Search

Background: The 72 kDa matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and the 92 kDa matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) are type IV collagenases implicated in various aspects of inflammation including accumulation of inflammatory [...]

The analysis of genetically modified mice and cells has provided important new insights into the biological functions of the dimeric transcription factor complex AP1. The key components of AP1, the [...]

As a result of the RAINBOW trial, ramucirumab plus paclitaxel was established as a second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Regarding the safety of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in the Japanese, a subgroup analysis of the RAINBOW trial was conducted. The incidence of neutropenia was higher in Japanese patients. However, information is lacking concerning the safety of ramucirumab after marketing in Japanese patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of ramucirumab in Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer who had commenced treatment with ramucirumab plus paclitaxel or paclitaxel only at Ogaki Municipal Hospital (Gifu, Japan) between January 2015 and December 2016. There were 26 patients in the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel group and 22 patients in the paclitaxel only group. Treatment-related adverse events were documented in 100.0% of the patients in the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel group (Grade 3–4, 73.1%) and 90.9 % of the patients in the paclitaxel only group (Grade 3–4, 45.5 %). The most frequently observed adverse event in both treatment groups was anemia. The second common adverse event was neutropenia. The incidence of neutropenia of Grade ≥3 was significantly higher in the ramucirumab plus paclitaxel group than in the paclitaxel only group. In conclusion, the incidence of neutropenia is high. However, we believe that ramucirumab plus paclitaxel can be safely administered.

High-dose methotrexate (Hd-MTX) therapy has recently been applied to the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) based on pediatric protocols; however, its effectiveness for adult ALL has not yet been confirmed in a rigorous manner. We herein conducted a randomized phase III trial comparing Hd-MTX therapy with intermediate-dose (Id)-MTX therapy. This study was registered at UMIN-CTR (ID: C000000063). Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative ALL patients aged between 25 and 64 years of age were enrolled. Patients who achieved complete remission (CR) were randomly assigned to receive therapy containing Hd-MTX (3?g/m2) or Id-MTX (0.5?g/m2). A total of 360 patients were enrolled. The CR rate was 86%. A total of 115 and 114 patients were assigned to the Hd-MTX and Id-MTX groups, respectively. The estimated 5-year disease-free survival rate of the Hd-MTX group was 58%, which was significantly better than that of the Id-MTX group at 32% (P=0.0218). The frequencies of severe adverse events were not significantly different. We herein demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of Hd-MTX therapy for adult Ph-negative ALL. Our results provide a strong rationale for protocols containing Hd-MTX therapy being applied to the treatment of adult ALL.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified several susceptibility loci for bipolar disorder (BD) and shown that the genetic architecture of BD can be explained by polygenicity, with numerous variants contributing to BD. In the present GWAS (Phase I/II), which included 2964 BD and 61 887 control subjects from the Japanese population, we detected a novel susceptibility locus at 11q12.2 (rs28456, P=6.4 × 10−9), a region known to contain regulatory genes for plasma lipid levels (FADS1/2/3). A subsequent meta-analysis of Phase I/II and the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium for BD (PGC-BD) identified another novel BD gene, NFIX (Pbest=5.8 × 10−10), and supported three regions previously implicated in BD susceptibility: MAD1L1 (Pbest=1.9 × 10−9), TRANK1 (Pbest=2.1 × 10−9) and ODZ4 (Pbest=3.3 × 10−9). Polygenicity of BD within Japanese and trans-European-Japanese populations was assessed with risk profile score analysis. We detected higher scores in BD cases both within (Phase I/II) and across populations (Phase I/II and PGC-BD). These were defined by (1) Phase II as discovery and Phase I as target, or vice versa (for ‘within Japanese comparisons’, Pbest~10−29, R2~2%), and (2) European PGC-BD as discovery and Japanese BD (Phase I/II) as target (for ‘trans-European-Japanese comparison,’ Pbest~10−13, R2~0.27%). This ‘trans population’ effect was supported by estimation of the genetic correlation using the effect size based on each population (liability estimates~0.7). These results indicate that (1) two novel and three previously implicated loci are significantly associated with BD and that (2) BD ‘risk’ effect are shared between Japanese and European populations.

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;225:534.e1–534.e38)Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a rare but dangerous condition that occurs when placental tissue attaches into the gravid uterus, specified by degrees of invasive attachment. Maternal death is among the risks of this condition in the peri-cesarean delivery (CD) period. Other reports on PAS draw from a small number of patients or are limited to a single hospital. A large national survey was performed to investigate population-wide prevalence, risks, characteristics, and outcomes for patients with PAS in the context of CD.

Myxoid/round cell (RC) liposarcomas (MLS) were originally classified into two distinct populations based on histological differences; a myxoid component and a RC component. It is notable that, depending on an increase of the RC component, the prognosis significantly differs. Hence, the RC component is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the malignancy of the RC component still remain largely unknown. Here, we report microRNA-135b (miR-135b), a key regulator of the malignancy, highly expressed in the RC component and promoting MLS cell invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo through the direct suppression of thrombospondin 2 (THBS2). Decreased THBS2 expression by miR-135b increases the total amount of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and influences cellular density and an extracellular matrix structure, thereby resulting in morphological change in tumor. The expression levels of miR-135b and THBS2 significantly correlated with a poor prognosis in MLS patients. Overall, our study reveals that the miR-135b/THBS2/MMP2 axis is tightly related to MLS pathophysiology and has an important clinical implication. This work provides noteworthy evidence for overcoming metastasis and improving patient outcomes, and sheds light on miR-135b and THBS2 as novel molecular targets for diagnosis and therapy in MLS.

Subcortical structures, which include the basal ganglia and parts of the limbic system, have key roles in learning, motor control and emotion, but also contribute to higher-order executive functions. Prior studies have reported volumetric alterations in subcortical regions in schizophrenia. Reported results have sometimes been heterogeneous, and few large-scale investigations have been conducted. Moreover, few large-scale studies have assessed asymmetries of subcortical volumes in schizophrenia. Here, as a work completely independent of a study performed by the ENIGMA consortium, we conducted a large-scale multisite study of subcortical volumetric differences between patients with schizophrenia and controls. We also explored the laterality of subcortical regions to identify characteristic similarities and differences between them. T1-weighted images from 1680 healthy individuals and 884 patients with schizophrenia, obtained with 15 imaging protocols at 11 sites, were processed with FreeSurfer. Group differences were calculated for each protocol and meta-analyzed. Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated smaller bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and accumbens volumes as well as intracranial volume, but larger bilateral caudate, putamen, pallidum and lateral ventricle volumes. We replicated the rank order of effect sizes for subcortical volumetric changes in schizophrenia reported by the ENIGMA consortium. Further, we revealed leftward asymmetry for thalamus, lateral ventricle, caudate and putamen volumes, and rightward asymmetry for amygdala and hippocampal volumes in both controls and patients with schizophrenia. Also, we demonstrated a schizophrenia-specific leftward asymmetry for pallidum volume. These findings suggest the possibility of aberrant laterality in neural pathways and connectivity patterns related to the pallidum in schizophrenia.

Although numerous genetic studies have been conducted for bipolar disorder (BD), its genetic architecture remains elusive. Here we perform, to the best of our knowledge, the first trio-based exome sequencing study for BD to investigate potential roles of de novo mutations in the disease etiology. We identified 71 de novo point mutations and one de novo copy-number mutation in 79 BD probands. Among the genes hit by de novo loss-of-function (LOF; nonsense, splice site or frameshift) or protein-altering (LOF, missense and inframe indel) mutations, we found significant enrichment of genes highly intolerant (first percentile of intolerant genes assessed by Residual Variation Intolerance Score) to protein-altering variants in general population, an observation that is also reported in autism and schizophrenia. When we performed a joint analysis using the data of schizoaffective disorder in published studies, we found global enrichment of de novo LOF and protein-altering mutations in the combined group of bipolar I and schizoaffective disorders. Considering relationship between de novo mutations and clinical phenotypes, we observed significantly earlier disease onset among the BD probands with de novo protein-altering mutations when compared with non-carriers. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of genes hit by de novo protein-altering mutations in bipolar I and schizoaffective disorders did not identify any significant enrichment. These results of exploratory analyses collectively point to the roles of de novo LOF and protein-altering mutations in the etiology of bipolar disorder and warrant further large-scale studies.

Background:Metastasis to the pancreas (MP) is a rare entity that is difficult to identify by imaging alone. Few reports have described endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings. Herein, we try to describe the EUS and EUS-FNA characteristics of MP. Methods:This retrospective study compared 28 patients with MP (13 males; mean age: 60.1 8 12.6 years) and 60 control patients (30 males; 62.7 8 11.5 years) with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). All lesions were characterized by EUS, and MP was diagnosed by EUS-FNA (n = 16), surgery (n = 6) or both (n = 6). Results:Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the presence of regular borders (p = 0.004; OR: 8.81, 95% CI: 1.97–39.4), the absence of retention cysts (p = 0.045; OR: 12.5, 95% CI: 1.06–147.0), and the absence of main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilation (p = 0.003; OR: 8.18, 95% CI: 2.04–32.8) were predictors of MP rather than PDAC. The EUS-FNA sampling adequacy was 95.4% (21/22), and the cor- rect diagnosis was obtained in 95.2% (20/21) of cases when K-ras mutation analysis and/or immunostaining were added. Conclusion:The presence of regular borders, the absence of retention cysts and the presence of nondilated MPD on EUS indicate MP rather than PDAC. This diagnosis can be accurately confirmed by EUS-FNA with immunostaining and/or K-ras analysis.

There are few published references on the practical diagnosis of oil-injected twin-screw compressors. In most cases of diagnosis on this type of compressors, usual methods that deal with machine elements, gears, rotational parts, rolling element bearings, couplings, and so on, are employed. These methods are certainly effective but not specified for diagnosis of oil-injected twin-screw compressors.The purpose of this study is to develop an effective tool for diagnosis of vibrations in oil-injected twin-screw compressors. Vibrations in this type of compressors vary with the quality of machining and operating conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to establish a systematic method of analysing vibration data in all practical conditions. This paper reports on a method developed to diagnose lobe meshing vibrations on this type of compressors using synthesized waveform models. Typical vibration waveforms are synthesized from basic waves with measured data and simple assumptions. These synthesized waveforms are then used to diagnose lobe mesh and resonance vibration problems in the compressors, after being modulated into modified waveform models.Waveforms synthesized by this method were fairly in good agreement with measured waveforms, indicating that this method is an effective tool in diagnosing lobe mesh vibration problems. There is no verified method or information on the diagnosis of lobe mesh vibrations in oil-injected screw compressors; this method, therefore, offers a effective analysis.

Formation of anionic fluoride-complexes of element 104, rutherfordium, produced in the 248Cm(18O,5n) 261Rf reaction was studied by anion-exchange on an atom-at-a-time scale. It was found that the hexafluoro complex of Rf, [RfF6]2−, was formed in the studied fluoride ion concentrations of 0.0005–0.013 M. Formation of [RfF6]2−was significantly different from that of the homologues Zr and Hf, [ZrF6]2−and [HfF6]2−; the evaluated formation constant of [RfF6]2−is at least one-order of magnitude smaller than those of [ZrF6]2−and [HfF6]2−.

Carotid Artery Stenting(CAS) was performed for 51 lesions in 46 patients for almost clinically symptomatic stenotic (>70%)lesions of cervical carotid arteries. The lesions involved the contralateral occlusion cases in eight cases, the bilateral stenotic cases in six cases and the ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenotic cases in two cases. In all cases, endovascular technique was performed from a transfemoral approach under local anesthesia primarily. Under systemic heparinization, CAS was performed using a self-expanding stent system. For the pre-stenting and post-stenting dilatation, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon catheters were used. The balloon was inflated up to the pressure of six to ten atoms for 20 to 30 seconds. After CAS, stenotic lesion dilated successfully in all cases (0–20% residual stenosis; mean, 5.5%) even if in the case of the contra-lateral occlusion cases, more than 90% severe stenotic cases, and the tortuous artery cases. The cerebral protection system was always used, mainly distal blocking balloon type. Only one symptomatic complication occurred after CAS. Follow-up ultrasonic carotid echogram was performed in 30 cases. No cases showed restenosis (more than 50% restenosis). Clinical follow up was performed in all cases for one to 41 months (mean, 15.2 months) and no clinical deterioration such as TIA or stroke occurred. CAS is technically feasible and can be performed with relatively low morbidity even if complicated stenotic cases. It may be useful, but the increase the number of patients and the long-term follow-up are necessary to evaluate the safety and usefulness of this method.

The extraction behavior of rutherfordium (Rf) into tributylphosphate (TBP) from hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been studied together with those of the lighter group-4 elements Zr and Hf. The extractability of 261Rf, 169Hf, and 85Zr into TBP was investigated under identical conditions in 7.2–8.0 M HCl by on-line reversed-phase extraction chromatography. The percent extractions of Rf, Hf, and Zr into the TBP resin increase steeply with increasing HCl concentration, and the order of extraction is Zr > Hf ≈ Rf. By considering the order of chloride complexation among these elements, it is suggested that the stability of the TBP complex of Rf tetrachloride is lower than those of Zr and Hf.

Human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) play an important role in peritoneal functions. During long term peritoneal dialysis, it has been reported that HPMCs are damaged by high glucose solution via the signal of transforming growth factor (TGF)- ß1 produced by HPMCs. In this study, we focused on the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), known as an anti-fibrotic and anti-TGF-ß1 agent, on HPMCs damaged by high glucose solution. HPMCs were isolated from specimens of the omentum from nonuremic patients after informed consent had been obtained. After confirming adhesion for 6 hours, 100 µL of DMEM with 0.5%FCS were added at different concentrations (D-glucose; 6, 30mM) with or without HGF (10, 30, 100 ng/mL) for 48 hours. We examined the effects of a high concentration of glucose and then focused on following four critical points: 1) the production of HGF from HPMCs exposed to a high concentration of glucose, 2) the expression of c-Met on HPMCs, 3) the viability of those cells, and 4) matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). The following significant changes are described herein: high glucose solution and TGF-ß1 i) decreased HGF production from HPMCs and ii) up-regulated expression of c-Met on HPMCs, and addition of HGF iii) restored viability of HPMCs damaged by glucose, iv) suppressed TGF-ß1 production by HGF, and v) induced up-regulation of MMP-2 and decreased TIMP-2 production by HPMCs. Levels of HGF decreased by high concentrations of glucose in the peritoneal cavity may induce the loss of HPMCs and thereby result in peritoneal fibrosis. These results suggest that HGF is an effective agent in the regeneration of peritoneal membrane damaged by high glucose solution.

Background: The risk of port site metastasis in laparoscopic surgery for cancer patients is a problem that has yet to be resolved. We examined the protective effect of a sodium hyaluronate–based bioresorbable membrane (Seprafilm) on tumor cell implantation at laparoscopic trocar sites. Methods: Four 2-mm trocar sites were created in nude mice, and the peritoneal wounds were covered with different-sized pieces of Seprafilm. The protective effect of Seprafilm on the implantation of GB-d1 (a human gallbladder cancer cell line) at the trocar sites was assessed after 7 days. In addition, the effects of sodium hyaluronate and Seprafilm on the growth and motility of GB-d1 were examined in vitro. Results: Seprafilm significantly decreased the incidence of implantation compared with the control group. Histologically, Seprafilm was observed on days 1 and 3, as a sheet of gel that covered the injured peritoneum and muscle layer. In an invasion assay using Seprafilm, no cells were found to infiltrate through the gel sheet. Conclusion: Seprafilm protects peritoneal wounds by physically covering the injured peritoneum. Therefore, if Seprafilm were attached to the injured peritoneum after laparoscopic surgery for cancer patients, it might reduce port site metastasis.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelial cell-specific potent mitogen that induces angiogenesis and microvascular hyperpermeability. Recently, it has been reported that megakaryocytes and platelets contain VEGF in their cytoplasm. Objectives: To elucidate and confirm the bioactivity and role of VEGF in platelets (platelet VEGF), which may be closely related to vascular thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Methods: The VEGF localization in megakaryocytes on bone marrow smears was analyzed by immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis. The intracellular VEGF expressed in platelets was determined by flow cytometric analysis. Platelet-rich plasma and washed platelets were used to analyze the secretion of VEGF during platelet aggregation by thrombin or gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase-2) stimulation. Immunohistochemical studies for VEGF in the thrombotic region were performed. Results and conclusions: Megakaryocytes and platelets are a very rich source of circulating VEGF. Gelatinase A, which is closely associated with vascular remodeling, enhances the VEGF levels released from platelets. VEGF was clearly detected in the fibrin nets of a thrombus. Taken together, platelet VEGF is bioactive as a direct angiogenic growth factor, and may play a very important role in wound healing and atherosclerosis in conjunction with other platelet cytokines such as platelet-derived growth factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, and TGF-β.

Non-pathogenic trypanosomes of the subgenus Herpetosoma are normally host specific, and laboratory models include Trypanosoma lewisi in rats and Trypanosoma musculi in mice. Two isolates of Trypanosoma grosi, originating from Apodemus agrarius and Apodemus peninsulae, grew well in Mongolian jirds, Meriones unguiculatus, after intraperitoneal inoculation of 2×105 or a minimum 500 bloodstream forms. The course of T. grosi infection in jirds resembled T. musculi infection in mice, rather than T. lewisi infection in rats. At week 2 to 3 p.i. trypanosomes disappeared from the bloodstream, and neither prednisolone treatment nor splenectomy prevented parasite elimination from the bloodstream. However, these treatments induced a marked increase in peak parasite counts. Regardless of prednisolone treatment or splenectomy, all jirds after day 21 p.i. became resistant to the reinfection. Although no trypanosomes were detected in the bloodstream of recovered jirds, dividing parasites persisted in the medullary capillaries of the kidney, like T. musculi infection in mice. We propose the T. grosi infection in jirds as an additional laboratory model for the study of non-pathogenic trypanosomes.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with many physiological functions. The present study was designed to determine the expression of IL-6 and its receptor (IL-6R) in human gastric and colorectal cancers. Nine gastric- and nine colorectal cancer cell lines were analysed. The IL-6 gene was expressed in two gastric cancer cell lines and one colorectal cancer cell line; however, most of the cancer cell lines studied expressed the IL-6R gene. The level of IL-6 secretion in the gastric cancer cell lines correlated with the level of soluble IL-6R secretion, and was significantly higher (> ~100 pg/ml) than the level of IL-6 secretion in the colorectal cancer cell lines (> ~50 pg/ml). These results suggest that IL-6 may act in a paracrine fashion rather than an autocrine fashion in these cell lines.

Identification of factors influencing success of Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication is important for clinical practice. We have prospectively conducted an HP eradication study in the Aichi Cancer Center with a total of 142 patients available for analysis. The overall success rate was 61·3% (95% confidence interval 52·7–69·3%). Smoking during the medication for eradication significantly decreased the success rate (42·9%), whereas smoking cessation during the treatment was associated with a similar rate as for non-smokers (66·7%). We also examined links between an eradication outcome and polymorphisms of Le, Se, IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN and MPO genes, but with one exception none showed any association. The non-functional le allele of Le polymorphisms, leading to decreased expression of Leb antigen to which HP attaches with adhesin, showed a beneficial effect for success. Although further clarification is necessary, our study indicated that smoking cessation and Le gene polymorphisms may affect the success rate of HP eradication.

AbstractAims: It has been reported that taste acuity for the four primary tastes, sour, sweet, salty and bitter, is impaired in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, there have been no studies reported on taste acuity of diabetic HD patients. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the taste acuity of diabetic and non-diabetic HD patients, and further to determine if there were correlations between diminished taste acuity and certain blood serum parameters typically askew in hemodialysis patients. Methods: In a test group of 24 diabetic and 24 non-diabetic HD patients matched for age, body mass index and duration of HD, taste acuity for the four tastes was determined by asking patients to identify them at varying concentrations. Results: Statistical analyses indicate that bitter and total taste acuity were significantly impaired in diabetic HD patients. In diabetic HD patients, correlation was found between sweet, salty or total taste acuity and blood urea nitrogen or normalized protein catabolic rate. Conclusions: We conclude that taste acuity is partially impaired in diabetic HD patients, and suggest this contributes to reduced appetite, leading to malnutrition and poor prognoses.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Abstract. The present numerical study has dealt with the enhancement of latent heat Release by using plate type fins mounted on the vertical cooling surface in the rectangular vessel packed with molten salt as a latent heat storage material. It was found that the fin thickness and pitch exerted an influence on solidification heat transfer in a liquid layer of a nitric molten salt. The numerical results elucidated the flow pattern, velocity profile and heat transfer rate in the melted liquid layer.

The effect of bait-delivered anthelmintic to reduce the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes was evaluated in Koshimizu, in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. The study area (200 km2) was divided into baited and non-baited sections. The anthelmintic baits were distributed around fox den sites in the baited section every month for 13 months. After 1 year of the anthelmintic bait distribution, the prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes, evaluated either by the parasite egg examination (from 27.1 to 5.6%) or coproantigen ELISA (from 59.6 to 29.7%), decreased in the baited section contrasting to that in the non-baited section (parasite egg: from 18.8 to 24.2%; ELISA: from 41.9 to 45.8%). The prevalence of E. multilocularis in grey red-backed vole Clethrionomys rufocanus, caught around fox dens, born after bait distribution also decreased and was significantly lower than that in non-baited section. However, within the study periods, the coproantigen-positive rate in fox faeces sporadically increased, while egg-positive rate constantly decreased. Since coproantigen ELISA can detect pre-patent infection, this observation indicates that reinfection pressure in the baited section was still high even after the 13 months of anthelmintic bait distribution. Therefore, the bait distribution longer than our study period is required for the efficient control of E. multilocularis in wild red fox population.

AbstractPeripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) have allowed central venous access via peripheral veins for a long period. PICCs have become an indispensable tool in neonatal medicine. Despite their benefits, PICCs involve some risks, which include infection, thrombosis, malpositioning, and extravascular collection of fluid. We presented two patients with extravascular collection of fluid around the vertebra resulting from malpositioning of PICCs. The PICCs were placed via the saphenous veins in both patients. The PICCs were judged to be centrally placed in the inferior vena cava by means of supine abdominal roentgenograms. The next day one patient exhibited frequent apneic attacks and the other exhibited twitching movements. A lumbar puncture revealed extravascular collection of fluid around the vertebra. In lateral view chest-abdominal roentgenograms, the PICC tips were observed to be in the vertebral lumen. The PICCs were removed immediately and the condition of the patients improved. We stressed the usefulness of the lateral view abdominal roentgenograms for revealing the malpositioning of PICCs in the inferior vena cava.

An advanced silicon nitride material with high isotropic thermal conductivity (149 W m-1K-1) has been developed. This high thermal conductivity was achieved with a process that combines high-quality seed crystals with a suitable additive system to promote grain growth. In this process, the addition of β-Si3N4seed crystals was found to be effective in improving thermal conductivity due to their low defect and impurity concentrations. The seed crystals seem to work as nuclei for controlling grain growth during the sintering process. Controlling the growth of elongated grains so that they do not interact with each other seems important for suppressing the generation of new defects inside the grains.

Abstract.: Multiple shocklets are frequently generated in transonic diffuser flows. The present paper investigates the formation of these shocklets with a high-speed CCD camera combined with the schlieren method. It is observed that compression waves steepen while propagating upstream, and eventually become new shock waves. The ordinary shock wave is found to move upstream beyond the nozzle throat or to disappear while moving downstream depending on the pressure ratio across the nozzle. This phenomenon is also analyzed with the one-dimensional Euler equations by assuming a pressure disturbance given by the sine function at the channel exit. The calculated results are found to reproduce quite well the experimental behavior of the shocklets. The effect of the frequency of disturbance is also studied numerically, and it is shown that the multiple shocklet pattern appears when the amplitude of disturbance is not large and the diverging part of the channel downstream of the ordinary shock wave is long.

Abstract: Methods. The cases were 102 patients with esophageal cancer, 143 with stomach cancer, 74 with colon cancer, 72 with rectal cancer, 192 with lung cancer, 237 with breast cancer, 56 with prostate cancer, and 108 with malignant lymphoma. Controls consisted of outpatients from two sources: 241 noncancer outpatients who underwent gastroscopy and 399 first-visit outpatients, expected to include about 20% with cancer. Genotyping was conducted by polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers (PCR-CTPP). Results. The TT genotype with null enzyme activity was found in 19.9% of the 241 noncancer gastroscopy examinees, 16.5% of the 399 first-visit outpatients, 12.7% of the esophageal cancer patients, 16.8% of the stomach cancer patients, 13.5% of the colon cancer patients, 9.7% of the rectal cancer patients, 17.7% of the lung cancer patients, 14.3% of the breast cancer patients, 16.1% of the prostate cancer patients, and 15.7% of the malignant lymphoma patients. The odds ratios (ORs) of the genotypes were not significant for any cancers combined or for any site of cancer, except for lung cancer (OR, 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46–0.96 for CT relative to CC). The OR of current smoking for cancers of the esophagus and lung combined was different between the CC genotype (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.06–3.98) and TT genotype (OR, 5.11; 95% CI, 1.37–19.05), although the difference was not significant. Conclusion. This study suggests that the CC genotype of the NQO1 C609T polymorphism is associated with the risk of lung cancer, and that the TT genotype increases the risk of smoking for cancers of the esophagus and lung.

Abstract: The choking of dual subsonic streams flowing through a convergent duct in contact has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experiment was conducted by using blow-down wind tunnel. The condition, when the dual stream flow choking (compound choking) occurs at the nozzle exit, was explained by one-dimensional analysis of compound sound wave propagation. The experimental results for the condition of compound choking were compared with the prediction from theoretical analysis, and the schlieren optical method using the spark light source has been used to visualize the flowfield.

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta-core fragment (hCG beta cf) was directly produced by gestational trophoblastic tumors. Immunoreactivity of hCG beta cf was demonstrated in the extracts as well as in the culture media of hydatidiform mole tissues. It was also present in the extracts of choriocarcinoma tissues, and its molar concentration exceeded that of intact hCG. The presence of hCG beta cf was then confirmed by gel chromatography and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry showed localization of hCG beta cf immunoreactivity to the syncytiotrophoblasts and scattered cells in the stroma of mole tissue, and to syncytiotrophoblastic cells in choriocarcinoma. Immunoreactivity of hCG beta cf was also detected in the sera of the patients with gestational trophoblastic disease, although the hCG beta cf/hCG ratio was less than one hundredth of that in the tissue extracts. Serial measurement of serum hCG beta cf levels after mole evacuation showed that they declined much more rapidly than those of hCG and became undetectable in the patients with subsequent spontaneous resolution, while hCG beta cf remained or became detectable before the rise of hCG was observed in the patients with subsequent persistent trophoblastic disease. Taken together, these results suggest that hCG beta cf is directly produced by gestational trophoblastic tumors, and monitoring of hCG beta cf in the serum after mole evacuation may be useful for early prediction of subsequent development of postmolar persistent trophoblastic disease.

Cortical areas used in the copying of Japanese ideographic characters and syllabic characters were studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers. Complexity of characters was controlled to illustrate differences resulting from character to sound conversion differences between the ideographic and syllabic characters. Statistical comparisons indicated extensive activation in the fusiform gyrus, posterior portions around the intraparietal sulcus and in the conjunction area of BA 6, 9 and 44 (which is assumed to be Exner's area) during the copying of ideographic characters. These findings suggested that indirectness between ideographic characters and their pronunciation demands extra processing such as semantic mediation and intensive grapheme processing in comparison with syllabic characters.

Abstract: Background. The adrenergic receptor system is involved in thermogenesis and in the activation of lipid mobilization in fat cells, and polymorphisms in the beta-2 and beta-3 adrenoceptor genes (BAR2 and BAR3) have been reported to be associated with obesity and insulin resistance. To examine links between polymorphisms in these genes and the risk of colorectal cancer in Japanese, we conducted the present hospital-based case-referent study. Methods. Mutations of the BAR2 gene at codon 27 (Gln27Glu) and of the BAR3 gene at codon 64 (Trp64Arg) were examined in 131 patients with colorectal cancer (cases) and in 239 cancer-free referents. We also collected information on environmental factors, using a questionnaire approach. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model, after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Results. The proportional distribution of the mutations in BAR2 and BAR3 did not differ between cases and referents. Analysis of a subgroup with a higher body mass index showed that the Trp64Arg variant increased the OR (2.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–6.11) for colon cancer, but not for rectal cancer, compared with the Trp64 geno-type. Altered ORs for colon and rectal cancers with the Gln27Glu variant were not observed in either the subgroup with the lower body mass index or the subgroup with the higher body mass index. Conclusion. These findings suggest that the BAR3 polymorphism may alter the susceptibility to colon cancer risk in obese subjects. To confirm this finding, a further study with a larger number of subjects is now required.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) degrades acetaldehyde metabolized from ethanol. Its encoding gene ALDH2 has a functional polymorphism: ALDH2 Glu487LYS: An association between this polymorphism and esophageal cancer among alcoholics has been reported. To further evaluate the gene-environment interaction, a hospital-based case-control study was conducted. Cases were 102 patients with histologically confirmed esophageal cancer and controls were 241 non-cancer outpatients of Aichi Cancer Center. ALDH2 genotypes were examined by a PCR-CTPP method developed in our laboratory, which does not require a digestion stage. Logistic regression analysis was employed for estimation of relative risk and gene-environment interaction. The allele frequency for ALDH2 Lys487 was 0.28, consistent with previous reports. The age, sex, smoking and drinking status adjusted odds ratio for the ALDH2 Glu/Lys and Lys/Lys genotypes as compared with the Glu/Glu genotype was 3.43 (95% CI 1.74-6.75). The odds ratio for heavy drinking was 49.6 (14.5-169.4) among Lys487 carriers and 7.84 (2.77-22.2) for the Glu/Glu genotype. The gene-environment interaction between alcohol drinking and the ALDH2 Lys487 allele was 6.84 (2.39-19.6), whereas no significant interaction was obtained with smoking status. Although limited because of its prevalent case-control design, our study revealed a strong gene-environment interaction between ALDH2 polymorphism and heavy alcohol consumption. Taking the observed high risk of esophageal cancer in association with the ALDH2 Lys487 allele into consideration, reducing alcohol intake may be most protective among Lys487 allele carriers of this polymorphism.

Abstract: Background. We investigated histopathological background and multicentricity in patients with familial breast cancers (FBCs) in comparison with these features in patients with sporadic breast cancers (SBCs), stratifying patients by menopausal status. Methods. We collected a consecutive series of 469 FBC patients and 3334 SBC patients treated at our hospital between 1965 and 1995. The following criteria were used to define FBC, regardless of the presence or absence of a family history of other cancer or the patient's past history of malignancies: (1) Three or more second-degree relatives had been affected by breast cancer; (2) two first-degree relatives had been affected by breast cancer, and either one of them was under 40 years of age and/or had had bilateral breast cancers. The presence or absence of background proliferative lesions (PL; ductal/lobular hyperplasia and/or adenosis) and the multicentricity of breast carcinomas in FBCs and SBCs were analyzed for each group. Results. In premenopausal FBC patients, there was a nonsignificant trend towards a high frequency of multicentricity compared with findings in patients with SBCs overall (P = 0.087; odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96–2.13). In premenopausal FBC patients, the frequency of background proliferative lesions with/or without fibroadenomas (FA) in the resected specimen was significantly higher than that in SBC patients overall (P = 0.001 for PL; OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.18–1.83; P < 0.001 for PL � FA; OR, 6.84; 95% CI, 4.93–9.49). With regard to the other clinicopathological factors examined, there were no significant differences between the two groups, except for the higher frequency of premenopausal patients among the FBC patients. Conclusion. These results indicate that premenopausal patients with FBCs had more proliferative lesions in the histopathological background and more multicentric breast cancers than premenopausal patients with SBCs.

Abstract: Background. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inactivates the estradiol metabolites, 2-hydroxy estradiol and 4-hydroxy estradiol. To date, three studies in Caucasians and one study in Chinese have been conducted to determine the association with breast cancer risk of a functional polymorphism (G-to-A, Val158Met) of this enzyme, but the results were inconsistent. In order to examine the impact of this polymorphism on breast cancer risk in Japan, a case-control study was conducted, at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital. Methods. The cases were 150 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer who had been diagnosed within 4 years before enrollment at this hospital. The controls were 165 non-cancer patients, mainly from the gastroenterology and breast surgery clinics at the hospital. COMT-H (Val) is the wild-type allele, with high enzyme activity, while the COMT-L (Met) allele has low activity. Genotyping was conducted by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Results. The allele frequency of COMT-L was 36.0% for cases and 33.0% for controls. Age-adjusted odds ratios relative to the COMT-HH genotype were 1.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90–2.36) for COMT-HL, and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.49–2.02) for the COMT-LL genotype. Significant odds ratios were not observed for any subgroup stratified by menopausal status, age at menarche, age at birth of first child, body mass index, and breast cancer history of mother and/or sister(s). Conclusion. The present study suggested that any association of the COMT polymorphism with breast cancer risk is limited in Japanese.

Established methods used to detect serum antibodies to granulocytes require the isolation of granulocytes. Flow cytometric analysis of granulocytes with monoclonal antibodies eliminates the need for granulocyte isolation. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to evaluate reactions of antibodies to granulocytes without separating granulocytes from other leukocytes. Three screening cell samples for granulocyte antibody detection were prepared from whole-blood samples in which the red blood cells (RBCs) were lysed and remaining leukocytes tested against sera at 4oC. Binding of human alloantibodies to the screening cells was determined by flow cytometric analysis using phycoerythrin-conjugated antibody to human immunoglobulin. Forward and side scatter were used to analyze granulocytes separately from other leukocytes. The assay was validated by testing granulocytes with reference alloantibodies directed to NA1, NA2, 5b, and Mart antigens. Samples from 32 patients were tested, and the results of the assays were compared with the results of testing the samples in a granulocyte immunofluorescence (GIF) assay performed by a reference laboratory. In the whole-blood flow cytometric (WBFC) assay the mean fluorescence intensities of reference antisera with antigen-positive cells, expressed in arbitrary units, were anti-NA1 = 48 to 221, anti-NA2 = 24 to 69, anti-5b = 13 to 57, and anti-Mart = 42 to 72. In contrast, the mean fluorescence intensity of type AB-negative control sera ranged from 3 to 11. Of the 32 patient sera tested, 23 were positive (range = 12 to 56) and 9 were negative (range = 3 to 10). When compared with the results obtained by the reference laboratory, 27 sera were concordant between the WBFC and the GIF assays. Four of the samples were positive in WBFC (range = 11 to 31) and negative in GIF and one sample was negative in WBFC (range = 5 to 6) and positive in GIF. Leukocytes prepared from whole blood after lysis of RBCs can be used in flow cytometric analysis to detect granulocyte alloantibodies. The results of testing for granulocyte antibodies with this assay were similar to results of testing sera in GIF. Further comparative studies are indicated to confirm findings and explain the discordant results. Immunohematology2001;17:70–75.