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Nano imprint lithography (NIL) and NIL mold formation play a vital role in discrete track media (DTM) production. In this paper, we created a nickel (Ni) mold for DTM production using an R-theta electron beam mastering device to draw data groove and servo information on a silicon substrate master, and transferred the resulting pattern to a nickel mold via an electroplating process. The resulting Ni mold exhibits a 90-nm track pitch (282 kTPI equivalent), 30-nm line width, 60-nm groove width, 60-nm land height, and 7-nm line width roughness (LWR). Since variations in downtrack LWR and line edge roughness (LER) on the Ni mold are much smaller than variations in the size of HDD media magnetic clusters, we believe the Ni mold production method that is the subject of this study can be successfully applied to the production of DTM molds for next-generation HDD media.

A high-density magnetic recording flexible disk (FD) medium on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate film with an Ru underlayer and CoPtCr-SiO/sub 2/ magnetic layer was investigated. The Ru underlayer and magnetic layer were prepared at room temperature by a dc magnetron sputtering system using a roll-to-roll process. Media with and without an additional C underlayer were tested, and those with the C underlayer exhibited magnetostatic properties comparable to glass-substrate media (HD). Findings suggested that the C underlayer prevents outgassing from the PEN substrate film and improves the crystallinity of the Ru underlayer. The FD with C underlayer exhibited high-density magnetic recording properties.

Titanium nitride powders were synthesized by the spark-discharge method in liquid ammonia at — 78 to 130 °C and 3.5–10.5 kV discharge voltage using titanium pellets as the starting materials. Titanium nitride possessing nitrogen defect, TiN1−x(x≃0.5), was obtained as the main product, together with small amounts of α-Ti alloyed with nitrogen. The increase in temperature of the liquid ammonia resulted in an increase in the titanium nitride content in the product but a decrease in the powder production rate. By calcining the mixed powders of TiN1−xand α-Ti in a nitrogen atmosphere around 1200 °C, stoichiometric TiN was obtained as single phase.

In the present investigation we have studied the expression of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP) in ten different human lung carcinoma cell lines, four small cell carcinomas and six non-small cell carcinomas. None of the small-cell lung carcinoma cell lines demonstrated expression of PD-ECGF/TP mRNA. However, four of six of the non-small cell carcinoma cell lines expressed the 1.8 kb PD-ECGF/TP transcript. The cell lines derived from the single squamous cell carcinoma and the two adenocarcinomas expressed the PD-ECGF/TP mRNA, and were found to have the corresponding protein both in cell lysates and conditioned media as determined both by immunoblotting and measurement of thymidine phosphorylase activity. Only one of three studied large cell carcinoma cell lines expressed low levels of PD-ECGF/TP mRNA, but the corresponding PD-ECGF/TP protein was not demonstrated by immunoblotting. Images Figure 1 Figure 2

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) disease is a frequent complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We carried out a trial of 1-year low-dose valacyclovir (VCV) prophylaxis against VZV disease to evaluate its efficacy and safety. Patients received oral acyclovir (ACV) 1000mg/day until day 35 after HSCT. Oral VCV 500mg/day, 3 times a week, was started on day 36 and continued until 1 year after HSCT. The development of VZV disease was monitored until 2 years after HSCT. A total of 40 patients with a median age of 43 years were enrolled. VCV was well tolerated in all but 1 patient who discontinued it on day 224 because of thrombocytopenia of unknown cause. Seven patients developed VZV disease at a median of 479 days (range 145-651) after HSCT, with a cumulative incidence of 18.5%. Two patients developed breakthrough disease during VCV prophylaxis. The other 5 patients developed VZV disease after the discontinuation of VCV, and 3 of these had developed extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease. Visceral involvement and serious complications were completely eliminated. All patients responded to the therapeutic dose of VCV or ACV. One-year low-dose VCV can be safely and effectively administered for the prevention of VZV disease after allogeneic HSCT.

We tried to realize Gbits/in/sup 2/ class Floppy Disk with a magnetic layer prepared by sputtering (SP-FD). The heat-durable undercoat and the underlayers made magnetic layer have Gbits/in/sup 2/ properties, with higher S/N and narrower PW50 In comparison with those of 3.1 Gbits/in/sup 2/ HD. Heat durable substrate, fine protrusions and aerodynamics consideration allowed to achieve stable and nonaggressive contacts and good durability after running for more than 250 hours at three different environment conditions. We can conclude that the SP-FD has the potential of 3 Gbits/in/sup 2/ FD.

Piloleiomyoma is a benign tumour originating in the smooth muscles of the arrector pili muscle in the skin. The lesions are often sensitive to touch, cold and emotional disturbance. We present a patient with multiple piloleiomyoma (MPL) of the submentum who underwent reconstructive surgery using a submental perforator flap. The result was excellent and there were no postoperative complications. MPL of the submental region is relatively rare; to our knowledge, ours is the first report of MPL treated successfully with a submental perforator flap.

High-density magnetic recording flexible disk with CoPtCr-SiO/sub 2/ magnetic layer prepared by sputtering with low-temperature process and the use polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) film for the substrate was investigated. The structures were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Surface resistances were also measured.

An 18-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia on October 16, 1999. Laboratory data included hemoglobin 3.5 g/dl, reticulocytes 2,200/microliter, WBC 3,500/microliter, and Plt 38.5 x 10(4)/microliter. Bone marrow aspiration showed a normocellular marrow with severe erythroid hypoplasia, suggesting a diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was started on October 20, but there was no response. Administration of cyclosporine A (CyA; 400-450 mg) was begun on November 1, but again there was no response. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG; 800 mg/day for 5 days, 15 mg/kg) was started from December 1 in addition to prednisolone (60 mg/day) and CyA (450 mg/day). On day 7 of ATG therapy, the reticulocyte count began to increase, and reached a peak of 32.6 x 10(4)/microliter on day 20. The patient's hemoglobin level started to increase on day 13, and reached 8.5 g/dl on day 27. A complete response has been maintained up to the time of writing, and the hemoglobin level was 11.9 g/dl on December 14, 2000. This is the first detailed Japanese case report of successful treatment of pure red cell aplasia using ATG.

A 28-year-old man developed cryptogenic hepatitis in January 1999, and treatment with glycyrrhizic acid improved his liver function. From June, however, pancytopenia began to develop gradually. The patient received G-CSF against leukocytopenia (WBC 1,100/microliter, neutrophils 590/microliter) and was transferred to our hospital in August 1999. A diagnosis of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia was made on the basis of liver dysfunction (AST 156 IU/l, ALT 386 IU/l), hypoplastic bone marrow, and pancytopenia (WBC 4,400/microliter, neutrophils 3,340/microliter under G-CSF administration, Hb 9.8 g/dl, platelets 2.4 x 10(4)/microliter, reticulocytes 4.7 x 10(4)/microliter). Immediately after starting combined therapy with ATG, cyclosporin, and G-CSF, his liver function began to improve and was normalized on day 7. Pancytopenia began to ameliorate on day 9, and blood parameters on day 60 were WBC 4,200/microliter (without G-CSF administration), Hb 12.0 g/dl, platelets 9.0 x 10(4)/microliter, and reticulocytes 4.1 x 10(4)/microliter. Although the prognosis of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia is generally poor, immunosuppressive therapy was markedly effective for both pancytopenia and hepatic dysfunction in the present case.

Twelve previously untreated adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated with a KHALL-93 regimen. The mean age was 46.9 years. Four patients (1/3) were over 60 years old, and 5 were Ph1 positive (42%). The complete remission rate was 100%. The 5-year survival was 50% (6/12). The 5-year event-free survival was 50% (6/12) in total, 71% (5/7) in Ph1 negative patients, and 63% (5/8) in patients younger than 60 years old. These results indicate that a KHALL-93 regimen is an effective therapy for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) was diagnosed in a 31-year-old woman who had a miscarriage in the first trimester of her first pregnancy. Because of her wish for child, the patient was given alpha interferon (alpha-IFN) instead of hydroxyurea or aspirin to lower her platelet count to about 80 x 10(4)/microliter. She also had a miscarriage in her second pregnancy. Thereafter, the platelet count was kept at 60-70 x 10(4)/microliter by dose escalation of alpha-IFN. In the 35th week of her third pregnancy, the patient delivered a healthy baby with a normal blood count. Several small infarctions were observed in the placenta. Control of platelet count by alpha-IFN administration was effective in preventing recurrent miscarriage associated with ET, and had no adverse effect on patient fertility or fetal development.

A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of intracranial hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia (platelet count: 3,000/microliter). Low levels of IgG (76 mg/dl) and IgA (30 mg/dl) and a normal pattern of peripheral blood T and B cell subsets yielded a diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). The number of megakaryocytes in bone marrow was within normal limits (64/microliter), and a diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was made. Both high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin and prednisolone were ineffective. Because of the coexistence of CVID, splenic irradiation (total 15 Gy) was performed instead of splenectomy. The platelet number began to increase 5 days after the initiation of irradiation, had increased to 8.7 x 10(4)/microliter at the end of irradiation, and was 22.9 x 10(4)/microliter 2 weeks later.

In October 1992, a 36-year-old man was diagnosed as having mediastinum mixed germ cell tumor (stage II), and was treated with surgical operation and combination chemotherapy including VP16 (total VP16 dose; 1,500 mg/m2). After that, remission had been sustained, but leukocytosis (15,700/microliter) with 37% of peroxidase-negative blasts and thrombocytopenia developed in September, 1995. Bone marrow showed remarkable reticulin fibrosis and increase of atypical immature cells that were immunophenotypically factor VIII+/CD42+/CD61+. Thus, we diagnosed acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (M7). Based on no abnormality of chromosome 11q23 and no rearrangements of MLL gene, we diagnosed the syndrome of mediastinal germ-cell tumors associated with hematologic neoplasia. Furthermore, the neuron-specific enolase level was elevated (95.9 ng/ml). Soon after complete remission was reached by combination chemotherapy, the leukemia was relapsed, and the he died 3 months after the onset of leukemia. To our knowledge, this is the third case report of this syndrome in Japan and the first one of leukemia with high level of serum neuron-specific enolase.

We present a man with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had false positive FDP test results and who had monoclonal IgM and IgG. At admission, laboratory examinations showed elevated FDP levels and prolonged PT and APTT, which did not improve by anti-coagulation therapy. Although coagulation system data returned to normal levels after steroid pulse therapy, the FDP level increased. Positive pregnancy test and results of dilution analyses on FDP assay yielded a diagnosis of false positive FDP test results due to serum latex agglutinin. The addition of anti-immunoglobulin antibody inhibited latex agglutination by serum. FDP levels positively correlated with serum IgM concentrations. These data suggest that the false positive FDP test in this case was due to latex agglutination by monoclonal IgM.

The neutrophil superoxide (O2-)-producing capacity in 57 patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) and eight patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) was investigated. O2- release in neutrophils stimulated by chemotactic peptide was markedly increased in all types of chronic MPD, including chronic myelogenous leukemia in both chronic phase and blastic crisis, polycythemia vera, and essential thrombocythemia, but was normal in CMML, which is thought to be a myelodysplastic disorder rather than MPD. Increase in O2(-)-producing capacity in MPD was also observed when other receptor-mediated agonists such as interleukin-8 and concanavalin A were used, but not when phorbol ester, a direct activator of protein kinase C, was used as the triggering agonist of O2- release. Priming effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on chemotactic peptide-induced O2- release was observed in all patients with MPD and CMML, though fold enhancement of priming effects was much less in MPD compared with normal subjects. In addition, the priming effects of TNF were less than those of GM-CSF in 10 cases, whereas the priming effects of TNF were consistently and markedly greater than those of GM-CSF in normal subjects. Tyrosine phosphorylation of 42-kDa protein stimulated by G-CSF, GM-CSF, and TNF was observed in CML neutrophils to be identical to that in normal neutrophils. Present results indicate specific potentiation of the receptor-mediated route of signaling that is linked to the respiratory burst and downregulated responsiveness to cytokines in neutrophils in patients with all types of chronic MPD, suggesting in vivo priming of patient neutrophils via certain mechanism by cytokines or related stimuli in these hematological disorders.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) enhances the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in vitro. Accordingly, we initiated a pilot study on G-CSF in APL patients who developed neutropenia and severe infection during remission induction therapy with ATRA. Seven out of nine treated patients displayed a marked increase in granulocyte counts without leukemic regrowth, and two displayed a dramatic decrease in leukemic blasts. However, leukemic regrowth occurred in two patients under treatment for post-ATRA relapse. Our findings suggest that administration of G-CSF combined with ATRA can improve the hematological state in APL patients not previously receiving ATRA therapy.

A 46-year old man was admitted complaining of dyspnea. Physical examination revealed superficial lymph nodes swelling, and coarse crackles over the lung. Chest X-ray film showed diffuse small granular shadows, suggesting diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). Peripheral blood smears showed cells with flower like nuclei. HTLV-I antibody was positive in the serum. He was diagnosed as having adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Transbronchial lung biopsy showed diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells around bronchioalveoli. The mononuclear cells stained positively for Pan T, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD25, and DNA from the cells showed HTLV-I provirus monoclonal integration. This is a rare case of ATL accompanied by DPB-like bronchioalveolar ATL cell infiltration.

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) was administered at 45 mg/m2 to 4 Japanese patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). A pharmacokinetic study revealed that the mean peak plasma concentration was 208 ng/ml and was reached at 150 min after ingestion. The mean area under the concentration x time curve (AUC) was 498 ng.h/ml. Two patients showed a good hematological response to ATRA, and they had higher peak plasma concentrations of ATRA and larger AUCs. In one patient, dose escalation of ATRA (90 mg/m2) increased the plasma concentration markedly. In another patient, the plasma concentration decreased markedly in the fasting state. A larger pharmacokinetic study is necessary to examine the influence of food on the absorption of this agent and an optimum administration schedule of ATRA in Japanese APL cases.

This paper presents structural concepts of SST(supersonic transport) that is supposed to be in a Mach 2.2 to 2. 5 class. The primary factor that affects the structural concept is a aerodynamic heating caused in high speed flying. In this study, main structures using materials that have sufficient heat- resisting properties are analyzed about heat transfer, thermal stress, and flight load.

The present study is a review of the cases of 25 patients who allowed to enter this hospital for further evaluation and diagnosed Scalenus Syndrome from '68 Nov. to '70 Oct.We classified under the following three type; vascular type, neurological type and combined type.1. In angiography, the stenosis or obstruction was observed in vascular type, but, no stenosis was observed in neurological type.2. In motor and sensory nerve action potential the delay of velocity motor nerves and sensory nerves could not be observed, but the amplitude of sensory nerves decreased in 2 cases with neurological and combined type.3. The autonomic nerve system test was showed abnormality in 8 cases of 10.4. Allen test was of no value as diagnostic test. Adson test was seen in 50% patients positive and Halstead test was 70% positive.

All three patients had sufferered from osteomyelitis at infancy. Osteomyelitis had caused the loss of the shaft of the ulna in all cases. The remaining proximal and distal ends of the ulna were still present and enough to receive a bone graft.Then the large shaft defects of the ulna were filled with fibular tubular bone graft in all of them.The post operative courses were uneventful.When the patients were last examined, the treatment by a fibular graft gave statisfactory results not only in the wrist and elbow movements but also the powerful grips.Especially in rotationall range of the forearm excellent result obtained in spite of deformity due to radial head luxation.

Rhabdomyosarcoma manifested as a systemic disease is very rare and cases showing diffuse metastasis in the bone marrow are most unusual. Recently we encountered two cases of rhabdomyosarcoma with diffuse bone marrow metastasis which were clinically manifested as acute leukemia. The first patient was a 15-year-old female, who was admitted in 1982 with pancytopenia and many large primitive cells in bone marrow aspirates, hematological malignancy being diagnosed. Thereafter the bilateral breasts showed rapid swelling and a biopsy specimen revealed the histological features of typical alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The primary site of the neoplasm remained undetermined during the course. At autopsy, it was disclosed that the neoplasm originated from the left thigh and showed generalized metastasis. The second patient was a 38-year-old man, who was admitted in 1986 because of a nasal polyp obstructing the nasal cavity, and persistent nasal bleeding. Peripheral blood samples showed leukoerythroblastosis and thrombocytopenia, and large primitive cells were found in bone marrow aspirates, so that hematological malignancy was initially diagnosed. A biopsy specimen of the nasal polyp showed proliferation of large round cells and electron microscopy demonstrated the ultrastructural features of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Pharmacokinetic behaviors of human fibroblast interferon (HuIFN-beta) administered intravenously to rats were examined. After intravenous injection, plasma interferon level decreased in a biexponential fashion having the half-times of 15 min and 120 min respectively. Distribution levels of HuIFN-beta in the tissues at 30 min, though the actual concentrations were less than that of plasma, were observed according to the following order; kidney greater than adrenal greater than lung greater than spleen greater than liver greater than testis. Small amounts of HuIFN-beta were also detected in the thoracic lymph and bile but no HuIFN-beta was found in urine. The in vitro study indicated that the stability of HuIFN-beta was different in each tissue homogenates and body fluids. From the results obtained, we concluded that HuIFN-beta exhibited a low distributional character to the tissues when administered intravenously. It was also suggested that the kidney and the liver were the main catabolic sites of HuIFN-beta.

We detected constitutive expression of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene in 3 human solid tumors by Northern blot analysis. Two of them were also found to secrete the GM-CSF protein by colony forming unit-culture assay. Southern blot analysis of each tumor DNA showed no gross rearrangement of the GM-CSF gene. This is the first report that demonstrates expression of the GM-CSF gene in solid tumors at the mRNA level.

Administration of mouse interferon (IFN; 0.5 to 1 X 10(7) reference units/mg protein) inhibited the growth of Meth A and Meth 1 fibrosarcomas, but to a lesser extent, if at all, the growth of Colon 26 adenocarcinoma in BALB/c mice. The in vitro IFN sensitivity of these three tumors was not consistent with the in vivo therapeutic response in mice bearing these tumors under the present experimental conditions; Colon 26, the most sensitive of the three tumors in the in vitro antiproliferation test, did not respond or responded most poorly to IFN therapy; furthermore, Meth A and Meth 1 tumors responded similarly well to IFN therapy, although there was about a 100-fold difference in their in vitro IFN sensitivity. These results as well as the kinetic analysis of IFN concentrations of the serum of Meth A- or Colon 26-bearing mice did not indicate that the antiproliferative activity of IFN was solely responsible for its in vivo therapeutic effect. In contrast, abrogation of T-cell immunity by alpha mouse thymocyte globulin completely nullified the IFN-dependent therapeutic effect in Meth A-bearing mice. Furthermore, the IFN-dependent therapeutic response in Meth A tumors was much weaker in T-cell-defective BALB/c (nu/nu) mice than that in immunologically competent BALB/c (+/+) mice and was marginal, if present at all, confirming that T-cell immunity was involved in the IFN-dependent therapeutic effect and suggesting that the antiproliferative activity of IFN may only be responsible to a small extent for the therapeutic effect.

Mouse interferon (MuIFN) strongly suppressed the growth of human nasopharynx carcinoma (KB) transplanted into nude mice when given by subcutaneous injection around the tumor, though KB cells were insensitive not only to the antiproliferative activity of MuIFN, but also to natural killer (NK) activity in vitro. Moreover, the antitumor effect of MuIFN was not influenced by treatment with anti-asialo GM1, which eliminates NK activity in vivo. These results indicate that NK activity is not essential to the antitumor effect of IFN mediated by the host. Subcutaneous injection of MuIFN was more efficacious than intraperitoneal injection, suggesting the existence of regional tumor resistance of the host induced by IFN. The sera of mice treated with MuIFN showed no inhibitory activity on the growth of KB cells in vitro, indicating that no antiproliferative agent secondarily induced by IFN treatment is present in the serum. There was no difference between control and MuIFN-treated group in terms of the histology of tumor tissues in nude mice. An undefined host-dependent antitumor mechanism distinct from the proposed immune modulatory effect of IFN might be present.