EFFECT OF SEASONAL CHANGES ON TESTICULAR MORPHOLOGY AND THE EXPRESSION OF CIRCADIAN CLOCK GENES IN JAPANESE WOOD MICE (APODEMUS SPECIOSUS).

This study aimed to determine the seasonality of reproduction throughout the year in Japanese wood mice (Apodemus speciosus). The effect of seasonal changes on testicular morphology and the periodic expression of circadian clock genes in the hypothalamus and testes of male individuals was evaluated. We also examined the morphology of the testes and caudae epididymides of male mice. In addition, RT-PCR analysis was carried out with mRNA extracted from the hypothalamus and testes to evaluate the expression of the circadian clock genes Clock, Bmal1, Per1, and Cry1. The complete induction of testicular activity was detected from February to April and from August to October, with testes weight increasing with the completion of spermatogenesis (reproductive season). From May to early June and from November to early January, testicular weight declined, the seminiferous tubules reduced in size, spermatogenesis was arrested, and sperm were not produced (non-reproductive season). From mid- June to July and mid-January, the re-induction of testicular activity for spermatogenesis was observed in the seminiferous tubules (transitional season). Out of the four examined genes, Cry1 had the highest expression level in both the hypothalamus and testes throughout the year, followed by Bmal1, Per1, and Clock. The expression of Bmal1 was significantly lower in the hypothalamus and testes during the transitional season compared to the reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. Cry1 transcript levels were also significantly lower in the hypothalamus and testes during the transitional season compared to the reproductive season. In conclusion, the results indicating changes in testicular morphology revealed annual reproductive, non-reproductive, and transmission periods in Japanese wood mice. When an increase in testicular activity was observed indicating the onset of the reproductive season, the mean day length was approximately 11–13 h. The expression of the circadian clock genes Bmal1 and Cry1 in the hypothalamus and testes during the reproductive season was significantly higher than that of the same genes during the transitional season. Consequently, completion of spermatogenesis occurred in the seminiferous tubules of Japanese wood mice testes during the reproductive period.

Survival of HER2-positive primary breast cancer patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus trastuzumab: a multicenter retrospective observational study (JBCRG-C03 study).

We investigated the disease-free survival (DFS) of HER2-positive primary breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus trastuzumab, as well as predictive factors for DFS and pathologic response. Data from 829 female patients treated between 2001 and 2010 were collected from 38 institutions in Japan. Predictive factors were evaluated using multivariate analyses. The 3-year DFS rate was 87 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 85-90]. The pathologic complete response (pCR: ypT0/is + ypN0) rate was 51 %. The pCR rate was higher in the ER/PgR-negative patients than in the ER/PgR-positive patients (64 vs. 36 %, P < 0.001). Patients with pCR showed a higher DFS rate than patients without pCR (93 vs. 82 %, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed three independent predictors for poorer DFS: advanced nodal stage [hazard ratio (HR) 2.63, 95 % CI 1.36-5.21, P = 0.004 for cN2-3 vs. cN0], histological/nuclear grade 3 (HR 1.81, 95 % CI 1.15-2.91, P = 0.011), and non-pCR (HR 1.98, 95 % CI 1.22-3.24, P = 0.005). In the ER/PgR-negative dataset, non-pCR (HR 2.63, 95 % CI 1.43-4.90, P = 0.002) and clinical tumor stage (HR 2.20, 95 % CI 1.16-4.20, P = 0.017 for cT3-4 vs. cT1-2) were independent predictors for DFS, and in the ER/PgR-positive dataset, histological grade of 3 (HR 3.09, 95 % CI 1.48-6.62, P = 0.003), clinical nodal stage (HR 4.26, 95 % CI 1.53-13.14, P = 0.005 for cN2-3 vs. cN0), and young age (HR 2.40, 95 % CI 1.12-4.94, P = 0.026 for ≤40 vs. >40) were negative predictors for DFS. Strict pCR (ypT0 + ypN0) was an independent predictor for DFS in both the ER/PgR-negative and -positive datasets (HR 2.66, 95 % CI 1.31-5.97, P = 0.006 and HR 3.86, 95 % CI 1.13-24.21, P = 0.029, respectively). These results may help assure a more accurate prognosis and personalized treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

Semen collection and polymerase chain reaction-based sex determination of black-headed and straw-necked ibis.

This study aimed to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sexing and effective semen collection methods for black-headed and straw-necked ibis species. However, most birds are not sexually dimorphic, that is, the sexes appear similar. Therefore, the gender should be determined before semen collection. DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 11 black-headed and 4 straw-necked ibis. The sex was determined after PCR amplification of the EE0.6 region of W-chromosome. The PCR products were separated using gel electrophoresis. A single band indicated the presence of the EE0.6 region and that the individual was a female, while no band indicated that the individual was a male. Further, the single bands from seven specimens were amplified. Semen collection was performed by massage or a combination of massage with electro-ejaculation and was attempted during all four seasons. The semen was successfully collected in March from male straw-necked ibis using the massage method. Limited motility, viability and concentration of straw-necked ibis sperm were observed. The sperm length was 180 µm and that of the nucleus was 30 µm with acrosome located at the tip of the nucleus. Thus, the PCR-based sexing proved to be an accurate molecular sexing method for black-headed and straw-necked ibis. Furthermore, we successfully collected semen and observed the stained sperm nucleus and acrosome of the straw-necked ibis sperm. We propose that the use of this PCR methodology can be applied as a routine method for sex determination and semen collection in ibis species for future ecological research. However, considering our limited success, further studies on semen collection method are required.

Degree of freezing does not affect efficacy of frozen gloves for prevention of docetaxel-induced nail toxicity in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Frozen gloves (FG) are effective in preventing docetaxel-induced nail toxicity (DNT), but uncomfortable. The preventive effect of FG for DNT was compared using a standard (-25 to -30°C) or more comfortable (-10 to -20°C) preparation. METHODS: Breast cancer patients receiving docetaxel were eligible. Each patient wore an FG (prepared at -10 to -20°C for 90 min) for 60 min without replacement on the right hand. The left hand was protected by standard methods (FG prepared at -25 to -30°C overnight and worn for 90 min with replacement at 45 min). The primary endpoint was DNT occurrence at 5 months. Secondary endpoints included docetaxel exposure [cumulative dose and area under the blood concentration time curve (AUC)] until DNT occurrence and discomfort from FG. The pharmacokinetics of docetaxel was assessed. RESULTS: From 23 patients enrolled between December 2006 and June 2010, seven who received docetaxel for less than 5 months were excluded from evaluation. The median accumulated docetaxel dose was 700 mg/m(2) (340-1430 mg/m(2)). Within 5 months of FG use, none developed protocol-defined DNT in either hand. Two patients (13%) developed DNT at 7.2 and 7.3 months, respectively, both at -10 to -20°C. In the control hand (-25 to -30°C), discomfort occurred in 92% of the cycles, compared to 15% in the experimental hand (-10 to -20°C). Five patients (22%) experienced pain at -25 to -30°C, but none did at -10 to -20°C. The degree of docetaxel exposure was not related to DNT occurrence in our study. CONCLUSION: A convenient preparation of FG at -10 to -20°C is almost as effective as a standard preparation at -25 to -30°C, with significantly less discomfort.

Interspecies somatic cell nucleus transfer with porcine oocytes as recipients: A novel bioassay system for assessing the competence of canine somatic cells to develop into embryos.

Interspecies somatic cell nucleus transfer (iSCNT) could be a useful bioassay system for assessing the ability of mammalian somatic cells to develop into embryos. To examine this possibility, we performed canine iSCNT using porcine oocytes, allowed to mature in vitro, as recipients. Canine fibroblasts from the tail tips and dewclaws of a female poodle (Fp) and a male poodle (Mp) were used as donors. We demonstrated that the use of porcine oocytes induced blastocyst formation in the iSCNT embryos cultured in porcine zygote medium-3. In Fp and Mp, the rate of blastocyst formation from cleaved embryos (Fp: 6.3% vs. 22.4%; and Mp: 26.1% vs. 52.4%) and the number of cells at the blastocyst stage (Fp: 30.7 vs. 60.0; and Mp: 27.2 vs. 40.1) were higher in the embryos derived from dewclaw cells than in those derived from tail-tip cells (P<0.05). The use of donor cells of any type in later passages decreased the rate of blastocyst formation. Treatment with trichostatin-A did not improve the rate of blastocyst formation from cleaved dewclaw cell-derived embryos but did so in the embryos derived from the tail-tip cells of Fp. Only blastocysts derived from dewclaw cells of Mp developed outgrowths. However, outgrowth formation was retrieved in the embryos derived from dewclaw cells of Fp by aggregation at the 4-cell stage. We inferred that iSCNT performed using porcine oocytes as recipients could represent a novel bioassay system for evaluating the developmental competence of canine somatic cells.

The effect of saliva or serum on bacterial and Candida albicans colonization on type I collagen.

Colonization of Candida albicans on oral surfaces can serve as a reservoir for disseminated infections, such as aspiration pneumonia and gastrointestinal infection, particularly in the immunocompromised host. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of salivary and serum pellicles on C. albicans, Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis, Lactobacillus and Actinomyces colonization on type I collagen, a major organic component of periodontal ligaments. The colonization potential of two isolates each of C. albicans, S. mutans and S. sanguis, and a single isolate each of Lactobacillus and Actinomyces to uncoated (control), saliva-coated or serum-coated type I collagen plates (surface area 143 mm(2), Cell Disk; Sumitomo, Tokyo, Japan) was examined using a bioluminescent adenosine triphosphate assay based on firefly luciferase-luciferin system. The results revealed that with mutans streptococci, a saliva pellicle was significantly more effective in promoting bacterial colonization compared with the pellicle-free collagen disc, and the serum-coated sample significantly inhibited the colonization of streptococci (anova; P < 0b01). In contrast, in the case of C. albicans, Lactobacillus and Actinomyces isolates, a serum pellicle was significantly more effective in promoting the colonization, followed by saliva pellicle and uncoated specimen (anova; P < 0b01). These results suggested that crevicular fluid rich in seruminous components would promote the colonization of Candida, Lactobacillus and Actinomyces on type I collagen as opposed to streptococci which showed greater avidity to saliva-coated collagen.

Heat transfer and thermographic analysis of catalyst surface during multiphase phenomena under spray-pulsed conditions for dehydrogenation of cyclohexane over Pt catalysts.

Dehydrogenation of cyclohexane over Pt/alumite and Pt/activated carbon catalysts has been carried out for hydrogen storage and supply to fuel cell applications. An unsteady state has been created using spray pulsed injection of cyclohexane over the catalyst surface to facilitate the endothermic reaction to occur efficiently. Higher temperature of the catalyst surface is more favorable for the reaction, thus the heat transfer phenomena and temperature profile under alternate wet and dry conditions created using spray pulsed injection becomes important. IR thermography has been used for monitoring of temperature profile of the catalyst surface simultaneously with product analysis. The heat flux from the plate-type heater to the catalyst has been estimated using a rapid temperature recording and thermocouple arrangement. The estimated heat flux under transient conditions was in the range of 10-15 kW/m(2), which equates the requirement for endothermic reactions to the injection frequency of 0.5 Hz, as used in this study. The analysis of temperature profiles, reaction products over two different supports namely activated carbon cloth and alumite, reveals that the more conductive support such as alumite is more suitable for dehydrogenation of cyclohexane.

Pregnancy diagnosis based on the fecal progesterone concentration in beef and dairy heifers and beef cows.

The present study was undertaken to examine whether pregnancy diagnosis was possible by measuring fecal progesterone concentrations in beef and dairy heifers and beef cows. Rectal fecal samples collected on days 18-24 after insemination or days 11-17 after embryo transfer were mixed with methanol and shaken for preparation of a fecal solution. After centrifugation, the supernatant was extracted with petroleum ether followed by an enzyme immunoassay for progesterone. All pregnant animals showed fecal progesterone concentrations greater than 50 ng/g of fecal material on days 18-24 after AI or estrus. In non-pregnant animals, however, the fecal progesterone concentrations ranged widely from 5 to 180 ng/g of fecal material. In non-pregnant cattle, the percentage of cattle with <50 ng progesterone/g of fecal material compared with the total number was 37-60% on days 18-20, whereas the percentages increased more than 70% to a maximum of 78.1% on day 23. When 50 ng/g was considered as the cut-off value, the sensitivity and specificity of positive pregnancy tests were less than 70% on days 21-24, and 100% for negative pregnancy tests on days 18-24. There were significant differences in the mean fecal progesterone concentrations between pregnant and non-pregnant cattle on days 19-24. These results suggest that feces can be utilized to substitute for plasma and milk to measure progesterone for the purpose of pregnancy diagnosis in heifers and cows.

Enzyme immunoassay of progesterone in the feces from beef cattle to monitor the ovarian cycle.

The present study was undertaken to measure fecal progesterone concentration of beef cattle using antibody against authentic progesterone and to examine whether this method can monitor the ovarian cycle in beef cattle. Rectal fecal samples collected from 14 beef cattle were mixed with 6 ml of 100% methanol and shaken for 15 min. After centrifugation, supernatant was extracted with petroleum ether followed by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for progesterone. Specificity of the assay was examined by HPLC separation of fecal solution followed by the EIA in each fraction. The present assay identified only progesterone but not other metabolites in the feces sample that was extracted with petroleum ether. Sensitivity of the assay was estimated to be 0.0055 ng/ml (0.11 ng/g). Coefficient variations of intra- and inter-assay were 9.6-10.9% and 10.8-16.6%, respectively. Recovery rates ranged between 73 and 84%. Patterns in the fecal progesterone concentrations during the ovarian cycle were almost parallel to the plasma concentrations. A significant positive correlation was established between the fecal and plasma progesterone concentrations in individual animal (r=0.59-0.84, P<0.001, n=10) as well as pooled data (r=0.70, P<0.001, n=65). Fecal progesterone concentrations of day 0 (showing the nadir of concentration) of the ovarian cycle were less than 50 ng/g, which increased significantly toward day 9 (P<0.01). From days 14 to 18, there was significant reduction of fecal progesterone concentration (P<0.01). Ovarian cycles had at least 48 ng/g (mean=74 ng/g) of difference between minimum and maximum fecal progesterone concentrations. All cattle at days 9, 11 and 14 had higher fecal progesterone concentrations by more than 20 ng/g compared with day 0. These results suggest that the present EIA is suitable to measure the progesterone in cattle feces and can monitor ovarian cycle.

In vitro cariogenic potential of Candida albicans.

The adherence and dissociation of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Streptococcus mutans and S. sanguis to six substrates including hydroxylapatite (HAP) which exhibit various hydrophobicity, was examined by the use of a bioluminescent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. Dissolution of HAP by C. albicans or S. mutans was determined spectrophotometrically by the use of o-cresolphthalein complexone. In the adherence of C. tropicalis, S. mutans and S. sanguis, the amount of adherent cells correlated with the hydrophobicity of the substrates. In contrast, the adherence of C. albicans to HAP was extraordinary high, although the adherence of the fungi also correlated with the hydrophobicity of the substrates, except for HAP. The yeasts attached to HAP was effectively removed by high concentration of either phosphate or calcium ions. The amount of calcium-release from HAP caused by C. albicans and S. mutans was 113 microg ml(-1) (final pH = 3.45), and 5.4 microg ml(-1) (final pH 4.81), respectively and the maximum growth of C. albicans and S. mutans was 10(7) cfu ml(-1) and 7.4 x 10(12) cfu ml(-1), respectively. The results, taken together, suggest that C. albicans adhere to HAP specifically through electrostatic interaction, and that, in a much smaller number (1.0/7.4 x 10(5)), C. albicans possesses the ability to dissolve HAP to a greater extent (approximately 20-fold) when compared with S. mutans.

Bacterial and Candida adhesion to intact and denatured collagen in vitro.

Several recent reports imply the possibility of cariogenicity and periodontal disease linked to denture plaque containing Candida albicans. Adhesion of oral bacteria and Candida species to the extracellular matrix, such as type I collagen, fibronectin and denatured type I collagen, was examined by using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis. The adhesion of C. albicans to intact and denatured type I collagen was significantly greater than those of oral bacteria and other species of Candida. This result suggests that C. albicans possesses the ability to adhere specifically to extracellular matrix, as compared with other Candida species or oral bacteria.

Alteration of the coadherence of Candida albicans with oral bacteria by dietary sugars.

Interactions between bacterial oral flora and Candida albicans are important in denture plaque formation. This study therefore first aimed to quantify the coadherence of C. albicans and bacteria by the use of a bioluminescent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay based on the firefly luciferase-luciferin system. The second aim was to examine the effect of i) dietary sugars (used for preculture) and ii) enzymatic digestion of fungi on the coadherence. When yeast was preincubated in yeast nitrogen base medium (YNB) supplemented with 250 mM glucose, the yeast coadhered with all isolates of Streptoccus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis, and no significant coadhesion was observed with the isolates of Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus and Actinomyces. However, when the yeast was precultured in YNB supplemented with 500 mM galactose, the yeast coadhered with S. salivarius and Actinomyces, which was not observed when the yeast was grown in YNB with glucose. In addition, the coadherence of the yeast with the isolates of S. sanguis was significantly reduced. Enzymatic digestion of yeast and a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay revealed that expression of at least two types of proteinaceous adhesins are involved in these phenomena.

[Factors allowing continuous working of female nurses in the People's Republic of China--survey of 15 hospitals in 5 areas].

PURPOSE: Few investigations have been conducted on working, childcare and home education among female nurses (nurses) in the People's Republic of China (P.R. of China). The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors allowing continued working of female nurses. METHODS: The subjects were nurses from 15 hospitals in 3 provinces and 2 autonomous areas. They were surveyed by questionnaire regarding their childcare and home education. In was distributed by the Ministry of Health in the P.R. of China and the data were collected between February and April in 1996. RESULTS: A total of 4,284 (80.0%) questionnaires were collected. 1. About 60% of the nurses began working when they were 15 to 19 years old. The average length of service was 13.9 years. 2. Their professional position correlated directly with their years of service. 3. 4.3% of them had not continued working. 4. The nurses entrust their children to day-care institutions (61.2%) or grandparents (22.3%) during the daytime, and to the father (66.3%) or the grandparents (19.5%) during the night. 5. 17.6% of them have experienced being away from home for more than one month due to their job. 6. 66.8% of the nurses have experienced more than one month official trip, and had children under 14 years old at the time. They entrusted their children to day-care institutions (34.1%), to the father (29.2%) and grandparents (25.3%) during the official trip. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, most nurses are employed when they are young and go on working as nurses. It is possible for them to continue their work after marriage, childbirth, and while they are bringing up their children. The high rate of working woman, sufficient nursery schools and family cooperation in housework can be pointed out as main factors that enable them to continue their work.

[Childcare and home education in families of female nurses in the People's Republic of China--survey of 15 hospitals in 5 areas].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual conditions of childcare and home education among families of female nurses in the P. R. of China. METHODS: The subjects were nurses from 15 hospitals in 3 provinces and 2 autonomous areas. They were surveyed by questionnaire regarding their childcare and home education. It was distributed by the Ministry of Health in the P. R. of China and data were collected between February and April in 1996. RESULTS: A total of 4284 (80.0%) questionnaires were collected. 1. The age of the subjects was between 18 and 62 years old with a mean of 32.9 +/- 9.0 (SD) years 71.4% of them had husbands, whose ages were between 23 and 71 years old, the mean age being 38.3 +/- 8.4 (SD) years. The family types were 63.2% nuclear family and 33.7% extended family, with 3.1% being single. 65.1% of the subjects had children, whose mean number was 1.1 +/- 0.4 (SD). Firstborn children were 49.9% girls and 50.1% boys. 2. The most popular method of infant nutrition was breast-feeding, utilized by 60.1%. The highest rate (67.8%) was in the age group of 25 to 29 years old (P < 0.01). 3. The practice of "swaddling" (wrapping the child so as not to allow movement) was more common in the over 40 year old age group than the under 40 year old group (P < 0.01). Swaddling-practice showed significant differences by area. 4. The rates for children who helped with housework were 50.3% for girls and 46.7% for boys. 5. A number of children between 7 and 18 years old were studying English privately. 6. The greatest expectation of the subjects, for their children aged between 7 and 18 years old, was to study. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Infant nutrition showed significant differences between generations, and swaddling-practice differed with the generation and the area. 2. Although girls help their parents more than boys in Japan, boys and girls equally helped their parents in the P. R. of China. 3. Concerning the topics of private learning and parents expectations, the results were similar to those in Japan.

[The ability of frequency doubling technology to detect abnormality of visual function in early glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of the Frequency Doubling Technology(FDT) threshold test in detecting abnormality of visual function in early glaucoma patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The C-20 full threshold test of FDT was performed on 34 normal-tension glaucoma(NTG) patients and 39 primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG) patients with visual field defects limited to the upper or lower hemi-field as detected by Humphrey Field Analyzer(HFA) and on 79 normal control subjects. Optic disk findings and FDT results corresponding to the intact hemi-field were evaluated. FDT abnormalities in normal subjects were calculated as false positive rates in FDT. RESULT: The sensitivity and specificity of FDT, calculated based on optic disk findings, were 75.0% and 61.1% in POAG, and 61.1% and 66.7% in NTG, respectively, while the false positive rate in normal subjects was 11.4%. CONCLUSION: FDT can detect glaucomatous functional abnormality earlier than HFA.

The association between intravenous haloperidol and prolonged QT interval.

Although intravenous haloperidol (HAL) is an effective medication that is often prescribed to treat agitation, several instances of torsade de pointes or prolonged QT interval have been reported. To investigate the association between intravenous HAL and QT prolongation and between intravenous HAL and ventricular tachyarrhythmia, a cross-sectional cohort study was performed that included measuring corrected QT intervals (QTc) on an emergency basis before intravenous HAL and continuously monitoring electrocardiographic (ECG) findings after intravenous HAL. During a 2-month period, 47 patients received intravenous injections to control psychotic disruptive behavior. According to clinical practice, patients were divided as follows. The FZ-alone group was treated with intravenous flunitrazepam (FZ), and the FZ-plus-HAL group received intravenous FZ followed by intravenous HAL. Although the difference in the mean QTc immediately after intravenous FZ between the two groups was not significant, the mean QTc after 8 hours in the FZ-plus-HAL group was longer than that in the FZ-alone group (p < 0.001). Four patients in the FZ-plus-HAL group had a QTc of more than 500 msec after 8 hours. The change in QTc during 8 hours significantly differed between the two groups (t = 2.64, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the change in QTc was moderately correlated with the dose of intravenous HAL, as evidenced by a coefficient of correlation of 0.48 (p < 0.001). However, ventricular tachyarrhythmia was not detected among 307 patients within a 1-year period, although the ECG was continuously monitored for at least 8 hours after intravenous HAL. The modest nature of QTc prolongation and the apparent absence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia under continuous ECG monitoring indicate that QTc prolongation associated with intravenous HAL is not necessarily dangerous. However, in an emergency situation, clinicians cannot exclude patients predisposed to torsade de pointes, such as those with inherited ion channel disorders. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the association between intravenous HAL and QT prolongation.

[Usefulness of frequency doubling technology as a screening test for glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of frequency doubling technology (FDT) as a screening test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred and six eyes of 106 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 66 eyes of 66 normal subjects were examined in a screening program using FDT. The test results were evaluated by comparison with the results obtained by Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) and/or the appearance of the optic disk. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of FDT regarding the existence of abnormal points worse than mild relative loss were 88% and 95%, respectively. At least one abnormal point worse than mild relative loss in FDT was detected in over 90% of the abnormal hemifields equal to or worse than stage 2 of Aulhorn's classification modified by Greve, but it was 55% and 65% in stages 0-1 and 1, respectively. Nerve fiber layer defects were found in 67% of the hemifields, which was judged as abnormal in FDT but normal in HFA. CONCLUSION: FDT is useful for detection of glaucomatous visual field defects in stage 2 or worse. FDT may detect early glaucomatous visual field defects overlooked in HFA testing.

Tumor formation on the coral Montipora informis.

A high incidence of tumors (i.e., abnormal skeletal growth) was observed on Montipora informis Bernard, 1897 (Acroporidae) coral colonies on the shallow reef flat of Sesoko Island, Okinawa, Japan. Tumors were recognized as slightly hemispherical protuberances and were characterized by fewer numbers of polyps per surface area, fewer zooxanthellae per polyp, and finer skeletal structures than normal. In addition, fecundity was significantly reduced in tumored areas. Tumor formation appeared localized, stable and non-epidemic. During the summer of 1998, coincident with the global coral bleaching event, tumored tissue suffered higher mortality than normal tissue. The mechanism triggering tumor formation remains unknown.

Prolonged QT interval in acute psychotic patients.

Some recent clinical studies indicate that hypokalemia is characteristic for acute psychotic patients at the time of emergency admission. As hypokalemia is one of the major causes for prolonged QT interval, it was hypothesized that acute psychotic patients could show prolonged QT interval. Sixty-seven drug-free, acute psychotic patients were evaluated for corrected QT (QTc) interval, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics at the time of emergency admission. The mean QTc interval of psychiatric emergency patients was prolonged, and the mean QTc interval of psychiatric emergency patients was longer than that of psychiatric outpatients (t=5.20, P<0.0001). Age- or gender-related difference, circadian fluctuation of QT interval, medication, concomitant disease, obesity, and serum electrolytes except potassium were not major causes. There was a significant negative correlation as evidenced by a coefficient of correlation of -0.28 (P<0.05). As psychiatric emergency patients often receive parenteral antipsychotics, which may have adverse effects on prolonged QT interval, paying attention to QT interval might have some clinical significance on emergency admission.