Development of liquid scintillator containing 8-quinolinolate indium complex for measurement of low energy solar neutrinos

An organic liquid scintillator containing indium complex was studied for a measurement of low energy solar neutrinos. The energy of the emitted electrons from those processes could be transferred to the molecular of complex via the organic solvent molecules, and the luminescence from the indium complex would be detected by the photo-multiplier. Here we report some results obtained by photo-luminescence and the γ\u27s inducedenergy spectra of tris (8-quinolinolate) indium (InQ3) complex. Benzonitrile was chosen as a solvent because of good solubility for the quinolinolate complexes (2wt%) and of good light yield for the scintillation induced by γ\u27s irradiation. The photo-luminescence emission spectra of InQ3 of 30 M solution in benzonitrile was measured. The emission maxima for InQ3 is found at 559 nm as excitation wavelength: 397 nm. We prepared InQ3 (50 mg ～ 200mg) of benzonitrile solutions (20mL). Two secondary scintillators, 100 mg of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) and 10mg of 1,4- bis[2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)]benzene (POPOP), are also dissolved in above solutions and they play a role of wavelength shifter from the UV region emitted by excited benzonitrile molecules to the visible region emitted by InQ3 complex. The energy spectra of electrons emitted by Compton scattering of incident γ\u27s using 60 Co radio isotope was obtained. These results are the first observation of the γ\u27s energy spectra using luminescent metal complexes

Increased Level of Pericardial Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Advanced Heart Failure

ObjectivesTo test the hypothesis that the cardiac insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) system is up-regulated in the failing heart, we measured the pericardial (cardiac) and plasma (circulating) IGF-1 levels in coronary artery disease patients.BackgroundLocal IGF-1 systems are regulated differently from the systemic IGF-1 system. The cardiac IGF-1 system is up-regulated by the increased left ventricular (LV) wall stress. However, it remains unknown how this system is affected in LV dysfunction and heart failure.MethodsWe measured the plasma and pericardial fluid levels of IGF-1 and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in 87 coronary artery disease patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and examined their relationships with LV function and heart failure severity. The expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor proteins were examined in endomyocardial biopsies obtained from other patients with normal or impaired LV function.ResultsThe pericardial IGF-1 and BNP levels were positively correlated with the plasma BNP level (both p < 0.001). The pericardial IGF-1 level was increased in heart failure patients, whereas the plasma IGF-1 level was rather decreased. The pericardial IGF-1 level was inversely correlated with the LV ejection fraction (p < 0.001), whereas the plasma IGF-1 level was not. Positive immunostaining for IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor proteins was enhanced in myocardial biopsies from failing hearts compared with those from nonfailing hearts.ConclusionsThe pericardial IGF-1 level was increased in patients with LV dysfunction and heart failure, whereas the plasma IGF-1 level was decreased. These results may indicate that up-regulation of the cardiac IGF-1 system serves as a compensatory mechanism for LV dysfunction

Genetic association of glutathione peroxidase-1 with coronary artery calcification in type 2 diabetes: a case control study with multi-slice computed tomography

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although oxidative stress by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetes has become evident, it remains unclear what genes, involved in redox balance, would determine susceptibility for development of atherosclerosis in diabetes. This study evaluated the effect of genetic polymorphism of enzymes producing or responsible for reducing ROS on coronary artery calcification in type 2 diabetes (T2D).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An index for coronary-arteriosclerosis, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was evaluated in 91 T2D patients using a multi-slice computed tomography. Patients were genotyped for ROS-scavenging enzymes, <it>Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1)</it>, <it>Catalase, Mn-SOD</it>, <it>Cu/Zn-SOD</it>, as well as SNPs of <it>NADPH oxidase </it>as ROS-promoting elements, genes related to onset of T2D (<it>CAPN10, ADRB3, PPAR gamma, FATP4</it>). Age, blood pressure, BMI, HbA_1c, lipid and duration of diabetes were evaluated for a multivariate regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CACS with Pro/Leu genotype of the <it>GPx-1 </it>gene was significantly higher than in those with Pro/Pro (744 ± 1,291 vs. 245 ± 399, respectively, <it>p </it>= 0.006). In addition, genotype frequency of Pro/Leu in those with CACS ≥ 1000 was significantly higher than in those with CACS < 1000 (45.5% vs. 18.8%; <it>OR </it>= 3.61, <it>CI </it>= 0.97–13.42; <it>p </it>= 0.045) when tested for deviation from Hardy-Weinberg's equilibrium. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that CACS significantly correlated with <it>GPx-1 </it>genotypes and age.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The presence of Pro197Leu substitution of the <it>GPx-1 </it>gene may play a crucial role in determining genetic susceptibility to coronary-arteriosclerosis in T2D. The mechanism may be associated with a decreased ability to scavenge ROS with the variant <it>GPx-1</it>.</p

Endoscopic Polypectomy of Esophageal Leiomyomas; Report of Two Cases

We describe esophageal leiomyomas in two young patients (aged 35 and 32 years), who complained of dysphagia and epigastralgia, which were successfully treated by endoscopic polypectomy. Upper endoscopy showed a pedunculated polyp beneath the normal mucosa located at 28 cm from the incisor in the first case and 1 cm sessile 2.1 cm semipedunculated polypoid lesion in the lower esophagus just above the esophageal-gastric junction in the second case. Both lesions were resected by snare polypectomy without any complication. Light microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry of the tumor tissue confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma. Endoscopic polypectomy of esophageal leiomyoma is safe and should be considered as an optional treatment modality whenever possible

MRI of bone marrow abnormalities in hematological malignancies

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for evaluating bone marrow. Bone marrow undergoes constant modification and its appearance on MRI changes in response. Knowledge of the types of changes and their origins is essential for analysis of MRI findings of bone marrow infiltration with hematological malignancies. This pictorial review describes the MRI pulse sequences used for imaging of bone marrow, and illustrates bone marrow changes due hematological malignancies, including changes following treatment

Fusion of SPECT and multidetector CT images for accurate localization of pelvic sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to investigate the feasibility of fusion of images obtained by SPECT and multidetector CT (MDCT) for the accurate localization of sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients. METHODS: To facilitate the fusion of both SPECT and CT images, a pelvic MDCT scan was performed with 3 markers of small plastic bullets attached to the skin over the bilateral iliac crests and the ventral midline at the same height. SPECT was performed after the same locations were marked with needle caps containing (99m)Tc-pertechnetate. The images were superimposed by use of free software (MRIcro). The results of hot lymph node detection with fusion images were compared with those of surgery. RESULTS: The images could be successfully superimposed for all 11 patients examined. Surgeons accurately confirmed 27 (87.1%) of 31 regional lymph nodes on fusion images. CONCLUSION: Fusion of SPECT and MDCT images is useful for the precise localization of sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients