Collective excitations in a melt of fast phase change material GeCu2Te3

Inelastic x-ray scattering measurements have been carried out to investigate atomic dynamics in a melt of fast phase change material GeCu₂Te₃. The dynamic structure factor was analysed using the model function with three damped harmonic oscillator components. By investigating the correlation between the excitation energy and the linewidth, and that between the excitation energy and the intensity on contour maps of a relative approximate probability distribution function proportional toexp(-χ2/N), we could judge the reliability of each inelastic excitation in the dynamic structure factor. The results indicate that there are two inelastic excitation modes besides the longitudinal acoustic one in the liquid. The lower energy excitation could be assigned to the transverse acoustic one whereas the higher energy one disperses like fast sound. The latter result may imply that the liquid ternary alloy exhibits a microscopic phase separation tendency.

Assessment of Heating on Titanium Alloy Cerebral Aneurysm Clips during 7T MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients with cerebral aneurysms often undergo MR imaging after microsurgical clipping. Ultra-high-field MR imaging at 7T may provide high diagnostic capability in such clinical situations. However, titanium alloy clips have safety issues such as adverse interactions with static magnetic fields and radiofrequency-induced heating during 7T MR imaging. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess temperature increases on various types of titanium alloy aneurysm clips during 7T MR imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five types of titanium alloy aneurysm clips were tested, including combinations of short, long, straight, angled, and fenestrated types. Each clip was set in a phantom filled with gelled saline mixed with polyacrylic acid and underwent 7T MR imaging with 3D T1WI with a spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady-state technique. Temperature was chronologically measured at the tips of the clip blade and head, angled part of the clip, and 5 mm from the tip of the clip head using MR imaging-compatible fiber-optic thermometers.

RESULTS

Temperature increases at all locations for right-angled and short straight clips were <1°C. Temperature increases at the angled part for the 45° angled clip and the tip of the clip head for the straight fenestrated clip were >1°C. Temperature increases at all locations for the long straight clip were >2°C.

CONCLUSIONS

Temperature increases on the right-angled and short straight clips remained below the regulatory limit during 7T MR imaging, but temperature increases on the 45° angled, straight fenestrated, and long straight clips exceeded this limit.

The cumulative incidence of and risk factors for morphometric severe vertebral fractures in Japanese men and women: the ROAD study third and fourth surveys

This population-based cohort study with a 3-year follow-up revealed that the annual incidence rates of vertebral fracture (VF) and severe VF (sVF) were 5.9%/year and 1.7%/year, respectively. The presence of mild VF at the baseline was a significant risk factor for incident sVF in participants without prevalent sVF.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to estimate the incidence of morphometric vertebral fracture (VF) and severe VF (sVF) in men and women and clarify whether the presence of a mild VF (mVF) increases the risk of incident sVF.

METHODS

Data from the population-based cohort study, entitled the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD) study, were analyzed. In total, 1190 participants aged ≥ 40 years (mean age, 65.0 ± 11.2) years completed whole-spine lateral radiography both at the third (2012-2013, baseline) and fourth surveys performed 3 years later (2015-2016, follow-up). VF was defined using Genant's semi-quantitative (SQ) method: VF as SQ ≥ 1, mVF as SQ = 1, and sVF as SQ ≥ 2. Cumulative incidence of VF and sVF was estimated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for incident sVF.

RESULTS

The baseline prevalence of mVF and sVF were 16.8% and 6.0%, respectively. The annual incidence rates of VF and sVF were 5.9%/year and 1.7%/year, respectively. The annual incidence rates of sVF in participants without prevalent VF, with prevalent mVF, and with prevalent sVF were 0.6%/year, 3.8%/year, and 11.7%/year (p < 0.001), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses in participants without prevalent sVF showed that the adjusted odds ratios for incident sVF were 4.12 [95% confident interval 1.85-9.16] and 4.53 [1.49-13.77] if the number of prevalent mVF at the baseline was 1 and ≥ 2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The annual incidence rates of VF and sVF were 5.9%/year and 1.7%/year, respectively. The presence of prevalent mVF was an independent risk factor for incident sVF.

Low energy excitation in liquid Sb and liquid Bi observed in inelastic x-ray scattering spectra

The dynamic structure factorS(Q,E), whereQandEare momentum and energy transfer, respectively, has been measured for liquid Sb, using inelastic x-ray scattering. A modified damped harmonic oscillator model function was applied to analyseS(Q,E) of liquid Sb and also to that of liquid Bi by Inuiet al(2015Phys. Rev.B92, 054206). The obtained excitation energy was in fairly good agreement with that predicted byab initiomolecular dynamics simulations on these liquid semi-metals. The excitation energy of the longitudinal acoustic mode in liquid Sb and liquid Bi exhibits flat-toppedQdependence whereas the lower excitation energy below the longitudinal acoustic excitation showsQ-gap behaviour. From the viscosity estimated from theQ-gap experimentally obtained, it is inferred that the lower energy excitation arises from the transverse acoustic excitation in the liquids.

Peculiar temperature dependence of dynamical sound speed in liquid Se50Te50 by inelastic x-ray scattering

Inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) measurements were carried out on liquid Se₅₀Te₅₀ at temperatures up to 1323 K to investigate how the atomic dynamics changes with temperature through the semiconductor-metal transition. The acoustic mode was clearly observed in the dynamic structure factor and its energy was determined using a damped harmonic oscillator model. The dynamical sound speed obtained by IXS for [Formula: see text] nm^-1 was found to behave similarly to the temperature dependence of ultrasonic sound velocity with a minimum near the semiconductor metal transition. The results can be explained by taking liquid Se₅₀Te₅₀ to be an inhomogeneous liquid consisting of metallic and semiconducting domains whose size is approximately 3 nm. The relaxation time obtained from frequency dependence of the dynamical sound speed was on a picosecond time scale.

Acetazolamide-Loaded Dynamic 7T MR Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Major Cerebral Artery Steno-Occlusive Disease: Comparison with PET

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Dynamic changes in cerebrovascular reactivity after acetazolamide administration vary markedly among patients with major cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disease. MR quantitative susceptibility mapping can dynamically quantify the cerebral magnetic susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dynamic changes in susceptibility after administration of acetazolamide on 7T quantitative susceptibility mapping are associated with pre-existing states of CBV and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in the cerebral hemispheres with major cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-five patients underwent 7T MR imaging at baseline and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after acetazolamide administration. Differences between the susceptibility of venous structures and surrounding brain tissue were calculated in the quantitative susceptibility mapping images. Susceptibility differences at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after acetazolamide administration relative to baseline were calculated in 97 cerebral hemispheres with major cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disease. CBV and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen were also calculated using ¹⁵O-gas PET in the resting state.

RESULTS

Dynamic changes of susceptibility after acetazolamide administration were classified into 3 patterns: abnormally increasing 5 or 10 minutes after acetazolamide administration; abnormally decreasing within 20 minutes after acetazolamide administration; and remaining unchanged after acetazolamide administration. CBV was significantly greater in the first pattern than in the latter 2. The cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen differed significantly in descending order from the first to middle to last pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic changes of susceptibility after acetazolamide administration on 7T MR quantitative susceptibility mapping are associated with pre-existing states of CBV and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in major cerebral arterial steno-occlusive disease.

Static and dynamic structures of liquid Ba8Ga16Sn30: a melt of the thermoelectric clathrate compounds

X-ray diffraction and inelastic x-ray scattering measurements of liquid Ba₈Ga₁₆Sn₃₀ have been carried out to investigate local structure and atomic dynamics in the liquid. The pair distribution function shows shorter and longer interatomic distances in the first coordination shell. The dynamic structure factor exhibits the inelastic excitations on both sides of the quasielastic central peak. The inelastic excitations disperse with increasing the momentum transfer, suggesting the longitudinal acoustic mode. We found a low energy excitation in addition to the longitudinal acoustic excitation in the dynamic structure factor and it reminds us a strong relationship with a rattling motion of a guest (Ba) atom in the solid state. The temperature dependence of the pair distribution function and the longitudinal acoustic excitation energy is very weak in a range from 600 to 900 °C. The result suggests that Ba and other atoms in the melt are located around minimum positions of the effective pair potential approximated as a harmonic one.

Viscoelastic anomaly accompanying anti-crossing behaviour in liquid As2Se3

We investigate the dynamic structure factor of the melt of the well known glass former, As₂Se₃, using inelastic x-ray scattering for temperatures, T, [Formula: see text] K and momentum transfers Q from [Formula: see text] nm^-1. An anomaly was observed at Q  =  2.7 nm^-1 ([Formula: see text] K) with, in the context of a simple model, both an abrupt change in frequency and an increased linewidth reminiscent of an anti-crossing in a solid. Comparison with structural information from reverse Monte Carlo modeling of x-ray diffraction data allows us to associate the disappearance of the anomaly at higher temperatures with a drop in the number of mechanical constraints per atom, n _mc, to [Formula: see text] reminiscent of the threshold applicable for glass formation in rigidity theory. It is inferred that the surprising jump in the dispersion in the liquid may be correlated with a stiffness transition in a network glass.

Minimally invasive spinal decompression for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and stenosis maintains stability and may avoid the need for fusion

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of microendoscopic laminotomy in patients with lumbar stenosis and concurrent degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), and to determine the effect of this procedure on spinal stability.

Patients and Methods

A total of 304 consecutive patients with single-level lumbar DS with concomitant stenosis underwent microendoscopic laminotomy without fusion between January 2004 and December 2010. Patients were divided into two groups, those with and without advanced DS based on the degree of spondylolisthesis and dynamic instability. A total of 242 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 101 men and 141 women. Their mean age was 68.1 years (46 to 85). Outcome was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire scores, a visual analogue score for pain and the Short Form Health-36 score. The radiographic outcome was assessed by measuring the slip and the disc height. The clinical and radiographic parameters were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 4.6 years (3 to 7.5).

Results

There were no significant differences in the preoperative measurements between the group and no significant differences between the clinical parameters at the final follow-up. The mean percentage slip was 17.1% preoperatively and 17.7% at the final follow-up (p = 0.35). Progressive instability was noted in 13 patients (8.2%) with DS and 6 patients (7.0%) with advanced DS, respectively (p = 0.81). There was radiological evidence of restabilization of the spine in 30 patients (35%) with preoperative instability. The success rate of microendoscopic laminotomy was good/excellent in 166 (69%), fair in 49 (20%) and poor in 27 patients (11%) in both groups.

Conclusion

Microendoscopic laminotomy is an effective form of surgical treatment for patients with DS and stenosis. Preservation of the stabilizing structures using this technique prevents postoperative instability. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:499-506.

Differential count and time-course analysis of the cellular composition of coelomocyte aggregate of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Echinoderms have many types of coelomocytes, which have been known to form aggregates immediately after they are removed from the coelom. To assess the roles that each type of coelomocyte plays in aggregate formation, cellular components of coelomocyte aggregates of the Japanese sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, were investigated. The coelomocytes were tentatively classified into 12 types based on May-Grunwald/Giemsa staining. After the coelom was incubated for 30 min or 6 h, the aggregates were disaggregated completely with 200 mM EDTA. Differential counts of the dissociated cells indicated that the largest component of the aggregates was amoebocytes (67.8%) and the second-largest component of the aggregates incubated 30 min was a type of basophilic granulocyte. In the 6h-incubated aggregates, the fraction of amoebocytes decreased to 59.0%, while that of lymphoid cells significantly increased, which suggests that lymphoid cells participate in late-stage aggregation. After 24-h incubation, only a portion of the aggregated cells could be disaggregated with EDTA. After 48 h, most of the cells could not be detached from the aggregates. Microscopy of frozen sections of the aggregates after 6-h incubation revealed that amoebocytes constructed a mesh-like structure to which other types of cells adhered. After 48 h, the borders of the cells and the intracellular granules were not recognizable. In time-lapse microscopy, the aggregates were observed to move on a glass slide, which suggests that aggregates can "crawl" on the intraluminal surface of the coelom toward, for example, injured regions in the body of the sea cucumber.

Transverse excitations in liquid Fe, Cu and Zn

Transverse acoustic (TA) excitation modes were observed in inelastic x-ray scattering spectra of liquid Fe, Cu and Zn. From the analysis of current correlation functions, we concluded that TA excitation modes can experimentally be detected through the quasi-TA branches in the longitudinal current correlation spectra in these liquid metals. The microscopic elastic constants are estimated and a characteristic difference from macroscopic polycrystalline value was found in Poisson's ratio of liquid Fe, which shows an extremely softer value of ∼0.38 compared with the macroscopic value of ∼0.275. The lifetime of the TA modes were determined to be ∼0.45 ps for liquid Fe and Cu and ∼0.55 ps for liquid Zn, reflecting different interatomic correlations between liquid transition metals and non-transition metals. The propagation length of the TA modes are ∼0.85 nm in all of liquid metals, corresponding to the size of icosahedral or similar size of cages formed instantaneously in these liquid metals.

Exposure to an atomic bomb explosion is a risk factor for in-hospital death after esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer

Esophagectomy, one of the most invasive of all gastrointestinal operations, is associated with a high frequency of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether exposure to the atomic bomb explosion at Hiroshima in 1945 might be a preoperative risk factor for in-hospital mortality after esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients. We thus reviewed the outcomes of esophagectomy in 31 atomic bomb survivors with esophageal cancer and 96 controls (also with cancer but without atomic bomb exposure). We compared the incidences of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. Of the clinicopathological features studied, mean patient age was significantly higher in atomic bomb survivors than in controls. Of the postoperative complications noted, atomic bomb survivors experienced a longer mean period of endotracheal intubation and higher incidences of severe pulmonary complications, severe anastomotic leakage, and surgical site infection. The factors associated with in-hospital mortality were exposure to the atomic bomb explosion, pulmonary comorbidities, and electrocardiographic abnormalities. Multivariate analysis revealed that exposure to the atomic bomb explosion was an independent significant preoperative risk factor for in-hospital mortality. Exposure to the atomic bomb explosion is thus a preoperative risk factor for in-hospital death after esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer.

Ovarian cavity fluid of the viviparous surfperch Neoditrema ransonnetii suppresses the spontaneous cytotoxic activity of head-kidney leucocytes against xenogeneic targets

In this study, the effect of ovarian cavity fluid (OCF) from a surfperch Neoditrema ransonnetii on the cytotoxic activity of leucocytes was investigated. In an assay targeting RTG-2, a cell line derived from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gonads, leucocytes from both the spleen and head kidney showed spontaneous killing activity. Pre-incubation with OCF significantly suppressed the cytotoxic activity of head-kidney leucocytes towards RTG-2. This suppressive activity was due to the presence of low molecular-mass materials. These results suggest that OCF plays significant roles in pregnancy by its ability to modulate cytotoxicity with maternal leucocytes.

Transverse excitations in liquid Sn

Transverse acoustic (TA) excitation modes were observed in inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) spectra of liquid Sn. The excitation energies and widths of the TA modes are in good agreement with results of an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. By comparing current correlation spectra between the experimental and theoretical results quantitatively, we have concluded that the TA modes can be detected experimentally through the quasi-TA branches in the longitudinal current correlation spectra. The lifetime and propagation length of the TA modes were determined to be ~0.7 ps and 0.8-1.0 nm, respectively, corresponding to the size of cages formed instantaneously in liquid Sn.

Esophageal submucosal dissection under steady pressure automatically controlled endoscopy (SPACE): a randomized preclinical trial

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

A new overtube system has been developed for steady pressure automatically controlled endoscopy (SPACE) in the gastrointestinal tract. The objectives of this study were to validate the feasibility and safety of SPACE in the esophagus, and to evaluate its potential advantages over conventional (manually insufflating) endoscopy in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODS

This was a multicenter preclinical trial using acute porcine models (n = 20). In Experiment 1 (feasibility/safety study), SPACE was attempted in the esophagus with continuous monitoring of cardiopulmonary parameters and intraluminal pressures in the downstream bowel. Different insufflation pressures were tested to optimize the insufflation condition. Each session was video-recorded and scored by blinded reviewers. In Experiment 2 (randomized trial), esophageal ESD was attempted using either SPACE or conventional endoscopy, and results were compared.

RESULTS

In Experiment 1, SPACE was performed safely without intraluminal pressure elevation in the downstream bowel. According to video review, SPACE provided more stable, reproducible, and rapid visualization than conventional endoscopy. The insufflation pressure was optimized at 14 mmHg for esophageal SPACE. In Experiment 2, ESD was completed in all animals. The ESD time was significantly shorter with SPACE compared with conventional endoscopy (1326 vs. 1616 seconds; P = 0.009). Responses to questionnaires showed that 94 % - 100 % of participants considered SPACE to provide improved exposure and more uniform tissue tension than conventional endoscopy. Other data were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

SPACE is feasible, safe, and potentially effective for complicated endoscopic procedures, such as ESD. SPACE improves and standardizes endoscopic exposure and tissue tension. A clinical study is required to further confirm its safety and clinical effectiveness.

Viral-like brain inflammation during development causes increased seizure susceptibility in adult rats

Viral infections of the CNS and their accompanying inflammation can cause long-term neurological effects, including increased risk for seizures. To examine the effects of CNS inflammation, we infused polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, intracerebroventricularly to mimic a viral CNS infection in 14 day-old rats. This caused fever and an increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1beta in the brain. As young adults, these animals were more susceptible to lithium-pilocarpine and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures and showed memory deficits in fear conditioning. Whereas there was no alteration in adult hippocampal cytokine levels, we found a marked increase in NMDA (NR2A and C) and AMPA (GluR1) glutamate receptor subunit mRNA expression. The increase in seizure susceptibility, glutamate receptor subunits, and hippocampal IL-1beta levels were suppressed by neonatal systemic minocycline. Thus, a novel model of viral CNS inflammation reveals pathophysiological relationships between brain cytokines, glutamate receptors, behaviour and seizures, which can be attenuated by anti-inflammatory agents like minocycline.

Unconventional ferroelectric transition in the multiferroic compound TbMnO3 revealed by the absence of an anomaly in c-polarized phonon dispersion

TbMnO(3) exhibits a spontaneous electric polarization along c concomitantly with a spiral spin ordering modulated along b below T_{C} = 28 K. We have performed inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on a single crystal of TbMnO(3) to clarify whether phonon anomalies related to the ferroelectricity exist. We measured transverse modes, especially the Mn-O-Mn bending mode polarized along c and propagating along b, which we expect is most relevant to the ferroelectricity. However, no anomaly was found in the phonon dispersion below 50 meV across T_{C}. The present result suggests that the mechanism of ferroelectricity in TbMnO(3) is different from that of a conventional displacive-type ferroelectric. The weak coupling between electric polarization and lattice in TbMnO(3) strongly suggests that the ferroelectricity is mainly derived from the spiral spin ordering.

Transverse acoustic excitations in liquid Ga

The transverse acoustic excitation modes were detected by inelastic x-ray scattering in liquid Ga in the Q range above 9 nm(-1) although liquid Ga is mostly described by a hard-sphere liquid. An ab initio molecular dynamics simulation clearly supports this finding. From the detailed analysis for the S(Q,omega) spectra with a good statistic quality, the lifetime of 0.5 ps and the propagating length of 0.4-0.5 nm can be estimated for the transverse acoustic phonon modes, which may correspond to the lifetime and size of cages formed instantaneously in liquid Ga.

LACK OF CELLULAR PRION PROTEIN UNMASKS NMDA NR2D SUBUNIT RECEPTOR FUNCTION WITH CONSEQUENCES TOWARD SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION AND EXCITOTOXICITY

Background: The physiological functions of endogenous cellular prion protein (PrPC)is incompletely understood. Previously, it has been shown that PrP-null mice exhibit reduced long-term (synaptic) potentiation and greater susceptibility to seizure mortality in several in vivo models of epilepsy. In addition, PrP-null neurons in culture exhibit greater excito toxic cell death in response to kainic acid exposure, and in several models of oxidative stress. Although PrP seems toplay a protective role against various forms of cellular insults, the precise mechanism of such action is unknown. Methods: We investigated the synaptic properties of WT and PrP-null mice using cultured neurons and also brain slices from adult mice. Synaptic activity was assessed using whole-cell voltage clamp. We recorded spontaneous and evoked synaptic potentials. Extracellular field recordings of brain slices were also performed. Pharmacological agents were used to isolate all components of glutamatergic and GABA(A) mediated synaptic transmission. In addition, weassessed the effect of NMDA excitotoxicity in WT and PrP-null neurons using in vitro and in vivo experiments. We also used immunostaining, coimmunoprecipitation, and protein expression studies to quantify the relation between NMDA subtype expression and localization relative to native PrP. Results: Recordings in the CA1 layer of adult hippocampal slices showed thatPrP-null mice exhibit a reduced threshold to evoked responses, exhibited basal hyperexcitability, and in a model of zero-Mg2+ seizures also showed lower seizure threshold. No differences were observed in paired-pulse facilitation relative to WT animals. Recordings from mature hippocampal cultures showed slightly altered AMPA and GABAA miniature synaptic currents. NMDA mEPSCs were observed to be increased in amplitude and significantly prolonged in decaytime. NMDA-evoked currents also exhibited markedly prolonged deactivation kinetics. This effect on evoked NMDA currents was reproduced in WT neurons byindependent PrP-RNAi, NR2D-RNAi transfection, and eliminated by PrPCtransfection into PrP-null neurons. In addition, PrP coimmunoprecipitated with NR2D and not NR2B NMDA receptor subunits. In vitro and in vivo experiments utilizing transient exposure to NMDA showed greater cell death in PrP-nullneurons, which was significantly reduced by application of an NMDA receptor antagonist. Conclusions: These data suggest that enhanced NMDA activity is present in PrP-null neurons. Consistent with this finding, in vitro and in vivo excitotoxicity assays demonstrated increased neuronal cell death in PrP-null cultures and animals upon transient exposure to NMDA. This was confirmed at the level of synaptic currents showing prolonged receptor deactivation kinetics that were most consistent with functional activation of NR2D NMDA receptor subunits. Enhanced NMDA receptor function was paralleled by increased excitotoxicity in PrP-null mice. Our findings demonstrate a novel functional role for PrP as a modulator of synaptic NMDA currents and attributes a neuroprotective function to PrP.

Possible immune functions of congerin, a mucosal galectin, in the intestinal lumen of Japanese conger eel

Congerin, a mucosal galectin of the Japanese conger eel, provides chemical fortification through its agglutinating and opsonizing activity. Congerin is produced in the epidermis, and the epithelia of the oral cavity to the esophagus, but not in the stomach or intestine. We hypothesized that congerin secreted from the upper digestive tract can reach and function in the intestinal lumen. We found that congerin possessed marked resistance against digestion by gastric and enteric enzymes of conger eel. It was not degraded until 6h of incubation with stomach extract or intestinal digestion juice. Western blotting demonstrated that congerin essentially remained in the intestinal mucus. The mucus agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes, and the agglutination was hampered by anti-congerin antibody. Furthermore, congerin could bind to some enteric bacteria. These results support the above hypothesis.

Laparoscopy-assisted right hepatic lobectomy using a wall-lifting procedure

This article describes a new technique for performing a laparoscopy-assisted right hepatic lobectomy using a hanger wall-lifting procedure. The patient is placed in the left semi-lateral position. A cholecystectomy and hemi-hepatic vascular inflow control are then performed through a midline incision, through which the resected liver can be removed. Next, the right lower chest and right upper abdominal wall are lifted by two wires vertical to the abdominal wall. Two ports, a 5-mm port in right lateral abdomen for forceps and a 12-mm port just right of the umbilicus for the laparoscope, are inserted. The obtained view of the operative field in the right upper abdominal cavity is thus excellent. The laparoscopy-assisted mobilization of the right hepatic lobe is done with the assistance of a hand inserted through the midline incision, including a dissection of the hepato-renal ligament, the right triangular ligament, and the right coronary ligament. A parenchymal dissection is then performed using the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) and the resected specimen is passed through the midline incision without any morcellation of the liver. This procedure can minimize the length of the wound, while avoiding the lethal complications associated with pneumoperitoneum.

A loss of c-kit expression is associated with an advanced stage and poor prognosis in breast cancer

To evaluate the c-kit expression in breast cancer, 217 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast were immunohistochemically stained for c-kit protein. The c-kit expression was positive in 59 (27%) of 217 tumours, while the c-kit expression was negative in 158 (73%) of 217 tumours. There was a significant correlation between a negative expression of the c-kit protein and lymph node metastasis (P<0.0001), and the incidence of a negative expression of the c-kit protein increased as the number of the metastatic lymph nodes increased (P=0.0003). The c-kit expression did not significantly correlate with the tumour size, nuclear grade, oestrogen receptor status, MIB-1 counts and p53 protein expression. A univariate analysis indicated the patients with the negative c-kit expression to have a worse disease-free survival (DFS) than those with the positive c-kit expression (P=0.0041), while a multivariate analysis determined lymph node metastases and the MIB-1 counts to be independently significant factors for DFS. In conclusion, a loss of the c-kit expression was found in about three-fourth of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and was associated with lymph node metastases. The prognostic implications of the c-kit expression seem to be due to fact that a loss of the c-kit expression is associated with an advanced stage of breast cancer.

Production of adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory protein, in mesenteric adipose tissue in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A characteristic feature of Crohn's disease (CD) is mesenteric adipose tissue hypertrophy. Mesenteric adipocytes or specific proteins secreted by them may play a role in the pathogenesis of CD. We recently identified adiponectin as an adipocyte specific protein with anti-inflammatory properties. Here we report on expression of adiponectin in mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mesenteric adipose tissue specimens were obtained from patients with CD (n = 22), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 8) and, for controls, colon carcinoma patients (n = 28) who underwent intestinal resection. Adiponectin concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and adiponectin mRNA levels were determined by real time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Tissue concentrations and release of adiponectin were significantly increased in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients compared with normal mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.040, respectively), UC patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.003), and controls (p<0.0001, p<0.0001). Adiponectin mRNA levels were significantly higher in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients than in paired normal mesenteric adipose tissue from the same subjects (p = 0.024). Adiponectin concentrations in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients with an internal fistula were significantly lower than those of CD patients without an internal fistula (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that adipocytes in hypertrophied mesenteric adipose tissue produce and secrete significant amounts of adiponectin, which could be involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation associated with CD.

Fast sound in expanded fluid Hg accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition

The dynamic structure factor S(Q,omega) of expanded fluid Hg has been measured up to the metal-nonmetal transition region at 9.0 g cm(-3) (1723 K and 1940 bars) using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering, at momentum transfers, Q, from 0.2 to 4.8 A(-1). Analysis in the framework of generalized hydrodynamics reveals that the frequencies of the collective excitations increase faster with Q than estimated from the macroscopic speed of sound. The effective sound velocity at 9.0 g cm(-3) estimated from the dispersion relation is triple the ultrasonic sound velocity. The present result suggests the existence of fast sound in expanded fluid Hg accompanying the metal-nonmetal transition.

Softening of Cu-O bond stretching phonons in tetragonal HgBa2CuO4+delta

Phonons in nearly optimally doped HgBa(2)CuO(4+delta) were studied by inelastic x-ray scattering. The dispersion of the low-energy modes is well described by a shell model, while the Cu-O bond stretching mode at high energy shows strong softening towards the zone boundary, which deviates strongly from the model. This seems to be common in the hole-doped high-T(c) superconducting cuprates, and, based on this work, not related to a lattice distortion specific to each material.

Kohn anomaly in MgB2 by inelastic X-ray scattering

We study phonons in MgB2 using inelastic x-ray scattering (1.6 and 6 meV resolution). We clearly observe the softening and broadening of the crucial E(2g) mode through the Kohn anomaly along GammaM, in excellent agreement with ab initio calculations. Low temperature measurements (just above and below T(c)) show negligible changes for the momentum transfers investigated and no change in the E(2g) mode at A between room temperature and 16 K. We report the presence of a longitudinal mode along GammaA near in energy to the E(2g) mode that is not predicted by theory.

High frequency dynamics in a monatomic glass

The high frequency dynamics of glassy selenium has been studied by inelastic x-ray scattering at beam line BL35XU (SPring-8). The high quality of the data allows one to pinpoint the existence of a dispersing acoustic mode for wave vectors (Q) of 1.5<Q<12.5 nm(-1), helping to clarify a previ-ous contradiction between experimental and numerical results. The sound velocity shows a positive dispersion, exceeding the hydrodynamic value by approximately 10% at Q<3.5 nm(-1). The Q2 dependence of the sound attenuation Gamma(Q), reported for other glasses, is found to be the low-Q limit of a more general Gamma(Q) proportional, variant Omega(Q)(2) law, which applies also to the higher Q region, where Omega(Q) proportional, variant Q no longer holds.

EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein in the primary lesions and paired metastatic regional lymph nodes in breast cancer

AIMS

Various biological parameters are now being evaluated as predictors for the response of chemohormonal therapy for breast cancer. Few studies compare these parameters between the primary lesions and metastatic regional lymph nodes of breast cancer.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical analyses for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB2 and p53 protein were performed on the primary lesions and matching metastatic regional lymph nodes of 107 breast cancers. The intensity of the immunoreactivity was graded for heterogeneous or 10-50% staining, and diffuse or >50% staining.

RESULTS

EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein showed a concordance between the primary lesions and matching regional lymph nodes in terms of a negative or positive finding (+ and ++) in 98 (92%) of 106 cases, 76 (100%) of 76 cases and 79 (93%) of 85 cases respectively, while EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein also showed a concordance in the intensity of the immunoreactivity in 24 (89%) of 27 cases 14 (74%) of 19 cases and 30 (94%) of 32 cases respectively. In 21 of 24 cases which showed a disconcordance in the positivity or the intensity of the positivity of EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein, one of the primary lesions and matching regional lymph nodes showed heterogeneous or 10-50% immunostaining.

CONCLUSIONS

The immunoreactivity of EGFR, c-erbB2 and p53 protein shows a concordance between the primary lesions and matching metastatic regional lymph nodes in a majority of breast cancers.

Nosocomial contamination by Mycobacterium gordonae in hospital water supply and super-oxidized water

We experienced contamination by Mycobacterium gordonae of the hospital water of our surgical ward. The contamination was discovered following detection of the organism in operative lung samples, washed with super-oxidized water. Repeated examination of water demonstrated contamination by M. gordonae occurred only in the surgical ward, related to the apparatus for making super-oxidized water. No patients were infected by M. gordonae. After changing the water supply equipment and cleaning the water tubes, M. gordonae in the water disappeared.

Prognostic value of p53 protein expression in breast cancer; an immunohistochemical analysis of frozen sections in 514 Japanese women

BACKGROUND

Although the prognostic value of p53 protein has been extensively studied in breast cancer, there have so far been few immunohistochemical studies of p53 protein using frozen sections in a large series of Japanese women with breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein was performed on frozen sections from 514 Japanese patients with breast cancer with a mean follow-up duration of 31 months.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eight (40.5%) of 514 cases showed nuclear accumulation of p53 protein. There was a significant inverse correlation between p53 protein and estrogen receptor (ER) status. The patients who were positive for p53 protein had a significantly worse outcome in terms of both disease free survival (DFS) (p<0.0001) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.0411) than those negative for p53 protein. The same effect on DFS was seen in subgroups divided either by nodal status or ER status. Multivariate analyses indicated that nodal status, ER and p53 protein were all independent prognostic factors for DFS. The nodal status, ER and tumor size were independent prognostic factors for OS, and p53 protein status was still an independent prognostic factor for DFS in subgroups divided either by nodal status or ER status.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated the prognostic value of p53 protein expression for the early recurrence of breast cancer, and the prognostic value of p53 protein expression was independent from that of both the nodal status and ER status in breast cancer.

Prognostic value of DNA ploidy in 653 Japanese women with node-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of DNA ploidy has been extensively studied in breast cancer; however, the results remain controversial. Flow cytometry (FCM) studies of DNA ploidy on frozen sections have not yet been performed in a large series of Japanese women with node-negative breast cancer.

METHODS

An FCM analysis of DNA ploidy was performed on frozen sections of node-negative breast cancer from 653 Japanese women, with a mean follow-up duration of 46 months.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twenty-four (49.6%) patients showed a diploid tumor, while 329 (50.4%) showed an aneuploid tumor. There was a significant correlation between DNA ploidy and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Patients with an aneuploid tumor had a significantly worse outcome in terms of both disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.0116) and overall survival (OS: P = 0.0492) than those with a diploid tumor, while the same effect, in terms of DFS, was also seen in ER-positive breast cancer. Multivariate analyses indicated DNA ploidy to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS, while DNA ploidy and tumor size were found to be independent prognostic factors for OS. DNA ploidy was also shown to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS in ER-positive breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated DNA ploidy, based on FCM, to have an important prognostic value in Japanese women with node-negative breast cancer.

Nurses' comprehension and recall process of a patient's message with double-bind information

We examined nurses' comprehension and recall process of patients' passage with double-bind information. We focused on two modes of communication, tone of voice and content of speech. The experiment followed a 2 x 2 x 2 design with respect to listeners (nurse vs student), tone of voice (positive vs negative), and verbal content (positive vs negative). Subjects were 79 nurses who worked at the university hospital and 99 students who were studying at the Faculty of Nursing. Nurses and students were randomly divided into four subgroups; each was presented one of four professionally tape-recorded scripts representing one possible combination of tone of voice and verbal content on the part of a fictitious patient. Listeners then rated the passages on scales and were asked to recall the passages in detail. Listeners recalled and understood passages better when the modes of communication did not conflict. Accuracy in recall reflected comprehension of passages rather than the listener's feelings about the "patient," especially in double-bind situations. Listeners tended to judge the speaker's feelings by tone of voice rather than verbal content.

A double-blind comparative study of zolpidem versus zopiclone in the treatment of chronic primary insomnia

Zolpidem (10 mg/day) and zopiclone (7.5 mg/day), administered at night, were compared in a 14-day, double-blind, equivalence trial on 479 chronic primary insomniacs (zolpidem, 231; zopiclone, 248) throughout Japan, with a 1-week follow-up to assess rebound. The primary endpoint was the investigators' rating of global improvement of sleep disorders. A total of 32 patients in the zolpidem group (13.9%) and 45 patients in the zopiclone group (18.1%) withdrew from the study before the end of the treatment. In the zolpidem group, 67.9% (142/209) of patients were rated at least 'moderately improved' versus 61.6% (135/219) with zopiclone, zolpidem being at least as effective as zopiclone (90% confidence interval: -1.7, 14.3). With zolpidem, sleep onset latency improved in significantly more patients (85.8% versus 77.5%) and significantly fewer patients showed aggravated sleep onset latency relative to baseline at follow-up (4.5% versus 15.4%). Significantly fewer patients receiving zolpidem experienced drug-related adverse events (31.3% versus 45.3%), with bitter taste representing 5.8% (six of 104) of such complaints with zolpidem compared with 39.9% (69/173) with zopiclone. In conclusion, zolpidem was at least as effective as zopiclone, showed significantly less rebound on discontinuation and was better tolerated.

Glutathionyl hemoglobin in uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND

To assess the redox state in hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, we focused on the formation of glutathionyl hemoglobin (Hb) because the ratio of oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) is increased in uremia, and GSSG is a source of glutathionyl Hb.

METHODS

Glutathionyl Hb levels were measured in 30 HD patients, 10 CAPD patients, and 20 healthy subjects by using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS).

RESULTS

Hbbeta showed a peak at 15,868 D in a deconvoluted ESI mass spectrum. Glutathionyl Hbbeta was detected at 16,173 D (15,868 + 305). The peak at 16,173 D was identified as glutathionyl Hbbeta based on the following findings: (1) the peak disappeared by reducing the sample with dithiothreitol, and (2) the peak could be detected at a high level by incubating Hb in vitro with GSH in water at 37 degrees C for seven days. Glutathionyl Hb levels expressed as the peak height ratios of glutathionyl Hbbeta to intact Hbbeta were significantly elevated in HD patients (8.0 +/- 3.6%, mean +/- SD, N = 30, P < 0.0001) and CAPD patients (5.9 +/- 2.7%, N = 10, P < 0.05) as compared with normal subjects (3.0 +/- 1.6%, N = 20). However, there were no significant differences in the glutathionyl Hb levels before (8.7 +/- 3.2%, N = 12) and after HD (8.7 +/- 2.8%, N = 12).

CONCLUSION

Glutathionyl Hb levels were increased in HD and CAPD patients, probably because of enhanced oxidative stress. The measurement of glutathionyl Hb may be useful to assess oxidative stress in uremic patients.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mediates stress-induced expression of its ligands in rat gastric epithelial cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factors are induced after acute gastric injury and may play an important role in mucosal repair. However, the mechanisms that trigger these growth factors are poorly understood. We determined the role of EGF receptor (EGFR) in stress-induced expression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in a rat gastric epithelial cell line (RGM1 cells).

METHODS

RGM1 cells were transfected with a plasmid containing complementary DNA encoding a dominant-negative human EGFR (HERCD533). Cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (0-400 micromol/L) or sorbitol (600 mmol/L). Tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR was determined by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting with an antiphosphotyrosine antibody. HB-EGF messenger RNA and protein were determined with Northern and Western blotting, respectively. Cell growth was evaluated by cell number and [(3)H]thymidine incorporation.

RESULTS

Oxidative stress and osmotic stress induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR within 2 minutes, followed by a marked increase in HB-EGF and amphiregulin transcripts in RGM1 cells. Introduction of HERCD533 into the cells inhibited not only tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR but also growth response to EGF. Furthermore, oxidative stress-induced HB-EGF messenger RNA expression was impaired in HERCD533-expressing cells.

CONCLUSIONS

EGFR plays a crucial role in the stress-induced expression of EGF-like growth factors in gastrointestinal epithelial cells.

Compensatory coordination of release parameters in a throwing task

The consistency and coordination of release parameters in ball-throwing movements were investigated. The authors used a newly developed index of coordination for release parameters (ICRP) that quantifies the degree of improvement of performance consistency caused by compensatory relationships among parameters (i.e., not caused by consistency of parameters). Eight participants practiced for 150 trials, with the nondominant hand, a ball-throwing task aimed at a stationary target. The magnitude of the ball-release velocity vector, among release parameters, as well as the performance was found to become consistent with practice. The ICRP score suggested that the release parameters were complementarily coordinated with one another, and that the coordination improved with practice. Those results indicate that compensatory relationships among varying release parameters contribute to reducing the variability of performance in a ball-throwing task whose goal is accuracy.

Mutations of the bak gene in human gastric and colorectal cancers

The Bcl-2 homologue Bak is a potent inducer of apoptosis. We performed PCR-based single-strand conformational polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the entire coding region of the bak gene (exons 2-6) in 24 primary gastric cancers (6 early-stage and 18 advanced-stage cancers) and 20 primary colorectal cancers (6 early-stage and 14 advanced-stage cancers). The data herein demonstrate, for the first time, the mutation of the bak gene in gastric and colorectal cancers. Missense bak gene mutations were observed in 3 of 24 (12.5%) gastric cancers and 2 of 20 (10.0%) colorectal cancers. Sequence alterations without amino acid alteration were observed 1 of 24 (4.2%) gastric cancers and 2 of 20 (10.0%) colorectal cancers. Mutations in the bak gene were observed only in advanced-stage gastrointestinal cancers but not in early-stage cancers. Our observations suggest that mutations in this gene predispose bearers to the development of gastrointestinal malignancies in at least a subset of the cases.

Judgments of emotion by nurses and students given double-bind information on a patient's tone of voice and message content

We examined the communication process in a situation typical of the nursing setting by use of a double-bind communication. Our objective was to examine which of two cues in communications from a patient, tone of voice or verbal content, was more important in judging the speaker's emotional status and personality traits and in arousing the listening nurse's emotions. Subjects were 82 nurses who worked at the university hospital and 100 students who were studying at the Faculty of Nursing of the university. They were assigned into four groups at random, presented professionally tape-recorded scripts representing a patient's verbal report, and then completed a questionnaire concerning the speaker's emotional status as well as the listener's own emotional status. When the listeners judged the speaker's emotional status, they gave more attention to a negative emotional expression, and when the listeners formed an impression of the speaker's personality traits, they were influenced by the speaker's tone of voice rather than by the content of the speech.