Impact of avalanche type of transport on internal transport barrier formation in tokamak plasmas

In magnetic fusion plasmas, a transport barrier is essential to improve the plasma confinement. The key physics behind the formation of a transport barrier is the suppression of the micro-scale turbulent transport. On the other hand, long-range transport events, such as avalanches, has been recognized to play significant roles for global profile formations. In this study, we observed the impact of the avalanche-type of transport on the formation of a transport barrier for the first time. The avalanches are found to inhibit the formation of the internal transport barrier (ITB) observed in JT-60U tokamak. We found that (1) ITBs do not form in the presence of avalanches but form under the disappearance of avalanches, (2) the surface integral of avalanche-driven heat fluxe is comparable to the time rate change of stored energy retained at the ITB onset, (3) the mean E × B flow shear is accelerated via the ion temperature gradient that is not sustained under the existence of avalanches, and (4) after the ITB formation, avalanches are damped inside the ITB, while they remain outside the ITB.

Conceptual design of a collimator for the neutron emission profile monitor in JT-60SA using Monte Carlo simulations

Materials and structures of a collimator for a new neutron emission profile monitor in JT-60SA are examined through Monte Carlo simulations using the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code. First, the shielding properties of various material combinations are compared in order to determine a combination with high shielding performances against both neutrons and gamma-rays. It is found that a collimator consisting of borated polyethylene and lead has a high shielding performance against neutrons. Moreover, a high shielding performance against gamma-rays is obtained when a lead pipe with a radial thickness of 0.01 m is inserted into a collimation tube. Second, we demonstrate that it is possible to improve the spatial resolution to a desired level by installing a thin tubular extension structure that fits into the limited space available between the main collimator block and the tokamak device. Finally, the collimator structures that meet both the targeted spatial resolutions (<10% of the plasma minor radius) and the targeted counting rate (10⁵ cps order) are discussed.

Multi-point measurement using two-channel reflectometer with antenna switching for study of high-frequency fluctuations in GAMMA 10

A two-channel microwave reflectometer system with fast microwave antenna switching capability was developed and applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror device to study high-frequency small-amplitude fluctuations in a hot mirror plasma. The fast switching of the antennas is controlled using PIN diode switches, which offers the significant advantage of reducing the number of high-cost microwave components and digitizers with high bandwidths and large memory that are required to measure the spatiotemporal behavior of the high-frequency fluctuations. The use of two channels rather than one adds the important function of a simultaneous two-point measurement in either the radial direction or the direction of the antenna array to measure the phase profile of the fluctuations along with the normal amplitude profile. The density fluctuations measured using this system clearly showed the high-frequency coherent fluctuations that are associated with Alfvén-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves in GAMMA 10. A correlation analysis applied to simultaneously measured density fluctuations showed that the phase component that was included in a reflected microwave provided both high coherence and a clear phase difference for the AIC waves, while the amplitude component showed neither significant coherence nor clear phase difference. The axial phase differences of the AIC waves measured inside the hot plasma confirmed the formation of a standing wave structure. The axial variation of the radial profiles was evaluated and a clear difference was found among the AIC waves for the first time, which would be a key to clarify the unknown boundary conditions of the AIC waves.

Thioredoxin induction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in mice in response to a single bout of swimming exercise

Thioredoxin (TRX) is a stress-inducible protein with diverse intracellular functions, which is expressed under conditions of oxidative stress. Exercise is known to cause oxidative stress by the generation of oxygen radicals from various biological pathways. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of TRX induction of cellular extracts prepared from peripheral blood mononuclear cells after a 30-min swimming exercise in mice. Plasma corticosterone concentration, considered to be a marker for exercise-induced various stress, rose significantly (p < 0.05) 0.5 h after exercise and rapidly dropped down following recovery. The carbonyl proteins as a marker of oxidative stress were significantly (p < 0.05) higher after 6 and 12 h of recovery in cytosolic extracts. The cytoplasm and nucleus TRX expressions were slightly higher to resting values after 12 and 24 h of recovery. The nucleus TRX expression was significantly (p < 0.05) higher after 24 h of recovery. These findings demonstrate that exercise-induced oxidative stress may be associated with increased intracellular TRX expression after 12 and/or 24 h after exercise in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It is implied that this delayed and prolonged over-expression of TRX may play some roles in response to exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Osteosarcoma as a second malignancy after treatment for neuroblastoma

A 4-month old girl was diagnosed as having stage IV neuroblastoma of the right adrenal gland. Preoperative chemotherapy was given, followed by local surgical excision. Postoperatively, irradiation of the tumor bed and adjuvant chemotherapy was given for 11 months. Nine years after cessation of chemotherapy, the patient developed left hip-joint pain. Biopsy of the ischium showed chondroblastic osteosarcoma. Limb salvage surgery was performed after preoperative chemotherapy. Postoperatively, adjuvant chemotherapy was given for 14 months. Twenty-two months after treatment for the secondary osteosarcoma, the patient has been remained in disease-free condition without any evidence of relapse. A second osteosarcoma occurring outside the radiation field after treatment for neuroblastoma is quite rare. This unusual case emphasized the need for close monitoring for development of second malignant neoplasms in survivors of neuroblastoma even in the absence of a known predisposing factor, such as radiation therapy.

Identification of a receptor type guanylyl cyclase in the antennal lobe and antennal sensory neurons of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori

Sensory neuron-specific guanylyl cyclases (GC), which were recently identified in rodents and nematodes, are thought to be a new family of odorant/pheromone receptors. In the antennae of the male silkmoth Bombyx mori, receptor type GC are supposed to mediate signaling of pheromone. Structure of receptor type GC expressed in insect sensory neurons has remained unidentified. Here we report the isolation of cDNA of the receptor type GC, designated BmGC-I, from the male silkmoth antennae. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that BmGC-I appears to consist of four domains: an extracellular, single transmembrane, kinase-like and a guanylyl cyclase domain. BmGC-I is most closely related to the mammalian natriuretic peptide hormone receptor A (GC-A) and retains all the cysteine residues that are conserved within the extracellular domain of the mammalian GC-As. Transcripts of the BmGC-I gene were detected in various tissues; the flight muscles, midgut, legs, ganglion, Malpighian tubules, testis and the head. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the BmGC-I protein localizes in the antennal-lobe glomerulus and in the soma and axon of sensory neurons. We thus suggest that BmGC-I plays functional roles in the odorant information processing and the modulation of excitability in the antennal sensory neurons.

Recombinant human erythropoietin therapy for autologous blood donation in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on autologous blood donation was investigated in 73 rheumatoid arthritis patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty. Autologous blood donation of 400 mL was successful with recombinant human erythropoietin (12,000 U per week), and no homologous blood was required. The mean period of blood collection was 33.8 days. Mean hemoglobin levels were 9.7 g/dL before treatment, 10.7 g/dL before surgery, and 10.2 g/dL after surgery. This study confirmed recombinant human erythropoietin is effective for enabling preoperative blood donation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

New route to alpha-adducts of homoallylic alcohols by an acid-catalyzed stereospecific allyl-transfer reaction from gamma-adducts

Allylation of aldehydes by an allyl-transfer reaction from the gamma-adducts of homoallylic alcohols has been successfully carried out to give the corresponding alpha-adducts regiospecifically. The reaction proceeds via a hemiacetal (11), derived from an aldehyde and the homoallylic alcohol, followed by a six-membered cyclic transition state (2-oxonia[3.3]-sigmatropic rearrangement) in the presence of a Lewis acid. Moreover, the gamma-adducts are restructured into the corresponding alpha-adducts via a similar transition state by an acid catalyst, in which chirality in both anti- and syn-gamma-adducts is stereospecifically transferred to the corresponding E- and Z-alpha-adducts, respectively, with > 98% ee.

Effect of a single bout of exercise and beta-carotene supplementation on the urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in humans

We investigated the effects of acute exhaustive exercise and beta-carotene supplementation on urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion in healthy nonsmoking men. Fourteen untrained male (19-22 years old) volunteers participated in a double blind design. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the beta-carotene or placebo supplement group. Eight subjects were given 30 mg of beta-carotene per day for 1 month, while six subjects were given a placebo for the same period. All subjects performed incremental exercise to exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer both before and after the 1-month beta-carotene supplementation period. The blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations significantly increased immediately after exercise in both groups. The baseline plasma beta-carotene concentration was significantly 17-fold higher after beta-carotene supplementation. The plasma beta-carotene decreased immediately after both trials of exercise, suggesting that beta-carotene may contribute to the protection of the increasing oxidative stress during exercise. Both plasma hypoxanthine and xanthine increased immediately after exercise before and after supplementation. This thus suggests that both trials of exercise might enhance the oxidative stress. The 24-h urinary excretion of 8-OHdG was unchanged for 3 days after exercise before and after supplementation in both groups. However, the baseline urinary excretion of 8-OHdG before exercise tended to be lower after beta-carotene supplementation. These results thus suggest that a single bout of incremental exercise does not induce the oxidative DNA damage, while beta-carotene supplementation may attenuate it.

No influence of a single bout of exercise on urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in humans

We investigated the effect of a single bout of intensive exercise on the excretion of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in the 24 h urine from healthy non-smokers. We studied three exercise tests in Experiment 1; which consisted of incremental exercise to exhaustion on a treadmill in eleven male long distance runners. Experiment 2; which comprised incremental exercise until reaching exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer in six male untrained subjects. Experiment 3; which consisted of a 20 km run by eleven male long distance runners. No differences in the urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine excretion were observed from days 1 to 3 after each respective exercise regimen. However, significant increases in the plasma creatine kinase activity were observed at 24 h or 48 h after exercise, except for Experiment 2. Our results thus suggest that the oxidative stress during a single bout of intensive exercise does not result in an accumulation of oxidative DNA damage.

Effect of repeated exercise on urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine excretion in humans

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated exercise on oxidative damage to DNA in 10 well trained long distance runners who participated in an 8-day training camp. The average running distance during the camp was 30 +/- 3 km/day. The amount of urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion was used to estimate the oxidative DNA damage. Urine samples were collected for both a 3-day control period as well as throughout the camp. Blood samples were drawn after overnight fasting both before and after the camp. Urinary 8-OHdG excretion was significantly increased during the camp compared to the control period (265.7 +/- 75.5 vs. 335.6 +/- 107.4 pmol/kg/day, P < 0.05). The content of 8-OHdG in the lymphocyte DNA on the day after finishing the camp did not differ from that before the camp. Plasma TBARS, LDH, CK, CK-MB, and myoglobin significantly rose after the camp (P < 0.05). The plasma beta-carotene levels tended to rise after the camp, while the plasma alpha-tocopherol levels increased significantly after the camp (P < 0.05). These results indicate that repeated exercise augments oxidative stress and the DNA is also injured by exercise-induced reactive oxygen species. However, the oxidative damage to DNA is not accumulated by consecutive exercise, although it is sustained as long as the exercise is repeated.

Effect of endurance exercise on the tissue 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine content in dogs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance exercise on both the tissue and lymphocyte 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content. Six dogs ran on a treadmill for 7 hours. Another six dogs were assigned to a sedentary control group. The exercised dogs were sacrificed immediately after exercise and the counterpart of the sedentary group was also sacrificed at the same time. The brain, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, jejunum, colon, diaphragm, heart, splenius muscle, and the medial and lateral portion of gastrocnemius muscle samples were then collected. Lymphocytes were sampled before and after exercise in the exercised dogs. The 8-OHdG content of lymphocyte DNA was found to significantly decrease after exercise (0.57 +/- 0.19 vs 0.33 +/- 0.10/deoxyguanosine (dG) x 10(5), P < 0.05). The colon was the only tissue which showed a significant decrease in the content (0.83 +/- 0.24 vs 0.54 +/- 0.15/dG x 10(5), P < 0.05). No tissue except for the colon showed any significant changes after exercise. These results therefore indicate that, immediately after endurance exercise, an augmented repair mechanism might thus play a role in the decrease of 8-OHdG in the lymphocytes and the colon, while the 8-OHdG generation might be counterbalanced by its repair in other tissues.

Mycobacteria and glutaraldehyde: is high-level disinfection of endoscopes possible?

BACKGROUND

High-level disinfection of endoscopes has traditionally been undertaken by manual or automatic scope cleaning plus a 10 to 20 minute soak in 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde. Mycobacteria species are less sensitive to glutaraldehyde, and a 45-minute instrument soak has recently been recommended by the manufacturer. Because of concerns over endoscope damage, need for more endoscopes, and perception that the current cleaning method is adequate, we prospectively studied mycobacteria-contaminated endoscopes at various stages of the cleaning process.

METHODS

All work was done under a laminar flow hood in a microbiology laboratory. Five gastrointestinal scopes were contaminated with 10(8) colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) of Mycobacterium chelonei, an atypical mycobacterium similar in chemical resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis but with less infectious potential. Cultures of the sheath, biopsy channel, and elevator channel were taken at baseline, after manual cleaning, and after 10, 20, and 45 minutes to glutaraldehyde soak both before and after alcohol rinse.

RESULTS

Manual cleaning resulted in a mean of 4.7 log10 reduction in viable mycobacterial colonies. Qualitative studies of the external endoscope surface as well as the air-water valve showed no detectable organisms after a 10-minute exposure to alkaline glutaraldehyde. Conventional quantitative culture techniques of the channels demonstrated one endoscope out of five with consistent growth after a 10-minute exposure to glutaraldehyde. Following alcohol treatment, there was no significant colony growth. In contrast, a quantitative membrane filter system showed the presence of at least one mycobacterial colony in four out of five scopes after a 45-minute glutaraldehyde exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional studies utilizing a standardized mycobacterial species, inoculum size, and suspension characteristics are recommended to delineate adequate duration of disinfectant exposure time.

[Comparison of long-term clinical results of the three models of the Björk-Shiley valve prosthesis and the Omnicarbon valve prosthesis]

A multi-institutional cooperative study, that was a comparison of long-term results of the replacement of the four models of the oblique disc valve prosthesis which had been implanted on aortic and mitral position alone or double from December 1976 to September 1992 in the eight national hospitals in Japan was performed. Seven hundred and thirty-four patients and 765 prostheses that consisted of 582 patients and 610 prostheses of the Björk-Shiley (BS) valve, including 326 patients of the Spherical disc (SP) valve (49 aortic, 259 mitral, and 18 double aortic-mitral), 103 patients of the Convexoconcave disc (CC) valve (45, 51, 7) and 153 patients of the Monostrut (MS) valve (101, 49, 3), and of 152 patients (71, 78, 3) and 155 prostheses of the Omnicarbon (OC) valve were compared with their mortality and morbidity in every valve position respectively according to the approval by STS-guideline. The MS valve and the OC valve showed 0% to 11.3% of operative mortality, 0.3%/py to 1.8%/py of valve related mortality, 85.5% +/- 5.6% to 98.4% +/- 1.6% of actuarial survival rate at 10 years, and 58.5% +/- 6.4% to 82.7% +/- 5.7% of actuarial free rate of all mortality and morbidity at 10 years in every valve position. Structural deteriorations occurred in two patients of the CC valve in the mitral position only, and its rate of all valve positions showed 0.04%/py. Significant differences were seen in actuarial survival rate at 10 years after aortic valve replacement, and in operative mortality rate, improved degree of NYHA class, structural deterioration rate and actuarial free rate of all mortality and morbidity after mitral valve replacement between the group of the MS and OC valve and the group of the SP and CC valve. Therefore the MS valve or the OC valve should be selected to implant rather than the SP valve or the CC valve, and the patient who had been implanted with the CC valve should be treated considering valve position, valve position, valve size, age and activity of the patient and the manufactured date of the prosthesis.

The expression of adhesion molecules, including CD11a and CD11b, on the human T lymphocyte surface membrane in patients with bronchial asthma

The beta-2 integrin consists of lymphocyte function-antigen-1 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18) which binds to the major ligand intracellular adhesion molecules 1 and 2 (ICAM-1 and ICAM-2), Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18, ligand iC3b) and p150,95 (CD11c/CD18, ligand iC3b). These molecules function not only as adhesion molecules but as signal transduction agents. To investigate the expression of an integrin family in asthma, lymphocyte subsets were assessed using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells obtained from asthma patients. The relationship between the integrins and lymphocyte subpopulations and their activation state in the BALF was analyzed using two-color flow cytometry in 15 subjects with asthma and in 13 control subjects with chronic bronchitis. The absolute number of CD11a+CD4+ lymphocytes was significantly greater in the asthmatics than in the nonsmoking subjects with chronic bronchitis. In the asthmatics, the expression of the CD11a+CD4+ lymphocytes was significantly higher than the expression of CD11a+CD8+ lymphocytes. The CD2+ lymphocytes had a significant positive regression with the CD11a+CD4+ lymphocytes in the asthmatics. These findings indicate that the CD11a+ antigen is mainly located on the CD4+ lymphocytes in asthmatics, and that the subset of CD11a lymphocytes with the CD4+ antigen increases as the absolute number of T lymphocytes increases. Analysis of BALF revealed the representation of integrins for the ongoing bronchial transfer of information, and may provide an approach to obtain evidence about the inflammatory processes on the surface of the bronchioles in asthma.

Clinical variability of congenital myopathy with type 1 fiber atrophy: a long-term observation of three cases

The variable clinical courses of three cases of congenital fiber type disproportion (CFTD) over a period of 10 years are presented. All showed improvement in early childhood, but subsequently, varying degrees of deterioration were noted: specifically, marked deterioration in case 2 and decreased muscle strength in case 3. Maximal motor function levels were attained differently among the cases. Histological findings included type 1 fiber hypotrophy and increased internal nuclei in common in all cases. Fine structural changes, such as patchy areas of myofibrillar degeneration, were noted in cases 1 and 2 (second biopsy), and cytoplasmic bodies were seen in case 2 (second biopsy). Myotubes were noted in case 3. The degree of cyto-architectural changes did not correlate with clinical severity. The heterogeneity of CFTD is also discussed.

Development of the pharynx in normal and malformed fetuses

We studied the development of the pharynx in human embryos and fetuses. Embryos and fetuses from 4.5 mm crown-rump length (CRL) to 40 mm CRL were processed for microscopic examination. Normal fetuses from 32 mm CRL to 250 mm CRL and fetuses with malformations of the central nervous system (CNS) were cut sagittally through the midline and their pharyngeal regions were examined macroscopically. Our observations suggested that, at an early embryonic stage, the notochord and basicranium might play important roles in the formation of the human pharynx. At a later stage, the growth of the maxillomandibular portion also appears to be important in the formation of the pharynx. The finding of malformation of the pharynx in fetuses with maldevelopment of the CNS suggests that the brain may play an important role in the formation of the pharynx.

The human cot proto-oncogene encodes two protein serine/threonine kinases with different transforming activities by alternative initiation of translation

The cot gene is an oncogene encoding serine/threonine kinases isolated by DNA transfection assay. In this study, we isolated cDNA for the human cot protooncogene (proto-cot gene) and examined the structure and function of its gene products. The proto-cot gene has an open reading frame encoding 467 amino acids of which the first 397 amino acids are identical to those in the corresponding part of the cot gene. The protein products of the proto-cot gene were identified as 58- and 52-kDa proteins with intrinsic protein serine/threonine kinase activity. These two protein species were suggested to be generated by alternative initiation from two AUGs. The 58- and 52-kDa proteins are both localized predominantly in the cytosol, but the 58-kDa protein has a shorter half-life than the 52-kDa protein, suggesting the importance of the amino-terminal domain in regulating the stability of the proto-Cot protein. More interestingly, the 58-kDa protein showed stronger transforming activity than the 52-kDa protein, although this activity was much weaker than that of the Cot oncoprotein. Thus, the amino-terminal domain of the Cot protein may be necessary for cellular transformation, whereas the carboxyl-terminal domain may negatively regulate the transforming activity.

Suspension organ culture of the fetal mouse ear

To observe the development of the fetal ear, we grew the explanted ears of mouse fetuses 13 days old in suspension organ culture on a roller device for 48 hours. We used the BGJb-medium (Fitton-Jackson Modification) supplemented by 25% fetal bovine serum, and added a solution containing penicillin-streptomycin at the rate of 1% to the total volume. It was observed histologically that some explants developed ossicles that corresponded with those of mouse fetuses 15 days old in vivo. Sensory structures in the inner ear developed in organ culture as well. This method may help to resolve the question of ontogenesis of the ossicles.

Phosphorylation of the anti-oncogene products and control of the cell cycle

To investigate the function of the RB protein, we have studied cellular RB binding proteins and protein kinases responsible for phosphorylation of the RB protein. (1) We purified a cellular RB-associated protein p56 which competes with SV40 large T antigen for binding to the RB protein. (2) In another experiment, we screened expression libraries of U937 monocytic leukemia cell line by West-Western method and obtained two cDNA clones that encode RB binding proteins. (3) The RB protein was found to be phosphorylated by cdk2 and MAP kinase in vitro. Most of the sites phosphorylated in vitro are the same as those phosphorylated in vivo and the time course of activation of cdk2 in the cell cycle were similar to that of phosphorylation of the RB protein.

Phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein by cdk2

The retinoblastoma gene product (the RB protein) is phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner and this modification is believed to be important for cells to progress through the cell cycle. We found that purified cdk2 (cyclin-dependent kinase/cell division kinase 2) can phosphorylate the RB protein in vitro at the sites phosphorylated in the cell. The timing of activation of cdk2 in the cell cycle was similar to that of the onset of phosphorylation of the RB protein. The kinase coprecipitated with the RB protein also exhibited a similar substrate specificity to cdk2 and a similar time course of activation during the cell cycle. We further showed that cdk2 formed a complex with the RB protein in vitro and that its formation was not competitively inhibited by the simian virus 40 large T antigen. These observations suggest that cdk2 or a cdk2-related protein is involved in the cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of the RB protein.

Physiologic status at 1-year follow-up of obese women engaged in a supervised conditioning program

A follow-up study was conducted to re-evaluate a group of obese middle-aged women (n = 13), eight of whom had completed an 18-wk supervised (3 d/wk) plus unsupervised (2 d/wk) conditioning intervention program (at least 90 min per day) as the exercise plus diet group; while five of the remainder served as the control group. Each session had included a 25- to 45-min jog/run at intensities between the heart rate (HR) corresponding to lactate threshold (LT) and that slightly above the HR @ LT. During 1 year following the program, the women participated in self-controlled training such as running, aerobic dancing, or jazz dancing 2.6 +/- 1.1 d/wk. Dietary intake averaged approximately 1736 +/- 152 kcal/d at the pre-treatment, 1404 +/- 124 kcal/d at the post-treatment, and 1645 +/- 147 kcal/d 1 year after the post-treatment. Interestingly however, oxygen uptake corresponding to LT (VO2 @ LT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), weight, systolic blood pressure, and the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol (HDLC/TC) observed 1 year after the post-treatment were significantly different from the original pre-treatment and/or mid-treatment values. For instance, the significant 42% increase (14.7 +/- 2.4----21.3 +/- 4.2 ml/kg/min) in VO2 @ LT and 18% increase (0.284 +/- 0.106----0.335 +/- 0.093) in HDLC/TC from the pre-test to post-test were maintained throughout the 1-year follow-up period, suggesting no detrimental effect either on a cardiorespiratory fitness factor or on an anti-atherogenic factor. These findings indicate that physiologic status of obese middle-aged women engaged in a conditioning intervention program may not regress to pre-treatment status for at least one year after completion; provided they continue to participate in a 2.6-d/wk self-controlled training program with dietary intake of 1600-1700 kcal/d. Another interesting finding was that significant relationships existed between individual changes (delta) in training frequency and individual changes (delta) in physiologic variables (i.e., delta VO2max, delta VO2 @ LT, delta WT, delta fat, and delta HDLC/TC) during the follow-up study. It is concluded that, although the improved physiologic status of obese women can be maintained fairly well during 1 year following the conditioning program; continuation of training (3 d/wk or more) should be critical, either supervised or self-controlled, for successful maintenance of lost weight (8.2 +/- 2.9 kg) and improved fitness.

Fukuyama type congenital progressive muscular dystrophy

Clincopathological features of Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), a combination of brain malformation and muscular dystrophy with facial muscle and CNS involvement and high prevalence in Japan, are reviewed. Evidence of progressive dystrophy, negative correlations between muscle enzyme levels and age and CT numbers of muscle and age, are presented. Skeletal muscle histopathology is reviewed. Febrile illness-induced transient exacerbation of muscle weakness is reported. Characteristic brain malformations, e.g. micropolygyria, other dysgenesis, are reviewed. Their severity correlated with maximal mental and motor function. The etiology and significance of low density areas (LDA) in white matter on CT, possibly reflecting delayed or abnormal myelination, and ventricular dilatation are discussed. Spontaneous LDA improvement makes hydrocephaly unlikely. Ophthalmological differential diagnosis from Santavouri disease and Walker-Warburg syndrome, characterized by visual disturbance/glaucoma and microphthalmia/anterior chamber defects, respectively, is discussed. A single defective gene, manifesting as a metabolic error, may produce CNS and ocular defects as well as muscle degeneration in FCMD.

T-lymphocyte subsets in human non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II) studied by two-color flow cytometry

We report the immunological characteristics of human peripheral T lymphocytes and behavior of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes in Type II diabetes mellitus, investigated two-color flow cytometry. The subsets of Leu11+Leu7+, Leu11-Leu7+ and Leu7+Leu2+ were decreased significantly in peripheral Natural Killer cells. After PHA stimulation the T-cell subsets demonstrated a decrease in the inducer subset and in the cytotoxic subset. The helper cell subset showed a negative regression with HbA1. The cytotoxic cell subset showed a positive regression with HbA1 and also FBS. The CD4/CD8 ratio, and the IL2+Leu2+ subset, showed a negative regressions with HbA1, and the diabetic duration, respectively. Thus, these results are a further demonstration of changes in lymphocytes in NIDDM.

Bone allografts after segmental resection of tumours

Massive cryo-preserved bone allografts were implanted in 17 patients after segmental resection, 10 for malignant and 7 for benign bone tumours. A segmental graft alone was used in 6 cases, a bone graft with an arthrodesis in 8, and a combination of graft and prosthesis in 1. The tumours were resected widely; the average length of graft was 6.4 cm in benign tumours and 11 cm in malignant tumours. Chemotherapy was given for one year after operation. There were 2 local recurrences, one severe infection, sloughing of the wound in 2, graft absorption in 3 and breakage of metal in 2. Follow up was from 14 months to 12 years. Bone healing was assessed by radiography in 13 cases. All grafted bone in patients receiving chemotherapy failed to heal primarily, as did 3 of the grafts for benign tumours. Secondary rigid fixation and an additional autogenous graft resulted in healing of the bone junction within a year.

Immunogold Localization of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase with Reference to Pyrenoid Morphology in Chloroplasts of Synchronized Euglena gracilis Cells

Euglena gracilis strain (Z) cells were synchronized under photoautotrophic conditions using a 14 hour light:10 hour dark regimen. The cells grew during the light period (growth phase) and divided during the following 10 hour period either in the dark or in the light (division phase). Changes in morphology of the pyrenoid and in the distribution of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) within the chloroplasts were followed by immunoelectron microscopy during the growth and division phases of Euglena cells. Epon-embedded sections were labeled with an antibody to the holoenzyme followed by protein A-gold. The immunoreactive proteins were concentrated in the pyrenoid, and less densely distributed in the stroma during the growth phase. During the division phase, the pyrenoid could not be detected and the gold particles were dispersed throughout the stroma. Toward the end of the division phase, the pyrenoid began to form in the center of a chloroplast, and the immunoreactive proteins started to concentrate over that rudimentary pyrenoid. During the growth phase, small areas rich in gold particles, called ;satellite pyrenoid,' were observed, in addition to the main pyrenoid. From a comparison of photosynthetic CO(2)-fixation with the total carboxylase activity of Rubisco extracted from Euglena cells in the growth phase, it is suggested that the carboxylase in the pyrenoid functions in CO(2)-fixation in photosynthesis.

[Skeletal muscle CT scan and ultrasound imaging in two siblings with central core disease]

The computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) imaging studies were performed on skeletal muscles of two siblings (5-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl) with central core disease. The appearance of low-density areas in muscles was remarkable at the levels of the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3), the midthigh and the thickest part of legs. The muscles at the levels of L3 and thigh were more severely affected than those of legs. Especially, paravertebral muscles, m. vastus, m. sartorius, m. gracilis tended to be more severely affected. The muscles of the legs except m. soleus were well preserved. US imaging of the thigh revealed a marked increase of echogenicity of rectus muscle as well as opaque, indistinct changes of fascia and bone. In contrast, the CT finding of the rectus muscle was relatively well preserved.

Tocopheroxyl radical persistence and tocopherol consumption in liposomes and in vitamin E-enriched rat liver mitochondria and microsomes

Substantial loading of rat liver mitochondrial and microsomal membranes with D-alpha-tocopherol was achieved by dietary supplementation with no adverse effects of this loading being apparent, e.g. on treadmill exercise endurance. The tocopheroxyl radical was readily detected by ESR in the enriched microsomes and mitochondria. Continuous enzymatic oxidation with horseradish peroxidase and a hydrophilic phenol, to favor selective oxidation of tocopherol without the involvement of lipid peroxidation, allowed the tocopheroxyl radical to be observed for up to 1 h in liposomes of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine and for about 15 min in the subcellular membranes. Total alpha-tocopherol decreased throughout this period, but a significant residual fraction remained after all the ESR signal of tocopheroxyl had disappeared. Decay kinetics of the tocopheroxyl radical ESR signal produced by a burst of intense UV irradiation consisted of a rapid initial phase and a slower exponential decay. A more narrow and more persistent ESR signal, not yet chemically identified, was observed after the tocopheroxyl radical had disappeared under prolonged oxidation. Ascorbic acid prevented formation of the tocopheroxyl radical until the ascorbyl radical ESR signal had decayed, whereas uric acid, up to saturating concentration in phosphate buffer, had no effect.

Exercise-induced lipid peroxidation and leakage of enzymes before and after vitamin E supplementation

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on serum levels of malondialdehyde following the acute exhaustive exercise in human, and to determine whether the magnitude of leakage of enzyme would be affected by vitamin E supplementation. 2. Increase of malondialdehyde after exercise before vitamin E supplementation was slight (but statistically significant), however after supplementation with vitamin E, malondialdehyde level after exercise was significantly decreased. 3. Leakage of enzyme was significantly increased after exercise before vitamin E supplementation, but it was lower following exercise after vitamin E supplementation. 4. Lipid peroxidation following a bout of acute heavy exercise can be inhibited by vitamin E supplementation.

A case of interstitial pneumonia antedating rheumatoid arthritis

We describe a case report of an interstitial pneumonia in which pulmonary involvement of the both lower lobes mimicked idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) or bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). Its appearance antedated clinically apparent rheumatoid arthritis by one month and a half.