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We have been developing a compact adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator, keeping ground application and future missions in mind. A salt pill fabricated in-house, a superconducting magnet with a passive magnetic shield around it, and a mechanical heat switch are mounted in a dedicated helium cryostat. The detector stage temperature is regulated by PID control of the magnet current, with a $$\mathrm{d}I/\mathrm{d}t$$ term added to compensate the temperature rise due to parasitic heat. The temperature fluctuation of the detector stage is 1–2 $$\upmu $$ Krms, and the hold time was extended by about 15 % thanks to the $$\mathrm{d}I/\mathrm{d}t$$ term. Bundle shields of the harnesses between the cryostat and the analog electronics boxes were connected to the chassis at both ends, and the analog electronics boxes were grounded to the cryostat through the bundle shields. This reduced the readout noise to 16 pA/ $$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$$ in the 10–60 kHz range. Using this system, an energy resolution of 3.8 $$\pm $$ 0.2 eV (FWHM) was achieved at 5.9 keV.

We are developing a compact adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) dedicated for TES X-ray microcalorimeter operation. Ferric ammonium alum (FAA) was grown in a stainless-steel container in our laboratory. This salt pill was mounted together with a superconducting magnet and a conventional mechanical heat-switch in a dedicated helium cryostat. Using this system, we achieved $${}20$$ h below 100 mK. Initially, we used a 3 mm thick silicon steel shield around the ADR magnet and a Nb/Cryoperm double shield around the detector. However, this silicon steel shield allowed a $${\sim }50$$ mT field at the detector position when a full field (3 T) was applied, and caused the Nb shield around the detector to trap a magnetic field. The observed transition curve of a TES was broad ( $${\sim }20$$ mK) compared to $${\sim }4$$ mK obtained in a dilution refrigerator. By increasing the shield thickness to 12 mm, transition width was improved to $${\sim }4$$ mK, which suggests that the shields work as expected. When we operated a TES microcalorimeter, energy resolution was $$14.5\pm 0.7$$ eV (FWHM) at 5.9 keV.

Aim The aim of the study was to determine the present state of diverting stoma construction in Japanese cancer centres and to investigate the relationship between symptomatic leakage and diverting stoma after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Method Two hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients undergoing low anterior resection for rectal cancer located within 10 cm from the anal verge were investigated in a prospective, multicenter study. Results The overall leakage rate was 9.0% (20/222). Of 31 cases with an anastomosis within 2.0 cm from the anal verge, 22 (71%) had a diverting stoma. Of cases anastomosed within 5.0 cm, the absence of a diverting stoma and tumour size were significantly related to an increased rate of leakage [leakage in 13 (12.7%) of 102 cases without a diverting stoma; in three (3.8%) of 80 cases with a diverting stoma]. Among anastomoses within 2.0 cm from the anal verge, leakage occurred in four (44.4%) of nine cases without and in none (0%) of 22 cases with a diverting stoma. Conclusion We recommend a diverting stoma for an anastomosis within 5.0 cm of the anal verge and strongly recommend it for a very low anastomosis within 2.0 cm.

Inulin, a natural renewable polysaccharide resource produced by various plants in nature, has been reported to possess a significant number of diverse pharmaceutical and food applications. Recently, there has been rapid progress in high-throughput technologies and platforms to assay global mRNA, proteins, metabolites and gut microbiota. In this review, we will describe the current status of utilizing omics technologies of elucidating the impact of inulin and inulin-containing prebiotics at the transcriptome, proteome, metabolome and gut microbiome levels. Although many studies in this review have addressed the impact of inulin comprehensively, these omics technologies only enable us to understand physiological information at each different stage of mRNA, protein, metabolite and gut microbe. We believe that a synergistic approach is vital in order to fully illustrate the intricate beauty behind the relatively modest influence of food factors like inulin on host health.

We investigated the effect of platelet-derived growth factor B homodimer (PDGF-BB) on inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport activity, which has been reported to be involved in the mechanism of atherosclerosis, in A-10 rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). PDGF-BB time- and dose-dependently stimulated Pi transport in A-10 cells. Using northern blot analysis, the PDGF-BB-enhanced Pi transporter (PiT) in A-10 cells was identified as Pit-1 (Glvr-1), a member of the type III Na-dependent PiT. An inhibitor of PDGF beta-receptor tyrosine kinase suppressed PDGF-BB-induced Pi transport. Both a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C and PKC down regulation suppressed the stimulatory effect of PDGF-BB on Pi transport. On the other hand, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by selective inhibitors did not affect Pi transport. Ly294002, a phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor, partially attenuated PDGF-BB-induced Pi transport. A selective inhibitor of S(6) kinase, rapamycin, reduced this effect of PDGF-BB, while Akt kinase inhibitor did not. In summary, these results indicated that PDGF-BB is a potent and selective stimulator of Pi transport in VSMCs. The mechanism responsible for this effect is not mediated by MAP kinase, but involves activation of PKC, PI 3-kinase and S(6) kinase.

We investigated whether DNA polymerase beta activity and expression in rat adrenal glands and testes are controlled by the cAMP dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) phosphorylation system in addition to anterior pituitary hormones. DNA polymerase beta mRNA expression in rat testes was decreased by hypophysectomy and recovered with administration of gonadotropic hormone, suggesting that this enzyme is controlled at the mRNA level by this pituitary hormone. In addition, DNA polymerase beta activity in the adrenal glands and testes and the amount of mRNA in the testes increased when cAMP was administered to the normal rat. This activity was decreased by administration of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, H(8). Moreover, when alkaline phosphatase was added to the assay system in vitro, a decrease in DNA polymerase beta activity was observed. These findings indicate that changes in the activity and expression of DNA polymerase beta are mediated via cAMP and the A-kinase system, and that phosphorylation of this enzyme is also involved in this expression.

Background The best suture method to prevent incisional surgical-site infection (SSI) after clean-contaminated surgery has not been clarified. Methods Patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery at one of 16 centres were randomized to receive either subcuticular sutures or skin stapling for skin closure. The primary endpoint was the rate of incisional SSI. Secondary endpoints of interest included time required for wound closure, incidence of wound problems, postoperative length of stay, wound aesthetics and patient satisfaction. Results A total of 1264 patients were enrolled. The cumulative incidence of incisional SSI by day 30 after surgery was similar after subcuticular sutures and stapled closure (8·7 versus 9·8 per cent respectively; P = 0·576). Comparison of cumulative incidence curves revealed that SSI occurred later in the subcuticular suture group (P = 0·019) (hazard ratio 0·66, 95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·97). Wound problems (P = 0·484), wound aesthetics (P = 0·182) and postoperative duration of hospital stay (P = 0·510) did not differ between the groups; subcuticular sutures took 5 min longer than staples (P < 0·001). Patients in the subcuticular suture group were significantly more satisfied with their wound (52·4 per cent versus 42·7 per cent in the staple group; P = 0·002). Conclusion Compared with skin stapling, subcuticular sutures did not reduce the risk of incisional SSI after colorectal surgery. Registration number: UMIN000004001 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr).

Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in erythrocytes is affected by various diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated changes in the Cu,Zn-SOD activity compared to changes in the Cu,Zn-SOD concentration in erythrocytes obtained from patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes was significantly lower in Type 2 DM patients than in healthy non-diabetic subjects. The activity correlated negatively with HbA1c, but not with other indicators of metabolic control, such as fasting blood glucose or plasma cholesterol or triglyceride. However, there was no statistically significant difference in erythrocyte concentration of Cu,Zn-SOD between diabetic and control samples. Concentration did not correlate with enzymatic activity or HbA1c. These findings indicate that the inactivation of Cu,Zn-SOD activity in erythrocytes of Type 2 DM patients by hyperglycaemia may be slow, because there is a negative correlation between the enzyme activities and HbA1c levels, but not fasting blood glucose levels. This is consistent with glycosylation of the active site of Cu,Zn-SOD, without any effect of hyperglycaemia on the concentration of Cu,Zn-SOD.

Hyper- and hypothyroid states occasionally induce skeletal muscle dysfunction i.e. periodic paralysis and thyroid myopathy. The etiology of these diseases remains unclear, but several findings suggest that the catecholamine-β-receptor-cAMP system or other messenger systems are disturbed in these diseases. In this context, we evaluated changes in the cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide metabolic enzyme, cyclic 3′,5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) and calmodulin concentrations in skeletal muscles of hyper- and hypothyroid rats. Activities of cyclic AMP-PDE were low in skeletal muscle both from hyper- and hypothyroid rats, and calmodulin concentration was high in hyperthyroid and low in hypothyroid rats, as compared with normal rats. DE-52 column chromatographic analysis showed that the cGMP hydrolytic activity in peak I and the cAMP hydrolytic activity in peak II were decreased in hypothyroid rats, whereas cAMP hydrolytic activity in peak III was unchanged. The cAMP hydrolytic activity in peak III was decreased in hyperthyroid rats, but the activities in peaks I and II were unchanged. These findings indicate that cAMP and calmodulin may have some role in skeletal muscle function in the hyperthyroid state, and that cAMP and calmodulin-dependent metabolism may be suppressed in the hypothyroid state. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 146, 287–292

Active oxygen species are reported to cause organ damage. This study was therefore designed to determine the behaviour of antioxidants and free radical scavengers so as to reveal changes in animals in the hyper- and hypothyroid state. Levels of antioxidant factors (i.e. coenzyme Q (CoQ)10, CoQ9 and vitamin E) and free radical scavengers (catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were measured in the heart muscles of rats rendered hyper- or hypothyroid by 4 weeks of thyroxine (T4) or methimazol treatment. Serum levels of CoQ9 and total SOD were also measured. A significant reduction in CoQ9 levels was observed in the heart muscles of both hyper- and hypothyroid rats when compared with control hearts. There was no difference in serum CoQ9 levels in thyroid dysfunction when compared with control animals. Levels of vitamin E in the heart muscles of hyperthyroid rats were significantly increased, and there was no reduction in vitamin E levels in hypothyroid rats when compared with control hearts. GSH-PX levels in the heart muscle were reduced in hyperthyroid rats and increased in hypothyroid rats when compared with control hearts. However, there were no differences in catalase levels in heart muscle between hyper- and hypothyroid rats. The concentration of SOD in heart muscle was increased in hyperthyroid rats and was not decreased in hypothyroid rats compared with control rats, suggesting the induction of SOD by excessive production of O2−. These data suggest that the changes in these scavengers have some role in cardiac dysfunction in the hyper- and hypothyroid state in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 145, 131–136

To investigate the effect of thyroid hormone on cardiac muscle dysfunction in hyper- and hypothyroid states, we evaluated cyclic 3′, 5′-nucleotide metabolism by measuring cyclic 3′, 5′-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity and calmodulin concentrations in the cardiac muscles of hyper- and hypothyroid rats. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration was significantly high in the cardiac muscle of hyperthyroid rats and low in that from hypothyroid rats compared with control rats. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activities were significantly decreased in the soluble fraction of cardiac muscle from hyperthyroid rats and markedly increased in this fraction in hypothyroid rats compared with normal animals. Calmodulin concentration was high in hyperthyroid and low in hypothyroid rats. It was concluded from these findings that low cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity might, in part, bring about the high concentration of cAMP. Calmodulin was sigificantly high in the cardiac muscle of hyperthyroid rats and the reverse was the case in hypothyroid rats compared with normal rats. The implication is that, in hyper- and hypothyroid states, these changes may play an important role in cardiac function via their effect on cyclic nucleotide and Ca2+ metabolism. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 143, 515–520

The concentration of CH4 in 131 groundwater samples used for agriculture in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, averaged 1.58 mgC l−1 for those water samples above detection (>0.006 mgC l−1), with the highest value of 18.4 mgC l−1. Methane was detected in more than half of the groundwater samples. The amount of CH4 released to the atmosphere because of agricultural groundwater use was estimated to be 2.00 × 107 gC yr−1 for a cultivated area of 8.61 × 104 ha, or about 1.4% of the CH4 production in paddy fields derived from soil organic matter in the same geographic area. Distribution of measurements of redox potential (Eh), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Fe, Mn, NH4-N, and NO3-N was clearly different between the CH4-detected and undetected samples; Eh values and NO3-N concentrations were lower while the other four factors were higher in the CH4-detected samples.

The aim of the study was to determine the present state of diverting stoma construction in Japanese cancer centres and to investigate the relationship between symptomatic leakage and diverting stoma after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.Two hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients undergoing low anterior resection for rectal cancer located within 10 cm from the anal verge were investigated in a prospective, multicenter study.The overall leakage rate was 9.0% (20/222). Of 31 cases with an anastomosis within 2.0 cm from the anal verge, 22 (71%) had a diverting stoma. Of cases anastomosed within 5.0 cm, the absence of a diverting stoma and tumour size were significantly related to an increased rate of leakage [leakage in 13 (12.7%) of 102 cases without a diverting stoma; in three (3.8%) of 80 cases with a diverting stoma]. Among anastomoses within 2.0 cm from the anal verge, leakage occurred in four (44.4%) of nine cases without and in none (0%) of 22 cases with a diverting stoma.We recommend a diverting stoma for an anastomosis within 5.0 cm of the anal verge and strongly recommend it for a very low anastomosis within 2.0 cm.

The ability of thermal carbon analysis to determine CNTs was evaluated in the presence of a polymer (Polystyrene, PS). Samples placed in an Au (Pt) foil boat were measured using a thermal-carbon analyzer, and the results were compared with gravimetric measurements of sample masses obtained using an ultra-microbalance. First, debris from the polymer without CNTs (i.e., PS debris) was analyzed. The amount of PS debris detected in the organic carbon (OC) fraction was found to be in good agreement with the gravimetrically measured mass of the PS debris, while the amount of pyrolyticallygenerated carbon soot detected in the elemental carbon (EC) fraction was negligible. Next, single-wall CNT (AIST/TASC Super-Growth) powder was analyzed, and the amount of the CNT powder detected in the EC fraction was found to be 95-96% of the gravimetrically measured mass of the CNT powder. Subsequently, a mixture of the PS debris and the CNT powder was analyzed, and the amounts of detected OC and EC were found to be comparable to the gravimetrically measured masses of the PS debris and the CNT powder, respectively. Finally, debris from 5 wt% CNT-PS composites was analyzed, and amounts of OC and EC detected were found to be approximately comparable to the estimated masses of the PS and the CNTs in the debris of CNT-PS composite, respectively. The results therefore indicate thermal carbon analysis is capable of determining CNTs in the presence of PS.

The aerosol particles released during the grinding of polystyrene (PS)-based composites with well- and poorly dispersed single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and multiwall CNTs were measured using real-time aerosol measuring instruments. Increases in the concentration of aerosol particles were recorded during the grinding of the samples. However, similar increases were observed even when CNT-free polystyrene was ground. Electron microscopic analysis of the released particles revealed that particles with protruding CNTs were observed for the well-dispersed CNT-PS composites, but free-standing CNTs were not found. On the other hand, particles like agglomerated CNTs were found for the poorly dispersed CNT-PS composites.

The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D has been recently reevaluated, and diabetes is considered as a risk factor for osteoporosis. We studied the association of the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D with the clinical features of diabetes. We conducted the observational study in 581 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 51 normal subjects, and analyzed the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration and the clinical features associated with type 2 diabetes. Mean serum 25-OHD concentration in type 2 diabetes patients was 17.0 +/- 7.1 ng/ml (Mean +/- SD) in winter, and was not statistically different from normal population (17.5 +/- 3.6 ng/ml). The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (

We conducted an observational study in order to assess the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and its seasonal changes, in the Tokai area (N35.3 E137.0), in 197 normal subjects in Japan. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level measured by direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) was lowest at the end of winter, and highest at the end of summer (15.1 ± 7.1 ng/ml in March; 21.5 ± 5.5 ng/ml in June; 31.6 ± 5.6 ng/ml in September; 23.1 ± 5.3 ng/ml in December; mean ± SD). The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (

In general, many cases of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia are due to HHM. In patients with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), it has been reported that plasma parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were elevated, while plasma PTH and active vitamin D(3) levels were suppressed. Our patient showed hypercalcemia with a concurrent increase in plasma and tumor tissue PTHrP and PTH concentrations and also high cAMP and low 1-25(OH)(2)VD(3) levels in the plasma. These data suggest that the hypercalcemia exhibited by our patient was consistent with HHM due to lung cancer and its liver metastasis. Moreover, diagnostic imaging and autopsy findings showed no appreciable lesions of the parathyroid gland. In addition, histopathologic examination of the primary and metastatic tumors revealed the existence of PTH immunohistochemically stained with anti-PTH antibodies, suggesting an ectopic-PTH-producing lung tumor. From these data, our patient was diagnosed with a rare case of lung cancer, which produced both ectopic PTH and PTHrP.

The deterioration of glucose metabolism frequently observed in hyperthyroidism may be due in part to increased gluconeogenesis in the liver and glucose efflux through hepatocyte plasma membranes. Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2), a facilitative glucose transporter localized to the liver and pancreas, may play a role in this distorted glucose metabolism. We examined changes in the levels of GLUT 2 in livers from rats with l-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism or methimazole-induced hypothyroidism by using Western blotting to detect GLUT 2. An oral glucose tolerance test revealed an oxyhyperglycemic curve (impaired glucose tolerance) in hyperthyroid rats (n=7) and a flattened curve in hypothyroid rats (n=7). GLUT 2 levels in hepatocyte plasma membranes were significantly increased in hyperthyroid rats and were not decreased in hypothyroid rats compared with euthyroid rats. The same results were obtained with a densitometric assay. These findings suggest that changes in the liver GLUT 2 concentration may contribute to abnormal glucose metabolism in thyroid disorders.

In this study fatigue resistance of experimentally prepared titanium-nickel (50.8% nickel and 49.2% titanium) cast clasps was evaluated in a simulated clinical situation. The change in force required to remove the titanium-nickel clasps was recorded under a repeated placement-and-removal test on steel model abutment teeth. Commercially-pure titanium, cobalt-chromium alloy, and gold-silver-palladium-copper alloy clasps were also tested for comparison. The tips of the clasps were located in the 0.25- and 0.50-mm undercut areas of the abutments. No significant changes in the retentive force were found in titanium-nickel clasps in the 1,010 repeated cycles, whereas the other three types of clasp revealed a significant decrease in the force required for removal during the test procedures (repeated analysis of variance P0.001). The results suggest that the cast titanium-nickel clasp may be suitable in removable prosthodontic constructions because of its significantly less permanent deformation during service. This report also discusses clinical applicability and some current problems with this new application.

To clarify whether the changes of free radicals and its scavengers are induced by thyroid disorders, we measured levels of free radical scavengers and checked O2 radical generating systems in the human thyroid gland. Thyroid specimens from patients with Graves' disease, follicular adenoma, and papillary and follicular carcinomas contained significantly higher concentrations of xanthine oxidase (XOD) and gluthathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), compared to those in the normal thyroid tissue. Catalase concentration was significantly lower in thyroid specimens from patients with Graves' disease and significantly lower in thyroid specimens from patients with follicular adenoma, compared to those in the normal thyroid tissue. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) concentration was significantly lower in the specimens from follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma and Mn SOD concentration was significantly higher in the specimens from papillary carcinoma than those in the normal thyroid tissue. The lipid peroxide concentration, expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, was significantly higher in the specimens from papillary carcinoma than those in the normal thyroid tissue. These findings suggest that the levels of free radicals are increased and are scavenged and catalyzed in the thyroid of Graves' disease, whereas free radicals and lipid peroxide are not completely scavenged in papillary carcinoma tissues, suggesting that these substances affect some role in cell function of thyroid tumors.

We investigated the release characteristics of single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized by a pilot-scale plant. In addition to on-site aerosol measurements at the pilot-scale plant where the CNTs were synthesized, harvested, and packed, we conducted dustiness tests by vortex shaking and by transferring CNTs from one bowl to another. In the results of the on-site aerosol measurements, slight increases in the concentration were observed by aerosol monitoring instruments in the enclosure where CNTs were harvested and packed. In filter samples collected in this enclosure, micron-sized CNT clusters were observed by electron microscopy analysis. For samples collected outside the enclosure or during other processes, no CNTs were observed. The concentrations of elemental carbon at all locations were lower than the proposed occupational exposure limits of CNTs. The results of the dustiness tests revealed that submicron-sized particles were dominant in the number concentration measured by aerosol monitoring instruments, whereas micron-sized CNT clusters were mainly observed by electron microscopy analysis. The results of dustiness tests indicate that these CNTs have a low release characteristic. The lower drop impact of CNT clusters due to their lower bulk density resulted in lower CNT release from falling CNTs.

We investigated the particle release caused by the grinding of polystyrene-based composites with and without single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In the results of real-time aerosol monitoring, considerable increases in the number concentration of nano-sized aerosol particles were observed during the grinding of both CNT-containing and CNT-free polystyrene. When a thermodenuder was used, the number of released nanoparticles was reduced by over 99.9%, indicating that the nanoparticles were presumably volatile particles released by the friction heat produced by grinding the composite. In an electron microscopic analysis of the aerosol particles, micron-sized particles with protruding fibers (probably CNTs) were observed, whereas free-standing CNTs were not observed.

We report a rare case of Cushing's disease associated with ulcerative colitis in a patient primarily treated with growth hormone due to short stature. At the age of fifteen years, the patient had a short stature due to GHD and was treated with the extracted GH for a short period. At the age of twenty-one years, his body weight gradually increased and, based on the results of several tests, he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and GHD was observed in our patient. The excess secretion attenuation of pituitary hormones with reduced secretion periods as well as the relation between ulcerative colitis and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations is briefly discussed in this paper.

To determine how lipid peroxides and free radical scavengers are changed in the brain of hyper- or hypothyroid rats, we examined the behavior of lipid peroxide and free radical scavengers in the cerebral cortex of aged (1·5 years old) rats that had been made hyper- or hypothyroid by the administration of thyroxine or methimazol for 4 weeks. Concentrations of catalase, Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were increased in hyperthyroid rats compared with euthyroid rats. Concentrations of total SOD, Cu,Zn-SOD and GSH-PX were increased but that of Mn-SOD was decreased in hypothyroid animals. There were no differences among hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and euthyroid rats in the levels of coenzymes 9 or 10. The concentration of lipid peroxides, determined indirectly by the measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactants, was decreased in hyperthyroid rats but not in hypothyroid rats when compared with euthyroid animals. These findings suggest that free radicals and lipid peroxides are scavenged to compensate for the changes induced by hyper- or hypothyroidism. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 147, 361–365

Ophthalmoplegia is common cranial neuropathy of Diabetes. In case of 3rd nerve involvement, usually unilateral extra ocular muscles are affected. However, ptosis is very rare in patients with diabetic neuropathy. In this report, we describe bilateral ptosis with ophthalmoplegia in diabetes. In ophthalmoplegia associated with diabetes, ischemic nerve infarction was reported. We treated this patient with Lipo prostaglandin (PG) E1. Since then, increased platelet aggregation activity was found in this patient. After two months, the symptoms of this patient were improved.

The influence of mold materials and heat treatment on the tensile properties and the transformation temperatures of Ni-Ti alloy castings was investigated by tensile test and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in order to apply the special properties of the alloy to dental field. The compositions of the two alloys examined were 49.0 and 49.2 at % Ti. A silica investment and a magnesia investment were used as the mold materials. Heat treatment at 440 degrees C for 1.8 ks was performed. Apparent proof strength decreased in both compositions, and residual strain increased in Ni-49.2Ti by the heat treatment. Elongation increased in Ni-49.0Ti with use of the magnesia mold or by the heat treatment. The transformation temperatures of Ni-49.2Ti increased with use of the magnesia mold. The change by the heat treatment suggested a structural change. The development of a suitable method for the casting of the alloy is expected to bring about the development of new devices and therapy in dentistry.

A 40-year-old man with a 3-year history of uncontrolled NIDDM, 2-pack/month cigarette smoking habit and alcohol abuse, was admitted to our university hospital. He presented with severe back pain, persistent cough and fever. A left lung infiltrate was noted on chest X-ray film. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from arterial blood. Thoracic bone destruction with pleural mass lesion confirmed by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance image (MRI). These findings mislead our diagnosis to pyogenic osteomyelitis associated with NIDDM. An absence of marked clinical and roentgenological improvement after antibiotic therapy and strict glycemic control with insulin was noted. This suggested to us the need for needle biopsy of the osteolytic and mass lesions confirmed by imaging techniques. This resulted in making the diagnosis of metastasis of small cell carcinoma from the left lung. The correlation between NIDDM and pulmonary small cell carcinoma possibly induced by genetic abnormality remains to be resolved. By making the most of imaging techniques and needle biopsy, the possibility of pulmonary small cell carcinoma complicating NIDDM can be appropriately evaluated.

Intermittent intra-arterial chemoembolization together with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and anti-cancer agents (Adriamycin or Mitomycin C) was performed in 4 primary and 6 metastatic liver cancers through a totally implantable arterial infusion port system. For the HCC patients, the response was classified as 2 CR, 2 PR. In the metastatic tumor patients, the response was 1 CR, 2 PR, 1 NC and 2 PD. The overall response was 70%. This treatment is considered very effective, but a delayed mortal side-effect was confirmed in 2 patients with metastases. The histopathological finding of 1 case suggested that the reason for death was severe liver damage by prolonged retention of anti-cancer agent by the liver. It seems likely that sequential DSA evaluation of tumor vascular bed and blood flow recovery allows avoidance of such adverse reactions, as we have attempted it in the present study.

In the skin of the Japanese toad Bufo formosus BOULENGER three sterols and 19 bufadienolides have been traced by thin layer and paper chromatography. Combining different preparative chromatographic methods a complete qualitative separation could be achieved. From 490 animals the following amounts of the 3 sterols and 16 crystalline bufadienolides were obtained (amounts in mgs): cholesterol (ca. 20000; only a fraction was purified), 7α-hydroxy-cholesterol (1.5, identification tentative), 7β-hydroxy-cholesterol (8.5), cinobufagin (40), bufalone (8.5), bufotalone (12), bufalin (353), 3-epi-bufalin (32), cinobufotalin (54), marinobufagin (45), bufotalin (1357), bufotalinin (13), telocinobufagin (42), desacetyl-cinobufagin (18), desacetyl-bufotalin (76), arenobufagin (143), hellebrigenin = bufotalidin (25), desacetyl-cinobufotalin (18), gamabufotalin (2136). The following three were obtained in amorphous from: resibufogenin (74, identified as crystalline O-acetyl-derivative), argentinogenin (14) and U5 (7, not identified).

Die Untersuchung von sieben Trockensekreten und vier Hautextrakten aus insgesamt 8 Krotenarten mit Hilfe der Papierchromatographie wird beschrieben.

In one of our patients, intra-abdominal bleeding caused by rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred after TAE. The tumor did not become completely necrotic after TAE and there was fairly rapid recurrence. TAE was then performed a second time and the tumor, which projected from the surface of the liver, ruptured after six days. Among the diagnostic imaging methods, CT proved most useful in locating the site of tumor rupture.

Effects of lipiodol (LPD) on liver functions were examined in 130 patients with primary and metastatic liver cancer who underwent TAE or intraarterial chemotherapy between May 1984 and March 1988 at our department and were available for follow-up studies. Effects of anticancer agents, particularly Adriamycin (ADM), were also evaluated. Large-dose intraarterial infusion of LPD had little effect on the liver functions of patients without liver cirrhosis but often caused a deterioration in liver functions of those with cirrhosis. A combination of this therapy with TAE using Gelfoam sponge caused only a temporary elevation in the transaminase level. The dose of ADM showed little association with the degree of liver disorders, unlike the case of cardiotoxicity or bone marrow suppression. Although the therapeutic effects of intraarterial infusion of ADM-LPD emulsion for advanced cancer (e.g., H4 and Vp3) such as improvements in the Vp factor are remarkable, the dose must be carefully determined, especially when liver cancer is complicated by liver cirrhosis.

On the basis of our experience of 182 cases of port implantation in 165 patients (May, 1985-April, 1989), we clarify problems of each system and discuss the usefulness of our present "port-and-catheter connecting system, PCCS," which facilitated repeated infusion of the angiographic medium and embolization materials such as Degradable Starch Microspheres (DSM) and Lipiodol. The effectiveness, especially, of the intermittent DSM chemoembolization therapy is reported.