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Petrological study was carried out for the first time on the metabasites of the Lesser Himalaya in central Nepal. The metabasites are mostly tholeiitic basalts emplaced in the elastic sediments as supracrustal dikes and sills, and later metamorphosed together with the host rocks. They contain almost a constant mineral assemblage of Ca-amphiboles + plagioclase + biotite + quartz ± epidote± chlorite + (Fe-Ti oxides). Amphiboles in the form of porphyroblasts show chemical zonation with actinolite/magnesio­homblende cores, tschermakite/ferro-tschermakite rims, and magnesio-hornblende margins. The cores of porphyroblasts are pre-kinematic and were probably formed prior to the Tertiary Himalayan orogeny. The porphyroblast rims and the matrix amphiboles are syn-kinematic and were formed during the Upper Main Central Thrust activity in the Tertiary period. The compositions of both the porphyroblast rims and matrix amphiboles change from actinolite in the chlorite zone to magnesium­ hornblende in the biotite zone and totschermakite/ferro-tschermakite in the garnet zone. The systematic changes in amphibole compositions as well as petrographic characteristics of metabasites confirm the classical concept of increasing metamorphic grade structurally upwards to the Upper Main Central Thrust in the Lesser Himalaya. Application of hornblende-plagioclase thermobarometry shows a coherent prograde P-T path in zoned amphiboles. The cores of amphibole porphyroblasts were formed at average peak temperature of ~540"C and at pressure of ~3 kbar. The porphyroblast rims and matrix amphiboles were recrystallized at average peak temperatures of ~570°C in the biotite zone and ~630°C in the garnet zone at pressure of ~6 kbar. The metabasites petrology is in favor of the tectono-metamorphic models that relate the inverted metamorphism with thrusting along the Upper Main Central Thrust and coeval inversion of isoiliem1S. It is suggested that published amphibole cooling ages from the Nepalese Lesser Himalaya based on simples, homogeneous mineralogy should be reinterpreted in view of the presence of polygenetic amphiboles with heterogeneous composition.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia elicited by the vertebral artery is unusual. According to a large trigeminal neuralgia series, only 4 of 1 404 (0.3%) consecutive patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia presented with vertebral artery compression. In such cases the vertebrobasilar system tends to be atherosclerotic, ectatic, and tortuous, requiring, in addition to an ordinary microvascular decompression method, technical modifications of this procedure. We report on 3 patients with trigeminal neuralgia due to compression by a tortuous vertebral artery. PATIENTS: All 3 patients underwent microvascular decompression via a small lateral suboccipital craniotomy. Operative exposure demonstrated that the root of the trigeminal nerve was compressed directly and stretched by a loop of the vertebral artery. The compression was successfully released by dislocation of the loop using Teflon (polytetrafluoroethene) slings. Immediately after the operation all 3 patients became pain-free. CONCLUSION: Among the surgical procedures used in microvascular decompression surgery, dislocation of the offending vessel with Teflon slings is a useful surgical technique to treat trigeminal neuralgia due to a tortuous vertebral artery.

Changes in the autoantibody pattern during allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus

Developed a two-step copper (Cu) electroplating (EP) process using a seed-enhancement step with an alkali-metal-free Cu-pyrophosphate solution. The solution for the seed-enhancement step has low solubility of Cu compared with conventional Cu-sulfate solution and high macrothrowing power. As a result, the two-step EP solution provided a superior seed-enhancement effect and filling properties compared to conventional Cu sulfate EP. The seed-enhancement solution has excellent long-term stability of each component's concentration, and there is no change of process performance over a two-month period. The authors can easily control sheet resistance (Rs) of electroplated films which correlates with thickness and nonuniformity of seed-enhancement films with no maintenance other than the addition of de-ionized (DI) water to compensate for evaporated water. The two-step EP process achieved an excellent via-chain yield and a tight distribution of electromigration (EM) lifetime compared with the conventional EP process. Thus, the two-step EP process is a promising process for manufacturing technique of 0.1-/spl mu/m generation and beyond logic LSIs.

The enhancement-type ferroelectric gate field-effect transistor (FeFET) requires a read biasing voltage to the gate to secure a sufficient on/off current ratio. However, disturb (depolarization) of the ferroelectric by repetitive applications of read biasing voltage to the gate is a potential reliability concern. This paper deals with the disturb issue for an experimentally fabricated FeFET with a stacked gate comprised of metal/SrBi2Ta2O9/CeO2. A significant difference between a high ON current and a low OFF current is brought about and sustained after a large number of read operations by choosing a proper gate voltage, which is not only enough to make a positively programmed FeFET turn on, but also effective to prevent the disturb effect.

650°C process of SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) has been achieved through the use of new metal organic deposition (MOD) solution and the optimization of the deposition conditions. The sample showed a high remnant polarization (2Pr) of 14 μC/cm2 @3V, a low leakage current of 10–8 A/cm2 or less @3V, and a fatigue-free nature. We believe this processing will realize high-density FeRAM integration of SBT.

High performance LSIs embedded with ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) for contactless IC cards are now commercially available. The emphasis is placed on the materials solution with SrBi2(Ta,Nb)2O9 (SBTN) which enables to exploit the potential performance of FeRAMs for composite logic/microcontroller LSIs operating at high speeds and low powers. The leading-edge 0.6-μm and double-level-metal FeRAM technology produces microcontroller-embedded LSIs with 14-kbit or 64-kbit FeRAM. A mature 0.8-μm and single-level-metal process has been built to maximize the die yield. Yields exceeding 90% indicate the excellent process stability. Product qualification data have proven the robust FeRAM technologies.

Ferroelectric gate MOS capacitors using the “Y-1” family of ferroelectric materials were evaluated. The capacitors were formed by connecting the ferroelectric capacitor and the MIS capacitor in series. The experimental results show the dependence of the memory window on the ferroelectric/insulator capacitance ratios, which gives some useful information on the design of MFSFETs.

In order to deal with labour shortages due to the predicted low birth rate in the 21st century, and create a more friendly production system, we propose a robotic system which assists production in flexible manufacturing environments. In this robotic system off-line robots are proposed to replace or reduce the need for human workers at the shop-floor. The off-line robots carry out assisting or service tasks for the on-line robots which perform manufacturing tasks at the production line or site. In this paper, first, an analysis of a conventional automatic production system using robots is described. Secondly, the concept of robotic production system using two types of robots is proposed. Thirdly, a methodology for the realisation of the proposed concept and some technical results are presented. Finally, fault recovery using off-line robots and peripheral technology are discussed.

Wire bonding, a process of the connection between a semiconductor chip and a lead frame by a thin metal wire, is one of the important processes of electronic packaging. This paper presents failure estimation of a silicon chip and a GaAS chip during a gold wire bonding process. The gold wire bonding process is carried out by pressing a gold ball made at a tip of the gold wire on a semiconductor chip and vibrating it by ultrasonic. High contact pressure is useful for shortening the process cycle, but it sometimes causes failure of the semiconductor chip. Elastic-plastic large deformation contact analyses are performed and the distributions of the stresses in these semiconductor chips are investigated. The possibility of failure of a semiconductor chip under usual wire bonding pressure is pointed out only for a GaAs chip.

This paper describes the general aspects of embedding Ferroelectric Memories (FeRAMs) with logic circuits and/or microcontrollers. These devices and stand-alone memories constitute the main thrust of applications of ferroelectric memories. The problems associated with embedding test the robustness and compatibility of the FeRAM process with established CMOS integrated circuits. As integrated circuits technology advances in lithography, FeRAMs meet the challenge, but new problems appear. In this review, existing embedded FeRAMs of the 0.8/0.6 μ generation will be discussed. A program for the 0.35/0.25 μ generation, and the 0.18 μ challenges are outlined and addressed. The paper also reviews the application of FeRAM Smart Cards. This application is becoming the best example of embedded FeRAMs in which to demonstrate the “System-One-Chip” technology direction. Smart Card ICs clearly take advantage of the low power, high-write speed and long endurance characteristics of Ferroelectric Memories.

Metal/ferroelectric/insulator/semiconductor (MFIS) -structured ferroelectric gate MOS capacitors were fabricated and characterized. The metalorganic decomposition (MOD) technique was employed for the deposition of not only the ferroelectric but also the insulator, which has been usually deposited by e-beam evaporation. the experimental results indicate the usefulness of this technique for the fabrication of this heterostructure, which will accelerate the material research in this field.

We examined the effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), a neurosteroid found in insects that is involved in their developmental process, on both tonic convulsion and absence-like seizure in spontaneously epileptic rat (SER). When 20-HE was given orally to SER at 25-200 mg/kg, significant decreases of the tonic convulsion were observed with 100 and 200 mg/kg. Pretreatment of the animal with bicuculline (1 mg/kg, i.p.) antagonized the inhibitory effects of 20-HE. However, absence-like seizures were not affected by 20-HE. These findings indicate that 20-HE produces antiepileptic effects on tonic convulsion by acting on the modulatory site of GABA(A) receptors.

This was a multinational, multicentre, double-blind Phase II study in Europe to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two dose regimens (200 mg bid and 200 mg tid) of sarpogrelate (MCI-9042, 5-HT2A receptor antagonist) compared to placebo in patients with stable, moderately severe intermittent claudication. Following a single-blind placebo run-in period of 6 weeks, 364 (309 male and 55 female) patients (59.2 ± 8.4 years, mean SD) were randomized to receive sarpogrelate 200 mg bid, 200 mg tid or placebo for 24 weeks with a follow-up of 8 weeks. The primary objective was the increase of absolute claudication distance (ACD) at the end of treatment (week 24) compared to placebo. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed on the log-transformed percentage of baseline ACD: loge (ACD/baseline). A responder analysis (defined as a 50% improvement in ACD) was also performed. There was a marked training/placebo effect on the ACD which persisted up to 16 weeks. At 24 weeks the primary objective did not reach statistical significance (200 mg bid vs placebo, p = 0.225; 200 mg tid vs placebo, p = 0.580). In the responder analysis, 200 mg bid showed a statistically significant difference vs placebo ( p = 0.035). In the exploratory analysis with completers (patients completing all treadmill tests), there was a statistical difference in ACD/baseline change for 200 mg bid ( p = 0.035) and in the responder analysis for 200 mg tid ( p = 0.044) at 24 weeks compared to placebo. Both treatments showed a carry-over effect for ACD during the 8-week follow-up (weeks 28-32). The treatment was well tolerated and no clinically significant safety concerns were reported. In conclusion, the study results confirm that sarpogrelate is well tolerated and although the primary endpoint failed to reach statistical significance, the responder analysis showed an increased absolute walking distance, which makes a further trial warranted, including a larger population, and possibly also a longer treatment period.

A novel CoWP cap integration technology for lower leakage current and improved dielectric reliability is proposed for porous low-k/Cu interconnects, NH3 plasma treatment before SiCN deposition reduces leakage current and improves dielectric reliability such as time-dependent dielectric break-down (TDDB) of CoWP capped Cu interconnects. The TDDB lifetime much longer than 10 years is obtained. Moreover, the leakage current less than IE-14A/mm is obtained by low-k top (LKT) dielectric structure combined with the NH3 plasma treatment. In addition, 10% lower RC product is obtained by the LKT structure with CoWP cap

We have developed for the first time a 4-bit microcontroller (MCU) embedded with 4 Kbit ferroelectric non-volatile memory (FeRAM). The MCU integrating FeRAM demonstrates innovative characteristics such as high data storage speed. Low dissipation power and high endurance more than 10/sup 12/ cycles, neither of which has been realized with EEPROM and Flash EEPROM technology. The performances prove that the MCUs embedded with FeRAM will be one of "key" processors for multimedia devices such as PDA and cellular phone.

A description is given of the Solid Creation System (SCS), which allows for the creation of 3-D model directly from CAD (computer-aided design) data in a short time, using a lithographic technique. The SCS consists of a laser scanning device, a UV resin box, and a system controller. The authors introduce the hardware and software technologies of the SCS and present the possibilities of applications for creating models using SCS. >

Charge build-up in the plasma cleaning process has been investigated from the viewpoints of plasma uniformity, gas species and pressure, plasma exposure time, anode-cathode distance and substrate (circuit board) configuration. The spatial distribution of plasma parameters in plasma cleaning was diagnosed using a Langmuir probe. The charge build-up was evaluated using MNOS capacitors and MOS capacitors. Gases such as Ar, Ar-H/sub 2/, Xe and O/sub 2/ have been investigated. It has been found that the spatial distribution of plasma parameters is uniform, and that the charge build-up in plasma cleaning is negligibly small with regard to test chips placed without substrates. Use of substrates was found to increase the amount of charge build-up. Charge build-up was found to depend on the size, material and structure of the substrate. It was found that plasma cleaning with substrates with a conductive surface film such as a plated gold film resulted in considerable charge build-up. We found that use of an insulator mask or insulating die-bonding paste was very effective for charge build-up minimization.

Direct-contact via (DCV) structure in which a Cu via-plug is directly contacted to an interconnect is proposed for a high reliability and high performance Cu dual-damascene (DD) interconnection. Distribution of electromigration (EM) lifetime is dramatically reduced to 0.1 by eliminating void formation at the via-bottom. The developed technology improves the lifetime of the early failure by 5 times. It leads to 1.7 times higher clock frequency due to the higher current density.

Although the Main Central Thrust (MCT) is believed to be an intracrustal thrust extending throughout the length of the Himalaya, its nature and location is very much obscured and debated for many years. In the present work, field observations, microstructural analysis and metamorphic data there combined in a study along the Seti River and Modi Khola valleys in the Pokhara area of central Nepal to figure out recognizable criteria for objectively locating the MCT. The study demonstrates that the MCT is a sharp and discordant tectono-metamorphic boundary separating the Lesser and Higher Himalayas in the Pokhara area. The MCT is marked by changes in 1) lithology, 2) style of microfolding, 3) deformation of quartz and feldspars. 4) garnet texture, compositions and zoning patterns, and 5) muscovite and plagioclase compositions. We believe that some or all of the above changes should be observed across the MCT in other pans of the Himalaya and provide important criteria to locate the MCT.

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) occurs in various physiological and pathological conditions, exhibits a characteristic mechanism of intracellular sequential reaction and may be involved in determining clinical outcome. The antioxidant activity of propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) together with the stimulating effect of protein kinase C suggests that propofol might have the potential to modulate apoptosis. Thus, it is of both clinical interest and biomedical importance to investigate and clarify the effect and mechanism of propofol upon the intracellular reactions underlying apoptotic cell death.The effect of propofol on apoptosis was investigated using cultured human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. This well-characterized cell line is useful for the study of apoptosis because the various biochemical steps occurring during apoptosis have been well documented.Treatment of HL-60 cells with propofol resulted in growth inhibition with the formation of apoptotic bodies in a concentration-dependent manner. DNA fragmentation and ladder formation was also observed in a concentration-dependent manner. Propofol treatment resulted in activation of caspase-3, -6, -8 and -9, thereby suggesting that cell surface death receptor activation of the caspase cascade mediates propofol-induced apoptosis with consequent formation of the cleaved product of Bid (a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member protein) and activation of the mitochondrial pathway with cytosolic release of cytochrome c.Propofol may induce apoptosis, which is dependent on the mechanism that activates both the cell surface death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial pathway.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes from healthy volunteers (HPMN) generated superoxide (O2*-) following treatment with various stimuli, such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), opsonized zymozan (OZ) and arachidonic acid (AA). Other types of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAS), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), also stimulated O2*- generation. The free form of DHA enhanced the generation of O2*- induced by PMA but inhibited that induced by OZ. In contrast, the ethylester of DHA (DHA-E) inhibited O2*- generation induced by PMA but stimulated that induced by OZ. Similar effects were also observed with ethylesters of EPA (EPA-E), DPA (DPA-E) and AA (AA-E). High concentrations of DHA-E reduced the PMA-induced formation of superoxide without affecting the cellular activity of protein kinase C (PKC). Similar phenomena were also observed with oral neutrophils from healthy volunteers (OPMN). These results indicate that PUFAS and their esters affect 02*- generation in human PMN via different pathways, thereby modulating inflammatory reactions.

We present a case of a symptomatic subependymoma (SE) in a young. The patient was a 20-year-old female who suffered from severe headache and vomiting. Precontrast CT scans revealed a large spotty-calcified isodensity mass lesion in the right anterior lateral ventricle, showing scarce contrast enhancement at the center of the mass and with marked hydrocephalus. MRI demonstrated the lesion as slightly hypo-intensity on T1-weighted image, hyper-intensity on T2-weighted image. On FLAIR imaging, the lesion indicated remarkable hyperintensity and was clearly distinguishable from surrounding brain parenchyma and the cerebrospinal fluid. After Gd-DTPA infusion central vein was revealed, but no tumor enhancement was seen. The tumor was totally extirpated through the transcortical approach. Histological diagnosis was SE, and high MIB-1 staining index (9.3%) was seen. FLAIR imaging is useful for the preoperative diagnosis and the postoperative assessment of SEs.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can diagnose early stage not only of the arterial infarction but also of venous infarction. We successfully diagnosed a case as acute venous infarction by DWI. The patient, an infant of one year and ten months, presented disturbance of consciousness and left hemiparesis two weeks after dehydration and infections. Computed tomographic scan revealed a cerebral hemorrhage in the right parietal lobe. Cerebral angiography revealed no contrast filling of the posterior side of superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and transverse sinus. DWI demonstrated a large hyperintensity lesion around the hematoma, suggesting venous infarction in the early stage. We thought that venous infarction was caused by secondary extension of thrombus to cerebral cortical veins and deep cerebral veins. External decompression and postoperative hypothermia therapy were performed because of rapidly deteriorating intracranial hypertension. Intracranial hypertension was, however, uncontrollable. The patient died four days after the onset. Diagnosis of the venous infarction by DWI was discussed along with other recent reports. Diffusion hyperintensity was displayed in almost all subjects with acute venous infarction. DWI pattern of venous infarction is more heterogeneous than that of arterial one because pathway from venous obstruction to infarction is complicated.

A 78-year-old woman underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to assess the deterioration of her right hemiparesis initially caused by putaminal hemorrhage that occurred 5 years prior to referral. MR imaging detected an anterior communicating artery aneurysm but no new lesion was seen that might have caused the deterioration was observed. Hemiparesis improved within several days and she was referred for endovascular treatment of the aneurysm. Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a 4.4 mm long aneurysm at the A1-A2 junction of her left anterior cerebral artery. Information on the risk associated with treatment caused her to hesitate. Three days after discharge and 40 days after the discovery of the aneurysm it ruptured, causing severe subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient died on the following day.

We report a case of a falcotentorial meningioma accompanied by hematoma in the temporal lobe. A healthy 51 year-old-female with no history of hypertension presented with sudden onset of consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography revealed a hematoma 5.5 cm in diameter surrounded by thick edematous brain in the left temporal lobe and a tumor 3.5 cm in diameter in the pineal region. Bilateral carotid angiography detected occlusion of the Galenic vein and straight sinus. No causative abnormality of hemorrhage was apparent. However, the left basal vein of Rosenthal had disappeared, and anastomotic venous channels could be observed in the medial left temporal lobe, contiguous to the hematoma. Emergency craniotomy failed to detect any abnormality which could cause hemorrhage in the brain parenchyma surrounding the hematoma. Subtotal removal of the tumor, histologically diagnosed as fibrous meningioma, was achieved three months later employing an occipital transtentorial approach. Venous congestion caused by compression due to the tumor was considered to be one of possible causes of the hemorrhage.

The authors treated two patients with pituitary apoplexy in whom magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained before and after the episode. Two days after the apoplectic episodes, MR imaging demonstrated marked thickening of the mucosa of the sphenoid sinus that was absent in the previous studies. The relevance of this change in the sphenoid sinus was investigated. Retrospective evaluations were performed using MR images obtained in 14 consecutive patients with classic pituitary apoplexy characterized by acute onset of severe headache. The mucosa of the sphenoid sinus had thickened predominantly in the compartment just beneath the sella turcica, in nine of 11 patients, as ascertained on MR images obtained within 7 days after the onset of apoplectic symptoms. This condition improved spontaneously in all four patients who did not undergo transsphenoidal surgery. The sphenoid sinus mucosa appeared to be normal on MR images obtained from three patients at the chronic stage (3 months after onset). The incidence of sphenoid sinus mucosal thickening during the acute stage was significantly higher in the patients with apoplexy than that in the 100 patients without apoplexy. A histological study conducted in four patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery during the early stage showed that the subepithelial layer of the sphenoid sinus mucous membrane was obviously swollen. The sphenoid sinus mucosa thickens during the acute stage of pituitary apoplexy. This thickening neither indicates infectious sinusitis nor rules out the choice of the transsphenoidal route for surgery.

Palmitoyl-CoA (Pal-CoA) lowered the respiratory control ratio (RCR), and induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT) and cytochrome c (Cyt. c) release from isolated rat liver mitochondria. L-Carnitine suppressed the Pal-CoA-induced dysfunction, MPT, and Cyt. c release of isolated mitochondria. This suppression was inhibited by cephaloridine, an inhibitor of carnitine uptake into mitochondria. Cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of MPT, and BSA also suppressed the Pal-CoA-induced MPT. In the presence of inorganic phosphate (P(i)), Ca2+-induced MPT was suppressed by BSA, L-carnitine, and chlorpromazine, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2. In the presence of a low concentration of Ca2+, 3,3',5-triiodothyronine, long chain fatty acids, salicylic acid, and diclofenac induced MPT by a mechanism that was suppressed by BSA, L-carnitine, or chlorpromazine. During the incubation of mitochondria on ice, their respiratory competence decreased; L-carnitine and BSA also prevented this decrease. Mitochondrial depolarization in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was induced by either serum deprivation or arachidonic acid by a mechanism that was suppressed by acetyl-L-carnitine. These results indicate that some MPTs may be regulated by fatty acid metabolism and that the Pal-CoA-induced MPT plays an important role in the induction of apoptosis.

The biochemical properties and specificity of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are not well known. Because PUFAs induce apoptosis of different cells, we studied the effect of various PUFAs, such as arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), on the fate of cultured human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis and the difference in action between n-3 and n-6 PUFAs. Fairly low concentrations of PUFAs inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells and induced their apoptosis by a mechanism that is sensitive to DMSO, an antioxidant, and z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk), a pan-caspase inhibitor. PUFAs stimulated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated various types of caspase-like proteases, such as caspase-3, -6, -8, and -9, but not caspase-1. In addition, PUFAs triggered the reaction leading to the cleavage of Bid, a death agonist member of the Bcl-2 family, and also released cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. PUFAs also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential of intact HL-60 cells. All of these actions of n-3 PUFAs were stronger than those of AA, an n-6 PUFA, although the mechanism is not known. PUFAs stimulate swelling and membrane depolarization of isolated mitochondria in a cyclosporin A-sensitive manner. The results indicated that PUFA-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells may be caused, in part, by direct action on the cells and by activation of the caspase cascade through cytochrome c release coupled with mitochondrial membrane depolarization.

We present a case of cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma(JPA) with unusual neuroimaging features. The patient was a 14-year-old male who suffered from chronic headaches for a couple of weeks. Plain craniogram showed a decalcification and bulging of the occipital bone. Computed tomography(CT) scans demonstrated low density multiple components with small calcifications in the right cerebellar hemisphere extending to the left. These calcifications were found at the margin of these multi-lobular components. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) revealed iso or low intensity on T1 weighted image, and slightly high intensity on T2 weighted image. The lesion indicated more heterogeneous and higher intensity than brain parenchyma on FLAIR imaging, and remarkable higher intensity than brain parenchyma with some small low intensity areas on diffusion weighted imaging. He underwent the complete resection except for the cranial tissue surrounding the pons. Histologic diagnosis was juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, because of biphasic pattern of bipolar cells and a number of Rosenthal fibers. Generally JPA has sharp and smooth demarcated cysts with well-enhanced mural nodule. It was difficult to diagnose the presented tumor as JPA before operation, since its unusual neuroimaging resembled both dermoid and high grade gliomas.

We present a case of convexity meningioma en plaque (MEP). A 51-year-old male occasionally suffering from right parietalgia and numbness of left upper limb. An intracranial abnormal mass was pointed out incidentally by the brain check up. Computed tomographic (CT) scans demonstrated a hyperostosis and an enhanced abnormal mass at the right front-parietal region. Magnetic resonant images (MRI) revealed a carpet like tumor extended along the dura mater. Cerebral angiography disclosed feedings from parietal branches of right middle meningeal artery and superficial temporal artery. The tumor was removed subtotally with adjacent dura mater, leaving the portion of close adhesion to the brain parenchyma. Histologic diagnosis was transitional meningioma. Immunohistological stainings showed a high staining index (6.9%) of MIB-1 (Ki-69 antigen) and high expression of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), especially along the dura mater. Convexity MEP is so rare that we review previous reported cases of convexity MEP, and discuss the clinicopathologic features on that.

We present a case of small cell lung cancer whose shadow resembles bead son chest radiographs. An 81-year-old woman who had been receiving treatment from her doctor for pulmonary emphysema and chronic respiratory failure consulted our department because a small nodular shadow had been detected radiographically in the right lower lung field. The bead-like shadows in the radiographs and tomograms extended from the periphery of the right lower lobe to the pulmonary hilum. This case of small cell lung cancer appeared in chest radiographs to have an unusual shape.

We have developed the two-step Cu electroplating (EP) technique using alkali-metal-free copper pyrophosphate bath for Cu seed enhancement EP step. Alkali-metal-free copper pyrophosphate bath realizes conformal thickening of thin Cu seed layer without dissolution of Cu seed layer due to high resistivity, high polarization, and low Cu dissolubility of the bath. The two-step technique brings excellent yield of the via-chain resistance in comparison with copper sulfate EP technique. Thus, two-step electroplating is a promising technique for future ULSI fabrication beyond the limitation of PVD seed technology.

Moist pleurisy in patients with Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) is rarer than tuberculosis. We encountered an extremely rare case of MAC disease in a 75-year-old man who initially had only right pleural effusion. Gaffky VII was detected in the pleural effusion, and Mycobacterium avium was identified by culture and PCR. Although administration of antitubercular agents (RFP, INH, EB, and SM) + CAM and thoracic lavage were repeated, the Gaffky persisted strongly. Accordingly, pulmonary decortication and filling of the cavity with an omental flap were performed as surgical treatments. However, fistulas were formed between the remaining empyema cavity and the surgical wounds. Fenestration was also carried out. Postoperatively, centriacinar abnormalities appeared on computed tomography (CT). It has been reported that MAC disease begins with centriacinar abnormalities and the incidence of the lymphatic developmental pattern was low. Tuberculosis (the idiopathic pleuritis type) is considered to be caused this pattern from the primary infection focus. Therefore, the onset of unilateral effusion is extremely rare in patient with MAC disease, suggesting that the lymphatic developmental pattern occurs less frequently in patients with MAC disease. Furthermore, in this case, we speculated that centriacinar abnormalities were the MAC infection foci and could be detected by CT due to surgical invasion.

The surgical treatment modality for intractable epilepsy with cavernous angioma in the dominant hemisphere is still unclear. Three patients with medically intractable seizures associated with cavernous angioma in the dominant hemispheric temporal lobe underwent tailored resection based on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), electroencephalography monitoring (from scalp and sphenoidal electrodes), and neuropsychologic assessment. Epileptogenic zones were located in the area surrounding the angioma in all patients and mesial temporal dysfunction in two patients. The adjacent cortex and gliotic tissues containing hemosiderin were resected, in conjunction with either total or partial resection of the nidus. Intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) was then performed. Additional resection of the mesial temporal structures or multiple subpial transection was performed as indicated by the ECoG findings. All three patients have been seizure free and showed no language or cognitive deterioration for 30, 18, and 14 postoperative months, respectively, while receiving tapered antiepileptic medication. Tailored resection based on electrophysiological data, MR imaging, SPECT, and intraoperative ECoG is effective for the treatment of medically intractable seizure associated with cavernous angioma in the temporal lobe of the dominant hemisphere.

Macroscopic total resection with removal of involved dura and bone does not always prevent the recurrence of meningioma of histologically benign subtype. Many causative factors have been investigated, although the mechanism of recurrence remains unclear. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key factor in meningiomas neovascularization, and the authors investigated whether VEGF expression can predict the recurrence of histologically benign meningiomas after macroscopic total resection.Fifty-four patients with supratentorial convexity meningiomas were investigated at least 3 years after surgery or until tumor recurrence to clarify risk factors for recurrence. Patients were restricted to Simpson Grade 1 resection only, and the authors excluded multiple meningiomas, neurofibromatosis, and atypical and anaplastic meningiomas. Correlation between recurrence and the following factors were statistically analyzed: age, gender, tumor volume, tumor shape, bone change, brain edema, vascular supply, histologic subtype, MIB-1 labeling index (LI), and VEGF expression.Of the 54 patients with meningioma, 34 were positive (24: +1; 10: +2) for VEGF, and 20 were negative. Six (11.1%) meningiomas recurred during the follow-up period. Multivariate analysis revealed that high levels of expression of VEGF constituted the most useful predictor of recurrence (P = 0.005), followed by high MIB-1 LI (P = 0.039). The other factors were not significant. The tumor recurrence, when it occurred, was within the brain and not durally based.The current results suggest that high levels of VEGF expression are significantly related to the recurrence of meningioma. VEGF secretion from microscopic residue remaining after surgery may induce neovascularization, which promotes the recurrence of meningioma.

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), also known as ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) variant, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by microcephaly, growth retardation, severe combined immunodeficiency and a high incidence of lymphoid carcinoma, the majority of which are B-cell lymphomas. To determine whether the NBS1 gene is a tumor suppressor gene in B-cell lymphoma, we screened B-cell malignant lymphoma (ML) for any evidence of NBS1 mutation.Sequence analysis of the NBS1 gene was performed from PCR products amplified from the DNA of 12 extracranial ML or RT-PCR products amplified from cDNA of 8 primary central nervous system lymphoma.Direct sequence analysis revealed that no NBS1 mutations were present in any of these patients.The present results suggested that the contribution of NBS1 mutations to B-cell ML was minimal, despite the fact that the NBS1 gene was causative factor in these cases.

A 19-year old man was admitted to our hospital with fever and productive cough. Chest X-ray films revealed multiple nodular shadows accompanied by a fusing tendency in the right middle field. A diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia was indicated, and the patient was treated with antibiotics. However, because this failed to resolve the nodular shadows, bronchofibroscopy was performed. Examination with a fiberoptic bronchoscope revealed an elevated lesion in the truncus intermedius. Histopathologic examination of a specimen obtained by transbronchial biopsy revealed cryptococcal organisms with the infiltration of monocytes. These findings yielded a diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis with endobronchial lesion. After 6 months of treatment with fluconazole, the multiple nodular shadows disappeared. Comparison of bronchoscopic findings before and after fluconazole treatment clearly demonstrated the efficacy of the therapy.

A patient age five years, nine months with cystic lymphangioma was studied to determine the causes of malocclusion and the optimum time for its treatment. The main findings were unilateral anterior and posterior crossbite and displacement of the mandibular midline due to maxillary deformity and mandibular rotation. The force of the cystic lymphangioma mass caused deformity of the maxilla and rotation of the mandible. The patient had no functional impairment of speech or mastication. A decision was made to defer treatment of malocclusion until complete surgical excision of the cystic lymphangioma can be undertaken, thereby minimizing the chance of malocclusion re-occurrence.

The susceptibility of 260 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to several antibiotics and the mechanism of resistance to carbapenems were investigated. The number of strains of P. aeruginosa moderately resistant or resistant to ofloxacin, ceftazidime and imipenem (IPM) were 76 (29.2%), 31 (11.9%) and 30 (11.5%), respectively. There was no clear relationship between the drug resistance of P. aeruginosa and serum type. Fourteen strains (46.6%) out of 30 IPM-resistant strains were susceptible to meropenem (MEPM). Twenty seven (90.0%) IPM-resistant strains showed cross resistant to panipenem (PAPM), and 12 strains (44.4%) out of the 27 strains showed high susceptibility to MEPM. P. aeruginosa becomes resistant to IPM and PAPM only by the decrease in the outer membrane permeability of these carbapenems. In contrast, P. aeruginosa becomes equally resistant to MEPM by concurrent occurrence of the increase in the efflux of the antibiotics and the decrease in the outer membrane permeability of the antibiotics. The possibility that both mechanisms are taken place concurrently in P. aeruginosa is considered to be low, and it was also supported by the results of the present study.