Solubility and polymer-solvent interaction parameters of 1,2-polybutadiene

The dilute solution behavior of 1,2-polybutadiene newly developed was not anomalous within the range of crystallinity up to 25%. Therefore, the solubility and polymer-solvent interaction parameters could be determined by means of usual measurements of dilute polymer solutions. The former has been estimated from viscosity measurement proposed by Mangaraj. The latter was determined using the second virial coefficient obtained from osmotic pressure and light-scattering measurements.     

Detection of aneuploidy in human spermatozoa using fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH)

Summary Fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome specific alpha-satellite DNA probes was used to estimate the rates of aneuploidy of chromosomes 1, 17, 18, X and Y in human ejaculated sperm. Sperm samples were collected from six donors, and biotinylated DNA probes, D1Z5, D17Z1, D18Z1, DXZ1 and DYZ3 were hybridized to interphase sperm which had been pretreated with dithiothreitol to expand their nuclei. A minimum of 3,000 sperm per donor were analyzed. The hybridization efficiency was 99.68% for all the five probes. The frequencies of aneuploidy for chromosomes 1, 17 and 18 were 0.65%, 0.66% and 0.61% respectively. For XX-and YY-sperm the frequencies were 0.28% and 0.27% respectively. To estimate the diploidy and disomy rates, a mixture of D17Z1 and D18Z1 were used as probes, and the frequency of diploid sperm was calculated to be 0.27%. After subtraction of the diploidy rate, the disomy rates for chromosomes 1, 17, and 18 were estimated to be 0.38%, 0.39% and 0.33%, respectively. The proportion of X- and Y-bearing sperm were 49.9% and 49.66%, consistent with an expected 1: 1 ratio.     

Detection of chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 12 in uterine leiomyoma using fluorescencein situ hybridization

Summary Fifty uterine leiomyomas were examined using conventional cytogenetic method and fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) for detection of chromosomal, abnormalities of chromosome 12. Of the 50 tumors, nine were examined using FISH on the non-cultured samples. Two (4.0%) of 50 tumor samples examined showed chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 12 by the conventional cytogenetic analysis. For FISH, the whole-chromosome painting probe and D12Z3 probe specific for the centromeric region were used. Of the 50 cultured samples, 10 showed structural aberrations and four showed numerical aberrations of chromosome 12 by FISH analysis. Of the nine non-cultured samples, four showed structural abnormalities of chromosome 12, all of which also showed structural abnormalities of chromosome 12 on the cultured samples. These results indicate that chromosomal abnormalities of chromosome 12 are important in the biology of at least some types of uterine leiomyoma, and that FISH is a useful complement to the conventional cytogenetic analysis in the study of solid tumors.     

Giant Cell Fibroblastoma: A Case Report and lmmunohistochemical Comparison with Ten Cases of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

A 7 year old boy with giant cell fibroblastoma (GCF) of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the right chest wall is described. To date, the histogenesis of GCF has not been clarified. The reason for the diversity of immunohistochemical data among various authors may be because the specimens studied were from only part of the lesion, or reduction of antigenicity through the preparation process. However, our findings based on studies of many specimens from various parts of the tumor for accurate immunohistochemical evaluation suggest that GCF may be a myofibro histiocytic tumor. Recently, the suggestion that GCF is a juvenile form of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) has been reported. In addition to the present case, we performed immunohistochemical examination of 10cases of definitely diagnosed DFSP for comparison. The immunohistochemical characteristics of these two neoplasms were concordant. However, from clinical and morphological viewpoints, it seems premature to recognize GCF as a juvenile form of DFSP. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 552–560, 1991.     

Giant cell fibroblastoma. A case report and immunohistochemical comparison with ten cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

A 7-year-old boy with giant cell fibroblastoma (GCF) of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the right chest wall is described. To date, the histogenesis of GCF has not been clarified. The reason for the diversity of immunohistochemical data among various authors may be because the specimens studied were from only part of the lesion, or reduction of antigenicity through the preparation process. However, our findings based on studies of many specimens from various parts of the tumor for accurate immunohistochemical evaluation suggest that GCF may be a myofibrohistiocytic tumor. Recently, the suggestion that GCF is a juvenile form of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) has been reported. In addition to the present case, we performed immunohistochemical examination of 10 cases of definitely diagnosed DFSP for comparison. The immunohistochemical characteristics of these two neoplasms were concordant. However, from clinical and morphological viewpoints, it seems premature to recognize GCF as a juvenile form of DFSP.     

The Albumin-bilirubin Score Detects Changes in the Liver Function during Treatment for Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Retrospective Observational Study

Objective Mapping the long-term prognosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is difficult, as the prognosis is associated with changes in the liver function. The present study evaluated the time course changes in the liver function in a treatment group with percutaneous old balloon angioplasty (POBA) and a non-treatment group using the albumin-bilirubin score (ALBI) and Child-Pugh score during long-term follow-up. Methods In this retrospective study, 13 consecutive patients diagnosed with BCS at our hospital between 2007 and 2020 were categorized into a treatment group (n=8), which received POBA, and a non-treatment group (n=5). Differences in the liver function in the ALBI and Child-Pugh scores between the initial visit and one- and three-year follow-up were calculated and statistically evaluated. We investigated the changes in the liver function during the long-term follow-up, including events such as re-stenosis and re-treatment. Results While the Child-Pugh scores in the treatment group did not differ significantly between the initial visit and 1- or 3-year follow-up, the ALBI scores in this group improved significantly between the initial visit and the 1- or 3-year follow-up visit (p=0.0078 and 0.0156, respectively). The liver function according to the ALBI score in the treatment group showed gradual improvement from the initial value but gradual worsening in the non-treatment group. The ALBI scores also revealed that the liver function varies according to re-stenosis and re-POBA in BCS patients. Conclusion Unlike the Child-Pugh score, the ALBI score was able to capture changes in the liver function of BCS patients during the long-term course of BCS.     

Portal vein calcification: A clinical review of the last 50 years and report of a case associated with dysplasminogenemia

We report herein a case of a 68-year-old Japanese woman in whom calcification of the portal vein was recognized by plain abdominal X-ray radiograph and computed tomography (CT) scan when she presented with repeated thrombosis of the portal system. Following emergency small bowel resection for intestinal necrosis caused by superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, hematological studies revealed the association of dysplasminogenemia. A review of 21 cases of portal vein calcification reported between 1940 and 1990 revealed the average age to be 53.7±10.2 years and the male/female ratio 17:4. Although the majority of cases suffered from portal hypertension (81%), only 38% had any evidence of liver cirrhosis, while 52% had normal liver function, being comparable to idiopathic portal hypertension. The calcified lesions were located in the portal vein in 100% of cases, the splenic vein in 62%, the superior mesenteric vein in 33%, and the inferior mesenteric vein in 0%. The precise etiology of the calcification was not elucidated in any of the reviewed cases. The patient reported herein is the first reported case of portal vein calcification due to repeated thrombosis of the portal system caused by dysplasminogenemia, which could be accounted as a cause of idiopathic portal hypertension.     

Recurrent yolk sac tumor following resection of a neonatal immature gastric teratoma

Gastric teratomas are very rare and usually benign. Only a few cases of gastric teratomas with malignant components have been reported. This report describes recurrence of a yolk sac tumor following resection of a neonatal immature gastric teratoma. Gastric teratoma recurring as a malignant lesion has not been previously reported. Recurrence of immature gastric teratomas should be considered, and a periodic follow-up check with alpha-fetoprotein level should be mandatory.     

Surveillance based on molecular epidemiology for Haemophilus influenzae Isolates in Gifu Prefecture

We analyzed Haemophilus influenzae isolates in Gifu prefecture between May 2003 and August 2003. We conducted molecular-level epidemiological studies for 313 strains using PCR to identify resistant genes in H. influenzae. Our four sets of primers are as follows: (i) p6 gene of P6 membrane protein, (ii) TEM-1 type beta-lactamase gene (bla), (iii) normal PBP 3 gene (ftsl), and (iv) mutational ftsl gene detected in beta-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin (ABPC) resistant H. influenzae (BLNAR). H. influenzae strains were classified into 6 types based on PCR: (i) beta-lactamase-nonproducing ABPC-susceptible strains (BLNAS; n = 85) with no any resistant genes, (ii) TEM-1 type beta-lactamase-producing ABPC resistant strains (BLPAR; n = 6), (iii) beta-lactamase-nonproducing and low-level ABPC-resistant strains (Low-BLNAR; n = 77) possessing Asn-526 --> Lys-526 amino acid substitution, (iv) BLNAR strains (n = 138) possessing Asn-526 --> Lys-526 and 3 amino acids substitutions detected around the Ser-Ser-Asn conserved motif, (v) beta-lactamase-producing amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant strains (BLPACR-I; n = 3) possessing TEM-1 and Low-BLNAR resistant genes, and (vi) beta-lactamase-producing amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant strains (BLPACR-II; n = 4) possessing TEM-1 and BLNAR resistant genes. Amoxicillin (AMPC) MIC90s in Low-BLNAR was 4 microg/mL and in BLNAR was 16 microg/mL. In oral cephalosporins, cefditoren MIC90 was the most excellent with 0.5 microg/mL against BLNAR. The prevalence of H. influenzae type b isolates in Matsubara Otorhinolaryngology Clinic was 66.7%. Selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents should be performed to prevent resistant microorganisms. Also, the vaccination for H. influenzae type b would be strongly recommended in near future.     

Algorithm for application of the "ethical guidelines for epidemiological research" and taxonomy of public health research

BACKGROUND: "Ethical Guidelines for Epidemiological Research" took effect in July 2002, with a moral duty of all researchers to comply when conducting epidemiological studies although it is not legally binding. Public health research entails various forms of studies including not only epidemiological studies but also attention to psychological, societal and economic aspects, which are outside of the jurisdiction of the guidelines. Hence, confusion may arise among members of Japanese Society of Public Health as to whether the study they conduct falls within the definition of epidemiological research. The author discusses legal interpretations of the guidelines arising in the course of translation work as part of government-funded project, "Dissemination of the 'Ethical Guidelines for Epidemiological Research' via Internet (principal investigator: Toru Doi)" and argues that a case-method approach would be best suited to enhance understanding by researchers with diverse, non-legal backgrounds. METHODS: The author proposes an algorithm for classification of studies as to whether the guideline applies, and applies it to all original articles published in the Japanese Journal of Public Health (JJPH) in one year (March 2002 thru February 2003). The rationale for classification is discussed from the strict legal viewpoint in each case. RESULTS: Sixteen out of 46 original articles published in JJPH for one year were classified as epidemiological studies to which the guidelines apply. Those classified otherwise were psychological studies (10), epidemiological studies not targeting specific diseases and are exempt form the guidelines (3), purely methodological studies (4), economics studies (3), fact-finding or opinion surveys with no hypothesis testing (2), as well as studies authorized by law (4) or using unlinkable anonymous data only (4), all of which are exempt from the guidelines. Reference to ethical considerations in the methodology section as required by the instructions for authors was generally well performed in epidemiological studies although some shortcomings were noted. DISCUSSIONS: The guidelines affect approximately a third of original articles published in the JJPH. The ratio of applicable to non-applicable articles was roughly 1 to 2. This gives both authors and reviewers confusion as to whether articles are subject to the guidelines and would require ethical approval. This case-method approach using actual articles readily available to members should help unnecessary confusion and enhance appropriate application of the guidelines. (366 words).