Development of a Si/CdTe semiconductor Compton telescope

We are developing a Compton telescope based on high resolution Si and CdTe imaging devices in order to obtain a high sensitivity astrophysical observation in sub-MeV gamma-ray region. In this paper, recent results from the prototype Si/CdTe semiconductor Compton telescope are reported. The Compton telescope consists of a double-sided Si strip detector (DSSD) and CdTe pixel detectors, combined with low noise analog LSI, VA32TA. With this detector, we obtained Compton reconstructed images and spectra from line gamma-rays ranging from 81 keV up to 356 keV. The energy resolution is 3.8 keV and 7.9 keV at 122 keV and 356 keV, respectively, and the angular resolution is 9.9 degrees and 5.7 degrees at 122 keV and 356 keV, respectively.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures, submitted to SPIE conference proceedings vol. 5501, "High-Energy Detectors in Astronomy", Glasgow UK, 6/21-6/24 200

Distinctive detection of insulinoma using [¹⁸F]FB(ePEG12)12-exendin-4 PET/CT

Specifying the exact localization of insulinoma remains challenging due to the lack of insulinoma-specific imaging methods. Recently, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R)-targeted imaging, especially positron emission tomography (PET), has emerged. Although various radiolabeled GLP-1R agonist exendin-4-based probes with chemical modifications for PET imaging have been investigated, an optimal candidate probe and its scanning protocol remain a necessity. Thus, we investigated the utility of a novel exendin-4-based probe conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) for [¹⁸F]FB(ePEG12)12-exendin-4 PET imaging for insulinoma detection. We utilized [¹⁸F]FB(ePEG12)12-exendin-4 PET/CT to visualize mouse tumor models, which were generated using rat insulinoma cell xenografts. The probe demonstrated high uptake value on the tumor as 37.1 ± 0.4%ID/g, with rapid kidney clearance. Additionally, we used Pdx1-Cre;Trp53R172H;Rbf/f mice, which developed endogenous insulinoma and glucagonoma, since they enabled differential imaging evaluation of our probe in functional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. In this model, our [¹⁸F]FB(ePEG12)12-exendin-4 PET/CT yielded favorable sensitivity and specificity for insulinoma detection. Sensitivity: 30-min post-injection 66.7%, 60-min post-injection 83.3%, combined 100% and specificity: 30-min post-injection 100%, 60-min post-injection 100%, combined 100%, which was corroborated by the results of in vitro time-based analysis of internalized probe accumulation. Accordingly, [¹⁸F]FB(ePEG12)12-exendin-4 is a promising PET imaging probe for visualizing insulinoma

Inactivation of ESBL-E. coli

The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli is increasing rapidly and spreading worldwide, particularly in Asia, compared to other regions. In the last ten years, in our hospital, in particular, there has been a < 30% increase. To prevent the spread of ESBL in hospitals and the community, the ultraviolet (UV) A-light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation device was used to inactivate ESBL-E. coli in human livestock and the environment. ESBL-E. coli and E. coli bacterial samples were collected from patients at Tokushima University Hospital (Tokushima City, Japan). The UVA-LED irradiation system had 365 nm single wavelength, and the current of the circuit was set to 0.23 or 0.50 A consistently. Results demonstrated that UVA-LED was useful for the inactivation of ESBL-E. coli and E. coli. The minimum energy dosage required to inactivate ESBL-E. coli and E. coli was 40.76 J/cm2 (45 min) in the first type of UVA-LED and 38.85 J/cm2 (5 min) in the second type. There were no significant differences between ESBL-E. coli and E. coli. The inactivation of ESBL-E. coli was dependent on energy. These findings suggest that UVA-LED with 365 nm single wavelength could be useful for surface decontamination in healthcare facilities

Big insulin-like growth factor 2-producing multiple solitary fibrous tumors treated with debulking surgery: A case report

BackgroundNon-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by a tumor-producing high molecular weight form of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) known as big IGF2. The only curative treatment for this condition is surgical resection of the responsible tumors. However, this may not be feasible in cases with multiple metastases at diagnosis of NICTH, and no standard treatment strategy for multiple tumors has been established. The effects of pharmacological therapies including somatostatin analogs are often inefficient and remain difficult to predict.Case descriptionA 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to impaired consciousness and severe hypoglycemia. His medical history included diagnosis of a left temporal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) at the age of 48 years, after which local recurrent and metastatic tumors were repeatedly resected. Four years before admission, multiple intraabdominal and subcutaneous tumors were detected and, being asymptomatic, were managed conservatively. Laboratory exam on admission demonstrated hypoglycemia accompanied with low serum insulin and IGF1 levels. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple intraabdominal and subcutaneous tumors increasing in size. Serum big IGF2 was detected on immunoblot analysis, and he was diagnosed as NICTH. In addition, tumor uptake was observed on 68Ga-labelled 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N’,N’’,N’’’-tetraacetic acid-d-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography/CT (DOTATOC-PET/CT). Since larger tumor is more suspicious about responsible producibility of big IGF2, we planned to resect large ones preferentially and reduce the amounts of residual tumors. Debulking surgery was performed by removing eleven intraabdominal tumors; the hypoglycemia was then completely corrected. Histological analyses revealed the resected tumors to be metastases of SFT having somatostatin receptor 2 expression. In immunoblot analysis, the resected tumors were found to be positive for big IGF2; serum big IGF2 was undetectable after surgery.ConclusionWe present a case of NICTH with multiple metastatic SFTs. We strategically performed debulking surgery, which led to remission of hypoglycemia. This result demonstrates a pioneering practical solution for NICTH cases with multiple tumors. In addition, in cases of SFTs presenting with NICTH, positivity of DOTATOC-PET/CT as well as single-dose administration of octreotide may be predictive of the efficacy of somatostatin-based therapy

ヒフ キンエン ノ ハッショウ オ ケイキ ニ シンダン サレタ ショウサイボウ ハイガン ノ 1レイ

74 歳男性.顔面,四肢,体幹の紅斑に続き,構音障害および嚥下障害,四肢筋肉痛並び脱力が出現し,起立困難となり入院となった.CK, ALD, AST, LDH 等筋原性酵素の著明上昇及び臨床所見により皮膚筋炎と診断された.高用量ステロイド療法その後シクロスポリンの追加にて治療開始し,検査所見に続き,臨床所見も改善傾向にあった.同時にproGRP 高値並びに全身CT 画像上縦隔リンパ節腫大認め,気管支鏡下気管支粘膜生検にて小細胞肺癌の病理診断が得られ,CBDCA+CPT-11 にて化学療法を施行,腫瘍の縮小効果を見た.皮膚筋炎が腫瘍随伴症候として,小細胞癌とほぼ同時期に発病したことを示唆した症例であったA 74-year-old man was admitted because of erythemaon face, extremities and trunk, followed by dysarthria, dysphagia,extremity myalgia accompanied with weakness, andthen difficulty in upstanding. Dermatomyositis (DM) wasdiagnosed on the basis of a marked increase in serum levelof myogenic enzymes, such as creatinin kinase, aldolase, aspartateaminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, andthe clinical manifestations. Introduction of high-dose glucocorticoidtherapy, subsequently concurrent administrationof cyclosporin, made laboratory data gradually return tonormal and produced slight symptom improvement. Inscreening for malignancies, high level of proGRP detectedin peripheral blood, computed tomography scan showed mediastinallymphadenopathy, and histopathologial testing ofthe transbronchial biopsy specimens revealed small celllung cancer (SCLC). Chemotherapy (CBDCA+CPT-11)started, resulting in tumor reduction. The current case maysuggest that DM coincided with SCLC around at the sametime, as a mean of paraneoplastic syndrome

Hemodynamic Effects of Positive end-expiratory Pressure on Right Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

The effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the right ventricular (RV) diastolic function in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are unknown. The aim in this study was to investigate PEEP associated variations in RV diastolic function in CHF due to AMI. The subjects comprised the control group (26 subjects) and the AMI group (36 subjects) classified as 20 patients with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) < 18 mmHg (CHF-low PCWP group) and 16 patients with PCWP≧18mmHg (CHF-high PCWP group). PEEP was applied for 30 minutes at 0, 5, 10 and 15 cmH_20. Two-dimensional echocardiography with continuous and pulse wave Doppler studies was performed. RV diastolic functional parameters included the ratio of peak early tricuspid valve filling and peak atrial filling velocities, the decelation time of the tricuspid E valve and the RV isovolumic relaxation time. In the control and CHF-low PCWP groups, right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), total pulmonary resistance (TPR) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased, output (CO) decreased and RV diastolic functional parameters worsened significantly at the transition from 10 to 15 cmH_20 PEEP. In the CHF-high PCWP group, mPAP, TPR and SVR decreased, while CO increased and RV diastolic functional parameters improved significantly at the transition from 10 to 15 cmH_20 PEEP. From these findings, it is clear that PEEP induced hemodynamic deterioration and reduces RV diastolic function in intact and mildly failing hearts. On the other hand, in severely failing hearts, PEEP effers hemodynamic improvement and ameliorates RV diastolic function. It appears possible to predict responses to PEEP by determining RV diastolic function in CHF. Therefore, we conclude that evaluation of the RV diastolic function during PEEP is highly important in terms of recognizing the effectiveness of PEEP therapy in CHF

マンセイ シンフゼン カンジャ ノ ジュウショウド ニヨル ヤカン ムコキュウ ト テイサンソ ケッショウ ノ ヒカク

慢性心不全(CHF)患者の重症度による夜間の酸素飽和度(SaO_2)と無呼吸の比較について検討を行うために安定した慢性軽症心不全患者6例(男4例,女2例63±5.2歳,左室駆出率:49.8±3.4%,NYHA class:IかII,mild-CHF群)と安定慢性重症心不全患者11例(男9例,女2例,62±11.9歳,左室駆出率:25.6±8.6%,NYHA class:III,severe-CHF群)患者を対象とし,両群を比較することにより検討を行った.全例において室内空気下にパルスオキシメーターを用いて24時間のSaO_2と脈拍数を連続記録した.そして夜間のSaO_2が3%あるいは4%以上低下した1時間あたりの回数(3%ODI,4%ODI),SaO_2の最低値を各々分析した.さらにポリソムノグラフィーを用いてSaO_2と睡眠に関する全てのデータを連続的に記録分析した.その結果,severe-CHF群のODIはmild-CHF群に比して有意に高値であった(4%ODI;5.8±5.1 vs 0.6±0.5,p<O.01.3%ODI;8.6±7.1 vs 1.0±O.9,p<0.01.).severe-CHF群のSaO_2の最低値はmild-CHF群に比して有意に低かった(82.2±7.1 vs 91.7±1.0%,p<0.01).severe-CHF群の夜間無呼吸は全例にみられ,大多数が中枢型であった(74.0±3.6%).以上より安定した重症心不全では夜間に低酸素血症と無呼吸がみられ,これらが臨床病像の悪化に影響していることが示唆される.Background : Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) commonly experience Cheyne- Stokes respiration, central apnea, or obstructive apnea during sleep associated with oxygen desaturation. Nocturnal oxygen therapy and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) reduce sleep-disordered breathing in stable CHF. However, the relation between sleep apnea and nocturnal desaturation inpatients with severe, stable CHF in Japan is unknown. Objectives : To examine nocturnal oxygen saturation (SaO_2) and sleep apnea in Japanese patients with severe, stable CHF. Methods : The subjects were 11 patients with severe, stable CHF (9 men and 2 women, LVEF=25.6±8.6%, NYHA class=III, severe CHF group) and 6 with mild, stable CHF (4 men and 2 women, LVEF=49.8±3.4 %, NYHA class=I or II, mild CHF group). SaO_2 was continuously recorded with a pulse oximeter under room air, and 4 % and 3 % SaO_2 dip rate per hour (GDIs) and the SaO_2 nadir were analyzed. In addition, SaO_2 and sleep variables were continuously recorded with a polysomnograph. Results : ODI frequency in the severe CHF group was significantly higher than that in the mild CHF group (4% ODI, 5.8±5.1 vs 0.6±0.5 times/hour, respectively, p<0.01;3 % ODI, 8.6±7.1 vs 1.0±0.9 times/hour, respectively, p<0.01.). SaO_2 nadir in the severe CHF group was significantly lower than that in the mild CHF group (82.2±7.1 vs 91.7±1.0 %, p<0.01). All severe patients had sleep apnea, predominantly of the central type (74.0±3.6%). Conclusion : The frequency of nocturnal hypoxemia and apnea increases in patients with severe, stable CHF. Nocturnal hypoxemia and apnea may adversely effect the clinical status of these patients