Search

Photoluminescence was observed from pure perovskite lanthanum aluminate single crystals grown with a floating-zone method in reduced atmosphere. The emission demonstrates the possibility of light-emitting devices made of perovskite oxides.

Background:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in essential biological activities, and have been reported to exhibit differential expression profiles in various cancers. Our previous study demonstrated that intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM2) inhibition induces radiosensitisation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Thus, we hypothesised that certain miRNAs play crucial roles in radioresistance in OSCC by regulating ICAM2 expression.Methods:Because predicted target gene analyses revealed that microRNA-125b (miR-125b) potentially regulates ICAM2 mRNA expression, we examined the association between miR-125b and radioresistance. The expression of miR-125b was investigated by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR. For a functional analysis, miR-125b was transfected to OSCC-derived cells.Results:A downregulated expression of miR-125b was found in OSCC-derived cell lines and OSCC samples. The miR-125b-transfected cells showed a decreased proliferation rate, enhanced radiosensitivity to X-ray irradiation and diminished ICAM2 mRNA expression. Moreover, miR-125b expression correlated with OSCC tumour staging and survival.Conclusion:These findings suggested that the downregulated miR-125b expression was associated with proliferation and radioresistance mechanisms, probably through ICAM2 signalling. Thus, controlling the expression or activity of miR-125b might contribute to suppressing proliferation and overcoming radioresistance in OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new electrostatic focusing Spindt-type field emitter array (FEA) was simulated and fabricated to develop a compact FEA image sensor with a high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor target. Although the conventional double-gated FEAs can generate focused electron beams by applying a lower voltage to the focusing electrode (second gate) than that of the gate electrode, the emission current drastically decreases. These experimental results show that by increasing the thickness of the gate electrode the emission current can be improved without deterioration of the focusing characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 640×480 pixel field emitter array (FEA) image sensor with a high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) target was fabricated and tested as a step toward the development of ultrahigh-sensitivity compact image sensors for high-definition television cameras. For this sensor, an active-matrix Spindt-type FEA integrated with scanning circuits and a magnetic electron focusing system were designed, and a 15-μm-thick-HARP target was used. The experimental results revealed that the prototype sensor had enough resolution for its pixel number and high sensitivity due to the electrons emitted from the active-matrix FEA being focused onto the HARP target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-22, a novel cytokine belonging to the IL-10 family, is secreted from activated T and natural killer cells and is possibly involved in inflammatory responses. We examined whether expression of theIL-22gene in murine colon carcinoma Colon 26 cells (Colon 26/IL-22) could produce any antitumour effects in the inoculated mice. Although growth of Colon 26/IL-22 tumours in syngeneic mice was not different from that of parent tumours, survival of the mice that were subcutaneously or intraperitoneally inoculated with Colon 26/IL-22 tumours was significantly prolonged compared with the mice inoculated with parent tumours. Metastasis was not influenced by IL-22 expressed in tumours. Expression of the IL-22 receptor-specific gene,IL-22R, was not induced in spleen cells stimulated with concanavalin A, anti-CD3 or anti-CD40 antibody, despite constitutive expression of theIL-10R2gene, which encodes another component of the heterodimeric IL-22 receptor complex. IL-22 thereby does not directly act on immunocompetent cells, and IL-22 expressed in tumours can favour apothanasia of inoculated hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results of a Japanese epidemiological survey TATSUMI K, KASAHARA Y, KUROSU K, TANABE N, TAKIGUCHI Y, KURIYAMA T AND THE RESPIRATORY FAILURE RESEARCH GROUP IN JAPAN. Respirology 2004; 9: 331–336 The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease characterizes COPD as airflow limitation caused by parenchymal destruction and/or small airway disease. This report characterizes the clinical features of these two phenotypes of COPD in Japan. COPD was diagnosed by spirometric airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC < 70%), and all subjects underwent chest CT scanning. Patients with diffuse low attenuation areas (LAA) on CT scan were categorized as the emphysema-dominant phenotype; those with little LAA were categorized as the airway disease-dominant phenotype. The two groups were compared to identify significant clinical or demographic differences. Of the 1438 patients analysed, 1294 (90%) were classified as having an emphysema-dominant phenotype and 144 (10%) as having an airway disease-dominant phenotype. The airway disease-dominant phenotype was: more common than the emphysema-dominant phenotype in women (15% vs. 7%, P < 0.01) and in non-smokers (6% vs. 2%, P < 0.05); was more commonly complicated by asthmatic features (35% vs. 21%, P < 0.01); and had higher IgE and eosinophil levels ( P < 0.05) and less lung function impairment. This analysis is the first to clinically define two phenotypes of COPD in a Japanese epidemiological survey. There appear to be striking differences as well as overlap between these two groups. Further research is warranted to determine the significance of COPD phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer chemotherapy for haemodialysis patients has never been established. To elucidate the feasibility of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for haemodialysis patients with lung cancer, a dose escalation study was conducted. Five haemodialysis patients with lung cancer were treated with cisplatin and etoposide. A starting dose of 40 mg m(-2) of cisplatin on day 1 and 50 mg m(-2) of etoposide on days 1, 3 and 5 were administered as the first course for the first patient. Membrane haemodialysis was regularly performed three times a week and soon after the completion of therapy. By monitoring toxicity and pharmacokinetics data, the dose was escalated course by course and patient by patient. Dose escalation was completed for the first two patients resulting in full-dose chemotherapy consisting of 80 mg m(-2) of cisplatin on day 1 and 100 mg m(-2) of etoposide on days 1, 3 and 5. Multiple courses of the full-dose chemotherapy were administered to the other three patients. Toxicity was manageable and tolerable for all. Pharmacokinetics data were comparable to those from patients with normal renal function, except for potential long-lasting higher levels of free platinum in the renal insufficiency group. In conclusion, this standard-dose combination chemotherapy was feasible even for haemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant pericarditis, when associated with massive pericardial effusion, presents a critical condition in lung cancer patients. Because this condition often arises in terminally ill patients, intensive therapy such as multi-drug combination chemotherapy is rarely appropriate. This study evaluated the clinical relevance of intrapericardial administration of carboplatin for controlling malignant pericardial effusions associated with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The method used for 10 eligible patients consisted of draining the pericardial effusion and infusing 300 mg/body of carboplatin in 50 ml of saline through an in-place catheter into the pericardial space and clamping the catheter for 40 min. Nine of the 10 patients showed satisfactory results, and 8 experienced complete regression of the effusion. No major or minor adverse effects were observed. Pharmacokinetics analysis revealed that the concentration of free platinum in the pericardial fluid was very high while that of total platinum in the circulating plasma was very low, assuring the usefulness of the intrapericardial instillation of carboplatin in terminally ill patients for controlling malignant pericardial effusion when the systemic delivery of cytotoxic agents is inappropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objective: To assess the uncovered Ultraflex nitinol stent (Boston Scientific; Natick, MA) for its efficacy and safety.Design, Setting, and Patients: Between October 1997 and October 1998, we carried out a prospective multicenter study at six hospitals in Japan. Fifty-four Ultraflex stents were inserted in 34 patients with inoperable malignant airway stenosis using a flexible and/or a rigid bronchoscope under fluoroscopic and endoscopic visualization.Measurements and Results: Clinical, endoscopic examination, and pulmonary function on days 1, 30, and 60 after stent implantation showed improvement. In 19 patients (56%), stent implantation was performed as an emergency procedure because of life-threatening tracheobronchial obstruction. Immediate relief of dyspnea was achieved in 82% of the patients. The dyspnea index improved significantly after implantation (before vs. days 1, 30, and 60; p<0.001). Significant improvements were observed in obstruction of airway diameter (81+/-15% before vs. 14+/-17% on day 1, 12+/-12% on day 30, and 22+/-28% on day 60; p<0.001). Vital capacity (VC), FEV(1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) increased significantly after stent implantation: before vs immediately after VC (p<0.01), FEV(1) (p<0.001), and PEF (p<0.05). The main complications were tumor ingrowth (24%) and tumor overgrowth (21%). After coagulation with an Nd-YAG laser or argon plasma coagulation, mechanical coring out using the bevel of a rigid bronchoscope was necessary in patients showing tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. Removal and reposition were possible in case of misplacement. There were no problems with migration and retained secretions. The median survival time of patients was 3 months. The 1-year survival rate was 25.4%.Conclusions: In this study of the Ultraflex nitinol stent, we have demonstrated that patients were relieved from dyspnea, which contributed to improved quality of life, with minimal complications. This stent can be used safely, even in the subglottic region. Owing to its excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, the stent is also indicated in certain complicated situations, eg, narrow stenosis, hourglass stenosis, curvilinear stenosis, bilateral mainstem bronchial stenoses, and long stenosis of varying diameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinolone antibacterial drugs are widely used as oral therapeutic agents. However, in some patients they cause ultraviolet (UV)-dependent dermatitis. Using lipid peroxidation as an index of phototoxicity, we studied the effects of a new quinolone derivative, Y-26611 together with ofloxacin, sparofloxicin and lomefloxacin on washed human erythrocyte suspensions. Irradiation of erythrocytes with UV-A or UV-B for 60 min. in the presence of Y-26611 (30-600 μg/ml) strong dose dependent lipid peroxidation, up to 17.01 nmoles/ml was induced. Under identical conditions, lipid peroxidation induced by up to 600 μg/ml ofloxacin, sparofloxacin or lomefloxacin were 0.94, 3.36 and 2.98 nmoles/ml respectively. The lipid peroxidation was entirely dependent on both UV as well as the drug. The lipid peroxidation responses to drug + UV could completely be inhibited by sodium azide (hydroxyl radical, HO- and singlet oxygen, 1O2 scavenger) or by phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN, HO and superoxide anion radical, O2− scavenger). It is likely that reactive oxygen species generated by interaction between UV-sensitized drug molecules and oxygen molecules mediate erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation. The method used in this study is rapid and convenient for screening drugs for UV-dependent cytoloxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]