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BACKGROUND: The presence of depressive symptoms in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is an important research topic; however, the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the factors that influence their development are unclear.OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association between CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) scores and clinical parameters such as age, disease duration, pulmonary function, imaging findings, blood data, physical functions, sleep disturbances, respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study of 114 patients with NTM-PD at a single centre from March 2016 to January 2021 to evaluate the relationship between CES-D scores and clinical parameters.RESULTS: Participants had a median age of 64 years; 32.5% of them had depressive symptoms. Disease duration, albumin, C-reactive protein, pulmonary function, dyspnoea, exercise capacity, respiratory symptoms, cough-related HRQOL and sleep disturbances were associated with depressive symptoms. Binomial logistic regression analyses indicated that the CES-D score was significantly associated with cough-related HRQOL and sleep disturbances.CONCLUSION: A high percentage of NTM-PD patients in this study experienced depressive symptoms, and these patients had abnormalities of various clinical parameters. Cough-related HRQOL and sleep disturbance had a strong influence on the development of depressive symptoms.

Samples of the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu were brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. We analyzed 17 Ryugu samples measuring 1 to 8 millimeters. Carbon dioxide–bearing water inclusions are present within a pyrrhotite crystal, indicating that Ryugu’s parent asteroid formed in the outer Solar System. The samples contain low abundances of materials that formed at high temperatures, such as chondrules and calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions. The samples are rich in phyllosilicates and carbonates, which formed through aqueous alteration reactions at low temperature, high pH, and water/rock ratios of

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is defined as lymph node metastasis without a detectable origin until after the initial treatment has been performed. The most common occult primary site in the head and neck, as revealed by a review of the published literature, is the oropharynx. An occult primary site in the oral region is extremely rare. We report a rare case of head and neck CUP (HNCUP) in a 69-year-old female patient, wherein the occult primary lesion was a primary intraosseous carcinoma (PIOC) invading the anterior maxilla. During the course of the initial diagnostic workup, no primary lesion could be identified; however, cervical lymph node metastasis to left levels IB and IIA were observed in the patient. A neck dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. However, the PIOC of the anterior maxilla was identified 6 months after neck treatment and was confirmed as the occult primary tumour of the HNCUP. This case is quite rare and required a comprehensive workup to guide optimal treatment. Careful follow-up or active biopsy should be considered if osteolytic changes are observed in the jaw.

We present a precise measurement of the cross section, proton and $\rm ^3He$ analyzing powers, and spin correlation coefficient $C_{y,y}$ for $p$-$\rm ^3He$ elastic scattering near 65 MeV, and a comparison with rigorous four-nucleon scattering calculations based on realistic nuclear potentials and a model with $\Delta$-isobar excitation. Clear discrepancies are seen in some of the measured observables in the regime around the cross section minimum. Theoretical predictions using scaling relations between the calculated cross section and the $\rm ^3 He$ binding energy are not successful in reproducing the data. Large sensitivity to the $NN$ potentials and rather small $\Delta$-isobar effects in the calculated cross section are noticed as different features from those in the deuteron-proton elastic scattering. The results obtained above indicate that $p$-$\rm ^3He$ scattering at intermediate energies is an excellent tool to explore nuclear interactions not accessible by three-nucleon scattering., Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures

We performed the measurement of the cross section and the proton analyzing power \(A_y\) for p–\(^3\)He elastic scattering with a 65 MeV polarized proton beam at Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University. The proton analyzing power \(A_y\) data are compared with the theoretical calculations based on the nucleon–nucleon potential (INOY04).

The \(^3\)He analyzing powers for \(p{-}^3\)He elastic scattering with the polarized \(^3\)He target have been measured at \(70~\mathrm {MeV}\). \(^3\)He polarization which was calibrated by the electron paramagnetic resonance method was achieved to \(50\%\). In the conference the data were compared with the theoretical calculations based on the modern nucleon–nucleon potentials. Large discrepancies between the theoretical calculations and the experimental data were found at the angles where the \(^3\)He analyzing power takes minimum and maximum.

We present a precise measurement of the cross section, proton and 3He analyzing powers, and spin correlation coefficient Cy,y for the p-3He elastic scattering near 65 MeV, and comparison with rigorous four-nucleon scattering calculations based on realistic nuclear potentials and a model with Δ-isobar excitation. Clear discrepancies are seen in some of the measured observables in the regime around the cross section minimum. Theoretical predictions using scaling relations between the calculated cross section and the 3He binding energy are not successful in reproducing the data. Large sensitivity to the NN potentials and rather small Δ-isobar effects in the calculated cross section are noticed as different features from those in the deuteron-proton elastic scattering. The results obtained above indicate that p-3He scattering at intermediate energies is an excellent tool to explore the nuclear interactions not accessible by the three-nucleon scattering.

Objectives: The Mycoses Forum in Japan has developed management bundles for candidaemia to incorporate into bedside practice. The aim of this study was to investigate nationwide compliance with the bundles and their impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: Non-neutropenic patients treated with antifungals for candidaemia were surveyed. Bundles consist of nine items to complete. Data were sent to the central office between July 2011 and April 2012. Results: Six hundred and eight patients were analysed. The compliance rate for achieving all elements was 6.9%, and it increased to 21.4% when compliance was analysed by the bundle except for oral switch. There was a significant difference in clinical success between patients with and without compliance [92.9% versus 75.8% (P ¼0.011)]. Compliance with the bundles, however, failed to be an independent factor associated with favourable outcomes. When step-down oral therapy was excluded from the elements of compliance, compliance with the bundles was revealed to be an independent predictor of clinical success (OR 4.42, 95% CI 2.05 –9.52) and mortality (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.13 – 0.57). Independent individual elements contributing to clinical success were removal of central venous catheters within 24 h, assessment of clinical efficacy on the third to the fifth day and at least 2 weeks of therapy after clearance of candidaemia. Conclusions: Compliance with the bundles for candidaemia had a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes. Promotion of the bundles approach may have the potential to narrow the gap between clinical evidence and bedside practice.

Exhaust treatment systems consisting of new catalyst technologies and particulate filters are indispensable to meet increasingly stringent global regulations on limits particulate matter and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from heavy-duty to light-duty diesel vehicles. Diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been established as a key technology in reducing diesel particulate emission. However, technological improvements to pressure drop, durability, and insufficient collection efficiency for nanoparticles are still required. Electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is another leading technology used in exhaust treatment, but it is currently limited to applications for stationary sources. In this paper, we have proven that concurrent use of ESP and DPF shows synergetic effects with very high collection efficiency and slower increase of the pressure drop. The number concentration of particles observed downstream of the combined system was 98% less compared with that of DPF only. At the same time, it was confirmed that increase in the pressure drop of DPF was slower. In this paper, the filter that was exposed to exhaust gas was observed by using scanning electron microscope. In addition, potential increase by charged particles on the surface of the filter was measured with a suction-type Faraday cage. The influence of the diesel particulate exerting on DPF by such an experiment was able to be clarified.

The microstructures and hardness property of dual two-phase intermetallic alloys that arecomposed of various kind of volume fractions of geometrically closed packed (GCP) Ni3Al(L12) and Ni3V(D022) phases were studied. The hardness of dual two-phase intermetallic alloys basically was explained by mixture rule in hardness between primary Ni3Al precipitates and eutectoid region.Nb and Ti addition raised the hardness of dual two-phase intermetallic alloys by solid solute hardening in the constituent phases.The additional hardening arising from interfacial area between primary Ni3Al precipitates and eutectoid region was also found. As temperature increases, theadditional hardening decreased for the base and Nb added alloys but decreased little for the Ti added alloys.

The microstructures and hardness property of dual two-phase intermetallic alloys that are composed of various kind of volume fractions of geometrically closed packed (GCP) Ni 3 Al(Ll 2 ) and Ni 3 V(DO 22 ) phases was studied. Higher volume fraction of primary Ni 3 Al precipitates was observed in the Ti and Nb added alloys when keeping Al content the same. Also, the microstructures in the eutectoid (channel) region consisting of N i 3Al+Ni 3 V were sensitive to alloying addition. The hardness of dual two-phase intermetallic alloys was basically explained by mixture rule in hardness between primary Ni 3 Al precipitates and eutectoid region. Nb and Ti addition raised hardness of dual two-phase intermetallic alloys by solid solution hardening in the constituent phases. This hardening was more significant in Nb addition than in Ti addition. In addition to hardness owing to the mixture rule, additional hardening arising from interfacial area between primary Ni 3 Al precipitates and eutectoid region was found. With increasing Ni 3 Al/channel (eutectoid) interfacial area, the additional hardening increased. As temperature increases, the additional hardening monotonously decreased for the base and Nb added alloys but little decreased for the Ti added alloys.

Dual two-phase intermetallic alloys that have alloy compositions of Ni 75 Al x Nb 2.5 V 22.5− x and are composed of geometrically close packed (GCP) Ni 3 Al (L1 2 ) and Ni 3 V (D0 22 ) phases containing Nb were studied, focusing on the relationship between microstructural parameter and high-temperature hardness property. The two-phase microstructures defined by primary Ni 3 Al precipitates and eutectoid (i.e., channel) region (consisting of Ni 3 Al and Ni 3 V phases) were characterized in terms of size, volume fraction and number density of primary Ni 3 Al precipitates. The high-temperature hardness was evaluated as a function of temperature. The volume fraction of primary Ni 3 Al phase precipitates, and interfacial area between primary Ni 3 Al precipitates and channel region were found to be important factors affecting the hardness of the dual two-phase intermetallic alloys. Possible mechanisms responsible for the observed extra hardening were discussed, taking the role of interfaces among the constituent phases into consideration.

Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) is the predominant water channel protein in human keratinocytes and acts as an inflammatory mediator in some lesions. A chronic, inflammatory process of periodontitis is related with a dramatic change of surrounding fluid homeostasis to plasma extravasation. The exact pattern of aquaporin (AQP) water channel expression and its mechanism in periodontal disease is still unknown. We describe herein an up-regulated AQP3 expression in the epithelial lesion with chronic periodontitis and its functional role. The levels of AQP3 expression in inflamed gingival epithelial tissues were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects. Consistent with these results, AQP3 expression (i.e., levels of mRNA and protein) in cultured rat primary gingival epithelial cells and the human gingival epithelial cell line Ca9-22 were strongly increased in response to TNF-alpha treatment through the 55 kDa TNF-alpha receptor (TNFR I). In this context, small interfering RNA- (siRNA)-mediated "aqp-3 gene silencing," which could reduce AQP3 expression by more than 65%, significantly attenuated selected proinflammatory events of ICAM-1 expression induced by TNF-alpha in Ca9-22. A sixfold increase in leukocyte adherence to TNF-alpha-stimulated epithelial cells was demonstrated by an adherence assay (P < 0.001) and pretreatment with AQP3 siRNA and anti-ICAM-1 antibody reduced leukocyte retention by 85% (P < 0.001). Our study indicates for the first time a novel important mode in the regulation of the inflammatory response through TNF-alpha/TNFR I ligation at the site of epithelial lesions by specialized membrane channel AQP3 and ICAM-1 protein, which is closely implicated in the development of periodontitis mechanisms.

The molecular weight distribution (MWD) of poly(2-(perfluoroalkyl)ethyl acrylate-co-alkyl acrylate) can be determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using an appropriate mobile phase such as a mixture of HCFC225 and THF; however, the chemical composition distribution (CCD) of the copolymer has not been elucidated. We developed an HPLC method for determining the CCD by using a silica-based column modified by polyfluorinated groups, a devised mobile phase gradient system, and an evaporative light scattering detector. In this system, polymers having perfluoroalkyl units are retained on the column through interaction between fluorinated groups and elute at longer retention times. It has become apparent that the copolymer has a broad and characteristic CCD of three components, consisting of fluorinated and non-fluorinated forms and their copolymer. Two-dimensional development of MWD and CCD of the copolymer, called cross-fractionation, is also examined and discussed.

This paper describes the development of novel contact sliders with nanotextures by means of femtosecond laser processing. In order to achieve a magnetic recording density of more than 1 Tb/in2, it is necessary to create an ultralow head-disk interface (HDI) spacing, i.e., less than 2–3 nm. Thus far, various new concept HDI technologies have been proposed for developing such near-contact or contact recording HDI. In this paper, the authors propose the concept of a novel contact slider. This slider has nanotextures fabricated by femtosecond laser processing. Sliders with five DLC thin-film pads on the air bearing surfaces were used, and the pad diameter and thickness are 40 μm and 40 nm, respectively. The fabrication process of nanotextures on the DLC thin-film pads employed a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser. The laser wavelength and pulse width are 800 nm and 120 fs, respectively. Contact slider experiments were also carried out, using (1) the fabricated contact sliders having nanotextures with different RMS heights and (2) a contact slider without nanotextures. The nanotribological characteristics of the contact HDI as well as the dynamics of the contact sliders were investigated. In addition, the behavior of the ultrathin liquid lubricant film was evaluated by using a surface reflectance analyzer (SRA) after the contact slider experiments. It was found that the nanotextures produced by femtosecond laser processing are very effective for next-generation contact sliders and the optimum RMS heights of the nanotextures can be obtained. These advancements will facilitate the development of contact HDI with lower friction, lower wear of the contact slider surfaces, smaller change in the lubricant film thickness and lower contact slider bouncing vibration.

Tumor nodules (tn) have been histologically identified within the fatty tissue or the detached fatty tissue around dissected lymph nodes, or else picked up as lymph nodes from resected specimens with no lymph node components. The TNM classification of malignant tumors provides a description of how to deal with tn, but there has so far been no description within the Japanese classification of colorectal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine whether we should regard tn as metastatic lymph nodes from the viewpoint of prognosis.A total of 544 patients who underwent a resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma between 1985 and 1995 were reviewed.Tumor nodules were found in 54 (17.6%) of 307 colon cancer patients, and in 41 (17.3%) of 237 rectal cancer patients. We classified the curability A patients into four groups for both colon and rectal cancer; positive lymph nodes with tn (Group A), negative lymph nodes with tn (Group B), positive lymph nodes without tn (Group C), and negative lymph nodes without tn (Group D). The prognosis was not significantly different between Groups A, B, and C, but it was significantly different between Group D and Groups A, B, and C (P0.01) in both the colon and the rectum.From the viewpoint of prognosis, it thus appears justifiable to regard tn as lymph node metastasis.

3年以上肛門部の経過観察を行っているCrohn病259例の長期経過を検証した.経過良好例31.3%,進展・増悪例34.0%,症状維持例34.7%であった.進展・増悪例の肛門病変としては痔瘻・膿瘍が最も重要であり,次に肛門狭窄であった.また,種々の肛門病変の混在,および大腸に病変のみられる症例に進展・増悪例が多くみられた.肛門病変への対応としては痔瘻・膿瘍への外科治療が肝要であった.痔瘻根治術の適応は局所所見とともに腸管病変を評価し,しかも長期的な肛門機能も考慮して慎重に行うべきである.seton法ドレナージは根治は望めないが,症状の軽減には長期的にも優れており,Crohn病の痔瘻・膿瘍には第1選択の治療法と考える.

The acoustic characteristics for high damping Mn73Cu20Ni5Fe2 (M2052) alloy were investigated in terms of frequency-dependent complex dynamics, using an ultrasonic pulse method. The longitudinal and transverse waves show maximum decrements of about 2 and 1.8 at around 1.8 and 0.8 MHz, respectively, derived from a single relaxation process. Frequency dispersion leads to increase in dynamic modulus and delay in phase, suggesting growth (microkinking) of microtwin phases analogous to the stretching by micro-Brownian rotation in rubbers. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

It has been shown that diagnostic ultrasound examination using a contrast agent can cause premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). In this study, we investigated a usefulness of a new technique using cultured cardiac myocytes to study mechanisms of PVC production. Cardiac myocytes were isolated from neonatal rats and cultured on a cover glass. The cover glass was attached to an observation chamber in which it was possible to observe changes in myocytes during ultrasound exposure. In the experiments, cardiac myocytes were exposed to pulsed ultrasound in the presence and absence of microbubbles. The pressure amplitudes (peak-negative pressures) were set at 5 steps, −0.28, −0.55, −0.73, −0.92 and −1.1 MPa, and threshold pressure to produce a PVC was recorded. The results showed that the presence of microbubbles attached to a cell reduces threshold pressure for producing PVCs, and it was concluded that our method is useful for studying the mechanisms of PVC production.

Thrombin, a serine protease generated by the activation of the blood coagulation cascade following vessel injury, induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. However, the molecular mechanism of thrombin-induced VEGF release is largely unknown. An agonist of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), SFLLRNPNDKYEPF, mimicked thrombin-induced VEGF release in human vascular smooth muscle (HVSM) cells, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and Northern blotting. In contrast, the agonist of PAR3, TFRGAP, did not affect VEGF release or expression. SFLLRNPNDKYEPF, but not TFRGAP, up-regulated [Ca2+]i. Moreover, the calcium ionophone A23187 was found to trigger VEGF release in HVSM cells. Thrombin-induced VEGF release was blocked by anti-thrombin, heparin, a synthetic thrombin receptor inhibitor E5510, the calcium chelator BAPTA, the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C, and the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Thus, our data show that thrombin caused VEGF release via PAR1 activation in a manner dependent on [Ca2+]i and p44/42 downstream from the receptor activation.

Targeted Delivery of Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides In Vivo by Means of Coated Cationic LipoplexesEarlier we reported on the massive uptake of liposomes surface-modified with negatively charged aconitylated albumin (Aco-HSA) by liver endothelial cells (EC) in vivo. In the present work we apply this principle for in vivo delivery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) to these cells by means of coated cationic lipoplexes (CCL) (). CCL were prepared by complexing ODN with the cationic lipid DOTAP and subsequent coating of the complex by neutral lipids including a lipid-anchored poly(ethylene glycol). Aco-HSA was covalently coupled.The Aco-HSA-CCLs were 160 nm in size, contained 1.03 ± 0.35 nmol ODN and 54 ± 18 µg Aco-HSA per µ mol total lipid. The Aco-HSA-CCLs were rapidly eliminated from plasma, 60% of the injected dose being recovered in the liver after 30 m. Within the liver, the EC accounted for two thirds of total liver uptake. Non-targeted CCLs were eliminated very slowly: after 30 m >90% of the pa...

Acid mine drainage (AMD), an acidic metal-bearing wastewater, poses a severe pollution problem attributed to post mining activities. The metals usually encountered in AMD and considered of concern for risk assessment are arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, manganese, zinc, copper and sulfate. The pollution generated by abandoned mining activities in the area of Butte, Montana has resulted in the designation of the Silver Bow Creek-Butte Area as the largest Superfund (National Priorities List) site in the U.S. This paper reports the results of bench-scale studies conducted to develop a resource recovery based remediation process for the clean up of the Berkeley Pit. The process utilizes selective, sequential precipitation (SSP) of metals as hydroxides and sulfides, such as copper, zinc, aluminum, iron and manganese, from the Berkeley Pit AMD for their removal from the water in a form suitable for additional processing into marketable precipitates and pigments. The metal biorecovery and recycle process is based on complete separation of the biological sulfate reduction step and the metal precipitation step. Hydrogen sulfide produced in the SRB bioreactor systems is used in the precipitation step to form insoluble metal sulfides. The average metal recoveries using the SSP process were as follows: aluminum (as hydroxide) 99.8%, cadmium (as sulfide) 99.7%, cobalt (as sulfide) 99.1% copper (as sulfide) 99.8%, ferrous iron (sulfide) 97.1%, manganese (as sulfide) 87.4%, nickel (as sulfide) 47.8%, and zinc (as sulfide) 100%. The average precipitate purity for metals, copper sulfide, ferric hydroxide, zinc sulfide, aluminum hydroxide and manganese sulfide were: 92.4, 81.5, 97.8, 95.6, 92.1 and 75.0%, respectively. The final produced water contained only calcium and magnesium and both sulfate and sulfide concentrations were below usable water limits. Water quality of this agriculturally usable water met the EPA's gold standard criterion.

The secondary flow structure in a helical pipe with large torsion is investigated by using a numerical calculation of a fluid particle trajectory and an experiment using a smoke visualization technique. Good agreement is obtained between the experiment and the numerical calculation. The secondary flow in a cross-section is transformed from a two counter-rotating vortices structure to a one-recirculation structure with increase of the torsion of the pipe at a constant Dean number. The line dividing two vortices varies its direction from horizontal to vertical as the torsion increases.

右側結腸癌のうち右半結腸切除術かつD2以上の郭清を行った治癒切除例104例を対象とし,リンパ節転移状況を占拠部位別に検索し切除範囲について考察した.1)腸管軸方向転移は腫瘍径8cm,10cmの2例を除き5cm以内であった.2)盲腸癌では腫瘍径8cmの1例を除き回結腸動脈に沿う転移であった.3)近位上行結腸癌では回結腸動脈に沿うリンパ節転移に留まっていた.4)中位上行結腸癌では腫瘍径にかかわらず広範囲に転移がみられた.5)遠位上行結腸癌では腫瘍径8.5cmの症例でNo.223に転移を認め,他は右結腸動脈に沿う転移であった.6)右側横行結腸では,腫瘍径10cmの症例に広範な転移を認めたが,回結腸動脈への転移例はなかった.以上より腫瘍径8cm未満の症例において盲腸,近位上行結腸癌に対しては回盲部切除術,右側横行結腸,上部上行結腸癌対しては回盲部温存術式でも根治性は保たれるものと考られた.

The chlorinated salts of cyanuric acid have found an important role in recreational swimming pool waters across the United States. Upon application to pool water, they can (1) release disinfectant chlorine or (2) stabilize the free available chlorine by acting as chlorine reservoirs in the form of cyanuric acid, preventing the photolytic destruction of residual chlorine by sunlight. Recommended levels of the cyanuric acid stabilizer are in the 10-100 mg/L concentration range according to the National Swimming Pool Foundation (San Antonio, TX). Two isocratic HPLC methods with UV detection (213 nm) employing phenyl and porous graphitic carbon (PGC) columns and phosphate buffer eluents (pH 6.7 and pH 9.1, respectively) were developed to accurately measure cyanuric acid in swimming pools. The two methods allowed fast separation and detection of the stabilizer in 4 (phenyl) and 8 (PGC) min. Both methods offered practical sensitivities with method detection limits of 0.07 (phenyl) and 0.02 mg/L (PGC). Neither one of the two methods required the use of sample cleanup cartridges. They exhibit chromatograms with excellent baseline stability enabling low-level quantitation. Most important, the PGC column had a useful lifetime of five months and 500 sample analyses/column. Eleven pool water samples were fortified with 4.8-50.0 mg/L stabilizer, and the average recovery was 99.8%. Finally, statistical analysis on the relative precisions of the two methods indicated equivalence at the 0.05 critical level.

This paper, firstly, shows the distribution of arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Samta village. This village, which is in Jessore district in Bangladesh, was chosen as a model village for investigating the mechanism of groundwater contamination. 90% of the tube wells in this village had arsenic concentrations above the Bangladesh standard of 0.05 mg/l. Tube wells with arsenic concentrations of over 0.50 mg/l were distributed in the southern part of the village with a belt-like shape from east to west. Secondly, groundwater distribution is discussed with respect to its flow and the high arsenic zone (As≥0.50 mg/l) agrees well with the drifting zone of the groundwater. Furthermore, arsenic-free water supply systems suitable for a small area in the village have been developed. A pond sand filter (PSF) system which purifies pond water is discussed in this paper. Prior to the construction of the PSF, the water quality in ponds was examined for arsenic levels. The inflow of drainage from the tube wells was found to be the major cause of arsenic contamination of pond water. The PSF installed in Samta is working very well and produces a good quality of treated water.

Every year over 250 million pounds of cyanuric acid (CA) and chlorinated isocyanurates are produced industrially. These compounds are standard ingredients in formulations for household bleaches, industrial cleansers, dishwasher compounds, general sanitizers, and chlorine stabilizers. The method developed for CA using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection simplifies and optimizes certain parameters of previous methodologies by effective pH control of the eluent (95% phosphate buffer: 5% methanol, v/v) to the narrow pH range of 7.2-7.4. UV detection was set at the optimum wavelength of 213 nm where the cyanuric ion absorbs strongly. Analysis at the lower pH range of 6.8-7.1 proved inadequate due to CA keto-enol tautomerism, while at pHs of6.8 there were substantial losses in analytical sensitivity. In contrast, pHs of7.4 proved more sensitive but their use was rejected because of CA elution at the chromatographic void volume and due to chemical interferences. The complex equilibria of chlorinated isocyanurates and associated species were suppressed by using reductive ascorbic acid to restrict the products to CA. UV, HPLC-UV, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry techniques were combined to monitor the reactive chlorinated isocyanurates and to support the use of ascorbic acid. The resulting method is reproducible and measures CA in the 0.5-125 mg/L linear concentration range with a method detection limit of 0.05 mg/L in water.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of high-dose busulfan, melphalan and thiotepa (Bu/Mel/TT) in patients with high-risk non-inflammatory breast cancer defined as stage II disease > or =10 lymph nodes (n = 52) or stage III (n = 69), and prognostic factors for treatment outcome. One hundred and twenty-one patients (median age, 46 years) were treated with high-dose Bu (12 mg/kg), Mel (100 mg/m2) and TT (500 mg/m2) (HDC) followed by autologous stem cell infusion (ASCI). One hundred patients were initially treated with surgery followed by standard adjuvant chemotherapy prior to HDC/ASCI. Twenty-one patients with stage III disease had inoperable tumors at diagnosis and were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery before HDC/ASCI. Transplant-related mortality was 6%. The probabilities of event-free survival (EFS) at 3 and 5 years (median follow-up of 36 months) from transplant were, for all patients: 0.62-0.60; stage II: 0.71-0.67: stage III: 0.55-0.55 (for stage III adjuvant and neoadjuvant groups: 0.60-0.60 and 0.42-0.42, respectively). Multivariate analysis did not identify variables associated with poor outcome. The efficacy of Bu/Mel/TT is similar to other HDC regimens reported for patients with high-risk non-inflammatory breast cancer. Bu/Mel/TT has high activity in stage II disease and a moderate benefit in stage III operable tumors.