Temperature elevation in the eye of anatomically based human head models for plane-wave exposures.

This study investigated the temperature elevation in the eye of anatomically based human head models for plane-wave exposures. The finite-difference time-domain method is used for analyzing electromagnetic absorption and temperature elevation. The eyes in the anatomic models have average dimensions and weight. Computational results show that the ratio of maximum temperature in the lens to the eye-average SAR (named 'heating factor for the lens') is almost uniform (0.112-0.147 degrees C kg W(-1)) in the frequency region below 3 GHz. Above 3 GHz, this ratio increases gradually with an increase of frequency, which is attributed to the penetration depth of an electromagnetic wave. Particular attention is paid to the difference in the heating factor for the lens between this study and earlier works. Considering causes clarified in this study, compensated heating factors in all these studies are found to be in good agreement.

Simulation of exposure and SAR estimation for adult and child heads exposed to radiofrequency energy from portable communication devices.

The level and distribution of radiofrequency energy absorbed in a child's head during the use of a mobile phone compared to those in an adult head has been a controversial issue in recent years. It has been suggested that existing methods that are used to determine specific absorption rate (SAR) and assess compliance with exposure standards using an adult head model may not adequately account for potentially higher levels of exposure in children due to their smaller head size. The present study incorporates FDTD computations of locally averaged SAR in two different anatomically correct adult and child head models using the IEEE standard (Std. C95.3-2002) SAR averaging algorithm. The child head models were obtained by linear scaling of the adult head model to replicate the conditions of previous studies reported in the literature and also by transforming the different adult head models based on data on the external shapes of children's heads. The tissue properties of the adult and corresponding child head models were kept the same. In addition, modeling and experimental measurements were made using three spheres filled with a tissue-equivalent mixture to approximate heads of increasing size. Results show that the peak local average SAR over 1 g and 10 g of tissue and the electromagnetic energy penetration depths are about the same in all of the head models under the same exposure conditions. When making interlaboratory comparisons, the model and the SAR averaging algorithm used must be standardized to minimize controversy.

Lack of promotion of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin carcinogenesis by 1.5 GHz electromagnetic near fields.

The effects of 1.5 GHz electromagnetic near fields of time division multiple access (TDMA) signal for the Personal Digital Cellular, Japanese cellular telephone standard (PDC) used for cellular phones, on mouse skin carcinogenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) were examined. Ten-week-old ICR female mice were treated with a single application of DMBA on shaved dorsal skin by painting at a concentration of 100 microg/100 microl acetone per mouse. One week later, mice were divided into four groups, receiving electromagnetic near fields exposure (DMBA-EMF), sham-exposure (DMBA-Sham), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 4 microg /200 microl acetone/mouse), as a positive control (DMBA-TPA), and no-treatment (DMBA-Control). EMF near fields exposure conditions were as follows: skin local peak specific absorption rate (SAR) 2.0 W/kg, whole body average SAR 0.084 W/kg (ratio of peak to average SAR is 24), 90 min a day, 5 days a week, for 19 weeks. At week 20, animals were killed and skin tumors were analyzed histopathologically. The incidences of skin tumors in DMBA-EMF, DMBA-Sham, DMBA-TPA and DMBA-Control groups were 0/48 (0%), 0/48 (0%), 29/30 (96.6%) and 1/30 (3.3%), respectively. Histopathologically, papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were observed in the DMBA-TPA group and only papilloma observed in the DMBA-Control group. The incidences of squamous cell papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas in DMBA-TPA and DMBA-Control groups were 29/30 (96.6%) and 1/30 (3.3%), respectively, numbers of tumors per mouse (tumor multiplicity) being 18.8 +/- 13.4 and 0.1 +/- 0.5. These data clearly demonstrated that near fields exposure to 1.5 GHz EMF, used for cellular phones, does not exert any enhancing effect on skin tumorigenesis initiated by DMBA.

[Significance and effects of intraperitoneal cisplatin administration for ovarian cancer].

We studied the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy in which a high-dose platinum agent was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) plus intravenously (i.v.) to 22 patients with stage III ovarian cancer. The chemotherapy consisted of etoposide (i.p.), cisplatin (i.p.), and carboplatin (i.v.). Each course was repeated every 4 weeks and a maximum of 5 courses was given in the 6 months following the initial surgery. As a control, 13 patients received different chemotherapy (CAP etc.) in which cisplatin, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin pirarubicin hydrochloride were administered. The mean (SD) total dose of cisplatin in the patient group group (790.6 +/- 317.0 mg/m2) over the 6 months was significantly higher than in the control group (377.2 +/- 215.1 mg/m2). The overall response rate (CR + PR) 6 months after the completion (95.5%) was significantly higher in the study patients than in the control group (53.1%). The 1, 3, 5-year survival rates were significantly higher in the EPJ group (91.0, 59.0, 42.1%) than in the control group (53.8, 15.4, 15.4%). There was no significant difference in renal toxicity or bone marrow suppression (leukopenia and thrombocytopenia) between the two groups. EPJ therapy allowed an increased dose of cisplatin in the treatment of ovarian cancer without enhancing renal toxicity, resulting in higher response and survival rates. This study demonstrated that this therapy is an effective and well-tolerated regimen.

Expression of Ah receptor and dioxin-related genes in human uterine endometrium in women with or without endometriosis.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been suggested as a possible etiologic factor for endometriosis, a condition in which endometrium-like tissues are present outside the uterus. The prevailing view pertaining to the origin of endometriotic cells is that they are from eutopic endometrial cells which regurgitate through fallopian tubes. In order to get insight into the possible involvement of TCDD in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, we suspected that TCDD may act differently on the endometrium with or without endometriosis. To address this, we examined the presence of messenger RNAs of arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt) and two dioxin-responsive genes, cytochrome P-450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and downstream of tyrosine kinases (p62(dok)), in the endometrium of women with or without endometriosis using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. All the genes were expressed throughout the menstrual cycle. The expression level of p62(dok) was higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase. In contrast, the expression levels of AhR, Arnt and CYP1B1 seemed to be constant during the cycle. In terms of the comparison between non-endometriosis and endometriosis group, the mRNA levels of AhR, Arnt, CYP1B1 and p62(dok) were essentially similar. Interestingly, AhR mRNA level was significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers. Based on the regression analysis, significant linear and positive correlations were observed between AhR and Arnt mRNA levels, and between Arnt and p62(dok) mRNA levels. In summary, expression of AhR and dioxin-related genes in the endometrium did not differ in women with or without endometriosis.

[Immunohistological evaluation of parathyroid hormone-related protein in breast cancer with and without calcification on mammography].

PTHrP is the main factor of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. PTHrP produces the same effect on renal and osteoblast membrane in vitro and on calcium and inorganic phosphate fluxes in vivo as human PTH. Physiologically, PTHrP is produced by rat mammary tissue during lactation. It is suggested that PTHrP correlates to the metabolism of calcium in the mammary gland. Using anti-PHTrP (1-34) monoclonal antibody 4B3, we investigated the correlation of PTHrP and calcification in breast cancer. All the breast cancers with calcification on mammography showed positive immunostaining. Most cases without calcification, on the other hand, showed negative. Positive PTHrP staining was not related to the any clinical parameter. It is suspected that PTHrP is also one of the main factors of calcification in breast cancer.

[A case of obstructive jaundice caused by incarceration of pancreatic stones in the ampulla of papilla Vater].

A very rare case of obstructive jaundice caused by the incarceration of pancreatic stones in the ampulla of papilla Vater is reported. A forty-eight-year-old man, who had been taking alcohol daily for 10 years, was admitted to our hospital because of recurrent attacks of upper abdominal pain. Biochemical analysis demonstrated typical pattern of chronic pancreatitis. US, CT and ERCP showed a markedly dilated pancreatic duct and pancreatic calcifications. Cholecystolithiasis, or dilatation of the choledochus was not noted. Conservative treatment was performed under the diagnosis of chronic calcifying pancreatitis for one month. Then, obstructive jaundice, severe epigastralgia, and high fever occurred. Obstructive jaundice with sudden onset and existence of pancreatic stones suggested incarceration of pancreatic stones in the bile duct, and cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. The largest pancreatic stone was incarcerated into the ampulla of papilla Vater. Histopathological analysis of the pancreas showed severe chronic pancreatitis. No report of the similar case can be found in the literature. Incarceration of pancreatic stones into biliary system might be very rare, however, should not be forgotten in differential diagnoses of obstructive jaundice in chronic pancreatitis patients.

[Mammary fibroadenoma showing osseous metaplasia: a case report].

Discussed is a 33-year-old premenopausal woman who noted a mass in her right breast. On palpation, the tumor was determined as being 3.5 x 2.5 cm in size, well circumscribed, of a firm consistency, and freely movable. Mammography showed a well-defined oval lesion which contained a coarse calcification in the upper external quadrant. An ultrasound study revealed a well-defined oval low echoic lesion with a high echoic portion in the internal echo. The tumor was extirpated and a gross inspection found it to be an ordinary fibroadenoma, 3.2 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm in size. Histologically the lesion was a hyalinized fibroadenoma showing osseous metaplasia. A review of the literature has not revealed cases of a benign breast tumors showing an osseous and/or cartilagenous metaplasia. Notable however is that many reports show mammary osteosarcomas as originating from a fibroadenoma. Thus, this tumor also might have possibly developed into a osteosarcoma.

[Breast cancer: the significance of parasternal node dissection, with reference to the lymph flow of the breast].

The clinical significance of dissection of the parasternal lymph nodes (Ps) as a means for treating breast cancer has been re-evaluated through a lymph-flow study, which involved 58 cases of breast cancer patients and the use of CH 44. Initially, 1 ml of CH 44 was injected about the breast tumor immediately prior to the mastectomy. Later, the percentage of metastasis in the dissected lymph nodes, stained black by the CH 44, was studied. It was found that the originating site of the cancer had no impact on the parasternal nodes that stained black (inner and central, 76.7%; outer, 53.6%). Even in patients with an outer site tumor, cases with a metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes (Ax) showed a Ps staining as high as 75%. Thus, through not only a prognostic study but also through this lymph flow study, it has been clarified that for breast cancer, both the Ps and Ax are located at the same level as the primary lymph nodes.

Hypoxia-induced fatal aircraft accident revealed by voice analysis.

The voice communication was the only clue of the fatal F-104J accident encountered during high-altitude intercept procedures, and it was analysed to prove the presence of hypoxia as a causal factor. A simulated low-pressure chamber flight was undertaken, and the subject's voice, saying the same words as the pilot, was analyzed in the same way. Comparison of these two voices revealed a similarity in characteristic changes of the sound spectrum and time course. The blurred formation of formant, fundamental, and harmonic frequencies, as well as the obscured gap in pre-vocal cord opening time (VOT) of the sound spectrogram, were thought to be the effects of hypoxia. Lowered fundamental frequency of the pilot's voice, even at the stressful period of attack, has strongly suggested decreased vigilance due to hypoxia. Through these findings, it was concluded that the cause of the accident was probably hypoxia in the pilot.

Method for determining pilot stress through analysis of voice communication.

Factors inherent in aircraft communication systems hinder customary approaches to voice analysis in the determination of the degree of stress experienced by a pilot during an inflight emergency. By means of a sound spectrogram, the mean vibration space of a voice can be analyzed if the space between the vertical deflections of the vowel sounds is calculated in micrometers. The vibration space shift rate (VSSR) is calculated by comparing the widest vibration space of the voice during the normal phase of the same flight (standard vibration space: SVS) with that encountered during the emergency situation (EVS) by the following formula: VSSR = ((SUS-EVS)/SUS) X 100%. The number of measuring points in each case differs in regard to the length of communication during the emergency. The VSSR can be divided into three phases - normal, urgent, and emergency - each with three grades of 0.5 S.D. apiece.