Ferroelectric and magnetic properties of multiferroic BiFeO(3)-based composite films.

BiFeO(3)-based composite films were fabricated onto the Pt/Ti/SiO(2)/Si(100) substrates by a chemical solution deposition (CSD) method using the precursor solutions with various excess iron composition followed by annealing at 923 K for 30 minutes under oxygen gas flow. Coexistence of spontaneous magnetization and remanent polarization could be obtained in the BiFeO(3)-based composite films with high excess iron composition. The remanent magnetization of almost 20 emu/cm(3) and the magnetic coercive field of 1.5 kOe were obtained at the iron composition ratio of Fe/Bi = 1.25. In this specimen, the remanent polarization at 90 K was approximately 10 microC/cm(2) at the electric field of 1500 kV/cm. Structural analysis suggested that the remanent polarization has a possibility to increase by suppressing the formation of the secondary phases of Bi(2)Fe(4)O(9) and alpha-Fe(2)O(3), these are the nonferroelectric material as well as antiferromagnetic phase.

Expression of ecalectin, a novel eosinophil chemoattractant, in nasal polyps.

CONCLUSION: Ecalectin, which is produced in the mucosa of nasal polyps, seems to play an important role in the accumulation and activation of eosinophils in nasal polyps, regardless of the presence or absence of atopic predisposition. OBJECTIVE: Ecalectin is a recently discovered eosinophil chemoattractant which elongs to the galectin family. We investigated the expression of ecalectin in nasal polyp tissues associated with various nasal and paranasal diseases in order to clarify the pathogenesis of eosinophilia in nasal polyposis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nasal polyps were taken from 56 patients diagnosed as having chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis. The surgically resected polyps and nasal turbinates were immunohistochemically stained using antibodies against EG2, human mast cell tryptase, CD3 and ecalectin. RESULTS: The number of EG2- and ecalectin-positive cells was significantly higher in nasal polyps than control turbinates. Ecalectin-positive cells were observed in the subepithelial layer, where many EG2-positive cells were present. The number of ecalectin-positive cells correlated significantly with the number of EG2-positive cells in nasal polyps. Many ecalectin mRNA-positive cells were also observed in nasal polyps with an accumulation of EG2-positive cells.

Eosinophil chemoattractants in the middle ear of patients with eosinophilic otitis media.

BACKGROUND: Patients with intractable otitis media associated with bronchial asthma have an extensive accumulation of eosinophils in the effusion and mucosa of the middle ear; this condition is called eosinophilic otitis media (EOM). It remained to be determined how eosinophils accumulate in the middle ear. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the pathogenesis of middle ear diseases, we measured the concentration of eosinophil chemoattractants in middle ear effusion (MEE), and carried out immunohistochemical studies of middle ear mucosa specimens to demonstrate the expression of eosinophil chemoattractants. METHODS: Middle ear effusion samples were obtained from 15 EOM patients with bronchial asthma and from six controls for the measurement of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), IL-5, eotaxin and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted concentrations. Middle ear mucosa samples were also taken from 14 EOM patients and 16 controls for immunohistochemical study. In 10 EOM patients, the numbers of immunoreactive cells as well as apoptotic cells were determined before and after the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide into the middle ear. RESULTS: In EOM, significantly higher ECP and IL-5 concentrations were detected in MEE than in serum, and ECP, IL-5 and eotaxin concentrations in MEE were higher in the EOM patients than in the controls. ECP concentration positively correlated with that of IL-5. Immunohistochemically, the numbers of cells positive for EG2 and ecalectin were significantly higher in the EOM patients than in the controls. After the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide, the numbers of infiltrating cells and immunoreactive cells distinctly decreased, whereas the number of apoptotic cells significantly increased. CONCLUSION: In EOM, locally produced IL-5 may play a crucial role in the accumulation of eosinophils in the middle ear. Chemokines such as ecalectin and eotaxin are also produced in the middle ear, and help activate and enhance the survival of eosinophils to induce the intractable condition in the middle ear. The topical application of triamcinolone acetonide induces the apoptosis of not only eosinophils but also eosinophil chemoattractant-producing cells, thereby improving the middle ear condition.

Pancreatic division by electrocautery in pancreatoduodenectomy.

To assess whether electrocautery is appropriate for cutting the pancreas in pancreatoduodenectomy, we compared leakage of the pancreatojejunostomy (PJ-stomy) in patients who underwent pancreatic division by electrocautery and with a conventional scalpel, in a retrospective study. Eighty-four patients with invaginating end-to-end PJ-stomies (performed in the period 1986-1996) were enrolled in this study; 34 patients underwent pancreatic division with a conventional scalpel (group A) and 50 by electrocautery (group B). Of the 84 patients, 12 (14%) had leakage from the PJ-stomies. In relation to consistency of the pancreatic parenchyma, the incidence of leakage in patients with hard pancreas (1/28; 3.6%) was significantly lower than that in patients with soft or moderate pancreas consistency (11/56; 20%) (P < 0.05). Nine patients (27%) in group A and 3 (6%) in group B presented with leakage. The incidence of leakage was significantly lower in group B than in group A (P < 0. 05). Even when patients with hard pancreas were excluded, the incidence of leakage was significantly lower in group B (3/34; 9%) than in group A (8/22; 36%) (P < 0.05). These results suggest that pancreatic division by electrocautery can reduce the incidence of leakage from the pancreatojejunostomy and make pancreatoduodenectomy a safer procedure.

Early gastric cancer in the young: clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-four cases of early gastric carcinoma in patients under 50 years of age treated in the period from 1985 to 1995 were reviewed. METHODS: These constituted 3.7% of 923 cases of gastric cancer in patients of all ages that were treated at Sendai National Hospital during the same 10-year period. Data were compared with those of 194 patients 50 years of age or older. RESULTS: The incidence of gastric cancer in men and women was almost the same in both groups. Tumours tended to be located distally in the stomach. Macroscopically, depressed lesions were more common in younger patients. Significant differences were observed in depth of invasion, histological type and histological growth patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The distinctive histological features of early gastric cancer in younger patients were a diffuse type of cancer with infiltrative tumours in the mucosal layer. The prognosis of younger patients was similar to that of older patients.

Human temporal bone study on the postnatal ossification process of auditory ossicles.

OBJECTIVE: In infancy the head of the malleus and body of the incus normally contain bone marrow, which is gradually replaced by bone and converted into vascular channels with age. This study was carried out to clarify the age at which ossification of the ossicles is complete and to examine factors influencing the ossification process. STUDY DESIGN: Human temporal bone sections from 32 infants and children with or without congenital anomalies, aged 1 day to 9 years, who were born at term were studied. METHODS: The percentage bone marrow area occupying the head of the malleus and body of the incus was calculated in three horizontal temporal bone sections for each case, using computer-aided digital processing of images. RESULTS: Bone marrow was observed in both the malleus and incus in children until 25 months of age, while after the age of 25 months no bone marrow tissue was present in either of the ossicles. It appeared that the bone marrow space disappeared somewhat earlier in the malleus than in the incus. The bone marrow space around the otic capsule disappeared much earlier than that within the ossicles. The age at completion of ossification was correlated with neither the presence of congenital anomalies nor the presence of residual mesenchyme in the middle ear. CONCLUSIONS: Ossification of the ossicles seems to occur steadily throughout fetal life and after birth during development of the middle ear. Although the clinical significance of postnatal residual bone marrow within the ossicles is not known, it possibly plays a role as a blood-forming organ in early infancy.

Symptomatic liver cyst: special reference to surgical management.

We conducted a retrospective study of 14 patients with symptomatic liver cysts to evaluate current therapeutic interventions for this condition. Abdominal pain (n = 7) or abdominal mass (n = 5) were the most frequent presentations. Three patients also had renal cyst. Percutaneous aspiration with ethanol sclerotheraphy was carried out in 4 patients and all cysts so treated diminished in size, with relief of the symptoms. One patient was treated by aspiration only and re-retension occurred. Cystectomy was performed in 2 patients, unroofing in 5, and fenestration in 2 patients. All patients gained relief of symptoms, with no recurrence of symptoms. Computed tomography revealed that the cysts were diminished or were no longer observable after all the treatments. Our experience indicates that unroofing, fenestration, and cystectomy are safe and suitable procedures for treatment of the condition. Ethanol sclerotherapy may be a feasible alternative to surgical intervention in selected patients.

Parturition in six renal allograft recipients.

Between 1983 and 1994, we studied renal function and neonatal conditions for eight pregnancies and births to six women who had received renal transplants in order to assess the effect of an allograft on pregnancy and its outcome. The gestation period was 34 to 39 weeks (mean 36 weeks and 4 days), and four pregnancies ended before term. All eight babies were delivered by cesarean section. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was found in both babies of one woman who had been treated with conventional (without cyclosporin) immunosuppression. The serum creatinine level did not change during gestation in any of the women but was elevated after delivery in four. Four mothers suffered from proteinuria (25-364 mg/dl) during gestation, but the proteinuria disappeared after delivery in all but one case. The one exception, persistent proteinuria of 100-200 mg/dl, was assumed to result from the recurrence of the original renal disease (lgA nephropathy). The reduction of creatinine clearance and hydronephrosis of one graft noted during gestation were later reversed. None of the eight babies (four females and four males) was congenitally malformed, and their Apar scores were 6 to 9 (median 8). They are now 3 months to 11 years old, and seven of them are healthy and show good growth. One of the two IUGR babies has not grown well; her weight and height are more than 1 SD below the mean for her age, and she is mentally retarded and suffers from muscle weakness. Compared with dialysis patients, female renal allograft recipient have a better quality of life because they can safely deliver a child if they observe the criteria for pregnancy established for renal allogaft recipients.

Expression of Ki-67 by monoclonal antibody MIB-1 in carcinoma of the middle and lower bile duct.

To evaluate the relationship between cell proliferation and clinical outcome of bile duct carcinoma, MIB-1 immunohistochemistry and clinicopathological study were performed in 21 patients who underwent resection of carcinoma of the middle and lower bile duct. Some histological factors, especially pancreatic infiltration affected survivals. MIB-1 scores (percentages of MIB-1 positive cells) tended to be higher in the patients who died within three years after operations than in the group that survived over three years. No relationship was observed between MIB-1 scores and histological tumor spread. These results suggest that MIB-1 scores may be useful to predict the clinical outcome of the patients with carcinoma of the bile duct, independently of histological tumor spread.

Relation between the stromal volume and liver metastasis in ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas.

In 23 patients with ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas, the volume density of the stromal area was estimated by morphometry on photomicrographs of cancer tissue taken at surgery. The patients were divided into three groups: those with metachronous liver metastasis (Group A, n = 8), with simultaneous liver metastasis (Group B, n = 4) and those without liver metastasis (Group C, n = 11). The analysis illustrated a significantly lower fraction of stromal element in Groups A and B as compared to Group C at a statistical level of 0.01 (Ryan test). The scirrhous pancreatic carcinoma tended to resist liver metastasis after various therapeutic modalities including pancreatic resection.

Different distribution of CA19-9 in carcinomas arising in the papilla of Vater. An immunohistochemical study.

The origin and pathogenesis of the carcinoma of the Vater's papilla were estimated by immunohistochemically analysing the distribution of CA19-9 in the tumor tissue. The material comprised surgical specimens from 29 patients with carcinoma of the Vater's papilla, 15 with carcinoma of the pancreas, 24 with carcinoma of the bile duct and two with carcinoma of the duodenum. A non-invasive adenomatous component (NAC) was shown to coexist with carcinoma of the Vater's papilla in 14 patients. Besides, normal papilla of Vater from ten autopsy cases were added as control. The presence of CA19-9 in the tissue was demonstrated by ABC method using a monoclonal antibody. The epithelia of normal pancreatic and bile ducts showed diffuse distribution of CA19-9, while at the common channel and the orifice of the papilla it was partially distributed. CA19-9 was not demonstrated in the duodenum. The NAC-positive carcinoma of the papilla of Vater showed partially distributed CA19-9. In contrast, NAC-negative carcinoma of the Vater's papilla and carcinomas of the pancreas and bile duct showed diffuse distribution of CA19-9. Moreover, the level of serum CA19-9 in most of the patients with NAC-positive carcinoma of Vater's papilla remained within the normal limit, while in patients with NAC-negative carcinoma, or with carcinoma of the pancreas or bile duct, the level was higher. Thus it was speculated that NAC-positive carcinoma of Vater's papilla may arise from the common channel, the orifice of the papilla, or the duodenum acquiring antigenicity against CA19-9 during the cancer development. On the other hand, NAC-negative carcinoma of the Vater's papilla may originate from the pancreatic or bile ducts.

[Portal blood levels of 5-FU administered intraperitoneally].

Portal blood levels of 5-FU were measured after intraperitoneal administration of 15 mg/kg of 5-FU in two patients who had a bypass operation for unresectable pancreatic cancer. The portal concentration of 5-FU increased rapidly. Tmax was 8-11 minutes and Cmax was 29-31 micrograms/ml. The peripheral blood levels followed the portal levels. Also, AUC of the portal levels seemed to be higher than the peripheral levels. The direct instillation of 5-FU into the peritoneal cavity might offer an alternative means of achieving higher regional drug levels, such as intraperitoneal and intraportal levels, without enhanced systemic toxicity.

[Preoperative administration of 5-FU emulsion for lymph nodes metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma].

5-FU oil emulsion (n = 5) or 5-FU dry syrup (n = 4), at a daily dose of 332mg for 7 days, was administered preoperatively to patient with periampullary carcinoma to evaluate the uptake of 5-FU to regional lymph nodes. In the group given 5-FU oil emulsion, the mean concentration of 5-FU was 293 +/- 97 ng/ml (mean +/- S.E.D), and that of the group given dry syrup was 72 +/- 20 ng/ml. Although no statistically significant difference was found, 5-FU seemed to reach the regional lymph nodes as an emulsion rather than as an aqueous solution. Preoperative administration of 5-FU emulsion might have some favorable effect on lymph node metastasis and lymph invasion of pancreatic carcinoma.

[Portal blood levels of mitomycin C after intraperitoneal administration].

Portal blood levels of mitomycin C (MMC) were measured after intraperitoneal administration of 10 or 20 mg of mitomycin C following pancreatoduodenectomy. The portal concentration of MMC increased rapidly to the maximum concentration of 826 +/- 364 ng/ml at 5 minutes after administration, when the dosage was 20 mg (four cases). The peripheral blood levels followed the portal levels and the maximum concentration was 397 +/- 123 ng/ml at 15 minutes. Then the MMC levels of both portal and peripheral blood decreased gradually, but concentration higher than 100 ng/ml was maintained for 90 minutes after administration. In four patients given 10 mg of MMC, the patterns of the blood levels were similar, but the concentration was lower than in the group given 20 mg. In both groups, the AUC values were higher in portal than in peripheral blood. MMC administered intraperitoneally was absorbed rapidly through portal circulation and a high MMC level of portal blood was obtained. Therefore, it would prevent the dissemination of cancer cells into the liver which may well occur during operation for pancreatic carcinoma.

[Effects of the combination of new quinolones and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, fenbufen, on the EEG of rabbits].

A combination of fenbufen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and the new quinolone produces a central stimulating action. To confirm the action, we used 6 kinds of new quinolones: enoxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin and tosufloxacin in this experiment. The convulsive effects of these drugs were tested on the EEG recorded from the neocortex and subcortical regions of the rabbits. Animals treated with fenbufen (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.) tended to have a high amplitude slow wave in their EEG. Rabbits treated with the new quinolones at the dose of 100 mg/kg, p.o., with the exception of tosufloxacin, also tended to show a high amplitude slow wave in their EEG. Each new quinolone given 30 min after fenbufen (50 mg/kg, p.o.) elicited characteristic spikes on the EEG. Then, high-frequency-spikes and epileptiform seizure waves appeared for a long experimental period with this combination. The combination of fenbufen and tosufloxacin (100-400 mg/kg, p.o.) caused no changes in EEG and behavior. The spike and epileptiform wave could be suppressed only temporarily with diazepam (1-4 mg/kg, i.v.). These results suggest that combined use of fenbufen and one of the new quinolones, except for tosufloxacin, produces the seizure. Not only GABA but also several other mechanisms in the central nervous system may be involved in the convulsion.