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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remained a major global health concern in 2021. To suppress the spread of infection, mass vaccinations have been performed across countries worldwide. In Japan, vaccinations of the first and second doses for most of the nation were performed during the nationwide outbreak of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant with the L452R spike protein mutation, and the effectiveness of the vaccinations to suppress the spread of COVID-19 among the people in Japan remains uncertain. In this study, adults aged ≥18 years, who were in contact with patients with COVID-19 and underwent nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests during August and September 2021 at a mass screening test center in Japan, were enrolled. In this period, more than 95% of the COVID-19 infections were reportedly caused by the Delta variant. As a result, a total of 784 adults with recent contact history, including 231 (29.5%) RT-PCR test-positive cases, were enrolled. The test positivity rate was lower in individuals who had been vaccinated twice than in unvaccinated individuals (12.5% vs. 39.0%, p0.0001), with the risk ratio of 0.32 (95% confidence interval 0.23-0.46). The vaccine effectiveness was the highest between 7-90 days after the second vaccine dose. In conclusion, two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines effectively suppressed transmission in Japan during the nationwide pandemic of the Delta variant, estimated to have prevented 50-80% of the infection.

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains the world's largest public health concern in 2021. A history of close contact with infectious patients is a factor that predicts a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. Meanwhile, the precise predictive value of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the predictive and discriminatory value of each clinical symptom suggestive of COVID-19. Methods This study enrolled participants who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using a nasopharyngeal swab between November 2020 and January 2021. All enrolled patients were evaluated for data regarding the presence and closeness of contact with infectious patients and comprehensive clinical features (i.e., fever, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, dysosmia, and dysgeusia). Results Among the 1,744 tested participants, 144 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. In the test-positive group, self-reported cough, fatigue, dysosmia, and dysgeusia were significant predictors of COVID-19, independent from a history of close contact. In particular, the presence of dysosmia was the strongest predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the 42 patients with self-reported dysosmia, 25 (59.5%) were SARS-CoV-2 test-positive. Self-reported dysosmia was reported by 25 (17.4%) of the 144 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and 15 (60.0%) of the 25 COVID-19 patients with dysosmia had accompanying dysgeusia. Conclusion The presence of dysosmia was reported by 10-25% of patients with COVID-19, and is a significant predictor of COVID-19 infection, independent from a history of close contact.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the world’s largest public health concern. This study evaluated COVID-19 transmission risks in people in group living environments. A total of 4550 individuals with a history of recent contact with patients at different places (dormitory/home/outside the residences) and levels (close/lower-risk) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA using a nasopharyngeal swab test between July 2020 and May 2021. The test-positive rate was highest in individuals who had contact in dormitories (27.5%), but the rates were largely different between dormitories with different infrastructural or lifestyle features and infection control measures among residents. With appropriate infection control measures, the secondary transmission risk in dormitories was adequately suppressed. The household transmission rate (12.6%) was as high as that of close contact outside the residences (11.3%) and accounted for > 60% of the current rate of COVID-19 transmission among non-adults. Household transmission rates synchronized to local epidemics with changed local capacity of quarantining infectious patients. In conclusion, a group living environment is a significant risk factor of secondary transmission. Appropriate infection control measures and quarantine of infectious residents will decrease the risk of secondary transmission in group living environments.

The exact profiles of the clinical symptoms related to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) remain largely uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the clinical manifestations of infection with this variant. We enrolled individuals who were tested by quantitative nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test at a large screening center in a city of Japan during the B.1.1.529 Omicron variant wave between January and May 2022, after contact with COVID-19 patients. Swab tests were planned to be performed approximately 4-5 days after contact. The presence of COVID-19-related symptoms was assessed at the swab test site. Among the 2,507 enrolled individuals, 943 (37.6%) were RT-PCR test-positive and 1,564 (62.4%) were test-negative. Among the 943 PCR test-positive participants, the prevalence of the symptoms was as follows: 47.3% with cough, 32.9% with sore throat, 18.4% with fatigability, 12.7% with fever of ≥ 37.5℃, 9.9% with dyspnea, 2.1% with dysosmia, and 1.4% with dysgeusia. The prevalence of cough, sore throat, dyspnea, and fatigability was higher among adults aged ≥ 18 years than among children and adolescents. The prevalence of dysosmia and dysgeusia remarkably decreased during the Omicron wave (1-3%) compared to during the pre-Omicron variant waves (15-25%). In summary, common COVID-19-related symptoms during the Omicron variant wave included cough and sore throat, followed by fatigability, fever, and dyspnea. The prevalence of most of these symptoms was higher in adults than in non-adults. The prevalence of dysosmia and dysgeusia remarkably decreased with the Omicron variant than with pre-Omicron variants.

Introduction: The characteristics of somatic symptoms seen at the first hospital visit in patients with psychogenic backgrounds remain poorly elucidated till date. Methodology: A total of 277 patients who visited the Department of General Medicine at a single university hospital with somatic symptoms were prospectively enrolled in this study. The eventual definite diagnoses were classified into the following three groups: non-psychogenic disease (n = 128), psychogenic symptoms (n = 131), and mental illness (n = 18). Subsequently, the chief complaints and other background information of the patient obtained at the first visit were compared among the three groups. Results: More than half of the patient with non-psychogenic diseases (60.2%) presented with a single complaint at their first hospital visit; contrarily, less than half of the patients with psychogenic symptoms (23.7%) or mental illnesses (22.2%) presented with a single complaint at the first visit. Approximately

Olfactory disorders are one of the characteristic symptoms of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), which causes infection and inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract. To our knowledge, there are no treatments for COVID-19-related olfactory disorder. Here, we report five olfactory disorder cases in COVID-19, treated using the Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine, kakkontokasenkyushin'i. We treated five patients with mild COVID-19 at an isolation facility using Kampo medicine, depending on their symptoms. Patients with the olfactory disorder presented with a blocked nose, nasal discharge or taste impairment. Physical examination using Kampo medicine showed similar findings, such as a red tongue with red spots and sublingual vein congestion, which presented as blood stasis and inflammation; thus, we prescribed the Kampo medicine, kakkontokasenkyushin'i. After administration, the numeric rating scale scores of the smell impairment improved within 3 days from 9 to 3 in case 1, from 10 to 0 in case 2, from 9 to 0 in case 3, from 5 to 0 in case 4, and from 9 to 0 within 5 days in case 5. Following the treatment, other common cold symptoms were also alleviated. Kakkontokasenkyushin'i can be used for treating nasal congestion, rhinitis, and inflammation in the nasal mucosa. The olfactory disorder in COVID-19 has been reportedly associated with inflammation and congestion, especially in the olfactory bulb and olfactory cleft. Kakkontokasenkyushin'i may be one of the treatment alternatives for the olfactory disorder with rhinitis in patients with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the world's largest public health concern in 2021. This study evaluated the associations of the prevalence of airway symptoms among the tested individuals and data regarding the natural environmental factors with the weekly number of newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients in Sendai City (N

The fifth wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by delta variant infection depleted medical resources, and the Japanese government announced glucocorticoid use for outpatients. An appropriate outpatient-glucocorticoid treatment for COVID-19 has not been established; therefore, we created treatment manuals with indications for glucocorticoid administration in a care facility adequately equipped to manage patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Thirty-eight patients (24 males, 14 females; mean age 40.5 ± 11.8 years) were treated with glucocorticoids from August 1 to October 1, 2021 [COVID-19 staging, mild (n = 1), moderate I (n = 19), and moderate II (n = 18)]. Patients were treated with 6.6 mg/day d.i.v. or 6 mg/day p.o. dexamethasone, or 20-30 mg/day p.o. prednisolone. The median (25

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains a global public health concern in 2021. However, the risk of attending schools during the pandemic remains unevaluated. This study estimated the secondary transmission rate at schools using the results of a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) screening test performed between July 2020 and April 2021, before starting the nationwide mass vaccination. A total of 1,924 students (20 RT-PCR-positive; 1.0%) from 52 schools or preschools were evaluated, together with 1,379 non-adults (95 RT-PCR-positive; 6.9%) exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in non-school environments. Assuming that the infectious index cases were asymptomatic and the transmission at schools followed a Bernoulli process, we estimated the probability of transmission after each contact at school as approximately 0.005 (0.5% per contact) with the current infection prevention measures at schools in Japan (i.e., hand hygiene, physical distancing, wearing masks, and effective ventilation). Furthermore, assuming that all children are capable of carrying the infection, then contact between an index case and 20-30 students per day at schools would yield the expected value for secondary cases of ≥ 1.0, during the 10 days of the infectious period. In conclusion, with the current infection prevention measures at schools in Japan, secondary transmission at schools would occur in approximately every 200 contacts. When considering this rate, compliance with the current infection prevention measures at schools and early detection and quarantine of the index cases would be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 at schools.

To realize uniform heating characteristic of 2.45-GHz-microwave-induced-heating system with a 330-mm-diameter heating unit of carbon heating tubes (CHTs), we installed a propeller-type-rotational antenna with two 120-mm-long blades with tilted angles of 45 and −45° and a height of 105 mm in 330-mm-diameter cavity with a modified rotating velocity optimized by the numerical simulation. The CHT heating at 800°C for 170 s reduced the sheet resistivity ranging from 60 to 80 Q/sq for 1.0×1015 cnr=phosphorus implanted 300-mm-diameter silicon substrates. The average activation ratio Pay was 0.77 and its mean square deviation PRMSD was 0.05. They were better than Pay of 0.73 and PRMSD of 0.06 in the case of the CHT heating with no antenna.

To reduce friction, especially under high-temperature conditions, an oil-soluble polymeric friction modifier (polymeric FM) with a methacrylate backbone and hydroxyl groups has been developed. It was designed to have high adsorption performance and to increase in size when dissolved in base oil as the temperature is increased. To investigate the temperature dependence of the structural and tribological characteristics of the adsorbed layer formed on a metal surface by the polymeric FM, neutron reflectometry measurements and nano-to-macro tribological tests were conducted. The measurements revealed that the polymeric FM adsorbed efficiently on a Cu surface and formed a 6.0-nm-thick adsorbed layer at 23 °C. This adsorbed layer was highly swollen, and its thickness became about three times larger at 100 °C. Nanoscale friction tests using an atomic force microscope showed that the swollen-state adsorbed polymeric FM layer exhibited low-friction and surface-protection performance at 100 °C. Macroscale friction tests revealed the tribological behaviour of an adsorbed polymeric FM layer in elastohydrodynamic lubrication and mixed lubrication regimes. At higher temperatures, the increase in shear resistance due to the effect of thin-film lubrication was suppressed by the weaker segment–segment interaction, causing the boundary contact of the adsorbed polymeric FM layer to have low frictional properties on both ball and disc surfaces. The low-friction mechanism of the adsorbed polymeric FM layer at higher temperatures was justified by associating the temperature with the layer thickness.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 in 2020, we conducted drive-through nasopharyngeal swab testing for COVID-19 in Sendai city, Japan, since April 2020. All tested individuals were judged in advance by public health centers for the necessity of undergoing the test with possible contact history and/or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. In this study, to identify the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity for more efficient and evidenced selection of suspected individuals, we enrolled 3,540 consecutive individuals, tested in the first 7 months of the testing program, with data regarding to the history of close contact with COVID-19 patients, including those involved in cluster outbreaks. This cohort included 284 foreign students (257 males and 27 females) from a vocational school involved in the largest cluster outbreak in the area. Close contact history was present in 952 (26.9%) of the participants. The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results showed that 164 participants (4.6%) were positive and 3,376 participants (95.4%) were negative for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid gene (N2). In the univariate and multivariate analyses, history of close contact with COVID-19 patients, higher age, cough symptoms, and non-native ethnicity were predictors for SARS-CoV-2 test positivity. However, the significance of age and foreign nationality disappeared or declined upon excluding the foreign students from the aforementioned largest cluster outbreak. In conclusion, a history of close contact with COVID-19 patients and the presence of cough symptoms are significant predictors of SARS-CoV-2 test positivity.

Background: Spontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave’s syndrome) is an emergency that can cause life-threatening conditions. Various procedures have been used to treat Boerhaave’s syndrome. However, a standard surgical procedure has not been established. Herein, we report our experience with primary suture of the ruptured esophagus via a thoracoscopy or laparotomy. Methods: Between November 2002 and May 2015, 11 patients with Boerhaave’s syndrome presented to our department and were managed using one of two surgical procedures based on the surgeon’s discretion. Six patients underwent a thoracoscopic primary suture and drainage (group A); 5 patients underwent a primary suture via laparotomy followed by thoracoscopic drainage (group B). Patient medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The mean interval between initial perforation and surgery was 13.7 h (group A) and 17.2 h (group B) (P=0.7307). The mean operative time was 190 min (group A) and 249 min (group B) (P=0.106). Patient baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes were similar for both surgical procedures. One patient in each group experienced postoperative leakage that did not require surgical intervention. Conclusions: The results suggest that thoracoscopic esophageal repair, as well as suturing via laparotomy, is a good surgical alternative for patients with Boerhaave’s syndrome.

Background: The mortality rate of spontaneous esophageal rupture remains 20% to 40% due to severe respiratory failure. We have performed thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal disease at our department since 1994. Sivelestat sodium hydrate reportedly improves the pulmonary outcome in the patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of thoracoscopic surgery and perioperative administration of sivelestat sodium hydrate for spontaneous esophageal rupture in 12 patients who underwent thoracoscopy at our department between 2002 and 2014. Results: The patient cohort included 11 males and one female (median age, 61 years). The lower left esophageal wall was perforated in all patients. Surgical procedures consisted of thoracoscopic suture and thoracic drainage in six patients, transhiatal suture and thoracoscopic thoracic drainage in five, and thoracoscopic esophagectomy and thoracic drainage in one. The median time from onset to surgery was 8 hours with a surgical duration of 210 minutes, blood loss 260 mL, postoperative ventilator management 1 day, intensive care unit (ICU) stay 5 days, and interval to restoration of oral ingestion 13 days. Postoperative complications included respiratory failure in four patients, pyothorax in three, and leakage in one. There was no instance of perioperative mortality. Regarding perioperative administration of sivelestat sodium hydrate, the postoperative arterial oxygen partial pressure-to-fractional inspired oxygen ratio (P/F) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the administration group were significantly better than those in the non-administration group on postoperative days 4 (P=0.035) and 5 (P=0.037), respectively. In contrast, there was no significant difference between the groups in median time of ventilator management, ICU stay, oral ingestion following surgery, or hospital stay. Conclusions: Thoracoscopic surgery obtained acceptable results in all patients, including two with a significant time elapse from onset to treatment. Furthermore, sivelestat sodium hydrate was suggested to help improve postoperative respiration and inflammatory response.

A 63-year-old male visited our hospital, complaining of discomfort when swallowing. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 2 tumor in the middle thoracic esophagus, which was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by endoscopic biopsy. Computed tomography revealed situs inversus totalis (SIT). We assessed the relationship of the esophagus with neighboring organs using preoperative three-dimensional imaging. We performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy with radical lymph node dissection in the right decubitus position and hand-assisted laparoscopic gastric mobilization in the supine position. The definitive diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma, pT2N1M0, pStage IIB according to the Union for International Cancer Control. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and 5 years post-operation, he is alive without recurrence. In SIT patients, surgical procedures are difficult because of anatomic transposition. Three-dimensional imaging effectively assesses the anatomical structure and contributes to safer thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients with SIT. Relevant literature is also discussed and reviewed.

Al-doped Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 single crystals with various Al concentrations were grown by the micro-pulling-down method and their structure and chemical composition were investigated. Ca3Ta(Ga1−xAlx)3Si2O14 crystals with x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 were grown. They were highly transparent and a single phase of langasite-type structure was confirmed in the powder X-ray diffraction measurement. Their lattice parameters related to the a- and c-axes systematically decreased with increase in Al concentration. It followed from the EPMA analysis that the real Al concentration in the crystals almost corresponded to the nominal compositions.

A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with a type 2 tumor in the middle third of his esophagus by upper esophagogastrointestinal examination and an esophagogram; the tumor was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by endoscopic biopsy. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that the tumor had invaded his descending aorta. He was diagnosed with T4b/N0/M0 stage IIIc [Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), 7th edition] esophageal cancer. He had no previous history of diabetes mellitus. We treated him with concurrent chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Fourteen days after the entire course of chemoradiotherapy, he became confused and entered into sudden coma, which was diagnosed as hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma. With vigorous intravenous infusion of half-saline and insulin, he recovered from the coma 36 h after onset. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma is a severe complication that is difficult to treat and can be induced by chemoradiotherapy. It must be diagnosed early and treated appropriately.

Column-shaped Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 (CTGS) and plate-like Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 (CNGS) single crystals were grown by micro-pulling-down method using crucibles of original shape. The column-shaped CTGS crystals oriented along a- and c-axes were produced using the seeds of corresponding orientations. The plate-like CNGS crystal was grown along a-axis from the crucible equipped with a plate-shaped die at the bottom. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the grown CTGS and CNGS crystals corresponded to langasite-type structure and the lattice parameters were consistent with those of the crystals grown by Czochralski (Cz) method. The X-ray rocking curve analysis indicated that structural perfection of the grown CTGS and CNGS shaped crystals was comparable to that of the crystals produced by Cz method. The central part of the CTGS crystal was single phase material and had excess of Ca and Si with corresponding deficit of Ta and Ga. However, peripheral parts of the crystal contained secondary phase of calcium tantalate. In the transmission spectrum, two broad absorption peaks around 360 and 490 nm were observed that was associated with the color centers relevant to the oxygen content in the crystal.

Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 (CNGS) single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method under various atmosphere, Air, Ar + 3%O2 and Ar 100%, and the effects of growth atmosphere on crystal growth and optical properties were investigated. While the CNGS crystal grown in Air indicated orange color, the crystal grown in Ar was colorless. CNGS crystal grown in Air indicated several large absorption peaks around 360 and 500 nm in the transmittance spectrum. In contrast, the crystal grown in Ar didn't indicate these absorption peaks.

The langasite-type Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 [CNGS] piezoelectric crystals grown in Air and Ar were annealed under various temperatures and atmospheres and the effects of annealing on various properties were investigated. The absorption peaks around 360 and 500 nm of CNGS crystals grown in Air decreased by the annealing at 1300°C in Ar. On the other hand, the annealing at 1300°C in Air decreased transmittance in the range from 300 to 500 nm for the CNGS crystal grown in Ar. The results suggest that the absorptions around 350 and 500 nm originate from the excess oxygen and the post-annealing can control the oxygen content in the crystals.

We have grown shape-controlled langasite-type crystals by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. Columnar shaped La(3)Ta(0.5)Ga(5.5)O(14) (LTG), Ca(3)NbGa(3)Si(2)O(14) (CNGS), Ca(3)TaGa(3)Si(2)O(14) (CTGS), Sr(3)NbGa(3)Si(2)O(14) (SNGS), and Sr(3)Ta- Ga(3)Si(2)O(14) (STGS) crystals were grown using a Pt-Rh crucible with a 3-mm-diameter columnar die at the bottom. All grown crystals showed high transparency except for the peripheral area and diameter of approximately 3 mm. The chemical phases at the central parts of the grown crystals were identified as a single phase of langasite-type structure and their lattice parameters were almost the same as those of crystals grown by the Czochralski (Cz) method; however, some impurity phases were observed in the peripheral area. In X-ray rocking curve measurements, the grown crystals indicated equivalent crystallinity to the crystal grown by the Cz method. The piezoelectric constant d(11) of the CNGS crystal was 3.98 pC/N; this value is well correlated with those of previous reports.

We grew column-shaped Sr(3)NbGa(3)Si(2)O(14) (SNGS) and Sr(3)TaGa(3)Si(2)O(14) (STGS) langasite-type piezoelectric single crystals by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. 3-mm-diameter SNGS and STGS crystals were grown using a Pt-Rh crucible with a 3-mm-diameter columnar die. According to X-ray rocking curve measurements, the grown crystals had crystallinity equivalent to that of crystals grown by the Czochralski (Cz) method. The crystals were single-phase materials with langasite-type crystal structure. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals were almost consistent with those of crystals grown by the Cz method.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate long-term results of chemoradiotherapy for clinical T1b-2N0M0 esophageal cancer and to compare outcomes for operable and inoperable patients. Patients with stage I esophageal cancer (Union for International Cancer Control [UICC] 2009), excluding patients with cT1a esophageal cancer, were studied. All patients had histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma. Operable patients received cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil with concurrent radiotherapy of 60 Gy including a 2-week break. Inoperable patients received nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil with concurrent radiotherapy of 60-70 Gy without a pause. End-points were overall survival rate (OS), cause-specific survival rate (CSS), progression-free survival rate (PFS), and locoregional control rate (LC). Thirty-seven operable patients and 30 medically inoperable patients were enrolled. There was a significant difference in only age between the operable group and inoperable group (P = 0.04). The median observation period was 67.9 months. In all patients, 5-year OS, CSS, PFS, and LC were 77.9%, 91.5%, 66.9%, and 80.8%, respectively. Comparison of the operable group and inoperable group showed that there was a significant difference in OS (5-year, 85.5% vs. 68.7%, P = 0.04), but there was no difference in CSS, PFS, or LC. Grade 3 or more late toxicity according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v 3.0 was found in seven patients. Even in medically inoperable patients with stage I esophageal cancer, LC of more than 80% can be achieved with chemoradiotherapy. However, OS in medically inoperable patients is significantly worse than that in operable patients.

The Ca 3 NbGa 3 Si 2 O 14 (CNGS) crystal was grown by the micro-pulling down (μPD) method and the annealing effect on physical properties of CNGS crystal was investigated in this study. And the effects of oxygen content on the physical properties were systematically studied. Additionally, Photoluminescence (PL)-Mapping and radioluminescence spectra of CNGS were observed. The absorption peaks were observed around 350 and 500 nm. This absorption at 500 nm was very sensitive to a quantity of excess oxygen in the CNGS crystal. In contrast, it is expected that the absorption of 350 nm is related to a cation or anion defect. PL-Mapping indicated the emission around 400 nm by excitation at 270 and 350 nm wavelengths. The emission at 400 nm is considered to originate from trapped electron at an anion or cation defect. The emission of the Alpha-ray excited spectra was very similar in comparison with PL-Mapping.

Columnar-shaped La 3 Ta 0.5 Ga 5.5 O 14 single crystals with a -axis and c -axis crystal orientations along the growth direction grown by the micro-pulling-down method and their physical properties were investigated. All diffraction peaks of the XRD pattern were identified as the langasite-type structure and the a -axis and c -axis lengths were a =8.239 A and c =5.124 A, respectively. In the XRC measurement, a relatively sharp single peak was observed in the ω scan and the full width of half maximum was 82.1 arcsec. According to the chemical analysis by the EPMA system, the main phase was composed of LTG with the cation ratio of La:Ta:Ga=3.31:0.465:5.22 and the LTG crystal included secondary phase, La–Ta–O system, in the periphery area. The piezoelectric constant d 11 that was measured using the plate-shape LTG crystal was 6.7 pC/N.

Verrucous carcinoma of the esophagus (VCE) is a rare, slow-growing, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Histologically, superficial layers of this cancer tend to have less atypical epithelium with non-specific inflammatory change, which therefore makes diagnosis of malignancy extremely difficult unless a surgical specimen is obtained. We recently encountered a case in which a malignant tumor was suspected on initial endoscopic evaluation, but two biopsies revealed no carcinoma cells. Analysis of a third biopsy finally suggested the possibility of squamous cell carcinoma. A subsequent surgical specimen revealed the tumor as VCE. In addition, immunohistochemical examination revealed that Ki67 immunopositive cells were distributed along the basal layer of the VCE, regarded as a pattern unique to this type of cancer. It is important to know of the existence of VCE. In cases in which this tumor is endoscopically suspected, repeated deep biopsy is strongly recommended and the only curative treatment for this type of cancer is resection.

Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 (CNGS) Is One of the Langasite-Type Crystals and it Is Known as a Piezoelectric Material. We Have Successfully Grown the Shaped CNGS Crystal Using Micro-Pulling-down (μ-PD) Method with Shape Control. However, the Impurity Phases such as Ca-Nb-O Related Compounds Were Detected in the Grown Crystals. The Creation of the Impurity Phases Is Related to Difference in Stoichiometric and Congruent Compositions. Therefore, the Detailed Investigation of Phase Diagram on CNGS Was Carried Out to Prevent the Impurity Phases Creation. It Follows from the TG-DTA Measurements that the Melting Point Systematically Changed with the Ca/Ga Ratio in the Ca3-xNbGa3+xSi2O14±δ Cmpositions. The CNGS Phase with Ca/Ga = 1.02 Indicated the Maximum Melting Point which Suggests that the Stoichiometric Composition of CNGS Is Different in the Congruent Composition. Furthermore, in the DTA Measurements the Peaks of Impurity Phases Were Detected around 1550 °C for the CNGS Sample with Ca/Ga = 1.02.

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare disease. The majority of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and only a few are detected at an early stage. We herein describe a case of early-stage primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus that was detected simultaneously with early-stage primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Both tumors were detected during esophagogastroduodenoscopy for heartburn. The malignant melanoma tumor was a nevus-like flat-type lesion in the upper thoracic esophagus, and the squamous cell carcinoma was a slightly depressed lesion in the abdominal esophagus. The tumor was resected by thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Histologically, the invasion of both tumors was limited to the mucosal layer, and no lymph node metastasis was detected. Immunohistochemically, the malignant melanoma cells were strongly positive for HMB-45, melan-A, and S-100 protein. The patient has survived without recurrence for 17 months after the operation.

We developed a growth technique of shape-controlled and multiple crystals by a micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method using a developed special configuration crucible. A square tube-shaped sapphire crystal was grown with a molybdenum crucible with square tube die of 4 mm×4 mm outer periphery and 2 mm×2 mm inner periphery on the bottom. In contrast, six multiple square-shaped sapphire crystals were simultaneously grown by a molybdenum crucible with six circularly arranged square-shaped dies with a size of 2×2 mm 2 on the bottom. Growth of six multiple square-shaped sapphire crystals indicated a single phase of α-Al 2 O 3 and almost same lattice parameters by X-ray diffraction measurement. Crystallinities of the six crystals were high in all positions of crystals comparable to the crystals grown by the Czochralski method.

Esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are very rare. We herein report our experience of three cases of esophageal GISTs. Two women and one man were treated by radical surgery either by thoracoscopic or by thoracotomy and thereafter followed up. Both histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of tissue specimens showed positive findings for c-kit, which confirmed the diagnosis of GISTs. The malignancy of GISTs remains a clinical problem, and various indicators for the risk for recurrence or metastasis have been reported, such as tumor size, mitotic index, and mutation of the c-kit gene. As the tumor size was markedly large in two cases whereas the other had a high mitotic level, they are thought to have malignant potential. Because all three patients have demonstrated a disease-free status for at least 25 months, surgical therapy seems to be sufficient for such patients. However, further long-term follow-up may be necessary.

Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal the factors that influence the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients, especially from the other causes than esophageal cancer in the follow-up period after esophagectomy.Method: All of 523 patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy in a single institute between 1986 and 1999 were followed-up until the end of October 2003. Their prognoses were reviewed and compared by the presence of pre/post-operative radiation, pre/post-operative chemotherapy, surgical procedure, and pathological stages of tumors as well as preoperative general conditions by uni- and multivariate analyses.Results: Univariate analysis revealed that sex (male against female) (p=0.005), abnormality on ECG (p=0.012), and the presence of preoperative radiation (p=0.016) significantly increased the incidence of non-esophageal cancer death; on the other hand, thoracoscopic approach decreased the incidence of non-esophageal cancer death. Multivariate analyses revealed that the presence of preoperative radiation significantly increased mortality due to non-esophageal cancer causes to a 3.70 hazard ratio (95% CI [95% Confidence Interval]; 1.33–10.61).Conclusions: This study clearly showed the late effect of preoperative radiation for carcinoma of the esophagus on the postoperative prognosis, especially in terms of later mortality from causes other than esophageal carcinoma.

Although it is a gross measure, the pinna reflex test is easily administered and is, therefore, incorporated as a general screening tool in mutagenesis programs. Our recent application of this approach indicated that mutant mice lacking one of the small Maf proteins, in this case MafG, failed to exhibit a pinna reflex. In contrast, littermate controls, with the same mixed 129/CD1 background, and including both wild type and heterozygous mutant animals, passed the test. Because previous studies indicate that mafG is expressed in both cochlear and vestibular parts of the mouse inner ear, the source of this ‘presumed deafness’ was further assessed by making round window recordings to determine compound action potential thresholds. Auditory brainstem responses were also acquired to assess function along portions of the central auditory pathway. In all cases, responses in homozygous mutants (–/–) were comparable to those obtained from littermate controls, either wild type (+/+) or heterozygous mutants (+/–). Gross anatomy of the organ of Corti was also found to be similar in all three groups of mice. Hence, the lack of a pinna reflex must relate to nonauditory causes.