Anisotropy of the superconducting gap in the iron-based superconductor BaFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2.

We report peculiar momentum-dependent anisotropy in the superconducting gap observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in BaFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2 (x = 0.30, Tc = 30 K). Strongly anisotropic gap has been found only in the electron Fermi surface while the gap on the entire hole Fermi surfaces are nearly isotropic. These results are inconsistent with horizontal nodes but are consistent with modified s ± gap with nodal loops. We have shown that the complicated gap modulation can be theoretically reproduced by considering both spin and orbital fluctuations.

Simultaneous continuous 13C, 12C analysis of expired gas in the 13C breath test.

The 13C breath test is a method of clarifying the metabolism of loaded substances by administering 13C-labelled materials and calculating the 13CO2 and 12CO2 ratio (13C/12C isotope ratio) in the expired gas. The materials are metabolized and expelled in the expired gas. Because simultaneous continuous measurement of 13CO2 and 12CO2 in expired gas has been difficult up to the present, respective expired gases, including dead space before and after administration, have been sampled to separate sampling bags and 13C/12C has been measured in the bags and changed fraction of 13C/12C after administration (delta) has been used to judge the metabolic process. This method is affected by the contamination of the dead space gas. In the present study, in order to exclude the dead space effect, simultaneous continuous analysis of 12CO2 and 13CO2 of expired gas identifying alveolar gas was applied to the 13C-urea breath test in addition to the conventional sampling bag method. Both isotope detectors were attached to a mass spectrometer. Fifty-six cases receiving stomach health check-ups for Helicobacter pylori were examined. Delta was calculated in the bag or in phase III of continuous gas measurement. Because the bag contains dead space, delta was reduced and sensitivity and specificity with reference to gastric fluoroscopy or Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody were reduced. Decreasing the dead space contamination is important in reducing the measurement error in the 13C breath test and simultaneous continuous measurement is a good tool for this purpose.

Novel thyrotropin (TSH)-TSH antibody complex in a healthy woman and her neonates.

A novel high-molecular-weight (MW) form of immunoreactive TSH [35,000 Da on Sephacryl S-200HR gel chromatography (S-200 chromatography)] was documented in a 32-year-old healthy woman who delivered two neonates with transient hyperthyrotropinemia. Her TSH levels ranged from 21.2 to 53.9 mU/L on different days or from 11.0 to 48.1 mU/L by the different immunoradiometric assay methods. The IgG fractions showed specific 125I-labeled hTSH binding and inhibited in vitro cAMP increase induced by hTSH but not that induced by bTSH. On protein G Superose HR affinity chromatography (protein G chromatography) equilibrated with 10 mmol/L sodium/potassium phosphate buffer (PB) followed by elution with 0.1mol/L glycine buffer, 95-99% of her TSH immunoreactivity eluted in the latter (bound) fraction while almost all was in the former (unbound) fraction in the control serum containing authentic hTSH. However, after dialysis of this bound fraction overnight with PB adding 0.5 mol/L NaCl (PB/NaCl), which exhibited greater ionic strength than PB, almost all TSH immunoreactivity changed from the bound fraction into the unbound fraction on the protein G chromatography equilibrated with PB/NaCl. These data indicate that the novel immunoreactive TSH was due to hTSH and hTSH-specific antibody complex, and dissociation of the complex may be incomplete on direct S-200. The immunoreactive TSH showed high MW form (35,000 Da). The dissociation may be almost complete during dialysis with greater ionic strength; the native TSH then appeared to be of formal size.

Differentiation of postpartum thyrotoxicosis by serum thyroglobulin: usefulness of a new multisite immunoradiometric assay.

Destruction-induced thyrotoxicosis and Graves' thyrotoxicosis must be differentiated, since they are treated differently. To find a useful marker, we examined serial changes in serum thyroglobulin (Tg) concentrations in 20 patients with postpartum thyroid disease (9, euthyroid Hashimoto's disease; 11, Graves' disease in remission in early pregnancy). Serum Tg was measured by a new multisite immunoradiometric assay that allows little influence of anti-Tg autoantibodies. Eight women developed destruction-induced thyrotoxicosis 1 to 4 months postpartum, 6 had relapse of Graves' thyrotoxicosis 2 to 4 months postpartum, and 6 remained euthyroid. In destruction-induced thyrotoxicosis, serum Tg 2 months before the onset was 13.3 +/- 11.4 micrograms/L, then clearly increased 1 month before (34.5 +/- 31.9 micrograms/L) and was even higher at the onset of thyrotoxicosis (116.5 +/- 137.1 micrograms/L). In contrast, serum Tg increased only at the onset in Graves' thyrotoxicosis (from 25.9 +/- 25.2 micrograms/L 1 month before to 76.1 +/- 75.3 micrograms/L at the onset, p < 0.05). There was no difference in serum Tg level at the onset between the two disorders. However, when data were expressed as the percent increase from the level one month before, and the cut-off value were taken at 150%, all 7 patients above the cut-off developed destruction-induced thyrotoxicosis, and 6 of 7 below had recurrent Graves' thyrotoxicosis. Thus, serial measurement of serum Tg is useful for the differentiation of destruction-induced thyrotoxicosis from Graves' thyrotoxicosis after delivery.

On-line determination of pulmonary blood flow using respiratory inert gas analysis.

An inert gas analysis method has been developed to perform on-line real time determination of pulmonary blood flow using a nonrebreathing approach. This technique is based on a mathematical model describing mass balance of two inert gases which are breathed using an open gas circuit. The measurements using this method are noninvasive, easy to peform, and do not disturb normal physiological processes. As well, since data are collected on a breath-by-breath basis, it is possible to estimate other respiratory, cardiopulmonary, and metabolic parameters simultaneously in a breath-by-breath manner. Special consideration was given to developing effective data processing algorithms to minimize the influence of measurement noise and respiratory variations. Experimental studies to compare this method with other accepted techniques were conducted to validate the present technique.

[Lymphocyte subset change during cancer chemotherapy on patients with gastrointestinal, lung and hematopoietic malignancies].

Lymphocyte subsets measured by Ortho-mune on OKT 3, OKT 4A, OKT 8, OKT 10, OKT 11, OKM1, OKB 7, OKB 2 and OKDR were observed before and after chemotherapy on patients with gastrointestinal, lung and hematopoietic malignancies. Almost all patients showed decreased T-cell function expressed by OKT 11 or OKT 3 and suppressor, helper T-cell function expressed by OKT 8 and OKT 4A. In some patients improvement of T-cell function were observed with clinical response and in such cases life span seemed to be longer as expected, and it is supposed that during cancer chemotherapy improvement of T-cell function expressed by OKT series may be important prognostic factors.

[Combination chemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cisplatin (CDDP), carboquone (CQ) and prednisolone (PDN)(PPQ therapy)].

Twenty-five courses (twenty-two pts) with NSCLC have been entered in the trial evaluating the combination of CDDP 20 mg/m2 i.v. day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, CQ 7 mg/m2 i.v. day 1, and PS 30 mg/body per os day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, repeated every 4 weeks. Except for 1 case of early death, judgement of efficacy was possible in 24 courses, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and 23 cases of adenocarcinoma. CR was obtained in no cases and PR in 7 cases, all of which were adenocarcinoma, with an efficacy rate of 29%. Response for primary site was obtained in 4 of 22 cases (18%). Median survival time of the 22 cases was 11.5 months. Main side effects of PPQ Therapy were symptoms in digestive organs such as nausea and loss of appetite, and bone marrow inhibition. Renal dysfunction was controllable by measures to cope with diuresis.

Fundamental study on gas monitoring in CELSS.

A mass spectrometer and computer system was developed for conducting a fundamental study on gas monitoring in CELSS. Respiration and metabolism of the hamster and photosynthesis of the Spirulina were measured in a combination system consisting of a hamster chamber and a Spirulina cultivator. They are connected through a membrane gas exchanger. Some technical problems were examined. In the mass spectrometric gas monitoring, a simultaneous multi-sample measurement was developed by employing a rotating exchange valve. Long term precise measurement was obtained by employing an automatic calibration system. The membrane gas sampling probe proved to be useful for long term measurement. The cultivation rate of the Spirulina was effectively changed by controlling CO2 and light supply. The experimental results are helpful for improving the hamster-spirulina system.

[Phase II study of KW 2083 [7-N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-mitomycin C] in patients with various cancers].

A phase II study of KW 2083 [7-N-(p-Hydroxyphenyl)-Mitomycin C] was carried out in 14 cases of stomach cancer, 5 of lung cancer, 5 of colon cancer and 5 other types of cancer. KW 2083 was intravenously injected at a dose of 40 mg/body weekly in 26 cases. Among 23 evaluable cases, partial response was obtained in 6 cases (26%). The PR cases were 4 of stomach cancer and 2 of lung cancer, the former being all undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. Regarding hematologic toxicities, thrombocytopenia was the most principal toxicity and an important weak point of KW 2083. Thrombocytopenia (less than 75,000/mm3) was observed in 13 cases (50%). Recovery took about 4 weeks, but by that time 3 cases had still not recovered to 75,000/mm3. leukocytopenia (less than 3,000/mm3) was observed in 17 cases (65%). Concerning gastrointestinal symptoms, anorexia occurred in 11 cases (42%), nausea and vomiting in 11 cases (42%), diarrhea in 1 case and stomatitis in 1 case. T1/2 (beta-phase) of KW 2083 was half that of Mitomycin C.