Quantitative analysis of deuterium in zircaloy using double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) and helium gas plasma without a sample chamber

A crucial safety measure to be strictly observed in the operation of heavy-water nuclear power plants is the mandatory regular inspection of the concentration of deuterium penetrated into the zircaloy fuel vessels. The existing standard method requires a tedious, destructive, and costly sample preparation process involving the removal of the remaining fuel in the vessel and melting away part of the zircaloy pipe. An alternative method of orthogonal dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) is proposed by employing flowing atmospheric helium gas without the use of a sample chamber. The special setup of ps and ns laser systems, operated for the separate ablation of the sample target and the generation of helium gas plasma, respectively, with properly controlled relative timing, has succeeded in producing the desired sharp D I 656.10 nm emission line with effective suppression of the interfering H I 656.28 nm emission by operating the ps ablation laser at very low output energy of 26 mJ and 1 μs ahead of the helium plasma generation. Under this optimal experimental condition, a linear calibration line is attained with practically zero intercept and a 20 μg/g detection limit for D analysis of zircaloy sample while creating a crater only 10 μm in diameter. Therefore, this method promises its potential application for the practical, in situ, and virtually nondestructive quantitative microarea analysis of D, thereby supporting the more-efficient operation and maintenance of heavy-water nuclear power plants. Furthermore, it will also meet the anticipated needs of future nuclear fusion power plants, as well as other important fields of application in the foreseeable future.

Variable field-of-view visible and near-infrared polarization compound-eye endoscope

A multi-functional compound-eye endoscope enabling variable field-of-view and polarization imaging as well as extremely deep focus is presented, which is based on a compact compound-eye camera called TOMBO (thin observation module by bound optics). Fixed and movable mirrors are introduced to control the field of view. Metal-wire-grid polarizer thin film applicable to both of visible and near-infrared lights is attached to the lenses in TOMBO and light sources. Control of the field-of-view, polarization and wavelength of the illumination realizes several observation modes such as three-dimensional shape measurement, wide field-of-view, and close-up observation of the superficial tissues and structures beneath the skin.

Laboratory investigation of microelectronics-based stimulators for large-scale suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation (STS)

This paper describes the technological developments underlying the realization of a reliable and reproducible microchip-based stimulator with a large number of stimulus electrodes. A microchip-based stimulator with over 500 electrodes for suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation (STS) is proposed in this paper, and an example is presented. To enhance reliability and reproducibility for such a large array, we introduce a flip-chip bonding technique and place microchips on the reverse side of a substrate. A square microchip of size 600 microm was fabricated using 0.35 microm standard CMOS process technology. Twelve microchips were flip-chip bonded on a polyimide substrate through Au bumps. To evaluate the feasibility of the proposed device, we successfully fabricated a stimulator with 12 microchips and 118 electrodes made of Pt/Au bumps, and demonstrated their operation in a saline solution for 2 weeks. Also, to evaluate the device operation in vivo, a stimulator with one active IrO(x) electrode was implanted into the scleral pocket of a rabbit and electrical evoked potential (EEP) signals with a threshold of 100 microA were obtained. We also fabricated a simulator with 64 microchips that has 576 electrodes (9 electrodes in a microchip times 64 microchips).

A green tea polyphenol, epigalocatechin-3-gallate, induces apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly through inhibition of Bcl-2 family proteins

BACKGROUND/AIMS

A major polyphenol of green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has previously been shown to induce cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in various cancers. However, little is known about its effects on hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

METHODS

Four HCC cell lines, HLE, HepG2, HuH-7 and PLC/PRF/5, were treated with EGCG or vehicle. Cell viability was assessed by trypan blue staining and WST-8 assay. Cell-cycle, apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in HLE cells were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting. The effect of EGCG was also studied in vivo using a xenograft model. The effect of co-treatment with EGCG and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) was also assessed.

RESULTS

EGCG inhibited the growth of all HCC cell lines at concentrations of 50-100 microg/ml. In HLE cells, EGCG induced apoptosis but not cell-cycle arrest and appears to have down-regulated Bcl-2alpha and Bcl-xl by inactivation of NF-kappaB. Oral administration of EGCG showed similar effects in HLE xenograft tumors. Co-treatment with EGCG and TRAIL synergistically induced apoptosis in HLE cells.

CONCLUSIONS

EGCG induced apoptosis in HLE cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, it enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Therefore, EGCG treatment may be useful for improving the prognosis of HCCs.

A multi-chip-architecture based flexible stimulation device for retinal prosthesis with a flip-chip packaging technique

In the present work, we designed a multi-chip-architecture based flexible neural stimulation device for retinal prosthesis. Based on the multi-chip architecture, a novel CMOS stimulation device was successfully designed and characterized. A packaging technique for thin, flexible neural stimulation device was also proposed and demonstrated. Flip-chip bonding technology plays an essential role in the fabrication of the present thin and flexible neural stimulation device.

DNA modification in chick heart and cerebrum

Heart muscle cells and cerebral neurons are known to lose the ability to proliferate and are called terminally differentiated cells. They are generated in appropriate numbers during embryogenesis and retained throughout adult life without turnover. We are interested in such a long-lived DNA. We isolated DNA from chick heart and cerebrum and compared it with DNA from other organs after incubation with DNase I. Single-strand breaks were assessed using a reaction system composed of DNA and Escherichia coli DNA polymerase. The DNA of both organs was relatively resistant to DNase I, and DNA modification occurred during embryogenesis. CIMS (chemical ionization mass spectrometry) indicated that the molecular mass of the deoxynucleoside of both DNAs was larger than that of the corresponding canonical deoxyribonucleoside by m/z 28 (or 30 for the protonated form). The difference between these deoxynucleosides is based on a difference in sugar constituents. Cerebral deoxynucleotides were analyzed by (13)C NMR. An extra signal near 173 ppm was observed, which was assigned to the amide carbonyl. We propose a model of the deoxynucleoside where a carbonyl residue exists between the base and the 2-deoxyribose moiety of the canonical deoxyribonucleoside.

Evaluation of diagonal earlobe crease as a marker of coronary artery disease: the use of this sign in pre-operative assessment

In this study, we examined the usefulness of the earlobe crease sign as a marker of coronary artery disease in the pre-operative assessment of patients. We were interested in evaluating this sign for use in emergency patients. We investigated 530 patients, aged > 40 years, undergoing elective surgery. If the electrocardiogram was abnormal or the patient reported symptoms suggesting coronary artery disease, further cardiac examinations were performed. Patients who demonstrated evidence of coronary artery disease in the additional investigations or had a clear history of coronary artery disease were classified as the abnormal coronary group. Other patients with no history and/or normal investigations were classified as the normal coronary group. The assessment of earlobe crease sign was performed prior to anaesthesia, and the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of this sign were calculated. We found that the sensitivity and specificity was high regardless of age, except for specificity in patients > 70 years old. The data suggest that the earlobe crease sign may be a useful marker for the presence of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing emergency operations in which little or no history and investigations are available. However, more work is required to assess the use of this sign in other ethnic groups.

Diabetes attenuates the minimum anaesthetic concentration (MAC) and MAC-blocking adrenergic response reducing actions of clonidine in rats

BACKGROUND

It is well known that clonidine, an alpha2 agonist, reduces anaesthetic requirement and attenuates haemodynamic responses against noxious stimuli. However, the diabetic state is known to affect several functions of alpha2 adrenoceptors. We investigated the effects of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) on these beneficial actions of clonidine in halothane-anaesthetized rats.

METHODS

The rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: diabetes (n=24, induced by 50 mg x kg(-1) IV STZ), diabetes treated with insulin (n=24), or control (n=24). We evaluated the effects of clonidine on minimum anaesthetic concentration (MAC) and minimum concentration of halothane needed to suppress cardiovascular responses evoked by a noxious stimulus (MAC-blocking adrenergic responses: MAC-BAR) in each group. MAC and MAC-BAR of halothane were determined by the tail clamp method. MAC-BAR was defined as the MAC which attenuated haemodynamic responses within 10% following the tail clamp.

RESULTS

The diabetic state decreased MAC of halothane by approximately 10%, while MAC-BAR of halothane had been little affected. In the diabetes group, MAC reducing action of clonidine (30 and 100 microg x kg(-1), IV) was completely abolished and MAC-BAR reducing action of clonidine was partially reduced (30 but not 100 microg x kg(-1), IV). Insulin treatment preserved these actions of clonidine.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that the diabetic state attenuates the beneficial actions of clonidine and that insulin treatment of diabetes preserves these actions of clonidine.

Optical manipulation of microscopic objects by means of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array sources

We report on experimental verification of optical trapping using multiple beams generated by a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. Control of the spatial and temporal emission of a VCSEL array provides flexibility for manipulation of microscopic objects with compact hardware. Simultaneous capture of multiple objects and translation of an object without mechanical movement are demonstrated by an experimental system equipped with 8 x 8 VCSEL array sources. Features and applicability of the method are also discussed.

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH (SIADH) following cisplatin administration in a pulmonary adenocarcinoma patient with a malignant pleural effusion

We report a patient with pulmonary adenocarcinoma complicated by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) following systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and vindesine (VDS). A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed as having pulmonary adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion following investigations for cough and dyspnea. After drainage of the effusion she received combination chemotherapy with CDDP and VDS. She developed SIADH 48 hours following chemotherapy. Interestingly, the use of carboplatin (CBDCA) and VDS in the subsequent treatment course was well tolerated indicating that the SIADH was most likely to have been induced by administration of CDDP.

Intraaneurysmal embolization of an unruptured basilar tip aneurysm associated with moyamoya disease

We describe a patient with moyamoya disease associated with an unruptured basilar tip aneurysm which was treated by endovascular embolization using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). A 53-year-old man presented with left hemiparesis persisting for 3 mon ths before admission. Cerebral angiography revealed occlusion of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries and the left anterior cerebral artery, stenosis of the right anterior cerebral artery, and basal moyamoya vessels. In addition, a saccular small aneurysm was seen at the top of the basilar artery. The aneurysm was completely embolized by intraaneurysmal GDCs. Direct surgical clipping is often selected for the treatment of posterior fossa aneurysms in moyamoya disease. However, complete clipping is usually difficult due to the difficulties in operative technique associated with moyamoya disease. We suggest that the endovascular treatment using GDCs is comparatively safe and effective for the treatment of surgically difficult aneurysms in patients with moyamoya disease.

[Cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous shunt presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute subdural hematoma: a case report]

Cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous shunt (CdAVS) usually presents with exophthalmos, conjunctival chemosis, ophthalmoplegia, headache, bruit, or pulsatile tinnitus. Intracranial hemorrhage associated with CdAVS is rare. We describe a patient with CdAVS presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute subdural hematoma. A 65-year-old woman presented headache and temporary loss of consciousness and was transferred to our hospital. On admission, the patient was alert and complained of a left-sided temporal headache. There were no ocular symptoms. A CT scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage and left acute subdural hematoma. When we prepared for cerebral angiography, the patient presented loss of consciousness following sudden onset of severe headache. Urgent angiography revealed left CdAVS, which was fed by both the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery and drained only into ipsilateral (left) vein of the sylvian fissure. Aneurysmal dilatation of the draining veins and leptomeningeal drainage were present. No cerebral aneurysms were detected. After the angiography, a CT scan showed enlarged subdural hematoma, so left fronto-temporo-parietal craniotomy was immediately performed. On opening the dura mater, arterial bleeding from Sylvian fissure appeared and was uncontrollable. Unfortunately, the patient died 3 days after the operation. We concluded that subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hematoma were due to the rupture of engorged cortical veins. Our case report suggests that CdAVS with angiographic findings such as aneurysmal dilatation of the draining veins and leptomeningeal drainage should be treated urgently because of the high risk of the life-threatening complications resulting from a surgically uncontrollable hemorrhage.

Hypervascular liver metastasis from hypovascular ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas

In a case of hypervascular metastatic liver tumor, the vascularity of primary focus, pancreatic carcinoma was hypovascular. Based on the imaging findings, we thought before the operation that the two lesions were double cancers. Histological examination showed that the stromal volume of metastatic tumorous tissue was richer than that of the primary focus. It was suggested that the difference in the stromal volume was related to the difference of the vascularity. Some foctors originating in stromal cells might be involved in angiogenesis.

Telemedicine system for home automated peritoneal dialysis

We have developed a new telemedicine system to monitor elderly and handicapped patients that use an automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) system to perform continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at home. The system has two parts: (1) a data collection and transport system, and (2) an interview system ("View Send" system). The former is assembled from the APD cycler, an automated blood-pressure recorder, and a scale. The latter is a combination of a digital camera, television, and set-top box (a kind of computer). The APD system contains recording and data transport junctions, a monitoring device, and a data tabulation function. All data collected by the APD system are sent directly in real time to the physician's office. Patients can easily use this telemedicine system to contact the medical staff at the Saitama Medical School CAPD center and to consult concerning their condition. Furthermore, the staff can directly change the CAPD schedule (dose and duration). Seven patients, including some who are older than 90 years or who are handicapped, have been using this telemedicine system for between 1 and 6 months (average: 3 months). From our recent experience, our tentative conclusions are that (1) elderly and handicapped patients benefit from this system by being able to maintain CAPD without major problems and accidents; (2) other problems are mainly due to simple mistakes such as accidentally pushing the on and off switches; (3) quality of life is improved for the patients.

Optoelectronic parallel-matching architecture: architecture description, performance estimation, and prototype demonstration

We propose an optoelectronic parallel-matching architecture (PMA) that provides powerful processing capabilities in global processing compared with conventional parallel-computing architectures. The PMA is composed of a global processor called a parallel-matching (PM) module and multiple processing elements (PE's). The PM module is implemented by a large-fan-out free-space optical interconnection and a PM smart-pixel array (PM-SPA). In the proposed architecture, by means of the PM module each PE can monitor the other PE's by use of several kinds of global data matching as well as interprocessor communication. Theoretical evaluation of the performance shows that the proposed PMA provides tremendous improvement in global processing. A prototype demonstrator of the PM module is constructed on the basis of state-of-the-art optoelectronic devices and a diffractive optical element. The prototype is assumed for use in a multiple-processor system composed of 4 x 4 PE's that are completely connected through bit-serial optical communication channels. The PM-SPA is emulated by a complex programmable device and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor photodetector array. On the prototype demonstrator the fundamental operations of the PM module were verified at 15 MHz.