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Procalcitonin (PCT) and presepsin (PSEP) are useful biomarkers for diagnosing sepsis; however, elevated PCT and PSEP levels may be observed in conditions other than sepsis. We hypothesised that PCT and PSEP levels could increase after severe traumatic injuries. Trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score of ≥16 from October 2013 to September 2015 were enrolled in our study. We examined PCT and PSEP levels and their positive rates on days 0 and 1. PCT and PSEP levels on days 0 and 1 were compared. Risk factors for increasing sepsis biomarker levels were identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In this study, 75 patients were included. PCT levels on days 0 and 1 were 0.1±0.4 and 1.8±6.3 ng/ml, respectively (P=0.02). PSEP levels on days 0 and 1 were 221±261 and 222±207 pg/ml, respectively (P=0.98). As per multivariate logistic regression analyses, packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion was the only independent risk factor for higher PCT levels on day 1 (P=0.04). Using PCT to diagnose sepsis in trauma patients on day 1 requires caution. PRBC transfusion was found to be a risk factor for increasing PCT levels. On the other hand, PSEP levels were not affected by trauma during the early phases.

To study the freezing/melting behavior of a confined CH3OH, we performed x-ray diffraction measurements of CH3OH confined inside the cylindrical pores of seven kinds of regular mesoporous adsorbents (MCM-41 and SBA-15) with different pore radii ( r=1.2, 2.1, 2.5, 3.9, 4.5, 5.3, and 7.0 nm) as a function of temperature. The freezing/melting behavior depends markedly upon the pore size. Within the pores of r ≤ 3.9 nm, the confined CH3OH vitrifies on freezing. On the other hand, cooling of the CH3OH confined to the pores of r ≥ 4.5 nm results in crystallization of the liquid. Within the pores of r=5.3 nm, the crystallization proceeds in two steps : prefreezing first occurs and then it transforms into a crystalline solid with the same structure as that of the bulk α phase. The prefreezing temperature seems to lower steeply with decreasing pore-size and to approach the freezing temperature for the pores of r=4.5 nm . Cooling of the CH3OH confined to the pores of r=7.0 nm results in formation of a crystalline solid with the same structure as that of the bulk β phase and it does not transform into the low temperature α phase on further cooling down to 30 K. A large hysteresis effect between freezing and melting is observed. A mechanism of the vitrification is discussed.

Single event transient currents induced in 6H-SiC MOS capacitors are measured by using oxygen ions. Charges collected from the samples are calculated by the transient currents. Applying the drift-diffusion model to the charges, the diffusion length of electron is estimated. Transient currents induced in the gamma ray irradiated MOS capacitors are also investigated. No significant change in the transient currents is observed after gamma ray irradiation.

We investigated the energy spectra in p+n 6H-SiC diodes by a wide variety of charged particles with energies up to several hundred MeV. Though Pulse Height Defect (PHD) was detected when the samples were irradiated with high energy heavy ions (322MeV-Kr and 454MeV-Xe), linearity between pulse height (peak channel) and ion energy up to 150MeV was observed.

6H-SiC n+p diodes fabricated on a p-type epitaxial layer were irradiated with 1MeV-electrons at fluences up to 6×1016 cm-2 to clarify their radiation tolerance. Charge Collection Efficiencies (CCEs) were evaluated from the Transient Ion Beam Induced Current (TIBIC) using Oxygen (O) ions. The CCE of 93 % was obtained for non-electron-irradiated diodes, and no significant change in CCE was observed for diodes irradiated with electrons at fluences below 1×1015 cm-2. The degradation of CCE was observed after irradiation at fluences above 5×1015 cm-2.

Transient currents in 6H-SiC n+p diodes and those in Si PIN diodes are compared, and the carrier dynamic response to a heavy ion collision is analyzed using Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD). In case of 6H-SiC n+p diodes, it is found that the contribution of the ambipolar-diffusion current to total transient current is extremely weak compared to that in Si PIN diodes, since plasma disruption is accelerated by the Auger recombination process in the former.

The effect of the fabrication process of n-channel 6H-SiC MOSFETs on their radiation resistance is investigated. MOSFETs that post implantation annealing for source and drain was carried out with carbon coating on the sample surface are compared to MOSFETs that post implantation annealing was carried out without carbon coating. The radiation resistance (gamma-rays) of the carbon-coated MOSFETs is higher than that of non-coated ones. The channel mobility for MOSFETs whose gate oxide was formed using pyrogenic or dry oxidation process dose not change by gamma-ray irradiation below 1x105 Gy. The value of channel mobility slightly increases with increasing dose above 1x105 Gy. No significant increase in irradiation induced interface traps is observed.

A study of the photo‐oxidation of films of poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(3′,7′‐dimethyloctyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene] (MDMO‐PPV) blended with [6,6]‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and solar cells based thereon, is presented. Solar‐cell performance is degraded primarily through loss in short‐circuit current density, JSC. The effect of the same photodegradation treatment on the optical‐absorption, charge‐recombination, and charge‐transport properties of the active layer is studied. It is concluded that the loss in JSCis primarily due to a reduction in charge‐carrier mobility, owing to the creation of more deep traps in the polymer during photo‐oxidation. Recombination is slowed down by the degradation and cannot therefore explain the loss in photocurrent. Optical absorption is reduced by photo‐bleaching, but the size of this effect alone is insufficient to explain the loss in device photocurrent.

During our search for therapeutic agents to treat diarrhea-predominant IBS, we found that 2-substituted benzoxazole derivatives have a characteristic 5-HT3 receptor partial agonist activity with high affinity. Some of these compounds showed high in vitro metabolical stability, and 6g showed marked antidiarrhetic activity with little side effect of constipation in in vivo tests. Our results indicate that 5-HT3 receptor partial agonists might be superior as therapeutic agents to the drugs currently used for IBS treatment.

Magneto-optical (MO) imaging, Hall probe measurements and the magnetic knife method were used for sample quality studies of multi-core Bi-2223/Ag tape with a columnar 60-filament structure made by the TIRT (tape in rectangular tube) process. While the magneto-optical imaging was made at 25 K and without transport current, Hall probe and magnetic knife measurements were performed for the sample carrying a direct current at 77 K.

Modification of JT-60 as a full superconducting tokamak (JT-60SC) is planned. The objectives of the JT-60SC programme are to establish scientific and technological bases for steady-state operation of high performance plasmas and utilization of reduced-activation materials in an economically and environmentally attractive DEMO reactor. Advanced fusion technologies relevant to the DEMO reactor have been developed for the superconducting magnet technology and plasma facing components of the JT-60SC design. To achieve a high current density in a superconducting strand, Nb₃Al strands with a high copper ratio of 4 have been newly developed for the toroidal field coils (TFCs) of JT-60SC. The R&D to demonstrate the applicability of the Nb₃Al conductor to TFCs by a react-and-wind technique has been carried out using a full-size Nb₃Al conductor. A full-size NbTi conductor with low ac loss using Ni-coated strands has been successfully developed. A forced cooling divertor component with high heat transfer using screw tubes has been developed for the first time. The heat removal performance of the carbon fibre composite target was successfully demonstrated on an electron beam irradiation stand.

Two terpenoid biosynthetic pathways, the mevalonate and non-mevalonate (glyceraldehyde phosphate-pyruvate) routes, were examined by feeding ¹³C-labeled serines ([1-¹³C]- and [3-¹³C]-) to the cultured cells of the liverwort, Heteroscyphus planus. The labeling patterns observed in the isoprenoid unit of the biosynthetically ¹³C-labeled stigmasterol corresponded to those expected from the mevalonate pathway, while those of the phytyl side chain corresponded to those from the non-mevalonate pathway. Thus, serine is a potential probe to determine the origin of terpenoid biosynthesis, in either the mevalonate or non-mevalonate pathway.

Binding equilibria of a water-soluble chelating polymer, poly(α-acethylaminoacrylic acid), with divalent metal ions (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II)) were measured by a batch ultrafiltration method in the pH range 4−6. It was shown that the binding equilibrium curves were reasonably well represented by the complexation model accounting for the formation of three kinds of complexes (LM⁺, L2M, and L2M(HL)2) proposed previously. The equilibrium and successive stability constants were determined by fitting the binding curves calculated from the model to the experimental ones at every solution pH. The variations of the average coordination number depending on solution pH and metal ion concentration were well explained on the basis of the relative concentration of each complex to total polymer.

Abstract: Background. Unlike the many chemotherapeutic agents that do not effectively stop blood flow or induce necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma, AC-7700 has been shown to inhibit tubulin polymerization and selectively stop tumor blood flow. The aim of this study was to elucidate the antivascular and antitumor effects of AC-7700 on rat hepatoma. Methods. AH-130 cells, a rat hepatoma cell line, were solidified and implanted into the liver of Donryu rats. Vascularity of the liver tumor was directly identified by in-vivo fluorescence microscopy from 0 to 60 min after the injection of 10 mg/kg AC-7700. To observe the antivascular effect of AC-7700, the vascular density of the tumor was measured and assessed as the ratio of preinjection to postinjection values. The antitumor effects were evaluated with histopathologic findings and analysis of animal survival. Results. In-vivo microscopic observation showed that tumor perfusion diminished within 30 min after AC-7700 administration. Vascular density in the AC-7700 group was significantly less than that in the control group at 60 min (AC-7700, 26.3 ± 16.4%; control, 88.5 ± 9.2%; P < 0.001). After AC-7700 injection, marked necrosis of tumor cells was observed histologically, and tumor area was decreased significantly (AC-7700, 11.5 ± 15.4 mm2; control, 43.5 ± 18.3 mm2; P < 0.05). The survival rate (50%) of the AC-7700 group animals was better than that of the control group (0%; P < 0.01). Conclusion. Markedly decreased tumor perfusion was induced by AC-7700 within 30 min, and this decrease may have contributed to the tumor necrosis and favorable outcome in the treatment group. AC-7700 appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Disparity steps applied to large patterns elicit vergence eye movements at ultrashort latencies. Disparity tuning curves, describing the dependence of the amplitude of the initial vergence responses on the amplitude of the disparity steps, resemble the derivative of a gaussian and indicate that appropriate servo-like behavior occurs only with small disparity steps (<1 degree). Lesion data from monkeys suggest that these vergence responses are mediated, at least in part, by neurons in the medial superior temporal area of the cerebral cortex, and we here review a recent study of the associated single unit activity in that area. Few medial superior temporal neurons have disparity tuning curves whose shapes resemble the tuning curve for vergence. Yet, when the disparity tuning curves for all of the disparity-sensitive cells recorded from a given monkey are summed together, they match the tuning curves for the vergence responses of that monkey very closely, even reproducing that animal's idiosyncracies. When all of the spike trains elicited by a given disparity step are summed together to give an average discharge profile for the whole population of recorded cells, many are noisy, but others that are less so match the temporal profile of the motor response, vergence velocity, quite well. We conclude that the discharges of the disparity-sensitive cells in the medial superior temporal area each represent only a very limited aspect of the sensory stimulus (andor associated motor response), but when pooled together, they provide a complete description of the vergence velocity motor response: population coding.

Growth-blocking peptide (GBP) is a 25-amino acid insect cytokine found in Lepidopteran insects that possesses diverse biological activities such as larval growth regulation, cell proliferation, and stimulation of immune cells (plasmatocytes). The tertiary structure of GBP consists of a structured core that contains a disulfide bridge and a short antiparallel beta-sheet (Tyr(11)-Arg(13) and Cys(19)-Pro(21)) and flexible N and C termini (Glu(1)-Gly(6) and Phe(23)-Gln(25)). In this study, deletion and point mutation analogs of GBP were synthesized to investigate the relationship between the structure of GBP and its mitogenic and plasmatocyte spreading activity. The results indicated that deletion of the N-terminal residue, Glu(1), eliminated all plasmatocyte spreading activity but did not reduce mitogenic activity. In contrast, deletion of Phe(23) along with the remainder of the C terminus destroyed all mitogenic activity but only slightly reduced plasmatocyte spreading activity. Therefore, the minimal structure of GBP containing mitogenic activity is 2-23 GBP, whereas that with plasmatocyte spreading activity is 1-22 GBP. NMR analysis indicated that these N- and C-terminal deletion mutants retained a similar core structure to wild-type GBP. Replacement of Asp(16) with either a Glu, Leu, or Asn residue similarly did not alter the core structure of GBP. However, these mutants had no mitogenic activity, although they retained about 50% of their plasmatocyte spreading activity. We conclude that specific residues in the unstructured and structured domains of GBP differentially affect the biological activities of GBP, which suggests the possibility that multifunctional properties of this peptide may be mediated by different forms of a GBP receptor.

Abstract: Short-inversion time inversion-recovery (STIR) imaging using a 3 tesla system was assessed to reveal the postcommissural fibres (PF) of the fornix, which have rarely been highlighted neuroradiologically in the clinical setting. We studied 27 normal subjects. Sequence parameters were TR/TE/TI 8000/52/150 ms. STIR was expected to take advantage of the high signal-to-noise ratio of a high-field system, due to the long repetition time. PF were identifiable in axial and coronal slices in all cases. They were bordered anteriorly and superiorly by the anterior commissure and posteriorly and inferiorly by the mamillary body. Behind the anterior commissure, they ran in an arch-shaped posterior and inferior course in the hypothalamic nuclei and joined the mamillary body anterolaterally. They usually extended through three 3-mm slices (with 1 mm interslice gap) in anteroposterior and vertical dimensions. Little variation was observed in their course or size. Demonstration of the PF would provide a more detailed correlation of human neuroanatomy to hypothalamic function and individualised understanding of hypothalamic pathology and influence therapy.

Abstract: We evaluated the performance of independent microbiology laboratories in Tokyo over an 18-year period of participation in the external quality assessment (EQA) program, and we estimated the impact of the EQA program. The study design was a longitudinal retrospective analysis of performance, including isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria from simulated patients' samples, in "open" surveys compared with "blind" surveys. Independent microbiology laboratories, licensed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, have been subject to mandatory evaluation by the EQA program since 1982. Survey reports, correspondence, annual guidance meetings, and inspections are used as quality improvement strategies. The performance for identification in "blind" surveys was significantly worse than that in "open" surveys (P < 0.001). Poorly performing laboratories had common features, including inadequate supervision by physicians and lack of familiarity with the impact of variations on the use of the standards. However, there were improvements in the performance of identification of some pathogens. The performance of susceptibility testing has not yet reached the relatively high level seen for identification. Some of the smaller laboratories have been gradually acquired by commercial chains operating outside Tokyo. The EQA program has established a role both in regard to laboratory improvement and as an educational tool. However, the program lags behind these of other developed countries in regard to the practical sciences. The main problems in regard to laboratory improvements are a shortage of human resources in clinical microbiology, lack of standardization of laboratory methods, and the pressures of financial constraints in the Japanese medical insurance system.

Single-unit discharges were recorded in the medial superior temporal area (MST) of five behaving monkeys. Brief (230-ms) horizontal disparity steps were applied to large correlated or anticorrelated random-dot patterns (in which the dots had the same or opposite contrast, respectively, at the two eyes), eliciting vergence eye movements at short latencies [65.8 ± 4.5 (SD) ms]. Disparity tuning curves, describing the dependence of the initial vergence responses (measured over the period 50–110 ms after the step) on the magnitude of the steps, resembled the derivative of a Gaussian, the curves obtained with correlated and anticorrelated patterns having opposite sign. Cells with disparity-related activity were isolated using correlated stimuli, and disparity tuning curves describing the dependence of these initial neuronal responses (measured over the period of 40–100 ms) on the magnitude of the disparity step were constructed (n= 102 cells). Using objective criteria and the fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm, disparity tuning curves were sorted into four groups based on their shapes. A post hoc comparison indicated that these four groups had features in common with four of the classes of disparity-selective neurons in striate cortex, but three of the four groups appeared to be part of a continuum. Most of the data were obtained from two monkeys, and when the disparity tuning curves of all the individual neurons recorded from either monkey were summed together, they fitted the disparity tuning curve for that same animal's vergence responses remarkably well (r2: 0.93, 0.98). Fifty-six of the neurons recorded from these two monkeys were also tested with anticorrelated patterns, and all showed significant modulation of their activity (P< 0.005, 1-way ANOVA). Further, when all of the disparity tuning curves obtained with these patterns from either monkey were summed together, they too fitted the disparity tuning curve for that same animal's vergence responses very well (r2: 0.95, 0.96). Indeed, the summed activity even reproduced idiosyncratic differences in the vergence responses of the two monkeys. Based on these and other observations on the temporal coding of events, we hypothesize that the magnitude, direction, and time course of the initial vergence velocity responses associated with disparity steps applied to large patterns are all encoded in the summed activity of the disparity-sensitive cells in MST. Latency data suggest that this activity in MST occurs early enough to play an active role in the generation of vergence eye movements at short latencies.

To examine the relationship between the adsorption isotherm and the freezing behavior of a confined Kr, we performed measurements of adsorption−desorption isotherms in a wide temperature range 82−110 K for Kr confined in the cylindrical pores of SBA-15 with a mean radius of 3.2 nm, as well as simultaneous measurements of adsorption isotherms and X-ray diffraction patterns in a temperature range 80−92 K. Hysteresis loops were observed in the whole temperature range examined here. With increasing temperature, the density of the capillary condensate decreased rapidly in a temperature range 92−98 K, strongly suggesting that the freezing point at complete filling is ~92 K. The increase in density of the capillary condensate on freezing was only 4.4% as compared to 15.3% for the bulk phase. The difference of the chemical potential with respect to the bulk solid against T changed continuously in a wide temperature range 94−104 K. Simultaneous measurements of adsorption isotherms and X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the freezing point of the capillary condensate at complete filling was ~92 K, in a good agreement with the estimation from the temperature dependence of the density. When crystallization of a capillary liquid occurred, the position of the main peak in the diffraction pattern did not change appreciably. Moreover, crystallization always occurred within the step due to capillary condensation in the adsorption isotherm at the temperatures between 80 and 92 K. The minimum amount of the capillary condensate above which crystallization sets in increased with increasing temperature. The nature of the freezing transition and a capillary triple point is considered.

To examine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection still occurs in haemodialysis units even after a decrease in the number of blood transfusions and in those contaminated with HCV, we tested anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA in 142 patients from Japanese haemodialysis units, and examined the serial prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in 86 patients from 1992 to 1997. A high prevalence of HCV infection was observed: 34 (23.9%) and 38 (26.8%) of the 142 patients were positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA, respectively. These positive rates were related to the duration of haemodialysis. We found that five patients treated in the same unit seroconverted from 1993 to 1995. Four of the five patients had been treated at the same shift and were affected at the same time. Phylogenetic analysis of the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) sequence of HCV from serum of these patients showed that three of the four patients' sequences were phylogenetically clustered and that two of the three were closely related. Thus, an occasional transmission of HCV occurred in the haemodialysis unit. The universal precautions by staff such as carefully changing gloves may be important in inhibiting spread of HCV because no instances of infection have been seen since the instigation of educational measures for unit staff.

To study the freezing/melting behavior of a confined N2, CO, and Kr, we performed X-ray diffraction measurements of N2, CO, and Kr confined inside the cylindrical pores of five kinds of siliceous MCM-41 with different pore radii (R = 1.45−2.9 nm) as a function of temperature. Freezing and melting of these three molecules were almost reversible for all the MCM-41 samples used here. Freezing of the CO confined to the mesopores resulted in the appearance of the orientationally ordered α phase, whereas the N2 solidified into the orientationally disordered phase analogous to the bulk β phase. The solid Kr confined to the mesopores contains a considerable amount of random stacking faults. The freezing-point depressions of N2 and CO relative to the bulk melting point were nearly the same and were slightly larger than that of Kr. Upon cooling, both molecular liquids of N2 and CO confined to the cylindrical mesopores of R = 2.1 nm vitrify, whereas liquid Kr crystallizes within the mesopores of R = 1.8 nm and vitrifies within the mesopores of R = 1.45 nm. The mechanism of vitrification of a confined liquid upon cooling is considered.

Phospholipid transfer protein gene knock-out (Pltp KO) mice have defective transfer of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) phospholipids into high density lipoprotein (HDL) and markedly decreased HDL levels (Jiang et al. 1999. J. Clin. Invest. 103: 907-914). These animals also accumulated VLDL- and LDL-sized lipoproteins on a high saturated fat diet. The goals of this study were to further characterize the abnormal lipoproteins of Pltp KO mice and to determine the mechanisms responsible for low HDL levels. A lipoprotein fraction enriched in lamellar structures was isolated from the low density lipoprotein (LDL) region and was shown to be phospholipid- and free cholesterol-rich and to have apoA-IV (55%) and apoE (25%) as major apolipoproteins. The lamellar lipoproteins accumulating in these mice probably represent surface material derived from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL). The HDL was found to be protein-rich (primarily apoA-I) and specifically depleted in phosphatidylcholine (PC) (28% in wild-type mice (WT) vs. 15% in Pltp KO mice, P < 0.001). Unexpectedly, turnover studies using autologous HDL revealed a profound 4-fold increase in the catabolism of HDL protein and cholesteryl ester in Pltp KO mice compared to wild-type, with minor differences in synthesis rates. In contrast, injection of WT mouse HDL into Pltp KO mice showed only a 2-fold increase in fractional catabolism. Reminiscent of the defect in Tangier disease, the failure of transfer of PC from TRL into the HDL fraction results in dramatic hypercatabolism of HDL. These results suggest that defective phospholipid transfer from TRL into HDL, arising from decreased lipolysis or decreased PLTP activity, could lead to hypoalphalipoproteinemia characterized by hypercatabolism of HDL protein. lipoprotein levels, due to hypercatabolism, and accumulate apoA-IV-rich lamellar lipoproteins.

Growth-blocking peptide (GBP) is an insect growth factor consisting of 25 amino acid residues that retards the development of lepidopteran larvae at high concentration while it stimulates larval growth at low concentration. In this study, we determined the solution structure of GBP by two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy. The structure contains a short segment of double-stranded beta-sheet involving residues 11-13 and 19-21 and a type-II beta-turn in the loop region (residues 8-11), whereas the N and C termini are disordered. This is the first report of the three-dimensional structure of the peptiderigic insect growth factor, and the structure of the well defined region of GBP was found to share similarity with that of the C-terminal domain of the epidermal growth factor (EGF). Because GBP has been reported to stimulate DNA synthesis of not only insect cells but also human keratinocyte cells at the same level with EGF, the structural similarity between GBP and EGF may lead to the interaction of GBP to EGF receptor.

To study the freezing/melting behavior of a confined CH3Cl, we performed X-ray diffraction measurements of CH3Cl confined inside the cylindrical pores of six kinds of siliceous MCM-41 with different pore radii (R = 1.2−2.9 nm) as a function of temperature. The pore-size dependence of the phase-transition temperature suddenly changes between R = 2.5 and 2.1 nm and between R = 1.8 and 1.45 nm. The CH3Cl confined to the mesopores of R ≥ 1.8 nm shows a large hysteresis effect between freezing and melting and crystallizes on freezing, while the CH3Cl confined to the mesopores of R ≤ 1.45 nm vitrify on cooling. Although the CH3Cl confined to the mesopores of R ≥ 2.5 nm freezes into a solid with the same ferroelectric structure as the bulk, the CH3Cl confined to the mesopores of R = 1.8 and 2.1 nm crystallizes into a structure that is different from the bulk. The results are discussed on the basis of a homogeneous nucleation, as well as the effects of finite size on melting point depression and the structure of a confined solid.

To evaluate the tolerance of the cirrhotic liver to extended warm ischaemia, 47 patients with cirrhosis who underwent liver resection over a 4-year period were studied retrospectively. Three groups of patients were identified. In group 1 (14 patients) liver resection was performed under conditions of portal triad occlusion ranging from 50 to 75 (mean 57·1) min. Group 2 (12 patients) was treated with portal occlusion for a period ranging from 30 to 42 (mean 33·1) min. Group 3 comprised 21 patients who underwent hepatectomy using conventional techniques. Mean blood loss was significantly reduced by portal triad occlusion (819 ml in group 1, 523 ml in group 2) compared with the conventional technique (1652 ml in group 3) (P < 0·05, group 1 versus group 3; P < 0·01, group 2 versus group 3). Hospital death occurred in three of the 21 patients in group 3 but in no patient who underwent portal triad occlusion. The morbidity rate was lower in the two occlusion groups (four of 26 patients) than in group 3 (six of 21). Bilirubin metabolism was substantially better after surgery in the occlusion groups (P < 0·05, groups 1 and 2 versus group 3 at day 14). Although the serum levels of transaminases were significantly raised until day 3 in patients undergoing long-term occlusion, the cirrhotic liver withstood the ischaemia—reperfusion insult, as assessed by changes in hepatic microcirculation, lipid peroxidation and the morphology of hepatic sinusoids. It is concluded that prolonged ischaemia during liver resection can be sustained in patients with cirrhosis and without high-risk factors.

Two male infants with congenital hereditary retinoschisis are presented. The disease was detected when they were 11 and 20 months old, respectively, and they were followed up during the subsequent months. Initially, they both revealed a tremendously elevated retinoschisis lesion in both equatorial and peripheral retina, which was associated with foveal retinoschisis. The peripheral ballooning retinoschisis regressed gradually in the following months, and a relatively flat retinoschisis was left. It was proposed that the early stage of the disease is characterized by a bullous retinoschisis followed by its spontaneous regression during the first several years of life. A survey of the literature favors our view.

Intraspecific‐intergenotypic competition, competition with weeds, and spacing response were studied in 25 rice (Oryza sativaL.) cultivars with different growth habits in Lambayeque, Peru. The actual yield of genetically mixed rice populations was always below the yield of the better component genotype in pure populations. The yield of the mixtures seldom exceeded the average yield of the pure populations of the component genotypes. Thus, yield reduction in one genotype as a result of competition was not compensated by the yield increase in another. Intraspecific competition, competition with weeds, and spacing response were highly intercorrelated with each other, suggesting that these were controlled largely by the same genetic factors through the same physiological process. Vegetative vigor, large leaf area, a high rate of N absorption in early growth stages, and plant height were the most significant characters related to competitive ability. Tillering itself was not related to either competitive ability or to spacing response. Tall, vigorous genotypes with a long growth duration were adapted to extremely primitive agronomic conditions. The evolution of cultivars has been accompanied by the evolution of cultural methods and the loss of competitive ability.