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The transient temperature and pressure of hydrogen are measured during the hydrogen discharging process through an orifice in a high-pressure vessel. The initial pressures of hydrogen in the vessel are set to approximately 30, 60, and 100 MPa. The mass flow rate and heat flux between hydrogen and the inner wall of the vessel are theoretically estimated using fundamental equations and experimental results with accurate thermophysical properties of hydrogen. The generation of temperature distribution and flow due to heat transfer in the vessel during discharge is verified by numerical analysis. Further, the relationship between reference gas temperature and heat flux in the vessel during the release of high-pressure hydrogen is studied. The average heat flux in the vessel is calculated using experimental and numerical analysis. The appropriate reference temperature is obtained using the comparison of the average heat flux in the vessel. In addition, the dominant heat transfer mode during hydrogen discharge is investigated. Numerical analysis shows that natural convection is formed inside the vessel due to a decrease in temperature. The Nusselt numbers in this process are presented as a function of Rayleigh numbers which are obtained by the experimental results and mass and energy conservations. The relationship between the Nusselt and Rayleigh numbers agrees with the heat transfer correlations of natural convections. • Experiment of discharging hydrogen at a maximum of 100 MPa. • Numerical simulation during discharging high-pressure hydrogen. • The evaluation of heat transfer characteristics during discharging high pressure hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have studied the transport properties of carbon nanotube quantum dots under terahertz (THz) wave irradiation. The experimental data have shown that the satellite currents are generated with the THz irradiation, and that the peak position of the satellite currents varies linearly with the THz photon energy. These results provide experimental evidence for photon-assisted tunneling in the THz region. The present observation provides the interesting possibility of developing a highly sensitive and frequency-tunable THz detector capable of high-temperature operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrodesis provides stability and strength of the thumb, whereas fixation of the TMC joint restricts motion of the thumb, which may consequently impair the activity of daily living. The objective of our study was to investigate how length and area of the thumb-tip trajectory were reduced after the TMC joint fusion. Six fresh, frozen cadavers were used for this study. Tension was applied to the distal tendons of 4 extrinsic thumb muscles (extensor pollicis longus, flexor pollicis longus, abductor pollicis longus, and extensor pollicis brevis) by servomotor, whereas tension was applied to 4 intrinsic muscles (abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis, and adductor pollicis) using static weights. The thumb-tip trajectory was examined using a motion capture system without tension and with 5 different weights to induce intrinsic muscle tension before and after the TMC joint fusion. When tension was applied to the intrinsic muscles, the length of the thumb-tip trajectory decreased in all conditions compared with that before the TMC joint fusion, whereas the trajectory decreased only when the abductor pollicis longus was pulled. The overall thumb-tip trajectory area was reduced to approximately 30% compared with that before the TMC joint fusion. Thumb-tip trajectory was restricted by the TMC joint fusion to approximately 30%. However, the reduced area was found tolerable for performing daily activities. Thus, arthrodesis can be the first-line treatment in patients who wish to engage in activities of daily living without difficulties. • We investigated the influence of the trapetiometacarpal joint fusion. • The trapeziometacarpal joint fusion affected all intrinsic muscles of the thumb examined. • For extrinsic muscles trapeziometacarpal joint fusion only affected abductor pollicis longus. • Thumb-tip trajectory area was reduced to approximately 30% before trapeziometacarpal joint fusion. • The reduced area was mostly found in a tolerable area in activity of daily living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose After undergoing the Kasai procedure for biliary atresia (BA), most patients develop severe splenomegaly that tends to be improved by liver transplantation. However, fluctuations in splenic volume long after transplantation remain to be elucidated. Patients and Methods Seventy-one consecutive patients who had undergone pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for BA were followed up in our outpatient clinic for 5 years. They were classified into 3 groups according to their clinical outcomes: a good course group (GC, n = 41) who were maintained on only 1 or without an immunosuppressant, a liver dysfunction group (LD, n = 18) who were maintained on 2 or 3 types of immunosuppressants, and a vascular complication group (VC, n = 11). Splenic and hepatic volumes were calculated by computed tomography in 464 examinations and the values compared before and after the treatment, especially in the VC group. Results Splenic volume decreased exponentially in the GC group, with splenic volume to standard spleen volume ratio (SD) being 1.59 (0.33) 5 years after liver transplantation. Splenic volume to standard spleen volume ratios were greater in the VC and LD groups than in the GC group. Patients in the VC group with portal vein stenosis developed liver atrophy and splenomegaly, whereas those with hepatic vein stenosis developed hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Interventional radiation therapy tended to improve the associated symptoms. Conclusions Fluctuations in splenic volume long after pediatric LDLT for BA may reflect various clinical conditions. Evaluation of both splenic and hepatic volumes can facilitate understanding clinical conditions following pediatric LDLT. Highlights • There is still minimal information available regarding the fluctuation of the spleen volume long after pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for biliary atresia (BA). Data on the relationships among spleen volume, liver volume, and post liver transplantation (LTx) complications long after LTx are also scarce. In this study we measured the sequential changes in the spleen and liver volumes after pediatric LDLT for BA in patients followed up for more than 5 years in our outpatient clinic. • This article is the first report shedding light on the relationship between spleen and liver volume related to complications such as vascular or biliary complication after pediatric LDLT for BA in patients followed up for more than 5 years. • This information could be helpful for post-LDLT follow-up, especially in recipients after pediatric living donor liver transplantation for BA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Although hepatic vein stenosis after liver transplantation is a rare complication, the complication rate of 1% to 6% is higher in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation than that in other liver transplantation cases. Diagnosis is very important because this complication can cause hepatic congestion that develops to liver cirrhosis, graft loss, and patient loss. However, this is unlikely in cases where there are no ascites or hypoalbuminemia. Objectives Eleven of 167 patients who had undergone pediatric living-donor liver transplantation were identified in the outpatient clinic at Jichi Medical University as having suffered from hepatic vein stenosis, and were enrolled in the study. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in which we reviewed historical patient records to investigate the parameters for diagnosis and examine treatment methods and outcomes. Results The 11 patients were treated with 16 episodes of balloon dilatation. Three among these received retransplantation and another 2 cases required the placement of a metallic stent at the stenosis. Histological examination revealed severe fibrosis in four of nine patients who had a liver biopsy, with mild fibrosis revealed in the other five grafts. Furthermore, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly diagnosed by computed tomography, elevated levels of hyarulonic acid, and/or a decrease in calcineurin inhibitor clearance were found to be pathognomonic at diagnosis, and tended to improve after treatment. Conclusions Diagnosis of hepatic vein stenosis after liver transplantation can be difficult, so careful observation is crucial to avoid the risk of acute liver dysfunction. Comprehensive assessment using volumetry of the liver and spleen and monitoring of hyarulonic acid levels and/or calcineurin inhibitor clearance, in addition to some form of imaging examination, is important for diagnosis and evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rotating waveplate Stokes polarimeter was developed for ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) poloidal polarimeter. The generalized model of the rotating waveplate Stokes polarimeter and the algorithm suitable for real-time field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processing were proposed. Since the generalized model takes into account each component associated with the rotation of the waveplate, the Stokes parameters can be accurately measured even in unideal condition such as non-uniformity of the waveplate retardation. Experiments using a He-Ne laser showed that the maximum error and the precision of the Stokes parameter were 3.5% and 1.2%, respectively. The rotation speed of waveplate was 20 000 rpm and time resolution of measuring the Stokes parameter was 3.3 ms. Software emulation showed that the real-time measurement of the Stokes parameter with time resolution of less than 10 ms is possible by using several FPGA boards. Evaluation of measurement capability using a far-infrared laser which ITER poloidal polarimeter will use concluded that measurement error will be reduced by a factor of nine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is known to be the most frequently viral infection among patients after liver transplantation. This is especially true in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation because the recipients have often not been infected with CMV and postoperative primary infection with CMV frequently occurs. Patients and Methods Of 93 patients who underwent pediatric liver transplantation at our department, 33 patients (36.3%) were diagnosed with CMV infection using the antigenemia method (C7-HRP). Retrospective review and statistical analysis were conducted to confirm risk factors of post-transplantation CMV infection. Result Positive lymphocytes were diagnosed between postoperative days 8 and 111 after transplantation. Ganciclovir or foscavir were administrated to 21 patients. The other 10 patients who had one positive lymphocyte were observed and the cell disappeared on follow-up examination. We did not observe any cases of positive lymphocytes with C7-HRP in patients who received a graft from a CMV antibody−negative donor. Independent predictors associated with CMV infection in the multivariable analysis were administration of OKT3 and grafts from CMV antibody−positive donors. Conclusion In CMV infection after pediatric liver transplantation, cases with CMV antibody−positive donors and with OKT3 administration for acute rejection are considered high risk, and cases with CMV antibody−negative donors are considered low risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The antineoplastic bifunctional-alkylating agent busulfan (Bu) induces developmental anomalies. We examined histopathological changes in the molar roots of rats that received Bu at different stages of root formation. Design: At different developmental stages, i.e., on postnatal days (P) 13, 15, and 19, rats were administered 7.5mg/kg of Bu dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then killed on P 30. After micro-computed tomography analysis, the maxillary first molars underwent immunohistochemical analysis for cytokeratin 14 (CK14), nestin, and dentin sialoprotein (Dsp). This was followed by histomorphometric analysis. Results: The rats receiving Bu at an early stage (i.e., P 13 and P 15) showed osteodentin formation and complete destruction of the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS). Cells around osteodentin showed nestin and Dsp immunoreactivity. The root lengths in rats treated with Bu at P 13 (1228.44±62.17μm) and P 15 (1536.08±109.71μm) were lower than that in the control rats (1674.10±40μm). A narrowed apical foramen and an increased amount of osteodentin were also present, depending on the rat's age at the time of treatment (P <0.05). Conclusion: Busulfan treatment in juvenile rats resulted in abnormal root development, depending on the stage at which Bu was administered. This abnormal development may result from the destruction of the HERS. The administration of Bu caused a shortage of HERS cells, which are required for normal root development. This disturbs root formation, resulting in osteodentin formation and a narrowed apex foramen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new method to calculate a safety factor, q, profile from gridded data of a poloidal flux, Ψ, efficiently and accurately. Difficulties of calculating q are derived from a difficulty of specifying a contour line of Ψ and a singularity at a magnetic axis. In order to solve the first difficulty, the proposed method interpolates knots, which are located on a target Ψ, by utilizing a normalized arc length and constraints expressed by a magnetic field. Regarding the second difficulty, the proposed method identifies q0 by extrapolating a q profile around a magnetic axis with a constraint of dq/dρ = 0 at the magnetic axis. Accuracy assessments of the proposed method are carried out by utilizing the Solov'ev-type equilibrium. The results show the validity and high performance of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that fibrates, lipid-lowering agents with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonistic property, lower blood pressure (BP) in some experimental models of hypertension. However, the effect of fibrates on BP in humans has been inconsistent, and there are few studies using home or ambulatory BP monitoring. We investigated the effects of bezafibrate on office, home and ambulatory BP in hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia. Thirty-two essential hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia (6 men and 26 women, mean age 65±8 years old) were assigned to a control period and a bezafibrate period (200 mg twice daily) for 8 weeks each in a randomized crossover manner. Bezafibrate significantly reduced serum triglyceride, total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood glucose, plasma insulin, the homeostasis model assessment ratio and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Compared with the control period, changes in office, home and 24-h BP with bezafibrate were −0.7±2.1/−1.6±1.2 mm Hg, +0.9±1.0/−0.5±0.6 and +0.8±1.4/−0.6±0.9 mm Hg, respectively. None of these differences in BP was significant. In conclusion, bezafibrate improved lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity but did not affect office, home or ambulatory BP in hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia. Fibrates do not appear to lower BP in patients with essential hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Cancer cells utilise the glycolytic pathway even when adequate oxygen is present, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We examined whether this system is operative in multiple myeloma (MM) cells and whether glycolysis inhibition is a potential therapeutic modality.Methods:The MM cells were purified from 59 patients using CD138-immunomagnetic beads. The expression levels of genes associated with glycolysis, c-MYC, GLUT1, LDHA, HIF1A and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK1) were determined by real-time PCR. Glucose consumption and lactate production by MM cell lines were analysed. Oxamate, an LDH inhibitor, and dichloroacetate (DCA), a PDK1 inhibitor, were employed. Inhibition of PDK1 expression was achieved using a siRNA.Results:High LDHA expression was found to be an indicator of poor prognosis. It was also positively correlated with the expression of PDK1, c-MYC and GLUT1. Greater glucose consumption and lactate production in MM cells was associated with higher LDHA expression. All the glycolysis inhibitors (oxamate, DCA and PDK1 siRNA) induced apoptosis in MM cells. DCA combined with bortezomib showed additive cytotoxic effects.Conclusion:The present data suggest that the Warburg effect is operative in MM cells. As PDK1 is not overexpressed in normal tissues, PDK1 inhibition could serve as a novel therapeutic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have transformed the Stokes equation to equations written in the polarization ellipse parameters. Since the transformed Stokes equations directly describe change in each polarization ellipse parameter, they enable us to easily and comprehensively understand change in the polarization ellipse in a plasma. We have obtained highly accurate approximate solutions of the transformed Stokes equation in order to connect the measured polarization state to the plasma parameters (the electron density and the magnetic field) in a short CPU time. We have compared our solutions and the other approximate solutions proposed by previous studies. Only our solutions have shown good agreement between the polarization parameters and the line-integrated plasma parameters. The errors of our solutions are less than 2% of the domain of each polarization parameter up to the high electron density (∼7 × 1020 m-3) and the long laser wavelength (∼170 &mgr;m). The CPU time of our solutions is 10 times shorter than that of the Stokes equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The nuclear heating rates of the optical mirrors of the poloidal polarimeter installed in the equatorial port plug of ITER are calculated. Since the system cannot have a sufficiently labyrinthine structure and the second mirrors are located closer to the plasma than the first mirrors due to limited space, the nuclear heating rate of the second mirrors is as high as that of the first mirrors. However, it is possible to reduce the nuclear heating rates more than 1 order if the blanket shield module provides a sufficient degree of neutron shielding. The effect of the neutron shield on the peripheral region of the upper port plug, in which the optical system of the poloidal polarimeter is installed, is also evaluated. The gamma-ray dose rate 106 s after shutdown of operations in the back flange region has been estimated to be ∼60μSv/h when the neutron shield is filled in the port plug, which is below the design threshold for the ITER maintenance phase. Further, the nuclear heating rate of the Poloidal field coil near the same upper port has been evaluated to be more than 2 orders lower than the allowable value of 1mW/cc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new concept of a terrace retro-reflector array (TERRA) as part of the poloidal polarimeter for ITER is proposed in this paper. TERRA reflects a laser light even from a high incident angle in the direction of the incident-light path, while a conventional retro-reflector array cannot. Besides, TERRA can be installed in a smaller space than a corner-cube retro-reflector. In an optical sense, TERRA is equivalent to a Littrow grating, the blaze angle of which varies, depending on the incident angle. The reflected light generates a bright and dark fringe, and the bright fringe is required to travel along the incident-light path to achieve the objects of laser-aided diagnostics. In order to investigate the propagation properties of laser light reflected by TERRA, we have developed a new diffraction formula. Conditions for the propagation of the bright fringe in the direction of the incident light have been obtained using the Littrow grating model and have been confirmed in a simulation applying the new diffraction formula. Finally, we have designed laser transmission optics using TERRA for the ITER poloidal polarimeter and have calculated the light propagation of the system. The optical design obtains a high transmission efficiency, with 88.6% of the incident power returned. These results demonstrate the feasibility of applying TERRA to the ITER poloidal polarimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: The role of inorganic content on physical properties of resin composites is well known. However, its influence on polymerization stress development has not been established. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of inorganic fraction on polymerization stress and its determinants, namely, volumetric shrinkage, elastic modulus and degree of conversion. Methods: Eight experimental composites containing 1:1 BisGMA (bisphenylglycidyl dimethacrylate):TEGDMA (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (in mol) and barium glass at increasing concentrations from 25 to 60vol.% (5% increments) were tested. Stress was determined in a universal test machine using acrylic as bonding substrate. Nominal polymerization stress was obtained diving the maximum load by the cross-surface area. Shrinkage was measured using a water picnometer. Elastic modulus was obtained by three-point flexural test. Degree of conversion was determined by FT-Raman spectroscopy. Results: Polymerization stress and shrinkage showed inverse relationships with filler content (R 2 =0.965 and R 2 =0.966, respectively). Elastic modulus presented a direct correlation with inorganic content (R 2 =0.984). Degree of conversion did not vary significantly. Polymerization stress showed a strong direct correlation with shrinkage (R 2 =0.982) and inverse with elastic modulus (R 2 =0.966). Significance: High inorganic contents were associated with low polymerization stress values, which can be explained by the reduced volumetric shrinkage presented by heavily filled composites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report on a high-resolution terahertz (THz) imaging beyond the diffraction limit by using a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. In this imaging device, all components: an aperture, a probe, and a detector are integrated on one GaAs/AlGaAs chip. Calculations based on a finite element method show that the presence of the probe changes the distribution profile of the evanescent field just behind the aperture, enhancing the coupling of the evanescent field to the 2DEG THz detector. THz transmission measurements demonstrate that the present device works as a near-field THz imaging detector. A near-field image of THz cyclotron emission in another 2DEG sample is also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Secreted Frizzled-related protein-1 (sFRP1) associates with Wnt proteins and its loss can lead to activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. It is frequently downregulated in cancer, including prostate cancer, but its function in prostate cancer is unclear because it can increase proliferation of prostate epithelial cells. We investigated the function of sFRP1 in androgen-dependent prostate cancer and found that sFRP1 inhibited androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity. In addition, sFRP1 inhibited the proliferation of androgen-dependent LNCaP cells but not of an androgen-independent subline LNCaP-r, suggesting a role in androgen-dependent growth. The inhibition of AR by sFRP1 was unaffected by co-expression of Wnt3a, stabilised beta-catenin or beta-catenin shRNA, suggesting it does not involve Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. Wnt5a also inhibited AR and expression of Wnt5a and sFRP1 together did not further inhibit AR, suggesting that Wnt5a and sFRP1 activate the same signal(s) to inhibit AR. However, sFRP1 inhibition of AR was unaffected by inhibitors of kinases involved in Wnt/Ca(2+) and Wnt/planar cell polarity non-canonical Wnt signalling. Interestingly, the cysteine-rich domain of sFRP1 interacted with Frizzled receptors expressed in prostate cancer cells, suggesting that sFRP1/Frizzled complexes activate a signal that leads to repression of AR. Taken together, these observations highlight the function of beta-catenin-independent Wnt signalling in the control of AR activity and provide one explanation for sFRP1 downregulation in prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular production of TNFα and IL-2 after stimulation with phorbol myristate/ionomycin was flowcytometrically measured in CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood (PB) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 29 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 16 with other inflammatory and 41 with other non-inflammatory neurological diseases. In CSF, the percentages of CD4+TNFα+IL-2-T cells were significantly higher in patients with MS than either of the controls, whereas no difference was found in CD4+TNFα+IL-2+T or CD4+TNFα-IL-2+T cells. The increase was more pronounced at relapse than in remission. No significant change was detected in PB. These findings suggested that CD4+TNFα+IL-2-T cells are intrathecally upregulated in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Surface properties of ultrathin films of cellulose esters deposited onto silicon wafers have been investigated by means of contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) films adsorbed or spin-coated onto Si wafers were annealed up to one week. Film stability was monitored by AFM. Dewetting has been observed for CA and CAP. Only CAB films with lower degree of esterification presented dewetting, CAB films with high degree of butyrate were stable even after one week annealing. Surface energy of CA, CAP, and CAB was indirectly determined by contact angle measurements using drops of water, formamide and diiodomethane. The surface energy decreased as the size of alkyl ester group or the degree of esterification increased because van der Waals interactions became weaker. Effective Hamaker constant was calculated for CA, CAP, and CAB onto Si wafers in air. Negative values of were found for CA, CAP, and lower butyrate content CAB, which are related to instability and agree with dewetting phenomena observed by AFM. In contrast, a positive was determined for higher butyrate content CAB, corroborating with experimental observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the relationship between use of beta-blockers and the severity of central sleep apnea (CSA) in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: We performed polysomnography in 45 patients with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class II/III and left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%) and examined the relationship between use of beta-blockers and the severity of CSA. Central apnea index (CAI) was used as an indicator of CSA. RESULTS: Patients receiving beta-blockers (ie, carvedilol; n = 27) had lower apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and CAI than patients not receiving beta-blockers (n = 18) [mean +/- SD, 14 +/- 11 vs 33 +/- 17, p < 0.0001; and 1.9 +/- 3.2 vs 11 +/- 12, p = 0.0004, respectively]. AHI and CAI were negatively correlated with the dose of carvedilol (Spearman rho = - 0.61, p < 0.0001; and Spearman rho = - 0.57, p = 0.0002, respectively). Multiple regression analysis selected no use of beta-blockers as an independent factor of CAI (p = 0.0006). In five patients with CAI > 5 who underwent serial sleep studies, CAI decreased significantly after 6 months of treatment with carvedilol (9.5 +/- 4.9 to 1.3 +/- 2.4, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic heart failure, CAI was lower according to the dose of beta-blockers, and no use of beta-blockers was independently associated with CAI. In addition, 6 months of treatment with carvedilol decreased CAI. These results suggest that beta-blocker therapy may dose-dependently suppress CSA in patients with chronic heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wnt signalling plays a critical role in the development of cancer. Recent studies indicate that Wnt signalling is negatively regulated by secreted Wnt antagonists such as secreted frizzled related proteins (sFRPs) and Dickkopfs (Dkks). We compared Dkk family expression levels in normal prostate and prostate cancer cells and found a reduction in Dkk-3 expression in cancer cells. Ectopic expression of Dkk-3 inhibited colony formation in LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cell lines and inducible expression of Dkk-3 reduced LNCaP cell proliferation. Moreover, small interfering RNA-mediated downregulation of Dkk-3 enhanced cell cycle progression in untransformed RWPE-1 prostate epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Dkk-3 is expressed in a subset of normal prostate gland acini and that Dkk-3 expression is reduced in prostate tumours, particularly those with a high Gleason grade, suggesting a role for Dkk-3 in postmitotic differentiation. Consistent with this, depletion of Dkk-3 disrupted acinar morphogenesis of RWPE-1 cells in a three-dimensional cell culture model. Our results are consistent with the loss of Dkk-3 expression resulting in impairment of glandular structure and uncontrolled prostate epithelial cell (PrEC) proliferation, both of which are crucial for prostate cancer progression.Oncogene (2006) 25, 6528–6537. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209661; published online 5 June 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Early cervical adenocarcinoma (ECA) with a tumour depth of <3 mm has a good prognosis. To clarify the cytological features of ECAs with depth <3 mm, these were compared with those of ECA with 3–5 mm and invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) invading the cervical wall with more than 5 mm in depth. Methods: The cervical cytological features of ECAs with depth <3 mm (14 cases) were compared with those of ECA with 3–5 mm (four cases) and IA (13 cases). Cytologically, the presence or absence of tumour diathesis, number of atypical cells, crowded cell groups, groups with glandular structures, feathering, groups with palisading borders, rosettes, clusters, cell shape and size, nuclear shape and size, nucleolar shape and size, chromatin distribution, border and character of cytoplasm, and single cell pattern were evaluated. Results: A tumour diathesis was seen in five of 14 ECA <3 mm in depth (36%), all four ECA with 3–5 mm (100%) and 11 of 13 IA with more than 5 mm (85%). Single cells, macronucleoli and coarsely granular chromatin pattern were less frequent in ECA of <3 mm than that in ECA with 3–5 mm and IA. The number of atypical cells and glandular structures in ECA was significantly less than that in IA. Cell crowding, feathering, palisading and rosettes were common in both ECA and IA. Conclusion: The characteristic cytological features of ECA with depth <3 mm, having a good prognosis, were clean background, fewer single cells and macronucleoli, and less frequent coarsely granular chromatin pattern compared with those in ECA with 3–5 mm and IA. The number of atypical cells and glandular structures in ECA was significantly less than that in IA. Familiarity with the cytological features of ECA and its mimics is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove the existence of the exact CNOT gate on aquantum computer with the nearest-neighbor exchange interaction in the serial operation mode. Its existence has been an open problem, though a concrete sequence of exchange operations, which is approximately locally equivalent to the exact CNOT, has already been found. We found the exact values of time parameters (exchange rates between qubits) by using computer algebraic techniques such as Gröbner bases and resultants. These techniques have been widely used for finding rigorous solutions of simultaneous algebraic equations, and here are applied to finding quantum gates on the decoherence-free subsystem for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a new application of the quantum Hall effect (QHE): a combined technique of an electrometer and a THz microscope. In this system, we exploit the QHE devices as a voltage sensor and a THz detector. Using this technique, we simultaneously mapped out longitudinal voltage and cyclotron emission in a quantized Hall bar. This measurement enabled us to separately image spatial distributions of intra- and inter-Landau-level scattering in the QHE systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present the experimental demonstration of a remarkable side effect of inter-Landau-level scattering (ILLS) in a quantum Hall bar. This observation has become possible by imaging cyclotron emission. The images obtained clearly reveal that spatial distribution of ILLS macroscopically depends on channel width of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-6 soluble receptor (sR) in human ovulation, we evaluated the concentrations in human follicular fluid and analyzed the correlation of IL-6 and IL-6 sR with oocyte maturation. The oocytes were obtained from the follicular fluid of 45 women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-6 sR in follicular fluid were measured by ELISA. In addition, granulosa cells obtained from the follicular fluid were cultured and treated with forskolin and 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate for 24–48 h. The concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher in the follicular fluid than in the serum (P<0.01). In contrast, the concentration of IL-6 sR was significantly lower in the follicular fluid than in the serum (P<0.001). The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-6 sR were significantly higher in the follicular fluid containing mature oocytes than in fluid containing immature oocytes (P<0.05). The production of IL-6 was markedly increased over the basal level after 24 h of treatment with forskolin(P<0.001) and 48 h of treatment (P<0.01) with cultured granulosa cells. Our data suggest that IL-6 and IL-6 sR may play an important role in follicular growth and development in human preovulatory processes. It is possible that IL-6 in particular may be regulated by cAMP. IL-6 and IL-6 sR might also be valuable biochemical markers in the evaluation of oocyte maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15-year-old boy with refractory juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) underwent intense immunosuppressive therapy followed by purified blood CD34+ cell autografting. He had been taking prednisolone (PDN) daily or every other day combined with methotrexate once a week to control the disease for 7 years. He suffered from psychological complications and a very short stature due to the adverse effects of these drugs. CD34+ cells were purified in bulk from G-CSF-mobilized PBSC using an Isolex 300. After the administration of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and anti-lymphocyte globulin (45 mg/kg), 3.6 × 106/kg purified CD34+ cells were infused. his post-transplant course was uneventful except for herpes-zoster infection. he is now more than 1 year post transplant and has not taken any immunosuppressive medication. his rate of growth has increased (>10 cm/year) due to the effects of the cessation of PDN and the administration of recombinant human growth hormone (rGH), in contrast to the gain of 2 cm in the preceding 3 years with rGH treatment. Although the durability of this remission is unknown, intense immunosuppressive therapy followed by purified blood CD34+ cell autografting might be acceptable for adolescent patients with refractory JRA to achieve a drug-free period for physical and psychological maturation. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 27, 333–336. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here a patient who suffered from PCR- confirmed human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) meningoencephalitis after allogeneic purified CD34+ cell transplantation from his HLA-mismatched sibling donor, even though he had been on intense prophylaxis with i.v. ganciclovir (GCV), acyclovir (ACV) and γ-globulin containing a specific antibody against HHV-6. Serological evaluation disclosed that both the donor and recipient had IgG antibody against HHV-6 before transplantation. His blood WBC count started to transiently increase on day 10, and all blood components had decreased by day 20. He then developed a severe headache and high blood pressure, and sporadic abnormal neurological findings including nystagmus and delirium. An analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed 8 cells/μl, a glucose level of 130 mg/dl and a protein level of 201 mg/dl (normal, 50 mg/dl) on day 26. At the time, HHV-6 was detected only in CSF by a PCR-based method and he was diagnosed as having meningoencephalitis due to the local reactivation of HHV-6. Although he failed to respond to high-dose therapy with ACV (60 mg/kg/day) and γ-globulin, the DNA of this virus disappeared from the CNS upon treatment with GCV (30 mg/kg/day) combined with the intraventricular infusion of α-interferon. His clinical course was further complicated with meningoencephalitis due to staphylococcus epidermidis, and he died of tentorial herniation on day 79 without the recovery of blood components. This experience may indicate that intense prophylaxis to prevent reactivation of HHV-6 in the CNS is essential for the management of such profoundly immunosuppressed patients. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 25, 787–790. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD34+ cells were purified in bulk from apheresis-collected cells of children with cancer using monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and magnetic beads (Baxter ISOLEX system). To improve the purity of the final product for possibly better tumor cell purging and to make the manufacturer’s original procedure more cost-effective, we incubated the cells for 30 min with l-phenylalanine methylester hydrochloride (PME) to reduce the cell number by removing contaminating granulocytes and monocytes in the initial step before incubation with MoAb. Our modification prevented nonspecific interactions between MoAb and magnetic beads, and thereby saved expensive materials for purification. A total of 40 purifications were performed with samples containing a mean of 3.1 × 109 blood cells mobilized from 15 children by chemotherapy plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The entire purification procedure, from the end of apheresis to storage, was completed within 5 h. After incubation with PME and double-layered (40/60%) Percoll separation, the number of CD34+ cells was reduced to 48 ± 29%, which suggests the possibility that half of the CD34+ cells in the inoculum were nonclonogenic in the hematopoietic progenitor assay. PME/Percoll-treated cells were then subjected to a final isolation procedure with MoAb according to the manufacturer’s suggestions, and 52 ± 42% and 32 ± 22%, respectively, of the CFU-GM and CD34+ cells present in the initial bag inoculums were recovered. The recovery rates were, respectively, 54% and 67%, when the calculation was limited to the isolation procedure with MoAb. The purity of isolated CD34+ cells and the plating efficiency in methylcellulose culture were, respectively, 77 ± 24% and 33 ± 13%. Fourteen children were subsequently autografted with purified CD34+ cells after marrow ablative chemotherapy. The median number of days... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate blood pressure (BP) as well as other risk factors before the onset of myocardial infarction in hypertensive patients, we analysed the BP and metabolic variables in 94 hypertensive patients who had been followed up in our out-patient clinic before the first onset (M1 group; n = 42, 69 ± 1 years, mean ± s.e.) or the recurrent onset (M2 group; n = 52, 69 ± 1 years) of myocardial infarction. Ninety-four hypertensive out-patients who had no history of serious cardiovascular diseases (C group) were also recruited for an age- and sex-matched case-control study. The majority of the patients were taking anti-hypertensive drugs (M1: 90%; M2: 98%; C: 90%). The average BP values for 1 year before the onset of myocardial infarction were used for the analysis. The BPs before the onset of myocardial infarction were 147 ± 2 mm Hg systole and 81 ± 2 mm Hg diastole in the M1 group, and 141 ± 2 mm Hg systole and 78 ± 1 mm Hg diastole in the M2 group, while those of the C group were 146 ± 1 mm Hg systole and 84 ± 1 mm Hg diastole. The diastolic BP of the M2 group was significantly lower than that of the C group (P < 0.0001). In patients aged ≥ 69 years, the diastolic BP of the M1 and M2 groups (M1: 77 ± 1 mm Hg; M2: 75 ± 1 mm Hg) were significantly lower than that of the C group (83 ± 1 mm Hg). The fasting blood glucose of the M1 and M2 groups was higher than that of the C group. The serum HDL cholesterol of the M1 group was lower than that of the other groups. These results suggest that, in addition to glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, low diastolic BP is associated with the onset of myocardial infarction, especially in reinfarction and in elderly hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the treatment of childhood solid tumors, we performed a pilot feasibility study of consecutive high-dose therapies, in which each course was followed by transplantation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood cells which had been separated into CD34-positive and -negative fractions by an Isolex system (Baxter). Positive selection of CD34+ cells has been associated with inevitable cell loss. To overcome this loss, CD34+ cells that had migrated into the negative fraction were saved and used for the first transplant, which was followed by a second transplant after a 3- to 5-month interval. In this phase I feasibility study, the results in six children were evaluated for safety and engraftment. Multi-drug cytoreductive regimens using ranimustine (MCNU), melphalan, thiotepa, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide or VP-16 were comparable between the two transplant procedures in terms of their intensity. The number of CD34+ cells in the ‘CD34(+) fraction’ was 3.31 × 106/kg (0.63–4.3 × 106/kg), while this number in the ‘CD34(-) fraction’ could not be evaluated correctly due their scarcity (<0.1%). the median numbers of infused mnc and cfu-gm were, respectively, 4.2 × 106/kg and 1.75 × 105/kg in the CD34(+) fraction, and 4.8 × 108/kg and 3.35 × 105/kg in the CD34(-) fraction. The number of days required to achieve an ANC >0.5 × 109/l and a platelet count >20 × 109/l and >50 × 109/l were, respectively, 14.5, 15.0 and 19.5 in the first transplant with CD34- cells, and 13.5, 18.0 and 25.0 in the second transplant with CD34+ cells, with no essential difference between the two treatments. Although the small number of patients, the variation in clinical status and treatment,... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike lymphocytes from adults, lymphocytes from cord blood of neonates cannot synthesize immunoglobulin G (IgG) in response to pokeweed mitogen (PWM). By using this mitogen in concert with interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), or interleukin-6 (IL-6), we studied the induction of IgG subclass molecules in lymphocytes of human neonates. IFN-γ induced a limited, but substantial, enhancement of IgG2 production by neonatal lymphocytes. IL-2 dose dependently increased the production of each neonatal IgG subclass, whereas IL-6 did not. However, in adult lymphocytes, and under specific conditions, IL-6 or IL-2 each increased the production of all four IgG subclasses. Early in the culture IFN-γ synergized with IL-2 during the latter or whole culture period to enhance cord blood IgG2 levels. This finding contrasted with the adult IgG2 synthesis synergistically up-regulated by IFN-γ and IL-6. IL-2 caused a graded increase in immunoglobulin production in neonatal lymphocytes with IgG3 being the highest and IgG2 the lowest, thus corresponding to the differential increase of serum levels of IgG3/IgG1 and IgG4/IgG2 early in childhood. Results suggest that IL-2, but not IL-6, is critical to the development of human IgG subclass production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) produced increased IgG when cultured with interleukin-6 (IL-6). IgG subclass analysis showed that the presence of IL-6 during the last half of the culture period enhanced IgG1 and IgG4 production. Enhancement of IgG2 synthesis required the presence of IL-6 solely during the last half of the culture period, whereas enhancement paradoxically was blocked by its presence during the first half. The IgG3-enhancing effect of IL-6 was observed only when IL-6 was present throughout the culture period. The critical role of IL-6 was supported by the inhibition of IgG subclass synthesis by anti-IL-6 antibody. PBMC depleted of cells bearing surface IgG of a particular subclass did not synthesize that subclass. This non-responsiveness, which was not reversed even by an addition of IL-6, indicates that the main action of IL-6 is on the differentiation of committed B cells. In addition, IL-6 triggered T cells to produce significant helper activity. These results indicate that IL- 6 enhances IgG subclass production differentially and that its critical role in IgG subclass synthesis is in part mediated by T cells, as well as by its direct action on B cells. These findings should be useful for analysing such immune disorders as IgG subclass deficiencies and autoimmune diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro sensitization of (CBA × A)F1 spleen cells for 3 days with allogeneic C57BL cells raised the killer activity to the NK-sensitive YAC-1 target. When (A × C57BL)F1 spleen cells were cultured with parental C57BL cells, the lytic activity to YAC-1, P815 and EL-4 targets occurred on Day 6 after the culture. Phenotypical analyses showed that these culture-activated killer (AK) cells were derived from asialo-GM1+Thy-1-NK cells; however, they expressed Thy-1 antigen but not asialo-GM1 antigen at the effector cell level. Generation of the AK cells was not evident in cultures of spleen cells from mice with a neonatally induced tolerance to stimulator antigen and in those from T-cell-depleted mice. The supernatant of allostimulated culture, which contained a low concentration of IL-2, rendered the above cells capable of evoking AK activity. The H-2-reduced target cells were sensitive to NK cells, but less sensitive to AK cells; on the contrary, the H-2 highly expressed cells (interferon-treated cells) were less susceptible to NK cells but highly susceptible to AK cells. Thus, the relation between NK susceptibility and susceptibility to AK cells is inverse. Our study shows that stimulation with lymphokines causes a functional conversion accompanied by a phenotypical conversion of NK cells. With reference to immunosurveillance, these observations lead to the idea that NK and AK cells represent two functionally distinct but complementary systems involved in cell-mediated immunosurveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate current-voltage spectroscopy of the one-dimensional subband structure of pinched-off quantum point contacts (QPCs). This technique yields the full subband structure and effective barrier of the QPC, without the need to perform an undesirable average over a range of gate voltage. Our measurements reveal strong asymmetry in the potential drop across the QPC, and a significantly enhanced subband spacing, in the pinch-off regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have studied the effect of terahertz irradiation on single-electron transistors (SETs) based on single-wall carbon nanotubes, and have observed that the radiation generates Coulomb peak shifts. Time-resolved measurements of the terahertz response have revealed that the peak-shift signal has very long time constants, measured in seconds, and that the time trace of the signal after the terahertz irradiation is turned off deviates from a single-exponential curve. These experimental results suggest that the terahertz irradiation causes a charging process in trap states in the close vicinity of the SET, leading to a change in its effective gate voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a scanning type of noise sensor system, which utilizes the detection of local voltage fluctuations with a quantum Hall effect (QHE) electrometer. This technique has enabled us to produce the first image of a noise-voltage distribution in a QHE sample. The experimental data clearly reveal that a large amount of noise occurs in the lower magnetic field region of a QHE plateau of Landau-level-filling factor 2 and that it is concentrated in a high-potential edge region of the Hall bar sample. These findings can be reasonably explained as originating from unstable electron transfer taking place when the nonequilibrium edge state equilibrates with the bulk state. These results identify our sensor system as a unique probe of nonequilibrium edge states in QHE systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have constructed a scanning electrometer employing a quantum Hall effect (QHE) device. This technique uses capacitive coupling between sensor and sample to read out a change of longitudinal resistance of the sensor. This sensing mechanism was confirmed by measuring the magnetic field dependence of the readout signal and by an analysis based on a model of parallel-plate capacitor. Spatial mapping of Hall voltage profiles in the QHE state was demonstrated with this system. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-high frequency operation at 88 GHz was demonstrated for the frequency divider based on the resonant tunnelling chaos circuit. It was also shown that the phase noise is comparable to that of the conventional circuits in spite of the novel operating principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied far-infrared (FIR) response due to cyclotron resonance (CR) of two-dimensional electron gas systems in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures by using cyclotron radiation from n-InSb devices as the illumination source. We examined the dependence of the FIR response on different experimental parameters, including the aspect ratio of Hall bars, electron mobility, bias current, illumination intensity, magnetic field, and lattice temperature. A strong photoresponse emerges only in the vicinity of integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) regimes. Time-resolved measurements show that the recombination lifetime of excited carriers depends largely on the electron mobility, ranging from 5 μs to 1 ms at 4.2 K. The temporal decay of photoresponse is nonexponential in higher-mobility samples, whereas it is exponential with a single time constant in lower-mobility samples. This, together with the relatively large time constants, suggests that the FIR response is induced through multitrapping processes, in which excited carriers in Landau levels are repeatedly captured by localized states and reexcited to delocalized states. This multitrapping process is suggested to be promoted by the CR-induced heating of the electron system. Theoretical calculation based on the electron heating model reasonably reproduces characteristic dependence of the photoresponse on the magnetic field in the vicinity of IQHE plateaus. The IQHE Hall bars serve as a high-sensitive narrow-band FIR detector, where the highest sensitivity reaches ∼10[sup 8] V/W. Tunability of the detector is demonstrated by varying the electron density. We discuss briefly the design of high-sensitive FIR detectors using the IQHE Hall bars. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]