Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases

There has been an increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases with the rapid increase in aging societies worldwide. Biomarkers that can be used to detect pathological changes before the development of severe neuronal loss and consequently facilitate early intervention with disease-modifying therapeutic modalities are therefore urgently needed. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising tool that can be used to infer microstructural characteristics of the brain, such as microstructural integrity and complexity, as well as axonal density, order, and myelination, through the utilization of water molecules that are diffused within the tissue, with displacement at the micron scale. Diffusion tensor imaging is the most commonly used diffusion MRI technique to assess the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. However, diffusion tensor imaging has several limitations, and new technologies, including neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging, and free-water imaging, have been recently developed as approaches to overcome these constraints. This review provides an overview of these technologies and their potential as biomarkers for the early diagnosis and disease progression of major neurodegenerative diseases.     

Removal of dissolved estrogen in sewage effluents by β-cyclodextrin polymer

Substances with estrogenic activity are found in effluents of municipal sewage plants and dairy farms. These effluents have the potential to induce feminization in male fish. In this study, cyclodextrin polymers (CDPs) that are insoluble in both polar and non-polar solvents were selected for the removal of dissolved estrogens in the effluent of a municipal sewage plant. The removal capacity of CDPs was high in the order of β-CDP ≥ γ-CDP ? α-CDP. The mechanism for adsorption of estrogens to β-CDP was not only due to a host-guest interaction as molecular recognition by β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), but also due to adsorption by the polymer matrix. β-CDP of 0.2% (w/v) removed 17β-estradiol (E2) of about 70% from 10⁻¹¹ mol/L, and more than 90% from ≥ 10⁻¹⁰ mol/L. The removal ratios of E2 in the presence of cholesterols, which are contained at higher concentrations than estrogens in sewage effluents and are adsorptive competitor for β-CDP, were about 85% at a cholesterol/E2 molar ratio of 100 and > 90% at molar ratios of 0.1, 1, and 10. The effluent from a municipal sewage plant had estrogenic activity corresponding to 5.5 × 10⁻¹¹ molE2/L by yeast two-hybrid assay. The estrogens in the effluent were also removed > 90% by the β-CDP treatment. Therefore, β-CDP is able to remove dissolved estrogens over a wide range of concentrations in the presence of various contaminants such as wastewaters.     

Predicting nitrogen leaching with the modified LEACHM model: validation in soils receiving long-term application of animal manure composts

A variety of process-based models have been developed for predicting nitrogen (N) dynamics in agro-ecosystem; however, no reliable models have been validated for N leaching from soils receiving a long-term application of different types of animal manure composts. The Leaching Estimation and Chemistry Model (LEACHM) was recently modified by incorporating the basic structure of Rothamsted Carbon Model for extending its ability to describe soil organic matter decomposition and subsequent N leaching in soils rich in organic matter. We evaluate the applicability of the modified LEACHM in cropped Yellow soils receiving 10-year application of cattle or swine manure compost in addition to chemical fertilizers, where high-frequency field monitoring data of soil water contents, soil N contents and leachate N concentrations were available for the last 3 years. Particular attention was paid to determine all input parameters from independent measurements, parameterization from known soil properties or databases without optimisation to fit the measured field data. The model reasonably predicted temporal changes in the soil NH₄-N and NO₃-N contents, and inorganic N concentrations in the leachate as well as their differences due to different manure compost/chemical fertilizer applications. The simulations of leached N concentration yielded a Willmott index of agreement (IA) of 0.62–0.68, with those for soil moisture, soil nitrate content and crop N uptake all within an acceptable IA range. In view of the good performance without site-specific calibrations, the modified LEACHM appears to be a valuable tool for predicting N leaching from cropped soils receiving long-term manure compost applications.     

Zeta potential of alumina powders with different crystalline phases in simulated body fluids

The zeta potential of alumina (Al₂O₃) powder with different crystalline phases, prepared by heat treatment of boehmite, was measured in simulated body fluids in order to discuss the mechanism on in vivo formation of a calcium and phosphorus (CaP)-rich layer on bone cement containing δ-Al₂O₃-based bead powder. γ, δ, and θ-Al₂O₃ powders were obtained by heat treatment of boehmite powder at 600 °C, 900 °C, and 1025 °C, respectively. It was found that δ-Al₂O₃ gave a negative zeta potential in an acidic simulated body fluid, whereas γ-Al₂O₃ and θ-Al₂O₃ gave a positive potentials. During the bone fracture healing process, acidic conditions are maintained at the site of fracture for several days. Consequently, it is speculated that the negative surface potential of δ-Al₂O₃ in an acidic body fluid, similar to the fracture site, might be responsible for the in vivo formation of the CaP-rich layer on the overlying bone cement, given that the negatively charged surface of δ-Al₂O₃ would attract calcium ions from the surrounding body fluid, thereby facilitating the formation of the CaP-rich layer.     

A discussion on major factors affecting crack path of concrete-to-concrete interfacial surfaces

This paper elaborates major factors affecting the crack path of concrete-to-concrete interfacial surfaces produced with placing joint. Eleven types of specimens were employed for the evaluation of tension softening diagram followed by surface observation of the ligament after fracture test. The surface analysis revealed that the layer of Ca(OH)₂ plays a primary role on the crack path. The authors discuss the relationship between fracture mechanics parameters and the ratio of fractured part which excludes detached part in the ligament. The mechanism for determining crack path near concrete-to-concrete interface is proposed using ‘scattered hole model’.     

Synthesis of porous titania thin films using carbonatation reaction and its hydrophilic property

Super-hydrophilic porous titania thin films containing mesoscale channels were successfully synthesized by the carbonatation reaction. An amorphous Li-Ti-O film with a smooth surface was prepared on a glass substrate by radio frequency magnetron sputtering using a Li₂TiO₃ target in an Ar atmosphere. The as-deposited films were carbonated at 400 °C for 10 h in CO₂, resulting in the formation of Li₂CO₃ and the development of characteristic through-channels. After dissolution of the Li₂CO₃ in distilled water, porous TiO₂ thin films with mesoscale through-channels were fabricated. The obtained porous films had a large surface area and show a rapid decrease in the water contact angle or excellent super-hydrophilicity.     

Possible action of vasohibin-1 as an inhibitor in the regulation of vascularization of the bovine corpus luteum

The development of the corpus luteum (CL), which secretes large amounts of progesterone to establish pregnancy, is accompanied by active angiogenesis, vascularization, and lymphangiogenesis. Negative feedback regulation is a critical physiological mechanism. Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) was recently discovered as a novel endothelium-derived negative feedback regulator of vascularization. We therefore investigated the expression of VASH1 in the bovine CL. Expression of VASH1 mRNA and protein was predominantly localized to luteal endothelial cells (LECs). VASH1 expression in the CL was constant through the early to late luteal phases and decreased during CL regression relating with the action of luteolytic prostaglandin F(2)(α) in vivo. To investigate the role of VASH1, we determined whether VASH1 treatment affects angiogenesis and/or lymphangiogenesis using LECs and lymphatic endothelial cells (LyECs) in vitro. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) stimulated the expression of VASH1 in LECs but not in LyECs, and VASH1 completely blocked VEGFA-induced formation of capillary-like tube structures of LECs and LyECs in vitro. In summary, VASH1 is predominantly located on LECs in the bovine CL and inhibits the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic actions of VEGFA. Bovine CL therefore has a VEGFA-VASH1 system that may be involved in regulation of luteal function, especially in the development of the CL. The results indicate that VASH1 has the potential to act as a negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the CL in cows.