Magnetic Phase Transition and Magnetization Plateau in Cs2_2CuBr4_4

The crystal structure of Cs$_2$CuBr$_4$ is the same as that of Cs$_2$CuCl$_4$, which has been characterized as a spin-1/2 quasi-two-dimensional frustrated system. The magnetic properties of Cs$_2$CuBr$_4$ were investigated by magnetization and specific heat measurements. The phase transition at zero magnetic field was detected at $T_{\rm N}=1.4$ K. It was observed that the magnetization curve has a plateau at about one-third of the saturation magnetization for magnetic field $H$ parallel to the $b$- and $c$-axes, while no plateau was observed for $H\parallel a$. The field-induced phase transition to the plateau state appears to be of the first order. The mechanism leading to the magnetization plateau is discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 4 eps files, ptptex, will appear in Supplement of Progress in Theoretical Physic

Sclerosing mediastinitis of unknown origin: Report of a case

AbstractIntroductionWe herein describe a rare case of a sclerosing mediastinitis without IgG4-related disease. This case was clearly excluded from IgG4-related disease, because this patient’s serum IgG4 level was not elevated. Specifically, this patient’s serum IgG4 level was 7.9mg/dl (4.8–105).Presentation of caseA 61-year-old Japanese female presented at our hospital due to an abnormal chest X-ray that showed a growing shadow in the mediastinum. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed an 80×75×75mm tumor, which located in the anterior mediastinum. This large tumor surrounded the thoracic aorta, left brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava. It was difficult to obtain a definitive diagnosis. We tried to perform three biopsies, and eventually performed a partial resection of the tumor.DiscussionThis case did not fit the criteria for IgG4-related disease, and it was therefore unclear whether steroid therapy should be used for this case. We will continue to carefully follow up this patient’s residual lesion, and there have been no changes in the lesion at present.ConclusionSclerosing mediastinitis and IgG4-related disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a mediastinal tumor. However, sclerosing mediastinitis is difficult to diagnose, and it is important to obtain a sufficient amount of tissue to ensure an accurate diagnosis

Hypotension due to Chemotherapy in a Patient with Small Cell Lung Cancer and Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome Undergoing Hemodialysis: A First Case Report

We present the first case of small cell lung cancer with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome during hemodialysis (HD). A 72-year-old male patient receiving HD experienced progressive muscle weakness. He was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome due to an increased serum level of anti-voltage-gated calcium channel antibody and aspiration cytology on endobronchial ultrasonography for the swelling of a subcarinal lymph node. He received chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin (300 mg/m2) and etoposide (50 mg/m2), to which he had a partial response. However, the second therapy course could not be administered because of the unexpected development of severe hematological adverse events, which also prevented him from undergoing further HD. This case indicates that caution should be taken when using chemotherapy for such patients because of hypotension due to chemotherapy, with which it is impossible to undergo HD

Total Vertebrectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

We present a case who had left upper lobectomy with total vertebrectomy after arterial embolization in preparation for intraoperative bleeding. A 35-year-old man complained of left back pain. Chest CT revealed a tumor in S1+2 of the left lung, invading the third thoracic vertebra. As no nodal or distant metastasis was detected, we performed left upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection (ND2a-2) after embolization of the vessels feeding the tumor in order to reduce intraoperative bleeding. In addition, the team of orthopedics performed en bloc resection of the third thoracic vertebra and parts of the left third and fourth ribs. Histological examination of the tumor revealed pleomorphic carcinoma (pT4N0M0, stage IIIA)

Successful radical resection of a leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary trunk

AbstractJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:1039-4

Natural air leak test without submergence for spontaneous pneumothorax

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postoperative air leaks are frequent complications after surgery for a spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). We herein describe a new method to test for air leaks by using a transparent film and thoracic tube in a closed system.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Between 2005 and 2010, 35 patients underwent a novel method for evaluating air leaks without submergence, and their clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. The data on patient characteristics, surgical details, and perioperative outcomes were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The differences in the clinical background and intraoperative factors did not reach a statistically significant level between the new and classical methods. The incidence of recurrence was also equivalent to the standard method. However, the length of the operation and drainage periods were significantly shorter in patients evaluated using the new method than the conventional method. Further, no postoperative complications were observed in patients evaluated using the new method.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This simple technique is satisfactorily effective and does not result in any complications.</p

Potential inhibitory effects of low-dose thoron inhalation and ascorbic acid administration on alcohol-induced hepatopathy in mice

Although thoron inhalation exerts antioxidative effects in several organs, there are no reports on whether it inhibits oxidative stress-induced damage. In this study, we examined the combined effects of thoron inhalation and ascorbic acid (AA) administration on alcohol-induced liver damage. Mice were subjected to thoron inhalation at 500 or 2000 Bq/m(3) and were administered 50% ethanol (alcohol) and 300 mg/kg AA. Results showed that although alcohol administration increased the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in the serum, the combination of thoron inhalation (500 Bq/m(3)) and AA administration 24 h after alcohol administration effectively inhibited alcohol-induced liver damage. The combination of thoron inhalation (500 Bq/m(3)) and AA administration 24 h after alcohol administration increased catalase (CAT) activity. Alcohol administration significantly decreased glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver. The GSH content in the liver after 2000 Bq/m(3) thoron inhalation was lower than that after 500 Bq/m(3) thoron inhalation. These findings suggest that the combination of thoron inhalation at 500 Bq/m(3) and AA administration has positive effects on the recovery from alcohol-induced liver damage. The results also suggested that thoron inhalation at 500 Bq/m(3) was more effective than that at 2000 Bq/m(3), possibly because of the decrease in GSH content in the liver. In conclusion, the combination of thoron inhalation at 500 Bq/m(3) and AA administration promoted an early recovery from alcohol-induced liver damage

Interstitial lung disease in gefitinib-treated Japanese patients with non-small cell lung cancer – a retrospective analysis: JMTO LC03-02

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Japan, high incidences of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and ILD-related deaths have been reported among gefitinib-treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the efficacy of gefitinib, the incidence of ILD and risk factors for ILD in these patients.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We obtained patient data retrospectively using questionnaires sent to 22 institutions. We asked for demographic and clinical data on NSCLC patients for whom gefitinib treatment had begun between July 2002 and February 2003. Data from a total of 526 patients were analyzed. The patient characteristics were as follows: 64% male, 69% with adenocarcinoma, 61% with a performance score of 0–1, and 5% with concurrent interstitial pneumonitis. The objective response proportion was 80/439 (18.2%; 95% CI: 14.7–22.0). ILD developed in 17 patients (3.2%; 95% CI 1.9–5.1%), of whom 7 died. According to multivariate analysis, female sex, history of prior chemotherapy, low absolute neutrophil count before gefitinib treatment, and adenocarcinoma histology were associated with response to gefitinib treatment. None of the factors we evaluated were associated with the development of ILD.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study are consistent with previously published values for treatment response proportions and incidence of ILD during gefitinib treatment in Japanese patients. Future studies should be aimed at identifying factors indicating that a patient has a high probability of receiving benefit from gefitinib and a low risk of developing ILD.</p

Comparison of antioxidative effects between radon and thoron inhalation in mouse organs

Radon therapy has been traditionally performed globally for oxidative stress-related diseases. Many researchers have studied the beneficial effects of radon exposure in living organisms. However, the effects of thoron, a radioisotope of radon, have not been fully examined. In this study, we aimed to compare the biological effects of radon and thoron inhalation on mouse organs with a focus on oxidative stress. Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 15 groups: sham inhalation, radon inhalation at a dose of 500 Bq/m3 or 2000 Bq/m3, and thoron inhalation at a dose of 500 Bq/m3 or 2000 Bq/m3 were carried out. Immediately after inhalation, mouse tissues were excised for biochemical assays. The results showed a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and total glutathione, and a significant decrease in lipid peroxide following thoron inhalation under several conditions. Additionally, similar effects were observed for different doses and inhalation times between radon and thoron. Our results suggest that thoron inhalation also exerts antioxidative effects against oxidative stress in organs. However, the inhalation conditions should be carefully analyzed because of the differences in physical characteristics between radon and thoron