Selective MR angiography of the liver

OBJECTIVE: Two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography was done with a 1.0 T whole-body imaging system. METHODS: The 10 mm thick presaturation slab was positioned between two sagittal imaging slices of the liver. Images were obtained through the right lobe of the liver by moving the slab and slices together. Each image was acquired during a breath-holding interval of 16 s. RESULTS: Since the directions of the portal and hepatic venous flows are opposite to each other in the right lobe, these two venous systems could be visualized on separate images by the interleaved presaturation slab. On the reconstructed angiograms, separation between the two venous systems was complete and even the fourth and fifth branches were demonstrated clearly. These images facilitate clear understanding of the structure of the intrahepatic blood vessels. CONCLUSION: Although this technique is limited to volunteer studies and works only on the right lobe of the liver, it will provide valuable information for evaluating the location and vascular involvement in various liver diseases.     

Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Synthesis and biological activity of potential prodrugs of benzimidazole-7-carboxylic acids

In order to improve the oral bioavailability (BA) of 2-butyl-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-1H-benzimid azole - 7-carboxylic acid (3: CV-11194) and 2-ethoxy-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4- yl]methyl]-1H-benzimidazole-7-carboxylic acid (4: CV-11974), novel angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists, chemical modification to yield prodrugs has been examined. After selective tritylation of the tetrazole rings in 3 and 4, treatment of N-tritylated benzimidazole-7-carboxylic acids (6, 7) with a variety of alkyl halides, followed by deprotection with hydrochloric acid, afforded esters of 3 and 4. Mainly 1-(acyloxy)alkyl esters and 1-[(alkoxycarbonyl)oxy]alkyl esters, double ester derivatives, were synthesized. Their inhibitory effect on AII-induced pressor response in rats and oral BA were investigated. (Pivaloyloxy)methyl and (+/-)-1-[[(cyclohexyloxy)-carbonyl]oxy]ethyl esters of 3 and 4 showed marked increases in oral bioavailability which significantly potentiated the inhibitory effect of the parent compounds on AII-induced pressor response. Among them, (+/-)-1-[[(cyclohexyloxy)carbonyl]oxy]ethyl 2- ethoxy-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]-1H-benzimida zole- 7-carboxylate (10s, TCV-116) was selected as a candidate for clinical evaluation.     

Results of the CCLSG high risk ALL 874 protocol in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group

One hundred and eighty eight children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated in a Children's Cancer and Leukemia Study Group high-risk ALL 874 study from April, 1987 to September, 1991. These patients received a four-drug induction regimen followed by the early consolidation regimen, cranial irradiation at 6 months of remission and three years of continuation therapy with rotational administration of four drugs. The patients were randomized into two regimens. In regimen A, the consolidation chemotherapy consisted of the intermediate dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), cyclophosphamide (CPM) plus 6MP, and in regimen B, it consisted of high-dose Ara-C plus CPM. Regimen A was given to 106 patients and 82 patients received regimen B. The complete remission induction rate for regimen A and B was 89.4% (93/104) and 98.7% (78/79), respectively. The 3-year event-free-survival (EFS) rate was 70.6% for regimen A, which was higher than the 56.7% for regimen B. The 3-year EFS rate was 44.4% for the 53 patients with an initial leukocyte count > or = 10 x 10(4)/microliters and 72.2% for 132 patients with a leukocyte count < 10 x 10(4)/microliter. We considered that Ara-C plus L-asp, added to the conventional high-risk ALL 811 protocol, improved the prognosis of the high risk ALL patients. However, further intensive chemotherapy was required for improvement of the outcome of the patients with hyperleukocytosis (> or = 10 x 10(4)/microliters).     

Mechanical properties versus temperature relation of individual phases in Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu lead-free solder alloy

The non-homogeneous Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) lead-free solder alloy consists of Sn-rich (β-Sn) and eutectic phases. The mechanical properties of these individual phases were demonstrated to be a function of the temperature. The nanoindentation methodology was utilized to examine the mechanical properties at 60 °C, 80 °C, 110 °C, 130 °C, and 150 °C, respectively. It was found that for both Sn-rich phase and eutectic phase, the hardness and Young’s modulus exhibited the dependence on the temperature. Moreover, the creep deformation which occurred at the dwell time of sustained loading was quite sensitive to the prescribed temperature. Basically, the higher temperature resulted in a larger creep deformation. This in turn caused the variable strain rate sensitivity of the individual phases, which was extracted by Mayo-Nix approach. The Sn-rich phase showed larger creep deformation than that of eutectic phase. However, a greater strain rate sensitivity index value was obtained for eutectic phase at the temperature regime (25-130 °C). The derived activity energy implied that for both β-Sn and eutectic phases two rate-controlling processes took place during the creep deformation, in which the transition temperature is around 130 °C.     

Genotoxicity of nano/microparticles in in vitro micronuclei, in vivo comet and mutation assay systems

Background

Recently, manufactured nano/microparticles such as fullerenes (C₆₀), carbon black (CB) and ceramic fiber are being widely used because of their desirable properties in industrial, medical and cosmetic fields. However, there are few data on these particles in mammalian mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. To examine genotoxic effects by C₆₀, CB and kaolin, an in vitro micronuclei (MN) test was conducted with human lung cancer cell line, A549 cells. In addition, DNA damage and mutations were analyzed by in vivo assay systems using male C57BL/6J or gpt delta transgenic mice which were intratracheally instilled with single or multiple doses of 0.2 mg per animal of particles.

Results

In in vitro genotoxic analysis, increased MN frequencies were observed in A549 cells treated with C₆₀, CB and kaolin in a dose-dependent manner. These three nano/microparticles also induced DNA damage in the lungs of C57BL/6J mice measured by comet assay. Moreover, single or multiple instillations of C₆₀ and kaolin, increased either or both of gpt and Spi^- mutant frequencies in the lungs of gpt delta transgenic mice. Mutation spectra analysis showed transversions were predominant, and more than 60% of the base substitutions occurred at G:C base pairs in the gpt genes. The G:C to C:G transversion was commonly increased by these particle instillations.

Conclusion

Manufactured nano/microparticles, CB, C₆₀ and kaolin, were shown to be genotoxic in in vitro and in vivo assay systems.     

Development of a prestressed and precast concrete segmental lining

Prestressed & precast concrete segmental lining (P&PCSL) is used for shield tunnels. Its primary feature is that it integrates segments into one ring by introducing prestress in the tunnel circumferential and longitudinal directions. Introducing prestress enables the elimination of bolt joints and reduces the volume of reinforcement, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of precast concrete segments. It also enables quality improvement and labor saving in lining and provides greater adaptability for tunnels with large diameter, where deformation due to dead load is a problem. The P&PCSL has been implemented in three construction projects after undergoing various performance tests and workability verification tests.     

混合制冷工质核态沸腾的传热研究

Heat transfer coefficients in nucleate pool boiling were measured on a horizontal copper surface for refrigerants, HFC-134a, HFC-32, and HFC-125, their binary and ternary mixtures under saturated conditions at 0.9MPa. Compared to pure components, both binary and ternary mixtures showed lower heat transfer coefficients.This deterioration was more pronounced as heat flux was increased. Experimental data were compared with some empirical and semi-empirical correlations available in literature. For binary mixture, the accuracy of the correlations varied considerably with mixtures and the heat flux. Experimental data for HFC-32/134a/125 were also compared with available correlated equation obtained by Thome. For ternary mixture, the boiling range of binary mixture composed by the pure fluids with the lowest and the medium boiling points, and their concentration difference had important effects on boiling heat transfer coefficients.     

Radar cross-section measurement method using a spatial filtering within a near zone

A spatial filtering is a useful method for suppressing unwanted reflection from undesired scatters on radar cross-section (RCS) measurements. Highly accurate RCS measurements for stealth-designed targets are generally performed by using full-scale models. However, it is difficult to carry out a measurement of a large full-scale target, because a vast RCS measurement site which satisfies the far-field criterion without undesired scatters is required. In this paper, we have applied the filtering method to RCS measurements in a near field and investigated the validity of that method by varying the scanning angular span. First, a distribution of scattering sources including undesired scatters is predicted from near-field spherical- or cylindrical-scanning data. Next, undesired scatters are suppressed using the spatial filtering. Finally, RCS values of the test target are calculated by taking the Fourier transform of the filtered scattering source distribution. Using electromagnetic simulations, we have validated the RCS measurement method by comparing predicted RCS with reference data as far-field RCS of the test target. As a result, predicted RCS profiles closely matched with reference data. In conclusion, the proposed method is useful for RCS measurements within the unsuitable near zone. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Evaluation of Lysophospholipid Measurement in Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A quantification system for lysophospholipids (lysoPL) was developed, especially for blood samples, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). However, the lysoPL measurement in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been validated. Therefore, the present study aimed to validate the lysoPL measurement using CSF samples and to elucidate the possible clinical significance of the lysoPL measurement in CSF. For the validation, we observed a good precision and linearity in a sample with high lysoPL levels. The concentrations of lysoPL changed after incubation but the changes were smaller than those observed for serum samples. Moreover, we observed that the CSF levels of 16:0, 18:0 lysophosphatidylcholine, and 18:0, 18:1, and 20:4 lysophosphatidic acid were significantly higher in subjects with central nervous system invasion caused by hematological malignancies or carcinoma than in subjects with no abnormal CSF test results. In conclusion, an LC–MS/MS quantification system for lysoPL in CSF might be useful and could be applied to clinical laboratory testing.     

Morphological and Genetic Diversities of Habenaria radiata (Orchidaceae) in the Kinki Area,Japan

Floral organs have evolved from leaves for reproduction, and the morphological analyses help to understand the plant diversity and evolution. Habenaria radiata (syn. Pecteilis radiata) is a terrestrial orchid living in wetlands in Japan, Russia, South Korea, and China. The habitats of this plant in Japan have been reduced because of environmental destruction and overexploitation, and thus it is on the Red List of Japan as a Near Threatened species. One of the three petals of the H. radiata flower is called a lip or labellum, which resembles a flying white bird, egret, or white heron, with its proposed function being to attract pollinators. To understand the diversity of H. radiata plants in different areas, we examined the lip morphology and phylogeny of populations from eight habitats in the Kinki area, Japan. The complex shapes of the lips were quantified and presented as a radar chart, enabling characterization of the morphological difference among populations. Phylogenetic analysis with microsatellite markers that we generated showed the variation of genetic diversity among populations, suggesting the different degrees of inbreeding, outbreeding, and vegetative propagation. Our approach offers a basic method to characterize the morphological and genetic diversity in natural populations.