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.

Geographical distribution and background levels of total mercury in air in Japan and neighbouring countries.

Concentrations of total atmospheric mercury were determined in air collected from several locations in Japan and neighbouring countries to elucidate the geographical distribution and the background levels of total mercury in environmental air. The concentrations of mercury in urban air in Japan were 2.3-67 ng/m3, mean value 11.2 ng/m3. Those values were higher relative to those in urban air of other countries around Japan. In the past, a large quantity of mercury was used as an agricultural fungicide and a chloralkali catalyst in Japan. Therefore, the concentrations of mercury in rural air were higher rather than those in urban air. This phenomenon supports the hypothesis that the residual mercury used in the paddy field in the 1970s still remains in soils of Japan.

Total mercury intake from fish and shellfish by Japanese people.

Elevated mercury concentrations have been reported in fish in recent years. Japanese people eat a great deal of raw fishes and shellfishes as "Sashimi" and "Sushi". The action level of large predatory fish such as tuna with total mercury levels exceeding the Japanese maximum permitted limit of 0.4 ppm is exempted from regulation in Japan. Therefore, current total mercury intake from fish and shellfish of Japanese people is unknown. The purpose of this investigation was to estimate the total mercury intake from fish and shellfish. It was found that the mean total mercury concentration of 1.11 ppm in tuna of eatable base as Sashimi or Sushi was clearly higher than the normal level. The mean total mercury intake from fish and shellfish was 0.17 mg per capita per week. According to the hypothesis that 75% of total mercury in fish and shellfish is methylmercury, the weekly intake of 0.13 mg as methylmercury was corresponding amount to about 74% of provisional tolerable weekly intake 0.17 mg of methylmercury set by the Welfare Ministry of Japan.

Echographical assessment of the early stage of experimental atherosclerosis of the descending aorta in rabbits.

To assess the early stage of atherosclerosis of the thoracic descending aorta, we evaluated morphological atheromatous lesions (atherosis) and the stiffness parameter of the artery (beta; sclerosis) in 24 male rabbits using echography. Male Japanese white rabbits weighing 2.5-3.0 kg were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 7 (n = 8) or 14 weeks (n = 8). Rabbits fed a normal diet were used as controls (n = 8). Atheromatous lesions were evaluated with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS: Aloka, 20 MHz, 6F). We also calculated beta using M-mode echography (7.5 or 10 MHz) and direct aortic pressure measurement. Thickening of the intima-media complex was clearly observed with IVUS in the 14-week group but was not detected in the others. Histologically, only a thin layer of foamy cells on the intima (thickness < 20 microns) was observed in the 7-week group. The value of beta was significantly increased in both the 7-week (4.7 +/- 2.2) and 14-week groups (4.5 +/- 0.8) compared with controls (1.7 +/- 0.9, both p < 0.01). These results suggest that the development of atherosis might be preceded by vascular sclerosis during the early stage of atherosclerosis when the serum cholesterol level is high: at a time when the thin layer of foamy cells could not be detected by conventional IVUS.

[Acute cardiac tamponade in nonpenetrating injury of proximal aorta: report of a case].

A 21-year-old male admitted to the emergency room with multiple traumatic injuries and shock. Although a chest X-ray showed normal in size of cardiac shadow, echocardiography confirmed cardiac tamponade. A median sternotomy was performed and the pericardial space was evacuated of 600 ml of blood and blood clots. Minor bleeding was identified in the proximal aorta, and complete hemostasis was achieved with manual compression and fibrin glue sealing. One month follow-up showed no pseudoaneurysm formation.

[A progressive gastric cancer in which preoperative oral chemotherapy resulted in a histopathological "Grade 2" rating].

This paper describes a case of a Borrmann type 3 gastric cancer, in which the preoperative intermittent oral administration of 5'-DFUR over a short term resulted in a histopathological rating of Grade 2. A 56-year-old man preoperatively received an intermittent, oral administration of 5'-DFUR, 2, 100 mg/day. An upper gastrointestinal series and endoscopy revealed macroscopically an extremely slight remission. Histopathologically, however, a widespread, remarkable degeneration of cancer cells and fibrinogenesis of the framework were observed, these results leading to a change of rating to Grade 2.