Using a microwave antenna attached to the room ceiling, we conducted non-contact monitoring of respiratory chest wall motions of subjects in bed and covered by a soft comfortable bedding, to measure the vital signs of patients under nursing care in a welfare institution. Long-term vital sign monitoring using electrodes places a heavy burden on monitored individuals. Our non-contact respiratory monitoring system comprises a 1,215 MHz-microwave radar (LDR-1), antenna box attached to the ceiling, and personal computer with analyzing software. The system was tested on eight healthy volunteers (mean age, 25 years; range, 21-44 years) and eight elderly volunteers with some disorders (mean age, 69 years; range, 66-75 years). Respiratory rates of subjects measured using this system correlated with rates measured using respiration sensors (r=0.97, P<0.001 for healthy volunteers, r=0.98, P<0.0001 for elderly volunteers). The system could monitor subtle changes in respiratory rate, and monitoring respiratory rate increases caused by disorders such as pneumonia will be possible.

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We developed a novel method for non-contact monitoring of stress-induced autonomic activation through the back of a chair, using a compact 24 GHz microwave radar (8 x 5 x 3 cm), without large-scale equipment and placing a heavy burden on the monitored individual. Following a silent period of 120 s, audio stimuli using a composite tone of 2,120 and 2,130 Hz sine-waves at 95 dB were conducted for 120 s. From dorsal, LF/HF of HRV reflecting sympatho-vagal balance was determined by microwave radar with the maximum entropy method using eight volunteers (mean age 23 +/- 1 years). Mean LF/HF measured by non-contact and contact (using electrocardiography for reference) methods during audio stimuli increased 34 and 37%, respectively, as compared with those of the silent period. Maximum cross-correlations between contact and non-contact measurements averaged 0.73 +/- 0.10. Our method appears to be promising for future monitoring of stress-induced autonomic activation of operators and may reduce stress-induced accidents.

Flow cytometric analysis of synthetic galactosyl polymers, asialofetuin and LDL derivatives labeled with FITC (Fluorescein Isothiocyanate) was carried out to determine the phenotypes of endocytic receptors, such as asialoglycoprotein (ASPG) and the LDL receptor, on various types of cells. When FITC-labeled galactosyl polystyrene (GalCPS), being a synthetic ligand of ASPG, was applied to rat hepatocytes and human cancer cells (Hep G2 and Chang Liver), surface fluorescence intensities varied according to receptor expression on the cells. The fluorescence intensity originates from the calcium-dependent binding of the FITC-labeled GalCPS. Although unaltered by pre-treatment with glucosyl polystyrene (GluCPS), fetuin and LDL, the fluorescence intensity was suppressed by pre-treatment with (non-labeled) GalCPS and asialofetuin. Flow cytometry allowed us to demonstrate that the calcium-dependent binding of FITC-labeled LDL (prepared from rabbits) upon the addition of 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol enhances LDL receptor expression, and the expression is suppressed upon the addition of a monoclonal antibody to the LDL receptor. The binding efficiency based on the combination of FITC-labeled ligands suggests a possible application for the classification of cell types and conditions corresponding to endocytic receptor expression without the need for immuno-active antibodies or radiolabeled substances. Furthermore, the synthetic glycoconjugate (GalCPS) is shown to be a sensitive and useful marker for classification based on cell phenotype using flow cytometry.

SBA binds selectively to blood cells by recognizing cell-surface sugars, which are dependent on the extent of cellular differentiation. Therefore, the combination of alpha-1,6-Gal-VP and SBA might be useful for separation of blood cells according to their stage of differentiation and lineage.