Improvement in multipass Thomson scattering system comprising laser amplification system developed in GAMMA 10/PDX.

The multipass Thomson scattering (MPTS) technique is one of the most useful methods for measuring low-electron-density plasmas. The MPTS system increases Thomson scattering (TS) signal intensities by integrating all multipass (MP) signals and improving the TS time resolution by analyzing each pass signal. The fully coaxial MPTS system developed in GAMMA 10/potential-control and diverter-simulator experiments has a polarization-based configuration with image-relaying optics. The MPTS system can enhance Thomson scattered signals for improving the measurement accuracy and megahertz-order time resolution. In this study, we develop a new MPTS system comprising a laser amplification system to obtain continuous MP signals. The laser amplification system can improve degraded laser power and return an amplified laser to the MP system. We obtain continuous MP signals from the laser amplification system by improving the laser beam profile adjuster in gas scattering experiments. Moreover, we demonstrate that more MP signals and stronger amplified MP signals can be achieved via multiple laser injections to the laser amplification system in the developed MP system comprising a laser amplification system.

Development of a laser amplification system for the multi-pass Thomson scattering system for GAMMA 10/PDX.

The multi-pass Thomson scattering (MPTS) system is a useful technique for increasing the Thomson scattering (TS) signal intensities and improving the TS diagnostic time resolution. The MPTS system developed in GAMMA 10/PDX has a polarization-based configuration with an image relaying system. The MPTS system has been constructed for enhancing the Thomson scattered signals for the improvement of measurement accuracy and the megahertz sampling time resolution. However, in the normal MPTS system, the MPTS signal intensities decrease with the pass number because of the damping due to the optical components. Subsequently, we have developed a new MPTS system with the laser amplification system. The laser amplification system can improve the degraded laser power after six passes in the multi-pass system to the initial laser power. For the first time worldwide, we successfully obtained the continued multi-pass signals after the laser amplification system in the gas scattering experiments.

Measurement of effect of electron cyclotron heating in a tandem mirror plasma using a semiconductor detector array and an electrostatic energy analyzer.

Temporally and spatially resolved soft x-ray and end-loss-electron analyses of the electron cyclotron heated plasmas are carried out by using a semiconductor detector array and an electrostatic energy analyzer in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. The flux and the energy spectrum of the end loss electrons are measured by a multi-grid energy analyzer. Recently, the electron cyclotron heating power modulation experiments have been started in order to generate and control the high heat flux and to make the edge localized mode-like intermittent heat load pattern for the divertor simulation studies by the use of these detectors for electron properties.

Soft x-ray intensity profile measurements of electron cyclotron heated plasmas using semiconductor detector arrays in GAMMA 10 tandem mirror.

Temporally and spatially resolved soft x-ray analyses of electron cyclotron heated plasmas are carried out by using semiconductor detector arrays in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. The detector array has 16-channel for the measurements of plasma x-ray profiles so as to make x-ray tomographic reconstructions. The characteristics of the detector array make it possible to obtain spatially resolved plasma electron temperatures down to a few tens eV and investigate various magnetohydrodynamic activities. High power electron cyclotron heating experiment for the central-cell region in GAMMA 10 has been started in order to reduce the electron drag by increasing the electron temperature.

Suppression of spurious mode oscillation in mega-watt 77-GHz gyrotron as a high quality probe beam source for the collective Thomson scattering in LHD.

Collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostic requires a strong probing beam to diagnose a bulk and fast ion distribution function in fusion plasmas. A mega-watt gyrotron for electron cyclotron resonance heating is used as a probing beam in the large helical device. Spurious mode oscillations are often observed during the turning on/off phase of the modulation. The frequency spectra of the 77-GHz gyrotron output power have been measured, and then one of the spurious modes, which interferes with the CTS receiver system, is identified as the TE(17,6) mode at the frequency of 74.7 GHz. The mode competition calculation indicates that the increase of the magnetic field strength at the gyrotron resonator can avoid such a spurious mode and excite only the main TE(18,6) mode. The spurious radiation at the 74.7 GHz is experimentally demonstrated to be suppressed in the stronger magnetic field than that optimized for the high-power operation.

Eternacept for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concurrent interstitial lung disease.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-blocking agents are increasingly used in the management of refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although effective, they are associated with rare but potentially fatal adverse effects, including interstitial lung disease (ILD). In patients with pre-existing ILD, eternacept (ETN) monotherapy is often regarded as a suitable choice. Other anti-TNF-α blockers such as infliximab and adalimumab, are used in combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) in most of the cases. We report on a case of fatal exacerbation of ILD in a patient given ETN monotherapy and review the literature on ETN-associated ILD. METHODS: We report on a case of a 75-year-old male with RA who developed severe ILD after the introduction of ETN, and we undertook a literature search to identify other reports of similar cases. We then critically assessed those reports. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In addition to our case, 11 other patients have been reported to have developed ILD in association with the use of ETN. Six patients had pre-existing ILD. Although four patients received MTX, eight patients developed severe ILD without MTX. Ten patients recovered after termination of ETN, although two patients died. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Although ETN is often regarded as safe for patients with ILD, our case and the literature reports suggest that caution is still required.

MR and CT findings of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata with emphasis on assisted reproductive technology as a risk factor.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare benign smooth muscle tumour located in the peritoneal cavity. Increased oestrogen exposure appears to be an aetiological factor for LPD. We report two cases of LPD after leiomyomectomy and assisted reproductive technology pregnancy, which can cause a high serum concentration of oestrogen. CT and MR scanning demonstrate many intraperitoneal well-demarcated nodules of varying size that mimic widespread intraperitoneal malignancy.

High incidence of silent venous thromboembolism before treatment in ovarian cancer.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) such as deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) often occurs after surgery and rarely occurs even before surgery in patients with ovarian cancer. It is well known that levels of plasma D-dimer (DD) before treatment in most ovarian cancer patients are increased. This study therefore examined whether increased levels of DD are associated with presence of VTE before treatment of ovarian cancer. Between November 2004 and March 2007, DD levels prior to initial treatment were measured in 72 consecutive patients with presumed epithelial ovarian cancer (final diagnosis: epithelial ovarian cancer, n=60; and epithelial ovarian borderline malignancy, n=12). Venous ultrasound imaging (VUI) of the lower extremity was conducted for all patients except for two patients in whom DVT was detected by pelvic computed tomography (CT). When DVT was found, pulmonary scintigraphy was subsequently performed to ascertain presence of PTE. D-dimer levels were above the cut-off value (0.5 microg ml(-1)) in 65 of 72 patients (90.2%). Venous ultrasound imaging or CT revealed DVT in 18 of 72 patients (25.0%) and pulmonary scintigraphy found PTE in 8 patients (11.1%). All patients with VTE were asymptomatic when VTE was found. D-dimer levels were associated with incidence of VTE (0-1.4 microg ml(-1); 0 of 26 (0%), 1.5-7.4 microg ml(-1); 9 of 30 (30%) and > or =7.5 microg ml(-1); 9 of 16 (56.3%), P for trend=0.0003). However, even if 1.5 microg ml(-1) was used as a cut-off value, this had low specificity and positive predictive value (47.2, 38.3%), though it had high sensitivity and negative predictive value (100, 100%). Therefore, ovarian cancer patients with DD level > or =1.5 microg ml(-1) should be examined using VUI to detect silent DVT. Patients with VTE underwent preventive managements including anticoagulant therapy before initial treatment, chemotherapy or surgery, and after surgery. There was no clinical onset of postoperative VTE in all 72 patients. Measurement of DD levels and subsequent ultrasonography revealed that silent or subclinical VTE frequently occurs before surgery in ovarian cancer. The usefulness of preoperative assessment of VTE needs further confirmation in randomised controlled trials.

Observation and control of transverse energy-transport barrier due to the formation of an energetic-electron layer with sheared ExB flow.

Off-axis electron-cyclotron heating in an axisymmetric barrier mirror produces a cylindrical layer with energetic electrons, which flow through the central cell and into the end region. The layer, producing a localized bumped ambipolar potential Phi(C), forms a strong shear of radial electric fields E(r) and peaked vorticity with the direction reversal of E(r)xB sheared flow near the Phi(C) peak. Intermittent vortexlike turbulent structures near the layer are suppressed in the central cell by this actively produced transverse energy-transport barrier; this results in T(e) and T(i) rises surrounded by the layer.

Dedifferentiation and decreased expression of adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and ZO-1, in colorectal cancer are closely related to liver metastasis.

Carcinoma cells with high metastatic potential often show a dedifferentiated phenotype at the primary site. In this study, a total of 48 cases (24 primary tumors of colorectal cancer (Pr-CRC) with liver metastasis, 24 without) were examined for E-cadherin and ZO-1 expression by immunohistochemical staining, and for their dedifferentiated phenotype. The expression levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1 were markedly decreased in the cancer cells of tumors with liver metastasis. Moreover, dedifferentiation of cancer cells, which was evaluated by the modified Gleason score, was also related to liver metastasis. However, none of the conventional clinicopathologic parameters of invasion, except lymph node metastasis, showed any relationship with liver metastasis. These results indicate that dedifferentiation and a decreased expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1 are closely related to liver metastasis.

Variation in MT expression in early-stage depressed-type and polypoid-type colorectal tumours.

Metallothionein (MT) expression is observed in various carcinomas, but its role is not fully understood. To clarify the clinicopathological significance of MT, 87 colorectal adenomas and 128 early-stage carcinomas were immunohistochemically analysed for MT expression. The degree of MT immunostaining of a specimen was graded according to the proportion of MT-positive cells; negative (<5%) and positive (focally 5-50%, diffusely >50%). MT expression significantly decreased with tumour development. For carcinomas, MT-positivity was significantly associated with depth of invasion (T1 60% versus T2 33%; P<0.01), vascular involvement (positive 35% versus negative 61%; P<0.01) and morphology (polypoid 62% versus depressed 26%; P<0.01). Regarding MT-positive distribution, the diffuse-positive rate in MT-positive polypoid lesions was 28%, while MT-positive depressed lesions were all diffusely stained (P<0.01). In conclusion, our results suggested that decreasing MT expression is an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis and may reflect local invasion. Furthermore, MT-positive distribution may reflect genetic differences between the polypoid and depressed-type.

[Protein S deficiency in three patients with thrombosis].

Protein S (PS) deficiency, which is caused by various factors including congenital and acquired disorders, is a risk factor for thrombophilia. We described 3 patients with different backgrounds, who all exhibited PS deficiency. The first patient was a 47-year-old woman who suffered from frequent cerebral infarctions, deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) of her lower extremities, and pulmonary thromboembolism. Her son suffered from skin necrosis due to PS deficiency and both had the same mutant allele of the PS gene. The second patient was a 50-year-old woman who experienced a cold sensation in her fingers. Her relatives had a history of cerebrovascular disease. No mutation was detected in her PS gene. The third patient was a 27-year-old man with antiphospholipid antibody. He suffered from thrombocytopenia, skin necrosis, DVT of his lower extremities, and pulmonary thromboembolism. A mutation was identified in the steroid hormone-binding globulin-like (SHBG) domain of his PS gene. Neither his parents nor siblings had a history of thrombosis. The mutations found in the first and third patients were both missense mutations in the SHBG domain that have not been reported previously. The third patient had a mutation in the site that is involved in binding to C4b-binding protein, which modifies the immune response. These three cases provide key insights into the pathophysiology of PS deficiency.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of the malignant variant of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT) of soft parts is a rare, recently defined, fibroosseous neoplasm, generally regarded as clinically benign; however, one-third of cases recur locally, and several malignant examples have been reported. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of the tumor is rarely described in the literature. We provide the first cytomorphologic study of the malignant variant. CASE: A 70-year-old man presented with an intramuscular mass in the right buttock. Computed tomography revealed ossification within the mass and multiple pulmonary nodules. FNA biopsy showed round and polygonal to spindled tumor cells, arrayed singly, cordlike or in small aggregates, with scattered dense stromal fragments and a slightly myxoid background. The nuclei showed significant pleomorphism accompanied by coarse chromatin with clumping, irregular contours, and one to two distinct nucleoli. The tumor cells were recognizable as sarcoma, with no evidence of high grade malignancy. The tumor was totally excised, histopathologically confirmed as the malignant variant of OFMT of soft parts, and immunohistochemically and ultrastracturally analyzed as of neural origin. CONCLUSION: The FNA specimen revealed that the cytomorphology was consistent with the histologic features of the malignant variant of OFMT, but several characteristic histologic parameters, such as multilobular proliferation and peripherally placed mature, bony trabeculae, were not reflected in the aspirates. Although FNA cytologic findings may be of limited diagnostic utility in OFMT, radiographic evidence of calcification/ossification suggests that OFMT should be subjected to differential diagnosis with fine needle aspiration biopsy of soft tissue tumors. Additional studies will be required for further clarification.

Subcutaneous malignant epithelioid schwannoma with cartilaginous differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Malignant epithelioid schwannoma is a rare tumor. The aim of this study is to describe a case of subcutaneous malignant epithelioid schwannoma with cartilaginous differentiation. METHODS: Histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural examinations were performed on a tumor that arose on the back of a 37-year-old woman. RESULTS: Histologically, the tumor predominantly consisted of small, round or polygonal cells arranged in cords or nests. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the tumors cells were positive for vimentin, S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron specific enolase. The cells were negative for HMB-45, keratin, epithelial membrane antigen, and CAM5.2. Electron microscopic study showed closely associated cells with undifferentiated features. The cells were devoid of external laminae and cellular junctions. CONCLUSION: Malignant epithelioid schwannoma should be pathologically differentiated from other epithelioid tumors with cartilaginous elements.

Angiosarcoma arising from skeletal haemangiomatosis in an atomic bomb survivor.

The authors report a unique case in which an angiosarcoma arose from skeletal haemangiomatosis in a 72 year old man. This patient had a history of atomic bomb irradiation more than 50 years ago. Radiographically, the patient had multiple sclerotic foci of benign haemangiomas in the pelvis, the sacrum, and the left femur. The patient developed a high grade angiosarcoma in the left pubic bone. It is thought that atomic bomb irradiation played an important role in the development of the malignant lesion.