Background. High‐dose rate (HDR) intracavitary radiation therapy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix has gradually found wider acceptance. In 1983, the authors first presented the results of prospective randomized comparative study of HDR versus low‐dose rate (LDR) therapy. In the current study, the final results of this study with a longer follow‐up are presented. Methods. From January 1975 through August 1983, 430 previously untreated patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix in Stages I‐III were treated with either HDR 60Co therapy or LDR 137Cs therapy at our department. HDR was administered to a total of 259 patients: 32 patients in Stage I,80 in Stage II, and 147 in Stage III. LDR was administered to a total of 171 patients: 28 patients in Stage I, 61 in Stage II, and 82 in Stage III. Results. The 5‐year cause‐specific survival rates of Stage I–III patients treated with HDR were 85%, 73%, and 53%, respectively. The corresponding figures for LDR were 93%, 78%, and 47%, respectively. There was no significant difference between these survival rates. Moderate‐to‐severe complications developed in 10% of the patients treated with HDR and 4% of those with LDR. This difference in the incidence of complications was statistically significant (P = 0.023). Conclusions. Treatment results in terms of cause‐specific survival were equivalent for HDR and LDR treatment. However, the incidence of complications was higher for the HDR group, although within acceptable levels, than for the LDR group.

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Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a well-known cereal plant. Young barley leaf is consumed as a popular green-colored drink, which is named “Aojiru” in Japan. We examined the effects of barley leaf powder (BLP) and insoluble fibers derived from BLP on postprandial blood glucose in rats and healthy Japanese volunteers. BLP and insoluble fibers derived from BLP suppressed the increment of postprandial blood glucose levels in rats (P < 0.01), and increased the viscosity of their digesta. The insoluble fibers present in BLP might play a role in controlling blood glucose level by increasing digesta viscosity. In human, BLP suppressed the increment of postprandial blood glucose level only in those which exhibited higher blood glucose levels after meals (P < 0.01). BLP might suppress the increment of postprandial blood glucose level by increasing digesta viscosity in both of rats and humans who require blood glucose monitoring.

SUMMARYIntracellular degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) in bacteria is not yet clear. The properties of the autodigestion of native PHB granules from Zoogloea ramigera 1-16-M were examined. The release of D( --)-3-hydroxybutyrate was observed only at pH values higher than about 8.5 and at relatively high ionic strength (optimal concentration 200 mM NaCI). Triton X-100 and diisopropylfluorophosphate inhibited this reaction. Addition of the supernatant fraction of Z. ramigera did not increase the release of o(-)-3hydroxybutyrate from the native PHB granules. On the other hand, using the protease-treated PHB granules from Alcaligenes eutrophus as a substrate, PHB depolymerase activity was detected in the supernatant fraction of Z. ramigera cells. The soluble PHB depolymerase showed similar properties to the enzyme in the PHB granules. Since PHB depolymerase activity was

Concentration of ferritin in blood serum of dairy cows was measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay to assess changes in the iron nutritional status during gestation, parturition, and lactation. Although anemia did not occur in pregnancy of dairy cows, there were slight decreases of red cell counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in the early stage of lactation. Ferritin concentration remained relatively constant in late gestation (35 ng/ml), but deviations were considerable. Ferritin rose gradually from 3 days prepartum with a sharp elevation after parturition. At 1 to 2 wk postpartum, it had increased to about twice amounts in late gestation. During the subsequent 8 wk postpartum, it fell gradually and thereafter maintained almost unchanged (40 ng/ml). Both iron in blood serum and total iron-binding capacity declined from 2 wk prepartum to the end of gestation but showed a rise beginning about 2 wk after parturition. Because changes in iron-related proteins just before and after delivery may be results of inflammatory reactions accompanying delivery, ferritin concentration is not a good index for diagnosis of iron deficiency in lactating cows just after parturition.