The levels of integrin alpha v beta 5 may predict the susceptibility to adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in human lung cancer cells

Adenovirus mediated transfer of growth-inhibiting molecules, such as p53 shows promise as an effective method of suppressing the growth of cancer cells. As the basis for in vivo studies, we examined transfection efficiency using 15 human lung cancer cell lines that differ in their endogenous p53 status. When infected with an adenovirus expressing bacterial beta-galactosidase, the different cell lines showed different levels of beta-galactosidase activity. We found a correlation between the level of integrin alpha v beta 5, which is thought to be an adherence receptor for adenoviruses, and the expression level of the transferred gene, suggesting that gene expression is largely dependent on the infection efficiency. Growth inhibition was induced in all cell lines tested following infection with an adenovirus containing p53, regardless of the genetic status of their endogenous p53 provided a sufficient amount of p53 protein was expressed. Our results (1) confirm that the examination of the susceptibility of target cancer cells to an adenovirus is important when considering performing adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and for evaluating its therapeutic effects; and (2) suggest that the quantification of integrin alpha v beta 5 may be a good way of predicting the susceptibility of cells to adenoviral vectors.     

A novel therapeutic approach for rectal varices: a case report of rectal varices treated with double balloon-occluded embolotherapy

We present a patient with continuous melena, diagnosed as rectal varices bleeding. She had a history of esophageal varices, which was treated by endoscopic ligation therapy. Eight years after the treatment of esophageal varices, the continuous melena began. Colonoscopic examination showed that the melena was caused by rectal varices, which were so severe that they could not be treated by either endoscopic sclerotherapy or surgical devascularization. Taking into considering the overall risk of treating rectal varices, we chose the approach of double balloon-occluded embolotherapy (DBOE) with 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamodol as a liquid embolic material. DBOE is one of the interventional radiology techniques (Morita et al., Acta Hepatol Jpn 1994;35:109-120), but in this case was a completely new and novel clinical procedure for rectal varices. After the DBOE therapy, the condition of rectal varices was markedly improved. Thus, DBOE might be a new tool for treating inoperable rectal varices.     

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor

A case of primary carcinoid tumor arising in the liver of a 69 year old woman with no endocrine symptoms is reported. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed initially as a hepatocellular carcinoma in the biopsy specimen, and was shown subsequently to be a carcinoid tumor, demonstrating diffuse positive staining with Grimelius method. Mucin stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian-blue, and mucicarmine, and was shown partially in the glandular structures. Immunohistochemically, most of the tumor cells stained positively for chromogranin-A, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Ultrastructural examination revealed electron-dense core granules, measuring 40-120 nm in diameter in some of the tumor cells. Intensive and careful searches pre- and post-operatively revealed no other primary source of tumor other than the liver. The patient was reported well with no symptoms 3 1/2 years after the operation. This case is considered to be a primary hepatic carcinoid tumor. The recent literature is reviewed, and the possible histogenesis of hepatic carcinoid tumor is discussed.     

66/77-kV C-GIS using composite insulation in SF6 gas

A second-generation model of cubicletype gas-insulated switchgear (C-GIS) with composite insulation incorporating SF₆ gas has been developed. The design does not require a gas process in field assembly; it has high reliability and its installation is more rapid; and a further reduction in size is achieved. The design principles are described in detail.     

FDTD analysis of switching characteristics in magnetooptic functional devices using magnetostatic surface waves

Collinear magnetooptic interaction with magnetostatic surface waves (MSSW) can be used for wavelength‐selective switches, wavelength filters, and frequency shifters in wavelength‐division‐multiplexed (WDM) photonic networks and optical processing systems. The switching efficiency can be improved with a multilayer waveguide structure. To investigate the dynamic switching characteristics, the FDTD method was employed. The mode conversion between TE and TM mode was successfully demonstrated with FDTD simulation. The filtering characteristics were also evaluated. The FDTD results were compared with the result from the coupled mode theory, and good agreement was obtained. Switching of an optical pulse was also demonstrated by the FDTD method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 162(1): 40–47, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20501     

Twin-Related Tetragonal Variants in Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia

Crystals of yttria partially stabilized zirconia were grown by the arc-image floating-zone technique and studied by transmission electron microscopy. Crystals annealed at 1700°C consist of tetragonal precipitates and a cubic matrix. The platelike domains in a precipitate are twin-related tetragonal variants stacked alternately parallel to the (011) twin plane. The axial relations between the tetragonal precipitate and the cubic matrix are [100]_tetragonal|[100]_cubic, [011]_tetragonal|[011]_cubic.     

Strongyloidiasis associated with nephrotic syndrome

We report a nephrotic syndrome patient with eosinophilia who developed ileus, epigastralgia and malabsorption due to strongyloidiasis which became symptomatic by steroid therapy. The patient was then treated with thiabendazole and recovered. A percutaneous renal biopsy revealed minimal change nephrotic syndrome. This renal injury may be brought on by severe infection of Strongyloides stercoralis. It is important to rule out strongyloidiasis prior to corticosteroid therapy to patients from eosinophilia endemic areas.