Pinning of texture and vortices of the rotating B-like phase of superfluid 3He confined in a 98% aerogel.

We have investigated pinning effects on texture and vortices of the B-like phase of superfluid (3)He in a rotating aerogel up to +/-2pi rad/s by cw-NMR. We observed deformation of the NMR spectra in rotation, due to counterflow between the superflow and the normal flow. The average intensity of the counterflow was calculated from the change of NMR spectra. The rotation dependence of the counterflow intensity is similar to the magnetization curve of hard type II superconductors or the counterflow response of (4)He-II in packed powders. This counterflow behavior is in qualitative agreement with a model that vortices are pinned unless the counterflow exceeds a critical velocity v(c). The temperature independence of v(c) suggests that v(c) is associated with the expansion of primordial vortices.

Vortex formation and annihilation in three textures of rotating superfluid 3He-A.

Textures, textural transformation, and formation and annihilation of a single vortex were investigated in narrow cylinders with 100 microm radius in A-phase under rotation up to 6.28 rad/sec. Three textures were found, depending on the cooling conditions of the sample through the superfluid transition temperature T(c). We found the gyromagnetic effect of textures; that is, two textures (A or B) could be selected either by applying a magnetic field in parallel or anti-parallel to the rotation axis. The critical angular speed of a single vortex formation Omega(f) and that of annihilation Omega(a) for each texture were measured. The textural transformation in type A texture was induced by rotation. Both type A and B textures held macroscopic angular momentum along the rotation axis. We identified the texture for type A, B, and C as Mermin-Ho, radial disgyration, and a soliton type of defect along the axis, respectively.

Collective oscillations of vortex lattices in rotating Bose-Einstein condensates.

The complete low-energy collective-excitation spectrum of vortex lattices is discussed for rotating Bose-Einstein condensates by solving the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation, yielding, e.g., the Tkachenko mode recently observed at JILA. The totally symmetric subset of these modes includes the transverse shear, common longitudinal, and differential longitudinal modes. We also solve the time-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation to simulate the actual JILA experiment, obtaining the Tkachenko mode and identifying a pair of breathing modes. Combining both approaches allows one to unambiguously identify every observed mode.

Phenomenological theory of ferromagnetic superconductivity.

It is argued that the pairing symmetry realized in a ferromagnetic superconductor UGe(2) must be a nonunitary triplet pairing. This particular state is free from the Pauli limitation and can survive under a huge internal molecular field. To check our identification we examine its basic properties and several experiments are proposed. In particular, the external field is used to raise T(c) by controlling the internal spontaneous dipole field.

Ultrastructure of Trichophyton mentagrophytes stained with neutral red.

The ultrastructure of Trichophyton mentagrophytes cells stained with neutral red was investigated using electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Fixatives containing molybdenum and chromium were used to prevent the outflow of neutral red. Electron-dense particles composed of metals and dye were observed exclusively in the vacuoles, which were increased in number and size, but not near the cell wall. Results indicate that neutral red passes directly through the fungal cell wall and is incorporated into the vacuoles.

[In vitro antifungal activities of lanoconazole against stock cultures and clinical isolates of Candida albicans].

In vitro antifungal activities of lanoconazole (LCZ) against 9 stock cultures and 10 clinical isolates of Candida albicans were determined using three different testing media, Sabouraud's glucose broth (SGB), Sabouraud's glucose agar (SGA) and casitone agar (CA). MIC values of LCZ against both the stock cultures and clinical isolates measured on CA distributed in a range of 0.63-5 micrograms/ml. The values were 8-64-fold lower than those obtained in SGB and on SGA. MIC ranges and the geometric mean MIC values of LCZ against stock cultures were virtually the same as those against clinical isolates, no matter which assay techniques were used. These results suggest that there is no difference in the LCZ susceptibility between stock cultures and clinical isolates of C. albicans, although anti-Candida activity of LCZ was determined to be greater on CA than that in SGB or on SGA.

Therapeutic efficacy of latoconazole in formulations of clinical use on experimental dermatophytosis in guinea pigs.

Therapeutic efficacy of clinical dosage forms of latoconazole (NND-318, CAS 101530-10-3), related compound of ketene dithioacetals with an imidazole ring, was examined on two experimental tinea models: a recently developed tinea pedis model and a conventional tinea corporis model in guinea pigs. The efficacy of the dosage forms was estimated on the basis of the rate of fungus-positive skin cultures and/or the score of skin lesions, and was compared to the other antifungal agents, bifonazole, clotrimazole and tolnaftate. While these reference agents exhibited curative effect on the tinea corporis model, the tinea pedis model was considerably resistant to the therapeutic treatment of the agents. The cream preparation and solution of lactoconazole at concentrations of more than 0.25% were highly effective in either tinea models, and at concentrations of more than 1%, lactoconazole achieved complete mycological cure. These results suggest that 1% of lactonazole is an optimal concentration for clinical use.

Antifungal activity of the new agent latoconazole in two tinea models.

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the new imidazole derivative latoconazole ((+-)-(E)-[4-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene]-1- imidazolylacetonitrile, NND-318; CAS 101530-10-3) were studied in comparison with three major topical agents, clotrimazole, bifonazole and tolnaftate. The in vitro activity of latoconazole against dermatophytes was much stronger than that of any reference agent tested. Both the recently developed tinea pedis model and the conventional tinea model in guinea pigs were employed for evaluation of topical usefulness of latoconazole. The 1% solution or cream preparation of latoconazole was highly effective in both of the two tinea models and its 5 or more doses achieved almost complete mycological cure. However, both tinea models, especially the former, were considerably resistant to the therapeutic treatment of all of the reference drugs. These results suggest that latoconazole is a promising topical antifungal agent, probably applicable to the treatment of tinea pedis as well as other types of dermatomycoses.

[A phase II study of SM-5887 for advanced gastric cancer].

A phase II clinical trial of SM-5887, a new totally synthesized anthracycline derivative, was carried out in 13 patients with inoperable or recurrent gastric cancer. No patient had been given anthracycline previously. SM-5887 was administered by I.V. bolus with a dose of 100 mg/m2 every three weeks. Twelve of 13 cases were eligible and evaluable for the response. Of the 12 evaluated cases, 6 showed no change (NC), including one minor response (MR). The remaining 6 cases showed progressive disease (PD). Adverse effects were relatively mild in most cases and included anemia, leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea/vomiting, phlebitis, hair loss and fever. Among them, leukocytopenia was observed most frequently.

[Chronic subdural hematoma secondary to metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the dura mater and skull--a case report].

A 72 year-old woman was hospitalized with the complaint of headache and nausea. Under the diagnosis of right chronic subdural hematoma, a small craniotomy was performed for the total removal of the hematoma. The patient died 14 days after the operation because of the complication of acute DIC. Histologically, metastasis of adenocarcinoma was detected in the dura mater and skull. Previously reported cases of subdural hematoma secondary to cancer were reviewed in the literature. It is considered that a coagulation defect such as DIC may play a significant role in the development of subdural hematoma. It is suggested that the chronic subdural hematoma in the present case was caused by chronic DIC due to metastasis of bone marrow, and that the patient deteriorated as a result of acute DIC triggered by the surgical therapy.

[Therapeutic effects of SM-4300 and antibiotics combination against severe bacterial infections].

A newly developed human immunoglobulin preparation for intravenous administration (SM-4300) was applied to the severe bacterial infections in the field of internal medicine. Nine cases of severe infections were treated with SM-4300 and antibiotics combination. Clinical effects of SM-4300 were excellent in 1 case, good in 5, poor in 1 and unknown in 2. The efficacy rate was summarized as 86%, and no side effects were observed.

Inhalation provocation test with house dust allergen using tidal breathing.

Using the modified 3-Hz oscillation method, the inhalation challenge test was performed with house dust allergen upon subjects while tidal breathing throughout the test. Their total respiratory resistance (Rrs) was continuously monitored with the inhalation of saline as a control, and 250-, 50-, and 10-fold diluted allergen solution to the inhalation of aerosolized metaproterenol. The starting point of the induced bronchoconstriction was checked and as soon as Rrs increased up to twice the base-line value, the subjects inhaled the aerosolized metaproterenol. From the dose-response curve of Rrs, the dose of inhaled allergen (minimum dose) as bronchial sensitivity was determined; also the decreasing rate of respiratory conductance, which was calculated from the slope of elevation of Rrs, as bronchial reactivity. It was found that the more diluted allergen required for a positive skin reaction, the more likely the patients were to have a subsequent positive bronchial inhalation challenge to house dust allergen. There was a relationship between the increased bronchial reactivity and the increased RAST score. These results indicate that this inhalation challenge test is specific, safe, and time-saving.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with prifinium bromide.

Prifinium bromide, an anticholinergic agent, was given to patients with irritable bowel syndrome in an open trial to evaluate the drug's clinical efficacy. The trial lasted four weeks, although two of the 40 patients were treated for only two weeks. Prifinium bromide was judged beneficial in 28 patients (70%), slightly beneficial in six (15%), and not beneficial in six (15%). One case of moderate constipation was the only side effect encountered. In conclusion, prifinium bromide is considered a valuable drug for the management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Inhibitory effects of histamine antagonists on the skin reaction with house dust allergen, histamine and compound 48/80 in Japanese monkeys.

Using the skin of monkeys, we studied the participation of histamine receptors in the immediate skin reaction. Intradermal injection of H2 agonist produced whealing reaction to a significant degree, although this effect was not so remarkable as the effect of H1 agonist. A non-thiourea H2 antagonist showed a significant inhibitory effect on the whealing reaction to allergen, compound 48/80, and histamine. These results suggest that H2 antagonist prevented the whealing reaction by changing the vascular reaction to secreted or exogenous histamine. However, the participation of histamine receptors on dermal mast cells in the immediate skin allergic reaction is still left inconclusive.