We describe the efficient impregnation of Pt nanoparticles (OD < 3 nm) on cup-stacked-type carbon nanofibers. The method involves the dispersion of the fibers in H 2 PtCl 6 followed by low-temperature annealing. The Pt particle deposition is always homogeneous and can be controlled selectively on the outer or internal core using the hydrophobic nature of the material. Since the Pt particle activity on the fibers is high, this material could find applications as efficient catalysts and allied biological devices.

The Japanese Red Cross analysed the results of questionnaires sent in 1993 regarding post-transfusion graft-vs.-host disease (PT-GVHD) from hospitals; the majority of patients with PT-GVHD in 1993 were transfused for cardiovascular or cancer surgery, and about 10 patients had died yearly from PT-GVHD in the following few years. The Japan Society of Blood Transfusion (JSBT) organized a subcommittee for the prevention of PT-GVHD, and issued a fourth version of guidelines for the irradiation of blood to prevent PT-GVHD. These guidelines recommended transfusion of irradiated blood for cardiosurgery, cancer surgery, elderly recipients and severe trauma, as well as congenital immunodeficient recipients, newborn infants and other immunocompromised patients. Also recommended was irradiation not only of blood within 72 h after collection but also of blood stored for 14 days. Reported PT-GVHD has diminished to a few cases in recent years.

We report a case of extramammary Paget's disease with underlying adenocarcinoma simulating breast carcinoma of the vulva. An 82-year-old woman was found to have a 5 x 3-cm bulky tumor located in the left labium major, infiltrating to the clitoris, left labium minor, and left lateral tissue of the vulva. Small biopsy of the vulva showed intraepidermal proliferation of Paget cells. The patient underwent wide local excision of the vulvar tumor and dissection of left inguinal lymph nodes. Histopathological examination of the resected specimens revealed that Paget cells were distributed singly or tended to form small nests in the epidermis, and that association of these cells with the underlying carcinoma invading to the subcutis could be seen. The underlying carcinoma was composed of squamoid solid nests with central necrotic debris, mimicking 'comedocarcinoma' of the breast. In other areas, the tumor cells were present in tubular formations and solid cords reminiscent of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Immunohistochemically, the Paget cells and the underlying carcinoma cells were positive for carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, estrogen receptors, and glandular keratins except for CK 20. We speculate that our case is vulvar Paget's disease presenting as a manifestation of underlying breast carcinoma of the vulva, which might have arisen from either the ectopic breast tissue or anogenital mammary-like glands.