Ultrathin polarizing films for the near-infrared region consisting of stacked anisotropic gold island films

We have fabricated an ultrathin polarizing film for the near-infrared region by stretching a periodic multilayer consisting of gold island layers and glass layers. A polarizing film with an extinction ratio of 21.5 dB and a thickness of ~0.2 microm has been realized at the wavelength of 1300 nm by use of a periodic multilayer of 12 gold island layers with a mass thickness of 21 nm. This polarizing film could be useful as a micropolarizer for fiber-embedded in-line optical devices and hybrid integrated optics.

[Prognostic factors of colon cancer from a molecular biology standpoint]

It has been reported that several genes may be good indicators for determining biological behavior, including the prognosis, of colorectal cancers. We have summarized these reported genes, such as tumor suppressor gene, oncogenes, metastasis suppressor gene, adhesion molecules, growth factors, proteinases, and others, including microsatellite instability. Some of the genes such as p53, DCC, c-met, or matrix metalloproteinase are considered to be reliable for determining biological aggressiveness. We introduced several interesting genes which we are focusing using cDNA subtraction library analysis. We hope that these genes are well combined for best analysis of the biological behavior of colorectal cancers and use for practical clinical analysis. In addition, we hope that novel important genes indicative for prognosis will be found.

Expression of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. Several studies using an enzyme assay revealed that the ODC activity was higher in tumor tissue than in normal tissue. However, there is little information on the mRNA status of ODC in surgical specimens. ODC is a transcriptional target gene of c-myc.

METHODS

cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription (RT) from fresh specimens of 56 surgical pairs of primary gastric carcinomas and corresponding normal tissue specimens. The ODC and c-myc mRNAs were subsequently detected by means of the polymerase chain reaction. The tumor/normal (T/N) ratio of ODC expression was calculated after correcting for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as an internal control. The T/N ratio of ODC was plotted against that of c-myc.

RESULTS

The corrected expression levels of ODC mRNA in the tumor were greater than those of the normal mucosa in 36 of 56 cases (64%). The cases of tumor with vascular vessel invasion showed a higher T/N ratio than those without vascular invasion (P < 0.01). Similarly, female patients showed a higher T/N ratio than male patients (P < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the expressions of both ODC and c-myc genes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings imply that (1) overexpression of ODC mRNA in tumor tissue may correlate with aggressive biologic behavior, such as vascular vessel invasion, and (2) there is an intimate correlation between ODC and c-myc genes.

Treatment of children with congenital heart disease and growth retardation with recombinant human growth hormone

Seven prepubertal short children with congenital heart disease were treated with recombinant human growth hormone (GH). Although complete surgical correction was performed for their heart disease at least 2 years before the start of GH therapy, improvement in growth was less than expected in these children. They received 0.5 IU kg-1 week-1 of GH daily for 2 years or more. The growth rate increased from a mean of 4.3 cm year-1 before treatment to a mean of 7.8 cm year-1 in the first year and to a mean of 6.3 cm year-1 in the second year of treatment. Their mean standardized height improved from -3.41 +/- 0.78 to -2.54 +/- 0.62 after 2 years. The mean height age difference minus the bone age difference became positive in these children. We conclude that recombinant GH increases the growth rate in children with congenital heart disease and prepubertal growth retardation.

Photoinhibition of Photosystem I electron transfer activity in isolated Photosystem I preparations with different chlorophyll contents

Photoinhibition of the light-induced Photosystem I (PS I) electron transfer activity from the reduced dichlorophenol indophenol to methyl viologen was studied. PS I preparations with Chl/P700 ratios of about 180 (PS I-180), 100 (PS I-100) and 40 (PS I(HA)-40) were isolated from spinach thylakoid membranes by the treatments with Triton X-100, followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. White light irradiation (1.1 × 10(4)μE m(-2) s(-1)) of PS I-180 for 2 hours bleached 50% of the chlorophyll and caused a 58% decrease in the electron transfer activity with virtually no loss of the primary donor, P700. The flash-induced absorbance change showed the decay phase with a half time of about 10 μs that was attributed to the P700 triplet, suggesting that the photoinhibitory light treatment caused the destruction of the PS I acceptor(s), Fx and possibly A1. PS I-100 was similarly photobleached by the irradiation and the electron transfer activity decreased. There was, however, no apparent photoinhibition of the electron transport activity in PS I(HA)-40. Photoinhibition similar to that seen in PS I-180 also occurred in membrane fragments that were isolated without any detergent from a PS II-deficient mutant strain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. PS I-180 was not photoinhibited under anaerobic conditions. The production of superoxide and fatty acid hydroperoxide during white light irradiation was significantly greater in PS I-180 than in PS I(HA)-40. The mechanism of photoinhibition in PS I preparations is discussed in relation to the formation of toxic oxygen molecules.

Influence of experimental occlusal discrepancy on masticatory muscle activity during clenching

The influence of the experimental occlusal discrepancy on masticatory muscle activity was investigated on 12 subjects. Specially designed occlusal interferences were fabricated and various occlusal states were simulated with their aid. Subjects were asked to carry out eccentric clenching efforts and electromyographic activity of the masseter plus the anterior and posterior temporal muscles was measured. When compared with clenching on the unaltered natural dentition, clenching on the experimental interferences resulted in distinct patterns in the jaw elevator muscles, and the most characteristic change was observed when clenching effort was exerted on the experimental non-working side interference. Electromyographic activity in the anterior and posterior temporal muscles was decreased on the working side and increased on the non-working side and originally unilateral activity pattern with clear dominance on the working side was altered to a bilateral pattern, while that of the masseter muscles remained uninfluenced. Resultant bilateral activity in the anterior and posterior temporal muscles is thought to cause a superior movement of the working side condyle and an inferior movement of the non-working side condyle.

The precore/core promoter mutant (T1762A1764) of hepatitis B virus: clinical significance and an easy method for detection

Recently, a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutant with HBe antigen-negative phenotype has been characterized, in which one TATA box-like motif of the precore/core promoter had degenerated: most frequently by both A-->T and G-->A mutations at positions 1762 and 1764, respectively. The clinical significance of this mutant is as yet unknown. In our present study, the T1762 A1764 mutant was sought in sera from HBV-infected blood donors and chronic liver disease patients by directly sequencing a PCR-amplified region of HBVDNA. Also, because the A1764 mutation generates a Sau3AI cleavage site (GGTC-->GATC), we digested the PCR products with Sau3AI to see if cleavage would occur at this specific site. Our results mostly corroborated the earlier report but we found a higher-than-predicted frequency of HBe antigen-positive blood donors positive for the mutant (22%). The titres of HBe antigen in these mutant-positive sera were slightly decreased compared to the titres in wild-type HBV infection. In addition, these blood donors had relatively high (though within the normal range) serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, suggesting that the T1762 A1764 mutation could be used as a sensitive laboratory marker for insidious hepatitis in these otherwise 'asymptomatic' carriers. The Sau3AI assay, which is much more convenient than sequencing, was shown to be useful for the detection of the T1762 A1764 mutant in an extensive number of clinical samples.

Immunohistochemical profile of primary sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum: report of five cases

Five cases of primary sclerosing scrotal lipogranuloma were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. Every case lacked a history of injection or trauma, and revealed common histological features: a typical granuloma composed of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, and inflammatory infiltrates of eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophage/monocytes in the interstitium. Immunohistochemistry disclosed the epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells of the granuloma to be monocytes in nature, as both types of cells were positive for lysozyme, alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and KP-1. In the interstitium, KP-1 positive monocytes, L-26 positive B lymphocytes, UCHL-1 positive T lymphocytes and S-100 protein positive Langerhans-like cells were frequently found. S-100 protein positive cells could not be detected in the granuloma. Primary sclerosing lipogranuloma of the scrotum, therefore, is a peculiar inflammation characterized by granulomas consisting of monocytes and marked tissue eosinophilia of unknown etiology.

Benefits of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA) in Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer with Higher Serum Concertration

The efficacy of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) therapy in controlling progressive measurable metastatic breast cancer was assessed in 61 patients. In addition serum MPA concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and subjective effects of treatment were monitored. Overall 24 patients (39.3%) achieved an objective response(2 complete responses [ CR ] and 22 partial responses [ PR ]). There was no significant relationships between response to therapy and menopausal status, metastatic sites, previous therapy, histological type, or disease-free interval. Patients with estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptor-positive tumors responded more frequently. Significant differences in serum MPA concentrations were seen between responders and non-responders, objective tumor shrinkage being seen in patients with serum levels in excess of 55 ng/ml. There were few cases responding to the therapy with serum MPA concentrations lower than 25 ng/ml. The serum MPA levels significantly correlated with an improvement in the performance status and survival. Patients with serum MPA concentrations lower than 25 ng/ml had significantly poorer survival. There was a significant relationship between MPA level and dose per area of boby surface (mg/ m(2)) in cases with CR or PR or no change (NC). However, the serum levels of patients with progressive disease despite therapy were lower than the expected levels based on the body surface area. This study demonstrated that serum MPA concentration is a determining factor for therapeutic benefit in advanced or recurrent breast cancer.

Herpes zoster in a normal child after varicella vaccination

A healthy 5 year old girl developed herpes zoster in the dermatome supplied by the ophthalmic branch of the fifth cranial nerve 40 months after varicella vaccination. She was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and painful vesicular lesions over the left side of her forehead. She was treated successfully with systemic and topical acyclovir without developing herpetic keratoconjunctivitis. Our acute and convalescent phase evaluations showed that non-specific cellular and humoral immunity was normal. This is the fourth case of herpes zoster developing in an immunocompetent child following vaccination. Unlike the previously reported cases, our patient required hospitalization mainly to prevent ocular involvement. The issue concerning whether the universal introduction of varicella vaccination of normal children will reduce the incidence of the subsequent occurrence of herpes zoster must await further studies involving longer follow-up periods.

Enkephalin-immunoreactive fastigial neurons in the rat cerebellum project to upper cervical cord segments

By using enkephalin immunohistochemistry combined with retrograde fluorescent labelling, a great majority of neurons in the rat cerebellum sending their axons to the spinal cord were shown to contain enkephalin immunoreactivity. These neurons were numerous and clustered in the fastigial nucleus but far less abundant in other cerebellar nuclei. Enkephalin-immunoreactive fibers present in the ventral horn and the central cervical nucleus of upper cervical cord segments almost completely disappeared contralaterally following kainic acid-induced cell loss in the fastigial nucleus. The results indicate that fastigial and some other cerebellar nucleus neurons provide enkephalin-containing projections toward these spinal sites.

Immunohistochemical evidence for enkephalin and neuropeptide Y in rat inferior colliculus neurons that provide ascending or commissural fibers

Enkephalin- and neuropeptide Y-expressing neurons which offer commissural axons or axons toward auditory thalamus were identified in the rat inferior colliculus. These neurons exhibited a differential distribution pattern. The results provide evidence for regional specificity and chemical heterogeneity of neurons in the auditory midbrain.

Microsatellite instability in Japanese esophageal carcinoma

Recent studies have shown that microsatellite instability (MSI) may play an important role in the development of various types of cancer. However, there have been only 2 reports describing MSI in esophageal carcinoma and the clinicopathologic significance of MSI in this malignancy has not yet been clarified. To better elucidate the role of genetic instability in the development of esophageal carcinoma, we investigated the presence of MSI in 32 cases of esophageal cancer using paired samples of fresh frozen tumor and normal tissue by a method based on the polymerase chain reaction. MSI was defined as occurring in tumors which showed altered banding patterns at one or more microsatellite loci. The incidence of MSI in esophageal carcinoma was 6 out of 32 patients. MSI was observed more frequently in cases with small-cell carcinoma (2 out of 2) than in cases with squamous-cell carcinoma (4 out of 29). No cases with adenocarcinoma or Barrett's metaplasia were included in our series. No significant correlations between MSI and other clinicopathologic parameters were observed. The present study suggests that (1) some Japanese esophageal carcinomas certainly correlate with DNA replication error, and (2) MSI may be more frequent in small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus than in squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

[Report of dental treatment for an island of Okinawa]

Dental treatment was performed on the the inhabitants of Iriomote Island, which is a non-dentist island at present, in Okinawa; two hundred forty-five patients received the treatment for 647 man-days during the period from July 6 through 28, 1994. Since completion of the treatment plan was considered to be necessary during that period, treatments for many teeth had to be done simultaneously because a large number of dental caries and periodontal disease were found. Dental hygienic education such as brushing instruction was made but the long-term educational program is considered to be important so as to prevent dental disease as well. It is to be desired that many dentists become interested in the treatment in non-dentist areas.

[Study on relationship between anterior components of lateral occlusion and muscle activity. Part 1. Anterior components of lateral occlusion]

a) Angle of frontal and horizontal inclination b) position c) numbers and d) area of the contact points at several lateral occlusions which have different distances from the intercuspal position (ICP) were examined on 12 normal subjects to suggest the normal form of lateral occlusion. Each lateral contact point was different due to the LED jaw tracing device with which the angle was measured, and the position, numbers and the area were measured using black silicon methods. The results were as follows: 1. On the angle of frontal inclination, 70% of the subjects showed 25-45 degrees, and especially at the canine's edge to the edge lateral position (EDGE position), C.P. group and G.F. group had significantly different frontal angles. The angle of horizontal inclination had a negative correlation to the frontal inclination, 70% of the subjects showed 20-35 degrees for this angle. 2. The angle of frontal and horizontal inclination was not affected by the balancing contacts. 3. At a 2 mm lateral position from the ICP, the correlation between the angle of frontal inclination with the numbers and area of lateral occlusal contact was more negative than that at another lateral position.

[A case of adult Wilms' tumor with vena caval involvement]

The patient was a 35-year-old female with the chief complaint of macrohematuria. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of a large and inhomogeneous mass in the left kidney, and a tumor thrombus growing in the inferior vena cava. Angiography also showed a hypervascular tumor in the left kidney. The chest X-ray and CT scan demonstrated multiple metastatic lesions in the bilateral lungs. Radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy was performed under the diagnosis of left renal tumor with its invasion of inferior vena cava. Pathological findings revealed that this tumor was nephroblastoma, and its type was clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK). The patient received chemotherapy according to National Wilms' Tumor Study (NWTS) IV chemotherapeutic drug regimen. In general, CCSK is known to have poor prognosis. However, doxorubicin has been reported to have a relatively good antitumor effect for CCSK. However, in this case, the evaluation after the first course of chemotherapy was progressive disease, because some new lesions appeared, although most old pulmonary metastatic lesions were reduced.

Radiation-induced decrease in nitric oxide synthase--containing nerves in the rat penis

PURPOSE

Evaluate effect of prostatic irradiation on erectile function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-seven male adult rats were divided into three groups according to a single radiation dose to the prostate: control (no irradiation) (n = 15), 1,000 cGy (n = 15), and 2,000 cGy (n = 17). Five months after irradiation, rats underwent evaluation of penile vascularity and of erectile response to central and peripheral stimulation. After the study a proximal-shaft penile segment was obtained for staining.

RESULTS

Histologic evaluation demonstrated that, with increasing radiation, the number of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers per penile segment decreased significantly: control, 225.6 +/- 9.7; 1,000 cGy, 156.3 +/- 12.0; 2,000 cGy, 85.8 +/- 10.1 (standard error of the mean). Maximal intracavernous pressure induced with electrostimulation decreased significantly with increasing radiation dose. After injection of papaverine, maximal intracavernous pressure was significantly decreased in only the 2,000-cGy group.

CONCLUSION

A dose of 2,000 cGy over the prostatic bed induces erectile dysfunction by causing defects in the vascular supply of the erectile tissue and in the nerves and smooth muscle.

Capillary-tissue arrangement in the skeletal muscle optimized for oxygen transport in all mammals

The aim of this computer simulation study is to evaluate the efficiency of capillary networks in the skeletal muscle for oxygen (O2) delivery to tissue for all mammals. This was performed by: (1) employing Krogh's cylinder model for the capillary-tissue system and the minimum volume model for the vascular system, (2) allometrically assessing the muscle blood flow and O2 consumption rate (the main input data) in the resting and exercising states as power functions of body weight from the data reported for several mammals, and (3) calculating the cost-performance of the system from the ratio (maximum O2 uptake of tissue)/(minimum energy expenditure of blood flow supply), as a function of number of capillaries. The results obtained for body weights ranging from 100 g to 1000 kg revealed that for each body weight and metabolic state, the efficiency curve attains a peak at a specific optimum capillary number, and that the calculated values of total muscle mass, capillary density, and capillary flow-rate by using the optimum capillary number and tissue radius during exercise agree remarkably well with those actually measured in various animals. These findings suggest the validity of a working hypothesis that in all mammals, the capillary arrangement in the skeletal muscle is optimized for O2 delivery to tissue during exercise.

Interaction of filarial proteins on growth regulation of normal lung epithelial cells in vitro

An in vitro model to examine the effects of filarial proteins on lung epithelial cells has been developed. Several of these proteins appear in circulation of infected individuals. A close association between tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) and filariasis has been reported by several workers. [3H]-thymidine studies do indicate that when optimum concentration of these filarial proteins were added to lung cultures in proliferating and basal/maintenance media a further increase in growth stimulation was observed early in culture. However, on longer exposures and at higher concentrations an inhibitory effect with distinct morphological changes were noted. The dual role of these proteins on lung epithelial cells in vitro may highlight the possibility of a direct interaction of these proteins with lung cells during disease also contributing to tissue damage.