Phase stability of a garnet-type lithium ion conductor Li7La3Zr2O12.

The phase stability of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZ) was investigated using high temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD). An Al-free tetragonal LLZ phase transformed into a non-quenchable cubic phase around 650 °C. The phase transformation process between the tetragonal phase and the new cubic phase showed perfect reversibility. The thermal analysis showed a pair of endothermic and exothermic peaks around 640 °C that is in good agreement with the phase transformation process observed in the HT-XRD study. The non-quenchable high temperature cubic phase showed high ionic conductivity with extraordinarily low activation energy (0.117 eV). The tetragonal phase showed another phase transformation to a low temperature (LT) cubic phase around 150-200 °C in air by absorbing CO2 into the structure. The preferred temperature for the CO2 absorption process was around 200 °C and the absorbed CO2 was extracted once the temperature reached 450 °C or above resulting in the phase transformation back to the tetragonal phase. On the other hand the high temperature (HT) cubic phase which shows high ionic conductivity was stabilized by Al substitution. A Li-poor LLZ containing impurity phases such as La2Zr2O7 and La2O3 effectively reacted with γ-Al2O3 resulting in the formation of a pure Al-stabilized cubic LLZ, while the stoichiometric LLZ took a much longer time to complete the Al-substitution. The result suggested that the formation of Li vacancies is the primary step in the formation of the Al-stabilized cubic phase.

Clinicopathological study of invasive extramammary Paget's disease: subgroup comparison according to invasion depth.

BACKGROUND: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a distinct form of malignant skin neoplasm. Invasive EMPD is relatively rare and its detailed histopathological features have not been investigated to date. METHODS: Surgical specimens were obtained from 51 patients with primary invasive EMPD. Clinical data including lymph node status were retrieved from the patients' medical records. Cases were divided into subgroups according to invasion depth: dermal invasion ≤ 1 mm (minimal invasion) and dermal invasion > 1 mm in depth. Histological patterns (nodular/glandular pattern or micronodular pattern), lymphatic/venous invasion, mitosis and lymph node status were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The invasive EMPDs included 26 cases (51.0%) with dermal invasion ≤ 1 mm (minimal invasion) and 25 cases (49.0%) with dermal invasion > 1 mm in depth. Lymph node metastasis was detected in 2/26 (7.7%) patients with minimally invasive EMPD. Nodular/glandular pattern (72.0%), lymphatic/venous invasion (52.0%), mitosis (88.0%) and nodal metastasis (88.0%) were all significantly more frequent in cases with dermal invasion > 1 mm, compared to EMPDs with dermal invasion ≤ 1 mm (minimal invasion) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that invasive EMPD can be divided according to invasion depth, with a cut-off depth of 1 mm. This might represent the basis for a useful, EMPD-specific staging system.

A morphological study of granulomas induced by subcutaneous injection of leuprorelin acetate.

Leuprorelin acetate-induced granulomas in subcutaneous injection sites have been occasionally reported, but there have been no detailed morphological examinations. Histopathology of leuprorelin acetate-induced granulomas in six patients was studied, and one of them was evaluated by electron microscopy. Study using haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that there were many intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the granulomas and degeneration of fat tissue. Ultrastructurally, electron-lucent spherical bodies (microcapsules of leuprorelin acetate products) were observed in the granuloma cells. Needle-shaped crystalloid structures in lipid droplets (degenerated lipid droplets) were observed in the granuloma cells and fat tissue. Degeneration of fat tissues caused by leuprorelin acetate is one of main factors responsible for granuloma formation.

Detection of Pb-LIII edge XANES spectra of urban atmospheric particles combined with simple acid extraction.

Pb-LIII edge XANES spectra of atmospheric particles are directly obtained by fluorescent XAFS spectroscopy using a 19-element solid state detector (SSD). Particulate sample was collected on a quartz fiber filter using a high-volume air sampler, and the filter was cut into small pieces (25x25 mm). Then, surface layer of the filter piece was scaled and accumulated in order to enhance the particle density per filter unit. Use of 10 pieces of the surface layer enables the measurement of Pb-LIII edge XANES spectra on beamline BL01B1 at SPring-8, Hyogo, Japan. The shape of the Pb-LIII edge XANES spectra of the particulate sample is similar to the shapes of the spectra for PbS, PbCO(3), PbSO(4) and/or PbCl(2). Additionally, the filter sample is also divided into water-soluble, 0.1 M HCl-extractable, and residual fractions of Pb compounds by a simple acid extraction procedure. We discuss the possibility of Pb speciation in the particulate samples with combination of highly sensitive XANES spectroscopy and simple acid extraction.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis with granuloma formation associated with orthopaedic metal implants.

A 75-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of asymptomatic reddish-brown nodules on his left knee, in which orthopaedic metal implants had been inserted for a transformation-related knee joint disorder. Histopathological examination revealed typical features of mixed cell granuloma with many dilated lymphatics that contained many histiocytes from the upper dermis to subcutaneous fat tissue. Results of qualitative analysis of biopsy specimens by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were positive for molybdenum, which was one of the constituents of the metal implant. We describe the first observation of intralymphatic histiocytosis with granuloma formation in the skin occurring in a patient bearing orthopaedic metal implants for a transformation-related knee joint disorder.