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Recent advances in the treatment of hematological malignancies often induce febrile neutropenia (FN) due to severe myelosuppression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of biapenem in such FN.Candidate patients were admitted to our hospital and were treat of their hematological malignancy from February 2005 to March 2006. They gave written informed consent to enter this study in advance. When the diagnosis of FN was established among them, those patients received intravenous biapenem 0.6 g every 12 hours. This trail was approved by our institutional review board.A total of 54 consecutive patients were registered and 49 patients were evaluable for response. The median age was 61. The underlying diseases were acute lymphocytic leukemia in 6 cases, acute myelocytic leukemia in 21, multiple myeloma in 3, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 19. The response rate was 78% (excellent response: 51%, good response: 27%, minor response: 6%, no response: 16%). In patients with neutrophil counts under 500/microl, the response rate was 73%. Infectious death or other serious adverse events were not observed.Biapenem is effective and safe for treating FN.

To prospectively and directly compare the capability of whole-body diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging, whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with and that without DW imaging, and integrated fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for M-stage assessment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.The institutional review board approved this study; informed consent was obtained from patients. A total of 203 NSCLC patients (109 men, 94 women; mean age, 72 years) prospectively underwent whole-body DW imaging, whole-body MR imaging, and FDG PET/CT. Final diagnosis of the M-stage in each patient was determined on the basis of results of all radiologic and follow-up examinations. Two chest radiologists and two nuclear medicine physicians independently assessed all examination results and used a five-point visual scoring system to evaluate the probability of metastases. Final diagnosis based on each of the methods was made by consensus of two readers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to compare the capability for M-stage assessment among whole-body DW imaging, whole-body MR imaging with and that without DW imaging, and PET/CT on a per-patient basis. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were compared with the McNemar test.Area under ROC curve (A(z)) values of whole-body MR imaging with DW imaging (A(z) = 0.87, P = .04) and integrated FDG PET/CT (A(z) = 0.89, P = .02) were significantly larger than that of whole-body DW imaging (A(z) = 0.79). Specificity and accuracy of whole-body MR imaging with (specificity, P = .02; accuracy, P.01) and that without DW imaging (specificity, P = .02; accuracy, P = .01) and integrated FDG PET/CT (specificity, P.01; accuracy, P.01) were significantly higher than those of whole-body DW imaging.Whole-body MR imaging with DW imaging can be used for M-stage assessment in NSCLC patients with accuracy as good as that of PET/CT.

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic factors of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCL-U).We retrospectively analyzed 30 cases fulfilling the criteria of PTCL-U defined by the World Health Organization classification. The patients were treated with 6-8 cycles of a CHOP or THP (pirarubicin)-COP regimen.A high serum sIL-2R level (or =2,000 U/ml) at onset was associated with a low complete remission rate. Patients with high sIL-2R had significantly lower survival rates (5 year, 15.1%) than those with low sIL-2R (2,000 U/ml) (100%) (P0.005). Factors associated with worse overall survival in a univariate analysis were high sIL-2R (P0.005), high age (60 years) (P0.05), poor performance status (P0.01) and poor international prognostic index (P0.05). No correlation was observed between sIL-2R and other markers. Multivariate analysis showed that only sIL-2R was a prognostic factor for overall survival (P0.01).The results suggest that a high serum sIL-2R level predicts a poor prognosis in PTCL-U.

The general thrust of this volume is to review the roles of accessory cells in regulating T and B lymphocytes. To that end, we have summarized the evidence that indicates the crucial role that Langerhans cells play in the induction and expression of immunity to antigens that gain access to, or arise within, skin. Langerhans cells accomplish this important goal by their abilities to (a) activate naive T cells to antigens not previously encountered by the host, and (b) activate memory/effector T cells specific for previously encountered antigens. Arguments have been advanced to support the view that the functional properties of Langerhans cells used to present antigens to naive T cells differ substantially from the properties that equip Langerhans cells to activate effector T cells. The arguments are based in part on the fact that Langerhans cells carry out these functions in two very different environments: in the epidermis, and in the draining lymph node. The arguments are also based on results of in vitro experiments that reveal distinct differences in antigen processing and presenting properties of Langerhans cells freshly obtained from mouse and human skin as compared to Langerhans cells that have been cultured in vitro for 2-3 days. We propose that freshly explanted Langerhans cells faithfully reflect the functional program of intraepidermal Langerhans cells, and are able to present antigen to memory/effector T cells that enter the epidermal compartment. To accomplish this task, epidermal LC pick up environmental antigens, process them with great efficiency, and then present them in situ, without further upregulation of "accessory" signals (cell-adhesion molecules, secretion of additional cytokines). They can carry out this function, even in the presence of TGFB--a a cytokine which is constitutively made by keratinocytes, and which we have found to profoundly inhibit antigen presentation by most other types of "professional" antigen-presenting cells. Intraepidermal Langerhans cells are also capable of carrying cutaneous antigens through the dermal epidermal junction and migrating to the draining lymph node. We further propose that cultured Langerhans cells are fated to present antigens to unprimed/naive T cells, and thereby to initiate immune responses to new cutaneous antigens. Cultured LC process antigens less efficiently than fresh cells, but their unique capacity to present antigen effectively to unprimed T cells rests chiefly on the fact that they have significantly upregulated cell surface adhesion molecules, expression of MHC molecules, and secretion of activating cytokines--the "accessory" signals that are required for arousing naive T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

In this paper, we define the Fixed-Radius Fixed-Diameter model and have the probability of the graph being connected graph in one-dimensional space. Furthermore, by using that result, we also obtain the probability of the Fixed-Radius Free-Diameter model being connected graph in one-dimensional space.

The models of adaptive consensus formation are useful for obtaining harmonious consensus of a group when all members of the group pursue their individual rationality. In the process of consensus formation, the agents access to macro information and adapt their preferences to the overall group preference. In this paper, we propose and analyze some quantitative measures of the difference between the individual preferences and the agreed preference. Moreover, we introduce a model of the agents with the different speeds of adaption and analyze its effects to consensus formation by means of simulation.

A 66-year-old man visited complaining of cough and sore throat. He had been exposed to asbestos 43 years ago. Chest X-ray revealed left pleural effusion and abnormal shadow in the right lung field. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed multiple enhanced nodules in the right pleural cavity. Abdominal CT showed a 3-cm enhanced tumor in the lower pole of the left kidney. Left radical nephrectomy was performed. Pathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma. Postoperatively pleural biopsy was performed by using thoracoscopy. White plaque was seen at the costal pleura and surface of lung. Pathological diagnosis was malignant pleural mesothelioma based on using mesothelium-associated antibodies: calretinin (+), CK5/6 (+), D2-40 (+), HBME-1 (+), TTF-1 (-), MOC31 (-), CEA (-). Combination therapy (extrapleural pneumonectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy) was initiated. Malignant mesothelioma is a devastating neoplasm with a strong etiological relationship with asbestos exposure. The incidence is rising in industrialized countries, with the peak expected in the year 2020. However, renal cell carcinoma with malignant pleural mesothelioma is very rare and this is the 2nd case in the Japanese literature.

A case of ureteral avulsion as a complication of ureteroscopy is presented. A 55-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with the complaint of hematuria. The intravenous pyelography revealed a calculus measuring 16 x 12 mm located in the left upper ureter. Transurethral ureterolithotripsy was performed with 8 F rigid ureteroscopy. A safety guide wire was inserted and left ureteral olifice was dilated to 9 F. The ureteroscopy was smoothly introduced just under the stone. The stone was fragmentated with a pneumatic lithotripter. A part of the stone was pushed back to the renal pelvis, so the ureteroscope was passed to that stone and fragmentation was done as much as possible. The ureteroscopy was gently pulled out to the bladder, but the distal ureter was torn at the ureteral orifice and could be seen at the urethral orifice. Pelvis, upper ureter and middle ureter were intact, so open intervention for repair was not performed. A 6Fr double pigtail stent was placed over the safety guidewire. Cystscopy indicated a part of the distal ureter was protruded from the ureteral orifice. Eight weeks later, the protruded part of ureter was necrotic and calcified for ischemia. Transurethral resection of necrotic ureter was performed. Histologically, resected ureter changed necrotic tissue for ischema. Postoperatively intravenous pyelography did not reveal left hydronephrosis and cystoscopy indicated that the left ureteral orifice was almost normally repaired.

The patient was 52 years old. She had undergone a breast cancer operation 4 years before this visit. On computed tomography (CT), a left renal tumor in a horseshoe kidney was incidentally pointed out. CT scan showed a 1.8-cm enhanced tumor in the upper pole of the left kidney. It was hyperechoic on ultrasonography. Since renal cell carcinoma could not be excluded preoperatively, left partial nephrectomy was performed. Pathological diagnosis was a renal angiomyolipoma. The incidence of horseshoe kidney is 1 in 400. The occurrence of hydronephrosis, infection and calculous disease is not uncommon. However, a case of angiomyolipoma simultaneously with a horseshoe kidney is very rare, this being the 7th case in the literature.

Purpose To conduct a prospective comparison of the accuracy of whole-body MR imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18 deoxyglucose (FDG) (FDG-PET) to assess the M-stage in lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods A total of 90 consecutive lung cancer patients (mean age = 68 years) underwent whole-body MR imaging and FDG-PET as well as other standard radiological imaging procedures before and after treatment. Probabilities of metastases on whole-body MR imaging and FDG-PET were assessed by using 5-point scoring systems on a per-site basis and on a per-patient basis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare diagnostic capabilities. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were also compared by using the McNemar's test on a per-site and per-patient basis. Results For assessment of head and neck metastases and bone metastases, accuracies of whole-body MR imaging (95.0% and 94.8%, respectively) were significantly higher than those of FDG-PET (89.1% and 88.2%, respectively; P < 0.05). For assessment of the M-stage on a per-patient basis, accuracy of whole-body MR imaging (80.0%) was also significantly higher than that of FDG-PET (73.3%; P < 0.05). Conclusion Whole-body MR imaging is an accurate diagnostic technique and may be considered at least as effective as FDG-PET for assessment of the M-stage of lung cancer patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:498–509. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Purpose To investigate the efficacy of a new catheter-vessel model for MRI to evaluate drug distribution and to optimize catheter design for intraarterial infusion therapy Materials and Methods The model consisted of a hepatic artery simulant tube through which blood simulant water flowed continuously and a water cistern. Catheters were inserted into the tube and a gadolinium contrast medium was injected at rates suitable for angiographic or computed tomographic evaluation and commensurate with the clinical drug infusion rate. Axial images of the tube were obtained with a 0.2-T scanner and gradient echo technique. Preliminary studies and catheter tests were conducted. The points at which drug and water were completely mixed were defined as the site with uniform enhancement nearest the catheter tip. Results Flip angle and gadolinium concentrations were optimized at 90 degrees, and at 62.5 and 500 mM for the high and low infusion rates, respectively. Drug distribution near the catheter tips was clearly visualized. The drug was mixed in shorter distances via the slit side-hole than the end- or side-hole catheters, and the smaller diametrical than the larger at either rate. Conclusion This model appeared to be effective for evaluation of drug distribution and optimization of catheter design. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:1044–1050. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Purpose The purpose of our study was to assess the influence of prolonged apnea and administration of oxygen on pulmonary hemodynamics during breath holding (BH) by using velocity-encoded MR imaging combined with the SENSE technique (velocity MRI). Materials and methods Ten healthy male volunteers underwent velocity MRI during BH with and without O 2 inhalation. All velocity MRI data sets were obtained continuously with the 2D cine phase-contrast method during a single BH period. The data were then divided into three BH time phases as follows: first, second and third. To evaluate the influence of prolonged apnea on hemodynamics, stroke volume (SV) and maximal change in flow rate during ejection (MCFR) of second and third phases were statistically compared with those of first phase by using the ANOVA followed by Turkey's HSD multiple comparison test. To assess the influence of O 2 on hemodynamics, SV and MCFR with or without O 2 were compared by the paired t -test. To assess the measuring agreement of hemodynamic indices during prolonged breath holding, Bland–Altman's analysis was performed. Results Prolonged apnea had no significant influence on SV and MCFR regardless of administration of O 2 ( p >0.05). Mean MCFR for all phases was significantly lower with administration of O 2 than without ( p 2 were smaller than without. Conclusion O 2 inhalation modulated maximal change in flow rate during ejection, and did not influence stroke volume during breath holding. Influence of O 2 inhalation should be considered for MR measurements of pulmonary hemodynamics during breath holding.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important issue to public health of the world. By a genome-wide association study, we previously identified that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of the MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) gene is significantly associated with the risk of hepatitis-virus-related HCC. MICA is a ligand for NKG2D, a cell receptor of NK cells, which activates NK cells to clear the pathogenic cells expressing MICA such as infected cells or malignant cells as a “danger” signal. However, unexpectedly, the Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients with risk allele of MICA gene showed higher levels of serum MICA. This suggested that the serum MICA, which is excreted from the infected hepatocytes by a shedding mechanism, may work as a decoy for NK cells and inhibit their activities. Therefore, increasing cellular MICA levels by preventing those shedding and release may contribute to the clearance of the pathogenic cells and the prevention of HCC. In this study, we constructed a convenient MICA shedding assay system and, by a comprehensive screening, we identified several compounds which may prevent MICA shedding from the cells. Methods: We constructed lentivirual vector expressing MICA protein tagged with nano-luciferase (nanoLuc) in its N terminal because N terminal of MICA is excreted from the cells by shedding. We expressed this construct in HBV replicating cells, HepG2.2.15, and after adding compounds, we determined the luciferase activities in the supernatant and cell lysates. Results: We picked up the samples which showed low activities in supernatant with high activities in the cell lysates, indicating low levels of shedding and high levels of remaining cellular MICA. Out of over 1,000 compounds screened, we determined four candidate compounds which efficiently prevented MICA shedding. We confirmed the effects of these compounds in other cell systems infected with HBV. Conclusion: Because these compounds enhanced the expression levels of cellular MICA and decreased its shedding in HBV-replicating human hepatocytes, using these compounds may be favorable during HBV chronic infection to enhance the NK cell-mediated clearance of the pathogenic hepatocytes and to prevent HCC. Citation Format: Motoko Ohno, Motoyuki Otsuka, Takahiro Kishikawa, Takeshi Yoshikawa, Akemi Takata, Kazuhiko Koike. Prevention of MICA shedding from HBV infected hepatocytes to activate NK cells for better clearance of malignant foci and virus-infected cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4456. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4456

Introduction: While the process of carcinogenesis is generally a multistep with accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, pancreatic cancers have frequent mutations relatively in limited genes, such as KRAS, TP53 (p53), CDKN2A (p16), and SMAD4. Then, series of mouse models have been generated to target these genes in the pancreas, and pancreatic cancers or pre-cancerous tumors have been successfully observed in such gene-modified mice. These mouse models are advantageous compared to human samples in genetic simplicity and little influence of environmental factors. During the steps of carcinogenesis, microRNAs (miRNAs), regulators of gene expression, may also be dysregulated. Although many studies have already been performed to determine the dysregulated miRNAs in pancreatic cancers, consistent results have not always been obtained so far, probably due to the complexity of the samples tested. Then, in this study, we examined comprehensive expression profiles of miRNAs in the pancreatic tissues in two kinds of gene-modified mice, which develop pre-cancerous tumor or progressive pancreatic cancer, to obtain an information about the expression changes of miRNA levels during the pancreatic multistep carcinogenesis. Methods: We used two mouse models: Ptf1a cre/+; LSL-Kras G12D/+ which induced constitutively active Kras mutation specifically in the pancreas and develop focal premalignant ductal tumors similar to human pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs). Ptf1acre/+;LSL-KrasG12D/+;Tgfbr2flox/flox, which induced Tgfbr2 knockout with active Kras expression in the pancreas and promoted aggressive pancreatic carcinoma with similar histology to human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We performed miRNA microarrays (3D-GENE mouse miRNA Oligo chip, Toray) using total RNAs from pancreatic tumors of these mouse models and from wild type pancreas tissues. Results; MiRNAs, such as miR-21, miR-125b-5p, miR-31, and miR-192, were upregulated in PDAC compared to normal tissues. Interestingly, the expression levels of the majority of these miRNAs already increased from the stage of pre-cancerous PanINs in Kras-mutated mice. However, some miRNAs, such as miR-669p* and miR-200b/c, were increased at the stage between PDAC and PanINs, while no changes were observed at the stage of PanINs. In contrast, miR-148a and miR-802 were downregulated from the stage of PanINs, and miR-187* decreased during the stages of between PDAC and PanINs. Discussion; We showed using genetically-simple mouse models that the changes of miRNA expression levels occur at specific stages during the course of pancreatic carcinogenesis. Although validation of these results is required in human samples, the stage-specific expression profiles of miRNAs may provide with the insights regarding the pathogenesis of pancreatic multistep-carcinogenesis, and the information may also be useful as novel diagnostic biomarkers. Citation Format: Takahiro Kishikawa, Motoyuki Otsuka, Takeshi Yoshikawa, Motoko Ohno, Kazuhiko Koike. Alternations in microRNA expression profiles during the pancreatic multistep carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4002. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4002

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine whether quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameters obtained from 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced MR perfusion data can be used to assess the severity of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) as indicated by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP).CONCLUSION. Three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI has potential for assessment of disease severity as indicated by PVR and MPAP in patients with PPH.

The purpose of our study was to assess the reliability and usefulness of parallel imaging for apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement of abdominal organs and lesions.Single-shot spin-echo echo-planar diffusion-weighted MRI (TE = 66, b = 0, 600 s/mm2) was performed in phantom and clinical studies. The b value was set to minimize the effects of perfusion in tissue and to maintain signal-to-noise ratio. Bottle phantoms were scanned with and without parallel imaging and with various parallel imaging factors and at various positions to evaluate the effects of parallel imaging on ADCs. In 200 consecutive clinical patients (122 men and 78 women: mean age, 61.9 years), ADCs were calculated for liver (four segments), spleen, pancreas (head, body, tail), gallbladder, renal parenchyma, and back muscle, and then compared to evaluate the reliability of clinical ADC measurements with parallel imaging. ADCs were also calculated for diffuse diseases and focal lesions (94 malignant and 93 benign) of abdominal organs to evaluate the clinical usefulness of ADC.Location-dependent changes in water ADCs were minimal with parallel imaging factors first of 3, then of 4, and were small except for measurements at the image periphery. Acetone ADCs were saturated at 4.00 x 10(-3) mm2/s. Degraded image quality prevented ADC measurement of the left hepatic lobe and pancreas in 7-18 patients. There was no significant difference among ADCs of four liver segments (1.50 +/- 0.24 [SD] x 10(-3) mm2/s - 1.56 +/- 0.31 x 10(-3) mm2/s) and between ADCs of the right and left kidneys (2.65 +/- 0.30 x 10(-3) mm2/s, 2.59 +/- 0.33 x 10(-3) mm2/s). ADC of the pancreas tail (1.65 +/- 0.37 x 10(-3) mm2/s) was significantly lower than those of the head (1.81 +/- 0.40 x 10(-3) mm2/s) and body (1.81 +/- 0.41 x 10(-3) mm2/s) (p0.005). Renal ADCs were significantly lower in patients with renal failure (right: 2.15 +/- 0.30 x 10(-3) mm2/s; left: 2.11 +/- 0.25 x 10(-3) mm2/s) than in those without disease (right: 2.67 +/- 0.29 x 10(-3) mm2/s; left: 2.60 +/- 0.32 x 10(-3) mm2/s) (p0.005). ADC of pancreatic cancer was significantly higher than that of healthy pancreas (p0.05). ADC of renal angiomyolipoma was significantly lower than those of renal cell carcinoma and healthy renal parenchyma (p0.0005).Clinical ADC measurements of abdominal organs and lesions using parallel imaging appear to be reliable and useful, and the effect of parallel imaging on calculated values is considered to be minimal.

Characterization and application of calcium ferrites based solid solutions containing active oxygen species for catalysts in propylene total and methane partial oxidation has been studied. The calcium ferrite based solutions containing brownmillerite phases showed a structural transition based on the migration of oxide ions at high temperature. The calcium ferrite solution provided two types of active oxygen species due to the existence of the brownmillerite phase. These oxygen species individually played important roles in the propylene and methane oxidation mechanisms.

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of 5,6,11-trideoxytetrodotoxin (1) and its 4-epimer were achieved. The synthesis is characterized by the stereoselective construction of the quaternary amino carbon center at C8a by an asymmetric transferring Strecker synthesis and the highly efficient conversion of cyanohydrin 4 to 1 via intramolecular cyclization reactions.

Reinforcement learning is a framing of enabling agents to learn from interaction with environments. It has focused generally on Markov decision process (MDP) domains, but a domain may be non-Markovian in the real world. In this paper, we introduce a new description of macro-actions with tree structure in reinforcement learning. The macro-action is an action control structure which provides an agent with control which applies a collection of related microscopic actions as a single action unit. And we propose a simple method for dynamically acquiring macro-actions from the experiences of agents during reinforcement learning process.

A 64-year-old male was diagnosed as having autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in December 2001. The diagnosis of AIHA was established based on the presence of anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, reticulocytosis, positive Coombs test and serum LDH elevation. Although he received steroid pulse therapy, disturbance of consciousness appeared and the anemia and icterus did not improve. Plasma exchange was carried out to eliminate antibodies as an emergency measure. The patient's symptoms were ameliorated following four courses of plasma exchange. This case represents a case of aggressive AIHA with disturbance of consciousness and refractory to conventional corticosteroid therapy. Plasma exchange rapidly led to complete remission.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and usefulness of gadolinium-chelated contrast medium in phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) portography. Methods: Twenty-six patients (21 men, 5 women; aged 34 to 79 years, mean 62 years) underwent respiratory-triggered 3-dimensional phase-contrast portography before and after administration of gadolinium in a 1.5T MR unit. Coronal maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of the portal vein were reconstructed and compared to conventional arterial portograms regarding visualization. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and portal vein-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) of main, right, right anterior, right posterior, left portal veins, and umbilical portion were measured on both non-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced images and compared. Results: Portal veins and branches were more clearly visualized on the gadolinium-enhanced than on the non-enhanced images. Compared to arterial portography, gadolinium-enhanced portography showed similar performances in visualization, except in the right posterior branch and left portal vein. No severe image degradation from respiration was experienced. SNR was significantly higher on the gadolinium-enhanced than on non-enhanced images except in the right anterior branch. CNR was significantly higher on the gadolinium-enhanced than on the non-enhanced images at all measured locations. Conclusions: Administration of gadolinium improves the SNR and CNR of phase-contrast portography and visualization of the portal vein. The phase-contrast technique with gadolinium enhancement can be used to evaluate the portal vein as a supplemental technique.

To facilitate more economical medical care, we carried out a prospective study of whether a THP-COP regimen (cyclophosphamide, pirarubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) with low-dose granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) would effectively treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). From April 2003 through March 2004, we enrolled 19 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed NHL treated at our hospital. The patients were divided into young and elderly groups. Each patient underwent chemotherapy with 8 courses of a THP-COP regimen with a 50-microg dose of lenograstim. Age- and sex-matched historical control patients (n = 141) received NHL diagnoses between 1998 and 2003. Each patient in the control group underwent the same chemotherapy and received a 100-microg dose of lenograstim. The mean (+/-SD) total amounts of G-CSF per cycle of chemotherapy were 332 +/- 103 microg (young patients) and 345 +/- 128 microg (elderly patients) in the low-dose group and 594 +/- 439 microg (young) and 730 +/- 551 microg (elderly) in the control group. The duration of fever in 1 cycle of chemotherapy was 0.3 +/- 1.0 days (young) and 0.1 +/- 0.8 days (elderly) in the low-dose group and 0.5 +/- 1.3 days (young) and 0.8 +/- 2.0 days (elderly) in the control group. A THP-COP regimen with low-dose G-CSF could be administered to NHL patients with safety. Administration of a 50-microg dose of lenograstim is sufficient and recommended for the treatment of NHL.

We report a rare case of follicular lymphoma which rapidly showed transformation to the Burkitt type of lymphoma after a treatment consisting of chemotherapy and irradiation. A 51-year-old male visited our hospital in August 2000 because of bilateral neck lymphadenopathy. He was diagnosed as having follicular lymphoma (grade 2) (clinical stage IIIA) with complex karyotypic abnormalities involving t(14 ; 18)(q32 ; q21) and CD20 expression. Initially he was followed as an outpatient without chemotherapy. Six months later, he was admitted because of hydronephrosis due to an intrapelvic tumor. He underwent chemotherapy with 4 courses of CHOP regimen following irradiation therapy and a partial response was obtained. Four months after initiation of the treatment, his disease recurred with numb chin syndrome. Bone marrow aspiration revealed bone marrow involvement by lymphoma cells which had a Burkitt-like appearance. A cytogenetic study using bone marrow blood showed complex abnormalities involving t(8 ; 22)(q24 ; q11) in addition to t(14 ; 18). In spite of salvage chemotherapy, the patient died in September 2001.

Co-registered SPECT and CT imaging (SPECT-CT) has potential for more precise evaluation of regional pulmonary function and may be useful for prediction of postoperative lung function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively assess the capability of co-registered SPECT-CT using krypton-81m (Kr-81m) and technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99m MAA) for prediction of postoperative lung function of NSCLC patients compared with SPECT and planar imaging.Sixty consecutive patients considered candidates for lung resection underwent 16-slice CT, ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy with SPECT examinations, and preoperative and postoperative measurement of FEV(1)%. In each subject, SPECT and CT data were automatically fused by using commercially available software. Each postoperative FEV(1)% value was predicted from uptakes of Kr-81m and Tc-99m MAA within total and resected lungs. Then, reproducibility coefficients and the limits of agreement between actual and each predicted postoperative lung function were statistically assessed.Reproducibility coefficients of SPECT-CT (Kr-81m: 5.1%, Tc-99m MAA: 5.2%) were smaller than those of SPECT and planar image using Kr-81m (SPECT: 7.4%, planar image: 12.1%) and using Tc-99m MAA (SPECT: 7.2%, planar image: 11.8%). The limits of agreement for SPECT-CT (Kr-81m: 3.3 +/- 10.5%, Tc-99m MAA: 5.4 +/- 11.0%) were also smaller than that of SPECT and planar image and small enough for clinical purposes.Co-registered SPECT-CT using Kr-81m and Tc-99m MAA was able to more reproducibly and accurately predict postoperative lung function compared with SPECT and planar imaging.

The cytoplasmic fibril structures of Saprospira sp. strain SS98-5 grown on a low-nutrient agar medium were purified from cell lysates treated with Triton X-100 and were observed by electron microscopy to be about 7 nm in width and 200–300 nm in length. SDS–PAGE of the fibril structures exhibited a single protein band with a molecular mass of 61 kDa. A Saprospira cytoplasmic fibril protein (SCFP), which is a subunit of the fibril structures, was digested with trypsin to oligopeptides and analyzed for amino acid sequences. A partial nucleotide sequence of the SCFP gene was determined after PCR using primers designated from the amino acid sequences of the oligopeptides. SCFP gene including DNA fragments were detected by Southern hybridization using the PCR product for an SCFP gene as a probe and were cloned to determine whole nucleotide sequences. The SCFP gene indicated relatively higher similarity to conserved hypothetical phage tail sheath proteins. A Western immunoblotting analysis showed that SCFP was significantly expressed in gliding cells as compared with nongliding cells. The above findings with the previously reported results suggest that the cytoplasmic fibril structures are possibly related to the gliding motility of Saprospira sp. strain SS98-5.Key words: Saprospira, gliding motility, Saprospira cytoplasmic fibril protein (SCFP).

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is characterized by frequent aerogenous spread (AE) and advancement along the alveolar wall (BAC growth). To elucidate the mechanism of AE metastasis and BAC growth in human lung adenocarcinoma, we established an in vivo orthotopic animal model and an in vitro culture. Investigation of expression levels of integrins, laminins and Type IV collagens, which are the major regulating molecules for cell attachment and anoikis was carried out and a clear correlation between the expression level of laminin 5 (LN5) and the BAC growth was observed using an orthotopic animal model. Introduction of LN5 cDNA to A549 cells increased anoikis resistance in an expression dependent manner. Cells with LN5 overexpression resisted with anoikis after treatment with PI3K-Akt and ERK inhibitors. The amount of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was also higher in LN5 overexpressing cells. Major tyrosine residues of the EGF receptor at 1068, 1086 and 1173, except at 1148, remained phosphorylated only in the LN5 overexpressing cells even without EGF stimulation, that indicates the ligand independent activation of EGF receptor. BAC growth ratio and AE was confirmed to be significantly correlated with LN5 expression in surgically resected human lung adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that the activation of the EGF receptor by overexpressing LN5-integrin-FAK signaling pathway may play a crucial role in BAC growth and AE metastasis in human lung adenocarcinoma.

This paper presents the general architecture of geographic information systems (GIS) for assisting the users in creating barrier-free street maps by using the Internet and the highly accurate global positioning systems (GPS). The purpose of the system is to provide an effective tool for supporting the creation and the use of network-based barrier-free street maps for physically-handicapped people in wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are equipped with the GPS antenna and the tablet PC for computing the current positions with a cm-class accuracy to navigate the people in the streets. The server collects the positions from the wheelchairs moving around the local service area. The collection of data is stored and shared in the server after it is transformed into useful barrier-free information and integrated into the existing geographic information. To minimize the amount of the input by the users, the system relies on the intelligent information technology to construct the graphical structure of the maps and reason about the street conditions.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of salvage chemotherapy with, P-IMVP-16/CBDCA, consisting of carboplatin (CBDCA), etoposide (VP-16), ifosfamide (IFM), and methotrexate (MTX), for patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who had previously received CHOP [a regimen of cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunomycin, Oncovin (vincristine), and prednisolone], as first-line chemotherapy. The 45 consecutively enrolled patients received methylprednisolone (mPSL) 1000 mg per body for 3 d (from day 1 to day 3), IFM 1000 mg/m(2) for 5 d (from day 1 to day 5), MTX 30 mg/m(2) on day 3 and day 10, VP-16 80 mg/m(2) for 3 d (from day 1 to day 3), and CBDCA 300 mg/m(2) on day 1, with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor every 21 d. Patients 70 yr of age or older were given 75% of the standard dose. The response rate [complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR)] was 55.6% (25/45), including 12 (26.7%) CR and 13 (28.9%) PR. The overall survival rate for the 45 patients was 31.1% at 1 yr and 17.3% at 2 yr. The failure-free survival rate for the 45 patients was 6.7% at 1 yr and 4.4% at 2 yr. The survival rate for the 25 responders was 48.0% at 1 yr and 24.0% at 2 yr, and the survival rate for the 20 non-responders was 10.0% at 1 yr (P0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that prior chemotherapy (reduced-dose CHOP for age 70 yr or older) and the number of cases of extranodal involvement (1) were significant unfavorable factors for overall survival. Although the major toxicity was neutropenia, no patient died of infection related to neutropenia. Non-hematological adverse effects were predominantly mild and tolerable. Unfortunately, the clinical outcome with P-IMVP-16/CBDCA was unfavorable, possibly because the study comprised consecutive patients who had received identified intensive chemotherapy, such as biweekly CHOP. Salvage chemotherapy with P-IMVP-16/CBDCA is not sufficient to cure relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL. Aggressive NHL should be cured by first-line chemotherapy with or without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

An optical interface is expected to solve the problems the electrical counterpart has. However, the conventional optical interface system using optical transceiver modules separately located from LSI packages on a printed circuit board (PCB), electrical interfaces among optical transceivers and LSI packages would limit interconnection speed. In addition, the electrical interface consumes a lot of power to drive the I/O buffers and signal lines on the PCB. To solve these problems, we have proposed a packaging technology to which OIP (Optical-interconnection as Intellectual Property) concept is applied. We developed a 3.125-Gbit/s/port crosspoint switch with 16 optical I/O ports on a 35x35-mm BGA package. It incorporates four small optical I/O modules called PETIT (Photonic/Electronic Tied InTerface).The PETIT consists of a 4-channel VCSEL array, a 4-channel pin-PD array, and a GaAs trans-impedance amplifier on an 8x8-mm ceramic substrate, and a newly developed optical connector interface is attached on the substrate. The sensitivity is 11.9 dBm under 12.5-Gbit/s full-duplex operation of the PETIT.

A 70-year-old male patient presented with cirrhotic liver caused by hepatitis C virus and complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma. The carcinoma was effectively treated by transarterial chemoembolization, but cholangiocellular carcinoma occurred in a different segment of the liver and rapidly grew and metastasized systemically. He died 13 months after the first admission. Double cancer of the liver is uncommon, but it must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Failure to note the occurrence of cholangiocellular carcinoma is thought to be a diagnostic pitfall in the follow-up studies of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Vose’s genetic algorithm model assuming an infinite population is useful for a theoretical analysis. However, it is generally difficult to know transitions of infinite populations. In this paper, we propose a method for modeling genetic algorithms for infinite populations by using neural networks. We use a neural network for estimating deterministic transitions of infinite populations from stochastic data obtained through observing a process of a genetic algorithm for finite populations. Then the trained network approximates a mapping (or a vector field) which characterizes the genetic algorithm. Our method introduces a framework for analyzing genetic algorithms from the viewpoint of neural networks. In this paper, we use a mixture‐of‐experts architecture for modeling and show that an optimization problem, which the genetic algorithm solves, is represented as a combination of some other optimization problems corresponding to expert networks.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), is relatively rare, accounting for only 10% to 15% of non–Hodgkin's lymphomas, and is characterized by disseminated disease, with systemic symptoms, bone marrow involvement, and extranodal disease. There is no general consensus regarding the preferred induction chemotherapy for PTCL-NOS. CHOP regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide (CPA), doxorubicin (DOX), vincristine (VCR) and prednisone (PSL) has been the most frequently employed regimen for PTCL-NOS, but the overall survival in each IPI category appears lower in patients with most PTCL-NOS than seen in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Pirarubicin (tetrahydropyranyladriamycin: THP), a derivative of DOX, is reportedly an anthracyclin with less cardiotoxicity than DOX, because the cardiac sympathetic dysfunction and cardiac mitochondrial damage were less common with THP than those with doxorubicin. We previously reported THP-COP regimen consisting of THP, CPA, VCR, and PSL produced resulted equivalent to CHOP regimen regarding efficacy and safety in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Tsurumi H et al. JCRCO 2004). In addition The Japanese Clinical Study Group of THP Lymphomas in the Elderly reported that T-cell lymphomas had a significantly better response to THP-COP than CHOP, and no such difference was observed in B-cell lymphoma. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis to confirm the efficacy of THP-COP in the treatment of PTCL-NOS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study protocol employed a retrospective, consecutive entry design. We retrospectively analyzed 61 patients with PTCL-NOS who had received THP-COP or CHOP in 5 institutes of Gifu Hematology Study Group between December 1995 and March 2013. A diagnosis of PTCL-NOS was confirmed histrogically according to the World Health Organization classification. We exclude patients who had previously treated with any chemotherapy for lymphoma, and were diagnosed as Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma or angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. CHOP regimen composed CPA (750 mg/m2), DOX (50 mg/m2), VCR (1.4 mg/m2, maximal dose 2.0 mg) and PSL (100mg/body, administered for 5 days). In THP-COP regimen, THP (50 mg/m2) was used instead of DOX. These regimens were performed every 14 to 21 days. Thirty patients received THP-COP, 31 received CHOP. There were no significant differences in known prognostic factors include the international prognostic index (IPI) and prognostic index for T-cell lymphoma (PIT) between two groups. The median cycles of treatment were 6 in both groups. The median follow-up times were 25 and 19 months, respectively. RESULT: Complete remission (CR) rates in the patients with THP-COP and CHOP were 53% and 55% (P=0.906), 3-yr overall survival (OS) rate 68% and 51% (P=0.096), and 3-yr progression free survival (PFS) rate 46% and 27% (P=0.078), respectively. Although there were no significant differences between two groups, THP-COP regimen had a tendency of better prognosis. In patients with low IPI (Low or Low-intermediate), THP-COP had significantly better 3yr-OS (100% vs 63%, P=0.002) and 3yr-PFS (69% vs 34%, P=0.002). Same difference was observed in patients with low PIT (group1 or 2), but was not observed in patients with high IPI (High-intermediate or High) or PIT (Group3 or 4). Fatal non-hematological adverse event did not occur in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our study showed THP-COP produced resulted equivalent to CHOP regarding efficacy and safety in patients with PTCL-NOS. Moreover, THP-COP had a tendency of better prognosis compared with CHOP. In patients with low IPI or PIT, THP-COP had significantly better prognosis. This result indicates that THP-COP is an effective and well tolerated regimen for patients with PTCL-NOS, and might be translated into improving survival in comparison with CHOP. Further large study is needed to clarify the difference between the two regimens. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Most satellite repeats in pericentmeric heterochromatin are epigenetically silenced and rarely transcribed into RNAs. However, in some pathological conditions, satellite RNA are transcribed and may deregulate cellular homeostasis. Recently, human satellite repeat II (HSATII) RNA were reported to be highly and specifically detected in human pancreatic cancers. However, precise localization of HSATII RNA expression in pancreatic cancer tissues and the time-course of its expression during carcinogenesis are unknown, mainly due to the technical difficulties to detect repetitive RNA sequences, which are difficult to amplify by PCR-based method. In this study, we determined the precise localization of HSATII RNA expression in pancreatic carcinoma tissues and developed a new method to detect HSATII RNA from the patient serum. Methods: 1) Highly sensitive and specific custom-made locked nucleic acid-modified oligonucleotide probes were synthesized to detect HSATII RNA expression by Northern blotting and RNA in situ hybridization. Resected tissues containing pancreatic carcinoma lesions and those adjacent lesions in the same section from individual patients were used to determine the precise localization of HSATII RNA expression, along with tissue arrays. 2) Total RNAs were extracted from the serum of pancreatic cancer, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and non-cancerous patients. Custom-made biotinylated RNA probes for HSATII RNA were hybridized with the patient RNA. Paired RNA was collected, and visualized by applying modified RNA protection method. Results: 1) While no HSATII RNA expression was detected in pancreatic tissues without carcinoma, it was expressed in almost all pancreatic carcinoma tissues. Interestingly, the expression levels were clearly higher in non-cancerous lesions adjacent to carcinoma rather than in cancerous lesions themselves. 2) HSATII RNA was detected from 200 µl of the serum of pancreatic cancer and IPMN patients, whereas not detected from non-cancer patients. Conclusion: HSATII RNA is highly expressed in the tissues surrounding human pancreatic cancerous lesions. This non-coding RNA could be detected in the serum of pancreatic cancer patients as well as patients with pre-cancerous lesions. These results may facilitate the development of novel methods to determine high-risk patients of pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Takahiro Kishikawa, Motoyuki Otsuka, Takeshi Yoshikawa, Motoko Ohno, Kazuhiko Koike. Detection of human satellite RNA in the serum of high-risk patients of pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 516. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-516

Background: A widespread downregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is commonly observed in human cancers. Similarly, deregulated expression of miRNA-processing pathway components, which results in the reduction of global miRNA expression, may also be associated with tumorigenesis. Thus, we hypothesized that the deregulation of microRNA-processing molecule Dicer1 in intestinal epithelial cells may accelerate intestinal inflammation-associated tumorigenesis. Methods & Results: We constructed Dicer1 gene-disrupted mice with monoallelic and biallelic loss of its locus. Inflammation-associated colon tumors were induced by azoxymethane (AOM) injection with the treatment by three cycles of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS). 1) Dicer1 protein expression and subsequent mature miRNA levels in the isolated intestinal epithelial cells were inversely correlated with the number of intact Dicer1 alleles. 2) Although the severity of inflammation after the induction in this model was comparable in control and Dicer1-mutant mice, the number of colon tumors was significantly higher in heterozygous mice but not in homozygous mice. 3) Because the expression levels of Dicer1 were retained in tumors and its surrounding tissues even after induction of colitis-associated tumors, the effects of Dicer1 deletion on tumorigenesis were considered as cell-autonomous. 4) While the expression levels of representative oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes were in most cases inversely correlated with the expression levels of Dicer1, some genes were not affected by Dicer1 deletion. Conclusion: Specific ablation of Dicer1 in intestinal epithelial cells accelerates intestinal inflammation-associated tumorigenesis. However, this effect was apparent only when a single copy of Dicer1 was deleted, but not with complete Dicer1 gene ablation. Generally, complete loss of the function of most tumor suppressor genes is advantageous for tumor development. However, our results suggest that, in case of Dicer1 gene, complete loss is deleterious for cancer development, while its partial inactivation promotes tumor formation. This unique “obligate haploinsufficient role” colitis-associated colon tumor of Dicer and miRNAs needs further attention to elucidate the pathogenesis of tumorigenesis related with deregulated miRNAs. Citation Format: Takeshi Yoshikawa, Motoyuki Otsuka, Kazuhiko Koike. Obligate haploinsufficiency of the microRNA-processing molecule dicer1 in a murine colitis-associated tumorigenesis model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3538. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3538

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important issue to public health of the world. We recently reported by genome wide association study (GWAS) analyses that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of the MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) gene that is significantly associated with the risk of hepatitis-virus-related HCC. Because there was a correlation between the expression levels of MICA in the serum depending on the different alleles at the SNP site and the risk of HCC, regulation of MICA expression levels may be useful in the prevention of HCC. Here we show that MICA protein expression in HCC cells can be regulated by the microRNA (miR) 25-93-106b cluster. By use of luciferase assay and FACS analyses, it was confirmed that forced expression of the miR 25-93-106b cluster significantly suppressed MICA expression, whereas inhibition of this miR cluster increased MICA expression in cells that stably express MICA. Furthermore, to deliver efficiently miRNAs into hepatocytes specifically, we developed bio-nanocapsules containing miR93 inside, utilizing hepatitis B virus envelope L-protein. MICA expression levels were indeed suppressed after the delivery of miR93 by these bionanoparticles into hepatocytes. Besides, the binding ability of NKG2D (a receptor of MICA) and in vivo cell-killing by NK cells were changed proportionally to miRNA-induced MICA expression levels. These results suggest that the modulation of MICA expression levels in hepatocytes by delivering miRNAs using these bionanocapsules may be a novel and effective approach to prevent hepatitis-virus-related HCC. Citation Format: Motoko Ohno, Motoyuki Otsuka, Takahiro Kishikawa, Takeshi Yoshikawa, Akemi Takata, Kazuhiko Koike. MicroRNA delivery by bionanoparticles: regulation of the liver cancer susceptibility gene MICA expression in hepatocytes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3531. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3531

To compare the capability of differentiation of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) from non-SCLC (NSCLC) between diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) turbo spin-echo imaging.The institutional review board of Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan, approved this study, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient. 49 patients with NSCLC (30 males and 19 females; mean age, 66.8 years) and 7 patients with SCLC (5 males and 2 females; mean age, 68.6 years) enrolled and underwent DWI and STIR. To quantitatively differentiate SCLC from NSCLC, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on DWI and contrast ratios (CRs) between cancer and muscle on STIR were evaluated. ADC values and CRs were then compared between the two cell types by Mann-Whitney's U-tests, and the diagnostic performances were compared by McNemar's test.There were significant differences of mean ADC values (p0.001) and mean CRs (p = 0.003). With adopted threshold values, the specificity (85.7%) and accuracy (85.7%) of DWI were higher than those of STIR (specificity, 63.3%; p = 0.001 and accuracy, 66.1%; p = 0.001). In addition, the accuracy of combination of both indexes (94.6%; p = 0.04) could significantly improve as compared with DWI alone.DWI is more useful for the differentiation of SCLC from NSCLC than STIR, and their combination can significantly improve the accuracy in this setting.Pulmonary MRI, including DWI and STIR, had a potential of the suggestion of the possibility as SCLC.

We describe a variant form, French-American-British (FAB) M3v, of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL; FAB M3) with atypical morphocytochemical features, immature antigens (CD34 and HLA-DR) and marked myelofibrosis (MF). Usual APL cells do not express CD34 or HLA-DR antigens. MF may be more frequently observed in patients with M3v expressing CD34 and HLA-DR antigens than in patients with M3 lacking these antigens. Despite marked MF, recovery from the hypoplastic phase in the case we described was not delayed after remission induction chemotherapy consisting of enocitabine, 200 mg/mi2 intravenously; 6-mercaptopurine, 70 mg/m2 orally for 10 days; daunorubicin 40 mg/m2 intravenously for 4 days; and all-trans retinoic acid 45 mg/M2 orally between days 20 and 33. The promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic-acid receptor (PML-RAR) alpha fusion transcript, according to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), became negative in the bone marrow after the first course of consolidation chemotherapy. Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (autoPBSCT) was carried out after 3 courses of consolidation chemotherapy. There were no specific complications based on MF throughout the clinical course, including engraftment in autoPBSCT. The patient has been without MF and in molecular remission, defined as disappearance of the PML-RAR alpha fusion transcript according to RT-PCR, for 21 months. Longer follow-up will clarify the effects of autoPBSCT on prognosis in APL with MF.

Since Domschke et al.1 reported the first successful treatment of malignant esophageal strictures with an expandable metallic stent in 1990, such stents have been used for palliation of patients with dysphagia caused by malignant esophageal strictures. The few reports of expandable stent placement for benign esophageal strictures indicate that the complication rate is high.2,3 The problem is the frequent occurrence of tissue hyperproliferation and resultant esophageal obstruction. However, little is known about how and when tissue hyperproliferation occurs or how it can be treated. This article reports periodic endoscopic findings in 2 patients with tissue hyperproliferation after stent placement.

In this paper, we derive invariants for discriminating the existence of self-similar parts in the shape of a divergence-convergence boundary of two-dimensional real homogeneous quadratic transformations. A self-similar part in this context includes an infinite number of its own contracted images ranging closely. To explain the properties of this shape, we analyze the self-similarity in the portrait of the behavior of directions in the transformation process. For two-dimensional real homogeneous quadratic transformations, Da-te and Iri gave the invariant series in Ref. (4). We found an additional invariant to discriminate the existence of self-similar parts.

To evaluate the usefulness of interventional radiological treatment for idiopathic portal hypertension.Between 1995 and 1998, we performed an interventional radiological treatment in five patients with idiopathic portal hypertension, four of whom had refused surgery and one of whom had undergone surgery. Three patients with gastroesophageal varices (GEV) were treated by partial splenic embolization (PSE), one patient with esophageal varices (EV) and massive ascites by transjugular intrahepatic portosytemic shunt (TIPS) and PSE, and one patient with GEV by percutaneous transhepatic obliteration (PTO). Midterm results were analyzed in terms of the effect on esophageal and/or gastric varices.In one woman with severe GEV who underwent three sessions of PSE, there was endoscopic confirmation that the GEV had disappeared. In one man his EV shrunk markedly after two sessions of PSE. In two patients slight reduction of the EV was obtained with one application of PSE combined with endoscopic variceal ligation therapy. PTO for GV in one patient resulted in good control of the varices. All patients have survived for 16-42 months since the first interventional treatment, and varices are well controlled.Interventional radiological treatment is effective for patients with idiopathic portal hypertension, whether or not they have undergone surgery.

A calibration-free 64-Gbps/board parallel optical interconnection subsystem was mounted directly on the 4-CPU processor board of the optically connected parallel-processing machine RWC-1/ON (Real World Computer-i, Optical- interconnection-NEC version). The subsystem was composed of eight pairs of an array optical transceiver module and aone-chip link LSI. Even though it used multimode fiber parallel optical modules, parallel data could be transmitted over 1km because of the de-skewing and synchronization action of the link LSI.Keywords: optical interconnection, array, parallel, computer, skew, multimode fiber 1. INTRODUCTION Optical interconnections are in high demand for connecting nodes of parallel processors because high-speed and high-capacity electrical interconnections suffer from various problems (Fig. 1). Inside the ISIs, these problems are (a) highpower consumption, (b) simultaneous on/off of the output line driver block, and (c) restricted number of pins. At the boardlevel, problems are (d) cross-talk, (e) electromagnetic interference, and (f) degradation of the high-speed signal linewaveform. At the inter-board level, problems are (f) waveform degradation, (g) skew, (h) ground-level discontinuity, and( i) large and heavy connectors and cable&5. Some parallel machines used optical interconnection to solve these problems6.However, some problems still remain even when optical interconnections are used.Calibration is necessary for the link length to synchronize the data and the clock at each node. Optical interconnections arenot compact enough to mount on the processor board. So many electrical connections between the processor board andoptical interconnection board will still be needed even when optical interconnections are used. Special skills are needed tohandle optical interconnection, i.e. the system designers must learn about the characteristics of opto-electronic devices (LD5and PDs), fibers, and high-speed analog signals. The biggest problem, however, may be cost.

A Gbyte/s-class optical-interconnection subsystem for a parallel computer was developed and it operated stably in a testbed system of the parallel processing machine RWC-1 (Real World Computer-1). Although it consisted of MMF parallel optical modules, data was transmitted over I km because of the deskew operation of a one-chip transmitter and receiver LSIs. Random packets were transmitted without error over 17.5 hours, which corresponded to a BER of 10 -15 .