A High-Resolution 1.3-GHz/54-mm LTS/HTS NMR Magnet

A high-resolution 1.3-GHz/54-mm low-temperature superconducting/high-temperature superconducting (HTS) nuclear magnetic resonance magnet (1.3 G) is currently in the final stage at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory. Its key component is a three-coil (Coils 1-3) 800-MHz HTS insert comprising 96 no-insulation (NI) double-pancake coils, each wound with a 6-mm-wide GdBCO tape. In this paper, after describing the overall 1.3-G system, we present innovative design features incorporated in 1.3 G: 1) an NI winding technique applied to Coils 1-3 and its adverse effect in the form of charging time delay; 2) persistent-mode HTS shims; 3) a "shaking" magnet; and 4) preliminary results of Coil 1 operated at 4.2 K.

Retroperitoneal approach for laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with stripping technique: extracorporeal ligation of ureter and ureteral catheter

INTRODUCTION

The pluck and stripping techniques are used for lower ureter management in renal pelvic cancer patients. Herein, we report our experience of extracorporeal ligation of the ureter and the ureteral catheter through the trocar port, which differs from conventional laparoscopic ligation in the retroperitoneal space. This technique was selected to reduce the time needed for ureter management using the stripping technique and to provide secure ligation.

MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

We performed this stripping technique in patients with T1 and T2 stage renal pelvic cancer without imaging-evident lymph node metastasis. After transurethrally placing a ureteral catheter, we resected the circumference of the ureteral orifice. After laparoscopic nephrectomy via a retroperitoneal approach, the ureteral catheter and distal ureter were ligated extracorporeally. The catheter was pulled to invaginate the ureter so it could then be pulled through the external urethral orifice.

DISCUSSION

This technique of extracorporeal ligation ensures more a secure ligation of the ureter and ureteral catheter. This modified stripping technique does not require lower ureter management with laparotomy, and it is also useful in shortening the operative time. This method is effective for relatively early stage renal pelvic cancer.

Absorption spectroscopy of gold nanoisland films: optical and structural characterization

Nanoisland films prepared by annealing thin gold films at high temperatures were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy, and optically characterized through absorption spectroscopy. Thin gold films of effective thicknesses 2, 5 and 7 nm annealed at 500, 700 and 900 degrees C were fabricated and studied experimentally. The measured absorption characteristics in support of theoretical calculations showed that the shapes of gold islands were partial spheres. The position of the peak absorption wavelength measured with s-polarized light or at normal incidence confirmed that the island shape grew from a near-hemisphere towards a sphere with increasing annealing temperature. The SEM images confirmed that the size of islands increased from 15 nm in diameter to 40 nm in diameter as film thickness increased from 2 to 5 nm. The affect of the index of the substrate material on absorption characteristics were also studied by comparing the absorption spectra of gold island films on quartz and LaSF15 glass substrates. The use of gold nanoisland films for preparing localized surface plasmon resonance substrates was suggested as they held advantages over the gold colloid films.

Expression of epidermal growth factor in human tissues. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis

The expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) was examined on various human tissues by radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis. Immunoreactive EGF was found in most of the human tissues by radioimmunoassay at various levels. Large quantities of EGF were detected in the kidney and thyroid gland. Immunohistochemically, EGF immunoreactivity was detected mainly in the epithelial cells of the lung, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, kidney, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, mammary gland, ovary, uterus and placenta. Weakly EGF-positive cells were also found in the adrenal gland. The results of EGF-immunostaining were not always consistent with the data from radioimmunoassay. We consider that the amount of EGF measured by radioimmunoassay reflects the density of EGF-positive cells in the tissues and the concentration of EGF in individual EGF-positive cells. Furthermore, EGF mRNA was expressed in the salivary gland, thyroid gland, mammary gland and kidney. It is thus evident that EGF is produced by a variety of human tissues. The kidney expressed exceptionally high levels of EGF mRNA which was about one-tenth of the expression in mouse submandibular gland, suggesting that most of EGF in the urine is produced and secreted by the epithelial cells of renal tubules.

New pyrrolobenzodiazepine antibiotics, RK-1441A and B. II. Isolation and structure

Antibacteriophage antibiotics, RK-1441A and B, related to neothramycin were isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. and their structures were deduced from spectroscopic analyses. The structure of RK-1441A was 8,11-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-5-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c:1,4]benzodiazepine. RK-1441B is a tautomeric mixture at C-3 of the structure, 3,8,11-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-5-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c:1,4]benzodiazepine.

New pyrrolobenzodiazepine antibiotics, RK-1441A and B. I. Biological properties

Streptomyces griseus and bacteriophage B were used for an assay system detecting anti-bacteriophage antibiotics. Streptomyces sp. RK-1441 was found to produce antibacteriophage antibiotics, RK-1441A and B, which are pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine group antibiotics related to neothramycin. Both RK-1441A and B had antibacteriophage activity. The former showed antimicrobial activity on a hypersensitive strain of E. coli for antitumor antibiotics, but the later did not show the activity. Restriction enzyme assay suggested that RK-1441A formed adducts with guanine residues in DNA strands. RK-1441B was not active in vitro, but it might be converted to the active form in host organisms.

[Clinical evaluation of synthetic hydroxyapatite implants for human periodontal osseous defects. 6 cases studied more than 3 years after the surgery]

We applied of granular hydroxyapatite HAP to periodontal bone defects, for the purpose of restoring the periodontal tissue destroyed by periodontal disease, the subjects were 6 patients (6 regions) with chronic marginal periodontitis who had passed more than 3 years since HAP implantation. After routine periodontal initial treatment, a flap operation was performed, and granular HAP, or a combination of granular and block-like HAP, was implanted into the periodontal bone defect. Clinical parameters were probing depth, clinical attachment level, clinical gingival margin, residual HAP volume and X-ray before operation, at 3, 6, 12 months, and 2, 3, and 4, 6 years after the operation. The results revealed that all measured values showed good results for both granular HAP and the combination of granular and block-like HAP after implantation, and that all cases showed stable results from 12 months on. No remarkable difference was noted between the implanted regions.

Repair of the mouse synovial membrane after chemical synovectomy with osmium tetroxide

Repair of the synovium of the mouse knee joint following intra-articular injection with osmium tetroxide has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Within a first few days after osmium tetroxide injection complete necrosis of the synovial intima and inflammatory response in the subintimal connective tissue occurred. The resurfacing of the denuded synovium was performed by proliferation of immature synovioblasts which appeared to be derived from mesenchymal cells in the transition zone. The synovial intima completely restored the original structure, while repair of the subintimal tissue was accomplished by a scarring.

Central pontine myelinolysis with extrapontine lesions

An autopsy case of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) was reported. The patient, a 48-year-old man, with a long history of alcoholic intake appeared in a hospital with the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis and the neurologic symptoms of delirium tremens. During the hospital course he fell into "locked in" with concomitant development of marked hyponatremia (92 mEq/1). An autopsy revealed typical CPM and the extra-pontine myelinolytic lesions distributed symmetrically in the thalami, subthalamic nuclei, and lateral geniculate bodies. Spongiosis was also found in the deep layer of the cerebral cortex and in the putamen. It was suggested that CPM occur in close association with marked hyponatremia and the extrapontine involvement be likely to manifest in the deep layer of the cerebral cortex, putamen, thalamus, and lateral geniculate body, where the myelin cylinders form an interlacing network embedding large neurons and oligodendrocytes.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the liver

An autopsy case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the liver associated with congenital cysts in a 78-year-old man was reported. The liver weighed 1,900 g, and there was a massive tumor of 11 X 10 X 6.5 cm in the left lobe with multiple sero-mucinous cysts. Histologically, the tumor cells consisted of four types of cells: mucus-secreting cells, squamous cells, intermediate cells, and oxyphilic cells. The variety of tumor cells quite resembled that of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the salivary gland. The sero-mucinous cysts were lined with a single layer of cuboidal or columnar cells and were not communicated with the biliary ducts. Part of the cysts with benign lining cells was in continuity with tumor cells of the intermediate type. Discussion was made on the histogenesis of hepatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma in particular emphasis on the association of the congenital cysts.

The fine structure of psammoma bodies in meningocytic whorls

Psammoma bodies within meningocytic whorls in five cases of meningioma were examined by electron microscopy. The cells comprising the meningocytic whorls showed the conventional ultrastructural features of meningothelial cells with interdigitations and interconnections by means of junctional complexes. In some whorls, collagen fibers, elastic fibers, microfibrils, as well as finely reticulated material were observed. Calcified foci of various sizes were seen within many of these whorls. Extracellular matrix vesicles, with or without hydroxyapatite crystals, were occasionally noted at the periphery of extracellular psammoma bodies in the whorl. Furthermore, many small aggregates of crystals were present adjacent and parallel to the collagen and elastic fibers in the meningocytic whorls. Substantial amounts of collagen fibers were also observed within the large psammoma bodies. These findings suggest that the matrix vesicles, presumably produced by the meningothelial cell, may serve as the initial nidi of calcification of psammoma bodies as originally suggested by Lipper et al. Collagen fibers as well as elastic fibers in the whorls may also play an important role in orienting apatite crystal deposition during the growth of extracellular psammoma bodies and serve as early sites of calcification.

Secretory granules in benign and malignant glucagonomas of the pancreas

Two cases of glucagonoma, one benign and the other malignant, was presented. Benign glucagonoma in a 29-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 was composed largely of tumor cells with secretory granules ranging from 139 to 417 nm in diameter identical to A cell granules. There were a few tumor cells which contained no A cell granules but smaller granules of approximately 166 nm diameter similar to those of pancreatic polypeptide containing cells. Radioimmunoassay of the tumor extract showed 319 micrograms/g wet weight of glucagon and 0.72 microgram/g wet weight of pancreatic polypeptide. Malignant glucagonoma in a 34-year-old man was a massive tumor of 7 X 6 X 5 cm replacing the tail and body of the pancreas with multiple metastases. The tumor contained 0.2 microgram/g wet weight of glucagon and 0.065 microgram/g wet weight of vasoactive intestinal peptide. The electron microscopic examination revealed that the tumor cells had variable numbers of atypical secretory granules measuring 110 to 200 nm in diameter different from A cell granules. An analysis of plasma glucagon by the gel filtration technique showed the heterogeneity of glucagon molecules indicating the presence of large glucagon. Atypical secretory granules in malignant glucagonoma were considered to represent immature granules containing the precursor or intermediate of glucagon.

External skeletal fixation using methylmethacrylate. Current technique, clinical results, and indications

External skeletal fixation using self-curing acrylic resin was applied by inserting A-O cortical screws into the diaphyseal region and A-O cancellous screws into the epiphyseal and/or metaphyseal regions. The position of the screws was designed to secure three-dimensional fixation. Points of insertion are selected that avoid infected bone, open wounds, thick muscles, and skin that is relatively mobile during joint motion. After reduction the acrylic resin rather than conventional metal linking devices is used for fixation of the screws. Once the fixation is completed, it is adjustable and so rigid that exercises for joint function are possible. The apparatus is light in weight and sufficiently compact to fit under clothing. In the 204 patients treated by this method, open tibial fractures occurred in 123; nonunion or delayed union in 28; metaphyseal and epiphyseal fractures in 30; femoral fractures in ten children; and miscellaneous fractures and other conditions in 13. Nearly all of the operations were successful. Three patients had refractures after removal of the fixation device.

An ultrastructural study on periductal elastosis in human breast tumors

An ultrastructural study on elastosis of human breast tumors was made with special attention to the periductal elastosis and the cell responsible for elastic fiber formation. The elastosis was found prominently in scirrhous type of duct carcinoma. In the area of mild periductal elastosis, the elastic fibers with many microfibrils and a tiny central elastin were seen around the periductal fibroblasts which were characterized by attenuated cytoplasms with aggregates of microfilaments and slightly developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. With the thickening of the periductal wall, such an area was replaced by abundant mature elastic fibers with peripheral microfibrils and a few intervening ordinary fibroblasts. Therefore, it was suggested that the periductal fibroblasts which transformed into ordinary fibroblasts during the development of elastosis were primarily concerned with the elastic fiber formation. In the interlobular tissue in which both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were present, the elastic fibers were larger than those of the periductal area and had less microfibrils in their periphery. The relationship between microfibrils and elastin during the early elastosis, maturation process of the elastic fibers, and cell modulation of the fibroblasts in the breast elastosis were discussed.

An autopsy case of rheumatoid arthritis with an involvement of the cardiac conduction system

A case of rheumatoid arthritis with an involvement of the cardiac conduction system was described. The patient was a 65-year-old man who had a 15-year history of classical rheumatoid arthritis combined with an advanced atrioventricular (AV) block resulting in Adams-Stokes seizure. Prior to the occurrence of the AV block, a complete right bundle branch block with a left axis deviation and a first-degree AV block were found on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The histological examination of the conduction system according to the serial sectioning method disclosed that the branching portion of the His bundle and anterior fascicle of the left bundle branch were replaced by the scarring tissue and that the penetrating portion of the His bundle, the AV node and the right bundle branch had rheumatoid granulomatous lesions. The extent and localization of the lesions in the conduction system were well correlated with the findings on the ECG.

Diagnostic aspect of spindle-cell sarcomas by electron microscopy

Spindle-cell sarcomas in the somatic soft tissue and soft parts, including fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and malignant schwannoma were examined by electron microscopy in order to delineate the most reliable cellular features for their diagnosis. Fibrosarcoma consisted largely of fibroblastic cells and leiomyosarcoma cells were packed in forming small cell groups with constant junctional complexes of nexus and zonula adherens types. MFH showed variable cellular features containing the cells with myofibroblastic and histiocytic differentiation. Malignant schwannoma was characterized by tumor cells having slender cytoplasmic processes with overlapping or interdigitation and thick basement membrane. These ultrastructural features were contributory to the differential diagnosis of the sarcomas examined.

Hyaline globules in yolk sac tumor. Histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies

Four cases of yolk sac tumor of the testis and ovary were examined by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy, and particular attention was directed toward the close relationship between hyaline globules and alpha fetoprotein (AFP). The hyaline globules were easily identified as eosinophilic globular structures located in the cytoplasm of the tumor cell as well as in the extracellular space. They were considered to be of glycoprotein in nature by their histochemical staining property. By an indirect immunoperoxidase method, the majority of intracytoplasmic hyaline globules were positive for AFP. Electronmicroscopically, the hyaline globules appeared as electron dense bodies with no limiting membranes. They were divided into two types by their electron density and inner structure: one is an electron high dense body consisting of homogeneous or fine granular materials and the other is a moderately electron dense body composed of fine filamentous structures similar to the basement membrane materials. It is suggested that the former corresponds with the AFP positive hyaline globules produces by the tumor cells of visceral type, while the latter represents the AFP negative globules formed by the cells of parietal type in non-neoplastic counterparts.

Gastric plasmacytoma: an immunologic and immunohistochemical study

A case of IgG (lambda) secreting plasmacytoma arising in the stomach has been presented. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells contained IgG-lambda immunoglobulin. Immunoelectrophoretic study on patient's serum revealed in the gamma zone the presence of M protein which reacted specifically with anti-IgG and anti-lambda antisera. Agar electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis with anti-IgG and anti-lambda antisera showed multiple subbands. Neuraminidase treatment of the purified IgG from this patient resulted in gradual reduction of four subbands to two. Electrophoretic charge difference of the monoclonal immunoglobulin may be attributed to incompletely synthesized sugar chains attached to the protein core.

Distribution of fibrous long-spacing fibers in normal and pathological lymph nodes

The occurrence and distribution of fibrous long-spacing fibers (FLS) of lymph nodes in normal and pathological conditions have been examined by electron microscopy. The FLS can be easily identified by the characteristic broad cross bands with a 90 to 120 nm period. In normal lymph nodes, the FLS were most often found in the stalk of the valve projecting into the lymphatic sinus and in the perivascular matrix, and less frequently in the wall of the vein, in the sinus wall and in the stroma of the medulla at the hilus. In pathological conditions, a large number of FLS appeared in the hyalinous matrix of lymphocyte depletion type of Hodgkin's disease. These fibers were also observed in reticular matrices of lymphosarcoma and mixed cellularity type of Hodgkin's disease as well as in granulation tissues. It was noted that FLS appeared to be formed in the regions where abundant reticular fibers were laid down. Compared with the ultrastructural and histological findings in various lesions of lymph nodes, the possible mechanism and significance of FLS were discussed.

Ultrastructure of the mouse synovial membrane. Development and organization of the extracellular matrix

The synovial membrane of the mouse knee joint was examined by electron microscopy and electron microscopic histochemistry, with special reference to the development of the extracellular matrix. In the embryonic synovium, the intercellular spaces were filled with hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate. The formation of the early joint cavity appeared to be initiated by accumulation of hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate in the synovial primordium. At the postnatal stage, the synovial primordium differentiated into a true synovial intima that could be easily identified by the presence of two distinct lining cells: fibroblast-like cells (B cells) and phagocytic cells (A cells). Simultaneously, the synovial intima provided the specialized extracellular matrix that was characterized by organized structures of microfibrils, collagen fibers, and fibrous long spacing fibers embedded in a large number of glycoproteins.

Myofibroblasts in fibrous tumors and fibrosis in various organs

The morphology and population of myofibroblasts detected by electron microscopy in fibrous tumors and fibrosis in various organs have been examined. The myofibroblast was identified by characteristic features of the indented nucleus, bundles of abundant microfilaments with dense bodies, focal basal lamina and well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. It has been observed that myofibroblasts in a variety of fibrous tumors and fibrosis appeared predominantly in fibromatosis and reparative process of deep fibrous tissues and organs particularly in the lesions involving the fascia and subcutaneous tissue. It was suggested that myofibroblasts would be modified fibroblasts to which fibroblasts in the fascia and deeply situated fibrous tissue transformed during proliferation and differentiation.

Secretory granules of B-cells in the synovial membrane. An ultrastructural and cytochemical study

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies have been made on secretory granules of B-cells (fibroblast-like cells) in the knee-joint synovium. The secretory granules were membrane-bounded spherical or slightly elongated bodies, 150 to 350 nm (average 230 nm) in diameter and had a homogenous matrix with several cores. These granules were found in B-cells of all animal species examined; they were numerous in mice and rats, and few in guinea pigs, rabbits and man. Ultrastructural and cytochemical examinations revealed that the Golgi apparatus was involved in the formation of the secretory granules. Unlike lysosomes, they showed no acid phosphatase activity. The granule matrix was positively stained by Thiéry's periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate technique, and the cores were digested by protease. These findings suggest that the granule matrix contains mucopolysaccharide(s) and/or glycoprotein(s) and the core material is largely proteinaceous in nature.

The effect of collagenase on the formation of fibrous long spacing collagen aggregates

In order to elucidate the close relationship between the formation of fibrous long spacing fibers (FLS) and collagenase activity, electron microscopic studies on the rat skin using tissue culture technique were performed. In culture of newborn rat skin, a large number of FLS was formed in the dermis in which activity of endogenous collagenase was markedly elevated. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) supplemented to the culture medium completely arrested the formation of the FLS; subsequent exposure to bacterial collagenase resulted in the appearance of FLS in the same fashion. In another set of experiments utilizing exogenous enzyme digestion with bacterial collagenase or chondroitinase ABC on skins of 1-day-old and 1-year-old rats, it was demonstrated that the FLS formed by incubation with bacterial collagenase were found only in the regions of the dermis where reticular fibers were identified by light microscopy. There was no effect of chondroitinase ABC on FLS formation. These studies indicate that the FLS are formed in the presence of elevated endogenous collagenase and might be derived from reticular fibers which are degraded by collagenase.

A case of watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and hypercalcemia associated with nonulcerogenic islet cell tumor of the pancreas

A case of watery diarrhea, hypokalemia and hypercalcemia associated with an islet cell tumor was described. A 62-year old man exhibited frequent watery diarrhea and hypokalemia for two years. He had no peptic ulcer and serum gastrin level was normal. His serum calcium was abnormally high and serum phosphate was lowered. He had secretin-like activity in his plasma. Autopsy revealed a small islet cell tumor in the pancreas and several metastatic masses in the liver. Microscopic examination revealed the tumor cell was not beta, alpha nor D cells. By electron microscopy the secretion granules of the tumor cell resembled those of S, M and T cells. It was not possible to decide which of the tree cell types was responsible for the pancreatic cholera.