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The effect of glucose infusion during surgery on glucose metabolism has not been investigated sufficiently. We, therefore, examined the effect after the infusion of 1% glucose acetated Ringer solution containing Mg2+ during surgery on ketogenesis and serum Mg2+ concentrations. Patients, classified as ASA I-II, age 51-80 years, were randomly assigned to receive infusion of acetated Ringer solution. The G/Mg group received infusion with 1% glucose, Na+ 140mEq/L, Mg2+ 2 mEq/L, and the C group received infusion with glucose free solution containing Na+ 130 mEq/L without Mg2+. Both solutions were infused at a rate of 25 mL/kg for the first hour, and main-tained at 4 mL/kg/hr thereafter. Blood samples were collected three times: before infusion and at 1 hour and 4 hours after the start of infusion. Electrolytes and glucose metabolism were evaluated at each sampling. After rapid infusion, blood glucose level significantly increased to 170+/-19mg/dL in the G/Mg group, but it returned to close to baseline after 4 hours and serum ketone bodies did not increase during infusion. In the C group, however, blood glucose never increased beyond 110 mg/dL, but both acetoacetic and hydroxybutyric acids increased significantly at the third measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian brain. We found that among the three NMDARs examined (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B), only NMDAR2A was silenced in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell lines at basal line and reactivated by the demethylating agent, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. NMDAR2A was expressed in normal colon epithelium, while expression was hardly detectable in colon cancer tissues. Promoter methylation of NMDAR2A was confirmed by bisulfite sequencing and combined bisulfite restriction analysis in the CRC cell lines and primary tumors. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR demonstrated NMDAR2A promoter hypermethylation in 82 of 100 primary human CRC, 15 of 100 normal corresponding epithelial tissues and 1 of 11 (9%) normal colon mucosa samples obtained from patients without cancer. Moreover, forced expression of full-length NMDAR2A in CRC cell lines induced apoptosis and almost abolished the ability of the cells to form colonies in culture, while NMDAR2A knockdown increased cell growth. Thus, NMDAR2A is commonly hypermethylated in primary human CRC and possesses tumor-suppressive activity.Oncogene (2008) 27, 2045–2054; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210842; published online 8 October 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously cloned human G protein gamma 7 (GNG7) and demonstrated that it was downregulated in gastrointestinal cancer. The significance of GNG7 expression in oesophageal cancer is unknown. TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine the clinical significance of GNG7 expression in 55 cases of oesophageal cancer. Furthermore, GNG7-transfected oesophageal cancer cells were analysed in laboratory studies at genomic and epigenetic levels. Twenty-seven patients with low GNG7 expression showed significantly poorer survival than did 28 patients with high expression (P<0.05). Tumours with low GNG7 expression invaded deeper than those with high GNG7 expression (P<0.05), both in vivo and in vitro. Eight tumours retained GNG7 expression, and they did not show either promoter hypermethylation or loss of heterozygosity (LOH). In 38 tumours with GNG7 suppression, 22 (57%) showed either LOH or promoter hypermethylation. In addition, GNG7 expression was significantly associated with the presence of miR328 in oesophageal cancer cell lines, which suggests that this microRNA might be a regulator of GNG7 expression. GNG7 suppression represents a new prognostic indicator in cases of oesophageal cancer. GNG7 might be suppressed by LOH and promoter hypermethylation or by microRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a lily isolate of Plantago asiatica mosaic virus (PlAMV-Li), two sub-isolates (Li1 and Li6) were obtained. Although the nucleotide sequences of Li1 and Li6 were highly conserved, they showed different pathogenicity in Nicotiana benthamiana. Li1 caused necrosis, whereas Li6 infected the plant asymptomatically. Inoculation tests with chimeric and point-mutated viruses revealed that amino acid 1154 of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) contributes to the necrotic symptoms. The accumulation of the mutant viruses, in which amino acid 1154 of the RdRp was exchanged to the wild-type codon in Li1 and Li6, was almost equal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A Pt/C multilayer stack (15 layer-pairs) with Fe impurities was prepared on a glass substrate by the ion sputtering technique. Ion irradiation effects on this multilayer were studied following irradiation with 2MeV Au ions at fluences from 1×1014 to 1×1015 ions/cm2. Irradiation induced atomic displacements in such multilayers have been earlier analyzed by a combined X-ray standing wave (XSW) and X-ray reflectivity (XRR) technique with a depth resolution better than 0.2nm [S.K. Ghose, B.N. Dev, Phys. Rev. B 63 (2001) 245409; S.K. Ghose, D.K. Goswami, B. Rout, B.N. Dev, G. Kuri, G. Materlik, Appl. Phys. Lett. 79 (2001) 467]. Using the combined XSW-XRR technique ion beam induced preferential movement of Fe from C- to Pt-layers has been detected. At the highest ion fluence Pt layers (containing Fe) break into nanoparticles apparently surrounded by C. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) measurements indicate the formation of FePt particles in the irradiated multilayer samples. Results of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements reveal that while the virgin sample hardly shows any magnetism, the irradiated samples show a soft ferromagnetism with an increasing coercive field with increasing ion fluence. Use of focused ion beam to fabricate ferromagnetic nanodots and their possible uses in spin electronics are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Large surface charges can be induced on hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics by proton transport polarization, but this does not affect β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) because of its low polarizability. We wished to examine differences in osteogenic cell activity and new bone growth between positively or negatively surface-charged HAp and HAp/TCP plates using a calvarial bone defect model. In the first group of rats, test pieces were placed with their positively charged surfaces face down on the dura mater. In the second group, test pieces were placed with their negatively charged surfaces face down on the dura mater. A third group received noncharged test pieces. Histological examination, including enzymatic staining for osteoblasts and osteoclasts, was carried out. While no bone formation was observed at the pericranium, direct bone formation on the cranial bone debris and new bone growth expanded from the margins of the sites of injury to bridge across both the positively and negatively charged surfaces of HAp and HAp/TCP plates occurred. Electrical polarization of implanted plates, including positive charge, led to enhanced osteoblast activity, though decreased osteoclast activity was seen on the positively charged plate surface. Thus, polarization of HAp ceramics may modulate new bone formation and resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The X-ray data of A2029 obtained with XMM-Newton show no evidence of an embedded AGN in the central region of this cluster, which was suggested from the analysis of restored ASCA image data, although some hot spots are seen within or around the central cD galaxy. The absence of AGN at the cluster center is consistent with the result of Chandra observations. Radial profiles of the iron abundance and the 2D (surface) temperature obtained from the XMM-Newton data are in good agreement with the Chandra data as a whole. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

X-ray telescopes have been providing high sensitivity X-ray observations in numerous missions. For X-ray telescopes in the future, one of the key technologies is to expand the energy band beyond 10 keV. We designed depth-graded multilayer, so-called supermirrors, for a hard X-ray telescope in the energy band up to 40 keV using lightweight thin-foil optics. They were successfully flown in a balloon flight and obtained a hard X-ray image of Cyg X-1 in the 20–40 keV band. Now supermirrors are promising to realize a hard X-ray telescope. We have estimated the performance of a hard X-ray telescope using a platinum–carbon supermirror for future satellite missions, such as NeXT (Japan) and XEUS (Europe). According to calculations, they will have a significant effective area up to 80 keV, and their effective areas will be more than 280 cm2 even at 60 keV. Limiting sensitivity will be down to 1.7 × 10-13 erg cm-2 s-1 in the 10–80 keV band at a 100 ks observation. In this paper, we present the results of the balloon experiment with the first supermirror flown and projected effective areas of hard X-ray telescopes and action items for future missions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated properties of four isolated giant elliptical galaxies with extended X-ray halo using ASCA data. The derived size of X-ray halo, X-ray luminosity, and gravitational mass of the dark halo are unusually large those of X-ray halo of a single galaxy, but are typical for X-ray halos of groups and poor clusters of galaxies. The measured temperatures and abundances of the X-ray halo gas in these galaxies are also similar to those of the groups and poor clusters. Based on these results we identified these galaxies as “isolated X-ray overluminous elliptical galaxy” (IOLEG). The radial profiles of dark halo in these objects were derived from X-ray data. It is found that some are similar to those of compact groups while others are the same as those of normal ellipticals. The dark halos of lOLEGs are thus indistinguishable from those of groups (and poor clusters), which appears to be consistent with a widely believed idea that lOLEGs are a product of dynamical evolution of a compact group. However, mass-to-light ratios of IOLEGs (M200/LB∼100–1000) are far greater than those of Hickson compact groups M200/LB∼40–60). Since it is hard to consider that total optical luminosity of a compact group decreases by an order of magnitude in the course of dynamical evolution, such difference in the observed mass-to-light ratio between IOLEGs and Hickson compact groups strongly suggests that most IOLEGs have not evolved from compact groups which are observed at present. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although the deposition of BaTiO3, known as a ferroelectric compound with spontaneous dipole moments, has never occurred in either propanol and acetylacetone, these mixtures were found to enhance the deposition of the powders on a cathode. The present study carried out the systematic investigation of the solution-mixing effect of propanol and acetylacetone on the electrophoretic deposition of BaTiO3. The optimum mixing ratio for the deposition was 50-70 vol% of propanol, while a depressed migration of BaTiO3 powders was observed in the mixed solutions. Therefore, it was considered that the enhanced deposition was attributed to the coagulation of the BaTiO3 powders on the cathode. The deposition characteristics varied with the kind of alcohol used showed that a more highly enhanced deposition was achieved with alcohols having longer side-chains such as octanol. An intertwinement between the side-chains in the alcohols was considered to have an effect on the coagulation of the BaTiO3 powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to accurately decide the position, size, and shape of the skin graft and/or local flap required in some cases of ear reconstruction. We have designed the donor site for local flap or skin graft using a paper model to ensure the maximum use of limited skin. Seven cases of partial and three cases of total ear reconstruction were performed using a paper model. The flap and skin graft designed prior to the operation were successful in all cases with no additional trimming. It is concluded that a paper model is useful for ear reconstruction for the following reasons: easy estimation of the skin needed for the operation (to avoid excess skin harvest), useful for the selection of reconstructive techniques and it contributes to a smooth operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nipradilol is an α1, β-blocker with milder side effects than other β-blockers used in humans. In this study the effects of nipradilol were compared with those of timolol maleate in dogs. Twelve clinically normal dogs (nine mongrels, two beagles, and one Akita) were used. We applied 0.25% nipradilol or 0.5% timolol maleate drops for a period of 28 days. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before and after administration on the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Blood pressure, pulse rate and coefficient of aqueous outflow (C-value) were also measured before and after administration on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Both nipradilol and timolol maleate significantly lowered IOP from the 2nd day to the end of the study period. Nipradilol lowered IOP to an equivalent degree to timolol maleate. There was no significant change in blood pressure and pulse rate throughout the study period with administration of nipradilol. C-value showed a significant rise from the 14th day with administration of nipradilol, while it did not show any significant change during the study period with administration of timolol maleate. The reduction of IOP by nipradilol was similar to that by an existing β-adrenergic antagonist, timolol maleate, but nipradilol was associated with fewer systemic side effects in dogs. Nipradilol appears to be a useful drug for treatment of glaucoma in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance 370 nm ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LED) with an AlGaN/InGaN single quantum well structure were fabricated on sapphire substrate by using the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique. Three group different growth conditions of undoped n-side barrier and p-side barrier were chosen to sandwich the InGaN well layer in the LED samples. By using high-Al content and symmetric composition n- and p-side barriers, the output efficiency of our UV-LED has been greatly improved. An output power of 2.5 mW at an injection current of 20 mA was achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ion irradiation induced modifications of a periodic Pt/C multilayer system containing Fe impurity have been analyzed by X-ray techniques suitable for exploring nanometer depth scales with sub-nanometer depth resolution. The multilayer stack with 15 Pt/C layer pairs (period 4.23 nm, total thickness 63.45 nm) was fabricated on a glass substrate. A 2 MeV Au2+ ion beam was rastered on the sample to obtain uniformly irradiated strips with fluences from 1 × 1014 to 1 × 1015 ions/cm2. These strips were analyzed with X-ray standing wave and X-ray reflectivity experiments. Ion induced atomic displacements across multilayer interfaces are known [Appl. Phys. Lett. 79 (2001) 467]. Here additionally we identify irradiation induced redistribution of Fe impurity atoms, which cannot be explained simply by atomic displacements due to ion–atom collision. With increasing ion fluences more Fe atoms migrate from C- to Pt-layers. This behaviour has been explained in terms of radiation induced enhanced diffusion and Fe–Pt and Fe–C phase diagrams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Glass-ceramics of the phosphorus containing Na5RSi4O12-type (R=rare-earth) Na+-superionic conductors (Narpsio-V) were prepared by bias crystallization of glasses with the composition Na4.05Y0.55P0.3Si2.7O9 in an electric field. The conditions for bias crystallization are discussed with respect to the microstructure and the conduction properties. The cross sections which are parallel and perpendicular to the electric field direction showed the ionic conductivities of 0.0923 and 0.132 mS/cm at 300 °C, respectively. The microstructure and the electric conductivity of the Narpsio glass-ceramics perpendicular to the electric field direction were significantly different from those in parallel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

SUMMARY. A 63-year-old man presented to our hospital with persistent dysphagia. Radiologic and endoscopic examination disclosed a 2.0-cm exophytic tumor in the middle third of the esophagus. An endscopically obtained biopsy specimen was found to represent undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. Computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and cervical region was performed, as were gallium and bone scintigraphy. Metastasis to an adjacent lymph node was detected, without metastasis to distant organs. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin (CBDCA) (400 mg/m2 ) and etoposide (VP-16) (100 mg/m2 ), endoscopy and barium-swallow esophagography showed regression. Thoracic esophagectomy then was performed with mediastinal, abdominal and cervical lymph node dissection. The resected tumor was polypoid, measuring 0.5 × 0.5 cm. The lesion consisted mainly of small anaplastic cells, but included a small focus of squamous cell carcinoma. The patient has survived for more than 7 months with no further treatment and no evidence of recurrent disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on metastatic lymph nodes and on the outcome of patients who underwent esophagectomy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Fifty-nine patients with potentially resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were studied. Twenty patients (group A) were treated by preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin, followed by surgery. Thirty-nine patients underwent surgery alone (group B). A total of 2591 resected lymph nodes were histologically evaluated for metastasis and the effect of chemotherapy. The metastasis rate in the resected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, and outcome of the patients were statistically analyzed between groups. In group A, the clinical and pathological response rates were 75% and 75% respectively. The metastasis rate in the resected lymph nodes was significantly higher in group B (P < 0.01). The mean number of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly lower in group A (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mean number of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly lower in the chemotherapy responders than in non-responders. The survival rate in group A was better than in group B (P = 0.07). Preoperative chemotherapy reduced the number of metastatic lymph nodes and may contribute to improving the outcome of the patients who have undergone esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives – The cause of small infarction is mainly considered to be intracranial small-vessel disease. However, it is difficult to explain the mechanism of multiple, acute infarctions by small-vessel disease. We examined the differences of clinical parameters between patients with multiple small lesions and single lesion detected by Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI). Material and methods – We reviewed the clinical records of 86 consecutive stroke patients with lacunar size ischemic lesions on DWI during the acute stage (within 72 h of onset). The subjects were 55 males and 31 females (mean age 72.4 ± 9.9 years). Small multiple acute ischemic lesions were defined using the following criteria 1): the lesions were detectable by DWI 2), the diameter of each lesion on DWI was less than 1.5 cm, and 3) more than one vascular territory was involved. Included in the analysis were age, sex, lipoprotein (a) levels, hematocrit, atrial fibrillation (Af), stenosis of middle cerebral artery (MCA), internal carotid artery (ICA) or basilar artery stenosis detected by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission, and a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. Results – Twenty-one (24.4%) out of 86 patients with small acute infarctions had multiple acute ischemic lesions. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that Af and stenosis of ICA or basilar artery were significantly more prevalent in patients with multiple lesions than single lesions. Conclusion – Multiple, small lesions visible in DWI are likely to be caused by emboli from heart or atheroma of the large vessels than single small lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfonylureas are the most commonly used oral hypoglycemic agents. Their hypoglycemic actions are produced not only by stimulating insulin secretion but also by extrapancreatic mechanisms. Some groups have already demonstrated the extrapancreatic actions of sulfonylureas on carbohydrate metabolism in the liver, fat and muscle. In this study, we showed in an in situ perfused hind limb preparation of STZ-diabetic rats that gliclazide has an acute effect on ketone body and glucose utilization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The prognostic factors of adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) have not been well defined.Methods: In 27 AGCT patients, we examined clinical stage, microscopic patterns, mitotic index (MI), and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) to determine whether these factors were related to disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with AGCT. We also performed immunohistochemical examination for p53.Results: Seventeen cases represented stage I tumors, four stage II, five stage III, and one stage IV. Patients with stage I disease had more favorable prognosis than those with stage II to IV disease (p=0.034). There was no relation between the microscopic patterns and the DFS. The MI, which was categorized into < or =3/10 high power field (HPF) and > or =4/10 HPF, was significantly related to patients DFS (p<0.0005). The DFS time for patients with moderate or prominent LVSI was significantly shorter than that for patients with no or minimal LVSI (p<0.0001). By multivariate analysis, MI and LVSI were shown to be independent prognostic factors. Five of seven patients with recurrent tumor had extrapelvic spread; two in the abdominal cavity and three in the liver.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that prognosis for patients with AGCT depends on the MI and LVSI. During the follow-up period of patients, they need to be examined for distant metastasis including liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolism of tocotrienol remains unclear. We studied the distribution of tocotrienol in rats fed the tocotrienol-rich fraction extracted from palm oil. We have previously shown that dietary sesame seeds markedly elevate the tocopherol concentration in rats. In this study, we also examined the effect of dietary sesame seeds on the tocotrienol concentration. In experiment 1, rats (4-wk-old) were fed the diet with alpha-tocopherol alone or with alpha- and gamma-tocotrienols. In experiment 2, the effect of dietary sesame seeds on tocopherol and tocotrienol concentrations in rats fed the diet with tocopherol and tocotrienol was studied. The rats were fed the experimental diet for 8 wk in both experiments. alpha- and gamma-Tocotrienols accumulated in the adipose tissue and skin, but not in plasma or other tissues, of the rats fed tocotrienols. Dietary sesame seeds elevated (P < 0.05) tocotrienol concentrations in the adipose tissue and skin, but did not affect their concentrations in other tissues or in plasma. The gamma-tocopherol concentration in all tissues and plasma of rats fed gamma-tocopherol was extremely low but was elevated (P < 0.05) in many tissues by feeding sesame seeds. These data suggest that the transport and tissue uptake of vitamin E isoforms are different. Dietary sesame seeds elevate the concentrations of both tocopherols and tocotrienols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe herein a case of asymptomatic primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus. A 65-year-old man presented with a 4-cm filling defect in the middle third of the esophagus on a routine barium swallow. Subtotal esophagectomy accompanied by lymph node dissection was performed through a right thoracotomy. Postoperatively, the patient received five cycles of systemic chemotherapy with dacarbazine (DTIC), nimustine hydrochloride (ACNU), and vincristine (VCR) (DAV therapy), but ultimately died of generalized metastatic disease 15 months after surgery. Malignant melanoma of the esophagus has an extremely poor prognosis despite various therapeutic efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study MR findings for clues to the diagnosis of lingual thyroid.Material and Methods: MR findings and clinical and scintigraphic data of 5 cases of lingual thyroid were reviewed and the MR findings were compared to those of 16 cases of other submucosal lesions in the base of the tongue.Results: Four of the 5 patients with lingual thyroid were women and all had hypothyroidism. MR imaging depicted lingual thyroid in the midline in the base of the tongue (n=5) and additional ectopic thyroid glands in the floor of the mouth (n=2) or between the right and left sternohyoid muscles (n=1). Ectopic thyroid glands appeared isointense or hyperintense relative to muscle tissue on T1-weighted images and showed slight or fair contrast enhancement. All glands had low to intermediate T2 signal, which was also seen in 1 case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma. All ectopic thyroid glands had well-defined margins, whereas malignant tumors tended to have ill-defined margins and to invade the surrounding structures. All but the 5 cases of lingual thyroid had an MR-demonstrable thyroid gland in the normal cervical position.Conclusion: A well-defined mass of low-intermediate T2 signal in the midline base of the tongue, neither with invasive tendency nor with a cervical thyroid gland in the normal site on MR imaging, may strongly indicate lingual thyroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose: To study MR findings for clues to the diagnosis of lingual thyroid. Material and Methods: MR findings and clinical and scintigraphic data of 5 cases of lingual thyroid were reviewed and the MR findings were compared to those of 16 cases of other submucosal lesions in the base of the tongue. Results: Four of the 5 patients with lingual thyroid were women and all had hypothyroidism. MR imaging depicted lingual thyroid in the midline in the base of the tongue (n=5) and additional ectopic thyroid glands in the floor of the mouth (n=2) or between the right and left sternohyoid muscles (n=1). Ectopic thyroid glands appeared isointense or hyperintense relative to muscle tissue on T1-weighted images and showed slight or fair contrast enhancement. All glands had low to intermediate T2 signal, which was also seen in 1 case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma. All ectopic thyroid glands had well-defined margins, whereas malignant tumors tended to have ill-defined margins and to invade the surrounding structures. All but the 5 cases of lingual thyroid had an MR-demonstrable thyroid gland in the normal cervical position. Conclusion: A well-defined mass of low-intermediate T2 signal in the midline base of the tongue, neither with invasive tendency nor with a cervical thyroid gland in the normal site on MR imaging, may strongly indicate lingual thyroid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background, aims: The present study was undertaken to assess the periodontal status of a rural Japanese population and to study the correlation between the periodontal status and the serum antibody titers for Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) fimbriae. Method: A total of 236 individuals were examined for their periodontal con-ditions by the use of the community periodontal index for treatment needs (CPITN), and serum antibody titers for Pg fimbriae in their peripheral blood samples were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: There was a substantially larger proportion of edentulous subjects in the age group older than 60 years. The remaining teeth were 24.1, 23.2, 11.1 and 10.1 per person in the 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and >70 age groups, respectively. The % of sextants with a CPITN code of missing sextant (MS) increased towards elderly and reached ±60% in the age group of >70 years, as the % of the CPITN 2, 1 or 0 sextant decreased. The % of CPITN 4 and 3 sextants did not differ between different age groups and were about 6-8% and 15-20%, respectively. The % of CPITN 1 or 0 sextants was higher in female subjects than in male subjects in the 60-69 and >70 age groups, while the % of CPITN 4 or 3 sextants was higher in male subjects than in female subjects in all age groups. There was no significant difference between various age groups in the mean serum antibody titers for Pg fimbriae. The mean anti-Pg fimbriae antibody titers was significantly higher for the subjects with a maximum CPITN code 4 (max.-CPITN 4 subject) than for the subjects with lower maximum CPITN codes. The antibody titers varied extensively among the max.-CPITN 4 or 3 subjects, but not among the max.-CPITN 2/1/0 or MS subjects. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that tooth loss is a remarkable event in elderly subjects and that oral prophylaxis and mechanical debridement should be mandatory in the population examined... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15-year-old boy with refractory juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) underwent intense immunosuppressive therapy followed by purified blood CD34+ cell autografting. He had been taking prednisolone (PDN) daily or every other day combined with methotrexate once a week to control the disease for 7 years. He suffered from psychological complications and a very short stature due to the adverse effects of these drugs. CD34+ cells were purified in bulk from G-CSF-mobilized PBSC using an Isolex 300. After the administration of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and anti-lymphocyte globulin (45 mg/kg), 3.6 × 106/kg purified CD34+ cells were infused. his post-transplant course was uneventful except for herpes-zoster infection. he is now more than 1 year post transplant and has not taken any immunosuppressive medication. his rate of growth has increased (>10 cm/year) due to the effects of the cessation of PDN and the administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rGH), in contrast to the gain of 2 cm in the preceding 3 years with rGH treatment. Although the durability of this remission is unknown, intense immunosuppressive therapy followed by purified blood CD34+ cell autografting might be acceptable for adolescent patients with refractory JRA to achieve a drug-free period for physical and psychological maturation. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 27, 333–336. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro maintenance and expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells is crucial for many clinical applications. Thrombopoietin (TPO) and flt3/flk2 ligand (FL) have been suggested to support the proliferation of primitive hematopoietic progenitors and the expansion of transplantable stem cells in culture. In this study, we examined the synergistic effects of the murine stromal cell line MS-5 and a combination of the two cytokines, TPO and FL, on the ex vivo expansion of human cord blood primitive progenitors and transplantable stem cells. A monolayer of MS-5 cells with TPO/FL synergistically supported a more than 600-fold expansion of human cord blood CD34+ cells and CD34+CD38- cells in 2 weeks of culture. Colony-forming unit in culture (CFU-C) and 5-week and 8-week cobblestone area-forming cells (CAFC) were also expanded approximately 300-, 4- and 13-fold, respectively. When MS-5 cells were physically separated from progenitors by a Transwell filter, the synergy was reduced to a quarter of the control, suggesting that direct cell–cell contact between MS-5 cells and progenitors is required for maximum expansion. The severe-combined immunodeficient (scid) mouse-reconstituting cell (SRC) assay demonstrated the slight augmentation of transplantable stem cell activity in culture. These results indicated that MS-5 cells provide a milieu that stimulates the proliferation of primitive progenitors including transplantable stem cells. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 837–844. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-atomic-layer systems stacked with monolayer graphene/monolayer h-BN/Ni(111) have been grown in an epitaxial manner. The graphene overlayer formation changes drastically the interfacial interaction between the h-BN layer and Ni(111). As a result, a peculiar property of the monolayer h-BN on Ni(111) changes to a bulklike one. The π-d orbital hybridization at the interface disappears. Accordingly, a metallic character of monolayer h-BN disappears, the soft TO⊥ phonon returns to the bulk one, and the reduced lattice constant of h-BN on Ni(111) also returns to the bulk one. In contrast, the h-BN overlayer formation does not change the interface between the monolayer graphene and Ni(111). From those data, the strength order of interfacial bonds changes as follows: graphene/Ni(111) > graphene/h-BN > h-BN/Ni(111). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a prospective cohort study which examines the association between mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and incidence of severe graft versus host disease (GVHD) and pre-engraftment syndrome (PES) after cord blood transplantation (CBT). It indicates the importance of MMF monitoring for the effective prophylaxis of acute GVHD after CBT. It shows that lower MMF concentrations could minimize the incidence of severe PES compared with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) alone.

Background: There are limited psychological data on the quality of life and activities of daily living among elderly Japanese who live alone.Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of apathy and its correlation with activities of daily living and with subjective well-being in elderly people living alone in a depopulated rural area.Methods: We evaluated 96 individuals aged 70 years or older (mean age 77.8 years) who lived alone at home in a rural town. To evaluate activities of daily living, apathy, and subjective well-being, the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Competence Index, the Apathy Scale, and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (subjective well-being scale) were used.Results: Of the 96 subjects, 94 (97.9%) showed apathy. The total score of the index of activities of daily living was primarily related to age and the apathy score and less to the PGC Morale Scale score.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that apathy in subjects who live alone appears to exert a marked effect on their ability to perform routine activities of daily living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human T-leukaemic cell line, HSB.2-C5B2, which produces high levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) when stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) plus IL-1, was recloned to obtain spontaneous variants in IL-2 production in response to the stimuli. In these subclones, the ability of one clone to produce IL-2 correlated well with that to produce IFN-γ. Three C5B2 subclones: clone no. 28, a high IL-2 producer, clone no. 61, an intermediate IL-2 producer, and clone no. 40, a non-producer, were selected and examined for differences in signal transduction mechanisms. Since the three subclones were shown to express about the same number of IL-1 binding sites with similar affinities, the loss of ability to produce IL-2 was not due to decreased cell-surface receptor or changes in receptor property. In support of this, IL-1 induced expression of the IL-2 receptor (Tac/p55 antigen) to the same extent on the three subclones. The levels of conventional intracellular second messengers were compared and it was revealed that loss of responsiveness was closely related to the subclones' degree of (poly)phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, protein kinase C (PKC) activation and cyclic AMP formation in response to PHA. Moreover, resting intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations were found to be increased in subclones with attenuated IL-2 production. These results indicate that the variation of IL-1-induced production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in this T-cell line is attributed to the difference in the PHA-mediated signal transduction pathway and, presumably, to the different regulation of intracellular cyclic AMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures the urinary levels of 9alpha,11beta-prostaglandin F[sub 2] (9alpha,11beta-PGF[sub 2]) in asthmatic children to examine the role in not only acute asthmatic attack in a time course study but also in exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Elevated urinary levels of 9alpha,11beta-PGF[sub 2] observed on the first day of treatment; Possible involvement of the PGF[sub 2] in the pathogenesis of asthma.

A new plane-grafting monochromator and calibration chamber were constructed for the radiometric calibration of plasma diagnostic devices. The monochromator is designed to cover a wavelength range of 1.8-238 nm with moderate resolving power of 500 ± 200 λ/δλ. To check the performance of the monochromator, spectral distribution and resolution were measured by experiments on photoemission from solids and photoionization of rare gases. The characterization of multilayer reflectors by the use of this beamline is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum-carbon multilayer mirrors with a bilayer spacing of 50 AÅ were fabricated in an ultrahigh vacuum electron beam evaporator. The thermal stability of these multilayers was studied under vacuum annealing using X-ray reflectivity and X-ray diffraction. Up to 450 [sup °] C, the bilayer spacing increases monotonically accompanied by a gradual increase in crystallite size and grain texture. At 500 [sup °] C multilayer reflection vanishes, platinum crystallites grow abruptly, and there is a strong texture of platinum in the [220] -plane. Possible reasons for thermally induced structural modifications in these multilayers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehydrated hydroxyapatite (HAp), OH- ion-defect induced hydroxyapatite, was prepared for dielectric measurements. We evaluated the dielectric properties of HAp in 100-500 °C, and found dielectric relaxations of two kinds. At lower temperature, relaxation that was attributed to the reorientations of OH- ions was observed, where the relaxation strengths were influenced strongly by the OH- concentrations. The activation energy of the OH- reorientation, which was unaffected by the OH- concentrations, was ascertained as 0.62-0.63 eV. However, in a higher temperature range, relaxations that had larger relaxation strength were observed and were regarded as originating from the displacement of OH- ions and O2- ions. The activation energies of the larger relaxation, which were affected by the OH- concentrations, were ascertained as 0.73 eV and 0.81 eV. Those values are comparable to the activation energy of proton conduction, implying that the proton conduction in HAp starts at a low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxyapatite (HAp), well known as a biomaterial, is also known as a proton conductor. Its electrical properties are related strongly to its stability and surface properties. In particular, persistent electrical polarization related to proton conductivity of hydroxyapatite has a substantial influence on hydroxyapatite surface properties. The origins of polarizations were investigated in proton-defect-induced HAp ceramics using thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) measurements. Two peaks were observed, indicating that the persistent polarization comprises polarization elements of two kinds. The TSDC response as a function of the applied electric field in polarization treatments indicated that the persistent polarization is dipole polarization and space charge polarization. The former, dipole polarization, increased continuously with increased defect concentration. The activation energies were 0.67-0.86 eV, which are comparable to proton conduction activation energy. Results show that dipole polarization consists of electrical dipoles of the defect pairs, which are formed through proton conduction. The activation energies of 1.01 ± 0.01 eV for space charge polarization are independent of the defect concentration, suggesting that these originated from protons trapped at the grain boundaries as a result of long-range proton conduction. The polarization of two different types is expected to exert different effects on the HAp surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the application of oral fluoroquinolones (FQs) and other antibiotics as treatment for patients with bacterial infection.

OBJECTIVE Intensive insulin therapy (IIT) reduces morbidity and mortality in patients in surgical intensive care units. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of IIT using a closed-loop system in hepatectomized patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to receive IIT using a closed-loop system: an artificial pancreas (AP group) or conventional insulin therapy using the sliding-scale method (SS group). RESULTS The incidence of surgical-site infection in the AP group was significantly lower than that in the SS group. The length of hospitalization required for patients in the AP group was significantly shorter than that in the SS group. CONCLUSIONS Total hospital costs for patients in the AP group were significantly lower than for patients in the SS group. IIT using a closed-loop system maintained near-normoglycemia and contributed to a reduction in the incidence of SSI and total hospital costs due to shortened hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thin film waveguides of polyphenylenevinylene were formed on a distributed feedback resonator. Light emission under pulsed optical pumping was measured as a function of excitation wavelengths. A distributed feedback lasing appeared constantly at 635nm. In addition, an emission peak due to stimulated resonant Raman scattering emerged and its peak position shifted according to the excitation wavelength. When the latter peak just overlapped with the former one, the emission intensity was enhanced and its peak width and background noise by amplified spontaneous emission were reduced. The coupling of Raman scattering with the feedback mode would be a useful technology for development of a plastic laser. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The nucleation process of CdSe nanocrystals is studied by fluorescence-detected extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) using a microreactor and synchrotron radiation. Detailed analysis of in situ Se K-edge EXAFS data measured along a microreactor channel revealed a strong position-dependence which displays a rapid increase in the CdSe phase with time at the initial stage. The results indicate that the CdSe nucleation completes within several seconds starting from trioctylphosphine Se solution and dodecylamine surfactant at 240 °C. This shows the promising capability of in situ EXAFS combined with a microreactor to investigate the nucleation process of nanocrystals synthesized in a solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mechanism of fatigue crack advance involving the erosion of crack closure in vacuum is proposed to account for the very high cycle fatigue of Ti–6Al–4V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The distribution of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) remains unclear. Additionally, the distribution of nodal mediastinal metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lower esophagus with involvement of the esophagogastric junction remains unclear, given the very limited number of these patients. In this retrospective review, we compared the outcomes of radical lymphadenectomy of the mediastinum, including upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy, between patients with AEG and those with SCC. From 2005 to 2017, 69 consecutive patients underwent esophagectomy via right thoracotomy or minimally invasive esophagectomy for a Siewert type I or II tumor with esophageal invasion ≥3 cm. We analyzed the incidences of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in this group relative to those of 73 patients with SCC with involvement of the esophagogastric junction who consecutively underwent esophagectomy during the same period. Mediastinal lymph node metastasis was seen in 26 of 69 patients with AEG (38%), with upper, middle, lower mediastinal nodal metastasis instances of 20%, 17%, and 23%, respectively. Mediastinal lymph node metastasis was seen in 23 of 73 patients with SCC (32%), with upper, middle, lower mediastinal nodal metastasis instances of 12%, 16%, and 19%, respectively. This mediastinal lymph nodal metastasis distribution did not statistically differ between patients with AEG and those with SCC. The relapse-free survival outcomes were poor for patients with clinical (P < 0.01) or pathological (P < 0.01) nodal metastasis of the mediastinum with AEG. In contrast, patients with clinical or pathological mediastinal nodal metastases of SCC did not have extremely poor survival outcomes, compared to patients with AEG. Despite the limited dataset available for analysis, patients with AEG and those with SCC might exhibit similar incidences and distribution of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. However, the clinical or pathological metastasis of AEG to the mediastinum was associated with poor survival outcomes, even if radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy including the upper mediastinal lymphadenectomy was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on prognosis is still controversial. We have investigated the relationship between responses to preoperative chemotherapy and prognosis after curative operations in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Thirty-nine patients received preoperative chemotherapy with continuous infusion of 500 mg/m2 of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and intravenous injection of 20 mg/m2 of leucovorin every 12 hours for 5 days. On the 5th day alone, 70 mg/m2 of cisplatin was also infused. The effect was evaluated approximately 14 days after the end of one course of chemotherapy. The rates of responders and non-responders were 64.1% and 35.9%, respectively. After an interval of 21–28 days, transthoracic esophagectomy was performed. Significant histological effect by chemotherapy was found in responders compared to non-responders (P < 0.05). Responders had a significantly better prognosis than non-responders by Log-rank test (P < 0.01). This suggests that preoperative chemotherapy may contribute to better prognosis when the tumor is sensitive to chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify electronic structures of molecular semiconductor/metal interfaces, a Schottky–Mott rule is examined for vacuum-sublimed films of two kinds of porphyrins, which have similar chemical structures, but opposite conductance types. The result shows that Schottky barrier heights are simply determined by the difference in work function between the porphyrin solids and metals irrespective of the conductance types of the porphyrin semiconductors, indicative of negligible influence of surface states on the Schottky barrier formation. Measurements of photocurrent generation efficiencies at these Schottky junctions indicate that a surface recombination process is not a major deactivation route for electron-hole pairs generated in the molecular semiconductors by light. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraduodenal hernias have traditionally been treated by conventional laparotomy. We report the first case of a left paraduodenal hernia treated laparoscopically. A 44-year-old man was admitted with abdominal pain and nausea. Computed tomography and an upper gastrointestinal series with small-bowel followthrough showed accumulation of the small bowel on the left side of the abdomen. A laparoscopic repair was performed. The small bowel was observed beneath a thin hernia capsule. Approximately 1.5 m of jejunum was easily reduced into the abdominal cavity. The hernia orifice (5-cm diameter) was closed intracorporeally with five interrupted sutures. Good exposure of the operative field is critical to this procedure; poor exposure may limit the applicability of the laparoscopic approach. This minimally invasive operation is currently indicated in nonobstructive paraduodenal hernias, especially on the left. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adventitial involvement (AI) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in 20 patients was analyzed by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and computed tomography (CT). The findings were compared with the histologic evidence of tumor invasion in the resected specimens. AI was detected as an irregularity or interruption of the third layer of the esophageal wall on ultrasound examination. The overall accuracy in the assessment of depth of tumor invasion by EUS and CT scan was 80% and 68%, respectively. EUS diagnosed AI in 17 patients and detected direct tumor invasion of either the aorta, trachea or pericardium in 7 of them. In 4 patients who had severe stenotic lesions, EUS underestimated the depth of tumor invasion when compared to the histologic findings. Overall, these results, show that EUS when combined with CT scanning is a useful means of preoperatively evaluating tumor invasion in patients with esophageal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality single-crystal molybdenum (Mo) fabricated by a secondary recrystallization method has been polished with a new polishing technique. The superpolished surface of the Mo single crystal has a surface roughness of 3.5 Å rms. This superpolished single-crystal Mo has been used for a high-power electron beam pumped argon excimer laser (λ=126 nm) as a cavity mirror. Peak output power of more than 3 MW has been achieved without any damage to the mirror surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]