Profile of rhBMP-2 release from collagen minipellet and induction of ectopic bone formation

For a cylindrical controlled-release formulation using collagen as a carrier, called the minipellet (MP), which contains rhBMP-2, the relationship between the diameter of MPs and rhBMP-2 release profiles was investigated, and its effect in inducing bone formation was evaluated. Samples with three different diameters were tested for each of the following formulations: MP without additives, MP with 10% (w/w) glutamic acid (Glu) and 20% (w/w) alanine (Ala), and MP with 20% (w/w) Glu and 20% (w/w) Ala. The results of the in vitro release test and the amount of rhBMP-2 remaining in the MPs after subcutaneous implantation into mice were compared among different samples. It was found that the addition of Glu accelerated release of rhBMP-2 effectively. Release was accelerated as the diameter of MP became smaller and the amount of Glu added increased. The amount of calcium formed in 3 weeks after subcutaneous implantation into mice was dose-dependent. The amount of calcium formed per unit rhBMP-2 dose tended to increase as the diameter of MP became smaller and the amount of Glu added became greater; calcification was thus associated with release rate. These results indicate that MPs with smaller diameters induce bone formation more efficiently. For use in the treatment of fracture, etc., MP is considered to be a suitable dosage form, which can be administered noninvasively.     

A low-power four-transistor SRAM cell with a stacked vertical poly-silicon PMOS and a dual-word-voltage scheme

To realize high-density SRAMs, we developed a four-transistor SRAM cell with a newly developed stacked vertical poly-silicon PMOS. The vertical poly-silicon PMOS has a gate surrounding a body that forms a channel and yields a drive current of 20 /spl mu/A at 25/spl deg/C. Vertical poly-silicon PMOSs are used as transfer MOSs and are stacked over the bulk NMOSs, used as driver MOSs, to reduce the size of a four-transistor SRAM cell. As a result, the size of the proposed four-transistor SRAM cell was 38% of that of a six-transistor SRAM cell. We also developed an electric-field-relaxation scheme to reduce cell leakage and a dual-word-voltage scheme to improve cell stability. By applying these two schemes to the proposed four-transistor SRAM cell, we achieved a 90% reduction in cell leakage and an improvement in cell stability.     

Acute encephalitis and bacterial meningitis in children in Aichi Prefecture (1984-1993)

A survey was performed of acute encephalitis and bacterial meningitis in infancy and childhood from 1984 to 1993 using a questionnaire directed to departments of pediatrics in large hospitals in Aichi prefecture. The case records for 391 patients with acute encephalitis including related diseases and 328 patients with bacterial meningitis were obtained from 63 hospitals. Of 391 patients with acute encephalitis, 224 were male and 167 were female. Of 328 patients with bacterial meningitis, 200 were male and 128 were female. Sex ratio were 1.3, 1.6 respectively. Of the patients, 52.4% of encephalitis and 84.8% of meningitis were under 4 years of age and 0 year olds made up 53.7% of the latter. The causes of these diseases were confirmed in 38.7% and 82.9% of the encephalitis and meningitis patients, respectively, etiologically. In encephalitis, rubella virus was the most frequent with 29 cases, followed by measles virus (27 cases), herpes simplex virus (24) and varicella-zostervirus (19). In meningitis H. influenzae (95 cases), S. pneumoniae (56), Group B streptococcus (41) and E. coli (27) were frequently diagnosed. These diseases showed respective patterns of age distribution and clinical course, and moreover, the increases in their onset were clearly related to the prevalence of causal infections. Therefore, the results of this study should be utilized in the development of administrative measures for prevention of these diseases.     

Comparison of the 2-7-8 MMPI profile and the Perceptual Aberration—Magical Ideation Scale in identifying hypothetically psychosis-prone college students.

Compared college students with 2-7-8 profiles (from the D, Pt, and Sc scales, respectively) on the MMPI and students scoring high on the Perceptual Aberration–Magical Ideation (PAMIS) Scale on symptoms that are thought to indicate psychosis proneness. A modified Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Lifetime Version interview revealed that the PAMIS group (19 males, 22 females) and 2-7-8-group (19 males, 20 females) did not differ on the number of Ss with psychotic and psychoticlike experiences. For both sexes, however, the PAMIS group exceeded the 2-7-8 group on the number of schizotypal experiences; the male PAMIS group also surpassed the male 2-7-8 group on hypomania. The groups were similar on depression and several other disorders as defined by Research Diagnostic Criteria. Findings suggest that some of the Ss identified by both scales were at elevated risk for psychosis. However, because only 3 Ss were selected by both scales, the MMPI 2-7-8 profile and the PAMIS selected different groups from that population. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A case of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma in bladder diverticulum successfully treated by bladder-preserving therapy

A 62-year-old man visited our hospital with asymptomatic gross hematuria. On cystoscopy, two diverticula were identified at the dome of the urinary bladder and one of them was packed with a tumor. Biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), G1, but malignancy was not detected in the rest of the vesical mucosa. We selected bladder-preserving therapy. Pathological diagnosis after partial cystectomy was SCC, G1 > G2, pT3b. Postoperatively, 3 courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with methotrexate, bleomycin and cisplatin were performed. The patient has remained free of recurrence for 4.5 years.     

Epidermal growth factor stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1 and association of SHPS-1 with SHP-2, a SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase

SHPS-1 is a 120 kDa glycosylated receptor-like protein that contains immunoglobulin-like domains in its extracellular region and four potential tyrosine phosphorylation for SH2 domain binding sites in its cytoplasmic region. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1 and subsequent association of SHPS-1 with SHP-2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase containing SH2 domains, in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing human EGF receptors. In the cells overexpressing SHPS-1, the tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1 was more evident than that observed in parent cells. However, overexpression of SHPS-1 alone did not affect the activation of MAP kinase in response to EGF. These results suggest that SHPS-1 may be involved in the recruitment of SHP-2 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane in response to EGF.     

Stability of the multistrand superconducting cables under partial current distribution

The stability of the multistrand cables under partial current distribution among strands is discussed. The stability is influenced by a current sharing process among the strands. Stability tests under controlled current distribution are carried out for some test samples that had various electric resistance among strands. Then numerical analysis of the stability is carried out with a simplified electric circuit model that simulates current sharing process among strands. The results of the numerical calculations had good agreement with the experimental data. For stability of the multistrand cables, the electrical resistance among strands, which is the key parameter, is required to be lower than the normal resistance. This corresponds to the length of the heated region.     

Helicobacter pylori infection

CHROMagar, a chromogenic differential culture medium, is claimed to facilitate the isolation and presumptive identification of certain clinically important yeast species, e.g., Candida albicans. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness and time advantage of using it in comparison with Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Three possible pathways, each of which included the use of one or both media, were compared in a routine laboratory. A total of 21 yeast isolates was cultured from 298 clinical samples from neutropenic and AIDS patients. An overall sensitivity of 95.2% was observed for each medium and primary isolation on CHROMagar was found to be 100% sensitive and 100% specific for C. albicans. For identification purposes, after initial culture the use of CHROMagar provided the most economical and least time-consuming method. Direct inoculation on to CHROMagar is recommended for blood cultures when yeast cells are seen on microscopy and where early appropriate therapy is imperative.