First Observation of Electron Scattering from Online-Produced Radioactive Target.

We successfully performed electron scattering off unstable nuclei which were produced online from the photofission of uranium. The target ^{137}Cs ions were trapped with a new target-forming technique that makes a high-density stationary target from a small number of ions by confining them in an electron storage ring. After developments of target generation and transportation systems and the beam stacking method to increase the ion beam intensity up to approximately 2×10^{7} ions per pulse beam, an average luminosity of 0.9×10^{26} cm^{-2} s^{-1} was achieved for ^{137}Cs. The obtained angular distribution of elastically scattered electrons is consistent with a calculation. This success marks the realization of the anticipated femtoscope which clarifies the structures of exotic and short-lived unstable nuclei.

Study of charged particle activation analysis (II): Determination of boron concentration in human blood samples.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a radiotherapy for the treatment of intractable cancer. In BNCT precise determination of 10B concentration in whole blood sample before neutron irradiation of the patient, as well as accurate neutron dosimetry, is crucial for control of the neutron irradiation time. For this purpose ICP-AES and neutron induced prompt γ-ray analysis are generally used. In Ibaraki Neutron Medical Research Center (iNMRC), an intense proton beam will be accelerated up to 8 MeV, which can also be used for Charged Particle Activation Analysis (CPAA). Thus, in this study, we apply the CPAA utilizing the proton beam to non-destructive and accurate determination of 10B concentration in whole blood sample. A CPAA experiment is performed by utilizing an 8 MeV proton beam from the tandem accelerator of Nuclear Science Research Institute in Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The 478 keV γ-ray of 7Be produced by the 10B(p, α)7Be reaction is used to quantify the 10B in human blood. The 478 keV γ-ray intensity is normalized by the intensities of the 847 keV and 1238 keV γ-rays of 56Co originating from Fe in blood. The normalization methods were found to be linear in the range of 3.27 µg 10B/g to 322 µg 10B/g with correlation coefficients of better than 0.9999.

Spectroscopy of Pionic Atoms in

We observed the atomic 1s and 2p states of π^{-} bound to ^{121}Sn nuclei as distinct peak structures in the missing mass spectra of the ^{122}Sn(d,^{3}He) nuclear reaction. A very intense deuteron beam and a spectrometer with a large angular acceptance let us achieve a potential of discovery, which includes the capability of determining the angle-dependent cross sections with high statistics. The 2p state in a Sn nucleus was observed for the first time. The binding energies and widths of the pionic states are determined and found to be consistent with previous experimental results of other Sn isotopes. The spectrum is measured at finite reaction angles for the first time. The formation cross sections at the reaction angles between 0° and 2° are determined. The observed reaction-angle dependence of each state is reproduced by theoretical calculations. However, the quantitative comparison with our high-precision data reveals a significant discrepancy between the measured and calculated formation cross sections of the pionic 1s state.

Role of Multichance Fission in the Description of Fission-Fragment Mass Distributions at High Energies.

Fission-fragment mass distributions were measured for ^{237-240}U, ^{239-242}Np, and ^{241-244}Pu populated in the excitation-energy range from 10 to 60 MeV by multinucleon transfer channels in the reaction ^{18}O+^{238}U at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency tandem facility. Among them, the data for ^{240}U and ^{240,241,242}Np were observed for the first time. It was found that the mass distributions for all the studied nuclides maintain a double-humped shape up to the highest measured energy in contrast to expectations of predominantly symmetric fission due to the washing out of nuclear shell effects. From a comparison with the dynamical calculation based on the fluctuation-dissipation model, this behavior of the mass distributions was unambiguously attributed to the effect of multichance fission.

First Elastic Electron Scattering from

The first elastic electron scattering has been successfully performed at the self-confining radioactive-isotope ion target (SCRIT) facility, the world's first electron scattering facility for SCRIT technique achieved high luminosity (over 10^{27} cm^{-2} s^{-1}, sufficient for determining the nuclear shape) with only 10^{8} target ions. While ^{132}Xe used in this time as a target is a stable isotope, the charge density distribution was first extracted from the momentum transfer distributions of the scattered electrons by comparing the results with those calculated by a phase shift calculation.

Malignant Oestrogen-producing Teratoma in a Cat.

A 5-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented with abdominal distension and serum biochemical evaluation indicated a high concentration of oestradiol (32.81 pg/ml). Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large cystic mass in the right ovary with cystic fluid containing a high level of oestradiol (18.80 pg/ml). The tumour was composed of immature neuroectodermal tissue, mature cartilage, smooth muscle, adipose tissue and aggregated, poorly differentiated mesenchymal cells. It contained cysts of various sizes that were lined by epithelium of different types. The basal layer of the lining epithelium was shown to express aromatase by immunohistochemistry. The findings suggest that this was a novel, malignant, oestrogen-secreting teratoma and that the aromatase-positive, neoplastic cells may have been the source of elevated levels of serum oestrogen.

Salivary Gland Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma with High-Grade Transformation in a Dog.

An 8-year-old male neutered standard dachshund was presented with a slowly growing mass in the left submandibular salivary gland. Histopathological examination revealed a tumour that was composed of bilayered duct-like structures with an inner layer of ductal cells and an outer layer of clear cells. Both inner and outer cells in the greater part of the tumour exhibited low to moderate atypia and low mitotic activity. However, a focal area towards the periphery showed enhanced cellular atypia and mitotic activity in tumour cells. Immunohistochemically, the outer layer of clear cells expressed myoepithelial markers, while the inner layer cells were positive for a luminal epithelial marker. No local recurrence or lymph node or distant metastasis was observed 18 months following surgery. Based on the morphology and immunohistochemical findings, a final diagnosis of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma with high-grade transformation was made.

Observation of Λ(4)H Hyperhydrogen by Decay-Pion Spectroscopy in Electron Scattering.

At the Mainz Microtron MAMI, the first high-resolution pion spectroscopy from decays of strange systems was performed by electron scattering off a (9)Be target in order to study the Λ binding energy of light hypernuclei. Positively charged kaons were detected by a short-orbit spectrometer with a broad momentum acceptance at 0° forward angles with respect to the beam, efficiently tagging the production of strangeness in the target nucleus. Coincidentally, negatively charged decay pions were detected by two independent high-resolution spectrometers. About 10(3) pionic weak decays of hyperfragments and hyperons were observed. The pion momentum distribution shows a monochromatic peak at pπ≈133 MeV/c, corresponding to the unique signature for the two-body decay of hyperhydrogen Λ(4)H→(4)He+π(-), stopped inside the target. Its Λ binding energy was determined to be BΛ=2.12±0.01 (stat)±0.09 (syst)MeV with respect to the (3)H+Λ mass.

Characterization of Spontaneous Mammary Tumors in Domestic Djungarian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

Mammary tumors that spontaneously occurred in domestic Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were histologically examined. Forty-five mammary tumors included 14 adenomas, 18 adenocarcinomas, 1 lipid-rich carcinoma, 2 adenoacanthomas, 2 malignant adenomyoepitheliomas, 1 benign mixed tumor, and 7 "balloon cell" carcinosarcomas. The latter 4 types were newly recognized neoplasms in Djungarian hamsters. The relatively high incidence of spontaneous mammary carcinosarcomas in domestic Djungarian hamsters is intriguing. Carcinosarcomas exhibited anomalous histological features made up of a mixture of glandular cells, polygonal cells (including "balloon cells"), and sarcomatous spindle cells in varying proportions. Transitional features from glandular cells to polygonal cells and subsequently to sarcomatous spindle cells were observed. Using immunohistochemistry, we observed that glandular cells exhibited an epithelial phenotype (cytokeratin(+)/vimentin(-)), spindle cells exhibited a mesenchymal phenotype (cytokeratin(-)/vimentin(+)), and polygonal cells exhibited an intermediate phenotype (cytokeratin(+)/vimentin(+)). Reduction or loss of ß-catenin expression and gain of S100A4 expression were observed in polygonal and spindle cells. The polygonal cell population included a varying number of characteristic cells that were expanded by large intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Electron microscopy revealed that these "balloon cells" had large cytoplasmic lumens lined by microvilli. These observations suggest that epithelial-mesenchymal transition may account for the pathogenesis of mammary carcinosarcomas in Djungarian hamsters.

Measurement of the first ionization potential of lawrencium, element 103.

The chemical properties of an element are primarily governed by the configuration of electrons in the valence shell. Relativistic effects influence the electronic structure of heavy elements in the sixth row of the periodic table, and these effects increase dramatically in the seventh row--including the actinides--even affecting ground-state configurations. Atomic s and p1/2 orbitals are stabilized by relativistic effects, whereas p3/2, d and f orbitals are destabilized, so that ground-state configurations of heavy elements may differ from those of lighter elements in the same group. The first ionization potential (IP1) is a measure of the energy required to remove one valence electron from a neutral atom, and is an atomic property that reflects the outermost electronic configuration. Precise and accurate experimental determination of IP1 gives information on the binding energy of valence electrons, and also, therefore, on the degree of relativistic stabilization. However, such measurements are hampered by the difficulty in obtaining the heaviest elements on scales of more than one atom at a time. Here we report that the experimentally obtained IP1 of the heaviest actinide, lawrencium (Lr, atomic number 103), is 4.96(+0.08)(-0.07) electronvolts. The IP1 of Lr was measured with (256)Lr (half-life 27 seconds) using an efficient surface ion-source and a radioisotope detection system coupled to a mass separator. The measured IP1 is in excellent agreement with the value of 4.963(15) electronvolts predicted here by state-of-the-art relativistic calculations. The present work provides a reliable benchmark for theoretical calculations and also opens the way for IP1 measurements of superheavy elements (that is, transactinides) on an atom-at-a-time scale.

Cellular sources of tenascin-C in canine mammary carcinomas.

Tenascin-C (Tn-C) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein implicated in the progression of several human cancers. In canine mammary carcinomas, accumulation of Tn-C has been recognized in 3 different areas: regions of proliferating myoepithelial cells in complex carcinoma, basement membrane zone in low-grade simple carcinoma, and reactive stroma in high-grade simple carcinoma. To identify the Tn-C synthesizing cells in these areas, we utilized double-labeling immunohistochemistry, branched DNA in situ hybridization, and in situ hybridization-immunohistochemistry double-labeling techniques. In complex carcinomas, Tn-C was generated by proliferating myoepithelial cells. Tn-C in low-grade simple carcinomas was also derived from myoepithelial cells existing as a basal monolayer. However, stromal Tn-C in high-grade carcinomas was mainly synthesized by fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, similar to human breast cancer. Thus, the origin of Tn-C in canine mammary carcinomas differs between low- and high-grade malignancies. The role of myoepithelial cell-generated Tn-C is not yet understood.

Abnormal cell proliferation in the p75NTR-positive basal cell compartment of the esophageal epithelium during squamous carcinogenesis.

The low affinity neurotrophin receptor p75NTR is known to be expressed in the mitotically quiescent basal layer (BL) of the normal esophageal epithelium. The aim of the present study was to detect oncogenic changes in the p75NTR-positive BL during esophageal squamous carcinogenesis. The normal epithelium (NE), low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGN), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGN), and esophageal squamous carcinoma (SCC), in which invasion was limited to the muscularis mucosa, were obtained from surgically removed esophagi. The expression of p75NTR, the proliferation marker ki67, hTERT, p53, and p63 was examined immunohistochemically. The expression of p75NTR was detected in these tissues with average staining indexes (number of stained cells/100 nucleated cells; SI) of 1.00, 0.99, 0.81, and 0.73, respectively. The expression of ki67 in the BL significantly increased with the progression from LGN to HGN. The expression of hTERT and p53 significantly increased with the progression from NE to LGN, and then increased in a stepwise manner in HGN and SCC, with SI (hTERT/p53) of 0.10/0.11, 0.32/0.45, 0.50/0.72, and 0.65/0.61, respectively. The expression of p63 showed no significant difference among NE, LGN, HGN, and SCC, with SI of 0.82, 0.77, 0.85, and 0.87, respectively. A correlation was observed between the expression of ki67 and p53 (P = 0.005), while a negative correlation was found between p75NTR and hTERT (P = 0.01). Our results demonstrated that phenotypic changes from quiescent to active proliferation in the p75NTR-positive BL occurred during the progression from LGN to HGN. The altered expression of hTERT and p53 in the BL was detected in LGN, which suggested that additional oncogenic events that disrupt mitotic regulation in the p75NTR-positive quiescent BL may play a crucial role in malignant transformation. Further investigations using the isolation and tracing of p75NTR-positive cells in precancerous epithelia may provide us with a better understanding of squamous carcinogenesis.

Nuclear chemistry. Synthesis and detection of a seaborgium carbonyl complex.

Experimental investigations of transactinoide elements provide benchmark results for chemical theory and probe the predictive power of trends in the periodic table. So far, in gas-phase chemical reactions, simple inorganic compounds with the transactinoide in its highest oxidation state have been synthesized. Single-atom production rates, short half-lives, and harsh experimental conditions limited the number of experimentally accessible compounds. We applied a gas-phase carbonylation technique previously tested on short-lived molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) isotopes to the preparation of a carbonyl complex of seaborgium, the 106th element. The volatile seaborgium complex showed the same volatility and reactivity with a silicon dioxide surface as those of the hexacarbonyl complexes of the lighter homologs Mo and W. Comparison of the product's adsorption enthalpy with theoretical predictions and data for the lighter congeners supported a Sg(CO)6 formulation.

Comprehensive data on ionising radiation from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the town of Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture: The Misho Project.

Data related to radioactivity released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident on 15 March 2011 gathered by residents of Miharu, Fukushima Prefecture, and by Tohoku University are presented. These data sets consist of (1) the earliest radiation monitoring by a Geiger counter in the town, (2) ratios of radioactivity between (132)Te and (137)Cs for a wide area between Fukushima and Tokyo, (3) radiation measurement of soil samples collected from 18 school grounds, and (4) external radiation exposure of 1400 students using OSL badges. By combining and analysing these various data sets, a curve for the cumulative total external exposure as a function of time, with 16 : 00 h on 15 March 2011 being time zero, is obtained. The average cumulative external dosage is estimated to be 10 mSv (σ = 4.2 mSv) over 10 years. In addition, the initiative that the residents of Miharu took in response to the FDNPP accident, which became known as The Misho Project (MP), is documented; in particular, the time at which the municipality instructed the immediate ingestion of iodine tablets by those under the age of 40, 13 : 00 h on 15 March 2011, is assessed.

Differences in indicators of malignancy between luminal epithelial cell type and myoepithelial cell type of simple solid carcinoma in the canine mammary gland.

Routinely diagnosed simple solid carcinoma (SSC) of the canine mammary gland comprises a heterogeneous group of tumors. Seventy-two cases that had been diagnosed as SSC based on hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections were reclassified immunohistochemically on the basis of myoepithelial markers p63 and α-smooth muscle actin, as well as a luminal epithelial marker cytokeratin 8. Only 23 cases (32%) were true SSC, composed only of luminal epithelial cells, whereas 11 cases (15%) were malignant myoepithelioma (MM), composed predominantly of myoepithelial cells, and 38 cases (53%) were biphasic carcinoma (BC), characterized by biphasic proliferation of luminal epithelial and basal/myoepithelial components. As the pathological parameters were compared between the reclassified tumor types, infiltrative potential, vascular/lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Ki-67 labeling index were higher in true SSC compared with MM and BC, suggesting that the former may exhibit a poorer prognosis compared with the latter two.

Role of aquaporin-5 in gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Aquaporins (AQPs) are important in controlling bile formation. However, the exact role in human gallbladder carcinogenesis has not yet been defined. METHODS: AQP-5-expressing gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) cell lines (NOZ) were transfected with anti-AQP-5 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Growth, migration, invasion assay, and drug susceptibility tests were performed. Next, microRNA (miRNA) expression was analyzed by miRNA oligo chip (3D-Gene®). AQP-5 and AQP-5-related miRNA target gene expressions were also analyzed using tissue microarray (TMA) in 44 GBC samples. RESULTS: Treatment with AQP-5 siRNA decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. On the other hand, those cells increased IC50 of gemcitabine. By performing miRNA assays, miR-29b, -200a, and -21 were shown to be highly overexpressed in cells treated with AQP-5 siRNA NOZ. When focusing on miR-21, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was found to be a target of miR-21. In the TMA, AQP-5/PTEN coexpression was significantly associated with the depth of invasion and MIB-1 index (p = 0.003, 0.010). Survival of patients with a high AQP-5/PTEN coexpression was longer than that of patients with a low coexpression (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our result suggested that miR-21 and PTEN may contribute to the role of AQP-5 in GBC. AQP-5 and PTEN cascades are favorable biomarkers of GBC.

Acinar cell cystadenoma of the pancreas in a cat.

Cystic tumours of the pancreas are heterogeneous lesions with a spectrum of morphology and biological behaviour in people. These are poorly characterized in animals. A multicystic tumour of the pancreas was identified in an 11-year-old, female, mixed breed cat. The tumour was 5.5 cm in diameter and the largest cysts were 1.5 cm in diameter. Microscopically, the cysts were lined by single layered or pseudostratified, flat, cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells that occasionally formed papillary structures with a thin fibrous core. The tumour cells had eosinophilic granules in the apical cytoplasm, similar to zymogen granules, and the nuclei were uniform in size and shape. Mitotic figures were not observed. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells expressed trypsin, but not cytokeratin 7. A diagnosis of acinar cell cystadenoma of the pancreas was made and this is the first report of this tumour in a cat.

Partial epilepsy and developmental delay in infant with ring chromosome 14.

Ring chromosome 14 (r14) is clinically characterized by early-onset epilepsy, mental retardation, delayed speech, microcephaly, extremely mild facial dysmorphisms and ophthalmologic abnormalities. We report a case presenting with partial seizures and delayed development in infancy in which r14 was diagnosed based on chromosomal analysis. The patient was a girl with a normal family and delivery history. Afebrile generalized convulsions developed at age 9 months, and phenobarbital was started, but was changed to zonisamide due to impaired liver function. Chromosome analysis led to a diagnosis of 46, XX, r(14) (p11.2q32.3). At age 5 years, while under treatment with zonisamide and clobazam, epilepsy was characterized by multiple daily episodes of complex partial seizures. Although there are no consistent brain MRI or electroencephalogram findings, experienced pediatric neurologists can make a diagnosis based on facial dysmorphisms. When refractory epilepsy is encountered in infancy with developmental delay of unknown cause, chromosome analysis should be performed.

Female pseudohermaphroditism associated with maternal steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified of the ovary: a case report and literature review.

Maternal virilization in pregnancy with or without fetal female pseudohermaphroditism has several etiologies. Of these, pregnancy luteoma is the most common cause of maternal virilization during pregnancy, and approximately 20 cases have been reported in recent years. Moreover, four cases of pregnancy luteomas with female pseudohermaphroditism have been reported. However, the extremely rare steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified (NOS), has been reported only once as a cause for maternal virilization. Herein, the authors report the first case of maternal virilization with female pseudohermaphroditism associated with steroid cell tumor-NOS along with the clinical course, pathological features, and a review of the literature.