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.

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.

Ocular counter-rolling in scuba divers with motion sickness

OBJECTIVE

Motion sickness (MS) is a familiar condition to scuba divers. The purpose of this study was to compare otolith organ function of scuba divers who have MS to those without MS.

METHOD

Video-oculography (VOG) goggles were used to measure video ocular counter-roll (vOCR) in 50 healthy scuba divers with no vestibular pathology. Divers with MS (n = 30) had Graybiel motion sickness (GMS) scores of ≥1 point, and divers without MS (n = 20) had GMS scores of 0. Divers with MS also completed the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire short form (MSSQs). For all divers, otolith-ocular function of both ears was tested separately via vOCR testing, which was performed during 30° head tilt. An R-L side asymmetry ratio for vOCR values (%OCRA) was compared to divers' static OCR.

RESULTS

MSSQs and %OCRA scores differed significantly (p<0.01and p<0.001, respectively) between divers with MS and divers without MS. Their %OCRA scores and severity of MS were significantly correlated. Female divers were more susceptible to MS. ROC analysis for %OCRA revealed that the AUC for divers with MS and divers without MS was 0.8967 (95% CI, 0.8114 to 0.9819), the specificity was 1.000, and the sensitivity was 0.700, with a cutoff value of 45.946.

CONCLUSION

Physiological differences between R-L otolith organ function could affect the severity and susceptibility to MS. Female hormones may also increase susceptibility to MS. Thus, MS may be a physiological phenomenon induced by functional ear differences in the absence of pathology. As MS is caused by multiple factors, otolaryngologists need to consider various causative factors beyond those related to otolith organ function in scuba divers with MS.

Superior canal dehiscence syndrome associated with scuba diving

A 28-year-old female diver presented with dizziness and difficulty clearing her left ear whilst scuba diving. Her pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry were normal. Testing of Eustachian tube function revealed tubal stenosis. Video-oculography revealed a predominantly torsional nystagmus while the patient was in the lordotic position. Fistula signs were positive. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone revealed a diagnosis of bilateral superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCDS). Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) testing showed that the amplitude of the cVEMP measured from her left ear was larger than that from the right. In electronystagmography (ENG), nose-pinched Valsalva manoeuvres caused eye movements to be mainly directed counterclockwise with a vertical component. Tullio phenomenon was also positive for both ears. SCDS patients tend to be misdiagnosed and misunderstood; common misdiagnoses in these cases are alternobaric vertigo (AV), inner ear barotrauma, and inner-ear decompression sickness. It is difficult to diagnose vertigo attacks after scuba diving as SCDS; however, when the patient develops sound- and/or pressure-induced vertical-torsional nystagmus, HRCT should be conducted to confirm a diagnosis of SCDS.

Quantitative analysis of inner-ear barotrauma using a Eustachian tube function analyzer

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the relationship between Eustachian tube function and incidence of inner-ear barotrauma (IEBt) in recreational divers.

METHODS

Sixteen patients who experienced a scuba diving injury affecting the inner ear and 20 healthy volunteers who had not experienced a diving injury participated. Healthy volunteers and divers with IEBt received impedance tests regularly to assess Eustachian tube function. Test results from these groups were compared.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between test results of IEBt divers and healthy volunteers. However, seven IEBt divers were judged to have irregular compliance curves on impedance testing. Seven of the 16 IEBt divers experienced vertigo. In nearly all of the IEBt divers with vertigo, hearing loss type was manifested as high-tone deafness, and IEBt symptoms appeared during diving. These symptoms were more serious especially when the diving depth was deeper.

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent IEBt in scuba divers, we recommend a thorough Eustachian tube function evaluation. Any dysfunction should be treated before engaging in scuba diving. We need to assess more divers who have experienced IEBt and thoroughly examine how their injury happened.

A case of patulous Eustachian tube associated with dizziness induced by nasal respiration

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between Eustachian tube function and inner ear function in patulous Eustachian tube (pET).

METHODS

We encountered a patient with pET accompanied by dizziness that was induced by nasal respiration. Eye movements were recorded using video-oculography, and Eustachian tube function was assessed using a Eustachian tube function analyzer. Horizontal and vertical components of pupil position were assessed to test fixation, positional, and positioning nystagmus. Impedance testing with a Eustachian tube function analyzer was performed to confirm tympanometry results. We recorded these outcomes until the patient's symptoms improved.

RESULTS

When pET improved, the patient's symptoms were alleviated.

CONCLUSION

The present pET patient had mild vestibular symptoms. Therefore, pET patients with dizziness might be misdiagnosed with, for example, superior semicircular canal dehiscence, psychogenic vertigo, or Ménière's disease. For patients with few clinical symptoms or laboratory findings, clinicians need to consider dizziness-induced pET as a possible diagnosis.

Auditory-pupillary responses in patients with vestibular neuritis

Pupillary dilation in response to sound stimuli is well established and generally represents a startle reflex to sound. We previously reported that auditory-pupillary responses (APRs) persist with bilateral deafness, and that the pathways mediating APRs involve not only the cochlea but also otolith organs, especially the saccule. Here, we evaluated the vestibulo-autonomic responses in vestibular neuritis (VN) by assessing APRs. Twelve young healthy volunteers without a history of hearing and equilibrium problems and 10 VN patients participated. To clarify the relationship between APRs and vestibular function, especially otolith function, we performed caloric and vestibular-evoked myogenic response testing on VN patients. In normal subjects, we examined APRs when delivering sound stimuli to both sides. In VN patients, we examined APRs when delivering stimuli simultaneously to both sides, to the affected side alone, and then to the unaffected side alone. With binaural stimulation, the pupillary index (PI) - the rate of dilation - of VN patients significantly differed from those of normal subjects. Moreover, in VN patients, PIs of the affected sides were significantly larger than those of the unaffected sides. Our study provides evidence that examining APRs may be useful for evaluating vestibulo-autonomic reflexes, especially otolith-autonomic reflexes.

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.

[A study of the Eustachian tube function in patients with a scuba diving accident]

The scuba diving population has increased very much recently, bringing with it a rise in barotrauma. Ninety-seven patients with scuba diving-related accidents (34 males and 63 females; mean +/- SD: 36.6 +/- 10.3 years) and 39 healthy volunteers (9 males and 30 females; mean +/- SD: 41.1 +/- 16.9 years) without a history of Eustachian tube dysfunction participated in this study. All patients underwent audiometric measurements, including hearing testing, tympanometry, and Eustachian tube function testing (sonotubometry and impedance test). The tympanometry results of the majority of the patients were normal (Jerger A type), however, 83 of 97 patients (85.6%) were diagnosed as having Eustachian tube dysfunction: all patients had tubal stenosis. Compared with healthy volunteers, the Eustachian tube function in scuba diving patients was significantly lower. According to whether the affected parts were one ear or both ears, we classified these patients into 2 types, that is, the unilateral group and the bilateral group. The symptoms in the unilateral group were more serious than those in the bilateral group. In the unilateral group, the Eustachian tube functions of the affected ear did not always show lower than those of the healthy ear, so we thought that excessive positive pressure at the mesotympanum caused by the Valsalva maneuver might have affected not only the affected ear but also the healthy ear and have resulted in healthy ears being severely impaired by excessive positive pressure. To prevent scuba divers from pressure injury, we think that divers should have their Eustachian tube dysfunction accurately evaluated and any problems should be treated well.

Auditory-pupillary responses in deaf subjects

Pupillary dilation in response to sound stimuli is well established and is generally considered to represent a startle reflex to sound. We believe that the auditory-pupillary response represents not only a simple startle reflex to sound stimuli but also represents a reaction to stimulation of other sense organs, such as otolith organs. Eight young healthy volunteers without a history of hearing and equilibrium problems and 12 subjects with bilateral deafness participated in this study. Computer pupillography was used to analyze the auditory-pupillary responses of both eyes in all subjects. We found that auditory-pupillary responses occurred even in subjects with bilateral deafness and that this response was comparable to those of normal subjects. We propose that the auditory-pupillary response also relates to vestibular function. Thus, assessing the auditory-pupillary response may be useful for evaluating the vestibulo-autonomic response in patients with peripheral disequilibrium.

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.

A case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis presenting with vertigo

We report a 37-year-old woman with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) who presented with progressive vertigo. A central nervous system disorder was initially suspected because gaze-evoked torsional nystagmus was observed and electrical nystagmography (ENG) revealed abnormal eye movements with saccadic ocular pursuit and pathological optokinetic nystagmus. Finally ADEM was diagnosed by the clinical symptoms and the characteristic patterns of brain MRI. It is rare for otolaryngologists to examine patients with ADEM. ADEM takes an acute course and can present a grave state and therefore needs early diagnosis, early treatment. We have to keep ADEM in mind in the diagnosis of vertigo.

Axonal pathways and projection levels of anterior semicircular canal nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons in cats

Using collision tests of orthodromically and antidromically generated spikes, we studied the axonal pathways, axonal projection levels, and soma location of anterior semicircular canal (AC) nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons in decerebrate cats. AC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons (n=74) were mainly located in the ventral portion of the lateral vestibular nuclei and the rostral portion of the descending vestibular nucleus, which is consistent with previous studies. Of these neurons, 15% projected through the ipsilateral (i-) lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST), 74% projected through the medial vestibulospinal tract (MVST), and 11% projected through the contralateral (c-) LVST. The vast majority (78%) of AC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were activated antidromically only from the cervical segment of the spinal cord; 15% of neurons were activated from the T1 segment and only one neuron was activated from the L3 segment. AC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons may primarily target the neck muscles and thus contribute to the vestibulocollic reflex. Most of the c-LVST neurons were also activated antidromically from the oculomotor nucleus, suggesting that they are closely related to the control of combined eye-head movements.

Model experiments of BPPV using isolated utricle and posterior semicircular canal

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed to experimentally investigate the effect of returned otoconia on the utricular using isolated utricles. The effect of interposed otoconia in models of canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis were also investigated using isolated posterior semicircular canal (PSC).

METHODS

Bullfrogs were used. The utricles (Experiment I) and PSC (Experiment II) were removed in Ringer solution. Experiment I-a: The otoconia were carefully removed from the utricular macula with gentle flush of Ringer solution. Before and after the otoconial removal, sinusoidal rotatory stimulation (0.1 Hz, 135 degrees ) was given to record utricular compound action potentials (CAPs). Experiment I-b: (1) Instantaneous changes in the utricular potentials when the otoconial mass was positioned on the macula were recorded. (2) Utricular CAP changes in response to sinusoidal rotation immediately and 10 min after the otoconial positioning were recorded. Experiment II: PSC CAPs due to sinusoidal rotatory stimulation in normal specimen, canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis models were recorded.

RESULTS

Experiment I-a: The utricular CAPs in response to sinusoidal rotation showed sinusoidal oscillation. However, this oscillation disappeared after the otoconial removal. Experiment I-b: (1) The utricular potentials transiently increased for 3-4 s after positioning the otoconial mass. (2) The utricular CAPs increased in seven specimens and decreased in four. Ten minutes after the CAPs were almost the same as immediately after otoconial positioning. Experiment II: In cupulolithiasis model, the PSC CAPs decreased in all specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

The otoconia played an essential role as a transducer of acceleration to the utricular macula. Otoconia returned to the utricular macula change utricular reactivity and hence are the possible cause of dizziness after physical therapy. PSC responses to sinusoidal rotation were suppressed in cupulolithiasis model.

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.

Properties of horizontal semicircular canal nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons in cats

Axonal pathways, projection levels, and locations of horizontal semicircular canal (HC) nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were studied. The HC nerve was selectively stimulated. Vestibulospinal neurons were activated antidromically with four stimulating electrodes, inserted bilaterally into the lateral vestibulospinal tracts (LVST) and medial vestibulospinal tracts (MVST) at the C1/C2 junction. Stimulating electrodes were also positioned in the C3, T1, and L3 segments and in the oculomotor nuclei. Most HC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were located in the ventral portion of the medial, lateral, and the descending nuclei. Among the 157 HC nerve-activated vestibular neurons, 83 were antidromically activated by stimulation at the C1/C2 junction. Of these 83 neurons, axonal pathways of 56 HC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were determined. Most (48/56) of these had axons that descended through the MVST, with the remainder (8 neurons) having axons that descended through the ipsilateral (i-) LVST. Laterality of the axons' trajectories through the MVST was investigated. The majority of vestibulospinal neurons (24/28) with axons descending through the contralateral MVST were also antidromically activated from the oculomotor nucleus, whereas almost all vestibulospinal neurons (19/20) with axons descending through the i-MVST were not. Most HC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were activated antidromically only from the C1/C2 or C3 segments. Only one neuron that was antidromically activated from the T1 segment had an axon that descended through the i-LVST. None of the HC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons were antidromically activated from the L3 segment. It is likely that the majority of HC nerve-activated vestibulospinal neurons terminate in the cervical cord and have strong connections with neck motoneurons.

Changes in the Tullio phenomenon and the fistula sign in the course of endolymphatic hydrops

We performed electronystagmography with caloric stimulation and studied vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) associated with changes in the Tullio phenomenon and the fistula sign during the clinical course of a patient with endolymphatic hydrops. The Tullio phenomenon and the fistula sign disappeared in association with a reduction in the caloric response, which implicates the ampullary function of the lateral semicircular canal. Even when no VEMP could be detected for the affected ear, the Tullio phenomenon and fistula signs were observed; thus, either these phenomena had a lower response threshold than the VEMPs, or saccular receptors were not involved in the Tullio phenomenon.

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.