Search

Background: Multilayered thermoelectric material bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) is widely used in engineering owing to its exceptional thermoelectric performance at room temperature. However, Bi2Te3 is prone to cracks, voids, or other defects due to its multilayered structure, leading to decreased device lifetime and reliability. Objective: This paper aims at stably and precisely measuring the interlaminar fracture toughness (IFT) of multilayered Bi2Te3 for the reliability evaluation of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric devices. In addition, we seek a method to stably measure the IFT even for very brittle materials. Methods: We developed a tapered cantilever bending (TCB) experiment to obtain the IFT. The experimental specimens were fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB) technique at the micro scale, and the initial interlaminar crack was introduced by the notch method. Results: By performing the TCB experiment, we created an ideally sharp pre-crack and observed stable crack propagation. The critical energy release rate (ERR) for crack propagation obtained in the present paper is around 0.51–0.53 J/m2, which agrees reasonably with theoretical van der Waals (vdW) interlaminar interaction energy. Conclusions: The proposed method can be well-applied in assessing IFTs of multilayered materials, even for very brittle multilayered 2D materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the muscle-tendon interaction of ten international level Kenyan runners. Ultrasonography and kinematics were applied together with EMG recordings of lower limb muscles during repetitive hopping performed at maximal level. The ten Kenyans had longer gastro Achilles tendon at rest ( p < 0.01) as compared with ten control subjects matched in height. Conversely, the stretching and shortening amplitudes of the tendinous tissues of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle were significantly smaller in the Kenyans than in controls during the contact phase of hopping. This applied also to the fascicle length changes, which were smaller and more homogeneous among Kenyans. These limited musculo-tendinous changes resulted in higher maximal hopping height and in larger power despite their reduced body weight. The associated finding of a greater shortening to stretching ratio of the MG tendinous tissues during contact could imply that the Kenyan MG muscle-tendon unit is optimized to favor efficient storage and recoil of elastic energy, while operating at optimal muscle fascicle working range (plateau region). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine if liver stiffness measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease.Methods: By reviewing the records of magnetic resonance (MR) examinations performed at our institution, we selected 301 patients with chronic liver disease who did not have a previous medical history of HCC. All patients underwent MRE and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging. HCC was identified on MR images in 66 of the 301 patients, who were matched to controls from the remaining patients without HCC according to age. MRE images were obtained by visualising elastic waves generated in the liver by pneumatic vibration transferred via a cylindrical passive driver. Risk factors of HCC development were determined by the odds ratio with logistic regression analysis; gender and liver stiffness by MRE and serum levels of aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, alpha-fetoprotein, and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II.Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that only liver stiffness by MRE was a significant risk factor for HCC with an odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) of 1.38 (1.05-1.84).Conclusion: Liver stiffness measured by MRE is an independent risk factor for HCC in patients with chronic liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate inter-rater reliability and validate magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) as a tool to measure liver elasticity.Materials and Methods: The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board at our institution. In all, 10 normal volunteers and 110 patients, who provided written informed consent, were enrolled. The pathological fibrosis score was applied as a standard reference of liver fibrosis in 21 patients. MRE was performed with a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner with a cylindrical passive longitudinal shear wave driver placed over the right chest wall to deliver vibrations. A gradient-echo MRE sequence was used to acquire axial wave images, which were automatically converted to elastograms representing elasticity (in kilopascals, or kPa). The region of interest was placed in the right lobe of the liver on elastograms by two raters independently. To evaluate interrater reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated. The elasticity measurements correlated with the pathological fibrosis score (F1-F4) in 21 patients.Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient was almost perfect (0.993) between the elasticities measured by the two raters. The mean elasticity value for patients with F4 was 5.7 kPa; F3, 4.4 kPa; F2, 3.1 kPa; F1, 2.2 kPa; and F0, 2.1 kPa.Conclusion: MRE is a reliable tool to measure liver elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine if it is possible to shorten the examination time of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB)-enhanced MRI by omitting hepatocyte-phase images of 20-min delay time (Im-20) for detecting focal liver lesions.Materials and Methods: Four hundred ninety-five malignant focal liver lesions observed on Im-20 in 265 patients were included. The hepatocyte phase was obtained 10 min (Im-10) and 20 min (Im-20) after Gd-EOB injection. Liver enhancement was evaluated using a 4-point scale [excellent/good/poor/non-diagnostic; visual liver-spleen contrast (V-LSC)] and a quantitative liver-spleen contrast ratio (Q-LSC). Two radiologists evaluated lesion conspicuity for assessing the sensitivity of lesion detection. As Im-20 was used as the standard of reference for the lesions, Im-20 artificially had 100% sensitivity.Results: The results showed that although sensitivities and Q-LSC significantly increased from Im-10 to Im-20 (sensitivity/mean Q-LSC: Im-5, 81%/1.4 Im-10, 96%/1.7: Im-20, 100%/1.9), the sensitivity of Im-10 achieved 100% (the same as Im-20) in patients with good/excellent V-LSC or Q-LSC of more than 1.5. On Im-10, 202 patients (77%) were assigned as having good/excellent V-LSC (78%), and 161 (61%) were assigned as having Q-LSC of more than 1.5.Conclusion: We concluded that Im-20 can be omitted in at least 61% of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is important in determining the prognosis of cardiomyopathy caused by mitochondrial gene abnormalities. We report herein the case of a patient with pericardial effusion and heart failure in whom mitochondrial cardiomyopathy was definitively diagnosed. A 56-year-old woman consulted her primary physician with exertional dyspnea. Examination revealed edema and pericardial effusion, and diuretics were prescribed. However, after marked left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was noted, she was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation. Further examination revealed short stature, ptosis, generalized muscle atrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss. Echocardiography showed LVH, a global decrease in wall motion, and pericardial effusion. Physical and laboratory findings, including glucose intolerance and elevated serum lactate, suggested mitochondrial cardiomyopathy. Genetic testing confirmed cardiomyopathy due to a mitochondrial a3243g mutation. After treatment to improve heart failure, marked washout was shown on (99m)Tc-MIBI (methoxyisobutylisonitrile) myocardial scintigraphy, suggesting a correlation with mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is mucin associated peptide that has a mucosal barrier function in addition to participating in repair and healing. We examined the localization of TFF2 and gastric mucins in gastric mucous cells, the surface mucous gel layer (SMGL) adherent to normal gastric mucosa, and in the mucoid cap covering gastric erosions. Carnoy’s solution, or formalin/picric acid-fixed paraffin embedded materials from resected stomachs and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded gastric biopsy materials were used. Sections were immunostained for the TFF2 and histochemically stained for gastric mucins. In addition, thick sectioned gastric mucosa fixed in Carnoy’s solution were stained with FITC-labeled GSA-II lectin specific for gland mucous cell mucin and examined for three-dimensional images of the SMGL using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin were found intermixed together in the gastric gland mucous cells, in the SMGL in laminated layers, and in the mucoid cap. A laminated arrangement of continuous sheets of gland mucous cell mucin in the SMGL was demonstrated in the three-dimensional images. Co-localization of the TFF2 with gland mucous cell mucin suggests a physical interaction between the TFF2 and gland mucous cell mucin. The TFF2 trapped in the adherent mucins may be responsible for mucosal defense, healing, and repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presentation of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class I requires the coordinated expression of numerous components involved in antigen presentation. Tumor cells may alter the antigen presentation by HLA class I, allowing them to evade antitumor immunity. In many cases, the lack of antigen presentation can be attributed to the downregulation of genes needed for antigen processing, such as the transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP) 1, and the proteasomal component, low molecular weight proteins (LMP) 2. The TAP1 and LMP2 genes are transcribed from a shared bidirectional promoter containing an interferon (IFN)-γ-response factor element; thus, the IFN-γ-signal strongly induces both TAP1 and LMP2 expression. Low molecular weight proteins2-deficient mice exhibited the development of uterine leiomyosarcomas. Here, the differential responsiveness to IFN-γ of the SKN human uterine leiomyosarcomas cell line was investigated. We now identify the G871E mutation in the ATP-binding region of Janus kinases 1, suggesting that the loss of TAP1 and LMP2 induction is a defect in the earliest steps of the IFN-γ-signal pathway, resulting in the inability of SKN cells to upregulate the antigen-processing pathway. Understanding the mechanisms by which these tumors circumvent cytokine signalling, thereby evading antitumor-specific immunity, would greatly aid the efficacy of immunotherapy for treating uterine leiomyosarcomas.Oncogene (2006) 25, 4016–4026. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209434; published online 13 February 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among 11 JMML children, two had an abnormal karyotype, and nine had a normal karyotype at onset. In one patient with trisomy 8 and four patients with a normal karyotype, a new clone with an aberrant karyotype emerged 1–14 months after 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) therapy as shown by G-banding analyses. Fluorescence in situ hybridization disclosed that an abnormal clone existed in approximately 3–6% of bone marrow cells at onset or before 6-MP therapy in all the four cases examined, and increased to approximately 12–90% during the treatment. In culture with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, cytogenetically abnormal clones that proliferated during 6-MP therapy possessed significantly less sensitivity to the antimetabolite, compared with cells that decreased in numbers after the therapy. A PTPN11 mutation was detected in all of granulocyte-macrophage colonies irrespective of karyotypic aberration in one patient, whereas approximately 80% of erythroid colonies and 20% of mixed colonies possessed neither a PTPN11 mutation nor chromosomal abnormalities. The appearance of chromosomal aberrations shown by G-banding during 6-MP therapy in some JMML cases may result, in part, from the growth of a 6-MP-refractory clone that already exists at onset. It is possible that treatment with 6-MP promotes progression of the disease.Leukemia (2006) 20, 485–490. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404106; published online 19 January 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current-voltage ( J- V) and differential-conductivity-voltage ( dJ/ dV- V) characteristics are analytically calculated at zero temperature for a point contact consisting of: two Peierls conductors P ( = 1, 2) separated by an insulator (I). Here P is a conductor with charge density wave (CDW). The J- V and dJ/ dV- V characteristics depend on the CDW phases ( = 1, 2) in the mean field approximation. To calculate them analytically we assumed, = ≡Δ where ( = 1, 2) are the energy gaps of P ( = 1, 2). The current J has a discontinuous jump at eV = 2Δ for ϕ 1 = ϕ 2≠ 0. The differential conductivity dJ/ dV has a singularity at eV = 2Δ for ϕ 1 = ϕ 2≠ 0. The relation J( V,ϕ 1,ϕ 2) = - J(- V,ϕ 1 + π,ϕ 2 + π) is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MLL gene is frequently rearranged in leukemias, and MLL chimeric proteins generated by chromosomal translocations play crucial roles in leukemogenesis. Targets of murine Mll include HOX proteins that regulate body pattern formation and hematopoiesis. However, it is not known whether or not the MLL chimeric proteins regulate the HOX gene expression in human leukemia. To address this issue, THP-1 cells, a human leukemia cell line expressing MLL-AF9, were treated with antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) complementary to the coding sequence of the MLL-AF9 junction. Down-regulation of the MLL-AF9 transcript was accompanied by the reduced expression of the HOXA7 and -A10 genes, but not of the HOXA2, -A4, -A5, and -A9 genes. The number of viable cells cultured with 20 microM antisense ODN for 5 days was 10-fold lower than that of the sense ODN-treated control. And the number of the annexin V-/propidium iodide- apoptotic cells in the antisense ODN-treated cells after 3 days of culture was two-fold higher than that in the control. Staining of the antisense ODN-treated cells with Hoechst 33258 showed the morphology characteristic to apoptosis. These results indicate that MLL-AF9 regulates the expression of the selected HOX genes as well as prevents the leukemic cells from apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between April 1994 and March 1997, 143 children (age range, 1-15 years) with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), except for those patients with t(9;22), were treated according to protocol-94 of the Osaka Childhood Leukemia Study Group. In this trial, the intensity of chemotherapy was enforced in the consolidation and reinduction phases by introducing AML-type block therapies consisting of concentrated administration of 4 to 6 drugs during 5 or 6 days. For patients in the higher risk groups, rotational combination chemotherapy was introduced following the early phase. A total of 124 children with B-cell precursor ALL (B-pre ALL) were classified into 3 groups, the ultrahigh-risk group (UHRG) (15 patients), the high-risk group (HRG) (61 patients), or the standard-risk group (SRG) (48 patients), based on age. leukocyte count, immunophenotype, central nervous system leukemia, response to treatment, and selected chromosomal abnormalities. The complete remission rate was 93%, and the 6-year event-free survival (EFS) rate was 79%+/-4%. EFS rates for the UHRG, HRG, and SRG groups were 67%+/-12%, 80%+/-6%, and 81%+/-6%, respectively. Nineteen patients with T-cell ALL were treated with the protocol for the UHRG. Thirteen patients (68%) attained complete remission, and the 6-year EFS rate was 55%+/-12%. Thus, intensification of chemotherapy improved the EFS rate and AML-type block therapies appeared to be effective as the consolidation and reinduction therapies for B-pre ALL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary After introducing of Helical scanning CT (HCT) and 3D-CTA (three-dimensional CT angiography), various improvements to these methods have been made every year to achieve better imaging quality. The current resolution permits visualisation of the internal structure of tumors, although as yet insufficiently clearly. We suggest that these improvements can be more efficient than conventional cerebral aneurysms angiography. In this study, we compared HCT and 3D-CTA with conventional cerebral angiography in patients with cerebral aneurysms at our facility. We also examined whether 3D-CTA has the possibility of independent clinical application and can surpass conventional DSA in diagnostic efficacy. In this paper, we found this information insufficient in clipping operations using 3D-CTA only when 1) It was difficult to distinguish a crooked infundibular dilation from an aneurysm, 2) Imaging threshold influenced the measured value of the vascular diameter and 3) It was also difficult to confirm whether the peripheral vessels adhere to the aneurysm. In conclusion, from the result of the comparison between 3D-CTA and DSA in this study, it was concluded that 3D-CTA is a reliable alternative method to conventional angiography in the diagnosis of anterior circulation and most aneurysms of regular size. In such cases it may be possible to obtain the same quality of preoperative information, but it is less invasive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of midazolam and flumazenil on psychomotor function and alertness in human volunteers.Design: Randomised, double-blind, cross over study.Methods: Intravenous flumazenil was administered to sedated and non-sedated healthy human volunteers, in doses typical of those used clinically to induce sedation with midazolam and for reversal with flumazenil. Subjective assessment of alertness and objective measures of psychomotor function using light reaction time and the Maddox wing were made over a 1 hour period.Results: Seven males and seven females each attended four experimental sessions. Psychomotor function was impaired by midazolam but there was some individual variation to this response. All sedated subjects receiving flumazenil had significantly improved alertness and psychomotor function when compared with those subjects who received placebo. Mean alertness (P < 0.01) and light reaction time (P < 0.05) showed significant improvement and returned to baseline by 60 minutes. Stability also showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) but did not return to baseline by 60 minutes. There was no significant effect on psychomotor function or alertness when the antagonist flumazenil was administered in the absence of the agonist midazolam.Conclusion: An earlier discharge time based on subjective assessment of alertness is not advocated for patients whose intravenous midazolam sedation is reversed with flumazenil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although uranyl acetate (UA) is known to induce apoptosis in renal tubular cells, the pathophysiological role of apoptotic cell death in UA-induced acute renal failure (ARF) is not clear. In this study, we examined whether glycine, which is known to provide protection against nephrotoxic acute renal failure, attenuated tubular damage in UA-induced ARF in rats, and, if so, whether the attenuation of tubular damage was associated with reduced apoptotic cell death. Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three groups; normal controls, UA-treated, and UA plus glycine-treated. Acute renal failure was induced by the intravenous injection of UA (5 mg/kg). UA plus glycine-treated rats were given glycine at 1 g/kg, i.v. over 3 min at the same time as the UA injection. Serum creatinine concentration (Scr) and tubular damage score were examined 5 days after UA administration. Apoptosis was evaluated by counting the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the outer stripe of the outer medulla. Results. Glycine significantly decreased the UA-induced increases in Scr (3.73 ± 0.31 vs 2.74 ± 0.11 mg/dl; P < 0.05) and the tubular damage score (3.83 ± 0.13 vs 2.58 ± 0.01; P < 0.01). UA significantly increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the outer stripe of the outer medulla (0.16 ± 0.04 vs 7.45 ± 0.46/high power field at ×400 magnification; P < 0.01 vs normal control value). Glycine infusion significantly lessened the number of TUNEL-positive cells (5.84 ± 0.31/ high power field at ×400 magnification; P < 0.01 vs UA-treated rats). A significant correlation was found between the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the tubular damage score ( r = 0.93; P < 0.01). Conclusion. Glycine ameliorated the severity of UA-induced ARF and the degree of apoptotic cell death. This finding suggested that the protective effect of glycine in UA-induced ARF may be mediated, at least in part, through a reduction of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesions of leukocytes to hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells mediates the induction and progression of hepatic injury. However, in contrast to endothelial cells, information regarding the regulation of interactions between leukocytes and hepatocytes is limited. In the present study, we investigated the effect of inflammatory mediators including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on the adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or lymphocytes to primary cultured rat hepatocytes, and on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene in hepatocytes. Both polymorphonuclear leukocyte and lymphocyte adhesion to hepatocytes were enhanced after exposure of hepatocytes to IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but not after exposure to LPS, SEB or IL-1beta. The adhesion induced by either IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1 or lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). Nonstimulated hepatocytes expressed faintly ICAM-1 mRNA, which increased slightly during the culture period. ICAM-1 mRNA expression was up-regulated to a greater extent by incubating hepatocytes with IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha, and peaked after 12 hr of incubation with TNF-alpha and after 24 hr with IFN-gamma. These results indicate that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha induce the expression of ICAM-1 on parenchymal hepatocytes and that the LFA-1-ICAM-1 pathway plays an important role in the interaction between hepatocytes and neutrophils or lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of norepinephrine (NE) in the ventricular, basal cisternal and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was determined in 19 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms. The cisternal CSF in patients with vasospasm contained a significantly higher level of NE (0.246 ± 0.049 ng/ml) compared with those without vasospasm (0.075 ± 0.001 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). However, this increase is not considered to be high enough to constrict cerebral arteries, unless there is an increased NE-sensitivity in subarachnoid haemorrhage. Vascular responses to NE in vivo were then studied after reversing blood-induced prolonged vasospasm of the rabbit's basilar artery through a transclival approach as well as a newly developed basal cisternal irrigation model. However, NE in molar concentrations between 1 × 10 and 10 failed to produce further contraction of the artery. In conclusion, the increase in NE with vasospasm might be only a secondary phenomenon, and not a causative factor of vasospasm. Early removal of subarachnoid blood clots seemed to prevent the development of vasospasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of anterior sacral meningocele which was clearly visualized on whole body computerized tomography is presented. Posterior surgical approach with ligation of the narrow communication between the sacral dural sac and the meningocele alleviated the subjective complaints of a feeling of abdominal distention and of dysuria. For the purpose of postoperative follow-up study, examination by whole body computerized tomography proved to be the best method of evaluating the size of the meningocele and also the state of neighbouring structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential feature of tumour therapy rests upon host-tumour interaction. To achieve therapeutic effects, a prerequisite to immunotherapy is the reduction of tumour cells in the host's body. Such measures should not be immunosuppressive. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is not appropriate in this regard. Supraradical surgery and non-specific radiotherapy are not desirable for preservation of nervous function, if their immunosuppression is not as severe as cytotoxic substances. Boron-neutron capture therapy is a highly specific and least immunosuppressive means of reducing tumour cells of the central nervous system. A brief introductory review of basic research is presented. The interim clinical results are: (i) Treatment of recurrent glioblastoma: Survival extension obtained by neutron capture therapy is 21.9±7.2 mos in contrast to that obtained by conventional treatments of 6.7±0.6 mos (p<0.001), ( Total survival 26.3±6.7 mos); and (ii) only three patients including two glioblastoma cases were treated with neutron by the same surgeon who, by performing the first tumour operation, had the advantage in topographic knowledge for determining the radiation field. They survived 4, 5, and 6 years in almost fully active conditions. The new Musashi Institute of Technology Reactor Thermal Neutron Therapy Facility and the increased domestic production of boron-10 isotope have enlarged the therapeutic capacity to two dozen patients a year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors survey 443 cases of intracranial aneurysms treated in the past seven years. 403 cases were operated upon with microsurgical techniques. The operative mortality was 5.4 per cent, and 82.4 per cent of surgically treated cases are well and working, leading useful social lives. It was found that cases submitted to surgery in the first three days after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) (the day of SAH being counted as the first day) showed good results, little appearance of postoperative vasospasm, and no mortality due to vasospasm. Cases operated upon after one week from the insult of SAH also showed good results, whereas fatal postoperative vasospasm was seen in cases operated upon on the 4th-7th day after SAH. Cisternal, ventricular, and epidural drainage are recommended after the clipping of aneurysms in the acute stage of SAH. There were 68 cases with preoperative vasospasm. There was no case in which vasospasm was identified during the first four days after SAH, while 66 per cent of the cases exhibited vasospasm between the sixth and ninth days after SAH. These 68 cases can be classified into four groups: 1. 8 cases died from vasospasm before surgery; 2. 8 cases had renewed bleeding mainly when vasospasm began to subside; 3. 22 cases underwent surgery after vasospasm had subsided, the duration of vasospasm ranging from 8 to 24 days, on an average 14 days; 4. 30 cases underwent surgery while vasospasm was still present; of this group, (4E) 15 cases submitted to surgery, on an average 4.5 days after the onset of vasospasm, manifested deterioration of clinical states because of aggravation or new appearance of vasospasm; (4L) 15 cases which underwent surgery, on an average 7.4 days after the onset of vasospasm, showed no such deterioration. In the follow-up, well and working cases were seen in 45.5 per cent (3.), 60 per cent (4E), and 80 per cent (4L), respectively. The authors classified vasospasm into three types: Type 1, extensive diffuse, Type 2, multi-segmental, and Type 3, local. Type 1 was prognostically worst, Type 3 good, and Type 2 was located between these two types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a series of 3.072 cases of intracranial neoplasms up to the end of 1973 there were 82 tumours in the pineal region (2.7%), excluding meningiomas of the falx and tentorium. More than half (forty seven) were pinealomas (two cell pattern type tumours, and pineoblastomas), twelve were teratomas, eight were ependymomas, three were epidermoids, and the remainder were gliomas. In addition to ventriculography, millipore filter-cell culture of cerebrospinal fluid, and fibre ventriculoscopy were found useful for diagnosis. Most of the patients were treated by surgery followed by radiotherapy. Results with the pinealomas were fairly good, the one year, five year, and ten year survival rates being 87.5%, 71.4%, and 33.3% in those below the age of 15 years, and 80.0%, 46.2%, and 12.5% in those above that age. The radiosensitivity of pinealomas and the beneficial effect of reduction of tumour bulk by direct surgery may both be important factors in the achievement of good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the publication of the temporo-polar approach to basilar artery aneurysms by Sano (1980 and 1987), various modifications of the approach were reported. The approach provides a better view and a wider operating field than the subtemporal or pterional ones. Usually the approach does not need temporary removal of the zygomatic arch. If however, a basilar tip aneurysm is located very high above the posterior clinoid, temporary removal of the zygomatic arch is necessary which is sutured back to its original position at the end of the operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report a case of pituitary adenoma associated with dural arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which caused brain stem haemorrhage during transsphenoidal surgery. The manoeuvre of increasing the endexpiratory pressure in order to push the suprasellar component of the adenoma down to the sella turcica could be the reason of this bleeding. The authors therefore recommend that in cases of such a combination any manoeuvres which are likely to increase the intracranial venous pressure or otherwise affect the intracranial pressure, are avoided. The dural AVM spontaneously regressed after haemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective catalytic oxidation (SCO) of ammonia to N2 was studied by using a series of noble metal-V2O5-WO3 catalysts supported on titania-silica (TS) prepared by coprecipitation method. In the V2O5-WO3 catalyst system, the use of TS as a support was very effective to enhance catalytic activity compared with TiO2 or SiO2 alone. The addition of a slight amount of Pd and Ir to V2O5-WO3/TS catalyst caused also remarkable enhancement of the catalytic activity without decreasing the selectivity to N2. The present catalysts provide remarkably high catalytic performance for SCO of ammonia to N2 under the practical reaction conditions for an industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to identify pathological fungi of eight species [Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Torulopsis (Candida) glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, Fusarium anthophilum, Rhizopus oryzae, Sporothrix schenckii and Trichosporon beigelii] in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections by indirect immunoperoxidase staining. Mature albino rabbits were immunized with formalin-killed organisms. Antibodies were prepared by precipitation. Immunoperoxidase staining was applied to the paraffin-embedded tissue sections of experimentally infected mice and human autopsy and surgical specimens. Although the cell walls of each fungus stained clearly, many cross-reactivities appeared. However, it was possible to obtain specificity for the eight species by absorption and dilution of the antisera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renal distribution of I-labelled metallothionein (I-MT), administered as a tracer dose to female Wistar rats, has been investigated by light and electron microscopical autoradiography. I-MT was absorbed rapidly and 80% of the administered dose was observed in the kidney within 60 min after dosing. At 30 min, a high density of silver grains due to I, was observed by light microscopy in the convoluted proximal tubules. Electron microscopical autoradiography showed that silver grains were located in large apical vacuoles and cytoplasmic bodies (heterolysosomes) of the endocytotic system in the apical or middle regions of the cells lining convoluted proximal tubules. The results suggest that endocytotic systems are associated with I-MT absorption by epithelial cells lining the renal convoluted proximal tubules. The apparent inconsistency on the distribution pattern of silver grains due to Cd-labelled MT and I-labelled MT in these is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 81 cell clones persistently infected with the LAV-1 or HTLV-IIIB strain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was isolated from cells which were obtained by serial passage of some proliferating MT-4 cells after a drastic cytolysis of most cells by HIV-1-infection. These cell clones were classified into 8 types (I to VIII) in terms of the expression of HIV-1 antigens, syncytium formation capacity, and reverse transcriptase activity and infectivity of virus particles in the culture fluid. Type I cell clones were producers of infectious HIV-1 particles, while types II to VIII cell clones did not produce infectious HIV-1 or were producers of uninfectious defective HIV-1 particles. Immunoprecipitation followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) showed that the gag precursor protein in L-2 cell clone (type IV) was not cleaved to mature gag proteins, while the env precursor protein on L-3 cell clone (type III) was not cleaved to mature env protein. H-7 cell clone (type VIII) did not express any HIV-1 antigen. All these cell clones after the superinfection with infectious HIV-1 synthesized intact gag and env proteins, which were, at least in part, related to the HIV-1 genome persistently present in the cell clones before the superinfection, resulting in production of infectious HIV-1. For example, it was found that L-2 cell clone contained a single copy of the LAV-1 genome per haploid cell and produced doughnut-shaped particles. On the other hand, the cell clone isolated from the L-2 cell clone superinfected with infectious HTLV-IIIB contained the integrated HTLV-IIIB genome in addition to the LAV-1 genome present before the superinfection, and produced intact HIV-1 particles in addition to doughnut-shaped particles from a single cell. These results indicate that complementation and/or genetic recombination events in the superinfected cells may account for the production of infectious intact HIV-1 virions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three cell clones producing large numbers of infectious or noninfectious particles of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), designated M 10/LAV-2, M 16/LAV-3, and MT/LAV-17, were isolated from persistently HIV-1-infected MT-4 cells. In M 10/LAV-2, the HIV-1 proteins were defective in the cleavage of gag precursor protein, and the particles were doughnutshaped with a double-ring structure. These particles were produced by budding at the cell surface from crescentic structures followed by the formation of double-ring structures. The viral proteins in M 16/LAV-3 were defective in the cleavage of env precursor protein. The morphology of the virus particles was intact, and an electron dense bar-shaped core was seen inside a single-ring enveloped structure. The intact particles were released from the cell surface by a budding process in which crescent shape structures first appeared at the cell membrane, then subsequently just before release matured to a complete structure with an electron dense core. In MT/LAV-17, the synthesis of HIV-1 proteins was normal, and the particles were teardrop-shaped with an intact core structure. These particles were produced by budding with an electron dense core at the cell surface. Thus, it was suggested that the morphological maturation of HIV-1 particles was completed just before release from the cell surface in several cell clones producing HIV-1 particles of different morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within 10 minutes after tritium-labeled adult T-cell leukemia-associated virus (ATLV) inoculation, silver grains were found over human lymphocytes. At the time of entry of ATLV, the viral envelope was observed to fuse with the cell membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors encountered 95 cases of germinoma (two-cell pattern pinealoma) and teratoma involving the third ventricle and the pineal region from 1962 to 1980. Germinoma is radiosensitive. However, removal (extensive or total) of the tumour followed by postoperative irradiation showed better results than simple radiotherapy. In the recent 62 cases, 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 80.2% and 69.3% respectively (in children under 15 years, both were 86.9%). Teratoma is not radiosensitive and requires operation. For operating on a pineal germinoma, either an infratentorial supracerebellar approach or an occipital transtentorial approach is indicated. A teratoma, however, is sometimes too large for these approaches, when exposed, and therefore, the author prefers the transcallosal approach (for huge tumours the frontal transcallosal approach). Technical details will be reported and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accessory hepatic vein (AHV) after a Fontan-type operation will result in progressive desaturation if left intact. We report a case in which intraoperative color Doppler ultrasonography revealed the absence of AHV flow and reversed portal vein flow when the AHV was clamped, suggesting that simple ligation of the AHV would lead to liver dysfunction in the area affected. Based on the results of the ultrasonography evaluations, diversion of the AHV into the pulmonary circulation was performed without cardiopulmonary bypass, and the clinical outcome has been favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a 7-year-old girl with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis who received a syngeneic bone marrow transplant from her twin sister. She presented with high fever and cough. Laboratory findings revealed pancytopenia, elevation of liver enzymes, and hyperferritinemia. Bone marrow examination revealed histiocytic hemophagocytes and lymphoblastoid cells. Southern blot analysis of the bone marrow cells revealed a monoclonal proliferation of EBV-infected lymphocytes. Although she underwent combined chemotherapy according to the HLH-94 protocol, she developed severe pancytopenia. Following myeloablative conditioning with busulfan (16 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg), and etoposide (1.5 g/m2), she was transplanted with 6.6 × 108/kg mononuclear cells from the twin sister. She remains in complete remission 23 months after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This classification concerns the size and site of the intracerebral hematoma and the existence and degree of the intraventricular hemorrhage examined in 144 cases, with regard to the prognosis quoad vitam et functionem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Experientia 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.)