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Phase angle (PhA), proposed as an indicator of the number, integrity, and function of cells and evaluated in some clinical situations, decreases after bariatric surgery (BS). In contrast, higher values are found in physically active or exercising individuals. We therefore evaluated the influence of physical activity on PhA after BS.The PhA and body composition (obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis), physical activity level (obtained by International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and metabolic equivalents (METs) were evaluated in adult women submitted to BS. The PhA and body composition were evaluated at three time points: before and 6 and 12 months after surgery. Physical activity level and METs were measured at the two postoperative time points.A reduction in PhA was observed 6 (p 0.01) and 12 months (p 0.01) after BS, with no significant difference between time points. A moderate or high physical activity level was found in 81% of the volunteers after 6 months and in 65% after 12 months. METs were reduced after 12 months compared to 6 months. A positive correlation (p 0.05) was observed between PhA and body cell mass after surgery. There was a significant positive correlation (p 0.01) between PhA and METs after 12 months.Physical activity may attenuate the PhA reduction that occurs after BS, with this parameter reflecting the engagement of these patients in this type of activity.

Bariatric surgery improves oxidative damage, but little is known about the differences between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). This study compared changes in lipid and protein oxidative damage markers and their correlations with body parameters of patients before and after RYGB or SG.Body mass index (BMI), bioimpedance parameters, and biochemical parameters including lipid and protein oxidative damage markers were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed by t test or Mann-Whitney rank sum test and Spearman's correlation coefficient between oxidative damage and other parameters.Twenty-five patients were submitted to RYGB and 14 to SG. There was a significant decrease of BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, phase angle, serum total protein, transthyretin, and C-reactive protein in both groups (p 0.05). Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and serum lipids (p 0.05) were significantly decreased in the RYGB group. TBARS levels were significantly correlated with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.468), LDL (r = 0.439), BMI (r = 0.424), and fat mass (r = 0.40) (p 0.05). In the SG group, AOPP levels were significantly correlated with serum C-reactive protein (baseline: r = 0.53, 6 months: r = 0.64) (p 0.05). Alterations in these levels were negatively correlated with changes in BIA parameters [resistance (r = -0.574), reactance (r = -0.736), and phase angle (r = 0.549)] (p 0.05).RYGB seems to be better in attenuating oxidative damage after 6 months. The BMI reduction in the RYGB group suggests a concomitant decrease of lipid oxidative damage. In the SG group, changes in BIA parameters were inversely correlated with protein oxidative damage.

Background: \ud Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a contributor to embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Subgroup analyses from previous studies suggest that anticoagulation could reduce recurrent stroke compared with antiplatelet therapy. We hypothesised that anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, would reduce the risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke compared with aspirin among patients with PFO enrolled in the NAVIGATE ESUS trial.\ud \ud Methods: \ud NAVIGATE ESUS was a double-blinded, randomised, phase 3 trial done at 459 centres in 31 countries that assessed the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus aspirin for secondary stroke prevention in patients with ESUS. For this prespecified subgroup analysis, cohorts with and without PFO were defined on the basis of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). The primary efficacy outcome was time to recurrent ischaemic stroke between treatment groups. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding, according to the criteria of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. The primary analyses were based on the intention-to-treat population. Additionally, we did a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of studies in which patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO were randomly assigned to receive anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.\ud \ud Findings: \ud Between Dec 23, 2014, and Sept 20, 2017, 7213 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive rivaroxaban (n=3609) or aspirin (n=3604). Patients were followed up for a mean of 11 months because of early trial termination. PFO was reported as present in 534 (7·4%) patients on the basis of either TTE or TOE. Patients with PFO assigned to receive aspirin had a recurrent ischaemic stroke rate of 4·8 events per 100 person-years compared with 2·6 events per 100 person-years in those treated with rivaroxaban. Among patients with known PFO, there was insufficient evidence to support a difference in risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke between rivaroxaban and aspirin (hazard ratio [HR] 0·54; 95% CI 0·22–1·36), and the risk was similar for those without known PFO (1·06; 0·84–1·33; pinteraction=0·18). The risks of major bleeding with rivaroxaban versus aspirin were similar in patients with PFO detected (HR 2·05; 95% CI 0·51–8·18) and in those without PFO detected (HR 2·82; 95% CI 1·69–4·70; pinteraction=0·68). The random-effects meta-analysis combined data from NAVIGATE ESUS with data from two previous trials (PICSS and CLOSE) and yielded a summary odds ratio of 0·48 (95% CI 0·24–0·96; p=0·04) for ischaemic stroke in favour of anticoagulation, without evidence of heterogeneity.\ud \ud Interpretation: \ud Among patients with ESUS who have PFO, anticoagulation might reduce the risk of recurrent stroke by about half, although substantial imprecision remains. Dedicated trials of anticoagulation versus antiplatelet therapy or PFO closure, or both, are warranted.\ud \ud Funding: \ud Bayer and Janssen.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging for detecting bone marrow infiltration by malignant lymphoma. Patients and design: Fifty-three patients with malignant lymphoma underwent MR imaging and bone marrow biopsy. In 80 iliac crests of the 53 patients (13 positive specimens in 9 patients and 67 negative specimens in 44 patients), biopsy results and the signal intensity characteristics were compared. MR sequences included T1-weighted SE, T2-weighted FSE with fat suppression, FSE STIR, and diffusion-weighted EPI with fat suppression at 1.5 T. Results and conclusions: To detect lymphoma infiltration, T1-weighted SE had the highest sensitivity (92%) and diffusion-weighted EPI with fat suppression and FSE STIR had the highest specificity (92.5% and 92%, respectively). A combination of T1-weighted SE and FSE STIR yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity (85% and 97%, respectively). A combination of T1-weighted SE and FSE STIR sequences seems to be the current choice of imaging protocol for detecting bone marrow infiltration by malignant lymphoma.

We report two cases of surface deterioration of a zirconia ceramic femoral head associated with phase transformation after total hip arthroplasty. One head was retrieved at revision due to recurrent dislocation after six years and the other because of failure of the locking mechanism of the polyethylene liner after three years. The monoclinic content of the zirconia ceramics rose from 1% to about 30% on the surface of the heads. SEM revealed numerous craters indicating extraction of the zirconia ceramics at the surface. Surface roughness increased from an initial value of 0.006 3m up to 0.12 3m. This is the first report to show that phase transformation of zirconia ceramics causes deterioration of the surface roughness of the head in vivo after total hip arthroplasty.

Purpose To describe the results of a conservative and reversible technique for the treatment of progressive myopathic blepharoptosis in cases when surgery is not indicated, using octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage. Methods Ten consecutive patients with progressive myopathic blepharoptosis were studied. Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage was applied to the upper eyelid to create a deeper eyelid crease. Margin reflex distance, photographs, and visual fields were obtained prior to and after treatment. Results All patients described a better appearance after application of the product, and none had an allergic response. All cases had an increase in the margin reflex distance and improvement in visual fields. Conclusion Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate liquid bandage is an alternative method that is simple, safe, and effective in the management of severe blepharoptosis. Moreover, it can be used in patients without systemic conditions or those who are unwilling to undergo a surgical procedure.

A bacterium, Azotobacter chroococcum 4A1M, isolated from a soil sample, produced an alginate-decomposing enzyme in the culture broth. The enzyme was purified to an electrophoretically homogeneous state. The purified enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 6.0 and 60°C;it was stable up to 60°C at pH 6.0 and activated by Ca2+ and inhibited strongly by Hg2+. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 23 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 24 kDa by gel filtration. Therefore, the enzyme was considered to be monomeric. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was determined to be H2N-Ala-Ser-Ile-Ala-Ile-Thr-Asn-Pro-Gly-Phe. The enzyme reacted only on the polymannuronate block of alginic acid, and two main reaction products were obtained when short-chain polymannuronate was used as a substrate. The degrees of polymerization of the two products were three and two respectively.

To obtain the basic information on human exposure to mercury (Hg) due to gold mining activities in Anazon, total mercury (T-Hg) and methylmercuiy (MeHg) were determined for human hair, blood and/or urine saraples collected from populations living in gold mining area and fishing villages upstream of the Tapajos River basin. Abnormally high levels of T-Hg were observed in hair and blood from all fishing villages investigated and more than 90% of T-Hg was in the form of MeHg in both samples, whereas in goldmining area the value were much lower and the %MeHg values varied widely (20–100%) with individuals even in blood samples. Urine from gold shop workers contained Hg mostly in inorganic form at 165 µg/g creatinine on the average, with the range of 20 to 450 µg/g creatinine. A good correlation between Hg in hair and blood was found in fishing villages and the ratios of hair Hg to blood Hg were very close to 250, generally established for MeHg. T-Hg and inorganic Hg levels in urine from gold shop workers were also significantly correlated with inorganic Hg in blood.

1) 過去7年間に足関節外側側副靱帯損傷で観血的治療を行なった67例のストレスX線評価を行なった.2) 新鮮例と陳旧例, 徒手とテロスによるストレスでは, T-T, AD共に有意な差はなかった.3) ATF単独損傷例とATF+CF複合損傷例ではT-T, T-T差にて有意な差が見られるが, ADやAD差では有意な差は見られなかった.4) TF単独損傷例とATF+CF複合損傷例のT-T, T-T差で Gray Zone に入る症例も多くストレスX線評価のみにて確定診断や手術適応を決めるのは難しく思えた.

Mass spectra of 94 PCB methyl sulphones (MeSO2-CBs) and 2 DDE methyl sulphones (MeSO2-DDEs) were recorded after gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) using methane as the reagent gas. No significant correlation between the fragmentation of the MeSO2-CBs in MS(NICI) and the structure was found. In general, the most abundant fragments were the molecular ions (M−) and (M-19)−, the latter corresponding to (M-Cl + O)−. The fragment (M-CH3)− was observed for about half of the MeSO2-CBs analyzed. NICI of MeSO2-CBs was found to be 500 to 1000 times more sensitive than electron ionization (EI). 2-MeSO2-DDE and 3-MeSO2-DDE were found to have significantly different mass spectra in NICI. 2-MeSO2-DDE gave no molecular ion (M−) while the mass spectrum of 3-MeSO2-DDE was dominated by the molecular ion (M−). GC/MS(NICI) was applied to the analysis of MeSO2-DDEs and MeSO2-CBs in the blubber and liver from a grey seal. The two MeSO2-DDE isomers were found in both tissues and 23 of a total number of 33 MeSO2-CBs detected in the blubber were identified and 10 of 16 in the liver. MeSO2-CBs are retained in the liver with extremely high selectivity. The concentrations on lipid weight basis of MeSO2-CBs in the blubber and liver were 2.7 mg/kg and 21 mg/kg, respectively, and the concentrations of MeSO2-DDEs were 0.1 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg, respectively.

A broadband reflectometric system in O‐mode operation has been developed for the density profile determination, MHD and turbulent fluctuation measurement, and evaluation of the particle diffusion coefficient in the JT‐60 tokamak. For the profile determination, full Ka‐Q band frequencies of BWOs have been swept in 750 μs, in order to minimize the effect of Doppler shift due to the fluctuation of reflection layers. The heterodyne fixed‐frequency reflectometer has unveiled its effectiveness to probe MHD activities, diagnosing the m=1 tearing mode oscillations. It has also enabled the observation of the dramatic suppression of edge plasma density fluctuations at the L to H‐mode transition in the LHCD limiter plasma. Furthermore, the propagation delay of density pulses has been observed by different fixed‐frequency channels during a series of sawteeth, from which the particle diffusion coefficient was evaluated, with a newly proposed method applicable to fully diffusive plasmas.

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.

Metabolism of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) was investigated in rats using a mixture of PCDF congeners, including 1,2,7,8-tetra-, 2,3,7,8-tetra- and 1,2,3,7,8-penta-CDFs as major components. The feces of rat dosed with PCDFs were examined for unchanged PCDFs, hydroxylated and sulfur-containing metabolites by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry. Twelve phenolic PCDFs and four sulfur-containing PCDFs were identified as the metabolites. A dihydroxy-tetrachlorobiphenyl, which has both hydroxy groups at the ortho-position, was also observed. The fecal excretion of unchanged PCDFs and phenolic metabolites were 7 and 32 % of the dose during five days, respectively, while the amount of methylthio-tetra-CDF was 0.01-0.1 % of the dose. It is concluded that hydroxylation is a major metabolic reaction in the metabolism of 1,2,7,8-tetra-, 2,3,7,8-tetra- and 1,2,3,7,8-penta-CDFs, compared to sulfur-containing derivation.

Several methylsulfonyl (MSF)-PCBs and related compounds were compared regarding their tissue distribution and excretion in mice. The rate of tissue accmulation of MSF-PCBs differed significantly between isomers, and also from 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexaCB and 4-methylsulfonate-2,5,2′,5′-tetraCB. Among them, 4-MSF-2,5,2′,3′,4′-pentaCB was retained in the liver, aipose, lung and kidney at the level of 20% of the dose after 12 days. 3-MSF-4,5,3′,4′- and 4-MSF-3,5,3′,4′-tetraCB, which show a strong inhibitory effect on 2,3,7,8-TCDD-induced AHH activity, were less retainable in these tissues.

A degradation mode by FN stress is investigated comprehensively. We demonstrate that this degradation really occurs in driver MOSFETs in actual circuits after E/W operation. We also exhibit that this degradation has strong correlation with total injected gate and substrate current and propose a hot-hole induced degradation mechanism.

An extremely compact transceiver (TRx) front-end module (FEM) has been developed for 5-GHz wireless LAN systems. A highly-integrated flip-chip TRx IC and the embedding of passive devices in a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) with high /spl epsi//sub r/(=17) are the keys to reducing the module size to 8 /spl times/ 10 /spl times/ 1 mm (0.08 cc). To the best of our knowledge, this is the most compact existing FEM that demonstrates full transceiver operation and complies with the IEEE 802.11a standard.

The preparation of oligonucleotides containing Fapy.dA (N4-(2-Deoxy-alpha,beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-4,6-diamino- 5-formamidopyrimidine) and Fapy.dG (N6-(2-Deoxy-alpha,beta-D-erythro-pento-furanosyl)-2,6- diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamido-pyrimidine) at defined sites was achieved by introducing the lesions as dinucleotide phosphoramidites. Oligonucleotides as composed of as many as 36-nucleotides were prepared by solid-phase synthesis and/or a combination of chemical synthesis and enzymatic ligation. Oligonucleotides containing non-hydrolyzable analogues were also prepared. Oligonucleotides containing these modified nucleotides were characterized by a variety of chemical and biochemical methods.

Synthetic disulfides composed of iron and cobalt (Fe/sub 1-x/Co/sub x/S/sub 2/) were evaluated as cathode materials using a single cell. The discharge utilization was improved and the discharge curve exhibited an excellent plateau when compared with those of both FeS/sub 2/ and FeS/sub 2/+CoS/sub 2/ and also the discharge time became longer with an increasing Co atomic ratio. The atomic ratio of iron and cobalt of each sample and the lattice constant obtained from X-ray analysis results are shown. The performances of BL 60210 and BL 72135 thermal batteries using synthetic disulfide cathode materials are described. >

The OBIC (Optical Beam Induced Current) system, which has been designed for detecting and analyzing the defect characteristics of the failed sample devices, is described with experimental results from defect characterizations of sample devices. Since a conforcal laser microscope has been adopted as a basic system, high spatial resolution power can be obtained, compared with an ordinary optical microscope. The detection limit of leakage current is improved up to 1 nA. Therefore, this system can reveal a number of semiconductor device phenomena such as defects of pn junctions, latch-up phenomena and the current leakage through the oxide layer by tunneling effect as well as by point contact. >

A new method for extracting the capacitance coupling coefficients of sub-0.5-/spl mu/m flash memory cells under a negative gate bias is proposed. In contrast to previously developed methods, this method is not affected by the source region dopant profile. Hence, it has the potential to be applied continuously to flash memory cells with reduced dimensions. Using a reference device eliminates the need to make assumptions concerning the electron transport mechanism. Also, another easy method for extracting the gate capacitance coupling coefficient is proposed to provide confirmation.

Background: HCV-6 is common in patients from Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions where HCV prevalence can be up to 6%. Optimal treatment duration for HCV-6 is unknown given inconclusive evidence from studies with varying methodologies and small sample sizes. Our goal was to assess the optimal treatment duration for these patients. Methods: We performed a literature search for ‘genotype 6' in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (without MEDLINE-indexed articles) in September 2013, which produced 161 and 251 articles, respectively. Additional abstracts were identified from four major international GI/ liver conferences in 2012 and 2013. Inclusion criteria were: original study, treatment-naive patients, and minimum sample size ( ≥10 HCV-6 patients). Exclusion criteria were: coinfections with hepatitis B virus, HIV, other HCV genotypes, and/or other liver diseases. Only patients who received PEG IFN+RBV were included in the analysis. All literature searches and data extraction were performed independently by two authors. Primary outcome was pooled sustained virologic response (SVR, undetectable HCV RNA PCR 24 weeks after end of therapy). Cochrane Q-test (p-value of 0.10) and I-squared statistic (> 50%) were utilized to assess heterogeneity. Results: A total of 13 studies with 641 patients were included in the analysis. Pooled SVR estimate, by random effects model (Q-value=38.4, p-value

Two mass-food poisonings called Yusho and Yucheng occurred in Western Japan and Taiwan in 1968 and 1979, respectively. Blood samples from 5 Yusho patients and 3 Yucheng patients were collected several times from 1982 to 1998 and from 1980 to 1995, respectively, and analyzed for PCB and PCDF congeners. Fat base concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF in the Yusho patients, which were responsible for about 70% of the dioxin toxicity, are estimated to be decreased from 60 ppb in 1969 to 0.8 ppb in 1997 with the median half-life of 2.9 years in the first 15 years after the onset and 7.7 years in the next stage of 15 years. Fat base concentrations of total PCBs in the blood of Yusho patients are estimated to be decreased from 75 ppm just after the onset to 2.3 ppm after passage of 30 years. Typical Yusho symptoms of acneiform eruption, dermal pigmentation and increased eye discharge were very gradually recovered with lapse of ten years. However, enzyme and/or hormone mediated sign of high serum triglyceride, high serum thyroxin, immunoglobulin disorder and others are persistently maintained for 30 years.

In vitro Metabolism of 2,4,5,2',3',4'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB138) was studied using liver microsomes from rats, hamsters and guinea pigs. Guinea pig liver microsomes formed four metabolites named as M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 and these metabolites were all increased to about 4-5 fold of untreated microsomes by pretreatment of phenobarbital. Liver microsomes of rats and hamsters showed much less activity to metabolize CB138 than those of guinea pigs. Only phenobarbital-treated microsomes produced very small amounts of M-3 in rats and M-1, M-2 and M-3 in hamsters, but untreated and MC-treated microsomes did not. When mass spectra of the methylated derivatives of M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 were measured in GC/MS, the former two possess the molecular ion of 354 and the latter two had the molecular ion of 388. In addition, the mass fragmentation pattern indicated that M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4 are 2-OH-4,5,2',3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl, 5-OH-2,4,2',3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl, 3-OH-CB138 and 2-OH-3,4,5,2',3',4'-hexachlorobiphenyl, respectively. Of four metabolites, the chemical structures of M-3 and M-4 were supported by the synthesized authentic compounds. From these results, it is suggested that the metabolism of CB138 in guinea pig liver proceeds mainly via 2,3-epoxide as an intermediate and a PB-inducible P450, CYP2B18, is the most important isozyme in CB138 metabolism.

Gene therapy with thyroglobulin (TG) promoter and a prodrug/suicide gene combination may prove useful as a treatment for thyroid carcinoma. However, most poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas have lost the ability to express the TG gene expression accompanied by loss of transcription factors [thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), TTF-2, or Pax-8] interacting with the TG promoter. In anticipation of developing transcriptionally targeted gene therapy of TG-nonproducing thyroid carcinomas, we investigated the effect of TTF-1 gene transfer on TG promoter activity and the cytotoxic effect obtained by the TG promoter-driven HSV-TK gene along with ganciclovir in thyroid carcinoma and nonthyroidal cells. Using a chimeric construct containing the 5'-flanking region of the rat TG gene between -826 and +39 bp and the luciferase gene, TG promoter activity was detected in a normal rat thyroid cell line (FRTL-5), but not in a dedifferentiated line of thyroid cells (FRT) expressing Pax-8 but not TTF-1, TTF-2, or TG [TTF-1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(+)/TG(-)], or in a human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line [BHP15-3; TTF-1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(-)/TG(-)], a human pulmonary cell line [H441; TTF-1(+)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(-)/TG(-)], or a dog kidney epithelial cell line [MDCK; TTF-1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(+)/TG(-)]. Cotransfection of the TTF-1 expression vector stimulated TG promoter activity in FRT and BHP15-3 dedifferentiated thyroid cells, but not in H441 pulmonary cells. Only weak activation was observed in MDCK kidney cells. We then constructed recombinant adenovirus vectors, AdTTF-1 and ADTGTK: AdTTF-1 contained cytomegalovirus promoter and rat TTF-1 cDNA; AdTGTK carried the TG promoter-driven HSV-TK gene. Infection with AdTGTK and combined with GCV treatment induced a cytotoxic effect in FRTL-5 cells but not in dedifferentiated thyroid or nonthyroid cells. Cotransduction of AdTTF-1 and AdTGTK permitted 90% cytotoxicity for BHP15-3 and95% cytotoxicity for FRT, as well as for BHP7-13 and BHP18-21v thyroid cancer cell lines [both/TTF1(-)/TTF-2(-)/Pax-8(+)/TG(-)]. In contrast, little cytotoxicity was seen for H441 and MDCK cell lines even with 300 microg/ml of ganciclovir. These results suggest that cotransduction of a TG promoter-controlled suicide gene and the TTF-1 gene by adenoviral vectors confers transcriptionally targeted gene-mediated cytotoxicity in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma cells unable to express the TG gene.

We report a case of a 70-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with sudden headache, drowsiness and hyponatremia. MRI on admission showed an intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension. Serum examination revealed decreased sodium and hypopituitarism, but they were normalized gradually by compensation using hydrocortisone, thyroid hormone and salt. Afterwards, masked diabetes insipidus appeared and required aqueous pitressin for the control of urine volume. A removal operation was performed uneventfully using the transsphenoidal approach and histological examination confirmed squamous-papillary type craniopharyngioma. Intratumoral hemorrhage of the craniopharyngioma is extremely rare. These cases tend to occur after over 15 years of maturation and the squamous-papillary type tend to bleed more than the adamantinomatous type. However, it is very difficult to make a differential diagnosis between craniopharyngioma with intratumoral hemorrhage and pituitary apoplexy, judging only by symptoms or interventional radiology. The definite mechanism of hyponatremia associated with a parasellar lesion is still obscure, but compression to the anterior hypothalamus or pituitary gland by an enlargement of the parasellar tumor is generally hypothesized.

Postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 interacts with and mediates clustering of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptors (NMDA-R). PSD-95 also interacts with the hDLG-associated protein DAP, which is also called Synapse-associated protein 90-associated protein (SAPAP), and Guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP).DAP interacted directly with the dynein light chain (DLC) family of proteins. DLC was contained in the NMDA-R-PSD-95-DAP-neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) complex. Furthermore, DAP interacted with nNOS and recruited it into the Triton X-100-insoluble fraction of transfected cells.DAP interacts directly with DLC and nNOS, and links these proteins to the NMDA-R-PSD-95 complex.

We report a case of a 62-year-old woman admitted to our hospital in a semicomatose state. CT scan and MRI on admission revealed a dense subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hematoma in the right frontal lobe. Digital subtraction angiography showed a saccular aneurysm located in the anterior communicating artery, so radical neck clipping of the aneurysm was performed via the right pterional approach. The operation was unevential. The patient complained of bilateral visual disturbance on the next day and FLAIR image of MRI demonstrated clearly crescent shaped and mobile high intense lesions corresponding to subhyaloid vitreous hemorrhage in both eye balls. The fundoscopic examination revealed an intravitreous hemorrhage which gradually disappeared over the next 12 days. Terson's syndrome after subarachnoid hemorrhage has been linked to an entity of poor prognosis, so it is beneficial that characteristic findings in FLAIR image of MRI can lead to correct diagnosis of Terson's syndrome earlier.

Though diffusion-weighted images (DWI) have been increasingly used to detect super-acute-phase cerebral infarction in recent years, they have primarily been obtained through the use of high magnetic machines of more than 1.5T. In this study, we discussed the usefulness of DWI obtained using 0.5T MRI in comparison with CT, MRI (FLAIR and T2 weighted image) and SPECT (99mTc-HMPAO). DWI were able to detect ischemic lesions earlier than FLAIR or T2-weighted images. Scanning time was short at four seconds for eight slices, and the quality of image was sufficient for clinical usage. The most available b-value seems to be 800. There were less susceptibility artifacts in the 0.5T DWI than in the 1.5T DWI. From these data, we presume that it is possible to detect super-acute-phase cerebral ischemia on the 0.5T DWI, proving the clinical usefulness of DWI. Furthermore, DWI is considered useful in observing chronological changes in cerebral infarction, differentiation of abscess or brain tumor, diagnosis of moyamoya disease, degenerative disease and so on.

Following the i.p. administration of 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB126) and 2,2',3,3',4,4'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB128) to rats, blood, liver, lung, kidney, adipose tissue and feces were analyzed for the metabolites. CB126 was biotransformed to three hydroxylated metabolites identified as 4-OH-3,3',4',5'-tetraCB, 4-OH-3,3',4',5,5'-pentaCB and 5-OH-3,3',4,4',5'-pentaCB at about 1:7:2 ratio, whereas to two methylthio metabolites as 5-MeS- and 6-MeS-3,3',4,4',5'-pentaCBs at 1:2 ratio. Among the metabolites, only 4-OH-3,3',4',5,5'-pentaCB was detected in all tissues and blood. The ratio of metabolite/unchanged CB126 was 1:1.3 in blood and 1:162 in liver, indicating the high blood affinity of this metabolite. Trace amounts of 5-methylsulfonyl-3,3',4,4',5'-pentaCB was also detected in the liver. CB128 was biotransformed to 5-OH-, 5-MeS- and 6-MeS-2,2',3,3',4,4' hexaCBs which were excreted to feces in about 5:5:1 ratio. No metabolites were detected in blood and any tissues except for liver where trace amounts of 5-hydroxylated metabolite was present, indicating the low tissue affinity of hydroxylated metabolites from CB128.

All PCB congeners were analyzed by high separation gas chromatography/low resolution mass spectrometer, using 209 PCB congeners as standards. They were separated into 169 peaks, including 28 peaks containing 2 PCBs and 8 peaks containing 3 PCBs. The rice oil samples of Fukuoka and Taiwan Poisonings were analyzed for PCB congeners. They showed 115 separated peaks of PCB congeners. Total PCB concentrations were 879 and 769 ppm in 2 samples of Fukuoka rice oil and 57 and 83 ppm in 2 samples of Taiwan rice oil.

Methylsulphonyl polychlorinated biphenyls (MSF-PCBs) have already contaminated at relatively high concentration in the lungs and blood of Yusho patients and healthy Japanese people. Therefore, we should give due attention to their biological and toxicological effects to man. In this study, in order to evaluate S-dependent genotoxicity of five MSF-PCB congeners, namely, 3-MSF-4,5,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), 3-MSF-4,5,2',3'-TCB, 3-MSF-2,5,2',4',5'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PenCB), 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',4'-PenCB and 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',5',6'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB), we have examined their effects on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), which has been frequently used to estimate the dose of S-dependent clastogens, in cultured human lymphocytes in the absence or presence of 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PenCDF), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (Co-PenCB) and the following results were obtained. 1) 4 x 10(-5)M, 7,8-benzoflavone (ANF) and two of the five MSF-PCB congeners, namely, 3-MSF-2,5,2',4',5'- and 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',4'-PenCB at respective doses of 5.2 and 5.8 ppm, which were about 35,000 times higher than the concentrations in the lungs and adipose tissue of healthy Japanese people, significantly enhanced the frequency of SCEs. 2) In the simultaneous treatment of one of the five MSF-PCB congeners and PenCDF (3.9 ppb), TCDD (1.5 ppb) or Co-PenCB (8.8 ppb), the combination of 3-MSF-4,5,3',4'-TCB (6.8 ppb) or 4-MSF-2,5,2',3',5',6'-HCB and one of the three highly toxic chemicals significantly promoted the formation of SCEs. We have already studied whether these MSF-PCBs are non-S-dependent genotoxic compounds or not and have obtained the results that they seemed not to be or very weak ones. Therefore, based on the results of this and our former studies, the five MSF-PCB congeners examined are considered rather potent S-dependent genotoxic chemicals than non-S-dependent ones.

Breast milk and blood of Yusho patients were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners by High separation gas chromatography/Low resolution mass spectrometer. Seventy-one and forty-nine PCB congeners were identified and quantified in the breast milk and blood, respectively. Total PCB concentrations (Whole base) in breast milk of 2 Yusho patients were 69.9 and 15.1 ppb, respectively, being 11.6 and 2.5 times higher than those of 4 control breast milk. Average total PCB concentration of 5.0 ppb in whole blood of 13 Yusho patients was 3.6 times higher than those of control persons. Fourteen PCB congeners, such as 99, 117, 130, 137, 138, 156, 157, 164, 170, 171, 172, 189, 191 and 195, were particularly higher concentration in breast milk and blood of Yusho patients than in those of control persons. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs were also analyzed in the breast milk of Yusho patients and control persons. Large portions, 83 and 74%, of Dioxin toxic equivalency (TEQ) in the 2 Yusho breast milk were consisted of TEQ of 2,3,4,7,8-pentaCDF only, while total TEQ in the breast milk of control persons was consisted of PCDFs 48%. PCDDs 29% and coplanar PCBs 23%.

Acetabular dysplasia represents the most common aetiology for secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint in Japan. On radiographs progress of the disease can be classified in four stages (I to IV). Labral lesions are common accompanying findings in acetabular dysplasia, representing an important prognostic factor. Therefore we routinely use conventional arthrography to classify labral lesions in three types (normal, torn and detached). From 1978 to 1983 a modified Chiari osteotomy of the pelvis (dome osteotomy) was performed in 64 hip joints without arthrotomy. The preoperative radiography showed labral lesions in 66%. After an average follow-up of 4 years, 43 of the 44 patients with a normal or torn labrum showed excellent or good results. On contrast, 50% of the 20 patients with a detached labrum showed fair and poor results only. From 1984 to 1989 an arthrotomy was combined with dome osteotomy in 29 hip joints and labral lesions had to be resected in 16 cases. The results were generally good in patients with arthrosis grade I and II, but in stage III they were only fair. Thus, the success of labral surgery can only be achieved in early stages of dysplasia. Based on our findings dome osteotomy combined with arthrotomy and labral surgery can be recommended in patients with labral lesions and hip dysplasia grade I and II.

A 31-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of petechial hemorrhages. Physical examination revealed no splenomegaly. The patient's platelet count was 1.0 x 10(9)/l and bone marrow aspiration showed an elevated number of megakaryocytes. A diagnosis of HIV-associated thrombocytopenia was made on the basis of HIV seropositive results. The CD4 cell count was 400 x 10(6)/l. No opportunistic infections indicating AIDS were detected. Initially the patient was treated with predonisolone, but showed only a transient response. He also failed to respond to zidovudine, lamivudine, or indinavir. Following splenectomy, however, his platelet count rose above 80 x 10(9)/l (normal level: 150-350 x 10(9)/l).

A new hybrid type of switched reluctance motor (SRM) and its control method are proposed in this paper. The new type of SRM consists of the usual salient pole type or a cylindrical type stator and one rotor in which two permanent magnets are installed symmetrically between the iron poles of the rotor. With the exciting current supplied to the stator windings, the magnets can generate additional torque and improve the overall motor performance. The motor performance characteristics have been estimated using the finite element method.

The disposition of a new nonsteroidal 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, 4-[3-[3-[bis(4-isobutylphenyl)methylamino]benzoyl]-1H-indol-1-yl]-butyric acid (FK143), was investigated in rats. After intravenous administration of FK143 at 1 and 5 mg/kg, total body clearance, elimination half-life, and volume of distribution at steady-state were, respectively, 6.96 and 8.76 ml/min/kg, 10.31 and 9.83 hr, and 4.11 and 3.33 liters/kg. There were no essential differences between the two doses in any parameters. The serum protein binding in vitro was very high (99%). The unidirectional uptake clearance (CL1) to 13 tissues was determined by integration plot until 10 min after intravenous administration of 1 mg/kg. CL1 values were much smaller than blood flow rate in all tissues, including the prostate, the target organ, indicating that FK143 was transported from blood to tissues by a membrane-limited process. Since the elimination rates of FK143 from the liver, kidney, lung, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate were slower than from the blood, the efflux rate constant (k2) and rate constants at a binding compartment (k3 and k4) were assumed in the pharmacokinetic model. A correlation was found between the binding potential of binding compartment (k3/k4) and V(max) of steroid 5alpha-reductase, the target enzyme, suggesting that the levels of 5alpha-reductase activity or that of associated substances are a primary determinant of the specific binding of FK143 in these tissues.

2,4',5-Trichlorobiphenyl (TriCB), 2,3',4',5-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TetraCB), 2,2',4',5,5'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PentaCB), and 2,2',3',4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HexaCB) were studied with regard to the fecal excretion and tissue distribution of their metabolites after intraperitoneal injection to rats. Major fecal metabolites were 3- and 4-hydroxy and 3- and 4-methylthio derivatives, the substitution ratios depending largely on the degree of chlorination. As the degree of chlorination increased, hydroxy products were more efficiently excreted, whereas the formation of methylthio metabolites greatly decreased. As a result, the excretion ratios of methylthio and hydroxy products varied with 2.8 for TriCB, 1.3 for TetraCB, 0.04 for PentaCB, and 0.02 for HexaCB. The 3-/4-hydroxy substitution ratios were 0.6 for TriCB, 1.4 for TetraCB, 21 for PentaCB, and 35 for HexaCB, whereas the 3-/4-methythio substitution ratios were 1.2 for TriCB, 0.8 for TetraCB, 0.18 for PentaCB, and 0.12 for HexaCB. The formation rate of 3- and 4-methylthio metabolites from each congener was correlated to the accumulation and distribution of 3- and 4-methylsulfonyl derivatives in tissues. The tissue/blood concentration ratios of methylsulfonyl metabolites showed that the 3-methylsulfonyl derivatives from higher chlorinated biphenyls had a relatively high affinity for liver and adipose tissue, whereas the 4-methylsulfonyl derivatives were selectively retained in the lung in all cases.

It is known that catalepsy serves as an experimental animal model of parkinsonism. In this study, the relationship between in vivo dopamine D1 and D2 receptor occupancies and catalepsy was investigated to predict the intensity of catalepsy induced by drugs that bind to D1 and D2 receptors nonselectively. 3H-SCH23390 and 3H-raclopride were used for the labeling of D1 and D2 receptors, respectively. The ternary complex model consisting of agonist or antagonist, receptor, and transducer was developed, and the dynamic parameters were determined. After coadministration of SCH23390 and nemonapride, catalepsy was stronger than sum of the values predicted by single administration of each drug, and it was intensified synergistically. This finding suggested the existence of interaction between D1 and D2 receptors, and the necessity for constructing the model including this interaction. To examine the validity of this model, catalepsy and in vivo dopamine receptor occupancy were measured after administration of drugs that induce or have a possibility to induce parkinsonism (haloperidol, flunarizine, manidipine, oxatomide, hydroxyzine, meclizine, and homochlorcycilzine). All of the tested drugs blocked both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Intensity of catalepsy was predicted with this dynamic model and was compared with the observed values. In contrast with haloperidol, flunarizine, manidipine, and oxatomide (which induced catalepsy), hydroxyzine, meclizine, and homochlorcyclizine failed to induce catalepsy. Intensities of catalepsy predicted with this dynamic model considering the interaction between D1 and D2 receptors overestimated the observed values, suggesting that these drugs have catalepsy-reducing properties as well. Because muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor antagonists inhibit the induction of catalepsy, the anticholinergic activities of the drugs were investigated. After SCH23390, nemonapride and scopolamine were administered simultaneously; catalepsy and in vivo mACh receptor occupancy were measured to evaluate quantitatively the anticholinergic activity. Relationship between mACh receptor occupancy and change in catalepsy was used as the measure of catalepsy-reducing effects of the drugs. Measurement of in vivo mACh receptor occupancy revealed a significant blockade of mACh receptor by all of the tested drugs except for haloperidol. The predicted values of catalepsy, when corrected for the mACh receptor-related reduction, approached the observed values. This finding indicates the possibility that mACh receptor antagonism of drugs may contribute to the reduction of catalepsy. In conclusion, the dynamic model considering D1, D2, and mACh receptor occupancies and synergism between D1 and D2 receptors may be useful for quantitative prediction of drug-induced catalepsy.

Kanechlor 400, which caused the "Yusho disease", was i.p. administered to mice and methylsulfonyl (MeSO2) metabolites were investigated with respect to the concentration in liver and lung during 28 days after the administration. Major components were 3- and 4-MeSO2 derivatives from seven PCBs (IUPAC no. #31, #49, #64, #70, #101, #110, #132). In the liver, similar concentration ratio of 3- and 4-MeSO2 derivatives was observed, whereas seven 4-MeSO2 derivatives were selectively retained in the lung. Methylsulfone metabolites of triCB (#31) were rapidly formed and eliminated. The highest concentration of the metabolites in the lung was 4-MeSO2-2, 2', 4', 5-tetraCB. Concentration ratio of MeSO2-CBs to residual PCBs was 1:2.1 in the liver whereas 4.6:1 in the lung 28 days after the administration.

Blood samples of Yusho and control persons were analyzed for individual congeners of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs by high resolution GC/MS. Concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF, 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexa-CDF and 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexa-CB in Yusho blood were up to 56 times higher than the corresponding concentrations in the control blood. These high concentrations have persisted for 23 years after the incident. Concentrations of 3,3',4,4',5-penta-CB and 2,3',4,4',5-penta-CB in some Yusho blood were lower than the control blood. In Yusho blood, 2,3,4,7,8-penta-CDF contributed the highest toxicity (TEQ 77-248 ppt in lipid) among the congeners determined and toxic contribution of PCDFs was very large (41-77%) in the chlorinated pollutants. Thirty PCB congeners were identified in the blood of Yusho patients in 1996 by GC/MS. The average total PCB concentration in Yusho blood were 4.9 times higher than that of the controls. Characteristic PCB congeners in Yusho patients were 2,2',3,4,4',5-hexa-CB, 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexa-CB and 2,3,3',4,4',5'-hexa-CB and their concentration ratios to the controls were 8-19.

(5'S)-C-(4-Phenyl-1,3-butadienyl)uridine (8) was prepared from the (5'S)-C-styryl derivative 2. Intramolecular oxyselenation of 8 proceeded in a 6-endo-trig manner to yield the cyclized product 9. Compound 9, having appropriate substituents at the 5'-, 6'-, and 7'-positions, was found to serve as a key intermediate for the synthesis of octosyl nucleosides.