Strong atomic ordering in Gd-doped GaN

Gd-doped GaN (Ga 1-xGd xN) thin films were grown on a GaN(001) template by radio frequency plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three samples with a different Gd composition were prepared in this study: x = 0.02, 0.05, and 0.08. XRD and TEM results revealed that the low Gd concentration GaN possesses the wurtzite structure. On the other hand, it was found that an ordered phase with a quadruple-periodicity along the [001] direction in the wurtzite structure is formed throughout the film with x = 0.08. We proposed the atomistic model for the superlattice structure observed here. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.Manabu Ishimaru, Kotaro Higashi, Shigehiko Hasegawa, Hajime Asahi, Kazuhisa Sato, and Toyohiko J. Konno, "Strong atomic ordering in Gd-doped GaN", Appl. Phys. Lett. 101, 101912 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4751245

Efficacy of Aprepitant for Nausea in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Daily Cisplatin Therapy

Background: Although efficacy of aprepitant for suppressing emesis associated with single-dose cisplatin has been demonstrated, there are limited data on the antiemetic effect of this oral neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist during daily administration of cisplatin. Accordingly, we investigated the efficacy and safety of aprepitant in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving combination therapy with cisplatin and 5-FU (FP therapy). Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with HNC were prospectively studied who received a triple antiemetic regimen comprising granisetron (40μg/kg on Days 1-4), dexamethasone (8 mg on Days 1-4), and aprepitant (125 mg on day 1 and 80mg on days 2-5) with FP therapy (cisplatin 20 mg/m2 on days 1-4; 5-FU 400 mg/m2 on days 1-5) (aprepitant group). We also retrospectively studied another 20 HNC patients who received the same regimen except for aprepitant (control group). Results: For efficacy endpoints based on nausea, the aprepitant group showed significantly better results, including a higher rate of complete response (no vomiting and no salvage therapy) for the acute phase (p = 0.0342), although there was no marked difference between the two groups with regard to percentage of patients in whom vomiting was suppressed. There were no clinically relevant adverse reactions to aprepitant. Conclusions: This study suggested that a triple antiemetic regimen containing aprepitant is safe and effective for HNC patients receiving daily cisplatin therapy

Tracheal reconstruction using s-shaped skin flaps and a conchal cartilage graft.

We have devised a technique of two-stage tracheal reconstruction using S-shaped skin flaps and an aural conchal cartilage graft. During the first operation, S-shaped skin flaps were elevated before resection of the trachea. A tracheocutaneous fistula was created at the tracheal defect using S-shaped skin flaps while placing the conchal cartilage graft underneath. During the second operation, a skin incision was made around the fistula to elevate the hinge flaps, including the cartilage. The edges of the hinge flaps were sutured to form the tracheal lumen, and the area of the skin defect was then closed with double-rotation skin flaps

Recurrent sebaceous carcinoma with wide intraepithelial spread to the nasal cavity: Report of two cases

Background: Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a relatively rare tumor that usually arises from the eyelid. Local extension down the nasolacrimal duct is relatively rare event for SC.Method: We herein report two cases of recurrent SC in the nasal cavity. Both patients had previously received primary treatment for SC of the eyelid. Seven years after the initial treatment, the first patient presented with a mass on the left medial canthus of the eyelid. Sixteen months after the initial treatment, the second patient presented with a large mass in the right nasal cavity.Results: The wide intraepithelial spread of SC over 30 mm from the initial surgical margin was beyond our expectations. The first patient is currently alive with local recurrence following the administration of chemoradiotherapy 46 months after treatment, while the second patient died of distant metastasis.Conclusion: This report focuses on the unique clinical features of intranasal recurrence of SC after treatment

Immunolocalization of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Kv3.4 Subunit in the Cochlea

Immunohistochemical localization of voltage-gated potassium channel Kv3.4 subunit was studied in the guinea-pig cochlea. Kv3.4-like immunoreactivity was present in the type I and suprastrial fibrocytes of the spiral ligament and the basal cells of the stria vascularis. Immunostaining was also found in the type II-IV fibrocytes of the spiral ligament and the connective tissue cells of the spiral limbus. In the organ of Corti, Kv3.4-like immunoreactivity was found in the sensory cells and the neighboring supporting cells. The root cells and interdental cells were positively immunostained. Immunoreactivity was also found in the endothelial cells of the blood vessels in the cochlear modiolus. These results suggest that Kv3.4 may participate in the potassium ion recycling mechanism in the cochlea

The influence of radiotherapy on swallowing pressure: A study of 10 laryngeal carcinoma patients using high-resolution manometry

Although dysphagia is a common complication after radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer, its pathogenesis is not completely understood because the swallowing function is affected by complex factors. Appropriate swallowing pressure is an important factor in normal swallowing. When the radiation field includes the pharyngeal segment, intrabolus pressure may be affected. The purpose of this study is to examine the long-term influence of RT on swallowing pressure. Ten patients undergoing treatment for early-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study. Sufficient nutritional intake was maintained through oral feeding alone throughout the study period in all of the patients. A high-resolution manometry system with 36 circumferential sensors spaced 1 cm apart was positioned through the nose to record the maximum pressures at the mesopharynx, hypopharynx and the upper esophageal sphincter. The pressures were recorded before and at 6 and 12 months after treatment. There was no statistically significant chronological change in pressures either at meso-, hypopharynx or the upper esophageal sphincter. Even though radiation field includes a part of pharyngeal segment, intrabolus pressure was not found to be affected by the treatment. Despite the disadvantages of RT, the current study did not demonstrate RT had a quantitative influence on swallowing pressure. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between pharyngeal pressure and the dysphagia induced by RT