QEXAFS study of the sulfidation of NiMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalysts.

Quick-scanning extended X-ray absorption fine structure (QEXAFS) spectroscopy was employed to investigate in situ the sulfidation of Mo and Ni in y-AI2O3-supported hydrotreating catalysts modified with chelating ligands. Mo K-edge QEXAFS enabled the detection of an intermediate product in the sulfidation of Mo. The parameters obtained from the fits of the QEXAFS spectra showed that this product consists of compounds similar to Mo2S2-(12) or Mo3S2-(13). QEXAFS also demonstrated that the sulfidation of Ni is strongly influenced by the presence of chelating ligands. Classical EXAFS spectra of the sulfided catalysts showed that Ni forms small sulfided clusters, the size of which is influenced by the presence or absence of the chelating agents.

Development of an in situ polarization-dependent total-reflection fluorescence XAFS measurement system.

An in situ polarization-dependent total-reflection fluorescence X-ray absorption fine structure (PTRF-XAFS) spectroscopy system has been developed, which enables PTRF-XAFS experiments to be performed in three different orientations at various temperatures (273-600 K) and pressures (10(-10) approximately 760 torr). The system consists of a measurement chamber and a preparation chamber. The measurement chamber has a high-precision six-axis goniometer and a multielement solid-state detector. Using a transfer chamber, also operated under ultra-high-vacuum conditions, the sample can be transferred to the measurement chamber from the preparation chamber, which possesses low-energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy facilities, as well as a sputtering gun and an annealing system. The in situ PTRF-EXAFS for Cu species on TiO2 (110) has been measured in three different orientations, revealing anisotropic growth of Cu under the influence of the TiO2 (110) surface.

Three-dimensional analysis of the local structure of Cu on TiO2(110) by in situ polarization-dependent total-reflection fluorescence XAFS.

Cu K-edge XAFS of Cu/TiO2(110) was measured by polarization-dependent total-reflection fluorescence XAFS technique. XAFS of [001], [110], and [110] directions were measured to elucidate the three dimensional structure of Cu species on the TiO2(110) surface prepared by the deposition of Cu(DPM)2 followed by reduction with H2. Simulation of the EXAFS functions as well as conventional curve fitting analysis revealed that plane Cu3,4 small clusters with similar structure to Cu(111) plane were formed by the reduction at 363 K. The small clusters converted into spherical metallic Cu particles by the reduction at 473 K.

DXAFS study on the decarbonylation process of Mo(CO)6 in NaY supercages.

The decarbonylation process of Mo(CO)6 in the NaY supercages was studied by means of a time resolved dispersive XAFS method during temperature programmed decarbonylation. XANES analysis demonstrated that the decarbonylation proceeded through two steps and that a stable intermediate existed between 440-490 K. The curve fitting analysis revealed that the intermediate was a molybdenum monomer subcarbonyl species coordinated by three CO ligands and three oxygen atoms of zeolite framework. Molybdenum dimer subcarbonyl species were not observed. This study demonstrated that DXAFS technique is a powerful method to study the dynamic behaviour of the Mo carbonyl species during decarbonylation process.

Time-resolved energy-dispersive XAFS study on the reduction process of Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts.

The time-resolved reduction process of copper cations in ZSM-5 during temperature-programmed reduction (300-700 K) was studied by energy dispersive X-ray absorption fine structure (DXAFS). The Cu K-edge DXAFS spectra for isolated Cu2+ species in the channels of ZSM-5 were recorded at an interval of 1 s during the reduction. The curve fitting analysis of the EXAFS data and the XANES analysis revealed that the isolated Cu2+ species in the channels were reduced stepwise. They were reduced to isolated Cu+ species at 400-450 K and the Cu+ species to Cu0 metallic clusters at 550-650 K. Small clusters like Cu4 were initially formed, followed by particle growth. A small part of them went out to the outer surfaces of ZSM-5 during the reduction.

[Disseminated intravascular coagulation in a case of adult onset Still's disease].

We report a 82-year-old woman with adult onset Still's disease (AOSD), who presented with high fever, skin rash, swollen axillary lymph nodes, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis, abnormal liver function tests, hypoalbuminemia, negative antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor, and lack of renal involvement. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was also diagnosed on admission. An antipyretic relieved high fever and DIC soon improved. Three years later, AOSD relapsed accompanied by hypercoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis. The patient developed subdural hematoma and DIC due to a brain contusion. High titers of serum soluble adhesion molecules and soluble thrombomodulin were noted on the first episode of DIC. These findings indicated that endothelial cells were damaged in AOSD complicated by DIC.

[Neurophysiological studies of minamata disease with HTLV-I associated myelopathy--a case report].

In both Minamata disease (MD) and HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM), sensory disturbance is one of the most characteristic clinical symptoms. We have examined median nerve SSEPs (MN-SEP) and posterior tibial nerve SEPs (PTN-SEP) of both patient groups, and reported their specific abnormalities. MN-SEP of MD patients never showed any conduction delay nor conduction block at the cervical cord. However, they demonstrated the initial positive cortical response with low amplitude instead of the initial negative response (N20) seen in healthy subjects. In PTN-SEP, MD patients showed the initial positive cortical response with significantly shorter latency and lower amplitude than healthy subjects. These findings have never been seen in any other diseases. On the other hand, the conduction delay and conduction block on peripheral nerve, spinal cord and/or intracranial sensory tracts have been demonstrated in many cases with HAM. The patient was a 60-year-old man. About 40 years ago, he suffered with typical clinical symptoms of MD such as cerebellar ataxia, intention tremor and sensory disturbance of upper and lower extremities, and then his condition was complicated with progressive spastic paraplegia and urinary bladder dysfunction since 30 years ago. Both MN-SEP and PTN-SEP were studied so that we could make the electrophysiological differential diagnosis of MD and HAM. His MN-SEP indicated both the conduction delay at his cervical cord and intracranial sensory tract and the initial positive potential from cephalic recording. Furthermore, his PTN-SEP demonstrated severe conduction block at the spinal cord and neither cervical response (N28) nor cortical response (P37) was evoked. In conclusion, the clinical electrophysiologic studies supported our notion that the case might be affected with both MD and HAM.

[Pulmonary sarcoidosis presenting with many cotton-like unilateral shadows].

A 22-year-old woman came to our hospital for a thorough examination of nodular lesions fund in the right lung field on a chest roentgenogram. A CT scan revealed typical cotton-like infiltrates: fluffy margins and granular interiors. Pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed from examination of biopsy specimens from the lesions. The lesions disappeared in 6 months without therapy. Pulmonary sarcoidosis presenting only with many cotton-like unilateral shadows is rare. A cotton-like infiltrate seen on a CT scan is a valuable finding for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis seen twice in eight years.

We present a rare case of a 66-year-old woman with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) accompanied by an empty sella whose symptoms were seen twice in the eight years after the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or prochlorperazine. No diuresis or suppression of the plasma level of vasopressin (AVP) was observed after water loading upon cessation of the causative agents. Suppression of the renin-aldosterone system and a low plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were observed during natriuresis. The plasma levels of AVP were increased after water loadings. Restriction of water intake ameliorated the symptoms and reduced hyponatremia. These findings suggest that NSAID or prochlorperazine caused overt SIAD twice in eight years. The water loading test itself stimulated the release of AVP and a suppression of the renin-aldosterone system played a more important role in natriuresis than ANP in this case.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone in bone marrow of patients with pancytopenia.

The lack of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane proteins such as decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and CD59 on blood cells has a diagnostic value in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Because PNH often develops in patients with aplastic anemia (AA), we attempted to detect a PNH clone in the bone marrow (BM) of patients with AA and pancytopenia before affected cells were evident in the peripheral blood (PB). We used flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies against DAF and CD59 for the detection of the clone. Affected cells were observed in the BM of 3 of 7 patients with AA and 1 of 3 patients with pancytopenia of unknown origin, but not in their PB. All 8 patients with apparent PNH had affected cells in their BM and PB. On the basis of the early appearance of the PNH clone in the BM, a prospective 4-month follow-up study of the PB cells was performed. The study showed the release of affected mature cells first in granulocytes, then in monocytes, and finally in lymphocytes. Ham's test was positive before affected erythrocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Our findings indicate that detection of the PNH clone in BM could be predictive of the development of PNH in patients with AA and pancytopenia.

Trisomy 4 in a case of acute myelogenous leukemia accompanied by subcutaneous soft tissue tumors. Report of a case and review of the literature.

We report a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia [AML, French-American-British classification (FAB) M2] with trisomy 4, who developed subcutaneous soft tissue tumors at the time leukemia was diagnosed. A review of the literature on AML with trisomy 4 suggests a relation between trisomy 4 and tumor formation of leukemic cells.

Spontaneous submucosal dissection of the esophagus.

A 41-year-old woman was found to have had spontaneous submucosal dissection of the esophagus by esophagoscopy. Food ingestion was postulated to have been an initiating factor in this instance. Conservative therapy was sufficient in this case. Patients who complain of sore throat with retrosternal pain and an obstructed sensation on swallowing or mild hematemesis should be examined by esophagoscopy for evidence of this disorder.

Myelo-monocytoid immunophenotypes of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

Leukemia cells from ten patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and one with B-CLL of mixed cell type (B-CLL/PL) were analyzed to delineate the cellular characteristics, especially the myelomonocytic nature. Most of the surface phenotypes were consistent with the previous reports. However, the frequency of positivity for CD22 and CD25 was much higher in the examined cases of B-CLL than in Western reports. B-CLL cells frequently possessed antigens which are mainly expressed in myelomonocytic cells: 8/10 for CD11b and 4/10 for CD11c, although the presence of CD14 was not apparent (0/10). In addition, colony stimulating factor-1 receptors (CSF-1R) were expressed in 6 of the 10 B-CLL cases. The reactivity with antigens such as CD14, CD11c, and CSF-R was markedly enhanced by in vitro incubation. Alterations in antigen expression and in in vitro survival by growth factors for myelomonocytic lineage were observed in certain cases. These data imply that not only are B-CLL cells phenotypically closely related to myelomonocytic lineage but that they may also be influenced by growth factors for that lineage.

[Natural type interferon-alpha (Namalwa) therapy for multiple myeloma complicated by hemolytic anemia].

A 45-year-old woman with Bence-Jones type multiple myeloma was treated with natural type alpha-interferon (Namalwa interferon), 3 million IU every other day subcutaneously. After about 5 months, she developed hemolytic anemia. However, screening tests for autoantibodies, including direct and indirect antiglobulin (Coombs' tests), were negative. This report is the first case in which hemolytic anemia appeared to be caused by natural type alpha-interferon. It is likely that interferons will be used in treating increasing numbers of patients and that more patients will develop this complication.

A case of primary hyperparathyroidism due to an oxyphil cell adenoma.

A 59-year-old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism was found to have a parathyroid adenoma behind the left clavicle. Preoperatively, it appeared as a hypoechoic mass on ultrasonography, as a hot nodule on thallium scintigraphy, and as a high signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of the surgically resected tumor revealed a parathyroid adenoma composed mainly of oxyphil cells with production of a parathyroid hormone. Moreover, a multilocular lesion of lymphangiectasia was contained. Hypercalcemia was alleviated postoperatively. These observations corroborated a functioning parathyroid oxyphil cell adenoma. This is the first case report of functioning oxyphil cell adenoma of the parathyroid gland with lymphangiectasia in Japan.

[Isospora belli infection in a patient with adult T-cell leukemia].

An adult T cell leukemia (ATL) accompanied with Isospora belli infection was described. A 65-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of a two month history of watery diarrhea. On admission, physical examination showed slight pallor but no detectable superficial lymphadenopathies. Hepatosplenomegaly was not observed. Laboratory examination revealed a leukocyte count 5,500/microliters with 10% abnormal lymphoid cells. A majority of the abnormal lymphoid cells expressed both CD 4 and CD 8 antigens. The patient was diagnosed as chronic ATL, since anti-HTLV-1 antibody in his serum and monoclonal integration of HTLV-1 proviral DNA in his peripheral mononuclear cells were detected. Isospora belli was found in his feces thereafter, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was effective for diarrhea. In Japan, there have been only 9 reported cases of lymphoproliferative disorders (including five ATL patients) accompanied with Isospora belli infection. From the descriptions in those reports, these 9 cases might all be ATL patients.

[Non-secretory primary plasma cell leukemia with hyperammonemia].

A 78-year-old man was admitted because of lumbago and chest pain. A diagnosis of non-secretory primary plasma cell leukemia was made based on the laboratory findings and his history. However, the plaque-forming cells assay of bone marrow cells revealed secretion of monoclonal immunoglobulin from the myeloma cells. Hyperammonemia was detected in the serum. Although the patient was treated with 4 courses of combination chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone), he died of respiratory failure five months after diagnosis. Autopsy showed widespread multiple myeloma and prominent infiltration of myeloma cell in the sinusoid of the liver. Recently, there have been a few reports which increased the plasma ammonia concentration with multiple myeloma. This report strongly suggested that liver infiltration of myeloma cell caused hyperammonemia.