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Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the sedimentation velocities of microparticles in liquids are not uniform due to long-ranged hydrodynamic interactions. Although the velocity fluctuations have been extensively studied experimentally, numerically, and theoretically, the effect of charges of microparticles on the velocity fluctuations is not yet reported. This is probably due to some difficulties in the detection of optical signals from the micron-sized particles dispersed in water where the refractive index is more or less different, leading to serious scattering and attenuation of visible light. So far, since the dynamic ultrasound scattering technique was a good candidate to observe micron- and nano-sized particles in optically opaque systems, we investigated the velocity fluctuations ΔV of microparticles in water. In this study, we show that the velocity fluctuations of charged silica particles exhibit anomalous rise in the concentration dependence of ΔV and show that such a behavior can be suppressed by adding a small amount of salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of "Standard Maneuvering Orders" for tugboats, vocabulary and phrases mutually preagreed between ships and tugboats, is essential for the former to provide clear direction for the latter when berthing or un-berthing safely. Tugboats will need time to change their posture before they take actions in response to orders from persons responsible for ships' maneuvering. Therefore, when giving directions to change tugboats' posture, persons who handle their ships are required to send out tug orders, with regard to "delay time," a gap be-tween the orders from ships and the actions taken by tugboats. "Tug Orders" standardized and used in Japan are composed of the following three factors concerning towage work: tugboat's motion, direction and engine power, but the author's research shows that there are "Non-standard" special maneuvering orders other than those "standardized," which causes such problems as a gap in perception between pilots and tugboat's opera-tors, etc. The purpose of this paper is to research the delay time between orders for and actions by tugboats and consider the appropriate and safe timing of providing instructions to them, and then to propose globally-authorized "Standard Maneuvering Orders for tugboats", discussing a problem involved in the use of the special orders used in Japan, and the way in which tug orders are used in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a diffuse pustular disorder that usually begins in intertriginous folds with widespread erythema. The causes in the majority of the cases are drugs. T cells and interleukin (IL)-8 play roles in the development of AGEP, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. We investigated the involvement of Th17 cells and their cytokine IL-22 in the pathogenesis. Three patients with AGEP were enrolled in this study. The percentages of IL-17 Th17 cells, interferon γ T cells and IL-4 T cells were measured in the patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry. The concentration of IL-22 in the sera was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentages of Th17 cells were markedly higher in all three patients than healthy control individuals. The frequencies of interferon γ T cells were slightly high in the patients compared with the control, and there was no definite tendency in IL-4 T-cell frequencies. The concentration of IL-22 was remarkably high in all patients when compared with normal subjects with levels under detection. Th17 cells and their produced cytokine IL-22 were elevated in the peripheral blood of patients with AGEP. As IL-17 and IL-22 cooperatively stimulate keratinocytes to produce IL-8, IL-8 may contribute to the accumulation of neutrophils in the lesional epidermis of AGEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The InGaN and InAlN alloys with band gap energy in the range 0.65–6.2eV have attracted a lot of attention for a variety of heterostructures providing great freedom in choosing device structures for the desired device operation. This paper reports the MOVPE growth of InAlN and InGaN alloys and their heterostructures with an intermediate In content (In: 0.4–0.6). InAlN films of In content of 0.59–1 have been successfully obtained without phase separation, In droplet formation and adduct formation. The adduct formation has been investigated through the parasitic reaction of TMA, TMI and NH3. On the basis of these results, successful MOVPE growth of InAlN/InGaN heterostructure with the suppression of metallic In droplets formation on the surface has been obtained. On the other hand, In droplets were observed on the surface of InGaN/InAlN heterostructure due to the deterioration of InAlN film during the growth of InGaN. These results give important indications toward the fabrication of future devices using InAlN/InGaN heterostructures like LEDs, LDs and solar cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Mg doping behavior of MOVPE indium gallium nitride (InGaN), such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) Mg profile, crystalline quality and n–p conversion of the films are described and discussed in this paper. The SIMS analysis reveals that the memory effect of Cp2Mg as a doping source deteriorates the controllability of Mg doping level and profile, especially for thin (−0.4μm) InGaN. The high residual donors (1019–1020 cm−3) in InGaN with In content from 0.05 to 0.37 can be compensated by Mg doping and p-type conduction is obtained for those with In content up to 0.2. It is found that a higher Cp2Mg flow rate is needed to get p-type conduction in InGaN with a higher In content x; for example, Cp2Mg/(TEG+TMI)≈0.5% for x=0 (GaN), ≈2% for x=0.05 and ≈4% for x=0.2. Such a high Cp2Mg flow rate is needed due to the high residual donor concentration (1019–1020 cm−3) of InGaN films and the low activation efficiency of Mg. The crystalline quality of InGaN is deteriorated with increasing In content as well as Mg doping level. To achieve a p-type InGaN with a lower Mg doping, it is essential to improve the crystalline quality of non-doped InGaN. For this purpose, the use of a thicker GaN interlayer is effective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Skin is an immunological organ consisting of epidermal cells, i.e. keratinocytes and Langerhans cells (LCs, antigen-presenting dendritic cells), and both innate and acquired immune systems operate upon exposure of the skin to various external microbes or their elements. To explore the relationship between innate and acquired immunities in the skin, we investigated whether Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligation of epidermal cells enhances the ability of LCs to present a specific antigen to T cells in mice. LC-containing epidermal cells were incubated with CpG oligonucleotide (TLR9 ligand) modified with trinitrophenyl hapten, and cultured with hapten-primed CD4+ T cells. TLR9 ligand was capable of enhancing the hapten-presenting ability of LCs when LC-enriched epidermal cells, but not purified LCs, were used as the LC source, suggesting that bystander keratinocytes play a role in the enhancement of LC function. Cultivation of freshly isolated epidermal cells with CpG promoted the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and CD86 molecules on LCs. CpG enhanced the production of interleukin (IL)-1α, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α by primarily cultured keratinocytes. The addition of a cocktail of neutralizing antibodies against these cytokines abrogated the CpG-promoted, antigen-presenting ability of LC-enriched epidermal cells. Moreover, the addition of culture supernatants from CpG-stimulated keratinocytes restored the ability of purified LCs. Our study demonstrated that although the direct effect of CpG on LCs is minimal, LC function can be up-regulated indirectly by cytokines released by CpG-stimulated keratinocytes. This also implies that innate immunity evoked by TLR ligation of keratinocytes enhances acquired immunity comprising LCs and T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic field decay of superconducting magnets during the particle injection period and subsequent snapback, which is a rapid magnetic field change at the beginning of acceleration, are issues to be solved for stable operation of high-energy accelerators. In order to simulate and understand the phenomena, we made model calculations using a Monte Carlo method. The calculation results were consistent with the magnetic field measurement results of periodic magnetic patterns and the allowed multipole field drift. Using our simulation we also investigated the impact of conductor magnetization on these effects. We calculated the scaling law that predicts the snapback parameters and may be adopted for rapid magnetic field correction in superconducting accelerators. We report the simulations and the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 63-year-old woman had d -penicillamine-induced pemphigus with a high index value of circulating autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. Because of the lack of response to prednisolone monotherapy, the patient was treated with a combination therapy of mizoribine and low-dose prednisolone. The skin eruption was improved by this combination with a declined value of circulating anti-desmoglein 1 antibody. Currently, a remission of 2 months has been achieved, and prednisolone could be tapered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study has been made of correlations between electrical and optical properties for OMVPE InN grown on sapphire substrate. Carrier concentration for a grown film is found to decrease with increasing growth temperature and shows the lowest value 5.8×1018 cm−3 at 600°C. A strong photoluminescence (PL) with a peak energy of 0.7–0.8 eV is observed at room temperature. As a general trend, PL peak energy and optical absorption edge increase with increasing carrier concentration (Burstein–Moss shift). For relatively thick films with large grains, grown at a relatively high temperature, a discrepancy is found between carrier concentration obtained by Hall measurement and PL data. Such samples show a PL spectrum with a lower peak energy and a smaller FWHM in spite of a higher carrier concentration. Although Hall measurement gives a carrier concentration as high as 2.3×1019 cm−3 for the sample grown at 620°C, this sample should have a much lower carrier concentration because the PL peak energy is lower than that for the sample with the lowest carrier concentration 5.8×1018 cm−3. These results show that the optimum growth temperature is higher than 600°C determined from the electrical characterisation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Superconducting quadrupole magnets for the LHC-IR have been developed and tested by KEK in collaboration with CERN. Magnetic field measurements of the magnets were performed. The magnets satisfy the requirements for the accelerator operation. In addition to the field quality measurements, fine structures of the magnetic field along the magnet axis were measured at the beam injection current using a 25 mm long rotating harmonic coil. Periodic patterns of the magnetic field were observed in higher order multipole coefficients. The pitch of the periodic patterns is equal to the cable twist pitch. The time dependent change of the amplitude of the periodic pattern was also observed. In this paper, the measurement and results are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A light-trapping type concentrator module with a new asymmetric V-groove structure at the rear surface is proposed to improve the performance of static concentrator module. Fundamental optical properties of various asymmetric V-grooves are calculated using a ray-tracing method. Based on these results, yearly integrated irradiance ratios of the concentrator module to a conventional flat-plate module are calculated using meteorological data. By the use of Ag as a reflection material, yearly integrated irradiance ratio of concentrator module with an asymmetric V-groove is 1.34, and the occupation area of Si cells in a module can be reduced to 74% compared with a conventional flat-plate module. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is expressed at highest levels in adipose tissue and functions as a central regulator in the process of adipocyte differentiation. In the present study, we showed that human leukemic cell lines, not only myeloid but also lymphoid, express PPAR γ and its activation by natural ligand (15-deoxy-δ[sup 12,14]-prostaglandin J2) and synthetic ligand (troglitazone) profoundly inhibited their proliferation by induction of apoptosis preferentially in the serum-free culture. We pursued its mechanism using the representative cell lines, and found that induction of apoptosis was accompanied by caspase-3 activation and specifically blocked by its inhibitor. While status of several apoptosisrelated molecules remained unchanged, the c-Myc expression was markedly down-regulated within 24 h after troglitazone treatment. The c-myc mRNA levels were dramatically reduced at 1 h and became undetectable at 12 h after troglitazone treatment, which proved to be accompanied by complete blockade of the Tcf-4 activity in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We succeeded in establishing HL-60 cell lines growing well in the presence of troglitazone in the long-term serum-free culture. They showed neither induction of apoptosis nor down-regulation of the c-Myc expression via blockade of the Tcf-4 activity after troglitazone treatment. This is the first identification of the linkage between PPAR γ-mediated apoptosis and down-regulation of the c-myc gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the use of o-imidoquinones in the synthesis of anilides. Interaction between Dess-Martin periodinane and water; Diverse molecular architectures of p-quinones and polycyclic systems; Development of p-quinones from anilides.

Presents analytical equations which give the correlation between the radial distortions of the superconducting magnet coil and the multipole field deviations. Coil deformation; Magnet mechanical tendency; Current distribution.

The Janus kinase (JAK) family is one of intracellular protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) present in hematopoietic and lymphoid cells and has been shown to play a crucial role in a variety of biological responses. It was reported that a human B-precursor leukemic cell line was potently inhibited in its proliferation by one of synthetic PTK inhibitors (tyrphostins), AG490, via anti-JAK2 activity. However, no extensive studies about it have been performed. In the present study, we tested 16 human lymphoid leukemic cell lines (B-precursor, 12; T cell, four) for their sensitivity to AG490 using 3H-thymidine incorporation and colony formation assays, and found that B-precursor cell lines with 11q23 translocation or Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) whose JAK2 proved to be constitutively phosphorylated were predominantly sensitive to AG490 at a concentration that has few inhibitory effect on normal hematopoiesis. We first revealed the association of JAK2 with BCR-ABL in Ph1-positive cell lines and with Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) in cell lines with 11q23 translocation by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Of interest, AG490 markedly down-regulated phosphorylation of JAK2, but rather transiently up-regulated phosphorylation of BCR-ABL and BTK, suggesting direct implication of AG490 in the process of the JAK2 dephosphorylation. These results indicate that AG490 exerts a potent inhibitory activity to B-precursor leukemia with specific chromosomal abnormalities, and a therapeutic approach using AG490 is expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the study conducted on seven pairs of primary sample and cell line from childhood B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia without nonrandom translocations. Translocations that were available to be used in the study; Diagnosis conducted on the patients; Abnormalities that were revealed in the genes of the patients.

Studies the fabrication of Pb-doped Bi2212 superconducting tapes. Magnetization hysteresis curves of Bi2212 and Bi(Pb)2212/Ag tapes; Improvement in transport critical current values of Bi(Pb)2212/Ag tapes by addition of fine magnesium oxide particles; X-ray diffraction patterns of Pb-doped Bi2212 tapes.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a hematopoietic growth factor which plays a central role in normal megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Although the interaction between TPO and its receptor c-Mpl encoded by the c-mpl gene is now known to be implicated in the proliferation and/or differentiation of abnormal myeloid cells and normal hematopoietic stem cells, little is known about a role of the TPO/c-Mpl system in lymphoid leukemia cells. In the present study, we first examined the expression of c-mpl/c-Mpl in 23 human lymphoid leukemic cell lines (T-lineage 4, B-lineage 19) using three distinct methods. The c-mpl mRNA was detectable in as many as 20 cell lines (T-lineage 3, B-lineage 17) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, but its translated product, c-Mpl, was demonstrable by Western blot only in B-lineage cell lines. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the surface c-Mpl expression in 13 of 17 B-lineage cell lines, but its higher expression (>40%) was restricted in nine B-precursor cell lines, eight of which had 11q23 translocation or Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1). We also demonstrated that two of eight cell lines with 11q23 translocation or Ph1 exhibited a significant proliferative response to TPO in the 3H-thymidine uptake and colony-forming assays. Triggering of these cell lines by TPO transiently up-regulated tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK-2 and Shc, indicating that their receptor is functional. Primary leukemia cells separated from patients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with Ph1 or 11q23 translocation also showed the surface c-Mpl expression and a significant responsiveness to TPO. These results suggest that the TPO/c-Mpl interaction may play a physiological role in the growth regulation of B-precursor leukemia cells particularly with specific chromosomal abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown to support the growth of multipotential hematopoietic stem cells in addition to the cells of neutrophilic lineage. Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive leukemia has its origin in the hematopoietic stem cell. In the present study, we demonstrated that the proliferation of leukemic cells from chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (CML-BC) and Ph1-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases is frequently stimulated with G-CSF in vitro. We next studied a total of 12 leukemic cell lines established from CML-BC (n= 6) and Ph1-positive acute leukemia (n= 6): four 'myeloid', five 'biphenotypic', and three 'lymphoid' types. All cell lines expressed G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) in flow cytometric analysis, but their proliferative response to G-CSF in 3H-thymidine incorporation assay varied. The 'biphenotypic' cell lines expressed G-CSFR at higher levels and showed the most pronounced response to G-CSF. The 'lymphoid' cell lines showed intermediate G-CSFR expression with the modest response to G-CSF. Unexpectedly, 'myeloid' cell lines showed lower G-CSFR expression and lower G-CSF response compared with 'biphenotypic' cell lines. In three of four 'myeloid' cell lines, proliferation was partially inhibited by an addition of anti-G-CSF neutralizing monoclonal antibody into culture medium. Further, the % inhibition of 3H-thymidine uptake of cell lines positively correlated with the amount of their intracellular G-CSF measured by enzyme immunoassay, suggesting an autocrine growth mechanism via the G-CSF/G-CSFR interaction. These results suggest that G-CSF play an important role in the growth regulation of leukemia cells from Ph1-positive acute leukemia and CML-BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The p16 gene encoding a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 has been reported to be inactivated at a variety of rates in malignant tumors. We studied frequency and mechanism of inactivation of the p16 gene in various types of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using 36 leukemic cell lines established from children (B precursor-ALL, 28; B-ALL/Burkitt's lymphoma, 3; and T-ALL, 5). On Southern blot, homozygous deletions or hemizygous deletions with rearrangement were detected in 14 cell lines. The expression of p16 protein was not observed on Western blot in 18 of 22 cell lines with intact p16 gene, but induced in 16 cell lines after treatment with the demethylating agent, indicating the silencing of the p16 gene by hypermethylation. Of note, the p16 gene was inactivated by hypermethylation of the 5' CpG island in nine of nine cell lines with 11q23 translocation, but was restored with the treatment of the demethylating agent. Partial methylation of the p16 gene was also demonstrated in three of eight primary leukemia samples with this translocation, suggesting that the p16 gene inactivation by hypermethylation might play a role in the leukemogenesis and disease progression of ALL with 11q23 translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported a novel monoclonal antibody KOR-SA3544 which predominantly reacted with a surface antigen (sSA3544) expressed on Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In the present study, we demonstrate that the antibody specifically recognized nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA)-50/90 (CD66c), one of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-related glycoproteins encoded by a member of the CEA gene family. In addition, we show that the SA3544 antigen (NCA-50/90) was invariably expressed in cytoplasm of all of the human leukemic cell lines examined (sSA3544-positive B-lymphoid two, sSA3544-negative T or B-lymphoid and non-lymphoid 24) regardless of the presence or absence of surface expression of this antigen. Immunoelectromicroscopic examination revealed that the cytoplasmic antigen was mainly present in granules in sSA3544-positive leukemia cells, whereas it was diffusely present in cytosol in sSA3544-negative leukemia cells. Thus, among members of the CEA family, NCA-50/90 was first demonstrated to be expressed not only on the surface of some leukemia cells, but also in cytoplasm of various types of leukemia cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD27 is a T-cell surface antigen expressed on the majority of peripheral T cells and belongs to a newly defined receptor family including the iow-affinity nerve growth factor receptor, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, the B-cell activation antigen CD40, and the Fas antigen. Although the function of CD27 has not been defined, several experimental observations support the notion that this molecule plays an important role in the process of T-cell activation. In this paper, we have demonstrated that a rapid hyperphosphorylation of CD27 is induced by a cyclic AMP-inducing agent, forskolin, and a membrane-permeable cAMP analogue, 8-bromo-cAMP, as well as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In addition, increased phosphorylation of CD27 in T-cell activation either via CD2 or CD3 pathways was strongly suppressed by a cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinase inhibitor, H-8, but only slightly by a protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine. These results suggest that protein kinase A might be a key kinase responsible for CD27 phosphorytation in the process of T-cell activation. CD27 is the first T-cell surface antigen demonstrated to be phosphorylated by the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A-mediated pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 20-month-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the 11q23 translocation whose blasts markedly increased in peripheral blood after intravenous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration, but disappeared after stopping G-CSF. The in vitro study showed that the leukemic cells separated from this patient expressed G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) and an addition of G-CSF stimulated their proliferation by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay (stimulation index, 4.9). To clarify whether or not leukemic cells with 11q23 translocations generally express G-CSFR and show proliferative response to G-CSF, we performed the similar in vitro experiments using eight leukemic cell lines with 11q23 translocations. We found that all cell lines examined expressed G-CSFR (20-98%) and proliferation of seven leukemic cell lines was significantly enhanced in response to G-CSF (stimulation index >1.5 in five cell lines), suggesting a possible participation of the G-CSF/G-CSFR interaction in the process of growth regulation of leukemic cells with 11q23 translocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to contact allergens in order to produce allergic contact dermatitis ( ACD) seems to induce hair cycle/growth, but the mechanism of this remains unclear. In the current study, we investigated this mechanism and found that repeated application of hapten induced production of interleukin ( IL)-4 in lymph-node immune cells. In addition, hair growth was induced in mice after the adoptive transfer of T-helper (Th)2 cells that had been purified from mice exposed to repeated cutaneous application of hapten. These findings lead us to speculate that Th2 cells that are repeatedly hapten-sensitized are recruited to hapten-challenged skin areas, and thus stimulate the production of IL-4 in the vicinity of the hair follicles, which influences hair cycle/growth. Our results may provide fundamental insights into the mechanism of contact hypersensitivity-induced hair cycle/growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the case study of a 75-year-old woman presented with the history of scaly erythema on trunk and extremities. Her medical history included lymphoma-type ATLL, been diagnosed following the treatment with right cervical lymphadenopathy. It mentions that computed tomography revealed systemic lymph node swelling.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the case of a 40-year-old Japanese woman suffering from schwannomatosis with presence of large subcutaneous and retroperitoneal tumours.

The article discusses cases of discoid lupus erythematous (DLE), a subtype of cutaneous LE characterized by a chronic scaly erythematous patches, that is treated mizoribine. One of the patients in the study was detected with nuclear antibody. The study found that T helper17 cells were raised as a percentage of the total Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with DLC and lowered down after being treated with mizoribine.

Epilepsy with continuous spike-waves during slow sleep (CSWS) is characterized by impairment of neuropsychological abilities, frequently associated with behavioral d isorders.These manifestations strongly correlate with frontal lobe dysfunctions. In the present case, an 11-year old girl presented with progressive behavioral deteriorations after the appearance of electrical status epilepticus in sleep. The duration of CSWS period was 5 months. Serial measurements (at the appearance of the EEG pattern, and 6 months and 1, 2, 3 and 4 years thereafter) of frontal and prefrontal lobe volumes by 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging-based volumetry showed growth disturbance of prefrontal lobe volume, particularly prefrontal-to-frontal lobe volume ratio, after the appearance of the EEG pattern when compared with two frontal lobe epilepsy subjects without neuropsychological disorders and 13 control subjects. However, the ratio was restored to the growth ratio and seen to reach control levels, after improvement of the clinical manifestations of CSWS. These results suggest that children with CSWS may be prone to frontal lobe dysfunctions, and that the duration of CSWS period seems to be a significant prognostic factor. The urgent suppression of this EEG abnormality may be necessary to prevent the progression of neuropsychological impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MOVPE growth and Mg doping of InGaN films are studied to develop technologies for the InGaN-based solar cell. By optimizing growth temperature and the TMI/(TMI+TEG) molar ratio, InGaN films with an In content up to 0.37 are successfully grown without phase separation and metallic In incorporation. It is found that the In composition in the InGaN films is governed by growth temperature, and the TMI/(TMI+TEG) molar ratio has very small effect on the composition change. InGaN films doped with Mg using CP2Mg show the compensation effect of carriers and those with an In content up to 0.2 show p-type conduction. The film with an In content of 0.37 shows phase separation when the CP2Mg/(TMI+TEG) molar ratio exceeds 0.05, indicating that Mg atoms incorporated have a significant effect on the crystal growth of InGaN. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A letter to the editor is presented which describes a case of erythema multiforme following infection with Gardnerella vaginalis with an elevated circulating chemokine receptor 3 and B cells in a 55-year-old female patient.

A letter to the editor is presented concerning a case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis caused by sennoside in a 74-year-old female patient with multiple myeloma.

The authors reflect on the study about the increase of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in a patient with Kaposi's varicelliform eruption (KVE). They state that KVE is characterized by disseminated vesiculopustules caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection superimposed on a pre-existing dermatosis, such as atopic dermatitis (AD). They assess that circulating pDCs has decreased during viral infection may stem from the degree of prevalence of infection.

A 31-year-old man had had atopic dermatitis since childhood and developed vitiligo with inflammatory raised borders 5 years prior to presentation. Immunohistochemically, CD4+ T cells infiltrated predominantly in the raised border of vitiligo, while CD8+ T cells were present just outside of the borders, suggesting that CD8+ cells were an antecedent to the CD4+ cells. Despite the presence of atopic dermatitis, the percentage of CXCR3+ CD4+ Th1 cells increased in the patient's peripheral blood, compared with a representative atopic patient showing a high percentage of CCR4+CD4+ Th2 cells. This case suggests that vitiligo with inflammatory raised borders can occur even in patients with atopic dermatitis when Th1 cells are activated and overcome the Th2-dominant state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor on the occurrence of primary apocrine adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation on pubic skin, published in the February 2004 issue of the "British Journal of Dermatology."

The article reports on a case of a granuloma annulare (GA) mimicking sarcoidosis in 41-year-old man. Topics covered include features of the reddish multiple nodules on the left elbow, left wrist and both knees of the patient, histopathological examination of the nodule, and possibility of a common pathogenesis in sarcoidosis and GA.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding a vimentin-expressing squamous cell carcinoma in an 81-year old man.

A letter to the editor on gene mutation in trichorhinophalangeal syndrome is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented on the case of a 31-year-old man with psoriatic arthritis who exhibits a fluctuation of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs).

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the case of two patients suffering from atopic dermatitis with angiohistiocytoid papules.

A letter to the editor is presented involving a case study of a diabetic patient who developed scabies-induced reactive perforating collagenosis.

A letter to the editor which focuses on the fluctuation of Th2 cells in association with the reciprocal occurrence of bullous pemphigoid and psoriasis vulgaris in a 76-year-old man is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented discussing topics on treatment of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "A successful case of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for osteosarcoma with multiple metastases of lung and bone" in the January 2006 issue.