Synchrotron-radiation X-ray topography of surface strain in large-diameter silicon wafers

Using a 300 mm-wide monochromatic X-ray beam obtained at beamline BL20B2 of SPring-8, the difference in surface-strain distribution caused by various steps of silicon-wafer manufacturing, i.e. slicing, lapping, etching, grinding and polishing, was studied. The asymmetric 511 reflection of 21.45 keV X-rays, incident at a glancing angle of 0.26 degrees, was used to obtain topographs over the whole surface of a 200 mm-diameter (100) CZ silicon wafer. Differences in crystallinity and in warp between the surfaces at different steps of the manufacturing process (firstly after the lapping following the slicing, and then after successive etching, grinding and polishing) were clearly observed. The former gave a topographic image over the whole area with a one-shot exposure because of their wide rocking curves (50-70 arcsec FWHM), which indicate poor crystallinity. The latter, on the other hand, showed sharper curves (4-5 arcsec FWHM), which indicate good crystallinity in local areas, and the existence of warp, and therefore required step scanning of omega-rotation to cover the whole surface in topography measurements. The effect of each step in the process is also discussed.

Thermal stability of nanocrystalline diamond films grown by biased enhanced microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition

The thermal stability of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films grown on mirror-polished silicon substrates by biased enhanced microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition was investigated. Different pieces of a NCD sample were annealed for 1 h in an ambient argon atmosphere at 200, 400, 600, and 800 degrees C. The structural and mechanical properties of as-grown and annealed samples were assessed. The surface roughness and high hardness of the samples remained fairly constant with annealing temperature.

Gelatinous bone marrow transformation complicated by self-induced malnutrition

A 48-year-old woman with a history of anorexia nervosa was admitted to our hospital because of malaise, anorexia and edema in the face and legs. She was diagnosed with gelatinous bone marrow and iron deficiency anemia due to severe malnutrition. She was intravenously treated by saccharated ferric oxide and her anemia was improved, but her bone marrow still showed much gelatinous material.

Paralytic ileus due to strongyloidiasis: case report and review of the literature

We report a rare case of a patient with ileus due to Strongyloides infection that occurred four times within a six-month period. The ileus was improved by treatment with ivermectin and there has not been a recurrence of the symptoms within the last two years.

[A case of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia]

A 56-year-old female was admitted on November 1995 to our hospital because of the abnormal shadow on her chest X-ray. Although the chest X ray film revealed diffuse reticulonodular shadows in the bilateral lung fields and right hilar lymphadenopathy, she had not any complaints. Furthermore, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia were noted. For a further examination, transcutaneous thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed on August 1996. The lung specimens showed a interstitial infiltration of small lymphocytes exclusively around bronchioles. And the diagnosis of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) was made. She had been suffered from bronchial asthma for 27 years. This is the first report of LIP accompanied with bronchial asthma. Its relationship between LIP and bronchial asthma remains unclear. In the 2 years of follow-up, she remained asymptomatic with unchanged chest radiogram. And her pulmonary function was preserved for the 2 years. But lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia may induce malignant lymphoproliferative disease potentially, we should carefully follow up.

Determination of Optical Constants of Solgel-Derived Inhomogeneous TiO(2) Thin Films by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Transmission Spectroscopy

Amorphous and nanocrystalline TiO(2) thin films coated on a vitreous silica substrate by a solgel dip coating method are investigated for optical properties by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) together with transmission spectroscopy. A method of analysis of SE data to determine the degree of inhomogeneity of TiO(2) films has also been presented. Instead of the refractive index, the volume fraction of void has been assumed to vary along the thickness of the films and an excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated data of SE below the fundamental band gap has been obtained. The transmission spectrum of these samples is inverted to obtain the extinction coefficient k spectrum in the wavelength range of 300-1600 nm by using the refractive indices and parameters of structure determined by SE. The nonzero extinction coefficient below the fundamental band-gap energy (3.2 eV) has been obtained for the nanocrystalline TiO(2) and shows the presence of optical scattering in the film.

[A case of myelofibrosis that developed polycythemia vera following treatment with ranimustine and then acute myelogenous leukemia (M0)]

A 60-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital because of fatigue, weight loss and abdominal distension. Myelofibrosis was diagnosed, based on anemia, huge hepatosplenomegaly, leukoerythroblastosis and bone marrow fibrosis. Following treatment with ranimustine, anemia and splenomegaly improved. Seven months after initial therapy of ranimustine, however, polycythemia (RBC 7.39 x 10(6)/microliter; Hb 19.1 g/dl, Ht 65.9%) developed gradually, then RBC decreased to normal level following venesection (total 1,200 ml). After 32 months, blastic transformation occurred. The blasts were negative for myeloperoxidase. By flow cytometric analysis, the cells were positive for CD2, CD13, CD33 and HLA DR. Thus, AML (M0) was diagnosed. Despite of treatment with multicytotoxic agents, she died of DIC 36 months after the initial diagnosis of myelofibrosis. The progression from myelofibrosis to polycythemia is rare and only 15 cases have been reported so far. In addition, although a chromosomal abnormality, 46, XX, t(3; 12) (q25; p11), was present at the time of first diagnosis of myelofibrosis, the development of an additional abnormality, del(11) (q-), might be related to the transformation to AML.

[Anti-platelet antibody and severe thrombocytopenia during interferon-alpha therapy for chronic active hepatitis C]

We herein report a case of chronic hepatitis C where the patient developed severe thrombocytopenia during interferon therapy. The patient was a 61-year-old woman, who received interferon therapy on April 27, 1993 under the diagnosis of C type chronic active hepatitis. After 4 weeks, her platelet count had decreased to 18,000/microliters and intraoral hemorrhage had begun. Although she received 250 mg of methylprednisolone and 20 U of platelet transfusion three times, her platelet count continued to decrease to 4,000/microliters on both May 28, and on June 3, 1993, and so she was transferred to our hospital on June 4. On her second admission to our hospital, although the platelet-associated IgG (PA-IgG) had increased markedly and the megakaryocytes in her bone marrow had decreased, her platelet count had already increased to 37,000/ microliters, and this gradually returned to a normal level accompanied with a decrease of PA-IgG within one month In this case, although we found immunological abnormalities (high level of IgG, positive ANA and positive anti-smooth muscle antibody) prior to interferon treatment, we could not diagnose the patient as having suffered from autoimmune disease, including autoimmune hepatitis, because she did not satisfy the necessary criteria and because she did not have any symptoms suggesting autoimmune disease. We consider that there may be the possibility that interferon induced only an anti-platelet antibodies that caused the high level of PA-IgG and decreased the production level of platelets within the bone marrow.

[A case of SLE with the onset of pleuritis showing eosinophilia and elevation of serum IgE]

A 19 year old female was admitted to our hospital with complaints of fever, dyspnea and chest pain. Chest x-ray film showed a massive right pleural effusion. She was diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) because of malar rash, serositis (pleuritis), positive antinuclear antibody and positive anti-DNA antibody. Then she was successfully treated with 50 mg/d prednisolone. This case was unusual and of interest in that she had eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and exudative pleural effusion and a marked elevation of serum IgE level despite no history of allergic diseases and no evidence of parasite infections.

Chronic Prototheca meningitis

A case of chronic meningitis caused by the achloric alga Prototheca wickerhamii is described, which has persisted for more than 6 years despite treatment with various antifungal agents. For the last year no treatment has been given, but the patient has no complaints.

[Clinical efficacy of sulbactam/cefoperazone for the treatment of geriatric patients with respiratory tract infections]

We performed clinical studies on sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) for the treatment of geriatric patients with respiratory tract infections. Seven patients with pneumonia, 7 with acute bronchitis, 6 with chronic respiratory tract infections were treated with SBT/CPZ. The patients were administered with a daily dose of 2.0 g or 4.0 g for 4-14 days. The clinical responses were excellent in 3, good in 13, fair in 3, and poor in 1 patients. The efficacy rate was 80.0%. No side effects were observed in any patients, but elevations of GOT, GPT were observed in two cases. Causative organisms were E. coli (2 strains), P. aeruginosa (2), MSSA (1), MRSA (1), S. pneumoniae (1), H. influenzae (1), K. oxytoca (1), and E. aerogenes (1). The bacteriological effect rate was 60%. One strain of MRSA and one of two strains of P. aeruginosa persisted in 2 patients.

Analysis of serum elements and the contaminations from devices used for serum preparation by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Two different samples of serum were prepared from a blood specimen by using two types of serum-separation tubes. Each serum sample was diluted by 100 times with deionized and sub-boiling distilled water. Thirty-six elements in the serum and exudate, from devices used for the serum preparation, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). From the comparison of elemental concentrations in two groups of 11 serum samples, it was found that the exudate from serum-separation tubes, as well as from disposable stainless steel needles, had serious effects on the elemental concentrations in the serum. Means for the concentrations of Li, Co, Ga, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, and Ce in the two serum groups were statistically different from each other. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, and Mo in both groups were apparently higher than those reported in the literature, suggesting contamination from the disposable stainless steel needle and spectral interferences due to molecular species produced in the argon plasma.

A multicenter comparison of nicorandil and diltiazem on serum lipid, apolipoprotein, and lipoprotein levels in patients with ischemic heart disease

The effects of nicorandil and diltiazem on serum lipid, apolipoprotein, and lipoprotein levels in 37 patients with ischemic heart disease were examined in a randomized, multicenter study. Nicorandil (n = 20, 10-40 mg/day, b.i.d.) and diltiazem (n = 17, 60-240 mg/day, b.i.d.) were administered for 12 weeks. Both nicorandil and diltiazem administration showed an effective antianginal effect. Diltiazem administration showed a significant hypotensive action. There were no significant changes in serum lipids, apolipoproteins, and lipoproteins for both nicorandil and diltiazem. There were no significant changes in body weight, uric acid, and fasting blood sugar levels during the test period for both drugs. These data show that nicorandil, like diltiazem, does not have any adverse effects on lipid metabolism and that it is a favorable drug to use as an agent for treating arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The rat P450 IID subfamily: complete sequences of four closely linked genes and evidence that gene conversions maintained sequence homogeneity at the heme-binding region of the cytochrome P450 active site

Four genes in the P450 IID gene subfamily were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat lambda EMBL 3 and Charon 4A genomic libraries and completely sequenced. Their transcription start sites were determined by primer extension analysis. The four genes designated IID2, IID3, IID4, and IID5 span 4036, 4371, 4678, and 4567 bp, respectively, and are closely linked head to tail on a 60-kb segment of DNA. All IID genes contained nine exons, and interestingly, the IID2, IID3, and IID4 genes possessed an atypical GC5' splice junction in intron 2. All four genes are transcribed, however, IID4 mRNA is produced at a level of less than one-tenth of those of IID2, IID3, and IID5. The exonic regions of these genes displayed from 79 to 84% sequence similarties. Several regions of extremely high nucleotide similarity were found within the introns, exons, and in the flanking regions of the four genes. These localized areas of high nucleotide similarities are the result of former gene conversion events. Of interest was the finding that the most highly similar region of all IID genes that was maintained by gene conversion covers portions of the eighth and ninth exons and the eighth intron. The ninth exon codes for a region of the P450 protein that is well conserved among all P450 gene families and in all species and that is associated with the noncovalently bound heme iron at the enzyme's active site. These data indicate that gene conversions have maintained sequence homogeneity within a critical region of the four P450 IID proteins.

The human debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase (CYP2D) locus: sequence and identification of the polymorphic CYP2D6 gene, a related gene, and a pseudogene

The debrisoquine-4-hydroxylase polymorphism is a genetic variation in oxidative drug metabolism characterized by two phenotypes, the extensive metabolizer (EM) and poor metabolizer (PM). Of the Caucasian populations of Europe and North America, 5%-10% are of the PM phenotype and are unable to metabolize debrisoquine and numerous other drugs. The defect is caused by several mutant alleles of the CYP2D6 gene, two of which are detected in about 70% of PMs. We have constructed a genomic library from lymphocyte DNA of an EM positively identified by pedigree analysis to be homozygous for the normal CYP2D6 allele. The normal CYP2D6 gene was isolated; was completely sequenced, including 1,531 and 3,522 bp of 5' and 3' flanking DNA, respectively; and was found to contain nine exons within 4,378 bp. Two other genes, designated CYP2D7 and CYP2D8P, were also cloned and sequenced. CYP2D8P contains several gene-disrupting insertions, deletions, and termination codons within its exons, indicating that this is a pseudogene. CYP2D7, which is just downstream of CYP2D8P, is apparently normal, except for the presence, in the first exon, of an insertion that disrupts the reading frame. A hypothesis is presented that the presence of a pseudogene within the CYP2D subfamily transfers detrimental mutations via gene conversions into the CYP2D6 gene, thus accounting for the high frequency of mutations observed in the CYP2D6 gene in humans.

Oxidation of midazolam and triazolam by human liver cytochrome P450IIIA4

The metabolism of midazolam and triazolam to their 1'-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy metabolites was studied in microsomes of 15 human livers. The formation of both metabolites was inhibited by more than 90% by an antiserum directed against a pregnenolone 16 alpha-carbonitrile-inducible cytochrome P450 (P450PCN1) of rat liver. Moreover, midazolam hydroxylase activity was immunoprecipitated from solubilized human microsomes with polyclonal antibodies against rat P450PCN1 and the closely related human isozyme P450NF. A close correlation was observed between the amount of protein detected in immunoblots with these antibodies and the midazolam or triazolam hydrxylase activity. The formation of both metabolites of midazolam was inhibited by triacetyloleandomycin, a known inhibitor of cytochromes P450 of the IIIA family. Direct evidence that P450IIIA4 catalyzes the metabolism of midazolam was provided through the use of cDNA-directed expression. Monkey COS cells transfected with human P450PCN1 cDNA were able to catalyze both the 1'- and the 4-hydroxylation of midazolam. We conclude that the metabolism of midazolam and triazolam in human liver is predominantly mediated by cytochrome P450IIIA4. Two of 15 human livers expressed a second immunoreactive microsomal protein of higher apparent Mr and were more active in midazolam 1'-hydroxylation. Our data also provide evidence that the marked interindividual variation in the response to these widely used benzodiazepine drugs is due to variable hepatic metabolism.

Human ethanol-inducible P450IIE1: complete gene sequence, promoter characterization, chromosome mapping, and cDNA-directed expression

The human P450IIE1 gene, coding for an ethanol-inducible nitrosamine-metabolizing P-450, was isolated from a lambda EMBL3 genomic library and completely sequenced. The human gene spanned 11,413 base pairs and contained nine exons and a typical TATA box. Upstream and downstream DNAs of 2788 and 559 base pairs were also sequenced and compared to the rat gene. Significant areas of sequence similarity were observed within 140 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site in the rat and human genes. Human DNA 539 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site was inserted into the expression vector pSVOAL delta 5', and luciferase activity was detected when the constructs were introduced into a rat hepatoma cell line. The activity was over 100-fold lower than that of pRSVL, a Rous sarcoma virus LTR-driven luciferase gene. By use of panels of rodent-human cell hybrids, the gene was mapped to chromosome 10 (CYP2E locus). A full-length cDNA, constructed with the first exon of the genomic clone and a partial cDNA clone, was expressed in COS cells and found to code for N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity.

The rat P450IIE1 gene: complete intron and exon sequence, chromosome mapping, and correlation of developmental expression with specific 5' cytosine demethylation

The gene coding for the ethanol-inducible, developmentally regulated P450IIE1 was isolated from an lambda EMBL 3 rat genomic library and completely sequenced. The gene spanned 10,373 base pairs and contained nine exons. Upstream and downstream DNA of 1530 and 825 base pairs, respectively, was also sequenced, and the transcription start site was identified by both S1 mapping and primer extension. A typical TATA box was found just upstream of the start site; however, no CCAAT box was apparent. Other repetitive sequences were identified including a partial R.dre.1 sequence upstream of the gene and a long stretch of 160 alternating purines in the second intron. This latter repetitive element is found in many mammalian genes. By use of a panel of mouse-hamster somatic cell hybrids, the P450IIE1 gene was localized to mouse chromosome 7. The hepatic P450IIE1 gene is transcriptionally activated within 1 day after birth and reaches a maximal level of expression at 6 days of age. Using restriction endonuclease sites generated from the gene sequence data and the cytosine methylation-sensitive enzymes HhaI and HpaII, we found that this transcriptional activation during early development is coincident with specific demethylation only at the 5' end of the P450IIE1 gene. Interestingly, other cytosine residues in the middle of the gene became demethylated as rats aged from 1 to 10 weeks, at which time no changes in gene expression occur.

Human P450PCN1: sequence, chromosome localization, and direct evidence through cDNA expression that P450PCN1 is nifedipine oxidase

P450PCN protein levels and nifedipine oxidase activities were quantitated in 12 human livers and were shown to be highly correlated. Antibody against rat P450PCN1 completely inhibited all nifedipine oxidase activity in three human liver samples. These results suggest that a human P450 related to rat P450PCN1 is the major form of P450 catalyzing nifedipine oxidation. The cDNA for a human P450, designated phPCN1, was isolated from a human liver lambda gt11 cDNA library, and sequenced completely. The deduced amino acid sequence is 77% similar to rat P450PCN1. By use of the adenovirus- and SV40-based expression vecotr p91023(B), the phP450PCN1 cDNA was expressed in COS cells and had high nifedipine oxidase activity, providing conclusive evidence that this P450 is the primary enzyme associated with metabolism and inactivation of this important drug. Using somatic cell hybrids, the P450PCN gene was localized to human chromosome 7.

Characterization of the common genetic defect in humans deficient in debrisoquine metabolism

In population studies of individuals given the antihypertensive drug debrisoquine, two distinct phenotypes have been described: extensive metabolizers excrete 10-200 times more of the urinary metabolite 4-hydroxydebrisoquine than poor metabolizers. In family studies the poor-metabolizer phenotype behaves as an autosomal recessive trait with an incidence between 5% and 10% in the white population of Europe and North America, and extends to the deficient metabolism of more than 20 commonly prescribed drugs. Clinical studies have shown that such individuals are at high risk for the development of adverse side effects from these and probably many other drugs. Here we show that poor metabolizers have negligible amounts of the cytochrome P450 enzyme P450db1. We have cloned the human P450db1 complementary DNA and expressed it in mammalian cell culture. Furthermore, by directly cloning and sequencing cDNAs from several poor-metabolizer livers, we have identified three variant messenger RNAs that are products of mutant genes producing incorrectly spliced db1 pre-mRNA, providing a molecular explanation for one of man's most commonly defective genes (frequency of mutant alleles 35-43%).

A Taq I polymorphism in the human P450IIE1 gene on chromosome 10 (CYP2E)

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Purification and subunit structure of recBC DNase from Escherichia coli harboring a recB and recC genes-inserted plasmid

recBC DNase of Escherichia coli has been purified from the transformant, HB101/pFS11-04 (recB+ recC+), by successive ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex G-150 gel filtration, hydroxyapatite chromatography, DNA cellulose affinity chromatography, and second DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The purified enzyme was obtained in an overall yield of 3%. The enzyme protein appeared as a single pure component on native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional electrophoresis. The results show that recBC DNase consists of two nonidentical subunits with molecular weights of 125,000 and 135,000, and isoelectric points of 5.6 and 5.7, respectively.