Difference-frequency terahertz-wave generation from 4-dimethylamino-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium-tosylate by use of an electronically tuned Ti:sapphire laser.

Among nonlinear materials, the organic ionic salt crystal 4-dimethylamino- N -methyl-4-stilbazolium-tosylate (DAST) is known for its large nonlinearity. We generated a coherent terahertz (THz) wave, using DAST, from the difference frequency between two oscillating wavelengths of an electronically tuned Ti:sapphire laser. In LiNbO(3), LiTaO(3), KTiOPO(4), and GaP crystals, THz-wave generation was not observed under the same experimental conditions. This result proves the high efficiency of DAST crystals for generation of difference-frequency THz waves.

[A case of malignant oncocytoma of the parotid gland].

A case of malignant oncocytoma of the left parotid gland occurring in a 57-year-old man presenting with a painless lump is reported. The tumor was round, firm, mobile, well defined, and located in the left preauricular area. There was no evidence of facial weakness. At operation the left parotid gland was exposed to reveal a tumor arising from the superficial lobe, but involving the facial nerve. Superficial lobectomy was performed followed by reanastomosis using the great auricular nerve for the sacrificed facial nerve. Subsequently, the tumor recurred 13-months after the primary excision. The patient underwent radical neck dissection and was given supplementary radiation therapy. Because DNA-FCM of the tumor showed diploid-type with a large G2/M peak, we regarded radiation therapy as being potentially effective. Follow-up examinations performed two years later revealed no evidence of regional or distant metastases. The histologic examination of the original and the recurrent lesion showed large atypical cells, with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, which were often pleomorphic and highly-mitotic. Under ultrastructural examination, the cytoplasm contained numerous mitochondria of various shapes and sizes. These pathological findings were consisted with malignant oncocytoma.

[A statistical analysis of sudden deafness].

The present study was carried out in order to determine factors which influenced the prognosis of sudden deafness and to try to predict the prognosis of sudden deafness, analyzed statistically by multivariate analysis. A total of 143 patients with sudden deafness diagnosed and treated at the department of otolaryngology, Ebetsu Municipal General Hospital and Obihiro Kohsei Hospital between 1986 and 1991, were selected for this study. Statistical analysis disclosed the following. 1. A good hearing level at the initial visit, a low-frequency hearing loss, the absence of vestibular symptoms and an initial visit within seven days after onset, indicate a good prognosis for sudden deafness. 2. Multivariate analysis showed that the hearing level at the initial visit most strongly influences sudden deafness, followed by the number of days from onset to initial visit, vestibular symptoms and the difference between low- and high-frequency hearing level, in that order. 3. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that the prognosis of sudden deafness can be predicted at a level of 78.3%, considering the above four factors. This facilitates treatment of patients with sudden deafness.

The roles of histamine, leukotriene C4 and bradykinin on nasal vascular permeability in experimental nasal allergy of guinea pigs.

The releases of histamine, leukotriene C4 (LTC4) and bradykinin into the nasal cavity were measured following nasal antigenic challenge in ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs, or following nasal stimulation with one of these chemical mediators in OA-non-sensitized animals. In sensitized animals, increased vascular permeability of nasal mucosa was recognized immediately after antigenic stimulation and lasted for 90 minutes. The release of histamine into the nasal lavage fluid was observed only immediately after the antigenic stimulation. The releases of LTC4 and kinins into the nasal lavage fluid were augmented not only immediately after the antigenic challenge, but also 60 to 90 minutes after the stimulation. Nasal stimulation with one of these chemical mediators also increased nasal vascular permeability, but lasted for less than 40 minutes. These results suggest that the antigen-induced release of these chemical mediators might play some important roles in early increase of nasal vascular permeability, and that the increase of LTC4 and kinin levels might be involved in the prolonged nasal vascular permeability after nasal allergic response.

Inhibitory effects of azelastine on nasal allergic responses in sensitized guinea pigs.

The in vivo effects of the antiallergic drug azelastine were investigated in sensitized guinea pigs. Topical administration of antigen into the nasal cavity produced an increase in nasal vascular permeability together with an increase in both the histamine and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) concentrations of nasal lavage fluid. Pre-treatment with azelastine significantly inhibited both the LTC4 release and the increase in nasal vascular permeability. These results suggest that azelastine inhibits the release of antigen-induced leukotrienes and increases nasal vascular permeability in vivo.

[Effects of speaking tube in patients with dysacousis].

Comparative study was made between the conventional speaking tube and the modern electric hearing aid. The results revealed that the conventional speaking tube was inferior to the electric hearing aid in terms of specificity to various frequencies, advantages and understanding of singular syllables, but almost equal to the latter in terms of understandings of three syllables. Actual comparison by listening with both revealed a face that the speaking tube was more acceptable than the hearing aid in terms of naturalness of voice heard with it. It was assumed that the advantages of the speaking tube like this may be attributable to the less sense closure of eyes as it had an open end and consequently to the better hearing through the speaking tube, which may have made better understandable conversation.

Magnetic removal of alkaline batteries from the stomach.

Twenty-eight cases of alkaline battery ingestion were treated in a 10-month period. In 16 cases, the batteries were in the stomach. They were all successfully removed using a magnet. This method has been shown to be easy and safe.

[Study of lincomycin concentrations in hepatocystic duct].

Penetration of lincomycin (LCM) in choledochal and cholecystic bile as well as in the gallbladder tissue and liver tissue was investigated together with bacteria detectable in the bile in order to evaluate basically usefulness of this antibiotic in the treatment of infections of the hepatocystic duct. Intravenous drip infusion of LCM 1.5 g (in 500 ml of 5% glucose solution) over 1.5--2 hours resulted in mean drug concentrations of 33.9 and 10.1 micrograms/ml in serum at 2 and 4 hours post start of infusion respectively; 215.5 micrograms/ml in choledochal bile at 3 hours 15 minutes; 252.7 micrograms/ml in cholecystic bile at 3 hours 36 minutes; 28.1 micrograms/g in gallbladder tissue at 2 hours 55 minutes; and 15.4 micrograms/g in liver tissue at 4 hours. A cross-over study of LCM and cefazolin (CEZ) in 2 cases where T-tubes were employed demonstrated evidently higher biliary levels of LCM than CEZ. Bacteriological examination showed that Hafnia alvei plus Streptococcus faecalis were presented in choledochal bile from just 1 of 4 cases while in cholecystic bile from 9 of 15 cases were detected 22 strains of organisms including Klebsiella pneumoniae (7 strains), Bacteroides fragilis (5), Escherichia coli (2), Citrobacter freundii (2) and Serratia marcescens (2). A total of 7 strains of anaerobes including B. fragilis was isolated. The above concentrations of LCM in the bile, gallbladder tissue and liver tissue sufficiently covered the MIC90 of this antibiotic determined by us in 1980 for major species of anaerobes including clinical isolates of B. fragilis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclic nucleotide levels of nasal secretions in allergic patients and control subjects.

Cyclic nucleotides (CND) levels of nasal secretions were studied in allergic rhinitis patients and control subjects. In methacholine-induced nasal secretion, allergic rhinitis patients had lower cAMP levels, higher cGMP levels and a lower cAMP/cGMP ratio than the control subjects. A close relationship was found between CND levels and the severity of daily symptoms in both methacholine-induced and antigen-induced nasal secretions.

Light- and electron-microscopic studies on acetylcholinesterase activity in Auerbach's plexus of the developing rat colon.

The distal portions of rat colon from 14-, 16-, 18-, and 21-day fetuses, newborns, and adults were histochemically examined for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity by light and electron microscopy. The specificity of AChE activity in Auerbach's plexus was confirmed by specific and/or nonspecific cholinesterase inhibition tests. Enzyme activity was first detectable after 18 days of gestation and became stronger with age. The reaction product was demonstrated by electron microscopy in and between the plasma membranes of the nerve fibers and their terminals. Ganglion cells also showed positive activity in the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The distribution pattern of the reaction product in fetal and newborn rat colons was basically the same as in adult rat colon. Therefore, the localization of AChE activity is considered to be a good marker for identifying premature ganglion cells in Auerbach's plexus, and the degree of AChE staining is a good indication of the degree of maturation of the plexus.

[Evaluation of pre-operative chemotherapy using FT-207 suppositories combined with glutathione--with special reference to histopathological antitumor effect].

Thirty patients with gastric cancer were clinically studied by rectal administration of FT-207 suppository at a dose of 1500mg per day as a preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Eighteen of thirty patients were divided into two groups, 13 patients of which were only administrated with tegafur (FT-207) suppository (Group A) and 5 patients were administrated with glutathione (GSH) at a dose of 1200mg daily with FT-207 suppository (Group B): The tissue concentration of FT-207 and 5-FU in normal and cancer tissues was measured following the resection of the stomach. In addition, we studied anticancer effect of FT-207 suppository on the basis of our original pathological criteria. Experimental results revealed that 5-FU concentration in serum was reached to maximum at 3 to 4 hours following administration in both groups. The serum concentration in most cases of the former group was decreased to the lower level of the effective concentration for 8 hours, however the latter could be kept the effective concentration for more than 10 hours. The correlation between the tissue concentration and total dose was analyzed. 5-FU concentration, which was active substance of FT-207, in cancer tissue was higher than in normal one, especially in Borrmann II type cancer, but the difference of concentration was not found between group A and B. The correlation between total dose and anticancer effect was also analyzed. Histopathological effect in group A showed a mild change, such as necrosis of cancer nest. On the other hand, group B revealed a markedly effective change like scarring formation. As the result, administration of FT-207 suppository with GSH was clinically and histopathologically effective procedure as preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.