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Transconductance oscillations were observed for silicon-on-insulator metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors with 50 nm channel length and 6 nm Si-layer thickness in the temperature range of 39–50 K. By investigating the temperature dependence of the oscillations it was found that the oscillations were caused by two reasons. One reason is the roughness at the Si/insulator interface responsible for the low-gate-voltage oscillations. The roughness results in different thicknesses of the Si layer along the channel, causing different quantized energy levels, which act as barriers for carriers moving in the channel. The other reason is the tunneling through the potential barrier at the p/n junctions between the contacts and the channel, which is responsible for the high-gate-voltage oscillations. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furosemide, which is used worldwide as a diuretic agent, inhibits sodium reabsorption in Henle's loop, resulting in diuresis and natriuresis. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is synthesised in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. The synthesis of AVP in the magnocellular neurones of SON and PVN is physiologically regulated by plasma osmolality and blood volume and contributes to water homeostasis by increasing water reabsorption in the collecting duct. Central AVP dynamics after peripheral administration of furosemide remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of i.p. administration of furosemide (20 mg kg−1) on hypothalamic AVP using transgenic rats expressing AVP‐enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the AVP promoter. The i.p. administration of furosemide did not affect plasma osmolality in the present study; however, eGFP in the SON and magnocellular divisions of the PVN (mPVN) was significantly increased after furosemide administration compared to the control. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed Fos‐like immunoreactivity (‐IR) in eGFP‐positive neurones in the SON and mPVN 90 minutes after i.p. administration of furosemide, and AVP heteronuclear RNA and eGFP mRNA levels were significantly increased. These furosemide‐induced changes were not observed in the suprachiasmatic AVP neurones. Furthermore, furosemide induced a remarkable increase in Fos‐IR in the organum vasculosum laminae terminals, median preoptic nucleus, subfornical organ, locus coeruleus, nucleus of the solitary tract and rostral ventrolateral medulla after i.p. administration of furosemide. In conclusion, we were able to visualise and quantitatively evaluate AVP‐eGFP synthesis and neuronal activation after peripheral administration of furosemide using AVP‐eGFP transgenic rats. The results of the present study may provide new insights and help clarify the physiological mechanisms underlying the body fluid homeostasis induced by furosemide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the local failure of short polypropylene (PP) fiber-reinforced concrete (PPFRC) plates that were subjected to high-velocity impact using a steel projectile. To examine the differences in the mechanical properties of the PPFRC obtained under static and dynamic loadings, static and rapid-speed uniaxial compressive and tensile tests were conducted. Subsequently, high-velocity impact tests were conducted to investigate the impact resistance performance of the PPFRC plates. In a series of tests, a steel projectile, with a mass of 46 g, collided into a PPFRC plate, with a thickness of 60 mm or 80 mm. The impact velocity was set between 190 m/s and 420 m/s to examine the variation in the failure modes of the PPFRC plate. The experimental results revealed that the scabbing damage induced by the impact was significantly suppressed for the PPFRC plate compared with that of a plain concrete (PC) plate. High-velocity impact tests were also conducted on short PP fiber-reinforced mortar (PPFRM) plates to investigate how the matrix type influences the local failure. To evaluate the scabbing and perforation limit thicknesses of the PPFRC plates, we proposed an assessment method, in which the modified formula, developed by the US National Defense Research Committee (NDRC), is multiplied by a reduction factor. Furthermore, the relationship between the limit thickness of a PPFRC plate and the kinetic energy of a projectile was formulated based on the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Several clinical trials have compared chemotherapy alone and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) treatment. However, predictive biomarkers for optimal therapy of LAPC remain to be identified.We retrospectively estimated amplification of the ACTN4 gene to determine its usefulness as a predictive biomarker for LAPC.Methods:The copy number of ACTN4 in 91 biopsy specimens of LAPC before treatment was evaluated using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).Results:There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) of LAPC between patients treated with chemotherapy alone or with CRT. In a subgroup analysis of patients treated with CRT, patients with a copy number increase (CNI) of ACTN4 had a worse prognosis of OS than those with a normal copy number (NCN) of ACTN4 (P=0.0005, log-rank test). However, OS in the subgroup treated with chemotherapy alone was not significantly different between patients with a CNI and a NCN of ACTN4. In the patients with a NCN of ACTN4, the median survival time of PFS in CRT-treated patients was longer than that of patients treated with chemotherapy alone (P=0.049).Conclusions:The copy number of ACTN4 is a predictive biomarker for CRT of LAPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The crosstalk between cancer cells and stroma is involved in the acquired capability for metastasis through the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We aimed to clarify the prognostic value of the histological category of EMT in colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods:Tumour EMT was graded into one of three histological categories on the basis of integrated assessment of poorly differentiated clusters and pro-EMT desmoplasia at the leading edge of the primary tumour (HistologyEMT). Stage II and III CRC patients (cohort 1, N=500) and stage IV patients (cohort 2, N=196) were retrospectively analysed.Results:In cohort 1, patients were stratified into three groups with widely different disease-free survival rates (95%, 83% and 39%) on the basis of HistologyEMT (P<0.0001). In cohort 2, HistologyEMT significantly stratified overall survival of patients irrespective of metasectomy. Multivariate analyses indicated that HistologyEMT had a strong prognostic impact independent of staging factors. Statistically, HistologyEMT had a better prognostic stratification power than T and N stages; however, in cohort 2, the power of M substage was superior.Conclusions:A histological model to categorise EMT by integrated assessment of dedifferentiation and desmoplastic environment is a potent prognostic index independent of staging factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Inflammatory mediators may have decisive roles at different stages of tumour development. Mediators within the pentraxin family may be used as strong biomarkers in prognosis of advanced pancreatic carcinoma patients.Methods:Using pancreatic carcinoma cell lines and gene transfectant, we measured long pentraxin (PTX3) level in culture solution and carried out cellular migration assay in vitro. In vivo study of the treatment-naive patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma assigned to undergo gemcitabine therapy was prospectively conducted to measure and investigate the role of plasma PTX3, C-reactive protein (CRP), and eight inflammatory mediators by using collected clinical data.Results:Elevated PTX3 production was observed in several cell lines, and a direct relationship between migratory activity and PTX3 level was identified in vitro. High PTX3 level (117 days) was significantly less than that of patients with low PTX3 level (357 days, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis of the pancreatic carcinoma revealed a strong correlation between pentraxin family member expression and prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma. The relationship between PTX3 expression and the expression of other pro-inflammatory mediators indicated that PTX3 level is positively correlated with levels of CRP, interleukin-6, and macrophage-inhibitory factor.Conclusion:Pentraxin family members, especially PTX3, may be used as promising biomarkers in the prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excited states in 17C were investigated through the measurement of β-delayed neutrons and γ rays emitted in the β decay of 17B. In the measurement, three negative-parity states and two inconclusive states were identified in 17C above the neutron threshold energy, and seven γ lines were identified in a β-delayed multiple neutron emission of the 17B β decay. From these transitions, the β-decay scheme of 17B was determined. In particular, a de-excitation 1766-keV γ line from the first excited state of 16C was observed in coincidence with the emitted β-delayed neutrons, and this changes the previously reported β-decay scheme of 17B and level structure of 17C. In the present work, the β-NMR technique is combined with the β-delayed particle measurements using a fragmentation-induced spin-polarized 17B beam. This new scheme allows us to determine the spin parity of β-decay feeding excited states based on the difference in the discrete β-decay asymmetry parameters, provided the states are connected through the Gamow-Teller transition. In this work, Iπ=1/2-, 3/2-, and (5/2-) are assigned to the observed states at Ex= 2.71(2), 3.93(2), and 4.05(2) MeV in 17C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electric quadrupole moment Q of the ground state has been measured by means of β-NMR spectroscopy using a spin-polarized beam produced in a projectile fragmentation reaction. The obtained Q moment, , shows a significant excess from the prediction of shell model calculations within the sd shell. The result indicates sizable admixing of pf intruder configurations in the ground state, demonstrating that the shell closure certainly erodes in , a nucleus located on the border of the island of inversion. Comparison was made with predictions of the Monte Carlo shell model, and also a particle-vibration coupling model treating the neutron pairing correlations in the ground state of . Again, a significant admixture of pf intruder configurations to the ground state was needed in both theoretical approaches to explain the observed large Q. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present communication reports on the substantial improvement in monotonic and cyclic strength of austenitic 316L stainless steel nanostructured during equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). The ultimate tensile strength and the fatigue limit after ECAP exceed 1.3GPa and 550MPa, respectively, while the ductility was not fully compromised. Microstructural observations showed that these excellent mechanical properties can be attributed to the nanostructure created due to intensive twinning, with an inter-twin spacing of 30–40nm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

conventional SUS 316L low carbon stainless steel has been processed by Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) to the equivalent shear strain equal to 2, 4, 6 or 8 at different temperatures ranging from 250 °C to room temperature. The aim of this study is to gain extra control over the 'strength-ductility' combination via nanostructure formation, involving twinning and/or strain-induced phase transformation. The resultant microstructure is examined by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) techniques. Substantial structure refinement down to nanoscale is observed in parallel with significant enhancement of tensile yield and ultimate tensile stress, both exceeding 1GPa. A considerable resistance to fracture during localized plastic flow and a fairly good elongation to fracture in tension is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palucka K, Ueno H, Fay J, Banchereau J (Baylor Institute for Immunology Research and Sammons Cancer Center, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX; and Department of Gene and Cell Medicine and Department of Medicine, Immunology Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA) Dendritic cells and immunity against cancer (Key Symposium). J Intern Med 2011; : 64-73. T cells can reject established tumours when adoptively transferred into patients, thereby demonstrating the power of the immune system for cancer therapy. However, it has proven difficult to maintain adoptively transferred T cells in the long term. Vaccines have the potential to induce tumour-specific effector and memory T cells. However, clinical efficacy of current vaccines is limited, possibly because tumours skew the immune system by means of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, inflammatory type 2 T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), all of which prevent the generation of effector cells. To improve the clinical efficacy of cancer vaccines in patients with metastatic disease, we need to design novel and improved strategies that can boost adaptive immunity to cancer, help overcome Tregs and allow the breakdown of the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. This can be achieved by exploiting the fast increasing knowledge about the dendritic cell (DC) system, including the existence of distinct DC subsets that respond differentially to distinct activation signals, (functional plasticity), both contributing to the generation of unique adaptive immune responses. We foresee that these novel cancer vaccines will be used as monotherapy in patients with resected disease and in combination with drugs targeting regulatory/suppressor pathways in patients with metastatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric quadrupole coupling constant eqQ/ h of the extremely proton-rich Al ( I = 5/2, T = 0.47 s) nucleus implanted into an AlO single crystal has been measured for the first time, using the β-ray detecting nuclear quadrupole resonance method ( β-NQR) in a high magnetic field. As a preliminary result, the quadrupole coupling constant was determined as | eqQ/ h(Al) | = 2.66±0.77 MHz. Using the quadrupole coupling constant of Al in AlO as a reference, the Q moment of the ground state of Al was extracted as | Q(Al)| ~ 160 mb, which is well explained by the shell model calculation in the sd-shell model space with the USD interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the clinical value of evaluating the cancer morphology in muscularis propria (MP) for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Method A total of 994 patients with advanced CRC were reviewed in terms of two distinctive growth patterns in the MP: (i) horizontal spread between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers (H-spread) and (ii) ‘streaming’ spread between the muscle bundles of the circular muscle layer (S-spread). Results The incidence of H-spread ( n = 153) and S-spread ( n = 150) showed a positive correlation with tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and both exerted a negative impact on postoperative survival. Adverse morphology in the MP (H-spread and/or S-spread) was consistent with a high grade of vascular invasion and budding in the extramural layer, as also with unfavourable fibrotic stromas in the reactive fibrous zone; the 5-year survival rate in patients with such features was 64.2%, which was lower than that in those without (86.5%, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that adverse morphology was an independent prognostic determinant, along with T- and N -stage. As the mode of H-spread, perineural invasion in the myenteric plexus was found to be predominant over lymphatic spread on the basis of S100 and CD34 immunostaining, but neural cell adhesion molecule expression, whether on cancer cells or on neural cells, was not significant for this growth pattern. Conclusion A particular group of CRCs ingeniously utilizes the thin space between muscle fascicles for development in the MP. Although the biological mechanism remains unknown, this distinctive growth pattern could be a useful indicator to identify CRC patients at high risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This multicentre randomised phase III trial was designed to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine improves the outcomes of patients with resected pancreatic cancer.Methods: Eligibility criteria included macroscopically curative resection of invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas and no earlier radiation or chemotherapy. Patients were randomly assigned at a 1 : 1 ratio to either the gemcitabine group or the surgery-only group. Patients assigned to the gemcitabine group received gemcitabine at a dose of 1000 mg m(-2) over 30 min on days 1, 8 and 15, every 4 weeks for 3 cycles.Results: Between April 2002 and March 2005, 119 patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 118 were eligible and analysable (58 in the gemcitabine group and 60 in the surgery-only group). Both groups were well balanced in terms of baseline characteristics. Although heamatological toxicity was frequently observed in the gemcitabine group, most toxicities were transient, and grade 3 or 4 non-heamatological toxicity was rare. Patients in the gemcitabine group showed significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS) than those in the surgery-only group (median DFS, 11.4 versus 5.0 months; hazard ratio=0.60 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-0.89); P=0.01), although overall survival did not differ significantly between the gemcitabine and surgery-only groups (median overall survival, 22.3 versus 18.4 months; hazard ratio=0.77 (95% CI: 0.51-1.14); P=0.19).Conclusion: The current results suggest that adjuvant gemcitabine contributes to prolonged DFS in patients undergoing macroscopically curative resection of pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'The triangle odor bag method', which has been adopted for the offensive odor control law in Japan, and the dynamic olfactometry defined by EN 13725 have been compared. The odor concentration measured by the triangle odor bag method tends to be higher than that of the dynamic olfactometry in the forced choice mode, while well agreed in the Yes/No mode olfactometry when the panel is the same. The difference can be minimized by applying the panel selection criterion of EN13725 to the triangle odor bag method. The European panel selection test is useful to negate the difference in the measurement equipments although the criteria seem to be strict considering the individual threshold data of n-butanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among 242 Japanese pancreatic cancer patients, three patients (1.2%) encountered life-threatening toxicities, including myelosuppression, after gemcitabine-based chemotherapies. Two of them carried homozygous CDA*3 (CDA208G>A [Ala70Thr]), and showed extremely low plasma cytidine deaminase activity and gemcitabine clearance. Our results suggest that homozygous *3 is a major factor causing gemcitabine-mediated severe adverse reactions among the Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electric quadrupole moment Q for the ground state of 31Al (I π =5/2+) was measured by means of the β ray-detected nuclear quadrupole resonance. A spin-polarized radioactive beam of 31Al was produced in the projectile-fragmentation reaction of a 40Ar beam on a 93Nb target. For the Q moment measurement, we developed a new radio-frequency application system to induce the spin reversal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The online time-differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) method was applied to a study of the physical states of a probe 19F, the β− decay product of 19O (t 1/2 =26.9s), implanted in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The observed magnitude of the electric field gradient at the probe nucleus, ∣V zz ∣=2.91(17)×1022 Vm−2, suggests that the incident 19O atoms are stabilized at an interlayer position with point group C 3v . Exhibiting observed TDPAC spectra having a clear sample-to-detector configuration dependence, we demonstrate the applicability of the present online method with a short-lived radioactive 19O beam. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two young Miniature Dachshunds were presented with abnormal gait. Magnetic resonance imaging showed, hydrocephalus with expanding fourth ventricle, and syringohydromyelia in the cervical spinal cord. These dogs underwent ventricle-peritoneal shunting, after which hydrocephalus, syringohydromyelia, and their clinical signs, improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electric quadrupole moments for the ground states of 32Al and 31Al have been measured by the β ray-detected nuclear quadrupole resonance method. Spin-polarized 32Al and 31Al nuclei were obtained from the fragmentation of 40Ar projectiles at E/ A = 95 MeV/nucleon, and were implanted in a single crystal α-Al2O3 stopper. The measured Q moment of 32Al, | Q(32Al)| = 24(2) mb, is in good agreement with a conventional shell-model calculation with a full sd model space and empirical effective charges, while that of 31Al is considerably smaller than the sd calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gemcitabine is a deoxycytidine analogue that has a broad spectrum of antitumour activity in many solid tumours including pancreatic cancer. We have recently carried out a pharmacogenomic study in cancer patients treated with gemcitabine, and found that one genetic polymorphism of an enzyme involved in gemcitabine metabolism can cause interindividual variations in the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of this agent. In this paper, we review recent genetic studies of gemcitabine, and discuss the possibility of individualised cancer chemotherapy based on a pharmacogenomic approach.British Journal of Cancer (2007) 97, 145–151. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603860 www.bjcancer.com Published online 26 June 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 13-year-old neutered female mongrel dog presented with a 1-year history of stertorous respiration. On computed tomography examination, a mass was demonstrated in the nasal cavity. Open biopsy of the mass was performed and a diagnosis of olfactory esthesioneuroblastoma was made on histological examination. The dog was treated with orthovoltage x-ray radiation (total dose; 53 Gy given in 14 fractions over an 8 week period). Computed tomography after the twelfth irradiation revealed that tumour size had decreased. Although clinical signs were absent in the 4 months after irradiation, re-growth of the tumour was detected by radiographic evaluation and histological examination. The dog was again treated with orthovoltage x-ray radiation (total dose; 30 Gy given in three fractions over a 4-week period), however, tumour regrowth was again detected 3 months later. Clinical treatment of this tumour type has not been previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-differential perturbed angular correlation (TDPAC) method was applied to a study on the behavior of 140Ce atoms implanted in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Exponential-type gradual attenuation of the directional anisotropy of the relevant γ-ray cascade was observed in the perturbation patterns. From temperature dependence of the relaxation rate, a thermally activated dynamic motion of the probe atoms was suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electric quadrupole moment Q for the ground state of 32Al has been measured using the β-NMR technique. Spin-polarized 32Al nuclei were obtained from the fragmentation of 40Ar projectiles at , and were implanted in a single crystal α-Al2O3 stopper. The quadrupole moment was deduced from the measured quadrupole coupling constant. The obtained value, , is remarkably small as compared with other Al isotopes, but is well explained by shell model calculations within the sd shell. The present result indicates that 32Al has a normal sd-shell structure, in contrast to the neighboring isotone 31Mg for which a strongly deformed intruder ground state has been reported to occur. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ultrasound is a well-known diagnosis tool that can be used for the condition assessment of insulating systems. For this special purpose, various investigations on the detectability of the included inhomogeneities are performed: The resolution of ultrasonic measurements on high voltage insulations has been evaluated by using standardized Landolt rings in silicone rubber and epoxy resin. Although a dependency exists on the ring position, the diagnostic system that is used is able to image the gap with a sub-millimeter size. In other words, the system has recognition ability for two different objects close to such a distance. Regarding detectability, it has been found that in addition to ball-shaped inhomogeneities, the system can also detect thin fibrous objects with a diameter of a few micrometers. Finally, the results are used to detect and characterize electrical trees in silicone rubber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ground-state magnetic moments of 30Al and 32Al were measured with the β-NMR method using radioactive-isotope beams spin-polarized in the projectile-fragmentation reaction. Polarization of sizes were obtained in spite of the large numbers of nucleons that are removed from the projectile 40Ar, providing a promising prospect that substantial polarizations are obtained even in fragment nuclei that are far removed from the projectile nucleus. The obtained μ moments, and , are in agreement with shell model calculations within the sd valence space, although a reduction in the energy-gap between the sd and pf states is predicted for 32Al in recent theoretical studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Corona and breakdown characteristics for a configuration of a sphere with a needle and a plane in N2 gas are studied. The protrusion was used to simulate a metallic particle attached to a high voltage conductor surface in power apparatus. The corona and breakdown characteristics depend on the vertical distance between the needle tip and the bottom sphere. It was observed that the breakdown path changed from needle-to-plane to sphere-to-plane while increasing the vertical distance of the needle from the plane. Although corona was generated at the needle-tip at first and developed in the direction of the plane, both the needle-plane and the sphere-plane breakdown occurred at some short vertical distances. The sphere- plane breakdown in that distance was triggered by corona from the needle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative, S-1, in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. Patients with pathologically confirmed advanced biliary tract cancer, a measurable lesion, and no history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy were enrolled. S-1 was administered orally (40 mg m(-2) b.i.d.) for 28 days, followed by a 14-day rest period. A pharmacokinetic study was performed on day 1 in the initial eight patients. In all, 19 consecutive eligible patients were enrolled in the study between July 2000 and January 2002. The site of the primary tumour was the gallbladder (n=16), the extrahepatic bile ducts (n=2), and the ampulla of Vater (n=1). A median of two courses of treatment (range, 1-12) was administered. Four patients achieved a partial response, giving an overall response rate of 21.1%. The median time-to-progression and median overall survival period were 3.7 and 8.3 months, respectively. Although grade 3 anorexia and fatigue occurred in two patients each (10.5%), no grade 4 toxicities were observed. The pharmacokinetic parameters after a single oral administration of S-1 were similar to those of patients with other cancers. S-1 exhibits definite antitumour activity and is well tolerated in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic basis and fitness consequences of winglessness were investigated in the two-spot ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata. By breeding lines from a wingless individual found at The Uithof, Utrecht in The Netherlands, the wingless condition was confirmed to be under the control of a major allele, recessive to the wild type. Wingless individuals, on average, had a longer developmental period, a lower egg production and a shorter lifespan than the wild type with wings, suggesting that the expression of the wingless allele has functionally interrelated gene actions involving a wide range of fitness components. While the wingless allele influences various traits, significant among-family variation in the degree of winglessness suggests that its phenotypic expression is also dependent on the genetic background and modifier loci. Furthermore, there was a consistent pattern of correlation between the degree of winglessness and life history traits; the most extreme wingless individuals showed the lowest fitness while those with more fully developed wings tended to have the highest fitness. This correlation suggests that the modifier genes influence both wing formation and fitness components. The significance of such epistatic effects to the evolution of flightlessness in insects is discussed.Heredity (2004) 93, 283-289. doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6800502 Published online 16 June 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Based on conflicting reports regarding the role of the fibrotic stromal response in cancer development-namely, that a desmoplastic reaction can favour either the host or the tumour-it is dear that the role of the stromal response is varied. We have classified the fibrotic stroma of rectal adenocarcinoma penetrating the muscularis propria, based on histologically identified stromol components. Methods: Three categories of stroma were used: mature-when the stroma was composed of mature collagen fibres (fine and elongated fibres into multiple layers); intermediate-when keloid-like collagen was intermingled with mature fibres; and immature-consisting of a myxoid stroma in which no mature fibres were included. Results: In a data set of 862 patients, 53% of patients had mature fibrotic cancer stroma, 33% had intermediate stroma, and 15% had immature stroma. Five year survival rates decreased as follows: mature stroma (80%), intermediate stroma (55%), and immature stroma (27%). The adverse tumour phenotype, tumour cell budding (conspicuous isolated cells or small clusters of cancer cells), was observed in the cancer fronts in tumours with unfavourable fibrotic stroma (p<0.000l). Based on multivariate analysis, categorised fibrotic stroma was selected as an independent prognostic parameter (hazard ratio 1 .39; 95% confidence interval 1.17-1.64) together with tumour differentiation. By immunohistochemical examination, as maturation of the fibrotic stroma decreased, stromal T cells became significantly sparser. Furthermore, myofibroblasts were distributed extensively in immature fibrotic stroma compared with mature and intermediate fibrotic stroma. Conclusion: The morphological categorisation of fibrotic cancer stroma highlights the role of the stromal response in relation to the behaviour and host immune reactions of rectal adenocarcinoma and would be a useful tool for predicting patient prognostic outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the predictors of extrahepatic recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases. Collection of data from patients who did not received hepatic arterial chemotherapy following surgery; Factors influencing extrahepatic recurrence; Extrahepatic recurrence rate of patients at three years after hepatectomy.

The nuclear g-factor of the T1/2 = 28 ns high-spin isomer in 149Dy has been measured using the γ-ray time-differential perturbed angular distribution (TDPAD) technique with a pulsed beam of 132Xe. The experimental value g=+0.41(6) is in good agreement with a fully aligned multi-quasiparticle configuration π(h211/2)⊗ν(f7/2h9/2i13/2(d−23/2)0). This result indicates that only neutron particle–hole excitations across the N=82 shell-closure occur at this isomeric state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Trade-offs in host-plant use are thought to promote the evolution of host specificity. However, usually either positive or no genetic correlations have been found. Whereas factors enhancing variation in overall viability have been claimed to mask negative genetic correlations, alternative hypotheses emphasize the sequential changes in genetic correlation in the course of host-range evolution. In this study, the genetic architectures of performances on different hosts were compared in two populations of the herbivorous ladybird beetle, Epilachna pustulosa , using three host plants, one being normal for both, one novel for only one population, and the other novel for both populations. The genetic correlations between larval periods on normal hosts were significantly positive whereas those between normal and novel hosts were not different from zero. There was no evidence for reduced genetic variation on the normal host-plants. These results suggest that the host-range is not restricted by the antagonistic genetic associations among exploitation abilities on different plant species, but rather that selection of different host-plants may improve the coordination between genes responsible for the use of different plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 19F probe disintegrated from short-lived 19O has been developed for the first time for time-differential perturbed angular correlation method. The angular correlation coefficient for the relevant cascade has been experimentally estimated to be A22 = -0.17±0.01. As the first application of this technique to condensed matter physics, the probe was implanted in polycrystalline fullerene C60. We have observed two contrastive perturbations acting on the probe nuclei, which reflect electrostatic and dynamic interactions with the extranuclear field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicopathological significance of the `keloid-like' collagen and myxoid stroma in advanced rectal cancer Aim: To establish the histological categorization of fibrotic stroma which reflects the biological behaviour of advanced rectal cancer. Methods and results: Six hundred and twenty-seven surgically resected cases of advanced rectal carcinoma were examined. We histologically categorized fibrotic stroma in the invasive frontal region into three groups: type A, multiple fine and mature fibres were stratified into layers; type B, broad bands of eosinophilic hyalinized collagen (`keloid-like' collagen) were intermingled; type C, myxoid stroma. Type A stroma was observed in 63% of patients, type B stroma in 25%, type C stroma in 12%. The incidence of type A stroma decreased in accordance with Dukes stage (98% in Dukes A; 73% in B; 41% in C1; 29% in C2) and conversely, there was an increase of C type (0% in Dukes A; 4% in B; 20% in C1; 54% in C2). Stroma type had a significant correlation with long-term survival (80% of 5-year survival in type A stroma; 54% in type B; 26% in type C). Based on multivariate analysis, it was found that the stromal pattern had independent prognostic value, together with nodal involvement, growth pattern, and lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusions: Tumour fibrotic stroma may play an important role as a regulator of neoplastic behaviour. Pathological categorization of the fibrotic stroma is helpful for predicting the prognostic outcome of patients with rectal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour `budding' as an index to estimate the potential of aggressiveness in rectal cancer Aims: Although the characteristic of invasive pattern which contributes to Jass's classification is a sensitive prognostic marker in rectal cancer, reproducibility of its assessment has been shown to be problematic. As another histological parameter of invasive margin, we examined the prognostic significance of tumour ‘budding’ and attempted to establish its appropriate criteria. Methods and results: A total of 638 rectal cancer specimens was examined. We defined tumour `budding' as an isolated single cancer cell or a cluster composed of fewer than five cancer cells. We divided these into two groups by their intensity, i.e. the number of `budding' foci within a microscopic field of × 250. Rectal cancer with high-grade `budding' (≥ 10 foci in a field) was observed in 30.1% of patients, and was associated with lower 5-year survival rates (40.7%) than patients with low-grade `budding' (84.0%) (P < 0.0001). Based on multivariate analysis, tumour `budding' was selected as the significant independent variable, together with the number of nodes involved, extramural spread, lymphocytic infiltration, apical nodal involvement and tumour differentiation. Kappa coefficient of two-graded tumour `budding' in the intraobserver study was 0.84. Conclusions: Because of its value as a prognostic indicator and its reproducibility, tumour `budding' would be a good index to estimate the aggressiveness of rectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An abundant extramural autonomic nerve network is an anatomical feature of the rectum. Extramural perineural invasion (PNI) may influence the prognosis after resection of rectal cancer, however, few assessment criteria exist. Methods: PNI was investigated in 364 patients who underwent curative surgery for rectal cancer penetrating the muscular layer. A grading system was established based on the ‘intensity’ (number of PNI foci in a 20-power field) and ‘depth’ (distance from the muscularis propria) of PNI. PNI-0 was defined as without PNI, PNI-1 as ‘intensity’ of less than five foci and ‘depth’ less than 10 mm, and PNI-2 as five or more foci or 10 mm or greater ‘depth’ of invasion. Results: PNI was observed in 52 patients (14 per cent) and strongly correlated with pathological tumour node metastasis (pTNM) stage. Five-year survival was related to PNI grade (74 per cent in PNI-0, 50 per cent in PNI-1 and 22 per cent in PNI-2). The rate of local recurrence was also related to PNI stage: 43 per cent in PNI-2 and 9 per cent in both PNI-0 and PNI-1. Multivariate analyses showed that graded PNI was associated both with local recurrence and long-term survival, independent of tumour depth (pTNM T) and nodal involvement (pTNM N). Conclusion: The PNI grading system may be useful in prognosis and allow case selection for intensive postoperative adjuvant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated creeping flashover characteristics for the needle electrode-plane electrode filled with N[sub 2]/SF[sub 6] gas mixtures. Experimental methods; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of TGF-β in the process of corneal opacity, which is one of the serious causes of visual loss. However, whether TGF-β is indeed critical for the pathogenesis remains unknown. We constructed an adenovirus expressing an entire ectodomain of the human type II TGF-β receptor fused to Fc portion of human IgG (AdTβ-ExR): this soluble receptor is secreted from AdTβ-ExR-infected cells, binds to TGF-β and inhibits TGF-β signaling. When AdTβ-ExR was injected into the femoral muscle of Balb/c mice, a high level of the soluble receptor protein (2.0-3.5 × 10³ pM) was detectable in the serum and in the ocular fluid for at least 10 days. In the mice subjected to corneal injury with silver nitrate and to intramuscular injection with either saline or a control adenovirus expressing β-galactosidase (AdLacZ), corneal opacification composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, of infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, and of angiogenesis were all induced. In contrast, they were markedly reduced in the mice injected with AdTβ-ExR. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that TGF-β, fibronectin, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor were densely stained in the edge of wounded cornea, but they were scarcely present in the injured-cornea of AdTβ-ExR-treated mice. Our results demonstrate that TGF-β indeed plays a critical role in the process of cornea opacification, and that adenovirusmediated expression of a soluble TGF-β receptor can be therapeutically useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background: A detailed knowledge of the fundamental basis for cancer involvement of the autonomic nerve plexus and the outcome of patients with such cancer foci is important when considering nerve-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. Methods: Extrarectal autonomic nerve plexuses were obtained from 61 patients with advanced rectal cancer who were undergoing extended resection of the rectum with the associated nervous system. The specimens were sectioned totally so that any indirect cancer involvement of the extrarectal autonomic nerves and/or the surrounding tissue could be detected. Results: Autonomic nerve plexus involvement was observed in nine patients: none of 25 with Dukes A/B, six of 28 with Dukes C and three of eight with Dukes ‘D’ lesions. Five of 26 patients with nodal involvement in the pararectal area had such foci, and four of eight patients with nodal involvement further from the primary tumour. Furthermore, of the nine patients with nerve plexus involvement, seven had extranodal cancer deposits in the mesorectum. The 3-year survival rate of patients with nerve plexus involvement was 33 per cent, while it was 83 per cent in those without such disease. Conclusion: Nerve plexus involvement was observed in direct proportion to the extent of cancer spread to the mesorectum, and the prognosis of patients with such disease was unfavourable. Further investigation is needed to better identify those patients who would clearly benefit from an en bloc resection of the autonomic nerves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]