Light conditions during sleep period and sleep-related lifestyle in Japanese students.

The effects of light conditions during night sleep on sleep habits and morning-evening preference were studied in Japanese students (18-28 years old). Students who usually used fluorescent or non-fluorescent light on the room ceiling, wall or desk preferred to have a daytime nap significantly later (Mean: 14:50 h) than those who used no light (13:34 h). Students who used no curtain or a half-transparent lace-curtain showed shorter sleep latency (duration from going-to-bed to sleep-onset) than those who used a curtain which shuts off lights from outside. Light conditions during the middle of night and early in the morning may affect the timing of sleep in Japanese students based on the circadian system.     

Phase I study of docetaxel and cisplatin for patients with previously untreated metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: a Japanese cooperative study

Background. Docetaxel is one of the most active agents used in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. This phase I study was performed to determine the toxicities, maximum tolerated dose, and pharmacokinetics of the combination of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, and to recommend a dose for phase II study. Methods. Patients were required to have previously untreated metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less, be aged between 15 and 74 years, to have a measurable lesion, and to have adequate organ function. Treatment consisted of 1-h infusion of docetaxel on day 1, followed by 2-h infusion of cisplatin (3 h after docetaxel) at the following docetaxel/cisplatin (mg/m²) dose levels: 50/50, 60/50, 60/60, 60/70, and 60/80. At least three patients were accrued at each dose level. Treatment was repeated every 3 to 4 weeks for responders. Administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was permitted when leukocytopenia or neutropenia of grade 3 or more occurred. Results. Of the 29 patients entered, all were assessable for toxicity and response, but 2 were excluded from analyses of dose-limiting toxicity and maximum tolerated dose. Neutropenia (grade 4, for 3 days or more; n = 1), hepatic dysfunction (grade 3 or more; n = 2) and renal dysfunction (grade 2 or more; n = 3) were observed as dose-limiting toxicities. However, the maximum tolerated dose was not detected, even at the highest dose examined. Tumor response occurred in 13 of the 29 patients (45%; 95% confidence interval; 26%–64%). The pharmacokinetic profiles of docetaxel and cisplatin (n = 17) were similar to those observed after the administration of each dose as a single agent. Conclusion. Docetaxel/cisplatin doses of 60/80 mg/m² were recommended for phase II study, because grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 50% or more patients at docetaxel/cisplatin dose levels of 60/60 mg/m² and above, and the doses of these drugs were restricted to within the approved dose ranges for single-agent use in Japan. The responses observed in this phase I study suggest a high degree of activity of this combination against previously untreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and warrant a phase II study at the recommended dose level. Received: February 29, 2000 / Accepted: June 22, 2000     

Decreased production of immunoglobulin M and A in autoimmune pancreatitis

Background  

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare type of chronic pancreatitis caused by an autoimmune abnormality. It is well known that high serum concentrations of IgG4 are helpful for making a diagnosis of AIP; however, it is unclear whether there are abnormalities in the production of other immunoglobulins in AIP.     

Active and Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis in Wbb6f1 Mouse, A Mast Cell-Deficient Strain

WBB6F₁ mouse, a mast cell-deficient strain, was tested for active and passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions. Active cutaneous anaphylaxis was not produced in mice which had been immunized for 1 to 2 weeks by an intraperitoneal injection of bovine serum albumin with either adjuvant, Freund's complete adjuvant or Bordetella pertussis organisms, even though circulatory IgE and IgG₁ antibodies were raised. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was also absent, when the mice had been sensitized with allogeneic IgE or IgG₁ monoclonal antibodies. However, obvious PCA was produced when allogeneic or xenogeneic hyperimmune serum was employed. These findings indicate that mast cells are not necessarily needed for the production of PCA. Some mechanism quite different from the well-elucidated mechanism, i.e., IgE-or IgG₁ antibody-triggered histamine release from mast cells, seems to be operative.     

In-vivo 19F-MRS study of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) metabolism on tumors

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) metabolism on tumors was studied by in-vivo 19F-MRS (magnetic resonance spectroscopy). In this study, two kinds of tumors were used, i.e., Yoshida sarcoma implanted subcutaneously to the abdomen of rats and drug-induced tumors in the rats livers. Sequential 19F spectra were obtained just after 150 mg/kg 5-FU injected intravenously. In Yoshida sarcoma, the accumulation of 5-FU was observed and disappearance of 5-FU was slower compared to the normal tissue. However, synthesis of fluoronucleotides (Fnct) could not be detected. In drug-induced liver tumors, the peak of fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL) was observed. Disappearance of 5-FU and catabolism to FBAL in the liver tumors group were slower compared to the normal liver. Synthesis of Fnct did not increase in the liver tumor group. The results in the liver tumor group are considered to be the confined result of the hepatocytes and tumors cells. It was considered that the delayed catabolism to FBAL in the liver tumor group showed metabolic dysfunction of the liver. Also the synthesis of Fnct in tumors could not be detected by in-vivo 19F-MRS. 19F-MRS method could not detect Fnct in tumors in-vivo. However, the accumulation of 5-FU could be assessed by this method. It is expected that the evaluation of 5-FU pooling in tumors could be used for the index of chemotherapeutic effect.     

Vascular compression of the oculomotor nerve disclosed by thin-slice magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose: To describe the thin-slice magnetic resonance imaging features of vascular compressive oculomotor nerve paresis.Methods: We performed thin-slice (2 mm thick) magnetic resonance imaging of the brainstem in a 74-year-old woman with right partial oculomotor nerve paresis using spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state.Results: Thin-slice magnetic resonance images disclosed that the right oculomotor nerve was compressed and dislocated superiorly and laterally by the tortuous basilar artery. No other abnormalities were observed.Conclusion: This is the first case report of vascular compressive oculomotor nerve paresis disclosed by thin-slice magnetic resonance imaging.     

Gastric acid hypersecretion in short bowel syndrome in infants: association with extent of resection and enteral feeding

To determine the frequency of gastric acid hypersecretion in infants with chronic malabsorption due to short bowel syndrome, acid secretory function was determined in 23 infants with malabsorption 2-22 months following small bowel resection and in a control group of 14 chronically ill, age- and weight-matched infants who did not undergo bowel resection. The prevalence of basal acid hypersecretion (defined as acid output 2 SD above the mean for the control group) was 17% (4 of 23). Basal gastric acid hypersecretion was associated with two factors: massive small bowel resection and initiation of enteral feeding. Basal acid hypersecretion was present on the initial study in 3 of 7 infants with less than one-third of the small bowel remaining, but in only 1 of 16 with more than one-third intact (p less than 0.05). Hypergastrinemia was present in 3 of 6 infants following massive bowel resection, but in only 1 of 15 with more than one-third intact (p less than 0.05), but hypergastrinemia was not consistently associated with hypersecretion. In each of six previously unfed infants, a trial of enteral feeding resulted in increased basal and maximal acid output. Three infants developed basal acid hypersecretion during initiation of enteral feeding. There was no evidence of pentagastrin-stimulated maximal acid hypersecretion in any of the infants.     

Effect of low loading and joint immobilization for spontaneous repair of osteochondral defect in the knees of weightless (tail suspension) rats

Background Mechanical stimulation has a great influence on articular cartilage regeneration. The objective of this study was to clarify the temporal sequences of spontaneous repair of weightless or immobilized joints. Methods An osteochondral defect was created in the femoral patellar groove of F344 rats. A tail-suspension procedure was performed to control the mechanical environment of the hindlimbs. The experimental knee joints were classified into three conditions: CONT, normal gait; LLB, low load-bearing; LLI, low load and immobilized. The repair processes up to 4 weeks were evaluated histologically. Results The knee defects in the CONT and LLB conditions were repaired to a smooth surface with fibrous tissue and highly developed subchondral bone. The knees in the LLI condition had the lowest reformation rate of subchondral bone, although partial regeneration of hyaline cartilage-like tissue was seen at 4 weeks after the operation. Bulges of fibrous tissue from the defects were observed in the LLI condition. Conclusions These results, combined with our previous report, suggest that dynamic compressive strain stimulates regeneration of the joint surface structures. They also suggest that the contact condition of the defect with surface cartilage may play a role in the hyaline cartilage repair.