Direct imaging and astrometric detection of a gas giant planet orbiting an accelerating star.

Direct imaging of gas giant exoplanets provides information on their atmospheres and the architectures of planetary systems. However, few planets have been detected in blind surveys with direct imaging. Using astrometry from the Gaia and Hipparcos spacecraft, we identified dynamical evidence for a gas giant planet around the nearby star HIP 99770. We confirmed the detection of this planet with direct imaging using the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics instrument. The planet, HIP 99770 b, orbits 17 astronomical units from its host star, receiving an amount of light similar to that reaching Jupiter. Its dynamical mass is 13.9 to 16.1 Jupiter masses. The planet-to-star mass ratio [(7 to 8) × 10-3] is similar to that of other directly imaged planets. The planet's atmospheric spectrum indicates an older, less cloudy analog of the previously imaged exoplanets around HR 8799.

High-Contrast Imaging of Intermediate-Mass Giants with Long-Term Radial Velocity Trends.

A radial velocity (RV) survey for intermediate-mass giants has been operated for over a decade at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory (OAO). The OAO survey has revealed that some giants show long-term linear RV accelerations (RV trends), indicating the presence of outer companions. Direct imaging observations can help clarify what objects generate these RV trends. We present the results of high-contrast imaging observations of six intermediate-mass giants with long-term RV trends using the Subaru Telescope and HiCIAO camera. We detected co-moving companions to γ Hya B ( 0.61 - 0.14 + 0.12 M ⊙ ) , HD 5608 B (0.10 ± 0.01M ⊙), and HD 109272 B (0.28 ± 0.06M ⊙). For the remaining targets(ι Dra, 18 Del, and HD 14067) we exclude companions more massive than 30-60 M Jup at projected separations of 1''-7''. We examine whether these directly imaged companions or unidentified long-period companions can account for the RV trends observed around the six giants. We find that the Kozai mechanism can explain the high eccentricity of the inner planets ι Dra b, HD 5608 b, and HD 14067 b.

[A case of bilateral aplasia of the submandibular glands associated with a unilateral submandibular hemangioma].

Congenital aplasia of the major salivary gland is a rare condition. We report on a case of bilateral aplasia of the submandibular glands associated with a left submandibular hemangioma. A 62-year-old woman came to our department complaining of a 3-year history of left submandibular swelling. She had no notable family or personal medical history. On physical examination of the head and neck region, a 30 mm, non-tender mass was palpated in the left submandibular area. On imaging examinations including ultrasonography and CT, lack of the right submandibular gland and a left submandibular mass with calcification were demonstrated. Fine needle aspiration cytology resulted in blood elements only. Functioning tissue could not be observed in the bilateral submandibular glands on technetium pertechnetate scintigraphy. We performed a left submandibular tumor extirpation. Intraoperatively, the left submandibular gland and duct were missing. On pathologic examination, the tumor was found to be a hemangioma. The parotid and sublingual glands were recognized bilaterally on postoperative MRI. Her postoperative condition was satisfactory. This condition may be due to the dysfunction of several factors, such as fibroblast growth factors, related to gland differentiation.

[A successful case of advanced nasal adenocarcinoma treated with tumor dormancy therapy with S -1 alone].

We report a 65-year-old female case of low-grade non-intestinal type adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity with bilateral metastases to the cervical lymph nodes(T3N2cM0: Stage IV A). Chemoradiotherapy administered as first-line therapy yielded only a partial response in the primary tumor and metastatic lesions, and subsequent chemotherapy with S-1(at a dose of 80 mg per day)alone was applied as tumor dormancy therapy(TDT)on an outpatient basis. Adverse events during S-1 medication were limited to a decrease in leukocyte count and hemoglobin level, both of which were grade 1. The tumor has not enlarged, and the patient has survived 29 months since the beginning of chemotherapy with S-1 alone without any decrease in quality of life. Although the effectiveness of S-1 for adenocarcinoma of the head and neck has not been fully demonstrated, S-1 might be useful in patients with advanced head and neck adenocarcinoma for the purpose of TDT.

Spindle cell carcinoma as a locally recurrent malignancy after surgery for early lingual squamous cell carcinoma.

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) of the tongue is a relatively rare malignancy. We treated a patient with metachronous early squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in both margins of the tongue (right side first followed by left side). Eight years after treatment for the first SCC by surgery and radiotherapy, the second SCC occurred in the contralateral margin of the tongue. Surgical resection was performed for the second SCC, with local recurrence 8 months later associated with pathological change from SCC to SpCC. The SpCC was completely resected with wide surgical margins in combination with bilateral neck dissection. However, the patient developed pulmonary metastasis and died of respiratory failure 4 months after the final surgery. Postoperative inflammatory reaction followed by scar formation in the previously irradiated surgical site might have caused the transition from SCC to SpCC during the process of recurrence.

Radiosurgery for acoustic neuromas: results of low-dose treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The results of radiosurgical treatment of acoustic neuromas have improved by reducing the tumor marginal doses. We report relatively long-term follow-up results (>5 yr) for patients who underwent low-dose radiosurgery. METHODS: We treated and followed 51 consecutive patients with unilateral acoustic neuromas who were treated from January 1994 to December 1996 by gamma knife radiosurgery at low doses (20 dB of improvement) were noted in 9% of the patients with any hearing. Hearing was preserved at a useful level (Gardner-Robertson Classes 1 and 2) in 56% of patients. Although preexisting trigeminal neuropathy worsened in 4% of the patients, our patients did not experience new facial palsies or trigeminal neuropathies after radiosurgery. Facial spasm occurred in 6% of the patients, and intratumoral bleeding occurred in 4% of patients. CONCLUSION: Low-dose radiosurgery (

[A device for tracheostomized children in home care].

Tracheomized children with deglutition disturbance require frequent suction--a procedure that may present problems for parents and other home-caregivers. We introduced a suction pump to drain the thoracic cavity continuously. This reduced the number of times of suction was required and raised no problems.

[A case of 9p-deletion syndrome with congenital median nasal fistula].

We report a case of 9p-syndrome with congenital median nasal fistula in a boy born to a 28-year-old mother as the second child by normal delivery. The fistula opened at the base of the bridge of the nose and ran between the nasal septum cartilage to the anterior cranial fossa. A frontal craniotomy and transcolumellar skin incision were conducted to extirpate the fistula. In the 10 months since, no fistula has recurred.