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The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriate treatment for intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Of 151 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC, 82 had intrahepatic recurrence and were divided into two groups: group A, ≤2 tumors, each 3 cm in size; and group B, beyond the group A. Survival and treatment in each group were analyzed retrospectively to determine the best therapeutic modality for intrahepatic recurrence.The 5-year overall survival and recurrence rate were 65% and 58%, respectively. Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after recurrence were better in group A (100%, 76%, and 54%) than in group B (74%, 23%, and 5.8%; p 0.001). The clinical backgrounds were not different for each modality. Of the 43 patients in group A, 10 underwent hepatectomy, 21 ablation therapy, and 12 transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The survival rate of hepatectomy was similar to that of ablation therapy and significantly better than that of TACE (p = 0.0248). Of the 39 patients in group B, the results of TACE were similar to other therapies after recurrence.Repeat hepatectomy and ablation therapy were more effective than TACE in the group with ≤2 tumors up to 3 cm in size at recurrence, while any treatment modality was more effective than best supportive care, but the outcome was poorer in the group with ≥3 tumors or tumor size ≥3 cm at recurrence.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows a high rate of recurrence after hepatectomy; predictive factors for early recurrence would help determine optimal therapeutic and management strategies. Among 163 patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy with curative intent, 46 patients developed recurrence within 1 year. Clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed to identify predictive parameters for early recurrence. Survival rates in cases of recurrence within 1 year were worse than those of no recurrence within 1 year or recurrence after 1 year. Protein induced by vitamin K absence/antagonist II (PIVKA-II) greater than 150, positive fucosylated alpha-fetoprotein (L3-AFP), and deviancy from Milan criteria (MC) on preoperative imaging were associated with high risk of early recurrence and total number of these three risk factors predicted the survival. With multivariate analysis, 1) preoperatively, positive factors of two or more among three items of PIVKA-II, L3-AFP, and deviancy from MC; 2) and postoperatively, pathological cancer spread (microscopic vascular invasion and/or intrahepatic metastasis) both represented risks for early recurrence. A combination of three preoperative factors, PIVKA-II, L3-AFP, and MC status, in conjunction with the postoperative factor of cancer spread status represents a significant indicator for recurrence within 1 year. Improving the prognosis of patients with HCC would depend on how to adequately treat those at high risk of early recurrence.

A patient committed suicide with hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) by combining two commercial products. The patient was given hydroxocobalamin as an antidote in addition to treatment with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but died approximately 42 min after his arrival at the hospital. The patient's cause of death was attributed to acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Serum concentrations of sulfide before and after administration of hydroxocobalamin were 0.22 and 0.11 μg/mL, respectively; serum concentrations of thiosulfate before and after hydroxocobalamin administration were 0.34 and 0.04 μmol/mL, respectively. Hydroxocobalamin is believed to form a complex with H(2)S in detoxification pathways of H(2)S. Although H(2)S is rapidly metabolized and excreted, the decreased sulfide concentration may be also associated with this complex formation. The decreased sulfide concentration suggests that hydroxocobalamin therapy may be effective for acute H(2)S poisoning. The decreased thiosulfate concentration seems to be associated with formation of a thiosulfate/hydroxocobalamin complex, because hydroxocobalamin can form a complex with thiosulfate. The thiosulfate concentration decreased to a greater extent than did sulfide, suggesting that hydroxocobalamin has a higher affinity for thiosulfate than for H(2)S. Therefore, prompt administration of hydroxocobalamin after H(2)S exposure may be effective for H(2)S poisoning.

Background: Glucose control is essential to avoid hypoglycemia in postoperative patients. Aim: To conduct a preliminary examination to evaluate the feasibility of the use of an artificial pancreas for glucose control as well as the accuracy of assessment by the artificial pancreas of the insulin dose required. Subjects and Methods: Glucose control using an artificial pancreas was undertaken in 8 postoperative sepsis patients. The blood glucose level was set at 80–150 mg/dl. Blood glucose levels over time, insulin dose requirements, and occurrence of hypoglycemia (≤40 mg/dl) were recorded for each patient. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the total insulin dose they received over the 7 days (HG, n = 4: consisting of patients who required a higher insulin dose; LG, n = 4: patients who required a lower insulin dose). The data of the 2 groups were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The blood glucose level before glucose control was 203.3 ± 9.9 mg/dl and could be controlled in all patients to within the target range. No hypoglycemia events were recorded for any of the patients. The insulin dose in the HG and LG groups was 21,824.8 ± 6,030.4 and 6,254.5 ± 3,402.3 mU/kg (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Accurate glucose control could be achieved with the artificial pancreas.

Background: Endotoxin (Et) adsorption therapy with a column of polymyxin B-immobilized fibers (PMX) is effective in improving the partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and increasing mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in sepsis. S100A12 and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) are useful as early markers of acute lung injury. Purpose: To investigate the effect of improving the PaO2/FiO2 ratio by PMX-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) on production of S100A12 and sRAGE. Subjects and Methods: Sepsis patients after surgery for perforation of the lower gastrointestinal tract were adopted as the subjects. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 20 patients on mechanical ventilation and continuous administration of norepinephrine. We recorded PaO2/FiO2 ratio, MAP, and norepinephrine doses. S100A12, sRAGE, and Et levels were measured before and after PMX-DHP. Results: The PaO2/FiO2 ratio and MAP improved significantly after PMX-DHP (p < 0.05). S100A12 and Et decreased significantly after PMX-DHP (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in sRAGE. Conclusion: S100A12 is useful as a marker that reflected improvement in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio after PMX-DHP. We consider PMX-DHP to be useful as adjunctive therapy for sepsis that reduces the Et and corrects the pathology in the early stage.

The subjects of this study were 208 patients who underwent endoscopic hemostasis at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iwate University between January 2004 and December 2008. There were 153 men and 55 women with a mean age of 65.3 years. Among them, 181 patients underwent endoscopic hemostasis in the stomach or duodenum and were divided into the peptic ulcer and artificial ulcer groups. The following were retrospectively analyzed: success rates of endoscopic hemostasis, rates of rebleeding, and devices used during treatment. The overall success rate of endoscopic hemostasis was 97.2%. Hemostasis was achieved in 98.2% of the cases with peptic ulcer bleeding and in 88.9% of the cases with artificial ulcer bleeding. Monotherapy (one hemostatic device) was used in 141 cases (77.9%), combination therapy (multiple hemostatic devices) was used in 39 cases (21.5%), and primary hemostasis was used in one case (0.6%) because of blood flow reduction during the observation period. A heat probe was used in 145 cases (80.1%), making it the most frequently used device. Endoscopic hemostasis is very effective for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus of terpene alcohols with aliphatic carbon chains of various lengths were investigated. Farnesol and nerolidol, which each contain two isoprene units, had the strongest antibacterial activities and damaging effects on cell membranes of all the terpene alcohols tested. Plaunotol, which is a diterpene, had antibacterial activity similar to that of sesquiterpenes. The relationship between the length of the carbon chain bonded to the hydroxyl group and activity suggests that the length of the carbon chain is an important determinant of antibacterial activity and cell membrane-damaging activity. It was concluded that the carbon chain length of C10-C12 was appropriate to show the activity.

The authors have been developing reinforced concrete masonry buildings with the wall thickness of 150mm, for the purpose of the increase of inner space of buildings, the decrease of building weight, and the usage of the standard building module of 300mm. In this paper, test results of laterally loaded bearing walls and wall girders with the standard reinforcement, using newly developed small-size concrete units with the thickness of 150mm, special pre-mixed cement mortal for the joints, and grout concrete of the strength of 60 N/mm2 class, are shown in detail.

The purpose of this study was to assess lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine production in the presence of linezolid (LZD) in comparison with the drug effect on the plasma endotoxin level. Peripheral venous whole-blood samples collected from five healthy subjects were stimulated with 10 microg/ml of LPS. LZD was then added to the LPS-stimulated blood samples at concentrations of 0, 2, 4, and 15 microg/ml , followed by incubation for 24 h at 37 degrees C in a 5% CO(2)-95% air atmosphere. Supernatants of the resultant cultures were assayed to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and endotoxin. Significant decreases in the levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were observed in the LZD 2, 4, and 15 microg/ml groups as compared with that in the 0 microg/ml group (Dunnett's procedure; P0.05). The level of IL-10 tended to increase irrespective of the LZD concentration; however, no significant intergroup differences were observed [analysis of variance (ANOVA); P = 0.68]. No significant decrease of the endotoxin level was observed in the LZD 2, 4, or 15 microg/ml groups as compared with that in the 0 microg/ml group, with no significant intergroup differences (ANOVA; P = 0.83). No change in the MCP-1 levels was observed irrespective of the LZD concentration (ANOVA; P = 0.82). To conclude: (1) it appears possible that LZD inhibits the production of INF-gamma and TNF-alpha to a limited extent; (2) LZD did not exert any inhibitory effect on endotoxin production by bacteria, while suppressing cytokine production. The results indicate that LZD may have a significant role in saving the lives of patients with sepsis.

はじめに：肝切除術後の予防的ドレナージの有用性を否定している論文が多いにもかかわらず，依然多数の施設で挿入されている．今回，自験例をもとにドレーン挿入の是非と必要例について検討した．対象と方法：2001年5月から2009年10月までの胆道・消化管吻合のない肝切除術でドレーンを挿入した259例をDrainage群（以下，D群），ドレーンを挿入しなかった118例をNon drainage群（以下，ND群）とし，術後合併症頻度をretrospectiveに比較した．さらに，術後胆汁漏症例とND群の術後ドレーン挿入例から，ドレーン挿入必要例を検討した．結果：術後合併症は，創感染のみND群で5.9％とD群の13.5％に比べ有意に低く，術後入院日数もND群が12日と，D群18日に比べ短かった．ND群の術後早期ドレーン挿入例は，肝不全を併発した3例であった．また，術後胆汁漏発生の危険因子は，再肝切除，主要Glisson鞘の露出術式（中央2区域・前区域切除）と術中胆汁漏が同定されたが，胆汁漏発生日が術後19.5日と遅かった．まとめ：胆道再建などを伴わない肝切除後は，全例にドレーンを留置する必要はなく，肝不全発症予知の点からは門脈腫瘍栓を伴う大量肝切除症例や，術後胆汁漏の点からは中央2区域・前区域切除あるいは再肝切除で術中胆汁漏を認めた症例に予防的なドレーン挿入が有用である可能性が示唆された．

We have studied changes in the antibacterial activity and the mode of action of farnesol against Staphylococcus aureus when two terpene alcohols with an aliphatic carbon chain were added, individually, to a bacterial suspension that contained farnesol. Geraniol increased the growth-inhibitory activity of farnesol, but suppressed its ability to damage cell membranes, which is one of the predominant features of the growth-inhibitory activity of farnesol. Geranylgeraniol decreased the growth-inhibitory activity of farnesol and also suppressed its cell-damaging activity. It is possible that the presence of a terpene alcohol can both enhance and suppress the antibacterial activity of farnesol, and even change its mode of action. Thus, it is important to study not only the antibacterial activity of each constituent of an essential oil but also the interactions between them in efforts to characterize the antibacterial activity of the essential oil.

Electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution is acidic water that contains active oxygen and active chlorine and possesses a redox potential. We performed peritoneal and abscess lavages with an electrolyzed strong acid aqueous solution to treat 7 patients with peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses, who were seen in our department between December 1994 and April 1995. The underlying disease was duodenal ulcer perforation in 4 of these 7 patients and gastric ulcer perforation, acute enteritis, and intraperitoneal perforation of pyometrium in 1 patient each. Irrigation was performed twice a day. Micro biological studies of the paracentesis fluid were negative in 3 cases, and the irrigation period was 2–4 days. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated in 3 of the 4 positive cases (Bacteroides in 2, Prevotella in l), and a fungus (Candida) was isolated in the remaining patient. The period of irrigation in these patients ranged from 9 to 12 days, but conversion to a microorganism negative state was observed in 3–7 days.

In this study, we measured the urine concentrations of methamphetamine and amphetamine as metabolites of selegiline after ingestion of an overdose of selegiline. A patient who had developed Parkinson disease took selegiline in a suicide attempt. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with trifluoroacetic acid-derivatization revealed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the patient's urine at concentrations of 0.62 microg/ml and 0.25 microg/ml, respectively. To determine the stereospecificity of the methamphetamine and amphetamine, a urine sample was analyzed by GC-MS after derivatization with N-(trifluoroacetyl)-l-prolyl chloride. The methamphetamine and amphetamine were levorotatory in form. The ratio of the methamphetamine to amphetamine concentration in the urine was 2.5. This value is consistent with other case reports of ingestion of selegiline, which suggests that the methamphetamine to amphetamine concentration ratio in urine is useful information for indicating use of selegiline.

Objectives: In children with severe physical and mental disabilities who repeatedly develop aspiration pneumonia due to intractable aspiration, laryngotracheal separation/tracheoesophageal anastomosis or laryngotracheal separation has been performed in many institutions for the prevention of aspiration, and good results have been reported. However, families sometimes show a marked reluctance to give consent to these surgical techniques because of tracheal transection. A purpose of this study is to evaluate a new surgical procedure for laryngotracheal separation without tracheal transection. Study Design: Case-series study. Methods: As a new, simple, less invasive surgical technique for the prevention of aspiration without tracheal transection, we performed tracheal closure (tracheal flap method) in six children. A U-shaped flap of the tracheal anterior wall from the 2nd to the 4th/5th tracheal ring was produced, bent toward the tracheal lumen, and sutured to the tracheal posterior/lateral walls by mattress stitches for tracheal closure. In addition, the closure was covered with a cutaneous U-shaped flap for reinforcement and a permanent tracheal stoma was constructed. Results: In all six patients, aspiration pneumonia could be prevented without severe complications. Conclusions: Tracheal closure (tracheal flap method) has effects comparable to those of other surgical techniques for the prevention of aspiration, and may be useful for aspiration prevention in children with severe physical and mental disabilities.

症例は44歳，女性．2005年2月27日に自己触診にて右乳房の腫瘤を認め当院外来を受診した．視触診上，右乳房C領域に3.1×3.0cm大の腫瘤を認め，右乳房は左乳房に比べ明らかに小さく，右乳輪は左乳輪と比べ高位置であった．マンモグラフィー，超音波検査，穿刺細胞診の結果，右乳癌（classV）と診断した．また胸部CT検査にて右側の大胸筋，小胸筋，前鋸筋の欠損が疑われた．術前に右上肢の機能障害は認めなかった．2005年3月24日，当院にて乳房切除術（児玉法）を施行，術中所見でも大胸筋，小胸筋，前鋸筋は認めなかった．病理組織検査では2.3×2.0×1.1cm，papillotubular carcinoma，f，pT2，n0，M0 stage IIA，免疫組織学的検討ではER(+)，PgR(+)，Her2(2+)と診断された．先天性胸筋欠損症に併発した乳癌は極めて希有であり，文献的考察を加えて報告する．

The non-radiative transition processes on non-doped Zn2SiO4 and Zn2SiO4:Mn powders with various Mn concentrations were studied by photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy. Zn2SiO4:Mn x powders were prepared by dry reaction within an evacuated silica glass tube. As the result of photoluminescence (PL) measurement, the increase of PL intensity for green emission on samples doped with Mn between 1% and 6% and the concentration quenching for luminescence on samples doped with Mn between 7% and 12% were confirmed. For the green luminescence on zinc silicate doped with Mn phosphor, the PL decay behavior is assumed to be due to tunneling directly from excited states of electron traps to the excited states of Mn-ion. The Mn content dependence of PL intensity for green emission is well interpreted by tunneling theory and the results of PA spectra, that is, the green emission is assisted by tunneling from non-radiative levels of Mn-ion to luminescencet level as 4T1(4G).

We evaluated praseodymium (Pr) doping effects on thermoelectric properties of porous zinc oxide (ZnO) ceramics. The low density ceramics composed of ZnO and an additive of Pr (0.5 and 0.1 mol%) oxide were prepared by sintering processes in different atmospheres (air and oxygen), where the additives were Pr6O11 known for phase transformations and the trioxide Pr2O3 with low valence state different from Pr6O11. Thermoelectric properties of the samples were measured between 313 K and 903 K. At high-temperature around 590 K, some samples showed a maximum of electrical resistivity. We discussed the origin of the maximum on the basis of carrier transport model on gas sensor and varistor. From the results, The maximum appearance was attributable to an interchange of carriers through defects complex closely related with enhanced zinc vacancies acceptor-like in the vicinity of grain boundaries (GB), where the defect complex seemed to be caused by Pr with valence state between 3+ and 3.78+ around GB. The doping Pr into ZnO matrix is expected to be advantageous to improve thermoelectric power.

We report a very rare case of acute abdomen caused by torsion of an accessory spleen that was preoperatively diagnosed and cured by single-port surgery. A 31-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe left abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a left upper quadrant abdominal tenderness with voluntary guarding. Ultrasound demonstrated a well-defined round mass isoechoic to the spleen, measuring 3.0 cm in diameter in the left upper quadrant adjacent to the spleen. A contrast-enhanced CT scan showed a normally enhanced spleen and a 3.0 × 3.0, hypodense, non-enhancing mass anterior to the spleen with a twisted funicular structure. Torsion of an accessory spleen was suspected, and emergency single-port surgery was performed. During surgery, a rounded violet mass measuring 3.0 cm in diameter, suggestive of an accessory spleen, with a 1800° torsion around a long vascular pedicle along the left side of the greater omentum was discovered. The mass was removed and post-operative recovery was uneventful. A review of the literature revealed 26 cases (including ours) of torsion of an accessory spleen in English. Even with the recent advances in radiologic imaging modalities, making a preoperative diagnosis of this is difficult and most cases are diagnosed during laparotomy. This is the first report preoperatively diagnosed and cured by single-port surgery. We decided to start the operation by using a single port, not only for cosmetic reasons for this young female patient, but also for final confirmation of our diagnosis. We believe that single-port laparoscopy is valuable as a diagnostic tool as long as safety is assured for patients with acute abdomen. Although torsion of an accessory spleen is extremely rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children and young adults. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40792-015-0101-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The application of endotoxin adsorption therapy for severe acute cholangitis is controversial. We present a survival case of septic shock and multiple organ failure due to severe acute cholangitis. The patient was treated by endotoxin adsorption therapy using polymyxin B-immobilized fiber because he continued to remain in shock even after successful endoscopic nasobiliary drainage. The patient was an 84-year-old male diagnosed with acute cholangitis and acute pancreatitis who was transferred to our department because of shock and severe dyspnea. The patient had already developed acute respiratory failure, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We performed endoscopic nasobiliary drainage immediately, but the patient continued to remain in shock and plasma endotoxin level was markedly elevated at 133.6 pg/mL. Therefore, we performed direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber. On starting the hemoperfusion, blood pressure and urine volume increased, and the plasma endotoxin level reduced considerably. On the basis of our experience in this case, we think that direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber may be a useful modality in the management of severe acute cholangitis.

Reporting of the analytical and clinical findings of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones is essential in carrying out a complete clinical assessment of new psychoactive substances.From 2012 to 2014, we examined synthetic cathinone and cannabinoid poisoning in six patients aged 22-42 years old. Analyses of these compounds were carried out using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The observed clinical symptoms were similar to those reported for intoxication with synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids. In cases of intoxication with synthetic cathinones, the psychiatric and neurological symptoms were long-lasting, and these compounds were detected in serum for 15-48 h after use. Although the clinical symptoms induced by the synthetic cannabinoids disappeared within several hours after use, the range of serum concentrations of these compounds was ≤5 ng/mL for 1-3 h after use. In one fatal case, in which high serum concentrations of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids were detected, the most plausible cause of death was heart failure due to overdose with these drugs. The long-lasting symptoms induced by synthetic cathinones correlated with the long detection window in serum, whereas the early disappearance of symptoms induced by synthetic cannabinoids corresponded to the short detection window in serum.This study shows that the profiles of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids in serum are closely related to the duration of the toxic symptoms and that concomitant use of two psychoactive drugs with different pharmacological actions may have the potential for fatal cardiotoxicity.

This study was undertaken to analyze the association of type II secretory phospholipase A

The prevention of recurrence is important for improving long-term outcome for HCC. To identify candidates for postoperative adjuvant therapy after curative hepatectomy for HCC in Child-Pugh classification A (Child A).Of 157 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for Child A HCC, 93 had recurrence and were divided into 2 groups: group A, ≤2 tumors, each3 cm in size at the time of intrahepatic recurrence; group B, ≥3 tumors or tumor ≥3 cm in size at the time of intrahepatic recurrence and/or extrahepatic recurrence. Clinicopathological and survival data were analyzed retrospectively in each group to identify poor prognostic factors.The 1-year recurrence rate was 50%, and the time to recurrence was shorter in group B (10 months) than in group A (20 months) Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were poorer in group B (83%, 52%, and 35% respectively; p0.001) than in group A (100%, 96%, and 71% respectively) Cancer spread (vascular invasion and/or intrahepatic metastasis) was significantly affecting the recurrence pattern of Group B (p=0.0238) on multivariate analysis.Systemic adjuvant chemotherapy af ter curative hepatectomy for HCC in Child A should be given to patients with microscopic vascular invasion and/or intrahepatic metastasis.

Pr-doped ZnO phosphor powders were prepared by dry reaction within evacuated sealed silica glass tube. Pr2O3 and Pr6O11 were used as additives. Pr concentrations were 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 mol%, and the sintering temperatures were 600, 800, and 1000 °C, respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation (PLE) spectra were measured to study luminescent properties of samples. Some samples showed the enhancement of green emission. This emission is related to native defects in ZnO. Based on the results of PL and PLE, the origin of the enhancement was discussed in view of native defects in ZnO and the defect-related complex in ZnO varistor ceramics. The possible origin is the increase of native defects such as VZn, OZn, and the complex in the vicinity of grain boundaries and ZnO matrix near the surface of grains. The increase of native defects and the complex are probably due to the existence of the Pr3+-ions with binding to native defects, which form the complex by Coulombic potential.

Annealing effects on 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) films deposited on glass substrates were studied by photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) measurements. PA spectra had large nonradiative peaks in a short-wavelength region, and they steeply decreased in a long-wavelength region. Differences were observed in a long-wavelength region in the PA spectra by annealing, and they depended on the annealing temperature. In PL spectra, the luminescent peak was observed at the same wavelength, but the PLE spectra changed depending on the temperature. The films were damaged by annealing, and the structural changes of film surfaces were observed. Thus, the changes of PA spectra and PLE spectra occurred related to the film morphology.

Photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy was applied to evaluate the roles of Co and Pr in Zn2SiO4:Co and Zn2SiO4:Pr powders in relation to non-radiative transitions. These samples were prepared by dry reaction within an evacuated silica glass tube, where the sintering temperature was 800, 900, or 1000 °C. The Co and Pr concentrations were adjusted to a stoichiometry of Zn1.82SiO4:M(Co or Pr)0.18. From the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, all samples indicated a rhombohedral structure (R3) of Zn2SiO4; however, the formation of Zn2SiO4 was not enhanced below a sintering temperature of 900 °C. PA spectra in the visible range of all samples reflected the coloration of samples and the XRD results. The Co-ion and Pr-ion in Zn2SiO4:Co and Zn2SiO4:Pr were assumed to behave as non-radiative centers in the visible range. Furthermore, for Zn2SiO4:Co sintered at 1000 °C, PA spectroscopy could extract new information about the location of unknown non-radiative levels between 390 and 470 nm.

Photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for examining optical properties as non-radiative recombination in powdered samples that are difficult to measure by the conventional reflection or transmission spectroscopy because of the light scattering. We applied the PA spectroscopy to evaluate the non-radiative transition of the Pr 3+ in ZnO powders with various Pr concentrations and sintering temperatures. The PA spectra seems to depend on the inner state of the Pr 3+ in ZnO matrix, where the Pr can easily segregate to the ZnO grain boundaries and form intergranular phase based Pr 2 O 3 .

This paper deals with the grinding characteristics of newly developed polycrystalline cBN (cBN-U) abrasives in creep feed profile grinding of nickel-based superalloys. Experiments for producing a V-shaped groove on a flat surface in one pass by creep feed grinding have been carried out using the new polycrystalline cBN-U and representative conventional cBN (cBN-B) grits. When grinding with cBN-U abrasives, both radial wear and profile wear are less, and hence the grinding ratio is around 10 times higher than that with the conventional cBN-B abrasives. Grinding forces in grinding with cBN-U abrasives are reduced by 20-30% compared with those in Grinding with cBN-B abrasives. The cBN-U abrasive is suitable for the applications with a high dimensional accuracy in creep feed profile grinding for nickel-based superalloys, because it gives less profile wear, and hence better form retention, than conventional cBN abrasive.

We have reported that transferrin (Tf)-unbound Gallium-67 ((67)Ga) was taken up into hepatocytes 1 d after carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-treatment in rats. It had been reported that the binding affinity of Iron-59 ((59)Fe) to Tf was greater than that of (67)Ga. In the present study, we investigated whether or not Tf was involved in (59)Fe uptake by hepatocytes of CCl(4)-damaged rats. The results showed that the uptake of (59)Fe by hepatocytes and the number of Tf-receptor decreased 1 d after CCl(4)-treatment and increased 2 d after the treatment. Our data demonstrated that the uptake of (59)Fe by hepatocytes differed from that of (67)Ga and Tf was involved in that of (59)Fe. We expect that these finding could serve to analyze the inflammatory stages, disorder stage at 1 d and regeneration stage at 2 d after CCl(4)-treatment.

This study is to clarify the flow structure of a three-dimensional wall jet discharged tangentially on a flat surface from a circular nozzle. Distributions of the mean velocities and fluctuating velocities in a cross section of a fully-developed flow region were measured by using a single hot-wire probe and cross-wire probes. It is confirmed in any position of the lateral direction that the distributions of the mean velocities U and W in the direction normal to the wall are made similar to each other when they are made dimensionless by the maximum local velocity while the jet height remains almost invariable in the spanwise direction. The direction of the mean flow vector in the inner layer is remained constant while the direction of the mean flow vectors outside the half-value height is coincided with the direction of the jet axis. The distributions of the turbulent statistics in the direction normal to the wall are almost similar to each other outside the half-value height due to the scaling by the maximum local velocity, and on the other hand, the magnitude of the turbulent energy and Reynolds stress in the wall-side region becomes larger at the position farther from the jet axis.

Thermoelectric properties of non-doped amorphous zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film were studied at between room temperature and around 673 K, where the samples were prepared by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature. The results of X-ray diffraction, transmittance spectroscopy and electron microscope observation indicate that both as-deposited film and heat treated film had amorphous structure with random hexagonal network of ZnO, where the latter included crystallized ZnO grains. The highest absolute value of Seebeck coefficient a was 135 μV/K at 643 K, where the electrical resistivity p was 1.01 x 10 - 4 Ωm and the power factor P was 1.79 x 10 - 4 W/mK 2 , and the a was almost the same as those of other ZnO compounds such as (ZnO) 5 In 2 O 3 and (Zn 1 - x Al x )O. The heat treatment dependence of the p and the a indicated the decrease of free electrons originated in amorphous and the transition to the quasi-stable phase of amorphous. It was suggested that the amorphous structure with variable range hopping conduction relates to the thermoelectric properties of a-ZnO thin film.

The reattaching flow behind a swept backward-facing step, at a Reynolds number Rem=8 000 for the swept angle of 30 degrees, is investigated experimentally. Measurements for the turbulent flow field are made by using the rotated hot-wire method. In the early stage of the recovery region, all components of fluctuating velocities and Reynolds shear stresses have large values in the middle region of the boundary layer compared to those in two-dimensional boundary-layer. This may be attributed mainly to the large values of turbulent-energy and Reynolds-stress production terms as well as the advection of the highly turbulent fluid from the upstream. The eddy-viscosity ratio exhibits anisotropy of the eddy viscosity in the near region of the reattachment. To examine anisotropy of the eddy viscosity a comparison is made of the directions of the shear-stress vector and the strain vector. The difference of these angles becomes smaller as goes to the downstream, and the eddy viscosity could be presumed isotropic in the region of x/H >12.5. The structure parameter varies from a larger value just behind the reattachment point than in two-dimensional flows to the value of two-dimensional flow in the far downstream

ワーファリン内服中の腹膜炎患者に対し乾燥人血液凝固第IX因子複合体(prothrombin complex concentrates; PCC)を用いた緊急手術を2例経験した。症例1は80歳,男性。大動脈弁形成術,人工血管置換術後よりワーファリン2mg/day内服中,穿孔性虫垂炎,腹腔内膿瘍の診断にて手術施行。術前プロトロンビン時間(PT)-International Normalised Ratio (INR) 4.69,トロンボテスト5%以下だった。症例2は89歳,女性。心房細動のためワーファリン1.5mg/day内服中,絞扼性イレウスの診断にて手術施行。術前PT (INR) 2.73,トロンボテスト5.2%だった。術前にPCC 500E投与,投与15分後の凝固能検査においてPT (INR),トロンボテストの著明な短縮が認められた。2例とも出血傾向,出血性合併症なく周術期を経過した。ワーファリン投与中患者の緊急手術に対するPCCの使用はわが国の保険制度では適応外であるが,今回有用性が示された。今後の適応拡大について検討する必要があると思われた。

The study was made of the antibacterial effects of three terpene alcohols on Staphylococcus aureus, focusing on the leakage of K+ ions and toxicity over time. The leakage of K+ ions was monitored continuously with a K+-electrode. Our results suggested that the terpene alcohols, namely, farnesol, nerolidol and plaunotol might act on cell membranes. The rank order of effectiveness, farnesol > nerolidol > plaunotol, was the same in the toxicity assay and in the examination of the leakage of K+ ions, when we considered the initial rate and the amount of leaked K+ ions. The rank order agreed with the results of a growth-inhibition assay reported previously. The antibacterial activity reflected the initial rate of leakage of K+ ions, suggesting that damage to cell membranes might be one of the major modes of action of these terpene alcohols. The results also demonstrated that the initial rate of leakage and the amount of leaked K+ ions are useful as indices of the antibacterial activities of hydrophobic compounds.

Photosynthetic acclimation to CO2-limiting stress is associated with control of genetic and physiological responses through a signal transduction pathway, followed by integrated monitoring of the environmental changes. Although several CO2-responsive genes have been previously isolated, genome-wide analysis has not been applied to the isolation of CO2-responsive genes that may function as part of a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in photosynthetic eukaryotes. By comparing expression profiles of cells grown under CO2-rich conditions with those of cells grown under CO2-limiting conditions using a cDNA membrane array containing 10,368 expressed sequence tags, 51 low-CO2 inducible genes and 32 genes repressed by low CO2 whose mRNA levels were changed more than 2.5-fold in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard were detected. The fact that the induction of almost all low-CO2 inducible genes was impaired in the ccm1 mutant suggests that CCM1 is a master regulator of CCM through putative low-CO2 signal transduction pathways. Among low-CO2 inducible genes, two novel genes, LciA and LciB, were identified, which may be involved in inorganic carbon transport. Possible functions of low-CO2 inducible and/or CCM1-regulated genes are discussed in relation to the CCM.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a granulomatous systemic disorder of unknown etiology. Obvious pulmonary involvement is exceptional in patients with CD. We report a case of a 38-year-old man who suffered from CD for more than 14 years and was treated with oral steroids for more than 10 years. Surgical excision of parts of the ileum was performed for life-threatening ileal bleeding caused by CD. After acute tapering of oral steroids, pulmonary symptoms and radiologic abnormalities were noted. Lung biopsy through thoracoscopy was performed and revealed signs of chronic inflammation with multiple subepithelial noncaseating and epithelioid granulomas on pathologic examination. Intravenous steroids were required in the initial management of life-threatening pulmonary dysfunction after diagnostic thoracoscopy and led to marked improvement. Tuberculocidal therapy was performed until all microbiological cultures were negative. Oral steroid dosage had slowly been tapered over 1 month. He was discharged with clinical and radiologic improvements. After 36 months, the patient's condition is stable on continued treatment with prednisolone and mesalazine.

This report presents useful images of high-density imaging (collimation, 3mm) by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in two patients with blunt hepatic injury, resulting from the use of the multidynamic phase scan method, or dripinfusion cholangiography (DIC). The data were visualized on a workstation (ZioM900, Ziosoft Inc., Tokyo). A liver pseudoaneurysm was identified with MDCT in a 21-year-old male on the 14th day following an injury in a by motorbike accident. The pseudoaneurysm gradually faded out in 3 weeks. In a 24-year-old male, 7 days after a motor accident injury, a huge liver pseudoaneurysm was identified with MDCT. The pseudoaneurysm involved the fistula to the hepatic vein (HV) and HV-portal shunt. In addition, bile leakage from the disinsertion of the left hepatic duct was identified on the 14th day with DIC-MDCT.