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The E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex plays a crucial role in epithelial cell-cell adhesion and in the maintenance of tissue architecture. We previously reported aberrant expression of beta-catenin in endometrial carcinomas. However, the expression and correlation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in normal and malignant endometrial tissues are not fully understood.Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was detected in 30 cases of normal endometrium and 73 cases of endometrial carcinoma.In the normal endometrium, the expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic beta-catenin in glandular cells was predominantly observed in the proliferative phase, and decreased in the secretory phase. In endometrial carcinomas, the expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic beta-catenin decreased compared to that in the normal proliferative endometrial glands. The expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic beta-catenin tended to be reduced in histologically high-grade tumors compared to low-grade tumors. Nuclear expression of beta-catenin was observed in the glandular cells in the late proliferative and early secretory phases, as well as in high-grade endometrial carcinomas. Interestingly, nuclear beta-catenin expression was associated with the loss of E-cadherin expression in normal and carcinoma cells, indicating an inverse correlation.The cyclic expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in the normal endometrium suggests that the adhesion complex may act to maintain the endometrial architectures. In addition, nuclear beta-catenin expression associated with loss of E-cadherin expression may be involved in the acquisition of aggressive biological behavior, especially in high-grade tumors.

To further elucidate the significance of p53 mutation in endometrial carcinoma, we investigated it in endometrioid-type endometrial carcinomas showing intratumoral heterogeneous p53 expression. In addition, we also examined the correlation of p53 mutation and cyclin A expression, because we previously reported a topological correlation between the expression of p53 and cyclin A. The p53 mutation in exons 5-8 in 54 cases of endometrial carcinoma showing immunohistochemical expression of p53 was examined using microdissected tissue DNAs. Of the 54 p53-positive endometrial carcinomas, 23 (43%) had p53 mutation with a tendency in histologically higher grade tumors. Ten of the 54 showed a heterogeneous p53 expression, and in 9 of the 10 cases, p53 mutation was present only in p53-positive sites, which were often found in histologically less differentiated areas with elevated Ki-67 in the same tumor. Cyclin A expression was topologically observed in p53-positive areas; however, it was noted in both tumors with (12/23, 52%) and without (18/31, 58%) p53 mutation. These results suggest that p53 mutation is a late event and plays an important role in the acquisition of malignant potentials in endometrioid-type endometrial adenocarcinomas. Unexpectedly, accumulation of the p53 protein itself may be important in cyclin A overexpression.

beta-catenin has recently been reported to act as a cell growth promoter through cyclin D1 transcription. However, the correlation between beta-catenin and cyclin D1 expressions is not fully understood in endometrial tissues.Immunohistochemical expression of beta-catenin was examined in normal endometria (32 cases) and endometrial carcinomas (82 cases), and its expression was compared with that of cyclins (D1, E, A, B1).Sporadic nuclear staining of beta-catenin and cyclins was observed from proliferative phase of early secretory phase endometria, however, spacial correlations between beta-catenin and cyclins were not evident. In endometrial carcinomas, positivity for nuclear beta-catenin and cyclins increased compared to the normal endometria. Topologically, the cyclin D1-positive cells were frequently found in nuclear beta-catenin-positive cells. In addition, Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the nuclear expression of beta-catenin correlated positively with that of cyclin D1 (p0.0001).The beta-catenin-cyclin D1 pathway might be involved in the growth of endometrial carcinomas.

Sarcoma botryoides, which usually occurs in the vagina in childhood, is rare in the female reproductive tract of adult women, especially those over the age of 40. We present a case of sarcoma botryoides of the uterine cervix that was an incidental finding in a 46-year-old woman. The tumor formed a grape-like cervical polyp that was locally excised, but rapidly recurred. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. The myxoid tumor had a cambium layer and was composed of spindle-shaped myoblastic cells without apparent cross-striations. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for MyoD1 and myogenin. Postoperative chemotherapy (vincristine and actinomycin D) was given according to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study protocol, and the patient was alive without recurrence 45 months postoperatively. This is the only the fourth case reported in detail of a sarcoma botryoides of the uterine cervix in a patient over the age of 40.

BACKGROUND To examine the steroid hormone dependent growth mechanism of human endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, expression levels of steroid receptor cofactors, such as coactivators (steroid receptor coactivator 1 [SRC-1] and p300/cyclic AMP-response element-binding protein (p300/CBP]) and corepressors (nuclear receptor corepressor [NCoR] and silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid-hormone receptors [SMRT]), were investigated. METHODS The expression levels of cofactors were examined immunohistochemically using 20 samples of normal endometria, 36 samples of hyperplastic endometria, and 58 of malignant endometria and were compared with the expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and a proliferation marker, Ki-67. RESULTS In samples of normal endometria, the expression of coactivators was observed diffusely in glandular cells in the proliferative phase, with a mean positivity index (PI) of 81.8 for SRC-1 and 91.3 for p300/CBP, whereas expression levels decreased in endometrial hyperplasia (PI: SRC-1, 58.9; p300/CBP, 83.8) and endometrial carcinoma (PI: SRC-1, 45.0; p300/CBP, 55.4). In endometrial hyperplasia, there was a significant correlation between the expression of ER and SRC-1 or p300/CBP. In contrast, there were no significant statistical or topologic correlations between the expression of coactivators and the expression of ER/PR in endometrial carcinoma. The expression of corepressors generally was limited, except for elevated expression of NCoR in endometrial hyperplasia (PI, 23.8). CONCLUSIONS The current study showed that expression levels of the steroid receptor coactivators SRC-1 and p300/CBP were reduced in endometrial carcinoma compared with normal and hyperplastic endometrium. In addition, topologic coexpression of both coactivators and ER/PR was lost in endometrial carcinoma. Accordingly, limited response to sex steroids in patients with endometrial carcinoma may be ascribed to the dissociation of cofactors and ER/PR. Cancer 2003. © 2003 American Cancer Society.

Aim: We previously reported that gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS), a subtype of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix, is more significantly associated with histopathological predictors of poor outcomes as well as with poorer survival outcomes than is usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA). It is therefore clinically important to distinguish GAS from UEA (ASCO 2014). However, the cause of its aggressive nature remains unknown. We therefore studied the aggressive nature of GAS in patients with disease recurrence. Methods: Patients were enrolled at the Gynecologic Cancer Study Group of the JCOG after receiving approval from an internal review board. Among 393 women with adenocarcinoma of the cervix who were enrolled, 328 with mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix who met the central pathological review (CPR) and eligibility criteria were included in analysis. GAS was diagnosed in 95 (28.9%) of the 328 patients. Sites of recurrence of GAS and UEA and the response to treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) given after recurrence were analyzed using statistical techniques. Treatment response was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results: Overall, recurrence occurred in 72 of the 328 patients: 38 (40%) of 95 patients with GAS and 34 (14.6%) of 233 patients with UEA. Recurrence was clearly more common among patients with GAS (p = 0.0023). In the GAS group, the sites of recurrence were local in 15 patients, distant in 15, and local plus distant in 8. In the UEA group, the sites of recurrence were local in 19 patients, distant in 11, and local plus distant in 4, with no significant difference between the groups. After recurrence, chemotherapy was given to 19 patients with GAS, with a response rate of 36.8% (7/19), and 25 patients with UEA, with a response rate of 32.0% (8/25). The difference in response rates was not significant. Radiotherapy was given to 12 patients with GAS, with a response rate of 50.0% (6/12), and 11 patients with UEA, with a response rate of 81.8% (9/11, p Conclusions: Sites of recurrence sites and the response to chemotherapy did not differ significantly between patients with GAS and those with UEA who had recurrence. Resistance to radiotherapy may reflect the aggressive nature of GAS. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

[Objectives] Clear cell carcinoma is an important chemotherapy-resistant subtype in epithelial ovarian carcinomas, and associated with poor prognosis of the patients. Understanding of molecular carcinogenesis of this tumor is mandatory to develop effective treatments, however, gene abnormalities of clear cell carcinoma have not been fully understood. Recently, novel oncogenic genes or genetic alterations in various malignancies were identified using the full-length cDNA expression library on a retroviral vector and subsequent functional screening, such as the EML4-ALK fusion gene in lung cancer. To identify the genes responsible for clear cell carcinogenesis, we performed a functional screening using a constructed retroviral expression library of the human ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell. [Methods] 1) cDNA library in pDON-AI/Neo retroviral plasmid was constructed from mRNA extracted from clear cell carcinoma RMG-1 cells. NIH3T3 cells were seeded and transfected with the retroviral supernatant. Transformed foci were identified and the genomic DNA from transformed foci was extracted for sequencing. 2) The mRNA and protein levels of candidate genes were examined using real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in 62 cases of ovarian carcinoma tissues. 3) The PCR-direct sequencing was performed in 24 cases of clear carcinoma cell samples. 4) Transforming activity of isolated genes was evaluated using NIH3T3 cells. [Results] 1) Among 20 genes isolated from the transformed cells, we focused on two genes, Sec61B (protein translocation regulator in ER) and C1ORF38 (Toll-like receptor modulator). In addition, mutations in DVL1 (Wnt signal modulator) were found in C-terminal region. 2). The mRNA levels of three candidate genes and the protein expression of Sec61B and C1ORF38 were two to three-fold increased (p [Conclusions] We identified C1ORF38 and Sec61B as possible functional genes in ovarian clear cell carcinogenesis using retrovirus-based cDNA expression library. C1ORF38 and Sec61B were over-expressed in ovarian clear cell carcinoma compared with other histological subtypes. Further study is warranted to characterize the functions of these genes in clear cell carcinoma. Citation Format: Tanri Shiozawa, Tsutomu Miyamoto, Akihisa Suzuki, Ryo-ichi Asaka. Identification of novel genes involved in clear cell carcinogenesis of the ovary using retrovirus-based cDNA expression library. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3002. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3002

Background: The mechanism of carcinogenesis and progression of endometrial carcinoma has not been fully understood. To elucidate the molecular machinery, we performed microarray analysis using mRNA extracted from normal endometria, endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma and found lipocalin2 (LCN2), an iron transporter, to be markedly up-regulated along with disease progression. Furthermore, the over-expression of LCN2 and its receptor, SLC22A17, was associated with poor outcome of the patients with endometrial carcinoma. In the present study, we further analyzed the molecular functions of LCN2 using endometrial carcinoma cells. Methods: An endometrial carcinoma cell line HHUA over-expressing both LCN2 and SLC22A17 was used. We established LCN2-silenced HHUA (HHUAsh) and control-HHUA (HHUAc) by transfection of LCN2-shRNA and scrambled shRNA producing vector, respectively. The growth and migration were examined by WST-1 assay and wound healing assay. Cell viability under stress conditions such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation or cisplatin (CDDP) treatment, with or without iron-chelation, was measured by WST-1. The intensity of apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining and Apostrand assay. The expression of phosphorylated Akt was examined by Western blotting. In vivo tumor formation was observed by the subcutaneous injection of those HHUA cells to nude mice. The colony formation of these HHUA cells in soft agar was evaluated. In addition, the LCN2 cDNA containing retrovirus vector (LCN2-RET) was transfected to NIH3T3 to observe the transformation ability. Results: The cell migration of HHUAsh was decreased compared with HHUAc. After UV irradiation and CDDP treatment, the residual cell viability of HHUAsh (25.4% and 37.1%, respectively) was significantly lower than that of HHUAc (51.2% and 77.6%, p Conclusions: The present study revealed that LCN2 is involved in the genesis and survival of endometrial carcinoma cells under stress conditions and in the tumor growth in vivo, via p-Akt signaling in an iron-dependent manner, suggesting LCN2 to be a novel oncogene. Citation Format: Tsutomu Miyamoto, Ryoichi Asaka, Yasushi Yamada, Kaori Ishikawa, Hisanori Kobara, Akihisa Suzuki, Tanri Shiozawa. Lipocalin2, an iron transporter, functions as a novel oncogene and enhances the proliferation and survival of endometrial carcinoma cell. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3046. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3046

Prion protein (PrP) is a glycoprotein constitutively expressed on the neuronal cell surface. A protease-resistant isoform of prion protein is implicated in the pathogenesis of a series of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. We have developed a line of mice homozygous for a disrupted PrP gene in which the whole PrP-coding sequence is replaced by a drug-resistant gene. In keeping with previous results, we find that homozygous loss of the PrP gene has no deleterious effect on the development of these mice and renders them resistant to prion. The PrP-null mice grew normally after birth, but at about 70 weeks of age all began to show progressive symptoms of ataxia. Impaired motor coordination in these ataxic mice was evident in a rotorod test. Pathological examination revealed an extensive loss of Purkinje cells in the vast majority of cerebellar folia, suggesting that PrP plays a role in the long-term survival of Purkinje neurons.

To evaluate the prevalence of seronegative carriers of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), buffy coat samples from 1015 Okinawan high school students were tested by immunoassays and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among 17 HTLV-I carriers, 1 person who was seronegative and 1 who was PCR-negative were identified. gag and tax/rex PCR titers correlated with each other (r = .92; P < .001). Of the 17 carriers, 14 (82%) had high virus loads (geometric averages, 522 gag and 703 tax/rex copies/micrograms of DNA; 95% confidence intervals, 38-7260 and 75-6594, respectively). Carriers with low virus loads had < or = 2.2 gag copies. In the high-virus-load group, the gag PCR titers correlated with the antibody titers (r = 0.88; P < .001). The regression line intersected the minimum antibody detection level at 35 gag copies/micrograms of DNA. These results suggest that a small percentage of carriers may be seronegative.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates both humoral and cellular immune responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that the infection of T cells and other cell types with human T- lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) results in the constitutive expression of IL-6. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are little understood. When a reporter plasmid, pIL6-CAT-E3, in which the human IL-6 enhancer/promoter region from -630 to +14 was linked to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, was transfected, HTLV-1-infected but not -uninfected T-cell lines activated the IL-6 promoter. This indicated the presence of a factor transactivating the IL-6 gene in the infected cells. To evaluate the involvement of the HTLV-1-encoded transacting factor (Tax) in this transactivation, we examined the effect of transient cotransfection with the Tax-expression plasmid, pMAX-Neo, on the transcription from the IL-6 promoter by use of COS1 cells. The cotransfected COS1 has about six-times greater the CAT activity than that transfected with pIL6-CAT-E3 alone. The analysis of a series of deletions of the IL-6 promoter suggested that the region (-105/-47) containing a NF kappa B site was crucial for the Tax responsiveness. We further examined the effect of Tax on endogenous IL-6 gene expression using the Jurkat clone, JPX-9, stably transfected with pMAX-Neo. JPX-9 accumulated steady state transcripts of the endogenous IL-6 gene in response to the induction of Tax expression. Our findings indicate an important role of the Tax protein in the expression of IL-6 in cells infected with HTLV-1.

SUMMARY Accumulating evidence has suggested the involvement of HTLV-1 in the inflammatory lesions of various organs, including the lung. However, the causal relationship between HTLV-1 and inflammatory responses in the organs remains to be elucidated. In order to evaluate the expression of HTLV-1 and its effects in the lung, we examined the expression of mRNA for the HTLV-1 tax/rex gene in fresh bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BALC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 23 seropositive individuals, including six patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), by use of an improved method of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The tax/rex mRNA was more frequently detected in BALC than in PBMC. All the HAM/TSP patients and eight of 17 carriers without neurological symptoms showed the expression of tax/rex mRNA in the BALC. IgM class antibodies to HTLV-1 were preferentially detected in sera of the tax/rex mRNA-positive individuals. The detection of tax/rex mRNA correlated closely with the presence of lymphocytosis accompanied by an elevated proportion of IL-2 receptor-bearing T cells in the BALC. Our findings indicate the crucial role of viral expression in the inflammatory response in the lung in HTLV-1-infected individuals.

Objective: To clarify the preoperative differential diagnosis and management of minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) and lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia (LEGH), a multicenter study was performed. Methods: A total of 112 patients who underwent conization or a hysterectomy for suspected MDA were collected from 24 hospitals. The pathological diagnosis in each case was determined by a central pathological review board. The diagnostic significance of clinicopathologic findings including results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Papanicolaou (Pap) smears, and testing for gastric mucin was analyzed. Results: The central pathological review identified 37 cases of Nabothian cyst or tunnel cluster, 54 cases of LEGH, 6 cases of MDA, 11 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 4 cases of benign disease. Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia was often associated with adenocarcinoma in situ, MDA, and mucinous adenocarcinoma. Three MDA patients had a recurrence, whereas none of LEGH patients had a recurrence irrespective of the type of surgery. On MRI, LEGH appeared as a characteristic multicystic lesion with an inner solid component, whereas MDA showed a predominantly solid pattern. A Pap smear or gastric mucin alone had limited diagnostic power. However, a combination of these findings is useful; that is, a cystic structure with inner solid components on MRI associated with mild glandular atypia and gastric mucin strongly suggested LEGH (24/26, 92%). A solid structure with atypical glandular cells was indicative of MDA or adenocarcinoma (5/5, 100%). Conclusions: The combination of MRI, Pap smears, and gastric mucin will improve the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis of MDA and LEGH. Patients suspected of having LEGH may need to be treated with less aggressive methods. Abbreviations: MDA - Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma, LEGH - Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia, NC - Nabothian cyst, TC - Tunnel cluster, NILM - Negative for intraepithelial lesion, AGCs - Atypical glandular cells, AIS - Adenocarcinoma in situ, CPR - Central pathological review, Pap - Papanicolaou, MRI - Magnetic resonance imaging

The protease-resistant isoform of prion protein (PrP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis and transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), scrapie and other related diseases, but the relationship between the infectious agent and PrP awaits elucidation. In the present study, we have examined levels of infectivity together with accumulation of the protease-resistant form of PrP (PrPCJD) in various tissues of CJD agent-inoculated mice. Accumulation of PrPCJD occurred only in tissues, including brain, salivary gland and spleen, in which infectivity was readily detectable throughout the course of the experiment. The brain showed the highest levels of both infectivity and PrPCJD accumulation, with well correlated kinetics. On the other hand, the high titres of infectivity detected in salivary gland and spleen early after inoculation of the agent were obviously distinguishable from PrPCJD. Furthermore, in the salivary gland, the kinetics of infectivity and the accumulation of PrPCJD reversed; infectivity declined as PrPCJD accumulated in the tissue. Our findings indicate that PrPCJD accumulation is associated with replication of the agent; however, PrPCJD is unlikely to be the agent itself.

We used a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to diagnose HTLV-1 carriers. The DNA isolated from the nuclear extract obtained from frozen whole blood was found appropriate for PCR study both qualitatively and quantitatively. The use of freshly frozen whole blood made the field work much easier, and the use of a nuclear extraction procedure allowed DNA isolation in just 4 microcentrifuge tubes. We could not attain sufficient sensitivity to detect a single molecule with single-step PCR, but nested PCR was confirmed to detect a single molecule/reaction. All samples of the seropositive group including 94 blood donors, 66 mothers, and 13 children were positive in the nested PCR, while none of the seronegative group, including 198 blood donors and 285 children, was positive. Although 18/717 (2.5%) cord blood samples obtained from babies born to carrier mothers were PCR-positive, none of 5 formula-fed children tested who had been PCR-positive in the cord blood gave evidence of infection later on. Furthermore, all of 4 seropositive infected children who were formula-fed had been PCR-negative in their cord blood. The results are not consistent with intrauterine infection, but suggest the presence of a perinatal or postnatal infection route other than through breast milk.

The human c-erb A beta gene sequence was inserted in an Escherichia coli expression vector plasmid. The E. coli cells transformed with this plasmid produced proteins with molecular masses of 52 and 50 kDa. These products bound 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) with an affinity constant of 4.3 x 10(9) liter/mol. The order of affinity for iodothyronine analogs was triiodothyroacetic acid greater than T3 greater than 3,5,3'-triiodo-D-thyronine greater than L-thyroxine. Affinity labeling experiments showed that the 50 kDa protein was covalently labeled with [125I]T3, and this was competed by triiodothyroacetic acid, T3, and L-thyroxine (from potent to weaker competitor). The c-erb A protein bound to calf thymus DNA-cellulose and the binding was inhibited by 0.3 M KCl or 10 mM pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Aqueous two-phase partitioning studies showed that the c-erb A product became less hydrophobic upon T3 or triiodothyroacetic acid binding. The same finding was obtained when T3 bound to partially purified rat liver nuclear thyroid hormone receptor. However, thyroxine binding globulin became more hydrophobic upon T3 binding. Since the T3 molecule partitioned preferentially into the upper polyethylene glycol-rich phase, the alteration of partitioning behavior of thyroxine binding globulin was explained by a simple additive effect of T3. In contrast, the alteration of partitioning behavior of the c-erb A product or receptor reflected a conformational transition upon T3 binding. The c-erb A protein expressed in E. coli showed various characteristics similar to classical thyroid hormone receptor and may be useful in studying the structure and function of the thyroid hormone receptor.

A 2.4-inch, 50-ppi organic TFT-driven active-matrix backplane was developed and fabricated by using an effective combination of inkjet printing and vacuum processes. This novel process, which consists of a single photolithography step and two inkjet printing steps, is particularly compatible with flexible plastic substrates. An electrophoretic display device created using this process operated stably in air, even without a step for forming a passivation layer.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type l (HTLV-l) in cord blood raises the possibility of intrauterine transmission as an alternative pathway to transmission via breast milk. However, none of 7 children with HTLV-l proviral DNA positive cord blood had seroconverted by 24–48 months. Contamination of cord blood by maternal blood was precluded on the basis of viral load and lgA concentration. Thus cord blood proviral DNA is not a hallmark of intrauterine infection. Moreover, none of the cord blood samples of 9 formula-fed children later confirmed to be infected was positive for HTLV-l, indicating that intrauterine infection is not likely candidate as an alternative pathway. Lancet 1994; 343: 1326–27

Mechanically strong pellets of HZSM-5 were prepared by co-milling with α-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , extruding into pellets and hydrothermally treating them in HPO 4 2− solution. The catalyst life was significantly longer than that of the parent HZSM-5 in the conversion of methanol to light olefins at high temperatures. The modification decreased catalyst deactivation due to both coking and dealumination. The α-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite transformed from α-Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 were considered to reduce the acid sites on the external surface of HZSM-5 crystals and to supply HPO 4 2− gradually, resulting in extension of the catalyst life.

Concerning the dynamic characteristics of oil hydraulic pipe lines, experimental research from the view point of focusing on the unsteady flow rate through a pipe is insufficient because of the lack of adequate flowmeters. The authors develop a new system to measure the unsteady flow rate of oil through a circular pipe. The sampling frequency of the measurement is 1.28 kHz. The frequency responses and the transient responses of the oil hydraulic pipe lines are obtained by measuring the flow rate through a certain cross-section of the pipe and the pressure at the section simultaneously. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical results, which are calculated by making use of the so-called frequency dependent friction model. As a result, it is verified for the first time that the theory predicts the rate of the instantaneous flow rate measuring system is sufficient for the general dynamic test of oil hydraulic circuits and equipment.

Sendai virus from L cell harvests was adsorbed to chicken erythrocytes or L cells and fixed smears were stained by the complement immunofluorescent technique. The numbers of the fluorescent particles corresponded linearly to the virus hemagglutinin units adsorbed from suspensions. Excellent correlation was found between the numbers of fluorescent units and the counts of particles adsorbed to chicken red cells as examined by electron microscopy.

Publisher Summary Small and localized dissociation or perturbation on apposed membranes at a closely contacted area leads to the fusion of two membranes. The dissociation or perturbation would need to be confined to highly localized sites so that the integrity of the membranes would not be threatened. It is rational to assume that fusion-inducing mechanism of HA causes the perturbation of virus membrane as well as that of cell membrane as both membranes should be ready for fusion. Influenza virus buds from the plasma membrane of the infected cell .Thus, the parts of the infected cell membrane consist of viral envelope. If such perturbation would take place at viral parts of the membrane, the infected cell-lysis might follow. The presence or absence of NA activity did not give any significant effect on the extent of HL or cell fusion. This chapter discusses the effects of activation of HA on plasma membrane of infected cells to demonstrate that HA causes perturbation on its own base-membrane.

Subtypes of hepatitis B antigen (HBAg, Australia antigen) were investigated in 29 HBAg positive sera of asymptomatic carriers and hepatitis patients, living in different areas of Peru. Ethnically, 10 of them were from Indians and 19 from Mestizos. All of these HBAg sera were found to be subtype adw.

Hepatic resection is essential in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. However, before an operation, it is difficult to predict the functional reserve in the remnant following massive resection. We devised an original method by which effective liver volume was measured by liver scintigraphy. In order to predict the residual liver function before hepatic resection in a preoperative radiocolloid study, we obtained a predictive index by combining the K values with effective liver volumes which seemed to have the estimated residual liver function. Twenty-one patients with liver or biliary tract disease were selected at random for the present study. We divided them into 3 groups in accordance with prognosis after hepatic resection. There were statistically significant difference between the deceased group who died from hepatic failure and the group who died from causes other than hepatic failure; and between the deceased group who died from hepatic failure and the living group in the preictive index (p less than 0.01). Our data suggest that if the predictive index is above 0.45, the probability of hepatic failure after hepatic resection is low. We concluded that our predictive index is useful to use in preoperative prediction of post-hepatectomic residual liver function.