[en] Precordial R wave changes during exercise was evaluated by exercise Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy and exercise gated equilibrium RI-angiocardiography (RI-ACG). Increase of R wave amplitude (RWA) during exercise was not correlated well with appearance of the defect and the size of defect in Tl-201 myocardial perfusion image (Tl MPI) evaluated quantitatively by circumferential profile method (CPM), modified Burow's method (1979). But RI-angiocardiographically evaluated LV ejection fraction decreased, LV hypokinetic area increased and LV endodiastolic volume increased during exercise in most of RWA increased patients. So we concluded that increase of RWA in precordial lead during exercise not sensitive for myocardial ischemia but good indicator for LV function reserve

[en] The initial distribution of Thallium-201 (TL) in organ is mainly dependent on regional blood flow. This biological property of TL allows an assumption that two injections of TL at different situations make the two scintigraphic images reflected the different blood flow distribution. A new method to evaluate the change of regional blood flow distribution in man by two successive injections of TL separated by a short interval, is presented. Double dose TL scintigraphy is an useful technique to evaluate regional blood flow distribution simultaneously in various organs in man and even in regional myocardium, and then applicable in pharmacologic and exercise intervention to diagnose myocardial ischemia

[en] The atrial myocardium has been barely visible with thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. This is probably related to the difference in size, distance from anterior chest wall, and small coronary blood flow of the atrium, compared with the ventricle. We have encountered eight cases of visualization of the right atrial appendix (RAA). The RAA was identified from multiple projections in all cases and sometimes confirmed by radionuclide angiocardiography. Evidence derived from ECG, chest radiographs, and cardiac catheterization, indicated that the most important factor in the visualization might be the displacement of the RAA to a more anterior position

[en] Left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume relation has been shown experimentally to be an useful index of left ventricular contractility relatively independent of preload or afterload. But the clinical application has been reported less frequently because of the invasiveness in the measurement of ventricular volume and simultaneous intraventricular pressure. We evaluated this relationship using non-invasive method such as the volume determination by gated radionuclide angiocartiography and the pressure measurement by cuff sphyngomanometer in arm. In measuring ventricular volume, gated radionuclide angiocardiography is a non-invasive method less affected by the geometry of left ventricle. Using the volume by radionuclide and the blood pressure by cuff, non-invasive determination of endsystolic pressure-volume relation provides much clinical usefulness in the assessment of left ventricular contractility

[en] We developed radioimmunoassay to determine serum pregnancy-associated α₂-glycoprotein (SP₃) using the double antibody method. The determined value was accurate and reproducible. Serum SP₃ level in normal male was below 1.5mg/dl (n=20), in normal female was below 2.8 mg/dl (n=19). In 56.8 of patients with various cancer (n=81) (stomach, colon, lung and breast et al) serum SP₃ levels were over normal value. Especially 2 patients treated estrogen for their prostate cancer had high serum SP₃ levels. Serum SP₃ levels in cancer patients increased with the tumor progression, but there was no relation between SP₃ and CEA level. Determination of serum SP₃ by radioimmunoassay is available for detection of malignant tumor and tumor progression

[en] Transportation system utilizing fluid film technology is widely used in various industries. This technology allows the transportation of heavy loads with small force by forming thin air fluid film (approx. 0.1 mm) between air-bag and floor, which reduces the frictional force to approximately 1/1000 of original force. In the U.S. nuclear industry, it is used for transporting concrete casks. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is planning to adopt this design concept to transporting metal cask inside a spent fuel interim storage facility (SFISF). We call this the Metal Cask Transportation System (MCTS). By adopting this system, we can lower the ceiling height of the building, and thus reduce the amount of building materials. The MCTS has not been licensed in Japanese nuclear facility, so that we carried out operational and seismic tests with 1/3-scale model system to verify applicability of this system. As the conclusions, the MCTS has sufficient stability to maintain the safety functions of metal cask. Furthermore, we designed a SFISF introducing the MCTS and confirmed that heat from casks is removed appropriately by natural convection and the dose to the general public is enough low against the statutory dose limit

[en] Since the construction of a nuclear power plant requires a very long period, we have to wait for a long time before getting return on the investment. Furthermore, it is unfavorable that the longer construction period makes the construction cost higher. In order to improve these issues, we are studying the way of shortening construction period for the ABWR. In the previous study, we introduced a concept for shortening construction period and master schedule based on the large-scale module method. In this study, we have developed the advanced concept for shortening construction period of the ABWR plant based on the rearrangement of its general arrangement and the application of large-scale composite modules. The estimated construction period is 22.5 months from the first concrete work to the fuel loading. (authors)

[en] The reinforced concrete containment vessel (RCCV) is the most critical part in construction of an ABWR plant. Use of steel plate reinforced concrete (SC) and a large modular construction method are effective in shortening the construction period (Ijichi et al., 2004)1). This research is aimed at a remarkable shortening of the construction period of an ABWR plant (period from 1st concrete placement to Fuel/Loading is less than 22 months). Conceptual design of a steel plate reinforced concrete containment vessel (SCCV) using an SC structure is carried out and structural experiments are conducted. It is thus confirmed that SCCV shows outstanding structural performance, compared with RCCV. This paper outlines the study results. (authors)