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Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a local therapy that utilizes biochemical reactions between photosensitizer, light and tissue oxygen. PDT using Talaporfin sodium has shown dramatic anti-tumor effects for various cancers including esophageal cancer. We have conducted a prospective phase II trial of PDT for malignant brain tumors between 2009 and 2012, and it was approved in 2013 in Japan. Since the approval, our institute has performed a prospective post-marketing surveillance study of PDT and we have treated 90 patients with malignant brain tumors. Here, we analyzed clinical results of this prospective study on PDT for glioblastoma patients. 41 patients (23 males and 18 females) with 16 newly diagnosed and 25 recurrent glioblastoma were treated with PDT between March 2009 and August 2015. A maximum resection of the enhanced lesion using intraoperative MRI was followed by PD laser irradiation of the cavity wall for 6 locations on average. Fractionated radiotherapy (60 Gy) and concomitant temozolomide chemotherapy were given for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The median PFS and OS were 19.6 and 31.5 months, respectively. Compared to other 76 patients with glioblastoma who underwent surgical resection in the same period in our institute, their median PFS and OS were 6.9 and 21.0 months, respectively. There was statistically significant difference in PFS between two groups (P=0.018, HR= 0.49), however there was no statistical significance in OS (P=0.08, HR=0.51), probably because of the small size of the PDT group. There was no significant adverse effect apparently related to PDT in any of the patients. Among 12 patients who recurred, only 5 (41.7%) showed local recurrence and the rest (58.3%) showed distant recurrence or dissemination, suggesting good local control by PDT. The median PFS and OS after PDT in patients with recurrent glioblastoma was 4.3 and 15.0 months, respectively. As conclusion, PDT appears to provide survival benefit for patients with both newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastomas. A randomized clinical trial is justified and is under planning.

Introduction: There is a growing interest in development of novel therapeutic modalities based on tumor-specific immune reactions for management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Autologous formalin-fixed tumor vaccine (AFTV) was designed by our group for in vivo induction of killer lymphocytes and activation of T-lymphocyte (Nat Med 1995, 1996). In first trial for recurrent GBM, 3 responding patients survived more than 20 months after AFTV administration (Cancer Sci, 2007). Efficacy of AFTV concomitant with fractionated radiotherapy (FRT) without chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with newly-diagnosed GBM was evaluated in prospective phase I/IIa trial (C00002), which showed median overall survival (OS) of 19.8 months (J Neurosurg, 2011). Another prospective multicenter phase I/IIa trial (UMIN01426) for evaluation of the combined use of AFTV and standard chemoradiotherapy with TMZ (AFTV+RT/TMZ: (Stupp regimen) for newly-diagnosed GBM, showing median progression-free survival (PFS) and OS of 8.2 and 22.2 months, respectively (J Neurosurg, 2013). Currently, prospective multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind phase IIb/III trial (UMIN10602) directing on evaluation of AFTV+RT/TMZ for newly-diagnosed GBM is ongoing and recruiting of patients for its phase IIb part has been finished in January 2016. We here report preliminary results before a key opening. METHODS: The phase IIb/III study investigated the AFTV plus chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide (AFTV + RT/TMZ; Stupp protocol) versus placebo plus chemoradio- therapy (Pla + RT/TMZ) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. After resection surgery, patients with glioblastoma were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive AFTV (2 courses; 3 times, once a week) + RT/TMZ or Pla + RT/TMZ until disease progression. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), and secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate, QOL, and safety. RESULTS: Adult 63 patients with supratentrial glioblastoma were enrolled, although 3 patients withdraw the consents. Among 60 patients for full analysis set, baseline characteristics were balanced. The median age was 61 years old, men vs. women were 33 vs. 27, and the median resection rate was 95%. Mean follow-up period was 15.8 months. The median PFS was 14.2 months and 6-month PFS was 75% both for AFTV+RT/TMZ and Pla+RT/TMZ. The median PFS was 21.4 months and 1-year survival was 86% both for AFTV+RT/TMZ and Pla+RT/TMZ. No severe adverse events caused by AFTV or placebo were observed. CONCLUSION: The phase IIb part of the trial has been done safely and trial would be promising because the median PFS for both groups was more than a year. If AFTV+RT/TMZ would show longer survival time compared to Pla+RT/TMZ by the key open, a phase III would be warranted.

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) offers the unique capability to collide polarized protons at high energies. One of the highlights of the polarized proton program performed at s = 500 GeV is that it affords the direct measurement of sea quark contribution to the proton spin via W-boson production through the measurement of the parity violating single spin asymmetry. A new trigger electronics system for forward muons, which is especially capable of W-boson detection, was developed for the PHENIX experiment. The trigger was installed as an additional electronic circuit, and it was connected in parallel with the existing cathode readout electronics of the muon tracking chamber.

Aims: To identify and characterize a new adhesin-like protein of probiotics that show specific adhesion to human blood group A and B antigens. Methods and Results: Using the BIACORE assay, the adhesion of cell surface components obtained from four lactobacilli strains that adhered to blood group A and B antigens was tested. Their components showed a significant adhesion to A and B antigens when compared to the bovine serum albumin (BSA) control. The 1 mol l−1 GHCl fraction extracted from Lactobacillus mucosae ME-340 contained a 29-kDa band (Lam29) using SDS–PAGE. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and homology analysis showed that Lam29 was 90% similar to the substrate-binding protein of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter from Lactobacillus fermentum IFO 3956. The complete nucleotide sequence (858 bp) of Lam29 was determined and encoded a protein of 285 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments indicated this protein may be related to the cysteine-binding transporter. Conclusions: The adhesion of ME-340 strain to blood group A and B antigens was mediated by Lam29 that is a putative component of ABC transporter as an adhesin-like protein. Significance and Impact of the Study: Lactobacillus mucosae ME-340 expressing Lam29 may be useful for competitive exclusion of pathogens via blood group antigen receptors in the human gastrointestinal mucosa and in the development of new probiotic foods.

Medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) combining a toroidal electrostatic analyzer with an energy resolution (dE/E) of 4 × 10−3 has been used for ultra-shallow depth profiling of As implanted into Si at 1, 2 and 5 keV to a dose of 1.2 × 1015 ions/cm2 before and after spike annealing at 1075 °C. Depth profiling results extracted from MEIS spectra were compared with those of simulation and SIMS measurement. The arsenic re-distribution close to the surface after spike annealing was found by MEIS and SIMS measurements.

The Mott polarimetry for T-violation (MTV) experiment tests time-reversal symmetry in polarized nuclear [Formula: see text]-decay by measuring an electron’s transverse polarization as a form of angular asymmetry in Mott scattering using a thin metal foil. A Mott scattering analyzer system developed using a tracking detector to measure scattering angles offers better event selectivity than conventional counter experiments. In this paper, we describe a pilot experiment conducted at KEK-TRIAC using a prototype system with a polarized 8Li beam. The experiment confirmed the sound performance of our Mott analyzer system to measure T-violating triple correlation (R correlation), and therefore recommends its use in higher-precision experiments at the TRIUMF-ISAC.

π−/π− ratio has been measured for the 132Xe induced central collisions on 115In at 400 MeV/nucleon. A pion range counter and a compact multiplicity array were developed and used for the measurement.

Nitric oxide and oxygen coadsorbed on W(111) surface structures under various conditions have been studied by means of electron-stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (ESDIAD) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) at room temperature. Only O + ions are detected by electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) from the NO- and/or the O 2 -adsorbed W(111) surface. The ESDIAD patterns consist of three bright spots. With increasing temperature, the intensities of the ESDIAD pattern from the O 2 /W(111) decrease monotonically, and disappear around 700 K. However, the intensities of the patterns from the NO+O 2 /W(111) decrease rapidly above 700 K, and disappear around 850 K. The ESDIAD spots from the NO+O 2 /W(111) become sharp up to 500 K, with increasing temperature. The surface, following the NO and/or the O 2 adsorption under any condition, has a (1×1) structure with a high background intensity, and the surface structure changes into a (3×3) structure after the disappearance of intensities of the ESDIAD patterns. The O atoms on the surface diffuse into the bulk with increasing temperature, but the diffusion is blocked by the N atoms, in the case of the NO-adsorbed surfaces under any condition.

Summary In the previous report, to establish an evaluation method for rolling contact fatigue strength of a coating film, the endurance limit of a coated roll under contact loading was investigated and crack initiation was found to dominate the determination of the endurance strength. The authors proposed that the mechanism of cracking was a fatigue process caused by a compressive tangential stress under contact loading. So, in this study, static and fatigue properties of Cr‐plating films under bending, tension and compression were obtained. And these properties were compared with rolling contact fatigue strengths of Cr‐plating film on a fatigue endurance diagram. As a result, we found that the rolling contact fatigue strength agrees well with the. value estimated from the static and fatigue properties, and the rolling contact fatigue strength of Cr‐plating film could be estimated from the static and fatigue properties. Also, it was found that residual stress in the Cr‐plating had a large effect on the ro...

Team-based work systems are emerging as key source of sustained competitive advantage in manufacturing and engineering design operations. The focus on teams derives in no small part from the competitive success of Japanese corporations, where team-based systems have been central to manufacturing and engineering design for more than three decades. For years, Japanese operations were seen as dependent on what was perceived as the collective nature of Japanese culture, but these assumptions have been shattered by the success of Japanese firms in establishing manufacturing operations in North America. This article features a detailed look at team-based work systems in eight Japanese-affiliated factories located in North America. There are three distinct types of team systems in these factories: lean production teams, socio-technical system teams, and off-line team structures. The team systems vary in the degree of interdependency and autonomy among teams and in the amount of team-responsibility for daily production operations. These variations in team systems are attributable to the timing of Japanese investment, the nature of the production technology, and the influence of U.S. business partners. This research thus provides a roadmap to the diverse mix of Japanese work practices and identifies important lessons for any organization moving toward greater use of team-based work systems.

症例は24歳,女性.出血斑の増強があり来院.血小板減少及び貧血を認め,骨髄穿刺にて骨髄異形成症候群(myelodysplastic syndrome: MDS)不応性貧血(refractory anemia: RA)と診断した.輸血依存性でありprednisolone (PSL)とビタミンD投与を行ったが反応せず,デキサメタゾンの大量療法を開始した.一時的な改善を認めたが再度悪化.シクロスポリンの投与を行い血液学的改善を得た.シクロスポリン投与中止後も悪化傾向は認めていない.

During mammalian oogenesis, intercellular communication between oocytes and the surrounding follicle cells through gap junction channels is crucial for oocyte development and maturation. The channel properties of gap junctions may be affected by the composition or combination of connexins, the expression of which is regulated by gonadotropins and other factors. Thus, identification and expression analysis of connexin genes in oocytes and follicle cells will help us to better understand how oogenesis and folliculogenesis are regulated in a species-specific manner in mammals. We previously reported the spatiotemporal expression of multiple connexin genes in porcine follicle cells. Here, we searched for connexin genes specifically expressed in porcine oocytes that may be involved in the formation of gap junctions between oocytes and follicle cells. To achieve this, we constructed an oocyte-specific cDNA library to identify which connexin genes are expressed in these cells and found that gap junction protein, alpha 10, which encodes connexin-60, and a porcine ortholog of mouse gap junction protein, gamma 1 encoding connexin-45, are the major connexins expressed in porcine oocytes during folliculogenesis. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization of sectioned porcine ovaries confirmed oocyte expression of these genes at 3 different stages of ovary development. Furthermore, their gap junction channel activity was assessed using a heterologous cell system. However, gap junction protein, alpha 4, which encodes connexin-37 and is expressed in the oocytes of several other mammals, was undetectable. We demonstrate that there is diversity in the connexin genes expressed in mammalian oocytes, and hence in the gap junctions connecting oocytes and cumulus cells.

To identify and characterize a new adhesin-like protein of probiotics that show specific adhesion to human blood group A and B antigens.Using the BIACORE assay, the adhesion of cell surface components obtained from four lactobacilli strains that adhered to blood group A and B antigens was tested. Their components showed a significant adhesion to A and B antigens when compared to the bovine serum albumin (BSA) control. The 1 mol l(-1) GHCl fraction extracted from Lactobacillus mucosae ME-340 contained a 29-kDa band (Lam29) using SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal amino acid sequence and homology analysis showed that Lam29 was 90% similar to the substrate-binding protein of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter from Lactobacillus fermentum IFO 3956. The complete nucleotide sequence (858 bp) of Lam29 was determined and encoded a protein of 285 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments indicated this protein may be related to the cysteine-binding transporter.The adhesion of ME-340 strain to blood group A and B antigens was mediated by Lam29 that is a putative component of ABC transporter as an adhesin-like protein.Lactobacillus mucosae ME-340 expressing Lam29 may be useful for competitive exclusion of pathogens via blood group antigen receptors in the human gastrointestinal mucosa and in the development of new probiotic foods.

In order to devise a strategy for prevention of biodeterioration in bathrooms, the fungal flora of bathrooms in all regions of Japan was investigated. A total of 34 genera, plus some non-sporulating fungi, were isolated from surfaces of building materials in bathrooms. The most widely occurring genera were Cladosporium, Phoma, Penicillium, Alternaria, Arthrinium and Ulocladium , with the first two genera being very abundant throughout Japan. The most abundant and frequently found genus was Cladosporium , which was followed by Phoma . From the air in the bathrooms 34 genera of fungi plus some nonsporulating fungi were also isolated, with Cladosporium and Penicillium the most predominant moulds. The fungal flora in the air largely corresponded to the flora on surfaces in the respective bathrooms.

In high-speed and high-precision control of a precision stage for semiconductor manufacturing, vibration of the axially moving factors leads to operational problems and limits their utility in many applications. Reaction force and vibration controls are a key to improve the control performance. In this paper, the novel design method of the precision position control system integrated with both the reaction force control and the vibration control system is proposed. The proposed method is constructed of the multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) modeling based on the subspace method and the controller design based on the position control, decoupling control and vibration control. In the design of the complex control system, the design parameters are only the identified plant model and the control bandwidth. The effectiveness of the proposed integrated design method is verified through the experiments using the developed 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) experimental setup.

The electrical properties of amorphous GaAsP films formed by Ion Beam Sputter Deposition is investigated using Xe ion beam or complex beam consist of Xe and PH 3 ions. Furthermore, relation between the electron mobility and the composition in a -GaAs x P 1− x film is discussed.

In high-speed and high-precision control of a precision stage for semiconductor manufacturing, vibration of the axially moving factors leads to operational problems and limits their utility in many applications. Reaction force and vibration controls are a key to improve the control performance. Aiming at a systematic design of the both control systems, at first, the 6-degree of freedom equipment is developed. The precision X-Y stage is installed on the active vibrator. Two counter weights driven by a linear actuator are placed eccentric from the center of gravity, i.e., two weights are not co-axial. Next, the multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) modeling based on the subspace method is experimentally investigated. Using the identified model, the reaction force and vibration control systems as well as the positioning system are designed based on the bilateral control strategy. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed modeling and control approach for the systematic design of the precision stage system is verified by the vibration suppression control experiments.

In this paper, a design method of the reaction force control system for ultra-precision stage which equips vibration control system, is proposed. Taking the application to semiconductor manufacturing into consideration, the designed system deals with both the reaction force due to the stage movement and the vibration from the external environment. The experimental setup for a 6-degree of freedom (DOF) motion control system is firstly designed. The system is controlled by two counter weights that are placed eccentric from the center of gravity, i.e. two weights are not co-axial. Next, the system identification experiments based on a subspace method are performed to build the multi-input multi-output state-space model. The reaction force and vibration control systems are designed using the identified model based on bilateral control strategies. The main advantages of the proposed identification and control approach are that the experimental time for accurate identification is quite short and the control system can be systematically designed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control system is verified through the vibration control experiments.

The application of objective measurement of the mechanical properties of fabrics in the apparel industry began around 1975 in the Hirakata area, which is one of the centres of men's suit production in Japan. At that time the KESF system had been developed and thereafter spread rapidly. The measurement of mechanical data under low‐load level by the KESF provided useful information for the apparel engineers who needed some means of fabric measurement by which the tailoring process might be controlled. The fabric dimensional stability testing using steam press was also standardised at that time (HESC 103A method). At present, the KESF data and the stability data are essential for apparel engineers and are used widely in the Japanese apparel industry. In addition to the use of objective measurements in each factory, a centre for objective fabric inspection has been recently initiated in the Hirakata area, for the inspection and control of fabric by the objective system for tailoring process control. In addition, a co‐operative work between the apparel engineers and the university has been carried out to develop a new equation for predicting the good appearance of a suit on the basis of fabric mechanical data. Automatic tailoring such as automatic overfeed action on the basis of fabric mechanical property is also carried out under the co‐operation of the university, the apparel industry, and a sewing machine manufacturer (Juki) in Hirakata. The progress of these projects is presented.

This paper considers a method for designing an exogenous input in order to satisfy output constraints. By employing LQ decomposition in subspace identification methods, we are able to obtain several pairs of input-output sequences. Then we generate a compensation input (the exogenous input) from linear combination of these input sequences. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Transmission characteristics of dipole antennas which were fabricated on silicon substrate by 0.35-mum CMOS technology were investigated in the frequency and time domains for wireless inter-chip signal communication in 3D stacked LSI chips. The transmission coefficient was obtained -48 dB and amplitude-shift-keying (ASK) data transmission was confirmed for stacked inter-chip signal transmission.

This is a case report of granulocytic sarcoma occurring as a nasal lesion prior to the onset of acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). To understand this case in more detail, we used 40,000 human cDNA microarray to identify the gene expression patterns of nonleukaemic stage bone marrow (BM), AML stage BM and AML stage peripheral blood cells and subsequently define the molecular basis of this disease progression. Of significance, we have tracked the expression profile of BM samples during the course of nonleukaemic to leukaemic progression, and identified a number of genes that may account for the growth potential of leukaemia cells and indicate poor prognosis of this case.

We investigated the influence of WLAN interference (2.4 GHz) on inter-chip UWB signal transmission with Si integrated antennas. Pseudo random binary signals of Gaussian monocycle pulse were transmitted from a Si chip and received in a different Si chip in the stacked Si chips. Sinusoidal wave was transmitted from a meander antenna on a separate chip to simulate interference of WLAN. Received Gaussian monocycle pulse signals were distorted by the interference of sinusoidal wave but recovered by use of a notch filter at 2.4 GHz.

Analysis of dipole antennas which are integrated on a Si substrate is carried out. Equivalent circuit models of Si integrated dipole antennas are proposed for ultrawideband (UWB) signal transmission in Si substrates. The equivalent circuit parameters are extracted by comparing measurement data and circuit simulation. The equivalent circuit simulation reproduces the transmission characteristics both in frequency and time domains. Attenuation rates of Gaussian monocycle pulses were –1.83 dB/mm for S 21 and –1.37 mV/mm for the Gaussian monocycle pulse.

Interference of digital noise with integrated linear dipole antennas was investigated for inter-chip ultrawideband communication in Si ULSIs (ultra-large scale integrated circuits). Gaussian monocycle pulse signals were transmitted from a linear dipole antenna fabricated on a Si substrate to a receiving antenna fabricated on a separate substrate. Rectangular pulses, as digital noise for interference, were radiated from a transmission line fabricated on another Si chip which was inserted between the transmitting and receiving antennas. The received Gaussian monocycle pulses were distorted by the digital noise radiated from the other chip. It is found that the differential mode Gaussian monocycle pulse was effective in preventing interference.

Ultrawideband (UWB) signal transmission in Si integrated circuits was performed by use of wireless interconnects. Linear dipole antennas fabricated on a Si substrate showed UWB characteristics in the frequency range of 5–20 GHz. The signal attenuation rates of Gaussian monocycle pulse through 10 Ωcm and 2.29 kΩcm substrates were −0.08 mV/chip and −0.03 mV/chip, respectively. Pseudo random binary signals were transmitted and received between Si chips and the lowest bit error rate of 128 bit binary signal with 13.5 Gbps was 2−6. Interference of Gaussian monocycle pulses transmitted from a dipole antenna could be suppressed by use of differential mode signals instead of common mode signals.

Reports on difficult issues regarding recent trends in men’s suiting. Lighter weights cause many technical problems in apparel manufacture.

In order to define software processes formally and to use the defined processes in actual development situations, the authors have designed the process description language (PDL) and an associated PDL System. PDL is a functional programming language based on an algebraic specification language, and development processes may be defined in PDL at various levels of abstraction. Abstract PDL scripts (programs) specify the general course of process execution. Essential features of the language for process description are discussed. The characteristics of the PDL System are also presented. >

This paper presents experimental results of space-charge distribution in polyethylene (PE) in contact with rubbers by the pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) method. The rubbers used were ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPM) and ethylene-propylene-terpolymers (EPDM) with diene components of dicyclospentadiene (DCPD) and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB). The influence of cross-linking on space charge in the EP rubbers under dc stress was examined. The cross-linking caused a polarity reversal of space charge in the interface between PE and EP rubber with the diene components. However, the cross-linking did not affect space charge in the interface between PE and EPM.

In this paper we investigate volume resistivity of semiconducting layers of high voltage power cable. We examined the effect of temperature on volume resistivity in several cases. Next we studied voltage dependency of volume resistivity. We found that it helps us to understand the percolation theory.

Expression of the EP4 receptor, a prostaglandin (PG)E2 receptor subtype, as well as disease suppression by the administration of a selective EP4 agonist (ONO-AE1-329) was investigated in the colorectal mucosa of rats with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis. Rats were given drinking water containing 3% DSS for 2 weeks. Expression of EP4 receptor mRNA was barely detectable under normal conditions according to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). By 1 week after the initial administration of DSS, the receptor mRNA was strongly expressed. After ONO-AE1-329 was administered intracolonically to rats with DSS colitis for 7 consecutive days, erosion and ulceration decreased. Peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts became less elevated. Interleukin (IL)-1beta and growth-regulated gene product/cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (GRO/CINC-1) concentrations in colorectal mucosa were lower than in colitis control group (IL-1beta: 12.8 +/- 4.6 and 30.8 +/- 6.2 microg/mg protein, P0.05; GRO/CINC-1: 15.5 +/- 3.0 and 39.2 +/- 5.4 microg/mg protein, P0.05), and the expression of the corresponding cytokine mRNA was strongly suppressed. IL-10 concentration was higher than in control group (14.5 +/- 1.7 and 7.9 +/- 1.2 microg/mg, P0.05), and the mRNA was more strongly expressed. These results suggest that the EP4 receptor is important in colonic inflammation, and that PGE2 suppresses DSS colitis at least partly via the EP4 receptor and the above cytokine changes. Intracolonic administration of selective EP4 agonist might have therapeutic applicability in inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis.

In order to investigate the mucosal injury mechanism in UC, we made dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rat and examined pathological findings, MPO activity, PGE(2) level, and local mRNA expression and secretion of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, GRO/CINC-1 and IL-10 in DSS colitis mucosa. Moreover, we estimated the correlation between the severity of mucosal damage and changes of these local inflammatory mediators' values. Neutrophil infiltration was marked and MPO activity was locally increased in proportion to the severity of mucosal damage. The mRNA expression and secretion of IL-1 beta, GRO/CINC-1 and IL-10 were increased. Especially, the secretions of IL-1 beta and GRO/CINC-1 were increased in proportion to the severity of mucosal damage. However, those of TNF-alpha were not increased in the colitis mucosa. An abnormal macrophage function and the presence of macrophage subtypes producing different cytokines would be predicted from our TNF-alpha data. The lesion was less severe in the colonic mucosa with higher levels of endogenous PGE(2), while it was more severe in the colonic mucosa with lower levels of endogenous PGE(2), implicating this compound as an inhibitory factor against the development of inflammation in the affected mucosa. Our results suggest that PGE(2) might have therapeutic applicability to UC.

A novel cell line, designated as NCU-MM-1, was established from a 66-year-old female patient with multiple myeloma (MM) that had shown rapid progression from solitary plasmacytoma to plasma cell leukemia. Interestingly, cytogenetic analysis including fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis disclosed that this cell line carried 2 kinds of chromosomal translocations involving immunoglobulin light chain (IgL) gene loci without the presence of 14q32 translocations (14q+). The Ig lambda locus juxtaposed to the c-MYC locus at 8q24 on the derivative (8) chromosome and a concomitant overexpression of the c-Myc protein was observed. On the derivative (11) chromosome, the Ig kappa locus was also fused to the chromosome 11q23 locus, which is known to be a nonrandom translocation breakpoint in mature B-cell malignancies. The NCU-MM-1 cell line may thus be useful not only for the identification of the responsible proto-oncogene(s) mapped to 11q23, deregulated by the Ig kappa enhancer sequences, but also for clarification of the molecular origin of MM lacking 14q+ chromosomes because IgL rearrangements can physiologically begin to occur in the pre-B-cell stage.

A 29-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a history of recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain and vomiting. These symptoms appeared intermittently for 7 years. Various examinations revealed a diagnosis of midgut malrotation. Laparotomy was performed and revealed reverse rotation of the duodenum with paraduodenal hernia and a normal rotating colon. This case suggests that recurrent abdominal complaints in an adult should arouse suspicion of midgut malrotation.

A 32-year-old woman in the 16th week of pregnancy was admitted to our hospital because of high fever. Laboratory findings disclosed pancytopenia and extremely elevated serum LDH and ferritin levels. Coagulation tests showed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 levels were high, but serum interferon-gamma was below the detectable limit. Reactive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was diagnosed on the basis of a high titer of IgG antibodies to the EBV capsid antigen and early antigen. EBV was demonstrated in the peripheral blood and bone marrow cells by polymerase chain reaction. Mature histiocytosis and hemophagocytosis were detected in the bone marrow. A diagnosis of EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS) was made. Neither prednisolone (PSL 30 mg/day, P.O.) nor methylprednisolone (m-PSL) pulse therapy (1,000 mg/day for 3 days) induced a response. Thereafter, treatment with m-PSL pulse therapy (1,000 mg/day for 3 days) and i.v. administrations of high-dose immunoglobulin (20 g/day for 3 days) in combination with acyclovir (750 mg/day) and gabexate mesilate (2 g/day) induced remission of the disease. Maintenance therapy consisted of PSL (5 mg/day, P.O.) and camostat mesilate (600 mg/day, P.O.). The patient delivered a healthy male infant in the 35th week of pregnancy via natural birth. Reports of pregnant women with EBV-AHS are rare, and the choice of therapy has not yet been established. The present case study suggested the above combination treatment is useful and safe, and capable of changing the fulminant course of EBV-AHS during pregnancy without the use of anticancer drugs.

In Jutten and Herault's (1991) blind separation algorithm, symmetrical distribution and statistical independence of the signal sources are assumed. When they are not satisfied, the learning process becomes unstable. In order to avoid the unstable behavior, two stabilization methods are proposed. Since large samples easily disturb symmetrical distribution, the outputs of the separation process with large amplitude are detected, and the learning is skipped. Imbalance of the signal source powers affects statistical independence. It is estimated by the cross-correlation of the observed signals. When the cross-correlation is high, the correction term by the above algorithm algorithm becomes wrong. Therefore, adjusting the weights in the separation process is skipped. Computer simulation using many kinds of signal sources demonstrates the signal sources with asymmetrical distribution and imbalanced power are well separated.

A case of a 70-year-old man who first developed multiple myeloma and then chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) within a 3-year period is documented. The patient, with monoclonal hypergammopathy, was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma with IgG-kappa and Bence Jones protein kappa paraproteinemia. No chemotherapy was given for the myeloma until progressive leukocytosis developed after approximately 3 years. This was found to be due to Philadelphia chromosome positive CML. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay did not reveal BCR/ABL mRNAs when the myeloma was first diagnosed. The occurrence of 2 distinct hematologic malignancies in the same patient suggests either a different clonal evolution from a common pluripotent malignant stem cell since the CML stem cell also involves the B-lymphoid lineage, a coincident complication of the 2 hematological malignancies, or the coexistence of 2 distinct malignancies due to the same genetic background and/or exposure to similar carcinogenic agents. The literature provides support for the existence of a relationship between multiple myelomas and CML.

The Japanese low ruled that the patients excreting tubercle bacilli should be treated in the isolated ward for tuberculosis. However, it is often difficult to transfer a patient with serious illness to the isolated ward with insufficient medical facilities. We investigated retrospectively the manner of the management of patients excreting tubercle bacilli in the Aichi Medical University Hospital without the isolation ward for tuberculosis. Materials were 166 patients (0.17%) out of 97,275 in-patients during 11 years since 1986 to 1996. Respiratory symptoms were observed in 114 patients (68.7% of 166 patients) on admission. The initial bacteriological examination was ordered by the attendant doctor within a week in 93 patients (81.6%) of 114 patients with respiratory symptoms. On the other hand, a half of the 52 patients without respiratory symptoms on admission were not examined for sputum bacteriology beyond a week. Anti-tuberculous treatment was started within a week after positive bacteriological results in 129 patients (77.7% of the whole 166 patients), while the treatment was not carried out or delayed in 21 patients (12.6%) because of the communication failure of the bacteriological report to the physicians. Some complications were observed in 101 patients: 21 diabetes mellitus, 20 cancers, 15 hematological disorders, 9 collagen diseases, 6 renal failures on dialysis. Serious illnesses were observed in 33 patients (20.6% of the 166 patients). Twenty-four patients (73% of the seriously ill patients) were died of renal failure, pancytopenia, cancer or respiratory failure. We considered that an isolated room for infectious tuberculosis with independent air conditioning system in a general hospital or a educational hospital was very convenient not only to the treatment of the patients with serious complications, but also to the education and training on tuberculosis for the medical student or medical stuffs.