[Atypical carcinoid of the lung with abnormal elevation of serum ProGRP level; report of a case].

We report a rare case of an atypical carcinoid of the lung with the elevation of serum ProGRP. A 79-year-old female was referred to our hospital presenting with an abnormal shadow by a chest X-ray film. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a well-defined solitary nodule in the left lower lobe. The serum level of ProGRP was elevated to 2.267 pg/ml (normal range: <46 pg/ml). Pulmonary carcinoid was pathologically suggested by a transbronchial lung biopsy. Considering the patient's general condition, a partial wide resection was performed. Pathological diagnosis was atypical carcinoid. After the operation, further increase of the serum ProGRP level was noted, and multiple liver metastases developed.

Intraductal approach to the detection of intraductal lesions of the breast.

Bloody nipple discharge is a clue in the detection of ductal carcinoma of the breast that do not display a mass. Since sensitivity of discharge cytology is not sufficiently high and mammary ductendoscopy (MS) contributes to the diagnosis of intraductal lesions. We set out to determine whether the intraductal approach is effective for detection of ductal carcinoma. We performed 445 MS procedure in 323 patients who had nipple discharge but no overt mass. The diagnostic accuracy rates of discharge cytology and intraductal breast biopsy (IDBB) were studied in detecting malignancy. The therapeutic value of IDBB for intraductal papillomas was studied in 73 patients. Out of 323 patients, 80 had breast cancer and 155 had intraductal papilloma. MS detected intraductal tumors in 47 cases (58.8%). IDBB was performed in 35 of these 47 cases. The sensitivity was 37.1% by touch cytology, 68.6% by IDBB, and 82.8% by directed ductal lavage cytology. Of the 73 intraductal papilloma patients who were followed for more than 3 years, the therapeutic effectiveness of IDBB was recognized in 57 (78.1%). Directed ductal lavage cytology was the most sensitive method in detecting malignancy. MS and IDBB were benefit in the treatment of intraductal papilloma.

High-Temperature Current Collection Enabled by the in Situ Phase Transformation of Cobalt-Nickel Foam for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

For the commercial development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), cathode current collection has been one of the most challenging issues because it is extremely difficult to form continuous electric paths between two rigid components in a high-temperature oxidizing atmosphere. Herein, we present a Co-Ni foam as an innovative cathode current collector that fulfills all strict thermochemical and thermomechanical requirements for use in SOFCs. The Co-Ni foam is originally in the form of a metal alloy, offering excellent mechanical properties and manufacturing tolerance during stack assembly and startup processes. Then, it is converted to the conductive spinel oxide in situ during operation and provides nearly ideal structural and chemical characteristics as a current collector, gas distributor, and load-bearing component. The functionality and durability of the Co-Ni foam are verified by unit cell test and 1 kW-class stack operation, demonstrating performance that is equivalent to that of precious metals as well as an exceptional stability under dynamic conditions with severe temperature and current variations. This work highlights a cost-effective technique to achieve highly reliable electric contacts over the large area using the in situ metal-to-ceramic phase transformation that could be applied to various high-temperature electrochemical devices.