Microscopic description of irreversibility in quantum Lorentz gas by complex spectral analysis of the Liouvillian outside the Hilbert space.

Irreversible process of a weakly coupled one-dimensional quantum perfect Lorentz gas is studied on the basis of the fundamental laws of physics in terms of the complex spectral analysis associated with the resonance state of the Liouvillian. Without any phenomenological operations, such as a coarse-graining of space-time or a truncation of the higher order correlation, we obtained irreversible processes on a purely dynamical basis in all space and time scale including the microscopic atomic interaction range that is much smaller than the mean-free-length. The list of development of the complex spectral analysis of the Hamiltonian (instead of the Liouvillian) in quantum optical systems and in quantum nano-devices is also presented.

Microscopic description of quantum Lorentz gas and extension of the Boltzmann equation to entire space-time scale.

Irreversible processes of weakly coupled one-dimensional quantum perfect Lorentz gas are studied on the basis of the fundamental laws of physics in terms of the complex spectral analysis associated with the resonance state of the Liouville-von Neumann operator. Without any phenomenological operations, such as a coarse-graining of space-time, or a truncation of the higher order correlation, we obtained irreversible processes in a purely dynamical basis in all space and time scale including the microscopic atomic interaction range that is much smaller than the mean-free length. Based on this solution, a limitation of the usual phenomenological Boltzmann equation, as well as an extension of the Boltzmann equation to entire space-time scale, is discussed.

Liver Resident Macrophages (Kupffer Cells) Share Several Functional Antigens in Common with Endothelial Cells.

The identification and specific functions of Kupffer cells (KCs), a liver resident macrophage subpopulation, are still unclear. We compared KCs with peritoneal macrophages using cDNA microarray analysis and found that these cells share some antigens with endothelial cells. KCs highly express VCAM-1 and VEGF receptors (VEGF-Rs) at transcriptional and protein levels. VCAM-1 mediates the functional binding of KCs with lymphocytes and induces KC activation. Among the VEGF receptors, VEGF-R2 and VEGF-R3 were expressed on the KCs, while VEGF-R1 was expressed on other tissue macrophage subsets. VEGF120, a ligand of both VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2, transduced strong survival and chemotactic signals through the KCs, when compared to PIGF, a VEGF-R1 ligand, indicating that VEGF-R2 plays significant roles in regulating KC activities. Expression of the VEGF-Rs was regulated by TLR4 signalling. These results suggest that the function of KCs is partly regulated by the common antigens shared with endothelial cells.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery for the ischemic cardiomyopathy patient with moderate mitral regurgitation and stenosis of bilateral vertebral arteries].

We report a 71-year-old man who had severe coronary and cerebral vascular disease with moderate mitral regurgitation (MR). Left ventricular reconstruction and mitral valve surgery were considered for poor left ventricular function and dilatation with MR. However, low blood pressure during cardiac arrest was risk for stroke due to severe stenosis of bilateral vertebral arteries. The myocardial viability of the anterior wall and inferior wall was confirmed by thallium-201 rest-redistribution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Therefore, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) was selected for the patient. Only three Lima sutures were used for keeping the optimal heart position. Coronary anastomoses were done in sequence right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA)-#4 posterior descending (PD), left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-#9-#14 (sequential), RITA-#8 left anterior descending (LAD). No neurological complication occurred postoperatively. Left ventricular function and MR gradually improved. Final ejection fraction (EF) is 51% and MR is trivial. This case demonstrated improvement of MR by only revascularization according to preoperative viability assessment.

[High-pressure suction drainage for poststernotomy mediastinitis].

We present a case of high-pressure suction drainage for poststernotomy mediastinitis. A 67-year-old man who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting because of angina pectoris was noted massive dirty exudate fluid (putrid secretions) from median sternal wound on the 6th postoperative day. The sternal wounds were completely reopened and all sternal wires removed. Thorough debridement was performed. The mediastinum was then washed out with warn normal saline. The polyurethane foam was shaped to fit the resulting sternal defect and placed within the cavity just below the skin edge. The suction tube was inserted inside the foam and the area was covered with the adhesive drape. After 45 days suction drainage the sternal wound was closed, after which he was discharged.

A subchronic toxicity study of dunaliella carotene in F344 rats.

Dunaliella carotene, extracted from dunaliella alga (Dunaliella bardawil or Dunaliella salina), for use as a food-coloring agent, has beta-carotene as its mainly constituent. As there have been no reports of toxicological evaluation, a 90-day subchronic toxicity study was here performed in F344 rats at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.63%, 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% in powdered basal diet. The average daily intakes of dunaliella carotene were 352, 696, 1420 and 2750 mg/kg/day, respectively, for males, and 370, 748, 1444 and 2879 mg/kg/day for females. No mortality or treatment-related clinical signs were observed throughout the experimental period in any of the groups. Body weight gain was slightly but significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from week 5 to the end of the experiment in 2.5% and 5% males. Increased PLT were observed in 1.25% and 5% males, and 2.5% and 5% females. Significant elevations or tendencies for increase in serum T. Cho and Ca were observed in all treated males and females, with clear dose-dependence in males. Organ weight measurement and histopathological observation revealed no toxicological changes. Based on growth suppression, no-observed-adverse-effect-levels (NOAELs) were estimated to be 1.25% (696 mg/kg/day) for males and 5% (2879 mg/kg/day) for females. As increases in serum Ca were observed in the lowest group in both sexes, a no-observed-effect level (NOEL) could not be determined in this study.

Lack of carcinogenicity of D-xylose given in the diet to F344 rats for two years.

The two year carcinogenicity of D-xylose was examined in groups of 50 male and 50 female F344 rats at dietary doses of 0% (control), 2.5% and 5%. The doses were selected on the basis of results from a 13-week subchronic toxicity study. Growth suppression and soft feces were observed in male and female rats of the 5% group. However, no significant differences from the controls were noted with regard to clinical signs, mortality and hematological findings. Decrease in absolute weight and increase in relative weight of the brain in males, and decrease of absolute kidney weight in females were observed in the 5% group, but there were no remarkable histopathological changes. A variety of tumors developed in all groups, including the controls, but all were histologically similar to those known to occur spontaneously in F344 rats, and no statistically significant increase in the incidence of any type of neoplastic lesion was found for either sex in the treated groups. Thus, it was concluded that, under the present experimental conditions, D-xylose is not carcinogenic to F344 rats.

Lack of subchronic toxicity of an aqueous extract of Agaricus blazei Murrill in F344 rats.

Agaricus blazei Murrill, an edible mushroom, is widely used as a functional food due to its possible medicinal effects. Aqueous extracts are also used as food additive to provide an agreeable bitter taste. As a part of its safety assessment, the present 90-day subchronic toxicity study was performed in F344 rats. To establish a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), rats were fed powder diet containing A. blazei Murrill aqueous extract at dose levels of 0 (basal diet), 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5% (maximum) for 90 days. During the experiment, there were no remarkable changes in general appearance and no deaths occurred in any experimental group. Although serum blood urea nitrogen was slightly but significantly increased in males of the 2.5 and 5% groups, no related histopathological changes were observed in the kidney, and serum creatinine levels were rather reduced, suggesting the increase of blood urea nitrogen to be of little toxicological significance. Hematology, organ weight measurement and histopathological observation revealed no test compound-related toxicological changes. In conclusion, A. blazei Murrill extract even at 5% in the diet (2654 mg/kgb.w./day for male rats and 2965 mg/kgb.w./day for female rats) did not cause remarkable adverse effects in F344 rats. Thus, the NOAEL was concluded to be 5% in the diet.

Differentiation behavior of pituitary cells in normal and metamorphosis-arrested larvae of the salamander Hynobius retardatus.

When premetamorphic larvae of the salamander Hynobius retardatus were treated with potent goitrogens, or subjected to thyroidectomy, their metamorphosis was completely arrested. The pituitary gland of the arrested larvae consisted mostly of the hypertrophied Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) cells that are called "thyroidectomy cells". The development and dynamics of the TSH cells were studied by investigating uptake of BrdU into pituitary cell nuclei and by double-staining immunohistochemistry using anti-pituitary specific antibodies. The majority of the BrdU-positive cells expressed the TSHbeta antigen, suggesting that TSH cells increased in number by their extensive proliferation in the pituitary glands of the goitrogen-treated larvae. On the other hand, double-staining immunohistochemistry showed that several prolactin (PRL) immunoreactive cells coexpressed TSHbeta within single cells even in normal controls. Furthermore, pituitary cells coexpressing PRL and TSHbeta increased in number in the goitrogen-treated larvae. Whereas cells coexpressing GH and TSHbeta were not observed in normal controls, they appeared in the pituitary glands of the goitrogen-treated larvae. These results provide morphological evidence for considerable phenotypic plasticity in the pituitary cells of H. retardatus.

Spatio-temporal expression of TSH beta and FSH beta genes in normally metamorphosing, metamorphosed, and metamorphosis-arrested Hynobius retardatus.

Expression patterns of TSH beta and FSH beta genes were investigated in normally metamorphosing and metamorphosed individuals and in goitrogen-treated (TU-SPC), metamorphosis-arrested larvae of a Japanese salamander, Hynobius retardatus, a particular population of which had been reported to show neoteny. Cloned sequences for Hynobius TSH beta and FSH beta covered 66 and 56% of full-length genes, respectively, and both showed relatively high similarity to those of other vertebrates. TSH beta-expressing cells were observed at the ventro-caudal region of the pars distalis of controls, whereas an extraordinarily large number of cells which occupied the whole area of the pituitary glands strongly expressed TSH beta in TU-SPCs. In contrast, no FSH beta-expressing cells were observed in the pituitary glands of controls, whereas several positive cells were observed in the pituitary glands of TU-SPCs. Northern blot analyses revealed a rapid increase of TSH beta expression in the pituitary gland of TU-SPCs that finally reached the level of 20- to 30-fold as much as that of controls. Surprisingly, the expression of FSH beta also increased in the pituitary gland of TU-SPCs compared with that of controls. On the other hand, triiodothyronine administration to the control juveniles reduced the expression of TSH beta compared with saline-administrated controls, suggesting that thyroid hormone (TH) exerts a repressing effect on TSH beta gene. These results suggest that TSH beta overexpression in TU-SPCs must be caused by a deprivation of TH which plays a role in the negative feedback system and that FSH beta expression also might be enhanced by mechanisms similar to those of TSH beta, probably due to certain overlapping of the endocrinological regulation of TSH and FSH in H. retardatus.

Molecular cloning of rat NK target structure--the possibility of CD44 involvement in NK cell-mediated lysis.

The nature of target molecules of natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis remains to be elucidated. As we previously reported, mAb 109 recognizes one of the tumor-associated antigens, designated as 109 antigen (Ag), expressed on the cell surface of rat fibrosarcomas W31 and W14, which are transformants of WFB (rat fetal fibroblast cell line) with H-ras oncogene. 109Ag was thought to be a target structure of NK cells since mAb 109 inhibited NK cell-mediated lysis against W31 and W14. Here, we demonstrate by molecular cloning that 109Ag is identical to rat CD44. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting studies also showed that mAb 109 and anti-rat CD44 mAb OX-50 recognize the same protein of W31 cell lysates with an 86 kDa molecular size. CD44 was suggested to be a target structure of NK cell-mediated lysis; however, rat CD44 cDNA transfection alone into CD44 null cell lines did not result in up-regulation of target cell susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis. Our results therefore indicated that CD44 may play a crucial role as one of the target structures in our rat fibrosarcoma system though the cell surface expression of CD44 alone does not affect NK susceptibility of the target cells.

[Elderly dyserythropoietic anemia first diagnosed after presentation of hemorrhagic gastric ulcer].

A 71-year-old man presented with epigastralgia and tarry stool. Laboratory examination showed anemia (Hb 7.1 g/dl) due to hemorrhagic gastric ulcer and positive Coombs' test without features of hemolysis. Initial bone marrow smears disclosed normal granulocytes and megakaryocytes, but only erythroid hyperplasia with multinuclearity and megaloblastosis was identified. Cytogenetic studies revealed normal karyotype. Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) type II was initially suspected. Serologically, however, acid hemolysis and anti-I * i tests were negative as were the results of another Coombs' test. The second bone marrow aspiration disclosed a marked decrease in multinucleated erythroblasts together with an increase in those that had internuclear chromatin bridges. Electron microscopy of bone marrow specimens demonstrated morphological features of CDA types I and II, thus yielding a final diagnosis of elderly dyserythropoietic anemia, which is similar to both CDA types. It was suggested that the reactive secretion of erythropoietin due to bleeding played a role in these pathologic changes.

Precocious testicular growth in metamorphosis-arrested larvae of a salamander Hynobius retardatus: role of thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Precocious maturation of testes occurs in goitrogen-treated larvae of a salamander Hynobius retardatus, a particular population of which has been reported to show a neotenic reproduction in a specific environment. Similar precocious growth of testes also was confirmed in thyroidectomized larvae in this study. A possible involvement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the precocious maturation of testes was examined in metamorphosis-arrested larvae whose thyroid or pituitary glands had been removed surgically at embryonic stages or which had been reared in goitrogens. The pituitary glands of both the thyroidectomized and goitrogen-treated larvae contained extraordinarily large number of TSH cells, which were called "thyroidectomy cells." When homogenates of the pituitary glands from the goitrogen-treated larvae were injected into the hypophysectomized larvae for a month, the testes grew larger than those in larvae injected with the pituitary glands from normally metamorphosed controls. These results are consistent with the idea that an extraordinarily high concentration of TSH, which is induced by either thyroidectomy or goitrogen-treatment, causes the precocious maturation of testes in the metamorphosis-arrested larvae of Hynobius retardatus. In contrast to the precocious testicular development, ovarian development in the metamorphosis-arrested larvae was almost identical to that in normally metamorphosed animals within our experimental period. This also suggests that in males the absence of thyroid hormones allows a gonadal response that in females may require another activator in addition to or following thyroid axis stimulation.

[Investigation for VP4 region of coxsackie virus A16 RNA sequence from hand-foot-mouth disease patients at eastern district of Shizuoka prefecture in 1995].

In 1995 an investigation was made for VP4 regions of coxsackie virus A16 (CA16) RNA sequence from hand-foot-mouth disease patients in eastern district of Shizuoka Prefecture. Subjects were seven patients who were diagnosed as hand-foot-mouth disease due to CA16 at the Ohashi Pediatric Clinic in Susono City. Throat swabs of patients were extracted to RNA. Extracted RNA were assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction that primers corresponded to VP4 resion of enteroviruses. PCR products were marked by dye-deoxy terminator methods and assayed by direct sequence methods. RNA sequences were classified into two types. Type 1 were three cases, and type 2 were four. The homology was 90.8% between type 1 and type 2. All cases of sixty-nine amino acids were the same as prototype strain. We concluded that the two type strains of CA16 were prevalented in eastern district of Shizuoka Prefecture in 1995. It was at the same time and was widely noted in the eastern district.

[A case of neonatal herpes infection which proved to be a mixed infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2].

We encountered a case which proved to be a mixed infection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 in retrospective terms by in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The case was a male. The gestational age was 39 weeks and 2 days. The birth body weight was 3024 g. A fever developed from the age of 6 days and he was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at the age of eight days. AST was 1042 IU/L, and ALT 206 IU/L. In spite of treatment, the patient died at the age of 12 days. Using paraffin embedded tissues, we performed the ISH and PCR on the cerebrum, lungs, liver, spleen, bone marrow, adrenal gland, and kidneys. With the ISH, the lungs, liver, spleen and adrenal gland were both HSV type 1 and type 2. With the PCR, only the liver was positive for type 1, and the lungs, liver, spleen, and adrenal gland were positive for type 2. In the ISH, a probe showing a cross reaction between type 1 and type 2 was used for type 1 probe this time. But a type 2 probe and PCR did not show a cross reaction. We concluded that this case confirmed the presence of mixed infection (HSV type 1 and type 2) in neonatal HSV infection.

Effect of sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution on peripheral staining of rigid contact lens wearers.

We evaluated the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solutions on 3 and 9 o'clock staining with rigid contact lens wearers in a double masked multicenter study involving four institutions and 43 patients. Both sodium hyaluronate (0.1%) and control ophthalmic solutions (artificial tears) without preservative were used. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The test group received sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution, and the control group received artificial tears as a control ophthalmic solution. The agents were instilled six times per day for 2 weeks while patients wore contact lenses. Although subjective symptoms improved similarly in the two groups, slit lamp observation, corneal staining, and anterior segment photography demonstrated improved results in eyes having received sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solutions. We conclude that sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution is effective and safe for treating 3 and 9 o'clock staining in rigid contact lens wearers.

Relation between serum hepatitis C virus-RNA levels and efficacy of interferon-beta therapy.

We performed two courses of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) to a child with chronic hepatitis C. A complete response was not obtained by the first interferon treatment, however, the results of the second treatment differed from those of the first. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA remained negative and both aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels remained normal after completion of the second course. From these results we estimated that HCV-RNA levels before IFN therapy could be significantly associated with the efficacy of this treatment. The serum level of HCV-RNA was 10(6) copies/50 microL before the first treatment, but was 10(3) copies/50 microL before the second course. We conclude that IFN therapy to children with hepatitis C should always be directed at providing a cure. Even if the clinical effects of the first course are minimal decreasing quantities of HCV-RNA still offer hope for cure by subsequent readministration.

[Familial clustering case of hepatitis delta].

We report a familial clustering case of hepatitis delta. All of the members of this family had evidence of past infection of hepatitis B. We investigated the hepatitis delta, three of the members had positive serological hepatitis delta markers. We assayed by polymerase chain reaction the primers corresponding to hepatitis delta antigen. The results of polymerase chain reaction was three positive. The 2nd polymerase chain reaction was used, two geno-type specific primers one was for Japanese S type the other was for Japanese M type7). Three were positive the 2nd polymerase chain reaction for Japanese M, one was negative for all of hepatitis delta polymerase chain reaction.

Corneal endothelium in a case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (Kearns-Sayre syndrome).

A case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (Kearns-Sayre syndrome) with corneal endothelial abnormality is reported. A 22-year-old woman had retinitis pigmentosa, external ophthalmoplegia, complete heart block, ataxia, muscle weakness, dementia, sensorineural hearing loss, and was of short stature. Renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and amenorrhea were also observed. Biopsy revealed decreased cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) activity in muscle mitochondria. The corneal endothelium examined by specular microscope showed decreased cell density, severe polymegathism, and pleomorphism in both eyes. To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning primary corneal endothelial abnormality in a case with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. The corneal endothelium is one of the tissues that could be affected by the enzyme deficiency present in this disease.