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Aim: Chromosome 13 is one of the most frequently altered chromosomes in prostate cancer. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of human chromosome 13 in the progression of prostate cancer., Methods: Human chromosome 13 was introduced into highly metastatic rat prostate cancer cells via microcell-mediated chromosome transfer., Results: Microcell hybrid clones containing human chromosome 13 showed suppression of metastasis to the lung without any suppression of tumorigenicity, except for one clone, which contained the smallest sized human chromosome 13 and did not show any suppression on lung metastasis. Expression of two known tumor suppressor genes, BRCA2 and RB1, which map to chromosome 13, was examined by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction analysis. BRCA2 was expressed only in the metastasis-suppressed microcell-hybrid clones, whereas RB1 was expressed in all clones., Conclusion: Human chromosome 13 contains metastasis suppressor gene(s) for prostate cancer derived from rat. Furthermore, the RB1 gene is unlikely to be involved in the suppression of metastasis evident in this system.

Aim: To evaluate the occurrence and prevalence of microdeletions in the gamma chromosome of patients with azoospermia., Methods: DNA from 29 men with idiopathic azoospermia was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis with a set of gamma chromosome specific sequence-tagged sites (STSs) to determine microdeletions in the gamma chromosome., Results: Deletions in the DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) loci sgamma254 and sgamma255 were found in three patients with idiopathic azoospermia, resulting in an estimated frequency of deletions of 10.7% in idiopathic azoospermia men., Conclusion: We conclude that PCR analysis is useful for the diagnosis of microdeletions in the Y chromosome, which is important when deciding the suitability of a patient for assisted reproductive technology such as testicular sperm extracion-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (TESE-ICSI).

We reviewed 10 cases of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma and compared the results with those of a recent series of 11 patients who underwent open adrenalectomy. Of the 10 cases, the tumor was removed successfully in all cases except in one case with laparoscopy that required open laparotomy. A pair of laparoscopic coagulating scissors was utilized in all except the initial two cases. In the laparoscopy group (excluding the initial two cases and the case that required conversion to open surgery), mean operative time and blood loss were 145 min and 55 ml, respectively. No significant difference was observed in mean operative time between the laparoscopy group and the open surgery group (165 min for open surgery). Mean blood loss of the laparoscopy group was significantly less than that of the open surgery group (330 ml for open surgery, P = 0.01). Mean intervals to first ambulation and oral intake, and postoperative hospital stay of the laparoscopy group, tended to be less than those of the open surgery group, although no statistical significance was observed (2.3 versus 3.2 d, 2.9 versus 3.6 d, and 12 versus 14 d, respectively). We conclude that laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is equally effective and less invasive than open adrenalectomy and should be considered the therapy of choice even for pheochromocytoma.

Bidirectional signaling between neocortex and limbic cortex has been hypothesized to contribute to the retrieval of long-term memory. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the time courses of perceptual and memory-retrieval signals in two neighboring areas in temporal cortex, area TE (TE) and perirhinal cortex (PRh), while monkeys were performing a visual pair-association task. Perceptual signal reached TE before PRh, confirming its forward propagation. In contrast, memory-retrieval signal appeared earlier in PRh, and TE neurons were then gradually recruited to represent the sought target. A reasonable interpretation of this finding is that the rich backward fiber projections from PRh to TE may underlie the activation of TE neurons that represent a visual object retrieved from long-term memory.

Clinical experiences of endotoxin removal using polymyxin B immobilized fiber column (PMX) in three septic shock patients are reported. The patients were referred to our hospital with complaints of high fever and severe pain during urination. Physical examination and laboratory data revealed severe hypotension, tachycardia, and pyuria. Diagnoses of septic shock due to urosepsis were made. After antibiotic therapy and anti-shock therapy, direct hemoperfusion using polymyxin B immobilized fiber column (PMX) was carried out. Thereafter, cardiovascular instabilities were improved without increasing the supply of catecholamines. PMX therapy for systemic inflammatory response due to infection was effective in treatment of cardiovascular instabilities.

Objectives: To reveal the possible contribution of histological inflammation within the prostate to the abnormal elevation of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with needle biopsy negative for prostate cancer., Methods: We reviewed negative needle biopsy specimens obtained in 93 patients. The degree of acute and chronic inflammation as evaluated histologically was compared with serum PSA levels in conjunction with age and prostate volume., Results: Both age (P <0.01) and prostate volume (P <0.0001) correlated significantly with serum PSA levels and were significantly greater in patients with abnormal serum PSA levels (greater than 4.0 ng/mL) than in those with normal serum PSA levels (4.0 ng/mL or less) (P <0.01). The presence of histological inflammation within the prostate also correlated significantly with serum PSA levels. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated prostate volume to be the only independent determinant of serum PSA levels (P <0.01). In patients with a prostate volume larger than 25 mL, only prostate volume correlated significantly with serum PSA levels (P <0. 05). On the other hand, the degree of acute inflammation as represented by polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration was the only parameter correlating significantly with serum PSA levels (P <0.05) in patients with a prostate volume smaller than 25 mL., Conclusions: Histologically defined acute inflammation within the prostate is a significant contributor to elevated serum PSA levels, especially in patients with small prostates. In the assessment of needle biopsy results negative for prostate cancer, it might be helpful to evaluate the degree of histological inflammation, especially in terms of the necessity of subsequent repeated biopsies.

Objective: This study was designed to characterize the resistive index (RI) of prostatic blood flows obtained by transrectal power Doppler sonography (TRPDS) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)., Method: In 140 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, the RI was measured using TRPDS and compared with age and planimetric parameters of the prostate obtained by conventional transrectal sonography. In addition, the RI was related with pressure flow studies., Results: The RI was significantly higher in patients with BPH (0.72+/-0.06, p<0.0001) than those with a normal prostate (0. 64+/-0.04). Although the RI correlated significantly with age and all prostatic planimetric parameters, multiple regression analysis revealed that age and presumed circle area ratio were independent predictors for RI. The RI was also higher in patients with infravesical obstruction than those without (0.74+/-0.06 vs. 0. 70+/-0.05, p<0.005). There was a significant correlation between RI and urodynamic parameters obtained in pressure flow studies. Out of 33 patients with obstruction, 28 (85%) had an RI of 0.7 or more, while 11 out of 24 patients (46%) without obstruction had an RI less than 0.7., Conclusion: The RI is promising as a new parameter to estimate the intraprostatic pressure to investigate BPH. Its value to represent urodynamic information during voiding remains to be studied.

Purpose: To examine the influence of dietary intake on urinary oxalate excretion in calcium oxalate stone formers in their forties., Patients and Methods: Dietary intake was recorded by using the dietary-record method in 58 idiopathic stone formers in their forties. The patients collected their urine for 24 h at home and their urinary oxalate excretion was measured. The relationship between the dietary intake of various nutrients and urinary oxalate excretion was examined by mono- and multivariate analysis., Results: The intake of animal fat was correlated with urinary oxalate excretion by monovariate analysis, but that of total protein, animal protein, calcium and carbohydrate were not. By multivariate analysis, the intake of animal fat was correlated with urinary oxalate excretion and the intake of calcium was inversely correlated with urinary oxalate excretion., Conclusion: The intake of animal fat was positively and the intake of calcium was negatively correlated with the urinary oxalate excretion in stone formers in their forties. It was shown that animal fat plays an important role in urinary oxalate excretion.

Objectives: We investigated the possible use of acupuncture for the treatment of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperreflexia in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries., Methods: A total of 13 patients (11 males, 2 females) suffering from urinary incontinence due to spinal cord injuries were treated by acupuncture, which was carried out with disposable stainless steel needles inserted into the bilateral BL-33 (Zhongliao) points on the skin of the third posterior sacral foramina. Urodynamic studies were also performed before acupuncture, immediately after the 1st acupuncture and 1 week after the 4th acupuncture. In 6 patients, these urodynamic studies were performed again 1 month after the 4th acupuncture., Results: No side effects were recognized throughout the treatment period. Of the 13 patients, incontinence disappeared in 2 (15%) and decreased to 50% or less compared to baseline in a further 6 (46%). Maximum cystometric bladder capacity increased significantly from 76.2 +/- 62.3 to 148.1 +/- 81.5 ml 1 week after the 4th acupuncture (p < 0.01). In the 6 patients in whom cystometry was repeated 1 month after the 4th acupuncture, bladder capacity decreased from 187.5 +/- 90.4 ml 1 week after the 4th acupuncture to 128.3 +/- 93.4 ml., Conclusion: In spinal cord injury patients acupuncture could represent another valuable therapeutic alternative to the treatment of urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperreflexia., (Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Purpose: We determined the change in the amount of connective tissue of the detrusor in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in relation to the degree of bladder hypertrophy by ultrasound estimated bladder weight. The ratio of connective tissue-to-smooth muscle between controls and BPH cases was compared., Materials and Methods: For normal controls we used cadaver bladders excised at autopsy from 13 men with no urinary tract diseases. Bladder wall samples were also obtained at subcapsular prostatectomy for BPH in 26 patients. On thin sections stained with Masson trichrome, the ratio of connective tissue-to-smooth muscle was measured using a computer assisted color image analysis. This ratio was compared in BPH cases with estimated bladder weight, which was measured preoperatively using transabdominal ultrasonography., Results: A connective tissue-to-smooth muscle ratio ranged from 19.8 to 28.2% (mean plus or minus standard deviation 24.7+/-2.4) and from 12.9 to 53.3% (27.3+/-9.9) in control and BPH cases, respectively. In BPH cases a significant correlation was noted between estimated bladder weight and connective tissue-to-smooth muscle ratio (r=0.788, p <0.0001). Interestingly, in BPH cases with an estimated bladder weight of less than 60 gm. the ratio ranged from 12.9 to 30.4% (22.8+/-4.9), which was not significantly different compared to control cases. In contrast, in all BPH cases with an estimated bladder weight of 60 gm. or more connective tissue-to-smooth muscle ratio increased significantly to more than 30% (range 33.4 to 53.3%, mean 42.2+/-13.6%)., Conclusions: These results suggest that abnormal increase of connective tissue in addition to smooth muscle hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia could contribute to advanced bladder hypertrophy caused by infravesical obstruction.

We evaluated the changes in volume of the seminal vesicles as determined by transrectal sonography in terms of the possible relationship with aging, lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in community based populations in Japan. In 641 men (55-86 year, mean 67) on a mass screening program for prostatic diseases, the maximum horizontal area of the seminal vesicles (MHA) was compared with age, American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index scores and transrectal ultrasonic parameters of the prostate including prostatic volume, transition zone (TZ) volume, TZ index and presumed circle area ratio (PCAR). Simple regression analyses demonstrated that MHA correlated significantly with age, prostatic volume, TZ volume, TZ index and PCAR, but not with AUA symptom index scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed age, prostatic volume and PCAR to be independent determinants of MHA. There was a difference in MHA between subjects with BPH (7.1+/-2.5 cm2) and those with a normal prostate (5.6+/-2.1 cm2) with a statistical significance. In the morphological evaluation of the seminal vesicles, the significant influence of age and BPH has to be taken into account.

Purpose: In healthy children as well as those with urinary disturbance we determined ultrasound estimated bladder weight with the aim of revealing its possible usefulness as a measure of bladder compliance., Materials and Methods: We measured ultrasound estimated bladder weight in 71 healthy children with a mean age of 10.3 years, and determined a standard value. A total of 82 patients with a mean age of 9.6 years with urinary disturbance also underwent ultrasound estimated bladder weight measurement as well as conventional urological examinations, including filling cystometry., Results: In healthy children ultrasound estimated bladder weight increased with age, showing a significant linear correlation (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001). Using the formula for linear correlation, 0.86 x patient age + 6.9 gm., we obtained an age matched estimated weight. In 82 patients the percent deviation of the estimate from age matched values was calculated using the formula, (measured ultrasound estimated bladder weight -age matched ultrasound estimated bladder weight)/age matched ultrasound estimated bladder weight x 100, and then correlated with bladder compliance. In 75 of 77 patients (97%) with compliance of 10 ml./cm. water or more the estimate was within 100% deviation. In contrast, 4 of 5 patients (80%) with a low compliant bladder (less than 10 ml./cm. water) had an ultrasound estimated bladder weight greater than 100% deviation. When the estimate was within 100% deviation, all but 1 patient (75 of 76, 98.7%) had compliance of 10 ml./cm. water or more compared to 33.3% (2 of 6) of those with an estimate greater than 100% deviation. As a result, with the use of a cutoff value of 100% deviation ultrasound estimated bladder weight predicted a low compliant bladder with a diagnostic accuracy as high as 96.3% (79 of 82 cases)., Conclusions: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight may be used to evaluate bladder compliance in children. It seems to be a suitable noninvasive urodynamic test in children with suspected urodynamic abnormalities.

We report a case of pheochromocytoma with a markedly large pseudocyst. A 51-year-old man with the complaint of headache and palpitation was referred to our hospital. Ultrasonography (US) revealed a right adrenal cystic mass. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed an adrenal cyst. MRI showed a high intensity mass in both T1 and T2-weighted-images, suggesting an adrenal hemorrhagic cyst. 131I-meta-iodo-benzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy showed a prominent accumulation at the right adrenal lesion. Considering the abnormal elevation of cathecholamines in blood and urine samples, we performed right adrenolectomy with the clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. 131I-MIBG scintigraphy was the most important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Recently, we reported that ultrasound-estimated bladder weight (UEBW) could be used as a noninvasive tool in evaluating the degree of bladder hypertrophy. This study was designed to test the reproducibility of its measurement. The overall mean UEBW of the initial measurement and that of the second one by one observer in 36 cases was 42.8 +/- 22.6 g and 42.9 +/- 22.6 g, respectively. The paired differences between two measurements ranged from -3.4 to 2.7 g, with a mean difference of only -0.1 g. The interobserver variance was also slight. The paired differences between UEBW measurements derived from the two observers in 32 cases ranged from -6.0 to 7.9 g, with a mean difference of only 0.1 g. The Cochran's test statistic of the measurements of UEBW was 0.142 for one observer and 0.130 for two, which were less than its 5% critical value. Due to these favorable characteristics, UEBW could be reliable tool for the investigation of bladder hypertrophy with a sufficient reproducibility.

Neuropsychological theories proposed a critical role of the interaction between the medial temporal lobe and neocortex in the formation of long-term memory for facts and events, which has often been tested by learning of a series of paired words or figures in humans. We identify neural mechanisms of this long-term memory formation process by single-unit recording and molecular biological methods in an animal model of visual pair-association task in monkeys. In our previous studies, we found a group of neurons that manifested selective responses to both of the paired associates (pair-coding neuron) in the anterior inferior temporal (IT) cortex. It provides strong evidence that single IT neurons acquire the response-selectivity through associative learning, and suggests that the reorganized neural circuits for the pair-coding neurons serve as the memory engram of the pair-association learning. In this article, we investigated further mechanisms of the neural circuit reorganization. First, we tested the role of the backward connections from the medial temporal lobe to IT cortex. Ibotenic acid was injected unilaterally into the entorhinal and perirhinal cortex which provided massive backward projections ipsilaterally to IT cortex. We found that the limbic lesion disrupted the associative code of the IT neurons between the paired associates, without impairing the visual response to each stimulus. Second, we ask why the limbic-neocortical interactions are so important. We hypothesize that limbic neurons would undergo rapid modification of synaptic connectivity and provide backward signals that guide reorganization of neocortical neural circuits. We then investigated the molecular basis of such rapid synaptic modifiability by detecting the expression of immediate-early genes. We found strong expression of zif268 during the learning of a new set of paired associates, most intensively in area 36 of the perirhinal cortex. All these results with visual pair-association task support our hypothesis, and demonstrate that the 'consolidation' process, which was first proposed on the basis of clinico-psychological evidence, can now be examined in the primate with neurophysiolocical and molecular biological approaches.

A 60-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of an abnormal shadow in her chest X-ray. A chest roentgenogram revealed middle lobe atelectasis and a tomogram showed masses mainly in the right intermediate bronchus. In bronchoscopy, the bronchus was severely narrowed by irregularly surfaced masses. Microscopic examinations of transbronchial biopsy specimen showed the mucosal and submucosal tissue diffusedly infiltrated mainly by lymphocytes composed of small lymphocytes, centrocyte-like cells and monocytoid cells. The B-cell origin was suggested by a positive L-26 stain. Monoclonality of lymphocytes was proven by Southern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. The diagnosis was primary endobronchial lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. The case was treated with chemotherapy protocol (CAMBO-VIP) and has been in complete remission for 20 months.

Objectives: To examine the predictive value of ultrasonic measurements obtained by transrectal ultrasonography for infravesical obstruction as evaluated by pressure flow studies., Methods: In 85 men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms, ultrasonic measurements including prostatic volume, transition zone volume, transition zone index (transition zone volume/prostatic volume), and presumed circle area ratio (PCAR) were compared with urodynamic parameters obtained by pressure flow studies., Results: There were significant interrelationships between these ultrasonic measurements, which were all significantly greater in the obstructed patients than in the unobstructed patients. A simple regression analysis demonstrated that prostatic volume (r = 0.362, P < 0.001), transition zone volume (r = 0.373, P < 0.0005), transition zone index (r = 0.331, P < 0.005), and PCAR (r = 0.487, P < 0.0001) correlated significantly with the Abrams-Griffiths number. More importantly, a multiple regression analysis demonstrated PCAR to be the only independent determinant of the Abrams-Griffiths number. A receiver operator characteristics curve analysis showed that 0.8 was the most suitable cutoff value of PCAR for the prediction of infravesical obstruction with a diagnostic accuracy of 76.5%., Conclusions: PCAR is useful as a transrectal ultrasonic measurement in assessing the severity of infravesical obstruction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

This study was conducted to characterize Doppler blood flow signals in prostatic cancer using power Doppler imaging with a transrectal probe. Both the localization and vascularity of blood flow in the prostate were compared between patients with prostatic cancer and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prominent accumulation of blood flow signals (hypervascular lesion) was recognized in all the cases with prostatic cancer, compared to only 2 (4%) of 47 with BPH (p < 0.001). Power Doppler imaging is promising for the detection of prostatic cancer.

Purpose: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight was compared before and after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to reveal a possible reversible change in bladder hypertrophy., Materials and Methods: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight was measured before and after subcapsular (17) or transurethral (16) prostatectomy in 33 male patients with BPH. Sequential changes in the American Urological Association symptom score and urinary flow rate were also examined., Results: Along with a significant improvement in the American Urological Association symptom scores and maximum flow rate, ultrasound estimated bladder weight decreased from 52.9 +/- 22.6 to 31.6 +/- 15.8 gm. in 12 weeks after treatment. In all but 4 patients (29 of 33, or 87.9%) ultrasound estimated bladder weight decreased to less than 35.0 gm. in 12 weeks after treatment. Interestingly, in all patients with an initial ultrasound estimated bladder weight of greater than 80 gm. the bladder weight still remained at an abnormally high level 12 weeks after treatment., Conclusions: Bladder hypertrophy was completely reversible after the surgical treatment of the obstruction in the majority of patients with BPH. The measurement of ultrasound estimated bladder weight was of value in monitoring therapeutic effects in BPH patients. An extraordinarily high ultrasound estimated bladder weight of 80 gm. or more might suggest degenerative and irreversible pathological changes in the bladder detrusor.

Purpose: Our study was conducted to reveal quantitatively the relative effects of age and ultrasonic appearance of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on urinary symptoms as evaluated by the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index score., Materials and Methods: In 929 examinees (732 with a normal prostate and 197 with BPH) on a mass screening program for prostatic diseases using transrectal ultrasonography in Japan, the AUA symptom score was compared to age, prostatic volume and presumed circle area ratio using simple and multiple regression analyses., Results: Simple regression analysis demonstrated the symptom score to correlate significantly with age (R = 0.162, p < 0.0001), prostatic volume (R = 0.072, p = 0.0281) and presumed circle area ratio (R = 0.150, p < 0.0001). However, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that age and presumed circle area ratio were significant independent determinants of the total symptom score. Among 7 symptoms included in the AUA symptom index weak stream and hesitancy scores were not influenced by age, prostatic volume or presumed circle area ratio., Conclusions: As a parameter representing the degree of BPH in terms of the severity of urinary symptoms, presumed circle area ratio was preferable to prostatic volume. Regression analyses confirmed again that the AUA symptom index was influenced considerably by age and was not specific to BPH.

The present study was designed to test the predictability of color Doppler flow imaging of the bladder in determining the cause of bladder hypertrophy. The blood flow in the anterior bladder wall was measured in 35 patients with an abnormally increased ultrasound estimated bladder weight (UEBW) of more than 35.0 g. Of these, 18 were diagnosed as having infravesical obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (obstructive group). The remaining 17 were diagnosed as having neurogenic bladder dysfunction (NB group). Scanning to detect blood flow was continued for 5 minutes, the bladder having been filled with 100 ml of saline. Blood flow was detected in 83.3% (15/18) of the obstructive group, compared to 23.5% (4/17) in the NB group (p < 0.001). Infravesical obstruction was detected with a diagnostic accuracy of 80.0% (28/35) by color Doppler flow imaging. Color Doppler flow imaging was useful in predicting the cause of bladder hypertrophy in patients with abnormally increased UEBW.

Purpose: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight was compared to pressure-flow studies to test the ability of ultrasound estimated bladder weight to predict infravesical obstruction., Materials and Methods: A total of 65 men with urinary symptoms underwent ultrasonic measurement of bladder weight and pressure-flow studies. Assuming the bladder is a sphere, ultrasound estimated bladder weight was calculated from bladder wall thickness measured ultrasonically and intravesical volume., Results: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight correlated significantly (p < 0.0001) with the Abrams-Griffiths number, urethral resistance factor and the Schäfer grade of obstruction. A cutoff value of 35 gm. for ultrasound estimated bladder weight revealed a diagnostic accuracy of 86.2% (56 of 65 cases) for infravesical obstruction with 12.1 (4 of 33) and 15.6% (5 of 32) false-positive and false-negative rates, respectively., Conclusions: Ultrasound estimated bladder weight can be measured noninvasively at the bedside and it is promising as a reliable predictor of infravesical obstruction.

Power Doppler imaging was performed in 77 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms to characterize Doppler blood-flow signals in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Pulsatile blood flows were detected in all patients, demonstrating a significant increase of the resistive index (RI) in BPH cases (n = 40, 0.72 +/- 0.05, p < 0.0001), compared to those with a healthy prostate (n = 37, 0.64 +/- 0.04). Of 40 patients with BPH, 28 (70%) had an RI of 0.70 or higher; all but 1 patient with a healthy prostate (1 of 37, 3%) had an RI lower than 0.70 (p < 0.0001). In all 10 patients with BPH, the elevated RI decreased significantly to a normal control level after surgical treatment (0.72 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.64 +/- 0.05, p < 0.001). In conclusion, Doppler RI might be useful as a new urodynamic parameter in BPH.

Background: The frequency of hematuria and proteinuria was assessed in terms of the existence of glomerular disorders., Methods: Fifty-five patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria, in whom no urological disorders were recognized, were used in this study. The frequency of hematuria and proteinuria was assessed by self-test of the first voided urine in the morning with urinary dipsticks for 7 consecutive days. Hematuria (proteinuria) was judged positive when reaction for hematuria (proteinuria) on a dipstick was 1+ or more, and negative when reaction was - or +/-. On the basis of self-test, the frequency of hematuria (proteinuria) was classified into 3 types as follows: Type C, positive hematuria (proteinuria) recognized continuously throughout 7 days; Type S, positive and negative hematuria (proteinuria) recognized sporadically; Type N, negative hematuria (proteinuria) recognized throughout 7 days. The results were evaluated in terms of the existence of glomerular disorders, as revealed by renal biopsy., Results: Self-tests were completed successfully in 53 (96%) out of 55 patients at the first attempt. Of these 55 patients 32 (58%) were Type C hematuria, 14 (26%) were Type S hematuria and 9 (16%) were Type N hematuria. The incidence of glomerular disorders was significantly higher in patients with Type C (81%, p < 0.0001) and Type S (71% p < 0.01) hematuria than those with Type N (0%) hematuria., Conclusion: The presence of hematuria confirmed by self-test used in the present study was suggestive of glomerular disorders.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonic estimation of bladder weight as a measure of bladder hypertrophy using transabdominal ultrasonography in men with infravesical obstruction. Ultrasonically estimated bladder weight (UEBW) was calculated from the thickness of the bladder wall measured ultrasonically and the intravesical volume at the ultrasonic measurement, assuming a spheric bladder. There was a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.970, P <0.001) between the actual bladder weight of cadaver bladders and the UEBW. The UEBW did not change with bladder filling. The UEBW in the obstructed group (group O, 49.7 +/- 19.5 g, mean +/- SD) was significantly greater than that in the normal control group (group NC, 25.6 +/- 5.7 g; P <0.001) or the nonobstructed group (group NO, 28.4 +/- 4.2 g; P <0.001). The greatest UEBW was 34.8 g in group NC and 35.2 g in group NO, whereas 94% (45 of 48) of group O had a UEBW greater than 35.0 g. In all 5 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the increased UEBW decreased to a normal control level at 3 months after treatment of BPH. This new noninvasive method may be useful in investigation of bladder hypertrophy.

Visual long-term memory in primates has been assessed by using the pair-association (PA) task, in which a subject retrieves and chooses the paired associate of a cue picture. Our previous studies on single neurons in the anterior inferotemporal (AIT) cortex suggested their roles in representing paired associates in the mind. To test the possibility that the delay activity of AIT neurons is related to a particular picture as a sought target, we devised the PA with color switch (PACS) task. In the PACS task, the necessity for memory retrieval and its initiation time were controlled by a color switch in the middle of the delay period. A control task, in which there is no color switch, corresponds to the conventional delayed matching-to-sample (DMS) task where the monkey chooses the same picture as a cue. We found that AIT neurons started to respond just after the color switch in the PACS task, when the cue-optimal picture's associate was presented as a cue. In contrast, they showed no response change in the DMS task. We confirmed that this effect is not due to the visual response to colors. Furthermore, when the cue-optimal picture was presented as a cue, these neurons showed suppression after the color switch in the PACS task. These results suggest that the activity of AIT neurons mediates gating mechanisms that preferentially pass information about a sought target, even when the sought target is retrieved from long-term memory.

In radiotherapy for eyelid tumors, a sufficient dose is required in the target tissue while preserving the crystalline lens. A I-mm thick, 20-mm diameter lead contact lens was prepared for crystalline lens protection. The lens was coated with an acrylic polymer and weighted 5.5 g. Six MeV electron therapy was scheduled using a 10 mm bolus on the eyelid. A simulation experiment proved that 0.78 +/- 0.04 percent of the maximal eyelid dose was given at the crystalline lens portion. A total of 14 eyelids in eight patients with cutaneous lymphoma, angiosarcoma, or basal cell carcinoma were treated with the contact lens. No cataract was found after irradiation over an average period of 24.3 months. The combination of the lead contact lens, bolus, and 6 MeV electron beam was a simple procedure and provided adequate dose distribution in the treatment of various eyelid tumors.

Cases of child abuse identified by a hot-line telephone service and by a survey of health and welfare agencies are reported. Many consultations to the telephone hot-line were from mothers concerned about maltreating their own children. In such cases, the extent of abuse was often mild to moderate, and many of those mothers were troubled about child care in the relatively segregated context of the nuclear family. In only a few cases did the callers indicate that the children's life was in danger. In the administrative survey, however, deaths occurred in 5% of the cases, and the abused children frequently had physical and psychological symptoms. There were also more frequent and more serious family problems in the administrative survey compared to the telephone consultation cases. The findings of these surveys suggest that many children and parents are suffering from child abuse in Japan, that many cases are currently not being identified by health and welfare agencies, and that a wide range of measures, from protection of severely abused children to prevention of abuse, are necessary.

The complete amino acid sequence of two forms of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from the X-organ sinus gland complex of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) has been determined. There are two variants of P. clarkii CHH (Prc-CHH), I and II, which can be separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Each variant was oxidized by performic acid and then cleaved with lysyl endopeptidase. Intact hormone was also digested with trypsin and endoproteinase Asp-N, successively. The resulting fragments were separated by RP-HPLC and subjected to sequence analyses by a gas-phase sequencer and tandem mass spectrometry. Both variants contain 72 amino acid residues with three disulfide linkages, at positions 7-43, 23-39, and 26-52, and differ from each other by the D/L epimerization of phenylalanine at position 3; Prc-CHH-II contains D-amino acid. Injections of Prc-CHH-I and Prc-CHH-II at a dose of 12.5 pmol resulted in significant increase of hemolymph glucose levels in the crayfish. The hormones are also active in repressing ecdysteroid synthesis at concentrations of 250 mM (Prc-CHH-I) and 25 nM (Prc-CHH-II) in Y-organ culture. These results may indicate that the stereoinversion in the CHH molecule leads to an important alternation in hormonal functions during crustacean development.

We report a case of bilateral simultaneously-occurring testicular tumors. A 43-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with a complaint of right inguinal pain in May 1992. Under the diagnosis of bilateral testicular neoplasms, bilateral high orchiectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed typical seminoma of bilateral testes. The patient was diagnosed with stage IIIO seminoma, and he was treated with combination chemotherapy (PVB). No evidence of disease has been seen after chemotherapy.

We examine the hypothesis that the form representation in the anterior inferotemporal (AIT) cortex is acquired through learning. According to this hypothesis, perceptual aspects of the temporal association area are closely related to its visual representation, in that the response selectivity of AIT neurons can be influenced by visual experience. On the basis of the neurophysiological evidence, we summarize two neuronal mechanisms that subserve the acquisition of form selectivity in AIT neurons. The first mechanism is neuronal tuning to particular stimuli that were learned in a cognitive task. The second mechanism is association, with which relevant information can be retrieved from other stored memories. On the grounds that long-term memory of objects is acquired and organized by at least these two neuronal mechanisms in the temporal association area, we further present a model of the cognitive memory system that unifies perception and imagery.

A cDNA library was constructed by using mRNAs purified from crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) muscle. Using a homology search of the nucleotide (nt) sequences, a clone of the library was found to encode a protein homologous to actin (Act). The insert fragment of this cDNA clone was 1072 nt in length. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nt sequence showed significant similarity to Act of various organisms as follows: 88.1% to Drosophila melanogaster, 88.2% to silk worm, 87.3% to brine shrimp, 86.3% to rat, and 86.3% to human (% identity).

The volume, maximum horizontal area, maximum length, maximum width and depth of the seminal vesicles were measured by transrectal ultrasonography in 76 subjects without seminal vesicle disorders, divided into 7 groups at 10-year intervals. The average of each parameter in each group was presented. The volume and maximum horizontal area began to decrease after the age of 60 years. No statistically significant difference among subject ages was observed for the other 3 parameters. A correlation was observed between the volume and maximum horizontal area of the seminal vesicles. Our study confirmed that maximum horizontal area of the seminal vesicles may be substituted for the volume.

1. Two carboxyl-terminally amidated peptides (CP1 and CP2) were isolated from the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) eyestalks by a method of carboxyl-terminal analysis. 2. The peptides were sequenced as pGlu-Gly-Arg-Phe-amide (CP1) and pGlu-Leu-Gly-Arg-Phe-amide (CP2). 3. Each carboxyl-terminus of the peptides was precisely determined by amino acid analysis utilizing phenylisothiocyanate derivatives. 4. CP1 was identical to the sea anemone neuropeptide, Antho-RFamide.

The maximum horizontal area (MHA) of the seminal vesicles was measured in 20 prostatic cancer patients by means of transrectal sonography (TRS) after LHRH analog treatment. MHA of the seminal vesicles changed in parallel to the serum testosterone (T) level and decreased by 11-62%, compared with the baseline after LHRH analog treatment for 4 months. Two different patterns were observed for the change of MHA. In 9 cases, MHA of the seminal vesicles increased transiently and then decreased gradually, while in the other 11 cases, MHA decreased continuously from the beginning with no significant increase. Thus, the direct and dynamic response of the seminal vesicles to the change of serum T level was clarified.

Ergosta-5,7,24(28)-trien-3β-ol (trienol)6 was isolated from the intracellular symbiotes (symbiotic microorganisms) of the planthoppers,Nilaparvata lugens andLaodelphax striatellus. The steroidogenic end product of the symbiotes was found to depend on the environmental conditions, i.e., although trienol6 was produced under symbiotic conditions, ergosterol4 was formed in aerobic culture. When the normal diet was replaced by a steroiddeficient artificial one, the ratio of 24-methylenecholesterol5 to total insect sterols was significantly increased. The above study offers further corroborating evidence for our assumption that the host insects require 24-methylenecholesterol5 as an alternate source for cholesterol1 under certain environmental conditions. In our previous biotransformation experiments, 24methylenecholesterol5 was shown to be an immediate precursor of cholesterol1. However, the complexity of the insects' vital functions hindered all subsequent attempted transformations into cholesterol1 of sitosterol2, trienol6, and ergosterol4, under injection conditions.

Studies with crabs (Charybdis japonica) and crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) revealed that the tryptophan metabolites, 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine (3-OH-K) and xanthurenic acid (XA), common secretory products of the X-organ-sinus gland complex of eyestalks from several decapods, regulated the molting of crustaceans in species-nonspecific fashion. Injection of 3-OH-K to the eyestalk-ablated crayfish delayed the onset of the first molt and lengthened the interval between the first and second molts. These lines of evidence were in accord with previous accounts of the so-called "molt inhibiting hormone" (MIH) effect. Removal of eyestalks caused a change in the conversion capacity of exogenous 3-OH-K to XA in the hemolymph. The peak in transformation capacity was followed by a peak in the titer of 20-hydroxyecdysone or molting hormone. Moreover, the seasonal profiles of the XA and ecdysone titers in Charybdis japonica exhibited a staggered relationship in the tissues tested. The ratio of XA to 3-OH-K, which is expected to indicate the apparent 3-OH-Kase activity, fluctuated seasonally and locally. When the Y-organ with the adhering tissues (Y-organ complex or YOC) was incubated during the period of high XA titer, the YOC produced 100 times more ecdysone than before incubation. It is suggested that ecdysteroidogenesis in situ was suppressed during this period by XA, but incubation of the YOC lead to a dramatic acceleration in ecdysone synthesis by overriding this inhibitory effect. XA profoundly repressed ecdysteroidogenesis in the YOC culture. Thus, XA is the ecdysone biosynthesis inhibitor (EBI) and 3-OH-K the precursor in crustaceans. An interfering effect of XA to a biocatalyst cytochrome P-450 system was postulated for the inhibition mechanism of ecdysteroidogenesis.

Clinical studies of imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) were conducted in 40 pediatric patients. 29 out of the 40 patients were treated for infections and 11 for prophylaxis. The following results were obtained. 1. The response rate in 29 patients with infections was 79.3%. Among the 29 patients, 16 patients who presented with malignant diseases showed the response rate of 68.8%. The response rate was lower in patients with severe infections than in those with mild or moderate infections, and a lower response rate was associated with severe neutropenia. However, there were no differences in the response rates between patients who had previously been treated and those who had been untreated with other antibiotics. The response rate in 6 patients from whom causative organisms were isolated was 83.3% and that in the remaining 23 patients was 78.3%. 2. The response rate in 11 patients to whom IPM/CS was administered prophylactically was 63.6%. 3. As for side effects, a rash was observed in 1 patient and hematuria in another, and the abnormal laboratory test results observed were elevations of GOT and GPT in 1 patient. However, they were not clinically significant. From the above results, it appears that IPM/CS may be used as a drug of the first choice for the treatment of patients with severe infections in which the causative organisms are unknown, and for the prophylaxis of infection in patients with neutropenia.

The in vivo molt-inhibitory effects of the ecdysone biosynthesis inhibitors 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine and xanthurenic acid were investigated. These ecdysone biosynthesis inhibitors, isolated from the eyestalks of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), were injected into eyestalk-ablated crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The active factor was found to be species-nonspecific within crabs and crayfish. The seasonal profiles of the xanthurenic acid and ecdysone titers exhibited a staggered relationship. Moreover, the activity of a 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine aminotransferase varied during the molting cycle. The data suggested that 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine, which is secreted from the X-organ-sinus gland complex of crustaceans, is released into the hemolymph, and after accumulating at the surface of the Y-organ, is converted into the active form, xanthurenic acid. Xanthurenic acid was found to profoundly repress ecdysteroidogenesis in vitro.

Attempts to isolate the molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) of crustaceans from crab eyestalks (ES) resulted in the characterization of xanthurenic acid as an inhibitor of ecdysone biosynthesis in the cultured Y-organ-complex (YOC) homogenate. It was also found that 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenine present in the ES is transformed into xanthurenic acid in the YOC and body fluid. Its mode of inhibitory action in ecdysone biosynthesis is probably inactivation of cytochrome P-450.

The role of intracellular symbionts contributing to their host has been investigated in the planthoppers,Nilaparvata lugens Stal andLaodelphax striatellus Fallen. We have found that the isolated yeastlike symbionts, identified as a member of the genusCandida, from the host's egg produce ergosterol when cultured. A comparative study of sterols in the cultured symbionts, the host insects, aposymbiotic host insects, and dietary plants demonstrated that ergosterol produced in the symbiotes is provided to the host insects and possibly transformed in the host insects into cholesterol via 24-methylenecholesterol. The conversion of injected 24-methylenecholesterol-d3 into cholesterol has been shown in the brown planthopper (N. lugens).

The species-specific partnership between the sea anemone and anemone fish in many parts of the Indo-Pacific region is a well-known phenomenon. Chemicals secreted by the sea anemone to elicit symbiotic behavior of the fish have been studied for two host-guest pairs, Radianthus kuekenthali (sea anemone)-Amphiprion perideraion (anemone fish) and Stoichactis kenti-A. ocellaris. A new pyridinium compound, amphikuemin, which induces characteristic attracted swimming (toward the chemical stimulus) in A. perideraion, has been isolated from R. kuekenthali and characterized. Several other chemicals that elicit characteristic symbiotic movements have also been identified.