P = 0.036) and 0.55 for safety (95% CI: 0.33-0.92; P = 0.019). For ischemic endpoints, the HR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.58-1.15; P = 0.240). The HR became smaller with longer time between stenting and enrollment (efficacy, P for interaction = 0.158; safety, P = 0.097). Conclusions In patients with atrial fibrillation after coronary stenting, the benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy for efficacy and safety endpoints were consistent with those in the whole AFIRE trial population. The benefits became apparent with longer time between stenting and enrollment. (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Study [AFIRE]; UMIN000016612 , NCT02642419 )

Prediction models for enteric methane (CH4) emissions from beef cattle proposed by various groups may not perform with similar accuracy for the low- and middle-income countries in South-east Asia (SE-Asia) because beef cattle in these countries are raised under different climatic conditions with diverse feeding systems, and have different CH4 emission characteristics. The objectives of this study were to: i) predict CH4 emission (g d−1 animal−1), yield [g kg−1 dry matter intake; DMI)−1], intensity [g kg−1 average daily gain)−1], and CH4 conversion factor (Ym) using an intercountry database of individual animal records from SE-Asia; ii) evaluate the impact of different dietary forage contents (all-, high- and low-forage) representing the diverse feeding systems on CH4 emission, yield, intensity and Ym in SE-Asia; and iii) cross-validate equations from this study with published data. A total of 398 individual animal observations of beef cattle from SE-Asia were used for this analysis. Linear models developed by incrementally adding covariates revealed that CH4 emission model using only DMI fitted to all data had a root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) of 16.9%. Subsets containing data with 100% forage in the diet (all-forage), 50–85% (high-forage) and < 50% (low-forage) had an RMSPE of 16.5%, 14.7%, and 17.4%, respectively. Linear multiple equation based on DMI and dietary NDF concentration (DMI + NDF_C, RMSPE = 15.2%; all-data) improved prediction accuracy over that of DMI alone. The DMI + NDF_C models for all-forage (RMSPE = 14.6%) and high-forage subsets (RMSPE = 13.3%) except for low-forage (RMSPE = 16.4%), improved the precision and accuracy of CH4 emission prediction. Methane yield and CH4 emission intensity could not be reliably modelled with the current database. The present study provides improved CH4 prediction models for beef cattle managed under diverse feeding systems in SE-Asia and affirmed that region-specific models are needed to reliably predict beef cattle CH4 emission at national or regional levels, particularly for low- and middle-income countries.

Aim We examine the regional dominance of California as a beachhead for marine biological invasions in western North America and assess the relative contribution of different transfer mechanisms to invasions over time.

Yasen Fayez Alalayet,1 F Alkasim,2 N Shiba,1 I Aldhuayan,2 S Alhamaidi,1 G Alghamdi,2 F Aljobair,2 J Shoura,1 R Alkhlaif21Department of Pediatric Surgery, 2Department of Pediatrics, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Abstract: We report a case of a 2-year-old boy who presented with an empty left scrotum. Clinical examination revealed a left palpable undescended testis. During orchidopexy, segmental atresia of the vas deferens was found, and microsurgical repair was carried out. Segmental vasal atresia is an extremely rare condition and is infrequently diagnosed, especially in the pediatric age group. This is the first reported case of segmental vasal atresia without an association with cystic fibrosis. Keywords: absence of vas deference, vasal anomalies, testis

An overview on current trends in stimulated Brillouin scattering and optical phase conjugation is given. This report is based on the results of the “Second International Workshop on stimulated Brillouin scattering and phase conjugation” held in Potsdam/Germany in September 2007. The properties of stimulated Brillouin scattering are presented for the compensation of phase distortions in combination with novel laser technology like ceramics materials but also for e.g., phase stabilization, beam combination, and slow light. Photorefractive nonlinear mirrors and resonant refractive index gratings are addressed as phase conjugating mirrors in addition.

1. Growth changes of the collagen content and architecture in the pectoralis (PT) and iliotibialis lateralis (ITL) muscles were examined using cockerels from 1 to 14 weeks of age. 2. Total collagen content in PT muscle showed little change, but in ITL muscle reached a maximum at 5 weeks and thereafter decreased slightly until 14 weeks. The collagen content was markedly larger in ITL muscle after 5 weeks. Pyridinoline content of collagen increased abruptly from 5 to 14 weeks in both muscles, but no difference between muscle types was detected. 3. The cell size of the endomysial honeycombs increased with the development of myofibres, and the mesh size of the perimysium around the honeycombs enlarged. 4. In both muscles endomysia were an incomplete network of collagen fibrils with many foramina at one week, became a very thin membrane of felt-like fabric in 2 to 5 weeks and thereafter increased in thickness until 11 to 14 weeks. 5. Perimysial width around the secondary fasciculus differed between the muscle types after 5 weeks. In the wider perimysium of ITL muscle, the collagen fibres increased in number and size to make a stack of collagen bands around the fasciculus. In the narrower perimysium of PT muscle, a few platelets of collagen fibres also developed. 6. The perimysial collagen fibre at 1 to 2 weeks had a smooth surface and appeared to be composed of fine collagen fibrils. The fibre at 11 to 14 weeks showed a rugged surface and was composed of coarser collagen bundles that combined with each other into a net-like configuration with very slim meshes. 7. Our results showed that the collagenous components of chicken intramuscular connective tissue changed markedly during the early period of muscle growth in distribution, architecture and quality but with little difference in quantity.

1. Developmental states of the collagen content, distribution and architecture in the pectoralis (PT), iliotibialis lateralis (ITL) and puboischiofemoralis (PIF) muscles of male Red Cornish x New Hampshire (RN, 80 d, body weight 2.9 kg) and normal (3.1 kg) broilers were evaluated. 2. In PT muscle the total amount of collagen was significantly greater in RN broilers (3.33 mg/g) than in normal ones (1.71 mg/g). This higher collagen content in RN broilers was based mainly on the closer mesh sizes of endomysial honeycomb. The collagen structures in the perimysia also differed between broiler types, when more collagen fibres were observed in RN broilers. 3. ITL muscle contained total collagen of 4.10 to 5.00 mg/g. Types I and III collagens were distributed on the perimysia at higher percentages in RN broilers (31.6%, 37.2%) than normal (15.6%, 30.8%), respectively. The thick bands of tough collagen fibres characteristic of ITL muscle perimysium in cockerels had not yet developed in these broilers. 4. Total collagen was 4.63 to 6.29 mg/g in PIF material with fascia. In PIF muscle the perimysial collagen fibres had not yet attained their full growth but consisted of densely packed fibrils. PIF muscle was characterised by the earlier maturing collagen structure. 5. These results show that a perimysial collagen structure in broilers is still in an undeveloped state. It is supposed that tenderness of broiler meat is attributed mainly to characteristics of the collagen distribution, in which the majority of types I and III collagens is distributed on the closer mesh of endomysial honeycomb.

This paper is written to honor Professor Y. C. Fung, the applied mechanician who has made seminal contributions in biomechanics. His work has generated great spin-off utility in the field of musculoskeletal biomechanics. Following the concept of the Rigid Body-Spring Model theory by T. Kawai (1978) for non-linear analysis of beam, plate, and shell structures and the soil-gravel mixture foundation, we have derived a generalized Discrete Element Analysis (DEA) method to determine human articular joint contact pressure, constraining ligament tension and bone-implant interface stresses. The basic formulation of DEA to solve linear problems is reviewed. The derivation of non-linear springs for the cartilage in normal diarthrodial joint contact problem was briefly summarized. Numerical implementation of the DEA method for both linear and non-linear springs is presented. This method was able to generate comparable results to the classic contact stress problem (the Hertzian solution) and the use of Finite Element Modeling (FEM) technique on selected models. Selected applications in human knee and hip joints are demonstrated. In addition, the femoral joint prosthesis stem/bone interface stresses in a non-cemented fixation were analyzed using a 2D plane-strain approach. The DEA method has the advantages of ease in creating the model and reducing computational time for joints of irregular geometry. However, for the analysis of joint tissue stresses, the FEA technique remains the method of choice.

We demonstrate a high average power approximately 4 ps output from a phase conjugate laser system based on a diode-side-pumped Nd:Gd(0.6)Y(0.4)VO(4) bounce amplifier. An average output power of 16.2 W with a peak power of 210 kW was achieved. A corresponding extraction efficiency of 23% was measured.

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique has been applied to the determination of the volatile compounds, including diterpenoids and lactones, in cooked beef fat. The ability of static-headspace SPME to extract lactones was disappointing, regardless of the type of SPME fiber or the temperature used. Dynamic-headspace SPME extraction with 50-/30-microm divinylbenzene-Carboxen on a polydimethylsiloxane fiber at 100 degrees C, by contrast, enabled the analysis of volatiles, including delta-lactones, gamma-lactones, and diterpenoids, with 50-/30-microm divinylbenzene-Carboxen on a polydimethylsiloxane fiber at 100 degrees C. Fifty-three compounds were identified from only 0.20 g of rendered beef fat, and 76% of these showed reliable peak size repeatability: the coefficient of variation was less than 10% on the total ion chromatograms obtained from gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Some lactones showed higher CV values (>10%), but single-ion mode GC-MS analysis reduced them to 10% or less. In a study of beef samples available to the Japanese market, our analytical procedure revealed significantly higher levels of 1-hexanol, octadecane, ethyl tetradecanoate, gamma-nonalactone, but lower levels of delta-decalactone, delta-dodecalactone, and neophytadiene, in Japanese Black cattle than in beef imported from Australia.

A 78.5 W pico-second master-oscillator power-amplifier system based on a Nd:YVO4 bounce amplifier with a phase conjugator was demonstrated. The peak power of the output pulses was 8-11 MW in a pulse-repetition-frequency region of 0.7-1 MHz.

We demonstrated a 44 W near diffraction-limited pico-second output from a phase-conjugate laser system in combination with a diode-side-pumped Nd:GdVO 4 booster amplifier. Peak power of 0.35 MW was achieved.

Objective: In order to elucidate the effects of radiation on centrosome hyperamplification (CH), we examined the centrosome duplication cycle in KK47 bladder cancer cells following irradiation. Methods: KK47 cells were irradiated with various doses of radiation and were examined for CH immunostaining for γ-tubulin. Results: Nearly all control cells contained one or two centrosomes, and mitotic cells displayed typical bipolar spindles. The centrosome replication cycle is well regulated in KK47. Twenty-four hours after 5-Gy irradiation, ∼80% of irradiated cells were arrested in G2 phase, and at 48 h after irradiation, 56.9% of cells contained more than two centrosomes. Laser scanning cytometry performed 48 h after irradiation showed the following two pathways: (1) unequal distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells, or (2) failure to undergo cytokinesis, resulting in polyploidy. With mitotic collection, M-phase cells with CH could be divided into G1 cells with micronuclei and polyploidal cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed clear signs of chromosomal instability (CIN) at 48 h after irradiation. The present study had two major findings: (1) continual duplication of centrosomes occurred in the cell cycle-arrested cells upon irradiation, leading to centrosome amplification; (2) cytokinesis failure was due to aberrant mitotic spindle formation caused by the presence of amplified centrosomes. Abnormal mitosis with amplified centrosomes was detected in the accumulating G2/M population after irradiation, showing that this amplification of centrosomes was not caused by failure to undergo cytokinesis, but rather that abnormal mitosis resulting from amplification of centrosomes leads to cytokinesis block. Conclusion: These results suggest that CH is a critical event leading to CIN following exposure to radiation.

Objective: Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a common feature of malignant tumors. Centrosome hyperamplification (CH) occurs frequently in human cancers, and may be a contributing factor in CIN. In this study, we investigated the relationship between CH and CIN in bladder cancer. Methods: Clinical samples obtained by transurethral resection from 22 patients with bladder cancer were examined (histological grade G1, 5 cases; G2, 6 cases; G3, 11 cases). CH was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-pericentrin antibody. CIN was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH probes for pericentromeric regions of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 were hybridized to touch preparations of nuclei from frozen tissues. We also analyzed the centrosome replication cycle of bladder cancer by laser scanning cytometry (LSC). Results: Of the 22 cases examined, 18 (81.8%) had centrosome hyperamplification: CH 0, 4 cases (18.1%); CH I, 5 cases (22.7%); CH II, 5 cases (22.7%); CH III, 8 cases (36.4%). The grade of CH was directly proportional to the histological grade ( p =0.03, χ 2 test). LSC analysis showed that the centrosome replication cycle was well regulated in pathologically low-grade bladder cancer, which did not have chromosomal instability. In contrast, we found marked variability of centrosomes in pathologically high-grade bladder cancer, which had chromosomal instability. CH and CIN were both detected in pathologically high-grade tumors. The grade of CH was directly proportional to the CIN grade ( p =0.0079, χ 2 test). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that CH may be involved in CIN in bladder cancer.

We performed a study to compare the usefulness of double or single anticancer agents in the prophylactic treatment after the transurethral resection (TUR) of superficial bladder cancer. We experienced 127 superficial bladder cancer cases. Of these cases, 42 were treated with intravesical adriamycin (ADR) and peplomycin (PEP), 56 with ADR, PEP, epirubicin (epi-ADR) or pirarubicin (THP) only, and the remaining 29 with TUR only. Nonrecurrence rates were significantly higher in the intravesical treated cases than in the cases with TUR only, and also significantly higher in the cases treated with ADR and PEP than the other treated cases. We concluded that intravesical chemotherapy with combined agents was more effective than with a single agent.

Objective and Design: Dehydrocurdione, a sesquiterpene isolated from zedoary, was tested for in vivo and in vitro antiinflammatory actions.¶Materials: Analgesic effect was tested in ICR mice by the acetic acid-induced writhing method. Antipyretic effect was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with baker's yeast. Antiinflammatory activities were tested in Wistar rats with carrageenan-induced paw edema and adjuvant-induced chronic arthritis. In vitro analyses included the capabilities to inhibit cyclooxygenase activity, and to scavenge free radicals as determined by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR).¶Results: Oral administration of dehydrocurdione (40 to 200 mg/kg) mitigated the writhing reflex induced by acetic acid and the fever elicited by baker's yeast. A higher dose (200 mg/kg) of dehydrocurdione was required to inhibit the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Oral administration of dehydrocurdione at 120 mg/kg/day for 12 days significantly reduced chronic adjuvant arthritis. Unlike indomethacin (IC50: 0.1 μM), dehydrocurdione showed minimal cyclooxygenase inhibition. However, dehydrocurdione (100 μM to 5 mM) significantly reduced free radical formation from hydrogen peroxide and ferrous iron determined by EPR spectrometry using 5,5′-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-N-oxide as a spin trap agent.¶Conclusion: In addition to the well-known effect of zedoary as a stomachic, dehydrocurdione, the major component of Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe has antiinflammatory potency related to its antioxidant effect.

During acute regional myocardial ischemia, a "border zone" exists where the spatial distributions of blood flow and substrate uptake show gradual changes. We investigated the relationship between blood flow and glucose uptake in the border zone during acute regional ischemia.Newly developed quantitative autoradiography using imaging plates and two long-lived radioisotopes was applied to rat hearts subjected to 30 min of left coronary artery occlusion. Blood flow, glucose uptake and fatty acid uptake was assessed with 4-[N-methyl-14C]iodoantipyrine, 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose (3H-DG) and beta-methyl[1-14C]heptadecanoic acid (14C-BMHDA), respectively.In rats showing 3H-DG uptake in the normally perfused area (Norm) of 254 +/- 96 Bq/mg (high-DG) and 56 +/- 20 Bq/mg (low-DG) (n = 4 for each), 3H-DG uptake in the border zone was 148 +/- 52 Bq/mg and 58 +/- 15 Bq/mg (p0.05 high- versus low-DG), respectively. The relationship between blood flow and 3H-DG uptake in the border zone was altered by the different 3H-DG uptake levels in Norm. In high-DG, 3H-DG uptake in the border zone was reduced significantly according to the decrease in the percentage of blood flow. However, in low-DG, no significant differences in 3H-DG uptake were found among the regions in the border zone with different levels of the percentage of blood flow, except in the region with 10%-19% of the percentage of blood flow. In the border zone, the percentage of 3H-DG uptake per unit blood flow normalized to that in Norm increased according to the decrease in the percentage of blood flow, and this increase was steeper in low-DG than in high-DG (p0.0005). The percentage of 14C-BMHDA uptake was lower than the percentage of 3H-DG uptake (27 +/- 3% versus 78 +/- 18% of that in Norm, p0.0005) in the peripheral ischemic area.The relationship between blood flow and glucose uptake in the ischemic border zone was altered by the different glucose uptake levels in Norm. Glucose uptake in the border zone was higher in rats with higher glucose uptake levels in Norm, suggesting that glucose uptake in the border zone stimulated by ischemia can be accelerated still more by humoral factors.

A new ELISA method for antinuclear antibody(ANA) test was investigated for its clinical usefulness by comparison with a widely used IF method. Both methods used Hep 2 cells as a substrate. ELISA method showed good reproducibility in both within-run(CV = 5.1 approximately 8.7%) and between-run(CV = 8.1 approximately 9.6%) assays. ROC analysis revealed that ELISA method had a higher sensitivity and an equal specificity as compared to IF method. Application of an auto analyzing system to ELISA method could induce the improvement of efficacy and labor saving. The coincidence rate between ELISA and IF methods was 78.6% on the samples from 887 patients with various disorders. In patients with drug induced lupus or connective tissue diseases except for rheumatoid arthritis, the discrepancies were caused mainly by the higher sensitivity of ELISA method. However, the ELISA test was less sensitive for the ANAs showing granular, nuclear membrane, or anti-PCNA antibody like staining patterns by IF method. In conclusion, ELISA method is useful for detecting ANAs because of its high sensitivity and efficiency, though it still has some points to be improved.

The authors have experienced a fracture in the ceramic head in a total hip arthroplasty in three cases. Two of these were comminuted and the other was a hair-line fissure. A foreign body, perhaps from the operation, existed between the neck of the stem and the head in two cases (one in a comminuted fracture and the other in the fissure fracture). The other case had no foreign body, and, judging from the serial radiographs, the fracture was probably caused by weight-bearing stress. Care must be taken during operation to avoid interposing any foreign body in the modular ceramic head total hip arthroplasty, and the weight-bearing stress factor must be considered as an indication for a ceramic head fracture in young active patients

A system for 3H- and 14C-labeled macroautoradiography was developed that is able to quantify the tissue radioactivity of two tracers using imaging plates.Discrimination between electrons emitted from 3H and 14C is possible on the basis of their different energy distributions. The general use imaging plate with a protective layer detects 14C radioactivity, but it does not detect 3H radioactivity which has a lower energy distribution than 14C. Recently, a 3H-sensitive imaging plate without a protective layer was developed. The 3H distribution image is obtained by subtracting the UR image from the TR image. For quantification of the tissue radioactivity of 3H and 14C, we obtained tissue equivalent values (Bq/mg) of commercially available 3H- and 14C-labeled graded standards using different dilutions of labeled heart paste and liquid scintillation counting. Using the 3H- and 14C-labeled graded standards, we confirmed the validity of the quantification of the 3H-autoradiographic intensity using this subtraction method. We applied this method to a rat model of acute myocardial ischemia to compare regional myocardial free fatty acid uptake determined by beta-methyl[1-14C]heptadecanoic acid to glucose uptake determined by 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose.Free fatty acid uptake was decreased sharply at the ischemic periphery where glucose uptake was preserved.This double-tracer autoradiography with 3H and 14C which has high sensitivity, a high spatial resolution of 50 microns and superior linearity with a wide dynamic range of 10(4) to 10(5) allows accurate quantification of the tissue radioactivity of the two radiopharmaceuticals.

The efficacy of 3 shock-absorbing materials was compared by determining impact characteristics with a drop test method and also by testing the effect of each material when used as a shoe insert in 16 asymptomatic subjects. Peak vertical ground reaction force (F1, F2, F3) and temporal force factors (T1, T2, T3) were obtained with a force plate at a high-frequency sampling rate. Impact force, impact time, impact slope, and impact energy were determined. A standard weight was dropped from 3 heights on each material covering the force plate while reduction of peak force was compared. Impact force was attenuated most effectively by Insert 3 (polymeric foam rubber) and averaged 11% less than that in shoes without inserts. Impact time was increased for all 3 inserts. Impact slope and impact energy were reduced significantly in Insert 3. There was a significant difference in peak vertical force F1 for all 3 inserts, in vertical force F2 for Insert 2 (viscoelastic polymeric material), and in vertical force F3 for Insert 2. Drop-test studies showed that at all ball heights, the highest mean peak force was observed consistently in Insert 2.

A case of contralateral adrenal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma is reported. The patient was a 54-year-old male, who underwent a right radical transperitoneal nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma, and had been administered interferon alpha intramuscularly. Nine months after the operation computerized tomography revealed the presence of an adrenal mass on the left side, undetected at nephrectomy, which suggested that the renal cell carcinoma had metastasized. A left adrenalectomy was performed. Histologically, the mass was identical to metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. The patient was administered supplementary hydrocortisone and was well 3 months after the adrenalectomy with no evidence of recurrence or other metastasis. This is the 24th case of contralateral adrenal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in the Japanese literature.

We have reviewed our findings on 476 hip joints that underwent a Chiari pelvic osteotomy (Chiari) between June 1983 and March 1990, employing computer simulation using non-linear analysis based on the rigid-body spring model (RBSM) proposed by Kawai. We further made estimates of the changes in the hip abduction force resulting from the Chiari. The abduction force was measured by a Cybex II machine, before and after Chiari, and they were compared with those from simulation modeling (using the abduction muscle model: ABMM) for the power change expected by Chiari. According to the results in the RBSM, the resultant force, the abduction force, deviation of the pelvis, and the joint stress improved outcome after Chiari. Chiari had a positive effect on the peak torque of the hip abduction, though the abduction force was not fully restored clinically. The simulation by ABMM, showed similar results with the abduction force decreasing with increasing degree of hip abduction. From these results, we have developed and established a new technique for the reattachment of the greater trochanter in Chiari.

We studied the efficacy of stress thallium scan in detecting restenosis after primary successful PTCA. There were 21 patients with angina pectoris and 16 patients with previous myocardial infarction. The sensitivity and the specificity of stress thallium scan in detecting restenosis were superior to those of stress electrocardiography or chest pain complained in follow-up period. In multi-vessel disease, we could assess the vessel developing restenosis more easily than stress electrocardiography. Initial thallium %UPTAKE RATIO was significantly improved after PTCA but redecreased in patients developing restenosis. In patients showing residual redistribution despite of not developing restenosis, we could judge vessel patency by gradually improving initial %UPTAKE RATIO after PTCA. Thus, stress thallium scan proved to be useful in detecting restenosis after PTCA.

We evaluated the usefulness of Ultrafast CT scanner C-100 (UFCT) in 30 patients' clinical practice. UFCT was very useful not only for cardiac studies but for other body organs' studies. Simultaneous multilevel ultrafast scans of UFCT enabled us to analyse cardiac ventricular motion not only by the ejection fraction but by the change of wall thickness. We could get ultra-early contrast phase images (within one minute images from contrast medium injection start) of contiguous 15, 1 cm interval levels by high quality single slice mode of UFCT. These ultra-early phase images and late phase images would be helpful for tissue characterization.

We report usefulness of ultrafast CT (UFCT) in evaluation of aortic dissection, according to the results of examination of 51 patients. By volume mode study of UFCT, aortic dissection was diagnosed in all patients. Fine structures such as intimal tear and ulcer-like projection were depicted in detail. Pulsatile movement of true and false channels was detected by cine study. Precise flow analysis of both channels was available by flow mode study of UFCT. In morphological and functional assessment of aortic dissection, UFCT is superior to conventional scanners, and may be preferable to DSA or MRI.

We knew that digital subtraction fluorography (DSF) could clearly visualize the tracheobronchial tree by the respiratory movement. We applied DSF for 54 patients of complex congenital heart disease. In the visualization of the tracheobronchial tree, DSF was significantly superior as compared with the plain chest radiography (p less than 0.01). As this method needs to anesthetize patients to suppress their body movements, there might be some limitation to apply it for routine diagnostic workup. However, noninvasiveness and readiness of diagnosis justifies this method as an optional examination for confirming thoracic situs of complex congenital heart disease.

A primary squamous cell carcinoma occurring in the prostate is described. Local irradition, systemic anticancer chemotherapy using bleomycin and intraarterial administration of cis-platinum were done. Twenty-one months after the initial diagnosis there is no sign of tumor progression.

The relationship between average grain size on the surface of SnO 2 transparent conductive film and conversion efficiency of the a-Si:H solar cell was investigated. a-Si:H solar cells were fabricated on SnO 2 /glass substrates with various grain sizes. The cell structure was glass/p(SiC)-i-n/Al and the effective cell area was 4 × 10-2cm2. The reflectivity from the glass substrate was reduced to about 7 percent with increasing the grain size from 0.1 to 0.8µm, and the short-circuit current was inceased from 12 to 14mA/cm2. A 7.9 percent of conversion efficiency was achieved using milky SnO 2 film of 0.4-µm average grain size at AM-100mW/cm2.

Dependence of conversion efficiency of a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells on the material of transparent conductive film substrates was studied. Irrespective of preparation method of the transparent conductive film, SnO 2 films gave an advantage over ITO films for high efficiency cell production by a parallel plate electrode type plasma C.V.D. equipment. A conversion efficiency of 7.19% was achieved by optimizing preparation conditions of the SnO 2 film and the a-Si:H film.