Ordered hexagonal array of Au nanodots on Si substrate based on colloidal crystal templating

We report two types of site-selective metal deposition methods based on colloidal crystal templating. We discuss in particular the controllability of the morphology and crystallinity of Au nanodots depending of the choice of method.

Scanning Josephson tunneling microscopy of single-crystal Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+delta} with a conventional superconducting tip

We have performed both Josephson and quasiparticle tunneling in vacuum tunnel junctions formed between a conventional superconducting scanning tunneling microscope tip and overdoped Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+delta} single crystals. A Josephson current is observed with a peak centered at a small finite voltage due to the thermal-fluctuation-dominated superconducting phase dynamics. Josephson measurements at different surface locations yield local values for the Josephson I_{C}R_{N} product. Corresponding energy gap measurements were also performed and a surprising inverse correlation was observed between the local I_{C}R_{N} product and the local energy gap.

Congenital anomalies induced by triamcinolone acetonide in murine embryos

INTRODUCTION

We have studied the morphogenesis of anorectal malformations in mice using retinoids. Several investigators have reported an interaction between glucocorticoids and retinoids. It was supposed that glucocorticoids had some effects on the morphogenesis of murine embryos similar to retinoids. Therefore, we investigated alterations in the morphogenesis of murine embryos after triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) administration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

TAC was administered in a single dose (15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg body weight) to pregnant ICR-SLC mice on embryonic day 7 (E7), 8, 9, and 10. They were sacrificed on E18, and fetuses were examined for internal and external malformations. Randomly chosen fetuses were embedded in paraffin for immunohistochemical staining of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR).

RESULTS

The groups given 15 mg/kg TAC had one peak in the incidence of cleft palate on E9 (100 %) and the groups given 30 mg/kg TAC showed a biphasic pattern in the incidence of cleft palate on E7 and E10. No other anomalies were found. GR expression was marked in the subepithelial layer of palatal processes in the treated specimens.

CONCLUSION

The group given 15 mg/kg TAC on E9 provided a good model of cleft palate in ICR-SLC mice, and cleft palate was probably induced by various factors including disturbance of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, shown by GR overexpression.

Sweet's syndrome associated with Mycobacterium avium infection

A 68-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of nontender, erythematous nodules on the right side of the neck. Subsequently, tender, circinate erythematous plaques appeared on the limbs, accompanied by peripheral leucocytosis. A biopsy specimen obtained from an erythematous plaque revealed diffuse infiltration of neutrophils in the dermis. Treatment with prednisolone improved the erythematous lesions, but upon tapering of prednisolone, numerous areas of indurated erythema with pustules recurred on the face and back accompanied by high fever. Computed tomography of the lung revealed multiple lesions. A smear of gastric juice contained acid-fast bacilli that were identified as Mycobacterium avium by DNA-DNA hybridization. Treatment with multiple antibiotics did not result in a favourable response of the M. avium infection, and dome-shaped, subcutaneous abscesses developed on the limbs and trunk. Sweet's syndrome may thus occur in association with nontuberculous mycobacterial infection.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection as a staging measure may not lead to worse prognosis in early gastric cancer patients with additional gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a novel endoluminal technique that enables resection of early stage gastrointestinal malignancies in an en bloc fashion.

AIM

To assess whether preceding endoscopic submucosal dissection affected the prognoses of patients who underwent additional gastrectomy with lymph node dissection due to suspicion of nodal metastasis from endoscopic submucosal dissection specimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients with early gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection were retrospectively investigated in terms of their survival and tumour recurrence. Additional gastrectomy was performed when histology of the endoscopic submucosal dissection specimens revealed that the tumours did not meet the criteria for node-negative cancers.

RESULTS

Twenty-three (74%) and eight (26%) patients had undergone endoscopic submucosal dissection previously due to clinical diagnoses of node-negative cancers and possible node-positive cancers, respectively. Histology of the resected stomachs and lymph nodes revealed residual carcinoma of the stomach in two (6.5%) patients and nodal metastases in four (13%) patients. All patients remain alive without recurrence (median follow-up, 3.4 years; range, 0.6-5.2 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the histology of endoscopic submucosal dissection specimens, preceding endoscopic submucosal dissection itself had no negative influence on a patient's prognosis when additional gastrectomy was performed. It may be permissible to resect some early gastric cancers by endoscopic submucosal dissection as a first step to prevent unnecessary gastrectomy, if technically resectable.

ATM-dependent nuclear accumulation of IKK-α plays an important role in the regulation of p73-mediated apoptosis in response to cisplatin

I kappa B kinase (IKK) complex plays an important role in the regulation of signaling pathway that activates nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-kappaB). Recently, we reported that cisplatin (CDDP) treatment causes a remarkable nuclear accumulation of IKK-alpha in association with stabilization and activation of p73. However, underlying mechanisms of CDDP-induced nuclear accumulation of IKK-alpha are elusive. Here, we found that ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is one of upstream mediators of IKK-alpha during CDDP-induced apoptosis. In response to CDDP, ATM was phosphorylated at Ser-1981, which was accompanied with nuclear accumulation of IKK-alpha in HepG2 cells, whereas CDDP treatment had undetectable effects on IKK-alpha in ATM-deficient cells. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that phosphorylated form of ATM colocalizes with nuclear IKK-alpha in response to CDDP. In vitro kinase assay indicated that ATM phosphorylates IKK-alpha at Ser-473. Moreover, IKK-alpha-deficient MEFs displayed CDDP-resistant phenotype as compared with wild-type MEFs. Taken together, our present results suggest that ATM-mediated phosphorylation of nuclear IKK-alpha, which stabilizes p73, is one of the main apoptotic pathways in response to CDDP.

Ex vivo pilot study using computed analysis of endo-cytoscopic images to differentiate normal and malignant squamous cell epithelia in the oesophagus

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

An endo-cytoscopy system allows acquisition of optical biopsies that are quite similar to conventional histology. To simplify discrimination between normal and malignant tissue in the oesophagus using endo-cytoscopy system, we analysed the nuclear (dark staining) area in the obtained images with the goal of an accurate, automatic diagnosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ex vivo endo-cytoscopic observation was performed using endoscopically or surgically resected oesophagus from 10 enrolled patients. Oesophageal tissues were stained using 1% methylene blue, and endo-cytoscopic images were obtained at normal and malignant areas (two areas of each) in each oesophagus. The centre of each image (4x10(-2) mm(2)) was processed by computer, and the area occupied by the total nuclei in each selected field and its ratio to the entire field were calculated.

RESULTS

The mean area of the total nuclei was 0.10x10(-2)+/-0.03x10(-2) mm(2) (range 0.05x10(-2) to 0.18x10(-2) mm(2)) in the normal group and 0.40x10(-2)+/-0.06x10(-2) mm(2) (range 0.33x10(-2) to 0.55x10(-2) mm(2)) in the malignant group (P<0.001). The mean ratio of total nuclei to the entire selected field was 6.4+/-1.9% (range 3.1-11.3%) in the normal tissues and 25.3+/-3.8% (range 20.5-34.5%) in the malignant samples (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Endo-cytoscopy system allowed automatic differentiation of normal and malignant tissues in the oesophagus, which could simplify endo-cytoscopic diagnosis. Further study will elucidate whether such analysis is applicable to inflammatory or pre-malignant epithelia in the oesophagus or other gastrointestinal organs.

Effects of herbal medicine Dai-Kenchu-to on anorectal function in children with severe constipation

AIM

We administered the herbal medicine Dai-Kenchu-To (DKT) to children with severe chronic constipation or with severe constipation after surgery for anorectal malformations. We then objectively assessed the effect of DKT on anorectal function by manometric study in addition to using a clinical scoring system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten children with severe chronic constipation and 5 children with severe constipation after surgery for anorectal malformations were assessed. These 15 children received 0.3 g/kg/day of DKT for periods ranging from 3 months to 1 year. We objectively assessed their bowel function, sphincter function and rectal reservoir function by anorectal manometry and clinical scoring.

RESULTS

In 10 children with severe chronic constipation, the clinical score after administration of DKT (7.2 +/- 0.8) improved significantly compared with that before administration of DKT (4.6 +/- 2.9) (p < 0.02). The threshold sensation volume and the maximum tolerable volume after administration of DKT significantly (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) decreased (128 +/- 63 ml vs. 69 +/- 18 ml; 229 +/- 99 ml vs. 144 +/- 47 ml), and rectal compliance after administration of DKT also significantly (p < 0.05) decreased (12.4 +/- 10.9 ml/cmH(2)O vs. 4.7 +/- 3.9 ml/cmH(2)O).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that DKT had a favorable clinical effect on severe constipation in children, and anorectal manometry showed an improvement in their rectal reservoir functions. It appears that the results were secondary to DKT-stimulated peristalsis of the intestine, which promoted regular bowel habits.

The significance of steroid therapy after hepatoportoenterostomy in infants with biliary atresia

PURPOSE

Despite improvements in the surgical management of biliary atresia (BA), it is still difficult to maintain good bile flow. In the present study, we examined steroid therapy and determined the appropriate dose to achieve freedom from jaundice after hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE) in the uncorrectable type of BA.

METHODS

A retrospective clinical analysis was done in 23 of 29 (79 %) cases who had become jaundice-free after undergoing HPE with steroid therapy between 1988 and 2004. A correlation between the total or mean steroid dose and the postoperative jaundice period (serum total bilirubin > 1.0 mg/dl) was evaluated using linear regression analysis. The regimen was as follows: prednisolone was given intravenously, starting with 3 to 5 mg/kg/day, and then gradually tapered with repetition until freedom from jaundice was achieved.

RESULTS

Age at HPE was 72 +/- 20 days (mean +/- SD), and the postoperative jaundice period was 108 +/- 68 days. Total and mean steroid doses were 118 +/- 73 mg/kg and 1.31 +/- 0.8 mg/kg/day, respectively. There was no correlation between the total steroid dose and the period of jaundice. However, there was a significant correlation between the mean steroid dose and the period of jaundice (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION

A high mean dose of steroids could shorten the jaundice period after HPE in the uncorrectable type of BA.

Significance of the anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct in the etiology of biliary atresia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AAPBD) is one theory used to explain the etiology of biliary atresia. We investigated whether AAPBD could be involved and evaluated its significance for the etiology of biliary atresia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 43 patients with biliary atresia, the area between the common bile duct and the duodenum could be visualized by operative cholangiogram in 5 patients with an uncorrectable type of biliary atresia. Three of the 5 showed an anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct. In these 3 patients, the type of anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct and the length of the common channel were studied by operative cholangiogram. Histological findings of the gallbladder and the common bile duct were examined in addition to the measurement of the serum amylase levels.

RESULTS

All 3 patients showed AAPBD with the P-C type of pancreaticobiliary junction. The length of the common channel ranged from 7 mm to 12 mm. Two of the 3 cases did not show an elevated serum amylase level. Epithelial hyperplasia of the gallbladder was observed in one patient, while the other two showed no hyperplasia. Inflammatory changes in the mucosa of the gallbladder and the common bile duct were not remarkable in these 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

From these results it seems that AAPBD in biliary atresia might not be an etiological factor for atresia of the extrahepatic bile duct, but might be an associated anomaly in biliary atresia. Other factors should be examined to clarify the etiological factor leading to lumenal obstruction of the extrahepatic bile duct.

DFF45/ICAD restores cisplatin-induced nuclear fragmentation but not DNA cleavage in DFF45-deficient neuroblastoma cells

We have previously defined a homozygously deleted region at chromosome 1p36.2-p36.3 in human neuroblastoma cell lines, NB-1 and NB-C201, and identified six genes including DFF45/ICAD within this region. In this study, we found that NB-C201 cells are much more resistant to various genotoxic stresses such as cisplatin (CDDP) than CHP134 and SH-SY5Y cells that do not have the homozygous deletion. To examine a role(s) of DFF45 in the regulation of apoptosis in response to CDDP, we have established stably DFF45-expressing NB-C201 cell clones (DFF45-1 and DFF45-3) and a control cell clone (NB-C201-C) using a retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. In contrast to NB-C201-C cells, DFF45-3 cells displayed apoptotic nuclear fragmentation in response to CDDP. Although CDDP-induced proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3 and DFF45 in DFF45-3 cells, we could not detect a typical apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Additionally, deletion analysis revealed that C-terminal region of DFF45 is required for inducing nuclear fragmentation. Unexpectedly, (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays demonstrated that DFF45 has undetectable effect on CDDP sensitivity of NB-C201 cells. Taken together, our present results suggest that DFF45/DFF40 system may be sufficient for CDDP-induced nuclear fragmentation but not DNA cleavage.

Bleeding tendency as a first symptom in children with congenital biliary dilatation

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although a bleeding tendency as a first symptom is a critical condition in congenital biliary dilatation (CBD), the clinical details of this symptom remain unclear. We assessed this condition in children with CBD in this paper.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-five children with CBD were treated at our institute between 1983 and 2004. The children, initially presenting with bleeding manifestations such as intracranial hemorrhage and bloody stools, were defined as the bleeding group, and the remaining children with digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting were defined as the digestive group. The clinical features were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

In 6 of the 65 cases, bleeding manifestations were noted (9.2 %). All six had cystic-type choledochal dilatation. The mean age of the bleeding group was significantly younger than that of the digestive group, and bleeding was more frequent, especially in infants less than 12 months of age. In a laboratory study, the bleeding group showed a more prolonged blood coagulation time than the digestive group did. Serum amylase and lipase levels in the bleeding group were almost normal, while those in the digestive group were significantly higher. The direct bilirubin level in the bleeding group was significantly higher than that in the digestive group.

CONCLUSIONS

Disturbed blood coagulation due to vitamin K deficiency related to cholestasis results in a bleeding tendency in children with CBD. Therefore, pediatric surgeons should be aware of this rare but critical condition which can be prevented by rapid and precise treatment with vitamin K supplementation.

Comparison of the utility of sympathetic skin response and current perception threshold examinations with conventional examinations for the early electrophysiological diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy

We compared the utility of sympathetic skin response (SSR) and current perception threshold (CPT) with that of conventional electrophysiological examinations like sural sensory conduction velocity, sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), peroneal motor conduction velocity, compound muscle action potentials, and F-wave latency. Twenty-two type II diabetic patients (mean age, 69.6 years) without sensory symptoms and with a mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 7.1%, along with 26 age-matched control patients, were examined. Among the conventional examinations, only the sural SNAP was considerably (although not significantly) depressed in the diabetic group. On the other hand, the mean SSR amplitude in the diabetic group was approximately half of the value in the control group. All the CPT values were also considerably lower in the diabetic group than in the control group, although only the values for hand stimulation at 2000 and 250 Hz were significant. No correlations were observed between the SSR amplitudes and the CPT values at any of the test frequencies. However, a positive correlation between the mean HbA1c level and the CPT value was seen at all frequencies. We concluded that SSR amplitude measurements are superior to conventional examinations and CPT studies with regard to the early electrophysiological diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy. Furthermore, CPT values may be useful as an electrophysiological surrogate indicator of recent glycemic control.

Successful nonsurgical management of perforation complicating endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a novel technique used for the treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasia. One of its major limitations, however, is the complication of perforation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included in our study all the cases of perforation that occurred during ESD procedures for gastrointestinal epithelial neoplasia between February 2000 and February 2005. Clinical outcomes after perforation were investigated.

RESULTS

Perforation was experienced at 27 lesions in 27 patients (four in the esophagus, fourteen in the stomach, seven in the colon, and two in the rectum). Fibrosis under the lesions was confirmed histologically in seven patients (26 %). Immediate closure using endoclips was performed in all patients except for three asymptomatic patients in whom a stomach perforation was first noticed when free air was noticed on a radiograph the morning after the ESD procedure. Air accumulation was detected radiographically in 21 patients (78 %). The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 6.7 days and the patients were fasted for a mean period of 5.3 days. The mean maximum body temperature was 37.3 degrees C, the mean white blood cell count was 9733/mm3, and the mean C-reactive protein level was 5.0 mg/dl. All the patients were discharged well from the ward after a mean time of 12.1 days after ESD, and no recurrence caused by tumor spread from the perforation occurred in any patient after a median follow-up period of 36 months (range 9 - 52 months).

CONCLUSION

Successful nonsurgical management after ESD complicated by perforation is a highly feasible option if intensive conservative treatments are used following immediate endoscopic closure of the perforation.

Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of Ce(3+)-doped SrMgF(4) with superlattice structure

X-ray diffraction of Ce(3+)-doped SrMgF(4) (SMF:Ce) crystals shows a superlattice structure, reflecting the distribution of Ce(3+) polyhedra centres observed in optical experiments. Optical absorption bands and fluorescence bands from the Ce(3+) polyhedra centres overlap in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and ultraviolet (UV) regions, respectively, so that wide pumping and tuning ranges are expected for laser operation. The SMF:Ce crystals, as well as the isomorphous BaMgF(4), are candidates for a tunable laser gain material with nonlinear properties. The optical absorption, excitation, and fluorescence bands observed in the SMF:Ce crystals at low temperatures are ascribed to five distinct fluorescent centres. Three centres have well-known Ce(3+) optical characters, for example, fluorescence with double peaks separated by 2000 cm(-1) and five resolved absorption/excitation bands. These centres are assigned to Ce(3+)-polyhedra classified by weak and strong crystal fields as a consequence of the superlattice structure. The other two fluorescence bands observed in the visible region have 1.5-2 times larger linewidths than those of the former three bands. These bands are interpreted as optical transitions from complexes consisting of Ce(3+) and one or two electrons trapped at a vacancy of the nearest neighbour F(-) ligand ions.

Enhanced motion sensitivity follows saccadic suppression in the superior temporal sulcus of the macaque cortex

The responses of neurons in the middle temporal and medial superior temporal areas of macaque cortex are suppressed during saccades compared with saccade-like stimulus movements. We utilized the short-latency ocular following paradigm to show that this saccadic suppression is followed by postsaccadic enhancement of motion responses. The level of enhancement decays with a time constant of 100 ms from saccade end. The speed of ocular following is also enhanced after saccades and decays over a similar time course, suggesting a link between the neural and behavioral effects. There is some evidence that maximum postsaccadic enhancement occurs when cells are stimulated at their optimum speeds. Latencies of motion responses are saccade dependent: 37 ms for saccade-generated motion, 45 ms for motion in the half-second after saccades, and 70 ms with no prior saccades. The finding that saccades alter response latencies may partially explain perceptual time compression during saccades and time dilation after saccades.

Correlation of serum pepsinogens and gross appearances combined with histology in early gastric cancer

The correlation between serum pepsinogen (PG) levels and the gross types was investigated in 128 consecutive patients with early gastric cancer. Although there was no significant difference in age, gender, cancer location, or cancer depth among gross appearances, the distribution of histological type was significantly different between polypoid and depressed cancers: all polypoid cancers except one were intestinal type, whereas nearly a third of depressed cancers were diffuse type. All the patients in whom Helicobacter pylori status was investigated had Helicobacterpylori infection. Combination of gross appearances and histology (polypoid cancer with intestinal type, depressed cancer with intestinal type and depressed cancer with diffuse type) showed a clear difference in distribution of serum PG levels and a ratio between levels of PG I and PG II (I/II ratio). In polypoid cancer with intestinal type, a PG I level and a I/II ratio were significantly lower than those of the others. In depressed cancer with diffuse type, PG I and PG II levels were significantly higher. These findings revealed that backgrounds such as intragastric acidity and extent of gastric atrophy might differ among early gastric cancers with different morphology and histology.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal epithelial neoplasia

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has recently been developed for en-bloc resection of gastric tumors. For oncological reasons and in order to improve the patients' quality of life, it may be desirable to use the same technique for rectal neoplasia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-five consecutive patients with rectal neoplasia who had a preoperative diagnosis of large intraepithelial neoplasias with submucosal fibrosis or located on the rectal folds were enrolled. ESD was carried out with the same technique previously described for the stomach, with some modifications. The efficacy, complications, and follow-up results of the treatment were assessed.

RESULTS

The rates of en-bloc resection and en-bloc plus R0 resection were 88.6 % (31 of 35) and 62.9 % (22 of 35), respectively. Hemoglobin levels did not drop by more than 2 g/dl in any of the patients after ESD. None of the patients had to receive blood transfusions or undergo emergency colonoscopy due to bleeding during ESD or hematochezia after ESD. Perforation during ESD occurred in two patients (5.7 %), who were managed with conservative medical treatment after endoscopic closure of the perforation. Excluding three patients in whom additional surgery was carried out, all but one of 32 patients were free of recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 36 months (range 12 - 60 months). The exception was a patient in whom a multiple-piece resection was required; the recurrent (residual) tumor, found 2 months after ESD, was a small adenoma that was again treated endoscopically.

CONCLUSIONS

ESD is applicable in the rectum with promising results, but the technique is still at a developmental stage and patients should be informed of the potential risks.

Caenorhabditis elegans expresses three functional profilins in a tissue-specific manner

Profilins are actin binding proteins, which also interact with polyphosphoinositides and proline-rich ligands. On the basis of the genome sequence, three diverse profilin homologues (PFN) are predicted to exist in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that all three isoforms PFN-1, PFN-2, and PFN-3 are expressed in vivo and biochemical studies indicate they bind actin and influence actin dynamics in a similar manner. In addition, they bind poly(L-proline) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate micelles. PFN-1 is essential whereas PFN-2 and PFN-3 are nonessential. Immunostainings revealed different expression patterns for the profilin isoforms. In embryos, PFN-1 localizes in the cytoplasm and to the cell-cell contacts at the early stages, and in the nerve ring during later stages. During late embryogenesis, expression of PFN-3 was specifically detected in body wall muscle cells. In adult worms, PFN-1 is expressed in the neurons, the vulva, and the somatic gonad, PFN-2 in the intestinal wall, the spermatheca, and the pharynx, and PFN-3 localizes in a striking dot-like fashion in body wall muscle. Thus the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans expresses three profilin isoforms and is the first invertebrate animal with tissue-specific profilin expression.

Multiple interleukin-18 injections promote both mouse Th1 and Th2 responses after sublethal Escherichia coli infection

Interleukin (IL)-18 is considered to induce exclusively the Th1 immune response but not the Th2 response in the presence of adequate IL-12 stimulation in bacterial infections. However, we demonstrate herein that multiple IL-18 injections to the mice not only enhance the early Th1 response but also stimulate the Th2 response later after viable Escherichia coli infection. Multiple IL-18 injections (three alternate-day injections) raised the serum interferon (IFN)-gamma level at 6 h and serum Th2 cytokine levels, such as IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, at 48 h after infection, while a single IL-18 injection increased only the serum IFN-gamma level. Depletion of mouse CD4+ cells suppressed the IL-18-induced Th2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13. In contrast, depletion of natural killer (NK)1.1+ cells reduced the IFN-gamma and IL-13 levels. Moreover, multiple IL-18 injections up-regulated the serum IgM level at 72 h after infection while a single IL-18 injection did not. Interestingly, neutralization of IL-4 but not IFN-gamma partially suppressed the increased serum IgM. Liver mononuclear cells (MNCs) from the mice treated with multiple IL-18 injections significantly increased more production of not only IFN-gamma but also Th2 cytokines and IgM by in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation than those from the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice, while liver MNCs from the single IL-18-injected mice also increased IFN-gamma production but significantly suppressed IL-4 and IgM production compared to those from the PBS-treated mice. Our findings suggest that multiple injections of IL-18 up-regulate both the cellular and humoral innate immunities, thereby enhancing host defence against bacterial infections.

Electronic inhomogeneity and breakdown of the universal thermal conductivity of cuprate superconductors

We report systematic, high-precision measurements of the low-T (down to 70 mK) thermal conductivity kappa of YBa2Cu3O(y), La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4, and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta). Careful examinations of the Zn- and hole-doping dependences of the residual thermal conductivity kappa0/T, as well as the in-plane anisotropy of kappa0/T in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta), indicate a breakdown of the universal thermal conductivity, a notable theoretical prediction for d-wave superconductors. Our results point to an important role of electronic inhomogeneities, which are not considered in the standard perturbation theory for thermal conductivity, in the underdoped to optimally doped regime.

Comparing Acceleration and Speed Tuning in Macaque MT: Physiology and Modeling

Studies of individual neurons in area MT have traditionally investigated their sensitivity to constant speeds. We investigated acceleration sensitivity in MT neurons by comparing their responses to constant steps and linear ramps in stimulus speed. Speed ramps constituted constant accelerations and decelerations between 0 and 240°/s. Our results suggest that MT neurons do not have explicit acceleration sensitivity, although speed changes affected their responses in three main ways. First, accelerations typically evoked higher responses than the corresponding deceleration rate at all rates tested. We show that this can be explained by adaptation mechanisms rather than differential processing of positive and negative speed gradients. Second, we inferred a cell's preferred speed from the responses to speed ramps by finding the stimulus speed at the latency-adjusted time when response amplitude peaked. In most cells, the preferred speeds inferred from deceleration were higher than those for accelerations of the same rate or from steps in stimulus speed. Third, neuron responses to speed ramps were not well predicted by the transient or sustained responses to steps in stimulus speed. Based on these findings, we developed a model incorporating adaptation and a neuron's speed tuning that predicted the higher inferred speeds and lower spike rates for deceleration responses compared with acceleration responses. This model did not predict acceleration-specific responses, in accordance with the lack of acceleration sensitivity in the neurons. The outputs of this single-cell model were passed to a population-vector–based model used to estimate stimulus speed and acceleration. We show that such a model can accurately estimate relative speed and acceleration using information from the population of neurons in area MT.

Abrupt transition in quasiparticle dynamics at optimal doping in a cuprate superconductor system

We report time-resolved measurements of the photoinduced change in reflectivity, DeltaR, in the Bi2Sr2Ca(1-y)Dy(y)Cu2O8+delta (BSCCO) system of cuprate superconductors as a function of hole concentration. We find that the kinetics of quasiparticle decay and the sign of DeltaR both change abruptly where the superconducting transition temperature T(c) is maximal. These coincident changes suggest that a sharp transition in quasiparticle dynamics takes place precisely at optimal doping in the BSCCO system.

[Primary lung cancer incidentally diagnosed in lung biopsy for diffuse pulmonary disease]

We here presented 2 cases of interstitial pneumonia with lung adenocarcinoma incidentally diagnosed by partially resected lung for diffuse pulmonary disease. CASE 1: A 78-year-old female was admitted to the hospital complaining of productive cough and general fatigue. The chest computed tomography (CT) revealed diffuse honey comb pattern in bilateral lung field especially in the right lower lung. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and was diagnosed as diffuse spreading well differentiated adenocarcinoma. CASE 2: A 59-year-old male was admitted to the hospital complaining of dyspnea and general fatigue. The chest X-ray revealed right pneumothorax and chest CT revealed diffuse honey comb pattern and bullae in bilateral lung field and fibrous tumor-like lesion in the right middle lung. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed and was diagnosed as pulmonary fibrosis with papillary adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

It is important to examine carefully the specimen obtained from thoracoscopic lung biopsy even if interstitial pneumonia is strongly suspected.

Neural and non-neural mediation of propionate-induced contractile responses in the rat distal colon

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including propionate, butyrate and acetate, are fermentation products of carbohydrates in the colon. We investigated the contractile effects of SCFAs on the rat distal colon. Mechanical activity of the circular muscle in strip preparations was recorded in vitro. Propionate and butyrate concentration-dependently (10 micromol L(-1)-10 mmol L(-1)) induced rapid, large amplitude phasic contractions (the first phase) followed by tonic contractions (the second phase). Acetate itself had no effect on muscle activity, although preincubation with acetate attenuated both phases of the propionate-induced response. The propionate-induced phasic contraction was attenuated by atropine, tetrodotoxin and the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist SB-204070. The propionate-induced tonic contraction was attenuated by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor piroxicam. Antagonists of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and 5-HT3 receptors had no effect on the responses. Propionate-induced responses were not observed in mucosa-free preparations. These results suggest that propionate acts on receptors in the mucosa causing the release of 5-HT from enterochromaffin cells. 5-HT acts through 5-HT4 receptors on the endings of intrinsic primary afferent neurones that in turn activate cholinergic motor neurones that contract the circular muscle. Propionate also causes tonic contraction, via prostaglandin release, in the rat distal colon.

Rapid processing of retinal slip during saccades in macaque area MT

The primate middle temporal area (MT) is involved in the analysis and perception of visual motion, which is generated actively by eye and body movements and passively when objects move. We studied the responses of single cells in area MT of awake macaques, comparing the direction tuning and latencies of responses evoked by wide-field texture motion during fixation (passive viewing) and during rewarded, target-directed saccades and non-rewarded, spontaneous saccades over the same stationary texture (active viewing). We found that MT neurons have similar motion sensitivity and direction-selectivity for retinal slip associated with active and passive motion. No cells showed reversals in direction tuning between the active and passive viewing conditions. However, mean latencies were significantly different for saccade-evoked responses (30 ms) and stimulus-evoked responses (67 ms). Our results demonstrate that neurons in area MT retain their direction-selectivity and display reduced processing times during saccades. This rapid, accurate processing of peri-saccadic motion may facilitate post-saccadic ocular following reflexes or corrective saccades.

Emergent endovascular treatment of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms

The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of endovascular and surgical treatments for ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) to determine which treatment is preferable. We evaluated the cases of 25 consecutive patients with ruptured VADAs treated in our institution. From 1992 to 1997, five patients were treated surgically. Since 1998, 20 patients with VADAs have been treated with endovascular therapy. The goal of the treatment was to exclude the aneurysm from the circulation. Among the five patients undergoing surgery, three aneurysms were treated with proximal clipping, one with trapping, and one with dome clipping. None of the patients were treated during the acute stage of rupture. Transient complications occurred in two patients. Of the 20 patients treated through the endovascular approach, 15 were treated within 24 h of rupture, but 12 had rebleeding before treatment. Eighteen aneurysms were occluded, along with the affected vertebral artery (VA), by using detachable coils (internal trapping), and one was occluded with the VA preserved. A stent-assisted occlusion of one aneurysm was done in a patient who had a contralateral hypoplastic VA. In both groups, the outcome of each patient depended greatly on the patient's condition before treatment and whether there was rebleeding. No posttreatment bleeding occurred. All procedures were effective, but endovascular treatment was less invasive and easier to use during the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although this report does not describe a controlled study, we found that endovascular treatment is preferable for treating ruptured VADAs in the acute stage.

Endovascular treatment for elderly patients with ruptured aneurysm

We report our results of endovascular treatment for elderly patients with ruptured aneurysm and discuss the indication for treatment. One hundred and thirty four consecutive patients with ruptured aneurysm treated in our institute during the last 4 years were retrospectively evaluated. Fifty eight patients were included in group A (over 70 years old), and 76 patients in group B (under 69 years old). In both groups, the outcome was strongly related to the preoperative Hunt & Kosnik grade. However, significant risk factors (i.e. pneumonia, rupture of extracranial aneurysm) which make prognosis poor were more common in group A. Group A showed poor outcome in grade III patients, although there were no outcome differences between the two groups in patients of other grades. Endovascular treatment for elderly patients with ruptured aneurysms seemed to be useful. Their outcome was strongly related to their preoperative condition. General risk factors should be evaluated before treatment, especially in elderly patients. Patients with low Hunt & Kosnik grade seem to be most suitable for endovascular treatment. On the other hand, outcome of patients with poor preoperative grade was worse despite the less invasive nature of endovascular treatment. An improvement of outcome in grade III patients is desirable.

Electronic phase diagram of high-Tc cuprate superconductors from a mapping of the in-plane resistivity curvature

We propose that resistivity curvature mapping (RCM) based on the in-plane resistivity data is a useful way to objectively draw electronic phase diagrams of high-Tc cuprates, where various crossovers are important. In particular, the pseudogap crossover line can be conveniently determined by RCM. We show experimental phase diagrams obtained by RCM for Bi2Sr2-zLazCuO6+delta, La2-xSrxCuO4, and YBa2Cu3Oy, and demonstrate the universal nature of the pseudogap crossover. Intriguingly, the electronic crossover near optimum doping depicted by RCM appears to occur rather abruptly, suggesting that the quantum-critical regime, if it exists, must be very narrow.

Complications of embolization for cerebral arteriovenous malformations

SUMMARY

Embolization is recognized as an important adjunct in the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We reviewed our results of embolizations for AVMs and discussed procedure-related complications. Eleven complications were recorded in 68 consecutive patients (16%). Of these, four were technical problems including a glued catheter, inability to withdraw the catheter, vessel perforation by the microcatheter, and coil migration. Other complications included three cases of ischemic symptoms due to retrograde thrombosis, two cases of asymptomatic cerebral infarction, one case of asymptomatic small haemorrhage due to venous occlusion, and one case of post-embolization haemorrhage of unknown etiology. Our morbidity rate was 7%, mortality rate was 0%, and asymptomatic complication rate was 9%, retorospectively. Further improvements to endovascular techniques and devices are required.

Manifestation of the magnetic resonance mode in the nodal quasiparticle lifetime of the superconducting cuprates

Studying the nodal quasiparticles in superconducting cuprates by photoemission with highly improved momentum resolution, we show that a new "kink" feature in the scattering rate is a key to uncover the nature of electron correlations in these compounds. Our data provide evidence that the main doping independent contribution to the scattering can be well understood in terms of the conventional Fermi liquid model, while the additional doping dependent contribution has a magnetic origin. This sheds doubt on applicability of a phonon-mediated pairing mechanism to high-temperature superconductors.

Quantum phase transitions in the cuprate superconductor Bi2Sr2-xLaxCuO6+delta

To elucidate a quantum phase transition (QPT) in Bi(2)Sr(2-x)La(x)CuO(6+delta), we measure charge and heat transport properties at very low temperatures and examine the following characteristics for a wide range of doping: normal-state resistivity anisotropy under 58 T, temperature dependence of the in-plane thermal conductivity kappa(ab), and the magnetic-field dependence of kappa(ab). It turns out that all of them show signatures of a QPT at the 1/8 hole doping. Together with the recent normal-state Hall measurements under 58 T that signified the existence of a QPT at optimum doping, the present results indicate that there are two QPTs in the superconducting doping regime of this material.

Evolution of the Hall coefficient and the peculiar electronic structure of the cuprate superconductors

Although the Hall coefficient R(H) is an informative transport property of metals and semiconductors, its meaning in the cuprate superconductors has been ambiguous because of its unusual characteristics. Here we show that a systematic study of R(H) in La2-xSrxCuO4 single crystals over a wide doping range establishes a qualitative understanding of its peculiar evolution, which turns out to reflect a two-component nature of the electronic structure caused by an unusual development of the Fermi surface recently uncovered by photoemission experiments.

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen: diagnosis using contrast enhanced ultrasound

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) is a mass that can mimick a neoplastic mass in the pancreas. As it poses no clinical problem no treatment is required. Unfortunately almost all the reported cases of IPAS have been misdiagnosed and unnecessary surgery performed. We performed contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a patient with IPAS for a research purpose, and confirmed that CEUS is useful for diagnosing this entity.

Analysis of sensitization to carboxymethylcellulose: Identification of high risk group using ELISA and histamine release experiment

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) has been considered to be inert and is commonly used as an additive in medicines, foods and cosmetics. However, we experienced a patient who developed an anaphylactic reaction to CMC after an upper gastrointestinal examination using a barium meal containing CMC. Therefore, we examined the incidence of sensitization by CMC in healthy subjects, and categorized the high risk group prone to developing anaphylactic response to CMC.

METHODS

An ELISA for detecting CMC-specific IgE antibody was developed using serum from the patient as a positive control. In the ten subjects exhibiting high anti-CMC IgE among 387 normal populations, histamine release from isolated leukocytes was performed.

RESULTS

Five of ten subjects with a high IgE titer showed a significant CMC-induced histamine release from leukocyte preparations in vitro as observed in the patient, and were classified as high risk group. There was a correlation between sensitization by CMC and that by Japanese cedar pollen. The incidence of sensitization in females was 2.4 fold higher than that in males.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of ELISA and histamine release experiment made it possible to identify the high risk group for developing anaphylactic response. The administration of high dose CMC as a suspending agent in barium sulfate or injectable corticosteroids to this group should be avoided to prevent anaphylactic reactions in the clinic.

Local ordering in the pseudogap state of the high-Tc superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta)

We report atomic-scale characterization of the pseudogap state in a high-Tc superconductor, Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+delta). The electronic states at low energies within the pseudogap exhibit spatial modulations having an energy-independent incommensurate periodicity. These patterns, which are oriented along the copper-oxygen bond directions, appear to be a consequence of an electronic ordering phenomenon, the observation of which correlates with the pseudogap in the density of electronic states. Our results provide a stringent test for various ordering scenarios in the cuprates, which have been central in the debate on the nature of the pseudogap and the complex electronic phase diagram of these compounds.

Dieulafoy's lesion of the esophagus correctly diagnosed and successfully treated by the endoscopic injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate

Dieulafoy's lesion is an arterial malformation in the subumucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract that can cause massive bleeding. The esophagus is not a common location for this lesion. We present here a first report of Dieulafoy's lesion of the esophagus correctly diagnosed and successfully treated by the endoscopic injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.