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The visually impaired person recognizes the surrounding situation using a white cane and a guide dog while they walk. For the expert of them, it is very important to hear the environmental sound for recognition of their own position and surrounding situations in details. So, it means “Walking Skills” to recognize surrounding situation by using sound information. Especially, the “Walking Skills [1,2]” is necessary for movement in the place at first time. The training of the “Walking Skills” is performed at the school for visually impaired person. However, the evaluation of this is limited to subjective evaluation by leaders. Therefore, we have proposed that quantitative evaluation of the “Walking Skills” is required. And, we have tried to discuss for the quantitative evaluation of the “Walking Skills” based on human brain activity using Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS). In this paper, we executed the quantitative evaluation of the “Walking Skills” using brain activity measurements for sighted persons without visual information during walking. We performed two kinds of experiments. In the first experiment, brain activity was measured when subjects are walking in the corridor without any visual information. As results of this experiment, the increase of cerebral blood flow of prefrontal cortex was observed when the subject moves far from the start point of these experiments. So, when the walking distance increased, it seems that the blood flow was increased because subjects felt fear as collision to the wall and so on. As another experiment, brain activity was measured when subjects walked with accompanying person as a guide helper. In this experiment, the cerebral blood flow was decreased slightly after the start a walk. From these results, it can be considered that the feeling of fear and the attention relayed to “Walking Skills” could be measured quantitatively by measuring human brain activities.

1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP) is a groundwater contaminant in the drinking water aquifers in Hawaii and some other states. Granular activated carbon (GAC) has been used for 30 years to treat approximately 60 million gallons per day of TCP-contaminated groundwater in Hawaii. The State of Hawaii's current maximum contaminant level (MCL) for TCP is 600 ng/L (ppt), and consideration is being given to lower the MCL to 5 ppt. There is no EPA MCL for TCP. A study was conducted to determine if any GAC could meet a 5 ppt MCL for TCP, and if so, how many bedvolumes (BVs) could be treated prior to breakthrough. Constant Diffusivity-Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests (CD-RSSCTs) were performed to evaluate GAC adsorption of TCP. Three different groundwaters and six different GACs were utilized. The RSSCTs with the currently-utilized GAC were predictive of the performance of the GAC contactors (50,000 BVs to breakthrough). Any of the six GACs could meet a MCL of 5 ppt and some could do so for 150,000 or more BVs. No single GAC was optimal for all three well sites, indicating effects of subtle undefined differences in the water matrix and/or GAC physiochemical properties. The coal-based direct-activated carbon currently being used is the least optimal for all three well sites with respect to meeting a potential new TCP MCL of 5 ppt. The most effective GACs for Kunia were the Calgon coal-based GAC and the Siemens enhanced coconut shell GAC, while the most effective for Waipahu were the Siemens regular and enhanced coconut shell GACs, and the most effective for Mililani was the Calgon coal-based GAC. Choosing just one GAC for use at all three well sites (rather than the optimal for each site) would result in a reduction of treatment run time of 1 year at one well site (63% reduction).

Transport of ionic species in the melt and their partitioning at the solid–liquid interface during growth of lithium niobate was studied under the influence of intrinsic and external electric fields. A Mn-doped lithium niobate (Mn:LiNbO 3 ) single crystal was grown via the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method with electric current injection at the interface. Mn ions were accumulated or depleted at the interface, depending on the sign of the injected current. The electric current injection induced an interface electric field as well as a Coulomb force between the interface and Mn ions. The electric field modified the transportation of Mn ions and their partitioning into the crystal, while the Coulomb force led to adsorption or rejection of Mn ions at the interface in addition to Mn concentration change due to the electric field. Effect of the Coulomb force was often observed to be larger on Mn concentration at the interface than that of the induced electric field, and dominated the redistribution of Mn in the solid. It has been experimentally and analytically shown that Mn concentration partitioned into the crystal can be obtained by multiplying Mn concentration at the interface by a field-modified partition coefficient, k E 0 , instead of the conventional equilibrium partition coefficient, k 0 .

Face or head movement plays an important role in human communication. This paper presents a museum guide robot that moves its head to communicate smoothly withhumans. We have analyzed the behavior of human guides when they explain exhibits to visitors. Then, we have developed a robot system that can recognize the human's face movement using vision. The robot turns its head depending on the human's face direction and the contents of utterances. We use the analysis results of human behavior to control the head movements. Experimental results show that it is effective for the guide robot to turn its head while explaining exhibits., 総務省戦略的情報通信研究開発推進制度(SCOPE)特定領域重点型研究開発 次世代ヒューマンインタフェース・コンテンツ技術視覚情報に基づく人間とロボットの対面およびネットワークコミュニケーション(051303007)平成17年度〜平成19年度 総務省戦略的情報通信研究開発推進制度(SCOPE)研究成果報告書(平成20年3月)研究代表者 久野 義徳(埼玉大学大学院理工学研究科 教授)より転載

We have investigated the quantum Hall effect breakdown (QHE) by using samples whose confinement potential at the sample boundary is tunable by using side gate structure. The Hall bar shaped samples are made of two types of the GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure wafers, where the QHE breakdown current is linear or sub-linear to the sample width. In both linear and sub-linear type of samples, the value of breakdown current is scarcely affected by changing the side gate voltage, which suggests that the QHE breakdown is almost independent of the confinement potential at the 2DEG edge. We have measured the QHE breakdown with Corbino shaped samples. The critical voltage in the sub-linear type sample is much smaller ( kV / m ) than those in the linear type samples (≈10 kV / m ) , and the width dependence of critical voltage shows nonlinear feature. The origin of the sub-linear type QHE breakdown is not ‘edge effect’ but the properties of bulk two-dimensional electron system.

Cation transport and regulatory volume decrease (RVD) were investigated in the red blood cells (RBC) of the Japanese black bear and compared with that of the normal dog (LK dog), which possesses RBC with high sodium (Na) and low potassium (K). Unlike the RBC of the American black bear, RBC from the Japanese black bear failed to exhibit K congener rubidium (Rb) influxes through Na–K pump and K-chloride (Cl) cotransport. In the RBC of the Japanese black bear, treatment with N-ethyl maleimide (NEM), calcium (Ca) ionophore A23187 and EGTA, and hyposmotic medium failed to elicit K–Cl cotransport, whereas these perturbations elicited K–Cl cotransport in the LK dog RBC. The Ca uptake was measured in RBC of both the Japanese black bear and the LK dog, and the fluxes were enhanced in hyposmotic medium and inhibited with quinidine, an inhibitor of Na/Ca exchange transporter. Extracellular Ca-dependent Na efflux was detected in RBC of both the Japanese black bear and the LK dog, and it was also inhibited with quinidine. The Ca uptake and Na efflux were probably mediated by Na/Ca exchange transporter. RBC of both the Japanese black bear and the LK dog were restored to their original volume after being swollen in hyposmotic medium with, but not without, Ca. Thus, Na/Ca exchange transporter causes regulatory volume decrease in the RBC of both the Japanese black bear and the LK dog.

We report here three cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma unspecified (PTCL-US), which presented with bone marrow infiltration and hepatosplenomegaly and were successfully treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT). The patients were all characterized by cytokine-induced symptoms such as fever, anasarca, cytopenia, poor general condition, and disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Laboratory data showed extremely high levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor, beta(2)-microglobulin, and ferritin. All three patients were negative for anti-adult T-cell leukemia antibody. In one patient, hemophagocytosis was revealed by a histological examination of the bone marrow. The International Prognostic Index was high for all three patients, and they all achieved complete remission after the intensive chemotherapy for remission induction. During complete remission, they were treated with HDCT [modified interleukin-converting enzyme regimen] followed by auto-PBSCT. The recovery of hematopoiesis after auto-PBSCT was prompt and sustained engraftment was obtained. No serious adverse effects other than myelosuppression were noted. One patient died due to cerebrovascular disease without relapse 18 months after auto-PBSCT. The other two patients are still alive and have not suffered from relapse. Our observations suggest that auto-PBSCT following HDCT may be an effective and safe therapeutic modality for high-risk PTCL-US patients characterized by hepatosplenomegaly and cytokine-induced syndrome.

The magnetic moment of the short-lived β emitter 35Ar ( I π =3/2 + , T 1/2 =1.77 s) has been remeasured by means of the combined technique of polarized nuclear beams and β-NMR. The obtained magnetic moment is 0.6322(2) μN. This value is consistent with the old data, but is one order of more magnitude precise. The value is well reproduced by the shell model calculation.

The hyperfine interactions of 8Li implanted in single crystal Fe have been studied using the β-NMR technique. One kind of hyperfine field B hf was found. Since no dipolar field was observed, 8Li nuclei are suggested to sit in substitutional sites. The B hf and the spin-lattice relaxation time T 1 were observed as functions of temperature. The experimental B hf and T 1 were compared with the theoretical predictions from the first principles KKR-band-structure calculations. While predicted B hf for the substitutional site is consistent with the experiment, predicted T 1 cannot reproduce the experiment well.

The degrees of nuclear spin polarization of 8,12B, 9C, 12N, 13O, 20,21F, 23Mg, 27Si and 39Ca produced in the high energy 12,13C, 16O, 22Ne, 24Mg, 28Si and 40Ca ions on Be collisions have been measured systematically, for the technical developments of the nuclear moment studies as well as the hyperfine interaction studies by means of β-NMR technique. The fragment momentum dependences were well reproduced by the simple kinematical model. Incident energy dependence and the mass dependence as well as the reaction angle dependences were qualitatively explained by the mixing of the near and far side collisions.

The Knight shifts K for short-lived β emitters 12N and 27Si implanted in Pt have been measured by means of β-NMR technique. The results were K(12N in Pt)= +(5.8 ± 2.1)× 10-4 and K(27Si in Pt)= +(1.4 ± 0.8)× 10-3. The spin–lattice relaxation time T1 was measured for 12N in Pt. The result was T1(12N in Pt, T=300 K)= 66 ± 8 ms, thus, T1T= 20 ± 2 Ks. The present Knight shifts are in good agreement with the KKR band structure calculation with local lattice relaxation determined theoretically.

Insect haemocytes play significant roles in innate immunity. The silkworm, a lepidopteran species, is often selected as the model for studies into the functions of haemocytes in immunity; however, our understanding of the role of haemocytes remains limited because the lack of haemocyte promoters for transgene expression makes genetic manipulations difficult. In the present study, we aimed to establish transgenic silkworm strains expressing GAL4 in their haemocytes. First, we identified three genes with strong expression in haemocytes, namely, lp44, Haemocyte Protease 1 (HP1) and hemocytin. Transgenic silkworms expressing GAL4 under the control of the putative promoters of these genes were then established and expression was examined. Although GAL4 expression was not detected in haemocytes of HP1-GAL4 or hemocytin-GAL4 strains, lp44-GAL4 exhibited a high level of GAL4 expression, particularly in oenocytoids. GAL4 expression was also detected in the midgut but in no other tissues, indicating that GAL4 expression in this strain is mostly oenocytoid-specific. Thus, we have identified a promoter that enables oenocytoid expression of genes of interest. Additionally, the lp44-GAL4 strain could also be used for other types of research, such as the functional analysis of genes in oenocytoids, which would facilitate advances in our understanding of insect immunity.

A gas circulation and purification system was developed at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory that can be used for gas-cell-based low-energy RI-beam production. A high-flow-rate gas cell filled with one atmosphere of buffer gas (argon or helium) is used for the deceleration and thermalization of high-energy RI-beams. The exhausted buffer gas is efficiently collected using a compact dry pump and returned to the gas cell with a recovery efficiency of >97%. The buffer gas is efficiently purified using two gas purifiers as well as collision cleaning, which eliminates impurities in the gas. An impurity level of one part per billion is achieved with this method.

Most aphids show reproductive polyphenism, i.e. they alternate their reproductive modes from parthenogenesis to sexual reproduction in response to short photoperiods. Although juvenile hormone (JH) has been considered a likely candidate for regulating the transition from asexual to sexual reproduction after photoperiod sensing, there are few studies investigating the direct relationship between JH titres and the reproductive-mode change. In addition, the sequencing of the pea aphid genome has allowed identification of the genes involved in the JH pathway, which in turn allows us to examine their expression levels in relation to the reproductive-mode change. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the pea aphid, JHIII titre was shown to be lower in aphids producing sexual morphs under short-day conditions than in aphids producing parthenogenetic morphs under long-day conditions. The expression levels of genes upstream and downstream of JH action were quantified by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription-PCR across the reproductive-mode change. The expression level of JH esterase, which is responsible for JH degradation, was significantly higher in aphids reared under short-day conditions. This suggests that the upregulation of the JH degradation pathway may be responsible for the lower JHIII titre in aphids exposed to short-days, leading to the production of sexual morphs.

The presence of the HTLV-I gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was studied by polymerase chain reaction in 42 patients including 16 with lung cancer, 12 with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), 11 with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), and 3 with pneumoconiosis and hematological malignancy. Sequences equal to a part of the pX gene were found in 44% of the lung cancer cases, 50% of the DPB cases, 55% of the IIP cases, and 100% of the cases of pneumoconiosis and leukemia. In the lung cancer cases, detection of the pX gene was frequently associated with the existence of diffuse interstitial pulmonary shadows. The pX gene was detected in 100% of patients with anti-HTLV-I antibody, 50% of patients with HTLV-I-related reaction and 14% of patients who tested seronegative. It may be inferred from the results that respiratory diseases that produce diffuse interstitial pulmonary shadows are closely associated with HTLV-I infection and that the HTLV-I-related reaction to the immunofluorescent test might reflect the latent infection state of HTLV-I.

Juvenile hormone esterases (JHEs) are required for the degradation of juvenile hormones (JHs) in insects. Here, we report the cloning and analysis of the jhe gene in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, a model insect of Coleoptera. The Tcjhe gene was strongly expressed at the final instar larva, as would be expected if it functioned to decrease the JH titer at this stage. A recombinant TcJHE protein efficiently degraded JH III, suggesting that the enzyme functions in vivo as a JH-specific degradation enzyme. This is the first report describing the developmental expression profile of the jhe gene whose enzymatic activity was shown in Coleoptera, and the new data reported here will aid elucidation of the mechanism of JH titer regulation in insects.

Juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolases (JHEHs) degrade juvenile hormones (JHs) and are important for JH titre regulation. Here, we report the cloning and analysis of five jheh-related (jheh-r1-r5) genes in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, a model species for the coleopteran insects. T. castaneum JHEH-r (TcJHEH-r) proteins show high homology to lepidopteran JHEHs and also to human microsomal epoxide hydrolase. In the phylogenetic tree, Tcjheh-rs were clustered, and interestingly, they were also clustered in the genome. Examination of enzymatic activities using recombinant TcJHEH-r proteins showed that TcJHEH-r3 had strong degradation activity for JH III, whereas TcJHEH-r4 had weak activity. The study has yielded significant information that will facilitate further analysis of JHEHs and epoxide hydrolases.

The lipid modifications which occur on Bombyx mori Ras proteins BmRas1, BmRas2 and BmRas3 were studied by metabolic labelling in an insect cell-free protein synthesis system and in a baculovirus expression system, using specific inhibitors of protein prenylation and protein palmitoylation. In addition, the subcellular localization of BmRas proteins was examined using EGFP fusion proteins of constitutively active forms of BmRas proteins transiently expressed in Sf9 cells. As a result, it was revealed that the three B. mori Ras proteins BmRas1, BmRas2 and BmRas3 are neither farnesylated nor palmitoylated but are geranylgeranylated for localization to the plasma membrane of insect cells. Thus, the mechanism of membrane binding of insect Ras proteins is quite different from that reported for mammalian Ras proteins.

For the precise low background experiments on β decay and material sciences, we are planning to build a new ISOL-type facility to accelerate various β-radioactive nuclei utilizing the existing 5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator and an RFQ linac. Present status of the designing work is reported. In the present work, optical elements of the 41-m-long beam transport line to connect Van de Graaff accelerator and an RFQ linac were designed. Using two dipole magnets, two electric quadrupole doublets and six electric quadrupole triplets, low energy radioactive nuclear beams can be transported with sufficient efficiency.

We have studied the properties of quantum Hall effect (QHE) breakdown where the critical current increases sub‐linearly with the channel width (sub‐linear type) by using Hall‐bar shaped and Corbino geometry samples made from GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures. The channel width dependence of critical current in Hall‐bar and the critical voltage in Corbino geometry shows sub‐linear feature. The breakdown current measured in the Hall‐bar with the side gate along the sample boundaries is scarcely affected by the side gate voltage. The experimental results support that the sub‐linear type QHE breakdown is not “edge effect” but the bulk properties of two‐dimensional electron system (2DES). The activation energy of bulk 2DES conductivity in the sub‐linear type sample at QHE plateau is highly current dependent. The possible origin of sub‐linear type QHE breakdown; the localized current distribution in the bulk 2DES and current (electric field) effect on the activation energy in 2DES with small potential fluctuation, is discussed.

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is considered to be a key enzyme affecting the prognosis of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. We tried to demonstrate the correlation of TP expression in tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue, that is, primary normal tissue. The present study was designed to quantify TP level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue obtained from 42 hepato-gastrointestinal cancer patients including 15 with gastric, 19 with colorectal and 8 with hepatocellular carcinomas. TP levels in tumor tissues were higher than those in adjacent normal tissues (p

An extrahepatic portosystemic shunt that has neither liver cirrhosis nor portal hypertension is rare. A 60-year-old Japanese woman who had been suffering chronic liver disease and anemia with mild disorientation was admitted to investigate general fatigue with dizziness and disorientation. The laboratory data revealed mild pancytopenia and liver dysfunction including hyperammoniemia, an increased Indocyanine Green 15-min retention rate, and a decreased Fischer's ratio. Color Doppler ultrasonography, computed tomography, and arterial portography revealed an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt that extended tortuously from the superior mesenteric vein into the inferior vena cava, and decreased blood flow in the main portal vein. Judging from intraoperative measurement of portal pressure and intraoperative portography, shunt ligations were performed at both the efferent portion of shunt from the superior mesenteric vein and the afferent portion of the shunt into the inferior vena cava, and resection of the spleen was also performed. On the postoperative laboratory data, pancytopenia disappeared, and liver function improved. Postoperative abdominal imaging showed increased blood flow in the main portal vein and disappearance of the shunt vessel. Moreover, symptoms present before surgery also disappeared. In conclusion, surgical treatment of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts may result in better postoperative quality of life if it is performed in carefully selected patients.

Sustainable patient information network for primary care health center is needed for Indonesia. There are many of remote, isolated or urban area, which causes transportation problems and telecommunication problems, for example: necessity of wireless infrastructure. The Internet and its free software is the main agent for this system combining with information and communication technology. We develop low speed communication system to access the Internet using Internet radio packet and used PostgreSQL data base server on Linux machines. Our development is based on a data base managing system called automatic distributed synchronizing data base system. This system connects every health center to each other and avoid central data storage which common use in this day. It is a good opportunity for developing country such as Indonesia to use open free software. And radio packet communication uses radio media is no connection charge like telephone line for data communication. A general practitioner in remote and isolated area can get assistance from a specialist in one urban area using email. The study opens perspective for a further data storage, distribution, synchronizing, maintenance and security.

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) are considered to be key enzymes affecting the prognosis for patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Preoperative examination of TP and DPD expression levels and assessment of these enzymes in inoperable cancer patients may contribute to successful treatment. We tried to prove the correlation of TP and DPD expression in preoperative specimens by endoscopy and in surgical specimens. The present study was designed to quantify TP and DPD levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in tumor tissue obtained from 30 gastrointestinal cancer patients by preoperative endoscopy and surgery, including 15 gastric and 15 colorectal cancers. Successful cases as those in which cancer cells were demonstrated histologically in preoperative specimens by endoscopy were 12 (success rate: 80%) in gastric cancer patients, and 15 (success rate: 100%) in colorectal cancer patients. In successful cases, there were almost significant correlations in all cases, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer among the expression of TP, DPD, and TP/DPD ratio in each preoperative specimen by endoscopy and surgical specimen, respectively. On the other hand, in the gastric cancer group, 3 unsuccessful cases resulted in a significant departure from ideal equation compared with 12 successful cases. In actual clinical care, physicians should pay attention to and evaluate carefully the data from endoscopical biopsy specimens in which cancer cells may not be demonstrated histologically. Thus, endoscopic analysis of TP and DPD expression in preoperative or inoperable cancer patients may contribute to successful treatment.

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) are considered to be key enzymes affecting the prognosis for patients with gastric and colorectal cancers. We tried to prove the correlation of TP and DPD expressions in gastric and colorectal cancers. The present study was designed to quantify TP and DPD levels by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in tumors and normal tissues obtained from 16 gastric and 20 colorectal cancer patients. TP and TP/DPD ratio in the tumor specimens were almost all higher than those in each normal tissue, especially for tumors in the progressive state. In the early stage of the colorectal cancer group, DPD in the normal tissues were higher than those in the tumor specimens. There were no significant differences between TP levels in the tumor specimens of the two groups, whereas in stages III and IV, those of the gastric cancer group tended to be higher than those of colorectal cancer group. In stages I and II, DPD levels in the tumor specimens tended to be higher in the gastric cancer group than in the colorectal cancer group. DPD T/N was higher in the gastric cancer group than in the colorectal cancer group. There were no significant differences between TP/DPD ratios in the tumor specimens of the two groups, whereas those in normal tissue were higher in the gastric cancer group than in the colorectal cancer group. We may be able to achieve the successful effects or reduction of side effects of anticancer chemotherapy for gastric and colorectal cancer using the results of this study.

Traumatic neuroma of the bile duct is not a true neoplasm, but a reactive proliferation of pericholangial nerve tissue induced by injury. A 60-year-old Japanese man was admitted to investigate obstructive jaundice. He had undergone cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration 17 years previously. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a pneumobilia with dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and spiral-computed tomography cholangiography revealed biliary stenosis in the hepatic hilus with dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts. Celiac angiography and arterial portography showed neither tumor stains nor signs of vessel invasion. At surgery, the confluent portion of the intrahepatic biliary ducts in the hepatic hilus was hardly palpable and deformed, but frozen-section microscopic examination confirmed that no malignant cells were present. Anastomosis of the right and left extrahepatic bile duct to the jejunum, reconstructed by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, was performed. Histological examination revealed a nodule composed of a haphazard proliferation of nerve fascicles in the fibromuscular layer of the bile duct which were positively stained for S-100 protein. The pathological diagnosis was traumatic neuroma of the bile duct. Thus, the possibility of traumatic neuroma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with late-onset jaundice after biliary tract surgery.

We examined changes in the concentrations of serum progesterone (P4), estradiol-17beta (E2), FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL), and inhibin to determine their interaction and their effect on the reproductive endocrine controls of pregnant and nonpregnant female Japanese black bears. Fourteen female bears were used in this study over a 2-yr period. In the first year, six of the bears were divided into two groups; a pseudopregnant group and a nonpregnant group. In the second year, the remaining eight bears were also divided into two groups; a pregnant group and a nonpregnant group. Pregnant and pseudopregnant bears had similar P4 trends with both groups exhibiting a significant increase in December, which is the suspected time of implantation in pregnant bears. These trends correlated with an increase in PRL levels, whereas low levels of LH were maintained throughout the year. Nonpregnant bears maintained low concentrations of P4, and compared with pregnant and pseudopregnant bears, they also exhibited a delayed elevation in PRL. Luteinizing hormone activity varied among individual animals, but regardless of reproductive status, fluctuation patterns of E2, FSH, and inhibin did not differ among bears. Our results suggest that PRL may play a luteotropic role in both pregnant and pseudopregnant bears, and is possibly responsible for inducing reactivation of the dormant corpus luteum that precedes implantation in the Japanese black bear.

We experienced a rare case of a lymphomatous polyp of mantle cell type forming a polypoid mass lesion in the duodenum bulbous together with advanced gastric cancer. A total gastrectomy was performed, and the specimen revealed atypical small- to medium-sized lymphoid cells with indented nuclei, which infiltrated the Peyer's patch and formed a nodular mass in the lamina propria and submucosa of the duodenum. The lymphoma cells also infiltrated the lymphoid follicle of the gastric mucosa, spleen, and regional lymph node with a typical mantle zone pattern. Flow cytometric analysis of the single cells of the lymph node and immunohistochemistry of a paraffin-embedded specimen revealed that the lymphoma cells expressed surface CD5, CD19, CD20, and nuclear cyclin D1. Chromosomal analysis of this single cell suspension revealed that these lymphoma cells have trisomy 3 in conjunction with t(11;14)(q13;q32), which is frequently seen in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (MALToma) in the stomach and is also reported in mantle cell lymphoma as a secondary genetic alteration. Our report suggests that trisomy 3 may be a common chromosomal abnormality in lymphomatous polyps of mantle cell type.

This study characterized semen collected from the Japanese black bear, Ursus thibetanus aponicus, to provide information on semen cryopreservation for artificial breeding. Preliminary studies using a beagle dog as the model species showed that sperm concentration and total sperm count were lower in semen collected by electroejaculation than in semen collected by digital manipulation, but that sperm motility, viability and morphology were similar. Characterization of semen obtained from Japanese black bears by electroejaculation under general anesthesia revealed that semen volume and total number of spermatozoa collected were lower; but that sperm concentration, motility, viability and morphology were equivalent to those reported in other ursids. When semen was collected via a catheter inserted into the urethra during the stimulation for ejaculation, the sperm concentration, total sperm count and motility were relatively higher than when semen was collected directly in a test tube. Specific normal semen characteristics (mean +/- SEM) were pH, 7.6 +/- 0.0; volume, 0.212 +/- 0.038 mL; sperm concentration, 361 +/- 100 x 10(6)/mL; total sperm count, 84.0 +/- 32.2 x 106; +++ motility, 30 +/- 5%; motility, 77 +/- 3%; viability 77 +/- 2%; and abnormal morphology, 11+/- 2%. These results suggest that semen can be collected from Japanese black bears by electroejaculation.

We describe a patient who experienced a recurrence of idiopathic iridocyclitis on day 12 after autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) followed by G-CSF administration for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Autologous SCT has been reported to be effective and safe in achieving dose intensification of chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies, but its therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases is not definite. The findings from the present case suggest that auto-PBSCT followed by G-CSF administration for patients with a history of some kind of autoimmune disorders may induce exacerbation or recurrence of its symptoms after hematopoietic recovery.

We established two novel PH-positive acute leukemia cell lines with "biphenotypic" feature, NALM-27 and NALM-28, with t(9;22;10)(q34;q11;q22) from a patient with biphenotypic acute leukemia(BAL). The breakpoint cluster region (bcr) of the BCR gene was found to be rearranged in these cells by Southern blot analysis using a major 3'-side bcr probe. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results showed differences in the pattern of expression of the abl-bcr fusion gene in comparison with the diagnosis. In the case of variant Ph translocations, reports have appeared concerning mainly chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), but there have been few concerning acute leukemia with lymphoid feature. This study thus identifies nonrandomly involved chromosome sites which can then be targeted for detailed molecular analysis to obtain an understanding of abl-bcr fusion in the cells with lymphoid feature. In addition, chromosome band 10q22, involved in this translocation, is the site for several neoplasia. Furthermore, this site is non-randomly involved in the formation of variant Ph translocations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This is the first report on the t(9;22;10)(q34;q11;q22) rearrangement in NALM-27 and NALM-28 cell lines which should prove useful for understanding the translocation of molecular breaks within the bcr of the complex translocation site.

The human Evi-1 gene located on chromosome 3q26, encodes a zinc finger protein that functions as a transcription factor. It was frequently overexpressed in leukemias having 3q26 abnormalities such as t(3;3)(q21;q26) and inv(3)(q21 q26), and subjected to structural alteration in t(3;21)(q26;q22). In addition, recent studies indicated that several cases of leukemias without 3q26 abnormalities also expressed Evi-1 gene. In this study we present another case of structural alteration of Evi-1 gene in a case of inv(3)(q21 q26), in which Evi-1 was truncated and a shorter form of Evi-1 protein was expressed upon rearrangement of the gene. We also studied expression of the Evi-1 gene in a variety of leukemias by northern blot analysis. Evi-1 was overexpressed not only in leukemias with 3q26 abnormalities, but, in those without 3q26 abnormalities, especially in blast crisis of CML. Our result also supports an idea that Evi-1 is a relevant oncogene whose overexpression or structural changes might play a crucial role in development of human leukemias.

Overexpression of the Evi-1 gene appears to be a consistent feature of the 3q21q26 syndrome, an association of myeloid leukemias/myelodysplastic syndrome with a specific chromosomal aberration involving both 3q21 and 3q26, such as t(3;3)(q21;q26) or inv(3)(q21q26). The rearrangement in 3q26 has been reported to occur near the Evi-1 locus, implicating that it is the critical gene deregulated in the 3q21q26 syndrome. Here we present a structural abnormality of Evi-1 protein in a case with the 3q21q26 syndrome. In this case carrying typical inv(3)(q21q26), the 3q26 breakpoint is located within an intron of the Evi-1 gene, and resulted in overexpression of normally unexpressed, an aberrant form of Evi-1 protein, in which the C-terminal 44 amino acids of wild-type Evi-1 protein were truncated and replaced by five amino acids. The truncated Evi-1 protein is shown to increase AP1 activity when expressed in NIH3T3 cells as its wild-type counterpart. We also show that the origin of this peculiar type of rearrangement of the Evi-1 gene is not an artifact during establishment of the cell line, but is the event that occurred in the primary leukemic cells. Our results strongly support that the primary target for the 3q21q26 syndrome is the Evi-1 gene, and provide the first evidence that the structurally altered Evi-1 gene may be involved in the 3q21q26 syndrome.

A human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell line, BALM-9, was established from the peripheral blood specimen of a immunoglobin (lg) phenotype, the established BALM-9 cell line expressed both kappa and lambda light (L) chains simultaneously in a range of 30-80%. Two-color flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that there was a distinct population of kappa lambda double positive cells as well as kappa single, lambda single, and double negative populations. Therefore, subclones were obtained from each population by limiting dilution and were designated BALM-9KL (kappa+lambda+), BALM-9K (kappa+lambda-), BALM 9N (kappa-lambda-). Western blotting confirmed the results of the immunofluorescence test at the protein level. In BALM-9N, L chains were absent even in the cytoplasm as demonstrated by Western blotting. Evidence that the subclones have the same ancestry was provided both by cytogenetic analysis and by Southern blotting, which revealed the 14q32 chromosomal rearrangement as a common abnormality and the same IgH gene arrangement among the subclones. The existence of a kappa lambda positive B cell population suggests a transient stage of normal B cell maturation. These subclones might represent such a stage and thus provide a useful means of analyzing the mechanism of this double light chain expression.

A new pre-B cell leukemia cell line, NALM-26, was established from the peripheral blood of a 24-year-old male patient with acute pre-B cell leukemia. NALM-26 is unique in its expression of T cell-associated CD5 and myeloid cell-associated CD13 antigens. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor (CDw127) was detected by flow cytometric analysis. After PMA treatment, NALM-26 was induced to express CD20, CD25 and CD28, and to increase its expression of both CD5 and CD13. The expression of CDw127 was down-modulated.

Seven cell lines, MOLM-6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11 and -12, were established from a single blood sample from a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in blastic phase having the Ph1 chromosome abnormality. Based on immunophenotyping, two of these seven cell lines, MOLM-7 and -11, represented the megakaryoblastoid lineage, and the other five cell lines represented two different maturation stages of the myeloid lineage.

Multiple myeloma cell lines, MOLP-2 and MOLP-3, were established from the peripheral blood of a patient in leukemic phase of multiple myeloma. Both cell lines express the IL-6 receptor, CD28 T cell-associated antigen and CD33 myeloid-associated antigen. IgD lambda immunoglobulin was found in the culture supernatants of both MOLP-2 and MOLP-3.

A cellular association demarcated by two perpendiculars which were drawn between adjacent bundles of elongate spermatids from the tubular lumen to the basement membrane, was made the unit of histometrical observation in this study (provisionally called a "column"). Cell counting revealed that the average numbers per column of various types of germ cells do not show any significant differences among 5 fowls and between paired testes. The frequency of spermiogenic steps (numbered 1-8) was investigated in each column. A definite and common pattern was found in the frequency distribution in the 5 fowls observed. A relationship between spermiation and younger spermatid steps was also investigated in each column. The spermiation was found at different steps, but most frequently at step 2 (30.6%). Based on these observations and referring to other author's information, an average time interval between two successive spermiations was calculated roughly at 3.3 +/- 1.2 days. Theoretically, this value is equal to an average length of one epithelial cycle. Such a variable cycle may have caused irregular cellular associations in this species.

It was investigated in the domestic fowl, whether a mechanism for a synchronous start of the proliferation of the differentiating spermatogonia in a transversely cut seminiferous tubule (called the "co-ordination" between germ cell association) operates effectively in this species. A trapezoid-shaped cellular association demarcated by two perpendiculars from the tubular lumen to the basement membrane was the unit of observation (provisionally called a "column" Each column is composed of a bundle of elongate spermatids and the neighbouring, various types of germ cells). The extent of closeness of the co-ordination was examined in a total of 2,650 columns, based on the continuity of the spermiogenic step-number of the youngest generation of spermatids within adjacent columns. In no case did all columns in a tubular cross section show the same-step spermatids. In most cases (50.2% of 2,650 columns), the same number was kept in only 2 to 6 adjacent columns. The arrangement of different but consecutive numbers (e.g., 1-2-3 or 1-2-1) was observed in a total of 882 columns. The co-ordination mechanism, therefore, is considered to work, albeit incomplete, among a limited number of adjacent columns in this species.

A unique bronchial tumor is reported. The tumor grew as an endobronchial polyp and obstructed the right main bronchus. Histologically the lesion consisted of two different types of neoplastic cells; epithelial small cell nests and atypical spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical studies with a panel of antibodies showed that the small cell nests were immunoreactive for epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. The spindle-shaped cells showed positive staining for smooth muscle actin. Epithelial markers were also positive focally in the spindle cells. Electron microscopy confirmed that the spindle-shaped cells had both epithelial and mesenchymal features. Based on these results, the tumor was considered to be a unique combination of small cell and spindle cell carcinoma.

Three leukemia cell lines, BALM-6, -7 and -8 were established from the bone marrow of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Based on immunophenotypic and the cytogenetic analysis and on the expression of immunoglobulins on both the cell surface and in the cytoplasm, BALM-6, BALM-7 and BALM-8 are clonal leukemic cell populations of B cell origin.

Based on the immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and genotypic findings, two unique leukemia cell lines, NALM-24 and NALM-25, and an EBV-transformed "normal" B-lymphoblastoid cell line (B262) from a patient with ALL were established and characterized. NALM-24 and NALM-25 are unique in that expression of both show B cell and myeloid cell features with the t(9;22) chromosome in single clonal leukemic cell populations.