Electrode reaction of Pu3+/Pu couple in LiCl-KCl eutectic melts: comparison of the electrode reaction at the surface of liquid Bi with that at a solid Mo electrode

The electrode reaction of Pu3+/Pu couple at the interface between LiCl-KCl eutectic melt containing PuCl3 and liquid Bi phase was investigated by cyclic voltammetry at 723, 773 and 823 K. For comparison, the system was also studied using a solid Mo electrode in place of the liquid Bi electrode. It was found that the electrode reaction of Pu3+/Pu couple at the Bi electrode was almost reversible. The redox potentials of Pu3+/Pu couple at the liquid Bi electrode in the LiCl-KCl eutectic melt containing 0.87 wt% PuCl3 (0.0014 mole fraction) at 723, 773 and 823 K were observed to be more positive by 0.575, 0.572 and 0.566 V, respectively, than those at the Mo electrode. These differences in potential were thermodynamically analyzed by assuming a lowering of the activity of Pu in Bi phase according to the alloy formation of PuBi2.

A new face-mounted display system: pilot trial of clinical application in therapeutic endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Since fiber endoscopes evolved into video endoscopes, there has been no remarkable progression in the optical system for endoscopy. The current optical system provided by fixed cathode-ray tube (CRT) display is a monitor-oriented system. In this study, we evaluate the practical usefulness of the face-mounted display (FMD), which provides us with an operator-oriented optical system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The FMD device, weighing 110 g, is designed for consumer video home use, consisting of two active matrix liquid crystal color panels with 180,000-pixel resolution. With the picture-in-picture capability, FMD provided us with image-navigated endoscopic procedure. Fourteen patients were enrolled in this study; seven patients for endoscopic mucosal resection, two for insertion of an esophageal metallic stent, three for clipping for the bleeding and two for dilatation of anastomotic strictures.

RESULTS

The FMD device allowed us to use an ultra large screen as if there has been a 62-inch screen 2 m ahead. During endoscopy, we could concentrate more on the procedures. There were no complications attributable to the use of the device.

CONCLUSION

We are convinced of a new evolution in the optical system for therapeutic endoscopy with the FMD device.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for the abdominal phase in endoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: an alteration on the site of minilaparotomy

The authors present an alteration at the site of a minilaparotomy in the abdominal phase of endoscopic esophagectomy and reconstruction by means of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery. In the first case, a minilaparotomy was performed in the lower right side of the abdomen during laparoscopic construction of a gastric tube using hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery. However, this technique was not always feasible because an elaborate technique was necessary, even with the use of the surgeon's hand, which was inserted in the abdomen through the mini-incision. After the second case, the authors performed a minilaparotomy slightly above the stomach. The upper abdominal incision allowed easier and safer management of the gastric tube. This technique was also helpful in the Kocher maneuver and in the construction of the retrosternal route. The site of the minilaparotomy in the upper abdomen reduced the stress of this procedure, and, therefore, became the standard procedure for select patients at the First Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Ileosigmoid anastomosis with exclusion of transected ileal loop for intestinal fistula following total cystectomy of bladder cancer. Report of a case

We report in this article a new technique of surgical treatment of enterocutaneous or enterovaginal fistula after total cystectomy for three cases of bladder cancer. The surgical outcome was successful in these patients, showing good performance status after this operation. It would seem that this technique is a good indication for enteric fistulas in the bottom of the pelvic cavity, which were difficult to be managed even under the control of total parenteral nutrition.

Phylogenetic analysis of archaeal PCNA homologues

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential component of the DNA replication and repair machinery in the domain Eucarya. Eukaryotes and euryarchaeotes, which belong to one subdomain of Archaea, possess a single PCNA homologue, whereas two distinct PCNA homologues have been identified from Sulfolobus solfataricus, which belongs to the other archaeal subdomain, Crenarchaeota. We have cloned and sequenced two genes of PCNA homologues from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfurisphaera ohwakuensis. These genes, referred to as the Soh PCNA A gene and the Soh PCNA B gene, were found to encode 245 amino acids (aa) (27kDa) and 248 aa (27kDa), respectively. In deduced amino acid sequences of both PCNA homologues, the motif L/I-A-P-K/R, implicated in binding of PCNA with replication factor C (RFC), was identified. Phylogenetic analysis of all available archaeal PCNA homologues suggests that crenarchaeal homologues are divided into two groups. Group A consists of Soh PCNA A, one of the S. solfataricus PCNA homologues, and one of the Aeropyrum pernix PCNA homologues. The other crenarchaeal homologues form group B. Crenarchaeal PCNA homologues constitute a monophyletic subfamily. These results suggest that the evolution of crenarchaeal PCNA homologues has been characterized by one or two gene duplication events, which are assumed to have occurred after the split of the crenarchaeal and euryarchaeal lineages.

YM-40461 improves airway clearance in guinea pigs with induced subacute bronchitis

The effects of the surfactant secretagogue YM-40461 on the mucociliary transport (MCT) velocity were examined in guinea pigs with induced bronchitis. Guinea pigs were exposed to SO2 gas (900 ppm, 3 h/d) for 5 d. MCT velocity was measured by the movement of a 30% gelatin solution containing Evans blue dye placed on the tracheal mucosal surface. Repeated doses of YM-40461 improved the MCT guinea pigs with bronchitis within 5 d after the completion of SO2 exposure, with an ED50 value of 3.1 mg/kg p.o. At a dose of 10 mg/kg p.o., YM-40461 restored MCT to the control level (98.0% recovery). Ambroxol, bromhexine and salbutamol also improved MCT, but were far less effective than YM-40461. Airway fluid collected from bronchitic animals revealed increased disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC, a major component of surfactants)-to-protein ratio and decreased surface tension produced by YM-40461 treatment (10 mg/kg). These results suggest that YM-40461 ameliorates MCT dysfunction in animals with SO2 gas-induced bronchitis by increasing the DSPC-to-protein ratio in the airway.

[Development of Hodgkin's disease four years after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma]

We report a case of Hodgkin's disease that developed 4 years after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The patient, a 67-year-old Japanese male, underwent PBSCT for multiple myeloma (IgA-lambda type) under a conditioning regimen of carboplatin, etoposide and cyclophosphamide in June 1994 and obtained partial remission. In January 1995, he underwent a second PBSCT under a conditioning regimen of high-dose melphalan and obtained complete remission. In December 1998, he noticed swelling of the left cervical lymph nodes, and Hodgkin's disease of the mixed cellularity subtype was diagnosed from a lymph node biopsy sample. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that the Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg cells were CD30-positive. In situ hybridization using EBER probes showed that these cells expressed EBER RNA transcripts, indicating that the tumor was associated with Epstein-Barr virus. One noteworthy feature was the absence of both M-component in the serum and urine, as revealed by immunoelectrofixation, and plasmacytosis in the bone marrow, which would have indicated relapse of the multiple myeloma. After chemotherapy with MOPP and ABVD, the Hodgkin's disease was eradicated and the patient obtained complete remission in May 1999.

Endovascular treatment of direct carotid-cavernous fistulas using detachable coils

SUMMARY

Five direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (direct CCFs) in four patients were treated by an endovascular technique using detachable coils. The embolizations were performed according to one of two strategies. 1) By embolizing the fistula, that is the compartment of the cavernous sinus adjacent to the fistula orifice, after embolization of the draining veins. 2) By embolizing the fistula only. The former strategy was used to treat first two cases and the latter to treat other three cases. In two of the cases in which only the fistula was embolized, a microcatheter was placed in the draining vein via a transvenous route beforehand, in the event that the embolization resulted in an incomplete closure and the draining veins became inaccessible. In four cases, a complete cure was achieved with preservation of the internal carotid artery and in one case, the internal carotid artery containing the fistula was occluded. The embolization of direct CCFs with detachable coils, which are suitable for both transarterial and transvenous approaches, has several advantages over balloon embolization. We believe this procedure will become an alternative treatment.

A simple technique of using novel thread-holding and knot-pushing forceps for extracorporeal knot-tying

We designed some novel knot-pushing forceps for extracorporeal knot-tying and describe herein our simple technique of utilizing them. These forceps are modified only by a single 1-mm hole between their jaws, which hold a thread and push the knot toward the ligating tissue. The application of this simple device was handled well by surgeons beginning to perform advanced endoscopic surgery. The simple modification explained in this report seems applicable to most of the forceps currently used.

Rare alteration of genomic structure or expression of the DPC4 gene in myelogenous leukemias

We examined homozygous deletion, point mutation and expression of DPC4 gene, a recently isolated candidate pancreatic tumor suppressor gene, in 53 patients with myelogenous leukemias and 5 cell lines. The patients consisted of 34 cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia including 22 in the chronic phase, 3 in the accelerated phase, and 9 in blastic crisis, and 19 with acute myelogenous leukemia including 9 at the initial presentation and 10 at relapse. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based deletion analysis for DPC4 exon 8 and PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism study for the entire coding region were carried out. Homozygous deletion or subtle mutation was not detected in any of the samples examined. However, 3 patients with various clinical phases showed a decrease of DPC4 expression. These results suggest that DPC4 alteration is not a crucial event in the development or the progression of myelogenous leukemias.

[Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Since 1993, we have treated 9 patients with liver metastases from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI). These patients underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction with a stomach roll, and without preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, HAI was effective in 5 patients (56%) with a CR in 2 patients. Preceding systemic chemotherapy was done with 7 patients, and was effective in 3 of them. HAI was also effective in all of them. In 3 patients with hepatic arterial anomalies, the right gastroepiploic artery and right gastric artery feeding the stomach roll could be preserved after changing the hepatic arterial flow. Two stomach roll ulcers and one hepatic arterial stenosis were experienced due to the toxicity of HAI. However, the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or myelosuppression seen with the preceding systemic chemotherapy were not experienced. In spite of the technical difficulties in catheterization and toxicities to stomach roll, HAI is considered to be more effective and feasible than systemic chemotherapy.

[A complication with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy--a case of sepsis related to catheter tip dislocation to the duodenal bulb]

Extra-arterial dislocation of a catheter is one of the complications with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. The authors report a case of sepsis related to catheter tip dislocation to the duodenal bulb. A 69-year-old man underwent sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer and partial hepatectomy for synchronous metastasis to the liver. We performed hepatic arterial catheterization via the femoral artery, and the patient underwent prophylactic hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with 5-FU. Thirty months later, computed tomography during arteriography (CTA) using a port system revealed the dislocation of catheter tip to the duodenal bulb. He showed no symptoms, so we kept him under observation. Sepsis occurred because of the dislocated catheter 39 months later. After removal of the catheter, the symptoms of sepsis disappeared.

[Barrett's esophagus]

The Barrett's esophagus showing columnar metaplasia upward to the esophagus from the esophago-gastric junction is one of the final appearance of reflux esophagitis and important as a precancerous state of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Especially the Barrett's mucosa with intestinal metaplasia has high potential risk for adenocarcinoma. Although the clinical definition of the esophago-gastric junction is not easy, the criteria of the esophago-gastric junction and the Barrett's mucosa proposed by the Japanese Society for Esophageal Diseases is useful. The gastro-esophageal reflux is important in the development of Barrett's mucosa not only in the classical Barrett's esophagus but also in the short-segment Barrett's.

Sequence analysis of three family B DNA polymerases from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfurisphaera ohwakuensis

Three family B DNA polymerase genes, designated B1, B2, and B3, were cloned from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfurisphaera ohwakuensis, and sequenced. Deduced amino acid sequences of B1 and B3 DNA polymerases have all exonuclease and polymerase motifs which include critical residues for catalytic activities. Furthermore, a YxGG/A motif, which is located between 3'-5' exonuclease and polymerization domains of family B DNA polymerases, was also found in each of the B1 and B3 sequences. These findings suggested that S. ohwakuensis B1 and B3 DNA polymerases have both exonuclease and polymerase activities. However, amino acid sequence of the B2 DNA polymerase of this organism contains several amino acid substitutions in Pol-motifs, and also lacks Exo-motif I and Exo-motif II. These substitutions and lack of certain motifs raise questions about polymerase and exonuclease activities of the corresponding gene product. The B3 sequence of S. ohwakuensis is more closely related to Pyrodictium, Aeropyrum, and Archaeoglobus DNA polymerase B3 sequences than to the Sulfolobus B3 sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that crenarchaeal B1 DNA polymerases are closely related to each other, and suggested that crenarchaeal B3, euryarchaeal family B, and eukaryal epsilon DNA polymerases may be orthologs.

Surgical technique for management of Takayasu's arteritis

Anastomotic aneurysm may occur after surgical treatment of Takayasu's arteritis. We describe a surgical technique designed to prevent this problem. The technique includes a bypass from a donor artery to a nondiseased distal artery, reinforcement of the suture line to prevent stretching or expansion at the anastomoses, and minimization of inflow perfusion to the brain. The technique was used in two patients, whose grafts were patent 1 and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. Careful differential diagnosis is essential to the success of this method, which may also be used to treat aortic aneurysm resulting from Behcet's disease but which is not appropriate for mid-aortic syndrome or Buerger's disease.

Inhibition of rabbit platelet aggregation by nucleoside 5'-alkylphosphates: correlation with inhibition of agonist-induced calcium influx

We investigated the effects of uridine 5'-alkylphosphates on agonist-induced aggregation, increased intracellular calcium concentration [Ca(2+)](i), and Ca(2+) (Mn(2+)) influx in washed rabbit platelets. Uridine 5'-hexadecylphosphate (UMPC16) and uridine 5'-eicosylphosphate (UMPC20) at a concentration of 1 x 10(-5) M inhibited platelet aggregation induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF), thrombin, arachidonic acid, and ADP. UMPC16 did not cause significant interference in the binding of [(3)H-acetyl]PAF to platelets. The inhibition of PAF-induced platelet aggregation by UMPC16 was dependent upon the addition time; UMPC16 was ineffective at 60 sec when the extracellular calcium uptake reached the maximum level in PAF-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, UMPC16 inhibited guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)-induced platelet aggregation but did not affect ionophore A23187- and calcium-independent agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced platelet aggregation. UMPC16 markedly inhibited the Ca(2+) (Mn(2+)) influx induced by PAF and ADP, and partly inhibited the [Ca(2+)](i) increase induced by the receptor-mediated stimulation. On the other hand, UMPC16 did not affect the [Ca(2+)](i) increase and Ca(2+) (Mn(2+)) influx induced by ionomycin. These experiments suggest that inhibition of calcium influx associated with receptor-mediated platelet activation may be involved in the action of UMPC16.

YM-40461, a potent surfactant secretagogue, improves mucociliary clearance in SO2-exposed guinea pigs

The effects of the new pulmonary surfactant secretagogue YM-40461, 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) urea, on tracheal mucociliary transport (MCT) were assessed using guinea pigs with acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis was induced by SO2 gas exposure (400 ppm for 3 h). MCT velocity was measured by means of the dye gelatin technique. YM-40461 at doses of 1-10 mg/kg, p.o. induced recovery of MCT function, with an ED50 value of 2.4 mg/kg. Maximal recovery (78.0+/-12.5%) was observed 2 h in the animals treated with 10 mg/kg of YM-40461. Ambroxol and bromhexine showed less effect on the MCT dysfunction than YM-40461. An artificial surfactant (Surfacten) also aided recovery. YM-40461 at a dose of 10 mg/kg, p.o. significantly improved surfactant production without affecting mucus secretion. These results show that YM-40461 ameliorates MCT dysfunction caused by SO2 exposure by activation of pulmonary surfactant secretion.

[Prognostic significance of chromosome analysis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group (CCLSG)]

We analyzed the prognostic significance of chromosomal findings in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), treated according to the Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group protocols between 1987 and 1993. Patients were classified into 5 groups according to chromosome number. The patients with a hyperdiploid(> 50) karyotype(13%) had the best prognosis [4-year event-free survival (EFS): 83 +/- 6%], while those with a pseudodiploid karyotype (24%) had the worst prognosis(4-year EFS: 52 +/- 6%) (log-rank, p = 0.03). However, multivariate analysis revealed that the ploidy classification had no prognostic significance in terms of EFS. When patients were classified according to chromosome abnormalities, those with any type of translocation had a worse outcome (4-year EFS: 33 +/- 9%) than those with hyperdiploidy(> 50), normal diploidy, and other abnormalities(log-rank, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that chromosome abnormalities were an independent prognostic factor (relative risk 3.98; p < 0.0001). Patients with t(1; 19) had an EFS similar to that of patients with chromosome abnormalities other than translocations or normal diploidy. We conclude that chromosomal findings have prognostic significance, although some chromosome abnormalities lost their statistical significance after modern intensified chemotherapy. Childhood ALL should be further stratified according to chromosome classification.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of monocot and dicot plants using the NCR promoter derived from soybean chlorotic mottle virus

The NCR promoter (PNCR) from soybean chlorotic mottle virus (SoyCMV) was used to express the selectable marker, neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) gene, in Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of both monocot (rice) and dicot (tobacco) plants. A multi-cloning site for insertion of a gene of interest into the binary vector pTN is located proximal to the right border region of T-DNA. When chimeric genes under the control of other strong promoters were located in a head-to-head orientation to the PNCR-nptII gene, kanamycin-resistant tobacco shoots were generated more efficiently than when using the original pTN vectors. This suggests that the enhancer-like sequences in the promoters adjacent to PNCR may promote expression of the PNCR-nptII gene.

Distinct expression of CDX2 and GATA4/5, development-related genes, in human gastric cancer cell lines

CDX2 is a tumor-suppressor homeobox gene involved in colon carcinogenesis, but its role in gastric cancer is unknown. Although GATA4, -5 and, -6 transcription factors have distinct functions in the regulation of gastrointestinal epithelial cell differentiation, there have been no reports regarding GATA4/5/6 alterations in gastrointestinal carcinomas. By using a semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay, we studied the expression of gut development-related genes CDX2/1 and GATA4/5/6 in 11 human gastric cancer cell lines. The expression of CDX2 appeared to progressively decrease with the transition from well differentiated to poorly differentiated cancer cell lines. CDX1 was below detectable levels in all cell lines. The expression of GATA4 and GATA5 was undetectable in four and six cell lines, respectively, whereas the majority of the cell lines expressed GATA6 abundantly. These results suggest that CDX2 and GATA4/5 may be associated with the carcinogenesis of the stomach. Mol. Carcinog. 28:184-188, 2000.