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We study the momentum correlation functions of p Ξ - and Λ Λ pairs produced in high-energy nuclear collisions by using the coupled-channel framework and the N Ξ - Λ Λ coupled-channel baryon-baryon potentials recently obtained from lattice QCD calculations at almost physical quark masses. The calculated results are found to well describe the correlation function data from pp and pPb collisions. This agreement confirms the S = - 2 baryon-baryon potentials from lattice QCD and supports the existence of the H dibaryon as a virtual state around the N Ξ threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-structured silicon is an attractive alternative anode material to conventional graphite in lithium-ion batteries. However, the anode designs with higher silicon concentrations remain to be commercialized despite recent remarkable progress. One of the most critical issues is the fundamental understanding of the lithium-silicon Coulombic efficiency. Particularly, this is the key to resolve subtle yet accumulatively significant alterations of Coulombic efficiency by various paths of lithium-silicon processes over cycles. Here, we provide quantitative and qualitative insight into how the irreversible behaviors are altered by the processes under amorphous volume changes and hysteretic amorphous-crystalline phase transformations. Repeated latter transformations over cycles, typically featured as a degradation factor, can govern the reversibility behaviors, improving the irreversibility and eventually minimizing cumulative irreversible lithium consumption. This is clearly different from repeated amorphous volume changes with different lithiation depths. The mechanism behind the correlations is elucidated by electrochemical and structural probing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer chemotherapy is associated with a variety of side effects/adverse events. It is very important that patients adhere to the planned chemotherapy regimen, which necessitates a minimum of side effects and that these side effects be kept under control. We have investigated patients' concerns and symptoms during chemotherapy with the aim to seek solutions that will improve patients' quality of life during chemotherapy. Methods: Forty-nine patients with malignant diseases on parenteral antineoplastic agents were sequentially enrolled in this study. These patients completed a questionnaire consisting of 42 items related to non-physical concerns and 52 items of physical symptoms related to chemotherapy. Each patient was also asked to select the three items among these 94 items which affected him/her the most. Results: The median age of the cancer patients was 62 years and the male-to-female ratio was 18:31. Among the non-physical concerns, the most frequently chosen concern was 'affects my family or partner,' followed by anxiety related to treatment. Regarding the physical symptoms, the most frequent complaints were fatigue, alopecia and constipation, while the most troublesome symptoms were nausea, poor taste and paresthesia. Overall, the most frequently expressed concerns were 'affects my family or partner' and anxiety related to treatment. Male patients suffered most from fever, fatigue and nausea, and female patients complained more of poor taste and gastrointestinal problems. Conclusion: Patient perceptions of adverse events associated with cancer chemotherapy apparently have changed from physical symptoms to non-physical concerns. In our patient cohort 'affects my family or partner' was the most important concern. One important point to note is that female patients often complained of poor taste because this meant they were unable to cook well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Definite progress has been made in the exploration of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) by flow cytometry (FCM) since the publication of the World Health Organization 2008 classification of myeloid neoplasms. An international working party initiated within the European LeukemiaNet and extended to include members from Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and the United States has, through several workshops, developed and subsequently published consensus recommendations. The latter deal with preanalytical precautions, and propose small and large panels, which allow evaluating immunophenotypic anomalies and calculating myelodysplasia scores. The current paper provides guidelines that strongly recommend the integration of FCM data with other diagnostic tools in the diagnostic work-up of MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensor correlations in He were studied via the ( p, dp) reaction at the incident energy of 392 MeV with a focus on spin configurations of correlated pn pairs in He at high relative momenta $${(P_{\rm rel}^{\rm cor})}$$. The preliminary results show that the correlated pn pair at $${P_{\rm rel}^{\rm cor} = 310 {\rm MeV/c}}$$ predominantly has the channel spin S = 1, which is consistent with the characteristics of tensor correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new method of smoothing discrete breakup cross sections calculated by the continuum-discretized coupled-channels method based on the complex-scaling method. One of the advantages of this approach is to be applicable to many-body breakup reaction systems. In this work, we apply the new smoothing method to analyses of C(He, nnHe) and Pb(He, nnHe) reactions at 240 MeV/ A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triple α reaction rate in stars is quite important in many astrophysical scenarios including the stellar evolution and carbon synthesis in stars. Recently the non-resonant triple α reaction rate has been reevaluated using a calculation with the continuum-discretized coupled-channels (CDCC) method, which dramatically increased the rate at low temperature compared to the widely-used NACRE compilation. Since the enhancement influences strongly on astrophysical model simulations, we have planned an experiment for drawing conclusion on the non-resonant triple α reaction rate at low temperature by measuring the three- α continuum state in C. We report the present situation of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor-associated B7-H1 molecules inhibit antitumor immunity in some malignancies. We found that B7-H1 expression on patient myeloma cells and human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) was upregulated by cultivating the cells with autologous stromal cells and the human stromal cell line HS-5. Among major cytokines produced by HS-5 cells, interleukin (IL)-6-induced B7-H1 expression on HMCLs. Moreover, HS-5 cell-mediated B7-H1 expression was downregulated by inhibiting IL-6. B7-H1+ HMCLs were more proliferative and less susceptible to antimyeloma chemotherapy compared with B7-H1− HMCLs. Moreover, the former cells showed higher levels of Bcl-2 and FasL expression than the latter. Finally, B7-H1 molecules on HMCLs induced T-cell apoptosis and anergy of tumor-specific T cells. Consistent with these in vitro observations, patients whose myeloma cells expressed high levels of B7-H1 had higher myeloma cell percentages in the bone marrow (BM) and higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with other myeloma patients. In addition, B7-H1 expression levels were often upregulated after myeloma patients relapsed or became refractory to therapy. Our data indicate that the BM microenvironment upregulates B7-H1 expression on myeloma cells, which links to the two biological actions of inducing T-cell downregulation and enhancing aggressive myeloma-cell characteristics. Modulating the B7-H1 pathway may be worthwhile in myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:A combination of S-1 and cisplatin has been shown to be effective with acceptable safety for the first-line treatment of far-advanced gastric cancer in Japan. This is the first randomised phase II trial to compare S-1+paclitaxel with S-1+cisplatin in this setting.Methods:Patients with unresectable and/or recurrent advanced gastric cancer were randomly assigned to receive one of the two regimens: S-1 (40 mg m−2 twice daily) on days 1-14 plus paclitaxel (60 mg m−2) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 4-week cycle (S-1+paclitaxel) or S-1 (40 mg m−2 twice daily) on days 1-21 plus cisplatin (60 mg m−2) on day 8 of a 5-week cycle (S-1+cisplatin). The primary end point was the response rate (RR). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.Results:A total of 83 patients were eligible for safety and efficacy analyses. In the S-1+paclitaxel and S-1+cisplatin groups, RRs (52.3% vs 48.7%; P=0.74) and median PFS (9 vs 6 months; P=0.50) were similar. The median OS was similar in the S-1+paclitaxel and S-1+cisplatin groups (16 vs 17 months; P=0.84). The incidence of grade 3 or higher haematological toxicity was 19.0% with S-1+paclitaxel and 19.5% with S-1+cisplatin. The incidence of grade 3 or higher non-haematological toxicity was 14.2% with S-1+paclitaxel and 17.1% with S-1+cisplatin.Conclusion:S-1+paclitaxel was suggested to be a feasible and effective non-platinum-based regimen for chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Our results should be confirmed in multicenter, phase III-controlled clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the tunneling spectroscopy of an iron-based oxypnictide NdFeAsO0.7 with TC=51 K, measured by a mechanical point contact technique. Mainly two kinds of tunneling spectra have been observed reproducibly. One is tunneling conductance displaying sharp superconducting gap peaks at 6.0±1.0 mV, in which hump (or kink) structures are also observed at 20–30 mV. Another is that showing dominantly the larger superconducting gap ΔL with sharp conductance peaks at 14±1.0 meV, in which the trace of a smaller gap ( ΔS=5–7 meV) is simultaneously observed. Our results give direct evidence for the existence of multiple gaps in the quasiparticle excitation spectrum of this multiband system, although the origin of the hump at 20–30 mV is still unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo examine the early changes of retinal sensitivity by fundus-related microperimetry after subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation (SMDLP) for diabetic macular oedema (DMO).MethodsTwenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with diffuse DMO were treated with SMDLP. The mean retinal sensitivity within the central 10 degrees measured with a fundus-related microperimeter, MP1, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logarithm of minimum angle of resolution units, and optical coherence tomography-determined foveal thickness (FT) were examined before and 3 months after SMDLP. The pretreatment values of the retinal sensitivity, FT, BCVA, and funduscopic findings were compared with the corresponding values at 3 months after SMDLP.ResultsAt 3 months, the BCVA was significantly improved (P=0.03), and the FT was significantly reduced (P=0.0043). The mean retinal sensitivity within the central 10 degree, however, did not change significantly (P=0.70). The correlation between the changes in the retinal sensitivities and the decrease in the FT was not significant. The correlation between the changes in the retinal sensitivities and the BCVA was also not significant.ConclusionsSignificant improvements in retinal sensitivities within the central 10 degrees were not observed even though the decrease in FT and the improvement of BCVA were significant. On account of this difference of changes in retinal sensitivity and BCVA, the combination of retinal sensitivity by MP1 and BCVA may be beneficial in assessing the visual function from various angles after SMDLP for eyes with DMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo determine the vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to examine the relationship between VRQOL and peripheral visual field defects.DesignProspective study.MethodsThe Japanese version of the NEI VFQ-25 was used to study 40 patients with typical RP whose visual acuity was 0.7 (better than 0.15 in log MAR). For control, 40 volunteers with normal vision were studied in the same way. The peripheral visual field was evaluated by Goldmann's perimetry, and the degree of field loss was classified into seven grades. The correlation between the mean of the total composite score of the NEI VFQ-25 and the degree of the visual field loss was determined.ResultsThe mean NEI VFQ-25 score was 68.4 in RP patients and 90.1 in normal controls. This difference was highly significant (P=0.00004). Among RP patients, there was a significant negative correlation between the mean NEI VFQ-25 score and the degree of visual field loss (r=−0.519, P=0.0006).ConclusionThe significant correlation between the peripheral visual field loss and VRQOL score obtained with the NEI VFQ-25, indicates that a good estimate of the QOL can be determined by the degree of visual field loss in RP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo determine whether a significant correlation exists between the visual acuity or foveal thickness and the status of the inner and outer segment junction (IS/OS) of the photoreceptor in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).MethodsThree hundred eyes of 163 patients with RP were examined with the optical coherence tomography (OCT). The IS/OS appeared as a distinct, highly reflective line just vitread of the retinal pigment epithelium in the OCT3 images. The IS/OS line was graded into three groups. The correlations between the grade of the IS/OS and age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central foveal thickness (CFT) were determined.ResultsGrade 1 included 93 eyes (31.0%) in which an IS/OS line was not seen, Grade 2 included 67 eyes (22.3%) with an abnormal IS/OS, and Grade 3 included 140 eyes (46.7%) with a normal IS/OS. The correlation between the IS/OS grade and age was not significant (P=0.5536). The IS/OS grade was significantly correlated with BCVA and CFT (both P<0.0001). The BCVA was significantly better in Grade 3 eyes than Grades 1 and 2 (both P<0.0001). The CFT was significantly thinner in Grade 1 eyes than in Grades 2 and 3 (both P<0.0001). In Grade 3, the mean length of the IS/OS was 2.51±1.42 mm (±SD). The length of the IS/OS was significantly correlated with the BCVA (P<0.0001, r=−0.375).ConclusionsThe presence of the IS/OS was associated with better visual acuity and thicker fovea in RP patients. The absence of an IS/OS may reflect a foveal dysfunction in RP patients.Eye (2009) 23, 304–308; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6703076; published online 11 January 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wilms'tumor gene WT1 is highly expressed in leukemias and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and WT1 expression levels increase along with the disease progression in chronic myeloid leukemia and MDS. We previously reported that IgM and IgG WT1 antibodies were detected with significantly higher detection rate and antibody titers in leukemias and MDS compared to those in healthy volunteers. In this study, whether IgG humoral immune responses against WT1 protein were Th1- or Th2-type were determined by measurement of four subclasses of IgG WT1 antibody, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. In leukemias and MDS, Th1-type WT1 antibodies such as IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 were significantly increased in both detection rate and antibody titers compared to those in healthy volunteers, whereas Th2-type WT1 antibody such as IgG4 did not increase. These results showed that Th1-biased humoral immune responses against WT1 protein were generated in leukemias and MDS. These results should allow us to consider that Th1-biased cellular immune responses against WT1 protein, which was essentially needed for cancer immunotherapy targeting WT1, should be elicited in patients with hematopoietic malignancies.Leukemia (2005) 19, 268-274. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403539 Published online 11 November 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mg content of Zn1− x Mg x O film grown on A-sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy is measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and electronic probe microanalysis (EPMA). A theoretical model for analyzing the difference in the Mg content between Zn-rich and Zn-deficient conditions in the growth process is established, and the mathematical relation between Mg content and the temperature of the Mg cell is formulated under Zn-rich condition. The formula derived is proven to be correct by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to detect patterns of spatial-current distribution in the late QRS and early ST-segments that distinguish Brugada-syndrome cases from complete right-bundle branch block (CRBBB). Magnetocardiograms (MCGs) were recorded from Brugada-syndrome patients (n = 6), CRBBB patients (n = 4) and the members of a control group (n = 33). The current distributions at six time points from Q-onset were estimated by producing current-arrow maps (CAMs). The angle of the current arrow of maximum amplitude at each time point was calculated. In the Brugada cases, the characteristic ST elevation was seen above the upper right chest, and abnormal currents appeared to be present in the right-ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). The angles of the abnormal arrows were -78 degrees +/- 51 degrees at 100 ms and -50 degrees +/- 61 degrees at 110 ms. In the cases of CRBBB, wide S- and R-waves were recorded above the upper right and lower right chest, respectively. The angles of the abnormal arrows for CRBBB were 152 degrees +/- 19 degrees at 100 ms, 159 degrees +/- 20 degrees at 110 ms, and 157 degrees +/- 19 degrees at 120 ms. The findings suggest that an abnormal current from the RVOT to the upper left chest may be a feature of the Brugada syndrome, and that the direction of this current is completely different from that seen in CRBBB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate that transduction of adipocytes with a simian immunodeficiency virus agm TYO1 (SIVagm)-based lentiviral vector carrying the human coagulation factor VIII gene (SIVhFVIII) resulted in expression of the human FVIII transgene in vitro and in db/db mice in vivo. Cultured human adipocytes were transduced with the SIVagm vector carrying the GFP gene in a dose-dependent manner and transduction of adipocytes with SIVhFVIII resulted in efficient expression of human coagulation factor VIII (hFVIII; 320±39.8?ng/106 adipocytes/24?h) in vitro. Based upon successful transduction of adipocytes by SIV vectors carrying the lacZ gene in vivo in mice, the adipose tissue of db/db mice was transduced with SIVhFVIII. There was a transient appearance of human FVIII in mouse plasma (maximum 1.8?ng/ml) on day 11 after the injection. Transcripts of human FVIII transgene and human FVIII antigen also were detected in the adipose tissue by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence, respectively, on day 14. Emergence of anti-human FVIII antibodies 14 days after the injection of SIVhFVIII may explain the disappearance of human FVIII from the circulation. These results suggest that transduction of the adipocytes with vectors carrying the human FVIII gene may be potentially applicable for gene therapy of hemophilia A.Gene Therapy (2004) 11, 253-259. doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302174 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an evaluation of the possibility of using fetal magnetocardiogram (FMCG) signals to estimate and classify the accessory pathway in fetal Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. The FMCG signals of two fetuses with WPW syndrome (type A) were detected using a 64-channel superconducting quantum-interference device system. An average across the cycles of these signals was taken to obtain clear WPW signals. To determine the direction and position of the accessory pathway in a fetal heart accurately, the accessory pathway and activated pathway at the peak of the QRS complex thus obtained were estimated for each fetus, using a single-dipole model. The phase angle (about 90 degrees) between the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) was the same for both fetuses. This angle suggested that the accessory pathway is in the left side of the heart, i.e. that the pathway exists in the left ventricle, which indicates type A WPW syndrome. Identification of the position of the accessory pathway in a fetus with WPW syndrome from the angle between the ECD of the accessory pathway and the ECD of the peak in the QRS complex was thus demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myeloblast-rich samples, required for investigation of myeloid malignancies, can be obtained only during the untreated stage of leukemia. Existing methods for myeloblast enrichment have various prerequisites that limit their application. In this new method, a mixture of peripheral blood (Mixed PB) from an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient and from a healthy control containing 5% myeloblasts was subjected to density gradient centrifugation using a 14.5% metrizamide solution. Both high purity (86.3% +/- 1.5%) and high recovery of viable myeloblasts were achieved. Close to 100-fold blast enrichment, even from Mixed PB containing only 0.15% myeloblasts, was achieved. Similarly, this method highly enriched myeloblasts from unprocessed samples, including marrow cells, from patients with AML, myelodysplastic syndromes, and chronic myeloid leukemia (purity: 2.7% +/- 2.0% before separation, 56.6% +/- 28.3% after separation) (n = 22). The enriched blasts were suitable for various analyses, eg, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, cytochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and gene analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that is clinically characterized by cerebellar ataxia and various associated symptoms. The disease is caused by an unstable expansion of the CAG repeat in the MJD gene. This gene is mapped to chromosome 14q32.1. To determine its genomic structure, we constructed a contig composed of six cosmid clones and eight bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones. It spans approximately 300 kb and includes MJD. We also determined the complete sequence (175,330 bp) of B445M7, a human BAC clone that contains MJD. The MJD gene was found to span 48,240 bp and to contain 11 exons. Northern blot analysis showed that MJD mRNA is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, and in at least four different sizes; namely, 1.4, 1.8, 4.5, and 7.5 kb. These different mRNA species probably result from differential splicing and polyadenylation, as shown by sequences of the 21 independent cDNA clones isolated after the screening of four human cDNA libraries prepared from whole brain, caudate, retina, and testis. The sequences of these latter clones relative to the MJD gene in B445M7 indicate that there are three alternative splicing sites and eight polyadenylation signals in MJD that are used to generate the differently sized transcripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a case of CD20-positive peripheral T cell lymphoma. The lymphoma cell was positive for CD20 and T cell lineage markers such as cytoplasmic CD3, CD4, and CD5 and had a monoclonal rearrangement of the T cell receptor (TCR) gamma chain gene. The clinical characteristics resembled angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy: spontaneous regression of lymphadenopathy and immunological abnormalities such as polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, positive results of direct and indirect antiglobulin tests, and a high antinuclear antibody titer. We reviewed seven cases of CD20-positive T cell malignancies including the present case. Three were immature T cell malignancies (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) and four were peripheral T cell malignancies (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia). Hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly were common features. Further cases must be evaluated to understand the clinical significance of the CD20 expression on the surface of T cell malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma occurring in skeletal muscle is extremely rare. No reported studies have performed an imaging evaluation of intramuscular spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. We report on such a tumor arising in an unusual site, the right extensor digiti minimi, in a 46-year-old woman. An en bloc resection was performed and the patient has been disease free for 8 years. Radiologic imaging in the present case showed similar findings to those described in intramuscular hemangioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuroprotective effect of neurotrophic factors has been demonstrated in experimental cerebral ischaemia recently. These include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF). The neuroprotective effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), however, has not been studied so far. We have examined the neuroprotective effect of recombinant rat CNTF in a rat forebrain ischaemia model. A continuous infusion of CNTF was started 1 week before the induction of ischaemia and continued until 1 week after the ischaemia. Reversible forebrain ischaemia was induced by 7 minutes of bilateral carotid occlusion with hypotension. Neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 sector was evaluated 1 week after the ischaemia. For the control group artificial CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) was infused instead of CNTF. Per cent neuronal cell death was 83.4 ± 5.9% (mean ± SEM, n=5) in the control group, and 71.1 ± 10.0% (mean ± SEM, n=5) in the CNTF group. Although percentage of neuronal cell death was lower in the CNTF group, the difference was not statistically significant. This result suggests that the protective effect of CNTF in the rat forebrain ischaemia model may be limited compared with other neurotrophic factors. It is considered that the number of neurons protected by CNTF may be small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the objective of establishing the optimal therapy for minimally differentiated acute myeloid leukemia (AML-M0), we examined the therapeutic results of five AML-M0 cases and reviewed the literature. In a series of 63 patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia who were admitted to the Main Hospital of Nippon Medical School, five patients fit the criteria for AML-M0: negative myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Sudan black B reaction by light microscopy, negative for B- and T-lineage markers, and positive for myeloid markers. They were treated by means of AdVP [adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisolone (PSL)] therapy and/or BHAC-DMP [behenoylcytosine arabinoside (BHAC), daunorubicin (DNR), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and PSL] therapy. The AdVP therapy was unsuccessful in the two patients who received it, while a complete remission (CR) was achieved with the BHAC-DMP therapy in three of four patients. Although one patient treated with BHAC-DMP did not achieve CR, his blasts were apparently sensitive to the therapy. In assessable cases in the literature where leukemic blasts were MPO-negative, myeloid marker-positive and B- and T-lineage marker-negative, CR was achieved in 54.5% and 44.4% with anti-acute myeloid leukemia therapy and anti-acute lymphocytic leukemia therapy, respectively. Five cases in the literature were treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen containing BHAC [or cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C)], DNR, and 6-MP, and all achieved CR. The regimen containing BHAC (or Ara-C), DNR, and 6-MP may be useful as induction chemotherapy for AML-M0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the pathophysiology of anticonvulsant-induced osteopenia, circulating levels of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (Bone Gla Protein: BGP) and urinary excretion of BGP were measured in 16 children on chronic anticonvulsant therapy and in 12 control children. Using microdensitometry analysis, osteopenia was found in 25% of the anticonvulsant therapy group, but it was not observed in the control group. Serum BGP and A1-P levels were significantly increased in the anticonvulsant group compared with the control group (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01, respectively), and a positive correlation was found between serum BGP and A1-P levels (P less than 0.05). Urinary excretion of BGP and hydroxyproline showed an increase in the anticonvulsant group, but it was not statistically significant. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in serum levels of vitamin D metabolites, PTH, calcitonin, Ca, or P or in urinary excretion of Ca or P. It is suggested, therefore, that the increased BGP level in children receiving anticonvulsant therapy is a reflection of high bone turnover due to anticonvulsant drug complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a patient with refractory anemia with excess blasts who showed a lineage-unrestricted hematologic response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). After 17 months of a stable disease state, the patient developed pneumonia, progression of cytopenia, and reduced cellularity and blast mass in the bone marrow. He was given G-CSF to overcome the pneumonia. Not only the neutrophil count, but also the platelet count increased soon after initiation of the G-CSF therapy; both counts became normal on the fifth day of the G-CSF therapy. Additionally, the anemia improved gradually. The neutrophil and platelet counts were maintained in the normal range for 3 months after cessation of the G-CSF. In vitro studies showed that G-CSF alone stimulated megakaryocyte colony formation from bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC), and accessory cells in the BMMNC were necessary for expression of this G-CSF-induced in vitro megakaryocytopoiesis. These results suggest that, in coordination with accessory cells, G-CSF stimulated megakaryocytopoiesis in the patient. This case provides valuable information for understanding the mechanisms of a lineage-unrestricted hematologic response to G-CSF, which is very rarely observed in MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a method of quantifying the lateral/medial thrust of the knee which occurs in the early phase of walking. We have used this method to evaluate the effects of wedged insoles on the lateral and medial thrust for normal knees and knees with unicompartment osteoarthritis (OA). A laterally elevated (valgus) insole decreased the lateral thrust of both normal and osteoarthritic knees. A medially elevated (varus) insole increased the lateral thrust. In 50 symptomatic knees with medial compartment OA, decreasing the lateral thrust with a valgus insole reduced pain on walking in 27. Patients whose pain was reduced by valgus insoles tended to have earlier OA and to have a significantly greater reduction in the lateral thrust than in the 23 remaining unaffected knees. A varus insole was effective in decreasing the medial thrust and reducing pain in all ten knees with lateral compartment OA. We recommend the use of valgus insoles for patients with painful early medial compartment OA and the use of varus insoles for lateral compartment OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Orthopaedics is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Orthopaedics is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Orthopaedics is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A theory is presented for appearance of periodic band patterns of ion concentration and electric potential associated with electric current surrounding a unicellular or multicellular system of a cylindrical shape. A flux continuity at the membrane (or the surface) is reduced to a nonlinear equation expressing passive and active fluxes across the membrane and intracellular diffusion flux. It is shown that, when an external parameter is varied from the sub-critical region, i.e. the homogeneous flux state, a symmetry breaking along a longitudinal axis usually appears prior to the one along a circumferential direction. The spectrum analysis shows that the correlation length is longer in the longitudinal direction. Growth of the band pattern from a patch-shaped pattern is demonstrated by the use of numerical calculations of proton concentration on the two-dimensional space of cylindrical surface. An experimental example of formative process of H banding is given for the internodal cell of Chara. It is shown that small patches on the surface decline or are sometimes gathered to the band surrounding the circle. The resulting pattern is suggested as a kind of dissipative structure appearing far from equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-altitude hypoxia causes a hypercoagulable state. In our previous study on the blood coagulation system in rats, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) developed after 4-12 weeks' exposure to the equivalent of 5500 m in altitude. We hypothesized that TF (tissue factor)-producing cells in the cardiac valves might be induced by the hypobaric hypoxic environment (HHE) and then trigger NBTE. A total of 170 male Wistar rats were housed in a chamber at the equivalent of 5500 m altitude for 1-12 weeks. We measured TF activity in the plasma and studied morphological changes in the mitral valves using immunohistochemical and immunoelectrical methods for TF protein and in situ hybridization for TF mRNA. After 4 weeks or more of exposure to HHE, 28 of the 56 surviving rats had developed NBTE. After 4-8 weeks' exposure to HHE, the plasma TF activity level was significantly higher than in control rats. There was a significant correlation between plasma TF activity and the incidence of NBTE. After 1 weeks' exposure to HHE, immunoreactivity for TF protein was detected in foamy macrophages and stromal cells in the cardiac valves. In rats with NBTE, TF protein was present in foamy macrophages and spindle stromal cells and focally present in the extracellular matrix. TF mRNA was detected in some foamy macrophages within the thrombus, TF protein was localized to the rough endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane of many macrophages, some fibroblasts, and a few endocardial cells. TF is associated with the pathogenesis of the NBTE induced by exposure to HHE. The accumulation of TF-producing macrophages during exposure to HHE may be responsible for initiating thrombus formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four patients with histologically confirmed osteonecrosis of the first metatarsal sesamoid are presented. No patient was an athlete, nor recalled any noticeable trauma or significant stress as having occurred to the feet. No foot deformities or joint malalignments were found. Excellent results were obtained by excision of the affected sesamoid in all patients, after follow-up periods of 1 to 12 years. Microscopic findings were compatible with those seen in idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-thoracic duct lymphocyte globulin (ALG) therapy is effective in patients with aplastic anemia. We examined the effect of ALG on human megakaryocyte progenitor cells (colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte, CFU-Meg) in vitro. Normal human bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) were cultured in plasma clots with varying concentrations of ALG or non-immunized horse IgG. After 12 days of culture, significant megakaryocyte colony formation was observed in cultures containing ALG but not in cultures containing non-immunized horse IgG. The peak stimulatory effect seemed to occur with 10-25 µg/ml of ALG. When marrow MNC, depleted of adherent and T cells, were cultured in plasma clots with ALG, its stimulatory effect on megakaryocytopoiesis decreased markedly. Finally, it was demonstrated that ALG stimulated marrow MNC to produce a factor stimulatory for CFU-Meg. The in vitro megakaryocytopoietic stimulatory effect of ALG may be related to its clinical efficacy in some patients with aplastic anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Japanese female patient with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from her brother. Cyclosporine at a dose of 3 mg/kg was started by continuous infusion over 24 h on day -1 of BMT. Within a couple of minutes after the infusion was begun, she developed diffuse pruritic erythema on her whole body and tachycardia. The infusion was immediately stopped and corticosteroid was given, resulting in disappearance of the erythema gradually. She was then switched to intravenous tacrolimus. However, she suffered urticalial erythema again. Since polyoxyethylated castor oil, a solubilizer used in the injective formulation of both cyclosporine and tacrolimus, is considered to be responsible for the reaction, she was given oral capsules of cyclosporine (Sandimmun) in which polyoxyethylated castor oil was not contained. No further anaphylactic reaction was observed. The BM cells were successfully engrafted without causing severe GVHD. She was discharged on cyclosporine capsules without any further adverse effects. Anaphylaxis to intravenous cyclosporine and tacrolimus is a very rare but a serious complication. Our present case indicates that oral capsule of Sandimmun is a safe alternative to prevent GVHD in such a case of anaphylactic reaction against intravenous formulation. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2001) 28, 421–423. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide bandgap semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO) layers were grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) using nitrous oxide (N2O). Strong ultraviolet (UV) photoluminescence emissions with 1000 times less deep ones at room temperature were observed from ZnO layers grown on sapphire. Alow temperature (500 C)-grown buffer layer of ZnO was effective to enhance the initial nucleation process and to achieve high quality ZnO layers on it at higher growth temperatures (600–700 C). ZnO layers grown on III–V semiconductor substrates showed dominant UV luminescence in spite of low temperature growth. These results imply the abilities of high quality ZnO growth by MOVPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of subperiosteal dissection on blood flow in the gluteal medius muscle in adult rabbits using the hydrogen washout technique. After the control blood-flow rate was determined, 8 rabbits were separated into 2 groups according to the direction of the dissection. The gluteal medius muscle was dissected from the iliac crest in the proximal-distal direction in 10 hips. In another 6 hips, the greater trochanter was osteomised and the gluteus medius muscle was dissected from the ilium in the distal-proximal direction. Dissection of the middle third of the gluteus medius muscle caused the most significant reduction in blood flow, more than 50% in both groups. This result indicates that minimising damage to the mid-portion of the gluteus medius muscle is important for reducing the incidence of post-operative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Autoantibody against erythrocytes has occasionally been observed in patients with de novo acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). However, it is not clear whether this autoantibody in AML patients induces frank hemolysis (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, AIHA), as seen in lymphoid neoplasms. We present two de novo AML patients who showed hemolysis due to antiglobulin test-positive and test-negative AIHA, respectively. AIHA should be considered as one cause of anemia in de novo AML patients, and blood transfusions should be given carefully in such cases to avoid harmful hemolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have designed a dihedral osteotomy of the greater trochanter which is V-shaped with the apex infero-medially. A single screw is used for fixation. The osteotomy was used in 24 hips (23 patients), as part of a transtrochanteric approach for acetabular reconstruction, carried out for dysplasia or in complicated acetabular fractures. There were no cases of nonunion or painful bursitis at an average follow up of 20 months. The method provides a stable reduction and bony union because of the self-compressive effect of the abductor muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary bone tumours and metastases of the patella are rare. We report two cases of metastases, one from a carcinoma of the salivary gland which was bilateral and the other from extramammary Paget's disease with invasive carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Orthopaedics is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)