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The 76 GHz FSK (frequency shift keying) monopulse radar for the ACC (adaptive cruise control) using MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuits) has been developed. The radar transmits 2 frequencies in time-duplex, and measures the distance and the relative speed of targets. The monopulse feature detects the azimuth angle of targets without a scanning mechanism. A fully-MMIC 76 GHz module was developed, and the module was incorporated with microstrip-patch planar antennas. The MMIC module and signal processing electronics were combined into compact one-body unit. Basic radar performance and the new feature of the signal processing algorithm to discriminate multiple stationary targets were evaluated with good results.

Satellite broadcasting services are currently provided in Japan using four orbital positions, one operates in the BSS band (11.7 to 12.2 GHz) and the other operates in the FSS band (12.2 to 12.75 GHz). A number of satellites located in different orbital positions will be provided in the future. A commonly used dish antenna can receive signals from only one satellite at a time. A multihorn-feed reflector antenna can receive signals simultaneously from several satellites in different orbital positions, but the number of satellites may be limited by the arrangement of the feed horns. A multi-beam phased-array antenna can receive signals simultaneously from a great number of satellites in different orbital positions. This paper describes the fundamental design of a multi-beam receiving antenna and measured results of an experimental model.

Discussing the various methods for SF/sub 6/ separation from SF/sub 6//N/sub 2/ mixtures, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) with a suitable kind of synthetic zeolite, which is expected molecular sieving effect derived from molecular size difference between SF/sub 6/ and N/sub 2/, has been selected. This molecular sieving effect is confirmed by the difference between two equivalent volumes filled with SF/sub 6/ and N/sub 2/. A prototype equipment of SF/sub 6/ separation and liquefaction, about 1 m cube in size and 150 kg in weight, has been assembled and tested. The ability of gas mixture handling is 13 litters/minute in average and the SF/sub 6/ gas content is reduced to 0.06% in separated N/sub 2/ which is to be exhausted in the atmosphere.

To know the effect of the age factor on growth response to growth hormone (GH) therapy in patients less than three years of age with complete idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (GHD). One hundred thirty-seven prepubertal children with complete idiopathic GHD from the database of the International Growth Cooperative Study (ICGS) of Japan for more than two years were analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups according to age at the start of GH therapy; group 1,or = three years, group 2, three toor = six years, group 3, six toor = nine years, group 4,nine years. In group 1 the mean birth weight SDS of -0.17 was not the lowest. Patients in group 1 had the lowest HSDS (-4.53) at the start of the therapy (P0.01). During two years of the treatment, the mean HSDS improved from -4.53 to -2.15 with an increase in mean SD score of 2.12 in group 1, but in group 4 it was only 0.92 (P0.01). In group 1, the mean HSDS declined from -0.17 at birth to -4.53 progressively. Delta height SDS during the first year of treatment in Group 1 was 1.59 SD, which is the highest. The decrease in %overweight during the first year showed that in group 1, the reduction in adiposity was the greatest among the groups (P0.05). Our data showed that in children with complete GHD less than three years of age, there was severe growth failure, and the onset was not in the prenatal period, but in the postnatal period. Early detection of GHD and therapy with GH is important because normalization of height may be achieved earlier than in older age groups.

Objective: We have estimated the contribution of three types of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractants (CINC-1, -2 and -3) and rat macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α to neutrophil recruitment in the air pouch/ lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rats.¶Materials and methods: Excess amounts of anti-CINC-2, CINC-3 and MIP-1α antibodies (Abs), together with LPS (1 μg/ml), were injected into the preformed air pouch of rats. Chemokine levels and chemotactic activity in the pouch fluid were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and multiwell-type Boyden chambers in vitro, respectively.¶Results: Excess amounts of the Abs significantly neutralized CINC-1 and almost completely neutralized CINC-2, CINC-3 and MIP-1α in the pouch fluid, and a significant suppression (about 60% inhibition) of neutrophil infiltration by the Abs was found. In agreement with the in vivo results, in vitro neutralization experiments demonstrated that complete neutralization of CINCs and MIP-1α by the Abs resulted in a marked suppression (73% inhibition) of chemotactic potency of 8-h pouch fluid (exudate) from LPS-treated rats. On the other hand, treatment with anti-CINC-2, CINC-3 or MIP-1α Ab alone resulted in 48%, 34% or 10% inhibition, respectively, of chemotactic activity of the 8-h exudate.¶Conclusions: Our results suggest that CINC-2, a novel rat CXC chemokine and CINC-3 play an important role in neutrophil recruitment in the rat air pouch/LPS-induced inflammation.

Our hospital wired three LAN cables separately to improve the data distribution range. One LAN is between the various sections of the hospital (hospital LAN), another is within each section (section LAN), and the other is connected to the Internet (open LAN). The section LAN was connected to the hospital LAN to enable data exchange. Data from the section LAN for common use is collected through the hospital LAN and stored in the central server The duplicate cabling and separate LANs increased the independence of each LAN and the system within each section. The section systems can be changed at anytime without the necessity of reconstructing the whole hospital information system. The data transfer speed of each cable increased. Hospital information processing systems often use a distributed-processing centralized management system. Because of advances in technology, each section can now take responsibility for developing their own system, making the responsibility of the information processing section responsible for hospital information systems more limited than previously. Herein, we show the merits of separate cable installation.

A 50-year-old man presented with hypopituitarism and a pituitary lesion on magnetic resonance imaging scan. He was diagnosed as having lymphocytic hypophysitis, and replacement therapy with hydrocortisone and thyroxine was started. He regained normal pituitary function after 10 months. Reports of spontaneous recovery from lymphocytic hypophysitis in men are rare. While the natural history of lymphocytic hypophysitis remains elusive and its management is not well established, our report shows that spontaneous resolution may occur with steroid supplementation even in men.

A pilot trial was conducted to assess the tolerability and efficacy of a regimen with weekly docetaxel (TXT) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of a 30-minute weekly intravenous infusion of docetaxel (22-33 mg/m2/wk). Each 8-week cycle included 6 weekly treatments, followed by two weeks of rest. Thirteen patients were treated. All patients were evaluable for response: 0 CR (0%), 7 PR (53.8%), 3 NC (23.1%), 3 PD (23.1%). These results are almost the same as those with the administration of TXT (60 mg/m2) q3 wks. Toxicities observed were mild (or = grade 2) and reversible, and included fatigue, nausea, neutropenia, and alopecia. This preliminary experience suggests a high level of clinical activity and excellent tolerability of the chemotherapy regimen at the given dose and schedule in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) with electronic medical equipment by radio waves from mobile telephone handsets has been reported and is currently receiving wide attention. The possibility of EMI with electronic medical equipment by radio waves coming into the hospital has also been pointed out. But so far, there are no reports measuring the frequency distribution of electric field intensity induced by incoming radio waves. Therefore, we measured electric field intensity induced by radio waves coming into our 11-floor hospital, which was under construction. The maximum intensity observed was about 200 V/m at 2.79 GHz, from airport surveillance radar waves. The maximum intensity induced by radio waves from cellular phone base stations was 1.78 V/m. These data show that various frequencies of radio waves are common in this urban area, and that they induce strong electricfield intensity. This strong electric field intensity might cause EMI with electronic medical equipment. Measurement of the electromagnetic environment should be done by each hospital in urban areas to prevent EMI with electronic medical equipment.

Cation channels conduct calcium, sodium, and potassium, cations that are likely deleterious in the evolution of focal ischemic injury. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a powerful tool for evaluation of acute cerebral ischemia. We studied the effects of a novel, broad-spectrum inhibitor of several cation channels, LOE 908 MS, on acute ischemic lesion development with DWI and on cerebral infarct size using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining postmortem. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and were randomly and blindly assigned to either LOE 908 MS (1 mg/kg bolus 30 min after MCAO and continuous i.v. infusion of 10 mg/kg for 4 h thereafter) or vehicle. Whole-brain DWI was done before initiation of treatment and repeated every 30 min for the next 3.5 h. The animals were reperfused in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner 90 min after MCAO. At 24 h, the animals were killed, and the brains were cut into six 2-mm-thick slices and stained with 2% TTC. Percent hemispheric lesion volume (%HLV) was calculated for each animal. Physiological parameters, body weight, and premature mortality (3 in the placebo group and 1 in the treated group) did not differ between the groups. No hypotension, abnormal behavior, or other adverse effects were seen. Pretreatment, the DWI-derived %HLV did not differ between the groups (19.8 +/- 6.2 in the control group and 17.9 +/- 7.9 in the treated group), whereas at 4 h after MCAO, it was significantly smaller in the treated group (21.8 +/- 15.4 vs 40.4 +/- 15.5, p = 0.03). Postmortem, TTC-derived %HLV was significantly attenuated in the LOE 908 MS group (21.3 +/- 11.9 vs 50.1 +/- 10.7, p = 0.0001) and the neurological scores at 24 h were significantly better among the treated rats (2.1 +/- 1.5 vs 4.0 +/- 1.0, p0.02). LOE 908 MS significantly improved neurological outcome and reduced infarct size without observable effects in rats as demonstrated in vivo by DWI and confirmed postmortem by TTC staining. Blocking several distinct cation channels by LOE 908 MS showed significant neuroprotection.

We investigated the distribution of tetracycline resistance determinant tetQ in oral black-pigmented anaerobes using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) METHOD: A total of 185 healthy subjects were divided into 3 groups based on subject age: young (6 to 10 years, n=58), middle (11 to 40 years, n=96), and elder (exactly 70 years, n=31). The prevalence of black-pigmented anaerobes in the gingival sulcus among these groups was 29.3%, 28.2%, and 64.5%, respectively. The prevalence of Prevotella nigrescens among these groups was 22.4%, 15.6%, and 32.3%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of Prevotella intermedia was 1.7%, 4.2%, and 35.5%, respectively. Porphyromonas gingivalis was found only in the elder group (16.1%). The prevalence of the tetQ gene in the black-pigmented anaerobes-positive subjects was almost the same among the 3 groups (approximately 30%). The tetQ gene was found in 27.5% (46 of 167) of P. nigrescens isolates, whereas it was found in only 6.4% (3 of 47) of P. intermedia isolates and in none of the 19 P. gingivalis isolates. Restriction endonuclease digestion patterns of the PCR products revealed 83.6% of 49 tetQ-positive isolates were of subtype A2H2 (AluI type 2, HpaII type 2).

A 35-year-old Japanese woman presented with a phaeochromocytoma and demonstrated marked inflammatory reactions and pyrexia as a result of excessive production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by the tumour. Serum IL-6 level was 262 ng/l (normal;4.0 ng/l). Fever and inflammatory markers were largely overcome by the administration of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, and all symptoms disappeared soon after the tumour was excised. Immunohistochemical study revealed positive staining using an antihuman IL-6 antibody and Northern analysis showed increased IL-6 mRNA levels in the tumour. Cultured tumour cells showed IL-6 protein synthesis, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and indomethacin directly inhibited IL-6 release. These results indicate that the effects of naproxen in vivo were due, at least in part, to direct suppression of IL-6 secretion from the tumour.

A new and simple method for achieving Color Electro-Holographic Display systems was developed and tested with very promising results. In this method, holography techniques utilizing a single white light source, instead of the traditional three color laser lights, and three liquid crystal display panels (LCD) were proposed. A metal halide lamp with good specifications in each wavelength of the color components was adopted as the light source. Each of the three color light components required for the reconstruction of an image was extracted by color separation using cold mirrors. The separated color images were then reconstructed by the hologram formed on the LCD panels which is then combined together through the use of a prism to form a single 3D image. Moreover the image position is adjusted with focal adjustment method. Compared with usual reconstruction methods using three color lasers, this new approach using the single white light source seems to have better color clarity.

In a large and complex system (i.e., a space aeronautics and nuclear power plant) it would be valuable to conduct operator training and support to demonstrate standard operators' behavior in coping with an anomaly caused by multiple malfunctions in which procedures would not have been stipulated previously. A system simulating operator team behavior including individual operator's cognitive behavior, his operations and physical behavior, and even verbal communication among team members, has been developed for a typical commercial nuclear power plant. This simulation model is not a scenario-based system but a complete knowledge-based system, based on the mental model that was envisaged by detailed analyses of experimental results obtained in the full-scope plant simulator. This mental model is composed of a set of knowledge bases and rules able to generate both diagnosis and prognosis depending on the observed situation even for multiple malfunctions. Simulation results of operator team behavior and plant dynamics were compared with corresponding experiments in several anomalies of multiple malfunctions. The comparison showed a reasonable agreement, so the simulation conditions were varied on cognitive task processing speed of individual operators, on team role sharing scheme, and on human machine interface (1st generation to 2nd generation control panel) to assess the sensitivity of this simulation model. Finally, it was shown that this simulation model has applications for the use of training standards and computer aided operator support systems.

Receptors for the Fc region (FcR) of immunoglobulin (Ig)G play essential roles in effector functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) including the antibody-mediated clearance of microbes. In contrast to the constitutive expression of the low-affinity receptors for IgG (Fc gamma RII [CD32] and Fc gamma RIII [CD16]), the high-affinity receptor Fc gamma RI (CD64) is barely detectable on unactivated PMNs. CD64 expression is induced in a slow kinetic manner by interferon (IFN)-gamma and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) after 12 to 24 hours of exposure to these agents. We found that the cross-linking of CD11b as well as of CD18 induced comparable rapid increases in CD64 expression on the surface of PMNs, occurring within 15 minutes of exposure. Cross-linking of neither CD11a nor CD11c induced CD64 expression. In contrast to slow induction by IFN-gamma and G-CSF, the integrin-induced rapid CD64 expression did not require RNA synthesis. Genistein, herbimycin A, and 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethan-N,N-N',N'-tetraacetic acid blocked the immediate expression of CD64 in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that the signal is mediated through calcium mobilization and protein tyrosine kinase(s). Such rapid modulation of the high-affinity Fc gamma RI receptor by integrin cross-linking may reflect the requirement for rapid up-regulation of PMN effector functions, after interaction with endothelial cells, platelets or bacteria.

Although it is generally accepted that relatively high efficiencies of somatic cell cloning in mammals can be achieved by using donor cells from the female reproductive system (e.g., cumulus/granulosa, oviduct, and mammary gland cells), there is little information on the possibility of using male-specific somatic cells as donor cells. In this study we injected the nucleus of immature mouse Sertoli cells isolated from the testes of newborn (Days 3-10) males into enucleated mature oocytes in order to examine the ability of their nuclei to support embryonic development. After activation of the oocytes that had received the freshly recovered immature Sertoli cells, some developed into the morula/blastocyst stage, depending on the age of the donor cells (22.0-37.4%). When transferred into pseudopregnant females, 7 (3.3%, 7 of 215) developed into normal pups at term. Nuclear transfer of immature Sertoli cells after 1 wk in culture also produced normal pups after embryo transfer (3.1%, 2 of 65). Even after cryopreservation in a conventional cryoprotectant solution, their ability as donor cells was maintained, as demonstrated by the birth of cloned young (6.7%, 7 of 105). Immature Sertoli cells transfected with green fluorescent protein gene also supported embryo development into morulae/blastocysts, which showed specific fluorescence. This study demonstrates that immature Sertoli cells, male-specific somatic cells, are potential donors for somatic cell cloning.

We constructed a question and answer system for direct delivery of E-mail queries from the general public to the proper hospital representative and with which the system administrator can monitor E-mail replies. The system consists of two sub-systems; one is an E-mail questionnaire sub-system that automatically delivers E-mail queries to the proper person and an E-mail reply monitor sub-system with which the system administrator can monitor the E-mail replies. The monitor system compares the origin address of the E-mail reply and the destination address on a questionnaire filled out at the time the query is made. In a test of the system, 56 queries were received in 31 days, with 37 replied to. The interval from receipt of an E-mail query to reply was calculated. Nineteen replies were submitted within 2 days.

To investigate the effect of selective hypothermia of the brain (brain cooling) on regional cerebral blood flow and tissue metabolism, we have developed a brain thermo-regulator. Brain temperature was modulated by a water-cooled metallic plate placed on the surface of the rats' scalp to get the appropriate brain temperature precisely with ease. Regional cerebral blood flow and brain temperature were measured simultaneously using a Teflon-coated platinum electrode and thermocouple probe inserted stereotaxically into the parietal cortex and thalamus in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Experimental forebrain ischemia was induced by the occlusion of bilateral common carotid artery under normo- and hypothermic brain condition, and the supratentorial brain tissue metabolites were measured enzymatically after 60 min of forebrain ischemia. When cortical temperature was set to hypothermia, cortical blood flow was significantly lowered by 40% at 30 degree C and 20% at 33 degree C as compared with that at 36 degree C (p0.0001 and p0.05, respectively). Thalamic blood flow was also significantly reduced by 20% when cortical temperature was set to 30 degree C as compared with 36 degree C (p0.05). There were no significant differences in arterial blood pressure and gas parameters throughout these experiments. In the rats with selective brain hypothermia (30 degree C) immediately after the induction of cerebral ischemia, the level of brain ATP concentration after 60 min of ischemia was significantly higher than that in normothermia rats (36 degree C) (p0.05). Our findings indicate that: 1) the metallic plate brain thermo-regulator is useful in small animal experiments; 2) regional brain temperature regulates regional cerebral blood flow; and 3) selective brain hypothermia, even started after the forebrain ischemia, ameliorates the derangement of brain metabolism, suggesting its effectiveness as a cytoprotective strategy.

It is well known that conventional bubbling humidifiers are capable of producing micro-aerosols contaminated with bacteria. We developed a unique humidifier, named a membrane humidifier, that does not require an external water supply. This new system obtains moisture from room air. We investigated the clinical and in vitro evaluation of the membrane humidifier. Ten patients with chronic pulmonary disease participated in the study. We evaluated the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood ( P aO 2 ) of 10 patients who used the new device. We conducted an in vitro study to determine whether the device could prevent the bacterial contamination of humidified-oxygen. We passed compressed air contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa outside the hollow fibres of the membrane humidifier, and the humidified-oxygen passed inside the hollow fibres was sampled into nutrient broth periodically for 10 days. We also compared the relative humidity of oxygen humidified by a membrane humidifier with that of oxygen humidified by a bubbling humidifier. There was no significant difference between measured P aO 2 while breathing oxygen humidified using a membrane humidifier and that while breathing oxygen humidified using a bubbling humidifier. Cultures of the humidified-oxygen passed through the hollow fibres were negative for bacteria. The membrane humidifier could produce good humidification. The new device appeared to prevent bacterial contamination, and may help to reduce the risk of infection in patients at hospital and home.

There is a very close interrelationship between the metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, with insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction as common features. Insulin has vasculoprotective effects through production of nitric oxide in the endothelial cells, while it produces atherogenic effects by stimulating proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC). The insulin-activated pathway is the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in the endothelial cells and MAP kinase pathway in the VSMC. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may result in the attenuation of the endothelium-mediated action and stimulation of the VSMC-mediated action. Insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction are related to each other and may cause vicious cycle, leading to the metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

The frequency of K-ras mutation in biliary duct carcinomas in different locations and the relationship to the form of the junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct (JPBD) are not understood clearly. These points were investigated in the present study. Thirty-seven biliary duct carcinomas in patients without anomalous JPBD were investigated for K-ras mutations. Regarding location, 12 were hilar, 4 in the upper, 11 in the middle, and 10 in the lower portion of the duct. Furthermore, with 14 cases for which the form of the JPBD could be confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or postoperative cholangiopancreatography, division was made into two types: those with a long common channel (5 mm) in the papilla of Vater (type 1, n = 4), and the other with a shorter or nonapparent common channel (type 2, n = 10). The overall frequency of K-ras mutation was 30%, the incidence gradually increasing from upper to lower regions. K-ras mutations were significantly more frequent in biliary duct carcinomas associated with long common channels (P0.05). These results suggest that a long common channel may bear a relation to K-ras mutations in biliary duct carcinogenesis, presumably through its influence on pancreatic juice regurgitation.

The kinetics of 123I-FP-CIT in the brain for healthy subjects were studied. Twelve dynamic SPECT data sets (0- to 6-hr after an intravenous injection) from a Phase 1 clinical trial of 123I-FP-CIT were analyzed. Tracer concentrations in the striatum, midbrain, cerebellum and cerebral cortex were measured on the SPECT images co-registered with the corresponding MR images. High tracer accumulation was observed in the striatum, which peaked at 60 min post-injection, followed by slow elimination (3%/hr). The kinetics were similar both in the cerebellum and in the cerebral cortex, which peaked at 15 min post-injection, followed by rapid elimination. Tracer accumulation in the midbrain was higher than in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex. The striatal specific/nonspecific binding ratio ((striatal-occipital)/occipital concentration ratio) was stable at 3-hr post-injection and later at a value of 3, suggesting that the specific binding of 123I-FP-CIT could be evaluated from a single SPECT image at 3- to 6-hr post-injection. The specific/nonspecific binding ratio at 4-hr post-injection showed a negative correlation with aging (r = -0.70, p = 0.01), with a decrease rate of 11%/decade (95% confidence interval: 3%-19%/decade).

It is confirmed that the normalized output of a single-pole type (SPT) head increases as track width decreases. A reproduce sensitivity of 300 nV/sub p-p//micron.turn.m/s was obtained by SPT head of less than 10 microns in width. In order to reduce magnetic flux leaking out from a main-pole and an auxiliary core of the head, two trials were performed. One involved the modification of the structure of an auxiliary core, and the other involved a helical-shaped thin-film micro-coil wound around a main-pole by photolithographic techniques. It was confirmed that not only is much higher normalized output achievable in an SPT head with track width less than 10 microns, but also the introduction of these two techniques improves the sensitivity of an SPT head by more than a factor of two. >

To test the hypothesis that acute inflammatory reaction associates with the development of pressure ulcers in bedridden elderly patients, 40 hospitalized elderly patients suffering from bacterial pneumonia, cerebrovascular disease, and femoral bone fracture were enrolled in this study. All of them were divided into two groups with pressure ulcers (group P; 17 patients) and without one (group N; 23 patients). The blood samples were taken from them within 5 days after the patients being bedridden. Although no significant difference exist in pressure ulcer risk factors (age, gender, Braden scale, underlying diseases, blood pressure, and heart rate) between the two groups, white blood cell, plasma C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in group P increased significantly as compared with those in group N. Besides number of platelets and maximum platelet aggregation rate were significantly higher in group P than in group N. Serum albumin and hemoglobin of both groups decreased after being bedridden, especially hemoglobin in group P was significantly lower than that in group N. While the concentration of serum IL-6 did not indicate a significant difference between both the groups, serum IL-1 beta increased significantly in group P. In conclusion, we suggested that acute inflammatory reaction releasing proinflammatory cytokines affected the development of pressure ulcer in bedridden elderly patients.

A Phase 1 clinical study of 123I-FP-CIT, N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane (123I), developed for evaluation of dopamine transporter (DA-T) by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), was performed in 12 healthy male volunteers. No adverse reactions to 123I-FP-CIT (167 MBq) injection were observed. In sequential whole-body images after intravenous injection, the radioactivity was distributed mainly in the liver, abdomen, lungs and brain, and it decreased gradually with time. The radioactivity was excreted mainly in the urine and no prolonged retention of radioactivity was observed in any organs at 2 days post-injection. The radiation absorbed dose of 123I-FP-CIT, calculated on the basis of the pharmacokinetics, was equal to or less than those of other brain diagnostic imaging agents. These results suggest that i.v. injection of 123I-FP-CIT causes no significant problems in terms of its safety, biodistribution or absorbed dose.

A 53-year-old female underwent mastectomy for left breast cancer in April, 1993. She was given oral tamoxifen but this had to be discontinued due to its side effects. In March, 1998, she developed bone and lung metastases, in spite of treatment with combination chemotherapy (CEF). We thus treated here with docetaxel 90 mg three times and 40 mg six times. After the chemotherapy, she achieved complete remissions of the lung metastases and a decrease in serum CEA, CA 15-3, NCC-ST439, and BCA225. Adverse reactions to docetaxel were grade 2 alopecia, grade 4 neutropenia, dysgeusia, and fluid retention. All were tolerable. This new agent may play an important future role in chemotherapy for recurrent breast cancer.

The Foundation for Growth Science in Japan has monitored the safety and efficacy of GH treatment in GH-deficient patients since 1975. Data were collected from more than 32,000 patients up to December 31, 1997. New leukemia was observed in 14 patients and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in one patient. The types of leukemia were acute lymphocytic leukemia (n = 6; 40%), acute myelocytic leukemia or MDS (n = 7; 47%), and chronic myelocytic leukemia (n = 2; 13%). Leukemia developed in 9 patients during GH treatment and in 6 after the cessation of GH treatment. Six patients had known risk factors for leukemia, such as Fanconi's anemia and previous radiation or chemotherapy. Patient-years of GH therapy was defined as the time from the first dose of GH to the date of the last visit during GH therapy, and patient-years of risk was defined as the time from the first dose of GH to December 31, 1997. The incidence of leukemia of patient-years of GH therapy and patient-years of risk in GH-treated patients without risk factors was 3.0/100,000 and 3.9/100,000, respectively, a figure similar to the incidence in the general population aged 0-15 yr. We conclude that the incidence of leukemia in GH-treated patients without risk factors is not greater than that in the general population aged 0-15 yr, and a possible increased occurrence of leukemia with GH treatment appears to be limited to patients with risk factors.

One of the observations in malnutrition is that serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels are decreased, and this decrease is associated with an altered profile of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). In human circulation, IGFs are mostly present as an approximately 150-kDa ternary protein complex consisting of IGFs, IGFBP-3, and acid-labile subunit (ALS). In the present study, to clarify the effect of nutrition on serum ALS levels, we investigated 33 patients with anorexia nervosa. Serum levels of ALS were measured by RIA. Furthermore, we measured serum IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 levels in the patients. From these data, we investigated which was the best predictor of body mass index (BMI) as a nutritional status marker. In the patients with anorexia nervosa, the serum ALS levels ranged from 0.7-16.9, with a mean of 10.6 +/- 0.7 mg/L, and the levels were significantly lower than those of normal subjects (13.8 +/- 0.8 mg/L, P0.05). Serum ALS levels positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.41, P0.05), and the levels increased during treatment. The serum IGFBP-2 levels in the patients were increased (871 +/- 91 microg/L), and the levels inversely correlated with BMI (r = -0.52, P0.01). The serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were low (152 +/- 14 microg/L and 2.56 +/- 0.12 mg/L, respectively), and the levels positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.46, P0.01; and r = 0.39, P0.05, respectively). The serum IGFBP-2, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 levels returned toward normal ranges as BMI in the patients improved during treatment. Serum IGF-II levels did not correlate with BMI (r = 0.24, P = 0.17). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that serum IGFBP-2 was the best marker of BMI among these variables. The present study suggested that ALS was regulated by nutritional status, the same as IGF-I, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3; but the serum IGFBP-2 was the best predictor of BMI as nutritional status marker among the parameters in patients with anorexia nervosa.

The incidence of interhemispheric cyst is rare. There have been only 12 cases reported in adults since the advent of CT. We encountered a case of an interhemispheric arachnoid cyst in a 54-year-old patient who had developed paraparesis. Excision of the cystic wall produced a satisfactory result. The CT and MRI scans were not contributory to histological differentiation of the lesions. According to the literature, however, it is highly likely that these patients are suffering from an arachnoid cyst, when the interhemispheric cyst without agenesis of the corpus callosum occurs in adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent advances in data-processing techniques have allowed more accurate MR-based volumetric measurement than was possible in the past. The purpose of this study was to use this technique to evaluate the development of the temporal lobes in childhood. METHODS: The study group consisted of 42 subjects aged 3 weeks to 14 years (mean age, 5 years), all with normal findings on a routine MR study and none with a history of epilepsy. MR images were acquired on a 1.0-T system using a T1-weighted 3D ultrafast gradient-echo sequence. The volumes of the hippocampal formations and temporal lobes were measured by using a workstation, and the percentage of hippocampal formations in the temporal lobes was calculated. Myelination in the limbic system and related structures was also evaluated. RESULTS: The volume of the hippocampal formations increased sharply until the age of 2 years, and continued to increase slowly thereafter. However, the percentage of hippocampal formations in the temporal lobes showed a negative correlation with age. The hippocampal formations on the right side were larger than those on the left in 38 cases (91%), and the anterior temporal lobes on the right were larger than those on the left in 32 cases (76%). This right-left asymmetry of the hippocampal formations and anterior temporal lobes was observed from early infancy, and these differences were statistically significant. A longitudinal fasciculus of high signal intensity was seen in the white matter beneath the subiculum by about 3 months of age. CONCLUSION: MR-based volumetry established developmental characteristics of the temporal lobe, such as a hippocampal growth spurt, a growth difference between the hippocampal formation and the rest of the temporal lobe, and right-left asymmetry. Knowledge of these characteristics may aid in the understanding of hippocampal and temporal lobe abnormalities in children.

Ionic mechanisms play an important role in the regulation of hormone secretion. The GHRH-induced GH release by human GH-secreting cells is transmitted through protein kinase A (PKA), which activates nonselective cation current (NSCC) and induces membrane depolarization, intracellular Ca2+ increase, and GH secretion. To evaluate whether ionic mechanisms have pathophysiological significance in GH oversecretion of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas, we examined four adenomas with constitutively active Gs alpha mutation (gsp mutation) and compared with three gsp-negative adenomas. In primary-cultured cells of gsp-positive adenomas, GHRH did not increase the NSCC under voltage-clamp experiments. Detailed examination showed that NSCC was maximally activated at the basal level and application of GHRH did not increase the current in these adenomas. Furthermore, by using single-cell RT-PCR method, we demonstrated for the first time at the single cell level that gsp mutation is heterozygous in GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. These indicate that heterozygous gsp mutation fully activates NSCC at the basal level, which may account for the GH oversecretion in gsp-positive GH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a clinical syndrome and known to be occasionally associated with small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC). PCD usually affects patients before the cancer is evident. The disorder evolves subacutely, and causes severe pancerebellar dysfunction. In this paper, we report a case of PCD associated with SCLC. A 65-year-old man presenting with 2 weeks of progressive vertigo, gait ataxia, and speech disturbance, was readmitted to our hospital. He had earlier been given a diagnosis of SCLC, oat cell carcinoma, and had undergone high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation during his first admission. Following that treatment regimen, the tumor disappeared completely and the patient had been in remission. Based on neurological findings and the presence of anti-neuronal antibodies a diagnosis of PCD was made. Although cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2) was administered, the patient experienced no relief of his cerebellar ataxia. Six months afer readmission, he died of cardiac tamponade due to malignant pericarditis. A histological examination at autopsy found few Purkinje cells and a proliferation of Bergmann's astrocytes in the cerebellar cortex. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of PCD.

In order to prevent the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin (CDDP), prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was administered intravenously after anticancer chemotherapy to six patients with lung cancer. All patients underwent two courses of multi-drug chemotherapy with the same regimen including a single administration of 80 mg/m2 CDDP. From the 7th day of the 2nd course of chemotherapy, 120 micrograms PGE1 had been administered for five days. During the two courses of chemotherapy, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance (Ccr), 24-h excretions of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) in urine were measured every week in all patients. The mean value of Ccr was higher in the 2nd course than in the control course (65 ml/min vs. 74 ml/min). The 24-h excretions of beta 2-MG and NAG were also reduced in the 2nd course. Out of six patients, only one was complicated by mild phlebitis at the PGE1 infusion site. From these results it was suggested that PGE1 was effective for prevention of CDDP nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Currently available data on pituitary volume have been based on indirect methods of measurement and are mostly limited to adult populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal development of pituitary volume by means of direct measurements made on thin-section 3D MR acquisitions. METHODS: The volume of the normal pituitary gland in children and adolescents was measured by using 3D MR sequences with a section thickness of 0.6 to 0.75 mm. The clinical study group consisted of 199 pediatric patients with clinically normal pituitary function and no abnormal findings on routine MR studies. The volume of the posterior pituitary was also measured in all the subjects. RESULTS: A phantom study revealed measurement errors within 25%. In the clinical study, the measured pituitary volumes showed a growth spurt during puberty, which was more prominent in girls. Posterior pituitary volumes showed gradual growth without such a spurt. Among 5- to 9-year-olds, the posterior pituitary volumes were significantly larger for boys than for girls. CONCLUSION: Normal development of the pituitary gland and posterior pituitary was determined by means of 3D MR volumetry. With this technique, we found a gender difference in the volume of the posterior pituitary.

Lanthanum substitution in the Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O system at elevated P(O2) results in superconducting compositions which throw interesting light on the effects of nonisovalent substitution in a Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O system. Like Ca substitution, La substitution also shifts the phase formation boundary between 123, 247, and 124 phases to higher P(O2), and stabilizes a tetragonal 123 structure at moderately elevated P(O2). However, in contrast with Ca substitution, Tc decreases continuously and rapidly with increasing La content. This can be only partly explained by a decrease of the hole concentration.

The immunocytochemical localization of peroxidase in the acinar cells of the Mongolian gerbil parotid gland was studied using aldehyde-fixed tissue prepared by rapid freezing and low-temperature embedding in Lowicryl K4M resin. This freeze-embedding method was developed to provide improved preservation of cell ultrastructure and optimum accessibility of antigens, combined with relative technical ease. Immunogold labeling with antibody to peroxidase was found mainly in the dense cores of mature and immature secretory granules. In the trans Golgi area, the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), many clusters of smooth vesicles, and short tubular structures showed a variable labeling intensity. The results demonstrate the utility of this newly-developed preparative method and confirm the presence of peroxidase in elements of the Golgi apparatus.

We demonstrated pharmacokinetic characteristics of cisapride in elderly patients (85+/-6 years) who had suffered from constipation based on intestinal motility dysfunction. After a single p.o. dose of 2.5 mg cisapride tablet on the first day, plasma unchanged cisapride concentrations were detected at 9 points within 24 hours, using high-performance liquid chromatography method. Subsequently, the patients were treated with cisapride 3 times daily during next 26 days (from the day 2 to the day 27). On the 28th day, a cisapride tablet was given once in the morning and blood samples were obtained with the same procedure as that on day 1. The obtained elimination half-life averaged 21.8+/-10.6 hours, which seems to be considerably longer than those previously reported. The area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) on the day 28 was 2.7 times larger than AUC on the day 1, suggesting that plasma cisapride concentrations can become higher than expected by physicians when given 3 times daily to extremely elderly patients. Because cisapride sometimes induces fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in a concentration-dependent manner, this medicine should be administered once or twice per day to such patients.