EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE AND ANTI-THYMOCYTE-GLOBULIN ON SERUM LEVELS OF COMPLEMENTS C1q AND C3 IN MICE

Serum levels of the initiating complement component (C1q) in the classical pathway and those of an essential triggering component (C3) in the alternative pathway were quantified immunochemically in parallel with those of the immunonoglobulin G (IgG) in BALB/c mice, each of which was given a single dose of cyclophosphamide (CY) and/or rabbit anti-mouse-thymocyte-globulin (anti-TG) intraperitoneally. In the CY-treated mice, both C1q and IgG levels were significantly suppressed from 2 through 14 days after the treatment ; such suppression was more conspicuous in male than in female mice. In contrast, C3 levels were markedly increased in these mice of both sexes from 2 through 7 days after the same treatment. In anti-TG-treated mice of both sexes, only C1q levels were significantly suppressed from 2 through 10 days after the treatment ; however, neither their C3 nor IgG levels were much influenced. Both T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of these mice were significantly diminished : CY affected more severely B cells ; in contrast, anti-TG had a more severe influence on T cells. These results suggest that there may be some metabolic and/or developmental interrelationships among serum C1q levels, functions of immune lymphocytes, and their producing immunoglobulins and/or lymphokines

Radiometric age of lava flows of the Enrei ｆormations in central Japan (1).

Two samples from lava flows of the upper member of the Lower Enrei formations exposed at the top of Utsukushi-ga-hara volcano are dated approximately at 1.3 × 10v K-A years. The dates of these lava flows which are magnetized reversely and eastward are placed in the middle part of the Matuyama reversed epoch. The Ina formations equivalent of the Lower member of the Lower Enrei formations suggest that during this period climatic deterioration had already taken place, so that most parts of the Enrei formations should be younger than the base of the Pleistocene.Article信州大学理学部紀要 1(2): 93-96(1967)departmental bulletin pape

Identification of Sorbitol Transporters Expressed in the Phloem of Apple Source Leaves

Sorbitol is a major photosynthetic product and a major phloem-translocated component in Rosaceae (e.g. apple, pear, peach, and cherry). We isolated the three cDNAs, MdSOT3, MdSOT4, and MdSOT5 from apple (Malus domestica) source leaves, which are homologous to plant polyol transporters. Yeasts transformed with the MdSOTs took up sorbitol significantly. MdSOT3- and MdSOT5-dependent sorbitol uptake was strongly inhibited by xylitol and myo-inositol, but not or only weakly by mannitol and dulcitol. Apparent Km values of MdSOT3 and MdSOT5 for sorbitol were estimated to be 0.71mM and 3.2mM, respectively. The protonophore, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), strongly inhibited the sorbitol transport. MdSOT3 was expressed specifically in source leaves, whereas MdSOT4 and MdSOT5 were expressed in source leaves and also in some sink organs. MdSOT4 and MdSOT5 expressions were highest in flowers. Fruits showed no or only weak MdSOT expression. Although MdSOT4 and MdSOT5 were also expressed in immature leaves, MdSOT expressions increased with leaf maturation. In addition, in situ hybridization revealed that all MdSOTs were expressed to high levels in phloem of minor veins in source leaves. These results suggest that these MdSOTs are involved in sorbitol loading in Rosacea

Quantitative Evaluation of Liver Function with Use of Gadoxetate Disodium-enhanced MR Imaging

Purpose: To determine whether liver function correlating with indocyanine green (ICG) clearance could be estimated quantitatively from gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Twenty-three consecutive patients who underwent an ICG clearance test and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR imaging with the same parameters as were used for a preoperative examination were chosen. The hepatocellular uptake index (HUI) from liver volume (V(L)) and mean signal intensity of the liver on contrastenhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression (L(20)) and mean signal intensity of the spleen on contrastenhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression (S(20)) on 3D gradient-echo T1-weighted images with fat suppression obtained at 20 minutes after gadoxetate disodium (0.025 mmol per kilogram of body weight) administration was determined with the following equation: V(L)[(L(20)/S(20)) 2 1]. The correlation of the plasma disappearance rate of ICG (ICG-PDR) and various factors derived from MR imaging, including HUI, iron and fat deposition in the liver and spleen, and spleen volume (V(S)), were evaluated with stepwise multiple regression analysis. The difference between the ratio of the remnant HUI to the HUI of the total liver (rHUI/HUI) and ratio of the liver remnant V(L) to the total V(L)(rV(L)/V(L)) was evaluated in four patients who had segmental heterogeneity of liver function. Results: HUI and V(S) were the factors significantly correlated with ICG-PDR (R = 0.87). The mean value and its 95% confidence interval were 0.18 and 0.01 to 0.34, respectively, for the following calculation: (rHUI/HUI) 2 (rV(L)/V(L)). Conclusion: The liver function correlating with ICG-PDR can be estimated quantitatively from the signal intensities and the volumes of the liver and spleen on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images, which may improve the estimation of segmental liver function. (C) RSNA, 2011ArticleRADIOLOGY. 260(3):727-733 (2011)journal articl

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase from Candida albicans

Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies on N-acetylglucosamine-phosphate mutase from C. albicans are reported

Accelerating effects of silk fibroin on wound healing in hairless descendants of Mexican hairless dogs

Abstract: We examined the safety of silk fibroin in the subcutaneous tissues. In addition, we macroscopically and histopathologically evaluated its healing effect on the full-thickness wounds in hairless dogs. We prepared 3 types of matrices including amorphous silk fibroin films, and á-and â-type silk fibroin powder. No toxicity was found in the sites injected with silk fibroin solutions. Macroscopically, silk fibroin films had accelerating effects on wound repair, as compared with occlusive dressings (dried porcine skin and hydrocolloid dressings). Histopathological examinations revealed that silk fibroin films facilitate reepithelialization and the formation of granulation tissues, collagens and elastic fibers. The sites treated with the á-type silk fibroin powder were faster in wound repair than those treated with the â-type silk fibroin powder. The á-type silk fibroin powder absorbed excessive exudate. Microscopically, there are epidermal and dermal regeneration in the sites treated with the á-type silk fibroin powder. These results show that silk fibroin is inert in biological tissues, indicating excellent biocompatibility. Silk fibroin films facilitate reepithelialization, remodeling of connective tissues and collagenization. The á-type fibroin powder is a wound dressing that regulates excessive exudate from the wound and provides a proper moist environment. These results suggest that silk fibroin is a useful dressing material in veterinary clinical medicine

Time-resolved spectroscopy of biexciton luminescence in ZnxCd1-xSe-ZnSySe1-y multiple quantum wells

The radiative lifetime of biexcitons in ZnxCd1-xSe-ZnSySe1-y multiple quantum wells has been studied by means of time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy under high-density excitation. It is shown that the rise of the biexciton luminescence becomes more rapid with increasing excitation energy density and that the biexciton luminescence decays with a double exponential form. It is found that the decay-time constant of the faster-decay component in the double-exponential decay corresponds to the radiative lifetime of the biexciton. Its value is about 6 ps at 2 K and is about one-seventh of that in bulk ZnSe (∼40 ps)

Treatment for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture - A Short Review of Orthosis and Percutaneous Vertebroplasty and Balloon Kyphoplasty

The management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) in the elderly includes nonoperative treatment and vertebroplasty, but has not been established due to the diversity of patient backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of 3 treatment modalities for the management of OVF: orthotic treatment, percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP). The method was based on an analysis of the latest RCTs, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews on these topics. No study showed a benefit of bracing with high level of evidence. Trials were found that showed comparable outcomes without orthotic treatment. Only 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed an improvement in pain relief up to 6 months compared with no orthosis. Rigid and nonrigid orthoses were equally effective. Four of 5 RCTs comparing vertebroplasty and sham surgery were equally effective, and one RCT showed superior pain relief with vertebroplasty within 3 weeks of onset. In open trials comparing vertebroplasty with nonoperative management, vertebroplasty was superior. PVP and BKP were comparable in terms of pain relief, improvement in quality of life, and adjacent vertebral fractures. BKP does not affect global sagittal alignment, although BKP may restore vertebral body height. An RCT was published showing that PVP was effective in chronic cases without pain relief. Vertebroplasty improved life expectancy by 22% at 10 years. The superiority of orthotic therapy for OVF was seen only in short-term pain relief. Soft orthoses proved to be a viable alternative to rigid orthoses. Vertebroplasty within 3 weeks may be useful. There is no significant difference in clinical efficacy between PVP and BKP. Vertebroplasty improves life expectancy

The Effectiveness of Vertebral Height Restoration Based on the Vertebroplasty Procedure Used to Treat Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Objective Whether the use of a balloon or stent in vertebroplasty for vertebral fractures, such as balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) or vertebral body stenting (VBS), actually contributes to the restoration of postoperative vertebral height is unclear. The aim of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP), BKP, and VBS in the correction of collapsed vertebrae in patients with painful vertebral fractures. Methods The cases studied involved 34 vertebrae in 28 patients treated with PVP, 43 vertebrae in 38 patients treated with BKP, and 20 vertebrae in 20 patients treated with VBS at Izinkai Takeda General Hospital. Changes in the vertebral height and local kyphosis angle were measured based on standing lumbar radiographs before and after surgery and were compared among the treatment groups. Results There were no differences in changes in the height of the anterior wall, middle body, or posterior wall of the treated vertebrae among the 3 treatment groups. The same was true for changes in the local kyphosis angle. The effectiveness of vertebral height restoration depended heavily upon preoperative vertebral instability in all the treatment groups. Correction loss due to balloon deflation effect or balloon sinking was noted with VBS or BKP. Conclusion BKP and VBS have the advantage of reducing the risk of extravertebral leakage of injected bone cement, but they have a disadvantage in that they are no more effective than PVP in restoring collapsed vertebrae despite the use of a balloon or metal stent

Quantitative Evaluation of Liver Function with Use of Gadoxetate Disodium–enhanced MR Imaging

Purpose: To determine whether liver function correlating with indocyanine green (ICG) clearance could be estimated quantitatively from gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. Twenty-three consecutive patients who underwent an ICG clearance test and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR imaging with the same parameters as were used for a preoperative examination were chosen. The hepatocellular uptake index (HUI) from liver volume (V(L)) and mean signal intensity of the liver on contrastenhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression (L(20)) and mean signal intensity of the spleen on contrastenhanced T1-weighted images with fat suppression (S(20)) on 3D gradient-echo T1-weighted images with fat suppression obtained at 20 minutes after gadoxetate disodium (0.025 mmol per kilogram of body weight) administration was determined with the following equation: V(L)[(L(20)/S(20)) 2 1]. The correlation of the plasma disappearance rate of ICG (ICG-PDR) and various factors derived from MR imaging, including HUI, iron and fat deposition in the liver and spleen, and spleen volume (V(S)), were evaluated with stepwise multiple regression analysis. The difference between the ratio of the remnant HUI to the HUI of the total liver (rHUI/HUI) and ratio of the liver remnant V(L) to the total V(L)(rV(L)/V(L)) was evaluated in four patients who had segmental heterogeneity of liver function. Results: HUI and V(S) were the factors significantly correlated with ICG-PDR (R = 0.87). The mean value and its 95% confidence interval were 0.18 and 0.01 to 0.34, respectively, for the following calculation: (rHUI/HUI) 2 (rV(L)/V(L)). Conclusion: The liver function correlating with ICG-PDR can be estimated quantitatively from the signal intensities and the volumes of the liver and spleen on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MR images, which may improve the estimation of segmental liver function. (C) RSNA, 2011ArticleRADIOLOGY. 260(3):727-733 (2011)journal articl