Detection of tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite (Irgafos 168, antioxidant in plastics) and its oxide in commercial frozen vegetables

Two peaks, A and B, detected in chromatograms of commercial frozen vegetable extracts during analysis of organophosphorus pesticide residues by GC-FPD, were identified as tris(2,4-ditert-butylphenyl)phosphite (Irgafos 168) and Irgafos 168 oxide, respectively, from their mass spectra. Irgafos 168 is used as an antioxidant in plastics, and there has been no report of its detection in foods. We analyzed Irgafos 168 and its oxide in 38 samples of commercial frozen vegetables, and they were detected from 4 samples (0.02-0.80 microgram/g as total amount of Irgafos 168 and its oxide).     

Ex Vivo Expanded and Activated Natural Killer Cells Prolong the Overall Survival of Mice with Glioblastoma-like Cell-Derived Tumors

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the leading malignant intracranial tumor and is associated with a poor prognosis. Highly purified, activated natural killer (NK) cells, designated as genuine induced NK cells (GiNKs), represent a promising immunotherapy for GBM. We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of GiNKs in association with the programmed death 1(PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint pathway. We determined the level of PD-1 expression, a receptor known to down-regulate the immune response against malignancy, on GiNKs. PD-L1 expression on glioma cell lines (GBM-like cell line U87MG, and GBM cell line T98G) was also determined. To evaluate the anti-tumor activity of GiNKs in vivo, we used a xenograft model of subcutaneously implanted U87MG cells in immunocompromised NOG mice. The GiNKs expressed very low levels of PD-1. Although PD-L1 was expressed on U87MG and T98G cells, the expression levels were highly variable. Our xenograft model revealed that the retro-orbital administration of GiNKs and interleukin-2 (IL-2) prolonged the survival of NOG mice bearing subcutaneous U87MG-derived tumors. PD-1 blocking antibodies did not have an additive effect with GiNKs for prolonging survival. GiNKs may represent a promising cell-based immunotherapy for patients with GBM and are minimally affected by the PD-1/PD-L1 immune evasion axis in GBM.     

Ab initio calculations of Fe–Ni clusters

The clusters of Fe, Ni, and Fe–Ni are investigated computationally using a density functional approach. The geometries of clusters are optimized under the constraint of well-defined point group symmetries at the UB3LYP/LanL2DZ level. The equilibrium geometries and binding energies are presented and discussed, together with natural populations and natural electron configurations. In addition, the binding energies of Fe_n−xNi_x clusters are found to generally decrease by successive substitutions of Ni atoms for Fe atoms. For Fe_n−xNi_x clusters, the comparisons on total energies between isomers indicate that Ni atoms energetically prefer clustering in the mixed Fe–Ni clusters. The calculations for Fe_n−xNi_x clusters show that the clustering leads to a segregation of Ni atoms from Fe atoms.     

Temporal integration method for image-processing-basedsuper-high-resolution image acquisition

The authors propose an image processing-based approach towards the development of a super-high-resolution image acquisition system. Imaging methods based on this approach can be classified into two main categories: a spatial integration imaging method and a temporal integration imaging method. With regard to the spatial integration imaging method, the authors have previously presented a method for acquiring an improved-resolution image by integrating multiple images taken simultaneously with multiple different cameras. They develop their work, aiming at a particular class of application where a user indicates a region of interest (ROI) on an observed image in advance, and apply a prototypal temporal integration imaging method. The prototypal temporal integration imaging method does not involve global image segmentation, but uses a subpixel registration algorithm which describes an image warp within the ROI, with subpixel accuracy, as a deformation of quadrilateral patches. The method then performs a subpixel registration by warping an observed image with the warping function recovered from the deformed quadrilateral patches. Experimental simulations demonstrate that the temporal integration imaging is promising as a basic means of high resolution imaging     

Sepsis associated with hematological malignancies: prophylaxis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis

Imaging of anorectal region has drastically changed during the last decade. Transrectal ultrasound and transrectal MRI can be used for staging the rectal tumours. Endoanal sonography can be applied for the classification of perianal fistulae and identification of anal sphincter defects in patients with faecal incontinence. Due to the limitations of endoanal sonography, endoanal MRI was introduced to assess the pathology related to the anal sphincter complex. Endoanal MRI seems superior to endoanal sonography. This paper describes the new developments of the imaging techniques and presents new insights in anatomy and pathology of the anorectum.