Changes in maxillofacial morphology due to improvement of nasal obstruction in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of release of experimentally introduced nasal obstruction on maxillofacial morphology and percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 36) were divided into a control group (n = 6) and a nasal obstruction group (n = 30). In the nasal obstruction group, the right nostril was occluded with silicon, which was subsequently removed after a given experimental period (days 7, 21, 35, 49 and 63). These animals were then divided into groups D7, D21, D35, D49 and D63 (each n = 6), according to the day at which the obstruction was released. The SpO2 was measured in rats with nasal obstruction at five experimental points. The maxillofacial morphology in rats on the first day and 63 days after the start of the experiment was evaluated by microcomputed tomography. RESULTS: The SpO2 was still lower at 2 weeks after the improvement of the nasal obstruction in the D49 group than in the control group. In addition, the height of the nasal maxillary complex of the D35, D49 and D63 groups was significantly decreased compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that long-term unilateral nasal obstruction in growing rats may affect the growth of the nasomaxillary complex and reduce the SpO2 permanently. Therefore, early improvement of nasal obstruction in rats during the growth period may improve the SpO2 and cranial development and promote normal growth and development.

Immunological dissimilarity in protein component (dynein 1) between outer and inner arms within sea urchin sperm axonemes.

The 0.5 M KCl-treatment solubilizes the outer arms from sea urchin sperm axonemes. Approximately 30 percent of A-polypeptide, corresponding to dynein 1 in SDS- polyacrylamide gel, was solubilized by this treatment (as SEA-dynein 1). Electron microscopic observation indicated that the extracted axonemes lacked the outer arms in various degrees. The DEA-dynein 1 was that the extracted axonemes lacked the outer arms in various degrees. The SEA-dyenin 1 was purified and an antiserum against it was prepared in rabbits. The specificity of antiserum to dynein 1 was determined by immunoelectrophoresis and ouchterlony's double-diffusion test. The anti-dynein 1 serum inhibited ATPase activity of purified SEA-dynein 1 by 95 percent. By the indirect peroxidase-conjugated antibody method, the loci of SEA-dynein 1 within the intact, salt- extracted and mechanically disrupted axonemes were determined to be the outer arms: deposition of electron-dense materials which represents their localization was detected at the distal ends of the outer arms, in the case of intact axonemes. The 5-6 cross- bridge was hardly decorated. No decoration was seen in the salt-extracted axonemes lacking all the outer arms. In disrupted axonemes, which consist of single to several peripheral doublets, electron-dense materials were deposited only on the outer arms. Approximately 73 percent of axonemal ATPase activity sensitive to antiserum was solubilized by repeated salt-extractions. One-half of A-polypeptide (SEA-dynein 1 located at the outer arms) was contained in the pooled extracts. The extracted axonemes contained another half of A-polypeptide (SUA-dynein 1 supposed to locate at the inner arms) and retained 31 percent of axonemal ATPase activity that was almost resistant to antiserum. Solubilized SUA-dynein 1 was immunologically the same as SEA-dynein 1. This result indicates that in situ SUA-dynein 1 did not receive anti-dynein 1 antibodies, coinciding with the result obtained for salt-extracted axonemes lacking all the outer arms by the enzyme-antibody method mentioned above. These observations suggest that immunological dissimilarity in dynein 1 between outer and inner arms but do not tell us that the inner arms do not contain dynein 1.

The use of relaxin improves healing in injured muscle.

To improve the functional recovery of injured skeletal muscle, we have focused our efforts on both enhancement of muscle regeneration and prevention of fibrosis. The polypeptide cytokine/growth factor relaxin can inhibit fibrous tissue formation in many tissues. As a member of the insulin-like growth factor family, relaxin also is a potential stimulator of muscle regeneration. In the current experiment, we examined the antifibrotic effect of relaxin in injured skeletal muscle. We also investigated if the injection of relaxin would influence muscle regeneration after injury. Our results demonstrate that relaxin treatment improved histologic and physiologic healing of muscles subjected to traumatic injury.

Melanoma dynein: evidence that dynein is a general "motor" for microtubule-associated cell motilities.

Platyfish-swordtail hybrid melanoma cells exhibit pigment aggregation in response to adrenergic stimulation or melanophore-concentrating hormone. This translocation of pigment granules is thought to be related to radially arrayed microtubules. Very little is known about the molecular "motor" that powers the translocation. We present evidence that dynein is located on these microtubules and is a candidate for the "motor". Vanadate and erythro-9-[3-(2-hydroxynonyl)]adenine, which are potent inhibitors of dynein ATPase, prevent the transport of melanosome granules in Brij-treated melanoma cells. Direct identification of dynein in melanoma cells and tissues is demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting using anti-fragment A (tryptic fragment of sea urchin sperm dynein) serum. The cytoplasm of melanoma cells is stained with the antiserum and gives rise to a pattern similar to the distribution of microtubules. Western blotting shows that the molecular weight of an immunoreactive polypeptide in melanoma tissues coincides with that of the heavy chain of sea urchin sperm dynein.

Suppressive effect of intravenous immunoglobulins on the activity of interleukin-1.

In order to study the effect of human immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use (IVIg) on the production and activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1) derived from monocytes, we treated cultured monocytes with IVIg and examined the lymphocyte-activating factor (LAF) activity of IL-1 in the culture supernatants. The results showed that IVIg suppressed the activity from most healthy adults and some febrile children with acute respiratory disease or Kawasaki disease. Further studies revealed that intact Ig (whole molecular Ig) did not suppress the mRNA expression of IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta in mononuclear cells, that intact Ig and pepsin-digested Ig inhibited the LAF activity of recombinant IL-1 (rIL-1) and also that intact Ig contains immunoglobulin (probably anti-IL-1 antibody) which binds with rIL-1 by dot blotting using biotin-streptavidin. These results suggest that IVIg suppresses neither IL-1 synthesis nor the release of IL-1 from monocytes but does neutralize IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta activity by binding IL-1 proteins as an anti-IL-1 antibody.

Novel structures in secreting the androgenic gland hormone.

The secretory granules in the androgenic gland of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare, which have been indistinct for long time because of vulnerable structures, were revealed by using the rapid-freezing and freeze-substitution method. The fine structure of the androgenic gland is conspicuous by the distribution of numerous particular organelles in the cytoplasm consisting of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex, and by having a number of highly organized structures developed between the androgenic gland cells. The structures connect to the intercellular space, which is seen as intercellular canaliculi for exporting the androgenic gland hormone. The plasma membranes near the particular structure of the intercellular canaliculi in the androgenic gland are often specialized to form cellular junctions. The secretory granules including the electron-dense materials, which are supposed to be peptides of androgenic gland hormone, are distributed beside the particular structure of the intercellular canaliculi. Some of the granules are seen to fuse with the plasma membranes. This observation suggests that, in the Armadillidium vulgare, the secretory granules containing androgenic gland hormone are transferred to the extracellular space through the intercellular canaliculi particularly developed for exporting the peptide hormone. This is the first evidence to show the secretory mechanism of the androgenic gland hormone in the Isopoda.

p53 Plasmid Preparation and Techniques for Analysis of Gene Transfer and Expression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer death worldwide and is especially prevalent in certain areas of Africa and Asia. The most important etiological factor is infection with the hepatitis B or C virus. Treatment is generally unsatisfactory as the majority of patients are not suitable for surgical resection and chemotherapy is not particularly effective.

Effect of substrate presoaking treatment of support materials on the activity of immobilized glucoamylase.

The activity of immobilized glucoamylase was remarkably increased by presoaking treatment of the supports in soluble starch solution. Pig bone (PB) particles-100 showed the largest substrate presoaking effect among some representative support materials, increasing the activity of immobilized glucoamylase by 10 times. The improvement in the activity was due to the increase in the specific activity of immobilized proteins. In order to get sufficient substrate presoaking effect, a rapid crosslinking treatment of the enzyme and the substrate-presoaked support was required. The glucoamylase immobilized on PB sheet was very stable and gave a high starch hydrolysis of DE95 (dextrose equivalent) for about 1 month in continuous process.

Involvement of tryptophan metabolism in the body color of crustacea.

The terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare is usually grey or black in color, however, red ones are occasionally found in the field. This is caused by the mutation of the ommochrome genesis in the integument. We focused our experiments on the mechanism of pigment genesis in which tryptophan metabolism had been expected to be different from the grey or black wild types. We obtained the result that 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid content was significantly higher in the red phenotype than in the wild type, and kynureninase activity was also higher in the red phenotype.

Ommochrome genesis in an albino strain of a terrestrial isopod.

The contents of tryptophan (Trp) metabolites and the activities of the enzymes involved in ommochrome biosynthesis were measured in an albino strain of a terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare. There was little difference between the Trp content in the albino mutant and that in the wild type, although the contents of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OH-Kyn), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-OH-AA) and xanthommatin in the albino were significantly lower than those in the wild type. Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity in the albino was extremely low, while the activities of Kyn-3-hydroxylase and kynureninase did not differ significantly between the two phenotypes. The extremely low activity of TDO is probably one of main reasons why almost no ommochrome pigment is produced in the albino mutant.

Interleukin 8 in Behçet's disease.

Activated peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and infiltration of PMNs into the lesions are characteristic findings of Behçet's disease (BD). A variety of cytokines, including interleukin 8 (IL-8), have been shown to activate PMNs. To investigate the role of IL-8 in the development of BD lesions, IL-8 production in vivo and in vitro was examined in 25 BD patients. IL-8 levels measured by ELISA in the non stimulated culture supernatants of peripheral mononuclear cells (MNCs) were higher in patients with active BD than in those with inactive BD or normal controls. Without LPS stimulation, IL-8 mRNA expression in incubated MNCs detected by Northern blot analysis was higher in active BD patients than in controls. Polarization assay confirmed the accelerated activity of PMN isolated from patients with active BD. However, these PMNs did not respond to IL-8 as strongly as to FMLP (an exogenous stimulator); a possible reason is that the PMNs of these patients are constantly exposed to IL-8 in vivo. Immunohistochemically, MNCs, endothelial cells and fibroblasts in BD lesions were positively stained by anti-IL-8 antibody. These data indicate that the production of IL-8 may be accelerated in inactive BD and that IL-8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of BD.

Effect of sublethal X-irradiation on follicular trapping of immune complexes in the mouse lymph node.

In one set of experiments, the effect of sublethal X-irradiation on the 24 h localization of subcutaneously injected immune complexes in the lymph node follicles was studied in mice which were given HRP-anti-HRP complexes into the rear footpad at 1-3 weeks after irradiation and killed 1 day later. The 24 h follicular localization of injected immune complexes in draining popliteal nodes was severely impaired at 7 days after irradiation, at which time residual follicles were markedly depleted of B lymphocytes. In following weeks, residual follicles began to be repopulated, and the 24 h follicular localization of immune complexes became restored. Follicular dendritic cells (FDC), as was detected by the in vitro trapping assay and/or by the immunostaining for complement receptors CR1, were present in lymph nodes at any time after irradiation. Another group of mice were given HRP-anti-HRP complexes at 6 days of X-irradiation and killed from 15 min to 24 h later. Following the injection, complexes localized in residual follicles in draining nodes within 15 min but soon diminished in density and finally disappeared by 24 h after injection. It is obvious that sublethal irradiation affect neither transport of immune complexes to lymph node follicles nor their localization in these follicles. Rather rapid disappearance after temporal localization of immune complexes in residual follicles irradiated mice indicates that persisting FDC were unable effectively to trap immune complexes which were transported and localized in residual follicles. Ineffective trapping by FDC of immune complexes temporally localized in residual follicles is discussed in relation to the depletion of follicular B lymphocytes due to X-irradiation.

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on cefozopran in children].

Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on cefozopran (CZOP) were performed in children. The results were as followed: 1. A total of 13 patients were treated with CZOP. The tested dose was 20 mg/kg (50 mg/kg in maxillary sinusitis), and the drug administered via intravenous bolus injection or 30-minute intravenous drip infusion 3 times daily, for 3-11 days. Clinical efficacies of CZOP in 13 patients with bacterial infections (11 with pneumonia, 1 with otitis media and 1 with maxillary sinusitis) were evaluated as excellent in 13 with an efficacy rate of 100%. Any adverse reactions or abnormal laboratory test results were not observed in any patients. Fourteen causative strains were found in 10 patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae in 4 cases out of 4, Streptococcus pyogenes in 1/1, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis in 3/3, Haemophilus influenzae in 4/6 were eradicated. 2. Pharmacokinetic studies. The mean serum concentration immediately after intravenous drip infusion over 30-minute of 20 mg/kg was 39.1 micrograms/ml (range: 25.6-52.5 micrograms/ml). The mean urinary recovery rate over 8 hours after administration was 49.0% (range: 45.2-51.8%). Based on the above results and the broad spectrum and great antibacterial activity of CZOP, it is considered that CZOP is a promising antibiotic usable as a single agent for the primary therapy of acute bacterial infections ranging from mild to severe in children.

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological, and clinical studies on panipenem/betamipron in children].

Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies were performed on panipenem/betamipron (PAPM/BP) in children. The results are summarized as follow: 1. Twelve patients with various bacterial infectious diseases were treated with PAPM/BP. Each dose was 20 mg/20 mg/kg, administered 3 times daily, in 30-minute intravenous drip infusion. Treatments were continued for 5-22 days. Clinical efficacies of PAPM/BP in 12 patients with bacterial infections (1 with suspected sepsis, 5 with pneumonia, 1 with acute maxillary sinusitis, 2 with acute otitis media, 1 with cervical abscess and 2 with urinary tract infection complexed type) were evaluated as excellent in 7, good in 4 and fair in 1, with an efficacy rate of 91.7%. Seventeen causative organisms found in 10 patients (Haemophilus influenzae in 4, Branhamella catarrhalis in 3, Streptococcus pneumoniae in 2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2, Staphylococcus aureus in 1, alpha-Streptococcus in 1, Corynebacterium sp. in 1, Peptostreptococcus micros in 1 and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2) were eradicated except 2 strains (S. aureus and P. aeruginosa) from 1 patient (patient No. 2). No adverse reactions were observed in any of the 12 patients. 2. MICs of PAPM were examined against 22 clinical isolates (H. influenzae 5, B. catarrhalis 3, alpha-Streptococcus 3, S. pneumoniae 2, Corynebacterium sp. 2, S. aureus 1, P. aeruginosa 1, P. micros 1, Enterobacter cloacae 1, Escherichia coli 1, Group D Streptococcus 1 and Staphylococcus epidermidis 1) from children with bacterial infections. PAPM showed a good antibacterial activity comparable to the activity of cefoperazone (CPZ) against S. pneumoniae strains relatively tolerant to penicillins. However, the activity of PAPM against H. influenzae was somewhat weaker than that of CPZ. 3. Pharmacokinetic studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on cefditoren pivoxil in children].

Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on cefditoren pivoxil (CDTR-PI, ME 1207) were performed in children. The results were as follows: 1. A total of 18 patients (19 infections) were treated with CDTR-PI. The doses ranged 2.1-3.2 mg/kg, and it was orally administered 3 times daily, for 4-10 days. Clinical efficacies of CDTR-PI in 18 patients with 19 bacterial infections (3 with tonsillitis, 1 with bronchitis, 7 with pneumonia, 1 with acute maxillary sinusitis, 4 with otitis media, 1 with urinary tract infection, 2 with skin and soft tissue infection) were evaluated as excellent in 13 infections and as good in 6 infections with an efficacy rate of 100%. Twelve causative strains of 5 species were found in 11 patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae in 2 cases out of 3, Haemophilus influenzae in 4/4, Staphylococcus aureus in 2/2, Haemophilus parainfluenzae in 2/2 and Escherichia coli in 1/1 were eradicated. Two patients had mild diarrhea but did not need specific treatment. Severe adverse reaction was not observed in any of the 18 patients. 2. MICs of CDTR were examined against 4 clinically isolated S. pneumoniae strains. Two strains of S. pneumoniae were relatively resistant to penicillins. 3. Pharmacokinetic studies Peak serum CDTR concentrations in 3 patients were 2.38 micrograms/ml, 0.72 micrograms/ml and 2.25 micrograms/ml at a dose of CDTR-PI 3 mg/kg orally administered at 30-minute after meal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on S-1108 in children].

Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on S-1108 were performed in children. The results were as follows: 1. A total of 11 patients were treated with S-1108. Each dose was 3 mg/kg, orally administered 3 times daily for 4-14 days. The clinical efficacies of S-1108 in 10 patients with bacterial infections (1 with bacteremia, 4 with pneumonia, 1 with acute maxillary sinusitis, 1 with scarlet fever and 2 with streptococcal pharyngitis) were evaluated as excellent in 8 patients and as good in 2 patients with an efficacy rate of 100%. Only one patient with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) who received gamma-globulin was not evaluated. Fourteen causative strains of 5 species were found in 10 patients. Three strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae out of 5, 2 of 3 Branhamella catarrhalis strains, none of Staphylococcus aureus and all 3 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes were eradicated. No adverse reaction was observed in any of the 11 patients. 2. MICs of S-1108 against 5 clinically isolated S. pneumoniae from cases of infections were examined. All of them were relatively highly resistant to penicillins. S-1108 was compared with cefteram pivoxil, cefpodoxime proxetil, cefaclor and cefixime, and it showed better antibacterial activity or than other cephems. 3. Double peaks were obtained in plasma levels of S-1108 orally administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg at 30 minutes after meal and were 1.03 microgram/ml and 0.74 microgram/ml at 1 and 4 hours after administration, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on meropenem in children].

Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on meropenem (MEPM) were performed in children. The results are summarized as follows: 1. A total of 16 patients was treated with MEPM. Each dose was 20 mg/kg, and administration was made 3 times daily using 30-minute intravenous drip infusion for 5-28 days. Clinical efficacies of MEPM in 16 patients with bacterial infections (1 with purulent meningitis, 1 with suspected subdural abscess, 2 with suspected sepsis, 4 with pneumonia, 1 with acute maxillar sinusitis, 2 with cervical abscess, 1 with acute gastroenteritis, 2 with skin soft tissue infection and 2 with urinary tract infection) were evaluated as excellent in 7 patients, good in 8 patients and fair in 1 patient with an efficacy rate of 93.8%. Fourteen causative organisms found in 11 patients (Streptococcus pneumoniae in 4, Branhamella catarrhalis in 3, Staphylococcus aureus in 3, Group B Streptococcus in 1, Escherichia coli in 3) were all eradicated. No adverse reactions were observed in any of the 16 patients. 2. MICs of MEPM against 6 clinically isolated bacteria (B. catarrhalis 2, S. pneumoniae 3 and S. aureus 1) from children with bacterial infections were examined. MEPM showed good antibacterial activities. 3. Pharmacokinetic studies: Peak plasma concentrations of MEPM averaged 43.07 micrograms/ml (37.20-46.30 micrograms/ml) at dose of 20 mg/kg administered by 30-minute drip infusion. In the first 8 hours after administration, the urinary excretion rates of MEPM averaged 39.9% of the administered dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological, and clinical studies on SY5555 in children].

Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on SY5555 were performed in children. The results were as follows: 1. A total of 15 patients considered to have bacterial infections were treated with SY5555. Each dose, 5 mg/kg, was orally administered 3 times daily, for 4-11 days. Clinical efficacies of SY5555 in 13 patients with bacterial infections (1 with pneumonia, 2 with bronchitis, each 1 with maxillary sinusitis, 2 with otitis media, 5 with pharyngitis, 1 each with gastroenteritis and pyelonephritis) were evaluated as excellent in 10 patients and as good in 3 patients with an efficacy rate of 100%. Two patients with viral infection and malignant lymphoma were not evaluated. Thirteen causative strains in 7 species were found in 10 patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae in 1/3, Haemophilus influenzae in 2/2, Streptococcus pyogenes 4/4, Salmonella spp. in 1/1, Escherichia coli in 1/1 were eradicated. Only one patient developed mild diarrhea as an adverse reaction. Another patient showed elevated GPT (glutamate pyruvate transaminase). The abnormality was mild and the patient recovered after the cessation of SY5555 administration without specific treatment. 2. MICs of SY5555 were examined against 33 clinical isolates. SY5555 has low MICs against Enterococcus faecalis and other Gram-positive cocci. 3. Pharmacokinetic studies Peak plasma concentrations of SY5555 was 1.15 micrograms/ml at a dose level of 4.9 mg/kg orally administered at fasting. Based on the above results and the broad spectrum of the anti-bacterial activities, SY5555 appears to be a promising antibiotics that is usable as a single agent for the primary therapy of respiratory tract infections, skin soft tissue infections and urinary tract infections in children.

[Pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on biapenem (L-627) in children].

The results are summarized as follows: 1. A total of 10 patients were treated with biapenem (L-627). We received informed consent from all of their parents. Each dose was 6 mg/kg, and it was administered 3 times daily (40 mg/kg, 4 times daily in meningitis), in a 30-minute intravenous drip infusion for 5-17 days. The clinical efficacies of L-627 in 10 patients with bacterial infections (1 with purulent meningitis, 1 with sepsis, 5 with pneumonia, 2 with urinary tract infection and 1 with purulent tonsillitis) were evaluated as excellent in 8 patients, as good in 2 patients with an efficacy rate of 100%. Seven causative organisms found in 5 patients (Streptococcus pneumoniae in 2, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis in 2, Haemophilus influenzae in 2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 1) were eradicated. No adverse reaction was observed in any of the 10 patients. 2. Pharmacokinetic studies Peak plasma concentrations of L-627 were 12.5-13.7 micrograms/ml at the dose of 6 mg/kg administered by 30-minute drip infusion. Plasma half-lives of L-627 in the beta-phase averaged 0.72 hour (0.63-0.80 hour). CSF concentration/plasma concentration ratios of L-627 were 1.12/8.16 micrograms/ml (Day 2, 1.17 hours after at dose of 20 mg/kg), 0.88/3.44 micrograms/ml (Day 3, 4.0 hours after at dose of 30 mg/kg) and 0.68/5.12 micrograms/ml (Day 13, 3.0 hours after at dose of 40 mg/kg) administered by 30-minute drip infusion in the child with purulent meningitis (case 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A personal computer system providing various graphs of mortality rates].

PURPOSE: We devised observational methods for showing relations of mortality rates to age and period in various ways. And we contrived a personal computer system to realize the methods. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the methods and the system. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We contrived the system which provides some graphs useful for observing age-period-specific mortality rates. The program was written in Visual Basic on a Windows personal computer. The graphs provided by the system are bird's-eye view, contour map and mortality curves. The system is also made to present any graph desired for any specific required time. A smoothing method is also provided with the system to diminish random error, therefore the characteristics of mortality can be grasped easily. The system was applied to the mortality rates of malignant tumor for the last 45 years (1950-1994) in Japan. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Examples which show that one could easily observe the trend and structure of mortality rates by using the method were presented. Because the system can present any of the graphs instantly, so we can observe mortality step-by-step; we can seen the mortality graphs as a whole from a bird's eye view, then observe it in detail by a contour map graph, and furthermore look into the point of interest by mortality curves. Thus, the system will be useful to observe mortality rates.