Laser-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with micrometer spatial resolution and detection of three-dimensional spin vector

We have developed a state-of-the-art apparatus for laser-based spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with micrometer spatial resolution (µ-SARPES). This equipment is realized by the combination of a high-resolution photoelectron spectrometer, a 6 eV laser with high photon flux that is focused down to a few micrometers, a high-precision sample stage control system, and a double very-low-energy-electron-diffraction spin detector. The setup achieves an energy resolution of 1.5 (5.5) meV without (with) the spin detection mode, compatible with a spatial resolution better than 10 µm. This enables us to probe both spatially-resolved electronic structures and vector information of spin polarization in three dimensions. The performance of µ-SARPES apparatus is demonstrated by presenting ARPES and SARPES results from topological insulators and Au photolithography patterns on a Si (001) substrate.

Publisher Correction: A weak topological insulator state in quasi-one-dimensional bismuth iodide

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Rotatable high-resolution ARPES system for tunable linear-polarization geometry

A rotatable high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) system has been developed to utilize tunable linear-polarization geometries on the linear undulator beamline (BL-1) at Hiroshima Synchrotron Radiation Center. By rotating the whole ARPES measurement system, the photoelectron detection plane can be continuously changed from parallel to normal against the electric field vector of linearly polarized undulator radiation. This polarization tunability enables us to identify the symmetry of the initial electronic states with respect to the mirror planes, and to selectively observe the electronic states based on the dipole selection rule in the photoemission process. Specifications of the rotatable high-resolution ARPES system are described, as well as its capabilities with some representative experimental results.

Thinning of articular cartilage after joint unloading or immobilization. An experimental investigation of the pathogenesis in mice

OBJECTIVE

Moderate mechanical stress generated by normal joint loading and movement is essential for the maintenance of healthy articular cartilage. However, the effects of reduced loading caused by the absence of weight bearing or joint motion on articular cartilage and subchondral bone is still poorly understood. We aimed to characterize morphological and metabolic responses of articular cartilage and subchondral bone to decreased mechanical stress in vivo.

METHODS

Mice were subjected to periods of hindlimb unloading by tail suspension or external fixation of the knee joints. The articular surface was observed with digital microscope and the epiphyseal bone was assessed by micro-CT analysis. Articular cartilage and subchondral bone were further evaluated by histomorphometric, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses.

RESULTS

The joint surface was intact, but thickness of both the total and uncalcified layer of articular cartilage were decreased both after joint unloading and immobilization. Subchondral bone atrophy with concomitant marrow expansion predisposed osteoclast activity at bone surface to invade into cartilaginous layer. Uncalcified cartilage showed decreased aggrecan content and increased aggrecanase expression. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was increased at uncalcified cartilage, whereas decreased at calcified cartilage. The distributions of hypertrophic chondrocyte markers remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Thinning of articular cartilage induced by mechanical unloading may be mediated by metabolic changes in chondrocytes, including accelerated aggrecan catabolism and exquisitely modulated matrix mineralization, and cartilage matrix degradation and resorption by subchondral osteoclasts. Cartilage degeneration without chondrocyte hypertrophy under unloading condition indicate the possible existence of mechanism which is different from osteoarthritis pathogenesis.

Multiband One-Dimensional Electronic Structure and Spectroscopic Signature of Tomonaga-Luttinger Liquid Behavior in K_{2}Cr_{3}As_{3}

We present angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements of the quasi-one-dimensional superconductor K_{2}Cr_{3}As_{3}. We find that the Fermi surface contains two Fermi surface sheets, with linearly dispersing bands not displaying any significant band renormalizations. The one-dimensional band dispersions display a suppression of spectral intensity approaching the Fermi level according to a linear power law, over an energy range of ∼200  meV. This is interpreted as a signature of Tomonoga-Luttinger liquid physics, which provides a new perspective on the possibly unconventional superconductivity in this family of compounds.

High-energy anomaly in the band dispersion of the ruthenate superconductor

We reveal a "high-energy anomaly" (HEA) in the band dispersion of the unconventional ruthenate superconductor Sr2RuO4, by means of high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with tunable energy and polarization of incident photons. This observation provides another class of correlated materials exhibiting this anomaly beyond high-T(c) cuprates. We demonstrate that two distinct types of band renormalization associated with and without the HEA occur as a natural consequence of the energetics in the bandwidth and the energy scale of the HEA. Our results are well reproduced by a simple analytical form of the self-energy based on the Fermi-liquid theory, indicating that the HEA exists at a characteristic energy scale of the multielectron excitations. We propose that the HEA universally emerges if the systems have such a characteristic energy scale inside of the bandwidth.

Interplay among Coulomb interaction, spin-orbit interaction, and multiple electron-boson interactions in Sr2RuO4

Using polarization- and hν-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we uncovered the fine details of a quasiparticle's dynamics of a typical multiband superconductor, Sr2RuO4. We found strong hybridization between the in-plane and out-of-plane quasiparticles via the Coulomb and spin-orbit interactions. This effect enhances the quasiparticle mass due to the inflow of out-of-plane quasiparticles into the two-dimensional Fermi surface sheet, where the quasiparticles are further subjected to the multiple electron-boson interactions. We suggest that the spin-triplet p-wave superconductivity of Sr2RuO4 is phonon mediated.

Hexagonally deformed Fermi surface of the 3D topological insulator Bi2Se3

A hexagonal deformation of the Fermi surface of Bi2Se3 has been for the first time observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. This is in contrast to the general belief that Bi2Se3 possesses an ideal Dirac cone. The hexagonal shape is found to disappear near the Dirac node, which would protect the surface state electrons from backscattering. It is also demonstrated that the Fermi energy of naturally electron-doped Bi2Se3 can be tuned by 1% Mg doping in order to realize the quantum topological transport.

Isotopic fingerprint of electron-phonon coupling in high-Tc cuprates

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with low-energy tunable photons along the nodal direction of oxygen isotope substituted Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) reveals a distinct oxygen isotope shift near the electron-boson coupling "kink" in the electronic dispersion. The magnitude (a few meV) and direction of the kink shift are as expected due to the measured isotopic shift of phonon frequency, and are also in agreement with theoretical expectations. This demonstrates the participation of the phonons as dominant players, as well as pinpointing the most relevant of the phonon branches.

Electronic structure of charge- and spin-controlled Sr(1-(x+y))La(x+y)Ti(1-x)Cr(x)O3

We present the electronic structure of Sr(1-(x+y))La(x+y)Ti(1-x)Cr(x)O3 investigated by high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy. In the vicinity of the Fermi level, it was found that the electronic structure was composed of a Cr 3d local state with the t(2g)3 configuration and a Ti 3d itinerant state. The energy levels of these Cr and Ti 3d states are well interpreted by the difference of the charge-transfer energy of both ions. The spectral weight of the Cr 3d state is completely proportional to the spin concentration x irrespective of the carrier concentration y, indicating that the spin density can be controlled by x as desired. In contrast, the spectral weight of the Ti 3d state is not proportional to y, depending on the amount of Cr doping.

Improved simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a single reactor by using two different immobilization carriers with specific oxygen transfer characteristics

To maximize nitrogen utilization rates during nitrification and denitrification in a simultaneous reaction for direct nitrogen removal from ammonia-nitrogen in a single reactor, two different carriers were applied that immobilized nitrifiers and denitrifiers separately. With the optimized DO concentration and mixing ratio of immobilization carriers, ammonium-nitrogen was successfully removed as designed until the middle phase of treatment where nitrogen removal rate was higher than 83% of the theoretical value, although an imbalance between nitrification and denitrification occurred at a later phase of treatment where residual nitrate-nitrogen concentration was less than 2 mg/l. The new approach using two different carriers to immobilize nitrifiers and denitrifiers separately was proved useful for controlling both nitrification and denitrification rates, enabling the utilization of maximum treatment ability of both nitrifiers and denitrifiers in a single reactor for direct nitrogen removal from ammonium-nitrogen.

Generalized synchronization of chaos in He-Ne lasers

We experimentally demonstrate synchronization of chaos in one-way coupled He-Ne lasers with optical feedback. We observe different types of synchronization such as identical synchronization, inverse synchronization, and random amplification. These dynamics are maintained only for a short duration of several hundred milliseconds. We also observe generalized synchronization of chaos by using one master and two slave lasers. The generalized synchronization is achieved for a long duration of tens of seconds under injection locking. The generalized synchronization is always maintained while the injection locking is achieved.

[Nerve conduction velocity of repeater F-waves is identical to that of M-waves]

F-wave normally varies in latency and waveform from one response to the next. But the number of identical responses in a series of F-waves may be increased with neurogenic atrophy consistent with a decreased number of motoneurons capable of responding to antidromic stimulation. They are called "repeater F-waves". We herein demonstrate some repeater F-waves observed in three patients with moderate or slight diabetic polyneuropathy. In their motor nerve conduction studies on the peroneal nerve the maximum conduction velocity was 33 m/sec in patient 1, 36 m/sec in patient 2 and 48 m/sec in patient 3. A total of 6 delayed indirect potentials were repeatedly evoked after nerve trunk stimulation. They fulfilled the characteristics of F-wave. Their conduction velocities in the leg segment were 27, 26, 23 m/sec in patient 1, 34, 33 m/sec in patient 2 and 46 m/sec in patient 3. Repeater F-waves are occasionally observed in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cervical spondylosis or entrapment neuropathies, in which the number of motoneuron is decreased. In diabetic polyneuropathy some repeater F-waves were also observed in patients not only with moderate to severe neuropathy but also with normal nerve conduction. F-waves are generated by an antidromic backfiring of motor neurons, and they occur preferentially in large motor neurons. Larger motor neurons inhibit smaller axons through the activation of Renshaw cells. In our 3 patients conduction velocities of the repeated F-waves were all identical to the main component of M-wave. These observations reconfirmed the hypothesis that relatively large motor neurons generating F-waves are preferentially activated also in repeater F-waves.

[Serial changes in body composition in patients with chronic renal failure on peritoneal dialysis]

Nutritional status is one of the most important factors affecting mortality and morbidity in chronic dialysis patients. There are, however, few data on serial body composition changes in these patients. To investigate serial changes in body composition in patients on peritoneal dialysis, we measured intracellular fluid volume(ICF), extracellular fluid volume(ECF), body protein volume(BPV), body fat volume(BFV) and bone mineral content(BMC) using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA). MF-BIA was performed in 35 patients, consisting of 21 men and 14 women with a mean age of 51.3 +/- 10.9 years, before and after one year of observation. At the baseline in male patients, ICF was 37.0 +/- 3.4%, ECF 19.7 +/- 1.6%, BPV 20.7 +/- 1.7%, BFV 18.1 +/- 6.6% and BMC 4.5 +/- 0.4% of body weight, and in female patients ICF was 34.4 +/- 2.6%, ECF 17.8 +/- 1.9% BPV 19.0 +/- 1.6%, BFV 24.4 +/- 6.2% and BMC 4.5 +/- 0.4% of body weight. In the group of patients whose body weight increased more than 3 kilograms(n = 9), the increase rate of BFV was 32.3 +/- 20.2%, significantly higher than that of the other segments(p < 0.001). On the other hand, in the group of patients whose body weight decreased more than 3 kilograms(n = 5), each segment showed the same extent of decrease and there was no significant difference in the decrease rates among each segment. In the group of patients whose body weight was stable(n = 21), changes in each body composition segment were extremely small. It could be concluded that the body weight increase is due mainly to increase in BFV and body weight decrease results from a concurrent decrease in each body composition segment in peritoneal dialysis patients.

[Therapeutic outcome of spasmodic torticollis]

We investigated 117 patients with spasmodic torticollis who had visited us to seek for appropriate treatment in these 14 years. They were 71 men and 46 women, aged 44 +/- 14 (mean +/- SD) years, and suffered from this disorder during 4 +/- 5 years, maximum 26 years. Involuntary abnormal head positions, not only torticollis but also laterocollis and antero- or retrocollis, were contained in this study. Most of them were torticollis due to idiopathic focal dystonia. One or more courses of alcoholization therapy was accomplished in 82 patients who wished to be done. This therapy course consisted of about ten times totally of 99% ethanol injection to the motor point of two most hypertonic neck muscles, either side of the sternocleidomastoideus and the opposite side of the splenius in most cases, repeated every 2 or 3 weeks. One patient received as many as 98 times of this injection and resolved completely. Training to reinforce antagonistic muscles was also instructed. Twenty-one patients (26%) were resolved completely after this treatment. Fifty-four patients (66%) were ameliorated and satisfied partially, but 18 of them relapsed in 1 to 4 years after the treatment and were obliged to repeat one more course of this treatment. On the other hand, in five patients their torticollis improved under certain drug therapy alone. Sixteen patients (14%) gave up to continue the treatment within two months, and 14 patients (12%) dropped out before starting the therapy. This alcoholization therapy resulted in amelioration of torticollis in about 90% of the patients with a long effective period. Nevertheless, this alcohol injection is painful, and requires 5 to 6 months to be completed. In 2 patients who had already received many times of this injection, sudden hoarseness occurred one day immediately after the alcohol injection to the sternocleidomastoideus. This complication was presumably brought about by the unexpected infiltration of alcohol to the laryngeal area, located posterior to that muscle. They recovered in two months, but careful attention should be paid to the adverse effects. If botulinum toxin be available also in our country, we will be able to have another choice of therapy and the treatment of this disorder will become easier.

[Serial change of TL/BMIPP dual SPECT myocardial scintigram in patients with acute myocardial infarction; meaning of chronic mismatch phenomenon]

This study was aimed to elucidate the serial changes and clinical significance of accumulation mismatch with TL and BMIPP dual SPECT myocardial scintigraphy during 6 months in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The dual SPECT scintigraphy was performed at one, three and six months after onset of AMI in 46 patients who underwent reperfusion therapy. Long axis fractional shortening in infarct-related area and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) were measured by left ventriculography performed immediately after reperfusion and at one, six months after onset of AMI. The patients were divided into two groups: those with mismatch (Group (+)) and those without (Group (-)) at one month after reperfusion. Group (+) was subdivided into three groups according to duration of persistence of mismatch; one month persistence (1 M), three months (3 M) and six months (6 M). Improvement of wall motion abnormality (WMA) in infarct-related area was seen at one month after reperfusion in group 1 M and group 3 M, while group 6 M showed no apparent change in WMA throughout the study period. LVEDI did not change at six months after reperfusion in group 1 M and 3 M, while significant increase was seen in group 6 M. It is concluded that the case with disappearance of mismatch between TL and BMIPP until three months after reperfusion indicates myocardial stunning while in the case with long-standing mismatch left ventricular remodeling is suggested.

[Comparative antimicrobial activity of RP 59,500 (quinupristin-dalfopristin), the first semisynthetic injectable streptgramin, against gram-positive cocci and other recent clinical pathogens]

RP 59,500 (Quinupristin-Dalfopristin) is the first semisynthetic injectable streptogramin antimicrobial agent, which is a combination of quinupristin and dalfopristin in a 30:70 ratio. The components of RP 59,500 act synergically to provide bactericidal activity through action at different sites on bacterial ribosomes. In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of RP 59,500 was compared with those of four macrolides (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin). Susceptibility testing was carried out by microdilution method on 303 strains of 10 species, especially antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive cocci. RP 59,500 was active against a wide range of Gram-positive cocci including methicillin-resistant Staphylococci and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. The MICs90 of RP 59,500 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis were both 0.25 microgram/ml, although those of four macrolides were higher than 32 micrograms/ml. The MICs90 of RP 59,500 against penicillin-sensitive, -intermediate and -resistant S. pneumoniae were all 0.5 microgram/ml, although those of four macrolides against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae were higher than 32 micrograms/ml. RP 59,500 also exhibited equivalent activities to the four macrolides against strains of Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcus agalactiae and Moraxella catarrhalis. RP 59,500 exhibited the highest activities against Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus avium strains which are intrinsically resistant to most antimicrobial agents. No cross-resistance was observed between RP 59,500 and the four macrolides, which will merit attention in future clinical trials of the agent. The effect of human serum on the MIC of RP 59,500 was studied with strains of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. faecalis. The presence of 20% (V/V) serum had little or no effect on the MIC, although 50% (V/V) serum increased MICs by 4-8 folds. Laboratory-induced resistance to RP 59,500 occurred in a stepwise fashion in broth cultures of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. facalis strains and the induction rate was slow and no more than four fold increases were observed. Population analysis was performed on RP 59,500 and the reference macrolides against S. aureus ATCC 25,923 strain. Although low frequencies (less than 0.01%) of resistant sub-population were detected with EM, CAM, AZM and RXM, no RP 59,500-resistant sub-population was detected in this study.

Symbolic Meanings of Computer-Generated Abstract Forms

In experiment 1, symbolic meanings of 32 computer-generated abstract figures were rated by 27 subjects (undergraduates) on eleven semantic differential scales. The stimuli were basically generated by sine waves on a circular line. Random fluctuation was added to half of the stimuli. The stimuli varied in five physical parameters: sine-wave frequency, amplitude, linearity, regularity, and the height/width ratio of the whole figure. A factor analysis on the results of ratings on the semantic differential scales revealed four factors: evaluation, activity, lightness, and sharpness, which correlated with the physical parameters of the stimulus forms as follows: evaluation with regularity ( r = 0.830), activity with frequency ( r = 0.806), lightness with regularity ( r = 0.631), and sharpness with linearity ( r = 0.782). In experiment 2, another group (54 subjects) had to match ten abstract words: happiness, anger, surprise, fear, anxiety, creativeness, destruction, time, eternity, and loneliness, with sixteen abstract forms [half of the stimuli from experiment 1, with constant height/width ratio (1.00)]. These abstract words were also rated by a third group of 26 subjects on the semantic differential scales. The results indicated that forms and words that were matched with each other were rated similarly on the semantic differential scales, and indicated the validity of the symbolic meanings of the forms measured in experiment 1.

The fastest actin-based motor protein from the green algae, Chara, and its distinct mode of interaction with actin

The endoplasmic streaming in Characean cells is an actin-dependent movement. The motor protein responsible for the streaming was partially purified and characterized. It was soluble at low ionic strength, an ATPase of a molecular mass of 225 kDa and activated more than 100 times by muscle F-actin. Surprisingly, in an in vitro motility assay, the motor protein moved muscle F-actin at 60 microns/s, which is similar to the velocity of streaming in a living cell and 10 times faster than muscle myosin. Proteolytic cleavage of actin impaired movement crucially on muscle myosin, but did not affect movement at all on the Chara motor protein, suggesting that the Chara motor protein would interact with actin via a set of sites different from those of muscle myosin.

Everninomicin, a new oligosaccharide antibiotic: its antimicrobial activity, post-antibiotic effect and synergistic bactericidal activity

Antimicrobial activity of everninomicin (SCH) 27899) in comparison with two glycopeptides (vancomycin, teicoplanin) and six beta-lactam agents was evaluated against recent clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria. Everninomicin showed the highest activity against the species tested and MICs90% of everninomicin against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Clostridium difficile were 0.1, 0.1, 0.2, 0.39, 0.1 microgram/ml, respectively. MICs90% of everninomicin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) were 0.78 microgram/ml. Laboratory induced resistance to everninomicin in strains of S. aureus and E. faecalis occurred in a stepwise manner and at a very slow rate. Post-antibiotic effect against strains of S. aureus and E. faecalis were 1.8 and 2.6 h, respectively, and a little longer than that of vancomycin. Adherence to glass surface of an MRSA strain was strongly repressed by the addition of sub MIC of everninomicin in combination with fosfomycin.

A morphometric analysis of the subcellular distribution of LH beta and FSH beta in secretory granules in the pituitary gonadotrophs of the frog (Rana japonica)

Immunohistochemical localization of lutropin beta (LH beta) and follitropin beta (FSH beta) in the pituitary gland of the frog Rana japonica was studied by the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase method and the two-face, double-labeling method with different-sized gold particles at the light- and electron-microscopic levels, respectively, using monoclonal antibodies against bullfrog LH beta and FSH beta. Light-microscopic immunohistochemistry indicated that approximately 66.0% of all the gonadotrophs in the pituitary contained both LH beta and FSH beta, whereas 33.4% of gonadotrophs contained only LH beta, and 0.6% contained only FSH beta. The staining intensity of LH beta and FSH beta varied from cell to cell. The gonadotrophs were classified into four types (Types I-IV) in terms of their ultrastructural and immunolabeling characteristics. Moreover, several secretory granule types were recognized according to differences in their shape and electron density. In all the cell types, both LH beta and FSH beta were often seen in the same secretory granules, but the proportion of granules bearing both hormones ranged from 5.5% in Type I to 32.7% in Type IV. Most secretory granules in Types I and II were immunolabeled with LH beta alone, whereas a small number of granules were immunolabeled with FSH beta alone. More immunolabeled FSH beta granules were present in Types III and IV than in Types I and II.

Tissue-targeting ability of saccharide-poly(L-lysine) conjugates

To evaluate the effect of introducing a saccharide moiety to poly(amino acids) on tissue distribution, several glycoconjugates of epsilon-(2-methoxyethoxyacetyl)-poly(L-lysine) of three molecular weights were synthesized using an octylene spacer between the sugar and polymer chain. Methoxyethoxyacetylation of the epsilon-amino group of the lysine unit in poly(L-lysine) was useful for avoiding nonspecific distribution to many tissues as the result of cationic charges. The tissue-targeting ability of each saccharide moiety was considered as the actual amount changed in each tissue caused by saccharide modification. Galactose terminated saccharides such as galactose, lactose and N-acetylgalactosamine accumulated exclusively in the liver, probably by the hepatic receptor. These conjugates could therefore be good carriers for a drug delivery system to the liver. On the other hand, the mannosyl and fucosyl conjugates were preferentially delivered to the reticuloendothelial systems such as those in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. In particular, fucosyl conjugates accumulated more in the bone marrow than in the spleen. Xylosyl conjugates accumulated mostly in the liver and lung. Generally, the accumulated amount in the target tissue increased with increasing molecular weight and an increased number of saccharides on one molecule of polymer.

17 alpha,20 alpha-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one is the naturally occurring spermiation-inducing hormone in the testis of a frog, Rana nigromaculata

Spermiation, the process in which vertebrate spermatozoa are detached from investing Sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule, is a prerequisite for the successful fertilization. Using an in vitro Rana nigromaculata spermiation bioassay, we have shown that gonadotropin initiates spermiation by inducing the synthesis of delta 4-steroids by testis fragments. Among all of the delta 4-steroid metabolites produced by R. nigromaculata testis fragments, spermiation-inducing activity was confined to only one metabolite; this metabolite was identified as 17 alpha,20 alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17 alpha,20 alpha-DP). Induction of spermiation by gonadotropin in vitro was accompanied by marked elevations in 17 alpha,20 alpha-DP concentrations in incubation media. These findings provide evidence that 17 alpha,20 alpha-DP is the nautrally occurring spermiation-inducing hormone in R. nigromaculata.

[Antimicrobial activity of clarithromycin and its effect on bacterial adherence to medical material]

Antimicrobial activity of clarithromycin (CAM) in comparison with other 6 macrolides was determined against 419 recent clinical isolates including Streptococci, Enterococci, Staphylococci, Moraxella, Haemophilus and Bacteroides strains. MICs80's of CAM against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae were 0.78, 0.10 and 0.10 microgram/ml, respectively. MICs80's against Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae were 0.05 and 1.56 micrograms/ml, respectively. Laboratory-induced resistance to CAM in strains of S. pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis or methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis occurred in stepwise fashion and at a very low rate. Adherence to silicon filter of strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or S. epidermidis was strongly repressed by the addition of sub-MIC of CAM or other macrolides. Although tosufloxacin (TFLX) alone had no bactericidal activity against the sessile cells of P. aeruginosa strains tested, TFLX showed synergistic bactericidal activity when combined with sub-MICs of CAM or erythromycin.

Seasonal changes in plasma concentrations of sex steroids in the salamander Hynobius nigrescens

Changes in plasma concentrations of androgens, estradiol-17 beta, and progesterone were examined throughout the year in Hynobius nigrescens. The highest mean concentration of androgens (312.7 ng/ml) was found in males in the process of spermiation and having just entered the breeding pond in early spring. Plasma estradiol-17 beta concentration was at its base level in females both before and after the animals had entered the pond. Plasma progesterone concentrations were low throughout the year except during the aquatic phase in March when females possessed some ova within the coelom and many ova in the oviducts and ovisacs after the completion of ovulation. During the terrestrial phase, or nonbreeding season, plasma concentrations of androgens and estradiol-17 beta were in approximate correspondence with the development of sex accessory structures. This is the first documentation of plasma concentrations of sex steroids in hynobiid salamanders.

Synthesis of omega-(methoxycarbonyl)alkyl and 9-(methoxycarbonyl)-3,6-dioxanonyl glycopyranosides for the preparation of carbohydrate-protein conjugates

omega-(Methoxycarbonyl)alkyl glycopyranosides of D-mannose having C4, C7, C9, C12, and C15 carbon chains, L-fucose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose having C7 and C9 carbon chains, D-xylose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-L-fucose having a C9 carbon chain, and 9-(methoxycarbonyl)-3,6-dioxanonyl glycopyranosides of D-mannose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose, and L-fucose were synthesized as intermediates for coupling to human serum albumin in order to examine the effect of chain length and hydrophobicity of the spacer arm on the binding specificity of lectins. 8-(Methoxycarbonyl)octyl glycosides of beta-D-Man-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-Man-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-ManNAc-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man, beta-D-GlcNAc-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man, and their 6-O-positional isomers, beta-D-Man-(1----6)-alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-Man-(1----6)-alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-ManNAc-(1----6)-alpha-D-Man, and beta-D-GlcNAc-(1----6)-alpha-D-Man, were also synthesized.

Tracheostomy--the horizontal tracheal incision

The complication rate after emergency tracheostomy is two to five times greater than after elective procedures. One of the main causes of the high risk of complications in emergency tracheostomy appears to be the amount of time required to open the trachea. Therefore, simple and fast procedures are mandatory. We have developed a new procedure as follows: A horizontal skin incision is performed. Strap muscles are dissected and retracted laterally. A transverse cut between tracheal rings below the thyroid isthmus is performed up to membranous portion of the trachea. The cut ends of the trachea remain open naturally because of the elasticity of the trachea. Skin and tracheal cut-ends are then joined by interrupted sutures. We have used this procedure during the past three years and have not experienced any major complications. This demonstrates the clear advantage and the more physiological nature of the procedure over various other incisions of the tracheal wall.

Gonadotropin-induced luminal formation in the seminiferous tubules and efferent ductules in young frogs: light and electron microscopic study

To clarify the mechanism of fluid secretion in the testes at the time of gonadotropin-induced spermiation, young Rana nigromaculata were used. As a morphological index of fluid secretion, luminal formation of the seminiferous tubules, and efferent ductules were observed. The following changes were seen by the administration of hCG or frog pituitary: first, the luminal formation of the seminiferous tubules was seen; next, tubular expansion became evident, and finally, luminal formation and expansion were observed in the efferent ductules. These changes were preceded by the separation of cell contact among Sertoli cells and of cell contact between Sertoli cells and the cells of efferent ductules only in the center and the swelling of Sertoli cells and cells of efferent ductules. With regard to the flow of fluid at the time of spermiation, the present results indicate the possibility that there is a difference in the ability for fluid secretion between Sertoli cells and the ductule cells.

Origin of somatic cells and histogenesis in the primordial gonad of the Japanese tree frog Rhacophorus arboreus

Gonadal development in Rhacophorus arboreus, a sexually semidifferentiated type of tree frog, was observed by means of the electron microscope, and cell proliferation kinetics were examined autoradiographically. The genital ridge consisted of coelomic epithelial cells and primordial germ cells. The gonadal medulla was formed by the segregation of epithelial cells within the primordial gonad. Thereafter, the medullary cell mass was well developed and oogenesis began in the gonadal cortex, irrespective of genetic sex. During metamorphosis, the ovarian cavity was formed in the medullary mass. This ovarian structure developed further in females. In males, on the other hand, a layer of medullary cells comprising the epithelium of the ovarian cavity proliferated rapidly and reformed a large cell mass. The degeneration of ovarian follicles and the formation of cell cords (rudimentary seminiferous tubules) were seen in the cortex. These cell cords were separated from the superficial epithelium and continued to the medullary mass (rudimentary testicular rete). These results clearly indicate that both the cortical and medullary cells are derived from the coelomic epithelium and that the development of the cortex and medulla is not always antagonistic in the course of sexual differentiation.

[Experimental study on the eye movements induced by the electrical stimulation of the cerebellar nucleus in the rabbit]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the induced eye movements by the cerebellar nuclei stimulation in the rabbits. Forty-five pigmented rabbits were used in this experiments. The cerebellar nuclei, especially medial nucleus, were stimulated electrically and the induced eye movements were observed. The results were as follows. 1. The horizontal nystagmus was produced by the electrical stimulation of the medial, anterior interposed, or posterior interposed nuclei. 2. The horizontal nystagmus towards the ipsilateral to the stimulated side was observed when the caudal portion of the medial nucleus was stimulated. On the other hand, the horizontal nystagmus towards the contralateral to the stimulated side was observed when the rostral portion of the medial nucleus was stimulated. 3. The latency of the field potential in the vestibular nucleus by stimulating the medial cerebellar nucleus, and that in the reverse situation, were 0.7 to 1.1 msec. 4. After the destruction of the lateral vestibular nucleus, no nystagmus was elicited by the stimulation of the medial cerebellar nucleus. From these results, it can be concluded that there is the monosynaptic connection between the medial cerebellar nucleus and the lateral vestibular nucleus. This indicates that the stimulation of the medial cerebellar nucleus produces the excitation of the vestibular nucleus via the cerebello-vestibular fibers and produces the nystagmus in the pigmented rabbits.

Sequential changes in urinary catecholamine in the transition from benign to malignant hypertension in rats

The sequential changes in 24-hour urinary norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) excretion levels were measured in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that received deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and 1% NaCl drinking water. These were compared with those from control SHR and similarly treated Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Blood pressure, NE and E increased progressively in DOCA-SHR group, and NE (2392 +/- 94 vs. 998 +/- 49 ng/day) and E (250 +/- 21 vs. 116 +/- 6 ng/day) exceeded twice that of the control SHR group in the sixth week of DOCA treatment. In WKY rats, NE (1372 +/- 48 vs. 968 +/- 37 ng/day) and E (147 +/- 9 vs. 121 +/- 7 ng/day) levels were significantly higher in rats given DOCA than those in control group in the sixth week of the treatment, but were not so remarkably high as in DOCA-SHR group. A histological examination of DOCA-SHR kidneys revealed fibrinoid necrosis in the vascular walls. These data suggest that sympathoadrenal activity plays an important role in the development of malignant hypertension in DOCA-SHR group.

Relation between serum levels of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and their immunohistochemical identification in benign and malignant gynecological disease

We studied immunohistochemical stains for TPA and CA125 in patients with benign and malignant gynecologic diseases. The results were as follows: (1) CA125 was not found in ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma but was demonstrated immunohistochemically in 82% of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinomas and 83% of Krukenberg's tumors. (2) TPA was demonstrated in 65% of ovarian serous and 75% of ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, and in 58% of endometrial carcinomas. (3) TPA was found in all trophoblastic tumors examined, while CA125 was found in none. Eighty-three percent of patients with trophoblastic diseases had raised serum TPA levels. (4) When serum CA125 levels were raised CA125 was demonstrated immunohistochemically in 71% of patients with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinomas, 67% of patients with Krukenberg's tumors and 100% of patients with tubal carcinomas. (5) Despite elevated serum levels, CA125 and TPA were not identified by immunohistochemistry in 64% cases of benign ovarian disease and in 80% of patients with uterine myomata. (6) It would seem that CA125 was more easily released from tumor cells than TPA.

Experiments with tissue cultures from a human ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma producing cancer antigen 125 (CA125), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

The patient was a 57-year-old woman with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma in FIGO clinical stage IV. Cancer antigen 125 (CA125), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were immunohistochemically demonstrated in tumor cells, and the variations of serum CA125 and TPA levels reflected the clinical course. The tumor tissue obtained at exploratory laparotomy was minced with scissors, and transplanted subcutaneously into female nude mice for in vivo maintenance. The tumor cells from 5th generation nude mice were dispersed in Eagle's minimal essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, and incubated in Falcon tissue culture dishes at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 in air for in vitro maintenance. The results were as follows: Histopathologically the tumor transplanted into nude mice showed a cystadenocarcinoma, which closely resembled the original human tumor. Immunohistochemically CA125, TPA and CEA were demonstrated in the tumor transplanted into nude mice as well as in the original human tumor. From the growth curve in nude mice, the doubling time was estimated to be about 3.5 days. Serum TPA levels in nude mice were increased in proportion to the tumor growth after transplantation, but serum levels CA125 and CEA were normal. The concentrations of CA125 and TPA were increased in the conditioned media compared with the control media, although the elevated values were decreased with subsequent passages. CEA concentrations in the conditioned media were unchanged.

Serum levels of six tumor markers in patients with benign and malignant gynecological disease

We studied the pretreatment serum levels of 6 tumor markers in gynecological patients with and without malignant disease. The tumor markers were carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), ferritin, Schwangerschaftsprotein 1 (SP1), Schwangerschaftsprotein 3 (SP3) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125). The results were as follows: (1) Serum CA125 and TPA levels were raised in 81% and 57% of patients with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma; CEA and SP3, in 52% and 43% respectively of patients with ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma; CA125, TPA and SP3, in 76%, 48% and 48% respectively of patients with other ovarian malignancies; and TPA and SP3, in 56% and 40% respectively of patients with endometrial carcinoma. (2) Serum levels of TPA, ferritin and CA125 were more often raised with advancing stages of malignant disease. (3) Serum TPA levels were elevated in 55% of patients with stage I endometrial carcinoma, and serum SP3 levels were elevated in 35% of patients with a stage I malignant ovarian neoplasm and in 45% of patients with endometrial carcinoma. (4) One of the 6 tumor markers showed a raised level in 84% of patients with gynecologic malignancy as against 56% in those with benign gynecologic diseases.

Diazepam and endorphin independently inhibit ultrasonic distress calls in rats

Ultrasonic distress calls elicited in male rats by footshock under inescapable conditions were suppressed by diazepam. The suppression was blocked by pretreatment with Ro15-1788 or CGS8216, selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonists, while an opiate antagonist naloxone failed to modify the effect of diazepam. In contrast, naloxone antagonized but Ro15-1788 and CGS8216 did not antagonize beta-endorphin which also suppressed the ultrasonic vocalization. These findings suggest that benzodiazepine and opioid receptors may contribute separately to antianxiety activity.

[A new in vitro chemosensitivity test. Individualized chemotherapy against ovarian cancer and its clinical effect]

A new in vitro chemosensitivity test was developed from comparative studies on the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs against human tumor tissues xenografted into nude mice and their cultivated cells in vitro. Half a gram of the material was sufficient to examine the sensitivity of the tissues to 10 kinds of potential anticancer drugs and the results were obtained within 24 hours. The test was applied to all of 20 patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The predictive accuracy was 58% in 12 evaluable patients. This response rate was higher than those of conventional combination chemotherapy with or without cisplatin and adriamycin. Individual ovarian cancers showed different sensitivities to the drugs. These results indicate that heterogeneity of sensitivity to anticancer drugs exists among individual ovarian cancers and that our new type of in vitro chemosensitivity test is useful for selecting the most effective drugs for each individual type of ovarian cancer.

Comparison of the intraperitoneal and intravenous routes of cisplatin administration in an advanced ovarian cancer model of the rat

A model of human advanced ovarian cancer was made by intra-abdominal inoculation of a cloned ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line of the Sprague-Dawley rat (ROT68/C1) into isologous newborn rats. Intra-abdominal tumors and tumors metastatic to the lung developed in 100% of the animals within 3 weeks after inoculation. With use of this model the intraperitoneal and intravenous routes of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) administration were compared with regard to both the pharmacokinetics and the antitumor activity. After 2 hours of administration the serum cisplatin values were greater following use of the intraperitoneal route than with use of the intravenous route. Cisplatin values in the intra-abdominal tumor tissues were greater after the intraperitoneal route of administration than the intravenous route, and the growth was suppressed more prominently after intraperitoneal administration. No difference in drug values in the kidney tissues was found between the two administration routes. Thus the intraperitoneal route of cisplatin administration seems to be much more effective against advanced ovarian cancer confined to intra-abdominal cavity than does the intravenous route.

Characterization of human embryonal carcinoma cell lines derived from testicular germ-cell tumors

Four human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines (ITO, NEC 8, NEC 14, NEC 15) derived independently from testicular germ-cell tumors were established in vitro. In their xenografted tumor tissues, all of them exhibited histological characteristics consistent with EC. The cell-biological characterization of these human EC cell lines was investigated with reference to well-known murine EC cell lines. This included examination of their morphology, growth, tumorigenic potential, karyotype, cell-aggregate formation, HLA expression, large glycopeptides, AFP and HCG production, plasminogen-activator secretion, and LDH profiles. Three (ITO, NEC 14, NEC 15) of these human EC cell lines shared cell-biological characteristics consistent with typical EC, but one of them (NEC 8) differed from the others with respect to its rapid growth, high tumorigenic potential, formation of solid cell aggregates, and less differentiated, solid histological pattern. Thus, it is suggested that there are several developmentally different types of human EC cells. The relationship between the properties of these human EC cell lines and their differentiation potential is discussed.

AFP-producing Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary

A tumor of the right ovary in a 21-year-old single woman is reported. Secondary amenorrhea, hirsutism, acne and deepening of the voice were associated with the tumor. Light and electron microscopic examinations showed that the tumor was composed of cells resembling Sertoli and Leydig cells of the testis in their cytology features and growth patterns. High levels of circulating dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were found preoperatively. Preoperative estrogen and progesterone levels were all slightly above the upper limits of normal for females. These hormone and AFP levels fell to within the normal range after removal of the tumor. Direct hormone and AFP production of this tumor was confirmed by immunohistochemical techniques and long-term cell cultures in vitro. This is possibly the first report on a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor in which AFP has been identified in the patient's plasma, in part of the tumor cells and the culture fluid.

[Effects of neonatal androgenization on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene-induced rat endometrial carcinogenesis]

Effects of neonatal androgenization on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced endometrial carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats are studied. Testosterone propionate (1.25 mg) was injected subcutaneously into 110 2-day-old rats. At 8 weeks of age, a pellet containing 0.2 or 1mg DMBA was introduced into each uterine horn of both neonatally intact control rat (NR) and neonatally androgenized rat (ASR). All rats were killed at 24 or 48 weeks of age. The results were as follows. Vehicle group: No malignant uterine tumor was observed during both 16- and 40-week observation periods in either 122 horns of NR or 98 of ASR. 0.2 mg DMBA treated group: No malignant uterine tumor was detected in either 80 NR or 72 ASR during a 16-week observation period. Although three malignant uterine tumors were found among 72 NR during a 40-week observation period, no malignant uterine tumor was observed in 30 ASR. 1mg DMBA treated group: Although one malignant uterine tumor of 16 NR was found during a 16-week observation period, no malignant uterine tumor was observed in 20 ASR. Four malignant uterine tumors of 168 NR induced by DMBA were histologically 2 squamous cell carcinomas and two sarcomas. As mentioned above, although four malignant uterine tumors were induced by DMBA in 168 NR, no malignant uterine tumor was found in 122 ASR. These results seem to indicate that neonatal androgenization suppressed the induction of malignant rat uterine tumors by DMBA.

[Pathological study of endometrial carcinogenesis in androgen-sterilized-rats]

As reported previously, squamous metaplasias, endometrial hyperplasias and cancers of the uterus occurred more frequently in androgen-sterilized-rats (ASR) than in normal rats (NR). This time we pathologically examined the endometrium of ASP in detail and obtained the following results: 1) In NR, aged from 70 to 750 days, no abnormal findings were found. In 61 ASR, aged more than 500 days, were found 8 simple endometrial hyperplasias, 2 atypical endometrial hyperplasias, 15 simple squamous metaplasias, 1 atypical squamous metaplasia, 2 adenocarcinomas, 1 adenosquamous carcinoma and 1 squamous carcinoma. 2) In ASR, proliferative and metaplastic changes coexisted in the endometrium. Two adenocarcinomas were accompanied by metaplasias and atypical hyperplasias, and one squamous carcinoma was accompanied by simple hyperplasias. 3) The endometrial carcinogenesis of ASR was thought to be as follows. In ASR, the endometrial epithelium loses its secretory function, becoming low columnar epithelium. A part of the non-secretory endometrium gains proliferative activity and progresses to metaplastic epithelium or to glandular hyperplasia. The former may develop to atypical metaplasia and squamous carcinoma, the latter to atypical hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Effect of cytochalasin B on growth, Multinucleation and human chorionic gonadotropin secretion in a human choriocarcinoma cell line

Treatment of human choriocarcinoma cells with cytochalasin B at the doses of inhibiting cell division but not inhibiting nuclear division led to in vitro formation of the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast-like ( STL ) cells. A concomitant increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion per cell was noted. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated the predominant localization of hCG in the STL cells. These results indicate that multinucleation stimulates hCG synthesis and secretion in the choriocarcinoma cells.