Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is well known to promote the proliferation of almost all cells associated with wound healing. However, as the activation duration of bFGF is very short in vivo, we incorporated bFGF into an acidic gelatin hydrogel and studied the sustained release of bFGF in vivo. In addition, we investigated the effects of the acidic gelatin sheet containing bFGF on wound healing. To distinguish wound contraction from neoepithelialization, we measured both the wound area and neoepithelium length. Other histological parameters such as thickness of granulation tissue and number of capillaries were also determined as indices of wound healing. Fibrous tissue was assessed using an Elastica van Gieson and Azan stain. A skin defect (1.5 x 1.5 cm) of full thickness was created on the back of each test mouse and the wound was covered with an acidic gelatin hydrogel, referred to as a gelatin sheet in this study (2 x 2 cm), with bFGF (100 microg/site) (A) or without bFGF (B). 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after covering, mice were killed and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to estimate the concentration of bFGF in the plasma. In another experiment, each wound was covered with (A), (B) or a hydrogel dressing (control group, C) and the wound area was measured 1 or 2 weeks postoperatively with a computer planimeter. The histological parameters, as mentioned above, were assessed using a light microscope. Sustained release of bFGF from the gelatin sheet was observed and the gelatin sheet containing bFGF promoted neoepithelialization, granulation, neovascularization and wound closure. This gelatin sheet containing bFGF was concluded to be effective for wound healing and promising for clinical use.

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For the study on the sleep, especially on the paradoxical sleep, cats have been usually utilized. However, according to the purpose of the study, small animals as rats, guinea pigs are also useful. This study was designed to investigate the standard indices concerning the normal sleep cycle of albino rats during 24 hours. Nine adult male rats weighing between 280 and 350 g were used. All experiments began between 1 and 3 p.m. and lasted until the next day from October to March. Two pairs of screw electrodes were implanted in the skull overlying the frontal and occipital cortices under Nembutal anesthesia. EMG recordings were obtained from a pair of surgical suture needle inserted into the neck muscles. EKG was recorded from a suture needle electrode in a posterior paw, referred to the neck muscle. Respiration was recorded by a newly-devised pneumographic method, having a short gumm-tube fulfilled with active charcoal. For the eye movement recording, two stainless steel electrodes fixed on a plastic plate were inserted into the eyeball from the outside of the orbita. The animal preliminaly made habituated was placed in an electrically shielded, soundproof , dimly illuminated box, with an observation one-way window after the effect of operation had been over. During recording the animal was free to move around in the box to eat, drink and explore. Four states-hyper vigilance, arousal, slow wave sleep and paradoxical sleep-were distinguished from each other with the following criteria. The hyper vigilance means an active arousal during which the animals are awake with the eyes open, showing attentive movements. The arousal means a resting arousal during which the animals are awake but relaxed behaviorally. The slow wave sleep represents the state in which the animals sleep behaviorally showing spindles or slow waves in the frontal and occipital EEG, with some remnant EMG activity in the neck muscle and regular pneumogram.

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