Possibility of valence-fluctuatsion-mediated superconductivity in Cd-doped CeIrIn(5) probed by In NQR

We report on a pressure-induced evolution of exotic superconductivity and spin correlations in CeIr(In(1-x)Cd(x))(5) by means of in-nuclear-quadrupole-resonance (NQR) studies. Measurements of an NQR spectrum and nuclear-spin-lattice-relaxation rate 1/T(1) have revealed that antiferromagnetism induced by Cd doping emerges locally around Cd dopants, but superconductivity is suddenly induced at T(c)=0.7 and 0.9 K at 2.34 and 2.75 GPa, respectively. The unique superconducting characteristics with a large fraction of the residual density of state at the Fermi level which increases with T(c) differ from those for anisotropic superconductivity mediated by antiferromagnetic correlations. By incorporating the pressure dependence of the NQR frequency pointing to the valence change of Ce, we suggest that unconventional superconductivity in the CeIr(In(1-x)Cd(x))(5) system may be mediated by valence fluctuations.

Evaluation of a moisturising micro-gel spray for prevention of cell dryness in oral mucosal cells: an in vitro study and evaluation in a clinical setting

A moisturising micro-gel spray for prevention of dryness was compared with commercial products and artificial saliva in vitro and in a clinical setting in patients with cancer. Survival of cultured human gingival epithelial cells was evaluated after treatment with each product for 15 min. A dry test was performed for products giving a 50% survival rate, in which cell survival was measured after drying of cells treated with each product. The survival rates of cells treated with the micro-gel spray and artificial saliva were significantly higher than those of control cells. The micro-gel spray was then evaluated for 1 week in patients with symptoms of dry mouth caused by cancer treatment. There was significant improvement of these symptoms at night and on awakening and of subjective symptoms of decreased salivary volume (P < 0.05). Mean visual analogue scale scores also significantly decreased (P < 0.01). These data suggest that evaluation of moisturising products for dryness prevention can be performed in cultured cells, since products that performed well in vitro also showed good efficacy for symptoms of dry mouth. The micro-gel spray was particularly effective for relieving symptoms of dry mouth in patients with cancer.

Prostaglandin synthases influence thyroid follicular cell proliferation but not carcinogenesis in rats initiated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine

To clarify roles of prostaglandin synthases in rat thyroid follicular carcinogenesis, effects of an antithyroid agent, sulfadimethoxine (SDM), and two prostaglandin H synthase (COX) inhibitors, indomethacin and nimesulide, on prostaglandin synthase expression, follicular cell proliferation, and tumor induction in thyroids of rats with or without N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN) initiation were examined. In experiment 1, F344 male rats were allowed free access to drinking water containing SDM (0.1%), SDM + indomethacin (0.0025% in diet), or SDM + nimesulide (0.04% in diet) for 4 weeks. Both COX inhibitors suppressed goitrogenic activity of SDM, but they did not significantly affect microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-2 (mPGES-2) expression levels enhanced by SDM. In experiment 2, all rats received an injection of DHPN (2800 mg/kg body weight), and starting 1 week later, they were treated as in experiment 1 for 4 or 10 weeks. Cell proliferation was suppressed or showed a tendency for suppression by the COX inhibitors in the follicular preneoplastic/neoplastic lesions and surrounding parenchyma, and this was obviously thyroid stimulating hormone independent at least at week 4. However, neither of the COX inhibitors altered the incidence or multiplicity of preneoplastic/neoplastic lesions. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant reduction and elevation of COX-2 and mPGES-2 expression, respectively, in the lesions, but these were also not changed by the COX inhibitors. These results suggest that COX-2 and PGES, and in turn PGE(2), might play important roles in follicular cell proliferation but do not affect tumor induction in this rat thyroid carcinogenesis model. Further studies are needed to clarify the significance of the reduction of COX-2 expression in preneoplastic/neoplastic lesions.

Physical signs of dehydration in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

Dehydration is a common condition and frequent cause of hospitalization in older people, despite the caregiver's high attention in attempt to avoid its occurrence. In this study, various physical signs were examined as clinical signs of dehydration in elderly.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in an acute care teaching hospital. Consecutive elderly patients who were admitted to the Department of Medicine were evaluated. Dehydration was defined as a calculated serum osmolality above 295 mOsm/L. The patients diagnosed as dehydrated or not dehydrated were observed for physical signs of dehydration. Data of blood and urine chemistry analysis were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 27 elderly patients admitted with acute medical conditions were included in this study. For the physical signs, dry axilla had moderate sensitivity (44%) and excellent specificity (89%) to detect dehydration. Sunken eyes and delayed capillary refill time also showed relatively good specificity (83%). For laboratory data, the mean concentrations of serum sodium of the dehydrated group (146 mEq/L) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of the non-dehydrated group (134 mEq/L).

CONCLUSION

Physical signs of dehydration in elderly showed relatively good specificity but poor sensitivity. The evaluation of the axillary moisture could help assess dehydration as well as laboratory data analysis such as serum sodium concentration.

[The significance of chemoradiation therapy for TNM cStage II - III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

The value of chemoradiation therapy (CRT) followed by surgery is unknown in Japan.

PATIENT AND METHOD

Thirty Patients with TNM cStage II - III squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus were divided into CRT (40 Gy) followed by surgery( arm A) and definitive CRT( 60 Gy()arm B). The correlations between several clinicopathological factors and survival time were examined.

RESULTS

The effective rate (CR+PR) of CRT was 75% in arm A versus 88.9% in arm B (p= 0.32). There was no significant difference about the median survival time (arm A: 17. 4 months, arm B: 12. 6 months, p= 0.18). The two-year survival rate was 40 . 4% in arm A versus 41 . 6% in arm B (p=0.35).

CONCLUSION

Our retrospective study showed no significant difference in prognosis between CRT followed by surgery and definitive CRT. Definitive CRT might be a choice of therapy for curative esophageal carcinoma.

[Preoperative chemoradiotherapy with S-1 for advanced low rectal cancer]

We reviewed the patients with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with S-1 to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness for locally advanced lower rectal cancer. The CRT regimen consisted of pelvic irradiation (45 Gy in fractions of 1.8 Gy), five days a week. A treatment of oral S-1 (80 mg/m2 per day) on days 1-14 and 22-35 was given during radiotherapy. Patients underwent a curative resection with lateral lymph node resection at 6-8 weeks intervals after neoadjuvant CRT. The response rate on pathological study was 60% (all were grade 2), and no patients had lateral lymph node metastases. Grade 1 or 2 adverse effects occurred in all patients during CRT, but the CRT was achieved in all patients. We found two patients had surgical complications with wound infection and one patient with anastomotic leakage. All complications were improved by conservative treatment. The neoadjuvant CRT was feasible and effective treatment for all patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. We have started a phase II study of the neoadjuvant CRT.

Common origin of the circular-dichroism pattern in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of SrTiO3 and Cu(x)Bi2Se3

Circular dichroism in the angular distribution of photoelectrons from SrTiO(3):Nb and Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) is investigated by 7-eV laser angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. In addition to the well-known node that occurs in the circular dichroism pattern when the incidence plane matches the mirror plane of the crystal, we show that another type of node occurs when the mirror plane of the crystal is vertical to the incidence plane and the electronic state is two-dimensional. The flower-shaped circular dichroism patterns in the angular distribution occurring around the Fermi level of SrTiO(3):Nb and around the Dirac point of Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) are explained on equal footings. We point out that the penetration depth of the topological states of Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) depends on momentum.

Effect of preparation route on the degradation behavior and ion releasability of siloxane-poly(lactic acid)-vaterite hybrid nonwoven fabrics for guided bone regeneration

Two types of nonwoven fabric, consisting of siloxane-doped vaterite (SiV) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), for guided bone regeneration (GBR) were prepared by an electrospinning. One of the fabrics, SiV-PLA(M), was derived from PLA mixed with the solution of SiV dispersed in chloroform. Another one, SiV-PLA(K), was derived from a composite prepared by kneading SiV and PLA while heating at 200°C. The SiV-PLA(K) fabric shows higher degradability in dilute NaOH aq. than the SiV-PLA(M) fabric. To improve the cellular compatibility of the fabric, the fibers were coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) by soaking in simulated body fluid. The HA-coated SiV-PLA(K) fabric showed the release of silicate ions; the amount was reduced by 1/5 to 1/8 compared with that of the HA-coated SiV-PLA(M) fabric, and the excessive release was controlled. The preparation route of kneading at 200°C led to formation of a fabric with degradation behavior and ion releasability effective for bone regeneration.

Vaginal cuff dehiscence after total laparoscopic hysterectomy: examination on 677 cases

INTRODUCTION

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy has been reported as having a higher incidence of vaginal cuff dehiscence compared with the abdominal and/or vaginal hysterectomy. The cause of vaginal cuff dehiscence after total laparoscopic hysterectomy is not specified, but possible causes may be the use of thermal energy for vaginal incision, reduced suturing width due to magnification, low quality of laparoscopic suturing skills and early resumption of regular activities after surgery.

METHODS

We performed 677 cases of total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign diseases, such as fibroids or adenomyosis, from January 2007 to December 2008 in our institute. We experienced four cases (0.6%) of vaginal cuff dehiscence. We checked the operative parameters for these cases, such as whether the retroperitoneum was sutured or not and intrapelvic adhesion, as well as examined operative duration, blood loss, weight of removed organs, and body mass index.

RESULTS

Sexual intercourse was the triggering event for three cases (96 days, 103 days and 47 days after total laparoscopic hysterectomy) and the other case occurred during defecation (18 days and no sexual intercourse after total laparoscopic hysterectomy). There were no significant differences in vaginal cuff dehiscence with or without retroperitoneum suture and intrapelvic adhesion.

CONCLUSION

After these four cases of vaginal cuff dehiscence, we recognized the need to review these cases carefully in order to discover the cause and how to prevent this from occurring in other patients. We do not have the answers to prevent this complication at present, but reducing the power-source and attempting different suturing techniques may be important steps.

[A case report of locally advanced rectal carcinoma effectively treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy]

The patient was an 80-year-old woman who was diagnosed with locally advanced low rectal cancer. It was unresectable and we performed chemoradiotherapy combined with S-1 (S-1 80 mg/m2, RT 1.8 Gy × 25, total 45 Gy). An effective reduction of primary region resulted in curative resection (super low anterior resection, D3 lymph node dissection, covering ileostomy) with preserving the anal sphincter. Histopathologically, therapeutic efficacy was Grade 2. Preoperative chemoradiation has been a standard therapy in Western countries and would control local recurrence. This case indicated that CRT could improve a rate of curative resection in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinomas.

Electrospun microfiber meshes of silicon-doped vaterite/poly(lactic acid) hybrid for guided bone regeneration

Silicon-releasable microfiber meshes consisting of silicon-doped vaterite (SiV) particles and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) hybrids were prepared by electrospinning. Due to their flexibility and porosity they formed ideal membranes or scaffolds for guided bone regeneration. In addition, a trace amount of silicon species has been reported to stimulate osteogenic cells to mineralize and enhance bone formation. We propose a new method of preparation of silicon-releasing microfiber meshes by electrospinning. Their structure and hydroxyapatite (HA)-forming abilities in simulated body fluid were examined. In addition, we studied their stimulatory effects on osteoblast-like cells in vitro and bone-forming ability in vivo, with a special emphasis on their ability to release silicon. The meshes consisted of a hybrid of carboxy groups in PLA and amino groups in siloxane, derived from aminopropyltriethoxysilane or calcium ions on the SiV surface. This hybrid exhibited an enhanced ability to form HA. The meshes coated with HA released 0.2-0.7 mg l(-1) silicon species into the culture medium over 7 days. Enhanced proliferation of osteoblast-like cells was observed using the meshes and new bone formed on the meshes when implanted into the calvaria of rabbits. These meshes, therefore, provide an excellent substrate for bone regeneration and exhibit enhanced bone-forming ability under both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Inhibitory effects of aminoguanidine on thyroid follicular carcinoma development in inflamed capsular regions of rats treated with sulfadimethoxine after N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine-initiation

We have reported that thyroid capsular thickening with inflammation induced by an antithyroidal agent, sulfadimethoxine (SDM), might play a role in the development of invasive follicular carcinomas in rats initiated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressed in the inflamed capsular regions further appeared to be implicated in the tumor progression. In the present study, the effects of an iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG), on thyroid carcinogenesis were examined. F344 male rats were treated with SDM in drinking water (0.1%) with or without concomitant dietary administration of AG (0.2%) for 4 and 10 weeks after subcutaneous injection of DHPN at 2800 mg/kg bodyweight. At week 4, thyroid capsular thickening with inflammation was observed and iNOS-positive foci were found in the inflamed regions. In addition, single-strand DNA-positive inflammatory cells were scattered among neighboring follicular cells, indicating some cellular damage, at least partly in association with iNOS induction. Concurrent dietary administration of AG with SDM treatment slightly decreased the number of single-strand DNA-positive cells but did not alter the incidence and multiplicity of iNOS-positive foci in the inflamed capsular regions at week 4. At week 10, however, invasive follicular carcinomas predominantly arose in the thickened capsule in the DHPN-SDM-treated rats, and AG administration decreased (P < 0.05) their multiplicity. The carcinoma cells were partly positive for iNOS. These results thus suggested that iNOS induction in both inflammatory and tumor cells might play pivotal roles in tumor progression in this DHPN-SDM rat model.

Association study of a polymorphism of the CTGF gene and susceptibility to systemic sclerosis in the Japanese population

OBJECTIVES

To validate the association of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the connective tissue growth factor gene (CTGF) with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc) in the Japanese population.

METHODS

395 Japanese patients with SSc, 115 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 269 healthy Japanese volunteers were enrolled in the study. An SNP (rs6918698) at -945 bp from the start codon in the promoter region of the CTGF gene was determined by allelic discrimination with the use of a specific TaqMan probe.

RESULTS

The G allele showed a significantly higher frequency in patients with SSc than in controls (p<0.001; odds ratio 1.5; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 1.9). In particular, the clinical subsets of SSc showed a more significant association between the G allele and diffuse cutaneous SSc (p<0.001) and the presence of interstitial lung disease (p<0.001), the presence of anti-topoisomerase I antibody (p<0.001) and anti-U1RNP antibody (p = 0.010). Association analyses using the genotype of the SNP yielded results similar to those of analyses using the allele.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the association between an SNP in the CTGF gene and susceptibility to SSc, especially in the presence of diffuse cutaneous SSc, interstitial lung disease and anti-topoisomerase I antibody. The results strongly suggest that this SNP may be a powerful indicator of severe skin and lung involvement in patients with SSc.