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The article presents a case study 59-year-old male diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and died due to leukemia progression. Topics discussed include hypercellular marrow revealed in his bone marrow aspirate (BMA) examination; flow cytometric (FCM) analysis and chromosome analysis; and increase in white blood cell count. Other topics include normal E26 transformation-specific variant 6 (ETV6) in leukemia blasts analysis and fusion transcript between ETV6; and GS homeobox 2 (GSX2).

We retrospectively assessed the outcome and pretransplantation predictors of the outcome in 118 patients aged 50 years who received fludarabine-containing reduced-intensity allo-SCT (RIST) for B-cell ALL in the first or second CR. Eighty patients received transplants from unrelated donors. Seventy-eight patients were positive for the Ph chromosome. The median follow-up period was 18 months and the 2-year OS rate was 56%. The 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality was 28% and 26%, respectively. The incidence of grades II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD was 46% and 24%, respectively. After 2 years, the incidence of chronic GVHD was 37%. Multivariate analysis of pretransplant factors showed that a higher white blood cell count (30 × 109/L) at diagnosis (hazard ratio (HR)=2.19, P=0.007) and second CR (HR=2.02, P=0.036) were significantly associated with worse OS, whereas second CR (HR=3.83, P<0.001) and related donor (HR=2.34, P=0.039) were associated with a higher incidence of relapse. Fludarabine-containing RIST may be a promising strategy for older patients with B-cell ALL in their first remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high complete remission (CR) rate has been reported in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL) following imatinib-based therapy. However, the overall effect of imatinib on the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is undetermined. Between 2002 and 2005, 100 newly diagnosed adult patients with Ph+ALL were registered to a phase II study of imatinib-combined chemotherapy (Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group Ph+ALL202 study) and 97 patients achieved CR. We compared clinical outcomes of 51 patients who received allo-HSCT in their first CR (imatinib cohort) with those of 122 historical control patients in the pre-imatinib era (pre-imatinib cohort). The probability of overall survival at 3 years after allo-HSCT was 65% (95% confidence interval (CI), 49-78%) for the imatinib cohort and 44% (95% CI, 35-52%) for the pre-imatinib cohort. Multivariate analysis confirmed that this difference was statistically significant (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.44, P=0.005). Favorable outcomes of the imatinib cohort were also observed for disease-free survival (P=0.007) and relapse (P=0.002), but not for non-relapse mortality (P=0.265). Imatinib-based therapy is a potentially useful strategy for newly diagnosed patients with Ph+ALL, not only providing them more chance to receive allo-HSCT, but also improving the outcome of allo-HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical analysis showed soft snow crab muscle to have a higher water content and a lower protein content than hard crab muscle. Histological observations revealed frequent occurrences of disintegrated regions in muscle fibers and pericellular connective tissue of soft snow crab muscle tissue. Salinity of the free body fluid recovered from the meropodites of the soft snow crab was significantly higher than that of the hard snow crab. Sensory evaluation revealed differences in texture and taste between soft and hard crabs, which corresponded well to their compositional and histological differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 10% of total muscle collagen in 6 decapod molluskan species was recovered as minor collagenous fractions by limited pepsin digestion and differential salt precipitation. The main alpha components (al) in these fractions showed similar peptide maps of V-8 protease and lysyl endopeptidase digests to each other and had reactivity to the antiserum against the α1 component of the minor collagen (named Type SQ-II) from Todarodes pacificus muscle in immunoblot analysis. These results suggested that the minor molecular species of collagen corresponding to Type SQ-II of Todarodes pacificus was widely distributed in the mantle muscle of decapod mollusks. In addition, immunohistochemical experiments revealed that Type SQ-II collagen distributed mainly in intramuscular thin connective tissue (endomysium), suggesting the functional importance of this molecule to the development of meat texture of decapod mollusks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated whether the extent of residual leukemia at bone marrow harvest can predict subsequent relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A total of 29 pre- and post-purged marrow samples from 15 patients with high-risk common acute lymphoblastic leukemia were examined. An accurate quantitation of residual disease was achieved by phage library assay using polymerase chain reaction to amplify the third complementarity determining region of the immunoglobulin gene. The estimated rate of disease-free survival at 3 years was significantly higher for the patients with less than 5% residual disease among total B cells than for those with greater than 5% before purging (87.5% vs 0%, P = 0.0013). Furthermore, among patients with subsequent relapse, there was a linear correlation between the quantitated residual tumor burden of pre-purged marrow and remission duration after BMT (r2 = 0.888). An accurate quantitative assessment of residual disease in the autograft has a high predictive value for subsequent relapse. A serial assay of residual disease would help us to individualize the treatment for each patient after induction or consolidation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which focused on the histological changes of prawn meat during heat processing. Estimation of muscle firmness and deformation; Materials and methods of study; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

A correction to the article "Reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients aged 50 years or older with B-cell ALL in remission: a retrospective study by the Adult ALL Working Group of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation" is presented.

The concentration of extracellular potassium in red blood cell concentrates ( RCCs) increases during storage, leading to risk of hyperkalemia. A potassium adsorption filter ( PAF) can eliminate the potassium at normal blood transfusion. This study aimed to investigate the potassium adsorption capacity of a PAF during rapid blood transfusion. We tested several different potassium concentrations under a rapid transfusion condition using a pressure bag. The adsorption rates of the 70-mEq/l model were 76·8%. The PAF showed good potassium adsorption capacity, suggesting that this filter may provide a convenient method to prevent hyperkalemia during rapid blood transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to examine irradiation effect on creep rupture strength of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steel claddings, the in-pile creep rupture test was conducted using Material Testing Rig with Temperature Control (MARICO)-2 in the experimental fast reactor JOYO. Fourteen creep rupture events were successfully detected by the temperature change in each capsule and the gamma-ray spectrometry of the cover gas. Time to creep ruptures of six ODS steel specimens were identified by means of Laser Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS), and no irradiation effect on creep rupture strength was confirmed within the irradiation condition in the MARICO-2 test. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Large-area high-T c superconducting films with low surface resistances R s are required for use in microwave applications such as band pass filters. In this paper, preparation of 5-cm-diameter YBCO films on LaAlO3 (LAO) and CeO2-buffered sapphire (CbS) substrates by metalorganic deposition (MOD) using a fluorine-free coating solution and their superconducting properties are described. The optimum firing conditions for YBCO films greatly depend on the substrate materials; a heating rate at ramp as high as 200°C/min is necessary for films on LAO whereas a lower heating rate, e.g., 20°C/min, is required for films on CbS. Accordingly, the suitable furnace systems for these substrates have been varied. As a result, a YBCO film with high J c (77K) of 2.7MA/cm2 and a low R s (12GHz, 77K) of 0.54mΩ was prepared on LAO by using an infrared image furnace. On the other hand, a YBCO film with a higher J c (77K) of 4.0MA/cm2 and the same R s (12GHz, 77K) of 0.54mΩ was prepared on CbS by using a tube furnace. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High-J c Y123 films were obtained on CeO2-buffered sapphire substrates by metal organic deposition using a low-cost vacuum technique. The total pressure (P total) and oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in a tube furnace were controlled by evacuation with a rotary pump and by flowing gas mixtures of O2 and an inert gas (N2 or Ar). The effects of P total and inlet gas flow rates (V gas) on the growth of Y123 films were investigated for films heat-treated at 750°C. From the results of X-ray diffraction and monitored pO2, it was found that the pO2 became lower by residual carbon in the prefired films when heat treatments were carried out at a higher P total and/or using a slower V gas, and that there contained an a-axis orientation in Y123 films at a lower P total. High critical-current density (J c) Y123 films were obtained by heat treatment at P total =104 Pa and V gas =200ml/min. An average J c of the film was 3.4MA/cm2 and the fluctuation of J c was within ±15% of the average. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Epitaxial SnO2 thin films were prepared by excimer laser annealing of amorphous SnO2 films on a (001) TiO2 substrate. The amorphous SnO2 film was prepared by a metal organic deposition (MOD) using di-n-butylbis (2,4-pentanedionate) tin at 300°C. When using a KrF excimer laser with fluence of 50 to 150mJ/cm2, polycrystalline SnO2 films were formed on (001) TiO2 substrate at 25°C. At fluences of 200 and 250mJ/cm2, (002) oriented SnO2 films were obtained. When using a XeCl laser with fluences of 150 and 200mJ/cm2, the (002) oriented SnO2 films were obtained. Using the XRD φ scanning measurement, it was found that oriented SnO2 films were epitaxially grown on the (001) TiO2 substrate. The formation of the epitaxial SnO2 on the (001) TiO2 substrate was found to depend on the pre-irradiated amorphous SnO2 film thickness, laser fluence and laser wavelength. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tin oxide (SnO2) thin films were prepared on various substrates by the excimer laser metal organic deposition (ELMOD) and the thermal metal organic deposition (MOD) processes. When the amorphous SnO2 film prepared at 300°C on (100) Si, and (1010) sapphire substrates was irradiated by the KrF excimer laser at a fluence of 200mJ/cm2 and 25°C, polycrystalline SnO2 films were obtained. When the amorphous SnO2 film prepared at 300°C on the (100) SrTiO3 and (100) TiO2 substrates was irradiated by the KrF excimer laser at the same conditions, a (110) oriented SnO2 film on the SrTiO3 substrate and a (100) oriented SnO2 film on the TiO2 substrate were obtained. Using the pole–figure measurements, a SnO2 film on TiO2 substrate was found to be epitaxially grown. On the other hand, when a thermal MOD process was used, all the product films on their substrates were of the polycrystalline phase whereas the orientation of the films depended on the substrate. Polycrystalline and epitaxial growth of the SnO2 films by the ELMOD process are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Epitaxial La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (LCMO) films were prepared on SrTiO3 single-crystal substrates by metal organic deposition (MOD) process. A KrF excimer laser irradiation at a substrate temperature of 500°C is successfully used instead of thermal annealing at high temperature to perform the epitaxial growth of the LCMO thin films. The epitaxial growth was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD: θ–2θ scans and pole figure analysis). Morphology and surface properties of the obtained films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) was calculated from the temperature dependence of the resistance measurements. A TCR of about 6% was obtained for the excimer laser annealed films which is considered a good value for bolometric applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Distribution of Jc in the two-dimensional large-size YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) film was investigated by an inductive method for the application to fault current limiter elements. The YBCO films were prepared by metal-organic deposition (MOD) using a fluorine-free acetylacetonate-based complex solution on R-plane sapphire with an evaporated-CeO2 buffer layer. The average J values of 1-3 MA/cm² at 77 K were obtained for 1 cm × 12 cm-, 3 cm × 12 cm-, and 10 cm × 30 cm-rectangular YBCO films as well as on 2-inch-diameter films. In contrast with the TFA-MOD method via BaF2 precursor, the fluctuation of Jc in the present films was fairly small; no significant size effects or shape effects were recognized on the fluctuation of Jc. Instead, fluctuation of Jc depended on the average Jc values; higher-Jc films tended to exhibit more uniform Jc distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epitaxial cerium oxide (CeO2 thickness: 40 nm) buffer layers were deposited on large area (maximum size 10 × 30 cm²) R-cut single-crystal sapphire (α - Al2O3) substrates by double electron-beam guns. Substrate heater-and-holder system was modified to maintain the substrate temperature uniform over the large area during deposition. Oxygen gas of a pressure 4 × 10-2 Pa was introduced to keep radio frequency plasma. When the substrate temperature was controlled in the range 640°-700°c, the CeO2 buffer showed a complete (001) orientation and very smooth surfaces by x-ray diffraction analysis and atomic force microscopic observations, respectively, in the whole area of the large size substrates. These buffer layers without post-deposition annealing were quite suitable for preparing YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) films by a metal-organic deposition (MOD) using a metal acetylacetonate-based solution. The average critical current density of the 210-nm-thick MOD-YBCO film was in excess of 2.6 MA/cm² measured by an inductive method at 77.3 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inductive critical current density (Jc) and microwave surface resistance (Rs) were investigated for 0.7-μm-thick epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−y (YBCO) films on 5-cm-diameter LaAlO3 substrates prepared by a chemical solution-based metal organic deposition (MOD) process using an infrared image furnace. By varying the heating rate at ramp during the final heat treatment, we obtained various orientations of YBCO; the c- and a-axis orientation at a slower rate, i.e., 20–100°C/min while the pure c-axis orientation at a faster rate, 200°C/min. The c-axis-oriented YBCO films showed excellent superconducting properties; for example, a high inductive-Jc (77K) of 2.6MA/cm2 and low Rs (12GHz)’s of 0.24 and 0.52mΩ at 50 and 77K, respectively, by a sapphire rod resonator method. The c- and a-axis-oriented films exhibited a lower Jc and a higher Rs. It was found that the Jc and Rs values of MOD-derived YBCO films showed a strong correlation; approximately, Rs is inversely proportional to Jc. This correlation is in good agreement with a previous report by Ohshima et al. for sputtered-YBCO films on BaSnO3-buffered MgO substrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epitaxial cerium oxide (CeO2, 40 nm) buffer layers were deposited on large-area (30 cm × 10 cm) R-plane single-crystal substrates of sapphire (α-Al2O3) by an electron-beam gun in a vacuum chamber. Oxygen gas of a pressure 4 × 10-2 Pa was introduced and was activated by radio frequency plasma. When the substrate temperature was controlled at 670 ± 30 °C, the CeO2 buffer layers were found to have a complete (0 0 1) orientation and very smooth surfaces (average surface roughness: 0.5 nm) by X-ray diffraction analysis and atomic force microscopic observations, respectively, for all over the surface of the large-area substrates. These buffer layers were quite suitable for preparing YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) films using a metal acetylacetonate-based solution by a coating-pyrolysis process. The average critical current density of the 210-nm thick YBCO film was in excess of 2.6 MA/cm2 measured by an inductive method at 77.3 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A large-size, two-dimensional YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) film was successfully prepared by a chemical solution-based coating-pyrolysis process on a 30 × 10-cm2 size rectangular substrate of R-plane sapphire with a vacuum-deposited CeO2 buffer layer. A fluorine-free metal acetylacetonate-based solution was used for coating the substrate. A large-diameter spin-coater and a tube furnace were adopted in the coating and annealing procedure, respectively. The c-axis oriented YBCO film grown on the 30 × 10-cm2 rectangular substrate demonstrated high inductive-Jc values with an average 2.6 MA/cm2 at 77 K. The distribution of Jc was fairly uniform for an ex situ process, i.e., 85% of the observations fall within ±20% of the average. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A SnO2 film has been prepared by an excimer laser metal organic deposition (ELMOD) process using an XeCl laser. The effects of the laser fluence, shot number, and the pretreatment temperature of the Sn acetylacetonate (Sn-acac) on the crystallization of the SnO2 film were investigated by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. When the MO spin-coated film preheated at room temperature on a Si substrate was irradiated by the laser at a fluence of 100 mJ/cm2 and at a repetition rate of 10 Hz for 5 min, a crystallized SnO2 film was successfully obtained without heat treatment. At a fluence of 260 mJ/cm2, the highest crystalline film was formed. On the other hand, when the amorphous SnO2 film was irradiated by the laser at 260 mJ/cm2, the crystallinity of the SnO2 film was improved. SnO2 films were also prepared by conventional thermal MOD in a temperature range from 300 to 900 °C. The crystallinity of the SnO2 films prepared by the ELMOD process at room temperature was higher than that of the films prepared by heating at 900 °C for 60 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSMO) films on LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) substrates was examined by an excimer laser MOD processes (ELMOD). Epitaxial LSMO films on the LAO substrate were obtained by the ArF laser irradiation at a fluence of 100 mJ/cm2 for 10, 30, 60 and 90 min with heating at 500 °C. In the case of the STO substrate with heating at 500 °C, epitaxial LSMO was obtained by the ArF laser irradiation at 70 mJ/cm2 whereas no film was formed at 100 mJ/cm2. The effects of the laser fluence, irradiation time and film thickness on the temperature dependence of the resistance and TCR (defined as 1/R·dR/DT) of the LSMO films on the LAO substrate were investigated. It was found that the resistance of the 80 nm thick LSMO film that was irradiated by the ArF laser at a fluence of 100 mJ/cm2 for 60 min showed a metallic temperature dependence from 310 to 100 K, and the maximum temperature coefficient of resistance of the film (TCR: defined as 1/R·dR/DT) was 3.4% at 265 K. In the case of the STO substrate, the resistance of the 80 nm thick LSMO film that was irradiated by the ArF laser at a fluence of 70 mJ/cm2 for 60 min showed a Tc at 280 K, and the maximum TCR of the film was 2.9% at 220 K. The formation mechanisms of the epitaxial LSMO films obtained by the ELMOD process also are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) and Pb(ZrTi)O3 (PZT) thin films on various substrates were prepared by excimer laser metal organic deposition (ELMOD) process. The effect of the substrate on the formation of these films was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD: theta-2theta scans, pole-figure analysis). For the LSMO films, epitaxial grown LSMO films on SrTiO3 (STO) and LaAlO3 (LAO) substrates were formed by ArF laser irradiation at 400 and 500 °C, respectively. The temperature dependence of the resistance (R/R300) of the LSMO film on LAO substrate prepared at 500 °C showed a metallic behavior from 310 to 100 K, and the maximum TCR of the LSMO film on LAO was 2.5%. For the PZT films, epitaxial grown PZT films on the STO and La-doped STO (LSTO) substrates were obtained by the ELMOD process without heat treatment. The formation mechanisms of the epitaxial complex oxide films using the ELMOD process are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary:CMV disease remains a major infectious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To investigate the relationship between CMV antigenemia, treatment with ganciclovir (GCV), and outcome, we retrospectively analyzed 241 consecutive patients at risk for CMV infection who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Antigenemia-guided pre-emptive strategy with GCV was used for all patients. CMV antigenemia developed in 169 patients (70.1%), and CMV disease in 18 patients (7.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that acute GVHD (grades II-IV) was the only risk factor for developing antigenemia, and acute GVHD and advanced age for CMV disease. GCV use, as well as acute GVHD and advanced age, significantly increased the risk for bacterial and fungal infection after engraftment. Those who developed CMV antigenemia had a poorer outcome than those who did not (log-rank, P=0.0269), although the development of CMV disease worsened the outcome with only borderline significance (log-rank, P=0.0526). In conclusion, detection of antigenemia proved to be a poor prognostic factor for HSCT patients, which may be attributed to a combination of factors, including CMV disease itself, the effect of treatment, and a host status that allows for reactivation of CMV. Optimal pre-emptive strategy needs to be determined.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2003) 32, 801-807. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1704232 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for fabrication of epitaxial YbBa2Cu3O7 (Yb123) films at low temperatures by a coating-pyrolysis process is presented. This method comprises precisely controlled heat treatment of prefired films starting with a metal acetylacetonate-based solution according to the following schedule: (1) heated in O2 atmosphere at 700–750 °C, (2) subsequently, in Ar–O2 atmosphere with pO2=10−4 atm, and (3) postannealed at 300 °C in O2 atmosphere. We have thus succeeded in preparing c-axis oriented epitaxial Yb123 films at temperatures lower than 750 °C. It was revealed that the initial heating in O2 atmosphere was effective for lowering crystallization temperature. An epitaxial Yb123 film on 50-mm-diameter LaAlO3 prepared at 720 °C showed Jc∼3.5×105 A/cm2 at 77 K and Rs∼3.5 mΩ at 12 GHz and 70 K. While on CeO2-buffered R-plane sapphire substrates, epitaxial films were fabricated at as low as 700 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epitaxial CeO2 (35 nm) buffer layers were deposited on MgO(0 0 1) single crystal substrates by an electron beam gun for preparation of YBCO films by coating pyrolysis (CP). When the substrate temperature was higher than 660 °C, the CeO2 layer exhibited complete (0 0 1) orientation as judged from the θ–2θ X-ray diffraction pattern. Atomic force microscopic observations demonstrated that the surface of the CeO2 layer was very smooth; the average surface roughness being as small as 1 nm. Subsequently, YBCO films were prepared by the CP process using a metal acetylacetonate-based solution on the CeO2-buffered MgO substrates. Both the YBCO film and CeO2 buffer layer showed high crystallinity and fourfold symmetry in XRD θ–2θ and φ-scans, respectively. An average inductive-Jc value was 0.2 MA/cm2 at 77 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Large-size, two-dimensional YBCO films such as 5-cm-∅ circles and 12 × 3 cm2 rectangles were successfully prepared by a chemical solution-based coating-pyrolysis process on sapphire substrates with an evaporated-CeO2 buffer layer. Two types of furnace systems were adopted in the final heat treatment depending on the sample dimensions. A 5-cm-∅ YBCO film annealed in an infrared image furnace showed an average inductive-Jc value of 1.3 MA/cm2 at 77 K. While, a 12 × 3 cm2 rectangular film annealed in a large-diameter tube furnace demonstrated much more uniform inductive-Jc distribution, i.e., 85% of the observations fall within ±20% of the average although the Jc value was approximately 0.4 MA/cm2 at 77 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−x(Y123)/EuAlO3 multilayer film was prepared on an α-Al2O3(1¯ 0 1 2) substrate by all-coating-pyrolysis process, i.e., both an epitaxial Y123 film and a EuAlO3 buffer layer were fabricated by a coating-pyrolysis process. The EuAlO3 buffer layer was obtained by reaction between a EuOx precursor film and the α-Al2O3 substrate at 1200 °C. X-ray diffraction pole-figure analysis exhibited that an epitaxial relationship between EuAlO3 in pseudocubic indices and α-Al2O3 was EuAlO3{1 0 0}&par;α-Al2O3{1¯ 0 1 2} and EuAlO3〈1 1 0〉&par;α-Al2O3〈1¯ 2 1¯ 0〉〈1 01¯ 1〉 and that the EuAlO3 {1 0 0} layer consisted of two groups of grains each 4.5–5° tilted away from the substrate normal to the α-Al2O3〈1¯ 2 1¯ 0〉 directions. Moreover, Y123 grains with c/a-axis orientation have grown on the EuAlO3-buffered α-Al2O3 substrates; the Y123 grains were ∼4° tilted away from the direction normal to the substrate as well. The epitaxial Y123/EuAlO3 multilayer film exhibited Tc,zero of 76 K by the conventional dc-four probe method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−x (Y123) film was prepared on a REAlO3 (RE&z.dbnd6;Nd)-buffered vicinal (off-cut angle: 4.5°) α-Al2O3(1¯ 0 1 2) substrate and their crystallographic relationship was investigated. Both the NdAlO3-buffer layer and Y123 film were obtained by a coating-pyrolysis process. The XRD θ–2θ scanning exhibited the growth of a/c-oriented Y123. However, XRD ω-scanning of the Y123 006 reflection showed that the c-axis oriented grains comprised two components; the intensity ratio being >2:1. The c-axis of the major component was perpendicular to the substrate surface whereas that of the minor one inclined ∼10° away from the surface normal. These results suggest that, if properly optimized, epitaxial Y123 films of which the c-axis is dominantly parallel to the substrate normal would be obtained by using the REAlO3-buffered vicinal substrates whereas doubly tilted Y123 films would occur if instead the normal α-Al2O3(1¯ 0 1 2) substrates without off-cut were used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−y (Y123) films were prepared on 50-mm-diameter LaAlO3 (LAO)(0 0 1), NdGaO3 (NGO)(1 1 0) and CeO2-buffered Al2O3(0 1 2) substrates by a chemical solution-based coating-pyrolysis process using a large-area infrared image furnace for high-temperature heat treatment. The furnace provides uniform temperature distribution over the film specimens and high irradiation power density that enables a high heating rate (∼200 °C/min). An average inductive-Jc (77 K) in excess of 2 MA/cm2 was reproducibly obtained for 0.3–0.7-μm-thick c-axis-oriented Y123 films on LAO(0 0 1), of which the variation was fairly small all over the films. Microwave surface resistance of the film was 0.48 mΩ at 12 GHz and 70 K by the sapphire rod resonator method. Moreover, an average Jc (77 K)=0.5 MA/cm2 and Tc=89 K were attained in a 0.3-μm-thick film on CeO2-buffered Al2O3(0 1 2). Despite being subjected to rapid thermal annealing, the Y123 film on NGO(1 1 0) was a-axis oriented and resulted in lower Jc (77 K)=0.15 MA/cm2 and Tc=84 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−y (Y123) films were prepared by a coating-pyrolysis process using a novel fluorine-contained complex solution. The complex was derived from metal acetylacetonates by treatment with pyridine and trifluoroacetic acid. The solution is virtually neutral and therefore causes less damage to acid-susceptible substrates such as MgO, and is favorable for multiple coating. This complex solution gave fluorine-contained precursor films after pyrolysis, which showed smooth surface morphology in spite of multiple-coating and rapid thermal annealing. An epitaxial Y123 film on LSAT was successfully obtained after annealing of the precursor film in p(H2O)- and p(O2)-controlled atmospheres, and the film exhibited an inductive-Jc value of 1.8 MA/cm2 at 77 K and Rs at 22 GHz of 3.4 mΩ at 70 K. Epitaxial Y123 films were also attained on CeO2-buffered yttria-stabilized zirconia and on MgO using the solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Preparation of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) films on single crystalline STO(0 0 1), LAO(0 0 1) and MgO(0 0 1) substrates was investigated by a coating photolysis process using excimer laser. The effects of the substrate on the product films were examined by FT-IR, UV, XRD (theta–2theta, pole-figure analysis). In the case of using STO and LAO substrates, c-axis oriented films were successfully obtained by an ArF laser irradiation without heat treatment. Crystallinity of the PZT films prepared by a coating photolysis was found to strongly depend on the substrate used compared to conventional thermal process. Using XRD pole-figure analysis for the PZT films on STO substrates, it was found that the films were highly in-plane aligned. The formation mechanisms by a coating photolysis process are also discussed by a photothermal reaction due to both substrate materials and MO starting materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The preparation of TiO2, In2O3, SnO2 doped In2O3 (ITO) and PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3 (PZT) films have been investigated by the metallorganic (MO) laser photolysis. TiO2 anatase phase was successfully obtained from Ti-2-ethylhexanolate by a two-step irradiation method, while rutile was formed from TiOacac under the same irradiation conditions. In2O3 and ITO films were crystallized by ArF irradiation above the laser fluence of 10 mJ/cm2. The resistivity of the In2O3 film irradiated by further ArF laser in a vacuum and air atmosphere was 2.2×10−2 and 2.2×10−1 Ω cm, respectively. The lowest resistivity of the ITO film irradiated by the ArF laser in a vacuum was 6.0×10−4 Ω cm. Epitaxial PZT film on a SrTiO3 substrate was successfully obtained by MO laser photolysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) prepared from the skin of 3 fish species--common horse mackerel, yellow sea bream, and tiger puffer--were separated into 2 fractions, major and minor, by ammonium sulfate precipitation. These collagen fractions were further purified by phosphocellulose column chromatography. From the results of SDS-PAGE, peptide mapping, and amino-add analysis, the purified major and minor collagens were identified to be type I and V collagens, respectively. These results suggest that type V collagen might be widely present in fish skin as a minor collagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosomal abnormalities are the most common reason for spontaneous abortion. Conventional cytogenetic analysis by G-banded karyotyping is generally performed for chromosomal analysis, but it has a problem with low-resolution, and is needed long term cell culture and enough experience for diagnosis. More recently, next generation sequencing has been introducing and improving for chromosomal analysis as an accurate, high resolution and throughput method. In this study we aimed to compare the consistency between conventional G-banding and NGS-based chromosomal copy number analysis for chorionic villus from spontaneous abortion. In addition, the frequency of each chromosomal aneuploidy was evaluated. From February, 2018, to April, 2018, chromosomal analysis for 7 chorionic villus samples from spontaneous abortions (from 7 to 9 weeks) were carried out both conventional G-banding and NGS (VeriSeq-PGS, Illumia). The frequency of each chromosomal aneuploidy was investigated for 110 cases from February, 2018 to December, 2018. NGS was able to analyze all 7 cases, but G-banding was able to detect 6 cases, and one case was cell growth failure. In 6 cases analyzed by G-banding, the results of 5 cases were consistent with the results of NGS, but one case suspected maternal cell contamination. Among 7 cases analyzed by the NGS, 2 cases were normal male karyotype (46, XY) and 5 cases were autosomal trisomy, implying that there were no cases suspected of maternal cell contamination. Among 110 cases, chorionic villus was not observed under microscope from 18 samples, NGS result was obtained from 92 cases. Seventy-one cases were found to have abnormal chromosomes (71/92, 77.2%), and 21 cases were normal karyotype (21/92, 22.8%). Aneuploidy of chromosome 22 (21.8%), chromosome 16 (17.9), chromosome 15 (11.9%), chromosome 21 (10.3%) and Chromosome X (10.3%) were more frequently, consistent with previous report. Chromosome analysis using NGS not only obtained comparable results to conventional G-banding, but also is able to analyze more accurately and quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSMO) films were prepared on LaAlO3 substrates by excimer laser metal organic deposition (ELMOD) at 500 °C. The temperature dependence of resistance of the LSMO films was investigated by changing the laser fluence, irradiation time, and film thickness. It was found that the resistance of the LSMO films 80 nm in thickness that were irradiated by an ArF laser at a fluence of 100 mJ/cm2 for 60 min showed a metallic temperature dependence, and the maximum temperature coefficient of resistance of the films (defined as 1/R×dR/dT) was 3.4% at 265 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]