Low Resistivity Contact Formation for Lsi Interconnection With Short-Pulse-Laser Induced Mo Cvd

The contact characteristics between Al interconnections in LSI's and direct written Mo lines has been substantially improved by adopting, for the first time, short-pulse-laser induced Mo CVD. The linewidth stability upon Al interconnections has also been improved. Transient, localized heating with short laser pulses effectively overcomes the heat dissipation through Al interconnections which degraded contact characteristics and prevented fine drawing near the Al interconnection. This new scheme can appreciably widen the applicable device field of direct writing circuit restructuring.

Startup of transactinide chemistry in JAERI

The transactinide nuclides261Rf and262Db have been successfully produced in the248Cm(18O,5n) reaction at 99 MeV and in the248Cm(19F,5n) reaction at 100, 103, and 106 MeV, respectively, at the JAERI tandem accelerator. The on-line ion exchange experiments with an automated fast and repetitive liquid chromatography separation system were performed in the HNO3/HF system using Rf homologues89mZr and167,165Hf produced in the89Y(p,n) and152Gd(18O,xn) reactions, respectively. The radiotracers88Zr,175Hf, and234Th were also prepared and the distribution coefficients on ion exchange resins were measured systematically in 1-11 M HCl and 1-14 M HNO3with the batch method. It was found that anion exchange experiments of Rf in 8 M HNO3and 9 M HCl provided information useful to extract the ionic radius of Rf and to verify the influence of relativistic effects.

An adipose tissue-independent insulin-sensitizing action of telmisartan: a study in lipodystrophic mice

Adipose tissue plays an important role in energy balance and metabolism and is the major target for insulin-sensitizing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma agonists. The angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker telmisartan, a partial agonist of PPAR-gamma, has been demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity. However, there is uncertainty about the sites of its action. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with telmisartan (3 mg/kg p.o.) for 7 weeks decreased plasma glucose levels in oral glucose and insulin tolerance tests and the index of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in A-ZIP/F-1 transgenic mice, an animal model of lipodystrophy. These effects were accompanied by decreases in circulating triglyceride and fatty acid levels. However, this treatment did not affect body weight and plasma adiponectin, leptin, and corticosterone levels. In A-ZIP/F-1 mouse liver the transcripts encoding PPAR-gamma and its downstream lipogenic genes were highly up-regulated, consistent with increased hepatic triglyceride content and lipid droplet accumulation. Telmisartan reversed these effects and also down-regulated mRNAs encoding gluconeogenic genes. Thus, the present findings are consistent with a novel mode of insulin-sensitizing action of telmisartan, involving an adipose tissue-independent pathway. Telmisartan-elicited down-regulation of hepatic expression of PPAR-gamma-regulated lipogenic genes is associated with amelioration of fatty liver.

[Pulmonary hilar lymph node metastasis from cancer of unknown origin; report of a case]

A 47-year-old man with a history of surgery for gastric cancer had enlarging right hilar tumor. Primary or metastatic malignant tumor was suggested and the right upper lobectomy with systematic nodal dissection was performed. Pathological diagnosis was lymph node metastasis of the squamous cell carcinoma. He received no additional treatment, and is well without recurrence 5 years after resection.

Beneficial effects of leptin on glycaemic and lipid control in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes with increased adiposity induced by streptozotocin and a high-fat diet

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We have previously demonstrated the therapeutic usefulness of leptin in lipoatrophic diabetes and insulin-deficient diabetes in mouse models and could also demonstrate its dramatic effects on lipoatrophic diabetes in humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the therapeutic usefulness of leptin in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes with increased adiposity.

METHODS

To generate a mouse model mimicking human type 2 diabetes with increased adiposity, we used a combination of low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, 120 microg/g body weight) and high-fat diet (HFD, 45% of energy as fat). Recombinant mouse leptin was infused chronically (20 ng [g body weight](-1) h(-1)) for 14 days using a mini-osmotic pump. The effects of leptin on food intake, body weight, metabolic variables, tissue triacylglycerol content and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity were examined.

RESULTS

Low-dose STZ injection led to a substantial reduction of plasma insulin levels and hyperglycaemia. Subsequent HFD feeding increased adiposity and induced insulin resistance and further augmentation of hyperglycaemia. In this model mouse mimicking human type 2 diabetes (STZ/HFD), continuous leptin infusion reduced food intake and body weight and improved glucose and lipid metabolism with enhancement of insulin sensitivity. Leptin also decreased liver and skeletal muscle triacylglycerol content accompanied by an increase of alpha2 AMPK activity in skeletal muscle. Pair-feeding experiments demonstrated that leptin improved glucose and lipid metabolism independently of the food intake reduction.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of leptin on glycaemic and lipid control in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes with increased adiposity, indicating the possible clinical usefulness of leptin as a new glucose-lowering drug in humans.

[Thymic carcinoma; report of a case]

A 52-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an anterior mediastinal tumor. The tumor was extirpated completely with combined partial resection of the left lung through a median sternotomy. Microscopically, the tumor was diagnosed thymic cancer, basaloid carcinoma. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy and radiation, postoperatively. We reported a case of thymic carcinoma.

[Pleomorphic adenoma of the bronchus; report of a case]

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography scan and broncho-fiberscopic examination revealed a tumor at the left main bronchus. The tumor was removed completely by partial resection of the left main bronchus with thoracotomy. Historical finding of the resected specimen revealed a benign pleomorphic adenoma of the bronchus. The postoperative course was un-eventful for 9 years. We reported a rare case of pleomorphic adenoma of the bronchus.

[Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the lung]

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the lung is rare. We present a case of MALT lymphoma of the lung. A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. He was performed transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) in our hospital, but the results was not diagnostic. We performed surgical biopsy using thoracoscopy due to the possibility of malignancy. The pathological diagnosis was MALT lymphoma. He underwent an chemotherapy after the operation and has been followed up at an outpatient for 8 years.

Preparation of various metal-silicate micro-balloons using W/O/W emulsion

Micron-sized inorganic microparticles with hollow insides were prepared by interfacial reaction method, in which an ion exchange reaction between Na(+) and metal cations in internal and external aqueous phases, respectively, proceeded through the oil phase involving a cation carrier. The diameter of microballoons was approximately 10 microm and shell thickness was below 2 microm. The effects of preparation conditions against the formation of microballoons were examined. The factors examined were metal species in the external aqueous phase and the concentrations of metal chloride and cation carrier. The cross-section of microparticles formed was inspected by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the inner space of some metal silicates was not hollow but filled-up. The increase of internal and external aqueous solution concentrations caused the increase of diameter and shell thickness of microballoons. Since the penetration of metal cation through the oil phase was promoted by the increase of carrier concentration, the formation of microballoons was completed in a short time of less than 30 min.

[Small bowel metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer]

Small bowel metastasis from lung cancer is rare. We present 2 cases of small bowel metastasis from lung cancer. A 69-year-old man with postoperative lung cancer was admitted to our hospital because of the development of anemia secondary to melena A 56-year-old man with postoperative lung cancer was admitted to our hospital because of weight loss and fever. Both patients were operated on with suspicion of small intestine tumor after some examinations. The metastatic tumors were found in the small intestines. Resection of metastasis to the small bowel of lung cancer is benefical for better prognosis.

Chemical studies on rutherfordium (Rf) at JAERI

Chemical studies on element 104, rutherfordium (Rf), at JAERI (Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute) are reviewed. The transactinide nuclide261Rf has been produced in the reaction248Cm(18O, 5n) at the JAERI tandem accelerator with the production cross section of about 13 nb. On-line anion-exchange experiments on Rf together with the lighter homologues, group-4 elements Zr and Hf, in acidic solutions have been conducted with a rapid ion-exchange separation apparatus. From the systematic study of the anion-exchange behavior of Rf, it has been found that the properties of Rf in HCl and HNO3solutions are quite similar to those of Zr and Hf, definitely confirming that Rf is a member of the group-4 elements. However, we have observed an unexpected chemical behavior of Rf in HF solutions; the fluoride complex formation of Rf is significantly different from those of the homologues. Prospects of extending chemical studies on transactinide elements in the near future at JAERI are briefly considered.

Ceramide and adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase are two novel regulators of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 expression and activity in cultured preadipocytes

Increased activity of intracellular glucocorticoid reactivating enzyme, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) in obese adipose tissue contributes to adipose dysfunction. As recent studies have highlighted a potential role of preadipocytes in adipose dysfunction, we tested the hypothesis that a variety of metabolic stress mediated by ceramide or AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) would regulate 11beta-HSD1 in preadipocytes. The present study is the first to show that 1) expression of 11beta-HSD1 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was robustly induced when cells were treated with cell-permeable ceramide analogue C(2) ceramide, bacterial sphingomyelinase, and sphingosine 1-phosphate, 2) 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR)-induced activation of AMPK augmented the expression and enzyme activity of 11beta-HSD1, and 3) these results were reproduced in human preadipocytes. We demonstrate for the first time that C(2) ceramide and AICAR markedly induced the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta and its binding to 11beta-HSD1 promoter. Transient knockdown of C/EBPbeta protein by small interfering RNA markedly attenuated the expression of 11beta-HSD1 induced by C(2) ceramide or AICAR. The present study provides novel evidence that ceramide- and AMPK-mediated signaling pathways augment the expression and activity of 11beta-HSD1 in preadipocytes by way of C/EBPbeta, thereby highlighting a novel, metabolic stress-related regulation of 11beta-HSD1 in a cell-specific manner.

Exposure to hardly soluble indium compounds in ITO production and recycling plants is a new risk for interstitial lung damage

OBJECTIVES

To identify the effects of indium on the lung and to assess exposure-effect and exposure-response relations between indium exposure and effects on the lungs.

METHODS

Ninety three male indium exposed and 93 male non-exposed workers from four ITO manufacturing or ITO recycling plants were analysed in a cross-sectional study. Indium in serum (In-S) was determined as a biological exposure index. Geometric means (GSD) of In-S were 8.25 ng/ml (4.55) in the exposed workers and 0.25 (2.64) in the non-exposed workers. The maximum concentration of In-S was 116.9 ng/ml. A questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and job histories, spirometry, high-resolution computerised tomography (HRCT) of the chest, serum KL-6, serum SP-A, serum SP-D and serum CRP were measured as the effect indices.

RESULTS

Spirometry, subjective symptoms and the prevalence of interstitial or emphysematous changes on lung HRCT showed no differences between exposed and non-exposed workers. Geometric means (GSD) of KL-6, SP-D and SP-A in the exposed workers were 495.4 U/ml (2.26), 85.2 ng/ml (2.02) and 39.6 ng/ml (1.57), and were significantly higher than those in the non-exposed workers. The prevalence (%) of the exposed and non-exposed workers exceeding the reference values were also significantly higher in KL-6 (41.9 vs 2.2), SP-D (39.8 vs 7.5), and SP-A (43.0 vs 24.7). Very sharp exposure-effect and exposure-response relations were discovered between In-S and KL-6 and between In-S and SP-D when the exposed workers were classified into seven groups by In-S.

CONCLUSIONS

The study outcomes with regard to the basis of serum immunochemistry biomarkers and HRCT indicate that exposure to hardly soluble indium compound dust may represent a risk for interstitial lung damage.