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Periodontal disease is caused by dysbiosis of the dental biofilm and the host inflammatory response. Various pathogenic factors, such as proteases and lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) produced by bacteria, are involved in disease progression. Endotoxin tolerance is a function of myeloid cells, which sustain inflammation and promote tissue regeneration upon prolonged stimulation by endotoxins such as LPS. The role of endotoxin tolerance is gaining attention in various chronic inflammatory diseases, but its role in periodontal disease remains elusive. Oxidative stress, one of the major risk factors for periodontal disease, promotes disease progression through various mechanisms, of which only some are known. The effect of oxidative stress on endotoxin tolerance has not yet been studied, and we postulated that endotoxin tolerance regulation may be an additional mechanism through which oxidative stress influences periodontal disease. This study aimed to reveal the effect of oxidative stress on endotoxin tolerance and that of endotoxin tolerance on periodontitis progression. The effect of oxidative stress on endotoxin tolerance was analyzed in vitro using peritoneal macrophages of mice and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results showed that oxidative stress inhibits endotoxin tolerance induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS in macrophages, at least partially, by downregulating LPS-elicited negative regulators of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. A novel oxidative stress mouse model was established using SMP30KO mice incapable of ascorbate biosynthesis. Using this model, we revealed that oxidative stress impairs endotoxin tolerance potential in macrophages in vivo. Furthermore, gingival expression of endotoxin tolerance-related genes and TLR signaling negative regulators was decreased, and symptoms of ligature-induced periodontitis were aggravated in the oxidative stress mouse model. Our findings suggest that oxidative stress may contribute to periodontitis progression through endotoxin tolerance inhibition.

We have proposed a laser isotope separation method, utilizing rotational coherence of a simple molecule. In the scheme, photoexcited molecules are isotopically separated by difference of rotational period between them. To illustrate this method, two-pulse photodissociation of mixed 79Br2/81Br2 isotopes has been investigated theoretically. The photodissociation probabilities of 79Br2 and 81Br2 have been calculated as functions of time delay between the photoexcitation and dissociation laser pulses. We have demonstrated that isotope enrichment factor of 79Br relative to 81Br can be changed from 0.34 to 1.8, by simply changing the time delay only by 0.2 ns. Additionally, we have shown that this method is effective for heavy isotopes, based on mass dependence of the isotope enrichment factor.

We designed a flexible pickup coil for torque sensors in which the offset is reduced as a result of the asymmetric structure, which was created in order to obtain an easy connection. The mutual inductance was calculated for all the possible coil patterns of an asymmetric configuration, and the coil pattern that exhibited the lowest mutual inductance was selected the best design for the pickup coil. In addition, the performance of a flexible pickup coil incorporating this design was evaluated by observing its offset voltage, response to the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, and input-output characteristic. The results showed that the offset voltage was lowest in an asymmetric coil pair. The response to the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy showed an output pattern as the axis torque sensor. The input and output characteristics almost accorded with those of a conventional symmetric model coil pair.

This paper describes a standard CMOS process based on embedded DRAM macro with dual-port interleaved DRAM architecture (D/sup 2/RAM), which is suitable for the leading edge CMOS LSIs with both high-speed and large-scale memories on a chip. This macro exploits three key technologies: fully sense-signal-loss compensating technology based on the whole detailed noise element breakdowns, the novel striped trench capacitor (STC) cell, and the write-before-sensing (WBS) circuit by decoded write-bus. A 400-MHz random cycle access has been verified for D/sup 2/RAM fabricated by a 0.15-/spl mu/m standard CMOS process.

The thermal decomposition of the lanthanoid trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) complexes {Ln(CF3SO3)3·9H2O; Ln=La-Lu{ was studied by TG and DTA methods. From the endothermic and exothermic data of Ln(CF3 SO3)3·9H2O complexes, pyrolysis behavior of the complexes is classified into three groups: 1) La-Nd salts, 2) Sm-Ho salts, 3) Er-Lu salts. It has also shown that all the final decomposition products were found to result in the formation of LnF3.

Clay mineral composition and geotechnical index properties of marine clays collected from Singapore, Korea, and Japan were investigated, and the correlation of clay mineral composition with the consistency limits and activity of the clays was examined. Predominant clay minerals were kaolinite for Singapore clay, kaolinite, vermiculite, and illite for Pusan clay, and smectite for Hachirogata and Ariake clay from Japan. The activity of clay indicates that Singapore clay is classified as normal or inactive, Pusan clay as normal, and Hachirogata and Ariake clays mostly as active. Significant positive correlations were found between smectite percentage in bulk soil and the liquid and plastic limits of the clays.

Laser Raman spectroscopy is quite sensitive to detect the changes of graphite structure. In this study, the Laser Raman technique was applied to analyze the deposited carbon layers on TEXTOR test limiters of carbon (C) and tungsten (W) produced by intentional carbon deposition experiments by methane gas puffing. The carbon deposited layers showed the Raman spectra composed of two broad peaks, G-peak and D-peak, centered at around 1580 and 1355 cm −1 respectively. For W limiter, the G-peak position and the integrated intensity of the two peaks well correlate to hydrogen concentrations in the deposited carbon layers and their thicknesses, respectively. Hence Laser Raman spectroscopy is a promising tool for the in situ analysis of carbon redeposit layers on plasma facing W materials and probably on Be materials.

The eikonal reaction theory (ERT) proposed lately is a method of calculating one-neutron removal reactions at intermediate incident energies in which Coulomb breakup is treated accurately with the continuum discretized coupled-channels method. ERT is extended to two-neutron removal reactions. ERT reproduces measured one- and two-neutron removal cross sections for 6He scattering on 12C and 208Pb targets at 240 MeV/nucleon and also on a 28Si target at 52 MeV/nucleon. For the heavier target in which Coulomb breakup is important, ERT yields much better agreement with the measured cross sections than the Glauber model., 4 pages, 3 figures

Low-frequency Raman spectra of ethanol−water binary solutions with varying mixing ratios are measured and presented in the form of the intrinsic Raman scattering activity, the R(ν) spectra. They exhibit an isosbestic point at 135 cm-1 between the pure water O−O stretching peak at 185 cm-1 and that of pure ethanol at 110 cm-1. The R(ν) spectra of the binary solutions are found to be decomposed into linear combinations of the R(ν) spectra of pure water and pure ethanol. The plot of the coefficients of linear combinations as a function of ethanol mole fraction xE has an inflection point at xE = 0.2, and the increasing fraction of the ethanol component is compensated with the decreasing fraction of the water component. This can be explained when ethanol−water binary solution does not get ideally mixed on the molecular level and the hydrogen bonds between water associates and ethanol associates become weak owing to the collective molecular motion or the sliding motion of the two units.

Tensile tests were performed in Ti—(7 ∼ 13)mol.%Al alloys at 1100 K. Stress—strain curves showed a large region of constant stress deformation. The results were analyzed by a Dorn type creep equation. The strain rate and the steady-state stress showed anomalous strength of the examined alloys in comparison with the previously reported Ti—(1 ∼ 5)mol.%Al alloys (H. Oikawa and T. Oomori, Mater. Sci. Eng., A104 (1988) 125). Both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicated the appearance of additional diffraction intensities that may owing to the formation of short range ordered (SRO) clusters. The anomalous creep strength observed in the present work seems to be caused by the retardation of dislocation glide by the SRO clusters.

A turbine flowmeter is employed in this study in connection with offshore oil field development, in order to measure simultaneously both the volumetric flow rates of air-water two-phase mixture. Though a conventional turbine flowmeter is generally used to measure the single-phase volumetric flow rate by obtaining the rotational rotor speed, the method proposed additionally reads the pressure drop across the meter. After the pressure drop and rotor speed measured are correlated as functions of the volumetric flow ratio of the air to the whole fluid and the total volumetric flow rate, both the flow rates are iteratively evaluated with the functions on the premise that the liquid density is known. The evaluated flow rates are confirmed to have adequate accuracy, and thus the applicability of the method to oil fields.

The mineralogy, geochemistry and geotechnical properties of clay samples in Ariake Bay, Japan are presented. The mineralogy and geochemistry are discussed in terms of depositional and post-depositional processes, and the correlations of the clay mineralogy and geochemistry with the geotechnical properties were examined by multiple regression analysis. The most predominant clay mineral in the deposits was found to be smectite. The vertical distribution of trace elements in the deposits was indicative of the periodical changes in the parent materials involved in the depositional processes. The chloride concentration in the pore water varied, according to a change in the sea level, from brackish to marine, and then brackish towards the surface. The higher iron oxide contents near the surface and in the deepest zones were the results of pyrite oxidation in the deposits due to weathering under subaerial conditions. Smectite content was the most predominant governing factor for the consistency limits and activity; the iron oxide content was the most predominant for the sensitivity, the Cu/p value, and the over-consolidation ratio. Overconsolidation characteristics in the near-surface zone and in the deepest zones were attributed to interparticle cementation by the iron oxides produced by pyrite oxidation. L'article présente les propriétés minéralogiques, géochimiques et géotechniques d'échantillons argileux de la baie d'Ariake, Japon. La minéralogie et la géochimie sont étudiées pendant et après le dépôt. Les propriétés géotechniques sont ensuite corrélées, à l'aide de diverses régressions, à la minéralogie et à la géochimie. La smectite est le minéral argileux le plus courant. La distribution verticale des éléments-trace dans les dépôts est représentative des variations périodiques des matériaux originels impliqués dans les processus de dépôt. Selon le niveau de la mer, la concentration en chlorures de l'eau interstitielle vane: en remontant vers la surface, elle est typique de l'eau saumâtre, puis de l'eau de mer, puis de nouveau de l'eau saum7acirc;tre. Les teneurs en oxydes de fer les plus élevées, situées à proximité de la surface et dans les zones les plus profondes, résultent de l'oxydation, par altération sous conditions subaériennes, de la pyrite contenue dam ces dépâts. Les teneurs en smectites et en oxydes de fer sont les principaux paramàtres contrôlant les limites de consistance et Pactivité pour la premiàre, la sensibilité, la valeur de culP et le degré de surconsolidation pour la seconde. Les caractéristiques de surconsolidation dans les zones proches de la surface et dans les zones les plus profondes sont sans doute dues à une cimentation de l'espace interparticulaire par des oxydes de fer issus de l'oxydation de la pyrite.

A new method for obtaining good fiber ends with the help of a CO(2) laser is described. In principle, the fiber is exposed to a focused CO(2) laser beam and then fractured by applying tensile stress. Average coupling losses of a step-index and a graded-index multimode fiber, whose endfaces were prepared by this method, were both 0.35 dB without index-matching fluid. Average splice losses of these fibers were 0.05-0.06 dB, when their ends were fused with a CO(2) laser.

In order to remove the musty odor compound 2-methyl isoborneol (MIB) from drinking water resources at Lake Biwa, a pilot plant of a biological filtration was installed and operated. In this study, the effects of water temperature, pH and initial concentration of MIB on the MIB degradation potential of the ceramic media packed column in the biological filter were studied. Microorganisms on the surface of the granular media were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Bacteria which were responsible for the degradation were isolated, studied and identified. From this experiment, the extent of the effect of water temperature on the degradation potential was found to be similar to that on the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal activity by an activated sludge. The optimum pH for the degradation potential was seen to be between 7 and 9. The MIB degradation reaction was seen to be almost a first order reaction. On the surface of the washed granular media, coccoid and rod-shaped bacteria were observed. Eleven out of 34 bacteria isolated from the washed media were judged as biodegraders. Some characteristics of 7 Gram negative biodegraders were studied and two strains of Pseudomonasaeruginosa,one strain of Flavobacteriummultivorum, one strain of Pseudomonas sp. and one strain of Flavobacterium sp. were identified.

A 52 year old woman had autoimmune hepatitis and an increased concentration of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). The origin of the raised CA19-9 was studied using immunohistochemistry. Liver biopsy section showed chronic active hepatitis with large numbers of proliferated bile ductules. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the proliferated bile ductule cells were positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and for CA19-9. It is speculated that the raised serum CA19-9 concentration was derived from proliferated bile ductule cells and these cells, which are positive for PCNA, may be able to produce high concentrations of CA19-9.

We present a 400MHz random-cycle dual-port interleaved 1.5V DRAM macro with fully sense-signal-loss compensating technologies based on noise-element breakdowns, a striped trench capacitor cell and write-before-sensing by a decoded write-bus circuit technique. The IC is implemented in a 0.15 /spl mu/m CMOS logic process.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is upregulated and recruits and activates inflammatory cells in nephritis of MRL lpr mice. It has been shown that anti-MCP-1 gene therapy is specifically effective in nephritis, while it was apparent that an imbalance towards Th1 predominance accelerates nephritis in MRL/lpr mice. The aim of this study was to clarify whether blockade of the MCP-1 signal by anti-MCP-1 gene therapy influences the Th1/Th2 balance in MRL/lpr mice.An NH2-terminal deletion mutant of the MCP-1 gene (7ND) was injected into the skeletal muscles of MRL/Ipr mice with advanced stage nephritis to suppress MCP-1 and its receptor (CCR2) signaling pathway. We evaluated the local tissue production of cytokines in splenocytes and microdissected infiltrating cells within the glomeruli or interstitium.Although the production of cytokines in splenocytes was not influenced by anti-MCP-1 gene therapy, kidney glomeruli IL-12 mRNA production and interstitium-infiltrating cell production of IL-12 and IFN-gamma mRNA were significantly reduced.The blockade of MCP-1 gene therapy does not influence helper T cell polarization, but acts directly on the regional Th1 immunoreaction in MRL/lpr mice.

Peritoneal fibrosis formation is a consequence of inflammation/injury and a significant medical problem to be solved. The effects of soluble VEGF receptor type I (sFlt-1) gene transfer on experimental peritoneal fibrosis were examined and compared with soluble transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor type II (sTGF beta RII) gene transfer. Male C57BL/6 mice were injected with 1.5 x 10(8) plaque-forming unit of adenovirus encoding active TGF-beta (AdTGF beta) intraperitoneally. Some mice had been treated with sTGF betaRII or sFlt-1 plasmid injection into skeletal muscle with electroporation 4 days before virus administration. Mice were euthanized at day 14 after virus administration. AdTGF beta induced significant elevation of serum active TGF-beta, caused significant inflammatory response [weight loss, elevation of serum amyloid-P (SAP) and IL-12, increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA], and induced marked thickening of the peritoneum and collagen deposition. Gene transfer of sFlt-1 reduced the collagen deposition approximately 81% in mesenteric tissue. Treatment with sFlt-1 decreased ICAM-1 and MCP-1 mRNA expression significantly. Significant negative correlation between serum sFlt-1 and placental growth factor level was observed, whereas there was no significant negative correlation between sFlt-1 and VEGF. On the other hand, sTGF beta RII treatment enhanced the AdTGF beta-induced inflammation (significant elevation of SAP, TNF-alpha, and IL-12 levels and upregulation of ICAM-1 and MCP-1 mRNA expressions) and failed to prevent collagen deposition. These observations indicate that sFlt-1 gene transfer might be of therapeutic benefit in peritoneal fibrosis.

This paper describes on-chip interconnect evaluation on the delay time increase by crosstalk. The new test configurations were applied to evaluate the impact of low-k materials and improved circuit techniques on the delay time increase by crosstalk. It is found that the reduction of Cl for low-k materials, organic and air gap, is effective in reducing the delay time increase by crosstalk. Also, it is experimentally verified that improved circuit techniques such as repeaters and variable pitch routers significantly reduce not only interconnect delay but also delay time increase by crosstalk.

A three-level interconnect structure using an air gap process has been successfully fabricated. The practical use of air gap interconnects has been proved by evaluating via chain yield and EM properties. The RC delay time is reduced by 38% as compared with that of Al-SiOF. The circuit performance has been found to be superior to those of other low-k interconnects, including Cu-SiOF. This air gap process is quite promising for sub-0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS technology.

We propose a new evaluation method of plasma process induced Si substrate damage, which utilizes the voltage shift under constant-current injection (VSCCI) at metal-Si interface. This method is applied to the plasma damaged Si substrate and the obtained depth profile of the defects in the Si correlates well with the electrical metal/Si contact property.

The functional role of coronary vascular ATP-sensitive potassium (K+ATP) channels in the regulation of coronary blood flow (CBF) has not been determined in chronic heart failure (CHF). To test the hypothesis that K+ATP channels contribute to myocardial perfusion in HF, we examined the effects of intracoronary infusion of glibenclamide, an inhibitor of K+ATP channels, on basal CBF in control and CHF dogs. CHF was produced in mongrel dogs by pacing the right ventricle for 4 weeks. Under anesthesia, CBF in the left anterior descending coronary artery, other hemodynamic and metabolic parameters, or regional myocardial blood flow were measured. Basal CBF was less in CHF dogs than in controls. Glibenclamide at the graded doses (5, 15 and 50 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) decreased CBF in both control and CHF dogs. The percentage decrease in CBF with glibenclamide at 50 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) was greater (p0.01) in CHF dogs than in controls. The greater decrease in CBF with glibenclamide at 50microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) was associated with myocardial ischemia. Glibenclamide decreased myocardial blood flow in each sublayer of the myocardium in the 2 groups. These results suggest that the basal activity of coronary vascular K+ATP channels is increased in CHF dogs but not in controls. This may contribute to the maintenance of myocardial perfusion in CHF.

The factor structure and internal consistency of the Japanese adaptation of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-JY) were examined for 218 Japanese clinical outpatients (86 males, 132 females) with psychiatric and/or psychosomatic complaints. An initial principal-component analysis revealed that the first three components were considered to reflect the "overall anxiety" component, the "presence-absence of anxiety (positive-negative)" component, and the "state-trait anxiety" component. The component related to presence or absence of anxiety was larger than the state-trait anxiety component. Factors followed by an oblique (promax) rotation were labeled "Anxiety-absent" and "Anxiety-present" factors for a two-factor structure, and "Anxiety-present," "Anxiety-absent/state," and "Anxiety-absent/trait" factors for a three-factor structure that was suggested by the scree test. The internal consistencies for both the state and trait anxiety subscales of the STAI-JY were at a satisfactory level, whereas slightly higher Cronbach's as were obtained from separate calculation for anxiety-present and anxiety-absent items. Similarities and differences in the factor structure of the STAI-JY were discussed in comparison with those reported earlier for the general population in Japan and for individuals in Western countries.

Numerous pharmacological approaches have failed to modify the high incidence of restenosis after balloon coronary angioplasty. This inability to alter the restenosis process was caused in part by our incomplete understanding of its pathology. Neointimal formation and geometric remodeling cause the restenosis after angioplasty. The development of restenosis involves vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migration and proliferation. Angiotensin II has been shown to stimulate the growth of VSMCs via an action on the angiotensin II AT1 receptor subtype. Angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists can block the angiotensin II-induced these actions. Angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists may block the restenosis after balloon coronary angioplasty.

We recently demonstrated that chronic treatment with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), a major inflammatory cytokine found in atherosclerotic lesions, induces coronary arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine in pigs in vivo and that those responses are partially mediated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This study was designed to examine, first, whether the effects of IL-1 beta are also partially mediated by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), which is another important growth factor in atherosclerotic lesions, and, secondly, whether chronic treatment with FGF-2 per se also induces histological and functional changes in porcine coronary arteries in vivo.Porcine coronary arteries were aseptically wrapped with cotton mesh absorbing IL-1 beta with or without neutralizing antibody to FGF-2. In a separate series of experiments porcine coronary arteries were chronically treated with FGF-2 itself in the same manner. Coronary vascular responses in vivo and histological changes were examined 2 weeks after the operation.Coronary vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine and neointimal formation were induced at the site of the coronary artery where IL-1 beta was chronically and locally applied. These responses were significantly suppressed by co-treatment with a neutralizing antibody to FGF-2 but not by that with non-immune IgG. Immunostaining revealed the presence of FGF-2 in the endothelial cells, the thickened intima and the media at the IL-1 beta-treated site. Furthermore, chronic treatment with FGF-2 also induced coronary vasospastic responses to serotonin and histamine and neointimal formation.These results suggest that the vascular effects of IL-1 beta may also be mediated by FGF-2 in our swine model and that chronic treatment with FGF-2 also causes coronary arteriosclerotic changes and vasospastic responses in vivo.

Myocardial uptake of iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) was measured using scintigrams at rest in 12 patients with isolated, nonischemic mitral regurgitation (MR; regurgitant fraction 64% +/- 7%) and was related to the left ventricular (LV) function assessed by cardiac catheterization. Iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine activity in the upper mediastinum, liver, and lung was comparable between MR and control (n = 8) patients. The heart-to-mediastinum 123I-MIBG activity ratio 4 hours after injection was significantly (p0.01) decreased in MR (2.0 +/- 0.1, mean +/- SE) compared with control (2.7 +/- 0.1) with the increased clearance of MIBG. In addition, MR patients had significantly greater heterogeneity in the 123I-MIBG distribution within the myocardial images (26.1% +/- 2.1% intraimage variability for MR versus 15.6% +/- 0.8% for control, p0.01). Myocardial 123I-MIBG activity correlated positively with cardiac index and negatively with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and LV volume indexes. Thus, 123I-MIBG scintigrams can be a noninvasive method for assessing the contractile dysfunction in MR.

To determine the role of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide) in controlling basal coronary tone and coronary vasomotion after brief coronary occlusion (reactive hyperemia).In 10 chronically instrumented conscious dogs, we studied the diameter changes of the large epicardial coronary artery and coronary blood flow in response to intracoronary administration of acetylcholine (0.1 and 1 microgram) and brief coronary occlusion for 5 and 20 s before and after intracoronary infusion of N-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA).Intracoronary infusion of LNNA (1, 3, and 10 mg) decreased the diameter of the large epicardial coronary artery and coronary blood flow in a dose-dependent manner without altering arterial pressure and heart rate. LNNA (10 mg) significantly attenuated the increase in artery diameter and coronary blood flow by acetylcholine. The ratio of artery dilation to the blood flow response after acetylcholine was not affected by LNNA. LNNA (10 mg) significantly decreased the ratio of repayment to debt flow volume of reactive hyperemia, but did not affect the ratio of peak to resting flow; it also significantly attenuated the reactive dilation of the large epicardial coronary artery after reactive hyperemia. The ratio of artery dilation to repayment flow volume (micron/ml) during reactive hyperemia was attenuated significantly by LNNA.These findings suggest that endothelium-derived nitric oxide may contribute to basal coronary tone and that reactive dilation of the large epicardial coronary artery during reactive hyperemia was caused by flow-mediated nitric oxide release, whereas coronary artery dilation after acetylcholine was caused largely by the direct receptor-mediated release of nitric oxide.

Numerous investigators have shown a strong association between the seasons and the incidence of depression, mania and suicides. However, little has been known about patients who reveal affective episodes in association with the changing seasons year after year. Lewy and Rosenthal established the concept of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is characterized by recurring cycles of fall-winter depression and spring-summer hypomania (or euthymia). Depressive symptoms often include hypersomnia, anergia, fatigue, carbohydrate craving and weight gain. The syndrome occurs predominantly in women and begins in late twenties. Lewy, Rosenthal and other investigators found that exposure of the SAD patients to bright artificial light improved depressive symptoms. Some hypotheses of light therapy are proposed, however, each of them has not well explained the mechanisms.

CT findings of 10 cases of transitional cell carcinoma with renal parenchymal involvement were reviewed. CT showed a low-density mass with varying degrees of renal parenchymal involvement. Intrarenal transitional cell carcinomas were characterized by preserved renal contour with abnormalities of the collecting system such as obliteration, entrapment in the tumor, dilatation, and intraluminal mass. Obliteration of the renal sinus fat and poorly defined tumor margin were other characteristic CT features. This study indicated that CT is useful for differentiating transitional cell carcinomas with renal parenchymal involvement from renal cell carcinomas.

The usefulness of MR imaging (MRI) in uterine cervical cancer after radiotherapy was evaluated in 18 patients. MRI was performed before and within one month after radiotherapy. In eight patients the uterus assumed a nearly normal appearance with resolution of the tumor on MRI. In another eight patients the tumors resolved, but an area of high signal intensity remained at the cervix. In these patients the tumors were well controlled at clinical examinations and during the mean follow-up period of 15-18 months. Therefore a persistent area of high signal intensity alone at the cervix on MRI is not itself indicative of residual tumor. An area of high signal intensity and a residual cervical mass persisted in two cases, and they were histologically proven to be due to residual tumor. Both patients died of recurrent disease at seven and 11 months after their radiotherapy. We conclude that MRI is useful for evaluating patients with cervical cancer at the completion of radiotherapy, and that MRI complements conventional clinical examinations.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cocaine on vasoreactivity in the swine model. Eight miniature pigs underwent regional endothelial denudation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and were then fed a high cholesterol diet. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of coronary arteries was measured by quantitative angiography. Before denudation, intravenous cocaine (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) decreased CSA of epicardial vessels by 19-44%. At 3 mo after the denudation, the percent reduction in CSA of the denuded vessels induced by the 10 mg/kg dose was significantly augmented compared to nondenuded vessels (59 +/- 5% vs. 48 +/- 4%, P less than 0.05). Under in vitro conditions where isometric force of isolated ring segments was measured, methoxamine (an alpha 1 agonist) or BHT-920 (an alpha 2 agonist) produced similar degrees of contraction of denuded and control vessels; however, cocaine in concentrations up to 3 x 10(-3) M did not produce contraction. These responses were unaffected by removal of the endothelium. Histologically, myointimal thickening was noted at the denuded site. The present study demonstrates an enhanced vasoreactivity of atherosclerotic coronary arteries to cocaine in vivo, the mechanism of which appears to be mediated by endogenous vasoactive substances rather than by a direct action of cocaine on vascular smooth muscle.

The mechanism by which cocaine alters vascular tone is not fully understood. We determined the effects of cocaine on excitation-contraction coupling of isolated ferret aorta. Cocaine in concentrations less than or equal to 10(-4) M caused a contractile response in a dose-dependent manner. The response of control muscle was significantly larger than that in muscle from ferrets pretreated with reserpine. Cocaine-induced contraction was not affected by endothelial factors, but was significantly inhibited by prazosin 10(-7) M pretreatment. The intracellular calcium [( Ca++]i), as measured with aequorin, rose in conjunction with cocaine-induced contraction. The degree of contraction generated by 10(-4) M cocaine decreased after higher concentrations of cocaine greater than or equal to 10(-3) M, while aequorin luminescence remained elevated above the levels before 10(-6) M cocaine. The dose-response relationships of norepinephrine and sympathetic nerve stimulation were enhanced by 10(-6) M cocaine in control muscles; this did not occur in muscles from reserpine pretreated ferrets. In conclusion, (a) cocaine in concentrations less than or equal to 10(-4) M caused vascular contraction presumably by its presynaptic action with consequent alpha-1 adrenoceptor activation and consequent [Ca++]i rise; (b) high concentrations of cocaine greater than or equal to 10(-3) M reduced muscle tone by decreasing the Ca++ sensitivity of the contractile proteins; and (c) supersensitivity to norepinephrine was mediated by cocaine's action on adrenergic nerve endings.

A multi-center study on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) was conducted from the autumn of 1988 to the spring of 1989 with the cooperation of 16 facilities in Japan. Forty-six SAD patients were identified among 1104 respondents to our advertisements in mass media, or patients seen at the outpatient clinics. Essentially similar findings to other previous reports were obtained in terms of onset age of the first episode, duration of episode, high proportion of depression in first-degree relatives and atypical vegetative symptoms. However, a nearly equal sex ratio, together with a high proportion of unipolar depression, is characteristic of the present study. Increased appetite and carbohydrate craving were predominant only in female patients, whereas hypersomnia was prominent in both sexes. Effective response to light therapy was found in 17 SAD patients. However, a controlled study on a large number of patients is required to allow final conclusions on the efficacy of light therapy in Japanese SAD patients.