Peel Adhesive Properties of Polymer Laminates Composed of Polyethylenes and Polypropylenes

Peel adhesive strengths of multi-layered laminates composed of two polypropylene (PP) sheets and an inserted polyethylene (PE) layer (the middle layer) between the PP layers were evaluated. PE-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers and a maleic-anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) were compared to the PE homopolymer and the PP homopolymer. The peel adhesive strength of PE-GMA/MAPP laminates was much higher than that of PE homopolymer/PP homopolymer laminates. Meanwhile, the blends composed of the PE-GMA and three types of PE homopolymer (PE-GMA+LDPE, PE-GMA+MDPE, PE-GMA+HDPE) were formulated as the PE middle layer of the multi-layered laminates. The PE blends had the same amount of glycidyl groups, and the deformation capacity was different in each. Namely, the PE blend of LDPE had higher elongation to break than the PE blend of HDPE. The peel adhesive strength of the multi-layered laminates with the middle layer of the LDPE blend was highest among the three types of laminates with the middle layer of the PE blends. Scanning electron microscopy on the fractured surfaces revealed that the large plastic deformation of the LDPE blended middle layer was responsible for the high energy absorption, and resulted in the high peel strength.

Limit on neutrinoless ββ decay of 136Xe from the first phase of KamLAND-Zen and comparison with the positive claim in 76Ge

We present results from the first phase of the KamLAND-Zen double-beta decay experiment, corresponding to an exposure of 89.5 kg yr of (136)Xe. We obtain a lower limit for the neutrinoless double-beta decay half-life of T(1/2)(0ν)>1.9×10(25) yr at 90% C.L. The combined results from KamLAND-Zen and EXO-200 give T(1/2)(0ν)>3.4×10(25) yr at 90% C.L., which corresponds to a Majorana neutrino mass limit of <m(ββ)> <(120-250) meV based on a representative range of available matrix element calculations. Using those calculations, this result excludes the Majorana neutrino mass range expected from the neutrinoless double-beta decay detection claim in (76)Ge, reported by a part of the Heidelberg-Moscow Collaboration, at more than 97.5% C.L.

An opinion survey regarding gender roles and family in Vietnam

Opinions regarding gender roles and family were investigated among 389 urban dwellers in Vietnam using a questionnaire composed of eitht items. As far as gender role is concerned, about 60% of men and 70-80% of women considered that a woman should be responsible for most of the household affairs, even if she is working outside. About 30% of respondents showed a positive response to the idea of child labor. Almost all of the respondents considered it quite natural that children must take care of their elderly parents. For the education of chldren, about 90% thought that children must be offered an opportunity to receive as much education possible, regardless of the gender of the child. For the education of girls, people with higher educational levels showed a more positive response. The present analysis has clarified that traditional beliefs regarding gender roles and family still remain strong even among people with high education level in urban areas of Vietnam.

The burden of Clostridium difficile-associated disease following digestive tract surgery in Japan

BACKGROUND

Although surgery is considered a risk for Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), large-scale data on outcomes of postsurgical CDAD are rare.

AIM

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database, we analysed factors affecting the occurrence of CDAD and the outcomes of CDAD following digestive tract surgery.

METHODS

We identified patients postoperatively diagnosed with CDAD among patients undergoing oesophagectomy, gastrectomy, and colorectal resection for cancer from 2007 to 2010. We performed logistic regression analyses for the occurrence of CDAD and in-hospital mortality, and multiple linear regressions and one-to-one propensity-matched analyses for postoperative length of stay and total costs, with adjustment for patient backgrounds and hospital factors.

FINDINGS

Of 143,652 patients undergoing digestive tract surgery, 409 (0.28%) CDAD patients were identified. Higher Charlson comorbidity index, longer preoperative length of stay and non-academic hospitals were significantly associated with higher occurrence of CDAD. In-hospital mortality was higher in the CDAD patients compared with non-CDAD patients [3.4% vs 1.6%; odds ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-3.13; P = 0.027]. Attributable postoperative length of stay and total costs related to CDAD were 12.4 days (95% CI: 9.7-15.0; P < 0.001) and US$6,576 (3,753-9,398; P < 0.001) in the linear regressions and 9 days (P < 0.001) and US$6,724 (P < 0.001) in the propensity-matched paired analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

High mortality, long hospital stay and high costs were associated with postsurgical CDAD. The results indicate the necessity of further CDAD control measures for patients undergoing digestive tract surgery.

Direct cholangioscopy combined with double-balloon enteroscope-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Double-balloon enteroscope (DBE)-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an effective endoscopic approach for pancreatobiliary disorders in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Endoscopic interventions via DBE in these postoperative settings remain difficult because of the lack of an elevator and the use of extra-long ERCP accessories. Here, we report the usefulness of direct cholangioscopy with an ultra-slim gastroscope during DBE-assisted ERCP. Three patients with choledocholithiasis in postoperative settings (two patients after Billroth II gastrojejunostomy and one patient after Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy) were treated. DBE was used to gain access to the papilla under carbon dioxide insufflation, and endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed with a conventional sphincterotome. For direct cholangioscopy, the enteroscope was exchanged for an ultra-slim gastroscope through an incision in the overtube, which was inserted directly into the bile duct. Direct cholangioscopy was used to extract retained bile duct stones in two cases and to confirm the complete clearance of stones in one case. Bile duct stones were eliminated with a 5-Fr basket catheter under direct visual control. No adverse events were noted in any of the three cases. Direct cholangioscopy with an ultra-slim gastroscope facilitates subsequent treatment within the bile duct. This procedure represents another potential option during DBE-assisted ERCP.

Increased plasma levels of high mobility group box 1 in patients with acute liver failure

BACKGROUND

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a monocyte-derived late-acting inflammatory mediator, which is released in conditions such as shock, tissue injury and endotoxin-induced lethality. In this study, we determined the plasma and hepatic tissue levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute liver failure (ALF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We determined the plasma levels of HMGB1 and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 7 healthy volunteers (HVs), 40 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 37 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 18 patients with severe acute hepatitis (AH), and 14 patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH). The 14 patients with FH were divided into two subgroups depending upon the history of plasma exchange (PE) before their plasma sample collection. The hepatic levels of HMGB1 were measured in tissue samples from 3 patients with FH who underwent living-donor liver transplantation and from 3 healthy living donors. Hepatic tissue samples were also subjected to immunohistochemical examination for HMGB1.

RESULTS

The plasma levels of HMGB1 (ng/ml) were higher in patients with liver diseases, especially in FH patients with no history of PE, than in HVs (0.3 ± 0.3 in HVs, 4.0 ± 2.0 in LC, 5.2 ± 2.6 in CH, 8.6 ± 4.8 in severe AH, 7.8 ± 2.7 in FH with a history of PE, and 12.5 ± 2.6 in FH with no history of PE, p < 0.05 in each comparison). There was a strong and statistically significant relationship between the mean plasma HMGB1 level and the logarithm of the mean AST level (R = 0.900, p < 0.05). The hepatic tissue levels of HMGB1 (ng/mg tissue protein) were lower in patients with FH than in healthy donors (539 ± 116 in FH vs. 874 ± 81 in healthy donors, p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining for HMGB1 was strong and clear in the nuclei of hepatocytes in liver sections from healthy donors, but little staining in either nuclei or cytoplasm was evident in specimens from patients with FH.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed that plasma HMGB1 levels were increased in patients with ALF. Based on a comparison between HMGB1 contents in normal and ALF livers, it is very likely that HMGB1 is released from injured liver tissue.

Search for antihelium with the BESS-Polar spectrometer

In two long-duration balloon flights over Antarctica, the Balloon-borne Experiment with a Superconducting Spectrometer (BESS) collaboration has searched for antihelium in the cosmic radiation with the highest sensitivity reported. BESS-Polar I flew in 2004, observing for 8.5 days. BESS-Polar II flew in 2007-2008, observing for 24.5 days. No antihelium candidate was found in BESS-Polar I data among 8.4×10(6) |Z|=2 nuclei from 1.0 to 20 GV or in BESS-Polar II data among 4.0×10(7) |Z|=2 nuclei from 1.0 to 14 GV. Assuming antihelium to have the same spectral shape as helium, a 95% confidence upper limit to the possible abundance of antihelium relative to helium of 6.9×10(-8)} was determined combining all BESS data, including the two BESS-Polar flights. With no assumed antihelium spectrum and a weighted average of the lowest antihelium efficiencies for each flight, an upper limit of 1.0×10(-7) from 1.6 to 14 GV was determined for the combined BESS-Polar data. Under both antihelium spectral assumptions, these are the lowest limits obtained to date.

Upsizing the femoral component increases patellofemoral contact force in total knee replacement

In posterior stabilised total knee replacement (TKR) a larger femoral component is sometimes selected to manage the increased flexion gap caused by resection of the posterior cruciate ligament. However, concerns remain regarding the adverse effect of the increased anteroposterior dimensions of the femoral component on the patellofemoral (PF) joint. Meanwhile, the gender-specific femoral component has a narrower and thinner anterior flange and is expected to reduce the PF contact force. PF contact forces were measured at 90°, 120°, 130° and 140° of flexion using the NexGen Legacy Posterior Stabilized (LPS)-Flex Fixed Bearing Knee system using Standard, Upsized and Gender femoral components during TKR. Increasing the size of the femoral component significantly increased mean PF forces at 120°, 130° and 140° of flexion (p = 0.005, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). No difference was found in contact force between the Gender and the Standard components. Among the patients who had overhang of the Standard component, mean contact forces with the Gender component were slightly lower than those of the Standard component, but no statistical difference was found at 90°, 120°, 130° or 140° of flexion (p = 0.689, 0.615, 0.253 and 0.248, respectively). Upsized femoral components would increase PF forces in deep knee flexion. Gender-specific implants would not reduce PF forces.

Measurement of the cosmic-ray antiproton spectrum at solar minimum with a long-duration balloon flight over antarctica

The energy spectrum of cosmic-ray antiprotons (p's) from 0.17 to 3.5 GeV has been measured using 7886 p's detected by BESS-Polar II during a long-duration flight over Antarctica near solar minimum in December 2007 and January 2008. This shows good consistency with secondary p calculations. Cosmologically primary p's have been investigated by comparing measured and calculated p spectra. BESS-Polar II data show no evidence of primary p's from the evaporation of primordial black holes.

Enlarged post-operative posterior condyle tightens extension gap in total knee arthroplasty

We investigated whether the extension gap in total knee replacement (TKR) would be changed when the femoral component was inserted. The extension gap was measured with and without the femoral component in place in 80 patients with varus osteoarthritis undergoing posterior-stabilised TKR. The effect of a post-operative increase in the size of the femoral posterior condyles was also evaluated. The results showed that placement of the femoral component significantly reduced the medial and lateral extension gaps by means of 1.0 mm and 0.9 mm, respectively (p < 0.0001). The extension gap was reduced when a larger femoral component was selected relative to the thickness of the resected posterior condyle. When the post-operative posterior lateral condyle was larger than that pre-operatively, 17 of 41 knees (41%) showed a decrease in the extension gap of > 2.0 mm. When a specially made femoral trial component with a posterior condyle enlarged by 4 mm was tested, the medial and lateral extension gaps decreased further by means of 2.1 mm and 2.8 mm, respectively.

If the thickness of the posterior condyle is expected to be larger than that pre-operatively, it should be recognised that the extension gap is likely to be altered. This should be taken into consideration when preparing the extension gap.

[A case of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas associated with obstructive jaundice during long-term follow up]

A 68-year-old man had been followed up since March, 1997 because of a cystic tumor of the pancreas head. The patient developed obstructive jaundice and was admitted to our hospital in June, 2007. The tumor size on CT scan had increased from 3.6 cm to 5.9 cm during the 10-year period. After endoscopic biliary drainage, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological diagnosis of the resected specimen was serous cystadenoma. Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is known as a benign tumor with indolent progression and is likely to be symptomatic if the tumor size exceeds 4 cm. However, biliary obstruction is a rare complication of serous cystadenoma. We report this rare case here with references to the literature.

Regional differences in hypertensive cardiovascular remodeling between fishing and farming communities in Japan

BACKGROUND

Effects of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) intake on the cardiovascular system have been reported, and thus we hypothesized that the prevalence of hypertensive cardiovascular remodeling would be lower in a fishing than a farming community.

METHODS

We recruited 263 essential hypertensives from a fishing and 333 from a farming village; all subjects were ≥40 years (mean 73 years; 42% men). They were cross-sectionally examined for serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and common-carotid artery (CCA) and internal-carotid artery (ICA) intima-media thickness (IMT).

RESULTS

Compared to the patients in the farming village, those in the fishing village had higher serum EPA and DHA levels (63.3 vs.70.9 µg/ml, 137.2 vs.157.8 µg/ml) and lower ADMA levels (0.49 vs.0.47 nmol/ml; all P < 0.05). LVMI and both CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT levels were lower in the fishing than the farming village (113.2 vs.121.6 g/m(2), 0.88 vs.0.94 mm, 1.10 vs.1.17 mm: all P < 0.01) even after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration of hypertensive medication, number of antihypertensive medications, and 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) level. The differences in LVMI and IMT levels between these communities also remained unchanged (all P < 0.01) after additional adjustment for the regional differences in EPA, DHA, and ADMA levels. A multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the difference in place of residence was independently associated with LVMI as well as with both CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT levels (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cardiovascular remodeling was significantly lower in patients in the fishing community than in those in the farming community. Further investigations are required to explain the mechanisms underlying this association.

Human C-reactive protein enhances thrombus formation after neointimal balloon injury in transgenic rabbits

BACKGROUND

High plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) constitute a powerful predictive marker of cardiovascular events. Several lines of evidence suggest that CRP has prothrombogenic effects. However, whether CRP directly participates in the pathogenesis of thrombosis in vivo has not been fully clarified.

OBJECTIVE

To test whether human CRP (hCRP) affects arterial thrombus formation after balloon injury of smooth muscle cell (SMC)-rich or macrophage-rich neointima.

METHODS

We compared the susceptibility of transgenic (Tg) rabbits expressing hCRP (46.21 ± 13.85 mg L(-1), n = 22) and non-Tg rabbits to arterial thrombus formation after balloon injury of SMC-rich or macrophage-rich neointima.

RESULTS

Thrombus size on SMC-rich or macrophage-rich neointima was significantly increased, and was accompanied by an increase in fibrin content in hCRP-Tg rabbits, as compared with non-Tg rabbits. Thrombus size did not significantly differ between SMC-rich and macrophage-rich neointima in hCRP-Tg rabbits. Tissue factor (TF) mRNA expression and activity in these neointimal lesions were significantly increased in hCRP-Tg rabbits as compared with non-Tg rabbits. The degree of CRP deposition correlated with the elevated TF expression and thrombus size on injured neointima. In addition, hCRP isolated from hCRP-Tg rabbit plasma induced TF mRNA expression and activity in rabbit cultured vascular SMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that elevated plasma hCRP levels promote thrombus formation on injured SMC-rich neointima by enhancing TF expression, but have no additive effects in macrophage-rich neointima.

Abstract P2-09-35: Differential Pathologic Response from Primary Systemic Chemotherapy across Breast Cancer Intrinsic Subtypes

Purpose: This study's purpose was to evaluate the clinical utility of breast cancer intrinsic subtypes in the prediction of pathological complete response (pCR) in a cohort of breast cancer patients receiving primary systemic chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods: Patients with stage II/III breast cancer received 4 cycles of XT (capecitabine 1650 mg/m2 on days 1-14 and docetaxel 60 mg/m2 on day 8 every 3 weeks), followed by 4 cycles of FEC (fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 90 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks). Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), HER2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cytokeratin (ck) 5/6, and Ki67 was performed in core needle biopsy samples at baseline. Tumors were classified as luminal A (ER+ and/or PgR+, and Ki67&lt;20%), luminal B(ER+ and PgR+, and Ki67≥20%), luminal-HER2 (ER+ and/or PgR+, and HER2+), HER2-enriched (ER-PgR-, and HER2+), or triple-negative (ER-, PgR-, and HER2-). Triple-negative tumors with and without EGFR+ and/or ck 5/6+ were further classified as basal-like and non-basal-like TN (NBTN), respectively. pCR was defined as no microscopic evidence of residual viable tumor cells, invasive or noninvasive, in all resected specimens of the breast. Results: Twenty-six (31.3%) patients were classified as luminal A, 12 (14.5%) were luminal B, 15 (18.1%) were luminal-HER2, 9 (10.8%) were HER2, 10 (12.0%) were basal-like, and 11 (13.3%) were NBTN. The overall response rate was 90.4%, including a complete response in 30 patients and a partial response in 45 patients. The overall pCR rate was 15.5% (12/83). The highest pCR rate (40.0%) was observed in patients with basal-like tumors. In triple-negative patients, basal-like patients showed significantly higher pCR rate than NBTN patients (40.0% vs. 9.1%, p=0.01). There were no cases with pCR in a cohort of luminal-HER2 subtype patients. A higher proportion of luminal B patients had pCR than luminal A patients (25.0% vs. 3.8%, p=0.01). With 33 months median follow-up, estimated 2-year disease-free survival for luminal A, luminal B, luminal-HER2, HER2, basal-like, and NBTN was 80.8%, 83.3%, 66.7%, 88.9%, 80.0%, and 81.8%, respectively.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that breast cancer subtypes are useful predictive biomarkers of pCR in breast cancer patients treated with primary systemic chemotherapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-35.

Disturbed blood flow induces erosive injury to smooth muscle cell-rich neointima and promotes thrombus formation in rabbit femoral arteries

BACKGROUND

Plaque erosion is a cause of atherothrombosis that preferentially occurs on smooth muscle cell (SMC)- and proteoglycan-rich rather than lipid-rich plaques. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether disturbed blood flow induces erosive injury and thrombus formation on SMC-rich neointima.

METHODS

Three weeks after balloon injury, SMC-rich neointima with increased tissue factor (TF) activity developed in rabbit femoral arteries that were narrowed with a vascular occluder to disturb blood flow after stenosis. Neointimal injury and thrombus formation were assessed at 15, 30, and 180 min after the vascular narrowing.

RESULTS

Endothelial detachment, platelet adhesion and neointimal cell apoptosis became evident at the post-stenotic regions of all femoral arteries (n = 5) within 15 min of narrowing. Mural thrombi composed of platelet and fibrin developed after 30 min, and then occlusive thrombi were generated in three out of five vessels after 180 min. The identical vascular narrowing of normal femoral arteries also induced endothelial detachment with small platelet thrombi at post-stenotic regions, but fibrin and occlusive thrombi did not develop. Computational simulation analysis indicated that oscillatory shear stress contributes to the development of erosive damage to the neointima.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that disturbed post-stenotic blood flow can induce erosive injury in SMC-rich plaques and promote thrombus formation that results in vascular events.

The expressions of claudin-1 and E-cadherin in junctional epithelium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The epithelium provides an important barrier against microbial invasion. Tight junction structural proteins called claudins are known to contribute to the epithelial cell barrier. Junctional epithelium is located at a strategically important interface between gingival sulcus and is interconnected by desmosomes and gap junctions, but not by tight junctions. Although claudins are tight junction-associated proteins, they are also expressed in the epithelium despite its lack of tight junctions in invertebrates. Therefore, claudins may play an important role in junctional epithelium without tight junctions. E-cadherin is a key molecule in the formation of adherence junctions and desmosomes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expressions of claudin-1,claudin-3, claudin-7 and E-cadherin in the junctional epithelium of Fischer 344 rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Gingival tissues from Fischer 344 rats were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for claudin-1, claudin-3, claudin-7, and E-cadherin.

RESULTS

Intense staining for claudin-1 and E-cadherin were observed in the junctional epithelium. In contrast to claudin-1, claudin-3 was mainly expressed in oral gingival epithelium and claudin-7 could not be detected on immunohistochemical analysis of the rat gingiva.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that claudin-1 and E-cadherin exist in the junctional epithelium and may play an important role in epithelial barrier function.

Ginsenoside Rb(1) prevents image navigation disability, cortical infarction, and thalamic degeneration in rats with focal cerebral ischemia

Oral administration of red ginseng powder before but not after transient forebrain ischemia prevents delayed neuronal death in gerbils. One neuroprotective molecule within red ginseng powder is ginsenoside Rb(1). The mechanism of action(s) of ginsenoside Rb(1) remains to be determined. We performed intracerebroventricular infusion of 0.6 microg/d ginsenoside Rb(1) before or after permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery in stroke-prone spontaneous hypertensive rats. Ginsenoside Rb(1) significantly decreased escape latency on repeated trials of the Morris water maze test, throughout the first to fourth trial days at 2 and 4 weeks after MCA occlusion (P<.05, P<.01 or P<.001). The ratio of the infarcted area to the left hemispheric area in the groups treated with 0.6 microg/d of ginsenoside Rb(1) was significantly smaller than that in the saline-treated ischemic group (P<.05 or P<.001). The continuous infusion of ginsenoside Rb(1) (0.06 microg/d) was less effective and the other doses examined were ineffective in ameliorating ischemia-induced image navigation disability and reducing cortical infarct size. There were significant differences in neuron numbers in the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus and in the left-to-right ratio of the thalamic area between the saline-infused ischemic group and the ginsenoside Rb(1)-treated ischemic group (P<.05 or P<.01). Moreover, ginsenoside Rb(1) at concentrations of 0.1 to 100 fg/mL (0.09 to 90 fM), facilitated neurite extension and rescued cortical neurons from lethal damage caused by the free radical-promoting agent FeSO(4), in vitro (P<.05 or P<.01). These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rb(1) protects the cerebral cortex against lethal ischemic damage possibly by acting as a neurotrophic factor-like agent and by scavenging free radicals, which are overproduced in situ during and after brain ischemia. The final link between the in vivo neuroprotective action and the in vitro neurotrophic and antioxidant activities of ginsenoside Rb(1) remains to be determined.