Model, prediction, and experimental verification of composition and thickness in continuous spread thin film combinatorial libraries grown by pulsed laser deposition

Pulsed laser deposition was used to grow continuous spread thin film libraries of continuously varying composition as a function of position on a substrate. The thickness of each component that contributes to a library can be empirically modeled to a bimodal cosine power distribution. We deposited ternary continuous spread thin film libraries from Al(2)O(3), HfO(2), and Y(2)O(3) targets, at two different background pressures of O(2): 1.3 and 13.3 Pa. Prior to library deposition, we deposited single component calibration films at both pressures in order to measure and fit the thickness distribution. Following the deposition and fitting of the single component films, we predict both the compositional coverage and the thickness of the libraries. Then, we map the thickness of the continuous spread libraries using spectroscopic reflectometry and measure the composition of the libraries as a function of position using mapping wavelength-dispersive spectrometry (WDS). We then compare the compositional coverage of the libraries and observe that compositional coverage is enhanced in the case of 13.3 Pa library. Our models demonstrate linear correlation coefficients of 0.98 for 1.3 Pa and 0.98 for 13.3 Pa with the WDS.

Occurrence and diversity of barnacles on international ships visiting Osaka Bay, Japan, and the risk of their introduction

The occurrence and diversity of barnacles attached to the hulls of two intercontinental bulk carriers were studied at the port in Osaka Bay, Japan, to assess the potential risk of introduction of exotic species to the inner part of the bay. Barnacles were sampled from the bulbous bows, near the midship draft marks, and around the propeller posts and rudders. Twenty-two species were found, with 14 of these not previously recorded in Osaka Bay, including four species not previously recorded elsewhere in Japan. From an assessment of environmental similarity between Osaka Bay and native ranges, of the 14 species, Elminius modestus and Amphibalanus variegatus were considered to have the highest risk of introduction to the inner part of the bay.

Fast calculation system specialized for head-related transfer function based on boundary element method

Recently, development of a numerical calculation of the head-related transfer function (HRTF) has been conducted using a computer model of a human head and the boundary element method. The reciprocity theorem is incorporated into the computational process in order to shorten the computational time, which is otherwise very long. On the other hand, another fast HRTF calculation method for any source position, which is realized by calculating factors independent of the source position in advance, has been suggested by the authors. Using this algorithm, the HRTF for any source position can be obtained in a few seconds with a common PC. The resulting HRTFs are more precise and are calculated faster than those by using the reciprocity theorem. However, speeding the process up even further is required in order to respond to a head movement and rotation or to moving sources during binaural sound reproduction. In this paper, a faster calculation method by incorporating a time domain operation into the authors' previous algorithm is proposed. Additionally, the new formulation, which eliminates the extra computational time in the preprocess, is proposed. This method is shown to be faster than the previous ones, but there are some discrepancies at higher frequencies.

In vivo transfer of a neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression vector into the rat bladder by electroporation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possibility of in vivo gene transfer by attempting to transfer the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) gene into rat bladder using electroporation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The bladder was exposed through an abdominal midline incision in 8-week-old male rats. Plasmid DNA of the marker genes green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase, and the nNOS gene, was then injected into the subserosal space of the bladder and electroporation applied. At 72 h after gene transfer, GFP and luciferase were assayed in the isolated bladder and immunohistochemical staining used to detect nNOS; NO(x) released from isolated bladder strips was also assessed using microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

From the luciferase assay, 45 V, 1 Hz, 50 ms and eight pulses were selected as the optimum conditions for electroporation. Bladder specimens with GFP genes injected by electroporation showed bright and numerous sites of GFP expression in the smooth muscle layer. In rats with the nNOS gene injected by electroporation there was marked nNOS immunoreactivity, and NO(x) released from bladder strips was significantly greater than in the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that electroporation is a useful technique for in vivo gene transfer into rat bladder smooth muscles, and that the nNOS gene transferred by this procedure functionally expresses and contributes to NO production.

Effects of extracellular Ca2+ on phagocytosis and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in polymorphonuclear leukocytes of postpartum dairy cows

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of extracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](e)) on phagocytosis and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The experiments were performed by using blood samples from parturient paretic and clinically normal parturient cows and manipulating the [Ca(2+)](e) in vitro. Phagocytosis by PMNs (with and without stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and inhibition with cytochalasin B) and resting [Ca(2+)](i) were significantly lower in parturient paretic cows. Repletion of Ca(2+) in the extracellular media for the samples from these animals increased phagocytosis and resting [Ca(2+)](i). In the blood of clinically normal parturient cows, decreasing the [Ca(2+)](e) decreased phagocytosis and resting [Ca(2+)](i) in PMNs, but increasing the [Ca(2+)](e) did not affect phagocytosis. These results suggest that the hypocalcemic condition of parturient paretic cows in vivo causes decreased phagocytosis and resting [Ca(2+)](i) in PMNs, which may partly contribute to greater susceptibility to infection.

Low-grade renal cell carcinoma arising from the lower nephron: a case report with immunohistochemical, histochemical and ultrastructural studies

Most renal cell carcinomas (RCC) are composed of clear cells with sinusoid-like vasculatures and originate from the proximal tubule. On the other hand, collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) and chromophobe RCC are thought to originate from the lower nephron. In the present study, we present a case of unusual RCC. The patient was a 68-year-old Japanese woman who had developed general fatigue with hematuria. Computed tomography revealed a left renal tumor suggesting sarcoma. The resected tumor was located in the renal parenchyma, measuring 12 x 10 x 8 cm in size. Histologically, the tumor consisted principally of cuboidal cells forming parallel or radiating arrays, continuous with the spindle-shaped cells. Most parts of the tumor showed hemorrhagic necrosis. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for high molecular weight cytokeratins, vinculin, vimentin, CD15 and epithelial membrane antigen, and showed affinities with some kinds of lectins. N- and E-cadherins and beta-catenin were diffusely positive in tumor cells. Nuclear positivity for Ki-67 and p53 protein were approximately 2.0 and 1.7%, respectively. Considering its morphological and histochemical natures, this tumor is considered to have originated from the lower nephron, which is unique for a tumor of low-grade malignancy.

Heat-shock-induced proteins from Myxococcus xanthus

Optimal conditions for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of total cellular proteins from Myxococcus xanthus were established. Using these conditions, we analyzed protein patterns of heat-shocked M. xanthus cells. Eighteen major spots and 15 minor spots were found to be induced by heat shock. From N-terminal sequences of 15 major spots, DnaK, GroEL, GroES, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, succinyl coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase, 30S ribosomal protein S6, and ATP synthase alpha subunit were identified. Three of the 18 major spots had an identical N-terminal sequence, indicating that they may be different forms of the same protein. Although a DnaK homologue, SglK, has been identified in M. xanthus (R. M. Weimer, C. Creghton, A. Stassinopoulos, P. Youderian, and P. L. Hartzell, J. Bacteriol. 180:5357-5368, 1998; Z. Yang, Y. Geng, and W. Shi, J. Bacteriol. 180:218-224, 1998), SglK was not induced by heat shock. In addition, there were seven substitutions within the N-terminal 30-residue sequence of the newly identified DnaK. This is the first report to demonstrate that succinyl CoA synthetase, 30S ribosomal protein S6, and ATP synthase alpha subunit are heat shock inducible.

Mechanical augmentation of the vertebral body by calcium phosphate cement injection

The effectiveness of transpedicular calcium phosphate cement (CPC) injection as a new treatment for osteoporotic compression fracture of vertebrae was evaluated by measuring the compressive strength and the mode of failure in vertebrae experimentally injected with CPC. Forty-five human cadaver vertebrae were divided into three groups: a control group; group A, in which CPC was injected into the upper half of the vertebral body; and group B, in which CPC was injected into the whole vertebra. The load-displacement curve characteristically had two peaks in group A, and decreased rapidly after failure in group B. The failure site was the cancellous bone immediately below the cranial endplate in the control group, cancellous bone immediately below the CPC injection area in group A, and in the CPC injection area in group B. Although mechanical strength was greatest in those vertebrae in which the entire cancellous bone was replaced with CPC, the compressive strength of the vertebrae was also increased by partial replacement of cancellous bone with CPC injection. In terms of mode of failure and mechanical gradient with adjacent vertebrae, there were several advantages for those vertebrae in which the cranial half of the cancellous bone was replaced with CPC.

Intrarenal mature cystic teratoma associated with renal dysplasia: case report and literature review

We report a case of intrarenal teratoma in a 6-year-old boy. Two years before his operation, multicystic masses had been found in the left side of his abdomen. In the operation, three main cystic masses were located in the upper and lower poles of the left kidney, which were removed in pieces. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined mainly with keratinizing squamous epithelium with hair follicles, shafts and sebaceous glands. The adjacent renal parenchyma showed atrophy, with partially dysplastic and angiomyolipoma-like lesions. Based on these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as mature cystic teratoma of dermoid cyst type. Extragonadal teratoma occurs predominantly along the median line of the body. Intrarenal teratoma is extremely rare; however, it should be distinguished from teratoid Wilms' tumor and other renal cystic lesions.

Imprint cytologic features of intracytoplasmic lumina in ependymoma. A report of two cases

BACKGROUND

Intracytoplasmic lumina have been recently recognized as a characteristic histologic feature of ependymoma. However, the cytologic diagnostic usefulness has not been discussed. We encountered two imprint cytology cases of spinal cord ependymomas in which there were intracytoplasmic lumina in the tumor cells.

CASES

Two women had spinal cord tumors on magnetic resonance imaging. Imprint cytology study was carried out on the resected tumors. The cytologic specimen of the first case, aged 52, showed tumor clusters consisting of elongated epithelioid cells, a few of which also had intracytoplasmic lumina. Histologically, tumor cells formed ependymal rosettes and pseudoperivascular rosettes. There were a few tumor cells with intracytoplasmic lumina. The cytologic specimen of the second patient, aged 37, had scattered and isolated tumor cells with intracytoplasmic lumina resembling signet-ring cells and paired tumor cells forming small, glandlike structures. Histologically, the tumor was composed mainly of signet-ring-like cells containing intracytoplasmic lumina.

CONCLUSION

Intracytoplasmic lumina were observed in the imprint cytologic specimens of spinal cord ependymoma. The diagnosis of ependymomas can be made cytologically when intracytoplasmic lumina are found since no other primary neuroepithelial tumors of the central nervous system possess such a characteristic feature.

Surgical treatment for congenital biliary dilatation, with or without intrahepatic bile duct dilatation

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The incidence of postoperative cholangitis differs between patients with and those without congenital intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. The aim of this study was to evaluate comparatively the treatment results in these two patients groups.

METHODOLOGY

Forty-eight patients were classified into those with (dilated type) and those without (nondilated type) intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. The surgical procedure used, clinical manifestation, and cell kinetics (proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index, PCNALI) of bile duct epithelium were examined with respect to the incidence and course of postoperative cholangitis.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were classified as the dilated type, and the other 29 patients were the nondilated type. In the dilated-type group, hepaticoduodenostomy was performed on five patients, hepaticojejunostomy (Roux-en-Y method) on eight and jejunal interposition on six. Among the 29 nondilated-type patient, hepaticoduodenostomy was performed on 19 patients, hepaticojejunostomy (Roux-en-Y method) on seven, and jejunal interposition on three. Hepatectomy was performed in one dilated-type adult patient with marked cholangiectasia in the left hepatic lobe. The incidence of postoperative cholangitis was 26.3% (5/19) in the dilated-type group and 6.9% (2/29) in the nondilated-type group. The clinical manifestation was generally mild in the nondilated-type patients. However, among the adult dilated-type patients, on whom jejunal interposition had been performed, there were two patients who required additional surgery for the treatment of cholangitis that occurred postoperatively. The PCNALI in the bile duct epithelium was 13.9% for the dilated-type and 8.8% for the nondilated-type groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Jejunal interposition for biliary reconstruction seems a contraindicated maneuver for adult dilated-type patients, because of the possible development of postoperative cholangitis. The cellular proliferating activity in the bile duct epithelium of the patients of both the dilated and nondilated type was significantly increased compared to that of a control group. Consequently, the extrahepatic bile duct might have to be removed in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction regardless of the presence or absence of biliary dilatation.

Scratch cytologic findings on surgically resected solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the cytologic characteristics of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTPs) on smear preparations.

STUDY DESIGN

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was initially attempted preoperatively in five cases, but the specimens were inappropriate for interpretation because only a few tumor cells were obtained. Therefore, scratch smears made at the time of operation were used. Papanicolaou and immunocytochemical staining was performed in all 10 cases, 2 of which were malignant.

RESULTS

As expected, cellular tumors yielded more cells. The cytologic appearance was variable, showing spindle/bipolar, dendritic/stellate and intermediate cells. Atypical cells reminiscent of sarcoma were also present in cellular, benign tumors. Highly atypical epithelioid cells were obtained in two malignant cases. Immunocytochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD34 and vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, regardless of histologic differences and cell shape.

CONCLUSION

It seems difficult to diagnose SFTPs with certainty by FNAC, partly because the cell morphology of SFTPs resembles a wide variety of heterogeneous groups of spindle cell tumors and partly because only a few tumor cells were available in the FNAC specimens in the present study. However, a cytologic diagnosis of SFTP is possible if cytologic preparations yield CD34-positive cells with spindle/bipolar or dendritic/stellate morphology.

Cytologic features of pleural effusion in apocrine sweat gland carcinoma. A case report

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma arising in the apocrine sweat glands is very rare, and there are few reports of the cytologic features. We encountered a case of metastatic apocrine carcinoma in a pleural effusion.

CASE

A 46-year-old male had a dark reddish nodule in the right axillary region that was diagnosed as apocrine carcinoma of skin appendage origin. Three years after wide resection and chemotherapy, widespread metastases developed with a massive pleural effusion. Needle aspiration fluid cytology contained clusters of adenocarcinoma. Some tumor cells had abundant cytoplasm or periodic acid-Schiff-positive, coarse granules. Decapitation secretion was occasionally found on the cell surface. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were often positive for BRST-2 and BRST-3.

CONCLUSION

Cytologic features of metastatic apocrine sweat gland carcinoma show some characteristics of adenocarcinoma. Moreover, its definitive diagnosis in a pleural effusion can be made because of retaining the characteristics of apocrine sweat gland.

Membranous glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A 66-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of edema of the extremities. Laboratory findings suggested that she had nephrotic syndrome and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Renal biopsy (with PAM staining) showed a spike formation in the capillary wall. Immunofluorescent staining revealed deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the third component of complement in the glomerular basement membrane. Electron microscopy showed fibrillary deposits in the subepithelium. These findings indicated membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN). In addition, focal segmental sclerosis and interstitial lymphocytic infiltration were observed in the renal biopsy specimen. In CLL patients nephrotic syndrome occurs rarely. Even if the complication occurs, MGN is not frequent. Both diseases are suspected to occur in association with each other, and immunologic abnormality contributes to their coexistence. Although administration of prednisolone and endoxan improved leukocytosis, proteinuria was not sufficiently improved with combination therapy.

Nephrotic syndrome caused by protein thrombi in glomerulocapillary lumen in Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia

Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is described as a disorder of plasmacytoid lymphocytes. The renal complications of WM are less common and severe than those of multiple myeloma. We present a case of WM complicated by nephrotic syndrome. A biopsy specimen of the kidney revealed the intraglomerular thrombi of immunoglobulin M paraprotein. Corticosteroid pulse therapy and plasmapheresis were effective in improving proteinuria and reducing protein thrombi. The nephrotic syndrome caused by protein thrombi in WM may be reversible, at least in its early stage.

TZT-1027, an antimicrotubule agent, attacks tumor vasculature and induces tumor cell death

TZT-1027, a dolastatin 10 derivative, is an antimicrotubule agent with potent antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we performed biochemical and histopathological examinations, and evaluated TZT-1027-induced tumoral vascular collapse and tumor cell death in an advanced tumor model, murine colon 26 adenocarcinoma. In addition, we studied the effects of TZT-1027 on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Tolerable doses of TZT-1027 induced tumor-selective hemorrhage within 1 h. This hemorrhage occurred mainly in the peripheral area of the tumor mass. Measurements of tumoral hemoglobin content and dye permeation revealed that the hemorrhage occurred firstly and tumor blood flow stopped secondarily. The vascular damage was followed by continuous induction of apoptosis of the tumor cells, tumor tissue necrosis, and tumor regression. In cultured HUVEC, TZT-1027 induced marked cell contraction with membrane blebbing in 30 min. These cell changes were completely inhibited by K252a, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of protein kinases. These effects of TZT-1027 on both tumor vasculature and HUVEC were greater than those of vincristine. In conclusion, TZT-1027 quickly attacked the well-developed vascular system of advanced tumors by a putative protein kinase-dependent mechanism, and then blocked tumor blood flow. Therefore, TZT-1027 has both a conventional antitumor activity and a unique anti-tumoral vascular activity, making it a potentially powerful tool for clinical cancer therapy.

[A study on serum carotenoid levels of people with hyperglycemia who were screened among residents living in a rural area of Hokkaido, Japan]

Serum carotenoid levels among residents with hyperglycemia who were screened in a health check-up program for the inhabitants living in a rural area of Hokkaido were compared with those with normal levels. Serum levels of alpha, beta-carotenes and cryptoxanthin were lower among those with high HbA1c newly detected than among those with a normal level, whereas the serum lipid peroxide (TBARS) level was higher in the former than in the latter for both sexes. Among males who currently smoked and drank alcohol, the intake frequency of carrot or pumpkin was significantly lower for those with high HbA1c than for the others, although no significant differences of serum carotenoid levels were observed. For the diabetes mellitus patients who were consulted in this study, and who have already been under control in the clinic, no significant differences of serum levels of carotenoids, or lipids such as total cholesterol and TBARS were shown compared with other groups. In conclusion, serum carotenoid levels might be a useful indicator of food intake and oxidative stress for the prediabetic condition since newly detected hyperglycemia tends to show lower serum antioxidant levels such as beta-carotene, and higher serum lipid peroxide levels.

Distribution of capsaicin-sensitive substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive nerves in bovine respiratory tract

The distribution of nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) was examined by means of immunohistochemical methods in the respiratory tract from nose to lung of normal and capsaicin-treated cattle. SP- and CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibers with varicosities were detected in all portions. They were more numerous in calves than in cows. They were abundant in the nasal and laryngeal mucosae and tracheal bronchus, and few in number in the lung. SP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers were mainly seen in the epithelium, in connective tissue beneath the epithelium and around blood vessels, and in the glands throughout the respiratory tract. In contrast, SP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers were sparse in the smooth muscle layer. Capsaicin treatment of neonates caused a remarkable reduction in the number of SP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers in the respiratory tract of calves. Double immunofluorescence experiments showed the colocalization of SP and CGRP in most of the nerve fibers. The present findings suggest that SP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers are involved in the regulation of the bovine respiratory tract, and that capsaicin-sensitive SP- and CGRP-IR nerve fibers are sensory neurons of the bovine respiratory tract.

Advanced gallbladder carcinoma with liver metastasis showing a favorable response after intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy: report of a case

A 66-year-old woman visited a local clinic due to general fatigue. After undergoing examinations at our hospital, the patient was diagnosed to have advanced gallbladder carcinoma with metastasis to the liver and cholecystolithiasis, After receiving a cholecystectomy, we performed chemotherapy by the intra-arterial infusion of low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil via hepatic artery, and observed its marked effect on the tumors by computed tomography. The level of carcinoembryonic antigen decreased from 114.5 ng/ml to 0.8 ng/mg, and carbohydrate antigen 125 decreased from 1 094 U/ml to 75 U/ml. The present result suggests that this therapy may be useful for some selected patients with an advanced gallbladder carcinoma.

Dopamine inhibition of human tyrosine hydroxylase type 1 is controlled by the specific portion in the N-terminus of the enzyme

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which converts L-tyrosine to L-DOPA, is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines; its activity is regulated by feedback inhibition by catecholamine products including dopamine. To investigate the specific portion of the N-terminus of TH that determines the efficiency of dopamine inhibition, wild-type and N-terminal 35-, 38-, and 44-amino acid-deleted mutants (del-35, del-38, and del-44, respectively) of human TH type 1 were expressed as a maltose binding protein fusion in Escherichia coli and purified as a tetrameric form by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. The fused-form wild-type enzyme possessed almost the same specific enzymatic activity as the previously reported recombinant nonfused form. Although maximum velocities of all N-terminus-deleted forms were about one-fourth of the wild-type value, there was no difference in Michaelis constants for L-tyrosine or (6R)-(L-erythro-1',2'-dihydroxypropyl)-2-amino-4-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahy dropteridine (6RBPH4) among the four enzymes. The iron contents incorporated into the three N-terminus-deleted mutants were significantly lower than that of wild type. However, there was no substantial difference in incorporated iron contents among the three mutants. The deletion of up to no less than 38 amino acid residues in the N-terminus made the enzyme more resistant to dopamine inhibition than the wild-type or del-35 TH form. Dopamine bound to the del-38 more than to the del-35 TH form. However, when incubation with dopamine was followed by further inhibition with the cofactor 6RBPH4 dopamine was expelled more readily from the del-38 than from the del-35 TH form. These observations suggest that the amino acid sequence Gly36-Arg37-Arg38 plays a key role in determining the competition between dopamine and 6RBPH4 and affects the efficiency of dopamine inhibition of the catalytic activity.

Morphological characterization and subtyping of silent somatotroph adenomas

GH-producing adenomas clinically are endocrine-active tumors accompanied with acromegaly in most instances. However, GH-producing adenomas apparently unassociated with acromegaly, or so-called silent somatotroph adenomas (SSA), have recently been reported but rarely. The reported cases are characterized by normal or slightly elevated serum levels of GH but without acromegaly. Tumor cells contain moderate, trace or no GH immunoreactivity. We experienced 7 cases of SSA which were not always similar in morphology and pathogenetic mechanism. They could be further divided into the following 3 subtypes. Subtype 1 (N = 2): a moderate number of cells were immunopositive for GH, and GH mRNA was also expressed in moderate or numerous cells. Densely granulated cells were noted. It is assumed that inhibition of hormone release into circulation. Subtype 2 (N = 3): a small number of cells were immunopositive for GH, while GH mRNA was expressed in numerous tumor cells. They were sparsely granulated cells containing fibrous bodies. These findings suggest that posttranslational processing of the gene product may be defective. Subtype 3 (N = 2): Only a scattered number of cells were immunopositive for GH and GH mRNA was co-localized in immunopositive cells. They were sparsely granulated cells containing poorly developed organelles that did not resemble those of typical sparsely granulated GH cells. The findings indicate that adenoma cells are largely immature with minimal GH lineage differentiation.