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This study demonstrates the feasibility of free-standing conductive polymer nanosheets (referred to hereafter as “conductive nanosheets”) as bioelectrodes for plant leaves. The conductive nanosheet...

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a multisystem developmental disorder characterized by facial dysmorphisms, broad thumbs and halluces, growth retardation, and intellectual disability. In about 8% of RSTS cases, mutations are found in EP300. Previously, the EP300 mutation has been shown to cause the highly variable RSTS phenotype. Using exome sequencing, we identified a de novo EP300 frameshift mutation in a proband with coloboma, facial asymmetry and imperforate anus with minimal RSTS features. Previous molecular studies have demonstrated the importance of EP300 in oculogenesis, supporting the possibility that EP300 mutation may cause ocular coloboma. Since a wide phenotypic spectrum is well known in EP300-associated RSTS cases, the atypical phenotype identified in our proband may be an example of rare manifestations of RSTS.

We report solution-processed oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) with an indium oxide (InO) channel and a lanthanum–zirconium oxide (LZO) gate insulator with a transconductance (of the mS order) that was two to three orders of magnitude higher than in common oxide TFTs. Analyses revealed that while the mobility was not high, the induced charge density in the channel was extremely high [typically >1.2 × 1014 cm–2 per volt of VG, corresponding to a high dielectric constant (ɛr) of >5000 for the InO/LZO structure]. In addition, the TFTs exhibited low operating voltages (1–2 V) and low subthreshold swing factors (SS, 70–90 mV decade−1) that were close to the theoretical limit (∼60 mV decade−1 at room temperature) of an ideal transistor. The transconductance decreased with decreasing humidity and was similar to that of a typical oxide TFT in a dry environment. Our data indicated that the high carrier density may arise from the formation of electric double layers in the presence of water molecules. Additionally, the crystallinity of the InO channel layer was dependent on the La/Zr ratio in LZO: the crystallinity significantly improved with an La/Zr ratio of 3/7 (high-transconductance TFTs) compared with a ratio of 7/3 (usual TFTs).

Coincidence of reciprocal lattice point (CRLP) model was used to predict the stable orientation relationships of metal/α-Al 2 O 3 hetero interfaces from geometrical considerations. The predicted stable orientation relationships (ORs) between various metals and α-Al 2 O 3 agreed well with the experimentally observed ORs at the hetero interfaces fabricated by film growth processes. In the bcc metal/α-Al 2 O 3 systems with different fabrication processes such as internal oxidation, Burgers and Pitsch–Schrader ORs were experimentally observed, which have not been predicted as the most stable orientation relationships by CRLP. However, these ORs are predicted in CRLP as secondary stable orientations.

The purified polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and isoenzymes of Rhus laccase, and crude enzymes, from Chinese lacquer (Rhus vernicifera sap) were used to determine their influence on the enzymic activity of Rhus laccase on several substrates (4-phenylenediamine, isoeugenol and coniferyl alcohol). No product identity changes were observed when these components were added singularly or in combination to the enzymic reactions (only relative product yields varied significantly), however, the polysaccharides (GP1 and GP2) and glycoprotein (stellacyanin, St) exhibited negative effects, and the two isoenzymes (L1 and L2) exhibited positive synergistic effects, on the activity of Rhus laccase. With respect to the activity of the crude enzymes, the negative effects of GP1, GP2 and St were greater than the positive effects of L1 and L2, compared with free Rhus laccase on its own (using 4-phenylenediamine as substrate), the estimated inhibitory effect (of GP1, GP2 and St) being by at least a factor of 50 (even with the positive effect of L1 and L2). This contributes to understanding of lacquer storage stability and drying rates. Immobilisation of crude enzymes using a variety of techniques (using natural and modified polysaccharides, and an inorganic support) where evaluated using isoeugenol as substrate. Agar embedding and zirconium chloride chelation methods resulted in the highest substrate conversion levels. The yields and products of isoeugenol catalysis using Vietnamese crude enzymes/purified Rhus laccase and commercial Denilite laccase were also compared and contrasted with their Chinese lacquer sap equivalents.

Surface reactions between a (0 0 0 1) C -plane sapphire and NH 3 , with He as an inert carrier gas, were investigated at high temperatures over 1200 °C using the in situ gravimetric monitoring method. Although the sapphire substrate was stable up to 1400 °C under a He atmosphere, decomposition started to occur at 1300 °C under a 0.1 atm NH 3 +He and the decomposition rates were found to be lower than those in 0.1 atm H 2 +He at each temperature. These results imply that sapphire can be decomposed by NH 3 and/or hydrogen generated by the decomposition of NH 3 over 1300 °C. The decomposition rate in NH 3 +He was decreased with increase in NH 3 flow time, and the decomposition rate became constant after 60 min of NH 3 flow. Moreover, the activation energy for sapphire decomposition before 60 min of NH 3 flow was different from that after 60 min of NH 3 flow time, which indicates that the surface reaction between sapphire and NH 3 and/or hydrogen generated from NH 3 changes depending on the time of NH 3 flow. The dependence of the surface reactions and rate-limiting reactions between sapphire and NH 3 on the time of NH 3 flow is discussed.

In this paper, we characterized aluminum/sapphire interface structure by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was found that step structures of sapphire formed at the aluminum/sapphire interfaces during the liquid-phase bonding. It was discovered that the addition of silicon in aluminum significantly reduces the step growth at the interface. Silicon was found to segregate and precipitate at the interface. These results suggest that the strong preference of silicon at the interface may inhibit the step growth reactions during liquid-phase bonding. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MC200810]

The thermal stability and reaction with H2 of the surface of a (1012) R-plane sapphire substrate at high temperatures were investigated using an in situ gravimetric monitoring system. Although the R-plane sapphire surface was stable up to 1400 °C in an inert carrier gas, decomposition started at 1200 °C in H2 carrier gas. In addition, the activation energy for the decomposition of R-plane sapphire in H2 carrier gas changed at approximately 1300 °C, which indicates that the rate-limiting reaction for the decomposition of the R-plane sapphire substrate shifts near 1300 °C. These results agree with those for the stability of the C-plane sapphire substrate, as described previously. However, it was found that decomposition rate of the R-plane sapphire substrate was significantly greater than that for the C-plane substrate. The relationship between the decomposition rate and the surface orientation of sapphire and detailed mechanisms for the decomposition of R- and C-plane sapphire in H2 carrier gas are discussed.

Liquid-phase bonding is a technologically important method to fabricate high-performance metal/ceramic heterostructures used for power electronic devices. However, the atomic-scale mechanisms of how these two dissimilar crystals specifically bond at the interfaces are still not well understood. Here we analyse the atomically-resolved structure of a liquid-phase bonded heterointerface between Al alloy and AlN single crystal using aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, using dual silicon drift X-ray detectors in STEM, was performed to analyze the local chemistry of the interface. We find that a monolayer of MgO is spontaneously formed on the AlN substrate surface and that a polarity-inverted monolayer of AlN is grown on top of it. Thus, the Al alloy is bonded with the polarity-inverted AlN monolayer, creating a complex atomic-scale layered structure, facilitating the bonding between the two dissimilar crystals during liquid-phase bonding processes. Density-functional-theory calculations confirm that the bonding stability is strongly dependent on the polarity and stacking of AlN and MgO monolayers. Understanding the spontaneous formation of layered transition structures at the heterointerface will be key in fabricating very stable Al alloy/AlN heterointerface required for high reliability power electronic devices.

The thermal stabilities of Al- and N-polarity AlN layers grown on (0 0 0 1) sapphire substrates were investigated at temperatures ranging from 1100 to 1400 °C in various gas flows (He, H 2 and H 2 +NH 3 ). Decomposition of AlN occurred in flowing H 2 , while it did not occur in He or H 2 +NH 3 flow. The decomposition rate in H 2 increased with an increase in the temperature over 1200 °C, and the decomposition rate of the Al-polarity AlN layer was found to be lower than that of the N-polarity AlN layer at each temperature. The decomposition reaction of AlN and the relationship between the polarities of the AlN layers and their different decomposition rates are discussed.

The thermal stability of (0001) sapphire was investigated at atmospheric pressure using the in situ gravimetric monitoring (GM) method. The weight change of a sapphire substrate was monitored at various hydrogen partial pressures in carrier gas (P) at temperatures over 1200 °C. Although the sapphire substrate was stable up to 1450 °C in an inert carrier gas (P = 0.0 atm), sapphire decomposition started to occur at 1200 °C in H2 carrier gas (P = 1.0 atm). Moreover the activation energy and order of reaction for sapphire surface decomposition changed at approximately 1300 °C. These results indicate that the rate-limiting reaction for sapphire decomposition shifts near 1300 °C. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The cyclin B-dependent protein kinase Cdk1 is a master regulator of mitosis and phosphorylates numerous proteins on the minimal consensus motif Ser/Thr-Pro (S/T-P). At least in several proteins, however, not well-defined motifs lacking a Pro in the +1 position, referred herein to as non-S/T-P motifs, have been shown to be phosphorylated by Cdk1. Here we show that non-S/T-P motifs in fact form consensus sequences for Cdk1 and probably play roles in mitotic regulation of physiologically important proteins. First, we show, by in vitro kinase assays, that previously identified non-S/T-P motifs all harbour one or more C-terminal Arg/Lys residues essential for their phosphorylation by Cdk1. Second, using Arg/Lys-scanning oriented peptide libraries, we demonstrate that Cdk1 phosphorylates a minimal sequence S/T-X-X-R/K and more favorable sequences (P)-X-S/T-X-[R/K](2-5) as its non-S/T-P consensus motifs. Third, on the basis of these results, we find that highly conserved linkers (typically, T-G-E-K-P) of C2H2 zinc finger proteins and a nuclear localization signal-containing sequence (matching P-X-S-X-[R/K]5) of the cytokinesis regulator Ect2 are inhibitorily phosphorylated by Cdk1, well accounting for the known mitotic regulation and function of the respective proteins. We suggest that non-S/T-P Cdk1 consensus motifs identified here may function to regulate many other proteins during mitosis.

In addition to a conventional phase a the interference signal of a sinusoidal-wavelength-scanning interferometer has a phase-modulation amplitude Zb that is proportional to the optical path difference L and amplitude b of the wavelength scan. L and b are controlled by a double feedback system so that the phase alpha and the amplitude Zb are kept at 3pi/2 and pi, respectively. The voltage applied to a device that displaces a reference mirror to change the optical path difference becomes a ruler with scales smaller than a wavelength. Voltage applied to a device that determines the amplitude of the wavelength scan becomes a ruler marking every wavelength. These two rulers enable one to measure an absolute distance longer than a wavelength in real time.

SummarySister chromatid cohesion is mediated by cohesin and is essential for accurate chromosome segregation. The cohesin subunits SMC1, SMC3, and Rad21 form a tripartite ring within which sister chromatids are thought to be entrapped. This event requires the acetylation of SMC3 and the association of sororin with cohesin by the acetyltransferases Esco1 and Esco2 in humans, but the functional mechanisms of these acetyltransferases remain elusive. Here, we showed that Esco1 requires Pds5, a cohesin regulatory subunit bound to Rad21, to form cohesion via SMC3 acetylation and the stabilization of the chromatin association of sororin, whereas Esco2 function was not affected by Pds5 depletion. Consistent with the functional link between Esco1 and Pds5, Pds5 interacted exclusively with Esco1, and this interaction was dependent on a unique and conserved Esco1 domain. Crucially, this interaction was essential for SMC3 acetylation and sister chromatid cohesion. Esco1 localized to cohesin localization sites on chromosomes throughout interphase in a manner that required the Esco1-Pds5 interaction, and it could acetylate SMC3 before and after DNA replication. These results indicate that Esco1 acetylates SMC3 via a mechanism different from that of Esco2. We propose that, by interacting with a unique domain of Esco1, Pds5 recruits Esco1 to chromatin-bound cohesin complexes to form cohesion. Furthermore, Esco1 acetylates SMC3 independently of DNA replication.

We experienced a case of solitary splenic metastasis after hepatectomy for hepatocelluler carcinoma. The case was a 69-years-old female without liver cirrhosis or hepatitis. She underwent “so called Right Liver Trisegmentectomy” for large hepatic tumor on November 16, 1993. Pathological findings revealed trabecular type moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. fc (+), fc-inf (+), Vp0, Vv0, b0, tw (-), im 1. Seven months later, we observed multiple liver metastasis and a low density splenic tumor of 2cm diameter by computed tomography. We perfomed Trans arterial embolization on the liver metastasis, but the splenic tumor had enlaged to 4cm diameter. We diagnosed the splenic tumor as metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. She underwent splenectomy on March 20, 1995. Before and during the operation, we found other evidence of metastatic tumors except for those detected in the liver and spleen. Immunological competence levels were within the normal range. There had been 8 cases of solitary splenic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma reported in Japan, and only 2 were resected.

Intrahepatic metastasis via the portal venous system and bloodborne distant metastasis are common in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, lymph node metastasis after resection of hepatocellularcarcinoma is rare. and recurrence of lymph node metastasis after surgical resection is also rare. On the other hand, detection of lymph node metastasis has been reported in about 30% of autopsy cases. We carried out this clinicopathological study to assess patients positive for lymph node metastasis among those who underwent surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 951 patients underwent resection of HCC in our department during the period from 1983 to 1995, and 57 of them, the lymph nodes were dissected or the hepatoduodenal liga-ment and superior pancreatic rim alone were sampled intraoperatively because lymph node enlargement was noted during surgery. Histological examination showed lymph node metastasis in 7 patients. The carcinomas were larger than 4cm in diameter in all 7 patients and had invaded other organs in 3 of them. Many metastic lymph nodes were detected in cases 8 and 12. Lymph node metastasis was associated with cirrhosis in one of them. All 7 patients had poorly-differentiated HCC, with extensive interstitial invasion. We analyzed the correlation between lymph node metastasis and levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor grade and liver tissue. There was a significant correlation between these facters and lymph node metastasis (p

We have succeeded in growing single crystals of SmPt2Si2 and have performed electrical resistivity, magnetization and specific heat measurements. The magnetic susceptibility shows that SmPt2Si2 is an Ising magnet with the crystalline-electric-field ground state of Jz=+-3/2. We have found the existence of two magnetically ordered states, i.e., an antiferromagnetically (AFM) ordered phase (I) setting in at TN=5.1 K and a field-induced magnetization plateau phase (II). In the phase I, unlike the usual AFM states, a pronounced Curie-Weiss contribution remains in magnetic susceptibility, indicating the existence of "partially disordered" Sm ions. Largely enhanced Sommerfeld-coefficient (350 mJ/K2mol) in the phase I can be attributed to formation of Kondo sublattice with heavy quasiparticles in the partially disordered Sm ions. These findings may reflect substantial magnetic frustrations inherent in SmPt2Si2., Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, to appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. Vol.83, (2014)

The interface between chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coated layers and cemented carbide substrate of coated cemented carbide inserts was analyzed by analytical electron microscopy (AEM). This analysis was carried out from the viewpoint of the adhesion of the coated layer. From the results of elemental analysis, it became clear that the amounts of W and Co diffused from the substrate into the coated layer were different among three coating conditions. A columnar TiCN grain produced in relatively low temperature scarcely contained these elements, and they were detected only at the grain boundary. On the other hand, these elements diffused inside the grains when the shape of the grain was granular as TiN. Strong adhesion of coated layer was obtained when a proper amount of these elements was diffused. Coated inserts containing an interfacial layer with suitable diffused materials and main columnar TiCN layer showed good cutting performance.

During the past decade, considerable efforts have been expended to promote early recovery in patients undergoing hepatic resection. This paper reviews the outcome of surgical therapy in a series of 259 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were managed according to a recently developed protocol that emphasized early resumption of daily activities. Although the hospital mortality and morbidity rates were 4.63% and 46.2%, respectively, about one-half of the patients returned home within 12 postoperative days. The major reasons for prolonged duration of hospital care were intra-abdominal infection and persistent fluid retention in the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The preoperative presence of cardiac, pulmonary, and renal diseases had no effect on mortality or morbidity; however, the presence of diabetic condition was significantly correlated with the occurrence of intra-abdominal infection. Appropriate management of diabetes and efforts to reduce bile leakage are expected to contribute further to improvements in outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who undergo hepatectomy.

We compared the antibacterial effect of a liquid hand-washing disinfectant containing aqua oxidation water with those of other liquid disinfectants, such as povidone-iodine and sterilized water. The bacteria count of the hands was chronologically measured before washing, after washing, and after surgical operations, and the measurements were compared between the subjected disinfectant and other conventional preparations. The antibacterial activity of the liquid disinfectant containing aqua oxidation water was comparable to that of povidone-iodine. These features of aqua oxidation water would make it a viable alternative to conventional liquid disinfectants used for hand washing before surgical operations.

The physical and chemical configuration of anatase-form titanium dioxide pigment particles was investigated with a field-emission gun using transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The particle was ∼0.2 µm in average size and had an amorphous-surface-layer thickness of 1-2 nm around the single-crystallized matrix. Niobium that had segregated in the amorphous surface layer was detected via EDX analysis.

肝切除術後の断端膿瘍の早期診断を目的として, 術後のcomputed tomography (CT) をもちいた診断について検討した. 過去7年間の肝切除例637例中, 術後在院中にCTを施行しえた159例を対象とし, 切離断端部の感染群75例, 非感染群84例のCT所見の比較検討を行った. 切離断端部の液貯留 (fluid collection) は感染群の66例, 非感染群の63例に認めた. 感染群に有意に認められたCT所見は, 1. 不均一で高いCT値を示すfluid collection, 2. Fluid collection内部のガス像, 3. Fluid collection断端部辺縁の不整像, 4. Fluid collection断端部のenhancement効果, 5. 胸水合併であった. これらの所見は感染群のなかでも発熱などの症状を有する群に, より顕著に認められる傾向にあった. また, CT所見上, 断端部のドレーンの留置状況を把握することより, ドレーンの再留置, 追加留置など, 断端膿瘍の治療に役立たせることができた.

Background To examine the effects of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) on quality of life (QOL) in patients with dementia. Methods We retrospectively included 53 Japanese community and tertiary hospitals to investigate the relationship between the newly developed PEG and consecutive dementia patients with swallowing difficulty between Jan 1st 2006 and Dec 31st 2008. We set improvements in 1) the level of independent living, 2) pneumonia, 3) peroral intake as outcome measures of QOL and explored the factors associated with these improvements. Results Till October 31st 2010, 1,353 patients with Alzheimer’s dementia (33.1%), vascular dementia (61.7%), dementia with Lewy body disease (2.0%), Pick disease (0.6%) and others were followed-up for a median of 847 days (mean 805 ± 542 days). A total of 509 deaths were observed (mortality 59%) in full-followed patients. After multivariate adjustments, improvement in the level of independent living was observed in milder dementia, or those who can live independently with someone, compared with advanced dementia, characterized by those who need care by someone: Odds Ratio (OR), 3.90, 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.59 - 9.39, P = 0.003. Similarly, improvement of peroral intake was noticed in milder dementia: OR, 2.69, 95%CI, 1.17 - 6.17, P = 0.02. Such significant associations were not observed in improvement of pneumonia. Conclusions These results suggest that improvement of QOL after PEG insertion may be expected more in milder dementia than in advanced dementia.

Objectives To evaluate if ‘wrap therapy’ using food wraps, which is widely used in Japanese clinical sites, is not inferior when compared to guideline adhesion treatments. Design Multicentre, prospective, randomised, open, blinded endpoint clinical trial. Setting 15 hospitals in Japan. Patients 66 older patients with new National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel stage II or III pressure ulcers. Interventions Of these 66 patients, 31 were divided into the conventional treatment guidelines group and 35 into the wrap therapy group. Main outcome measures The primary end point was the period until the pressure ulcers were cured. The secondary end point was a comparison of the speed of change in the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing score. Results 64 of the 66 patients were analysed. The estimated mean period until healing was 57.5 days (95% CI 45.2 to 69.8) in the control group as opposed to 59.8 days (95% CI 49.7 to 69.9) in the wrap therapy group. By the extent of pressure ulcer infiltration, the mean period until healing was 16.0 days (95% CI 8.1 to 23.9) in the control group as opposed to 18.8 days (95% CI 10.3 to 27.2) in the wrap therapy group with National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel stage II ulcers, and 71.8 days (95% CI 61.4 to 82.3) as opposed to 63.2 days (95% CI 53.0 to 73.4), respectively, with stage III ulcers. There is no statistical significance in difference in Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing scores. Conclusions It might be possible to consider wrap therapy as an alternative choice in primary care settings as a simple and inexpensive dressing care. Clinical Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000002658. Summary protocol is available on https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=detail&recptno=R000003235&admin=0&language=J, Article summary Article focus ‘Wrap therapy’ is a method for localised care of pressure ulcers using polyethylene sheets, such as in food wraps, to the pressure ulcers. There are numerous case reports promoting efficiency of this therapy in Japan. We hypothesised non-inferiority of the efficacy of wrap therapy on adult patients with pressure ulcers classified as National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel stage II or III comparing with that of guideline adhesion treatment to Japanese patients. Key messages The survival curves did not show the inferiority of wrap therapy comparing with guideline adhesion treatment on the period until the pressure ulcers healed. The result of this study implies clinical utility of wrap therapy, which has been reported many times in Japanese academic conferences concerned with wound healing and treatment of the older people. Bigger sample trials are necessary to confirm this implication as rigorous clinical evidence. Strengths and limitations of this study This is the first study revealing the efficacy of wrap therapy, that is inexpensive and simple for home care, using randomised controlled trail design. Relatively weak statistical power and impossibility of blindness of the treatment.

Phase modulation amplitude Z_b caused by a sinusoidal wavelength-scanning and conventional phase α of an interference signal are kept at π and 3π/2, respectively, with feedback control systems for a displacement of an object larger than a half-wavelength. A voltage applied to a device that provides the wavelength-scannig becomes a ruler marked out every a wavelength. Real-time distance measurement is carried out with this interferometer., 19th congress of the international commission for optics : optics for the quality of life : 25-30 August 2002 : Firenze, Italy. : Aug 2002, Firenze, Italy

Two different sinusoidal wavelength-scanning (SWS) interferometers with a SWS light source using a superluminescent laser diode are proposed for step-profile measurement and real-time distance measurement, respectively. An optical path difference (OPD) longer than a wavelength is measured from detection of sinusoidal phase- modulation amplitude Zb of the interference signal that is proportional to the OPD and the scanning width 2b. In step-profile measurement, if measurement error in the OPD obtained from Zb is smaller than a half wavelength, this measured value of the OPD is combined with a fractional value of the OPD obtained from the conventional phase of the interference signal. This combination enables us to measure the OPD longer than a wavelength with a high accuracy of a few nm. In real-time distance measurement, the amplitude Zb is kept at a specified constant value for changes of OPD by controlling the scanning width 2b of the wavelength with a feedback system. The amplitude Zb is detected by processing the interference signal with electric circuits in real-time. The value of b is easily controlled in the SWS light source, and an OPD longer than a wavelength is measured from the value of b with an accuracy of about a wavelength.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

By employing three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) for portography, we analyzed the portal vein changes during the initial stage after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), which seemed to affect postoperative complications. Four patients underwent PD without portal vein reconstruction with a standard radical lymph node dissection for cancer of the pancreaticoduodenal area. A total of 140 ml of contrast medium was intravenously injected at 2.5 ml/s, and imaging was started after 65 s with a Hitachi W-2000 CT scanner. Three-dimensional portal vein images were then reconstructed by the Voxel Transmission method. Three-dimensional CT showed portal stenosis in our all patients from the first to the third week after PD. In three of the patients, stenosis disappeared by week 7,8, or 15, respectively, without the formation of a bypass. In three patients, portal vein stenosis was severe while in one patient, it was mild. Severe complications such as gastrointestinal hemorrhaging and hepatic abscess occurred in two patients with severe portal stenosis. The onset of portal stenosis might therefore affect postoperative complications after PD.

AIM: To examine the long term survival of geriatric patients treated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in Japan. METHODS: We retrospectively included 46 Japanese community and tertiary hospitals to investigate 931 consecutive geriatric patients (≥ 65 years old) with swallowing difficulty and newly performed PEG between Jan 1st 2005 and Dec 31st 2008. We set death as an outcome and explored the associations among patient’s characteristics at PEG using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Nine hundred and thirty one patients were followed up for a median of 468 d. A total of 502 deaths were observed (mortality 53%). However, 99%, 95%, 88%, 75% and 66% of 931 patients survived more than 7, 30, 60 d, a half year and one year, respectively. In addition, 50% and 25% of the patients survived 753 and 1647 d, respectively. Eight deaths were considered as PEG-related, and were associated with lower serum albumin levels (P = 0.002). On the other hand, among 28 surviving patients (6.5%), PEG was removed. In a multivariate hazard model, older age [hazard ratio (HR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00-1.03; P = 0.009], higher C-reactive protein (HR, 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07; P = 0.005), and higher blood urea nitrogen (HR, 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; P = 0.003) were significant poor prognostic factors, whereas higher albumin (HR, 0.67; 95% CI: 0.52-0.85; P = 0.001), female gender (HR, 0.60; 95% CI: 0.48-0.75; P < 0.001) and no previous history of ischemic heart disease (HR, 0.69; 95% CI: 0.54-0.88, P = 0.003) were markedly better prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that more than half of geriatric patients with PEG may survive longer than 2 years. The analysis elucidated prognostic factors.

The thermal decomposition and hydrogen etching of a 6H-SiC(0001) Si-face were directly monitored using an in situ gravimetric monitoring system. The monitoring of the weight change of the 6H-SiC Si-face using this system clarified the dependences of the thermal decomposition and hydrogen etching rates on the substrate temperature. Although the thermal decomposition of the 6H-SiC Si-face above 1400 °C generated a graphite layer since only the Si atom directly desorbs from the surface, the etching of the 6H-SiC Si-face by hydrogen did not form this layer, and both Si and C atoms react with hydrogen. Moreover, the surface reaction of the 6H-SiC Si face with H2 and the resultant surface morphology were found to change at approximately 1250 °C.

Surface microroughness and its effects on dielectric breakdown characteristics have been investigated for silicon wafers treated in SC1-based solutions. Surface microroughness was quantified using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and phase shift interferometry (PSI). In contrast to previous reports that SC1 treatment caused undulation of the surface, our observation showed a nominal amount of deterioration. Even prolonged dipping in a solution with high etching rate did not roughen the surface, and the dielectric breakdown characteristics were not affected.

The dynamic processes and structure of an Au cluster growing from a few to several tens of atoms have been revealed using a new high-resolution electron microscope designed specially for in situ surface study at atomic level. The in situ microscopy has also clarified details of the reconstructed structure of Au(100)5×1 and (110)2×1 surfaces formed on particles using profile images. In the reflection microscope mode, the 7×7 reconstructed structure of the Si(111) surface has been seen with 2.3 nm superlattice fringes. In situ high-resolution electron microscope observations in transmission and reflection modes are thus demonstrated to be useful for studies of the dynamic behavior of surfaces.