Highly time-resolved evaluation technique of instantaneous amplitude and phase difference using analytic signals for multi-channel diagnostics

A fluctuation analysis technique using analytic signals is proposed. Analytic signals are suitable to characterize a single mode with time-dependent amplitude and frequency, such as an MHD mode observed in fusion plasmas since the technique can evaluate amplitude and frequency at a specific moment without limitations of temporal and frequency resolutions, which is problematic in Fourier-based analyses. Moreover, a concept of instantaneous phase difference is newly introduced, and error of the evaluated phase difference and its error reduction techniques using conditional/ensemble averaging are discussed. These techniques are applied to experimental data of the beam emission spectroscopic measurement in the Heliotron J device, which demonstrates that the technique can describe nonlinear evolution of MHD instabilities. This technique is widely applicable to other diagnostics having necessity to evaluate phase difference.

First measurement of time evolution of electron temperature profiles with Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system on Heliotron J

A Nd:YAG Thomson scattering system has been developed for Heliotron J. The system consists of two 550 mJ 50 Hz lasers, large collection optics, and 25 radial channel (∼1 cm spatial resolution) interference polychromators. This measurement system achieves a S/N ratio of ∼50 for low-density plasma (ne ∼ 0.5 × 10(19) m(-3)). A time evolution of electron temperature profiles was measured with this system for a high-intensity gas-puff (HIGP) fueling neutral-beam-injection plasma. The peripheral temperature of the higher-density phase after HIGP recovers to the low-density pre-HIGP level, suggesting that improving particle transport in the HIGP plasma may be possible.

[Pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis]

We have investigated cases where pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer was resected during the last 15 years, comparing a group with liver metastasis [LM (+)] to a group without liver metastasis [LM (-)]. The following are the characteristics of the LM (+) versus LM (-) groups. Gender: male 6, female 5 versus male 9, female 11, age: 61.4+/-11.4 versus 63.9+/-9.4 years, number of lung metastasis: 1.42 versus 1.29, duration of primary-lung metastasis: 1.59+/-1.02 versus 2.55+/-1.46 years, preoperative CEA: 69.3+/-71.1 versus 8.64+/-5.63 ng/ml, ratio of bilateral lung metastasis: 23.0 versus 4.8%, more than 1 ratio of pulmonary metastasis: 38 versus 19%, complete resection ratio of pulmonary metastasis: 84.6 versus 100%, ratio of thoracoscopic surgery: 69.2 versus 66.7%, and 2-year survival ratio: 63 versus 78%. There were no statistically significant differences in these values between the LM (+) and LM (-) group. A larger number of cases and follow-up duration will be required in the future; we think that the resection of pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer with liver metastasis can be supported for the present.

Xanthine oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species activate nuclear factor kappa B during hepatic ischemia in rats

The present study was carried out to elucidate the relationship between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an activation of nuclear factor (NF) kappa B in a hepatic ischemia-reperfusion model. During the ischemic period, the contents of xanthine oxidase (XOD) metabolites and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly increased, and NF-kappa B was activated in the liver of rats. The activation of NF-kappa B was inhibited by pretreatment of allopurinol (10-100 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, this suggests that the XOD-derived ROS may activate NF-kappa B during ischemia.

Single-cell layer membrane covering the degenerated cochlear duct after perilymphatic perfusion of streptomycin

Ultrastructural changes of the extrasensory epithelium in the scala media of guinea pig cochleae were observed from 3 to 137 days after perilymphatic perfusion with 20% streptomycin. The degeneration started in the organ of Corti, progressed to the interdental cells and roots of the outer sulcus cells and finally involved other epithelial cells such as Claudius and the inner and outer sulcus cells. In the final stage, except for the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane, all epithelial cells which lined the cochlear duct were replaced by a single-cell layer membrane which originated medianly from the epithelial cells of Reissner's membrane and laterally from the superficial outer sulcus cells.

Changes of the stria vascularis induced by ethacrynic acid

Histological changes in the stria vascularis of guinea pigs after the injection of ethacrynic acid (50 mg/kg) were investigated using a transmission electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The changes in permeability in the stria vascularis was also observed using horseradish peroxidase as a tracer. The pathological changes originating in endothelial cells of stria blood vessels and intermediate cells spread into the marginal cells and basal cells. The most remarkable changes were observed one hour after the injection of ethacrynic acid. Subsequently, recovery began in the cells around the blood capillaries and was most complete 3--4 hours after the injection. It is presumed that the strial damages by the ethacrynic acid are caused not only by the direct effect of this drug on the strial cells but also by the disturbances of blood flow and permeability of the capillaries.