Baseline Assessment for the Consistency of Raman Shifts Acquired with 26 Different Raman Systems and Necessity of a Standardized Calibration Protocol.

Although Raman shifts originate from molecular vibrations and in theory must be independent of analytical systems, acquired Raman shifts, in practice, are not so. Since the consistency of Raman shifts acquired with different systems has not been investigated previously, we have compared the Raman spectra of polystyrene, benzonitrile, and cyclohexane obtained with 26 different systems. The medians of 26 measurements for the characteristic peaks were found to be 1001.

[Interlaboratory Study on Evaporation Residue Test for Food Contact Products (Report 2)].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the equivalence between an official method and a modified method of evaporation residue test using heptane as a food-simulating solvent for oily or fatty foods, based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food contact products. Twenty-three laboratories participated, and tested the evaporation residues of nine test solutions as blind duplicates. In the official method, heating for evaporation was done with a water bath.

[Interlaboratory Study on Evaporation Residue Test for Food Contact Products (Report 1)].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate the equivalence between an official method and a modified method of evaporation residue test using three food-simulating solvents (water, 4% acetic acid and 20% ethanol), based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food contact products. Twenty-three laboratories participated, and tested the evaporation residues of nine test solutions as blind duplicates. For evaporation, a water bath was used in the official method, and a hot plate in the modified method.

A practical evaluation of measurement uncertainty in gamma-ray efficiency curve determination through an analytical approach.

An example of uncertainty evaluation of an efficiency curve is reported. In the applied method, the efficiency curve is determined through the weighted least square method based on measured efficiencies employing a mixed-radionuclide standard source. The variance-covariance matrix of the efficiencies is determined by evaluating the uncertainties of the counting, the calibrated radioactivities, the correction factors for true coincidence summing, and the inadequacy of the fitting function.

[Interlaboratory Study on Caprolactam Test for Food-Contact Nylon Products].

The Japanese Food Sanitation Law sets a limit on the migration level of caprolactam for food-contacting nylon products. Here, we carried out an interlaboratory study in twenty laboratories to evaluate the performance of the official GC-FID test method and a GC-MS method as an alternative test method to the official method. Each laboratory quantified caprolactam in three test solutions in 20% ethanol as blind duplicates using GC-FID or GC-MS.

[Interlaboratory Study on Zinc Test for Food-Contact Rubber Products].

Using six kinds of zinc solution in water and 4% acetic acid as samples, an interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate a zinc (Zn) test method for food-contact rubber products, based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law. Eighteen laboratories participated, and quantified Zn in six test solutions as blind duplicates using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, induced coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry or induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis revealed that the trueness, repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDr) were 97-103%, 0.

[Interlaboratory study on migration test of antimony and germanium for food-contact polyethylene terephthalate].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate a migration test method of antimony (Sb) and germanium (Ge), based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for food- contact polyethylene terephthalate. Eighteen laboratories participated, and quantified Sb and Ge in three test solutions as blind duplicates using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis revealed that the trueness, repeatability and reproducibility were 98-107%, 1.

A pilot study on remediation of sediments enriched by oyster farming wastes using granulated coal ash.

In order to evaluate the ability of granulated coal ash (GCA), a byproduct of coal thermal electric power stations, to remove hydrogen sulfide from organically enriched sediments, a pilot study was carried out at oyster farming sites, where sediments were enriched with oyster feces and dead oysters. Concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the interstitial water of the sediment decreased to nearly zero in both experimental sites, whereas it remained over 0.2mg/l in the control site.

Molecular simulation of ion transport in silica nanopores.

Ion distribution and transport of KCl aqueous solutions at the junction of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions inside silica nanopores were studied by using two kinds of molecular simulation: grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations. The nanopores were 2 nm diameter silica pores in which surface functional groups, -SiOH, had been modified by hydrophobic surface functional groups, -SiCH(3), within three different lengths along the pore direction (z-direction), L(z0) = 0, 2, and 4 nm. If L(z0) is long enough, water could not enter the hydrophobic region, but for all L(z0) studied here, water entered the hydrophobic region.

Molecular dynamics study of hydrated faujasite-type zeolites.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of hydrated zeolite NaX (Si/Al = 1.0) and NaY (Si/Al = 2.0) were done at a temperature of 300 K.

A case of occult contralateral breast cancer incidentally detected by contrast-enhanced MRI; report of a case with review of literature.

We encountered a case of occult contralateral breast cancer, previously undetected by conventional imaging such as mammography (MMG) and ultrasonography (US), but incidentally detected by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). We present it here with a review of the literature. A 67-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital in October 2000 because of a 1.

Nanofluidic diode and bipolar transistor.

Theoretical modeling of ionic distribution and transport in a nanochannel containing a surface charge on its wall, 30 nm high and 5 microm long, suggests that ionic current can be controlled by locally modifying the surface charge density through a gate electrode, even if the electrical double layers are not overlapped. When the surface charge densities at the right and left halves of a channel are the same absolute value but of different signs, this could form the basis of a nanofluidic diode. When the surface charge density at the middle part of a channel is modified, this could form the basis of a nanofluidic bipolar transistor.

Predictive value of the time-intensity curves on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for lymphatic spreading in breast cancer.

Purpose: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) has emerged as a promising diagnostic modality in various breast cancer treatments. However, little is known about the correlation between the pattern of time to signal intensity curves (TIC) on the CE-MRI and clinicopathologic features. This study was designed to investigate these correlations and evaluate the predictive value of TIC on CE-MRI in order to identify high-risk patients.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei accompanied by intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

We describe a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) successfully managed with intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion. This case is unique due to the concurrent presence of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas. The patient presented with abdominal fullness.

Comparison of intraductal spread on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with clinicopathologic features in breast cancer.

Objective: Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) has emerged as a new diagnostic technology in various breast cancer treatments. However, little is known about the correlation between intraductal spread on CE-MRI and clinicopathologic features. This study was designed to evaluate these correlations for the surgical planning of breast cancer.

Postoperative complications following gastrectomy for gastric cancer during the last decade.

Background/aims: The reduction in the incidence of severe postoperative complications has resulted in a significant increase in the survival of patients with gastric cancer.

Methodology: A total of 879 patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer during the last decade were retrospectively evaluated for postoperative complications, mortality and associated risk factors.

Results: The most frequent complications were anastomotic leakage (3.

Prognostic value of lymph node staging in gastric cancer.

Background/aims: The latest TNM classification (5th edition) changed the definition of nodal staging from the anatomical localization to the total number of metastatic lymph nodes. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the prognostic significance of nodal staging between the two widely known staging systems, the TNM classification (TNM) and Japanese Classification for Gastric Cancer (JCGC).

Methodology: A total of 582 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer were reviewed retrospectively from hospital records.

Two-channel method for retrieval of gastric trichobezoar: report of a case.

Large gastric trichobezoars usually are difficult to remove gastroscopically without gradual fragmentation. Surgical retrieval of trichobezoars may be recommended, which requires laparotomy and gastrotomy. The authors report a case in which an 11-year-old girl with a trichobezoar underwent successful removal using gastroscopy with laparoscopically assisted fragmentation.

Esophagogastrostomy reconstruction after limited proximal gastrectomy.

Background/aims: Recent advances in diagnostic techniques have led to the detection of an increasing number of early gastric cancers in the upper third of the stomach. The objective of this study was to determine the most appropriate surgical treatment for these cancers.

Methodology: The clinicopathologic characteristics of 35 patients with early gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach who underwent three different types of gastrectomies were reviewed retrospectively from hospital records between January 1992 and August 1999.

[High fever during the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid].

A 56-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of petechiae and acute promyelocytic leukemia was diagnosed. Administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at 60 mg per day was begun. On the same day, high fever was recognized.