MR imaging of intracranial solitary fibrous tumor: a retrospective study of 7 cases

Objective: To investigate the MR imaging diagnostic features of intracranial solitary fibrous tumors (ISFTs).Materials and methods: Seven patients (mean age of 52.9 years; M:F=3:4) with histopathologically proven ISFTs were identified at our institute. Clinical presentations and pathological features were reviewed. MR Imaging findings including signal intensity, gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced pattern, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) characterization of the tumors were retrospectively evaluated.Results: Six tumors showed a multi-lobular contour. Five tumors showed heterogeneous signal intensity, and two tumors showed homogeneous signal intensity on T1WI. Low signal intensity linear, curved or interlacing lines were observed within the tumors in all seven cases. Seven tumors demonstrated moderate or strong enhancement, six showed heterogeneous enhancement, and one homogenous enhancement. All tumors showed heterogeneous signal intensity on DWI.A ring–like high signal intensity band distributed around within the tumor was noted in six cases on DWI.Conclusion: Diagnostic evidence for ISFT on MR image includes heterogeneous signal intensity, intense enhancement of T2 signal intensity, low signal intensity lines within the tumor, heterogeneous signal intensity on DWI and a ring-like band around the tumor on DWI.Keywords: Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Magnetic resonance imaging, Diffusion-weighted Imaging

The distribution and demography of Euphausia superba in Prydz Bay during the austral summer 2002

This study documents the horizontal distribution and demography of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana), collected using trawls, from the Prydz Bay region during January 2002. Euphausia superba (E. superba) was distributed primarily south of 64°S. The average density and biomass were estimated as 68.85 ind·(1 000 m-3) and 24.16 g wet weight·(1 000 m-3), respectively. Highest values were located in the open sea (depth > 3 000 m). Body length of E. superba ranged from 30 to 55 mm (N=1 758), with a mean length of 38.45±3.68 mm (SD). The overall sex ratio was approximately 1∶1, 47.6% females (41.9% sub-adults and 5.7% adults), 46.6% males (42.7% sub-adults and 3.9% adults), while 5.8% were juveniles. The population structure of E. superba exhibited geographical variation. At stations in the western part of the survey area populations had a high proportion of juveniles, a lower sexual maturity stage for males and small body size, while the opposite was found at stations in the eastern part. A latitudinal difference was found at stations along 70.5°E and 73°E transects: body length was small and the sex ratio was high in regions of high latitude, while the opposite occurred in areas of low latitude

Transplantation of Human Undifferentiated Embryonic Stem Cells into A Myocardial Infarction Rat Model

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells hold great therapeutic potential for cell transplantation. To date, it remains uncertain whether undifferentiated hES cells can differentiate into cardiac lineage in vivo during myocardial infarction. Here we provide the first report that undifferentiated hES cells can survive in rat hearts during myocardial infarction without the formation of teratoma using undifferentiated green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic hES cells. Using a laser-capture microscope to dissect the GFP-positive cell area from the hES-injected hearts, we documented the expression of human cardiac-specific genes, including GATA-4, Nkx-2.5, and cardiac troponin I. Taken together, our results demonstrate that undifferentiated hES cells can be driven to the cardiac lineage under the local injured environment in the heart, which may provide a potential method for regenerating de novo myocardium to treat myocardial infarction.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63274/1/scd.2006.110206.pd

Inverse Orbital Hall Effect Discovered from Light-Induced Terahertz Emission

Recent progress in orbitronics reveals the possibility of using orbital current as an information carrier. The interconversion between orbital currents and charge currents is crucial for orbital information processing. Although orbital currents can be created from charge current via the orbital Hall effect, the conversion from orbital current into charge current has not yet been discovered experimentally, which is due to the lack of a reliable orbital current source and disturbance of the omnipresent inverse spin Hall effect. In this study, we generate ultrafast pulses of orbital current in magnetic bilayers and trilayers from femtosecond laser pulses. We demonstrate that by injecting orbital current pulses into nonmagnetic metals, the inverse orbital Hall effect of the nonmagnetic layer induces a transient charge current and emits terahertz electromagnetic pulses. The nonmagnetic metal layer acts as a converter of the orbital current into the charge current. The discovery of the inverse orbital Hall effect enables detection of orbital currents and opens a new route for developing future orbitronic devices

MR imaging of intracranial solitary fibrous tumor: a retrospective study of 7 cases

Objective: To investigate the MR imaging diagnostic features of intracranial solitary fibrous tumors (ISFTs). Materials and methods: Seven patients (mean age of 52.9 years; M:F=3:4) with histopathologically proven ISFTs were identified at our institute. Clinical presentations and pathological features were reviewed. MR Imaging findings including signal intensity, gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced pattern, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) characterization of the tumors were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Six tumors showed a multi-lobular contour. Five tumors showed heterogeneous signal intensity, and two tumors showed homogeneous signal intensity on T1WI. Low signal intensity linear, curved or interlacing lines were observed within the tumors in all seven cases. Seven tumors demonstrated moderate or strong enhancement, six showed heterogeneous enhancement, and one homogenous enhancement. All tumors showed heterogeneous signal intensity on DWI.A ring\u2013like high signal intensity band distributed around within the tumor was noted in six cases on DWI. Conclusion: Diagnostic evidence for ISFT on MR image includes heterogeneous signal intensity, intense enhancement of T2 signal intensity, low signal intensity lines within the tumor, heterogeneous signal intensity on DWI and a ring-like band around the tumor on DWI

DNA barcoding of Antarctic marine zooplankton for species identification and recognition

Polar zooplankton are particularly sensitive to climate change, and have been used as rapid-responders to indicate climate-induced changes in the fragile Antarctic ecosystem. DNA barcoding provides an alternative approach for rapid zooplankton species identification. Ninety-four specimens belonging to 32 Antarctic zooplankton species were barcoded to construct a comprehensive reference library. An 830 to 1 050 base-pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene was obtained as DNA barcodes. The intraspecific variation of the gene ranged from 0 to 2.6% (p-distance), with an average of 0.67% (SD=0.67%). The distance between species within the same genera ranged from 0.1% (Calanus) to 29.3%, with an average of 15.3% (SD=8.4%). The morphological and genetic similarities between Calanus propinquus and C. simillimus raise new questions about the taxonomic status of C. simillimus. With the exception of the two Calanus species, the intraspecific genetic divergence was much smaller than the interspecific divergence among congeneric species, confirming the existence of a barcode gap for Antarctic zooplankton. In addition, species other than Calanus sp. formed a monophyletic group. Therefore, we have confirmed DNA barcoding as an accurate and efficient approach for zooplankton identification in the Antarctic area (except for Hydromedusa, Tunicata, and other gelatinous zooplankton). Indicator vector analysis further confirmed this conclusion. The new primer sets issued here may facilitate the study of Antarctic marine zooplankton species composition by environmental metagenetic analysis

Orbitronics: Light-induced Orbit Currents in Terahertz Emission Experiments

Orbitronics is based on the use of orbit currents as information carriers. Up to now, orbit currents were created from the conversion of charge or spin currents, and inversely, they could be converted back to charge or spin currents. Here we demonstrate that orbit currents can also be generated by femtosecond light pulses on Ni. In multilayers associating Ni with oxides and nonmagnetic metals such as Cu, we detect the orbit currents by their conversion into charge currents and the resulting terahertz emission. We show that the orbit currents extraordinarily predominate the light-induced spin currents in Ni-based systems, whereas only spin currents can be detected with CoFeB-based systems. In addition, the analysis of the time delays of the terahertz pulses leads to relevant information on the velocity and propagation of orbit carriers. Our finding of light-induced orbit currents and our observation of their conversion into charge currents opens new avenues in orbitronics, including the development of orbitronic terahertz devices

Miniscalpel-Needle Treatment Is Effective for Work-Related Neck and Shoulder Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves, such as neck and shoulder MSD. This study was designed to use miniscalpel-needle (MSN) technique as an intervention for work-related MSDs. Methods. Thirty-one patients with work-related MSDs and 28 healthy subjects were enrolled as controls in this study. The MSD symptoms of each patient were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Blood samples were collected from control subjects and MSD patients before and after treatment. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured using ELISA. Results. Prior to MSN treatment, serum levels of CRP and TNF were significantly higher in the MSD patients than the healthy controls. Serum CRP levels correlated with VAS and NDI scores, and serum TNF levels correlated with NDI scores. Compared to pretreatment, VAS and NDI scores were significantly lower in MSD patients after MSN treatment, while serum CRP and TNF levels were significantly lower compared with the healthy control levels. Conclusions. Our results indicate that MSN may be an effective intervention for work-related MSDs and be associated with lower serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers

Early Exercise Affects Mitochondrial Transcription Factors Expression after Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Increasing evidence shows that exercise training is neuroprotective after stroke, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. To clarify this critical issue, the current study investigated the effects of early treadmill exercise on the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors. Adult rats were subjected to ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Expression of two genes critical for transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 (PGC-1) and nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), were examined by RT-PCR after five days of exercise starting at 24 h after ischemia. Mitochondrial protein cytochrome C oxidase subunit IV (COX IV) was detected by Western blot. Neurological status and cerebral infarct volume were evaluated as indices of brain damage. Treadmill training increased levels of PGC-1 and NRF-1 mRNA, indicating that exercise promotes rehabilitation after ischemia via regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis

Biocompatible Single-Crystal Selenium Nanobelt Based Nanodevice as a Temperature-Tunable Photosensor

Selenium materials are widely used in photoelectrical devices, owing to their unique semiconductive properties. Single-crystal selenium nanobelts with large specific surface area, fine photoconductivity, and biocompatibility provide potential applications in biomedical nanodevices, such as implantable artificial retina and rapid photon detector/stimulator for optogenetics. Here, we present a selenium nanobelt based nanodevice, which is fabricated with single Se nanobelt. This device shows a rapid photo response, different sensitivities to visible light of variable wave length, and temperature-tunable property. The biocompatibility of the Se nanobelts was proved by MTT test using two cell lines. Our investigation introduced a photosensor that will be important for multiple potential applications in human visual system, photocells in energy or MEMS, and temperature-tunable photoelectrical device for optogenetics research