Numerical analysis of the effect of bubble distribution on multiple-bubble behavior.

Understanding multiple-bubble behavior in a megasonic field is essential for efficient megasonic nanodevice cleaning without pattern damage. In this study, we numerically studied the effects of equilibrium radius and initial void fraction on multiple-bubble behavior and induced pressure. We analyzed the nonspherical collapse, coalescence, and breakup of bubbles in a megasonic field using a compressible, locally homogeneous model of a gas-liquid two-phase medium.

Computational study of the dynamics of two interacting bubbles in a megasonic field.

Clarification of the mechanism of particle removal by megasonic cleaning and control of cavitation bubbles in the megasonic field are essential for cleaning of nanodevices without pattern damage. Multiple bubble interactions complicate the mechanism of particle removal. Therefore, it is important to understand multiple bubble dynamics to clarify the mechanism of particle removal by megasonic cleaning.

MBL2 single nucleotide polymorphism diversity among four ethnic groups as revealed by a bead-based liquid array profiling.

In the present work we established a rapid, cost-effective and high-throughput method for genotyping using a multiplexed microsphere-based suspension array platform - Luminex xMAP which enabled us to analyze 3 SNPs in the MBL2 gene promoter and 5' UTR, and 3 coding SNPs exon 1 haplotypes, associated with different levels of MBL2 expression. Using this system MBL2 diversity in four different ethnic groups, namely, Asian (Japanese), Caucasian, Hispanic and African-American-assessed. Results showed significant variability in terms of allele, genotype, and haplotype distribution.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate incadronate augments the inhibitory effect of farnesyl transferase inhibitor tipifarnib on the growth of fresh and cloned myeloma cells in vitro.

RAS gene mutations occur in 30 - 40% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Farnesylation is the first step in the post-translational modification of RAS proteins. Tipifarnib is a potent farnesyl transferase inhibitor, and incadronate prevents post-translational prenylation of GTP-binding proteins such as RAS proteins.

Combination therapy with thalidomide, incadronate, and dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The feasibility and efficacy of a combination of thalidomide, incadronate, and dexamethasone (TID) were studied in 12 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The protocol, consisting of 300 mg/day of thalidomide administered orally, intravenous incadronate (10 mg/day) administered weekly, and 12 mg/day dexamethasone for 4 days, was repeated every 3 weeks. Evaluations of efficacy and toxicity were carried out every 3 weeks and were continued for 3 cycles.

Malignant lymphoma presenting as a cardiac tumor and superior vena caval syndrome successfully treated by haploidentical stem cell transplantation.

A 16 year-old male with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a cardiac tumor and superior vena caval (SVC) syndrome received a haploidentical stem cell transplant (SCT) from his mother after conventional and salvage chemotherapy. He received additional radiation therapy for the residual tumor and is alive and well on day 640 after transplantation. Malignant lymphoma presenting as a cardiac tumor, including primary cardiac lymphoma, is rare.

Unique three-way translocation, t(3;14;18)(q27;q32;q21), in follicular lymphoma.

A 43-year-old woman was diagnosed as having stage IV follicular lymphoma. Phenotypically, the lymphoma cells were CD5(-), CD10(+), CD19(+), CD20(+), CD23(-), HLA-DR(+), and IgM-lambda(+). Conventional chromosomal analysis showed a three-way t(3;14;18)(q27;q32;q21) in the lymphoma cells, which was confirmed by spectral karyotyping (SKY) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Plasmacytoma of the urinary bladder in a renal transplant recipient.

A 28-year-old woman underwent renal transplantation in 1993. Eight years later, she experienced macroscopic hematuria, and Epstein-Barr virus-negative solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) of the urinary bladder was diagnosed. After the reduction of immunosuppressive therapy, she received combined chemotherapy, resulting in complete tumor disappearance.

CD5+ Epstein-Barr virus-positive intravascular large B-cell lymphoma in the uterus co-existing with huge myoma.

A 42-year-old female underwent hysterectomy because of a huge uterine mass. Histologically, she was diagnosed as having intravascular lymphoma co-existing with myoma uteri. Lymphoma cells were large in size and were positive for CD5, CD20, CD45, CD79a, lambda light chain, and EBV but were negative for CD3 and cyclin D1.

CD5-negative chronic lymphocytic leukemia with indolent clinical course and autoimmune thrombocytopenia, successfully treated with rituximab.

A 59-year-old male with lymphocytosis and thrombocytopenia was asymptomatic without lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly over 10 years. He was admitted to our hospital because his thrombocytopenia had worsened. The clonal lymphocytes appeared as regular small mature lymphocytes on blood films, and bone marrow biopsy showed diffuse infiltration of mature lymphocytes.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative, API2-MALT1 fusion-negative bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma in a young male.

A 22-year-old male presented with multiple bilateral nodular shadows in the lungs by chest radiograph. He had been asymptomatic and showed no significant abnormal findings in laboratory examinations. He underwent a diagnostic partial lobectomy, and was diagnosed as having primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma; i.

Effect of farnesyl transferase inhibitor R115777 on the growth of fresh and cloned myeloma cells in vitro.

Ras gene mutations occur in 30% to 40% of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and farnesylation is the first and most important step in the posttranslational modification of Ras proteins. R115777 is a newly synthesized potent farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) and has recently demonstrated significant antitumor activities in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, we examined the effect of R115777 on the growth of fresh and cloned myeloma cells in vitro.

Disseminated infection due to Scedosporium apiospermum in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia.

A 62-year-old man diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia which had developed from myelodysplastic syndrome received cytarabine and idarubicine as an induction therapy. The patient developed pneumonia and bacterial sepsis during profound neutropenia. Fever and sepsis improved by using many anti-bacterials and anti-fungals but he became febrile again and complained of severe lumbar pain.

[Thalidomide therapy in patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma].

We treated seven refractory or relapsed myeloma patients resistant to conventional chemotherapy with thalidomide. We started thalidomide at 100 mg daily and the dose was increased up to 300 mg if the patient could tolerate it. The patients were evaluated at four weeks and 12 mg of dexamethasone was added for four days when the patient failed to respond to thalidomide treatment.

Non-T-cell-depleted HLA haploidentical stem cell transplantation in advanced hematologic malignancies based on the feto-maternal michrochimerism.

Feto-maternal microchimerism suggests that immunologic tolerance exists between mother and fetus. Based on this hypothesis, we performed haploidentical stem cell transplantation (SCT) without T-cell depletion (TCD) in 5 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. HLA incompatibilities for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) direction included 3-loci mismatches in 4 patients, and 2-loci mismatches in one patient.

Effect of vinorelbine on the growth of human myeloma cell lines in vitro.

Vinorelbine (NVB) is a newly synthesized vinca alkaloid that has been used to treat advanced malignant diseases including lung adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. The effect of NVB on myeloma, however, is unknown. We therefore examined the effect of NVB on the growth of human myeloma cell lines (RPMI8226, U266 and KPMM2) using the trypan blue dye exclusion test and Alamar blue assay.

Meningeal relapse after double peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in IgD myeloma.

A 54-year-old man diagnosed with IgD myeloma (stage IIIA) in complete remission (CR) received peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) twice with an interval of 4 months using high-dose melphalan 200mg/m2. However 9 months after the second PBSCT, he was readmitted because of lumbago, lower left hemiparesis, speech disturbance and left facial nerve palsy. A lumbar puncture revealed myeloma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

CD34+/CD90+ cells infused best predict late haematopoietic reconstitution following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

This study aimed to identify which graft product subset of cells might be the most predictive of late haematopoietic recovery (three to 12 months) following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The relationships between the numbers of reinfused CD34+ cells and their immature subsets such as CD34+/CD90+, CD34+/AC133+, CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/HLA-DR- cells, and haemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after PBSCT, were studied in 25 patients with haematological and solid malignancies. The total CD34+ cell number, as well as CD34+/CD90+ and CD34+/AC133+ cell numbers, correlated with platelet counts at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after PBSCT, but the CD34+/CD90+ cells infused best predicted platelet recovery during the first 12 months after PBSCT (P < 0.