Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Water of the Southeastern Japan Sea.

Surface water samples were collected at 15 sampling sites in the southeastern Japan Sea along the Japanese Archipelago for analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Water samples were fractionated by filtration through a glass fiber membrane (pore size 0.5 µm) and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

Evaluation of sulfobetaine-type polymer resin as an SPE adsorbent in the analysis of trace tetracycline antibiotics in honey.

A new sulfobetaine polymer resin SPE method combined with HPLC-MS/MS for the determination of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics residues from honey samples is presented. The sulfobetaine resin was synthesized and was packed into a syringe-type tube, which served as the SPE cartridge for selective adsorption of TCs. TCs were quantitatively adsorbed on the sulfobetaine cartridge, when the loading solvent was 95% v/v acetonitrile solution, and TCs adsorbed were not eluted by aqueous acetonitrile washing solution.

[Siblings with xeroderma pigmentosum group A showing mild cutaneous and various neurological manifestations].

We report siblings with xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XP-A) showing mild cutaneous and late-onset severe neurological manifestations. The elder brother first noticed unstability in walking at 16 years of age. Subsequently slowly progressive mental deterioration developed with cerebellar ataxia, spasticity, sensory disturbance, urinary dysfunction and vocal cord paralysis.

Chronological changes of serum chromium levels after modern metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

We determined changes in serum chromium concentration every 6 months up to 3 years after implantation in 44 patients (mean age 63 (49-79) years, 35 women) who underwent modern metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (Metasul). The serum chromium levels increased between the first and second year after implantation (1 year: 1.05 (SD 0.

Transfemoral approach for revision total hip arthroplasty.

We performed revision total hip arthroplasty on 12 patients via the transfemoral approach because difficulty with surgery was anticipated preoperatively. The total hip score improved in all of the patients. Radiographically, there were no radiolucent lines around the acetabular and femoral components, but one hip still showed sinking of the stem by 2 cm.

Cobalt and chromium concentrations in patients with metal-on-metal and other cementless total hip arthroplasty.

We measured the cobalt and chromium concentrations in the serum and urine of 32 patients with current designed metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty and 43 patients with conventional metal on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) cementless total hip arthroplasty. The results of our study showed that the serum and urine chromium concentrations increased in 37.5% and 90.

Visualization of signal propagation from sciatic nerve to spinal cord in canine.

The neuroelectric activity that ascends the sciatic nerve and moves to the spinal cord was visualized by measuring the magnetic compound action fields (CAFs) with a superconducting quantum interference device gradiometer. The sciatic nerve of a dog was stimulated electrically, and propagating evoked CAFs were measured non-invasively. Isomagnetic field maps were made on the basis of this data, and the signal propagation was visualized.

Cervical myelopathy due to an osteochondroma in a 73-year-old female. The oldest case in the literature.

An osteochondroma is a common developmental tumor of bone characterized by abnormal peri-physeal ectopic enchondral ossification. This results in a cartilage-capped subperiosteal bony projection, which may be either sessile or pedunculated. These lesions are said to grow until skeletal maturity.

Clinical significance of IgG subclasses of Anti-Sm and U1 ribonucleoprotein antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease.

IgG subclasses of anti-Sm and anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1 RNP) antibodies were determined using a new clone of the anti-IgG2 antibody (HG2-56F). Although the predominance of IgG1 coincided with previous reports, IgG2 anti-Sm and U1 RNP antibodies were detected in numerous patients. IgG3 anti-Sm antibody significantly correlates with joint involvement and a high titer of anti-DNA antibody.

Clinical significance of IgG anti-Sm antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Free Sm was purified by gel filtration and anti-Sm affinity chromatography. Using this purified antigen, an ELISA for anti-Sm was performed. Three hundred and fifty patients with various rheumatic diseases were studied with respect to immunoglobulin classes of anti-Sm by ELISA.

[Malignant melanoma in children--case presentation and statistical analysis].

Malignant melanoma is a well documented but rare occurrence in children. We reported a case of a 10-month-old girl with malignant melanoma arising in a giant congenital nevocellular nevus. A giant mole on the lumbar and gluteal legion had been present since birth.