Impact of mercury discharged from submarine volcano on inner bay ecosystems

Organic mercury, inorganic mercury and total mercury concentrations in phytoplankton (<0.1 mm) and zooplankton (>0.1 mm) collected in Kagoshima Bay, Japan were measured from 2017 to 2019 to estimate the impact of mercury discharged from submarine volcanoes on ecosystems; submarine volcanic activity continues at a depth of 200 m in the inner part of Kagoshima Bay. The total mercury concentrations in phyto- and zooplankton collected by vertical hauling at 0-200 m at just above the submarine volcano were in the range of 0.11-2.0 mg kg-1 (avg. 0.67 mg kg-1) and 0.090-0.56 mg kg-1 (avg. 0.21 mg kg-1), respectively. These values were one order of magnitude higher than the values in plankton collected in the central part of Kagoshima Bay. Organic mercury concentrations in phyto- and zooplankton were <0.010-0.071 mg kg-1 (avg. 0.028 mg kg-1) and 0.012-0.25 mg kg-1 (avg. 0.10 mg kg-1), respectively, for the inner part, and <0.010-0.040 mg kg-1 (avg. 0.010 mg kg-1) and <0.010-0.025 mg kg-1 (avg. 0.012 mg kg-1), respectively, for the central part. The values obtained in the inner part of the bay increased in summer and decreased in winter, which was consistent with changes in seawater mercury concentrations affected by volcanic activity. The organic mercury concentration in zooplankton collected just above the submarine volcano showed a size dependency, and a higher value was observed in the larger size, which suggested that the discharged mercury from the volcano was absorbed and concentrated through the ecosystem.

Prospective randomized study evaluating the usefulness of a surgical smoke evacuation system in operating rooms for breast surgery

Background

No prospective evaluation of surgical smoke evacuation systems has yet been conducted anywhere in the world. A prospective randomized study was conducted to clarify the usefulness of a surgical smoke evacuation system in terms of reducing the quantity of environmental pollutants found in operating room air and reducing the occupational exposure of doctors and nurses involved in surgical procedures to surgical smoke, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, etc.

Methods

Operating room environment conditions with and without the use of a surgical smoke evacuation system were measured, and the personal exposure levels of doctors and nurses involved in surgical procedures were also surveyed. Use of the evacuation system was determined randomly, and the procedures involved were breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy, which were treated as stratification factors.

Results

The average total volatile organic compound concentration in the operating room was significantly lower when the evacuation system was used compared with when it was not used. The findings were similar for formaldehyde concentration. Multiple regression analysis for healthcare professionals’ personal exposure levels showed that the evacuation system was a factor that significantly impacted their formaldehyde and acetaldehyde personal exposure levels, which were greatly reduced by the use of the system.

Conclusion

This study’s findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the evacuation systems, which should increase awareness that their benefits take priority over the drawbacks.

Trial registration

The study was conducted after explaining to participants that it was a study of operating room environments in which their participation was voluntary and obtaining their consent. The study was also approved by the Tokai University Hospital clinical research review committee (no. 5R-022) and registered with the UMIN registry (UMIN000029092) on 13, September, 2017- retrospectively registered.

[Effects of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia on sleep and usage of hypnotics among community-dwelling older adults: Randomized controlled trial]

Objectives　Chronic insomnia is common in late adulthood. A non-pharmacological approach should take priority in the treatment of insomnia for the elderly. Many studies have shown the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) for elderly diagnosed with insomnia. However the effect of CBT-I on mild insomnia among older adults in community settings has not been ascertained. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief CBT-I delivered by nurses, which is feasible in community settings, to improve sleep quality and decrease the dose of hypnotics use for older adults.Methods　Participants aged 60 years and over were enrolled in this study. The participants in the intervention group were administrated the brief CBT-I consisting of a group session (60 min) and an individual session (30 min). The primary outcomes were the score differences in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The secondary outcomes were the change in the proportion of people diagnosed with insomnia and the dose of hypnotics used. The follow-up period was 3 months.Results　The score on PSQI in the intervention group (n=41) significantly decreased compared to the control group (n=38). The effect size (Cohen's d) was 0.56 (95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.07 to 1.05). The score on ISI also decreased significantly and Cohen's d was 0.77 (95%CI, 0.27 to 1.26). According to subgroup analysis, Number Needed to Treat (NNT) for improvement of insomnia was 2.8 (95%CI, 1.5-17.2) and NNT for decreasing of dose of hypnotics use was 2.8 (95%CI, 1.5-45.1).Conclusion　The present results have demonstrated that the brief CBT-I significantly improved subjective evaluation of sleep quality and insomnia symptoms among the elderly. In addition, the brief CBT-I decreased the usage of hypnotics. Further studies are needed in terms of the procedure and the effects of brief CBT-I for older adults living in a community.

USP10 Is an Essential Deubiquitinase for Hematopoiesis and Inhibits Apoptosis of Long-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Self-renewal, replication, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are regulated by cytokines produced by niche cells in fetal liver and bone marrow. HSCs must overcome stresses induced by cytokine deprivation during normal development. In this study, we found that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) is a crucial deubiquitinase for mouse hematopoiesis. All USP10 knockout (KO) mice died within 1 year because of bone marrow failure with pancytopenia. Bone marrow failure in these USP10-KO mice was associated with remarkable reductions of long-term HSCs (LT-HSCs) in bone marrow and fetal liver. Such USP10-KO fetal liver exhibited enhanced apoptosis of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) including LT-HSCs but not of lineage-committed progenitor cells. Transplantation of USP10-competent bone marrow cells into USP10-KO mice reconstituted multilineage hematopoiesis. These results suggest that USP10 is an essential deubiquitinase in hematopoiesis and functions by inhibiting apoptosis of HSPCs including LT-HSCs.

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Systemic USP10-knockout mice develop bone marrow failure because of HSC depletion

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USP10 inhibits apoptosis of long-term HSCs in fetal liver

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USP10 inhibits cytokine deprivation-induced apoptosis of fetal liver HSPCs in vitro

Relationships among indoor, outdoor, and personal airborne Japanese cedar pollen counts

Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP) is an important illness caused by the inhalation of airborne allergenic cedar pollens, which are dispersed in the early spring throughout the Japanese islands. However, associations between pollen exposures and the prevalence or severity of allergic symptoms are largely unknown, due to a lack of understanding regarding personal pollen exposures in relation to indoor and outdoor concentrations. This study aims to examine the relationships among indoor, outdoor, and personal airborne Japanese cedar pollen counts. We conducted a 4-year monitoring campaign to quantify indoor, outdoor, and personal airborne cedar pollen counts, where the personal passive settling sampler that has been previously validated against a volumetric sampler was used to count airborne pollen grains. A total of 256 sets of indoor, outdoor, and personal samples (768 samples) were collected from 9 subjects. Medians of the seasonally-integrated indoor-to-outdoor, personal-to-outdoor, and personal-to-indoor ratios of airborne pollen counts measured for 9 subjects were 0.08, 0.10, and 1.19, respectively. A greater correlation was observed between the personal and indoor counts (r = 0.89) than between the personal and outdoor counts (r = 0.71), suggesting a potential inaccuracy in the use of outdoor counts as a basis for estimating personal exposures. The personal pollen counts differed substantially among the human subjects (49% geometric coefficient of variation), in part due to the variability in the indoor counts that have been found as major determinants of the personal pollen counts. The findings of this study highlight the need for pollen monitoring in proximity to human subjects to better understand the relationships between pollen exposures and the prevalence or severity of pollen allergy.

[Features of occupational health nurse support for the improvement of psychosocial working environments and related factors: Focusing on required knowledge and skills, and measures to develop them]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the support activities provided for occupational health nurses aimed at improving psychosocial working environments, related knowledge and skills, and learning environments as well as associations among these factors. In addition, we aimed to create correlated factor models to describe the support activities in order to identify ways to promote these activities among occupational health nurses.

METHODS

An anonymous mail-based questionnaire survey was conducted of occupational health nurses who were members of the Japan Society for Occupational Health and belonged to enterprises or independent health insurance societies. Among 356 returned questionnaires (response rate: 46.4%), all the main items were answered in 329 (valid response rate: 92.4%), and these questionnaires were analyzed. Factor analysis was performed for the seven items pertaining to support activities for the improvement of psychosocial working environments and models of each factor of the support activities were developed using covariance structure analysis.

RESULTS

In the factor analysis, [Clarifying a stress-related situation and providing advice] and [Facilitating workplace involvement] were identified as support-related factors. The mean implementation rates for these approaches were approximately 50 to 80%, and less than 40%, respectively. [Clarifying a stress-related situation and providing advice] was associated with skills of "providing superiors with explanations to enhance their understanding" and "collecting and analyzing stress survey results by department", and knowledge of "personal stress questionnaires" and "common stress factors in working environments". The above-mentioned knowledge and skills were associated with self-learning of "examining and reporting daily activities for the improvement of working environments" and "reviewing related papers". [Facilitating workplace involvement] was associated with skills of "indirectly supporting discussions led by key persons in working environments" and "giving feedback regarding occupational stress survey results to superiors", and knowledge of "tools for the improvement of working environments" and "appropriate methods to use stress questionnaires". In addition, such knowledge and skills were associated with self-learning and learning environments of "participating in seminars to learn effective methods to use group-work approaches" and "receiving support and advice from mentors of universities and research institutions".

DISCUSSION

The features of occupational health nurse support for the improvement of psychosocial working environments were revealed by this study. The implementation rates suggest that it is particularly necessary to promote [Facilitating workplace involvement]. It will be necessary to encourage the acquisition of associated knowledge and skills in order to promote occupational health nurse support for the improvement of psychosocial working environments.

A preliminary study on the use of meconium for the assessment of prenatal exposure to heavy metals in Japan

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the relevance of environmental pollution to children's health. We investigated whether the concentrations of heavy metals in meconium can be used for the assessmet of prenatal exposure in Japan. Our study subjects were newborns whose mothers were hospitalized for childbirth at Tokai University Hospital between November 2010 and March 2011. The target compounds of this study were lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). Meconium samples collected from 102 newborns were analyzed using ICPMS. The median concentrations of Pb and As in the meconium were 0.71 ppb and 0.03 ppb, respectively. The median concentration of Cd was below the limit of quantification. These concentration values are much lower than those used in previous studies. Further study is needed to compare the concentrations of heavy metals in biological samples and to investigate the availability of meconium for the assessment of exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy.

A new control method depending on primary phase angle of transcutaneous energy transmission system for artificial heart

A new control method for stabilizing output voltage of the transcutaneous energy transmission system for artificial heart is proposed. This method is primary side, is outside of the body, which is not depending on a signal transmission system from the implanted device. The impedance observed from primary side changes from inductive to capacitive and the output voltage decreases drastically when the output current is large and the coupling factor is higher than that of the optimal condition. In this case, the driving frequency should be changed to higher so that the phase angle of the primary impedance is zero degree. The preliminary examination showed that this control method can enhance the output voltage limit to twice and the feasibility of the primary side control.

Human T cell leukemia virus type 2 (HTLV-2) Tax2 has a dominant activity over HTLV-1 Tax1 to immortalize human CD4+ T cells

While human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T cell leukemia, a close relative, HTLV-2, is not associated with any leukemia. HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 encode the Tax1 and Tax2 proteins, respectively, which are essential for the immortalization of human T cells by the respective viruses, thereby causing persistent infection. In this study, we compared Tax1 and Tax2 with respect to their immortalization activity in human T cells. Lentivirus-mediated transduction of the tax2 gene into human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and interleukin-2 in 96-well plates induced outgrowing T cells in most wells, but the cells infected with the control viruses died within 3 weeks. Surprisingly, the number of outgrowing cells induced by Tax2 was much higher than that induced by Tax1, and the appearance of outgrowing cells by Tax2 was earlier than that induced by Tax1. Nevertheless, both Tax2 and Tax1 preferentially immortalized CD4(+) T cells, but not CD8(+) T cells. Our study showed that HTLV-2 Tax2 can immortalize human CD4(+) T cells, and the activity is much higher than that of Tax1. The distinct T cell immortalization activities of Tax2 and Tax1 might therefore play a role in the different pathogeneses observed for these two viruses.

[Knowledge of guideline for asthma and a demand at the pharmacy--questionnaire based exploration]

BACKGROUND

To achieve a good control for asthma, cooperation of pharmacists is necessary. It is important to establish the system that the patients easily obtain advice about asthma from pharmacists and to spread the guideline.

METHODS

For the first step, we explore the knowledge and usage of asthmatic guideline among pharmacists in the drug stores in this study. The questionnaires were distributed to 465 drug stores in the Seibu, minato-ku and bunnkyo-ku, Tokyo.

RESULTS

The knowledge of guideline was 79% but the existence of guideline booklet at the pharmacy was 24%. The major demand at the pharmacy was to distribute pamphlet around 10 pages which contained treatment at the pregnancy and prevention of asthma.

DISCUSSION

To spread usage of asthmatic guideline at the pharmacy, newly-devised plan is required.

Comparison of dry- and wet-based fine bead homogenizations to extract DNA from fungal spores

The present study explored DNA extraction kinetics from fungal spores, i.e., Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Cladosporium sphaerospermum, by fine bead mill homogenization. In particular, the study aimed to investigate basic differences between the dry- and wet-based methods. The results showed higher initial rates of the DNA extractions by the dry-based method than by the wet-based method, due to higher collision efficiency among fine beads and fungal spores. Based on the experimental results, we constructed kinetic models. While the results by the wet-based method were fitted well with an existing first-order release-degradation model, the results by the dry-based method were not fitted well. Meanwhile, a newly constructed first-order release-degradation model, assuming a proportion of the DNA remained inside the disrupted spore cells and protected from further sheer stress, showed good correlations. The real-time PCR assays showed the PCR efficiencies of the DNA obtained by the dry-based method were higher than those by the wet-based method likely due to increased moderate fragmentation of the DNA by the dry-based method. Thus, although wet-based methods have been commonly used, dry-based methods might also be applicable to achieve efficient extraction and PCR amplification of fungal DNA.

Application of the personal aeroallergen sampler to assess personal exposures to Japanese cedar and cypress pollens

We have recently developed the Personal Aeroallergen Sampler (PAAS), a passive sampler for aeroallergens. In the present study, the applicability of the PAAS for personal exposure assessments of cedar and cypress pollens was investigated by comparing with existing reference samplers. To investigate the usability of the PAAS as a personal sampler for the airborne pollens, it was compared with the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler, a traditionally used active personal sampler. Overall, the result showed a good correlation between the two methods, that is, R(2)=0.8082, suggesting the usability of the PAAS for the personal pollen samplings. The ratio of the pollen numbers collected by the PAAS to the IOM sampler was approximately 30%, which was consistent with our previous study investigating ambient dust particles. Meanwhile, the comparability of the PAAS to the Durham sampler, the most widely used stationary pollen trap, was also assured. Furthermore, we exemplified the seasonal peak of the personal pollen exposures was not necessarily reflected by the outdoor concentrations, indicating insufficiency of the stationary outdoor monitoring to represent the personal pollen exposures. The PAAS, a simple passive method, could be used in future field studies to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of allergic airway diseases such as cedar pollinosis.

Controlled trial of worksite health education through face-to-face counseling vs. e-mail on drinking behavior modification

This study examined the effectiveness of a traditional face-to-face health education and e-mail health education on alcohol usage among male workers in comparison with a control group. Male workers at a manufacturing plant (N=36) who had abnormal serum gamma-GTP were stratified by age and job types, then randomized into three groups: face-to-face education, e-mail education, and the control. The subjects were assessed on their knowledge about and attitude towards drinking, reported alcohol consumption, and serum gamma-GTP before the start of education and 2 months later after comparison of the education. Paired t-test and repeated ANOVA were conducted to test the significance of changes pre and post the intervention and across groups. In the face-to-face group, knowledge (p=0.001), attitude (p=0.026), alcohol consumption (p=0.003) and serum gamma-GTP showed significant improvement. In the e-mail group, only alcohol consumption showed marginal improvement (p=0.077). In the control group, no variables remarkably changed. These results indicate that the face-to-face health education was more effective than the e-mail program. We discuss why the face-to-face approach was superior to the e-mail approach in this study by referring to self-monitoring, goal setting processes and timely feedback. We concluded that further studies are warranted to identify the effect of health education using e-mails and other network tools in consideration of the above three factors.

[A study on preventive effects of mite allergens by specially-fabricated futons with anti-mite treatments]

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of specially-fabricated futons (beds) with anti-mite treatments on reductions of mite allergens (Der p.1 and Der f.1) and serum IgE antibodies against Dp (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), Df (Dermatophagoides farinae) and house dust1.

METHODS

The futons made by microfibers (Madoromi: M) and phenolic polymer grafted microfine fibers (Madoromi+ALLER BUSTER: M+A) were used. Three groups of student and nurse subjects were asked to use general woolen cotton futons, and the (M) and (M+A) futons for 11 months, respectively.

RESULTS

After the 11 months, the ratios of Der p.1+f.1 allergens in the futons (M) and (M+A) to those in the control futon were 1/3.8 and 1/42.0, respectively, on average. The prevalence of serum IgE antibodies against Dp, Df and house dust1 was found to decrease from 46.7 to 6.7% for the group using the (M+A) futon.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested the specially-fabricated futons with anti-mite treatments could effectively reduce mite allergens compared to those made from woolen cotton.

[A survey of subjective symptoms and life-style in junior high school students]

PURPOSE

A questionnaire survey was conducted to examine a relationship between indefinite complaints and life styles in junior high school students and to apply the results to life guidance.

METHODS

Twenty nine public junior high schools were selected by random sampling of 13 cities and 3 towns in Kanagawa Prefecture. A self-reported questionnaire was supplied to all subjects, containing 100 life-style related items, including a simplified CMI (Cornel Medical Index) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The number of students who were evaluated as "point medical examination" based on physical symptoms of CMI and "disorder" based on the mental and physical symptom increased with the grade for both males and females. The students who reported "the life rhythm was always irregular" tended to be in the group evaluated as "disorder" or "point medical examination". The life rhythm was related to bedtime, sleeping hours and eating habits. It was observed that the students whose daily habits were always irregular had late bedtime, short sleeping hours and an irregular eating habit. As a result of the quantification method for the second type of analysis, it was found that sleeping time was the most related factor to the life rhythm. Furthermore 90% and more of students reported they did not consider nutritional balance with regard to their eating habits.

CONCLUSION

It was suggested that those students who had irregular life rhythm needed sufficient sleep and nutrition guidance to maintain their health.

Development of an implantable high-energy and compact battery system for artificial heart

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of the use of an implantable, high-energy, and compact battery system for an undulation pump total artificial heart (UPTAH). The implantable battery system tested consists of six lithium-ion batteries in series, a charge unit, and a charge/discharge control unit. A lithium-ion battery is currently the best energy-storage device because it has more energy density, a better life cycle, and a smaller temperature rise than those of other secondary batteries. The performance of the implantable battery system was evaluated in an in vitro experiment using an electric load that simulated the UPTAH. Also, sufficiently reliable operation of a system for supplying energy to a UPTAH consisting of a transcutaneous energy transmission system (TETS) and an implantable battery system was confirmed in three experiments using goats. The results of the in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the implantable battery system supplied sufficient current to the UPTAH for maintenance of physiological conditions in the goat with maximum rise in temperature to less than 43 degrees C.

[Analysis of factors affecting breakfast skipping by male students undergoing hard training for sports]

PURPOSE

The purpose of this survey was to find factors affecting breakfast skip rates for male students participating in sports, and to determine how to improve their nutrition.

METHODS

The survey was conducted on 86 male students (58 who played sports and 28 who did not). A questionnaire was supplied to all, containing questions concerning daily food eating behavior. The student's answers were evaluated according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In addition, blood pressure, body mass index, and serum levels of uric acid, triglycerides and ferritin were measured in all subjects.

RESULTS

The breakfast skip rate was 36% for the sports club affiliation group, and 46.4% for the non-affiliation group. Students who were not supplied with meals from their mothers or dormitory food service had more irregular meal times, skipped breakfast more, and drank less milk and miso soup often than the students supplied with meals. Students playing sports, but not supplied with meals, had a lower evaluation regarding eating habits and higher serum levels of serum uric acid and ferritin, compared to the students supplied with meals.

CONCLUSIONS

The eating habits of male students are affected by whether they receive meals or not. It is considered that the higher levels of serum uric acid and ferritin in the students not supplied with meals is due to their irregular eating habits and heavy exercise. It is suggested that nutritional guidance is needed for such students.

Measurement of atmospheric NO2 concentrations in Antarctica with NO2 filter badge and tube

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in Antarctica were monitored to determine background levels and distribution profile. The NO2 levels were higher than those reported from tropical remote areas. The NO2 concentrations gradually increased proceeding from the edge of the continent to the polar region, suggesting global pollutant transportation. To avoid artificial contamination of the data, a sled was used because motor vehicles discharge high levels of NO2. NO2 tubes and filter badges were selected as monitoring devices because of their convenience of transportation in Antarctica. They are small in size, light and easy-to-handle, and usually employed in personal NO2 exposure measurements. Because of severe Antarctica climate, the devices needed to be protected from the bitter cold. For that purpose, we designed an insulation container to shield the devices. The fixed NO2 monitoring site was Patriot Hill, located on the coast of the Weddell Sea. We also measured NO2 concentration along the expedition route from the fixed site to the South Pole, along with the 80 degrees west longitude. The survey periods were during November 1992 and January 1993. NO2 concentrations in Antarctica ranged from 1.0 to 2.8 ppb, which were relatively higher than previously reported background concentrations. The NO2 concentrations increased when nearing to the South Pole, supporting the theory that atmospheric circulation converges in the polar regions. This indicated that air pollutants discharged in populated regions were widely spread to isolated areas, like the South Pole.

Solubilization study of local anesthetics into sodium dodecyl sulfate micelle using anesthetic cation selective electrodes

The free concentrations of local anesthetic cations in equilibrium with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle which solubilized the anesthetic were determined by using ion-selective electrodes sensitive to local anesthetics, procaine (PC), lidocaine (LC), and mepivacaine (MC). Solubilizate distribution between water and SDS micelle was analyzed by means of the stepwise mass-action model. Association constant, K(1), was found to depend upon the anesthetic concentration, which decreased exponentially as the concentration of free anesthetic increased. Therefore, K(1) should include the interaction function &phi;(A) as K(1)=K(int)exp{-&phi;(A)} where K(int) is an intrinsic association constant. &phi;(A) is an increasing function of the anesthetic concentration, which means that occupation of a solubilization site by a local anesthetic cation makes sequential solubilization more difficult. The binding affinity of an anesthetic with SDS micelle increased in the following order PC<LC<MC.The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of mixed micelle was determined as a function of the concentration of free anesthetic. The CMC decreased with an increasing amount of anesthetics solubilized. All the anesthetic compositions in the micelle calculated thermodynamically from the CMC data were larger than the corresponding ones in the aqueous phase. Although the local anesthetics used here do not form micelles by themselves, the CMC vs composition curve can be regarded as a part of a micellar phase diagram showing the negative azeotropic behavior, which reflects the attractive interaction between the anionic surfactant micelle and the local anesthetic cation.

Partitioning of uncharged local anesthetic benzocaine into model biomembranes

The partitioning of uncharged local anesthetic benzocaine (BzC) into molecular aggregates formed by cationic surfactant decylammonium chloride (DeAC) and phospholipid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was studied from the surface tension and light transmittance measurements. The quantities concerning the partitioning of BzC, the compositions of BzC in the surface-adsorbed film and micelle and three kinds of differential partition coefficients corresponding to phase transitions of the DPPC bilayer membrane were evaluated from thermodynamic analysis of the experimental data. The surface-adsorbed film and micelle were more abundant in BzC than the aqueous solution and significantly large differential partition coefficients for the DPPC membranes were observed. The results clearly showed that the BzC molecules greatly partitioned into hydrophobic environments produced by surfactant-monolayer and phospholipid-bilayer membranes. The partitioning behavior of BzC was also compared with that of charged local anesthetic procaine hydrochloride (PC.HCl). It was shown that the PC.HCl molecule did not or hardly partition into such hydrophobic environments. The contrasting results of the partitioning between BzC and PC.HCl are attributable to the drastic decrease of hydrophilicity of BzC due to the lacking of ionic polar head group in comparison with PC.HCl.

Recent progress on the vibrating flow pump as a totally implantable ventricular assist device

This study describes the present state of progress in the development of the vibrating flow pump (VFP) ventricular assist system. We have proceeded with development aiming at a totally implantable ventricular assist system with smaller size and lighter weight appropriate for Asians like the Japanese by increasing the drive frequency. An actuator is important for the development of the miniature sized and lightweight artificial heart. We applied a linear motor for the mechanical part at first. The step motor was applied after that. This form may be best if we want the lightweight small sized motor for an actuator. The cross slider form is applied at present. It succeeded in the miniaturization compared with the linear motor. In the VFP-type ventricular assist system, the blood contact parts are a central vibration tube with inflow and outflow chambers. We designed round diaphragms to prevent thrombus formation. In addition, we developed an energy transmission system for total implantation. The VFP creates a high frequency oscillated blood flow. It has a unique flow pattern. Brain blood flow increased although the total flow of the circulation did not change in the frequency of 25 to 30 Hz. The quantitative evaluation of the autonomic nerve function during the left heart assistance with an oscillated blood flow was carried out by spectral analysis. Some influences on an autonomic nerve were observed by the VFP left heart assistance. We will continue development research with the aim of clinical application.

Partition coefficients of charged and uncharged local anesthetics into dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane: estimation from pH dependence on the depression of phase transition temperatures

Effects of the local anesthetics, dibucaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine on the phase transition temperatures of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membrane were studied by the optical method. We focus our attention on pH dependence of the depression of main transition and pretransition temperatures. The temperatures of both transitions of DPPC bilayer membrane were depressed by the addition of anesthetics; the higher the value of pH, the larger the depression of main transition temperature and/or pretransition temperature by anesthetics. By extending the colligative thermodynamic framework to the depression of main transition temperature by an anesthetic, we can estimate the differential partition coefficient, which is defined by the difference in partition coefficients of an anesthetic into the ripple gel and liquid crystal phases. The difference in partition coefficient between the lamellar and ripple gel phases can also be estimated from the depression of pretransition temperature. Since the differential partition coefficients include both contributions of the charged and uncharged anesthetics, we could estimate the partition coefficients of the charged and uncharged anesthetic into the membranes from the pH dependence of differential partition coefficients. The liquid crystalline membrane of DPPC bilayer was more receptive to the uncharged local anesthetics than the charged species. The partition coefficients of the charged and uncharged anesthetics into the liquid crystalline phase of DPPC bilayer membrane were 3540 and 249000 (for dibucaine), 1120 and 83900 (for bupivacaine), 256 and 11700 (for lidocaine), respectively. The transfer free energy of uncharged anesthetics from the aqueous phase to the liquid crystalline membrane was well correlated to the local anesthetic potency.

[A case of nonresectable scirrhous type gastric cancer treated by hypertensive subselective chemotherapy with pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy]

There have been few effective chemotherapeutic regimens for scirrhous type gastric cancer. A 62-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of anorexia and abdominal discomfort. Gastroendoscopy showed a type 4 advanced gastric cancer in the upper gastric body. Histologic study of biopsy specimens from the tumor revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Examination by computed tomography and ultrasonography revealed swollen paraaortic lymph nodes and peritonitis carcinomatosa. The patient was diagnosed as having a nonresectable scirrhous type gastric cancer with peritonitis carcinomatosa and paraaortic lymph node metastasis. This patient was treated weekly with an intraarterial 5-FU (500 mg) and MTX (100 mg) including AT-II by a subcutaneously implanted port system placed into the thoracic aorta. Furthermore, he was administered tegafur/uracil (400 mg/day) 5 days weekly as a pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy (PMC). After eight courses of treatment of PMC, paraaortic lymph node swelling and ascites decreased. This chemotherapy produced a partial response in the peritonitis carcinomatosa and paraaortic lymph nodes. This chemotherapy was repeated preoperatively. We reconsidered this case to show indications for operation. The patient died suddenly of acute heart failure before the operation. This therapy was considered an effective treatment for nonresectable gastric cancer.

Effects of age and gender on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in rat retrosplenial cortex following administration of dizocilpine

Using in situ hybridization, we studied the effects of age and gender on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and heat shock protein hsp-70 mRNA in the rat retrosplenial cortex following administration of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist (+)-MK-801 (dizocilpine). Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (5 weeks, 12 weeks, or 10 months old) were given a single intraperitoneal injection of saline (1 ml/kg) or dizocilpine (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg). No expression of BDNF mRNA and hsp-70 mRNA was detected in the rat retrosplenial cortex after administration of saline (1 ml/kg, IP). Administration of dizocilpine (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg, IP) caused a marked induction of BDNF mRNA and hsp-70 mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex of male and female rats, in a dose-dependent manner. Female rats were more sensitive to the induction of BDNF mRNA and hsp-70 mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex by dizocilpine as compared to male rats. It was also found that adult (12 weeks old) and aged (10 months old) rats were more sensitive to the induction of hsp-70 mRNA and BDNF mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex by dizocilpine as compared to young (5 weeks old) rats. These results suggest that the age and gender differences observed in the expression of BDNF mRNA and hsp-70 mRNA in the retrosplenial cortex by dizocilpine may be associated with the differences in dizocilpine-induced neurotoxicity observed with gender and age within the same region.

Psychiatric disorders in cancer patients: descriptive analysis of 1721 psychiatric referrals at two Japanese cancer center hospitals

BACKGROUND

Although a diagnosis of cancer today may no longer be considered to be the equivalent of a death sentence, many previous studies in Western countries have revealed that such a diagnosis places many kinds of emotional burden on a patient. However, few studies have focused on the nature of psychiatric disorders in Japanese cancer patients.

METHODS

We investigated the characteristics, reason for psychiatric consultation and psychiatric diagnosis of cancer patients by analyzing the database of patients referred to the Psychiatry Divisions at the National Cancer Center Hospital and the National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan.

RESULTS

Among a total of 1721 referrals, most of the cancer patients (78%) were inpatients. Patients with lung cancer (19%) were the most common, followed by patients with breast cancer (13%) and with head and neck cancer (10%). More than half of the patients had recurrent and/or metastatic cancer and 60% of the patients had pain. The most common reason for the consultation was psychiatric evaluation (35%), followed by sleep disorders (19%), anxiety or fear (18%) and depression (18%). Regarding the psychiatric diagnosis, adjustment disorders were the most common (34%), followed by delirium (17%) and major depression (14%). The diagnosis of cancer had been disclosed to more than 99% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The common psychiatric disorders observed in Japanese cancer patients were similar to those in the Western countries provided the cancer diagnosis is disclosed.

[A case of successful management of nonresectable pancreas cancer with liver metastasis by intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy with angiotensin-II and administration of tegafur/uracil]

Nontypical chemotherapy regimens exist for advanced pancreatic cancer. We herein report a 62-year-old man whose nonresectable pancreatic cancer was treated effectively with a new method of intra-arterial regional chemotherapy with angiotensin-II (AT-II). The patient was admitted to our hospital with obstructive jaundice and anorexia. He was diagnosed as having inoperable advanced pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis. Enteric-coated tegafur/uracil (400 mg) was administered for 3 weeks. Simultaneously, intraarterial infusion with 5-fluorouracil (500 mg) and infusion of methotrexate (100 mg) with 50 micrograms of AT-II was given every week. A catheter connected to a subcutaneously implanted port system was placed into the common hepatic artery. As a result of this treatment, the maximum diameter of the pancreatic tumor decreased from 3 cm to 2 cm on the CT-scan. Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) decreased from 24,000 U/ml to 186 U/ml. Moreover, the performance status of patient also improved, and he was discharged from our hospital despite his terminal cancer. This regimen could well be effective in cases of advanced pancreatic cancer.

[Prostatic cancer developing after transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia]

From January 1993 to June 1998, 319 cases were histopathologically diagnosed as prostatic cancer. In 7 of the 319 cases (2.2%) transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) had been performed and a diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia had been made with the resected specimens. The interval between TUR-P and the diagnosis of prostatic cancer ranged from 22 months to 15 years. All the cases showed an elevation of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) value (6.4-399 ng/ml, Tandem-R: RIA) at the time of cancer diagnosis. In 2 cases, PSA was measured in cancer screening. The clinical stage was stage B1 in 2 cases, stage B2 in 2 and D2 in 3. Only one case had been regularly followed-up after TUR-P, in which cancer was diagnosed by needle biopsy 22 months after TUR-P, because of the sustained high PSA values. Since most of such patients have an advanced stage of prostate cancer, it is of importance to have periodical follow-up examinations after TUR-P. The measurement of PSA appears the most reliable means in this way.

Brevican is degraded by matrix metalloproteinases and aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS4) at different sites

Brevican is a member of the lectican family of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. The susceptibility of brevican to digestion by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, -10, and -13 and membrane type 1 and 3 MMPs) and aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS4) was examined. MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -10, and -13 degraded brevican into a few fragments with similar molecular masses, whereas the degradation products of aggrecanase-1 had apparently different sizes. NH(2)-terminal sequence analyses of the digestion fragments revealed that cleavages of the brevican core protein by these metalloproteinases occurred commonly within the central non-homologous domain. MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -10, and -13 preferentially attacked the Ala(360)-Phe(361) bond, whereas aggrecanase-1 cleaved the Glu(395)-Ser(396) bond, which are similar to the cleavage sites observed with cartilage proteoglycan (aggrecan) for the MMPs and aggrecanase-1, respectively. These data demonstrate that MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -10, and -13 and aggrecanase-1 digest brevican in a similar pattern to aggrecan and suggest that they may be responsible for the physiological turnover and pathological degradation of brevican.

Effect of local anesthetics on the bilayer membrane of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine: interdigitation of lipid bilayer and vesicle-micelle transition

The phase transitions of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer membrane were observed by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a function of the concentration of local anesthetics, dibucaine (DC x HCl), tetracaine (TC x HCl), lidocaine (LC x HCl) and procaine hydrochlorides (PC x HCl). LC x HCl and PC x HCl depressed monotonously the temperatures of the main- and pre-transition of DPPC bilayer membrane. The enthalpy changes of both transitions decreased slightly with an increase in anesthetic concentration up to 160 mmol kg(-1). In contrast, the addition of TC x HCl or DC x HCl, having the ability to form a micelle by itself, induced the complex phase behavior of DPPC bilayer membrane including the vesicle-to-micelle transition. The depression of both temperatures of the main- and pre-transition, which is accompanied with a decrease in enthalpy, was observed by the addition of TC x HCl up to 21 mmol kg(-1) or DC x HCl up to 11 mmol kg(-1). The pretransition disappeared when these concentrations of anesthetic were added, and the interdigitated gel phase appeared above these concentrations. The appearance of the interdigitated gel phase, instead of the ripple gel phase, brings about the stabilization of the gel phase by 1.8-2.4 kcal mol(-1). In the concentration range of 70-120 mmol kg(-1) TC x HCl (or 40-60 mmol kg(-1) DC x HCl), the enthalpy of the main transition exhibited a drastic decrease, resulting in the virtual disappearance of the main transition. This process includes the decrease in vesicle size with increasing anesthetic concentration, resulting in the mixed micelle of DPPC and anesthetics. Therefore, in this range of anesthetic concentration, the DPPC vesicle solubilized an anesthetic which coexists with the DPPC-anesthetic mixed micelle. Above the concentration of 120 mmol kg(-1) TC x HCl (or 60 mmol kg(-1) DC x HCl), there exists the DPPC-anesthetic mixed micelle. Two types of new transitions concerned with the mixed micelle of DPPC and micelle-forming anesthetics were observed by DSC.

[A case of metastatic extradural seminoma suspected intradural invasion by the measurements of HCG beta concentration in CSF]

A 34-year-old man underwent left orchidectomy for his left testicular seminoma. One month later, he developed paraplegia, hypesthesia under Th10 level and vesicorectal disturbance. He was diagnosed as having compressive myelopathy secondary to metastatic neoplasm at thoracic vertebra 10 and its extradural space which were revealed on magnetic resonance imaging. After administration of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin, the extradural lesions diminished and the neurological symptoms gradually improved. In this case, intradural invasion of tumor cells was suspected because the level of human chorionic gonadotrophin beta subunit (HCG beta) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was higher than that in plasma, while radiographic scanning demonstrated regional tumor located at extradural space of Th10 level. It is important to evaluate the spread of tumor cells for the choice of therapy and the monitoring of HCG beta (plasma:CSF ratio) was considered to be one of the useful methods to detect the presence of central nerve system metastases from HCG-producing tumor.

[Centennial for the Meyer-Overton rule: anesthetics and receptors]

As a backlash to the dominance of lipid theories of anesthesia for almost a century, protein theories are prevalent at present. Lipid theories assume nonspecific interaction with membranes. Protein theories assume specific interaction with specific receptors in specific proteins. The Meyer-Overton rule does not specify the anesthetic action site to lipid membranes. The correlation between the olive oil solubility to the anesthetic potency means that the action sites have similar physical properties to olive oil. It does not discriminate between lipids and proteins. Olive oil is homogeneous (isotropic) liquid whereas membranes and proteins are structured (anisotropic). The physical properties of proteins and membranes are not uniform throughout the structure. The rule shows that the anesthetics bind multiple areas in nonspecific proteins and membranes. The diversity of anesthetic structures is difficult to reconcile with the idea that there is a specific receptor on specific proteins.

Artificial SMA valve for treatment of urinary incontinence: upgrading of valve and introduction of transcutaneous transformer

This paper is concerned with the development of an artificial urethral valve driven by shape memory alloy actuators, which is attached onto the urethra of a urinary incontinence sufferer for treating the involuntary micturition. Three types of compact cylindrical valves are assembled and their opening and closing functions are examined experimentally. The updated valve is heated and opened by using the transcutaneous energy transformer consisting of a pair of flexible spiral-formed copper wire coils. The experiment using the canine urinary canal verifies that the total system of the valve and the transformer works well as an artificial sphictor muscle and controls the urinary flow through the canal appropriately.

Increased expression of zif268 mRNA in rat retrosplenial cortex following administration of phencyclidine

Phencyclidine (PCP) has been shown to cause neurotoxicity in rat retrosplenial cortex following a single administration, although the precise mechanism underlying PCP-induced neurotoxicity is unclear. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we studied the effects of PCP on expression of immediate early gene zif268 mRNA and zif268 protein in the rat brain. High constitutive levels of zif268 mRNA and zif268 immunoreactivity were observed in the brain of control rats. Administration of PCP (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p., 6 h) caused marked induction of zif268 mRNA in the rat retrosplenial cortex, in a dose-dependent manner. However, the basal levels of zif268 mRNA in the other regions of cerebral cortex were decreased by administration of PCP. Emulsion-autoradiographical study suggested that marked expression of zif268 mRNA was observed in the layers III and IV of retrosplenial cortex where the neurotoxicity of PCP was detected. Furthermore, zif268 immunoreactivity in the layer IV of retrosplenial cortex was not changed by administration of PCP (25 mg/kg, i.p., 5 h), but that in the other layers of retrosplenial cortex was reduced by PCP. These results suggest that immediate early gene zif268 may, in part, play a role in the neurotoxicity of NMDA receptor antagonists such as PCP.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and coexisting primary cancers: a retrospective clinical analysis of 10 patients

The simultaneous occurrence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and primary cancers is rare, and the treatment strategy for both malignancies is unclear. The authors analyzed the clinical records of 10 patients with NHL and coexisting primary cancers. All patients initially had symptoms of NHL, and all carcinomas were found at the initial workup of NHL by chance. The most common primary sites of coexisting cancers were the stomach (six patients) and the colon (two). Histologically, the majority of NHLs were intermediate grade, and all lesions were B-cell type. All primary cancers were adenocarcinoma. Initially, NHL was treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Six primary cancers were resected surgically or endoscopically after the remission of NHL. The remaining four patients received no treatment for primary cancers because of advanced stages or early relapse of NHL. Three patients died of NHL, one died of cancer, and six were still alive, five without evidence of disease and one with disease. The authors conclude that early detection of a coexisting cancer and appropriate treatment after the remission of NHL may increase the possibility of a cure.

Specific and non-specific binding of long-chain fatty acids to firefly luciferase: cutoff at octanoate

Firefly luciferase emits a burst of light when the substrates luciferin and ATP are mixed in the presence of oxygen. We (I. Ueda, A. Suzuki, Biophys. J. 75 (1998) 1052-1057) reported that long-chain fatty acids are specific inhibitors of firefly luciferase in competition with luciferin in microM ranges. They increased the thermal transition temperature. In contrast, 1-alkanols of the same carbon chain length inhibited the enzyme non-competitively in mM ranges and decreased the transition temperature. The present study showed that the action of fatty acids switched from specific to non-specific when the carbon chain length was reduced below C8 (octanoate). The fatty acids longer than C10 inhibited the enzyme in microM ranges whereas those shorter than C8 required mM ranges to inhibit it. The longer fatty acids increased whereas shorter fatty acids decreased the transition temperature. The Hill coefficients of longer chain bindings were less than one whereas those of shorter chain were more than one. The shorter fatty acids interacted with the enzyme cooperatively at multiple sites. Binding of the longer fatty acids is limited. Fatty acids longer than C10 are high-affinity specific binders and followed Koshland's induced-fit model. Those shorter than C8 are low-affinity non-specific denaturants and followed Eyring's rate process model. These results contradict the general consensus that the size of the receptor cavity discriminates specific binders.

Does pressure antagonize anesthesia? Opposite effects on specific and nonspecific inhibitors of firefly luciferase

Ueda and Suzuki (1998. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1380:313-319; 1998. Biophys. J. 75:1052-1057) reported that myristic acid inhibited firefly luciferase in microM range in competition with luciferin, whereas anesthetics inhibited it in millimeter ranges noncompetitively with luciferin. Myristate increased, whereas anesthetics decreased, the thermal denaturation temperature. The present study showed that high pressure increased the steady-state light intensity of the halothane-doped firefly luciferase but decreased that of the myristate-doped firefly luciferase. The steady-state light intensity showed a maximum at 19.1 degrees C. At 19.1 degrees C, high pressure did not affect the light intensity in the absence of the inhibitors. In the presence of 0.5 mM halothane, however, 25 MPa pressure (maximum effect) increased the light intensity to 106.0% of the control without the inhibitor. In the presence of 2.5 microM myristate, 40 MPa pressure decreased the light intensity to 90.9% of the control. When the temperature was 25 degrees C in the absence of inhibitors, 40 MPa pressure increased the light intensity 119.2% of the ambient value. At 0.5 mM halothane, 40 MPa pressure further increased the light intensity to 106.1% above the control 40 MPa value. At 2.5 microM myristate, 40 MPa pressure decreased the light intensity to 90.1% of the control 40 MPa value. From the pressure dependence of the light intensity, the volume change DeltaV of the enzyme was estimated at 25 degrees C: 0.5 mM halothane increased DeltaV = +3.93 cm3 mol-1, whereas 2.5 microM myristate decreased DeltaV = -7.66 cm3 mol-1. Present results show that there are distinct differences between the specific and nonspecific ligands in their response to high pressure. Myristate, which competes with luciferin, decreased the protein volume and stabilized the conformation against thermal perturbation. Halothane, which does not compete with the substrate, increased the protein volume and destabilized the conformation.

Does pressure antagonize anesthesia? High-pressure stopped-flow study of firefly luciferase and anatomy of initial flash

The antagonizing effect of high pressure against anesthesia is well known. With purified firefly luciferase, however,. Biophys. J. 60:1309-1314) reported that high pressure did not affect the initial flash intensity. Firefly luciferase emits a burst of light when the substrates luciferin and ATP are added in the presence of O2. The light intensity decays rapidly and the weak light lasts for hours. The initial flash is a transient event and is not in a steady state. The steady state is represented by the slope of the linear part of the integral of the light output. The present study used a high-pressure stopped-flow system to compare the pressure effects on the initial flash intensity and the steady-state light intensity. The flash intensity did not change by the application of hydrostatic pressure in the presence or absence of chloroform or 1-octanol. In contrast, high pressure increased the steady-state light intensity. The application of 12 MPa pressure increased the steady-state light intensity of firefly luciferase inhibited by 5 mM chloroform or 0.7 mM 1-octanol by 19.7% and 18.8%, respectively. When analyzed by the rapid reaction kinetics of the transition state theory, the initial peak intensity represents the total amount of active enzyme and is unrelated to the reaction rate. Anesthetics inhibited the initial flash by unfolding the protein, thereby decreasing the concentration of the active enzyme. Pressure affected the steady-state light intensity by changing the reaction rates.

Membrane-buffer partition coefficients of a local anesthetic tetracaine monitored by an anesthetic sensor; effects of temperature and pH

Binding of a local anesthetic tetracaine (TC) to dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayer membrane was studied by the potentiomerty with an ion-selective electrode sensitive to TC cation. DMPC membrane-buffer partition coefficient (K(app)) was determined in mole fraction unit as a function of pH for the lamellar gel (at 12 degrees C), ripple gel (at 20 degrees C), and liquid crystal (at 30 degrees C) phases. The partition coefficients of charged (K+) and uncharged TC (K0) into the DMPC membranes were estimated from the pH-dependence of K(app). The three states of DMPC membranes were more receptive to the uncharged TC than the charged species.