The initial disparity vergence elicited with single and dual grating stimuli in monkeys: evidence for disparity energy sensing and nonlinear interactions

We recorded the initial vertical vergence eye movements elicited in monkeys at short latency ( approximately 70 ms) when the two eyes see one-dimensional (1D) horizontal grating patterns that are identical except for a phase difference (disparity) of one-quarter wavelength. With gratings composed of single sine waves, responses were always compensatory, showing Gaussian dependence on log spatial frequency (on average: peak = 0.75 cycles/deg; SD = 0.74; r(2) = 0.980) and monotonic dependence on log contrast with a gradual saturation well described by the Naka-Rushton equation (on average: n = 0.89; C(50) = 4.1%; r(2) = 0.978). With gratings composed of two sine waves whose spatial frequencies were in the ratio 3:5 and whose disparities were of opposite sign (the 3f5f stimulus), responses were determined by the disparities and contrasts of the two sine-wave components rather than the disparity of the features, consistent with early spatial filtering of the monocular inputs before their binocular combination and mediation by detectors sensitive to disparity energy. In addition, responses to the 3f5f stimulus showed a nonlinear dependence on the relative contrasts of the two sine waves. Thus on average, when the contrast of one sine wave was 2.3 times greater than that of the other, the one with the lower contrast was largely ineffective as though suppressed, and responses were determined almost entirely by the sine wave of higher contrast: Winner-Take-All. These findings are very similar to those published previously on the vertical vergence responses of humans, indicating that the monkey provides a good animal model for studying these disparity vergence responses.

[Hemoptysis one year after video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax: report of a case]

A 63-year-old man who had underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy for left spontaneous pneumothorax 1 year before developed recurrent hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography showed previous stapling of the subsegmental bronchus in the left apico-posterior segment Bronchial arteriography showed hypervascularization of bronchial artery in the left upper segment and pooling of contrast medium along the staple-suture line. Video-assisted thoracoscopic apico-posterior segmentectomy was performed successfully. Pathological examination revieled hemosiderin lining along the surgical stump of B(1+2)cii, neither with infection nor infarction. These findings suggest that mechanical stapling of B(1+2)cii induced ischemia in the peripheral lung parenchyma causing bronchial hypervascularization. Late onset hemoptysis should be kept in mind as a complication after bullectomy with a mechanical stapler.

[Massive hemoptysis due to traction bronchiectasis caused by thoracic radiotherapy 23 years earlier]

We reported a 72-year-old woman who had a massive hemoptysis due to traction bronchiectasis in the left upper lobe. The patient underwent left radical mastectomy followed by thoracic radiotherapy for left breast cancer. The chest computed tomography showed traction bronchiectasis in the atrophic left upper lobe and the bronchial angiography showed hypervascularization of bronchial and internal thoracic arteries to the left upper lobe. Left upper lobectomy was performed after bronchial embolization for recurrent massive hemoptysis. Postoperative course was uneventful. Pathologic findings showed non-anatomical but clearly-bordered traction bronchiectasis with hypervascularized bronchial artery in the left upper lobe. These lesions were consistent with the field of the previous radiotherapy. Traction bronchiectasis causing massive hemoptysis should be considered as one of pulmonary sequelae after thoracic radiotherapy.

High-resolution analysis of DNA copy number alterations and gene expression in renal clear cell carcinoma

We analysed chromosomal copy number aberrations (CNAs) in renal cell carcinomas by array-based comparative genomic hybridization, using a genome-wide scanning array with 2304 BAC and PAC clones covering the whole human genome at a resolution of roughly 1.3 Mb. A total of 30 samples of renal cell carcinoma were analysed, including 26 cases of clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and four cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChCC). In CCCs, gains of chromosomes 5q33.1-qter (58%), 7q11.22-q35 (35%) and 16p12.3-p13.12 (19%), and losses of chromosomes 3p25.1-p25.3 (77%), 3p21.31-p22.3 (81%), 3p14.1-p14.2 (77%), 8p23.3 (31%), 9q21.13-qter (19%) and 14q32.32-qter (38%) were detected. On the other hand, the patterns of CNAs differed markedly between CCCs and ChCCs. Next, we examined the correlation of CNAs with expression profiles in the same tumour samples in 22/26 cases of CCC, using oligonucleotide microarray. We extracted genes that were differentially expressed between cases with and without CNAs, and found that significantly more up-regulated genes were localized on chromosomes 5 and 7, where recurrent genomic gains have been detected. Conversely, significantly more down-regulated genes were localized on chromosomes 14 and 3, where recurrent genomic losses have been detected. These results revealed that CNAs were correlated with deregulation of gene expression in CCCs. Furthermore, we compared the patterns of genomic imbalance with histopathological features, and found that loss of 14q appeared to be a specific and additional genetic abnormality in high-grade CCC. When we compared the expression profiles of low-grade CCCs with those of high-grade CCCs, differentially down-regulated genes tended to be localized on chromosomes 14 and 9. Thus, it is suggested that copy number loss at 14q in high-grade CCC may be involved in the down-regulation of genes located in this region.

215 APPLICATION OFA MICROFLUIDIC SPERM SORTER TO THE IN VITRO FERTILIZATION OF PORCINE OOCYTES

In porcine IVF, polyspermy is a persistent obstacle to the efficient production of normal embryos in vitro. A microfluidic sperm sorter (MFSS; Strex Inc., Osaka, Japan) has been developed to isolate motile human spermatozoa (from diluted semen by 2 laminar flows in the microchannel). The motile spermatozoa can gradually accumulate in a chamber of the MFSS. In addition, we have succeeded in reducing the incidence of polyspermic penetration by a transient coincubation of oocytes with spermatozoa in the presence of caffeine, followed by culture of the oocytes in the absence of caffeine (2004 Reproduction 128, 789–800). If porcine oocytes could be cocultured with motile spermatozoa in the chamber of the MFSS, the gradual accumulation of motile spermatozoa might further improve the efficiency of production of monospermic fertilized porcine embryos. The current study was undertaken to apply the MFSS technology to porcine IVF. The sperm-rich fraction from 3 Berkshire boars was diluted at 1 � 108 cells mL–1 with modified Modena containing 20% seminal fluid, cooled to 15�C for 4 h, and kept at the same temperature until use within 2 days. Stored, diluted semen with greater than 80% viability was flowed with Tyrode lactate-HEPES-polyvinyl alcohol medium for 5 or 10 min at room temperature. The concentration and viability of spermatozoa mixed in the flowed medium were determined. In the next experiment, a diluted semen sample was flowed with modified TCM-199 containing 5 mm caffeine for 5 min at room temperature. Before flowing, porcine IVM oocytes were put into the chamber of the MFSS, where motile spermatozoa will accumulate with modified TCM-199 containing 5 mm caffeine. After flowing for 5 min, those oocytes were transferred into a 500-µL droplet of caffeine-free modified TCM-199, and culture was continued for 8 h. Statistical analyses were carried out by ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD post hoc test. After flowing for 5 min, the concentration of spermatozoa recollected from the chamber was 5.7 � 105 cells mL–1. The viability of recollected spermatozoa was significantly higher than the original flowed semen. However, when spermatozoa were flowed for 10 min, the viability of recollected spermatozoa was not different from the original flowed semen, whereas the concentration of recollected spermatozoa was 9.7 � 105 cells mL–1. When IVM oocytes were cocultured with spermatozoa gradually accumulated in the chamber of MFSS for 5 min, 35% (22 to 48%) of oocytes were penetrated, and 95% (90 to 100%) of the penetrated oocytes were monospermic. These observations demonstrate that the MFSS can separate penetrable boar spermatozoa with a high viability and sufficient concentration for IVF. Furthermore, the current data suggest the possibility of improving the efficiency of monospermic fertilization of porcine IVM oocytes by a transient coculture with MFSS.

Evaluation of the basic properties of the BANGkit gel dosimeter

We evaluated the basic properties of a commercially available BANGkit gel dosimeter, which is a normoxic type of BANG gel. This gel-kit has the same composition as the BANG 3 gel, but is fully oxygenated. To exclude oxygen, oxygen scavenging ascorbic acid and copper sulfate as a catalyst are used. The properties that we examined are the effects of the concentrations of copper sulfate and ascorbic acid on the response, the reproducibility, the long-term stability, the temperature effect at irradiation and the dose-rate effect. In our results, the excellent linear fit of the R2-dose response in a dose range for clinical use and its reproducibility were observed. The precision of a linear fit was preserved for about 3 weeks. The temperature at irradiation showed a significant effect on the dose response. Although the dose-rate dependence in the high-dose range was observed, it was negligible for the clinical dose range up to 270 cGy. In conclusion, this gel dosimeter is thought to be utilizable in clinical practice, while we have to pay attention to the temperature during the entire measurement processes, and additionally there is room for improvement in the linearity and the dose-rate dependence in the high-dose range.

Early clinical outcomes of 3D-conformal radiotherapy using accelerated hyperfractionation without intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of cervical cancer patients unable to undergo conventional intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) treated with 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) alone using accelerated hyperfractionation (AHF).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We reviewed the records of 7 patients who had received definitive radiotherapy with 3DCRT alone using AHF for cervical cancer between 2002 and 2005. FIGO stage was IB (1), IIB (2), IIIA (1), IIIB (2), and IVA (1). The reason we did not perform ICBT was due to patient refusal. In 1 patient with stage IB, a total dose of 65.4 Gy was delivered by local irradiation (LI) only. In 1 patient with stage IIIA, a total dose of 60 Gy was delivered by LI only. In 5 patients with Stage IIB-IV, a median total dose of 70.8 Gy was delivered by combination of whole pelvic irradiation (median dose of 45 Gy) with LI. Median overall treatment time was 42 days.

RESULTS

Median follow-up for survival patients was 17 months. Out of 7 patients, 6 patients had CR and 1 patient had PR. The response rate was 100%. The 2-year local control rate was 85.7%. Of these patients, 5 are alive without disease and 1 is alive with lung metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our outcomes suggest that 3DCRT using AHF may be a promising as a definitive treatment for cervical cancer when ICBT is not able to be performed.

Antisense and nonantisense effects of antisense Bcl-2 on multiple roles of Bcl-2 as a chemosensitizer in cancer therapy

Bcl-2 is an oncoprotein that plays a critical role in inhibiting apoptotic cell death in the mitochondria-dependent pathway in cancer chemotherapy. As a strategy for blocking Bcl-2 for enhancement of the chemotherapeutic effect, antisense Bcl-2 (AS Bcl-2; G3139, oblimersen sodium, Genasense) has shown promise, and there are several ongoing clinical studies with hematological malignancies as well as solid tumors. Although several preclinical and clinical studies have shown the therapeutic efficacy of Bcl-2 in combination with an anticancer drug as a chemosensitizer, in clinical trials the downregulation of Bcl-2 has not been observed with a high frequency in tumor cells. Nevertheless, previous studies showed nonantisense effects such as production of reactive oxygen species and immunostimulatory action through cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-motif in the antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. Further, Bcl-2 is able to inhibit Beclin 1-dependent autophagic cell death, which is a nonapoptotic cell death. The current status and future directions of AS Bcl-2 and the potential mechanisms for multiple roles that Bcl-2 has in cancer therapy are reviewed.

Assessment of efficacy of a live oral poliovirus vaccine for virulent Sabin-like poliovirus 1 strains in Japan

Virulent Sabin-like poliovirus (VSLP) was isolated from river and sewage waters between October 1993 and September 1995 in Toyama Prefecture, Japan (Yoshida et al., Lancet 356, 1461-1463, 2000). In this study, to assess the possibility of an epidemic of poliomyelitis caused by a VSLP in Japan under the current vaccination policy of administration of live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), we determined titers of serum neutralizing antibodies to poliovirus 1 (PV-1) strains Sabin (vaccine strain), Mahoney (wild-type strain) and G4-12 (VSLP) in various groups of residents of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The seropositivity and geometric mean neutralizing antibody titers against these strains in the individuals who obtained two doses of OPV were 99.1%, 94.5% and 95.5%, respectively, and 564, 186 and 194, respectively. Although the antibody titers to G4-12 were lower compared with those to Sabin, these results indicate that the OPV vaccination policy in Japan has been effective in preventing poliomyelitis caused by VSLPs. These results also suggest that (i) an epidemic of poliomyelitis caused by a VSLP has not occurred in Japan due to herd immunity, and (ii) the possibility of reemergence of VSLPs will be prevented if sufficient herd immunity is acquired immediately after completion of the OPV vaccination in accordance with the poliomyelitis eradication program.

Release of Short and Proline-Rich Antihypertensive Peptides from Casein Hydrolysate with an Aspergillus oryzae Protease

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory activities were measured after hydrolysis of casein by 9 different commercially available proteolytic enzymes. Among these enzymes, a protease isolated from Aspergillus oryzae showed the highest angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory activity per peptide. The A. oryzae peptide also showed the highest antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats when the systolic blood pressure was measured 5 h after oral administration of 32 mg/kg of various enzymatic hydrolysates. Significant antihypertensive effects were observed with dosages of 9.6, 32, and 96 mg of the A. oryzae peptide/kg of body weight (BW), and the effects were dependent on these peptide dosages. Analysis of peptide length showed the A. oryzae hydrolysate was the shortest of all tested casein hydrolysates; the peptide mixture had an average value of 1.4 amino acids (AA) in the sequence. To further characterize the A. oryzae hydrolysate, we analyzed the AA sequence of the whole peptide mixture. Various AA were detected at the first AA position, however, an increased number of Pro residues were observed at the second and third position of the A. oryzae hydrolysate. No strong signals were detected after the fourth AA position of the A. oryzae hydrolysate. These results suggest that the casein hydrolysate of A. oryzae, which expressed potent antihypertensive effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats, mainly contain short peptides of X-Pro and X-Pro-Pro sequences.

Comparison of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) versus traditional textbook methods for training in abdominal examination (Japanese experience)

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the effects of computer-assisted, text-based and computer-and-text learning conditions on the performances of 3 groups of medical students in the pre-clinical years of their programme, taking into account their academic achievement to date. A fourth group of students served as a control (no-study) group.

METHOD

Participants were recruited from the pre-clinical years of the training programmes in 2 medical schools in Japan, Jichi Medical School near Tokyo and Kochi Medical School near Osaka. Participants were randomly assigned to 4 learning conditions and tested before and after the study on their knowledge of and skill in performing an abdominal examination, in a multiple-choice test and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), respectively. Information about performance in the programme was collected from school records and students were classified as average, good or excellent. Student and faculty evaluations of their experience in the study were explored by means of a short evaluation survey.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, all 3 study groups exhibited significant gains in performance on knowledge and performance measures. For the knowledge measure, the gains of the computer-assisted and computer-assisted plus text-based learning groups were significantly greater than the gains of the text-based learning group. The performances of the 3 groups did not differ on the OSCE measure. Analyses of gains by performance level revealed that high achieving students' learning was independent of study method. Lower achieving students performed better after using computer-based learning methods.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that computer-assisted learning methods will be of greater help to students who do not find the traditional methods effective. Explorations of the factors behind this are a matter for future research.

Insulin regulates the expression of the enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 gene via different pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes

We investigated the effect of insulin on the expression of the enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 gene in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes. The level of enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 mRNA was increased by insulin in both cells. While both wortmannin and LY294002 blocked the increase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and only PD98059 was effective in L6 myotubes. Although the increase by insulin in these cells was inhibited by treatment with actinomycin D, this was enhanced by treatment with cycloheximide. Furthermore, cyclic AMP increased the level of enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 mRNA in both cells in an additive manner. Thus, we conclude that insulin and cyclic AMP induce the expression of the enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 gene in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes, and that the gene expression enhanced by insulin is regulated by the cell type-specific pathway. The former requires a phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway and the latter a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Binocular Deficits Associated With Early Alternating Monocular Defocus. II. Neurophysiological Observations

Experiencing binocularly conflicting signals early in life dramatically alters the binocular responses of cortical neurons. Because visual cortex is highly plastic during a critical period of development, cortical deficits resulting from early abnormal visual experience often mirror the nature of interocular decorrelation of neural signals from the two eyes. In the preceding paper, we demonstrated that monkeys that experienced early alternating monocular defocus (–1.5, –3.0, or –6.0 D) show deficits in stereopsis that generally reflected the magnitude of imposed monocular defocus. Because these results indicated that alternating monocular defocus affected the higher spatial frequency components of visual scenes more severely, we employed microelectrode recording methods to investigate whether V1 neurons in these lens-reared monkeys exhibited spatial-frequency-dependent alterations in their binocular response properties. We found that a neuron's sensitivity to interocular spatial phase disparity was reduced in the treated monkeys and that this reduction was generally more severe for units tuned to higher spatial frequencies. In the majority of the affected units, the disparity-sensitivity loss was associated with interocular differences in monocular receptive field properties. The present results suggest that the behavioral deficits in stereopsis produced by abnormal visual experience reflect at least in part the constraints imposed by alterations at the earliest stages of binocular cortical processing and support the hypothesis that the local disparity processing mechanisms in primates are spatially tuned and can be independently compromised by early abnormal visual experience.

Mouse soluble CD14 truncated at amino acid 71 in transgenic mice: preventive effect on endotoxin-mediated toxic shock

Mouse soluble CD14 truncated at amino acid 71 (N71) contains the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding sequence. Transgenic mice carrying alpha1-antitrypsin (AT) promoter-N71 fusion genes, designated AT363-1 and AT363-2, were produced. These mice constitutively produced elevated levels of N71. The concentration of LPS in sera after intraperitoneal LPS injection was lower in AT363-1 mice than in nontransgenic mice. The expression of N71 mRNA was enhanced by subcutaneous turpentine oil injection. The levels of serum LPS and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after intraperitoneal LPS injections were lower in AT363-1 mice than in nontransgenic mice. Cell surface TNF-alpha and CD14 expression in exudate peritoneal macrophages prepared by intraperitoneal injection of proteose peptone and then LPS were higher in AT363-1 mice than in nontransgenic mice. Neutrophil infiltration in the liver after induction of the generalized Shwartzman reaction was lower in AT363-1 mice than in nontransgenic mice. Lethality of the Shwartzman reaction was significantly lower in AT363-1 than in nontransgenic mice. These findings suggest that the endotoxin-binding protein (N71) from CD14 prevents endotoxin-mediated toxic shock.

Regulation of circulating immune complexes by complement receptor type 1 on erythrocytes in chronic viral liver diseases

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Complement receptor type 1 (CR1) is a transmembrane protein, and human erythrocyte CR1 (E-CR1) is involved in the transport of circulating immune complexes (IC) from the circulation to the reticuloendothelial system, including the liver and spleen. In chronic viral hepatitis, increased levels of IC containing viral particles and an association with various extrahepatic manifestations have been reported. However, regulatory mechanisms for IC levels are not fully understood. PATIENTS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analysed IC, E-CR1, and quantitative polymorphism of the CR1 gene in 149 patients with chronic viral liver diseases and in 64 normal blood donors using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, radioimmunoassay, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, respectively. We also analysed the effect of CR1 gene polymorphism on IC binding to E-CR1 using molecular methods.

RESULTS

E-CR1 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis and chronic viral liver diseases as a whole correlated inversely with increased levels of IC. Moreover, significantly high levels of IC were observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) who were homozygous for the E-CR1 low density allele. We also found low levels of E-CR1 in liver cirrhosis and CH-C but not in CH-B. Low levels of E-CR1 in CH-C were observed, even after considering the polymorphism of the CR1 gene. Finally, we demonstrated CR1 gene polymorphism dependent binding of hepatitis virus containing IC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results emphasise the important role of E-CR1 in clearance of IC from the circulation and the acquired, rather than inherited, decrease in E-CR1 in chronic viral liver diseases, especially of type C.

Morphological study of the regeneration mechanism of acetic acid-injured colon crypts in the rat

The regeneration mechanism of injured rat colonic mucosa with 1% acetic acid was certified in this study. The injured colons were studied periodically on experimental days 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, and 20 with light and scanning electron microscopy. Specimens were examined in paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin; crypts were isolated with the HCl digestion method; and three-dimensional stromal collagen tissue was prepared with the NaOH cell maceration method. Damage to the mucosal and submucosal layers peaked between the 1st and 3rd days with edema, regeneration, necrosis, and inflammation. The edema and inflammation subsided, and mucosal atrophy and crypt reduction remained at around 1 week. At 2 weeks the mucosa became thick, and crypts showed many branches in their lower two-thirds; and by 3 weeks the mucosa had recovered to almost normal. The ratio of number of crypts at the base and surface was almost 1.5 on the 15th day and 1.0 on the 20th day, suggesting that each branch progresses upward to create an independent crypt. We believe that the fission mechanism plays an important role in crypt repair after acetic acid injury of the colonic mucosa. As the proliferative zone of the colonic crypt is localized at the crypt base, fission of the crypt starting at the base and progressing up to the surface is the most reasonable and efficient mechanism for repair by increasing the number of crypts.

An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of a follicle-stimulating hormone-secreting gonadotroph adenoma occurring in a 10-year-old girl

Female gonadotroph adenomas with endocrinological symptoms are uncommon. Six cases of such adenomas have been reported in the literature: two were girls who presented with precocious puberty and four were premenopausal women with accompanying multiple ovarian cysts. We describe here a 10-year-old Japanese girl with a gonadotroph macroadenoma and present detailed morphological findings of the tumor. The patient's chief complaints were nausea, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral multiple ovarian cysts. Endocrinological assays showed elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (33.7 mIU/ml) and estradiol (3840 pg/ml). MRI of the head showed a large pituitary tumor. Two transsphenoidal operations and subsequent radiation therapy were performed. Immunohistochemically, more than half the tumor cells were positive for anti-FSH-beta monoclonal antibody. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells exhibited a fairly uniform picture of rounded cells. Their nuclei were slightly irregular and contained heterochromatin, and their cytoplasm contained many round, dense core granules, measuring 140-260 nm in diameter, together with well-developed organelles. An in vitro study showed that the tumor cells in primary culture produced FSH (1089.0 mIU/ml). To our knowledge, this is the first immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of an FSH-secreting gonadotroph adenoma occurring in childhood.

Effects of the duration of early strabismus on the binocular responses of neurons in the monkey visual cortex (V1)

PURPOSE

To determine how the duration of early strabismus influences the severity of loss of disparity sensitivity in V1 neurons and the effects of extensive poststrabismus visual experience on the maintenance of functional binocular connections.

METHODS

Concomitant strabismus was optically simulated in 10 rhesus monkeys using a prism-rearing procedure. The onset of strabismus was kept constant at 4 weeks of age and the duration was maintained for 2, 4, or 8 weeks. In one group of monkeys (infants), the neurophysiological experiments were conducted immediately after the period of rearing with prisms. In another group (adults), after the termination of the prism-rearing regimen at either 8 or 12 weeks of age, the monkeys were kept in a normal housing environment until maturity and behavioral testing was conducted before the recording experiments to determine the animal's monocular and binocular visual capacities. To assess the effects of the period of early strabismus on binocular interactions in V1, extracellular single-unit recording methods were used in anesthetized and paralyzed monkeys, and dichoptic sine-wave gratings were used as stimuli.

RESULTS

In all strabismic monkeys, the sensitivity of V1 units to interocular spatial phase disparity (disparity sensitivity) was significantly reduced, and the prevalence of binocular suppression was higher than that found in age-matched control animals. Although 8 weeks of strabismus resulted in a slightly larger loss of disparity sensitivity, the overall effects of the duration of strabismus were surprisingly small in infant strabismic monkeys. After poststrabismus visual experience, a small but significantly higher degree of disparity sensitivity was noted in V1 if prism-rearing was terminated after 4 weeks of strabismus (i.e., at 8 weeks of age), but not after 8 weeks of strabismus (i.e., at 12 weeks of age).

CONCLUSIONS

A brief period (2 weeks) of misalignment after the emergence of stereopsis is sufficient to drastically reduce the functional binocular connections in V1, and longer periods of strabismus result in little additional loss in disparity sensitivity. Clinically, these results suggest that taking corrective measures for infantile esotropes before the known onset age for stereopsis may be important for maintaining better binocular sensory function and better interocular alignment at later stages of development.

Intracystic carcinoma of the male breast: report of a case

We experienced a very rare case of male intracystic breast carcinoma. A 66-year-old man presented at our hospital because of a palpable mass in his right breast. The imaging diagnosis was an intracystic carcinoma with hemorrhagic fluid and two mural nodules. Modified radical mastectomy was performed under general anesthesia. The pathological examination revealed the intracystic papillary carcinoma with foci of microinvasion. The findings of power Doppler ultrasonography and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging were very useful for the differential diagnosis of our case.

Serum leptin correlates with serum uric acid but not serum testosterone in non-obese male adolescents

To identify the serum factors that affect circulating leptin levels, we measured the serum concentrations of leptin, testosterone (T), estradiol (E), serum alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol and uric acid (UA) in healthy male adolescents (age, 18.3 +/- 0.1 years, n=96). We also measured body mass index (BMI), percent body fat and thickness of skin fold to assess the effect of body constitution on serum leptin level. Since serum concentration of leptin significantly correlated with BMI (r=0.820, p<0.001), we analyzed the relation-ship between leptin/BMI ratio (L/BMI) and serum parameters. Analysis of data of subjects with normal serum T level showed a significant inverse correlation between L/BMI and serum T levels (n=96, r=-0.294, p<0.005), but no such correlation was present among non-obese subjects (n=70) with BMI of +/-20% of normal (22 kg/m2). There was no correlation between L/BMI and serum E level. Serum UA level significantly correlated with L/BMI in both the test group (n=96, r=0.520, p<0.001) and non-obese subjects (r=0.369, p<0.005). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that UA independently and significantly influenced serum leptin levels in both the test and control groups. Our results demonstrate that T weakly influences serum leptin concentration, and that UA concentrations strongly influences serum leptin in healthy male adolescents independent of their obesity level.

Topographic map reorganization in cat area 17 after early monocular retinal lesions

Neither discrete peripheral retinal lesions nor the normal optic disk produces obvious holes in one's percept of the world because the visual brain appears to perceptually "fill in" these blind spots. Where in the visual brain or how this filling in occurs is not well understood. A prevailing hypothesis states that topographic map of visual cortex reorganizes after retinal lesions, which "sews up" the hole in the topographic map representing the deprived area of cortex (cortical scotoma) and may lead to perceptual filling in. Since the map reorganization does not typically occur unless retinotopically matched lesions are made in both eyes, we investigated the conditions in which monocular retinal lesions can induce comparable map reorganization. We found that following monocular retinal lesions, deprived neurons in cat area 17 can acquire new receptive fields if the lesion occurred relatively early in life (8 weeks of age) and the lesioned cats experienced a substantial period of recovery (>3 years). Quantitative determination of the monocular and binocular response properties of reactivated units indicated that responses to the lesioned eye for such neurons were remarkably robust, and that the receptive-field properties for the two eyes were generally similar. Moreover, excitatory or inhibitory binocular interactions were found in the majority of experimental units when the two eyes were activated together. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that map reorganization after monocular retinal lesions require experience-dependent plasticity and may be involved in the perceptual filling in of blind spots due to retinal lesions early in life.

Absence of carotenes and presence of a tertiary methoxy group in a carotenoid from a thermophilic filamentous photosynthetic bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii

We identified pigments in a thermophilic filamentous photosynthetic bacterium Roseiflexus castenholzii strain HL08. We detected neither bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c nor carotenes in this bacterium cultured under the aerobic dark and the anaerobic light conditions, which may correspond to its lack of chlorosomes. In the cells cultured under the aerobic dark conditions, the carotenoids were derivatives of keto-gamma-carotene, and the major ones were methoxy-keto-myxocoxanthin and keto-myxocoxanthin glucoside fatty acid ester. Although the tertiary methoxy group at C-1' and the double bond at C-3',4' in the psi end group of carotenoid, such as spirilloxanthin, have only been found in purple bacteria, this was the first such report in other bacterial groups. The fatty acid moiety was composed of iso fatty acids, which were rare in the cellular lipids. In the cells cultured under the anaerobic light conditions, in addition to these keto-carotenoids, we also found non-oxidized carotenoids (derivatives of gamma-carotene). Concerning the esterifying alcohol of BChl a, we found a substantial amount of geranylgeraniol, although the major component was phytol. The existence of these pigments makes this bacterium unique among the known species in CHLOROFLEXACEAE.

Extended aortic grafting for acute ascending dissection after type B dissection

A 31-year-old man was diagnosed with acute ascending aortic dissection and massive aortic regurgitation following acute type B dissection during drug treatment. Although the aortic arch was not dissected, we performed aortic replacement from the aortic root to the proximal portion of the descending aorta. The aim of the operation was the prevention of aortic arch dissection, and closure of initial entry of type B dissection.

Clinical application of full-arc, depth-dependent, astigmatic keratotomy

PURPOSE

To report a case series of the first clinical application of a new method of astigmatic keratotomy termed full-arc, depth-dependent astigmatic keratotomy (FDAK).

METHODS

The type of astigmatism was analyzed by corneal topography. If the astigmatism was regular, paired arcuate incisions of 90 degrees length were used. Incision depth varied between 40% and 75% of local corneal thickness for controlling the level of astigmatic correction.

RESULTS

All 13 cases had regular astigmatism, and paired arcuate incisions of 90 degrees length were used. Four cases with incisions at 40% depth, five cases at 50% depth, three cases at 60% depth, and one case at 75% depth induced vector astigmatic change of 0.93 +/- 0.33 D, 1.92 +/- 0.24 D, 3.17 +/- 0.26 D, and 4.44 D, respectively, 3 months after surgery. From 3 months to 1 year or 3 years, the postoperative astigmatism was stable, and no cases showed astigmatic regression of 0.50 D or more. Every topographic difference map indicated effective flattening and steepening occurring with a 1:1 coupling ratio. All postoperative color maps showed a marked improvement in corneal sphericity.

CONCLUSIONS

In FDAK using paired 90 degrees incisions at 40-75% depth, an almost linear relationship between the incision depth and degree of astigmatic change was observed. FDAK may be an effective and safe method of astigmatic keratotomy that accurately controls the level of astigmatic correction. More clinical applications are necessary for drawing final conclusions and making a nomogram.

[New detection method for small and very small gastric carcinoma using brightness-curve analysis with double contrast radiography]

The purpose of this study was to find an indexing feature for small gastric carcinoma taken by double contrast radiography, and to propose a new method for detecting lesions. We considered the method from the viewpoint of the detection and diagnosis of lesions. The inclination curve of the density of a small gastric carcinoma, Type IIc + IIa, with a depth of cancerous invasion of M, taken by the double contrast method was investigated. The curve of density that was obtained clearly showed the change and inclination of density that was proper for the shape of the surface of the lesion and seemed to be good for pointing out the lesion and for reproducing a new image of the lesion. Our results were as follows: The area surrounding the depressed lesion appeared as a steep-gradient brightness curve (with or without surrounding raised margin), and the frequency brightness-curve of the bottom of the lesion showed less frequency than that of the surrounding non-cancerous region. These results indicate that this proposed method is effective for the detection of small gastric carcinoma taken by double contrast radiography, although the process of elimination of false positives should be improved.

Phytoene desaturase, CrtI, of the purple photosynthetic bacterium, Rubrivivax gelatinosus, produces both neurosporene and lycopene

Biosynthetic pathways for carotenoids in the purple photosynthetic bacterium, Rubrivivax gelatinosus, which synthesizes spirilloxanthin in addition to spheroidene and OH-spheroidene, were investigated by means of genetic manipulation. A phytoene desaturase gene (crtI) found in the photosynthesis gene cluster of this bacterium was expressed in an Escherichia coli strain that can produce phytoene. Both neurosporene and lycopene were synthesized in the recombinant, probably by three- and four-step desaturation reactions of CrtI. A mutant of RVI: gelatinosus lacking the crtI gene produced only phytoene, indicating that this organism had no other phytoene desaturases. When the crtI deletion mutant was complemented by the three-step phytoene desaturase of Rhodobacter capsulatus, spirilloxanthin and its precursors were not synthesized, although spheroidene and OH-spheroidene were accumulated. It was concluded that neurosporene and lycopene are produced by a single phytoene desaturase in RVI: gelatinosus resulting in the synthesis of spheroidene and spirilloxanthin, and that there are no pathways for spirilloxanthin synthesis via spheroidene.

Effect of Sotalol in the prevention of atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the efficacy of postoperatively administered oral Sotalol in preventing the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

Subjects were 80 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) randomized alternately into a Sotalol group (40 patients) administered 80 mg of oral Sotalol daily starting on the postoperative day 1 and continued for 14 days, and a control group (40 patients) matched for age and gender.

RESULTS

The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (21 patients) was significantly lower in the Sotalol group (6/40 patients; 15%) than in controls (15/40; 37.5%) (p < 0.05). Significant bradycardia or hypotension, necessitating drug withdrawal, occurred in 3 of 40 (7.5%) patients in the Sotalol group. None in the Sotalol group developed Torsardes de Pointes or sustained ventricular arrhythmias or other severe side effects. The sinus heart rate increased in both groups but less in the Sotalol group. QT, QRS, and QTc durations did not differ between groups. Postoperative hospital stay did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral Sotalol administration of 80 mg daily was associated with a significant decrease in postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing CABG without appreciable side effects. Sotalol should thus be considered in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing CABG in the absence of heart failure and significant left ventricular dysfunction.

Measures for preventing recurrence after pterygium surgery

PURPOSE

To introduce an improved technique of pterygium surgery and to compare postoperative results between this technique and previous techniques.

METHODS

In a retrospective survey, the records of 216 consecutive eyes with primary pterygium that underwent surgery by three different techniques were reviewed. The new technique (mini-flap technique) involves making a small excision of the pterygium body, removing the pterygium head by scraping with forceps, applying mitomycin C (MMC), and performing a small conjunctival transposition flap. The previous technique (large-flap technique II) involved making a large excision in the pterygium body, removing the pterygium head with a knife, applying MMC, and performing a large transposition flap. Large-flap technique I is the same as large-flap technique II except for the use of intraoperative MMC. The recurrence rate of each technique was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier life table analysis.

RESULTS

The recurrence rates estimated at 1 year after surgery were 15.5% in large-flap technique I, 4.2% in large-flap technique II, and 0% in the mini-flap technique. Large-flap technique II or the mini-flap technique had significantly lower recurrence rates compared with large-flap technique I ( p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). The mini-flap technique had a significantly lower incidence of conjunctival scarring or granuloma compared with large-flap technique I and large-flap technique II ( p = 0.05 and p = 0.03, respectively.)

CONCLUSIONS

The mini-flap technique was useful for preventing recurrence and was technically easier and induced fewer postoperative complications than large-flap techniques I and II.

Serum total cholesterol of new students enrolled at Okayama University: trend during 1989-1998

To clarify the trend of hypercholesterolemia in Japanese adolescents, we investigated the serial changes in body mass index (BMI) and serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations among 5,700 new students enrolled at Okayama University in 1989, 1993, and 1998. After confirming the stability of the TC assay of serum samples stored at -80 degrees C, we measured serum TC levels in stored serum samples using an automated assay system. Although serum TC levels were higher in females than in males, these levels correlated weakly and positively with BMI (r = 0.21, P < 0. 001) in males but not in females. Serum TC concentrations progressively increased from 1989-1998 in both sexes, irrespective of changes in BMI. In subjects with normal BMI (> or = 19 and < 23 kg/m2), a significant increase in serum TC was noted from 1989-1998 in both males (157.2 +/- 1.0 to 163.6 +/- 0.9 mg/dl) and females (172.0 +/- 1.1 to 175.6 +/- 1.0 mg/dl). Our results indicate on increased incidence of hypercholesterolemia even in nonobese young Japanese adolescents. A concerted effort by health and education officials together with parents is necessary to prevent a further rise in the incidence of hypercholesterolemia among young Japanese.

Different effects between 7-nitroindazole and L-NAME on cerebral hemodynamics and hippocampal lesions during kainic acid-induced seizures in newborn rabbits

We examined the effects of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production in vivo, cerebral hemodynamics, and hippocampal lesions to investigate the different roles between endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) during kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in newborn rabbits. After a pre-treatment with 7-NI (50 mg/kg, i.p.), L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.v.) or saline (1 ml, i.v.), KA (12 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered. NO production in the brain, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), cerebral oxygenation (concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2), deoxyhemoglobin (HbR), and total hemoglobin (tHb) in the brain tissue), and electroencephalography (EEG) were continuously monitored throughout the experiment lasting at least 60 min after the KA administration. There was a significant increase in NO generation in the brain during KA-induced seizures, which was inhibited by a pre-treatment with 7-NI or L-NAME. KA-induced seizures also increased rCBF significantly, which was inhibited not by 7-NI but by L-NAME. L-NAME pre-treatment caused a significant decrease in HbO2 and a significant increase in HbR during KA-induced seizures, compared with 7-NI and saline pre-treatment. EEG abnormalities and Neuronal damages in the hippocampus were significantly lower in 7-NI- and L-NAME-treated animals respectively, than in saline-treated animals. The present data demonstrated that the selective nNOS inhibitor, 7-NI, attenuated neither rCBF nor cerebral oxygenation during the seizures, while the non-selective NOS (nNOS and eNOS) inhibitor, L-NAME, attenuated both. These findings suggest that NO, probably originating from eNOS, may play an important role in the cerebral circulation. Both 7-NI and L-NAME inhibited the NO production and EEG abnormalities during the seizures that led to less damage to the hippocampus.

Transformation from block-type to graft-type oligonucleotide-glycopolymer conjugates by self-organization with half-sliding complementary oligonucleotides and their lectin recognition

Block-type oligonucleotide-glycopolymer conjugates bearing alpha-mannosides and beta-galactosides were prepared by coupling 5'-thiol-modified oligonucleotides with iodoacetamidated glycopolymers that were synthesized by telomerization. The conjugates minimally affected the DNA conformation and melting behavior of the duplex. Their self-organization via hybridization with the half-sliding complementary oligonucleotides produced graft-type conjugates or macromolecular gapped DNA duplexes grafted with glycopolymers at regular intervals, which was confirmed using size exclusion chromatography and electrophoresis. The binding affinity of block-type and self-organized graft-type conjugates to lectins was investigated using fluorometry. The affinity of the graft-type duplex assembly bearing mannosides to Con A was approximately 2 times stronger than that of block-type single-stranded or double-stranded conjugates with full complementary oligonucleotides. The organization strategy of DNA-glycopolymer conjugates might be useful for constructing novel glyco-clusters and also for developing a new methodology for gene therapy.

Barotraumatic blowout fracture of the orbit

We report a rare case of a barotraumatic blowout fracture of the orbit. A 32-year-old woman presented with sudden swelling of the right orbital region after vigorous nose blowing. Computed tomography scan revealed a blowout fracture of the medial wall of the right orbit with orbital emphysema and herniation of the orbital soft tissue. She was treated with prednisolone and an antibiotic, and did not show diplopia or visual disturbance. Three different theories have so far been proposed to explain the mechanism of blowout fractures, globe-to-wall contact theory, hydraulic theory, and bone conduction theory. The present case indicates that blowout fractures of the orbit can be induced solely by a sudden change of pressure, thereby suggesting the validity of the hydraulic theory.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the palatal minor salivary gland with extension into the nasopharynx

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma presenting in the nasopharynx is extremely rare. We present a case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma occupying the nasopharynx and the soft palate in a 51-year-old woman. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in the nasopharynx.

In vitro and in vivo electron transfer to the triheme cytochrome subunit bound to the photosynthetic reaction center complex in the purple bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum

The cytochrome subunit bound to the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) complex in Rhodovulum sulfidophilum lacks one heme-binding motif (CXXCH) out of four motifs found in other purple bacteria resulting in the absence of the most distal heme from the RC-core complex (S. Masuda et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274 (1999) 10795). Cytochrome c(2), which acts as the electron donor to the RC was purified, and its gene was cloned and sequenced. The redox midpoint potential of cytochrome c(2) was determined to be E(m)=357 mV. The photo-oxidation and re-reduction of purified cytochrome c(2) were observed in the presence of membrane preparations. Flash-induced photo-oxidation and re-reduction of the RC-bound cytochrome were also observed in intact cells. Despite the unusual nature of the RC-bound cytochrome subunit, the cyclic electron transfer system in Rdv. sulfidophilum was shown to be similar to those in other purple bacteria.

Spectroscopic studies on self-aggregation of bacteriochlorophyll-e in nonpolar organic solvents: effects of stereoisomeric configuration at the 3(1)-position and alkyl substituents at the 8(1)-position

Self-aggregation of naturally occurring bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)-e in nonpolar organic solvents was investigated by visible absorption, fluorescence emission and circular dichroism spectra. Cultured brown-colored photosynthetic bacteria have several BChl-e as light-harvesting antenna pigments. Three major BChl-e homologs were separated from the extracts of the culture by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and characterized by 1H-NMR and fast-atom bombardment mass spectroscopy: 8-ethyl-12-ethyl ([E,E])-, 8-propyl-12-ethyl- and 8-isobutyl-12-ethyl-BChl-e farnesyl esters. All the homologs consisted of a mixture of the 3(1)-epimers, and epimerically pure BChl-e were also given by HPLC separation. All the separated BChl-e epimers, the epimeric mixtures and the homologous mixtures formed self-aggregates in 2% dichloromethane/hexane, giving visible absorption spectra similar to that of the whole cells, which showed two peaks (or shoulders) around 430-450 and 520 nm at the Soret region as well as a red-shifted Qy band relative to the monomeric. The spectral properties of the Soret band were basically unchanged among the epimers or epimeric/homologous mixtures. In contrast, the Qy band of aggregates of epimeric mixtures (except [E,E]) and homologous mixtures red-shifted and broadened compared with the epimerically pure. The red-shift and broadening of the Qy band are advantageous for efficient energy transfer from BChl-e aggregates to BChl-a in a baseplate in chlorosomes because their spectral overlap increases.

Management of posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification using the dry technique

To manage posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification, we use a dry technique in which all procedures are performed without an irrigation/aspiration system. The dry technique is characterized by (1) continuous viscoelastic injection instead of fluid irrigation to maintain anterior chamber depth with the posterior capsule and vitreous located posteriorly and (2) static removal of most residual lens material by viscoexpression and/or manual small incision extracapsular cataract extraction without aspiration and dynamic water flow. In 16 cases of posterior capsule rupture managed using the dry technique, the residual nucleus and cortex were readily removed with minimum extension of the ruptured area and new vitreous loss. Although large amounts of viscoelastic material (mean 5.8 mL) were required, rapid and stable visual recovery was comparable to that in patients having uneventful surgery. The dry system is a safe and reliable technique for managing posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification.

Different mechanisms of the binding of soluble electron donors to the photosynthetic reaction center of Rubrivivax gelatinosus and Blastochloris viridis

The tetraheme cytochrome subunits of the photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) in two species of purple bacteria, Rubrivivax gelatinosus and Blastochloris (Rhodopseudomonas) viridis, were compared in terms of their capabilities to bind different electron-donor proteins. The wild-type RCs from both species and mutated forms of R. gelatinosus RCs (with amino acid substitutions introduced to the binding domain for electron-donor proteins) were tested for their reactivity with soluble cytochromes and high potential iron-sulfur protein. Cytochromes from both species were good electron donors to the B. viridis RC and the R. gelatinosus RC. The reactivity in the R. gelatinosus RC showed a clear dependence on the polarity of the charges introduced to the binding domain, indicating the importance of the electrostatic interactions. In contrast, high potential iron-sulfur protein, presumed to operate according to the hydrophobic mechanism of binding, reacted significantly only with the R. gelatinosus RC. Evolutionary substitution of amino acids in a region of the binding domain on the cytochrome subunit surface probably caused the change in the principal mode of protein-protein interactions in the electron-transfer chains.

Simultaneous coronary arterial bypass surgery using mini-sternotomy and off-pump methods and abdominal aneurysm repair

A technique of combined minimally invasive coronary artery surgery and abdominal aneurysm repair is described. A mini-sternotomy and off-pump coronary artery bypasses to the left descending branch and right coronary arteries are conducted before abdominal aneurysm repair in a simultaneous operation.