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Left liver grafts have been widely utilized in adult liver transplantation (LT) and yielded acceptable results. However, the conventional orthotopic implantation of a left liver graft imposes the potential risk of perioperative vascular complications. We report herein an alternative modified technique for adult left liver LT and evaluate its feasibility in LT. In this study, 10 recipients had their left liver graft rotated 180°, and heterotopically implanted at the right subphrenic space, which we termed “left at right” liver transplantation (LAR‐LT). The sequence of vascular and biliary reconstruction was performed as standard techniques, and no perioperative vascular complications related to LAR‐LT were encountered. There were two mortalities in this series, one due to a small‐for‐size graft dysfunction and the other due to postoperative internal hemorrhage. Two recipients had biliary strictures that were successfully managed by percutaneous biliary dilatation and Roux‐en‐Y hepaticojejunostomy. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing LAR‐LT were also compared with patients undergoing conventional orthotopic left liver LT (n = 14). Although the results showed no significant difference between the two groups, according to our experience, the satisfactory outcome and easier technical reconstruction suggest that the LAR‐LT modification could be a feasible alternative to left liver LT.

The important role of the p53 gene in tumour progression and cellular response to DNA damage has prompted investigation of the clinical significance of alterations to this gene. We examined both p53 overexpression and mutation of the gene in endometrial carcinoma in order to evaluate the prognostic significance of these changes. Of 122 endometrial carcinomas, 33 (27%) showed overexpression of p53 in the nucleus and 66 (54%) in the cytoplasm. Mutation in the p53 gene was found in 16 (13%) cases but showed no significant association with patient survival. Nuclear p53 overexpression was associated with poor survival (48% vs 80% alive in negative tumours 5 years post operatively, P < 0.001). In contrast, cytoplasmic p53 overexpression was associated with better survival (85% vs 55%, P < 0.001). When patients were separated into prognostic subgroups according to established clinical markers, these associations remained significant within most subgroups examined. In multivariate analysis adjusted for surgical stage, histological grade and type and vascular invasion, both nuclear p53 overexpression [hazard ratio 4.9 (95% CI 1.3-17.6). P = 0.016] and cytoplasmic overexpression [0.25 (0.06-0.98), P = 0.047] were independent prognostic factors. Immunohistochemical assessment of p53 overexpression in the nucleus and cytoplasm could provide useful prognostic information for the management of patients with endometrial cancer.

Palygorskite has been identified at Canaan, Thomson Hill, and Riwaka in northwest Nelson, South Island. The clay mineral appears in sheet-like form; hand-picked specimens have been examined by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). Chemical analysis shows the Thomson Hill specimen to be most unusual in that it has high Al and very low Mg contents. It has no tetrahedral Al, and the sum of octahedral cations is well below the range reported for palygorskite. It is suggested that the clay mineral neoforms directly from subsurface meteoric water that percolates through the soil profiles overlying marble at Canaan and Thomson Hill, and through narrow passages and cavities in weathered dolomitic marble at Riwaka.

The ability to precisely position and orient biological molecules on engineered substrates is an enabling technology critical to the long-term goal of integrating biomolecular motors with nano-electro-mechanical systems. Electron beam lithography and nanoimprinting techniques were used to produce arrays of nickel dots (50−200 nm diameter). Analysis using fluorescence (of microspheres attached to the γ subunit) and atomic force microscopy of these arrays demonstrated precise positioning, spacing, and orientation of individual F1-ATPase molecules.

SynopsesThe value of infra-red spectra in identifying sulphide minerals has been assessed by surveying the spectra of some forty specimens. Spectra of finely ground samples dispersed in polyethylene discs were obtained in the region 420-90 cm-1with a resolution of 3–4 cm-1, using a Beckman-RIIC Fourier-Transform Interferometer. Except for minerals whose metallic conductivity obliterated vibrational features, the spectra permitted rapid recognition of sulphide minerals either alone or in mixtures.Spectra of the following twenty-five pure, or nearly pure specimens are presented: cinnabar, galena, pyrrhotine, alabandine, sphalerite, wurtzite, realgar, orpiment, stibnite, bismuthinite, arsenopyrite, tetrahedrite, pyrargyrite, proustite, enargite, bournonite, boulangerite, jamesonite, and plagionite. Sulphides whose metallic conductivity led to featureless, almost total, absorption of infra-red radiation included chalcosine, troilite, millerite, covelline, bornite, and pyrrhotine: only the spectrum of the last is illustrated as a typical example.Comparison of the spectra reproduced here with those previously published show a fair measure of agreement, although there are discrepancies. Povarennykh and co-workers, for example, have reported a common sequence of broad absorption bands at 370, 280, and 180 cm-1for minerals that were found here to exhibit featureless metal-like absorption. The sources of these and other discrepancies are briefly discussed.