Thermodynamic investigation of coordination-networked systems of [Mn4] single-molecule magnets under pressure.

Low temperature heat capacity measurements under pressure were performed for tiny single crystals of two-dimensional coordination-networked compounds consisting of [Mn(4)] single-molecule magnets (SMMs) by the ac temperature modulation technique. Systematic variations of the peak temperature and the peak width of the thermal anomalies produced by pressure were clearly detected using two ruthenium oxide resistance chips in the Cu-Be clamp-type cell. A linear increase of the Néel temperature for an ordering set of large SMM spins with S=9 was observed in [Mn(4)(hmp)(6){N(CN)(2)}(2)](ClO(4))(2), while a non-monotonic variation of the peak temperatures and peak shapes was observed in [Mn(4)(hmp)(4)Br(2)(OMe)(2){N(CN)(2)}(2)](ClO(4))(2)·2THF·0.5H(2)O (hmp(-)=2-hydroxymethylpyridinate; N(CN)(2)(-)=dicyanamide as the linker among SMMs). We also report on thermodynamic behavior produced by changing external pressures and magnetic fields. The results are discussed in terms of the tilting angle of Ising axes in the two-dimensional plane.

Effect of phenol on the aggregation characteristics of an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide triblock copolymer P65 in aqueous solution.

The effects of phenol on the micellization, micellar growth, and phase separation of a poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) amphiphilic copolymer (Pluronic P65: EO19 PO30 EO19) in aqueous solution have been studied by cloud point, viscosity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fluorescence spectroscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Various concentrations of P65 have been chosen to estimate the effect of phenol on different concentration regions of P65. Phenol interacts quite differently at low concentrations (0-2%) than at high concentrations (2-10%) of P65, as per the observation that phenol is more predominant at smaller concentrations of P65. A marked decrease in the cloud points of the P65 solutions is observed in presence of phenol. The critical micelle temperature (CMT) of P65 shows a synergistic effect of phenol on P65 aggregates. Micellar transitions, phase separation, and aggregation behaviours like micellization and micellar growth in the presence of phenol have been observed by combining viscometry, DLS, DSC, and CP. DLS shows that the effect of phenol is predominant at high temperatures. SANS shows a high increase in axial ratio and aggregation numbers in the presence of phenol at fixed concentrations of P65. Fluorescence data illustrate that addition of phenol makes micelles polar but at the same time its favours aggregation. Water-soluble phenol (present in low concentrations) forms aggregates with P65, which can be separated by cloud point extraction, making this study interesting for separation of phenol from the phenol-water system.

Influence of hyperbaric environment on physiological tremor.

The effect of pressured environment from 1 to 24 ATA (Atmosphere Absolute) on total power spectrum (TP) of physiological tremor, whose value was the sum of power spectra for frequency range in 0.5-50 Hz, was investigated. The main effects obtained were as follows. (1) In the case of 3 ATA, TP during the pressure holding period denoted a similar value as the value in 1 ATA. In the latter half of the period, the TP increased. When the pressured environment is 4 ATA, in which the partial pressure of the nitrogen gas was 3.6 ATA, the TP decreased during the pressure holding period compared with the value in 1 ATA. Nitrogen narcosis was recognized at the partial pressure of 3.6 ATA, thus the effect denoted a decrease of TP. (2) In the cases of 16 and 19 ATA using heliox gas, during the pressure holding period, TP decreased compared with the value in 1 ATA, but in the case of 24 ATA the value increased. The partial pressure of helium gas of 23.6 ATA indicated a high pressure nervous syndrome, therefore, the influence of high pressure on TP was recognized as one of the causes of the increase of TP. (3) The influence of inhibitors of the autonomic nervous system on TP during the pressure holding period of 3 ATA was recognized. After intake of the inhibitor for the parasympathetic nerve (atropine) during the pressure period, TP increased, while for the intake of the inhibitor for the sympathetic nerve (propanol), TP decreased.

A case of AFP-producing early gastric carcinoma with rapid growth liver metastasis.

An 84-year-old man presented with complaints of epigastric discomfort. Upper gastrointestinal series and endoscopy showed an elevated lesion at the posterior wall of greater curvature on the gastric fundus. Diagnosed as moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma by biopsy, wedge resection and 4sa regional lymph node dissection were carried out. The tumor morphology showed type I with slight elevation, 2.5 x 1.7 cm in size; histological showed papillary, tubular, and solid formations having clear cytoplasm and large bizarre nuclei invading the deep submucosal layer (sm2). This case was evaluated as T1(sm) N0 M0 stage Ia early gastric cancer. In the 5th month after operation, multiple liver metastases were detected. He died of liver failure by rapid growth of metastatic tumors in the 6th month after operation. The serum alpha-fetoprotein level at recurrence was 1,900 ng/mL, and alpha-fetoprotein-positive cells were immunohistochemically detected in operative and liver biopsy specimens.

Nonpolypoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas found in background mucosa of surgically resected colons.

BACKGROUND: Nonpolypoid (depressed or flat) neoplasias are rarely seen in the colon and rectum. We previously reported their histogenesis and characteristics in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), but their development in patients without FAP has not been studied systematically. METHODS: Three hundred specimens of large intestinal mucosa surgically resected from patients with cancers or other diseases, excluding FAP, were examined with a dissecting microscope. The morphologic types, sizes, locations, and frequencies of detectable colorectal neoplasias, and their histologic features, were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 297 adenomas (240 polypoid, 32 flat, and 25 depressed type) were obtained. Nonpolypoid adenomas were most frequently found in the transverse and descending colon. Almost all depressed adenomas (24 of 25; 96%) were less than 3 mm in greatest dimension and almost all flat adenomas (31 of 32; 96.9%) were less than 3.5 mm in greatest dimension. Three minute, nonpolypoid adenocarcinomas (mean size, 2.6 mm; range, 2.4-2.9 mm) were also detected, two of them already invaded the submucosal layer. CONCLUSIONS: Minute nonpolypoid type adenomas may be present in the background mucosa of patients without FAP. This study suggests that even minute nonpolypoid adenocarcinomas have an increased potential for endophytic growth.

Depressed adenomas of the colon in familial adenomatous polyposis. Histology, immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and analysis of the background mucosa.

Depressed adenomas of the colon have been reported more often during the past several years, but there are few reports on the details of their characteristics or behavior. In this study, depressed and ordinary polypoid adenomas, especially those in an early stage, in the large intestine of 28 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) were examined macroscopically, by dissecting microscope, and histologically. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the density of crypts in the background mucosa around depressed and polypoid adenomas were also compared. Depressed adenomas of < 1.0 mm in diameter showed horizontal growth between the normal adjacent crypts, which often left the normal crypts as islands, whereas polypoid adenomas grow expansively without including remnants of normal crypts. In depressed adenomas, PCNA shifted to the upper part of the crypts, and the background mucosa in their vicinity showed a low density of crypts. These findings indicate that a unique characteristic of growth of depressed adenomas at an early stage is superficial proliferation.

A morphometrical analysis of minute depressed adenomas in familial polyposis coli.

In a morphometrical study of minute adenomas in familial polyposis coli (FPC), ranging from 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm in diameter, five parameters of depressed adenomas were compared with those of ordinary polypoid adenomas. The density of glands (DG), an index of structural atypia, and the nuclear-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, an index of cellular atypia, were higher in depressed adenomas than in polypoid adenomas (74.8% vs 66.8% and 37.8% vs 32.7%, respectively). The cell area (C-area) of depressed adenomas was less than that of polypoid adenomas (107.3 microns 2 vs 121.1 microns 2), but there was no significant difference in values for the nuclear area (N-area) in the two types (40.0 microns 2 vs 39.2 microns 2). The higher N/C ratio of depressed adenomas was, therefore, not caused by enlargement of the nuclei but by reduction of the cell size. In addition, values of the sphericity of nuclei (SN) (3.14 vs 3.65) indicated rounder nuclei in depressed adenomas than in ordinary ones. The higher DG and N/C ratio of the depressed adenomas indicates their higher grade of atypia than that of ordinary polypoid adenomas.

Minute adenomas of the depressed type in familial adenomatous polyposis of the colon. A pathway to ordinary polypoid adenomas.

BACKGROUND: It has been thought that colorectal adenomas are polypoid from their beginning. Although depressed adenomas have been described, they have been considered an unusual form and have not been studied systemically. METHOD: More than 5000 colorectal adenomas in 24 resected large intestines of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis were examined by dissecting microscopic study. These adenomas were classified by their surface appearance as depressed, flat, or polypoid type. The frequencies and sizes of the three types were determined. RESULTS: In addition to ordinary polypoid adenomas, many adenomas of the depressed type were found. Of the 5287 adenomas detected, 635 (12.0%) were depressed, 967 (18.3%) were flat, and 3685 (69.7%) were polypoid. Depressed adenomas constituted approximately 15% of all adenomas smaller than 1.5 mm diameter. However, they were rare in those of 1.5-2.0 mm diameter and were not found among those of more than 2.0 mm in diameter. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that some ordinary polypoid adenomas originate from minute depressed adenomas.

[The metabolic index of nocturnal hypoxia in patients after lung resection and thoracoplasty].

The authors measured urinary uric acid (UA) and creatinine (CR), serum lactate, and CoQ10 prior to retiring at night and on awakening in the morning in 127 patients (PG) after lung resection and thoracoplasty which were done more than 20 years age for treatment of tuberculosis and in 20 controls (NC). delta UA:CR, delta lactate, and delta CoQ10 were calculated respectively as the overnight changes in urinary UA:CR and in serum lactate and CoQ10. delta UA:CR increased in PG (4.0 +/- 43.6%), whereas it decreased in NC (-22.3 +/- 17.7%) (mean +/- SD) (p less than 0.05). Nocturnal hypoxemia suggested from positive balance of delta UA:CR was seen in 37% of PG, but in only 10% of NC. delta UA:CR showed no relationship with delta lactate and delta CoQ10 and also did not correlate with the nadir of arterial oxygen saturation. PG were divided into PG with a positive balance of delta UA:CR (PG-P) and with a negative balance of delta UA:CR (PG-N). The %VC and PaO2 in the PG-P group were lower and PaCO2 was higher than in PG-N, although the difference did not achieve statistical significance.

Primary aldosteronism with cortisol overproduction from bilateral multiple adrenal adenomas.

A 55-year-old woman with bilateral multiple adenomas showed hypertension, muscle weakness, hypokalemia, moon-like face and truncal obesity. Increased serum and urinary levels of aldosterone were observed. Serum cortisol level did not show a normal circadian rhythm. Microscopic examination of the resected tumors showed two types of adenoma cells; one (golden yellow tumor) was a large clear cell with foamy cytoplasm which possibly secreted aldosterone and the other (dark brown tumor) was an acidophilic cell with lipofuscin which might have produced cortisol. This is a very rare case of primary aldosteronism with Cushing's syndrome due to multiple bilateral adrenal adenomas.