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AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative operation at our hospital were enrolled in this study. They were classified into two groups by operative procedures. Sixteen patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic group (LG), while 56 patients underwent conventional open surgery, open group (OG). At our institution, contrast-enhanced CT is routinely performed as part of intra-abdominal screening and the 3D images of the major regional vessels are described. We have previously described about the preoperative visualization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) by 3DCT. This time we newly acquired 3D images of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)/superior mesenteric vein (SMV), ileocecal artery (ICA), middle colic artery (MCA), and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV). We have compared our two study groups with regard to fi ve items, including clinical anastomotic leakage. We have discussed here the role of 3DCT in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal carcinoma. RESULTS: The mean length of the incision in LG was 4.625±0.89 cm, which was signifi cantly shorter than that in OG (P

A 39-year-old woman had relapsing polychondritis and Behçet's disease, which was described as mouth and genital ulcers with inflamed cartilage syndrome (MAGIC). Serologic human leukocyte antigen analysis showed A24 (9), A31 (19), B56 (22), B62 (15), Cw6, DR4, DR9. Human leukocyte antigen allele analysis revealed DRB1* 0406/0901, DQA1* 0301/0301, DQB1* 0302/0303, DPB1* 0201/0501 through determining the genotype using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Treatment with methotrexate (5 mg/week) and pentoxifylline (300 mg/d) was effective to control oral ulcers, erythema nodosum, and arthritis.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) possibly occurs in the perioperative period, and induces serious complications such as a pulmonary embolism. On the other hand, allograft renal vein thrombosis leads to a high incidence of graft loss. We experienced a case in which a serious DVT occurred prior to renal transplantation; however, a successful renal transplantation in the right iliac fossa was performed after 2 years of anticoagulant therapy. It is suggested that the external iliac vein even after suffering from DVT can be anastomosed to an allograft vein successfully, when enough blood fl ow or a lower venous pressure is confirmed. However, one should be aware of the risk factors and the adequate management of thrombosis in renal transplantation because of the serious complications of DVT and the poor prognosis of allograft vein thrombosis.

AIM: To determine the efficacy of multislice CT for gastroenteric and hepatic surgery. METHODS: Dual-phase helical computed tomography was performed in 50 of 51 patients who underwent gastroenteric and hepatic surgeries. Twenty-eight, eighteen and four patients suffering from colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer respectively underwent colorectal surgery (laparoscopic surgery: 6 cases), gastrectomy, and hepatectomy. Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging of the inferior mesenteric artery, celiac artery and hepatic artery was performed. And in the follow-up examination of postoperative patients, multiplanar reconstruction image was made in case of need. RESULTS: Scans in 50 patients were technically satisfactory and included in the analysis. Depiction of major visceral arteries, which were important for surgery and other treatments, could be done in all patients. Preoperative visualization of the left colic artery and sigmoidal arteries, the celiac artery and its branches, and hepatic artery was very useful to lymph node dissection, the planning of a reservoir and hepatectomy. And multiplanar reconstruction image was helpful to diagnosis for the postoperative follow-up of patients. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional volume rendering or multiplanar reconstruction imaging performed by multislice computed tomography was very useful for gastroenteric and hepatic surgeries.

A 28-year-old man presented with mental retardation, peculiar facial features, radioulnar synostosis, hypogonadism, aplasia of the right kidney, a moderate degree of proteinuria, and peripheral cyanosis. The activated partial thromboplastin time was shortened, and the level of plasma factor VIII was high. A chromosomal analysis revealed a 49, XXXXY karyotype. From the 10th hospital day, he suffered from sudden dyspnea following swelling of the left leg. He was diagnosed as having deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and was successfully treated with anticoagulant therapy. This is the first case of the 49, XXXXY syndrome complicated with unilateral renal aplasia, proteinuria, and venous thromboembolism.

In order to investigate the physical conditions of ionized gas in galaxies, as well as its kinematics, we have developed the Kyoto tridimensional spectrograph II (3DII). It is a multi-mode instrument designed for Cassegrain focus, including integral field spectrograph (IFS) and Fabry-Perot imager modes. We have designed it compact so that we can mount it at 2-m class telescopes as well as at 8-m Subaru telescope. We have succeeded in test observations of the 3DII. In the IFS mode the spatial resolution of ~ 0".5 and 0".4 was obtained in 30-minute exposures at University of Hawaii 88-inch (UH88) and Subaru, respectively, in relatively good weather conditions. Each of 37 × 37 microlenses subtends ~ 0".1 in Subaru's case. This samples well the image size. A wider field of view is emphasized in the case of UH88. Because our micropupil spectroscopy is free from a slit effect, we have reached the accuracy of an order of one tenth of a pixel for deriving velocity fields in terms of velocity center while the full width at half maximum of the instrumental profile corresponds to two pixels. At Subaru we have used a container designed in a collaboration with National Astronomical Observatory, Japan: it fits with a robotic instrument exchanger. The containerincludes two heat exchangers to keep its surface cool and void degrading the image quality. We have established effective observational equences by realizing a software interface with Subaru operating system. ome results from target observations are shown.

A 50-year-old male with left cervical lymphadenopathy visited our hospital. Infectious and lymphomatous diseases were suspected in the patient. Since the patient owned a dog, which often licked the patient's face, Bartonella infection was also suspected. Histopathological examination in the lymph node biopsy revealed the epithelioid granuloma, but B. henselae was not detected from the culture of the lymphnode. B. henselae DNA also was not detected from the lymph node. Since the antibody titer (lgG) to B. henselae showed 1:128 by immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA), he was serdogicalg diagnosed as cat-scratch disease. 'Cat-scratch disease' is named after cat scratch, however we propose 'B. henselae infection' which is more appropriate since other animals could serve as a cause of infection.

Background. Gitelman’s syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from inactivating mutations in the thiazide-sensitive Na–Cl co-transporter (NCCT) gene. To date, almost 90 mutations have been identified. It is possible that there is a populationspecific distribution of mutations. In this study, we analysed mutations in the NCCT gene of seven Japanese patients with GS. Methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from patients with GS, their family members and healthy control subjects. A mutation analysis of the NCCT gene was performed completely by direct automated sequencing of polymerase chain reactionamplified DNA products. In patients with a deletion or splice site mutation, we undertook cDNA sequence analysis. Results. We identified nine mutations. Five of them [c.185C>T (Thr60Met), c.1712C>T (Ala569Val), c.1930C>T (Arg642Cys), c.2552T>A (Leu849His) and c.1932delC] have been reported in Japanese patients, but not in GS patients from other ethnic groups. The remaining four mutations [c.7A>T (Met1Leu), c.1181_1186þ20del26, c.1811_1812delAT and IVS16þ1G>A] were novel. In cDNA derived from a patient with c.1181_1186þ20del26, a deletion of exon 9 and a frameshift at the start of exon 10 were observed. In cDNA derived from patients with IVS16þ1G>A, an additional 96 bp insertion between exons 16 and 17 was observed. Six out of seven patients were compound heterozygotes, and the remaining one carried a single heterozygous mutation. Conclusions. We found four novel mutations in the NCCT gene in seven Japanese patients with GS. Moreover, our study suggests that the distribution of mutations in the NCCT gene in Japanese GS patients potentially differs from that in other populations.

Background. Several studies have shown a predominant glomerular deposition of IgG4 in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN), whereas significant depositions of other IgG subclasses have been shown in patients with lupus-associated MN and bucillamine-induced MN. Methods. We examined the distribution patterns of glomerular IgG subclass deposits in 10 patients with malignancy-associated MN (M-MN) and in 15 patients with idiopathic MN by immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy. Results. The glomerular IF intensities of IgG1 and IgG2 were significantly stronger in the malignancy group than in the idiopathic group (P

Podocyte alpha-actinin-4 (actinin-4) is an essential component of the glomerular filtration barrier. We recently reported that the central rod spectrin-like repeats (R1–R4) of actinin-4 have a high affinity to puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN), which can induce nephro-sis in animals. The aim of this study was to identify endogenous molecules that interact with the actinin-4 R1–R4 domain. To identify such molecules, we performed a bacterial two-hybrid screening of a human kidney cDNA library using as a bait human actinin-4 R1–R4. We further verified the identified interactions by in vitro affinity assays and immunofluorescent studies of cultured human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells. To investigate the expression of the identified molecules in podocytes, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical studies were performed. One isolated cDNA from the library encoded humanin, a recently identified antiapoptotic peptide. In vitro affinity assays showed specific interactions of recombinant actinin-4 R1–R4, R1, R2, R3, and R4 proteins with humanin-Sepharose. PAN had no effect on these interactions. Green fluorescent protein-fused humanin and endogenous actinin colocalized mainly in the perinuclear cytoplasm of HEK293 cells. Altered colocalization was not observed by the addition of PAN. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed the expression of humanin in podocytes. Our results suggest that humanin is a novel binding partner of the actinin-4 R1–R4 domain in podocytes. Humanin and PAN are unlikely to compete for the same binding surface in actinin-4.

We performed H-alpha imaging observations of 22 luminous infrared galaxies to investigate how the distribution of star-forming regions in these galaxies is related to galaxy interactions. Based on correlation diagrams between H-alpha flux and continuum emission for individual galaxies, a sequence for the distribution of star-forming regions was found: very compact (~100 pc) nuclear starbursts with almost no star-forming activity in the outer regions (type 1), dominant nuclear starbursts < 1 kpc in size and a negligible contribution from the outer regions (type 2), nuclear starbursts > 1 kpc in size and a significant contribution from the outer regions (type 3), and extended starbursts with relatively faint nuclei (type 4). These classes of star-forming region were found to be strongly related to global star-forming properties such as star-formation efficiency, far-infrared color, and dust extinction. There was a clear tendency for the objects with more compact distributions of star-forming regions to show a higher star-formation efficiency and hotter far-infrared color. An appreciable fraction of the sample objects were dominated by extended starbursts (type 4), which is unexpected in the standard scenario of interaction-induced starburst galaxies. We also found that the distribution of star-forming regions was weakly but clearly related to galaxy morphology: severely disturbed objects had a more concentrated distribution of star-forming regions. This suggests that the properties of galaxy interactions, such as dynamical phase and orbital parameters, play a more important role than the internal properties of progenitor galaxies, such as dynamical structure or gas mass fraction. We also discuss the evolution of the distribution of star-forming regions in interacting galaxies., 44 pages, LaTeX, Accepted by AJ, Version with full-resolution figures available at http://www.oao.nao.ac.jp/support/staff/hattori/lirgs_paper.ps.gz

A 61-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed small digital ulcers, proteinuria, and hematuria. Serological studies disclosed high titers of antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factors (RF; IgM-RF and IgG-RF), and an increased level of circulating immune complexes. These findings suggested an active immunological state of RA. A renal biopsy showed periodic acid-Schiff-positive giant deposits in the mesangial area and subepithelial space. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed strong stainings for IgG, IgA, IgM, Kappa, Lambda, C3, C1q, and fibrinogen in a granular pattern. Electron microscopy showed giant granular deposits (diameter, up to 4.6 micro m) without specific fibrillary structure in the mesangial area and subepithelial space, and partially in the subendothelial space. There were no findings of vasculitis, such as endothelial proliferation or fibrinoid necrosis of small arteries. This is the first report of immune complex-type glomerulonephritis with unusual giant deposits in a patient with RA in an active immunological state.

Although the pathogenesis of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) may be heterogeneous, autosomal dominant and recessive forms of FSGS are recognized. Recently, mutations in alpha-actinin 4 (ACTN4) and podocin genes were reported in patients with such familial FSGS. However, whether mutations in ACTN4 and podocin genes are associated with sporadic FSGS has not been determined. In the present study, we clarified the relation between mutations in ACTN4 and podocin genes and sporadic FSGS. We analyzed these reported mutations in ACTN4 and podocin in five patients with chronic renal failure due to therapy-resistant FSGS by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products of ACTN4 and podocin. We found a C to T transition at nucleotide 465 in the ACTN4 gene in all of patients, and a T to C transition at nucleotide 954 in exon eight of podocin gene in two of five patients, resulting in no amino acid substitutions. Other mutations were not found in ACTN4 and podocin genes. Our findings suggest that sporadic FSGS is a heterogeneous disease, since ACTN4 and podocin genes are not found in our patients with sporadic FSGS.

There are few reports concerning the sorting mechanisms of mammalian HSP60 into the mitochondria from the cytoplasm. In the present study we investigated the protein import system. Based on immunoblotting and immuno-histochemistry, HSP60 was detected in both the cytoplasm and mitochondria. The purified cytoplasmic HSP60 showed chaperone activity, and the protein was imported into the mitochondria in vitro by a mitochondrial import assay. HSP60 mRNA was increased in the kidney papilla of rats that had been water restricted for three and five days, but no changes in HSP60 mRNA were detected in the cortex or the medulla of the rat kidneys. Upon immunoblotting, HSP60 was detected in both the cytoplasm and the mitochondria of normal rat kidney cortex, medulla, and papilla in almost the same quantity. HSP60 was remarkably decreased in the kidney papilla of rats that were water restricted but the protein was increased in the mitochondria of the rat kidney papilla. We also analysed binding of the protein to the signal sequence of HSP60 using signal sequence-affinity column chromatography. We identified only one protein band with a molecular mass of 70 kDa on SDS/PAGE. The protein was eluted from the affinity column by an excess of signal peptide or by 5 mm ATP. Upon immunoblotting, the 70-kDa protein cross-reacted with an antibody against HSP70. These results suggested that mammalian HSP60 is located both in the cytoplasm as a stable cytoplasmic HSP60 and also in the mitochondria under normal conditions. The cytoplasmic HSP60 is quickly imported into the mitochondria under severe conditions by cytoplasmic HSP70.

Recent progress on the database of calculated phase diagrams in micro-soldering alloy systems, which consist of Pb, Bi, Sn, Sb, Cu, Ag, In and Zn, is presented. Experimental determination of phase equilibria was conducted in several binary, ternary and quaternary systems by DSC, EDX and X-ray diffraction techniques. Based on these experiments, as well as on previous data on phase diagrams and thermo-chemical properties such as activity, heat of mixing and enthalpy of formation, the various thermodynamic parameters for describing the Gibbs energies of the different constituent phases were optimized and evaluated by the CALPHAD (calculation of phase diagrams) method. The database provides key information on liquidus and solidus surfaces, isothermal and vertical section diagrams, and mole fractions of the phase constitutions of multi-component soldering alloys. Thermodynamic properties of the surface tension and viscosity of the liquid phase can also be predicted. Moreover, a nonequilibrium solidification process using the Scheil model was simulated. Several phase diagrams of Pb-bearing and Pb-free solders are presented. The database is expected to be a powerful tool and an indispensable resource for the development of new Pb-free solders.

Systemic vasculitides are classified by the size ofaffected blood vessels w1x. However, some patientshave overlapping features of common forms ofsystemic vasculitis. Leavitt and Fauci proposed theentity of polyangiitis overlap syndrome (POS) w2x.While systemic vasculitis can cause secondary amyl-oidosis, there are few well-documented case reports ofsecondary renal amyloidosis in patients with POS.Here we present a patient with nephrotic syndrome dueto renal amyloidosis caused by POS.

We report a case of primary low-grade B-cell lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (low-grade MALT lymphoma) in the gallbladder. A 58-year-old woman suspected of gallbladder carcinoma underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Microscopic examination of the gallbladder demonstrated lymphoid cell infiltration forming lymphoid follicles with hyperplastic secondary follicles. The surrounding monocytoid B cells and centrocyte-like cells selectively infiltrated the crypt epithelium forming lympho-epithelial lesions. Plasma cells were also noted beneath the mucosal epithelium. Bile culture revealed the Gram-negative bacilli Enterococcus faecalis and Morganella morganii. Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligoclonal lymphoid proliferations was detected. Because autoimmune diseases, or chronic inflammatory disorders, seem to correlate with the occurrence of MALT lymphoma, Gram-negative bacterial infection could also be considered as a prodrome of MALT lymphoma of the gallbladder.

We found a very large, 35 kpc, emission-line region around the Seyfert type 2 galaxy NGC 4388, using deep narrow-band imaging with the prime focus camera (Suprime-Cam) of the Subaru telescope. This region consists of many faint gas clouds or filaments, and extends northeastwards from the galaxy. The typical H-alpha luminosity L(H-alpha) of the clouds is 10^37 erg s^-1, and the total L(H-alpha) of the region within 10 kpc from the nucleus is 2 x 10^38 erg s^-1, which corresponds to an ionized gas mass of 10^5 M_solar. The map of the emission-line intensity ratio I([OIII])/I(H-alpha) indicates that the inner (r < 12 kpc) region of the VEELR may be excited by nuclear ionizing radiation. The excitation mechanism of the outer (r > 12 kpc) region is unclear, but it is likely that the nuclear radiation is also a dominant source of its ionization. We discuss the origin of the ionized gas. Two plausible origins of the gas in the VEELR are (i) the tidal debris resulting from a past interaction with a gas-rich dwarf galaxy, i.e., a minor merger, or (ii) the interstellar medium of NGC 4388, stripped by the ram pressure of the hot intracluster medium of the Virgo cluster., 15 pages, 7 figures, ApJ accepted

Pulmonary sequestration is abnormal pulmonary tissue that has separated from the normal pulmonary parenchyma, is not connected to the tracheobronchial tree, and is supplied by a systemic artery. We describe herein a case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration found in a 66-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with hemoptysis, coughing, and fever. Angiography showed that the branches of the 11th left intercostal artery and a bronchial artery had formed a hypervascular area in the lower part of the left lung. Bronchial artery embolization and subsequent embolization of the left 11th intercostal artery were performed in an attempt to control the recurrent hemoptysis. These treatments were unsuccessful, and he was transferred to our department of surgery after coughing up about 400 ml of fresh blood. A left lower lobectomy was performed. The resected lung contained a large feeding artery, some acute and partly organizing inflammatory lesions within collapsed lung parenchyma, and massive intra-alveolar hemorrhage in the peripheral area. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 22 days after his operation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate unenhanced CT findings for predicting the degree of vascular compromise in intussusception observed at surgery.The imaging studies, clinical records, and surgical and pathologic findings in 25 patients with intussusception were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated six CT findings based on the abnormalities of each component of intussusception. Presence or absence of these findings was compared with the degree of vascular compromise as observed on pathologic examination, such as edema, ischemia, or necrosis.The hypodense layer was observed in 16 of 18 intussusceptions with various degrees of vascular compromise. A fluid collection surrounded by the returning wall, which was revealed to correspond to trapped peritoneal fluid, was observed in eight of nine intussusceptions with ischemia or necrosis. A gas collection surrounded by the returning wall was observed in two of four intussusceptions with necrosis. Free peritoneal fluid coexisted with a fluid collection surrounded by the returning wall in all the intussusceptions except one. Bowel obstruction was observed in six of nine intussusceptions with ischemia or necrosis. The maximum wall thickness was not related to the degree of vascular compromise.The CT findings of a hypodense layer in the returning wall, fluid collection in the space surrounded by the returning wall, and gas collection in the space surrounded by the returning wall can be useful in predicting the degree of vascular compromise in intussusception.

A 45-year-old woman developed acute nephritic syndrome after erythema infectiosum. Laboratory data on admission showed decreased serum C3, C4, and CH50 levels and the presence of both immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies to human parvovirus B19 (HPV). A renal biopsy showed diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicated 2+ granular staining for IgG, IgM, and C3 over the mesangial area and along glomerular capillary walls. HPV antigen was also detected in glomeruli by immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopy showed electron-dense deposits in the subendothelial space and the paramesangial area. These findings suggest that immune complex-type glomerulonephritis is caused by glomerular deposition of HPV antigen-antibody complexes in some patients with HPV infection.

The Fibre Multi-Object Spectrograph (FMOS) for the primary focus of Subaru Telescope is one of the second generation instruments, aiming at acquiring spectra of faint objects with target multiplicity of up to 400. The optimised wavelengths span from 0.9 to 1.8 microns so as to extend our knowledge of galaxy formations and evolutions at higher redshifts in a systematic way, as well as of variety of intriguing near-infrared objects. On the basis of detailed design of FMOS, actual processes of fabrication are in progress, and some of critical hardware components have successfully been developed. In this report, we present the status of the FMOS project, the results of developed components, and also instrument control systems such as the new detector electronics as well the related contol softwares.

Colorectal (CRC) and gastric cancers (GC), the most common gastrointestinal malignancies, have been known to develop occasionally in a same patient. Previous studies have focused on the etiology of patients with multiple primary gastric and colorectal cancer (MPGCC); however, the carcinogenic process of MPGCC remains unclear. In this study, we have examined the genetic alterations in MPGCC in order to clarify the carcinogenic pathway. Twenty patients with sporadic MPGCC were examined for microsatellite instability (MSI) and frameshift mutations of target genes such as TGFbetaRII, BAX and IGFIIR. In 10 (50%) of 20 patients with MPGCC, MSI was present at least at 1 lesion of GC or CRC. Four (50%) of 8 cases with synchronous MPGCC displayed MSI in both GC and CRC, while only 1 (8%) of 12 cases of metachronous MPGCC exhibited MSI in both organs. Carcinogenic process of MPGCC was fairly associated with the MSI pathway, particularly in cases of synchronous MPGCC. MSI was found in 5 (25%) of 20 GCs and in 10 (50%) of 20 CRCs. MSI was involved more closely in CRC than in GC among MPGCC. Although most frameshift mutations at target genes were found in the MSI-positive MPGCC, infrequent mutations were observed in the genes. Frameshift mutation was found in only 1 of 5 cases of MSI-positive GC at TGFbetaRII. Only 2 of 10 cases of CRC with MSI showed mutation at TGFbetaRII, and 1 case also showed mutation at BAX and IGFIIR. Our findings suggest that TGFbetaRII, BAX and IGFIIR are not the main target genes for carcinogenesis in MSI-positive MPGCC.

A 64-year-old man developed multiple myeloma (kappa light chain type), nephrotic syndrome, and renal insufficiency in 1993. A renal biopsy showed typical histological findings of light chain nephropathy: nodular glomerulosclerosis with deposition of kappa light chains in the mesangial area and subendothelial space of the glomerular capillary walls. Long-term intermittent MEVP chemotherapy (melphalan, 4 mg/d for 4 days; cyclophosphamide, 100 mg/d for 4 days; vincristine, 1 mg/d; prednisolone, 40 mg/d for 4 days) diminished proteinuria and improved renal function. In April 1999, a follow-up biopsy showed remarkable diminution of nodular lesions and disappearance of kappa light chain deposits. Although the prognosis of light chain nephropathy has been considered poor, long-term successful chemotherapy can clear light chain deposits and restore renal function.

We describe an 80-year-old man who developed malignant lymphoma (ML) complicated by extensive intraglomerular thrombi of immunoglobulin M (IgM)-kappa monoclonal immunoglobulin. The clinical picture was characterized by nephrotic syndrome and systemic lymphadenopathy. Laboratory examination showed mild anemia and a small amount of monoclonal IgM-kappa in the blood. The histopathologic findings and surface immunoglobulin analysis of the lymph node biopsy specimen were consistent with CD5-positive diffuse large B-cell (type, IgM-kappa) lymphoma. The subsequent renal biopsy showed a massive deposition of amorphous material in the glomerular capillary lumens, subendothelial areas, and mesangium. Nodular glomerulosclerosis was not found. An immunofluorescent study showed that the deposits consisted of IgM-kappa monoclonal immunoglobulin. Ultrastructurally, the deposits were composed of granular electron-dense material. Chemotherapy was effective for both the ML and nephrotic syndrome, and the patient's urine analysis results returned to normal. The histopathologic manifestations of this case are rare, and the pathogenesis of these glomerular lesions was obviously associated with ML.

Chemical mechanical polishing is an essential process for achieving a high degree of planarization. The planarity after CMP sensitively depends on pattern scales, pattern densities and mechanical properties of polishing pads. In order to simulate the topography after CMP, a numerical model for the polishing pad is proposed. In this model, the surface roughness layer of the polishing pad is assumed as a flat soft layer. The distribution of the contact pressure between the patterned wafer and the polishing pad is calculated with finite element method, and the pattern topography is modified based on the pressure dependency of the polishing rate. The iterations of the contact pressure analyses and the topography modifications give the progress of the polishing process numerically. The model is applied to oxide CMP process with silica slurry and stacked pad of polyurethane and non-woven fabric. The compressive elastic moduli of polyurethane layer and non-woven fabric layer are measured dynamically. The elastic modulus of the soft layer is treated as a fitting parameter between the experimental results and the numerical model. The models with the elastic modulus of 10 MPa for the soft layer show good agreements with the experimental results in both of a short range, where the compressive deformation of the pad is dominant, and a long range, where the bending deformation is dominant. Static measurements for the surface elasticity of the polyurethane layer also give a good agreement with the model. The proposed pad model should be useful for the topography simulation, and it also guides the development of new polishing pads.

A 46-year-old woman developed nephrotic syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A renal biopsy showed deposition of amyloid fibrils in the subendothelial space of the glomerular capillary walls. After treatment with prednisolone (PSL, 40 mg/day), the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A decreased to within normal limits for 2 weeks. However, the nephrotic syndrome persisted for 6 months after the therapy. To maintain the suppression of disease activity and to reduce PSL, methotrexate (5 mg/week) was added. The nephrotic syndrome resolved gradually, and the level of serum albumin returned to normal. Although renal prognosis of patients with nephrotic syndrome due to amyloidosis caused by RA has been considered poor, adequate and long-term treatment of RA with antiinflammatory drugs, including PSL and methotrexate, is useful for patients with secondary amyloidosis complicated by RA.

A brief outline of the CALPHAD method, which has been developed to alleviate the difficulty in obtaining phase diagrams by experiment alone, is presented. This method enables calculation of stable and metastable phase equilibria, as well as thermodynamic properties such as activity, enthalpy, driving force for precipitation etc., on thermodynamic grounds. Some results using the CALPHAD approach are illustrated, taking examples from compound semiconductors and solder materials.

Due to the close similarity between the common forms of ontology specification and classes in object-oriented systems, a set of object-oriented classes in a domain may provide the skeleton of the ontology of the domain. An object-oriented design for phase diagram databases has been made with special attention to this. Through the description of the analysis and coding of phase diagrams, the nature of the task of ontology construction is illustrated.

Title Acute gastritis associated with invading Helicobacter heilmannii organisms from a previously homeless cat. Author(s) Ohtani, Hiroshi; Hayashi, Hiroko; Higami, Yoshikazu; Takuma, Kazuhiko; Minami, Kenjiro; Minami, Yasuhiro; Shimokawa, Isao Citation Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 42(2), pp.216-217; 2008 Issue Date 2008-02 URL http://hdl.handle.net/10069/23026 Right © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE

Development of a spectrograph for area spectroscopic observations of faint extended objects in optical spectral region (Ohtani et al., 1994) was completed and the instrument is now in commission at the 188 cm telescope of the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. With this instrument can be made four different kinds of spectroscopy which are switched to one another by remote operation. The four modes are filter imaging at several narrow (or wide) bands, slit scan in the long-slit spectrograph mode, imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer observation, and integral field spectroscopy (IFS). The first two modes of these are conventional types. Two Fabry-Perot etalons of Queensgate Instruments, resolving power R equals 300 (tunable narrow band filter) and 7000, are available. Prior to development of the spectrograph, characteristics of these etalon were examined in detail by laboratory experiments. Effective finess and nonuniformity were measured. Further, behaviors of drift of transmitting wavelength with variations of ambient temperature was carefully examined. Based on the results of the experiment, temperature of the etalon in the spectrograph at the telescope is stabilized within plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius to attain high performance that drift of the transmitting wavelength does not exceed one tenth of the width of the Airy profile during observations. For the IFS mode, the type of the TIGER spectrograph is employed. Our spectrograph has a dual-channel enlarging optics, one channel acquiring a target object and the other an 'uncontaminated' sky field well apart from the target. The microlenses array is shared by the target and the sky. With the 188 cm telescope a 9' X 15' (7 X 11 lenslets corresponding 1'.3 square) target field and a smaller sky field 3'.7 apart are observed simultaneously. Spectra on the CCD partially superpose each other with adjacent spectra because appreciable deviations in the microlenses array format exist from an exact square array. However, energy loss due to truncation of superposed part is not serious. Total quantum efficiency of the system is 2 percent at peak. Some results of astronomical applications for active galaxies are presented. Results of super-wide-field observations with an objective of a short focal length is also demonstrated.

We present herein the case of a 74-year-old woman found to have a pleomorphic adenoma, or so-called mixed tumor, of the breast. The patient presented with a hard mass, 3 cm in diameter, located just beneath the left areola. Physical examination suggested a diagnosis of breast carcinoma; however, the findings of both ultrasonography and mammography indicated a benign neoplasm. Aspiration biopsy cytology was evaluated as class III and the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma was finally confirmed by examination of an excisional biopsy specimen. As it is a rare benign tumor, pleomorphic adenoma of the breast has been mistaken for a malignant tumor clinically, mammographically, cytologically, and even by frozen section. Thus, an awareness of this disease in the breast will help to prevent misdiagnosis and overaggressive surgery.

IgG subclasses in patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, membranous nephropathy, and lupus nephritis. Primary glomerulopathy can be classified into seven essential patterns based on histopathological studies. The pathogenesis of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), and membranous nephropathy (MN), which show glomerular IgG deposition and induce mainely nephrotic syndrome, is not known. To clarify the role of IgG subclass in glomerulonephritis, we compared serum concentrations of IgG subclasses, the ratio of serum IgG subclasses to total IgG (%IgG subclass), and glomerular deposition of IgG subclasses between 7 MPGN patients, 21 MN patients, and 9 lupus nephritis (LN) patients. Serum IgG subclasses and %IgG in all groups were almost within normal range based on the values in Japanese healthy adults. In the MPGN and MN groups, the IgG1 concentration was significant lower than that of the LN group (P < 0.001, P < 0.0001, respectively). The IgG2 concentration in the MPGN group decreased significantly compared with that in the LN group (P < 0.05). The %IgG2 of the LN group decreased significantly compared with that of the MN group (P < 0.05). The %IgG3 of the MPGN group was significantly higher than that of the MN group (P < 0.05). The glomerular immunoflourescent intensity of IgG1 and IgG2 were significantly stronger in the LN group than in the MPGN and MN groups (IgG1, P < 0.001, P < 0.01, respectively; IgG2, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). IgG3 in the MPGN and LN groups deposited significantly compared with that in the MN group (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01, respectively). The intensity of IgG4 in the MN group showed a significant difference compared with that in the MPGN and LN groups (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01, respectively). IgG3 is an important factor in the pathogenesis of primary MPGN, while IgG4 relates to glomerular IgG deposition in MN.

We analyzed the Clinicopathological features and therapy in 19 patients with kidney disease accompanied by hepatitis C viral infection, including 12 patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (including eight with IgA nephropathy), six with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), and one with membranous nephropathy. Persistent hematuria and/or proteinuria (10 patients) was the most common finding, followed by nephrotic syndrome (8 patients). Cryoglobulinemia was detected in six of 19 patients examined (four of six patients with MPGN). Analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA genotype in 13 patients revealed that nine of them had type II genotype. All four patients with MPGN, who had serum positive for HCV-RNA, had type II genotype. Five patients were treated with interferon-α (IFN-α) without a demonstrable effect on renal impairment, whereas five of 11 patients treated with steroids showed improvement of the renal impairment. During the course of steroid therapy, the serum titer of HCV-RNA decreased in 5 of 7 patients. These observations suggest that HCV infection may be associated with several forms of glomerulonephritis. Type IIHG V-RNA may have a strong association with MPGN in Japan. Steroid therapy is not contraindicated in patients with HCV-associated nephropathy if they are resistant to IFN-α treatment.(Internal Medicine 35:529-533, 1996)

We report a patient who exhibited proteinuria and renal failure 93 months after receiving an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from his HLA-identical brother. A renal biopsy specimen revealed segmental sclerosis, mesangiolysis, subendothelial lucency in the glomeruli, fibrosis and small round cell infiltration in the interstitium, and hyaline droplets in the intimal spaces of arterioles and small arteries. These histological findings were consistent with late onset BMT nephropathy. This nephropathy may represent a more serious problem in the near future in Japan, since the number of BMT performed has been increasing with the establishment of a bone marrow bank.

The phase stability of the long periodic structures in Mg has been investigated at finite temperature by means of first-principles calculations. Free-energy calculation, including the lattice vibration effect, clearly reveals that 14H and 18R type long periodic structures become more stable than 2H-Mg. Furthermore, the stacking fault energies from a structure of ABA (hcp) to ABC (fcc) were calculated for the isotropic lattice variation. We found that the stacking fault energy decreased by lattice expansion and went to nearly zero upon 10$%$ expansion of the lattice. These two calculated results provide important information about the formation of long periodic stacking ``ordered'' (LPSO) structures in a Mg-Y-Zn system. It has been suggested that the substituted large atoms and temperature effect cooperatively generate a metastable long periodic stacking faults structure that precede LPSO formation.

A multimode spectrograph for tridimensional spectroscopic observations of faint extended objects is under development. The spectrograph has four modes, i.e., the imager mode with narrow (or wide) band filters, the long-slit spectrograph mode for area spectroscopy by means of spacial scans, the Fabry-Perot interferometer imager mode, and the microlens-array (MLA) spectrograph mode. Selection of the mode is made by moving optical parts relevantly in the spectrograph. The principles of the optics of the first three modes are ordinary ones. In the imager mode, a field lens is inserted behind the telescope focus and filters are set between the collimator and the camera lenses, while a Fabry-Perot etalon is inserted instead of the filters in the Fabry-Perot imager mode. In the long-slit mode, a slit is set at the telescope focus, and a grism replaces the filters or the etalon. The principle of the MLA spectrograph mode is essentially same as that of TIGER for the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope. Our spectrograph, however, is equipped with a dual-channel preoptics system for the MLA, one channel acquiring a target object and the other the neibouring sky appreciabily apart from the target object. The image of the sky is projected on the microlenses along a side of the array of the microlenses. The spectra of the sky are used to eliminate of contamination by sky background from spectra of the target object. The design of this spectrograph is primarily optimized for the MLA spectrograph mode at the 1.88 m telescope at Okayama. With this telescope, about eighty spectra of an area about 9# x 15 of an object and fourteen spectra of the nearby sky are obtained with a spacial resolution of 1.3" which matches the average seeing size at the telescope site. Performances of this spectrograph when it is used for other telescopes, including the SUBARU, are also presented.

We have purified an isoform of protein disulfide isomerase (EC 5.3.4.1) from rat liver, and raised a specific antibody against the purified protein in rabbit. Immunohistochemical studies using this antibody on rat testis sections, at both light and electron microscopic levels, showed a specific localization of the isoform of protein disulfide isomerase in the developing acrosome of the spermatids. The protein was transferred to the acrosomic vesicle from the Golgi apparatus at late Golgi phase, and remained present in the acrosome of spermatids during cap phase, acrosome phase, and maturation phase. In addition to the acrosome, the protein appeared in the nucleus of spermatids during maturation phase, and was localized in the nucleus of epididymal spermatozoa. By immunoblot analysis, almost all of the isoform of protein disulfide isomerase in the testis was found to be extractable by an isotonic buffer. On the contrary, detergent extraction was required for complete solubilization of the protein in the epididymis. These results suggest that the isoform of protein disulfide isomerase is a new intra-acrosomal soluble protein, and that the protein begins to enter the nucleus of mature spermatids in the testis and tightly binds to the nuclear components in epididymal spermatozoa.

To test the hypothesis that uridine may be a marker of viability in myocardial ischemia, myocardial uptake of uridine was compared to that of deoxyglucose, a conventional marker of viability, in experimental myocardial ischemia. Fifteen male Wistar rats had occlusion of the left coronary artery for 5, 10, or 60 min. Four h after reperfusion, 60 uCi of 3H uridine and 2 uCi of 14C deoxyglucose were administered intravenously and the animals were sacrificed 45 min later. Two min before sacrifice, 100 uCi of thallium-201 was injected intravenously as a marker of myocardial perfusion. After sacrifice, the heart was removed and the left ventricle was sliced in a breadloaf fashion into 20 segments. Thallium-201 radioactivity in each segment was determined with a gamma counter; 1 month later 3H and 14C radioactivity was determined with a beta counter. Then the target to normal ratio (T/N) of the myocardial segment was calculated. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was examined in neighboring myocardial specimens.

Global left ventricular function and ECGs were continuously monitored by radionuclide ambulatory ventricular function monitoring (VEST) and validated against multigated blood pool analysis (MUGA) and left ventriculography in 26 subjects (study 1). Ejection fraction by VEST (Y) showed good correlation with Y = 5.5 +/- 0.79 X (r = 0.91), Y = 1.7 +/- 0.86 X' (r = 0.91), and Y = 11.6 + 0.68 X" (r = 0.82) to sitting and supine MUGA and left ventriculography, respectively. In study 2 left ventricular function and ECGs were evaluated at rest and during exercise without any drug (control), with nitroglycerin, and with nifedipine in 21 patients with coronary disease (group I) and six normal subjects (group II). In group I abnormal ejection fraction responses (exercise increase less than or equal to 6%) during the control exercise period were found in 15 patients (71%), ST segment abnormalities in seven (33%), and chest pain in four (18%). Control exercise increased end-diastolic volume (100 to 112 +/- 8%) and end-systolic volume (53 +/- 15% to 63 +/- 22%) and decreased the ejection fraction (47 +/- 15% to 43 +/- 21%). The ejection fraction during exercise increased after nitroglycerin (50 +/- 22%) or nifedipine (54 +/- 21%) (p less than 0.05). In group II the ejection fraction was unchanged between rest and exercise with or without nitroglycerin or nifedipine. Thus combined radionuclide and ECG monitoring by VEST could detect changes in left ventricular function at rest and during exercise over a prolonged period and demonstrated that nitroglycerin and nifedipine improved cardiac function in the ischemic setting with an increased ejection fraction in the upright position.