Deletion of twenty seven nucleotides within exon 11 of the band 3 gene identified in ovalocytosis in Lombok Island, Indonesia

This study reports the molecular characterization of ovalocytosis in Lombok Island, Indonesia. The analysis of genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction shows that all 21 ovalocytotic individuals have two amplified products of different size from a region encompassing exon 11 of the band 3 gene. The sequence of the larger product matched perfectly with that of normal individuals. In the sequence of the smaller product, 27 nucleotides within exon 11 were deleted. The heterozygous presence of the deletion identified in other parts of Southeast Asia was confirmed in patients with ovalocytosis in an isolated island of eastern Indonesia.     

Analysis of phase-controlled resonant DC-AC inverters with class Eamplifier and frequency multipliers

This paper presents a minute analysis and experimental results of phase-controlled resonant DC-AC inverters with class E amplifiers and frequency multipliers. The circuit is composed of two identical class E amplifiers or frequency multipliers, which are used as DC-AC inverters and connected in parallel. The two inverters are driven at the same switching frequency, and the overall output power of the circuit can be controlled by varying the phase shift between the drive voltages of the two inverters. The circuit can regulate the output voltage at a constant switching frequency. The measured efficiency was over 93% at an output power of 0.98 W and a switching frequency of 0.5 MHz for both of the inverters with amplifier and frequency doubler     

Internal tandem duplication of the FLT3 gene is preferentially seen in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome among various hematological malignancies. A study on a large series of patients and cell lines

In this study, we examined a large number of patients to clarify the distribution and frequency of a recently described FLT3 tandem duplication among hematopoietic malignancies, including 112 acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), 55 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 37 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 20 chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 30 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 14 adult T cell leukemia, 15 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 38 multiple myeloma (MM). We also evaluated 71 cell lines derived from 11 AML, 31 ALL, two hairy cell leukemia, three acute unclassified leukemia, 10 CML, 12 NHL including six Burkitt's lymphoma, and two MM. Using genomic PCR of exon 11 coding for the juxtamembrane (JM) domain and first amino acids of the 5'-tyrosine kinase (TK) domain, this length mutation was found only in AML (22/112, 20%) and MDS (1/37). According to the FAB subclassification, they were 5/18 (28%) of M1, 4/29 (14%) of M2, 3/17 (18%) of M3, 6/24 (25%) of M4, 4/20 (20%) of M5 and 1/9 of refractory anemia with excess of blast in transformation. In the various cell lines examined, this abnormality was determined in only one derived from AML and never found in other hematological malignancies. The sequence analysis of the abnormal PCR products revealed that 23 of 24 showed internal tandem duplication with or without insertion of nucleotides. In one AML, insertion and deletion without duplication was determined. All 24 lengthened sequences were in-frame. Duplication takes place in the sequence coding for the JM domain and leaves the TK domain intact. In conclusion, we emphasize that the length mutation of FLT3 at JM/TK-I domains were restricted to AML and MDS. Since all these mutations resulted in in-frame, this abnormality might function for the proliferation of leukemic cells.     

Seven matched bolometers for millimeter wave observations

We have fabricated a millimeter wave observation system using an array of bolometric detectors. The performance of the system depends largely on obtaining identical performance from each bolometer. We achieved a variance in the responsivity of less than 4% except for one of the seven elements. The bolometers had an electrical NEP of 1.3×10^?16 W/√Hz under radiation background loading of 30pW. We used an AC bridge readout circuit to significantly improve the stability of the array and showed that observations can be done without a mechanical beam switch. The bolometer array is now in use on the Nobeyama 45-m telescope for 150GHz observations.     

Surface hydrophilicity and enzymatic hydrolyzability of biodegradable polyesters: 1. effects of alkaline treatment

Surface treatment using alkaline solutions was attempted to enhance the surface hydrophilicity and enzymatic hydrolyzability of hydrophobic poly(L ‐lactide) [ie poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). The alkaline treatment was performed by immersing the PLLA and PCL films in 0.01 and 4 N NaOH solutions, respectively, for various periods of time. The effects of the alkaline treatment on the hydrophilicity of the films were monitored by dynamic contact angle measurements, while the enzymatic hydrolyzability of the PLLA and PCL films after the alkaline treatment were evaluated by weight losses in the presence of proteinase K and Rhizopus arrhizus lipase, respectively. With the alkaline treatment the hydrophilicity of the PLLA and PCL films was controllable in the advancing contact angle (θ_a) ranges of 84–108° and of 69–93°, respectively, by varying the alkaline treatment time. The enzymatic hydrolysis rates of the PLLA films became higher with decrease of the θ_a, irrespective of the crystallinity, strongly suggesting that the surface hydrophilicity or the surface molecular weight is crucial to determine their enzymatic hydrolyzability. In contrast, the enzymatic hydrolyzability of the PCL films remained unchanged even when the θ_a decreased from 93° to 73° by alkaline treatment for 4 h. However, prolonged alkaline treatment for periods of time exceeding 4 h, which insignificantly altered the θ_a but caused the formation of pores and cracks on the PCL film surface, accelerated the enzymatic hydrolysis of the PCL films. This indicates that the enzymatic hydrolyzability of the PCL film depends on the surface area per unit weight rather than the surface hydrophilicity. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Bending strength of pulp cement board composed of separated pulp from municipal solid waste

The relation between bending strength and X-ray diffraction intensity for pulp cement board composed of separated pulp from municipal solid waste was studied. Higher bending strength was observed for the boards with higher diffraction intensity of Ca(OH)₂. Lower bending strength at the same diffraction intensity was observed for the boards from coarsely separated pulps than those from other pulps used. This difference in bending strength was discussed in relation to the differences in the strength of pulp and the amount of fine fraction in pulp.     

MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma following microwave coagulation therapy

MRI was performed in 13 patients who had microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) for hepatocellular carcinoma. Six of them underwent surgery after MRI. The area (including tumor) treated by MCT showed low to high intensity on T1WI, and low to isointensity on T2WI. No enhancement was obtained on dynamic MRI. Histologically, this area was supposed to be coagulation necrosis. On T1WI, only tumor showed high intensity within the MCT area in 8 patients, and nearly uniform intensity was observed in 5 patients. Histologically, residual cell nuclei were observed in the former, and nearly uniform coagulation necrosis in the latter. The marginal part of the MCT area exhibited low intensity on T1WI, and high intensity on T2WI. Strong enhancement was obtained on dynamic MRI, and histologically, granulation tissue was noted. In the hepatic parenchyma around the MCT area, a ring-or wedge-shaped high intensity part was observed in 7 patients on T2WI, and that part was enhanced on dynamic MRI. This finding was considered to reflect changes such as hepatic hyperperfusion. In terms of the capability of visualizing residual tumor after MCT, MRI was superior to CT. Furthermore, a clear distinction was seen between the MCT area and non-MCT area on T2WI and dynamic MRI. Thus, MRI was useful in the determination of additional therapy.     

Valproic acid overdose and L-carnitine therapy

We examined the primary ischaemic changes in the pancreas in 35 patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation. In 7 (20%), multiple patchy lesions composed of degenerative acinar cells indicating coagulation necrosis were noted. None of these lesions was accompanied by fat necrosis. The patchy lesions involved the islets of Langerhans in only 1 case. The interlobular arteries of the pancreas near these lesions contained fibrin thrombi in all 7 cases. We suggest that these lesions, without fat necrosis, are the distinctive ischaemic change associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation.