Detectability of the diagonal direction in the assessment of medical images using a high-brightness liquid crystal display monitor.

Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors show a homogenous quadratic pattern in the number of pixels, size, and dimensions. However, their modulation transfer function (MTF) has a non-isotropic effect in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions on the screen from the shape and pattern of arrangement of pixels. Moreover, the MTF of the human eye differs in spatial frequency response directivity among individuals.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Renal Angiomyolipoma Using a Micro-balloon Catheter and a Mixture of Ethanol and Lipiodol.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for renal angiomyolipoma (AML) using a micro-balloon catheter and a mixture of ethanol and lipiodol.

Materials And Methods: Twelve consecutive patients with 15 AMLs, 9 females and 3 males, with a median age of 44 years (range, 11-81), underwent this procedure between 2011 and 2016. In all procedures, a micro-balloon catheter was advanced to the feeding artery of the AML and TAE was performed with a mixture of ethanol and lipiodol under balloon inflation.

Isolation of cyanobacterial mutants exhibiting growth defects under microoxic conditions by transposon tagging mutagenesis of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes that perform oxygenic photosynthesis by extracting electrons from water, with the generation of oxygen as a byproduct. Cyanobacteria use oxygen not only for respiration to produce energy in the dark but also for biosynthesis of various metabolites, such as heme and chlorophyll. Oxygen levels dynamically fluctuate in the field environments, from hyperoxic at daytime to almost anaerobic at night.

Usefulness of CT-guided hookwire marking before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for small pulmonary lesions.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical and clinical efficacy and safety of CT-guided hookwire marking before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for small pulmonary lesions.

Materials And Methods: This procedure was performed on 161 lesions in 154 patients (75 men and 79 women; median age, 62 years; age range 23-89 years). Medical records and images were reviewed, and the technical success rate, surgical success rate and complications were evaluated.

Genome-wide screen for Escherichia coli genes involved in repressing cell-to-cell transfer of non-conjugative plasmids.

Acquiring new genetic traits by lateral gene transfer is a bacterial strategy for environment adaptation. We previously showed that Escherichia coli could laterally transmit non-conjugative plasmids in co-cultures containing strains with and without the plasmid. In this study, using the Keio collection, a comprehensive library of E.

Genome-wide screening of Escherichia coli genes involved in execution and promotion of cell-to-cell transfer of non-conjugative plasmids: rodZ (yfgA) is essential for plasmid acceptance in recipient cells.

Acquisition of new genetic traits by horizontal gene transfer is a bacterial strategy for adaptation to the environment. We previously showed that Escherichia coli can transmit non-conjugative plasmids laterally in a co-culture containing strains with and without the plasmid. In this study, using the Keio collection, a comprehensive library of E.

Identification of a novel DNA element that promotes cell-to-cell transformation in Escherichia coli.

Recently, we discovered a novel phenomenon, "cell-to-cell transformation" by which non-conjugative plasmids are transmitted horizontally in co-cultures of Escherichia coli F(-) strains. In this study, we aimed to identify the DNA element responsible for the high cell-to-cell transformability of pHSG299. By transplanting pHSG299 DNA fragments into pHSG399, a plasmid showing low transformability, we discovered that a specific 88 bp fragment of pHSG299 significantly promoted pHSG399 transformability.

Cell-to-cell transformation in Escherichia coli: a novel type of natural transformation involving cell-derived DNA and a putative promoting pheromone.

Escherichia coli is not assumed to be naturally transformable. However, several recent reports have shown that E. coli can express modest genetic competence in certain conditions that may arise in its environment.

Cytotoxic large T-cell lymphoma with fulminant clinical course, CD8+ and CD56- phenotype, and its relation to Epstein-Barr virus: a report of two cases.

Currently, the immunohistochemical evaluation of cytotoxic granule-associated proteins such as TIA-1 and granzyme B can be carried out on paraffin sections. This procedure has broadened our knowledge of cytotoxic lymphoid neoplasms. Their detection is now regarded as a useful adjunctive in some characterizations of cytotoxic T- or natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoma, mostly in lymphoma of extranodal origin.

Diffuse pulmonary lesions in early phase Takayasu arteritis predominantly involving pulmonary artery.

We report a case of early phase Takayasu arteritis that predominantly involved the pulmonary arteries and had, along with expected radiographic findings, the unusual pattern of diffuse pulmonary parenchymal lesions on CT. We suggest that this finding may be an additional feature in early phase Takayasu arteritis and need not require investigation for an additional diagnosis.

Functional expression of Fas (CD95) in acute myeloid leukemia cells in the context of CD34 and CD38 expression: possible correlation with sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Clinical studies of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) suggest that the immune system contributes to the eradication of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A recent study also showed that the Fas (CD95/APO1) mediates apoptotic signal from cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Sixty-four patients with AML were studied for the expression of Fas in the context of CD34 and CD38 coexpression.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and acute leukemia: in vitro proliferative response to IL-1 beta, IL-1 beta content of leukemic cells and treatment outcome.

We evaluated the in vitro proliferative response to exogenous IL-1 beta in terms of tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation in leukemic cells obtained from 119 patients with various types of acute leukemia. The content of IL-1 beta in leukemic cells was measured by enzyme-amplified sensitivity immunoassay. We observed a significant proliferative response to exogenous IL-1 beta in leukemic cells from 27/66 patients with de novo AML, 1/29 patients with ALL, 2/3 patients with AUL, 8/12 patients with AML arising from MDS, 4/7 patients with myeloid crisis of CML, and 0/4 patients with lymphoid crisis of CML.

Severe rhabdomyolysis as a complication of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

We present a case of severe rhabdomyolysis developing after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) in a 17-year-old woman with Ki-1 lymphoma. Severe muscle weakness, myoglobinemia and acute renal failure developed on day 23 following PBSCT associated with painful peripheral neuropathy. Cytomegalovirus infection may have been a contributory factor.

[Coordination of unrelated bone marrow donors in the Tokai Bone Marrow Bank--psychological reactions of donors to donation].

The Tokai Bone Marrow Bank was established in 1989 and coordinated 1,415 patients with 3,000 HLA-A, B-typed donors. Of the 1,415 patients, 757 patients had HLA-A, B-identical donors, 206 patients had HLA-DR-identical donors, and 80 patients had MLC-compatible donors. Finally, 55 unrelated donor bone marrow transplantations were done.

[Bone marrow transplantation from donors other than HLA matched siblings for hematological malignancies. Nagoya Bone Marrow Transplantation Group and Tokai Marrow Donor Bank].

One hundred and fourteen patients with hematological malignancies received bone marrow transplantation from donors other than HLA-identical siblings. Sixty-three patients received transplantations from related donors; 20 were phenotypically identical for HLA-A, B, D/DR (RM0). 32 differed at one locus (RM1) and 11 differed at more than one loci (RM2).

[Salvage chemotherapy for relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a combination of dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosfamide and carboplatin].

Seventeen patients with refractory or relapsed, intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated with the combination of dexamethasone (40 mg/body x 3d, iv) (DeVIC) between January and December 1992. The treatments were repeated every three weeks for a minimum of two courses unless the patient had PD. G-CSF (2 micrograms/kg, sc) was given during leukopenia in most cases.

Translocation (3;21)(q26;q22) in treatment-related acute leukemia secondary to acute promyelocytic leukemia.

We performed cytogenetic studies in a patient with treatment-related acute leukemia (t-AL) to identify the associated chromosomal changes. Metaphase analysis revealed a t(3;21)(q26;q22) translocation. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) had been diagnosed 4 years earlier and the patient had received intensive induction chemotherapy and sequential post-induction therapy that included agents that targeted DNA-topoisomerase II (topo II).

[Increased blood cell destruction during vigorous regeneration of bone marrow after CAMBO-VIP chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Alternating non-cross-resistant chemotherapy has been induced for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with the aim of cure, even in advanced cases. We formulated a new high dose regimen, CAMBO-VIP, which was a weekly treatment. They were administered during alternate weeks for a total period of 12 weeks.

[CAMBO-VIP for advanced diffuse large cell lymphoma (LSG classification)--a long-term follow-up study].

Twenty-two patients with advanced diffuse large cell lymphoma (LSG classification) were treated with the combination chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, ifosfamide and prednisolone (CAMBO-VIP) from Oct. 1987 to Sept. 1989.

[A study of toxicities and complications observed in alternating non-cross-resistant chemotherapy (CAMBO-VIP) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Thirty-nine patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with weekly alternating non-cross-resistant chemotherapy (CAMBO-VIP). We obtained a high response rate, and prolonged disease-free survival with side effects and complications of various severity were observed. Three patients were withdrawn from the study due to aggravation of liver cirrhosis, cerebral infarction, and poor tolerance.

Autologous BMT in high risk patients with CALLA-positive ALL: possible efficacy of ex vivo marrow leukemia cell purging with monoclonal antibodies and complement.

Autologous BMT (auto-BMT) has been conducted for 17 high-risk common ALL antigen (CALLA)-positive non-T cell type ALL patients. Ex vivo purging of leukemia cells from infused BM cells was performed using complement and three kinds of mouse monoclonal antibodies reactive to CALLA-positive leukemia cells: NL-1 (IgG2a), NL-22 (IgM), and HL-47 (IgM). Minimal residual leukemia cells in BM were examined by PCR method in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1)-positive ALL cases.

[Rearrangements of immunoglobulin light chain and heavy chain constant region genes in B-cell malignancies].

We analyzed immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangements in 69 patients with B-cell malignancies by Southern hybridization. We used 5 probes which covered JH 5'S mu and S gamma 3 loci of the Ig heavy (IgH) chain gene, and C kappa and kappa de loci of the Ig light (IgL) chain kappa gene, respectively. DNA rearrangements were observed in 68 out of the 69 patients using the JH probe.

[High-dose adjuvant chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for breast cancer with poor prognosis--a pilot study].

Three patients with breast cancer with poor prognosis were treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) as adjuvant treatment. After radical mastectomy, the consolidation chemotherapy with Adriamycin 50 mg/m2, Cyclophosphamide 1,000 mg/m2, Vincristine 1.0 mg/m2 and Methotrexate 200 mg/m2 with Leucovorin rescue was started.

[Multiple hepatosplenic abscesses: successful treatment by continuous intraportal administration of amphotericin B in a case with acute promyelocytic leukemia].

A 40-year-old female was admitted in August 1989 with a diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (AML; M3). One course of modified-DCMP regimen induced complete remission in September, but she developed spiking fever at a nadir period of WBC after induction chemotherapy. CT revealed multiple hepato-splenic abscesses presumably due to candida infection.

Intensive sequential post-induction therapy for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia in first remission: long-term follow-up and results.

We designed a post-induction therapy including intensive sequential therapy with non-cross-resistant drugs in an effort to prolong disease-free survival (DFS) for adults with acute myelogenous leukemia. Forty-five patients entered this study and 33 of 35 patients entering complete remission received the post-induction therapy. With a median follow-up for survivors of 3.