音と色との関わりを意識した季節感の比較表現に関する学際的授業 （冬を挟む日本の季節進行の非対称性に注目して）

This study is a part of the activity to develop an interdisciplinary class on the climate environment around the Japan Islands and the “seasonal feeling”, succeeding to Kato et al. (2014). In the class at the Faculty of Education, Okayama University in 2014, the comparative expression of the seasonal feelings between early winter and early spring was made, with attention to the asymmetric seasonal march from autumn to the next spring pointed out by Kato et al. (2013). The students tried the expression firstly with combination of the colored papers based on the Johannes Itten’s (1888-1967) exercise, next with use of the small percussion instruments, and finally with the colored papers again. Analyses of the students’ works suggested the deepening of the expressions on different seasonal feelings between early winter and early spring by the interaction of the art and music activities with each other, such as the music expressions with imaging colors or superposition of the tones at the second activity, the art expressions influenced by the music works in selecting the configurations or combination of the colored papers at the third activity, and so on. It is also interesting that the students’ expressions of the seasonal feelings seem to be reflected by not only the mean seasonal state but also some specified factors in the seasonal march

Establishment and characterization of a cell line, KaMi, from human lung large cell carcinoma.

A cell line of human lung large cell carcinoma (LCC) was established directly from the metastatic skin tumor tissue. The clinical course of the patient who carried this carcinoma was peculiar; generalized lymphadenopathy, histologically resembling Hodgkin's disease, was found as the first clinical symptom. The lung tumor was not discovered until the time of autopsy. This cell line (KaMi) grew adherent to culture vessels with the population doubling time of 20.6h, formed colonies in soft agars with efficiency of 22.6%, and formed tumors in athymic nude mice. The authenticity of KaMi was confirmed by chromosomal analysis and isoenzyme patterns. KaMi cells bore a strong resemblance to the original tumor cells which were composed of small spindle cells, large polygonal cells, and multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemically, KaMi cells showed a weak tendency to differentiate to squamous cells, and these immunohistochemical reactivities were almost compatible to those of the original tumor cells, but ultrastructurally, KaMi cells were more immature than the original ones. Treatment with several reagents could not augment a differentiation of KaMi cells. Cytokeratin profiles showed a tendency of squamous cell differentiation. KaMi cells may aid in elucidating the pathogenesis and biology of LCC and its relationship to other lung tumors. </p

Comparison of monoclonal antibodies reactive with lymphocyte subsets in routinely fixed paraffin-embedded material: flow cytometric analyses, immunoperoxidase staining and influence of fixatives.

We have attempted to clarify the characteristics of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) detecting lymphocyte subsets in fixed materials. We examined by means of flow cytometric technique influences of fixatives and reactivity with malignant lymphomas (MLs). Specific markers for T-cells were UCHL1 and OPD4, which reacted especially with helper/inducer T-cells. MT1 recognized almost all of T-cells from peripheral blood and tonsils, but reacted with a part of B-MLs. As for B-cell markers, L26 was the most reliable marker for B-MLs. L26 and MB1 antigens could not be detected on living cells flow cytometrically. LN1 reacted with a part of T-cells as well as B-cells, but fluorescent intensity of the former was apparently stronger than that of the latter. Although LN2 antigen was located mainly in the cytoplasm close to the nuclear membrane immunohistochemically, it could be detected on living cells flow cytometrically. LN2 positive cells belonged to B-cells in peripheral blood and tonsils. When fixed for relatively short time, B5 and buffered formalin were better for examining MAbs than non-buffered formalin and ethanol.</p

Investigation on Ignition Coil Specification for Dilution Combustion System

To improve thermal efficiency of internal combustion engine, dilution combustion system, such as lean burn and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, have been developed with spark ignition coils generating large discharge current and energy. Several researches have clarified that large discharge current increases discharge channel stretch and decreases possibility of discharge channel blow-off and misfire. However, these investigations don\u27t mention effect of discharge current profile on combustion speed and discharge channel behaviour enough. Purpose of this research is to investigate relation among dilution rate, combustion speed, discharge channel behaviour and discharge current. To achieve this purpose, five coils having different current profiles were evaluated by combustion test and in-cylinder optical measurement test with research single cylinder engine. The combustion test results showed a correlation between dilution limit and initial combustion period. And optical measurement test results showed a correlation of initial combustion period with discharge channel stretch. Moreover, saturation of discharge channel stretch were observed from a certain discharge current value on up. Based on these results, adequate coil for dilution system was selected. Finally, the coil was equipped on a vehicle and performance test was conducted. The vehicle with LP-EGR system was stably driven with 18% of EGR rate, and 2.3% of fuel reduction rate were verified in the WLTC mode. The selected high energy ignition coil was contributing reduction of misfire during EGR operation

Effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) on a growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone-producing pituitary tumor.

A 46-year-old woman with acromegaly and hyperthyroidism due to a pituitary adenoma. She had high serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and very high serum growth hormone (GH) levels. Transsphenoidal removal of the tumor, post-operative irradiation, frontal craniotomy for removal of residual tumor and large-dose bromocriptine therapy were carried out consecutively. After therapy, serum GH levels gradually decreased, but not to the normal range, and serum TSH levels remained at inappropriately normal levels. Using immunoperoxidase techniques, GH-, TSH- and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-containing cells were demonstrated in the adenoma. A long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995, 600 micrograms/day) suppressed the serum GH level to the normal range with a concomitant suppression of TSH. Furthermore, the paradoxical serum GH responses to TRH and LH-RH were slightly improved. No important subjective side-effects were noted. Therefore, SMS 201-995 appeared to be a very effective drug in this patient with a GH- and TSH-producing pituitary tumor.&#60;/P&#62;</p

Biological mechanism and clinical effect of protein-bound polysaccharide K (KRESTIN®): review of development and future perspectives

The mechanism of action of protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK; KRESTIN®) involves the following actions: (1) recovery from immunosuppression induced by humoral factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or as a result of surgery and chemotherapy; (2) activation of antitumor immune responses including maturation of dendritic cells, correction of Th1/Th2 imbalance, and promotion of interleukin-15 production by monocytes; and (3) enhancement of the antitumor effect of chemotherapy by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of metastasis through direct actions on tumor cells. The clinical effectiveness of PSK has been demonstrated for various cancers. In patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, combined use of PSK with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy prolongs survival, and this effect has been confirmed in multiple meta-analyses. For small-cell lung carcinoma, PSK in conjunction with chemotherapy prolongs the remission period. In addition, PSK has been shown to be effective against various other cancers, reduce the adverse effects of chemotherapy, and improve quality of life. Future studies should examine the effects of PSK under different host immune conditions and tumor properties, elucidate the mechanism of action exhibited in each situation, and identify biomarkers