In this work, we demonstrate multimode surface plasmon (SP) excitations by white light irradiation on metallic diffraction grating/plastic substrates. Recordable compact discs were used as the diffraction grating substrates on which silver films were deposited by vacuum evaporation. Since the grating pitch (1.6 µm) was larger than that of diffraction gratings commonly used for the excitation of SPs, multimode SP excitations due to several diffraction orders were observed simultaneously in the wavelength region from 400 to 800 nm. The obtained SP excitations were then compared with the calculated SP dispersion on the grating. The multimode SP excitations were further studied on spin-coated poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) thin film/silver grating substrates. An increased photoluminescence intensity due to SP excitations was observed on MEH-PPV/silver grating surfaces.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the change of D-dimer and the possibility of deep vein thrombosis screening by D-dimer during pregnancy.Methods: One thousand, one hundred and thirty-one pregnant women were enrolled in the study from April 2006 to March 2007. D-dimer was measured by latex immunoassay at 6 to 14 and 30 to 36 weeks of gestation, respectively, and the veins of the lower extremities were examined by ultrasound at 30 to 36 weeks of gestation.Results: The mean and standard error of D-dimer was 1.1 +/- 1.0 mu g/mL in the first trimester and 2.2 +/- 1.1 mu g/mL in the third trimester, and both values were significantly higher than adult values. In addition, D-dimer significantly increased during pregnancy.D-dimer was not significantly different between singleton and twin pregnancies in the first trimester, but in the third trimester, the values of twin pregnancies were higher than singleton pregnancies (2.2 +/- 1.6 vs 3.7 +/- 2.5 mu g/mL).The mean value of D-dimer of ultrasonographically positive women was 2.6 +/- 2.0 mu g/mL, which was significantly higher than the Value for negative woman during the third trimester (2.2 +/- 1.6 mu g/mL). The positive predictive value was 7.4% and negative predictive value was 95.5% for ultrasonographically positive women when D-dimer was set at 3.2 mu g/mL.Conclusion: We clearly found a change of D-dimer during pregnancy. When D-dimer was higher than 3.2 mu g/mL, the percentage of ultrasonographically positive women was high. We propose that women with D-dimer higher than 3.2 mu g/mL are closely monitored for prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism.

We studied the simultaneous determination of demeton-S-methyl, oxydemeton-methyl, and their oxide demeton-S-methylsulfone, in agricultural products by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The sample homogenized with antioxidants L-ascorbic acid and butylhydroxytoluene was extracted with acetone. An aliquot of the crude extract was reextracted with ethyl acetate by using an EXtrelut column. After hexane/acetonitrile partitioning lipid-rich samples such as cereals, the extract was cleaned up on a PSA column or tandem graphitized carbon/PSA column, and determined by ESI-SIM mode LC-MS. Average recoveries (n=5) of compounds from ten kinds of samples fortified at the analyte concentration of 0.05 microg/g were from 73.8% to 102.5%, and the relative standard deviations were <or=5.7%.

In this study, we report on multimode surface plasmon excitation on metallic diffraction gratings where the grating pitch is much larger than standard grating coupling surface plasmon excitation technique. With the gratings, multimode surface plasmons can be excited at the same time in the wavelength region using a white light source irradiation on the gratings. The grating coupling surface plasmon excitation was also studied by comparing with the theoretical surface plasmon dispersion curves.

A sensitive and quantitative multiresidue method using NCI mode GC/MS and GC-micro ECD for determining pesticides in animal and fishery products was established. The crude sample extract obtained by acetone-hexane extraction for solid samples or acetonitrile extraction for liquid samples was cleaned up with a GPC/SPE system. The first GPC pesticide fraction containing lipids and pigments was selectively collected, and loaded directly onto a graphitized carbon/PSA 2-layered column. After the second GPC pesticide fraction was collected, the 2-layered column was eluted with acetone-hexane (3 : 7). The combined eluate was subjected to NCI-SIM/Scan mode GC/MS for semi-quantification. After fractionation by Florisil cartridge column SPE, each fraction was subjected to dual-column GC-micro ECD for quantification. Average recoveries (n=5) of pesticides, except for chlorothalonil and some others, from fortified samples ranged from 76.8% to 107.9% with RSD values of <9.7%.

Dual counter-current chromatography (dual CCC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was successfully performed with a newly designed spiral column for dual CCC. The small column capacity required for directly coupling with electrospray MS/MS was accomplished by forming a rectangular spiral groove on a plastic disk and sealing it with a PTFE sheet. This novel dual CCC-MS/MS technique was successfully applied for the rapid determination of methomyl, fenobucarb and carbaryl pesticides in food. A two-phase solvent system of n-hexane-acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid (45:45:10) was suitable for both good dual CCC separation and sufficient ionization of pesticides. Recoveries of these three pesticides from mandarin orange and spinach samples fortified at 0.05 mg/kg were in the range of 93-107% with relative standard deviations of 2.4-3.8%.

We evaluated a multiresidue method for determination of pesticides in agricultural products by SCAN mode GC/MS coupled with three kinds of database for 253 pesticides: relative retention time, mass spectra and calibration curve (SCAN method). Twenty-six pesticides, a total of 131 pesticides were detected in samples by the SCAN method. The detection results agreed closely with those of the SIM mode GC/MS method using calibration standards (SIM method). The ratios of the SCAN method to the SIM method ranged from 0.3 to 3.1 with SD values of 0.63. It was judged that the SCAN method could be applied to the screening analysis of pesticide residues in agricultural products, provided that the sample preparation method makes it possible to effectively remove sample matrixes with minimal loss of analytes.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of the present paper was to identify the predictive factors for survival for out-born infants born between 23 and 24 weeks of gestation.METHODS:Ninety-two infants born between 23 and 24 weeks' gestation who were admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit from 1987 to 2000, were retrospectively studied. Survival was defined as discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Logistic regression was done to determine which clinical factors were most predictive of survival. The independent variables that were entered into the models were determined by preliminary univariate analysis.RESULTS:Ninety-two infants were enrolled in the present study, 49 of whom survived in the surfactant era. The four variables that were found to be most predictive for survival on logistic regression were systolic blood pressure at 6 h (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-1.44 1 mmHg), ventilatory index < 0.047 (OR, 4.8; 95%CI: 1.07-21.65), initial hemoglobin value (OR, 1.6; 95%CI: 1.09-2.34/1 g/dL), and base excess at 6 h (OR, 2.1; 95%CI: 1.08-1.84/5 mEq/L).CONCLUSIONS:A total of 53.2% of infants delivered between 23 and 24 weeks of gestation survived at discharge after introduction of surfactant replacement therapy. Early cardiopulmonary adaptation and initial hemoglobin value are key factors for survival in infants born at 23-24 weeks of gestation.

In a case control study, we evaluated the serum lactate levels during the early days of life in preterm infants with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), who were presumed to have suffered injury around birth. Thirteen infants diagnosed by ultrasonography as suffering from cystic PVL during the neonatal period and 26 normally developed infants matched by gestational age were enrolled in the study. The serum lactate level was measured repeatedly during the 72 h after birth. The mean serum lactate levels on admission were 2.95+/-0.43 and 3.21+/-0.29 mmol/L in the PVL and control groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the serum lactate level between the groups at any point during the first 72 h after birth. In conclusion, the serum lactate level was not elevated in preterm infants with PVL suggesting that the serum lactate level is not a useful predictor for the development of PVL in infants.

We performed identification tests of aristolochic acid in Xixin, Mutong, Muxiang, and Fangji by reversed-phase TLC/scanning densitometry using aristolochic acid I as a marker compound. The developing solvents used were: 1) acetonitrile/methanol/ water mixture solution (3 : 1 : 1) and 11) 2-butanone/ methanol/sodium sulfate(1 -> 20) mixture solution (2 : 1 : 1). The Rf value of aristolochic acid I was 0.54 using the I system and 0.57 using the 11 system. The maximum absorption wavelengths of aristolochic acid I observed by scanning densitometry were 254 and 325 nm.

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the mortality and morbidity of infants born at 22-24 weeks gestation.Methods: A total of 78 infants born at 22-24 weeks gestation, who were admitted between January 1991 through December 2000, were retrospectively studied.Results: Seventy-one of 78 infants were enrolled in the present study. One year survival rates at 22, 23 and 24 weeks were 40.0% (2/5), 61.1% (11/18), and 50.0% (24/48), respectively. Failure of response to surfactant and air leak were associated with death in infants born at 23 weeks gestation. Low Apgar score, intraventricular hemorrhage (>= III), and sepsis were correlated with death in infants born at 24 weeks gestation. The handicap rates of survivors born at 22, 23, and 24 weeks gestation were 100, 36.4, and 26.1%, respectively.Conclusion: The present study indicates that infants born at 22 weeks gestation, in whom pulmonary structure is established, that is, a viable lung that can exchange gas with exogenous surfactant, have a chance to survive, but neurological outcome is still poor. Every possible effort should be made to extend gestation beyond 22 weeks.

Primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma is rare. A dismal prognosis is usually given due to its high propen-sity for distant metastases, with survival rarely exceeding 2 years. We report a case that was initially considered to be a cardiac metastatic tumor from a primary uterine leiomyosarcoma, but after morpho-logical and immunohistochemical examinations was shown to be a primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma. The right atrium was filled with a mass that oscillated between the right atrium and ventricle through the tricuspid valve. To reduce the risk of sudden death from tumor embolism into the pulmonary arteries, the tumor was resected. Even though the surgery was not curative, it eliminated the risk of sudden death due to tumor embolism into the pulmonary arteries and improved short-term survival.

We performed identification tests of the main components (ginsenoside-Rg 1 , gentiopicroside, puerarin, geniposide, schizandrin, and [6]-gingerol) of the following crude drugs from the Japanese Pharmacopoeia , 14th edition (JP14): ginseng, red ginseng, gentian, Japanese gentian, pueraria root, gardenia fruit, schisandra fruit, and ginger). The identification was carried out with reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography using water, acetonitrile, methanol, 2-butanone, and n -hexane as developing solvents. A single spot could be separated from other components ( Rf value: 0.44–0.59). In addition, spectral information could be simultaneously obtained by scanning densitometry. Thus, the main components of crude drugs in the JP14 could be identified by this method simply, rapidly, and accurately.

In the present study, we tested 7 slimming supplements imported by individuals from China for pharmaceutical adulterants using a combination of GC/MS and HPLC/photodiode-array systems. Adulterants detected were the appetite suppressants fenfluramine (FEN), which has been banned in the US since 1997 for damaging heart valves, N-nitroso-fenfluramine (NFE; FEN derivative), which has caused life-threatening liver damage and mazindol (MAZ), a sympathomimetic amine similar to an amphetamine. Two of the supplements contained FEN (3.8 and 1.5 mg/capsule) and one each contained NFE (4.9 mg/capsule) and MAZ (0.2 mg/capsule). Such supplements are potentially hazardous to health but people are unaware of the risks since they do know that drugs have been added. In the case of pharmaceuticals, extensive efficacy and safety testing must be conducted before they can be approved for sale. However since dietary supplements are considered to be nutritional foods rather than pharmaceuticals, such testing is often not conducted. Furthermore, the feeling of the public that dietary supplements are not harmful in any way frequently leads to overuse and clinical problems. It would therefore be a good idea for pharmacists to provide advice to consumers and health care professionals regarding the benefits and risks of dietary supplements.

In this study we analyzed the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and the neurological prognosis, and we evaluated the clinical usefulness of brain hypothermia (BHT) for infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Twentyeight infants were enrolled in this study and were divided into the following four groups. (1) BHT-G: 10 infants having HIE with BHT and good prognosis; (2) BHT-P: 3 infants having HIE with BHT and poor prognosis; (3) HIE: 6 infants having HIE without BHT; (4) Control: 6 infants with normal brain findings. Brain MRI was performed at around 12 months of age. The method of BHT was selective head cooling using a cooling cap. The ratio of the cerebral cortex, medulla, basal ganglia, and brain stem to the cerebrum were calculated with the brain MRI. Two infants in the BHT group and one infant in the HIE group were excluded from the analysis since the measurements could not be evaluated. The ratio of cortex/cerebrum and the ratio of medulla/cerebrum were BHT-G/BHT-P/HIE/C = 0.66 ± 0.04/0.62 ± 0.09/0.75 ± 0.14/0.62 ± 0.04 and BHT-G/BHT-P/HIE/C = 0.33 ± 0.04/0.35 ± 0.06/0.19 ± 0.10/0.38 ± 0.04, respectively. The ratio of basal ganglia/cerebrum was BHT-G/BHT-P/HIE/C = 0.15 ± 0.02/0.11 ± 0.03/0.12 ± 0.03/0.16 ± 0.01. In HIE infants the areas of the cortex, medulla, basal ganglia, and brain stem were maintained in the brain tissue under BHT after insults of hypoxia and ischemia, and the BHT improved the neurological outcome. The infants with a poor neurological prognosis showed a reduced area of basal ganglia even when BHT had been performed. This suggests that if the insult of hypoxia and ischemia was severe and/or prolonged, necrosis of the basal ganglia would occur.