Cloning of a cDNA encoding the human transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor: heterogeneity of the mRNA

A combined study of anterograde axonal degeneration and Golgi electron microscopic technique was designed to examine the distribution and density of axon terminals from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) over layer III pyramidal cells in the prelimbic cortex of the rat. The reconstructive analysis of serial ultrathin sections of gold-toned apical and basal dendrites of layer III pyramidal cells showed that degenerating thalamocortical axon terminals from MD formed asymmetrical synaptic contacts predominantly with dendritic spines of the identified basal dendrites as well as apical dendrites. There was little difference in the numerical density of thalamocortical synapses from MD per unit length of both apical and basal dendrites.     

Ytterbium-decreasing Streptomyces sp. and its naphthoquinone-pigment production in the presence of rare-earth elements

We screened for oligotrophic microorganisms capable of decreasing the concentration of ytterbium (Yb), a representative of the heavy rare-earth elements, in a culture medium. From 476 strains of oligotrophic microorganisms (grown on 1/100 diluted nutrient agar) isolated from soil and river water samples, 5 strains capable of reducing the concentration of Yb in diluted nutrient broth containing 5 ppm Yb were selected. Among them, a strain capable of reducing the concentration of all rare-earth elements to a great extent was identified as Streptomyces sp. (strain YB-1). This strain produced redish-purple pigment(s) only in the presence of rare earths, but not in that of other metals. The pigment was extracted with ethyl acetate and purified by a series of column chromatography steps. From the results of structural analysis using ultraviolet or infrared absorption spectrometry and 13C-NMR, the pigment was determined to be a kind of naphthoquinone similar to nanaomycin produced by a Streptomyces sp. These results suggested that rare earths might affect the physiological activity of this strain.     

Three-dimensional display of the bronchi using helical CT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) images of the bronchi obtained using helical CT. Thirteen patients with lung cancer, one with tracheal diverticulum, and one with bronchial amyloidosis were examined. The CT scanner employed was the Toshiba Xforce. The helical CT scan cycle consisted of 20 continuous rotations, each requiring 1.5 sec, for a total scanning time of 30 sec. Scans were obtained using a 5-mm X-ray beam width, a 5-mm/1.5 sec couchtop sliding speed, and a 2-mm reconstruction interval. 3D images were reconstructed using a CEMAX VIPstation. The optimal lower and upper threshold CT values for 3D images of the bronchi were -650 and -100 HU, respectively, and 3D images clearly depicted endobronchial lesions. Cartilage crescents were also demonstrated, but longitudinal and circular mucosal folds could not be visualized. In conclusion, 3D images of the bronchi acquired using helical CT were useful in evaluating endobronchial lesions.     

A 557-mW, 2.5-Gbit/s SONET/SDH regenerator-section terminating LSIchip using low-power bipolar-LSI design

A regenerator-section terminating digital large-scale-integration chip for an STM-16 (2.5-Gbit/s synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy) regenerator has been developed using low-power bipolar technologies. The high-speed performance of bipolar devices enabled four or more chips, including a demultiplexer and a multiplexer, to be integrated into a single chip. The low-power dissipation of 557 mW, only about one-tenth that of previously reported chips, was achieved through the use of four design steps: one-chip integration architecture, power management, 2.5-V emitter-coupled logic, and power optimization     

First results on U levels in global fallout

The global fallout ²³⁶U level in soil was deduced from measurements of ²³⁶U, ^239+240Pu and ¹³⁷Cs in surface soils which are solely influenced by global fallout. A total of 12 soil cores from the depths of 0-10, 0-20 and 0-30 cm were collected at a flat forest area in Japan. Concentrations of ^239+240Pu and ²³⁸U were determined by α-particle spectrometry, while the ²³⁶U/²³⁸U ratio was measured with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Consistent ²³⁶U/²³⁹Pu ratios between 0.212 and 0.253 were found. Using this ratio, the total global fallout of ²³⁶U on the earth is estimated to be as much as ca. 900 kg. This knowledge will contribute to the promotion of research on U isotopes, including ²³⁶U, for the fields of geo-resources, waste management and geochemistry.     

Effect of treatment with electrolyzed NaCl solutions and essential oil compounds on the proximate composition,amino acid and fatty acid composition of carp fillets

This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of treatment with electrolyzed NaCl solutions and 1% essential oil (0.5% carvacrol + 0.5% thymol) on the proximate composition and nutritional components (amino acids and fatty acids) of carp fillets at room temperature (25 °C). Carp fillet samples were treated with anodic electrolyzed NaCl solution [EW (+)], cathodic electrolyzed NaCl solution [EW (−)] followed by EW (+) [EW (−)/EW (+)], 1% essential oil (0.5% carvacrol + 0.5% thymol) [1% (Cv + Ty)], EW (+) followed by 1% (Cv + Ty) [EW (+)/1% (Cv + Ty)] and EW (−) followed by EW (+) and finally with 1% (Cv + Ty) [EW (−)/EW (+)/1% (Cv + Ty)]. Proximate composition, SDS–PAGE, amino acid composition, digestibility and fatty acid composition were used to determine the changes in carp fillet composition. Moisture, total lipid, total protein, ash and carbohydrate contents of the carp fillets were approximately 76%, 3.9%, 17.5%, 1.0% and 0.40%, respectively. The dominant amino acid was glutamic acid, and the composition ranged from 14.2 to 14.5 mol%. Protein digestibility of the carp fillets was approximately 85%. Oleic acid was the major monounsaturated acid in the carp fillets (41.0–41.9%). These results show that our method of fish preservation, using electrolyzed NaCl solutions and 1% (Cv + Ty), did not affect the quality (nutritional components) of carp fillets, and could be a good alternative to synthetic preservatives routinely used in the food industry.     

Multivariate evaluation of prognostic determinants for renal cell carcinomas which are metastatic at initial diagnosis

To clarify the relative importance of clinicopathological factors potentially affecting the survival of individuals initially diagnosed as having metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox's proportional hazards model were performed for 111 RCC patients who were admitted to four hospitals in Nagoya, Japan, between 1978 and 1993. Survival time was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the date of death or the end of May, 1995. Nineteen factors (17 clinically applicable before treatment and 2 histological in nature) were included for assessment. Univariate analysis revealed that 10 of the total 19 factors were significantly associated with patient survival. Multivariate analysis found 7 factors to be statistically significant determinants. Survival was further evaluated by categorizing the patients into three groups according to the number of the 7 factors. These groups showed clearly different survivals (log-rank test, p < 0.0001), confirming the importance of the 7 factors as definite determinants. They should therefore prove to be of advantage for classifying metastatic RCC patients when designing clinical prospective studies of immunotherapy and chemotherapy.     

An insect cell line discrimination method by RAPD-PCR

Orbital hydatid cyst is rare. We present a case with CT and MRI, emphasizing the superiority of the latter.     

An autopsy case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the liver associated with hepatitis C virus antibody positive liver cirrhosis

An increase in potassium (K) intake may lower blood pressure (BP), but inconsistent results have been obtained in clinical trials. We studied the effects of K supplementation in hypertensive patients with monitoring of home and ambulatory BP. Fifty-five patients with essential hypertension (26 men, 29 women, 36-77 years old) participated in this study. A 4-week K supplementation period and 4-week control period were assigned in a randomized crossover manner. During the K period, the subjects were given 64 mmol/day of K as slow-release KCl tablets. Office, home, and 24-h BP, as well as serum and urinary electrolytes, were measured at the end of each period. In the control period, office, home, and 24-h BP were 151 +/- 2/88 +/- 1 (mean +/- SE), 138 +/- 1/83 +/- 1, and 137 +/- 1/81 +/- 1 mm Hg, respectively. Serum K increased from 4.15 +/- 0.04 to 4.42 +/- 0.05 mmol/L, and urinary K increased from 54 +/- 2 to 96 +/- 3 mmol/day with the K supplementation. Office, home, and 24-h BP were significantly lower in the K period than in the control period, although the differences were small (2.7 +/- 1.1/1.4 +/- 0.6, 3.6 +/- 0.9/1.7 +/- 0.5, 3.4 +/- 1.0/1.2 +/- 0.5 mm Hg, respectively). Changes in home and 24-h systolic BP with K supplementation were highly significant (P < .001), compared with office BP (P < .05). The change in 24-h systolic BP was correlated negatively with baseline BP and urinary Na/K ratio, and positively with baseline urinary K excretion. The changes in daytime and nighttime BP were comparable. These results indicate that increasing K intake lowers BP in hypertensive subjects, especially in those with higher BP and lower K intake. Our study supports the usefulness of K supplementation in the treatment of hypertension, although its antihypertensive effect may be small.