Computed tomography image using sub-terahertz waves generated from a high-T-c superconducting intrinsic Josephson junction oscillator

A computed tomography (CT) imaging system using monochromatic sub-terahertz coherent electromagnetic waves generated from a device constructed from the intrinsic Josephson junctions in a single crystalline mesa structure of the high-T-c superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta was developed and tested on three samples: Standing metallic rods supported by styrofoam, a dried plant (heart pea) containing seeds, and a plastic doll inside an egg shell. The images obtained strongly suggest that this CT imaging system may be useful for a variety of practical applications

Multiple Scedosporium apiospermum abscesses in a woman survivor of a tsunami in northeastern Japan: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p><it>Scedosporium apiospermum </it>is increasingly recognized as a cause of localized and disseminated mycotic infections in near-drowning victims.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 59-year-old Japanese woman who was a survivor of a tsunami in northeastern Japan and who had lung and brain abscesses caused by <it>S. apiospermum</it>. Initially, an aspergillus infection was suspected, so she was treated with micafungin. However, computed tomography scans of her chest revealed lung abscesses, and magnetic resonance images demonstrated multiple abscesses in her brain. <it>S. apiospermum </it>was cultured from her bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and antimycotic therapy with voriconazole was initiated. Since she developed an increase in the frequency of premature ventricular contractions, an adverse drug reaction to the voriconazole was suspected. She was started on a treatment of a combination of low-dose voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B. After combination therapy, further computed tomography scans of the chest and magnetic resonance images of her brain showed a demarcation of abscesses.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Voriconazole appeared to have a successful record in treating scedosporiosis after a near drowning but, owing to several adverse effects, may possibly not be recommended. Thus, a combination treatment of low-dose voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B may be a safe and effective treatment for an <it>S. apiospermum </it>infection. Even though a diagnosis of scedosporiosis may be difficult, a fast and correct etiological diagnosis could improve the patient's chance of recovery in any case.</p

Correlations between milk and plasma levels of amino and carboxylic acids in dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of 19 amino acids, glucose, and seven carboxylic acids in the blood and milk of dairy cows and their correlations with established markers of ketosis. To that end, blood plasma and milk specimens were collected throughout lactation in two breeds of dairy cows of different milk yield. Plasma concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, α-aminobutyrate, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and most amino acids, except for glutamate and aspartate, were on average 9.9-fold higher than their respective milk levels. In contrast, glutamate, aspartate, and the Krebs cycle intermediates succinate, fumarate, malate, and citrate were on average 9.1-fold higher in milk than in plasma. For most metabolites, with the exception of BHBA and threonine, no significant correlations were observed between their levels in plasma and milk. Additionally, milk levels of acetone showed significant direct relationships with the glycine-to-alanine ratio and the BHBA concentration in plasma. The marked decline in plasma concentrations of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, and alanine in cows with plasma BHBA levels above the diagnostic cutoff point for subclinical ketosis suggests that these animals fail to meet their glucose demand and, as a consequence, rely increasingly on ketone bodies as a source of energy. The concomitant increase in plasma glycine may reflect not only the excessive depletion of protein reserves but also a potential deficiency of vitamin B6

Hitomi (ASTRO-H) X-ray Astronomy Satellite

The Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission is the sixth Japanese x-ray astronomy satellite developed by a large international collaboration, including Japan, USA, Canada, and Europe. The mission aimed to provide the highest energy resolution ever achieved at E  >  2  keV, using a microcalorimeter instrument, and to cover a wide energy range spanning four decades in energy from soft x-rays to gamma rays. After a successful launch on February 17, 2016, the spacecraft lost its function on March 26, 2016, but the commissioning phase for about a month provided valuable information on the onboard instruments and the spacecraft system, including astrophysical results obtained from first light observations. The paper describes the Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission, its capabilities, the initial operation, and the instruments/spacecraft performances confirmed during the commissioning operations for about a month

Pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in regenerated endothelial cells of porcine coronary artery

Endothelium-dependent, pertussis toxin-sensitive relaxations are impaired selectively after regeneration of endothelial cells following balloon denudation of the porcine coronary artery. The present study was designed to examine the hypothesis that there is a difference in G proteins modified by pertussis toxin between regenerated and intact endothelial cells. Yorkshire pigs, fed a high-cholesterol diet, underwent balloon denudation of the endothelium of the left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD). Four weeks after the denudation the animals were killed to detect G proteins by ADP ribosylation catalyzed with pertussis toxin and [32P]NAD, separated on a urea gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In membrane fractions of endothelial cells obtained from previously denuded LAD, Gα(i-1)/Gα(i-3) (41 kDa) and Gα(i-2) (40 kDa) proteins were labeled. The two bands revealed on the gel were the same as those obtained from intact left circumflex coronary arteries (LCX). However, the intensity of the bands was less prominent in the LAD than the LCX. These results suggest that either a decreased amount or a reduced functionality of G(i) proteins in the regenerated endothelial cells may account for the impairment in the pertussis toxin-sensitive relaxations after balloon injury of coronary arteries in the pigs.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) causes endothelium-dependent, pertussis toxin-sensitive relaxations in porcine coronary arteries

To determine whether direct stimulation of endothelial G-proteins causes relaxations of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, the effects of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) and sodium fluoride were studied in porcine coronary arteries and endothelial cells. Isometric tension was measured in coronary rings contracted with prostaglandin F(2α). GTPγS (in the presence of saponin) and sodium fluoride (in the presence of AlCl3) relaxed rings with, but not those without endothelium. The responses were inhibited by nitro-L-arginine and pertussis toxin. In membrane fractions of coronary endothelial cells, GTPγS and sodium fluoride inhibited the ADP-ribosylation of G-proteins catalyzed with [32P]-NAD and pertussis toxin. These data suggest that direct stimulation of G-proteins in endothelial cells by GTPγS and sodium fluoride causes a pertussis toxin-sensitive relaxation which may be attributed to the release of nitrix oxide.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Avaliacao da qualidade da agua para irrigacao no Distrito Federal.

bitstream/CPAC-2009/24138/1/p2002_15.pd