Few-cycle THz wave manipulation with a high degree of freedom via f-t modulation

THz waves have been intensively applied in many fields, e.g., spectroscopy, imaging, and communications. However, owing to the rarity of available techniques for manipulating circularly polarized few-cycle THz waves on picosecond time scales, most of the current studies are conducted with linearly polarized THz waves. Here we demonstrate circularly polarized (CP) THz (dual) pulses generated by a polarization-twisting pulse/dual pulse (PTP/PTDP). The polarization-twisting optical dual pulses can be generated via a modified Michelson interferometer (MI) system, which provides the ability to control the frequency, helicity, and time interval of the dual pulses arbitrarily and individually. Such a novel, to the best of our knowledge, modulation technique shows huge potential for applications, not only in imaging and spectroscopy but also in next-generation communications.

Time-course quantitative mapping of caffeine within the epidermis, using high-contrast pump-probe stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

Background

An assessment of the drug penetration and distribution profiles within the skin is essential in dermatology and cosmetology. Recent advances in label‐free imaging technologies have facilitated the direct detection of unlabeled compounds in tissues, with high resolution. However, it remains challenging to provide quantitative time‐course distribution maps of drugs within the complex skin tissue. The present study aims at acquiring the real‐time quantitative skin penetration profiles of topically applied caffeine, by means of a combination of pump–probe phase‐modulated stimulated Raman scattering (PM‐SRS) and confocal reflection microscopy. The recently developed PM‐SRS microscopy is a unique imaging tool that can minimize strong background signals through a pulse‐shaping technique, while providing high‐contrast images of small molecules in tissues.

Materials and methods

Reconstructed human skin epidermis models were used in order to analyze caffeine penetration in tissues. The penetration profiles of caffeine in an aqueous solution, an oil‐in‐water gel, and a water‐in‐oil gel were examined by combining PM‐SRS and confocal reflection microscopy.

Results

The characteristic Raman signal of caffeine was directly detected in the skin model using PM‐SRS. Integrating PM‐SRS and confocal reflection microscopy allowed real‐time concentration maps of caffeine to be obtained from formulation samples, within the skin model. Compared with the conventional Raman detection method, PM‐SRS lowered the background tissue‐oriented signals and supplied high‐contrast images of caffeine.

Conclusion

We successfully established real‐time skin penetration profiles of caffeine from different formulations. PM‐SRS microscopy proved to be a powerful, non‐invasive, and real‐time depth‐profile imaging technique for use in quantitative studies of topically applied drugs.

Label-free skin penetration analysis using time-resolved, phase-modulated stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

Skin penetration analysis of topically applied drugs or active compounds is essential in biomedical applications. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy is a promising label-free skin penetration analysis tool. However, conventional SRS microcopy suffers from limited signal contrast owing to strong background signals, which prevents its use in low-concentration drug imaging. Here, we present a skin penetration analysis method of topical agents using recently developed phase-modulated SRS (PM-SRS) microscopy. PM-SRS uses phase modulation and time-resolved signal detection to suppress both nonlinear background signals and Raman background signals from a tissue. A proof-of-concept experiment with a topically applied skin moisturizing agent (ectoine) in an in vitro skin tissue model revealed that PM-SRS with 1.7-ps probe delay yields a signal contrast 40 times higher than that of conventional amplitude-modulated SRS (AM-SRS). Skin penetration measurement of a topical therapeutic drug (loxoprofen sodium) showed that the mean drug concentration at the tissue surface layer after 240 min was 47.3 ± 4.8 mM. The proposed PM-SRS microscopy can be employed to monitor the spatial and temporal pharmacokinetics of small molecules in the millimolar concentration regime.

Femtosecond X-ray spectroscopy of haem proteins

We discuss our recently reported femtosecond (fs) X-ray emission spectroscopy results on the ligand dissociation and recombination in nitrosylmyoglobin (MbNO) in the context of previous studies on ferrous haem proteins. We also present a preliminary account of femtosecond X-ray absorption studies on MbNO, pointing to the presence of more than one species formed upon photolysis.

Generation and manipulation of polarization-twisting dual pulses with a high degree of freedom

A polarization-twisting dual-pulse (PTDP) system is demonstrated using a modified Michelson interferometer (MI), in which a pellicle beam splitter is inserted into each arm. By tuning the positions of the end mirrors and pellicle beam splitters in the MI, the polarization-twisting frequency, the helicity, and the interval between two pulses can be individually manipulated. This PTDP generation system has a high degree of freedom in terms of tuning and has applications in the study of helicity dynamics in quantum matter, particularly in the terahertz (THz) regime.

Primary Lymphangiosarcoma of the Urinary Bladder in a Dog

Abdominal ultrasonographical and computed tomography examinations of a 12-year-old neutered female toy poodle revealed a protruding mass, approximately 2 cm in diameter, at the apex of the bladder. The mass was firm and haemorrhagic with a homogeneously brownish-yellow cut surface. Microscopically, it was unencapsulated and located in the muscle layer with invasion of the extra-muscular layer. It was composed of spindloid to oval neoplastic cells that formed irregular clefts and diffuse sheets that dissected bundles of collagen. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 antigens, but negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3, factor VIII-related antigen, CD31, CD34, Prox-1, S100, desmin, α-smooth muscle actin and MyoD1. Negative immunolabelling for laminin antigen supported the absence of evidence of a basal lamina on ultrastructural examination. Based on these findings, this tumour was identified as a lymphangiosarcoma. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first report of lymphangiosarcoma arising from the bladder in a dog.

Randomized clinical trial of extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage versus standard treatment for resectable advanced gastric cancer (CCOG 1102 trial)

BACKGROUND

A survival benefit of extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) has been reported in patients with gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology. The hypothesis of this study was that EIPL may reduce peritoneal recurrence in patients with advanced gastric cancer who undergo surgery with curative intent.

METHODS

This was an open-label, multi-institutional, randomized, phase 3 trial to assess the effects of EIPL versus standard treatment after curative gastrectomy for resectable gastric cancer of T3 status or above. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS); secondary endpoints were overall survival, peritoneal recurrence-free survival and incidence of adverse events.

RESULTS

Between July 2011 and January 2014, 314 patients were enrolled from 15 institutions and 295 patients were analysed (145 and 150 in the EIPL and no-EIPL groups respectively). The 3-year DFS rate was 63·9 (95 per cent c.i. 55·5 to 71·2) per cent in the EIPL group and 59·7 (51·3 to 67·1) per cent in the control group (hazard ratio (HR) 0·81, 95 per cent c.i. 0·57 to 1·16; P = 0·249). The 3-year overall survival rate was 75·0 (67·1 to 81·3) per cent in the EIPL group and 73·7 (65·9 to 80·1) per cent in the control group (HR 0·91, 0·60 to 1·37; P = 0·634). Peritoneal recurrence-free survival was not significantly different between the two groups (HR 0·92, 0·62 to 1·36; P = 0·676). No intraoperative complications related to EIPL were observed.

CONCLUSION

EIPL did not improve survival or peritoneal recurrence in patients who underwent gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Registration number: 000005907 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm).

Polarization envelope helicity dependent photovoltage in GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As modulation-doped quantum well

In this study, we demonstrate the switching of the direction of the photocurrent in an n-type GaAs/Al_0.3Ga_0.7As modulation-doped quantum well using a polarization pulse-shaping apparatus containing a 4f setup. The right- and left-polarization-twisting pulses with a polarization rotation frequency in the THz-regime are incident on a modulation-doped quantum well. The results show that the sign of the photovoltage is dependent on the direction of rotation of the polarization-twisting pulses, which can be explained by the circular photogalvanic effect combined with the production of a classical edge photocurrent from the acceleration of free electrons in the vicinity of the sample edge by the incident optical electric field. The wide range over which the polarization-rotation frequency may be tuned makes this method a powerful tool to investigate the response of an extensive variety of materials in the THz-regime.

Femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles using XFEL

The charge-carrier dynamics of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles in an aqueous solution were studied by femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy using an X-ray free electron laser in combination with a synchronized ultraviolet femtosecond laser (268 nm). Using an arrival time monitor for the X-ray pulses, we obtained a temporal resolution of 170 fs. The transient X-ray absorption spectra revealed an ultrafast Ti K-edge shift and a subsequent growth of a pre-edge structure. The edge shift occurred in ca. 100 fs and is ascribed to reduction of Ti by localization of generated conduction band electrons into shallow traps of self-trapped polarons or deep traps at penta-coordinate Ti sites. Growth of the pre-edge feature and reduction of the above-edge peak intensity occur with similar time constants of 300-400 fs, which we assign to the structural distortion dynamics near the surface.

Prognostic factors for survival in patients with pT1 N+ or T2–3 N0 gastric cancer in Japan

Background

The outcome for pT1 N+ or pT2–3 N0 gastric cancer is favourable, but some patients suffer from recurrent disease. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors in patients with pT1 N+ or pT2–3 N0 gastric cancer.

Methods

This was a multicentre, retrospective cohort study. All patients with pT1 N+ or pT2–3 N0 gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy at five high-volume, specialized cancer centres in Japan between 2000 and 2008 were included. Demographic, clinical, surgical and pathological data were collected. Independent prognostic factors were identified using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

Some 1442 patients were included. The 5-year overall survival rate for patients with pT1 N+ or pT2–3 N0 gastric cancer was 92·0 per cent. Multivariable analysis for overall survival identified age (hazard ratio (HR) 2·67, 95 per cent c.i. 2·09 to 3·43), sex (HR 0·57, 0·39 to 0·83) and clinical tumour depth (cT) (HR 1·45, 1·06 to 1·98) as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusion

Survival of patients with pT1 N+ or pT2–3 N0 gastric cancer is good. Age 65 years or above, male sex and cT2-4 category are associated with worse overall survival.

Ultraviolet photochemical reaction of [Fe(III)(C2O4)3](3-) in aqueous solutions studied by femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy using an X-ray free electron laser

Time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy was performed for aqueous ammonium iron(III) oxalate trihydrate solutions using an X-ray free electron laser and a synchronized ultraviolet laser. The spectral and time resolutions of the experiment were 1.3 eV and 200 fs, respectively. A femtosecond 268 nm pulse was employed to excite [Fe(III)(C2O4)3](3-) in solution from the high-spin ground electronic state to ligand-to-metal charge transfer state(s), and the subsequent dynamics were studied by observing the time-evolution of the X-ray absorption spectrum near the Fe K-edge. Upon 268 nm photoexcitation, the Fe K-edge underwent a red-shift by more than 4 eV within 140 fs; however, the magnitude of the redshift subsequently diminished within 3 ps. The Fe K-edge of the photoproduct remained lower in energy than that of [Fe(III)(C2O4)3](3-). The observed red-shift of the Fe K-edge and the spectral feature of the product indicate that Fe(III) is upon excitation immediately photoreduced to Fe(II), followed by ligand dissociation from Fe(II). Based on a comparison of the X-ray absorption spectra with density functional theory calculations, we propose that the dissociation proceeds in two steps, forming first [(CO2 (•))Fe(II)(C2O4)2](3-) and subsequently [Fe(II)(C2O4)2](2-).

65-fs Yb-doped fiber laser system with gain-narrowing compensation

We report a broadband Yb-doped fiber laser system with a gain-narrowing compensator comprised of multiple dielectric layers. Utilizing this filter, we obtained broadband pulses over a bandwidth of 1020-1080 nm directly from the amplifier. After the dispersion compensation, the chirped pulse amplification system delivered 65-fs pulses with energies of 100 nJ and a repetition rate of 3 MHz.

Femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy of liquid using a hard X-ray free electron laser in a dual-beam dispersive detection method

We present femtosecond time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy of aqueous solution using a hard x-ray free electron laser (SACLA) and a synchronized Ti:sapphire laser. The instrumental response time is 200 fs, and the repetition rate of measurement is 10 Hz. A cylindrical liquid beam 100 μm in diameter of aqueous ammonium iron(III) oxalate solution is photoexcited at 400 nm, and the transient X-ray absorption spectra are measured in the K-edge region of iron, 7.10 - 7.26 keV, using a dual X-ray beam dispersive detection method. Each of the dual beams has the pulse energy of 1.4 μJ, and pump-induced absorbance change on the order of 10(-3) is successfully detected. The photoexcited iron complex exhibits a red shifted iron K-edge with the appearance time constant of 260 fs. The X-ray absorption difference spectra, with and without the pump pulses, are independent of time delay after 1.5 ps up to 100 ps, indicating that the photoexcited species is long-lived.

Genetic polymorphism of IGF-I predicts recurrence in patients with gastric cancer who have undergone curative gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

To our knowledge, no reports have evaluated the effects of genetic polymorphisms of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the impact of IGF-I polymorphisms on recurrence-free survival (RFS) in 430 patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative gastrectomy between 2001 and 2005 in our institution.

RESULTS

Among the 430 gastric cancer patients, 345 were pathological stage I or II, while 85 were stage III or IV. The median 5-year RFS rate was 85.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81.4-88.5). In a multivariate Cox model (adjusted for age, gender, histology, pathological stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, and history of diabetes), two IGF-I polymorphisms, rs1520220 and rs2195239, were significantly associated with RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.91; and HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.41-0.89, respectively, in a per-allele model). When stratified by stage (I-II versus III-IV), rs1520220 in particular was associated with RFS in patients with stage III-IV disease, with a P-value for interaction of 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that genetic polymorphisms of IGF-I may have a substantial effect on recurrence for gastric cancer patients who have undergone curative gastrectomy. This information may help identify population subgroups that could benefit from IGF-I-targeting agents.

Efficient heterodyne CARS measurement by combining spectral phase modulation with temporal delay technique

We propose and demonstrate an improved heterodyne coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) measurement with a rapid phase modulation and temporal displacement of the background, to simplify signal extraction and effectively reduce a nonresonant background (NRB). This method is a modification of the single-beam CARS spectroscopy originally proposed by Oron et al. in which a narrowband phase modulation is used to enhance contrast between resonant signals and the NRB through heterodyne detection [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 273001 (2002)]. In our scheme, a large delay between the narrow- and broadband components enables us to reduce the NRB while maintaining signal enhancement by heterodyne detection. We develop a frequency-resolved Michelson interferometer in which the narrow- and broadband components are spatially separated and recombined with an arbitrary delay. We show that sharp Raman lines can be obtained from chloroform molecules by the observation of difference spectra and phase sensitive detection. The spectral resolution achieved, which is limited by that of the spectrometer we used, is < 8 cm(-1). This method can potentially be extended to make real-time measurements by further developing a spectrometer that directly accumulates difference spectra.

In vivo molecular labeling of halogenated volatile anesthetics via intrinsic molecular vibrations using nonlinear Raman spectroscopy

Halogenated volatile anesthetics are frequently used for inhaled anesthesia in clinical practice. No appropriate biological method has been available for visualizing their localization in action. Therefore, despite their frequent use, the mechanism of action of these drugs has not been fully investigated. We measured coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra of sevoflurane and isoflurane, two of the most representative volatile anesthetics, and determined the low-frequency vibrational modes without nonresonant background disturbance. Molecular dynamics calculations predict that these modes are associated with multiple halogen atoms. Because halogen atoms rarely appear in biological compounds, the entire spectral landscape of these modes is expected to be a good marker for investigating the spatial localization of these drugs within the intracellular environment. Using live squid giant axons, we could detect the unique CARS spectra of sevoflurane for the first time in a biological setting.

Interferometric polarization pulse shaper stabilized by an external laser diode for arbitrary vector field shaping

We achieved reliable and stable generation of pulses with all possible polarization states by a Mach-Zehnder pulse shaper. This was realized by incorporating a stabilization mechanism using an external laser diode in the interferometric pulse shaper. This stabilization mechanism has overcome an inherent instability in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, which caused serious distortion of shaped pulses. For a demonstration of polarization shaping, we generated and measured chiral pulses with a rotating major axis of polarizing orientations at arbitrary frequencies. We expect these chiral pulses enables us to study on new chirality-related light-matter interactions.

Rapid motion capture of mode-specific quantum wave packets selectively generated by phase-controlled optical pulses

Rapid motion capture of phase-controlled wave packets was realized using a sensitive wave-packet spectrometer, which was previously developed by the present authors. Two-dimensional Fourier-transformed spectrograms obtained by the wave-packet spectrometer provide us full information about the wave-packet motion on both excited- and ground-state potential surfaces. Vibrational wave packet associated with a twisting mode in a DTTCI molecule was observed to be dependent on the pulse chirp, and was generated in the excited state preferably with negatively chirped excitation. The result indicates that the excited-state wave packet can be driven along a favorable configuration coordinate by using phase-controlled femtosecond pulses. The present method is essential to adaptive coherent-control application.

Galanin and galanin receptor type 1 suppress proliferation in squamous carcinoma cells: activation of the extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway and induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors

Galanin receptor 1 (GALR1) maps to a common region of 18q loss in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and is frequently inactivated by methylation. To investigate effects of GALR1 and its signaling pathways, we stably expressed hemaglutinin-tagged GALR1 in a human oral carcinoma cell line (UM-SCC-1-GALR1) that expresses no endogenous GALR1. In transfected cells, galanin induced activation of the extracellular-regulated protein kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) and suppressed proliferation. Galanin stimulation mediated decreased expression of cyclin D1 and increased expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKI), p27(Kip1) and p57(Kip2). Pretreatment with the ERK1/2-specific inhibitor U0126 prevented these galanin-induced effects. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway activation did not differ in UM-SCC-1-GALR1 and UM-SCC-1-mock cells after galanin treatment. Pertussis toxin and LY294002 inhibition demonstrated that galanin and GALR1 induce ERK1/2 activation via Galphai, not the PI3K pathway-linked to the Gbetagamma subunit. Galanin and GALR1 also inhibit colony formation and tumor growth in vivo. Our results implicate GALR1, a Gi protein-coupled receptor, as a tumor suppressor gene that inhibits cell proliferation via ERK1/2 activation.

Generation of a 10.6-THz ultrahigh-repetition-rate train by synthesizing phase-coherent Raman-sidebands

A train of highly-stable, high-beam-quality ultrashort pulses is successfully produced by synthesizing phase-coherent rotational-Raman-sidebands in parahydrogen. The-intensity-waveform of this ultrashort-pulse-train is directly evaluated in time domain based on a sum-frequency-generation autocorrelation-technique. It is shown that a 10.6-THz ultrahigh-repetition-train of short pulses is formed with an effective-duration of 20 fs and a high peak-power of 2 MW.

New procedure for purse-string suture in thoracoscopic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis

BACKGROUND

In endoscopic surgery, one of the greatest problems is the difficulty with the reconstructive procedure. This problem frequently makes operating times longer. The authors have performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis for reconstruction using a circular stapler for the esophageal cancer. Although the circular stapler is a useful device for gastrointestinal anastomosis, it was difficult to place a purse-string suture and to fixate the anvil into the proximal esophagus endoscopically.

METHODS

The authors devised a new procedure for the placement of the purse-string suture by using an Endo-Stitch device along with a new method to incise the esophageal wall and thereby facilitate fixation of the anvil.

RESULTS

The authors attempted this procedure for five patients. The anastomoses were performed successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

The new procedure can make endoscopic intrathoracic anastomosis feasible and safe. In addition, this procedure can be applied widely to other endoscopic reconstructions.

A retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst: laparoscopic treatment

Subdiaphragmatic bronchogenic cysts are rare, and those located retroperitoneally are exceptional. We describe a retroperitoneal cyst presenting as an asymptomatic adrenal mass which was treated with laparoscopic surgery with three trocars.

Transient hematopoietic stem cell rescue using umbilical cord blood for a lethally irradiated nuclear accident victim

We performed stem cell rescue and allogeneic skin transplantation on a lethally neutron-irradiated nuclear accident victim. HLA-DRB1 mismatched unrelated umbilical cord blood cells (2.08 x 10(7)/kg recipient body weight) were transplanted to an 8-10 Gy equivalent neutron-irradiated patient because of a lack of a suitable bone marrow or peripheral blood donor. Pre-transplant conditioning consisted of anti-thymocyte gamma-globulin alone, and GVHD prophylaxis was a combination of cyclosporine (CYA) and methylprednisolone (mPSL). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), erythropoietin (EPO), and thrombopoietin (TPO) were concurrently administered after transplantation. The absolute neutrophil count reached 0.5 x 10(9)/l on day 15, the reticulocyte count rose above 1% on day 23, and the platelet count was over 50 x 10(9)/l on day 27, respectively. Cytogenetic studies of blood and marrow showed donor/recipient mixed chimerism. Rapid autologous hematopoietic recovery was recognized after withdrawal of CYA and mPSL. Repeated pathological examinations of the skin revealed no evidence of acute GVHD. Eighty-two days after the irradiation, skin transplantation was performed to treat radiation burns. Almost 90% of the transplanted skin engrafted. Immunological examination after autologous hematopoietic recovery revealed an almost normal T cell count. However, immune functions were severely impaired. The patient died from infectious complication 210 days after the accident.

[Useful tools for prone position: ProneView and OPTI-GARD]

For prone position except for neurosurgery or cervical spinal surgery, head and neck are usually turned sideways on the pillow. This position has a risk of injuries to eyes, nose, lips, ears, or facial nerve and inducing neck pain after surgery. We introduce new tools to avoid these complications from prone position. The ProneView consists of a plastic helmet with a window for eyes, nose and mouth, a sponge to fit the face attached to the helmet, and a mirror to watch eyes, nose and lips. The OPTI-GARD is the glasses made by a sponge with a plastic windows to protect eyes. Using the ProneView and the OPTI-GARD together, patient's neck and head can be kept at neutral position with eyes, nose, lips, and ears being kept free from any pressure. In addition, we can check the position of the face easily by mirror. Therefore, the ProneView and the OPTI-GARD must be useful to decrease injuries to eyes, nose, lips, ears, and facial nerve, and neck pain in prone position.

Prophylactic effects of pilocarpine hydrochloride on xerostomia models induced by X-ray irradiation in rats

1. In the present study, we investigated the prophylactic effects of pilocarpine hydrochloride on xerostomia models induced by either single (15 Gy) or repeated (8.6 Gy x3 days) X-ray irradiation in rats. Pilocarpine hydrochloride was administered orally 90 min before each irradiation session. Then, 7 days later, salivary volume, amylase activity and protein concentration in the saliva secreted from the right parotid gland were measured before and after a subsequent administration of pilocarpine hydrochloride (intraduodenal). 2. In irradiated no-pretreatment rats, irradiation induced a significant reduction in both spontaneous and pilocarpine hydrochloride-stimulated secretion (both total salivary volume and flow rate), regardless of the protocol used for X-ray exposure. In irradiated, pilocarpine hydrochloride-pretreated rats, salivary secretion was increased after stimulation by pilocarpine hydrochloride (intraduodenal) to a degree that depended on the pretreatment dose of pilocarpine hydrochloride (p.o.) in both xerostomia models. 3. There were no differences in amylase or protein concentrations between irradiated rats pretreated with pilocarpine hydrochloride and irradiated no-pretreatment control rats. 4. A decrease in the weight of the parotid gland was observed in rats exposed to either the single dose or repeated irradiation protocols. Changes in the submandibular gland were less marked than those in the parotid gland. These changes in gland weight were not affected by pilocarpine hydrochloride pretreatment. 5. The responsiveness of the parotid gland to subsequent stimulation with pilocarpine hydrochloride was apparently preserved in both xerostomia models by pretreatment with pilocarpine hydrochloride, which itself increased salivary secretion. This suggests that pilocarpine hydrochloride may exert functional protective effects against xerostomia that occurs following irradiation therapy through a stimulation of salivary secretion.

Effect of KAD-1229, a nonsulfonylurea hypoglycemic agent, on plasma glucose and insulin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic dogs

Hypoglycemic agents with a rapid onset and short duration of action should be useful for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia. Our aim was to establish a diabetes mellitus model in dogs, and then during an oral glucose tolerance test to compare the hypoglycemic effect and insulinotropic action of KAD-1229, a new hypoglycemic agent, with that of gliclazide, a conventional sulfonylurea. In this model, KAD-1229 reduced the increase in plasma glucose level without producing hypoglycemia. Gliclazide had a weaker effect on reduction of the glucose increase and caused hypoglycemia via a significantly raised insulin secretion in the late phase. A rapid insulinotropic action of KAD-1229 was clearly observed in the portal venous blood. The results suggest that in type 2 diabetes caused by, at least, insulin deficiency, KAD-1229 may improve impaired insulin secretion in the early phase and attenuate hyperglycemia without causing a sustained hypoglycemia.

[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy at Shinshu University School of Medicine]

We report our experience with transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 26 cases (mean age 45 years). We experienced primary aldosteronism in 19 cases, Cushing syndrome in 6 cases and non-functioning tumor in one case. There was no significant difference in the operation time between right and left, men and women, primary aldosteronism and Cushing syndrome. The blood loss decreased with training. There were no severe complications during and after the operation. The weight of the resected adrenal glands increased. The blood loss decreased significantly compared with the open surgery. Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy is becoming the safe and standard surgery for the adrenal gland tumor, and the number of suitable cases for this procedure is expected to increase in the future.

Immunohistochemical analysis of small cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a report of four patients and a review of sixteen patients in the literature with ectopic hormone production

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) occurs mostly in the lung, and in some patients is accompanied by production of ectopic hormones. Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck is very rare. We report 4 patients with SCC of the head and neck (larynx, tonsil, maxillary sinus, and parotid gland). The patient with SCC of the maxillary sinus demonstrated a high level of plasma serotonin and overexpression of parathyroid hormone; however, he did not show any related symptoms. The patient with SCC of the tonsil showed the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone associated with antidiuretic hormone hyperproduction at the terminal stage. In the literature, 16 patients with SCC of the head and neck with ectopic hormone production have been reported. Antidiuretic hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone were the hormones that caused clinical symptoms (paraneoplastic syndromes). We believe that the evaluation of hormonal syndromes is valuable for diagnosis and treatment.

A simple method for classifying genes and a bootstrap test for classifications

A new simple method for classifying genes is proposed based on Klastorin's method. This method classifies genes into monophyletic groups which are made distinct from each other by evolutionary changes. The method is applicable as long as the phylogenetic tree of genes is obtained. There is a fast algorithm for obtaining the classification. A bootstrap test of a classification is also presented. As an example, we classified opsin genes. The classification obtained by this method is the same as the previous classification based on the function of opsins.

Origin and evolution of the colonial volvocales (Chlorophyceae) as inferred from multiple, chloroplast gene sequences

A combined data set of DNA sequences (6021 bp) from five protein-coding genes of the chloroplast genome (rbcL, atpB, psaA, psaB, and psbC genes) were analyzed for 42 strains representing 30 species of the colonial Volvocales (Volvox and its relatives) and 5 related species of green algae to deduce robust phylogenetic relationships within the colonial green flagellates. The 4-celled family Tetrabaenaceae was robustly resolved as the most basal group within the colonial Volvocales. The sequence data also suggested that all five volvocacean genera with 32 or more cells in a vegetative colony (all four of the anisogamous/oogamous genera, Eudorina, Platydorina, Pleodorina, and Volvox, plus the isogamous genus Yamagishiella) constituted a large monophyletic group, in which 2 Pleodorina species were positioned distally to 3 species of Volvox. Therefore, most of the evolution of the colonial Volvocales appears to constitute a gradual progression in colonial complexity and in types of sexual reproduction, as in the traditional volvocine lineage hypothesis, although reverse evolution must be considered for the origin of certain species of Pleodorina. Data presented here also provide robust support for a monophyletic family Goniaceae consisting of two genera: Gonium and Astrephomene.

[A case report of TS-1 in a patient with advanced gastric cancer]

TS-1 is an oral anticancer drug that produces biochemical modulation. TS-1 is composed of FT (tegafur), CDHP (gimestat, which inhibits 5-FU degradation enzyme), and Oxo (otastat potassium, which reduces 5-FU gastrointestinal toxicities), in a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1. We administered TS-1 to a 68-year-old female gastric cancer patient, after distal gastrectomy (Stage IV, cur C). As a result of abdominal CT, the diameter of metastatic lymph node increased before and after surgery, and before TS-1 (45 x 35 mm), but it was reduced after 1 course of TS-1 (37 x 25 mm), 2 courses of TS-1 (35 x 20 mm), 3 courses of TS-1 (30 x 20 mm), 4 courses of TS-1 (30 x 20 mm), and 6 months after 4 courses of TS-1 (20 x 20 mm). The reduction rate is 74.6%. The value of CA125 was reduced 74.4 to 8.6 after TS-1. Anorexia and back pain, which occurred after operation, disappeared after TS-1. There was no side effect over grade 3.

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as the substance that increases the permeability and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. We examined the clinical significance of VEGF expression in 60 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas using the methods of Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), comparatively, and analysed the relationship between VEGF status in Western blot and tumour size, lymph-node status, histologic grade and disease-free survival (DFS) rate. Western blot analysis revealed high VEGF expressors (tumour/normal tissue density >/= 3-fold) in 26 patients (43%) and low VEGF expressors (< 3-fold) in 34 patients (57%). The results of the Western blot analysis correlated significantly with those of the RT-PCR (P = 0.00007) or immunohistochemistry (P = 0. 00006). High VEGF expressors are associated with the progression of lymph-node spread (P = 0.0009), which are correlated with poor DFS. The 2-year DFS rate of high VEGF expressors (30%) was significantly lower than that of low VEGF expressors (78%) (P = 0.0008). Multivariate analysis showed VEGF expression and stage were independent predictors for the DFS (P = 0.045 and 0.041, respectively). VEGF expression may play an important role in progression of HNSCC.