Sacral chordoma in early childhood: clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study

Two cases of sacral chordoma in a 7-year, 9-month-old boy and a 3-year, 4-month-old boy are presented. In addition to the typical histology of conventional chordoma, both tumors showed the less differentiated sarcomatoid appearance of atypical chordoma in the major portion. Immunohistochemically, in both cases neoplastic cells in areas of conventional as well as atypical chordoma were positive for keratins (CAM 5.2, AE1 and AE3), epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, S-100 protein, carcinoembryonic antigen, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Both patients underwent resection of the tumor and chemotherapy. In comparison with conventional chordomas in adults, however, these two tumors showed more aggressive clinical course and were less amenable to therapeutic control. The older boy died of multiple metastasis 1 year after initial diagnosis. At the last follow-up, 15 months after initial diagnosis, the younger boy was alive, but with recurrent and metastatic disease of the left parasacral area and chest wall. Our studies of these two cases and the reported cases suggest that sacral chordoma in children has distinctive clinicopathologic features denoting a highly aggressive tumor and that it should be treated as such.     

NASICON-based solid-electrolyte cell as transducer for enzyme sensors

Enzyme sensors for glucose and uric acid have been developed based on a solid-electrolyte cell using NASICON (Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂). These potentiometric devices respond reversibly to glucose and uric acid over a concentration range of two orders of magnitude with sensitivities of −54 and −52 mV/decade, respectively. The sensors can be used for a batch-type as well as a flow-through-type measuring system. Primarily the sensors respond to the H₂O₂ that is produced by the enzymatic reactions. The role of the three-phase region, electrolyte solution, sensing electrode metal and NASICON has been investigated. The liquid electrolyte/sensing electrode metal interface is found to work as a potential-determining as well as a rate-determining interface for the enzyme sensor.     

Least cost testing sequence problem with unknown rejecting probabilities

This paper discusses the least cost testing sequence problem. This problem has been considered under the assumption that costs and rejecting probabilities are completely known a priori.In this paper, a procedure for selecting the optimal testing sequence in the case that rejecting probabilities are unknown is proposed. Experimental results indicate that the optimal testing sequence can be selected by this procedure.     

Iodine-initiated,solid-state copolymerization of tetraoxane with 1,3-dioxolane in the presence of methylal. IV. Fractional dissolution of copolymer

A fractional dissolution on the oxymethylene copolymer obtained by the iodine-initiated, solid-state copolymerization of the tetraoxane–1,3-dioxolane-methylal system has been carried out using a mixed solvent which consists of tetrachloroethane, phenol, and cyclohexanol. On the fractional dissolution, the oxymethylene copolymer was divided mainly into two parts: one was the copolymer containing a larger amount of ethylene oxide unit in its main chain and having lower molecular weight; the other was copolymer containing a smaller amount of ethylene oxide unit and having a higher molecular weight. It was reasonably concluded that in this copolymerization system, the reaction proceeds from the surface to the center of the tetraoxane crystal to give a divided copolymer due to the heterogeneous properties such as copolymer composition and molecular weight.     

Dissolution Profiles of Ceftizoxime Suppository

The in vitro dissolution rates of ceftizoxime suppository were compared using a rotating dialysis cell method, a dialysis membrane method and the JP XI rotating basket method. Only small variations in the dissolution rates were found with the rotating dialysis cell method and the rotating basket method, while the dialysis membrane method indicated rather large variation than other methods. In the rotating basket method, it was observed that a part of suppository bases came out through the wire mesh of the basket and spread over the surface of the dissolution medium. In the case of dialysis membrane method, it seemed that the large variations in dissolution rate was depending on a skill of the apparatus used.

As to obtain a good results, a selection of the rotating dialysis cell method was important. In vitro dissolutions of Ceftizoxime(CZX) suppository by using the rotating dialysis cell method were very rapid and also consistent with the absorption characteristics reported previously by Motohiro after rectal dose in pediatric subjects.     

Modeling an international co-operative global complementary production system

This paper aims to design a production planning and control system to realize high productivity and low inventory in the international cooperative global complementary production system for mutual country's development.     

DNA transfer into vascular smooth muscle using fusigenic Sendai virus (HVJ)-liposomes

Manipulation of the genetic machinery of cells both in vitro and in vivo is becoming an ever more important means of elucidating pathways of molecular and cellular biochemistry. In addition, gene therapy has been proposed as a novel and potentially powerful treatment for both inherited and acquired diseases. Successful gene transfer and gene blockade generally depend on high efficiency delivery of exogenous DNA or RNA into living cells, and much effort has therefore been focused on the development of methods for achieving this delivery in a safe and effective manner. We describe here our application of fusigenic Sendai virus (HVJ)-liposome technology toward the effective delivery of DNA into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in cell culture. Cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) after transfection with HVJ-liposome complexes was characterized using fluorescent (FITC)-labeled ODN, and the biologic effect of HVJ-liposome mediated transfection was demonstrated via inhibition of DNA synthesis in cultured VSMC using antisense ODN against basic fibroblast growth factor.