Measurements of Strong-Interaction Effects in Kaonic-Helium Isotopes at Sub-eV Precision with X-Ray Microcalorimeters.

We have measured the 3d→2p transition x rays of kaonic ^{3}He and ^{4}He atoms using superconducting transition-edge-sensor microcalorimeters with an energy resolution better than 6 eV (FWHM). We determined the energies to be 6224.5±0.4(stat)±0.2(syst) eV and 6463.7±0.3(stat)±0.1(syst) eV, and widths to be 2.5±1.0(stat)±0.4(syst) eV and 1.0±0.6(stat)±0.3(stat) eV, for kaonic ^{3}He and ^{4}He, respectively. These values are nearly 10 times more precise than in previous measurements. Our results exclude the large strong-interaction shifts and widths that are suggested by a coupled-channel approach and agree with calculations based on optical-potential models.

Isolation of cDNA encoding a novel human CC chemokine NCC-4/LEC.

We have determined the entire sequence of human cDNA encoding a novel CC chemokine NCC-4 by 5' and 3' RACE methods. Two types of transcripts, 579 bp and 1503 bp long, respectively, are generated through alternative polyadenylation sites. Both species contain an open reading frame encoding 120 amino acids with 19-38% identity to other human CC chemokines. The short and long transcripts are expressed highly selectively in the liver at nearly equivalent levels. There seems to be one copy of the gene per haploid genome. We now designate NCC-4 as LEC from liver-expressed chemokine.

Response of regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism to thalamic stimulation in humans as revealed by positron emission tomography.

To clarify functional neural pathways originating from the thalamic nucleus ventralis posterolateralis (VPL) in humans, the responses of regional CBF (rCBF) and regional CMRO2 (rCMRO2) to VPL stimulation were investigated by positron emission tomography in five patients who had undergone chronic implantation of electrodes into the VPL for therapeutic purposes. Measurement of rCBF and rCMRO2 under continuous inhalation of C15O2 and 15O2 by steady-state methods revealed significant increases of rCBF and rCMRO2 in the frontal, postcentral, and thalamic regions. The increases in rCBF and rCMRO2 of the postcentral regions were clearly predominant in the stimulated hemisphere insofar as the stimulation produced moderate paresthesia in restricted areas of the body. These results indicate that the VPL relays peripheral somatosensory information, which has previously been demonstrated to be transmitted to the frontal as well as postcentral regions.

Organization of the chemokine gene cluster on human chromosome 17q11.2 containing the genes for CC chemokine MPIF-1, HCC-2, HCC-1, LEC, and RANTES.

To understand the organization of the human CC chemokine gene cluster on chromosome 17q11.2, we determined the nucleotide sequence of a region 181 kb long containing five CC chemokine genes, MPIF-1 (SCYA23), HCC-2 (SCYA15), HCC-1 (SCYA14), LEC (SCYA16), and RANTES (SCYA5), by the random shot-gun method. The four CC chemokine genes, MPIF-1, HCC-2, HCC-1, and LEC, are clustered within a region 40 kb long, whereas the RANTES gene is located approximately 10 kb apart from the four chemokine gene minicluster. These chemokine genes are arranged in the same orientation, and their sizes are relatively long, 3.1 (HCC-1)-8.8 kb (RANTES) when compared with other CC chemokine genes, such as MIP-1alpha/LD78alpha (SCYA3) (1.9 kb) and MCP-1 (SCYA2) (1.5 kb). In contrast to most other human CC chemokine genes that consist of three exons, the MPIF-1 and HCC-2 genes, separated by 12 kb, have four exons. When the nucleotide sequences of the MPIF-1 and HCC-2 genes are compared, they are well conserved, including introns and flanking sequences, except for the middle region of the long first intron, indicating that they have been generated recently in evolutionary terms by duplication. In addition to the CC chemokine genes, more than 30 exons are identified in the sequenced region by similarity search against expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and also by the gene prediction program GenScan. This indicates that the chemokine cluster sequenced in this study is a gene-rich region in the human genome.

Monoclonal antibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin and their application to two-site sandwich radioimmunoassay.

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). One monoclonal antibody recognized a conformational determinant expressed only on native HCG molecule and another monoclonal antibody had the specificity for the epitopes located on the beta-subunit of HCG. Monoclonal antibodies reacting with different antigenic determinants on the HCG molecule were used to develop a simplified 2-site sandwich radioimmunoassay in which one monoclonal antibody was immobilized and another labeled with 125iodine. This assay was highly specific for HCG and there was no cross-reactivity with alpha, beta-subunit of HCG, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.

PET imaging of non-small-cell lung carcinoma with carbon-11-methionine: relationship between radioactivity uptake and flow-cytometric parameters.

Carbon-11-methionine PET scans were obtained from 24 patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma for whom surgical treatment was considered. The tumor mass was visualized with clear delineation. After PET scanning, the tumor was removed by lobectomy or pulmonectomy. The tumor tissue was first processed to yield tumor cell suspensions and then subjected to DNA flow cytometry. Comparison between 11C uptake rate and flow-cytometric data gave the following results: 11C uptake rate in the tumor correlated well with the cellular DNA content (DNA index) of tumor cells at the resting state of cell division (G0 + G1-phase) (r = 0.67). The correlation between 11C uptake rate and S-phase cell percentage was markedly high (r = 0.76), and the correlation between 11C uptake rate and S+G2/M-phase cell percentage was extremely high (r = 0.86). It was concluded that the tumor uptake rate of 11C-methionine was representative of tumor growth rate in this tumor type.

Sensitivity of the Limulus test and inhibitory factors in the radiopharmaceuticals.

The basic sensitivity of the Limulus test and the inhibitory factors were examined in 21 radiopharmaceuticals commonly used in Japan. The sensitivity of the Limulus test using pre-gel was found to be 1 mug/ml for Escherichia coli endotoxin. This sensitivity is about ten times that of the rabbit test adopted by USP and JP. The Limulus test was applicable, with full sensitivity and without inhibitory reaction, for the evaluation of 99mTcO4-, 99mTc-albumin, 99mTc-MAA, 99,Tc-Sn-colloid, 131I-Hippuran, Na131I, Na251CrO49, 67Ga citrate, and 57Co-bleomycin as commercially supplied. On the other hand, with 111In-DTPA, 99mTc-phytate, 99mTc-pyrophosphate, 99mTc-DTPA, 131I-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 59FeCl3, Na232PO4, 198Au colloid, and selenomethionine (Se-75), the pH required adjustment to avoid inhibition of the gelation reaction. Benzyl alcohol showed an inhibitory effect on the gelation reaction at concentrations of more than 1%. Iodine-131-Bromsulphalein (BSP) and 131I-rose bengal showed intense inhibition of the gelation reaction.

Pulmonary artery morphology and hemodynamics in pulmonic valve atresia with ventricular septal defect before and after repair.

Cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed in 22 patients with pulmonic valve atresia and ventricular septal defect to evaluate pulmonary morphology and hemodynamics before and after repair. In 12 of the 22, pulmonic valve atresia and ventricular septal defect were associated with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, which were ligated in most. Mean postoperative pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) ranged from 9 to 92 mm Hg (mean 28 +/- 19) and pulmonary vascular resistance ranged from 1.1 to 35.2 U.m2 (mean 6.4 +/- 8.0). These data correlated (r = 0.89, p less than 0.001). The number of pulmonary artery subsegments connected to the central pulmonary arteries was 22 to 42 (mean 38 +/- 6). Univariate analysis revealed that the mean postoperative PAP correlated with the number of pulmonary artery subsegments connected to the central pulmonary arteries (r = -0.81, p less than 0.001), with mean postoperative PAP (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001), with the postoperative pulmonary artery area index of the right and left pulmonary arteries at prebranching (r = -0.76, p less than 0.001), and with the sum of the pulmonary artery areas after branching (r = -0.69, p less than 0.005). Pulmonary vascular resistance correlated with the number of pulmonary artery subsegments connected to the central pulmonary arteries (r = -0.85, p less than 0.001), with the mean preoperative PAP (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001), with the sum of the pulmonary artery areas after branching (r = -0.73, p less than 0.001), and with the postoperative pulmonary artery area index (r = -0.70, p less than 0.001). The incidence of pulmonary vascular resistance being less than 3 U.m2 was significantly higher in patients with greater than 36 pulmonary artery subsegments connected to the central pulmonary arteries and with a preoperative pulmonary artery area index greater than 0.5 (88%) (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genomic organization of the genes for human and mouse CC chemokine LEC.

Liver-expressed chemokine (LEC) is a CC chemokine that is selectively expressed in the liver. We report here the structures of the human and mouse genes for LEC. The human LEC gene (SCYA16) was isolated from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone that also contained CC chemokine genes for MPIF-1/Ckbeta8, HCC-2/Lkn-1/MIP-5/MIP-1delta, and HCC-1. The LEC gene is approximately 5.0 kb in length and has a three-exon and two-intron structure common to most CC chemokine genes. However, the promoter region is devoid of a typical TATA box, and transcription initiates at multiple sites. The gene for CC chemokine HCC-1, which is most similar to LEC, is located approximately 2.2 kb upstream from the 5' end of the LEC gene in a head-to-tail fashion. The mouse DNA fragment that hybridized with the human LEC cDNA was isolated from a BAC clone that also contained the CC chemokine genes for C10, MRP-2/CCF18/MIP-1gamma, and RANTES. Sequence analysis revealed that the isolated gene does not encode a functional chemokine because of deletions, insertions, and base changes. Southern blot analysis revealed that the sequence isolated from the BAC clone was the only one hybridizing with human LEC cDNA in the mouse genome. Therefore, mice may have only an LEC pseudogene.

Open heart operation in a young child with spherocytosis.

Open heart operations on patients with hereditary spherocytosis have been reported rarely. Young children who have not yet undergone splenectomy have a high risk of intraoperative hemolysis because of the heart-lung machine and secondary renal failure. We report the case of a 15-month-old child with spherocytosis who underwent an open heart operation without serious complications as a result of careful and appropriate perioperative management.

Tailored angiographic approach to small hypovascular renal tumors.

The value of an appropriate oblique view renal arteriography which we call "tailored oblique," was illustrated in 2 cases. In the first case, a renal mass on the left side with anterior exophytic growth was found by computerized tomography (CT). In the second case, a tumor on the right side with posterior exophytic growth was detected by CT. Preoperative angiographies were performed. In both cases, the anteroposterior projections were not diagnostic. But in the "tailored oblique" projections both showed definite tumor vessels. Both tumors were resected and proved to be renal cell carcinomas. We believe "tailored oblique" projection provides additional confirmative information on the nature of the tumor.

Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid uptake in long-term catheterized kidney. Comparison with renal function.

We studied 23 long-term catheterized kidneys in 14 patients. The uptake of 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-DMSA) was measured at one- and two-hour intervals after injection, and the uptake was corrected for variations in renal depth. These values were compared with inulin, creatinine, and para-amino hippurate (PAH) clearances which were measured in each kidney by collecting urine through long-term catheterization. Correlation coefficient was obtained between PAH clearance corrected for the body surface area and the two-hour uptake of 99mTc-DMSA. The correlation coefficients between the two-hour uptake of 99mTc-DMSA and the clearance values are not significantly different from those between the one-hour uptake and the clearance values. Corrections of the uptake for variations in renal depth did not improve the correlation coefficients. The results show that 99mTc-DMSA is an excellent method to estimate the renal plasma flow and the one-hour uptake without correction for renal depth is clinically sufficient to evaluate the split renal function.

A comparison between the computed tomogram and the neuropathological findings in cerebrovascular disease.

The findings on computed tomography (CT) and neuropathological examinations were correlated in 87 autopsied cases of cerebrovascular disease with regard to the seize and location of lesions, experience of reviewers, and improvement in CT quality. Small infarctions less than 5 mm were very difficult to detect accurately on CT. This was largely because of the limitations in the efficiency of the CT scanner. Accurate diagnosis of medium sized infarctions was also often difficult. This was mainly due to the anatomical location of lesions, the confluence of deep and widened sulci, periventricular white matter, and structures in the posterior fossa. Large infections could be visualized easily on CT, except in their early periods or in cases with hemorrhagic infarctions. The improved accuracy of CT diagnosis for small and medium sized infarctions could not be attained by the experience of reviewers, but was only possible by instrumental improvement of CT quality.

Brain tumors with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy.

Brain tumors with secondary ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy are so rare that only seven cases have been reported in the literature. Three new cases are presented and the clinical findings in all 10 cases are reviewed. The diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) is emphasized. The authors conclude that nodular high-density lesions located deep in the cerebrum and showing slight contrast enhancement on CT may be associated with ipsilateral cerebral hemiatrophy in young male patients with slowly progressive hemiparesis, dementia, and personality change. In such cases, early diagnosis of germinoma and subsequent radiotherapy may prevent unnecessary surgery.

Positron emission tomography in systemic lupus erythematosus: relation of cerebral vasculitis to PET findings.

A 12-year-old Japanese girl with systemic lupus erythematosus is described. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed low attenuation in the right frontotemporal area at relapse, which disappeared at remission. Findings on electroencephalography coincided with those on PET. On x-ray CT there were no specific findings. The PET findings were thought to be due to cerebral vasculitis.

1-[11C]pyruvate turnover in brain and muscle of patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. A study with positron emission tomography (PET).

We examined pyruvate turnover using 1-[11C]pyruvate in the brain and epicranial muscle of 6 patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MEM), diagnosed by muscle biopsy and mitochondrial enzyme assay. The radioactivity was measured by positron emission tomography (PET). The time-activity curve for 11C in both brain and muscle generated after i.v. injection of 1-[11C]pyruvate consisted of 2 components in normal subjects and patients, i.e. a fast and a slow component which were assumed to represent the aerobic (mitochondrial) and anaerobic (glycolytic) metabolism of pyruvate, respectively. In the brain and muscle of patients, the aerobic component was smaller and the anaerobic larger than in normals. The extent of this abnormality seemed to reflect the severity of the disease. The same slight abnormality for [11C]pyruvate turnover was also observed in the brain of MEM patients who were without cerebral symptoms. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral oxygen consumption (CMRO2) of most patients were lower than those of normals, and the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) was decreased in many patients.

11C-glucose metabolism in manic and depressed patients.

The authors used positron emission tomography (PET) and 11C-labeled glucose to study 15 unmedicated patients with affective disorders and 7 control subjects. Diagnoses of affective disorders were based on DSM-III criteria, and symptomatology was evaluated by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Blood counts of 11C in both unipolar and bipolar patients did not differ from those in controls after oral administration of 11C-glucose. By contrast, brain counts of 11C in unipolar depressed patients were significantly lower, whereas those in bipolar manic patients were significantly higher, than in normal controls.

A research method for MRI tissue characterization studies using small coils for excised organs.

The main purpose of this report is to describe our method of MRI tissue characterization studies, which consists of MR imaging of the patient, precision MR imaging of the excised organ, and pathological examination of the organ. We first made small coils to be used with conventional MRI scanners to examine the excised organs. In order to make it easier to understand the effectiveness of our method, three illustrative case reports of abdominal or pelvic tumors were presented as examples of the tissue characterization studies. In conclusion, this method seemed very useful and, in addition, it was found that this small coil technique has several advantages in other applications.

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis in the Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) is known as a cerebellar hemispheric hypometabolism due to contralateral supratentorial infarction or tumor. We report a case with the Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS), whose cerebral blood flow was reduced in the anatomically affected lesion of cerebrum and in the contralateral cerebellar hemisphere. Not only acquired diaschisis, but congenital ischemic disorders such as SWS also showed CCD.

Cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in the Rett syndrome.

Positron emission tomography (PET) was performed on six patients with the Rett syndrome and the results were compared with the concurrent clinical status of the patients. The cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) was low in five patients, and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) was low in four patients; both had a tendency to decline with advancing age. Although the cause is unknown, it is suggested that impaired oxidative metabolism exists in the Rett syndrome. An analysis of the distribution among brain regions showed that the ratios of values for the frontal cortex to those for the temporal cortex for both the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and CMRO2 were lower than those for the controls, which may indicate the loss of hyperfrontality in the Rett syndrome. Distribution of brain metabolism may be immature in the Rett syndrome.