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The read-out signal patterns by MAMMOS were classified and suitable read-out parameter (laser power, magnetic field) was estimated. By adjusting these parameters, both 0.2 micrometer size packed domain and modulated domains (T equals 0.2 micrometer) could be reproduced. The MAMMOS read-out from variously lengthened domains and eye pattern were obtained by application of a magnetic field synchronized with clock marks embossed on the disk.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Between 1983 and 1997, we operated upon 91 patients with type A acute aortic dissection. The dissection was localized in 22 patients and extensive in 69 patients. All patients underwent graft replacement and 61 (67%) patients underwent simultaneous replacement of ascending aorta and total aortic arch. The hospital mortality rate were 9% for the localized dissection and 21% for the extensive dissection. The actuarial survival rates in patients with localized dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 91% and 76%, whereas those in patients with extensive dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 68% and 62%. The freedom from dissection related death or reoperation in operative survivors with localized dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 100% and 83%, whereas those in patients with extensive dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 78% and 56%. The simultaneous replacement of ascending aorta and total aortic arch in patients with extensive dissection was effective to obliteration of the distal false channel, although this extended procedure has to be carefully adopted in high risk patients with associated complications such as acute dissection organ ischemia.

Murine parthenogenetic embryonic stem (ES) cell lines expressing lac Z reporter gene were isolated after co-transfection with lac Z reporter gene (pENL) and neo gene (pSTneo) to TMA-48P cell line of 129/Sv origin. Karyotype analyses showed that all of four transfected cell lines examined contained 41 chromosomes with trisomy 8. Bacterial neo transgene required for G418 selection were integrated into several chromosomes including chromosome 8. Histological studies of teratomas formed in syngenic mice and embryoid bodies grown in vitro showed that the differentiative potential remained almost identical in chromosomally normal parental cell line and its derivative cell lines trisomic for chromosome 8.

The in vitro differentiative potential of mouse parthenogenetic (PG) embryonic stem (PGES) cells were investigated in the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs). EBs derived from PGES cells retarded in growth and showed restricted differentiation compared to their fertilized counterpart. In chimeric EBs from the aggregation of PGES and fertilized ES cells, morphological examination revealed that PGES cells were reduced in their population and distributed in endodermal layer as culture periods proceeded. These findings were comparable to those in aggregation chimeras of fertilized and PG embryos, and suggest that the differentiation of PGES cells in vitro is restricted in the formation of EBs.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with diode array detection was developed to simultaneously separate tetracycline antibiotics and applied to the analysis of discolored teeth. By a reversed-phase ion-pair chromatographic system using pentanesulfonate as a counter ion, minocycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline and demeclocycline were eluted in this order, and they showed base-line separation within 9 min. When using oxytetracycline as an internal standard, the quantitative ranges were between 2.5 ng/ml and 7.5 microg/ml. Powdered dentine (10 mg) and enamel (40 mg) prepared from discolored primary teeth were sonicated in 0.25 ml of 10 mM HCl containing oxytetracycline (0.75 microg/ml) and 50 mM EDTA-2Na, thereafter the supernatants were chromatographed. Eluates from both discolored tooth samples were identified as minocycline based on diode array spectra of their peaks, while minocycline was not detected in any samples from nondiscolored normal teeth, indicating that discoloration of the tested teeth was due to minocycline incorporated into dentine and enamel. Replicate quantitative analyses of the identical tooth substances showed that intra- and inter-assay C.V.s were 2.63 and 4.95% for dentine, and 5.42 and 10.88% for enamel. Application of the developed method to nine discolored teeth revealed that the incorporated minocycline ranged from 20.13 to 84.62 ng/mg of dentine and 0.89 to 7.87 ng/mg of enamel.

Government-administered regional teaching hospital.To improve timeliness and sensitivity of laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis.We applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect DNA (IS6110) specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in pleural biopsy specimens.Of 28 patients with pleural disease, 11 were diagnosed by microbiology (smear/culture of sputum or pleural fluid) with tuberculous pleuritis, eight were diagnosed with tuberculous pleuritis by histology (of pleural biopsies) and/or clinical presentation, and nine were diagnosed with carcinomatous pleuritis. Seventeen of the patients' pleural biopsies were PCR positive. Based on microbiological results, the sensitivity of the PCR assay was 100% (11/11). On the other hand, based on the results of the histological and clinical data, sensitivity and specificity of the PCR results were 89% (17/19) and 100% (9/9), respectively.PCR of pleural biopsy specimens can be a useful method when employed in combination with microbiological and histological examinations of pleural biopsy for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis.

MAMMOS (Magnetic Amplifying Magneto Optical System) read-out can achieve both high resolution and large signal simultaneously[1-4] and it is available for next generation MO systems. By using MAMMOS, a large signal can be obtained even at 0.2 μm packed domain[5]. In order to realize a high density digital video disk, we observed read-out characteristics of MAMMOS for modulated signal by taking synchronization with embossed clock marks.

Magneto-Optical disk possesses very high advantage to record small domain compared to non magnetic optical disk, since MO recording is one kind of magnetic recording. Therefore, very small domain less than 0.1 μm on the MO disk can be recorded stable by using a laser pumped magnetic field modulation. However, the key issue is the readout because it is very small signal. In order to amplify the small signal, a small recorded domain is expanded by using readout magnetic field. This technique is called as Magnetic AMplifying MO System (MAMMOS) and reported that the readout signal of 0.08μm domain was 5 times larger than that of a conventional one, even if a conventional optical pick up of 680nm wavelength laser diode and numerical aperture of 0.55 was used. Thus, from previous papers, it is found that a bit density can be increased by MAMMOS. As a next step, a track density for MAMMOS readout field must be investigated. In this paper, magnetic domain expansion readout for L/G recording is reported by using a conventional optical pick up.

1. The effects of delayed treatment with nebracetam, a novel nootropic drug, on neurotransmitters of brain regions were examined in rats with microsphere embolism-induced cerebral ischaemia. 2. Cerebral ischaemia was induced by administration of 900 microspheres (48 microns) into the internal carotid artery. The rats with stroke-like symptoms were treated p.o. with 30 mg kg-1 nebracetam twice daily. The levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and their metabolites in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of animals with microsphere embolism were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) on the 3rd and 7th days after the operation. 3. Although the microsphere embolism induced significant changes in most of the neurotransmitters and some of their metabolites in the brain regions, the delayed treatment with nebracetam partially restored only the hippocampal 5-HT and the striatal dopamine metabolite contents on the 3rd day. 4. The hippocampal in vivo 5-HT synthesis, but not the striatal dopamine synthesis, was attenuated in rats with microsphere embolism on the 3rd day, but was restored by treatment with nebracetam. In vivo striatal dopamine turnover rate of the rats with microsphere embolism was inhibited on the 3rd day irrespective of treatment with nebracetam. 5. The present study provides evidence for a possible action of nebracetam on 5-HT metabolism in the ischaemic brain.

From January 1986 to September 1995, total aortic arch replacement (TAR) for aortic dissection was performed using selective cerebral perfusion in 151 patients. In 18 patients, the surgical procedures of extended aortic arch replacement (EAR) involving the proximal descending aorta through a median sternotomy were applied. To evaluate the outcome of EAR, the early and late results were compared with those of non-extended aortic arch replacements (NAR) through a median sternotomy (n = 66). The early mortality rates for EAR and NAR were 5.6% and 16.7%, respectively (NS); the lower rate for EAR may be due to the fact that EAR were performed more recently than NAR. The differences between EAR and NAR with respect to the amount of blood transfused intraoperatively and the respiratory index at 12 hours after surgery were not statistically significant. In addition, the extracorporeal bypass time in EAR was no longer than that in NAR. Thus, as compared with the NAR procedure, the EAR procedure did not have a negative effect on early outcome. Regarding late results, the actuarial survival rates after EAR and NAR, respectively were 87% and 72% at 1 year, 87% and 69% at 3 years (NS). The early thrombo-occlusion rates of the remaining false lumens after TAR in broad aortic dissections were 56% after EAR and 33% after NAR (p = 0.21). These results suggest that EAR may be a more useful procedure in some patients requiring TAR.

We present five cases of granulomatous phlebitis of the skin and compare them with a case of miliary tuberculosis with granulomatous phlebitis. All five patients were hypersensitive to purified protein derivative, but without active tuberculosis. Although anti-tuberculous drugs were effective, no tubercle bacilli were isolated from the skin. Clinically, subcutaneous nodules were felt along the course of the leg vein. Histologically, epithelioid cell granulomas with Langhans' giant cells were observed within the walls of the cutaneous veins. In a later stage, granulomatous panniculitis was often associated. Using the polymerase chain reaction method. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was detected in four of the five cases of granulomatous phlebitis of the skin. Granulomatous phlebitis of the skin seems to represent a relatively early phase of delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and may represent a distinct entity different from other types of tuberculid-a new tuberculid. Nevertheless, before making the diagnosis, the possibility of true tuberculosis must always be excluded. Nodular granulomatous phlebitis of the skin would be an appropriate name for the newly described condition.

In this study, to investigate the mechanism of hypertension-associated induction of cardiac angiotensinogen in vivo and in vitro, we studied the regulation of angiotensinogen mRNA in the hearts of genetically hypertensive rats and in the rat cardiomyocytes. Levels of cardiac angiotensinogen mRNA were significantly increased in the hypertensive rats. Steady state mRNA levels for angiotensinogen mRNA in cardiomyocytes were increased by angiotensin II and mechanical stretch. The addition of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (CV11974) and a transcriptional inhibitor (actinomycin D) completely blocked the induction of angiotensinogen mRNA by angiotensin II in cardiomyocytes. The addition of CV11974 significantly, but not completely, inhibited the induction of angiotensinogen mRNA by mechanical stretch. Actinomycin D completely blocked the induction of angiotensinogen mRNA by stretch in cardiomyocytes. An angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist (PD123319) and a protein synthesis inhibitor (cycloheximide) did not affect the induction. These results indicate that the expression of cardiac angiotensinogen mRNA is activated by the development of hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy, and that angiotensin II and mechanical stretch activates the angiotensinogen gene via the angiotensin II type 1 receptor-pathway in cardiomyocytes.

The present study was undertaken to examine the possible therapeutic effects on nebracetam on the energy metabolism of rat brain regions in microsphere-induced, sustained ischemia. Microsphere embolism was induced by injection of 900 microspheres (48 microns in diameter) into the right internal carotid artery of rats, and changes in the energy metabolism of the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of the right hemisphere were determined without and with nebracetam treatment. Microsphere embolism induced increases in lactate and glucose contents and decreases of ATP and creatine phosphate contents in these regions, suggesting that sustained impairment of cerebral energy metabolism occurred. These changes were gradually reversed with time after the operation. Treatment of microsphere-injected rats with 30 mg/kg of nebracetam, p.o., twice a day, was started one day after the onset of cerebral ischemia. The effects of treatment with nebracetam on cerebral energy metabolites were determined on the 3rd and 7th day after operation. Treatment of microsphere-injected rats with nebracetam significantly improved these variables on the 3rd day after the onset of ischemia, but the improvement was small on the 7th day, except for reversal of the hippocampal ATP content. These results suggest that nebracetam is a possible therapeutic agent for the restoration of cerebral energy metabolism against microsphere-induced, sustained cerebral ischemia.

Epigenetic modification is implicated in the choice of the X chromosome to be inactivated in the mouse. In order to gain more insight into the nature of such modification, we carried out a series of experiments using undifferentiated mouse cell lines as a model system. Not only the paternally derived X (XP) chromosome, but the maternally derived one (XM) was inactivated in the outer layer of the balloon-like cystic embryoid body probably corresponding to the yolk sac endoderm of the post-implantation embryo in which XP is preferentially inactivated. Hence, it is likely that the imprint responsible for the nonrandom XP inactivation in early mouse development has been erased or masked in female ES cells. CpG sites in the 5' region of the Xist gene were partially methylated in female ES and EG and parthenogenetic ES cell lines as in the female somatic cell in which the silent Xist allele on the active X is fully methylated, whereas the expressed allele on the inactive X is completely unmethylated. In the case of undifferentiated ES cells, however, methylation was not differential between two Xist alleles. This observation was supported by the demonstration that single-cell clones derived from female ES cell lines were not characterized by either allele specific Xist methylation or nonrandom X inactivation upon cell differentiation. Apparently these findings are at variance with the view that Xist expression and X inactivation are controlled by preemptive methylation in undifferentiated ES cells and probably in epiblast.

Frequency of and factors associated with sensitization by Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPS) were analyzed by a cross-sectional method. Four hundred and five primary school children in a rural town were examined by a questionnaire filled out by their parents and a serum test in May, 1994. Children with positive JCP specific IgE antibody (CAP-RAST score= 1) comprised 39%, and those with a score of 2 or more, 35%. Prevalence of JCPS defined as positive IgE antibody and "definite symptoms" (any nasal and/or conjunctival symptom continuing for three weeks or more in March and/or April) was 8%, and that of JCPS defined as positive IgE antibody and "definite or possible symptoms" (no condition for duration) was 22%. Children with a high total IgE antibody level (= 250 U/ml) comprised 26%. The JCP specific IgE antibody level revealed a strong positive correlation with the total IgE antibody level. Past and family history of allergic disease in general was associated with a total IgE antibody level stronger than the JCP specific IgE antibody level, and the history was also associated with allergic-like symptoms except for JCPS stronger than the symptoms of JCPS. Passive smoking by family and use of kerosene stove were negatively associated with the highest level of JCP specific IgE antibody and was not associated with other levels. One explanation may be that allergic disposition influences smoking habits, but the unique condition of nasal mucosa for allergic reaction should be considered.

A 26-year-old man with high flow priapism after blunt perineal trauma, is described herein. Patient evaluation included intracavernal blood-gasometry, cavernography, color flow Doppler sonography. The blood-gasometry showed pH 7.413, pO2 77.9 mmHg, pCO2 41.0 mmHg, HCO2- 26.1 mmol/L, BE 2.0 mmol/L. By direct cavernosography, pooling of contrast agent was seen at the root of the penis. Color flow Doppler sonography revealed pulsatile, turbulent flow within left corpus cavernosum. Our case was diagnosed as high flow priapism from these findings. Detumescence was not achieved by an alpha-adrenergic agent. Superselective embolization of the deep artery of the penis with autologous blood clot was performed with good results. Our case demonstrates that this procedure is a safe and effective therapy for high flow priapism and that erectile function can return to normal.

The pharmacokinetics of amikacin were studied in patients undergoing slow hemodialysis (HD).Slow HD was performed at the dialysate flow rate of 30 ml/min. After a single intravenous dose of amikacin 5 mg/kg, pharmacokinetic variables were calculated by fitting individual concentration-time curves to a two-compartment open model.6 critically ill patients with renal failure were entered into the study.The volume of distribution was 0.35 +/- 0.03 l/kg. Total body clearance was 35.1 +/- 2.3 ml/min with an elimination half-life of 10.5 h. During a 10.5 h session of slow HD, the serum amikacin concentration decreased from the peak level of 21.3 +/- 1.2 mg/l to 7.2 +/- 0.9 mg/l.Slow HD eliminate amikacin more efficiently than other types of slowly performed renal replacement therapy and had profound effects on the pharmacokinetics. Amikacin elimination by this approach should be taken into consideration for designing a dosage schedule during the treatment.

We reported a case of 45-year-old patient with high flow priapism secondary to arteriovenous fistula produced by perineal trauma. Diagnosis was based on the results of gasometry in cavernous blood, cavernography and pudental arteriography. Although conservative treatment had been tried, complete resolution of priapism was not obtained. We could successfully treat the priapsim by percutaneous temporary embolization of the right internal pudendal artery with Gelatin. Erection and sexual function, after 2 months of treatment, was normal. The rationale for the use of this embolization in the treatment of high flow priapism and its etiology was discussed.

Solute-free water diuretics (aquaretics) that antagonize hydrosmotic vasopressin 2 (V2) receptors may be useful in treating diseases in which water is retained. An orally active, nonpeptide, selective V2 antagonist (OPC-31260) was administered in six dose steps (3, 15, 30, 60, 100 and 200 mg) to six healthy, normally hydrated men to investigate the aquaretic effects in comparison with 12 placebo-treated control subjects (two at each dose). All subjects tolerated all six doses without serious clinical side effects. OPC-31260 increased the first 6-hr hypotonic urine volume dose-dependently. Administration at 30 mg raised the 6-hr urine volume to 2 times, 100 mg to 3 times and 200 mg to 4 times (1828.0 +/- 130.2 ml/6 hr) that of the placebo group (470.4 +/- 52.1 ml/6 hr). The drug increased urine flow maximally between 1 and 1.5 hr at all doses (e.g., 10.0 +/- 0.7-10.8 +/- 0.4 ml/min at 60-200 mg). The drug rapidly lowered urine osmolality for 4 hr, particularly between 60 and 90 min (e.g., 72.3 +/- 2.3 and 62.3 +/- 5.1 mOsm/kg at 100 and 200 mg, respectively). In marked hypotonic diuresis, mean free-water clearance of the 6-hr urine increased dose-proportionally into the positive range, reaching 2.82 +/- 0.21 ml/min at 200 mg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The antifungal activity of different synthetic hydroxychalcones was determined against Candida species. It was revealed that the presence of hydroxyl groups at C-2, C-4, and C-2' in chalcone was essential to inhibit Candida growth. Among the chalcone derivatives examined, 2,4,2'-trihydroxy-5'-methylchalcone showed the most intensive anti-Candida activity, suggesting that it could be a potential therapeutic agent for candidosis.

A case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome associated with multiple intracranial angiomas was reported. Intracranial angiomas with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome is very rare. Only 4 cases are known to this day. A 24-year-old man fell at his workplace and suffered a head injury. He was admitted to our hospital. Neurological examination revealed no abnormality. However, physiological examination demonstrated hyperplasia and cutaneous hemangiomas of left lower leg, malformation of the left eyelid and clouding of the left cornea. CT showed left hemispheric atrophy and subdural effusion. MRI demonstrated multiple flow voids at the left cerebellar hemisphere and at pons. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated left cerebellar AVM and pontine angioma. Feeding arteries of the AVM were left superior cerebellar artery and left posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Those of the pontine angioma could not be identified. No spinal angiomas were revealed. While spinal angiomas associated with this syndrome are known, association of intracranial lesions are rare. Reported anomalies are angiomas, hemi-hypertrophy of skull and brain, carotid occlusion, megadolicoanomaly of the basilar artery, meningioma and glioma. Our case report with cerebral angiomas is the first one in Japan. We postulate that anomaly of our case originated at the Streeter's 2nd-3rd stage or that multiple anomalies occurred. We emphasize that intracranial, spinal or visceral angiomas, which can be fatal if it bleeds, should be routinely examined in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome.

In these past three years, we treated 5 patients who attempted suicide by taking paraquat, a herbicide that had been kept at home, by direct hemoperfusion (DHP) alone or in combination with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) in addition to conservative therapy. DHP alone was performed on 3 patients, 2 of whom recovered. The other 1 patient treated by DHP alone and 2 treated by the combination therapy died. These patients showed a plasma paraquat concentration exceeding the survival curve presented by Proudfoot. In such patients, appropriate combinations among hemodialysis, hemofiltration, DHP, and DFPP may be safer and more effective than each therapy alone.

The development and progress of renal deterioration in patients with essential hypertension administered antihypertensive therapy remain unclear. In this retrospective analysis, we divided 25 essential hypertension patients who eventually required hemodialysis (HD) from 1981 to 1990, into those with malignant essential hypertension (MEH) (N = 9) and those with benign essential hypertension (BEH) (N = 16), and analyzed the clinical features, the rate of renal deterioration, and outcome in each group. The patients with MEH were significantly younger, and had a shorter duration of hypertension than those with BEH. There were no significant differences between the two groups in urinary volume, cardiothoracic ratio, hematological findings or blood chemistry at the initiation of HD. However, blood pressure in the patients with MEH was significantly higher than that in the patients with BEH at that time despite antihypertensive treatment. There was also no significant difference between the groups in the slope of reciprocal creatinine. The latter was significantly correlated with the level of blood pressure and serum total cholesterol. Considering the outcome, all of the patients with MEH survived for 5 years. These results suggest that the more rapid progression of renal deterioration in the patients with essential hypertension might be related to the severity of hypertension and to lipid abnormalities during antihypertensive therapy.

The involvement of endothelial adenosine A 2 receptor-cAMP system in A 2 receptor-mediated vasodilation in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) was investigated. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed the expression of both A 2a and A 2b receptors mRNA in HAEC. In HAEC, YT-146 (selective A 2 receptor-agonist) produced a dose dependent increase of cAMP production. This increase was inhibited by theophylline. YT-146 also showed a vasodilatory action in isolated rat aorta. The removal of endothelium significantly attenuated this vasodilatory effect. Our results provide the first evidence for the expression of both subtypes of the A 2a and A 2b receptors which regulate cAMP production in human endothelial cells. The present results also suggest that A 2 receptor-cAMP system was involved in the endothelium-dependent vasodilatory actions and may play important roles in regulating vascular functions of HAEC.

Angiotensinogen gene expression is controlled in a tissue- and development-specific manner. Interestingly, the angiotensinogen gene is abundantly expressed in adipose tissues other than the liver, where it is mainly produced. We investigated the molecular mechanism of angiotensinogen gene expression in a 3T3-L1 preadipocyte-adipocyte system. Although angiotensinogen mRNA was barely detectable in preadipocytes, its levels increased significantly during differentiation. As a whole, the pattern of the change in transcriptional activity of the angiotensinogen promoter was similar to that of the angiotensinogen mRNA levels during adipogenic differentiation, indicating that the activation of the angiotensinogen promoter might be involved in the adipogenic differentiation-coupled gene expression. The proximal promoter region, from -96 to +22 of the transcriptional start site, was sufficient to confer adipogenic activation, and the proximal element from -96 to -52 of the transcriptional start site was necessary for this promoter stimulation. DNA-protein binding experiments showed that this proximal element specifically bound to a nuclear factor induced by adipogenic differentiation. These results suggest that the proximal promoter element from -96 to -52 plays a role in adipogenic activation of the angiotensinogen promoter.

We reported a case of type II cryoglobulinemia involving glomerulopathy associated with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis. The patient was a 57-year-old woman. Her past history included chronic hepatitis at 51 years and rheumatoid arthritis at 53 years of age. At 46 years, an erythematous lesion appeared on her legs, which was diagnosed as allergic vasculitis by skin biopsy. At 50 years, proteinuria, hematuria and hypertension were recognized. The next year, the first renal biopsy was performed and showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Recently, the edema of her legs has progressed, and the laboratory data showed proteinuria, hematuria, hypocomplementemia, rheumatoid factor positivity, and increase of monoclonal IgG kappa chain. The second renal biopsy revealed an endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis-like lesion with marked infiltration of monocytes and macrophages. The subendothelial deposit showed a fine fibril-like pattern. She was treated with steroids and double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) therapy, but the treatment was not very effective. She died of liver cirrhosis, which was probably induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV), and sepsis. Generally, the patients of type II cryoglobulinemia often showed HCV antibody positivity, pointing to HCV as an etiological factor. In this case, renal biopsy was performed twice in the same patient, and the histologic findings suggest the clinicopathological course of cryoglobulinemia.

An anaphylactoid reaction due to Gd-DTPA was observed in a patient who had disposition of asthma bronchiale. Five minutes after injection of Gd-DTPA, the patient developed laryngeal edema and erythema over the whole body. The patient recovered after treatment. It may be advisable to tighten indications for Gd-DTPA study on patients with allergic disposition. Gd-DTPA should be used with the same care against the anaphylactoid reaction as iodinated contrast media.

Effects of extracellular Ca2+ and inotropic agents on contractile force were examined in myocardial preparations from embryonic and hatched chicks. Measurement of contractile force was performed in an organ bath with whole hearts for the young embryo (5 to 6 days old) and with isolated strips from the right ventricles for the old embryos (16 to 18 days old), hatched chicks (within 24 hours after hatching) and 1 week old chicks. The extracellular Ca2+ concentration-contractile force curve was in a lower concentration range in young embryonic hearts when compared with older ones. 2 mM Ca2+ and 8 mM Ca2+ produced about 60% maximum contraction in preparations from young embryos and the older ages, respectively. The sensitivity to nicardipine and diltiazem was similar among all ages examined under 2 mM Ca2+. When the two drugs were applied to preparations from the older ages under 8 mM Ca2+, the sensitivity was lower than that of the young embryo under 2 mM Ca2+. Ryanodine produced a negative inotropic response at all ages but the effect was smaller in the young embryo when compared with those of older ages. Mn2+ produced a negative inotropic effect at all ages. In the older three ages, Mn2+ produced a late augmentation of the contractile force in addition to the initial negative inotropic response, while such augmentation was not observed in the young embryo. In conclusion, the chick myocardium was shown to undergo developmental changes in excitation-contraction mechanisms including increase in sarcoplasmic reticulum function during the embryonic period, and thus provides an interesting model for studies on excitation-contraction mechanisms.

The use of 13 C-labeling and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to trace the biotransformation of benzoic acid (BA) to hippuric acid (HA) in the rat has been described. Novel [2,4,6,7- 13 C]BA, which was labeled in the specific protonated carbons, was used in order to enhance the sensitivity of 13 C NMR detection on the basis of the nuclear Overhauser enhancement and short spin-lattice relaxation time. The urinary excretion of [2,4,6,7- 13 C 4 ]HA formed from intravenously administered [2,4,6,7- 13 C 4 ]BA was followed by proton-decoupled 13 C NMR spectroscopy (only 10 min accumulation time) without any separation procedures such as extraction and chromatography, using [2- 13 C]sodium acetate as an internal standard for quantitation. The heights of resonances for C2,6 of [2,4,6,7- 13 C 4 ]HA and C2 of the internal standard were used to calculate [2,4,6,7- 13 C 4 ]HA concentration. The lower limit of measurable amounts (ca. 40 nmol) was found to be improved about one order of magnitude over that of the method using commercially available [7- 13 C]BA. In general, this tracer technique has the potential for wide application to pharmacokinetic research since xenobiotic and endogenous metabolism can be followed by very simple and convenient procedures.

The authors report an unusual large cell lymphoma of the rectum composed of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) with histologic characteristics of an angiocentric growth pattern. Immunophenotyping showed that most of the tumor cells were CD3-, CD4-, CD8+, CD16+, CD56+, and CD57-. Fine structural analysis of the tumor cells found substantial numbers of electron-dense granules. Genotypic investigation showed a germline configuration of the T-cell receptor beta and gamma chain genes and the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. The clinical course was aggressive, with rapid dissemination to the lungs, liver, and subcutis. The lesion was resistant to chemotherapy. There was, however, no evidence for peripheral blood or bone marrow involvement. This case report demonstrates the need for continued inquiry into the possible association of LGL with angiocentric lymphoproliferative lesions and gut-associated T-lymphocyte lesions.

Sequential molecular and cellular changes during remission induction were investigated in a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). By means of clonality analysis, the assessment of the retinoic acid receptor alpha gene alterations, as well as conventional cytologic studies, it was demonstrated that remission induction of APL by ATRA proceeds in two steps: first, the differentiation of the leukemic clone to mature granulocytes and its subsequent extinction; second, proliferation/differentiation of the residual normal clones to restore polyclonal hematopoiesis.

A 36-year-old women with pure unroofed coronary sinus syndrome was reported. The anomalies of the cardiovascular system were absence of the coronary sinus, coronary sinus ASD and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) draining into the left atrium. In this case, the PLSVC was ligated in the pericardium and the atrial septal defect was closed with a Dacron patch. There was no cerebral complication due to the increased intracranial pressure after ligation of the PLSVC. Postoperative coronary arteriography revealed absence of the coronary sinus in the venous phase.

A 59-year-old woman with Sjögren's syndrome had an anterior mediastinal tumor. The tumor had epithelium-lined thymic cysts. Histologically, centrocyte-like (CCL) cells were present as clusters intermingling with small lymphocytes and plasma cells, invaded the epithelium, and formed characteristic lymphoepithelial lesions; the tumor was identified as malignant lymphoma arising in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Within the tumor, trapped Hassall's corpuscles were recognized. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated monotypic cytoplasmic kappa light chains in a small portion of the CCL cells. Furthermore, Southern blot hybridization studies showed rearrangements of immunoglobulin heavy chain, immunoglobulin kappa light chain, and T-cell receptor beta genes. The findings are consistent with thymic low-grade B-cell MALT lymphoma.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the possible therapeutic effects of naftidrofuryl on energy metabolism of brain regions impaired for extended periods by microsphere embolism. Nine hundred microspheres (48 microns in diameter) were injected into the right internal carotid artery of rats, and changes in their behavior and energy metabolism of the cortex, striatum and hippocampus of both hemispheres were determined with and without naftidrofuryl treatment. Microsphere embolism induced increases in lactate, glucose and glycogen contents and decreases in ATP and creatine phosphate of these brain regions of the right hemisphere for up to 28 days after the operation, suggesting long-lasting cerebral ischemia or sustained damage to energy metabolism. These changes were gradually reversed with time after the operation. Microsphere-injected rats were treated twice a day with 15 mg/kg naftidrofuryl, and their behavioral and metabolic protection were determined on the 3rd, 5th and 28th days after the operation. Treatment of embolized animals with naftidrofuryl improved these variables appreciably on the 3rd and 28th days, but little on the 5th day. The improvement on the 3rd day was more evident in all brain regions monitored than that on the 28th day. The results suggest that naftidrofuryl exerts beneficial effects on the energy metabolism of brains damaged by microsphere embolism, the mechanism of which may be due to protection against the development of embolism-induced derangement.

In this study, the effect of silica fume on the fatigue of a reinforced concrete beam in the environment of tap water or chloride solution was investigated. Two type of beams were used. Type 1 is the sound beam without corroded steel bar, and Type 2 is the deteriorated beam with corroded steel bar. By the incorporation of silica fume, the fatigue life of the beam increased in both Type 1 and Type 2. The effect of silica fume was also observed in the crack pattern of the shear span of concrete.

A low temperature preheating process is developed for metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of GaAs on wet chemical pretreated Si substrates. NH4 OH/H2 O2 is found to be most effective in decreasing the preheating temperature among the chemicals we tried: NH4 OH/H2 O2, H2SO4 /H2O2, or hot HNO3. By using NH4OH/H2 O2, the preheating temperature is reduced from 1000°C to 875°C. X-ray diffraction measurements and surface observations with an atomic force microscope (AFM) show that the GaAs film quality obtained with the 875 °C preheating process is better than that obtained with 1000°C preheating.

We developed GaAs heteroepitaxy on a Si substrate by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) using tertiarybutylarsine (TBAs). In buffer layer growth at 450°C, the surface morphology and crystal quality of TBAs-grown films were slightly inferior to those of AsH3-grown films. At buffer layer growth below 400°C, the quality of TBAs-grown films improved. The GaAs films we grew using TBAs had a better quality than those grown using AsH2.

Cytogenetic and bone marrow culture studies were performed sequentially in 13 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who responded to low dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) treatment (complete in nine and partial in four patients). Of nine patients with initial clonal karyotypic abnormalities, six recovered a normal karyotype after attaining a response to treatment, but the other three patients retained partial or total karyotypic abnormalities. A new clonal karyotypic abnormality appeared after treatment in one patient. Eight patients showed normal colony growth of both granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units and erythroid burst-forming units after treatment, but five were still defective. There was a clear difference in the duration of response to treatment between these two groups. Consolidation treatment was not effective in patients with persistent karyotypic abnormalities or defective colony formation. Although the number of patients studied is small, these results suggest that hemopoiesis in patients with MDS following a response to treatment with low dose Ara-C is heterogeneous. Consolidation chemotherapy is recommended to ensure and prolong the response in patients showing normalization of both cytogenetic and bone marrow culture results.