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Poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) nanofibers were prepared from commercially available PBO fiber by a simple downsizing process for the first time. Partial alkaline hydrolysis of the oxazole ring brought ionic functional groups onto the fiber surface, enabling the disintegration of the PBO fiber into nanofibers with the help of an electrostatic repulsive force. The obtained nanofibers, whose average diameter was 24 nm, were characterized by SEM, FT-IR, ζ-potential analysis, XRD, and TGA. They dispersed homogeneously in water due to the surface charges. Filtration allowed a PBO nanofiber sheet to be easily prepared from the homogeneous dispersion in water.

We introduce a simple preparation procedure for aramid nanofibers from Twaron fibers by using a downsizing process. Alkaline hydrolysis pretreatment brings ionic charges on the fiber surface, allowing facile disintegration of Twaron into nanofibers by virtue of the electrostatic repulsive force. Since the nanofibers can be dispersed homogeneously in water, the processability and formability of the polymer were improved. The resulting aramid nanofibers, having a high degree of physical performance, a uniform nanosized morphology, and a high surface-to-volume ratio, will expand the range of novel applications of aramid fibers.

Natural and synthetic single crystal diamonds (types Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb) have been characterized by measurements of the X-ray integrated scattering intensity, lattice parameter and diffuse scattering. We found a drastic increase of X-ray integrated scattering intensity for natural and B-doped diamond crystals. Synthetic type IIa diamond was also measured for comparison. Measurements of the lattice parameters have been made at room temperature by using the X-ray bond method. We found that the lattice parameter is smallest for natural diamond and largest for the B-doped diamond. Diffuse scattering experiments were performed using a four circle diffractometer at room temperature. We measured the diffuse scattering for (4 0 0) Bragg reflection for the four types of crystals. The scattering intensity of the natural crystals diffuses asymmetrically to form a streak along the [1 0 0] direction parallel to the reciprocal lattice vector. These results suggest the existence of the nitrogen atom platelets on (1 0 0) plane in the natural diamond. We also found the diffuse streaks along the [ 1 ˙ 0 0 ] direction for (4 0 0) Bragg reflection for the B-doped crystal, suggesting that boron atoms are likely to form precipitates on the (1 0 0) plane.

Single crystals of Ni were irradiated with 137 MeV xenon ions (Xe10+) of fluences up to 4.9 × 1013 ions/cm2 below 13 K. After the irradiation, the X-ray cryostat with the specimens was transferred from an irradiation chamber to the X-ray diffraction equipment below 20 K. The results of X-ray diffuse scattering near Bragg reflections at low temperature indicate that the defects are located in cascades and suggest that a small amorphous zone exists within the cascade region. By the thermal annealing at 40 K corresponding to the recovery stage IA, the defects in the cascades rearrange.

We developed a reliable method of transferring specimens at low temperature after ion irradiation with a cryostat for X-ray diffraction measurements. Single crystal Ni specimens have been irradiated with heavy ions at 13 K. Transferring the irradiated specimens at low temperature without any warming up, defect structures were studied using X-ray diffuse scattering on annealing between 18 K and room temperature. We observed a q −4 -dependence of the diffuse scattering intensity after the irradiation and the results indicated that there were both vacancies and interstitial clusters, which were associated with a displacement cascade. With increasing the annealing temperature of the irradiated Ni, the interstitial dislocation loops grew at 200 K and the radius and number of those loops began to decrease below 300 K.

We present a principal technique on controlling p-type hetero-valent interface by introducing interface superlattice layer composed of ZnTe-ZnSe MQW structure. Optimum quantum structure of the new interface superlattice (10-layered ZnSe-ZnTe superlattice), designed based on effective-mass Schrodinger equation, has shown almost complete ohmic conduction of carrier (hole) transport in the hetero valent interface. This interface supper lattice have been applied successfully for the ZnSSe based PIN and APD devices on p-GaAs. The ZnSSe PIN photodiodes on p-GaAs has demonstrated very high external quantum efficiencies (>60% in violet (400 nm), ∼35% in ultraviolet (300 nm): without anti-reflection coating) and also extremely low dark current (

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the AC susceptibility were made for Fe–Ni Invar mechanical alloys under hydrostatic pressures up to 1.5 GPa. The Curie temperatures decreased linearly with pressure. The rate of decrease became larger for specimens annealed at higher temperatures. The temperature of annealing after ball milling has been directly related to the extent of the chemical concentration fluctuation, and the extent becomes smaller for specimens annealed at higher temperature. This tendency can be explained by assuming a Gaussian distribution function.

Nanoclusters with a diameter of 2–10 nm were deposited from highly pure Al and Al–50%Cu targets onto highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) by pulsed laser ablation. The structures and atomic configurations of these nanoclusters were then investigated with atomic resolution using a scanning tunneling microscope. On the pure Al nanoclusters, hexagonal two-dimensional configurations were found over a large area around a three-dimensional nanocluster. These two-dimensional structures were oriented at 30° to the graphite lattice and the atomic distance was estimated to be 0.424 nm. On the other hand, two-dimensional atomic configurations were not observed around the Al–50%Cu nanoclusters and the atomic distance was almost the same as that of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite visible in the STM. Thus, the initial growth and structures were completely different between the two materials.

II-VI ZnSe (binary) and ZnSSe (ternary) widegap compound semiconductor based photovoltaic devices (p-i-n and avalanche photodiodes (APDs)) are developed for the blue-violet (460-400 nm) optical wavelength region by molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth. The ternary compound ZnSSe p-i-n structure photodiodes, grown with complete lattice matched condition on GaAs substrates, exhibit high external quantum efficiencies of 80-70% in the blue-violet optical region with extremely low dark currents (∼pA/mm 2 ), These diodes reveal stable and long-lived operation at 300 K. Also presented is ZnSe and ZnSSe based blue-violet APD devices, fabricated by precise defect control and process techniques. This new device has revealed large signal gain (G) of G = 50 for ZnSe, and G = 60 for the ZnSSe APD device under high electric field strength of (0.8-1.1) × 10 6 V/cm. Important device parameters, ionization coefficients of photo-injected electrons and holes, and device stability are also discussed.

We present II-VI wide bandgap semiconductor ZnSe and ZnSSe based blue-violet avalanche photo-diode (APD) operation grown on GaAs substrate by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Because of highly improved crystal quality of the active layer, the ZnSSe APD reveals stable and high avalanche gain (G ≥ 60) in the blue-violet optical region under high field operation condition (E = 1.15 x 10 6 V/cm) at room temperature (RT). High electric field induced ionization coefficients α (for electrons) and β (for holes) are determined as a function of electric field strength E(V/cm); α(E) = 1.7 × 10 7 exp (-4.9 × 10 6 /E) and β(E) = 3.7 × 10 6 exp (-4.0 × 10 6 /E).

Severe pulmonary hypoplasia precluding the sustenance of life is often found in newborns with prenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In utero repair of the hernia it is thought to be the sole method of salvaging these patients. To study the efficacy and feasibility of in utero repair of CDH, diaphragmatic hernias (DH) were produced successfully in 81 of 90 fetal rabbits by diaphragmatic perforation via a left thoracotomy at 22 days' gestation (term = 31 days). The DHs were repaired successfully in 25 of 50 fetal rabbits at 26 days' gestation. The rabbits with repaired and non-repaired DHs and their litter-mates (the control group) were delivered at 29 days' gestation by cesarean section. Some of the rabbits were killed and subjected to measurements of body and lung weight, determination of the DNA and surfactant (disaturated phosphatidylcholine; DSPC) contents of the lungs, and light and electron microscopic examination of the lung. Some newborn rabbits underwent endotracheal intubation and measurement of pressure-volume curves and pulmonary compliance. The total lung/body weight ratios and total lung DNA contents in the repair group were greater than those in the non-repair Group (P

We investigated defect formation within nanostructured materials using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and ion accelerators. Controlling diffusion coefficient of the defects we have first observed changes in pattern of defect clusters, namely, the diffusion-limited reaction of defects in nanocrystals.

We demonstrate a first simultaneous measurement of both the refractive index and the attenuation coefficient (defined as the sum of the scattering and absorption coefficients) of highly turbid milk and milk-cream mixtures. We achieve this by observing the real-time reflectance profile of a divergent laser beam made incident on the surface of the milk sample. The experiments were carried out on commercial milk samples with fat volume concentrations of 0.5 or less, 1.6, and 3.3%, and on milk-cream mixtures with fat volume concentrations of 10 and 33.3%, without any dilutions of these samples. We find that the reflectance data are well described, for the first time without any empirical fit-parameters, by Fresnel theory that correctly includes the effect of angle-dependent penetration into the turbid medium on the total internally reflected signal. Therefore, our method provides the most accurate determination to date of the refractive index and attenuation coefficient of milk and milk-cream mixtures. Our sensor is compact, portable, and inexpensive.

The authors established a method of clarifying the three dimensional interrelationship among the mitral and tricuspid annuli, ascending aorta, main pulmonary artery, diaphragmatic surface of the heart (DS), and anterior thoracic wall, using four chamber view magnetic resonance imaging. This method was applied to measuring the parameters that restrict the size and shape of a total artificial heart (TAH) from three dimensional reconstructed images of six normal subjects. Assuming that the TAH is implanted on the diaphragm, which corresponds to DS, the width of the TAH is restricted to 7.6 cm, the transverse dimension of the cardiac base (D-B), and the height to 7.8 cm, the dimension from the DS to the center of the pulmonic annulus (DS-P1). Depth is restricted by the longitudinal dimension of the left ventricle projected on the DS (D-L). While D-L in early systole is 9.7 mm, in late systole D-L is reduced to 7.6 cm. The angle (DS) (AW) is 65.7 degrees; this is the angle between the DS and anterior thoracic wall that restricts the shape of the TAH. While these data in normal subjects may be useful for TAH implantation, in the patient with acute cardiac failure, further study of patients with chronic cardiac failure is necessary.

The ferromagnetic exchange splitting of the 3d electron band was found to play an important role in the physical nature of self-interstitial atoms in bec Fe. This effect is related to the problem of the large magnetic moment of Fe-N, in which the Fe-Fe atomic distance also plays an important role. The threshold energy for defect creation has been explained using a model d band in the series of transition elements. The anomalously low value for bec Fe is explained by considering the magnetic energy and the non-quenched orbitals of 3d band electrons. The interstitial migration temperatures of the transition metals, including the anomalously high value for bec Fe, are explained. The high interstitial migration temperature in rare-earth metals is also discussed in relation to the overlap of the 4f electron wave functions.

Thermal expansion data obtained in hcp cobalt by using the X-ray Bond's method has been compared with the temperature dependence of the first and the second uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants. It was confirmed that the effect of the change in the lattice parameter ratio c a is the most dominant term in the temperature variation of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants.

The atomic volume of an interstitial atom in bcc iron was found to be smaller than in other transition metals. The origin of this effect is interpreted in terms of the magnetovolume effect of the highly compressed state of the interstitial atom. The anomalously high migration temperature and the low threshold energy of interstitial creation are also explained by considering the exchange splitting of the 3d-bands. The effect of irradiation on the domain wall mobility in iron is also explained.

Ischemia reperfusion (IR) of the liver is a multifactorial process that, at least in part, is responsible for the morbidity associated with major liver surgery under occlusion of the portal triad with the Pringle maneuver, total vascular exclusion or after liver transplantation. Surgeons are confronted with IR injury (IRI) more often than they anticipate. Although the human body has its own defense system, understanding the pathophysiology of IRI is essential for the surgeon in preventing and/or treating the reperfusion injury in common clinical practice. Several endogenous mechanisms exist to overcome IRI and a large number of pharmacological agents have also been found to confer protection against ischemic injury in the liver. They either blocked the injurious pathways directly or they subjected the liver to preconditioning. Prostaglandins (PGs) are a group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. They are short-lived, hormone-like chemicals that regulate cellular activities on a moment-to-moment basis and are produced in most tissues of the body, although the liver has emerged as the major organ participating in the synthesis, degradation and elimination of arachidonate products of systemic origin. PGs are released through the prostaglandin transporter on the cell's plasma membrane. During the last decade intensive work on the cytoprotective effects of PGs on livers suffering from IRI have been well documented. Prostaglandins confer their protective effects on IR-injured livers mainly by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species, preventing leukocyte migration, reducing the synthesis or production of membrane degradation products, improving hepatic insulin and lipid metabolism, and regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Production of PGs have been found essential also soon after partial hepatectomy for hepatocyte proliferation.

We report a case of a patient with repeated intractable pneumonia due to congenital and acquired esophagobronchial fistula that was relieved by surgery. The patient was a 69-year-old female, who had repeatedly developed pneumonic symptoms since December 2000. It was found that she had a fistula from an esophageal diverticulum into the right bronchus and was diagnosed with congenital esophagobronchial fistula (Braimbridge classification type I). The patient was not relieved with conservative treatment and the diverticulum and fistula were subsequently excised. Considering the complications, lobectomy was not performed. In postoperative esophagraphy, a second fistula was found at a different site that was then removed during a second surgery. This fistula operation was formed a posteriori based on the conditions around the fistula. We had difficulty with the diagnosis and treatment. However, the patient had a good outcome With surgical treatment. A review of the relevant literature is also presented.

The patient was a 71-year-old male. He was admitted as an emergency to our hospital because of impending rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm with anterior chest pain and hoarseness. The aneurysm was saccular type and located in the lesser curvature of aortic arch. Emergency operation was performed. Entry of the aneurysm was excluded by including artificial graft on the deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Postoperative course was uneventful, but sudden depression of consciousness level and pyrexia were occurred 1 week after the operation. In spite of treatment, this patient was died 12 days after the operation. Autopsy revealed meningitis and pericarditis due to Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is a zoonotic disease found in various kinds of animals. This bacteria is distributed naturally all over the world with a little frequency of Listeriosis. But, if the Listeriosis was appeared, mortality rate would be high. Appropriate recognition and treatment is mandatory.

Precise measurements of the temperature-dependent lattice parameters in a single crystal of La1.85Sr0.15CuO4 are made by X-ray bond method and analyzed comparing the normal thermal expansion term, proportional to T4. A spontaneous lattice contraction of about 2.3×10−5 A was found in the ab-plane, while along the c-axis a small expansion of about 1.5×10−5 A was observed below the superconducting transition temperature of the system, showing some correlation between the structure and the high-Tc superconductivity. A careful search has been made for existence of any extra lattice distortion above the Tc, that might be associated with the stripe inhomogeneities in the title system, however, within the experimental sensitivity we could not find such distortions.

The authors have developed a method of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the mitral annuli using two intersecting sets of scan planes of magnetic resonance images, that is, four-chamber-view (FCV) images and long axis scan images, the plane of which is perpendicular to the FCV scan plane. The annuli reconstructed using these two sets of images, are superimposed by aligning two pairs of intersecting lines. The gap between superimposed annular images is further compensated with parallel translation of the images including the vertebral bodies, in order to precisely superimpose each annuli. From the superimposed annular contours, a composite annular contour is obtained. >

When we previously examined the participation of local expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in wound healing of an intestinal anastomosis under septic conditions in mice, we found that IL-10 and TNFalpha expressions were markedly enhanced around the anastomosis and that wound healing was impaired in this animal model. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the combined effect of IL-10 on proliferation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of cultured human skin fibroblasts. Human skin fibroblasts were cultured for 48 h with IL-10 and/or TNFalpha at various concentrations, then the proliferation rates were determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. The concentration of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) in cell culture supernatants was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and type I collagen protein and matrix metalloproteinase-I (MMP-I) were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in cultured cells incubated for 48 h with 10 ng/ml of IL-10 and/or 10 ng/ml of TNFalpha. IL-10 itself had no effect on fibroblast proliferation, but reduced TNFalpha-induced fibroblast proliferation. The concentration of TGFbeta1 in cell culture supernatants was significantly lower in the presence of TNFalpha and IL-10 than in the presence of TNFalpha alone. Immunolabeling of fibroblasts for type I collagen protein was decreased in cells incubated with IL-10 and/or TNFalpha compared to controls. MMP-I immunolabeling was increased in cells incubated with IL-10, IL-10 and TNFalpha compared to control and cells incubated with TNFalpha. It is suggested that IL-10 is an inhibitory factor for the remodeling of the ECM during wound healing.

In previous studies, thermographic findings of breast disease were compared with histological findings for evaluating thermographic usefulness. Some researchers tried to create criteria for thermographic diagnosis of breast disease using many kinds of findings. These trials improved the thermographic accuracy rate, but the criteria became too complex. The first purpose of this study is establishing the standard of thermographic breast cancer detection, which is as simple as possible for commonly used thermography. For this purpose, it is clarified which thermographic findings contributed to breast cancer detection. Then, a diagnostic tree for breast thermography is created. In the second part of this paper, the role of several thermographic findings in breast cancer treatment, is discussed.

A recent advance in computed tomography (CT) technology, multislice helical CT, has enabled production of clearer three-dimensional (3D) images and has drawn interest. We report the usefulness of CT cholangiography using a multislice helical CT scanner for the diagnosis and preoperative imaging of the biliary duct in a case of peculiarly shaped gallbladder with cholecystitis. A 34-year-old woman admitted to our hospital presented with chronic hypochondralgia. A CT scan showed that the gallbladder was normal without wall thickening or stones. However, there appeared to be a tumor, containing a stone approximately 1 cm in diameter, attached under the gallbladder in front of the right kidney and extending up to its lower level. Magnetic resonance cholangiography also depicted a normal gallbladder without wall thickening or stones. Hence, gallbladder stones were not diagnosed by previously the mentioned investigations. In contrast, a 3D image produced by multislice helical CT cholangiography was very clear. From the bottom of the gallbladder, a narrow canal continued to a stone. We diagnosed that the wall of the lower part of the long gallbladder had become thick and elongated because of chronic cholecystitis caused by a gallbladder stone, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the resected gallbladder showed an extremely thickened wall from the lower body to the fundus, in which a stone was located in the center. Multislice helical CT cholangiography has the potential to become one of the most significant examinations for diagnosis and anatomical analysis of biliary disease prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The thermal expansion of the lattice parameter of synthetic diamond single crystals has been measured in the range 4.2–320 K by the Bond method. The thermal expansion coefficient calculated from the experimental results is very small (of the order of 10 −7 or less) and no definite evidence of negative thermal expansion is found within our relative experimental accuracy of the order of ± 1 × 10 −6 . We measured the temperature dependence of the lattice parameter of the synthetic diamond single crystals irradiated by high energy accelerated heavy ions, but its thermal expansion behaviour does not show a marked change.

Total hepatic vascular exclusion and venovenous bypass are frequently used surgical procedures when concomitant resection of the inferior vena cava is required during surgery of liver cancer involving the retrohepatic inferior vena cava close to the hepatic veins. However, the duration of total hepatic vascular exclusion is limited due to the risk of hepatic ischemia. Three patients presented with severely compressed inferior vena cava and/or hepatic veins due to liver cancer. The surgical procedure involved initial taping of the inferior vena cava just below the hepatic veins by extrahepatic division and taping of the hepatic veins. After taping the inferior vena cava, hepatectomy with caval resection was performed by simply clamping the retrohepatic inferior vena cava, without the need for total hepatic vascular exclusion or venovenous bypass. In all patients the retrohepatic inferior vena cava were safely replaced with a prosthetic graft under stable hemodynamics. Duration of the inferior vena cava clamping was 31, 66, 75 minutes, respectively. No graft-related complications occurred, but 2 of the 3 patients showed temporal renal dysfunction associated with renal congestion postoperatively. The surgical procedure described herein is effective for the treatment of retrohepatic inferior vena cava in some patients. However, when the case is complicated by chronic nephropathy or simultaneous nephrectomy is required, venovenous bypass should be performed.

A total of 18 patients (13: colon cancer, 5: gastric cancer) with multiple liver metastases (H3) underwent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAI) using an implanted arterial port with portable syringe pumps in our outpatient clinic. Clinical perspective: overall response rate was 22.2% (CR: 1 case, PR: 3 cases (1 case: hepatectomy after HAI), NC: 12 cases, PD: 2 cases), however, 7 of 12 cases of NC were long NC (more than 6 months). No major complications with HAI were experienced. Patient Perspective: After HAI in our outpatient clinic, the 50% survival was 341 days, 50% hospital free days were 319 days and home stay rate was 92.9%. Societal Perspective: cost and hospital stay days were significantly reduced. Home anti-cancer chemotherapy using HAI for gastrointestinal cancer patients with multiple liver metastases was safe and efficient from the viewpoint of medical outcomes.

Criteria for selection of patients for portal vein embolization (PVE) before major hepatectomy for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been clarified in detail. This study was aimed at defining those benefiting from this therapy in a retrospective fashion.Firstly, to determine liver functional criteria for applying this approach 26 patients with stage III (17 patients) or IV (9 patients) disease, who underwent major hepatectomies after PVE, were divided into those without major complications (20 patients) and a postoperative liver failure group (6 patients). Clinical, analytical, and hemodynamic parameters obtained before and after PVE were compared between the groups. Secondly, to define the application of this approach with regard to tumor progression survival rates of patients were also obtained, taking into account factors which affect tumor development, i.e. lesion size, intrahepatic metastasis and vascular invasion.With regard to liver function 4 nonindications were obtained: (1) a portal pressure measured right after PVE25 cm H(2)O; (2) post-PVE serum hyaluronate200 ng/ml; (3) pre-PVE serum cholinesterase150 U/l; (4) post-PVE serum cholinesterase150 U/l. In view of the tumor progression in patients with HCCs featuring intrahepatic metastasis spread to more than 3 segments (IM3) 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were low (42.9, 28.6 and 0%) with a statistical significance, compared to those in patients with intrahepatic metastasis limited in the same lobe (76.9, 46.2 and 24.6%).When laboratory data fulfill 3 or more of the criteria, the extent of hepatic resection may have to be carefully reconsidered. Patients with HCCs featuring IM3 intrahepatic metastasis may not benefit from the aggressive approach described here.

We report a functioning ductus venosus with hypoplasia of the right hepatoportal system in a 2-year-old child born with asymmetric intra-uterine growth retardation. Postprandial galactosaemia and hyperammonaemia were clues to diagnosis of portal-systemic shunt through the patent ductus venosus, which was confirmed by ultrasonography and angiography.

Sixteen patients who involved in chest wall disease underwent major chest wall resection between April 1995 and January 1999. The underlying diseases were 6 recurrence of breast cancers, 4 direct invasion by primary lung cancer, 2 metastatic chest wall tumor, one direct invasion by metastatic lung tumor, one direct invasion by metastatic mediastinal tumor, one radio-induced-necrosis of the chest wall, and one chest wall infection. In 9 patients, the thoracic cage reconstruction was performed using double sheets of absorbable mesh (Dexon mesh), cross string sutures and autologous ribs grafts. None of the patients had major respiratory failure and chest wall unstability. No late complications including infections, pains, recurrence and others related to reconstruction materials have been observed.

Effectiveness and present problems of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for metastatic lung tumor were investigated by comparing 14 cases (16 operations) of VATS with 16 cases (19 operations) of conventional thoracotomy during the same period. VATS was favorably selected in the solitary metastasis. The cases who had small tumor diameter less than 3 cm and shorter distance from viseral pluera to the tumor surface than tumor diameter were advantageous for only thoracoscopic procedure to do the safe and sure resection. Regarding to the tumor number, we detected another tumor intraoperatively in 2 of 16 cases (12.5%) of VATS and 6 of 19 cases (31.6%) of thoracotomy. Multiple metastases had the tendency to have the differences of the tumor number between preoperation and intraoperation. Prognosis is very good until now, but the recurrence rate was high (64.5%) and one case had the recurrence at the surgical margin. VATS for metastatic tumor is very effective, but it is important not to hesitate to do the mini-thoracotomy and convert to conventional thoracotomy for safe and sure resection.

We report, herein, on the first case of a mesenteric desmoid tumor with multiple peritoneal dissemination. A 73 year-old Japanese woman, who had a history of uterine cancer that was treated with hysterectomy followed by a high dose of irradiation 25 years ago, had an unknown stenosis of the sigmoid colon, which was treated with partial resection of the stenosed colon 6 years ago, and then resulted in multiple small bowel obstructions due to the recurrence of mesenteric desmoids. The clinical behavior of this tumor is considered to be unpredictable. We emphasize that mesenteric desmoid tumors should be considered as one of the causes of stenosis of the colon and small bowel, and patients should receive careful follow-up after unknown stenosis.

The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane protein which is highly homologous to epidermal growth factor receptor. Overexpression of this c-erbB-2 protein has been reported in many human carcinomas, including breast carcinoma. However, there have been few studies of the expression of c-erbB-2 in cholangiocarcinoma and hepatolithiasis, a condition occasionally associated with cholangiocarcinoma.In this study, we evaluated immunoreactivity for the c-erbB-2 protein in human cholangiocarcinomas (n = 47), hepatolithiasis (n = 20), fetal livers (n = 36) and normal adult livers (n = 6). In normal adult livers and fetal livers, expression of c-erbB-2 protein could not be detected in hepatocytes or intrahepatic biliary cells. In hepatolithiasis, there was overexpression of c-erbB-2 in 15/20 (75%). The expression was found with a membranous pattern on the proliferated intrahepatic bile ducts and proliferated intrahepatic peribiliary glands around the bile ducts containing stones. Hepatocytes were negative for c-erbB-2 protein. Moreover, the biliary cell expression of the c-erbB-2 protein correlated significantly with Ki67 labelling index. On the other hand, aberrant expression of c-erbB-2 was found in 33/47 (70%) cholangiocarcinomas. The c-erbB-2 expression in cholangiocarcinomas did not correlate with Ki67 labelling index or p53 expression.These results indicate that aberrant expression of c-erbB-2 protein is found in cholangiocarcinoma and also in noncancerous biliary proliferative lesions such as hepatolithiasis. These findings also suggest that c-erbB-2 oncogene participates not only in cholangiocarcinogenesis but also in biliary cell proliferation in non-neoplastic conditions.