Properties of

Mass-separated ^{187}Ta_{114} in a high-spin isomeric state has been produced for the first time by multinucleon transfer reactions, employing an argon gas-stopping cell and laser ionization. Internal γ rays revealed a T_{1/2}=7.3±0.9 s isomer at 1778±1 keV, which decays through a rotational band with perturbations associated with the approach to a prolate-oblate shape transition. Model calculations show less influence from triaxiality compared to heavier elements in the same mass region. The isomer-decay reduced E2 hindrance factor f_{ν}=27±1 supports the interpretation that axial symmetry is approximately conserved.

Study of Quasielastic Barrier Distributions as a Step towards the Synthesis of Superheavy Elements with Hot Fusion Reactions.

The excitation functions for quasielastic scattering of ^{22}Ne+^{248}Cm, ^{26}Mg+^{248}Cm, and ^{48}Ca+^{238}U are measured using a gas-filled recoil ion separator. The quasielastic barrier distributions are extracted for these systems and are compared with coupled-channel calculations. The results indicate that the barrier distribution is affected dominantly by deformation of the actinide target nuclei, but also by vibrational or rotational excitations of the projectile nuclei, as well as neutron transfer processes before capture. From a comparison between the experimental barrier distributions and the evaporation residue cross sections for Sg (Z=106), Hs (108), Cn (112), and Lv (116), it is suggested that the hot fusion reactions take advantage of a compact collision, where the projectile approaches along the short axis of a prolately deformed nucleus. A new method is proposed to estimate the optimum incident energy to synthesize unknown superheavy nuclei using the barrier distribution.

First Direct Mass Measurements of Nuclides around Z=100 with a Multireflection Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrograph.

The masses of ^{246}Es, ^{251}Fm, and the transfermium nuclei ^{249-252}Md and ^{254}No, produced by hot- and cold-fusion reactions, in the vicinity of the deformed N=152 neutron shell closure, have been directly measured using a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The masses of ^{246}Es and ^{249,250,252}Md were measured for the first time. Using the masses of ^{249,250}Md as anchor points for α decay chains, the masses of heavier nuclei, up to ^{261}Bh and ^{266}Mt, were determined. These new masses were compared with theoretical global mass models and demonstrated to be in good agreement with macroscopic-microscopic models in this region. The empirical shell gap parameter δ_{2n} derived from three isotopic masses was updated with the new masses and corroborates the existence of the deformed N=152 neutron shell closure for Md and Lr.

High photosensitivity few-layered MoSe2 back-gated field-effect phototransistors.

In this paper, we report on the fabrication and optoelectronic properties of high sensitive phototransistors based on few-layered MoSe2 back-gated field-effect transistors, with a mobility of 19.7 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ at room temperature. We obtained an ultrahigh photoresponsivity of 97.1 AW⁻¹ and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 22 666% using 532 nm laser excitation at room temperature. The photoresponsivity was improved near the threshold gate voltage; however, the selection of the silicon dioxide as a gate oxide represents a limiting factor in the ultimate performance. Thanks to their high photoresponsivity and external quantum efficiency, the few-layered MoSe2-based devices are promising for photoelectronic applications.

Mesenteric phlebosclerosis associated with long-term oral intake of geniposide, an ingredient of herbal medicine.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare disease, characterised by thickening of the wall of the right hemicolon with calcification of mesenteric veins. However, the aetiology remains unknown. AIM: To investigate the possible association of herbal medicines with IMP. METHOD: The clinical data of four of our own patients were collected. Furthermore, we searched for previous reports about similar patients with detailed descriptions of herbal prescriptions that they had taken. We compared herbal ingredients to identify the toxic agent as a possible aetiological factor. RESULTS: Clinical data on a total of 25 patients were summarised. Mean age was 61.8 years and there was female predominance (6 men and 19 women). The used Kampo prescription, the number of cases, and the mean duration of use were as follows: kamisyoyosan in 12 cases for 12.8 years, inshin-iseihaito in 5 cases for 13.4 years, orengedokuto in 4 cases for 14.3 years, inchinkoto in 1 case for 20 years, kamikihitou in 1 case for 19 years, seijobofuto in 1 case for 10 years and gorinsan in 1 case for an unknown duration. Only one ingredient, sansisi, was common to the herbal medicines of all 25 patients. This crude drug called geniposide in English is a major constituent of the Gardenia fruits. CONCLUSION: The long-term use of geniposide in herbal medicines appears to be associated with mesenteric phlebosclerosis.

Serum interleukin-5 levels correlate with disease activity of Churg-Strauss syndrome in a patient treated with a leucotriene receptor antagonist, pranlukast, and inhaled corticosteroid.

This case report demonstrates that interleukin (IL)-5 levels and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) correlated well with disease activity of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) in a patient receiving treatment with leucotriene receptor antagonist and inhaled corticosteroid. In addition, ECP was localized in the inflamed tissue. IL-5 levels may thus provide a clue to therapeutic efficacy in patients with CSS using leucotriene receptor antagonists and inhaled corticosteroid.

High frequency of pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults with secondary leukemia with 11q23 abnormalities.

To evaluate the frequency and cytogenetic and immunophenotypic features of therapy-related, precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 152 cases of immature B-cell ALL were reviewed. These were compared to the frequency of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) during the same time period. Eight ALL cases with a prior diagnosis of malignancy were identified, including six (4.0%) with prior therapy considered to be therapy-related ALL (t-ALL). The t-ALL cases followed treatment for breast carcinoma (two cases), lung carcinoma (two cases), lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin's disease and follicular lymphoma with a latency period of 13 months to 8 years. All t-ALL cases had a pro-B (CD10-negative) immunophenotype with significantly higher expression of CD15 and CD65, compared to the de novo CD10-positive ALL cases. All six t-ALL cases had MLL abnormalities by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and four showed t(4;11)(q21;q23). These represented half of all 11q23-positive adult ALL cases. During the same time period, 4.9% of all AML cases were considered t-AML. There was a 16.7% frequency of 11q23 abnormalities in the t-AML group. Despite the similar frequency in therapy-related disease among ALL and AML cases, there were differences in the frequency of the diseases and t-ALL represented 12% of all therapy-related leukemias. However, t-ALL represented 46% of all 11q23-positive therapy-related leukemias. The immunogenetic features of t-ALL appear distinct and may aid in identifying more cases of this disease type in the future.

Study on the role of G1 cyclins in Epstein-Barr virus-associated human lymphomas maintained in severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice.

Five Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive human lymphoma cell lines maintained in severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice were used to investigate the role of G1 cyclins in EBV-induced lymphomagenesis. All the primary tumors had been negative for EBV but became positive after establishment in SCID mice, with monoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and EBV monoclonality. To compare the expression status of G1 cyclins, these EBV-associated lymphoma lines (6 EBV[-] human SCID mouse lymphoma lines, 13 human B cell lymphomas and 8 samples of human tonsil tissue) were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-Southern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1), cyclin D2 (CCND2), cyclin E (CCNE), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and 4 (CDK4) was found in all 3 types of lymphomas. Western blotting demonstrated identical results. Immunohistochemistry revealed CCND1 to be negative in all lymphomas. CCND2 was positive and restricted to the nuclei in all EBV(+) SCID mouse lymphoma lines, whereas it was limited to the cytoplasm in half of the EBV(-) counterparts. CCNE was positive in the nuclei in all EBV(+) but negative in all EBV(-) SCID mouse lymphoma lines. Immunoprecipitation of EBV(+) and (-) SCID mouse lymphomas for CCND1, CCND2 and CCNE vs. p21, PCNA and CDK2 or CDK4 demonstrated that, in EBV(+) SCID lines, CCND2/CDK4 complexes were present without binding to p21, suggesting independence from p21 regulation. In EBV(-) SCID mouse lymphomas, half of the cases showed complex formation of CCND2/CDK4 without binding of p21. In contrast, CCND1/CDK4 and CCNE/CDK2 were under regulation of p21 in both EBV(+) and (-) lymphomas. These results suggest that differential expression of CCNDs, CCNE and CDKs, as well as variation in their subcellular localization and association with CDK-inhibitor protein, could explain differences in cell proliferation between EBV(+) and EBV(-) lymphomas.

[Systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma initially presented with visual disturbance due to intrasellar lymphoma--a case report].

A case with systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving the sella turcica and kidney is reported. A 69-year-old man presented with a progressive two month history of visual disturbance and headache. Neurological examination revealed bilateral visual disturbance and right optic atrophy. MRI showed a contrast-enhancing mass in the sella turcica. The tumor extended to the right optic nerve. Without extensive studies for systemic disease, the patient immediately underwent transsphenoidal surgery. The slightly firm, fibrous and vascular-rich tumor was subtotally removed. The histopathological examination revealed a malignant lymphoma, diffuse-large-cell type with B-cell phenotype. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient's symptoms subsided gradually. The patient received radiation therapy and the tumor disappeared. Postoperative CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a large mass at the upper portion of the left kidney. Ga-scan also suggested the mass to be consistent with the abdominal CT. However, the patient suddenly died of acute heart failure with unknown cause just before starting chemotherapy for systemic lymphoma. Patients presenting primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) may have systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To exclude systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma, systemic investigation is essential for the initial management of patients presenting PCNSL.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the ascending colon in a patient with becker muscular dystrophy: report of a case.

We herein present the findings of a 10-year-old boy with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the ascending colon which caused intussusception and intestinal bleeding. He had a history of Becker muscular dystrophy. However, he had neither hypertrophic calves nor cardiomyopathy, and his serum creatine kinase (CK) level always exceeded 2000 IU/l. Preoperatively, a laboratory examination revealed high serum levels of CK (2038IU/l), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the blood hemoglobin level was 7.0g/dl. A barium enema examination revealed an intussusception in his ascending colon, which was found to be a highly vascular tumor on Doppler ultrasound scans. A right hemicolectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the 5 x 6 x 8-cm solid tumor of the ascending colon resembled a submucosal tumor and had two ulcerous lesions at the tip. The tumor was histologically diagnosed to be a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the ascending colon. General examinations revealed no involvement of lymphoma postoperatively. At 13 months after surgery, the CK (37861U/l), AST (110lU/l), ALT (1381U/ l), and LDH (420lU/l) levels are still high, and the patient is doing well without any signs of recurrence.

Tumor regression by inductive hyperthermia combined with hepatic embolization using dextran magnetite-incorporated microspheres in rats.

We formulated a novel preparation of microspheres incorporating dextran magnetite complex (DM-MS), which enable magnetic field-induced heating for the induction of hyperthermia. Using a 500 kHz magnetic field combined with arteriolar embolization of DM-MS, inductive hyperthermia was performed for the treatment of liver tumors in rats. Three days after treatment, the percentage increase of tumor volume in the embolo-hyperthermia, embolization alone, and control groups were 28%, 124%, and 385%, respectively, with the embolo-hyperthermia group differing significantly from the remaining groups. This study demonstrated the feasibility of combining embolization of DM-MS with hyperthermia as an antitumor therapy.

Primary adenocarcinoma in the urethrorectal fistula.

A 60-year-old Japanese man was hospitalized because of urinary leakage from the anus on October 3, 1994. Retrograde urethrography detected a fistula between the bulbous urethra and the rectum. Urethrocystoscopy revealed a tumor on the urethrorectal fistula. Tumor biopsy showed a well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Cystourethrectomy with fistulectomy, and ileal conduit urinary diversion were performed. Pathological examination revealed primary adenocarcinoma in the fistula with invasion to the prostatic urethra and bladder wall. The patient showed no evidence of a recurrence as of August, 1996.

Malignant mesenchymoma arising from the prostate in Gardner's syndrome.

The first case of a primary malignant mesenchymoma arising from the prostate in Gardner's syndrome is reported. The neoplasm occurred in a 40-year-old man with a chief complaint of urinary retention. Biopsy findings were primary malignant mesenchymoma. Total cystectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed, but the patient died due to multiple metastases within 6 months. He had undergone a colectomy for polyposis coli 17 years earlier and had mandibular osteomas. This was the first case of malignant mesenchymoma arising from the prostate in Gardner's syndrome.

Identification of a cis-acting element that is responsible for cadmium-mediated induction of the human heme oxygenase gene.

Heme oxygenase is an essential enzyme in heme catabolism and is inducible by various environmental derangements such as cadmium. The activity and mRNA levels of heme oxygenase were remarkably increased in HeLa cells by the treatment with cadmium. As a first step in studying the molecular mechanisms of this induction, we performed transient expression assays in four human cell lines including HeLa to analyze the cadmium-mediated inducibility of the fusion genes, containing the firefly luciferase gene as a reporter under the human heme oxygenase gene promoter. By determining the luciferase activity expressed in the transfected cells, we found the region between about 4.5 and 4 kilobase pairs upstream from the transcriptional initiation site of the heme oxygenase gene which confers cadmium-mediated inducibility on the fusion gene. The region was then subjected to further functional analysis in HeLa cells, which allowed us to localize the cadmium-responsive element to 20 base pairs. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that this 20-base pair element is specifically bound by nuclear protein(s) of HeLa cells, the binding activities of which were however unchanged by the treatment with cadmium. Using the synthetic cadmium-responsive elements containing various base changes, we have identified a 10-base pair sequence, TGCTAGATTT, required for the cadmium-mediated inducibility and in vitro protein binding. We thus suggest that this binding protein(s) is involved in the cadmium-mediated activation of the heme oxygenase gene. Incidentally, the consensus sequence of AP-1 binding site, TGAGTCA, is present downstream of this cadmium-responsive element. However, we provide evidence that AP-1 is not directly involved in the cadmium-mediated induction of the human heme oxygenase gene.

[A case of small cell carcinoma of the stomach with multiple liver metastases].

We report a very rare case of small cell carcinoma of the stomach. A 69-year-old man, complaining of epigastric discomfort, was admitted to our hospital. Gastric endoscopy showed a Borrmann type 3 tumor at the lesser curvature of the cardia. Multiple liver metastases were observed in CT-scan, and total gastrectomy and cannulation to the hepatic artery were carried out. Macroscopically it was gastric cancer with P0H3N1T3M0, Stage IV b, histologically small cell carcinoma, intermed, INF gamma, ss, ly1, v3, n1(+), ow(-), aw(-). Immunochemotherapy was carried out, but liver metastases developed. The prognosis of this disease is very poor, resulting from rapidly developing metastases and invasion, in spite of treatments such as gastrectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. More effective treatments are needed.

Histological features of palatine tonsils in pustulosis palmaris et plantaris: a morphometric study.

The morphological expression of the immune response of palatine tonsils obtained from patients with pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP) was investigated by morphometry in conjunction with immunohistochemistry. First, to differentiate the histological features of tonsils between PPP and habitual tonsillitis, each extent of the T cell dependent areas (T nodules), B cell dependent areas (lymph follicles), germinal centers, mixed areas of T cells and B cells, and lacunar epithelium was measured and compared on 38 patients with PPP and 47 with habitual tonsillitis, respectively. The most remarkable findings in PPP were enlargement of the secondary T nodules, and atrophy of the lymph follicles with a decrease in number of the germinal center cells and fibrosis. These changes of lymph follicles were similar to those in the older patients with habitual tonsillitis, which suggests the intensely advanced stage of the immune response within the tonsils. Second, the histological structures of the tonsils of 15 tonsillectomy effective cases (88.2%) was compared with those of two non-effective cases in curing skin lesions. The histological structure in the non-effective cases was very similar to that in habitual tonsillitis cases. This indicates that the histological findings may be useful in predicting the effects of tonsillectomy on PPP.

Elevated complement activities of sera from patients with high density lipoprotein deficiency (Tangier disease): the presence of normal level of clusterin and the possible implication in the atherosclerosis.

Clusterin (apolipoprotein J, SP-40,40), as well as apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and apolipoprotein A-II (apo A-II), are apolipoprotein components of high density lipoprotein (HDL), but not of low density lipoprotein. In spite of the deficiencies of apo A-I, apo A-II and HDL in the sera of patients with Tangier disease, clusterin was found in them at normal level. While clusterin was present as the component of HDL with apo A-I in sera of normal donors, it was present as a protein which did not form a complex in sera of Tangier patients. SC5b-9 made from the sera of Tangier patients contained normal amounts of clusterin and was deficient in apo A-I, indicating that clusterin could be incorporated into the SC5b-9 complex without apo A-I. The complement activities of the sera of the patients were higher than those of normal donors. These results may be explained by the deficiencies of apo A-I, apo A-II and HDL in the patients, because they were suggested to be the inhibitors of the reactive haemolysis of complement. The elevated complement activities of the patients might be related to the severe atherosclerotic lesions in Tangier disease.