Search

Interaction cross sections (σI) for Ne isotopes from the stability line to the vicinity of neutron-drip line have been measured using the RIBF facility at RIKEN. Measurements have been performed for 20–32 Ne on C target at energies around 240 MeV/nucleon. A large enhancement of σI beyond the systematics of stable nuclei have been observed for neutron-rich Ne isotopes. The possible halo structures with lower orbital angular momentum for 29,31 Ne are discussed by the preliminary analysis.

Interaction cross sections ( σ I ) for neutron-rich Ne isotopes, 28–32Ne on C target have been measured at 240A MeV using the RIBF at RIKEN. A large enhancement of σ I beyond the systematics of stable nuclei have been observed for neutron-rich Ne isotopes, particularly for 31Ne. The possible halo structure for 29,31Ne which would be caused by the lowering of the pf-shell and nuclear deformation of Ne isotopes are discussed by the preliminary analysis.

Precise reaction cross sections (${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$) for $^{24\ensuremath{-}38}\mathrm{Mg}$ on C targets at energies around 240 MeV/nucleon have been measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory at RIKEN. The ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{36\ensuremath{-}38}\mathrm{Mg}$ have been measured for the first time. An enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ compared to the systematics for spherical stable nuclei has been observed, especially in the neutron-rich region, which reflects the deformation of those isotopes. In the vicinity of the drip line the ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{37}\mathrm{Mg}$ is especially large. It is shown by analysis using a recently developed theoretical method that this prominent enhancement of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{R}$ for $^{37}\mathrm{Mg}$ should come from the $p$-orbital halo formation breaking the $N=28$ shell gap.

25th International Nuclear Physics Conference, Florence, Italy, 2 Jun 2013 - 7 Jun 2013; The European physical journal / Web of Conferences Web of Conferences : proceedings proceedings 66, 02101 (2014). doi:10.1051/epjconf/20146602101, Published by EDP Sciences, Les Ulis

25th International Nuclear Physics Conference, Florence, Italy, 2 Jun 2013 - 7 Jun 2013; The European physical journal / Web of Conferences Web of Conferences : proceedings proceedings 66, 03084 (2014). doi:10.1051/epjconf/20146603084, Published by EDP Sciences, Les Ulis

In an autopsy case of sporadic rapidly progressive lower motor neuron disease (MND), Gallyas-positive argyrophilic and ubiquitinated filamentous intracytoplasmic inclusions were found in the neurons. Clinically, 7 months prior to death, a 68-year-old woman experienced a history of rapidly progressive muscle weakness of all four extremities and bulbar sign, without sensory and autonomic disturbance. Two months later, she became unable to stand or walk. Four months after onset, she needed respiratory support, and subsequently died due to cardiorespiratory arrest. Neuropathological examinations revealed neuronal loss and associated gliosis in the lower motor neurons, except for ocular motor nuclei, Clark’s column, and accessory cuneate nucleus, and tract degeneration was observed in the middle root zone of the posterior column and spinocerebellar tract. No Bunina bodies or Lewy body-like hyaline inclusions were found in the anterior horns. Gallyas-positive argyrophilic filamentous inclusions were found in the lower motor neurons and in nerve cells of the Clark’s column, intermediate zone, posterior horn and accessory cuneate nucleus. These were positive with anti-ubiquitin antibody but negative with anti-tau (tau-2 and AT8) and neurofilament antibodies. Electron microscopic examinations disclosed randomly arranged tubular-like filamentous profiles, with a diameter of 12–14 nm, sometimes with amorphous granules in the perikaryon. This is the first report on the Gallyas-positive argyrophilic and ubiquitinated filamentous inclusions in neurons in MND.

Objective and Design: To assess prostaglandin (PG) E2 production by osteoblasts during the mineralizing phase after interleukin (IL)-1β stimulation, using an in vitro system of rat calvarial cells cultured for 21 days.¶Methods: The cells, which reached confluence after 3 days, were designated day 0 cells. Culture was continued for a further 21 days after confluence. The cells on the 21st day of the culture were designated day 21 cells.¶Results: The PGE2 concentration in the medium of the day 21 cells was increased 72 h after IL-1β treatment, and reached a peak level approximately 1,400 times that of the day 0 cells 6 h after IL-1β treatment. We examined the effects of IL-1β on PGE2 production and changes in the relevant enzyme activities, and found that the activities of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), type II secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in the day 21 cells were increased. Both selective COX-2 inhibitor and cPLA2 inhibitor abolished PGE2 generation, whereas an sPLA2 inhibitor partially inhibited it. Taken together, these results indicate that COX-2 and cPLA2 play pivotal roles and sPLA2 is involved in IL-1β-stimulated PGE2 production by these cells. Furthermore, we found that IL-1β treatment induced PGE synthase activity and this correlated well with PGE2 production.¶Conclusion: Augmented PGE2 production by mineralizing osteoblasts after IL-1β treatment, and the involvement of IL-1β-induced cPLA2, sPLA2, COX-2 and PGE synthase activities in this phenomenon were demonstrated.

Bovine colostrum that had been collected up to 6 h postpartum was fractionated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, and various fractions were examined for basic fibroblast growth factor activity. Activity that stimulated cell growth was detected in the cream fraction, which was purified by isoelectric focusing and heparin affinity chromatography. Three peaks were eluted from the heparin affinity column at approximately 0.5, 1, and 1.75 M NaCl. Although activity that stimulated cell growth was detected in the second and third peaks, a reaction with antibasic fibroblast growth factor antibody was observed only in the third peak. Fractions in the second and third peaks were examined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Activity that stimulated cell growth was detected in the second and third peaks; however, after Western blot analysis using antibasic fibroblast growth factor, only the third peak yielded positive bands at 15 and 28 kDa. These fractions were further subjected to a neutralization test using antibasic fibroblast growth factor antibody. The activity that stimulated cell growth in the second peak was virtually unchanged; however, the activity in the third peak was diminished, showing a relative activity of less than 10% at 1.25 micrograms/ml. Therefore, neutralization of the activity that stimulates cell growth by antibasic fibroblast growth factor antibody suggests that the third peak, which was eluted at approximately 1.5 to 2 M NaCl in heparin affinity chromatography, might be a basic fibroblast growth factor-like growth factor.

Summary A fibrous histiocytoma cell line, NMSG 10, was derived from a malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), o f human tibia, and its characteristics were examined. MFH was a pleomorphic subtype associated with myxoid and stori f orm areas. Primary culture revealed a mixture o f histiocyte-like cells, fibroblast-like cells and giant cells, but fibroblast-like cells became the major population after several passages in vitro. In addition, NMSG 10 produced a large amount o f viscous material which stained with alcian blue and was digested by byaluronidase. Thus, this viscous material was a single component o f glycosaminoglycans: hyaluronic acid (HA). The cells were spindle-shaped with well-developed cyto plasmic organelles and collagenous filaments, and a colloid iron-positive substance was observed in intercellular spaces. In scid mice, the mixed populations o f neoplastic cells appeared similar in histology to that o f the original tumor. These findings indicated that NMSG 10 expresses the unique properties o f MFH, and should therefore be useful in studies on the biological behavior, and especially the presence o f HA in MFH.

Although good to excellent short-term results of arthroscopic partial limbectomy of the hip have been reported, there is little information on the long-term outcome of the procedure. We report a case with a 16-year follow-up. A 34-year old woman presented with a three-month history of severe pain and limitation of movement of the hip. Plain radiographs and arthrography showed no abnormality. MRI showed an effusion and a deformity of the anterosuperior part of the labrum. This was confirmed as an inverted labral tear that was debrided arthroscopically. At 16 years post-operatively, she remained symptom-free. Plain radiographs showed no abnormality and MRI suggested that the sealing effect of the scar tissue prevented articular damage and degeneration.

Background. Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. BO is pathologically characterized by neovascularized fibro-obliteration of the allograft airway. A recent study has shown that aberrant angiogenesis during fibro-obliteration contributes to the pathogenesis of BO. Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) has been isolated as a vascular endothelial growth factor―inducible gene in endothelial cells (ECs) that inhibits migration and proliferation of ECs and exhibits anti-angiogenic activity in vivo. Purpose. This study examines whether VASH1 inhibits fibro-obliteration of the allograft in a murine intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation model. Method. Tracheal allografts of BALB/c mouse were transplanted into the left lung of recipient C57BL/6J mouse. We performed gene transfer to the recipient lungs using an adenovirus vector encoding human VASH1 (Ad-VASH1) or beta- garactosidase (Ad-LacZ) as the control. Tracheal allografts were harvested and pathological on days 21 and 28. Result. Ad-VASH1 treatment reduced the vascular area on day 21 (4.6% versus 13.0%, P = .037) and day 28 (5.4% versus 13.4%, P = .022) compared with the control group. This was accompanied by significantly inhibited luminal obliteration of the tracheal allografts in the animals transferred with Ad-VASH1 compared with the control (69% versus 93%, P = .028) on day 21. We were not able to observe this effect on day 28 (92% versus 97%, P = .48). Conclusion. Transgene expression of VASH1 in the recipient lung significantly attenuated luminal obliteration of the tracheal allograft; this was associated with significantly reduced aberrant angiogenesis in the fibro-obliterative tissue in a murine model intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation.

It has been postulated that physical immobilization is an essential factor in developing chronic pain after trauma or surgery in an extremity. However, the mechanisms of sustained immobilization-induced chronic pain remain poorly understood. The present study, therefore, aimed to develop a rat model for chronic post-cast pain (CPCP) and to clarify the mechanism(s) underlying CPCP. To investigate the effects of cast immobilization on pain behaviours in rats, one hindlimb was immobilized for 2 weeks with a cast and remobilization was conducted for 10 weeks. Cast immobilization induced muscle atrophy and inflammatory changes in the immobilized hindlimb that began 2 h after cast removal and continued for 1 week. Spontaneous pain-related behaviours (licking and reduction in weight bearing) in the immobilized hindlimb were observed for 2 weeks, and widespread mechanical hyperalgesia in bilateral calves, hindpaws and tail all continued for 5-10 weeks after cast removal. A sciatic nerve block with lidocaine 24 h after cast removal transitorily abolished bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia in CPCP rats, suggesting that sensory inputs originating in the immobilized hindlimb contribute to the mechanism of both ipsilateral and contralateral hyperalgesia. Intraperitoneal injection of the free radical scavengers 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperydine-1-oxy1 or N-acetylcysteine 24 h after cast removal clearly inhibited mechanical hyperalgesia in bilateral calves and hindpaws in CPCP rats. These results suggest that cast immobilization induces ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the hindlimb and consequent production of oxygen free radicals, which may be involved in the mechanism of widespread hyperalgesia in CPCP rats.

Reaction cross sections for stable nuclei at intermediate energies have been measured precisely and systematically. The data have been found to be reproduced nicely by the optical‐limit approximation of Glauber theory modified to include the nucleon multiple scattering effect and the Fermi‐motion effect. Applying this prescription, the nucleon density distribution of 17Ne has been studied. The surface structure of 8B and 11Be has been also studied using this prescription and hydrogen targets. Using the RIBF that has just started application to studies of exotic nuclei, neutron‐rich Ne isotopes around the Island of Inversion have been investigated through measurements of their interaction cross sections.

Significant amounts of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were found in amyloid fibril preparations. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis to fractionate GAG mixtures, we quantified and identified for the first time the GAGs of the fibrils from carpal synovium of patients with amyloid associated with chronic hemodialysis. The total GAG content was small, but the GAG distribution (high relative content of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid and lack of the other GAGs) was unique, unlike that for the other amyloid fibril preparations. The amyloid-rich heart, liver, and spleen tissues, as well as the fibrils isolated from these tissues of patients with systemic forms (primary amyloid and secondary amyloid) of amyloid disease, were also analyzed for GAGs. Fibrils from heart tissue of a patient with primary amyloidosis, now examined for the first time, contained four major GAGs (chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulfate).

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is characterized by ectopic bone formation in the spinal ligaments. It has been suggested some role of mechanical stress in the progression of OPLL. Differential display RT-PCR was carried out to identify the genes participating in OPLL. A cDNA fragment corresponding to PGI2 synthase was highly expressed in OPLL cells compared to non-OPLL cells. To examine the effect of mechanical stress on the PGI2 synthase expression, cells were subjected to cyclic stretch and PGI2 synthase expression was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Cyclic stretch induced a time-dependent increase in PGI2 synthase in OPLL cells but not in non-OPLL cells. The increase in PGI2 synthase was diminished by SQ22536, a potent adenylate cyclase inhibitor. Cyclic stretch also induced PGI2 production. Beraprost and dibutyryl cAMP increased the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a marker for osteogenic differentiation in OPLL cells, whereas no change was observed in non-OPLL cells. Beraprost- and stretch-induced increases in ALP expressions were inhibited by SQ22536. These data suggest that PGI2 synthase activated by mechanical stress plays a key role in the progression of OPLL, at least in part through the osteogenic differentiation in spinal ligament cells via the PGI2/cAMP system.

The charge build-up evaluation technique in semiconductor wafer processing such as ion implantation and plasma processing by using the MOS capacitor with charge collecting electrode (antenna) has been proposed. The estimation of charge build-up during ion implantation has been successfully demonstrated by using this technique. The charge detection sensitivity of a small area MOS capacitor can be improved by using the antenna structure. To estimate charge build-up quantitatively, gate oxide thickness, substrate type, capacitor area and antenna ratio should be carefully chosen. This technique is very useful to estimate charge build-up in conjunction with other charge build-up detection techniques such as EEPROM.

In order to make clear the structural role of the C-terminal amide group of endomorphin-2 (EM2, H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2), an endogenous mu-receptor ligand, in the biological function, the solution conformations of endomorphin-2 and its C-terminal free acid (EM2OH, H-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-OH), studied using two-dimensional 1H NMR measurements and molecular modeling calculations, were compared. Both peptides were in equilibrium between the cis and trans isomers around the Tyr-Pro omega bond in a population ratio of approximately/= 1:2. The lack of significant temperature and concentration dependence of NH protons suggested that the NMR spectra reflected the conformational features of the respective molecules themselves. Fifty possible 3D structures for the each isomer were generated by the dynamical simulated annealing method under the proton-proton distance constraints derived from the ROE cross-peaks. These energy-minimized conformers, which were all in the phi torsion angles estimated from J(NHCalphaH) coupling constants within +/- 30 degrees, were then classified in groups one or two according to the folding backbone structures. All trans and cis EM2 conformers adopt an open conformation in which their extended backbone structures are twisted at the Pro2-Phe3 moiety. In contrast, the trans and cis conformers of EM2OH show conformational variation between the 'bow'-shaped extended and folded backbone structures, although the cis conformers of its zwitterionic form are refined into the folded structure of the close disposition of C- and N-terminal groups. These results indicate clearly that the substitution of carboxyl group for C-terminal amide group makes the peptide flexible. The conformational requirement for mu-receptor activation has been discussed based on the active form proposed for endomorphin-1 and by comparing conformational features of EM2 and EM2OH.

In the 1980s, new methods such as intra-operative ultrasonography, hemihepatic vascular occlusion and ultrasonically guided subsegmentectomy were introduced in clinical practice for use in hepatic surgery. Because of the progress, surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinomas associated with cirrhosis became safer, and curativity and hepatic functional preservation were promoted. The long-term survival rate after operation has improved. Recently, the use of the procedures of vascular surgery transplant surgery has allowed the indication for hepatectomy to be expanded. Here we describe the transition and progress in hepatic surgery.

The purpose of our investigation was to assess the usefulness of three-dimensional color Doppler sonography (velocity mode and power mode) for the differential diagnosis of subpleural lesions. Thirty lesions (11 pneumonias, 5 lung abscesses, 11 primary lung cancers, 3 metastatic lung cancers) were examined. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed by a maximum intensity projection method. Three-dimensional representations of intralesional blood flow became available for all lesions approximately 11 seconds after scanning. In every case, the entire vasculature of the tumor, the pneumonia, the abscess, or the inflamed region of the lung was appreciated more easily from three-dimensional images than from two-dimensional images. We classified the color flow pattern of subpleural lesions depicted by color flow imaging into seven groups. Color flow was depicted better by the three-dimensional color Doppler power mode than the velocity mode. Three-dimensional color flow patterns observed in power mode, patterns of the pneumonias and the lung cancers differed significantly. Our results suggest that the three-dimensional color Doppler power mode is useful for the differential diagnosis of subpleural lesions.

An inner-covered Spiral Z-stent (IC-SZ) developed by our group was examined for its effectiveness in preventing migration by experimental comparison with commercially available esophageal covered stents.The following six types of stents were used: inner-covered Spiral Z-stents with diameters of 16 mm (small IC-SZ) and 19 mm (large IC-SZ), outer-covered Spiral Z-stent (OC-SZ), covered Wallstent, covered Ultraflex stent, and Cook Z-stent. Experimental models were prepared using clay to simulate stenosis of the esophagogastric junction or anastomosis site due to tumor, and each stent was placed in the clay. After the stent had been fully expanded with a balloon catheter, one of its ends was pulled until the stent migrated out of the clay, and the traction force was measured. The inner cavity of the stent placed in the clay was observed using an endoscope.The mean maximal traction force required to pull the stents out of the clay were as follows, in decreasing order: 4.14 +/- 0.39 kg for the large IC-SZ, 4.12 +/- 0.83 kg for the small IC-SZ, 3.64 +/- 0.44 kg for the Cook Z-stent (p0.05), 3.34 +/- 0.62 kg for the covered Ultraflex stent (p0.05), 1.53 +/- 0.43 kg for the OC-SZ (p0.01), and 0.56 +/- 0.16 kg for the covered Wallstent (p0.01). The force required to pull out the large IC-SZ stent was the greatest, showing a significant difference from the values for the other four types of stents (excluding the small IC-SZ). Observation using an endoscope revealed that the wire of the IC-SZ stent was almost entirely embedded in the clay, whereas the wires of other stents were not.The IC-SZ stent may be less likely to migrate than other esophageal covered stents.

Postoperative recovery of patients with chronic subdural haematoma (CSH) was investigated by comparing pre- and postoperative coagulant and fibrinolytic activity in the haematoma contents of 15 patients with SCH. Patients in this study were treated draining the haematoma cavity without irrigation, a procedure dubbed the closed drainage. Haematomas were collected during, and 24 hrs after, surgery. Postoperative fibrinolytic activity was lower than that observed pre-operatively. In particular, levels of tissue plasminogen activator activity (TPA), and fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) all decreased. In contrast, coagulant activity increased postoperatively. This paper will discuss the role of local coagulofibrinolysis in the postoperative recovery of CSH patients.

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using plantinum coils was performed in 10 patients over 80 years of age. The patients ranged in age from 81 to 96 years. Preoperative Hunt and Kosnik grading revealed one patient in grade I, 4 in grade II, 3 in grade III, and 2 in grade IV. The aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery in 6 patients, in the anterior communicating artery in 1, and in the middle cerebral artery in 3 respectively. Intra-aneurysmal occlusion was accomplished in 8 patients with total or subtotal occlusion in 6 and partial occlusion in 2. In one patient with a peripheral middle cerebral artery aneurysm, the parent artery was occluded just proximal to the aneurysm. In the remaining one patient in grade III, an aneurysm associated with wide neck could not be occluded because of coil protrusion into the parent artery. In 9 patients who were successfully treated, all five patients in grade I or II and one in grade III resulted in good outcome, but the other three patients in grade III and IV showed poor outcome. No evidence of recurrent hemorrhage was noted during the follow-up period ranging from 2 months to 4 years. Endovascular coil embolization is a useful therapeutic alternative for treating ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients over 80 years of age, especially those in Grade I or II.

To evaluate the accuracy of pulsed Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) and color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) for the screening of arterial occlusive disease in the pelvis and lower extremities.We studied 52 patients with intermittent claudication or lower extremity "coolness." Pulsed Doppler waveforms were measured in the inguinal and popliteal regions and were classified according to their pattern. Patients with abnormal waveforms underwent subsequent CDUS evaluation from the aortic bifurcation to the popliteal arteries. All patients also underwent conventional angiography.All stenoses (50%) and occlusions on angiography were detected by PDUS. The combination of PDUS and CDUS allowed detection of 78.0% of stenotic lesions (50% narrowing) and 96.6% of occlusive lesions in the iliofemoral regions and in 100% of stenotic lesions (50% narrowing) and occlusive lesions in the femoropopliteal regions. PDUS required approximately 3 min. About more 5 min are required when CDUS was added.Combined PDUS and CDUS appears to be a rapid, highly sensitive means of screening for arterial occlusive disease in the pelvis and lower extremities.

Unipolar brush cells (UBCs) are a class of small neurons that are densely concentrated in the granular layers of the vestibulocerebellar cortex and dorsal cochlear nucleus. The UBCs form giant synapses with individual mossy fibre rosettes on the dendrioles which make up their brush formations and are provided with numerous, unusual non-synaptic appendages. In accord with the glutamatergic nature of mossy fibres, our previous post-embedding immunocytochemical studies indicated that various ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits are localized at the post-synaptic densities of the giant synapses, whereas the non-synaptic appendages are immunonegative. On the contrary, the metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluR1alpha and mGluR2/3 are situated at the non-synaptic appendages and are lacking at the post-synaptic densities. Other authors, however, have shown that antibodies to these metabotropic receptors stain both appendages and post-synaptic densities. In the present study, we have re-evaluated the distribution of metabotropic glutamate receptors in the UBCs of the cerebellum and the cochlear nuclear complex by light and electron microscopic pre-embedding immunocytochemistry with subtype-specific antibodies. We confirm that UBCs dendritic brushes are densely immunostained by antibody to mGluR1alpha particularly in the cerebellum and that antibody to mGluR2/3 labels at least a percentage of the UBC brushes in both the cerebellum and cochlear nuclei. At the ultrastructural level, it appears that mGluR1alpha and mGluR2/3 immunoreactivities are not associated with the post-synaptic densities of the giant mossy fibre-UBC synapses, but instead are concentrated on the non-synaptic appendages of the cerebellar UBCs. The non-synaptic appendages, therefore, may be an important avenue for regulating the excitability of UBCs and mediating glutamate effects on their still unknown intracellular signal transduction cascades. We also show that the pre-synaptic densities of UBC dendrodendritic junctions are mGluR2/3 positive. As previously demonstrated, antibodies to mGluR1alpha and mGluR2/3 label subsets of Golgi cells. Antibody to mGluR5 does not stain UBCs in the cerebellum and cochlear nucleus and reveals the somatodendritic compartment of Golgi cells situated in the core of the cerebellar granular layer, whilst cochlear nucleus Golgi cells are mGluR5 negative.

To assess the clinical value of three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler imaging of intratumoral blood flow.Two hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), one renal cell carcinoma, one hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and one iliac bone metastasis of HCC were used. Images were collected by power mode using the GE-Yokogawa LOGIQ 700. Power Doppler images were recorded on S-VHS videotape and fed into a workstation. Flow information was then extracted, and 3D images were constructed by surface rendering.Preparation of 3D images could be accomplished in one minute after feeding flow information into the workstation. Intratumoral vascular structure could be easily evaluated. This 3D imaging was useful for the differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors, especially HCC and FNH, which were confirmed in 3D imaging to have distinctly different intratumoral vascular structures.3D imaging of intratumoral blood flow was possible by 3D processing of the power Doppler images. 3D power Doppler imaging is expected to be helpful for the differential diagnosis of tumors.

Dynamic SPECT was performed using 201TICI in a total of 21 gliomas, 14 cases of glioblastoma multiforme (GM) and 7 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), to investigate the relationship between test results and malignancy. The accumulation of isotope (counts/pixel) in the tumor was measured every 3 minutes with dynamic SPECT. The initial 3-minute value was reduced from subsequent accumulations (counts/minute) to obtain the time-activity curve (TAC). Thallium index (TL index), the ratio of 15-minute accumulation in the tumor to that in the same region of the contralateral normal brain, was also calculated. TL index was significantly higher (p0.05, Mann-Whitney test) in GM (6.25 +/- 1.97) than in AA (4.10 +/- 1.66), although no clear differential value could be determined between the two. TAC in the GM group showed that compared with the initial 3-minute value, accumulation increased significantly (p0.05) at every measurement point after isotope injection: 6 minutes, 0.660 +/- 0.671; 9 minutes, 1.322 +/- 1.319; 12 minutes, 1.315 +/- 1.632 and 15 minutes, 1.234 +/- 1.552. The increase in isotope accumulation in the tumor after 6 minutes or later was noted in 11 of the 14 cases in the GM group. In the AA group, however, there were no significant differences between the initial 3-minute value and value after 6 minutes (-0.283 +/- 0.462), 9 minutes (-0.574 +/- 0.681), 12 minutes (-0.690 +/- 0.611) and 15 minutes (-0.707 +/- 0.636) after isotope injection. A decrease in isotope accumulation in the tumor after 6 minutes or later was noted in 6 of the 7 cases in the AA group. Compared with static SPECT, dynamic SPECT, which can be performed easily and quickly, is more useful in clinical settings because of its high ability to differentiate the grade of malignancy of gliomas.

The role of substance P in experimental allergic conjunctivitis induced by egg albumin was investigated with guinea pigs. Increase in vascular permeability of the conjunctiva induced by antigen was significantly inhibited after repeated application of capsaicin. Substance P contents in the conjunctiva of guinea pig were decreased by topical instillation of antigen to the eyes, suggesting that substance P was released from the conjunctiva due to antigen-antibody reaction. Moreover, subconjunctival injection of substance P resulted in a dose-related conjunctivitis, and vascular permeability in the conjunctiva was also increased by substance P. In substance P-induced conjunctivitis, a significant edema was observed in the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, but no hyperemia was noted in all instances. Histamine contents of the conjunctiva and tears were not influenced by subconjunctival injection of substance P. However, topical application of antigen and subconjunctival injection of compound 48/80 caused a significant decrease in histamine content, and content of tear was increased by both treatments. An increase in vascular permeability induced by antigen application was significantly inhibited by intravenous injection of FK-888, which is a specific and potent NK1 receptor antagonist. From these results, it is suggested that substance P is responsible for allergic conjunctivitis to some extent, and the conjunctival hyperpermeability induced by substance P occurs through NK1 receptor on the blood vessels, rather than by the direct action on the conjunctival mast cells during allergic conjunctival reactions.

Concurrent use of two different isotopes, 201T1C1 and 123I-IMP, in SPECT is useful in separative evaluation of tumor metabolism and peritumoral circulation. Three dimensional SPECT employed in our study has an obvious advantage over two dimensional SPECT for its accurate imaging of tumors and peritumoural areas. Changes of tumor metabolism and regional circulation in peritumoral edematous tissues were investigated by fused 3-D SPECT images using 201T1C1 and 123I-IMP. In this study, the volume of isotope accumulative and isotope defective regions were measured. Fusion of SPECT images was performed by the use of panning visualization software; Application Visualization System Medical View (K.G.T.). The threshold of 3-D rendering was determined by conforming the volume of the hemisphere and of the tumor estimated on CT to the volume of 123I-IMP and 201T1C1 accumulating area respectively. Accumulative volume of 201T1C1 in the tumor decreased remarkably at 7 days after radiosurgery (p0.01). Defective volume of peritumoral hypoperfusion was measured on 3-D SPECT. The average volume was 80.5 + 32.5cm3 before radiosurgery. It decreased by approximately 60% at 7 days after radiosurgery (p0.05). Analysis of 3-D SPECT images using two different isotope tracers is reliable and useful to evaluate early the changes of metabolism and peritumoral circulation in or around intracerebral tumors.

We report a 29-year-old man with diabetes insipidus and cerebellar ataxia who developed spinal cord swelling 15 years after the onset. He was well until 14 years of the age when he noted dizziness. Two years after there was an onset of gait disturbance and slurred speech. He also noted polydipsia and polyuria. He was evaluated at the neurosurgery service of our hospital when he was 17 years of the age. Neurologic examination at that time revealed memory loss, horizontal nystagmus, cerebellar ataxic gait, dysmetria and decomposition more on the left. Cranial CT scan revealed a mass lesion involving the left subthalamic region and the head of the caudate area. Spinal fluid was unremarkable, however, human chorionic gonadotropin was increased to 27 mIU/ml. He was treated by radiation therapy (3,000 rads for total brain area and 5,460 rads for focal region). His CT scan and memory loss improved, however, cerebellar ataxia was unchanged. Three years after the radiation, he started to show choreic movement in his neck and left upper extremity. He was admitted to our service in August 14, 1995 when he was 29 years of the age. On admission, he was alert but disoriented to time; calculation was also poor. Higher cerebral functions were intact. The optic fundi were normal without papilledema. Visual field appeared intact. Gaze nystagmus was observed in all the directions, but more prominent in the horizontal direction. Speech was slurred. Otherwise, cranial nerves were unremarkable. Motor wise, he showed marked truncal and gait ataxia; he was unable to walk because of ataxia. Muscle atrophy and marked weakness was noted in both upper extremities more on the left side. Deep tendon reflexes were diminished in the upper extremities but active in the lower extremities. He was polyuric; urinary specific gravity was low. Spinal fluid contained 6 cells/cmm and 113 mg/ dl of protein; Queckenstedt was positive. MRI revealed swelling of the cervical cord; in addition, the entire cervical region and the medullar oblongata appeared as high signal intensity areas. No mass lesion was noted in the supratentorial structures but the third ventricle was markedly enlarged. Surgical biopsy was performed on the cervical lesion. The patient was discussed in neurologic CPC, and the chief discussant arrived at the conclusion that the patient had germinoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells in the diencephalic region which appeared to have been cured by radiation therapy; he thought that the cervical lesion was the seeding of germinoma. Cerebellar ataxia was ascribed to the remote effect of germinoma. Most of the participants thought that the original tumor was germinoma and the cervical lesion was its spread. Some participants thought that his ataxia was caused by germinoma cells involving the medulla and the inferior cerebellar peduncles. Histologic observation of the biopsied tissue from the spinal cord revealed the typical two cell patterned germinoma. Most of the tumor cells were not stained for an antibody against HCG, but some tumor cells were positively stained. Germinoma is very radio-sensitive; this patient showed T2 high signal lesion involving the medulla oblongata and cervical cord continuously. Probably, tumor cells in the lower brain stem escaped radiation, and gradually spread to the spinal cord over many years. At the time of operation, the surface of the spinal cord was free from tumor cells. Therefore, tumor cells invaded the spinal cord continuously from the medulla oblongata. He was treated with cervical radiation, and his neurologic as well as radiologic findings showed marked improvement.

To clarify the optimal dose of Lipiodol (Andre Guerbet, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France) during Lipiodol-transcatheter arterial embolization (L-TAE) and segmental L-TAE used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, we studied the relationship between the volume of Lipiodol used during these procedures and the necrosis rates in resected specimens, as well as the correlation with the Lipiodol accumulation pattern based on the computed tomography findings (L-CT) and the volume of Lipiodol in resected and nonresected cases after L-TAE or segmental L-TAE. The L-CT and the dose of Lipiodol injected (mL) were studied correlatively in 198 cases (28 resected cases and 170 nonresected cases; tumor sizeor = 5 cm in 52 cases and5 cm in 118 cases) that underwent L-TAE and in 80 cases (14 resected cases and 66 nonresected cases, tumor sizeor = 5 cm in 52 cases and5 cm in 14 cases) that underwent segmental L-TAE. The L-CT was classified into four types: type I, homogeneous accumulation (type Ia, accumulation around the tumor; type Ib, no accumulation around the tumor); type II, partial defect; type III, sporadic accumulation; and type IV, punctate or no accumulation. In the 42 resected cases (L-TAE, 28 cases; segmental L-TAE, 14 cases), type I was seen in 68% (Ib, 100%) of the L-TAE cases and 93% (Ia, 79%; Ib, 14%) of the segmental L-TAE cases. The necrosis rate of the cases with type Ib L-CT was 90% to 100%, and all type Ia cases showed complete necrosis. In the 236 nonresected cases (L-TAE, 170 cases; segmental L-TAE, 66 cases), the volume of Lipiodol injected correlated with the L-CT type. In the L-TAE cases with a tumor sizeor =5 cm, the frequency of the injected Lipiodol volume (D) being greater than the tumor diameter (d) (Dor = d) was 90%, and 87% of the cases with Dor = d showed type Ib L-CT. In the group whose tumor diameter (d) was more than 5 cm, the frequency of Dor = d was 25%, and 70% of the cases of Dor = d were type Ib. The frequency of Dd was 75%, and in 13% of these cases the L-CT was type Ib and the maximum dose was approximately 10 mL. In segmental L-TAE using the same dose of Lipiodol as in L-TAE, the frequency of Dor = d was 83%, and 93% of those cases showed type I, including 85% of type Ia. There was a correlation between the L-CT type and the necrosis rate, and type I, especially Ia in segmental L-TAE, showed complete necrosis in almost all cases. In L-TAE, standards for the optimal dose of Lipiodol are thought to be as follows: Dor = d in cases with dor = 5, and slightly Dd and 10 mL maximally in cases with d5. In segmental L-TAE using the same dose of Lipiodol as in L-TAE, enhancement of the therapeutic effect was seen compared with L-TAE. This is surmised to have been because of the higher Lipiodol volume with anticancer agents per unit volume of the tumor in segmental L-TAE.

To clarify the correlation between the histopathological findings and MR signal intensity of the cyst wall, fifteen cystic metastatic brain tumors of eleven patients were imaged using a 0.5T MR unit just before surgery, and the MRI findings were correlated with the histopathological findings of resected lesions. On T2-weighted images, all cyst walls showed hypointensity. On T1-weighted images, the intensity of the cyst wall could be classified into three groups, compared with the cerebral cortex. Walls with hyperintensity on T1WI(group H; n = 6) consisted of ample tumor cells, blood vessels and connective tissues, suggesting viable tumor cells. Iso-intense walls on T1W1(group I; n = 3)had abundant reactive glial tissues. Hypointense walls on T1W1 (group L; n = 5)revealed hemorrhage and/or hemosicerin in the wall, suggesting hemorrhagic necrosis. Thus a good correlation was demonstrated between the MR signal intensities and histopathological findings of cyst walls of cystic metastatic brain tumors. This may contribute not only to more precise diagnosis on MRI but also to more planning for treatment of cystic brain metastases.

Epileptogenic activity induced by combined treatment with antiinflammatory drugs and enoxacin was investigated in chronic electrode-implanted rats. Ferubinac ethyl and aspirin DL-lysine showed a spike and wave complex in EEG without showing remarkable behavioral changes when they were injected intraventricularly, although a relatively high dose was needed. Enoxacin, on the other hand, elicited potent epileptogenic activity characterized by uninterrupted high voltage spike and wave complex at doses of 50 and 100 micrograms. At the same time, rats showed hyperactivity, jumping and violent convulsion. Combined treatment with enoxacin (p.o.) and ferubinac ethyl (i.v.) caused potent epileptogenic activity characterized by uninterrupted burst of high voltage spike and wave complex. Behaviorally, animals showed forelimb clonus, head nodding and generalized convulsion. High voltage spike and wave complex was also observed after combined treatment with enoxacin (i. vent.) and ferubinac ethyl (i.v. or i. vent.) in association with hyperactivity and jumping and violent convulsion. Nicardipine remarkably inhibited epileptic seizures induced by combined treatment with enoxacin (p.o.) and ferubinac ethyl (i.v.). It is concluded that simultaneous treatment with enoxacin and ferubinac ethyl produced epileptogenic activity when injected intraventricularly, and nicardipine inhibited convulsions induced by combined use of enoxacin (p.o.) and ferubinac ethyl (i.v.).

The anticancer drug distribution in pelvic arterial infusion chemotherapy with bilateral internal iliac arterial catheter placement with coil occlusion of the superior, inferior and obturator arteries was indirectly evaluated by serially performed DSA, CTA and RI on 18 patients with pelvic malignancies. The distribution was judged to be Excellent (E), defined as uniform distribution in the entire lesion alone, in 9 of 18 patients (50%) evaluated prior to the start of the arterial infusion (AI), and as Good (G), defined as uniform distribution in the entire lesion and partly on an unaffected portion, in 9 (50%). Of the 11 patients evaluated after 7 times AI, E was found in 3 patients (27%), G in 7 (64%) and Fair (F), defined as distribution with a defect in the lesion, in one patient (9%). Of the 11 patients evaluated after 14 AI, E was found in 5 (45%), G in 4 (36%) and F in 2 (18%). Of the 7 patients evaluated after 21 AI, E was found in 2 (29%), G in 4 (57%) and F in one (14%). G was found in 2 of 2 patients (100%) evaluated after 28 AI. These results suggest that this method can maintain a favorable anticancer drug distribution even after multiple sessions of AI.

The central effect of olopatadine (((Z)-11-[3-dimethylamino)propylidene)-6, 11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid hydrochloride, CAS 140462-76-6, KW-4679) was studied in comparison with those of ketotifen and doxepin using spontaneous EEG and EEG spectral powers in conscious rats. Both ketotifen (20 mg/kg p.o.) and doxepin (20 mg/kg p.o.) caused drowsy patterns in spontaneous EEG characterized by slow waves of high amplitude at the frontal cortex, occipital cortex and amygdala, and by disappearance of the regularity in theta waves recorded from the hippocampus. In EEG spectral powers, both drugs caused a significant increase in the power densities of the delta band recorded from the frontal cortex, occipital cortex and amygdala. On the contrary, no visible changes were elicited by the treatment with olopatadine (20 mg/kg p.o.) in both spontaneous EEG and EEG spectral powers recorded from the frontal cortex, occipital cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. These results indicate that olopatadine provides no remarkable effect on the central nervous system.

Recently, interventional radiology (IVR) has been playing an important role as a treatment for the arterial occlusive diseases. Balloon angioplasty (PTA) is widely used for the stenotic lesions and clinical results are acceptable. However, some other procedures are frequently needed, and metallic stents (MS) are useful quite often. There are three main groups of stents: self-expanding stainless metallic stents (Z-stent, Wallstent), balloon-expandable stents (Palmaz stent, Strecker stent), and shape memory alloy stents, which are not clinically available for the iliac and femoro-popliteal arteries now in Japan except for Palmaz stent. However, it is expected that these MS will be available soon. In this paper we described the clinical utility of PTA and MS for the arterial occlusive diseases in the iliac and femoro-popliteal lesions based on our experience and past reports and also mentioned the future of IVR.

Selective high uptake of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) in the brain tumors is not common, the mechanism of uptake in the brain tumor is not yet clearly understood. Among 26 cases of gliomas investigated by dynamic SPECT, 4 cases including 2 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 2 cases of oligodendroglioma, showed high uptake of 123I-IMP. New three detector type camera which enables us to investigate rapid successive scanning, was used in our study. In dynamic SPECT, 15 successive scans of 2 minutes interval were made for 30 minutes after administration of 123I-IMP. In addition, quick dynamic SPECT was tried in 2 cases, in which 10 quick successive scans of 24 seconds interval were investigated for initial 4 minutes immediately after administration of 123I-IMP. Radioactivity in the region of interest inside the tumor (T) and radioactivity of the corresponding site in the contralateral hemisphere (C) was measured respectively, and T/C ratio was calculated. Time course change of radioactivity (time activity curve: TAC) was analyzed in all cases. Radioactivity was always higher in the tumor and the average T/C ratio was 1.40. TAC showed rapid increase of 123I-IMP in the tumor during initial 2 minutes after administration and keeping its high plateau level for 30 minutes. Angiography in these cases revealed a remarkable tumor stain. On the other hand, these gliomas showed no or slight enhancement effect in CT or MRI. These findings are interpretable as that early high uptake of 123I-IMP in some gliomas is attributable to an increased vascular bed and blood flow with no or minimal derangement of blood brain barrier in these tumors.

As chemoembolotherapy (TAE) for relatively small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) including small HCC of less than 2 cm in diameter, which is restricted to a sub-subsegment, subsegment or segment of the liver, segmental Lp-TAE using Lipiodol (Lp) mixed with an anticancer agent, which includes subsegmental and sub-sub-segmental therapy, not restricted to the tumor-bearing segment, is expected to move to the forefront of HCC treatments and also causes fewer complications and less strain to the patient. Of the 15 cases that underwent surgery following segmental Lp-TAE, complete necrosis was found histopathologically in more than 80% of the main tumor, satellite nodules in the embolized region and areas of capsular invasion. Its therapeutic efficacy for 51 cases with tumors smaller than 3 cm was comparable to that of surgery.

The usefulness of color Doppler sonography for the assessment of intrahepatic hemodynamics and shunt patency was evaluated in a total of eight patients in whom the intrahepatic hemodynamics before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) could be serially examined by color Doppler sonography. In six of these patients the serial sonographic examinations could be followed for more than one year after TIPS creation. Within one month after TIPS creation, Vmax in the shunt was ranged from 87 cm/sec to 242 cm/sec (mean: 142.5 cm/ sec), and the flow direction in the right anterior portal vein was reversed in all patients. More than 70% stenosis of the shunt could be diagnosed by color Doppler sonography. When the shunt was confirmed by angiography to be more than 70% stenotic or occluded, Vmax in the shunt was decreased to less than 50 cm/sec and the blood flow in the right anterior portal vein become hepatopetal. From three months before stenosis or occlusion of the shunt, it was confirmed that Vmax in the shunt was less than 70 cm/sec or the blood flow of right anterior portal vein was hepatopetal. Color Doppler sonography was useful for the assessment of intrahepatic hemodynamics, and shunt patency and prediction of shunt stenosis or occlusion following TIPS creation.

We compared power Doppler sonography (PDS) with conventional color Doppler sonography (CDS) in the visualization of intratumoral blood flow of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and evaluated the usefulness of PDS for assessing of the effects of TAE with Lipiodol and anticancer agents (Lp-TAE) and for the diagnosis of recurrence of HCC after Lp-TAE. The ability of PDS and CDS to visualize intratumoral blood flow was compared in 36 patients with HCC, and the usefulness of PDS for the diagnosis of HCC was evaluated. Also, in 17 patients with HCC who underwent Lp-TAE, the usefulness of PDS for evaluating the therapeutic effects of Lp-TAE and the diagnosis of recurrence after Lp-TAE was examined. The ability of PDS to visualize intratumoral blood flow and delineate tortuous and meandering intratumoral vasculature was superior to that of CDS. The effects of Lp-TAE could be evaluated and recurrence detected accurately and easily by PDS on the basis of residual intratumoral blood flow and the appearance of new blood flow. PDS is expected to achieve widespread acceptance as a useful imaging modality for the diagnosis of HCC, assessment of therapeutic effects of TAE, and detection of recurrence of HCC after TAE.

We compared fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FAST-FLAIR) images with Turbo SE T2-weighted images to evaluate the detectability of small ischemic lesions in the brain.Thirty-six cases of multiple cerebral ischemic lesions were examined with FAST-FLAIR and Turbo SE imaging. The detectability of lesions, ability to discriminate lesions from the cortex, visualization of perivascular space, and visualization of brainstem lesions were compared between the two sequences.The total number of lesions detected on both sequences was 534 in 36 cases. Six lesions in three cases were detected only on FAST-FLAIR, and one lesion in one case was detected only on the Turbo SE. All the 52 lesions located close to the cortex could be discriminated from the cortex on the FAST-FLAIR images, while 23 of these lesions could not be discriminated on the Turbo SE. Perivascular spaces were not visualized as areas of high signal on the FAST-FLAIR images. Pontine lesions that were visualized in four cases were clearer on the Turbo SE images than on the FAST-FLAIR images.The FAST-FLAIR images were shown to be useful in the detection of ischemic lesions and in distinguishing them from the surrounding normal structures. The FAST-FLAIR sequence is expected to become a new additional routine sequence.

For determining the spread of multiple bone lesions in generalized disseminated atypical mycobacteriosis a rare disease, bone scintigraphy was found useful in our two patients. They were both female, and the pathogenic microbe was M. avium intracellulare complex. The disease appeared to have been induced by defatigation. The depression of cellular immunocompetence was also suspected to be responsible. Bone scintigraphy disclosed multiple abnormal accumulations systematically. The Definitive diagnosis in these cases was established by biopsy. In differential diagnosis of this disease by bone scintigraphy, bone metastasis of a malignant tumor was considered of primary importance. Although antitubercular chemotherapy resulted in improvement of subjective symptoms and inflammation, abnormal accumulation persisted. There was necessity for taking notice that in the decision of the treatment effect of this disease, improvement of abnormal accumulations on bone scintigraphy was delayed that of inflammatory reaction.