Two distinct patterns of peritoneal involvement shown by in vitro and in vivo ovarian cancer dissemination models

We established an in vitro peritoneal dissemination model using six ovarian cancer cell lines and cultured mesothelial cells. Ovarian cancer cells were classified into two types, invasive or adhesive, on the basis of their interaction with the mesothelial cell monolayer. The ovarian cancer cell lines derived from mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma, which belonged to the invasive type, began to invade beneath the mesothelial monolayer from several hours after seeding in vitro, expelling the mesothelial cells at the periphery and forming colonies directly on the dish surface. On the other hand, cancer cell lines of clear cell carcinoma, which belonged to the adhesive type, showed colony formation with adhesion on the mesothelial monolayer even 18 h after seeding. Invasive-type cell lines invaded into the mesothelial monolayer at various rates in vitro, and the degree of invasiveness showed good correlation with the degree of peritoneal dissemination in vivo after intraperitoneal injection of cancer cells into nude mice. Adhesive-type cells showed rather higher dissemination rates in vivo. Microscopic observation of in vivo peritoneal dissemination at one day after inoculation also revealed two patterns of peritoneal involvement similar to those in vitro. In the in vitro model, anti-integrin alpha 2- and beta 1-antibodies inhibited the infiltration of invasive-type cells into the mesothelial monolayer, but did not affect colony formation by adhesive-type cells on the monolayer, indicating that invasion by both cell types was mediated by different molecules. This in vitro model is thought to be useful for analysis of the molecular mechanisms of peritoneal dissemination.     

A family of infantile genetic agranulocytosis

A survey was performed of the mold flora in the air and on the surfaces inside twelve homes throughout four seasons. There were significant variations of the mold flora in homes associated with the outdoor spore count, various rooms, carpeting, central air-conditioning and pets. We conclude that homes may be a source of perennial mold exposure.     

Preparation and Properties of Bi4 − x Nd x Ti3O12 Thin Films by Chemical Solution Deposition

Neodymium-modified Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, (Bi, Nd)₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BNT) ferroelectric thin films have been prepared on Pt/TiO_x/SiO₂/Si substrates using metal-organic precursor solutions by the chemical solution deposition method. The BNT precursor films crystallized into the Bi layered perovskite Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BIT) as a single-phase above 600C. The synthesized BNT films revealed a random orientation having a strong 117 reflection, whereas non-substituted BIT thin films exhibited a random orientation with strong 00l diffractions. Among Bi_{4 – x}Nd_xTi₃O₁₂ [x = 0.0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0] thin films, Bi_3.25Nd_0.75Ti₃O₁₂ thin films showed a well-saturated P-E hysteresis loop with the highest P_r (22 C/cm²) and a low E_c (69 kV/cm) at an applied voltage of 5 V. The Nd-substitution with the optimum amount for the Bi site in the BIT structure was effective not only for promoting the 117 preferred orientation but also for improving the microstructure and ferroelectric properties of the resultant films.     

Microstructure features of polycrystalline diamond synthesized directly from graphite under static high pressure

Recently, ultra-hard polycrystalline diamond was synthesized from graphite by direct conversion under static high pressure. This paper describes the microstructure features of thus formed polycrystalline diamond. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction have revealed that the polycrystalline diamond has a mixed texture of a homogeneous fine structure and a lamellar structure. The former structure consists of fine-grained diamond particles of several tens of nanometers across, which are randomly oriented. The latter structure has bending diamond layers, which may reflect deformed shapes of locally layered graphite of starting material. The experimental results suggest that diamond particles in the homogeneous fine structure are transformed from graphite in the diffusion process, while diamond layers in the lamellar structure are formed in the martensitic process from graphite via the hexagonal diamond phase. It is also noted that significant grain growth occurred at a high temperature of 2700°C, and the lamellar structure was segmentalized to form new grain boundaries.     

Distribution and fluxes of total and methylmercury in Lake Superior

Despite the importance and size of Lake Superior, little is known regarding the biogeochemical cycling or distribution of mercury within its waters. We present the results from two research cruises on total Hg (HgT) and methylmercury (MeHg) distributions in aqueous and particulate phases, and in offshore sediments. Open waters of Lake Superior are similar in HgT content to Lakes Michigan and Ontario (sub-ng L(-1)), whereas MeHg was only 1% of HgT. Seasonality in aqueous HgT distribution was observed, most likely from tributary inputs during Spring snowmelt. Suspended particles were enriched in MeHg relative to water and surficial sediments, suggesting enhanced particle partitioning followed by demethylation in the water column and in surface sediments. Distribution coefficients for mercury in surficial sediments were lower than those in suspended material, likely due to remineralization. Preliminary estimates of mass balance indicate that air-water exchange processes such as evasion and wet deposition dominate the HgT budget, due to the basin's relatively small watershed area relative to lake area. In contrast, methylmercury cycling within Lake Superior is influenced more strongly by watershed sources, as well as by sedimentary sources and photodemethylation. The Hg cycle in Lake Superior is unique in that it is more similar in many aspects to that in marine systems than in small lakes, where management data for freshwaters typically originates.     

Determination of benzimidazole anthelmintics in livestock foods by HPLC

A simple and rapid liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of twelve benzimidazole anthelmintics in livestock foods using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (PDA). A sample was homogenized with acetonitrile and n-hexane, and centrifuged. The acetonitrile phase was isolated and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 0.1 mol/L carbonate buffer solution (pH = 9.1), sonicated, and then subjected to clean-up on a Bond Elut LRC-C18 cartridge. The benzimidazole compounds were separated isocratically on a Capcell Pak C18 UG 120 (5 microns, 150 x 4.6 mm i.d.) column and detected by PDA at 295 and 313 nm. Mixtures of acetonitrile and 0.05 mol/L ammonium acetate in mixing ratios of (20:80) and (40:60) were used as the mobile phase, and the flow-rate was 1.0 mL/min at 40 degrees C. The mean recoveries (n = 3) from 0.1-0.5 microgram/g added samples were 72.6-97.2% with coefficients of variation of 0.3-8.5%. The detection limits were 0.01-0.05 microgram/g.     

A novel anionic surfactant templating route for synthesizing mesoporous silica with unique structure

Anionic surfactants are used in greater volume than any other surfactants because of their highly potent detergency and low cost of manufacture. However, they have not been used as templates for synthesizing mesoporous silica. Here we show a templating route for preparing mesoporous silicas based on self-assembly of anionic surfactants and inorganic precursors. We use aminosilane or quaternized aminosilane as co-structure-directing agent (CSDA), which is different from previous pathways. The alkoxysilane site of CSDA is co-condensed with inorganic precursors; the ammonium site of CSDA, attached to silicon atoms incorporated into the wall, electrostatically interacts with the anionic surfactants to produce well-ordered anionic-surfactant-templated mesoporous silicas (AMS). These have new structures with periodic modulations as well as two-dimensional hexagonal and lamellar phases. The periodic modulations may be caused by the coexistence of micelles that differ in size or curvature, possibly owing to local chirality. These mesoporous silicas provide a new family of mesoporous materials as well as shedding light on the structural behaviour of anionic surfactants.     

Preparation and phase transition of Gd4(Al1 − xGax)2O9 solid solutions

The solid-solution compounds of Gd₄(Al_{1 – x} Ga _x )₂O₉ (x = 0.0–1.0) were prepared at 1600°C for 5 h in air. The unit cell volume of the compounds increased from 0.853 to 0.878 nm³ with x. Phase transitions having a temperature hysteresis were observed from 1100° to 1400°C by calorimetry and dilatometry. The transition temperature increased with x. The volume of the high-temperature phase was 0.5% smaller than that of the low-temperature phase at the transition temperature. The volume changes were independent of x. The hysteresis width observed by the dilatometry was about 300°C for the Gd₄Al₂O₉ ceramics (grain size: about 1 m) and decreased to 50°C for the Gd₄(Al_0.2Ga_0.8)₂O₉ ceramics (grain size: over 10 m). Gd₄Ga₂O₉ was unstable at low temperature and decomposed to Gd₃GaO₆ and Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ during the thermal analyses.     

External doses in the environment from the Tokai-mura criticality accident

On 30 September 1999, a criticality accident occurred at a uranium processing plant operated by JCO in Tokai-mura, Japan and the criticality remained for about 20 h. Almost all doses to the neighbouring residents were brought by neutrons and gamma rays emitted from the facility rather than fission products released to the environment. External doses in the environment were evaluated using radiation monitoring data and radiation transport calculation. A pattern of the dose rate evolution was modelled based on the records of gamma ray monitors in the JCO facilities. Relations between the ambient dose equivalent rates of neutrons/gamma rays and the distance from the facility were determined from the monitoring data obtained around the accident site. Conversion from the ambient dose equivalent to the effective dose equivalent was made assuming the energy spectra calculated by the radiation transport code, ANISN. It was estimated that the people who stayed outside the 350 m zone would receive doses of less than 1 mSv.