New transparent conducting MgIn2O4---Zn2In2O5 thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering

New materials for a transparent conducting oxide film are demonstrated. Highly transparent Zn₂In₂O₅ films with a resistivity of 3.9 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm were prepared on substrates at room temperature using a pseudobinary compound powder target composed of ZnO (50 mol.%) and In₂O₃ (50 mol.%) by r.f. magnetron sputtering. MgIn₂O₄---Zn₂In₂O₅ films were prepared using MgIn₂O₄ targets with a ZnO content of 0–100 wt.%. The resistivity of the deposited films gradually decreased from 2 × 10⁻³ to 3.9 × 10⁻⁴ Ω cm as the Zn/(Mg + Zn) atomic ratio introduced into the films was increased. The greatest transparency was obtained in a MgIn₂O₄ film. The optical absorption edge of the films decreased as the Zn/(Mg + Zn) atomic ratio was increased, corresponding to the bandgap energy of their materials. It was found that the resistance of the undoped Zn₂In₂O₅ films was more stable than either the undoped MgIn₂O₄, ZnO or In₂O₃ films in oxidizing environments at high temperatures.     

Acinic cell Carcinoma of the parotid gland: CT and MRI

Skin permeation of amino acids through excised rat skin was measured at various pH values. The permeabilities varied with the donor pH and amino acid, indicating that each ionic species of amino acid may have a different permeability. The permeability coefficient of each ion was estimated from the permeability-pH profiles using the dissociation constants. The estimated values for mono-cation and uncharged zwitterion were not dependent on the lipophilicity but on the size of the amino acid, suggesting a porous mechanism of transport. The permeability coefficient was highest for di-cation, followed by mono-cation, positively charged, uncharged and negatively charged zwitterions. The electrical potential difference across the skin was too small to affect the permeation of ions. The permselective property of skin thus seems to be determined by the difference of diffusivity in aqueous pores of skin due to the hydration of ions and other factors.     

Effect of betotastine besilate (TAU-284), a novel anti-allergic agent, on experimental allergic rhinitis

We investigated the effect of betotastine besilate (betotastine) on the experimental allergic rhinitis. The oral administration of betotastine (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg) inhibited the increase in dye leakage during and after the nasal perfusion of antigen in actively sensitized rats. It also prevented the increase in intranasal pressure induced by topically applied histamine in non-sensitized guinea pigs. Cetirizine and terfenadine dose-dependently inhibited the increase in a similar manner. Ketotifen (0.01-0.3 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the increase more than 50% at 0.01 mg/kg. The ID50s of ketotifen, cetirizine, betotastine and terfenadine for this model were more than 0.01 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg, 0.03 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, in actively sensitized guinea pigs, nasal airway resistance showed a biphasic increase after the topical antigen challenge to the nasal cavity; the first peak at 0.5 hr and a second peak at 4 hr. Both the responses of first and second peaks were significantly inhibited by orally administered betotastine besilate, and its inhibitory effect on the second peak was the strongest among drugs tested. Since betotastine showed significantly inhibitory effects in experimental allergic rhinitis models, it was suggested to show a good efficacy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis clinically.     

A case of infant testicular tumor diagnosed ultrasonographically in the prenatal period

We report a case of testicular tumor detected by ultrasonography during the prenatal period. Ultrasonography performed at 32 weeks of gestation showed that one testis was larger than the other. The right testis was markedly enlarged at 38 weeks of gestation. The heterogeneous echo pattern of the right testis suggested a testicular tumor. Right high orchiectomy was performed 3 months after birth. Pathological findings of the tumor were teratoma with mature and immature components according to the histological classification of testicular tumor. In Japan, this is the second case diagnosed in the prenatal period using ultrasonography.     

Primary lung cancer associated with diffuse granulomatous lesions in the pulmonary parenchyma

A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for productive cough. Chest roentgenography and CT scan disclosed a left hilar tumor invading the mediastinum, with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and diffuse micronodular shadows in both lung fields. A biopsied sample of the tumor revealed squamous cell carcinoma, while noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas were observed in the samples obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy. The granulomas in the pulmonary parenchyma were determined to be sarcoid reactions secondary to lung cancer, since there was no evidence of sarcoidosis. Combination chemotherapy was effective for the tumor, and the granulomas disappeared after completion of the chemotherapy. These findings suggest the presence of a relationship between sarcoid reactions and lung cancer in this case.     

Experimental study of percutaneous hot ethanol injection therapy (PHEIT) by continuous heating device for hepatocellular carcinoma

Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) is widely used as a local treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, because only a small amount of ethanol can be used in one PEIT session and because the antitumor effect is limited, this modality is indicated only when there are three or fewer tumors and when the tumor diameter is < or = 3 cm. To obtain a more potent and certain antitumor effect, we have devised a new treatment called percutaneous hot ethanol injection therapy (PHEIT), and developed a Continuous Heating Device with which ethanol can be heated and locally injected at a specified temperature. The continuous Heating Device is composed of three major components: a syringe heater, a needle thermocontroller, and a needle tip thermosensor. A disposable syringe filled with liquid is inserted into the syringe heater, which heats the liquid to a desired temperature by adjusting the voltage. The needle thermocontroller is a puncture guide needle to which a heating device has been attached. The needle-tip thermosensor constantly measures, displays and records the temperature of the liquid at the needle tip during injection. Also, because the Continuous Heating Device is a closed-circuit system, there is no risk of accidental a fire, which ensures procedural safety. It is also possible to use this device to safely heat and inject a variety of other liquids, such as physiological saline and anticancer agents and thus contribute to the widespread development of ultrasound-guided injection therapy.     

Scalability and homogeneity of slot die‐coated metal oxide semiconductor for TFTs

An indium oxide‐based precursor solution has been developed by spin coating method. In order to apply this material to mass production, material, process, and equipment optimizations for slot die coating have been implemented. Slot die coating is a cost‐effective and scalable process and already applied to photoresist materials in the display industry. The indium oxide‐based precursor solution has been coated on bare glasses and thin‐film transistor substrates by a mass production‐type slot die coater. Mobility of over 10 cm²/Vs is achieved for the first time for a large area at an annealing temperature of 350 °C. The homogeneity of the film will be presented.     

Event sequence assessment of deep snow in sodium-cooled fast reactor based on continuous Markov chain Monte Carlo method with plant dynamics analysis

Margin assessment of a nuclear power plant against external hazards is one of the most important issues after Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident. In this paper, a new approach has been developed to assess the plant status during external hazards and countermeasures against them in operation quantitatively and stochastically. A continuous Markov chain Monte Carlo (CMMC) method is applied and coupled with a plant dynamics analysis. In the CMMC method, a subsequence plant status is determined by the latest state (Markov chain) and the status is evaluated from the plant dynamics analysis. A failure or success of safety function of plant component is also evaluated stochastically based on a latest state of plant or hazard. A numerical investigation of plant dynamics analysis against a snow hazard is also carried out in a loop type sodium-cooled fast reactor so as to assess the margin against the hazard.     

Phospholipid-Coated Boronic Oxide Nanoparticles as Boron Agents for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Minimally invasive boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an elegant approach for cancer treatment. The highly selective and efficient deliverability of boron agents to cancer cells is the key to maximizing the therapeutic benefits of BNCT. In addition, enhancement of the frequencies to achieve boron neutron capture reaction is also significant in improving therapeutic efficacy by providing a highly concentrated boron agent in each boron nanoparticle. As the density of the thermal neutron beam remains low, it is unable to induce high-efficiency cell destruction. Herein, we report phospholipid-coated boronic oxide nanoparticles as agents for BNCT that can provide a highly concentrated boron atom in each nanoparticle. The current system exhibited in vitro BNCT activity seven times higher than that of commercial boron agents. Furthermore, the system could penetrate cancer spheroids deeply, efficiently suppressing thermal neutron irradiation-induced growth.