Size-Controllable Synthesis of Monodisperse Magnetite Microparticles Leading to Magnetically Tunable Colloidal Crystals

Colloidal crystals (CCs) are periodic arrays of monodisperse microparticles. Such CCs are very attractive as they can be potentially applicable as versatile photonic devices such as reflective displays, sensors, lasers, and so forth. In this article, we describe a promising methodology for synthesizing monodisperse magnetite microparticles whose diameters are controllable in the range of 100–200 nm only by adjusting the base concentration of the reaction solution. Moreover, monodisperse magnetite microparticles in aqueous suspensions spontaneously form the CC structures under an external magnetic field, leading to the appearance of Bragg reflection colors. The reflection peak can be blue-shifted from 730 nm to 570 nm by the increase in the external magnetic field from 28 mT to 220 mT. Moreover, the reflection properties of CCs in suspension depend on the microparticle concentration in suspension and the diameter of the magnetite microparticles. Both fine-control of microparticle diameter and investigation of magneto-optical properties of CCs would contribute to the technological developments in full-color reflective displays and sensors by utilizing these monodisperse magnetite microparticles.     

Effect of Cold-Rolling Directions on Recrystallization Texture Evolution of Pure Iron

The influence of cold-rolling directions on the recrystallization texture evolution of pure iron was examined. As-received pure iron sheets were cold-rolled under two different conditions (specimens A and B). Specimen A was cold-rolled in the vertical direction against the cold-rolling direction of the as-received sheet. Specimen B was cold-rolled in the vertical direction against the cold-rolling direction of the as-received sheet, and then in the cold-rolling direction of the as-received sheet. Cold-rolled specimens were heated to each desired temperature before being quenched in water to room temperature (298 ± 2 K). Both cold-rolled specimens showed the development of γ-fiber and {100}<011> orientation. Additionally, γ-fiber formed comparatively more in cold-rolled specimen A, while α-fiber developed comparatively more in cold-rolled specimen B. Strain distribution in cold-rolled specimen A was presumably inhomogeneous, whereas that in cold-rolled specimen B was rather uniform at the macro-scale. The formation of γ-fiber was confirmed in annealed specimen A. In annealed specimen B, however, the recrystallization texture tended to be random, and the formation of α-fiber was observed. Furthermore, the formation of Goss orientation in both annealed specimens was established. Recrystallized ferrite grains with Goss orientation nucleated in high strain regions of cold-rolled specimen. These findings show that by devising the cold-rolling direction, it is possible to discover new types of recrystallization textures.     

Muscle mass index in haemodialysis patients: a comparison of indices obtained by routine clinical examinations.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of muscle mass is useful for evaluating protein nutritional status. Various methods for estimating muscle mass in haemodialysis patients have recently been developed. METHODS: The validity of the estimate of creatinine production calculated with the creatinine kinetic model (CKM) was examined in 46 haemodialysis patients by comparing it with the actual creatinine production, this being determined from the sum of creatinine appearing in the dialysate and the estimated metabolic degradation. The correlation of various other muscle mass indices with creatinine production was also investigated in these patients. RESULTS: The estimate of creatinine production using CKM was significantly correlated with creatinine production calculated from the spent dialysate plus an estimate for the extra-renal creatinine degradation (r=0.90, P<0.001). A Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the mean prediction error for the estimate of creatinine production by CKM was +0.10 g/day and the limits of agreement were +0.34 to -0.14 g/day. The cross-sectional area of the thigh muscle measured by computed tomography (CT) was also significantly correlated with creatinine production (r=-0.86, P<0.01). In contrast, the correlations of 3-methylhistidine production measured in the spent dialysate, the mid-upper arm muscle circumference and the skeletal muscle mass estimated by an anthropometric prediction model with creatinine production were lower (r<0.82). CONCLUSION: Creatinine production calculated using CKM and CT measurement of thigh muscle area are valid methods for estimating muscle mass during routine clinical examinations of haemodialysis patients.     

Gender differences in prolactin elevation induced by olanzapine in Japanese drug-naïve schizophrenic patients

We investigated the effect of gender on plasma prolactin levels in 20 Japanese drug-naïve schizophrenic patients [10 male, 10 female, aged 25.4 ± 10.3 (mean ± S.D.), range = 12–46 years] treated with olanzapine. Plasma prolactin levels were measured at baseline, and weeks 3 and 8 after starting titration of olanzapine. Comparisons of plasma prolactin levels between baseline and week 3, and between baseline and week 8 were made by repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-test. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in olanzapine-induced prolactin changes between male and female patients (P = 0.037). In male patients (n = 10), the plasma concentration of prolactin at week 3 was significantly higher than at baseline (P = 0.016), but there was no significant difference between the plasma concentration of prolactin at week 8 and at baseline or week 3 (P = 0.191). In female patients (n = 10), there was a significant change of prolactin between baseline and week 3 (P = 0.005), and between baseline and week 8 (P = 0.047). Our results indicate the possibility of gender differences in prolactin elevation induced by olanzapine in Japanese drug-naïve schizophrenic patients. These gender-based findings may be helpful for clinicians when deciding the frequency of follow-up visits once a patient starts olanzapine therapy.     

Intra-aneurysmal coil embolization for large or giant carotid artery aneurysms in the cavernous sinus

This study evaluated the effectiveness of intra-aneurysmal coil embolization for large or giant carotid artery aneurysms in the cavernous sinus in seven patients treated by intra-aneurysmal coil embolization from 2001 to 2010. Only one patient showed improved neurological symptoms caused by aneurysmal mass effect during the mean follow-up period of 53.4 ± 27.3 months. Neurological symptoms caused by the aneurysms remained unchanged in two patients, and deteriorated in four. Intra-aneurysmal coil embolization is not considered an effective treatment option for large or giant carotid artery aneurysms in the cavernous sinus.     

Perioperative cardiopulmonary complications after cervical spine surgery in the prone position: the relationship between age and preoperative testing

Background  

Cardiac arrest during spine surgery in the prone position is difficult to manage as poor access makes cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation difficult. Advanced age is the maximal risk factor for cardiac arrest. Therefore, we wanted to determine the relationship between age and cardiac risk factors/pre-operating tests for cervical spine surgery in the prone position.     

High-Output Heart Failure Caused by a Huge Renal Arteriovenous Fistula After Nephrectomy: Report of a Case

Postnephrectomy renal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with an aneurysmal lesion is a rare clinical entity that may cause high-output heart failure. In this report, we describe the case of a 68-year-old man who had undergone nephrectomy for renal tuberculosis 43 years previously, in whom an acquired large renal AVF presenting as an aneurysm caused congestive cardiac failure. We also discuss the hemodynamic, hormonogenic (human arterial natriuretic polypeptide; hANP), and radiographic findings before and after surgery for the AVF. The AVF with an aneurysmal lesion was clearly visualized by three-dimensional-computerized tomographic (CT) scanning, and proximal ligation of the renal artery was followed by an uneventful recovery. This procedure can produce good results when a fistula is too large to allow safe embolization and when excision would be hazardous due to inflammation surrounding the fistula. Received: March 1, 2000 / Accepted: November 20, 2000     

Prognostic Significance of Complications after Curative Surgery for Gastric Cancer

Background

Postoperative complications such as anastomotic leakage were reported to be a major independent prognostic factor for long-term survival in gastrointestinal malignancies. This study sought to clarify the prognostic significance of postoperative inflammatory complications specifically for patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

This study included 1,395 patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer from 2005 to 2008. Complications were evaluated according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific mortality (DSM) were compared between complication and no-complication groups. Presence of complications was modeled by the Cox proportional hazard model for OS and the Fine and Gray competing risk regression model for DSM to assess the correlation between complication and prognosis.

Results

The median follow-up time was 3.1 years. Two hundred seven patients (14.8 %) had complications of grade 2 or higher. Of 131 patients who died within this period, 87 died of gastric cancer. The 3-year OS in the complication group was 84.1 % compared to 93.1 % in the no-complication group (P < 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of DSM was also significantly worse in patients with complications (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified the same significant increasing risk of complication for both OS (hazard ratio 1.88; 95 % confidence interval 1.26–2.80) and DSM (hazard ratio 1.90; 95 % confidence interval 1.19–3.02).

Conclusions

Postoperative complications that can cause prolonged inflammation have an obvious impact not only on the OS but also on the DSM of patients with gastric cancer even if the tumor is resected curatively.