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It has been reported that cardiovascular events often occur on Monday morning, especially in the young working population. Because hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk, we examined whether blood pressure was elevated on Monday, especially in the morning during work. However, there were no weekly rhythms in blood pressure itself. Instead, we found significant interactions between the double product (systolic blood pressure × heart rate) and weekly (high on Monday) and circadian (high in the morning) rhythms. Further studies are required to determine whether Monday morning preference in cardiovascular events is caused by increased double product.

The post-operative mortality and morbidity rates associated with living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are still relatively high. Several papers have reported the risk factors associated with post-operative infectious complications, but few have analyzed the risk factors with respect to the severity of sepsis. The aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors that affect severe sepsis after LDLT.For 63 LDLT patients at our institute, we compared peri-operative characteristics in 29 patients who developed sepsis after surgery and 34 patients who did not. The sepsis group was further divided into severe sepsis (n = 16) and sepsis (n = 13) subgroups to identify significant peri-operative risk factors.Multivariate analysis identified 3 significant risk factors for post-operative sepsis after LDLT: ABO incompatibility (P = .015), low estimated glomerular filtration rates (90 mL/min/1.73 m(2); P = .074), and low peripheral lymphocyte counts (850/μL; P = .008). Multivariate analysis showed that the only significant risk factor for severe sepsis was a low pre-operative lymphocyte count (850/μL; P = .01). In the 2 sepsis subgroups, the 5- and 10-year survival rates for the severe sepsis subgroup (37.5% and 37.5%) were significantly lower than for the sepsis subgroup (83.3% and 62.5%; P = .05). The lung was the most common site of severe sepsis (n = 8; 50.0%).Patients who developed severe sepsis after LDLT had poor long-term survival, with pre-operative lymphocyte counts 850/μL being the significant risk factor. Pre-operative nutritional intervention and rehabilitation should be considered to improve LDLT outcomes.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the hypopharynx is extremely rare. A 59-year-old man complaining of swollen right cervical lymph node was admitted to our hospital. Although computed tomography, upper endoscopy, and positron emission tomography scan were performed, the primary lesion was unknown. Bilateral neck lymph node dissection was performed and diagnosed as metastasis of neuroendocrine carcinoma. Sixteen months after the first operation, computed tomography scan revealed multiple liver metastases. There was no another metastatic lesion, and hepatectomy with negative margin was performed. Three months after the second operation, a small tumor of the hypopharynx was detected by upper endoscopy, and biopsy revealed neuroendocrine carcinoma. Concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin + docetaxel) and radiotherapy (60 Gy) were carried out. This therapy was highly effective, and primary lesion disappeared. After the chemoradiotherapy, lung metastasis and bone metastasis emerged and treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (cisplatin + irinotecan). These therapies were also effective, but multiple liver metastases appeared. The patient died 39 months after the first surgery. Although neuroendocrine carcinoma is a high-grade malignancy which metastasizes easily, combined treatment strategy may be useful for these patients. We have here reported, with bibliographic consideration, a case in which multimodal treatment was employed for primary hypopharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma with distant metastases.

A neonate male owl monkey (Aotus sp.) was identified cytogenetically as a hybrid after it failed to nurse and died. Phenotypically, the male parent possessed characteristics of the “gray-neck group,” and G-banded karyotypes identified him as Aotus lemurinus griseimembra (2n = 53), heterozygous for the centric fusion of chromosomes 13 and 14. The female parent belonged to the “red-neck group” and was identified cytogenetically as Aotus nancymaae (2n = 54). The neonate hybrid had 2n = 54 chromosomes with 13 homologous pairs of autosomes, 26 nonhomologous autosomes, and XY sex chromosomes. Thirteen of the nonhomologous chromosomes represented the paternal complement, and 13 were from the maternal complement. Chromosomal rearrangements occurring between the karyotypes of A. l. griseimembra and A. nancymaae were believed to include two paracentric inversions, a reciprocal translocation, and two complex rearrangements involving pericentric inversion, telocentromeric fusion, and centromeric adjustment. ...

The Critically Endangered California condor Gymnogyps californianus has been a focus of intensive conservation efforts for several decades. Genetic studies have played an integral part in these efforts, beginning in 1981 with cytogenetic sexing of all birds. A protocol was optimized for culturing condor lymphocytes and 84 individuals were subsequently sexed through chromosomal analysis. More recently the molecular genetic techniques of DNA-probe hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of sex-specific DNA fragments have been used for sex determination, using blood samples taken opportunistically and eggshell membrane material collected non-invasively. In addition, the data obtained by DNA fingerprinting and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of mitochondrial DNA have provided insights into the relatedness of the founder birds and the amount of genetic diversity in the entire extant California condor population. Three genetically distinct groups were identified within the founder population using a statistical model to analyse data from multi-locus DNA fingerprints. A mitochondrial DNA probe identified four distinct maternal lineages in the condor population but only two of these lineages remain in the extant ♀♀. As a result of the collaborative efforts of the recovery programme, by mid-1999 the California condor population comprised 162 birds including 50 condors living in the wild.

Karyotypic variation in five gibbon species of the subgenus Hylobates (2n = 44) was assessed in 63 animals, 23 of them wild born. Acquisition of key specimens of Hylobates agilis (agile gibbon), whose karyotype had been problematic due to unresolved structural polymorphisms, led to disclosure of a compound inversion/translocation polymorphism. A polymorphic region of chromosome 8 harboring two pericentric inversions, one nested within the other, was in turn bissected by one breakpoint of a reciprocal translocation. In double-inversion + translocation heterozygotes, the theoretical meiotic pairing configuration is a double inversion loop, with four arms of a translocation quadrivalent radiating from the loop. Electron-microscopic analysis of synaptonemal complex configurations consistently revealed translocation quadrivalents but no inversion loops. Rather, nonhomologous pairing was evident in the inverted region, a condition that should preclude crossing over and the subsequent production of duplication-deficiency gametes. This is corroborated by the existence of normal offspring of compound heterozygotes, indicating that fertility may not be reduced despite the topological complexity of this polymorphic system. The distribution of inversion and translocation morphs in these taxa suggests application of cytogenetics in identifying gibbon specimens and avoiding undesirable hybridization in captive breeding efforts.

Q-band comparisons were made among representative species of the four genera of the tribe Bovini (Bos, Bison, Bubalus, Syncerus) as well as to selected outgroup taxa representing the remaining two tribes of the subfamily Bovinae (nilgai, Boselaphini; eland, Tragelphini), the Bovidae subfamily Caprinae (domestic sheep) and the family Cervidae (sika deer and white- tailed deer). Extensive autosomal arm homologies were noted, but relatively few derivative character states were shared. Focus was then made on variation of the sex chromosomes and the chromosomal distribution of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). Bovine BAC clones were used in molecular cytogenetic analyses to decipher rearrangements of the sex chromosomes, and a pocket gopher 28s ribosomal probe was used to map the chromosomal locations of nucleolar organizing regions (NORs). Some of the more noteworthy conclusions drawn from the comparative analysis were that: 1. The Bovidae ancestral X chromosome was probably acrocentric and similar to acrocentric X chromosomes of the Bovinae; 2. The domestic sheep acrocentric X is probably a deriative character state that unites non-Bovinae subfamilies; 3. Bos and Bison are united within the tribe Bovini by the presence of shared derivative submetacentric X chromosomes; 4. Sika and white- tailed deer X chromosomes differ by inversion from X chromosomes of the Bovinae; 5. The Bovini ancestral Y chromosome was probably a small acrocentric; 6. Bos taurus, B. gaurus and B. banteng share derivative metacentric Y chromosomes; 7. Syncerus and Bubalus are united by the acquisition of X-specific repetitive DNA sequence on their Y chromosomes; 8. Bovinae and Cervidae X chromosome centromere position varies without concomitant change in locus order. Preliminary data indicate that a knowledge of the chromosomal distribution of NORs among the Bovidae will prove to be phylogenetically informative.

Lung autopsy specimens were evaluated histologically in the six patients with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy (HAM). The results revealed two histologic changes. First, lymphoid infiltrates were distributed widely in peribronchiolar and perivascular regions, subpleural regions, and the alveolus. Lymphoid infiltrates were also observed in bronchial mucosal glands in relatively large bronchi, in which the acinar epithelium was sometimes degenerated. Second, chronic inflammatory changes, such as smooth muscle hypertrophy, fibrosis, or squamous cell metaplasia, were increased significantly in the membranous bronchioles of HAM patients compared with specimens from lung cancer control patients. Such histologic changes were subclinical in most cases, but one case had an abnormal chest shadow, and two cases had recurrent pneumonia. In HAM patients, high levels of HTLV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are believed to attack the HTLV-1-bearing cells in the lung, resulting in inflammatory reactions.

Thirty-eight captive-born suni (Neotragus moschatus) had chromosomal complements of 2n = 52–56 (fn = 60). Variation in diploid number was the result of two centric fusion polymorphisms: a 4;19 fusion and a putative 18;22 fusion. Specimens that were descendants of wild-caught N. m. akeleyi and N. m. zuluensis were 2n = 52 and 56, respectively, but 2n = 53, 54, and 55 cytotypes were probably the result of hybridization in captivity between the two subspecies. Although populations of suni from different geographic regions are phenotypically indistinguishable, cytogenetic differences between N. m. akeleyi and N. m. zuluensis indicate that they should be recognized as distinct management units. Chromosomal variation among our panel of captive-born specimens and evidence of higher perinatal mortality in supposed hybrid cytotypes suggest that these two subspecies be managed as separate populations, particularly with regard to captive breeding, reintroductions, and animal translocations. Insofar as our findings are restricted to the captive population, the cytogenetics of natural populations of suni should be investigated to determine if indeed N. m. akeleyi and N. m. zuluensis have fixed chromosomal differences or if the centric fusion polymorphisms found in captive animals also occur in wild suni.

Twenty-six captive individuals of the ellipsiprymnus subspecies group of Kobus ellipsiprymnus were found to have chromosomal complements of 2n = 50-52 (FN = 61-62), and 26 of the defassa subspecies group, including three specimens from Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya, had complements of 2n = 53-54 (FN = 62). G-banded karyotypes that were numbered according to the standard karyotype of Bos taurus revealed that variation in diploid number was the result of polymorphism for two independent centric (Robertsonian) fusions. The ellipsiprymnus group was polymorphic for a 7;11 centric fusion. Both elements of chromosome pairs 7 and 11 were fused in fusion homozygotes (2n = 50); in fusion heterozygotes (2n = 51), only one element of each pair was fused. The 7;11 fusion was lacking in specimens with 2n = 52. The defassa group was polymorphic for a 6;18 centric fusion; individuals were either heterozygous for the fusion (2n = 53) or lacking it (2n = 54). There were no defassa group individuals that were homozygous for the 6;18 fusion (2n = 52), but this may be a sampling artifact. The 6;18 fusion was fixed in the ellipsiprymnus group, whereas the 7;11 fusion was absent in the defassa group. In G- and C-banded karyotypes, all autosomal arms and the X chromosomes of the two subspecies groups appeared to be completely homologous. However, the Y chromosome was acrocentric in the ellipsiprymnus group and submetacentric in the defassa group, possibly the result of a pericentric inversion. Fixed chromosomal differences between the two subspecies groups reflect a period of supposed geographic isolation during which time they diverged genetically and phenotypically, and the centric fusion polymorphisms raise the possibility of reduced fertility in hybrids. These data, in conjunction with phenotypic and mitochondrial DNA data, suggest to us that populations of the ellipsiprymnus and defassa groups should be managed separately.

A combination of chromosomal banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to characterize the karyotype of Boselaphus tragocamelus (nilgai) relative to the domestic cattle standard karyotype. G-, Q- and C-band karyotypes of nilgai are presented, and the chromosomal complement of nilgai is determined to be 2n=46 (female FN=60, male FN=59; NAA=56), consistent with previous reports for the species. Comparisons with cattle identified extensive monobrachial homologies with some noteworthy exceptions. Chromosome 25 is centrically fused to 24, and chromosome 16 is acrocentric. Both appear to have additional pericentromeric material not seen in the equivalent cattle acrocentrics. This pericentromeric chromatin may be the result of de novo additions or translocation of pericentromeric material from chromosome 6, which is shown to be centrically fused to 13 but is only about two-thirds the length of cattle 6. Comparisons with cattle demonstrated that nilgai chromosome 17 has undergone a paracentric inversion and that chromosome 20 has two blocks of interstitial constitutive heterochromatin. The identities of both chromosomes were confirmed by chromosomal FISH. Furthermore, chromosomal banding and FISH were used to determine that autosome 14 has been fused to the ancestral X and Y of nilgai to form compound neo-X and -Y chromosomes. Additional FISH analyses were conducted to confirm other proposed chromosome homologies and to identify nucleolar organizing regions within the nilgai complement.

G- and C-banded karyotypes of Damaliscus hunteri, D. lunatus and D. pygargus were compared using the standard karyotype of Bos taurus. Chromosomal complements were 2n = 36 in D. lunatus jimela, 2n = 38 in D. pygargus phillipsi and D. p. pygargus, and 2n = 44 in D. hunteri. The fundamental number in all karyotypes was 60. Among the three species of Damaliscus, seven autosomal pairs and the X chromosomes were conserved. Y-chromosome differences were attributed to heterochromatic additions or deletions. Banded karyotypes of the two subspecies of D. pygargus exhibited complete homology. Chromosomal complements of D. pygargus and D. lunatus differed by a simple centric fusion. However, karyotypes of D. pygargus and D. lunatus differed from D. hunteri by numerous centric fusions, several of which were related by monobrachial chain complexes. Between the karyotypes of D. hunteri and D. pygargus or D. lunatus, there were two chain complexes, one involving five chromosomes (chain V) and the other involving 12 in pygargus (chain XII) or 13 in lunatus (chain XIII). There were also two simple centric fusions between D. hunteri and D. lunatus/D. pygargus; acrocentric chromosomes 13, 15, 20 and 22 in D hunteri were fused as 13;15 and 20;22 in D. lunatus and D. pygargus.

Chevrotains are small forest-dwelling ruminants of the family Tragulidae. The chromosome number of the lesser Malay chevrotain was determined to be 2n = 32, NF = 64, G- and Q-banding allowed the identification of homologous chromosomes, and C-banding demonstrated the presence of pericentromeric, telomeric and interstitial constitutive heterochromatin. Q-band comparisons with domestic cattle revealed relatively few monobrachial chromosome band homologies. However, the smallest biarmed autosome of the chevrotain, chromosome 15, was determined to be cytogenetically homologus with the acrocentric chromosome 19 of cattle. A molecular cytogenetic analysis confirmed this putative chromosomal homology. In fact, molecular cytogenetic analyses indicate complete conservation of synteny among mouse deer chromosome 15, domestic cattle chromosome 19, domestic pig chromosome 12 and human chromosome 17. In the light of these molecular cytogenetic data and since mouse deer chromosome 15 is submetacentric and appears homologous in banding to submetacentric chromosome 12 of the domestic pig, these outgroup comparisons indicate that the acrocentric condition of cattle chromosome 19 has been derived by inversion. Since this derivative condition is present in the Antilocapridae, Bovidae, Cervidae and Giraffidae, it is a chromosomal synapomorphy that unites these advance ruminant families within the Artiodactyla.

Transurethral vaporization of the prostate in saline (TURisV) is an innovative endoscopic surgical modality for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that vaporizes prostate tissue using a uniquely designed mushroom electrode. TURisV promises instant hemostatic tissue ablation under saline irrigation and offers clinical advantages for endoscopic BPH operations. From July 2008 to February 2009, TURisV was performed in 17 cases with clinically significant BPH. Median operation time was 127.0 min and median volume of vaporized prostate tissue was 41.1 g. Median International Prostate Symptom Score improved from 20 to 4 after 12 months. Median maximum flow rate increased from 5.3 mL/s to 13.8 mL/s after 12 months. Postoperative median residual urine improved from 48.0 mL to 7.0 mL after 12 months. No changes in hemoglobin or electrolyte levels were seen postoperatively. Our results suggest that TURisV is a safe and efficacious treatment for BPH.

Karyotypes from a natural population of Madoqua kirki damarensis in Namibia indicate a chromosomal complement of 2n = 48 (FN = 50). Comparisons of G- and C-bands with two previously characterized cytotypes (defined as cytotype A and B; 2n = 46–47) of captive M. kirki from East Africa indicate that one tandem fusion and one pericentric inversion separate cytotype A from M. k. damarensis (cytotype D). Two heterochromatic additions/deletions, one pericentric inversion, and an autosome-to-X chromosome translocation separate cytotype B from D. These data suggest an advanced stage of divergence in populations of M. kirki in Africa.

Chromosomal-pairing behaviour was studied in the spermatocytes of individual goitered gazelles which were heteromorphic for a 14/15 Robertsonian translocation and which possessed an autosome-to-X translocation. Both translocations exhibited trivalent pairing configurations in pachytene and diakinesis/metaphase I nuclei. Synapsis of the sex chromosomes during pachynema was followed by end-to-end association of the X and Y during diakinesis/metaphase I. The only univalents identified were of the Y chromosome; Y univalency ranged from 15.9% at pachynema to 5.7% at diakinesis/metaphase I. Robertsonian trivalents exhibited evidence of synaptic adjustment in the paracentromeric region. Chiasmata were formed in most bivalents and trivalents; chiasmata were restricted to the autosomal portion of the autosome-to-XY trivalent. Analysis of metaphase II configurations (secondary spermatocytes) revealed no nondisjunction in individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the Robertsonian translocation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that neither the autosomal nor the gonosomal heteromorphism reduces the meiotic fitness of male goitered gazelles.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the hypopharynx is extremely rare. A 59-year-old man complaining of swollen right cervical lymph node was admitted to our hospital. Although computed tomography, upper endoscopy, and positron emission tomography scan were performed, the primary lesion was unknown. Bilateral neck lymph node dissection was performed and diagnosed as metastasis of neuroendocrine carcinoma. Sixteen months after the first operation, computed tomography scan revealed multiple liver metastases. There was no another metastatic lesion, and hepatectomy with negative margin was performed. Three months after the second operation, a small tumor of the hypopharynx was detected by upper endoscopy, and biopsy revealed neuroendocrine carcinoma. Concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin + docetaxel) and radiotherapy (60 Gy) were carried out. This therapy was highly effective, and primary lesion disappeared. After the chemoradiotherapy, lung metastasis and bone metastasis emerged and treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (cisplatin + irinotecan). These therapies were also effective, but multiple liver metastases appeared. The patient died 39 months after the first surgery. Although neuroendocrine carcinoma is a high-grade malignancy which metastasizes easily, combined treatment strategy may be useful for these patients. We have here reported, with bibliographic consideration, a case in which multimodal treatment was employed for primary hypopharyngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma with distant metastases.

Longitudinal muscle cells were successfully isolated from pregnant rat myometrium (21 days of gestation) with more than a 95% survival rate. The approximate size of relaxed cells was 232.2 ± 74 μm in length and 16.2 ± 7.0 μm in width. Using the fluorescent indicator Fura-2, the concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca p2+ ] i ) in resting state cells was calculated to be 116 ± 18.5 nM. The isolated cells responded well to K + , acetylcholine and oxytocin in terms of contraction as well as the increase in [Ca p2+ ] i . The increase in [Ca p2+ ] i induced by acetylcholine and K + appeared to be mainly due to an influx of extracellular Ca p2+ . On the other hand, the oxytocin-induced increase in [Ca p2+ ] i was mainly due to a release of Ca p2+ from intracellular storage sites in the isolated cells. Isolated longitudinal muscle cells can serve as a useful tool in establishing the relationship between [Ca p2+ ] i and regulation of the uterine contraction at the final stage of pregnancy.

The proposition is examined that cytogenetic studies are needed in the conservation of wild captive animals. Several cases of polymorphic species have hybridized to produce infertile offspring. In several gazelle species, this accidental hybridization among look-alike animals has led to the extinction of zoo populations. The suggestion that this is always the result of inbreeding is thus erroneous. Cytogenetic study is also needed in animals that are destined for reintroduction, as accidental release of chromosomally different species is counterproductive to the reestablishment of wild stock. Several examples of mammalian species that have flourished from an extremely small founder stock are here examined to draw attention to the possibility that "inbreeding" is not invariably disadvantageous. The karyotypes of two hybridizing Kobus species with divergent chromosomal numbers are described.

The chain-length-dependent conformational transformation and the melting behaviour of triblock compounds α-octyl-ω-octyloxyoligo(oxyethylene) s, H(CH2)8(OCH2CH2) mO(CH2)8H (abbreviated as C8E mC8) (m = 1-8), have been studied by infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The compounds with m = 1-5 assume the all-trans planar form (γ-form) in the solid state, while those with m = 7 and 8 assume the planar/helical/planar form with conformational defects in the alkyl chain (β′-form). Conformational polymorphism was observed for C8E8C8: the γ-form for the annealed solid and the planar/helical/planar form without conformational defects (β-form) for the unannealed solid. The conformational transformation from the planar form into the planar/helical/planar form takes place at a length of the oligo(oxyethylene) chain m = 6. This result for C8EmC 8 and a similar conformational transformation for C6E mC6 at m = 5 (previous work) demonstrate that the conformation of the CnEmCn triblock compounds in the solid state is determined by intramolecular conformational restoring force in the central oligo(oxyethylene) block, intermolecular dipole-dipole interaction of the C-O bonds and intermolecular packing force in the end alkyl blocks. The melting points of the γ-form solid of C8E mC8 are much lower than the melting points of n-alkanes with similar molecular masses. The observed thermodynamic quantities show that the planar structure of the oligo(oxyethylene) chain is stabilized by the force of the magnitude that maintains the rotator phase of n-alkanes. For the β′-form solid of C8EmC8, the alkyl blocks, which are partially noncrystalline, and the oligo(oxyethylene) block melt together at the melting point, unlike the β-form solid of C 6EmC6, for which the melting of the alkyl blocks takes place before the melting of the oligo(oxyethylene) block. The β-form solid of C8E6C8 (unannealed) melts via the γ-form solid. © The Owner Societies 2005.

The accommodation of lattice mismatching in InPAs layers with thickness from one monolayer to 200 A grown on InP substrates is measured by extended x‐ray‐absorption fine structure. Measured critical thicknesses agree with model calculations. In the layers beyond the critical thickness, gradual lattice accommodation with increase of the layer thickness is observed. The lattice accommodation mechanism beyond the critical thickness is discussed by comparison with the calculations.

The vanadium redox-flow battery (VRB) is a rechargeable battery. The VRB has a quick response time and an outstanding high-rate charge and discharge performance for short time periods. The capacity of the VRB can be easily specified by increasing or decreasing the quantity of electrolyte. By utilizing all these features, the VRB can form an effective system to maintain power quality, such as a voltage sag compensation system, a stabilizing system for output fluctuations of wind turbines. SEI delivered a VRB to a semiconductor plant as a voltage sag compensation system in April 2001. This system normally operates at the rated output of 1.5 MW as a load leveling system. Should a voltage sag occur, it can deliver 3 MW for 1.5 seconds. This VRB has already completely compensated 20 voltage sags. SEI delivered a VRB for the project of The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in March 2001, and it is under evaluation at a WT power plant of Hokkaido Electric Power Company. The VRB's rated output power is 170 kW, and it can be operated up to a maximum power of 275 kW. The VRB has already been found to demonstrate good performance.

A neonate male owl monkey (Aotus sp.) was identified cytogenetically as a hybrid after it failed to nurse and died. Phenotypically, the male parent possessed characteristics of the "gray-neck group," and G-banded karyotypes identified him as Aotus lemurinus griseimembra (2n = 53), heterozygous for the centric fusion of chromosomes 13 and 14. The female parent belonged to the "red-neck group" and was identified cytogenetically as Aotus nancymaae (2n = 54). The neonate hybrid had 2n = 54 chromosomes with 13 homologous pairs of autosomes, 26 nonhomologous autosomes, and XY sex chromosomes. Thirteen of the nonhomologous chromosomes represented the paternal complement, and 13 were from the maternal complement. Chromosomal rearrangements occurring between the karyotypes of A. l. griseimembra and A. nancymaae were believed to include two paracentric inversions, a reciprocal translocation, and two complex rearrangements involving pericentric inversion, telocentromeric fusion, and centromeric adjustment. Cytogenetic analyses are necessary to identify most Aotus taxa and thus should be utilized to pair chromosomally compatible animals and avoid interspecies hybridization.

We are developing a Japanese spoken dialogue system that helps a computer user perform his tasks through question-answering. In this paper, we propose a method for the semantic interpretation of a complex sentence connected by a conjunction, "KEDO". "KEDO" is a postpositional word and it forms an adverbial clause. First, complex sentences containing "KEDO" are extracted from an advisory dialogue database and the semantic role of "KEDO" in each sentence is analyzed. Next, each sentence is decomposed into the part before "KEDO" and the part after "KEDO", and each part is expressed in a semantic structure that we have developed. Finally, the relationship between the semantic structure and the semantic role is formalized into rules for semantic interpretation. Our method interprets a complex sentence semantically by applying the rules to the two semantic structures generated from the sentence. As a result, the semantic structures are modified or transformed into others, if necessary.

Cascade, single and multi-bit, ΣΔ architectures provide stable, high order quantization noise shaping used in high resolution A/D conversion. One major disadvantage of cascaded ΣΔ topologies is the extreme SNDR sensitivity to gain mismatch between the analog modulator and the digital error correction logic. This paper will investigate this SNDR sensitivity phenomenon for a 6th order, 1-bit quantizer and 4th order, 5-bit quantizer cascaded ΣΔ A/D system. Circuit parameters of the switched capacitor integrator such as amplifier open loop gain, integrator gain, and amplifier offsets and layout parasitics are characterized

A 20-year-old man noticed enuresis since the age of 18 years. He was also pointed out gait unsteadiness by his friends. Neurologic examination revealed spastic tetraparesis with mild cerebellar ataxia. The cerebrospinal fluid had mild pleocytosis containing neutrophils and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed mild pontocerebellar atrophy. Urodynamic study revealed uninhibited bladder and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. The diagnosis of neuro-Behçet's disease was made by the past history of recurrent genital and aphthous ulcers and positive HLA-B51. The frequency of enuresis was reduced by the oral administration of corticosteroid. We speculated the patient's enuresis was caused by the central nervous disinhibition at night together with uninhibited bladder.

G- and C-banded karyotypes of the two extant species of the mammalian order Proboscidea are presented for the first time. Chromosome complements were 2n = 56 in both Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus. Comparisons between the species demonstrated a high level of chromosome band homology, with 26 conserved autosomal pairs. The normal diploid karyotype of L. africana had 25 acrocentric/telocentric and two metacentric/submetacentric autosomal pairs. E. maximus differed by having one less acrocentric and one additional submetacentric pair due to either a heterochromatic arm addition or deletion involving autosomal pair 27. Several acrocentric autosomes of L. africana exhibited small short arms that were absent in homologous chromosomes of E. maximus. The X chromosomes in both species were large submetacentric elements and were homologous. However, the small acrocentric Y chromosomes differed; in E. maximus it was slightly larger and had more distinct G-bands than its counterpart in L. africana. Extant Elephantidae appear to be relatively conservative in their rates of chromosomal change compared to some other mammalian families. The high-quality banded karyotypes presented here should prove useful as references in future chromosome analyses of elephant populations and in comparative cytogenetic studies with other ungulate orders.

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the Oita Medical University Hospital because of a nonproductive cough and exertional dyspnea. Interstitial changes had been seen on her chest radiograph 5 years previously, but no respiratory symptoms were identified at that time. On admission, chest radiography revealed linear and ground-glass opacities in the middle and lower lung fields. Computed tomography provided evidence of bronchiectasis and micro-honeycombing of the lungs, while lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased. Transbronchial lung biopsy demonstrated alveolitis and Masson's bodies. The patient was not a pigeon breeder, but she could have been exposed to pigeons at her workplace. Indeed, she had specific antibodies against pigeon serum and droppings, and her peripheral lymphocytes showed proliferation in response to pigeon serum. A positive provocation test involving inhalation of pigeon serum confirmed that she had chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by allergy to pigeons. This is a rare case of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with wild pigeons, that progressed to pulmonary fibrosis. Antigen provocation testing proved to be of great value.

A 46-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of emotional instability and involuntary movement of the right upper limb. Neurological examination revealed inability to concentrate, emotional incontinence, recent memory disturbance, chorea of bilateral upper limbs and neck, and bilateral pyramidal signs. Brain MRI showed atrophy of bilateral caudate nucleus and diffuse abnormal intensity area with low intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images in cerebral white matter around the lateral ventricles. Huntington's disease was suspected at first, but it was ruled out by DNA analysis. After admission, oral and genital aphthae developed and the CSF examination showed pleocytosis (273 leukocytes/mm3; 39 polymorphonuclear leukocytes and 234 lymphocytes), so we diagnosed this case as neuro-Behçet's disease. Although basal ganglia is occasionally involved in neuro-Behçet's disease, chorea is rare. Neuro-Behçet's disease should be considered as a cause of chorea.

A 56-year-old welder working for 30 years developed postural instability and writing clumsiness since October, 1998. Neurologic findings revealed dystonia of the bilateral shoulders and distal four limbs as well as parkinsonism such as masked face, bradykinesia, rigidity, and retropulsion. Brain MRI showed hyperintensity lesions on T1-weighted images in the bilateral globus pallidus, midbrain, pontine tegmentum, dentate nucleus and cerebral white matter, which reduced in size and density after ten months. The diagnosis of manganese poisoning was made by the high manganese levels of both serum and urine, and by the marked elevated urinary manganese level after administration of the cheleting agent. We pointed out the diagnostic significance of brain MRI in patients with chronic manganese exposure.

A 42-year old woman was admitted to our hospital because of sudden onset of dizziness and oscillopsia. Neurologic examination revealed horizontal, binocular pendular nystagmus, which increase their amplitude on left lateral gaze. She also showed that mild right blephaloptosis, right facial spasms, increased tendon reflexes and positive pathological reflexes of four limbs and mild chorea-like movement of both feet. MRI showed an abnormal high intensity area on a T2weighted and proton density images located at the right tegmentum mesencephali. She was diagnosed as clinically probable multiple sclerosis according to the Poser's criteria. The nystagmus was suppressed by clonazepam and diazepam. To our knowledge, it is a first report of acquired pendular nystagmus associated with the lesion of tegmentum mesencephali. We speculate that the involvement of the tract of paramedian pontine reticular formation causes the nystagmus and the dysfunction of GABAnergic neurons might play an important role of the nystagmus.