Measurement of pH in the vicinity of a cathode during the chloride electrowinning of nickel

An antimony microelectrode was prepared by quenching a molten Sb-Sb₂O₃ mixture (2 pct Sb₂O₃). The local pH in the vicinity of a nickel-plated copper cathode was directly measured using the microelectrode during the chloride electrowinning of nickel for a MCLE (matte chlorine leach electrowinning) process, where nickel metal is electrodeposited with a high current efficiency, 94 to 97 pct, from low-pH baths. The local pH at 328 K was increased by proton consumption during the electrolysis of aqueous electrolytes containing NiCl₂ (1.20 mol dm⁻³) and NaCl (0.43 mol dm⁻³) with the same concentrations as employed for the MCLE process. The difference in pH between the cathode surface and bulk solution increased with increasing cathodic current density. Nickel deposits with a metallic luster were obtained when the difference was not more than 1.2 pH units. The current efficiency was a maximum for electrolysis with a current density of 265 A m⁻² and bulk pH of 1.0 to 1.5; these optimal conditions coincided with those reported for the MCLE process: temperature 328 to 333 K, bulk pH 1.1 to 1.5, and current density 230 to 260 A m⁻². Electrolytes with lower NiCl₂ and NaCl concentrations resulted in a drop in current efficiency.     

Peripheral blood stem cell autografts for the treatment of children over 1 year old with stage IV neuroblastoma: a long-term follow-up

This is the first report of the long-term therapeutic results in 22 children more than 1 year old with stage IV neuroblastoma who were treated with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The median age of the patients at PBSCT was 4 years (1 to 10 years) and seven of the 17 patients who were evaluated for N-myc amplification were positive. PBSC were collected by a median of four aphereses per patient. The patients underwent PBSCT from 6 to 21 months after the start of therapy (median 10.5 months) at which time 13 patients were in CR, seven were in PR, and two had refractory disease. Multi-drug therapy using the 'high-MEC' regimen consisting of carboplatinum (400 mg/m2) and VP-16 (200 mg/m2) on days -7 to -4, and melphalan (90 mg/m2) on days -3 and -2, was the primary cytoreductive regimen. The median number of infused MNC and CFU-GM was, respectively, 4.3 x 10(8)/kg and 2.4 x 10(5)/kg. After PBSCT, three patients died of regimen-related toxicities and one patient who was transplanted with refractory disease died of disease progression without any benefit from transplantation. Hematological recovery was evaluated in 21 patients, excluding one early death. The median number of days required to achieve an AGC of >0.5 x 10(9)/l and platelet count of >50 x 10(9)/l were, respectively, 11 and 46. Eleven patients relapsed 3 to 50 months after PBSCT, and currently seven patients (5/13 who were transplanted in CR and 2/7 in PR) are surviving disease-free at 52 to 84 months. Although the retrospective nature of this study and several variables prevent a meaningful analysis, the overall results still support the feasibility of developing a prospective study of PBSCT with a larger number of children with high-risk neuroblastoma.     

Stratification of polysiloxanes at the film-air and film-substrate interfaces in silicone-modified acrylic coatings; an ATR FI-IR spectroscopic study

Film-air (F-A) and film-substrate (F-S) interfaces of silicone-modified acrylic coatings were characterized using attenualed total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR)spectroscopy. Previous studies suggested that when silicone linkages are part of a polymer backbone-containing polymers, they tend to accumulate near the F-A interface. These studies show that when polysiloxanes are dispersed in a silicone-modified acrylic/polysiloxane solution, they appear to accumulate near F-S interfaces. When polysiloxanes were added to a dispersion of silicone-modified acrylic resin, the distribution of polysiloxanes between F-A and F-S interfaces became less pronounced. These differences result from the mobility of polysiloxanes, and are attributed to the molecular weight dependence and compatibility differences between the systems.     

Severe hypertriglyceridemia caused by tamoxifen-treatment after breast cancer surgery

Tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal estrogen antagonist, has been widely used in a hormonal treatment for breast cancer. The side effects of tamoxifen are generally recognized to be mild. However, we experienced three cases of severe hypertriglyceridemia and/or hyperglycemia induced by tamoxifen. For normalization of their hypertriglyceridemia we need to stop giving tamoxifen. In one of three cases we analyzed her lipoprotein profile in detail with lipoprotein lipase activities and apolipoprotein E phenotype. The case was a 49 year-old woman. After 15 months of tamoxifen administration, she was diagnosed as severe hypertriglyceridemia. Consecutively, severe hyperglycemia was occurred to need insulin therapy. After tamoxifen withdrawal, her triglyceride and glucose levels improved. Her lipolytic enzyme was reduced during tamoxifen treatment. Apolipoprotein E phenotype was uncommon E4/2. Although hypertriglyceridemia was not considered to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease, a marked hypertriglyceridemia might occasionally produce severe lethal pancreatitis. We recommend that a periodic plasma lipid analysis is needed for patients treated with tamoxifen, especially for diabetic and hypertriglyceridemic patients, to avoid such complications.     

Effect of electron-beam irradiation on water wettability of hydroxy apatites for artificial bone

The influence of electron-beam irradiation on the wettability of hydroxy apatites (HAP) has been investigated. The wettability was evaluated from the interfacial energy between HAP and water. It was measured by the contact angle of distilled water on HAP. Electron-beam irradiation increases the wettability. Based on the rate process, the influence of electron-beam irradiation on wettability is discussed. Using electron-beam irradiation, we can precisely control the surface condition of HAP. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mutational analysis of the N-ras gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a study of 125 Japanese pediatric cases

Many antibiotic resistance mutations arise in pathogenic bacteria that harbor plasmids (R-plasmids). Resistance to third generation cephalosporins, for instance, largely occurs by one or more point mutations in plasmid bla genes that expand the resistance spectrum of beta-lactamases. Here I review relevant evidence underlying the worldwide emergence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The conclusion reached is that the origin of these resistance-conferring mutations cannot be explained by a series of single point mutation and selection events. Instead, highly advantageous stochastic processes might exist that generate alterations in the sequence or the conformation of particular regions in chromosomal or plasmid genomes such as bla, i.e., recombination or mutation. Several explanations for the origin of ESBLs are reviewed but direct experimental evidence to support or to invalidate them is still lacking. The cellular conditions under which ESBLs arise are unknown; however, involvement of nutritional stresses inside natural animal hosts and of plasmid conjugal functions appear likely.     

Genotype distribution of estrogen receptor polymorphisms in men and postmenopausal women from healthy and coronary populations and its relation to serum lipid levels

The cardiovascular protective effects of estrogen are known to be mediated by its beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and its direct actions on the vessel wall. The latter can be mediated by a specific receptor for estrogen present on smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. The gene for the receptor (the classic estrogen receptor [ER]) has three known polymorphisms, Pvu II, Xba I, and B-variant polymorphisms, which are reportedly associated with receptor expression and altered receptor function and with some disorders including breast cancer, hypertension, and spontaneous abortion. However, the significance of genetic variations of the ER in vascular diseases has not been reported. We have examined the association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and the three polymorphisms in ER. Genotypes (P1/P2, X1/X2, and B-wild type/B-variant type) were determined in 87 men and postmenopausal women with myocardial infarction or angina pectoris whose lesions were confirmed by coronary angiography, as well as from 94 control individuals from the general population with no coronary heart disease and normal resting ECG. For B-variant polymorphism, all individuals examined had B-wild type, which contrasts with the reported allele frequency for B-variant type (0.1) in the white population. Genotype distributions and allele frequencies of Pvu II or Xba I polymorphisms were not significantly different between control subjects and patients (P > .05 for Pvu II or Xba I genotypes; P > .05 for Pvu II or Xba I allele frequencies). When the allele frequencies were analyzed separately by sex, there was still no statistically significant difference for both polymorphisms (P > .05 for men; P > .05 for women). No association was found between the polymorphisms and the angiographic severity of CAD. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, or HDL-cholesterol levels were not significantly different among ER genotypes. These findings suggest that the three polymorphisms in ER are not associated with the prevalence and severity of CAD and that the polymorphisms are unrelated to the serum lipid levels in control subjects and patients.     

Study of FSG/SiO/sub 2/ double interlayer conditions to prevent Al wiring delamination for sub-0.18-/spl mu/m device integration

A double interlayer of high-density plasma fluorinated silica glass (FSG) and SiO/sub 2/ has been developed to control fluorine instability for sub-0.18-/spl mu/m devices. However, the interlayer conditions need further study for robust integration. The authors investigate the optimum conditions to prevent Al wiring delamination. The correlation between the incidence of delamination and F concentration at Ti-SiO/sub 2/ was demonstrated by the three-dimensional mapping of interfacial F concentrations with various thicknesses of SiO/sub 2/ and F contents in FSG. Detailed analysis of the Ti-SiO/sub 2/ interface reveals that the anomalous growth of the interface layer by absorbing F atoms into the Ti layer causes delamination. The properties of SiO/sub 2/, such as the compressive stress and the density of oxygen deficiency, were adjusted to reduce F diffusion. In addition, the thickness was controlled to above 4500 /spl Aring/ to suppress F accumulation at Ti-SiO/sub 2/ to within the permissible level. These conditions resulted in preventing delamination and obtaining integration reliability without increasing the capacitance between adjacent metal lines.     

Near‐infrared spectra of polyamide 6, poly(vinyl chloride), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene

The near‐infrared spectra (NIR) of polyamide 6 (PA 6), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) were measured. The tentative assignment of the overtone and combination frequencies was made with curve fitting calculations and local mode theory. Anharmonicity correction and mechanical frequency were determined from a Birge–Sponer plot. Tentative assignments of stretch overtone frequencies of CH₂, NH, and CO functional groups of PA 6 and CH₂, and CH functional groups of PVC were made. Anharmonicity corrections of 55, 61, and 20 cm^?1 were obtained for CH₂, NH, and CO stretch modes of PA 6, respectively, and of 60 and 66 cm^?1 for CH₂ and CH stretch modes of PVC, respectively. The local mode model seems to be adequate to interpret the origin of the bands observed in NIR spectra of PA 6 and PVC. Anharmonicity corrections of 33, 19, and 16 cm^?1 were obtained, respectively, for CF, asymmetrical CF₂, and symmetrical CF₂ stretch of PCTFE functional groups. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 199–208, 2002     

Estimation of endotoxin-like substances in deep seawater by using bioassay.

Deep seawater has recently been under trial as a fundamental material for mineral water, food, face lotion and an efficacious reagent for the cure of atopic dermatitis in Japan. However, little is known about the biologically effective substances, including toxic compounds in deep seawater. In this study, we investigated the effects of deep seawater on the function of murine macrophages in vitro, and examined the endotoxin-like substances in seawater. Mitochondrial activity and NO production in macrophage cells cultured with stimulants were enhanced in a depth dependent manner by pretreatment with deep seawater. In addition, fractions from deep seawater, enriched by hydrophobic column chromatography, activated the macrophage cells much more than the corresponding fractions from surface seawater. Furthermore, the effects of the fractions on macrophage cells remained significant, even with the addition of polymyxin B. which is a specific inhibitor of endotoxins. These results indicate that endotoxins and unknown substances, which affect macrophage functions, exist in a depth dependent manner in seawater.