Unusually small electrical resistance of three-dimensional nanoporous gold in external magnetic fields

We report the electric conductivity of three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous gold at low temperatures and in strong magnetic fields. It was found that topologically disordered 3D nanoporosity leads to extremely low magnetoresistance and anomalous temperature dependence as the characteristic length of nanoporous gold is tuned to be approximately 14 nm. This study underscores the importance of 3D topology of a nanostructure on electronic transport properties and has implications in manipulating electron transport by tailoring 3D nanostructures.

Absolute calibration of an electron spectrometer using high energy electrons produced by the laser-plasma interaction

An in situ observation system has been developed to observe the absolute electron energy spectra of electron beams generated by laser-plasma interaction. A phosphor screen (DRZ) coupled with a charge coupled device camera is used to detect the electrons. A new method is proposed to calibrate the absolute sensitivity of the detection system for a wide energy range with a single shot by using an electron beam generated by laser-plasma interaction. The sensitivity of the system is found to be high, which is comparable to that of an imaging plate.

[A case of cardiac angiosarcoma successfully treated with docetaxel]

We report a case of angiosarcoma of the right atrium presenting superior vena cava syndrome. The patient was a 61-year-old man. Echocardiography, CT and MRI revealed a tumor arising in the anterior wall of the right atrium. The tumor was hen-egg sized and unresectable because of the invasion of the pericardium, the right ventricular wall and the superior vena cava. An open biopsy and left brachiocephalic vein-right atrium bypass grafting were performed. The pathological diagnosis was angiosarcoma. The patient agreed to chemotherapy with docetaxel, which is known to be often effective against angiosarcoma of the scalp or face. After 5 courses of docetaxel administration (30 mg/m2 on day 1, 8 and 15 followed by 14 days. rest as one course), echocardiography and CT showed a remarkable tumor reduction, which was evaluated as a partial response. The chemotherapy was suspended for 8 months because of neutropenia and general fatigue as side effects of docetaxel. The administration of docetaxel was resumed and 4 courses were performed. The tumor, however, became resistant to docetaxel and formed metastatic involvements in the liver. Following treatments with paclitaxel, IL-2 and CPT-11 were ineffective for the primary tumor and liver metastases. He died of cardiac tamponade caused by massive hemorrhage into the pericardiac space from the tumor surface. He had long-term survival 31 months after the diagnosis. An effective treatment for cardiac angiosarcoma has not yet been established. Chemotherapy with docetaxel should be considered in the treatment of patients with cardiac angiosarcoma.

Steplike lattice deformation of single crystalline (La0.4Pr0.6)1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 bilayered manganite

We report a steplike lattice transformation of single crystalline (La0.4Pr0.6)1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7 bilayered manganite accompanied by both magnetization and magnetoresistive jumps, and examine the ultrasharp nature of the field-induced first-order transition from a paramagnetic insulator to a ferromagnetic metal phase accompanied by a huge decrease in resistance. Our findings support that the abrupt magnetostriction is closely related to an orbital frustration existing in the inhomogeneous paramagnetic insulating phase rather than a martensitic scenario between competing two phases.

Biochemical property and immunogenicity of mouse male reproductive tract CD52 (mrt-CD52)

Male reproductive tract CD52 (mrt-CD52) is known to be a pathogenic antigen for immunological infertility. Although human CD52 has been extensively investigated, the properties of mouse CD52 are not well elucidated. This study was conducted, therefore, to examine the tissue distribution, molecular composition and immunogenicity of mouse mrt-CD52. Immunohistological studies with an antibody to a synthetic peptide showed that mouse CD52 was localized mainly in the cauda epididymis and vas deferens, but not in the testis, liver, kidney or spleen. The molecule was composed of Asn (N)-linked and The/Ser (O)-linked carbohydrates as well as a glycosylphosphatidyl (GPI) anchor portion. Purified mrt-CD52 preparations produced antibodies by subcutaneous and intranasal immunization in both male and female mice. These antisera showed sperm-immobilizing activities with complement to mouse sperm. The research indicated mouse CD52 had similar biochemical and immunological properties to human CD52. This animal experiment is a good model for investigating human mrt-CD52 antibody detected in infertile patients.

Antigenic epitope for sperm-immobilizing antibody detected in infertile women

CD52 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor protein occurring in lymphocytes, the epididymis, seminal plasma and on ejaculated sperm surface. The molecular structure of male reproductive tract CD52 (mrtCD52) is quite different from that of lymphocyte CD52 except for a peptide sequence comprising 12 amino acids. The carbohydrate molecule may thus provide antigenic epitopes to females. The repeated N-acetyllactosamine units of the N-linked carbohydrate present in the mrtCD52 were identified as a pathogenic antigen for infertility using a monoclonal antibody (MAb H6-3C4) generated from an infertile patient's peripheral blood lymphocyte. We suggested also the possible presence of O-linked carbohydrate in human mrtCD52, although it is not known whether this carbohydrate is immunogenic or not. This article gives an overview of the structure and function of mrtCD52 as well as the fertilization-blocking mechanism of the antibody against this molecule.

[Simulation of lung lobe resection with personal computer]

Various patterns of branching are seen for pulmonary arteries and veins in the lung hilum. However, thoracic surgeons usually cannot expect to discern much anatomical detail preoperatively. If the surgeon can gain an understanding of individual patterns preoperatively, the risks inherent in exposing the pulmonary vessels in the hilum can be avoided, reducing invasiveness. This software will meet the increasing needs of them in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) which prefer lesser dissections of the vessels and bronchus of hilum. We have produced free application software, where we can mark on pulmonary arteries, vein, bronchus and tumor of the successive images of computed tomography (CT). After receiving a compact disk containing 60 images of 2 mm CT slices, from tumor to hilum, in DICOM format, we required only 1 hour to obtain 3-dimensional images for a patient with other free software (Metasequoia LE). Furthermore, with Metasequoia LE, we can simulate cut the vessels and change the figure of them 3-dimensionally. Although the picture image leaves much room for improvement, we believe it is very attractive for residents because they can simulate operations.

Possible presence of O-linked carbohydrate in the human male reproductive tract CD52

Male reproductive tract CD52 (mrtCD52) is an antigen recognized by a complement-dependent sperm-immobilizing monoclonal antibody (SI-Abs) derived in an infertile patient. The molecule has been shown to contain a unique N-linked carbohydrate that does not cross-react with other tissues. In this study, we have investigated whether O-linked carbohydrate as well as N-linked carbohydrate is present in mrtCD52 using specific lectins and anti-CD52 core peptide antiserum. The lectin PNA, which recognizes O-linked carbohydrate [Galbeta1-3GalNAc], reacted with mrtCD52 and showed a similar polymorphic reaction pattern to that of the anti-peptide antiserum in western blotting analysis on two-dimensional SDS-PAGE. The PNA-reactive spots disappeared after removal of O-linked carbohydrate, but not after removal of N-linked carbohydrate. These results suggest that O-linked carbohydrate is present in mrtCD52. The moiety may possibly contribute to a specific antigenic epitope of mrtCD52.

A new walking orthosis for paraplegics: hip and ankle linkage system

For paraplegics, two major disadvantages of hip-knee-ankle-foot orthotic systems that have a medial single hip joint are the short stride and horizontal rotation of the pelvis. The authors consider the pelvic rotation is caused by two factors; one is the lack of a mechanism to assist hip flexion, and the other is fixed ankle joints that cause instability when the step length becomes longer. Users must rotate their pelvis to initiate a swing in their legs and to achieve stability by making their two legs as parallel as possible in order to avoid losing balance. To overcome those disadvantages, the authors developed a new orthosis named "HALO" (Hip and Ankle Linked Orthosis), which has a linking mechanism that connects both ankle joints with a medial single hip joint. This new orthosis allows users to keep both feet always parallel to the floor while walking, and assists the swinging of the leg when the contralateral ankle is flexed dorsally by loading. Gait analysis revealed that the pelvic rotation with "HALO" either in parallel bars or with Lofstrand crutches was within 20 degrees, which was within the physiologically normal level.

Predicted values of propofol EC50 and sevoflurane concentration for insertion of laryngeal mask Classic and ProSeal

BACKGROUND

A new laryngeal mask airway, the ProSeal (PLMA), is said to be more difficult to insert than the laryngeal mask airway Classic (CLMA) using propofol anaesthesia. Therefore, we expected a greater dose of propofol and sevoflurane to be required to insert the PLMA compared with the CLMA. We determined the effective concentration 50% (EC(50)) of propofol and end-tidal sevoflurane to allow insertion of the PLMA and the CLMA.

METHODS

Seventy-six elective female patients (aged 20-60 yr and ASA I-II) were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Either a PLMA or a CLMA was inserted using either propofol target controlled infusion or sevoflurane. Both propofol and sevoflurane targets were determined with a modified Dixon's up-and-down method. After equilibration between the predetermined blood and effect site concentrations, which had been held steady for more than 10 min, LMA insertion was attempted without neuromuscular block.

RESULTS

The predicted EC(50CLMA) and EC(50PLMA) for propofol were 3.14 (0.33) and 4.32 (0.67) micro g ml(-1). E'(CLMA) and E'(PLMA) of sevoflurane (mean (SD)) were 2.36 (0.22) and 2.82 (0.45)% (P<0.01 and 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The estimated concentration of propofol and the sevoflurane concentration needed to allow insertion of the ProSeal are respectively 38 and 20% greater than those needed for insertion of the Classic LMA.

Role of IL-18 in pathogenesis of endometriosis

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a complex disease associated with a wide range of immune responses, including pain, adhesion, exudation of peritoneal fluid, elevation of cytokine levels and generation of autoantibodies. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a strong pleiotropic cytokine known to be involved in various immune diseases. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

METHODS

IL-18 and IL-1beta concentrations were measured in the peritoneal fluid and sera of 39 endometriosis patients and 15 control women. Expression of IL-18 and IL-18 receptor alpha-chain (IL-18Ralpha) was analysed in endometriotic tissues immunohistochemically. The effects of IL-18 on cyclooxygenase (COX)-II gene expression were analysed in peritoneal fluid monocytes and endometriotic cells of endometriosis patients.

RESULTS

IL-18 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients averaged 592.57 +/- 108.27 pg/ml, significantly higher than 260.50 +/- 55.88 pg/ml in non-endometriotic samples. IL-18 concentrations in the serum did not differ significantly between endometriosis and control patients. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in IL-1beta concentrations in either the peritoneal fluid or the serum. IL-18 and IL-18Ralpha were expressed in endometriotic tissues. IL-18Ralpha expression was also observed in cells infiltrating into the inflammatory area of the endometriosis patients. COX-II was induced in peritoneal fluid monocytes and in endometriotic cells in response to IL-18 stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The elevation of IL-18 in the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients and the induction of COX-II in peritoneal monocytes by IL-18 suggest that IL-18 plays a pathogenic role in endometriosis.