Precise Purity Analysis of High-Purity Lanthanum Oxide by Gravimetric Analysis Assisted With Trace Elemental Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

Gravimetric analysis was used to determine the purity of high-purity La2O3 by stepwise conversions of the weighing forms. In this study, lanthanum in the sample was converted to La oxalate, La2O3, and La2(SO4)3 to evaluate the stoichiometry of the weighing forms for accurate gravimetric determination. The losses of La in the filtrate, the washing solution of the precipitate, and the mechanical loss of La during filtration were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The weighing forms were evaluated by comparing the observed mass ratio with the theoretical value at each conversion step. The final converted La2(SO4)3 was consistent with the theoretical composition based on the observed mass ratio of La2(SO4)3/La2O3. Additionally, impurities in the high-purity La2O3 were determined by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry. The purity of the original La2O3 sample was precisely determined to be 99.977 % ± 0.057% (mass fraction as La2O3; the value following "±" indicates the expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor k = 2.18) by a combination of the gravimetric analysis using the precipitation from the homogeneous solution method and verification of the weighing forms for La compound.

Correction to: The search, coagulation, and clipping (SCC) method prevents delayed bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

The article "The search, coagulation, and clipping (SCC) method prevents delayed bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection", written by Motoi Azumi, Manabu Takeuchi, Youhei Koseki, Masaru Kumagai, Yoko Kobayashi, Masafumi Takatsuna, Aiko Yoshioka, Seiichi Yoshikawa, Tsutomu Miura, and Shuji Terai, was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 28 September 2018 without open access.

The search, coagulation, and clipping (SCC) method prevents delayed bleeding after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Delayed bleeding is an important complication after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The search, coagulation, and clipping (SCC) method can be used to prevent delayed bleeding after ESD. However, its safety and efficacy are unclear. We compared the SCC method with post-ESD coagulation (PEC) to clarify the safety and efficacy of the SCC method for preventing delayed bleeding after gastric ESD. METHODS: This retrospective study included 438 patients (478 lesions) who underwent gastric ESD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the significant independent factors associated with delayed bleeding and we performed propensity-score matching (PSM) to reduce the effect of procedure-selection bias of SCC method. RESULTS: Of the 438 patients, 216 underwent PEC and 222 underwent SCC. Delayed bleeding was significantly less common in the SCC than in the PEC (2.6% vs. 7.2%; P = 0.013). Among patients treated with antithrombotic therapy, the delayed bleeding rate was lower in the SCC group than in the PEC group; however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.15). The SCC method was found to be a significant independent factor for the prevention of delayed bleeding. PSM was performed in 156 patients in the PEC group and SCC group. There was a significant difference in the incidence of bleeding in the PEC and SCC groups (P = 0.013). No patient had perforation/bleeding associated with the SCC method. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the SCC method is a simple, safe, and effective approach for preventing delayed bleeding after gastric ESD.

A Case of Successful Treatment of Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm Caused by Celiac Artery Dissection.

A 52-year-old man was admitted due to severe epigastric lesion pain. Esophagus gastroduodenal endoscopy showed impaired duodenal dilatation, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) aneurysm 13 mm in diameter below the head of the pancreas, retroperitoneal hematoma, idiopathic celiac artery (CA) dissection, and common hepatic artery disruption. Angiographic embolization with a mixture of N-butyl-1,2-cyanoacrylate and lipiodol was performed, and follow-up study showed improvement of the dilatation of the duodenum and disappearance of the aneurysm. Here we report a quite rare case of PDA aneurysm by idiopathic dissection of CA treated successfully with angiographic embolization.

Plasma tea catechins and risk of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Japanese subjects: The JPHC study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although a potential benefit of drinking green tea has been suggested to reduce the development of cardiovascular disease, no study has investigated the relationship between plasma tea catechin and risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A prospective, nested case-control study was conducted to examine the association between plasma tea catechin and risk of stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) in a cohort of 29,876 men and women aged 40-69 years without history of heart disease, stroke or cancer. Participants completed a survey and donated blood samples between 1990 and 1994, and were followed-up through 2008. A total of 1132 stroke cases and 209 CHD cases, matched 1:1 to controls (n = 1132) for stroke and 1:2 to controls (n = 418) for CHD, were included in the analysis. RESULTS: We found no significant association between plasma tea catechin and the incidence of stroke or CHD in either men or women. However, we found that high plasma levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were associated with reduced risk of stroke in non-smoking men; the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for the highest vs. non-detectable levels was 0.53 (0.29-0.98). The respective OR in male smokers was 1.23 (0.75-2.16). A significant interaction by smoking status was found for the highest vs. non-detected plasma EGCG in relation to stroke (p-for-interaction: p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma tea catechin was not associated with reduced risks of either stroke or CHD, while a protective effect of certain tea catechin on stroke risk is suggested for male non-smokers.

Determination of ultra-trace sulfur in high-purity metals by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry combined with chemical separation procedure.

The analytical method of ultra-trace sulfur (S) in high-purity metal by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS) combined with chemical separation procedure was developed in the present study. In order to determine the ultra-trace S in high-purity metal, a chemical separation with alumina column was carried out before ICP-MS measurement. This method enabled to prevent the polyatomic ion interference arising from the metal matrix and the signal suppression derived from the space charge effect in ICP-MS. In order to achieve high sensitive analysis, an ICP-sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS) was used. The isolation of polyatomic ion interference with respect to S was also carried out in medium-resolution mode. In addition, measurement conditions including detector dead time, which affects the precision and accuracy of the isotope dilution method, and washout conditions that were employed to reduce memory effects were optimized. The developed method was validated by the determination of S in a high-purity iron reference material (JSS-001-4). The analytical result obtained by the developed method (1.86 mg kg-1 ±â€¯0.12 mg kg-1 (k = 2)) was in good agreement with the certified value (1.90 mg kg-1 ±â€¯0.42 mg kg-1). The method was also applied to the determination of S in high-purity zinc, revealing a content of 0.08 mg kg-1 ±â€¯0.08 mg kg-1 (k = 2). Since the developed method enabled the determination of ultra-trace S at µg kg-1 level in the high-purity zinc, it is expected to be useful for high sensitive and accurate determination of ultra-trace S in high-purity metals.

Determination of Dissolved Silica in Seawater by Ion-exclusion Chromatography with Post-column Derivatization/Silicomolybdenum Yellow Detection.

The determination of dissolved silica in seawater was investigated by an ion-exclusion chromatography with a post-column derivatization/silicomolybdenum yellow method. To determine dissolved silica in seawater accurately, the experimental conditions, such as the volume of a reaction coil, the eluent concentration and the sample dilution factor, were optimized. This is the first report that has examined the details of the experimental condition for the measurement of dissolved silica in seawater by ion-exclusion chromatography with silicomolybdenum-yellow detection. The developed method was compared with the widely used continuous flow analysis and an ion-exclusion chromatography isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, which is a primary method of measurement. The analytical results by the three methods were in good agreement, considering the expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor, 2. The validity of the three methods was confirmed with each other. The developed method can give a quantitative value with less than 1% of the expanded uncertainty, and can be used for the determination of dissolved silica in candidate reference materials having a seawater matrix.

Characterization of a new candidate isotopic reference material for natural Pb using primary measurement method.

A lead isotopic standard solution with natural abundance has been developed by applying a mixture of a solution of enriched 208Pb and a solution of enriched 204Pb (208Pb-204Pb double spike solution) as bracketing method. The amount-of-substance ratio of 208Pb:204Pb in this solution is accurately measured by applying EDTA titrimetry, which is one of the primary measurement methods, to each enriched Pb isotope solution. Also metal impurities affecting EDTA titration and minor lead isotopes contained in each enriched Pb isotope solution are quantified by ICP-SF-MS. The amount-of-substance ratio of 208Pb:204Pb in the 208Pb-204Pb double spike solution is 0.961959 ± 0.000056 (combined standard uncertainty; k = 1). Both the measurement of lead isotope ratios in a candidate isotopic standard solution and the correction of mass discrimination in MC-ICP-MS are carried out by coupling of a bracketing method with the 208Pb-204Pb double spike solution and a thallium internal addition method, where thallium solution is added to the standard and the sample. The measured lead isotope ratios and their expanded uncertainties (k = 2) in the candidate isotopic standard solution are 18.0900 ± 0.0046 for 206Pb:204Pb, 15.6278 ± 0.0036 for 207Pb:204Pb, 38.0626 ± 0.0089 for 208Pb:204Pb, 2.104406 ± 0.00013 for 208Pb:206Pb, and 0.863888 ± 0.000036 for 207Pb:206Pb. The expanded uncertainties are about one half of the stated uncertainty for NIST SRM 981, for 208Pb:204Pb, 207Pb:204Pb and 206Pb:204Pb, or one eighth, for 208Pb:206Pb and 207Pb:206Pb, The combined uncertainty consists of the uncertainties due to lead isotope ratio measurements and the remaining time-drift effect of mass discrimination in MC-ICP-MS, which is not removed by the coupled correction method. In the measurement of 208Pb:204Pb, 207Pb:204Pb and 206Pb:204Pb, the latter contribution is two or three times larger than the former. When the coupling of a bracketing method with the 208Pb-204Pb double spike solution and a thallium internal addition method is applied to the analysis of NIST SRM 981, the measured lead isotope ratios are in good agreement with its certified values. This proves that the developed method is not only consistent with the conventional one by NIST SRM 981 but also enables measurement of the lead isotope ratios with higher precision.

Determination of Ultra-trace Metal Impurities in High-purity Cadmium Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry after Matrix Separation with Anion Exchange Resin.

The analytical method for ultra-trace metal impurities at µg kg-1 level in high-purity Cd was examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) combined with matrix separation by Bio-Rad AG MP-1M anion exchange resin. After the separation of Cd, the metal impurities such as Li, In, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Sr, Ba and Pb were measured by an ICP-quadrupole mass spectrometer (ICP-QMS) and ICP-sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS). From the comparison of measured results, it was evaluated that the analytical sensitivity by ICP-SFMS was 10 times higher than ICP-QMS. In addition, ICP-SFMS could obtain determined values of Li and Fe that could not be determined by ICP-QMS. These results suggest the ICP-SFMS combined with matrix separation by anion exchange resin could be utilized for the determination of ultra-trace metal impurities in high-purity materials for the assessment of the purity of the materials.

Precise determination of dissolved silica in seawater by ion-exclusion chromatography isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Ion exclusion chromatograph (IEC) isotope dilution (ID) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (IEC-ID-ICP-MS) was developed for measurement of dissolved silica in seawater, which was applied to production of certified reference materials (CRMs) of three concentration levels of nutrients (high, medium and low levels). IEC-ICP-MS has been employed to separate dissolved silica from seawater matrix. In the present study, in order to solve substantial problems due to spectral interference in ICP-MS and to improve the accuracy of IEC-ICP-MS beyond standard addition or conventional calibration methods, ID method was coupled with ICP-sector field mass spectrometry (operated under medium resolution,i.e., m/Δm=4000). In addition, effects of various operating parameters in ICP-MS on a silicon background level were also investigated to obtain lower background equivalent concentration (BEC). As a result, 3 ng g(-1) of the BEC and 0.5 % of relative standard uncertainties were achieved in the analyses of dissolved silica in seawater samples at concentration levels from 4.0 mg kg (-1) to 0.8 mg kg(-1) as silicon. The developed method was successfully validated by analyses of an artificial seawater containing a known amount of silicate and the seawater certified reference material MOOS-2 produced by the National Research Council Canada.

Accurate determination and certification of bromine in plastic by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

The accurate analytical method of bromine (Br) in plastic was developed by an isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICPMS). The figures of merit of microwave acid digestion procedures using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or quartz vessels were studied and the latter one was suitable for Br analysis since its material was free from Br contamination. The sample dilution procedures using Milli-Q water or ammonium (NH3) solution were also studied to remove memory effect for ICPMS measurement. Although severe memory effect was observed on Milli-Q water dilution, NH3 solution could remove it successfully. The accuracy of the ID-ICPMS was validated by a certified reference material (CRM) as well as the comparison with the analytical result obtained by an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) as different analytical method. From these results, the ID-ICPMS developed in the present study could be evaluated as accurate analytical method of Br in plastic materials and it could apply to certification of Br in candidate plastic CRM with respect to such regulations related to RoHS (restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronics equipment) directive.

Characterization of brown rice as a certified reference material for Fukushima accident-related radioactivity measurements.

We developed a certified reference material of brown rice to measure radioactivity from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The rice was planted in the spring of 2011, just after the Fukushima accident occurred, and it was harvested in the autumn of 2011. The certified value of radioactivity concentration in the rice was 33.6 Bq kg(-1) of Cs-134 and 51.8 Bq kg(-1) of Cs-137 on August 1, 2012. The reference material is being widely distributed by the National Metrology Institute of Japan. To determine the radioactivity and its uncertainties in the brown rice, we employed gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium detector and Monte Carlo simulation.

Plasma isoflavone concentrations are not associated with gastric cancer risk among Japanese men and women.

The incidence of gastric cancer throughout the world is ~2-3 times higher in men than in women. Previous research suggested that isoflavones, which are structurally similar to 17ß-estradiol, may prevent gastric cancer. Based on a large, population-based, prospective study, we recently reported a null association between dietary isoflavone intake and gastric cancer. However, epidemiologic studies using blood concentrations of isoflavones might better reflect the effect of isoflavones on gastric cancer carcinogenesis than dietary assessment. We therefore conducted a nested case-control study within the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study. Participants were followed-up from 1990 to 2004. Among 36,745 participants who answered the baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples, 483 gastric cancer cases matched to 483 controls were used in the analysis. ORs and 95% CIs were estimated with a conditional logistic regression model. The overall distribution of plasma isoflavone concentrations was not associated with the development of gastric cancer. Compared with groups with the lowest plasma concentrations (reference groups), the groups with the highest daidzein and genistein concentrations had adjusted ORs and 95% CIs of 1.11 (0.74-1.66; P-trend = 0.6) and 0.96 (0.64-1.44; P-trend = 0.9), respectively. The results did not change when analysis was based on sex, subsite, or histological type. We found no association of plasma isoflavone concentrations with gastric cancer risk. Our data support the previously observed null association between isoflavone intake and gastric cancer risk.

Plasma cells and the chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis of primary biliary cirrhosis.

UNLABELLED: There has been increased interest in the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Although the vast majority of patients with this disease have anti-mitochondrial antibodies, there is no correlation of anti-mitochondrial antibody titer and/or presence with disease severity. Furthermore, in murine models of PBC, it has been suggested that depletion of B cells may exacerbate biliary pathology. To address this issue, we focused on a detailed phenotypic characterization of mononuclear cell infiltrates surrounding the intrahepatic bile ducts of patients with PBC, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, chronic hepatitis C, and graft-versus-host disease, including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD38, and immunoglobulin classes, as well as double immunohistochemical staining for CD38 and IgM. Interestingly, CD20 B lymphocytes, which are a precursor of plasma cells, were found in scattered locations or occasionally forming follicle-like aggregations but were not noted at the proximal location of chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. In contrast, there was a unique and distinct coronal arrangement of CD38 cells around the intrahepatic ducts in PBC but not controls; the majority of such cells were considered plasma cells based on their expression of intracellular immunoglobulins, including IgM and IgG, but not IgA. Patients with PBC who manifest this unique coronal arrangement were those with significantly higher titers of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. CONCLUSION: These data collectively suggest a role for plasma cells in the specific destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts in PBC and confirm the increasing interest in plasma cells and autoimmunity.

Rice cake ileus--a rare and ethnic but important disease status in east-southern Asia.

INTRODUCTION: Rice cake is a traditional but very popular food in Asia including Japan and has never been known as a cause of ileus. Rice cake is now becoming widespread in the United States and European countries along with other Japanese foods. We may encounter rice cake ileus all over the world. This study was aimed at characterizing the rice cake ileus. METHODS: We consecutively encountered 14 patients with rice cake ileus from April 2003 to October 2010 in our hospital. All of the characteristics of the cases were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients had ingested rice cake by swallowing without chewing. It has most frequently occurred in January (57.1%). The main symptoms were abdominal colicky pain (100%) and nausea (85.7%) and physical findings included abdominal tenderness (100%) and muscular defense (28.6%). All patients improved by conservative therapy including fluid supply (100%), naso-gastric tube (28.6%) and long tube (28.6%) insertion. No patient needed emergency open surgery. CONCLUSION: Rice cake ileus which is caused by swallowing the rice cake without chewing, frequently occurs in January, has previous history of abdominal surgery and shows high density intestinal contents on CT and only needs conservative therapy. Globalism in food culture may provide a new disease entity. Therefore, we should be aware of this type of ileus and be prepared to manage it appropriately.

[Palliative anti-cancer chemotherapy is safely executable in a hemodialytic patient with unresectable advanced gastric cancer].

A 75-year-old man with chronic renal failure was on maintenance hemodialysis.He was admitted to our hospital for advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases (cStage IV).Three courses of tegafur-uracil (300 mg/day daily) plus docetaxel (20 mg/m², every 3 weeks) as first-line treatment and nine courses of tegafur-uracil (same dose) plus CPT-11 (64 mg/m², day 1, 15, every 4 weeks) were given without any complications.Docetaxel and CPT-11 were given on days between hemodialyses. No severe adverse effects of more than grade 3 were encountered. The standard regimens in our country for unresectable advanced gastric cancer are the S-1 single or S-1/CDDP combined chemotherapies that have already been evidenced in the JCOG 9912 and SPIRITS trial. However, no standard chemotherapy for patients on hemodialysis has been reported as yet.Therefore, doctors in charge must arrange an individualized regimen for each patient, considering metabolic characteristics of each anti-cancer agent.In this context, our case was considered to be very suggestive, and that is why we report it here in detail.

TTF-1 is useful for primary site determination in duodenal metastasis.

We report here on a case of duodenal metastasis from primary lung adenocarcinoma. A 69-year old man was diagnosed with primary lung adenocarcinoma. Four courses of combined chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel associated with irradiation of 60 Gy shrunk the lung tumor. However, soon after,the para-aortic lymph node became swollen. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed three duodenal tumors. Differential diagnosis between malignant lymphoma and metastatic duodenal cancer was endoscopically difficult. The histology of biopsied specimens was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a positive reaction for thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1). Thus, we concluded that these were metastatic duodenal tumors from lung adenocarcinoma. Two courses of gemcitabine led to a complete remission in this duodenal metastasis and para-aortic lymph node swelling with only scarring remaining in computed tomography. He is now on the continuous generalized chemotherapy. In conclusion, duodenal metastasis from primary lung adenocarcinoma is rare and hard to diagnose. In such an instance, TTF-1 immunostaining is crucial to obtain the correct diagnosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma, with portal thrombus after viral eradication, disappeared by 5-fluorouracil and interferon.

Hepatocarcinogenesis after a sustained virological response (SVR) in type C chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis is an important issue in endemic areas; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) therapy is especially very hard. We herein report a first case in which combination therapy with interferon-α and continuous intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (designated as FAIT) provided a complete response in HCC with PVTT after SVR. Therefore, we think that FAIT is a good option to treat HCC with or without PVTT, even after SVR.

A Fatal Aortoesophageal Fistula Caused by Critical Combination of Double Aortic Arch and Nasogastric Tube Insertion for Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare vascular congenital abnormality. Since a vascular ring surrounds bronchus and esophagus, any oral or nasal intubation can physically cause fatal aortoesophageal fistula (AEF). We report herein the first case of association of DAA and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome and the second case of AEF caused by nasogastric intubation in an adult with DAA. A 19-year-old woman visited our hospital for nausea and vomiting. She was diagnosed with SMA syndrome by computed tomography (CT). Nasogastric intubation relieved her symptoms in 4 days. Extramural compression with top ulceration was found in esophagogastroduodenoscopy on the 5th hospital day. She suddenly showed massive hematemesis on the 12th hospital day. AEF was found by CT. Soon, she died despite of intensive care. Retrospective interview disclosed the fact that DAA was pointed out in her childhood. We conclude that intubation must be avoided in DAA and a detailed clinical interview about DAA is mandatory to avoid AEF.

Accurate determination of arsenic in arsenobetaine standard solutions of BCR-626 and NMIJ CRM 7901-a by neutron activation analysis coupled with internal standard method.

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) coupled with an internal standard method was applied for the determination of As in the certified reference material (CRM) of arsenobetaine (AB) standard solutions to verify their certified values. Gold was used as an internal standard to compensate for the difference of the neutron exposure in an irradiation capsule and to improve the sample-to-sample repeatability. Application of the internal standard method significantly improved linearity of the calibration curve up to 1 microg of As, too. The analytical reliability of the proposed method was evaluated by k(0)-standardization NAA. The analytical results of As in AB standard solutions of BCR-626 and NMIJ CRM 7901-a were (499+/-55)mgkg(-1) (k=2) and (10.16+/-0.15)mgkg(-1) (k=2), respectively. These values were found to be 15-20% higher than the certified values. The between-bottle variation of BCR-626 was much larger than the expanded uncertainty of the certified value, although that of NMIJ CRM 7901-a was almost negligible.