Designing the stripe-ordered cuprate phase diagram through uniaxial-stress

The ability to efficiently control charge and spin in the cuprate high-temperature superconductors is crucial for fundamental research and underpins technological development. Here, we explore the tunability of magnetism, superconductivity, and crystal structure in the stripe phase of the cuprate La[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]CuO[Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] = 0.115 and 0.135, by employing temperature-dependent (down to 400 mK) muon-spin rotation and AC susceptibility, as well as X-ray scattering experiments under compressive uniaxial stress in the CuO[Formula: see text] plane. A sixfold increase of the three-dimensional (3D) superconducting critical temperature [Formula: see text] and a full recovery of the 3D phase coherence is observed in both samples with the application of extremely low uniaxial stress of [Formula: see text]0.1 GPa. This finding demonstrates the removal of the well-known 1/8-anomaly of cuprates by uniaxial stress. On the other hand, the spin-stripe order temperature as well as the magnetic fraction at 400 mK show only a modest decrease under stress. Moreover, the onset temperatures of 3D superconductivity and spin-stripe order are very similar in the large stress regime. However, strain produces an inhomogeneous suppression of the spin-stripe order at elevated temperatures. Namely, a substantial decrease of the magnetic volume fraction and a full suppression of the low-temperature tetragonal structure is found under stress, which is a necessary condition for the development of the 3D superconducting phase with optimal [Formula: see text]. Our results evidence a remarkable cooperation between the long-range static spin-stripe order and the underlying crystalline order with the three-dimensional fully coherent superconductivity. Overall, these results suggest that the stripe- and the SC order may have a common physical mechanism.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide inhibits oxidative stress-induced damage in a SIRT1/NQO-1-dependent manner

Oxidative stress causes endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with vascular cellular aging and is causally related to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Preclinical studies indicate that a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursor, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), alleviates oxidative stress in aged vessels, granting vasoprotective effects. However, the associated cellular mechanism remains largely unclear. In this study, we used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to demonstrate that NMN inhibits oxidative stress-induced damage by activating the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) axis. We found that NMN inhibited H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and senescence-associated protein expression, such as p16 and p21. Furthermore, NMN prevented H2O2-induced actin cytoskeletal disorganization via inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. NMN increased NQO-1 mRNA and protein expression that in turn was abrogated by SIRT1 inhibition, suggesting that NMN-inducible NQO-1 was associated with SIRT1 activity. SIRT1 and NQO-1 inhibition attenuated the inhibitory effect of NMN on H2O2-inducible cytotoxicity, senescence-related protein upregulation, and actin cytoskeletal disorganization. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which NMN exerts protective effects against vascular oxidative stress.

Arsenic uptake by Pteris vittata in a subarctic arsenic-contaminated agricultural field in Japan: An 8-year study

In this study, the phytoremediation potential of tropical and subtropical arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating fern Pteris vittata in an As contaminated farmland field near an abandoned goldmine was investigated. The tested field is located in a subarctic area of northeast Japan. This study was aimed at decreasing the risk of As in the soil (water-soluble As) with nurturing the soil and respecting the plant life cycle for the sustainable phytoremediation for 8 years. The field was tilled and planted with new seedlings of the fern every spring and the grown fern was harvested every autumn. The biomass and As concentration in fronds, rhizomes and roots of the fern were analyzed separately after harvesting each year. The biomass of the fronds of P. vittata was significantly affected by the yearly change of the weather condition, but As concentration in fronds was kept at 100-150 mg/kg dry weight. The accumulated As in P. vittata was higher than that of As-hyperaccumulator fern Pteris cretica, the native fern in the field trial area. Harvested biomass of P. vittata per plant was also higher than that of P. cretica. More than 43.5 g As/154 m² (convertible to 2.82 kg of As per hectare) was removed from the farmland field by P. vittata phytoremediation at the end of the 8-year experiment. Because of the short-term plant growth period and soil tilling process, total As in soil did not show significant depletion. However, the water-soluble As in the surface and deeper soil, which is phytoavailable and easily taken in cultivated plants, decreased to 10 μg/L (Japan Environmental Quality Standard for water-soluble As in soil) by the 8-year phytoremediation using P. vittata. These research data elucidate that the tropical and subtropical As hyperaccumulating fern, P. vittata, is applicable for As phytoremediation in the subarctic climate area.

Synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence imaging of arsenic in frozen-hydrated sections of a root of Pteris vittata

We performed micro-X-ray fluorescence imaging of frozen-hydrated sections of a root of Pteris vittata for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, to reveal the mechanism of arsenic (As) uptake. The As distribution was successfully visualized in cross sections of different parts of the root, which showed that (i) the major pathway of As uptake changes from symplastic to apoplastic transport in the direction of root growth, and (ii) As and K have different mobilities around the stele before xylem loading, despite their similar distributions outside the stele in the cross sections. These data can reasonably explain As reduction, axially observed around the root tip in the direction of root growth and radially observed in the endodermis in the cross sections, as a consequence of the incorporation of As into the cells or symplast of the root. In addition, previous observations of As species in the midrib can be reconciled by ascribing a reduction capacity to the root cells, which implies that As reduction mechanisms at the cellular level may be an important control on the peculiar root-to-shoot transport of As in P. vittata.

Using Uniaxial Stress to Probe the Relationship between Competing Superconducting States in a Cuprate with Spin-stripe Order

We report muon spin rotation and magnetic susceptibility experiments on in-plane stress effects on the static spin-stripe order and superconductivity in the cuprate system La_{2-x}Ba_{x}CuO_{4} with x=0.115. An extremely low uniaxial stress of ∼0.1  GPa induces a substantial decrease in the magnetic volume fraction and a dramatic rise in the onset of 3D superconductivity, from ∼10 to 32 K; however, the onset of at-least-2D superconductivity is much less sensitive to stress. These results show not only that large-volume-fraction spin-stripe order is anticorrelated with 3D superconducting coherence but also that these states are energetically very finely balanced. Moreover, the onset temperatures of 3D superconductivity and spin-stripe order are very similar in the large stress regime. These results strongly suggest a similar pairing mechanism for spin-stripe order and the spatially modulated 2D and uniform 3D superconducting orders, imposing an important constraint on theoretical models.

Visible cellular distribution of cadmium and zinc in the hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri ssp. gemmifera determined by 2-D X-ray fluorescence imaging using high-energy synchrotron radiation

SR-μ-XRF imaging has revealed that the distribution of Zn in leaves was different from that of Cd at a cellular level.

Elastic constants in orthorhombic hen egg-white lysozyme crystals

The ultrasonic sound velocities of cross-linked orthorhombic hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) crystals, including a large amount of water in the crystal, were measured using an ultrasonic pulse-echo method. As a result, seven elastic constants of orthorhombic crystals were observed to be C11 = 5.24 GPa, C22 = 4.87 GPa, C12 = 4.02 GPa, C33 = 5.23 GPa, C44 = 0.30 GPa, C55 = 0.40 GPa, and C66 = 0.43 GPa, respectively. However, C13 and C23 could not be observed because the suitable crystal planes could not be cut from bulk crystals. We conclude that the observed elastic constants of the cross-linked crystals are coincident with those of the intrinsic crystals without cross-linking. Moreover, the characteristics of the elastic constants in orthorhombic HEWL crystals are due to the fact that the shear elastic constants, C44, C55, and C66, are softer than in tetragonal crystals. That is, the shear components, C44, C55, and C66, are one half of those of the tetragonal crystals.

Arsenic alters uptake and distribution of sulphur in Pteris vittata

Low-molecular-weight thiol (LMWT) synthesis has been reported to be directly induced by arsenic (As) in Pteris vittata, an As hyperaccumulator. Sulphur (S) is a critical component of LMWTs. Here, the effect of As treatment on the uptake and distribution of S in P. vittata was investigated. In P. vittata grown under low S conditions, the presence of As in the growth medium enhanced the uptake of SO4(2-), which was used for LMWT synthesis in fronds. In contrast, As application did not affect SO4(2-) uptake in Nephrolepis exaltata, an As non-hyperaccumulator. Moreover, the isotope microscope system revealed that S absorbed with As accumulated locally in a vacuole-like organelle in epidermal cells, whereas S absorbed alone was distributed uniformly. These results suggest that S is involved in As transport and/or accumulation in P. vittata. X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis revealed that the major As species in the fronds and roots of P. vittata were inorganic As(III) and As(V), respectively, and that As-LMWT complexes occurred as a minor species. Consequently, in case of As accumulation in P. vittata, S possibly acts as a temporary ligand for As in the form of LMWTs in intercellular and/or intracellular transport (e.g. vacuolar sequestration).

Specific Lysogenicity in Streptomyces azureus

Slope (or plate) cultures of thiostrepton-producing Streptomyces azureus (ATCC 14921) often showed spontaneously developing plaques. Plaques increased in number during serial subcultures. The production of aerial mycelia and sporulating aerial hyphae was interrupted by the overlapping plaques, whereas the growth of substrate mycelia continued in the plaques. These abnormal (eroded) cultures were easily restored to their normal conditions once they were passed through liquid cultures under shaking conditions. A few phage particles were found in the plaques, together with some headless tails and numerous tail tips which formed a hexagonal crystal or a large crystal mass when viewed in an electron microscope. No lytic phenomenon and no phage production were found in the liquid cultures, although all mycelia and spores harbored phage-producing abilities. It was also found that the propagation of phages was successful in solid culture, but not in liquid culture. The whole phage was named SAt2, which belongs to group B of Bradley's morphological classification. From these results, it is considered that S. azureus is lysogenic with temperate phage SAt2, of which virulent mutants are able to infect the aerial mycelia and sporulating hyphae of their lysogenic host.

Zinc tolerance and uptake by Arabidopsis halleri ssp. gemmifera grown in nutrient solution

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE

Zinc is an essential micronutrient element but its concentrations found in contaminated soils frequently exceed those required by the plant and soil organisms, and thus create danger to animal and human health. Phytoremediation is a technique, often employed in remediation of contaminated soils, which aims to remove heavy metals or other contaminants from soils or waters using plants. Arabidopsis (A.) halleri ssp. gemmifera is a plant recently found to be grown vigorously in heavy metal contaminated areas of Japan and it contained remarkably high amount of heavy metals in its shoots. However, the magnitude of Zn accumulation and tolerance in A. halleri ssp. gemmifera need to be investigated for its use as a phytoremediation plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. halleri ssp. gemmifera was grown for 3 weeks into half-strength nutrient solution with Zn (as ZnSO(4)) levels ranging from 0.2 to 2,000 microM. The harvested plants were separated into shoots and roots, dried in the oven, and ground. The plant tissue was digested with nitric-perchloric acid, and the Zn concentration in the digested solution was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results showed no reduction in shoot and root dry weight when plants were grown at 0.2 to 2,000 microM Zn in the solution. The highest Zn concentration measured in the shoots was 26,400 mg kg(-1) at 1,000 microM Zn, while in the roots, it was 71,000 mg kg(-1) at 2,000 microM Zn treatment. Similar to the Zn concentration in plant parts, maximum Zn accumulation of 62 mg plant(-1) in the shoots and 22 mg plant(-1) in the roots was obtained at 1,000 and 2,000 microM Zn in the solution. The percentage of Zn translocation in shoot varied from 69% to 90% of the total Zn, indicating that the shoot was the major sink of Zn accumulation in this plant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the growth of A. halleri ssp. gemmifera was not affected by the Zn level of up to 2,000 microM in the nutrient solution. The concentration of Zn found in shoot indicated that A. halleri ssp. gemmifera has an extraordinary ability to tolerate and accumulate Zn and hence a good candidate for the phytoremediation of Zn-polluted soil.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK

Based on the results presented in this study and earlier hydroponics, and field study, A. halleri ssp. gemmifera seems to be a potential heavy metals hyperaccumulator, and could be recommended to use for phytoremediation of Cd- and Zn-contaminated soils.

Development of a Method To Analyze Single Cell Activity by Using Dielectrophoretic Levitation

In cell fusion and genetic recombination, although the activity of single cells is extremely important, there is no method to analyze single cell activity. Development of a quick analyzing method for single cell activity is desired in various fields. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) refers to the force exerted on the induced dipole moment of an uncharged dielectric and/or conductive particle by a nonuniform electric field. By applying DEP, we obtained experimentally a relationship between the cell activity and the dielectric property, Re[K(omega)], and examined how to evaluate the single cell activity by measuring Re[K(omega)] of a single cell. A cone and plate electrode geometry was adapted in order to achieve the feedback-controlled DEP levitation. The single cell is exposed to a nonuniform field induced by the cone and plate electrode, and a more polarizable cell is moved to the direction of the cone electrode by the DEP force. The cell settles in the position where the DEP force and gravity are balanced by controlling applied voltage. This settled position, measured on the center axis of the cone electrode, depended on the dielectric constant of the cell. From these results, the relationship between the specific growth rates in cell growth phase and the dielectric properties Re[K(omega)] was obtained. Furthermore, the effect on the cell activity of various stresses, such as concentration of carbon dioxide, temperature, etc., was examined.

Effects of famotidine, mosapride and tandospirone for treatment of functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

An effective therapeutic strategy for functional dyspepsia (FD) has not been well-established.

AIM

We investigated and compared the therapeutic effects of famotidine, mosapride and tandospirone for the control of dyspeptic symptoms.

METHODS

Fully examined FD patients of outpatient clinics at seven different medical centres were enrolled in the study. They were randomly assigned to three groups based on the type of drug administered: famotidine, mosapride and tandospirone. The effects of treatment over 4 weeks were assessed by visual analogue scales.

RESULTS

All of the drugs showed beneficial effects, although famotidine was the most effective for symptom relief, which was significantly greater than tandospirone, while the effect of mosapride was similar to that of famotidine. No subtype of FD showed a better response to a particular type of drug.

CONCLUSIONS

For the treatment of FD, famotidine demonstrated the best therapeutic effect, followed by mosapride, while that of tandospirone was significantly lower.

Dynamic capture of sound motion by light stimuli moving in three-dimensional space

A moving light stimulus produced a sensation of motion for a stationary sound stimulus presented simultaneously, which was called the dynamic visual capture by Mateeff, Hohnsbein, and Noack in 1985. The present study examined whether the moving light stimulus might induce a perceptual shift in the velocity, that is, the speed and the direction, of a moving sound stimulus. This type of the visual capture was explored in the directions where the sound stimulus moved along the motion tracks of the light stimulus: first in a horizontal and a vertical orientation and secondly in a depth orientation. Moreover, perceptual distortion of the direction of movement of the sound stimulus was investigated when the direction from which a sound stimulus moved deviated from the motion tracks of a light stimulus. It was found that the dynamic visual capture was inducible in all of three orientations, appearing more strongly in the vertical and the depth orientations than in the horizontal orientation. The perceived direction of the moving sound stimulus was greatly influenced by the direction where the light stimulus moved simultaneously and was often the same as the physical direction of the light stimulus, even when the physical motion directions of those two stimuli were perpendicular or opposite each other.

Loss factors of mirrors for a gravitational wave antenna

Low-loss mirrors fabricated by ion-beam-sputtering machines for possible application in an interferometric gravitational wave antenna were evaluated by use of Nd:YAG laser light (lambda = 1064 nm) with two distinct measurements: a tabletop experiment that used a short cavity with a small beam with a beam waist of approximately 2w(0) = 0.82 mm, and an optical test that used a 20-m prototypical gravitational-wave detector with a large beam with a beam waist of approximately 2w(0) = 4.4 mm. A multilayer coating comprised 29 layers of SiO(2)/Ta(2)O(5) and one protective coating of SiO(2). The best values obtained as a result of these measurements were 16 ppm (parts in 10(6)) and 30 ppm in total loss, respectively. Also, a two-dimensional loss map generated by use of a small beam successfully revealed the existence of a loss structure within the coating surface. These results imply that a high-reflectance multilayer coating has some inhomogeneities and a loss distribution with a typical scale of a few millimeters and that the total measured losses depend on the beam spot size.

[Influence of visual attention upon sound localization]

Previous studies on audio-visual interaction such as the ventriloquism effect have indicated cognitive (or context) factors as well as sensory (or synchronous) factors could make the interaction. In these studies, however, visual attention seems to have been neglected. Thus, it has been still unknown whether the visual attention affects the interaction or not. We investigated the contribution of the attention factors to the audio-visual interaction by comparing the sound localization biases made by attentional factors and those by synchronous factors. Three subjects participated in the localization tasks in horizontal and vertical orientations. As the results, we found small influence of the attentional factors upon the interaction in the horizontal orientation, and no influence in the vertical orientation. On the contrary, the effect of the synchronous factors was larger in the vertical orientation than in the horizontal orientation. We concluded that the visual attention could affect the audio-visual interaction slightly, and that the influences of the attentional factors and the perceptual factors upon the interactions were made in the different processes.

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for rapid and highly sensitive determination of histidine using postcolumn fluorescence detection with o-phthaldialdehyde

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the rapid and sensitive determination of histidine. The method is based on separation by reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography followed by highly selective fluorescence derivatization of histidine with o-phthaldialdehyde. A linear calibration curve was obtained over the range of 0.25-200 pmol per injection (10 microl) with the coefficient of variation of 0.9% at 2 pmol (n=10) and with the detection limit (SIN=8) of 25 fmol. The method was applicable to the assay of histidine in human serum. Serum histidine values obtained by the present method were in good agreement with values obtained with an amino acid analyzer.

[Long-term administration study of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) in pollakiuria and urinary incontinence]

The safety and efficacy of one-year administration of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) were assessed in facilities affiliated with the Department of Urology of Yokohama City University School of Medicine. Changes in subjective symptoms showed significant improvement in mean frequency of urination in the daytime from 10.3 +/- 4.0 times before administration to 7.1 +/- 2.9 times 1 year after the start of administration, in mean frequency of voiding at night from 4.2 +/- 1.7 times to 2.1 +/- 1.1 times and in mean incidence of urinary incontinence from 2.9 +/- 2.1 times to 0.7 +/- 1.0 times. The final degree of overall improvement rate was 82.0% (41/50 cases). Adverse effects were observed 26 times in 22 patients, the incidence being 15.6% (22/141 cases). They consisted of digestive symptoms in 9.9% (6 events of dry mouth, 4 of constipation, 2 of abdominal discomfort, 2 of diarrhea and 1 of gastritis), urinary tract symptoms in 3.5% (4 of dysuria and 1 of residual urine), abnormal laboratory findings in 1.4% (increase in glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase or lactate dehydrogenase levels) and others (1.4%). These results provide further evidence of the safety and efficacy of propiverine hydrochloride (BUP-4 tablets) even when administered for a long-term in the treatment of patients with pollakiuria and urinary incontinence.

Ultralow-loss mirror of the parts-in-10(6) level at 1064 nm

We describe an ultralow-loss and high-reflectance mirror at 1064 nm. A Fabry-Perot cavity is fabricated with two mirrors to measure the finesse and the transmission efficiency on resonance. The finesse was cross checked by two different methods: measurements of the cavity decay time and of the frequency-response function. As a result, a loss of 6 +/- 6 x 10(-6) (6 +/- 6 parts in 10(6), scatter and absorption) and a finesse of 2236 +/- 54 were measured during the cavity decay time. This result coincides with that of the response function within accuracies cited above. To our knowledge, the loss is the lowest obtained at 1064 nm.

Correlation between serum pepsinogen concentration and gastric acidity measured by 24 h pH monitoring

The relationship between the intragastric pH measured by 24 h pH monitoring system and the serum pepsinogen I/II ratio was studied in 68 cases. When pepsinogen I/II ratio was compared with pH 3.0 holding time (the percentage time during which the gastric pH is above 3.0), there was a negative correlation between these two parameters (correlation coefficient r = -0.62, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was also a strong negative correlation between the early morning (from 03.00 to 06.00 h) gastric pH and pepsinogen I/II ratio (r = -0.76, P < 0.001). Accordingly, by simply measuring serum pepsinogen I and II, it may be possible to infer gastric acidity and to obtain the information concerning the early morning intragastric pH.

[A case of advanced cancer of the renal pelvis effectively treated by continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil]

We obtained a partial response to a transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis with multiple metastasis following a 24-hour continuous injection of 5-FU (5 fluorouracil) over a period of 8 weeks. After treatment we could successfully remove the primary lesion. After removal of the primary lesion, the patient lived for three months. Because the effects of this treatment, compared to those of combination chemotherapy, are mild, it is useful for elderly patients with progressive TCC.

[A case of ureteritis with a course of rapidly progressing stricture]

Rapidly progressing stricture of the ureter with non-specific ureteritis is very rare and neither pathogenesis nor reliable treatment is known. We report a case of ureteritis in a 51-year-old woman with a stricture rapidly progressing over a course of 2 months. She was sent to us for left hydronephrosis. Retrograde pyelography (RP) revealed a 5 cm stricture in the left ureter. CT showed no abnormal mass in the retroperitoneum. Gastro-intestinal and gynecological inspection revealed no abnormalities. As a second RP showed 9 cm stricture 2 months later, we performed a biopsy of the ureter and examined it pathologically. There was no evidence of malignancy, but we performed a left nephroureterectomy, because of the stricture in the entire left ureter. Pathological study of the kidney and the ureter showed a non-specific inflammation of the entire urothelium without malignancy. There has been no recurrence in the right ureter.

Incidence of fundic gland polyps in patients without familial adenomatous polyposis

The incidence of fundic gland polyps was evaluated using a high-resolution videoendoscope. In 1388 upper gastrointestinal endoscopic studies, 26 cases of fundic gland polyps (1.9% of the studied cases) were found. None of these patients had evidence of familial adenomatous polyposis. Fifteen of these patients (58%) had a solitary polyp in the gastric body, most of which were small sessile polyps of less than 2 mm in diameter. The results of this study indicated that a small solitary fundic gland polyp is not a rare gastric lesion and that little relationship exists between these solitary fundic gland polyps and familial adenomatous polyposis.

Cytomegalovirus mononucleosis--associated gastric ulcers in normal host

A case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) mononucleosis associated with gastric ulcers is reported in a normal non-immunocompromised host. The demonstration of intranuclear inclusion bodies in a few gastric glandular epithelial cells contributed to the diagnosis of CMV gastritis. Extraction of DNA from the gastric biopsy specimens and the amplification of CMV-DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed the presence of CMV-DNA in the gastric mucosa. In situ hybridization with a probe derived from CMV genomic regions demonstrated the numerous glandular cells with CMV-DNA at the nuclear region. Treatment with a proton pump inhibitor to suppress gastric acid secretion was useful to mitigate the epigastralgia and to hasten the ulcer healing. The value of highly sensitive PCR and the in situ hybridization method to detect the CMV-DNA were emphasized for rapid and sensitive diagnosis of CMV gastritis.

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels: a case report and a review of 28 cases reported in Japan

A 60-year-old male with elevated serum AFP levels is reported. Other tumor markers apart from AFP were normal. Serum AFP did not bind to Con A or Lentil-lectin by affinity chromatography. Abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and endoscopic retrograded cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a tumor extending from the body to the tail of the pancreas. The tumor was strongly suggested to be an acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas, based on the histological findings of the resected specimen. The peroxidase-antiperoxidase method showed cancer cells to be positive for AFP. In Japan, only 27 cases of pancreatic cancer with elevated serum AFP level have been reported. This is the first Japanese case of pancreatic cancer in which the binding of serum AFP to lectins was investigated.

Fentanyl for sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

The effects of sedation by intravenous fentanyl on the rate-pressure product (pulse rate x systolic blood pressure/100), arterial oxygen saturation, electrocardiographic change, and serum cortisol concentration were studied during gastroduodenoscopy in 84 patients randomized to receive fentanyl or no intravenous sedative (controls). Fentanyl administration increased the tolerance of patients and attenuated the endoscopy-induced rise in rate-pressure product and serum cortisol concentration. Desaturation of arterial oxygen was minimal and there was no difference in arterial oxygen saturation between the fentanyl group and the control group. Therefore, fentanyl appears to be a favorable sedative for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, since its administration increased the tolerance of patients and decreased cardiac oxygen consumption.

Gastroesophageal reflux after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy

The effect of sclerotherapy of esophageal varices on the gastroesophageal reflux was studied. Gastroesophageal reflux was monitored by a 24-h pH-monitoring catheter introduced into the distal esophagus. The results of pH monitoring of 16 patients who underwent sclerotherapy were compared with those of 21 patients with untreated varices. Seven of the 16 treated patients showed high occurrence rates of gastroesophageal reflux comparable to those observed in cases with severe reflux esophagitis. In the untreated group, only one patient showed pathological reflux (there was a significant difference between treated and untreated groups; p less than 0.01). When the level of reflux was compared with factors that might influence sclerotherapy-induced gastroesophageal reflux, there was a positive correlation between the magnitude of reflux and amount of sclerosant injected paravariceally in the submucosal tissue (p less than 0.05). The results indicate that the paravariceal injection of sclerosant for the treatment of esophageal varix may cause pathological gastroesophageal reflux after sclerotherapy is completed.

[Age-related effects of gastroduodenoscopy on arterial oxygen saturation]

Although endoscopy is widely used for safe and accurate examinations of gastroduodenal disease cases, several investigators reported arterial oxygen desaturation occurring during endoscopy. Endoscopy-induced oxygen desaturation is hazardous because it increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. This study is designed to investigate whether gastroduodenal endoscopy causes remarkable oxygen desaturation in elderly patients in comparison with younger ones and to study whether nasal oxygen administration can prevent it. Forty-four patients over 61 years old and 37 patients younger than 60 were divided into two groups, to one of which 100% oxygen (2 l/min) was administered through nasal prongs. During endoscopy, blood pressure, pulse rate, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) were recorded at one-minute intervals by a pulse oximeter. Intubation of the endoscope caused a transient drop in oxygen saturation both younger and older patients with greater drops in older subjects (1.7 +/- 0.4% in the young and 3.3 +/- 0.8% in the old groups). In the older groups, two out of 20 patients who had no oxygen administration showed a saturation decrease of over 7%. On the other hand, no younger subject showed such a large degree of oxygen desaturation. Oxygen administration effectively prevented the endoscopy-induced desaturation both in younger and in older patients. In summary, the results of this study suggested that older subjects had a greater decrease of oxygen saturation during gastroduodenofiberscopy and that oxygen administration is useful to prevent the endoscopy-induced desaturation.

Arterial oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and pulse rate during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy--influence of sedation and age

We studied the effect of sedation by I.V. meperidine on blood pressure, pulse rate, and arterial oxygen saturation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Meperidine increased the tolerance of the patients and attenuated the endoscopy-induced rise in blood pressure and pulse rate. Arterial oxygen saturation was transiently depressed in the first few minutes of the endoscopic procedure even without sedation, and meperidine administration did not aggravate this oxygen desaturation. Therefore, meperidine may be a favorable sedative for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because its treatment increases the tolerance of patients and decreases cardiac oxygen demand without decreasing arterial oxygen saturation.

Primary chylopericardium with pulmonary shadow and large granular lymphocytosis: a case report

A 79-year-old man with primary chylopericardium associated with large granular lymphocytosis was followed for more than 26 years. Except for development of dyspnea on exertion during the past four years and more recently cough with sputum production, he has remained largely asymptomatic over this interval. Based on detailed examinations of cellular and humoral immunity, we speculate that increased natural killer cell activity and an increased number of large granular lymphocytes circulating in his peripheral blood represent a reactive response to production of various cytokines secondary to persistent loss (? chyloptysis) and sequestration of central lymph.

Two cases of gastric antral vascular ectasia--response to medical treatment

Two patients with severe iron deficiency anemia and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) are reported. The anemia caused by the chronic blood loss from the abnormally dilated mucosal and submucosal capillary veins in the gastric antrum was unresponsive to oral iron supplementation. However, one of the patients was successfully treated with intramuscular injection of (Asu1,7) eel calcitonin. The other one was treated by oral prednisolone with resulting improvement iron deficiency anemia. The possible mechanisms of successful calcitonin and prednisolone treatments on chronic blood loss from GAVE is discussed.

A case of gastric plasmacytoma: genetic analysis and immunofixation electrophoresis

A case of early gastric plasmacytoma in a 66-yr-old woman is reported. The demonstration of monotypic IgM lambda immunoglobulin in plasma cells infiltrating the gastric antrum contributed the histological diagnosis. Genetic analysis of the tumor cells confirmed the presence of a monoclonal neoplastic population of plasma cells in the tumor. Monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgM lambda) was demonstrated in serum, not by conventional immunoelectrophoresis, but by a highly sensitive immunofixation electrophoresis technique. Serum monoclonal immunoglobulin disappeared after subtotal gastrectomy. The value of immunofixation electrophoresis of serum protein and DNA analysis of tumor cells was emphasized for the diagnosis of gastric plasmacytoma.

[Treatment of priapism by caverno-spongio-anastomosis]

We experienced two cases of priapism; one, idiopathic and low flow type, the other post-traumatic and high flow type. We tried caverno-spongio-anastomosis (CSA) as an operative treatment in both cases. Postoperative courses were uneventful. We suggest that CSA is a simple and reliable treatment of priapism.

Galanin stimulates immunoreactive growth hormone-releasing factor secretion from rat hypothalamic slices perifused in vitro

The effect of galanin (GAL) on the release of GH-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin (SRIF) was examined in an in vitro perifusion system of rat hypothalamic slices. GAL at doses of 10(-7) and 10(-6)M stimulated the release of immunoreactive GRF while it failed to affect SRIF release. Therefore, in vivo stimulation of GH release by GAL may be explained in part by the GRF-releasing effect of this peptide.

Physiological role of somatostatin-mediated autofeedback regulation for growth hormone: importance of growth hormone in triggering somatostatin release during a trough period of pulsatile growth hormone release in conscious male rats

In mammals including human, it is generally accepted that growth hormone (GH) can regulate its own secretion through an autofeedback mechanism in which somatostatin (SRIF) may be involved. To explore a physiological role of SRIF-mediated GH autoregulation, the effect of exogenous human GH administration on plasma rat GH response to [D-Ala2, Nle27]-human GH-releasing hormone-(1-28)-agmatine (hGHRH-analog), which does not crossreact with anti-rat GH-releasing hormone gamma-globulin (GHRH-Ab), was examined in conscious male rats treated with GHRH-Ab in the absence and presence of anti-SRIF gamma-globulin (SRIF-Ab). Enhanced SRIF release during a trough period of natural pulsatile GH secretion, suggested by the blunted GH response to exogenous hGHRH-analog, no longer occurred when major GH secretory bursts were abolished by GHRH-Ab treatment. On the other hand, when hGH was administered in GHRH-Ab-treated rats so as to simulate the quantity and dynamic change of GH in hypophysial portal circulation in rats exhibiting pulsatile GH secretion, hGHRH-analog-induced GH rises were significantly suppressed during the period corresponding to a GH trough. This suppression was completely prevented by simultaneous treatment with SRIF-Ab. Furthermore, administration of bovine GH, but not ovine prolactin, resulted in significant suppression of hGHRH-analog-provoked GH rises. These findings suggest that enhanced SRIF release during a trough period of spontaneous GH secretory rhythm is induced by the preceding GH secretory burst, and also suggest a possible role for SRIF-mediated GH autoregulation in a physiological state.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) production and the presence of IGF-I receptors in rat medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line 6-23 (clone 6)

To clarify whether insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is an autocrine growth factor of rat medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) cell line, 6-23 (clone 6), IGF-I binding to MTC cell membranes, IGF-I levels in the conditioned culture medium of MTC cells and the effects of IGF-I on methyl-[3H]thymidine incorporation to MTC cells were examined. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding studies revealed the association constant and the maximal binding capacity were 1.0 x 10(9) M-1 and 199 fmol/mg of membrane protein, respectively. The binding of [125I]IGF-I to MTC cell membranes was inhibited by unlabeled IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin; the relative potencies were IGF-I greater than IGF-II much greater than insulin, suggesting the presence of type I IGF receptors in MTC cells. IGF-I levels in the conditioned culture medium of MTC cells were 120 +/- 3 pM (mean + SE). IGF-I (10(-10) to 10(-8) M) dose-dependently stimulated methyl-[3H]thymidine incorporation to MTC cells. These findings suggest a possible role of IGF-I as an autocrine growth factor for MTC cells.

Effects of dopamine on immunoreactive growth hormone-releasing factor and somatostatin secretion from rat hypothalamic slices perifused in vitro

The effects of dopamine (DA) on the release of GRF and somatostatin (SRIF) from the hypothalami of adult male rats were examined in an in vitro perifusion system using horizontal hypothalamic slices, 400 micron thick, including the median eminence and arcuate nuclei. When hypothalamic slices from five animals were perfused in a chamber with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) at a flow rate of 100 microliters/min under a gaseous phase of 95% O2 and 5% CO2 at 37 C, rat (r) GRF- and SRIF-like immunoreactivities (-LI) were constantly detected in 30-min perifusates at least until 240 min of perifusion, and during the perifusion with 60 mM K+, the concentrations of rGRF-LI and SRIF-LI were increased 2.1 and 3.2 times, respectively, over basal values. Under the perifusion with ACSF containing normal goat gamma-globulin, the addition of 10(-8) M DA resulted in a significant increase in SRIF-LI from 8.2 +/- 0.3 to 14.3 +/- 1.5 pg/hypothalamus.30 min, but conversely, it caused a slight but significant decrease in rGRF-LI from 4.5 +/- 0.9 to 2.0 +/- 0.3 pg/hypothalamus.30 min. On the other hand, 10(-8) and 10(-6) M DA significantly stimulated rGRF-LI release from hypothalamic slices perifused with ACSF containing anti-SRIF goat gamma-globulin. These findings suggest that DA is a secretagogue for both SRIF and rGRF in the hypothalamus, but the rGRF-stimulating effect of DA is masked unless the action of endogenous SRIF is attenuated.

Orchiopexy for intravaginal testicular torsion. Ring-shaped fixation of the lower part of the testis

As a surgical therapy for intravaginal testicular torsion, we developed a testicular fixation method considering the testis in intravaginal testicular torsion in comparison with the normal one. With our method, the lower part of the testis is fixed in a ring form around the testicular long axis to show the wide extravaginal area similar to that of a normal testis. We believe that this method is simple, logical and effective to fix the testis in intravaginal testicular torsion.

Discordance between growth hormone (GH) responses after GH-releasing hormone and insulin hypoglycemia in myotonic dystrophy

Plasma GH responses to human GHRH, arginine, L-dopa, and insulin-induced hypoglycemia were determined in seven myotonic dystrophy (MD) patients. An iv bolus injection of GHRH-(1-44)-NH2 (1 microgram/kg BW) only slightly increased plasma GH concentrations in MD patients. The mean peak plasma GH level after GHRH injection [4.2 +/- 0.8 (+/- SE) micrograms/L] was significantly lower than that in 10 age-matched normal subjects (26.7 +/- 4.3 micrograms/L) or that in 6 patients with progressive muscular dystrophy (22.8 +/- 6.6 micrograms/L) whose nutritional status was similar to that of the MD patients. Even with a larger dose of GHRH (3 micrograms/kg BW), the plasma GH rises were minimal in the MD patients (mean peak, 5.9 +/- 1.8 micrograms/L). The plasma GH responses to a 30-min iv infusion of arginine (0.5 g/kg BW) and oral ingestion of L-dopa (0.5 g) were attenuated to a similar extent, whereas insulin-induced hypoglycemia caused a significant increase in plasma GH in all seven MD patients [mean peak, 17.4 +/- 4.1 (+/- SE) microgram/L]. The plasma TSH responses to TRH and plasma insulin-like growth factor I levels were similar in the MD patients and normal subjects. These findings suggest that 1) the impaired GH release after GHRH, arginine, and L-dopa administration in MD patients is not due to somatotroph deficiency, since the GH response to hypoglycemia is well preserved; and 2) insulin-induced hypoglycemia may stimulate GH release at least in part via inhibition of somatostatin release.