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Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) are commonly applied to producing wells in unconventional reservoirs. Typically, the operator places the ESP in the vertical section to minimize installation risks; however, some operators have reported installing ESPs in the lateral section to improve operation and production. This paper will present a study of the interaction between reservoir inflow, wellbore geometry, and ESP operation using a commercial dynamic multiphase flow simulator (OLGA). The study will further quantify the benefits and disadvantages of deploying the ESP in the vertical and lateral sections of a horizontal well. The investigation uses operations data from a Permian basin well, with an ESP operating in the vertical section of a horizontal well. The dynamic simulation model was built and tuned to match the field data with two different production stages: early and late production. Hypothetical cases with the ESP located in the lateral section and with different well geometries (toe-up and toe-down) are also investigated. For the performance evaluation of different ESP deployment positions, the following indicators were considered: (a) production flow rate, (b) likelihood of pressure surging occurrence, and (c) flow pattern and gas volume fraction reaching the ESP system. Finally, the study provides guidelines on the ESP deployment location for improved operation and production.

The purpose of this study was to develop a new technique for diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) with a low-field scanner. DWI is becoming important for assessment of acute stroke. Until recently DWI required expensive technology. We developed multishot-DWI sequence for 0.3T open type MR imager. We prospectively studied forty patients on this 0.3T MRI and compared this DWI to single-shot-DWI by 1.5T-MRI. Group A: Twenty-four patients with acute cerebral infarctions detected by 1.5T-DWI were re-examined using 0.3T-DWI within 24 hours. Sixteen patients with acute cerebral infarctions detected by 0.3T-DWI were re-examined using 1.5T-DWI within 24 hours. In 22 (92%) of 24 cases, 0.3T-DWI showed high signal. In the other two patients, motion artifact distorted 0.3T-DWI. Group B: In all 16 patients, all infarctions detected by 0.3T-DWI showed high signal on 1.5T-DWI. These preliminary data show that, as long as the patient is able to keep still, multishot-DWI can be acquired successfully on a 0.3T open type MRI system.

Influence of EPS on fouling of intermittent aeration MBR reactor (denitrification MBR) was investigated changing intermittent aeration cycle (10 minute-cycle and 120 minute-cycle) in laboratory-scale reactors using synthetic wastewater. EPS were extracted from bacterial cells using cation resin method and molecular weight fractioning of EPS was conducted using gel chromatography. In both of the reactors, nitrogen removal rate was almost 100% after 50th day although DO concentration was not very high during the aerated phase because of accumulation of nitrifying bacteria in the reactors. In the 120 minutes-cycle reactor, trans-membrane pressure increased more rapidly than in the 10 minutes-cycle reactor. The reason might be that EPS of more than 1000 kDa, which are the main fouling substances, are produced more rapidly in the 120 minute-cycle condition. It was also found that three peaks at around 100 kDa, 500 kDa and 2000 kDa are prominent in EPS in intermittent-aeration MBR irrespective of cycle and higher molecular weight EPS are decomposed to smaller molecular weight EPS on membrane surface.

The volume and depth distributions of open spaces in photoresist films designed for ArF-excimer laser light exposure were studied with monoenergetic positron beams. We measured the Doppler broadening spectra of the annihilation radiation and lifetime spectra of positrons for acrylate and cyclic olefin-co-maleic anhydride (COMA) polymers spin-coated onto Si wafers with methyl amyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate solvents. The volume of open spaces in both prebaked acrylate and COMA films was estimated to be 0.12 nm3. The volume of open spaces in acrylate films decreased up to 20% by postexposure baking, but no large change was observed for COMA films. The decrease in the open volume was attributed to the removal of large molecules (adamantyl) from flexible main chains after the chemically amplified reaction of acrylate. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 341–346, 2004

The contact and oral toxicity of fielddoses of selected pesticides against the cocoon andadult stages of a hymenopterous parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum were studied using severalbioassays. Field rates of ten pesticides wereselective to the parasitoid pupae. Fresh residue(s)of cartap, chlorfenapyr, emamectin benzoate andpermethrin were highly toxic, causing 100% mortalityof adult females in every treatment. Residual effectsof these four insecticides on cabbage foliage showedthat only cartap was highly persistent. Cartapresidues caused 100% mortality for over 30 d. In thesame assay three chitin synthesis inhibitors(chlorfluazuron, flufenoxuron and teflubenzuron) andone fungicide/bactericide (copper nonylphenolsulfonate) and two bactericides (kasugamycin andoxolinic acid) were nontoxic to adults. Effects ofcontact toxicity of chitin synthesis inhibitors andfungicides/bactericides on the untreated progeny oftreated parents was also determined: there was nosignificant difference in parasitism rates betweenprogeny of treated and untreated adults. When thefield doses of these chemicals were fed orally,mortality of female parasitoids ranged from 0% to17.23%. However, oral ingestion adversely affectedthe parasitism rate (p < 0.05) in alltreatments except oxolinic acid. Selectivity oftested pesticides against D. semiclausum andintegration of compatible pesticides with thisparasitoid for IPM of cabbage are discussed.

The design and operation performance of the latest ruby Thomson scattering system for the JT-60U are described, which includes many novel approaches to attain the repetitive measurement of 60 spatial points with high resolution (8 mm), precision, and reliability especially for a high temperature and large size tokamak device. A beam combiner composed of a polarizer and a Faraday rotator for two ruby lasers has provided the transient measurement with the minimum time interval of 2 ms in burst operation and the multitime-slice measurement with the repetition rate of 0.5 Hz in normal operation. A newly developed photodiode array detector with high repetitive ability of 1 ms has been used for the high temperature core plasma measurement. A quantitative alignment of collection fiber object field has been utilized for the reliable ne profile measurement. By using Rayleigh scattering light, an in situ inferring method for a coated viewing window transmission has been found to have an effect on the precise correc...

The studies of Azores seismicity generally show shocks with either normal faulting or right-lateral strike-slip along the ESE direction, compatible with a eastward relative motion of the Eurasian (EU) relative to the African (AF) plate. However, the 1 January 1980 earthquake was interpreted as a clear left-lateral strike-slip shock along the N150E direction. This pattern is difficult to explain in terms of the relative motion between the EU, AF and North American (NA) plates: all available models for the present day movement of this triple junction fail to explain the regional variability in the stress conditions of the area. Here we present data from a 34-day long Ocean Bottom Seismograph array deployment. We show that the seismicity is distributed along a band aligned with the island chain itself, and is concentrated along several faults with an approximate N150E strike, cutting the Azores plateau in all the area covered by the OBS network. The combination of these new results with other geophysical data permits us to conclude that the tectonic setting of the Azores plateau is characterised by the existence of two sets of faults, in the N120E and N150E directions, defining several crustal blocks, whose relative motion accommodates the interaction of the three megaplates. The deformation of these tectonic blocks is probably driven by the shear between the EU and AF plates. This model explains well the spatial variability of the stress conditions in the Azores domain, the combination of dextral and sinistral strike slip mechanisms and the observed seismotectonics of the Azores islands.

黒毛和種における母乳成分と子牛の消化不良性の関連性を解明するための調査に先立って、臨床的に健康な黒毛和種繁殖牛10頭の乳成分の測定を分娩後60日目まで経時的に行った。オキシトシン20単位の処置により乳脂率、乳蛋白率、無脂固形分率および乳糖率は、それぞれ0日:5.77%、16.60%、22.52%、2.58%、3日:5.90%、4.39%、9.91%、4.19%、5日:5.33%、4.42%、9.86%、4.44%、10日:4.78%、3.98%、9.74%、4.76%、20日:5.48%、3.71%、9.42%、4.71%、30日:5.45%、3.5%、9,41%、4.83%、40日:6.73%、3.50%、9.00%、4.49%、50日:6.74%、3.75%、9.45%、4.69%、60日:6.39%、3.43%、9.13%、4.69%であった。分娩3日以降60日までの平均乳成分値は、乳脂率:5.84%、乳蛋白率:3.77%、無脂固形分率:9.43%、乳糖率:4.66%であった。黒毛和種の乳成分で乳蛋白率、無脂固形分率および乳糖率は、分娩直後に大きく変動し3日以降の一定の変動で推移した。乳脂率は、分娩直後から10日までに経時的な低下を示した後それ以降は一定の上昇傾向を示し、また、個体間のバラツキがみられた。

Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen of dental caries, is occasionally isolated from the blood of patients with infective endocarditis. Bacterial attachment of exposed collagen tissue in the impaired endothelium is an important step in the onset of infective endocarditis. In our previous studies, some S. mutans strains were shown to possess collagen-binding activities and most of them had an approximately 120-kDa cell-surface collagen-binding protein called Cnm. However, several strains without Cnm proteins show collagen-binding properties. In the present study, another collagen-binding protein, Cbm, was characterized and its coding gene cbm was sequenced in these strains. The amino acid alignment in the putative collagen-binding domain of Cbm was shown to have approximately 80% identity and 90% similarity to the comparable region of Cnm. Cbm-deficient isogenic mutant strains constructed by insertional inactivation of the cbm gene, lacked collagen-binding properties, which were recovered in the complemented mutant. Analyses of a large number of clinical isolates from Japan, Thailand and Finland revealed that cbm-positive strains were present in all of these countries and that cnm-positive and cbm-positive strains were detected in the oral cavity of approximately 10 and 2% of systemically healthy subjects, respectively. In addition, cnm-positive strains were predominantly identified in the serotype f group, whereas cbm-positive strains were frequently detected in serotype k. These results suggest that Cbm as well as Cnm are major cell surface proteins of S. mutans associated with binding to type I collagen and predominantly identified in serotype k strains.

異なる配合飼料で19ケ月飼育された、A飼料群64頭、B飼料群135頭の黒毛和種肥育牛199頭が血液学的および病理学的に検索された.10.1%(20頭)にSawdust Liverの発生を認め、A群では23.4%、B群では3.7%の発生率であり、A群で有意に高値を示した.肉眼的には肝臓表面及び割面に、針頭大から3mmの白色または暗赤色斑が散在しており、白色斑が40%、暗赤色斑15%、混在型45%の割合であった.組織学的には肝小葉に多発性壊死巣が見られ、好中球の浸潤、類洞の拡張、重度のうっ血を伴った肝細胞の凝固壊死が観察された.脾臓、腎臓、心臓、肺の臓器に著変はなく、肝病巣の嫌気性培養でも有意な菌は分離されなかった.血液学的には発生牛と非発生牛を比較すると、GOTが有意に高く、Seでは有意に低い値を示した.A飼料群とB飼料群との比較では、γ-GTP、コレステロール、肉質及びビタミンEでそれぞれ有意差が認められた.以上の事からSawdust Liver発症には餌の成分が誘因となっているのではないかと考えられた.

Porphyromonas gingivalis was recently shown to cause intimal hyperplasia in a mouse model by a novel cholesterol-independent mechanism, suggesting to be a pathogen-specific feature of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and histopathological features of aortic aneurysms in cardiovascular disease patients harboring oral P. gingivalis.Aortic aneurysm specimens were collected from 76 Japanese patients who underwent surgery, of whom dental plaque specimens were also collected from 31 patients. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each specimen to detect P. gingivalis by polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological analyses of the aortic aneurysm specimens, including immunohistochemical staining for embryonic myosin heavy chain isoform (SMemb) and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9), were also performed.The number of aneurysms occurring in the distal aorta was significantly higher in subjects positive for P. gingivalis in dental plaque compared with those who were negative. The expressions of S100A9 and SMemb were also significantly greater in the subjects positive for P. gingivalis in dental plaque. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in adipocellular accumulation between the groups.These results suggest that aortic aneurysms in patients harboring oral P. gingivalis have greater expression of S100A9 and proliferative smooth muscle cells, which was different from the present patients without oral P. gingivalis.

Electrically conductive and mechanically strong PPTA [Kevlar]-polypyrrole hybrid fibers have been prepared by an approach that capitalizes upon the solubility of metalated PPTA in certain polar organic solvents. Thus, DMSO solutions of NNa PPTA were dry-jet wet-spun into an FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O-containing coagulation bath to yield flexible PPTA-polypyrrole hybrid fibers containing greater than 50 wt % of polypyrrole. Room temperature conductivities approaching 10 S/cm are observed. Variable-temperature conductivity and thermoelectric power data correspond closely to those of high-quality polypyrrole films.

There is scant information available regarding the distribution of periodontal bacterial species in children and adolescents over an extended period. The purpose of this study was to compare bacterial profiles in the same individuals over a period of 7 years.Twenty-six children and adolescents from whom dental plaque and saliva specimens were obtained during both the first (1999-2000) and second (2006-2007) periods, were analyzed. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each specimen and the presence of 10 periodontal bacterial species was determined using a PCR method, with a focus on the red complex species of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia.Subjects with red complex species in saliva specimens obtained during the second collection possessed a significantly higher number of total bacterial species than those without. The detection rate of the red complex species in the second collection period samples was significantly greater in subjects who had two or more species detected in samples taken during the first collection compared with the other subjects.Subjects possessing red complex species may be at possible risk for infection with a high number of periodontal bacterial species during adolescent and younger adult years.

Recent lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), and heating (LHH) experiments on JT-60 are reported. The current drive product of neRpIRF approximately 12.5*1019 m-2 MA was achieved at the LH power of approximately 4.5 MW, and the CD efficiency, the energy confinement, the global power balance and the heat load on divertor plates were investigated in high power LHCD plasmas. Nearly steady state H-mode discharges were found during LHCD with two different frequency injections. Sawtooth suppression in NB heated plasmas by LHCD have shown an improvement in confinement near the plasma center. Parametric instabilities in LH heating experiments were significantly reduced by increasing the plasma current, and the stored energy increased linearly with heating power of up to approximately 9 MW at ne approximately 7*1019 m-3 and Ip=2.75 MA. Parametric instabilities near the plasma edge in the ion heating regime were also reduced in peaked density plasmas produced by pellet injection and LH waves increased the central plasma pressure at ne(0) > 1.4*1020 m-3.

Bone metabolism is regulated not only by the nutrition supplied by vessel but also by the signals from the cells in vascular tissues. Identification of such signaling molecules has been the major issue in the field of research on the relationship between bone and vasculatures. This review touches on the recent findings on the expression and functions of such signaling molecules including VEGF, MMP and non-collagenous bone matrix proteins.

推定年齢3～4歳の経産ホルスタイン種搾乳牛で、皮膚に蹄様隆起物がみられた症例に遭遇した。病変は右側肩部の皮膚の白斑部における縦横10～15cm、高さ2～3cmの2つの爪状隆起物、およびそれを中心として線状に連なる高さ数mm程度の隆起物からなっていた。全身症状、血液検査所見などに著変は認められなかった。病理組織学的には隆起物において好酸性の角化組織の増殖、細胞の扁平化がみられ、隆起物と隣接した皮膚では表皮の肥厚と角化亢進がみられ、肥厚した表皮には、著明な有棘細胞の増数が認められた。これらの所見から、本症例の隆起物は表皮の角化亢進によるものと考えられ、皮角に類似していた。原因については特定できなかったが、病変が皮膚白斑部に限局していたことから、光線の影響による紫外線角化症が原発病変として推測された。

We studied the efficacy of dexamethasone (4 mg) and haloperidol (5 mg) in the treatment of migraine in the emergency room. Twenty nine patients who had diagnosis of migraine according to the International Headache Society criteria and were evaluated for a painful episode at the emergency room of Santa Casa of São Paulo were included. All the patients scored their pain in 10 when evaluated, even after the use of intravenous analgesia (dipyrone). Fourteen patients were treated with haloperidol and the remaining 15 received dexamethasone. The patients were asked about pain intensity at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the use of either the drugs. Both drugs were equally efficient in pain relief after two hours. Patients who were treated with haloperidol showed an important improvement (more than 50% of improve in the analogic pain scale) in the first 30 minutes. The dexamethasone treated patients only reached this grade of analgesia after 120 minutes. Although we studied a small series of patients, our data suggest that both drugs are efficient in the treatment of a refractory migraine attack. Haloperidol seemed to work quickly in pain relief. No important side effects were observed in neither groups.

Microthermoelectric (TE) coolers are currently used in high power electronic devices such as laser diodes to stabilize temperature. With the aim of miniaturizing this technology, we have developed a fabrication technique to create micro-TE modules with a cross-section element size of about 100 /spl mu/m/spl times/100 /spl mu/m and a height of several hundred mm. We have previously reported the cooling properties of a module fabricated by this technique. With the recent advances in micro-electric technology, which has decreased the energy consumption in an electric wristwatch to about 1 /spl mu/W, there has been increased discussion about utilizing these micro-TE modules to generate energy of several /spl mu/W to power a wristwatch. In response, we have developed a micro-TE module with an overall size of 2 /spl times/ 2 /spl times/ 1.3 mm consisting of more than 50 pairs of elements, and have succeeded in making and marketing a TE powered wristwatch. This paper presents the fabrication and the properties of the micro-TE module, as well as the TE powered wristwatch.

A countermeasure for relieving traffic congestion is to employ a priority signal control system at the intersection, and in order to effect this signal control, it is essential to identifying public transport vehicles. As for the methods for identifying vehicles, while an image processing method for recognizing vehicles by reading the license plate numbers has already been put into practical use, there is no precedence of its application to priority signal control. Therefore, focusing on priority signal control of route buses, we proposed a method for identifying the individual route numbers of the route buses. Considering the ease of processing, we based this method on a template matching process that targets route numbers. However, with this method, the correlation values fluctuate greatly due to the changes in the external environment, which poses the problem of greatly reducing the judgment precision if simple threshold values are used. This paper describes the identification method using the above-mentioned template matching process and its problems, and proposes an identification method that uses a new recognition algorithm for solving those problems. Furthermore, to verify the recognition precision of this method, we carried out an application on an actual road, which resulted in an accuracy rate of 99.6%, which is sufficient for practical use.

A new manufacturing process of a /spl pi/-shaped miniature thermoelectric module composed of sintered Bi-Te compounds has been developed. The manufacturing process is suitable for mass production as it is comprised of simple technologies such as conventional photolithography technology, microbonding technology using the solder bump method and precise cutting technology using a dicing machine. A miniature module with the dimensions of 3 mm/spl times/3 mm/spl times/1.3 mm in which 102 elements (51 junctions) with the dimensions of 120 /spl mu/m/spl times/120 /spl mu/m in cross section parallel to the substrates and a height of 600 /spl mu/m were included was fabricated while developing the process. The maximum temperature difference /spl Delta/T/sub max/, and the heat absorption Q/sub max/ of the module were 61.3/spl deg/C and 0.36 W, respectively. This indicates that the performance of the module as a cooling device was equivalent to that of conventional modules. The specification for high voltage and low current input, a significant purpose in addition to the miniaturization of the module, was achieved because the maximum voltage V/sub max/ and current I/sub max/ were 6.7 V and 110 mA, respectively.

We describe a whiteboard-based environment that extends the functionality of the blackboard in a traditional classroom without losing any of its natural advantages, namely, ease of expression for the teacher, focusing of students' attention and visual feedback of students' facial expressions. The computer-based whiteboard environment offers additional features such as direct pointing and manipulation of contents by an electronic marker, and processing of contents by computer. We articulate design principles for developing educational software for this environment. Two examples of such software developed in our laboratory, are presented. We also describe experimental use of the system in actual classrooms at two elementary schools. In the experiments, the teachers and the students both responded positively, to this new environment. We also verified that many of the design goals were met in the implementation.

A 63-year-old male with advanced esophageal cancer was admitted to our hospital. He received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with intravenous cisplatin and fluorouracil (5-FU), and underwent resection of the esophagus and placement of a gastric tube. Two months later, multiple metastases appeared in the right lobe of the liver. Intermittent arterial infusion chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-FU were performed. To selectively infuse the drugs into the right hepatic artery, the left hepatic artery was embolized. Treatment had a marked effect in the right lobe, but new lesions were subsequently discovered in the left lobe. The patient died of pleuritis 27 days after the end of cisplatin infusion and 12 months after surgery. In total, 465 mg of cisplatin and 20 mg of nedaplatin were administered. At autopsy, tissue samples were collected to measure the platinum concentration. The result showed the highest value to be in the right lobe, 4.8 times as high as that in the left lobe. It is suggested that the concentration of platinum in tissue is correlated with the anticancer effect of cisplatin to the tissue, despite of the traditional view that the tissue concentration and the effect are not related.

Epidemiological aspects of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in Japan in 1998 were analyzed using questionnaires. Four hundred and sixteen scrub typhus cases were reported in 24 prefectures in 1998. The annual number of the patients in 1998 was similar to those in the preceding three years. There was no sex difference. The patients at the age of 51 or greater accounted for 72% of the total cases. Patients engaged in farming and forestry accounted for 32% and 14% cases, respectively. Fifty-six, 21 and 19% were reported in Kyusyu, Kanto and Tohoku-Hokuriku districts, respectively, 96% of the total cases being reported in these 3 districts. Most cases were reported from April through June with some from October through December in Tohoku-Hokuriku districts, while most cases were reported from October through December in other districts, including Kyusyu and Kanto districts. Thus, there was a difference in epidemic seasons among the districts. Serotypes of scrub typhus rickettsia were analyzed by serum antibody titers in the Kyusyu district. The novel Kawasaki and Kuroki types were major strains; however, no geographical difference was seen within the Kyusyu district. Interestingly, 24 cases were diagnosed only by the new serotypes not by the classical serotypes (Kato, Karp and Gilliam) in serological tests. This result suggests that further investigations are required to determine the prevalent serotypes in each district and to improve the serological tests. This was the first comprehensive report of epidemiology of scrub typus in entire Japan. Information obtained in the present study provides deep insight into prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of scrub typhus in Japan.

Clinical features of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) were analyzed, based on 416 cases reported in Japan in 1998. Three major clinical symptoms: eschar, fever and rash were found in 87%, 98% and 92% of the cases, respectively. Elevated levels of CRP, GOT, GPT and LDH were observed in 96%, 85%, 78% and 91%, respectively. These clinical and laboratory findings were observed in the majority of the cases and considered important for diagnosis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in 21 cases, indicating that scrub typhus can be life threatening. Lymphadenopathy was observed in 51% of the cases. Enlarged lymph nodes were limited to the local sites in 75% of these lymphadenopathy cases and most of these sites were adjacent to eschars. Most eschars were scabbed and located in the abdomen and the lower half of the body, especially the feet. This suggests that these parts are frequently exposed to tsutsugamushi mites. Furthermore, the skin is soft in these parts and covered by cloth. These factors may make it possible for mites to keep biting without being noticed for several hours, long enough for rickettsial transmission. Interestingly, eschar and rash were absent in 14% and 8% of the cases, respectively. This result suggests that the cases without the unique symptoms may have been misdiagnosed as common cold or other febrile illnesses. One hundred and fifty-four suspected cases were not scrub typhus cases by the serological tests. The three major clinical symptoms were present in approximately a half of these negative cases, eschar being observed in approximately 70%. This may suggest the presence of new type of scrub typhus can not be diagnosed by the present laboratory tests. Clinical features of scrub typhus in Japan were well revealed, and information obtained in the present study is useful for improving clinical diagnosis. It should, however, be stressed that there were cases that could not be correctly diagnosed only by the clinical symptoms, suggesting that it is important to improve the serological tests.

Gastric cancers that produce alpha feto protein (AFP) usually have a poor prognosis. We report an AFP-producing gastric cancer that showed a partial response to low-dose CPT-11 and low-dose cisplatin combination chemotherapy. AFP-producing gastric cancers successfully treated with chemotherapy have been reported, but to our knowledge this is the first report of successful treatment with low-dose CPT-11 and low-dose cisplatin combination chemotherapy.A 49 year-old woman who had gastric cardiac cancer with esophageal invasion was admitted to our institution. Since AFP-positive cells were demonstrated immunohistochemically in biopsy specimens and levels of AFP in serum were high, AFP-producing cancer was diagnosed. Because of metastasis to Virchow's node and the paraaortic lymph nodes, the tumor was considered unresectable. The patient's poor general condition necessitated chemotherapy with low toxicity and high efficacy. She was treated with low-dose CPT-11 and low-dose cisplatin combination chemotherapy. After two cycles of this treatment, the tumor volume and the serum levels of AFP had decreased markedly. The only side effect of the treatment was leukopenia.

Spider mite biology and control in Japan were reviewed. Seventy-eight spider mite species of 16 genera (Family Tetranychidae) have been recorded in Japan. Several of the species recently described were separated from a species complex comprising strains with different ecological performance such as host range. These separations were first supported by crossing experiments and then confirmed by molecular genetic studies. Spider mite control in Japan is still dependent on heavy acaricide spraying in order to attain products of extremely high quality. The commercial use of natural enemies in spider mite management has just started.

Patient was an 18-year-old female student. After she had symptoms of common cold for 3 days, she developed somnolence, diplopia, dysarthria, urinary disturbance and ataxia. On admission neurological examination revealed coma with mydriasis, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and weakness of the upper limbs. Light reflex, corneal reflex and oculocephalic test were all negative. Deep tendon reflexes were brisk and extensor toe signs were positive bilaterally. She did not have nuchal rigidity. Laboratory test revealed normal cerebrospinal fluid with negative myelin basic protein. Brain MRI, brainstem evoked potentials presented no abnormality. EMG revealed normal conduction velocity and no conduction block. EEG had diffuse theta and delta slowing. Culture of the stool represented no Campylobacter jejuni. At the fifth day of admission consciousness level improved, and other neurological findings disappeared in about 6 weeks. She had anti GQ 1 b, GT 1 a(IgG, IgM) and anti GM 1(IgM) antibodies in the serum. We made a diagnosis of Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis from these neurological symptoms and clinical course. The main lesion was present in the brainstem from midbrain to medulla oblongata in the midline. High titer of anti GT 1a antibody may be related to the ophthalmoplegia as noted in Miller Fisher syndrome. As a result of EMG and stool culture, it denied the complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome. We had no proof of the reason of the presentation of anti GM 1 antibody.

The progression of renal disease is reported to be more rapid in male patients than in premenopausal females. However, few studies compare the difference in dialysis therapy between males and females. We compared the efficacy of peritoneal dialysis capacity, using measurements of retention volume and pelvic cavity by helical section of computed tomography (CT) in 6 male and 6 female patients. The patients did not differ significantly in age (males: 54 +/- 3 years; female: 56 +/- 4 years). Males were heavier than females (p0.05). Retention volume in the visceral cavity was significantly larger in males (1787 +/- 43 mL) than in females (1580 +/- 59 mL) (p0.05). Peritoneal dialysis capacity was evaluated by peritoneal equilibration test (PET). Although no significant differences were observed in the PET data, when the PET results at 4 hours were divided by body weight in kilograms, a significant difference between males and females was seen (p0.05). There was a mild, but not significant, correlation between the volume of the pelvis as measured by helical CT and the PET data per kilogram body weight (p = 0.07). These results suggest that gender differences in peritoneal dialysis capacity relate partially to the difference in pelvic cavity volume.