Surface modification of acid-functionalized mesoporous gamma-alumina for non-fission 99Mo/99mTc generator.

Mesoporous gamma-alumina (MGA) was synthesized for neutron-activated 99Mo adsorbent. Acid functionalization of the MGA was carried out to enhance the Mo adsorption capacity and the 99Mo breakthrough profile. The acid-treated MGA has a more positive particle charge, rougher surface, smaller particle and pore size, larger surface area, and wider pore distance. The acid-treated MGA has a Mo adsorption capacity of 82.8 ± 6.3 mg Mo/g and resulted in 99mTc eluate with the 99Mo breakthrough at the acceptable level.

The SπRIT time projection chamber.

The Superconducting Analyzer for MUlti-particles from RAdioIsotope (SAMURAI) Pion-Reconstruction and Ion-Tracker Time Projection Chamber (SπRIT TPC) was designed to enable measurements of heavy ion collisions with the SAMURAI spectrometer at the RIKEN radioactive isotope beam factory and provides constraints on the equation of state of neutron-rich nuclear matter. The SπRIT TPC has a 50.5 cm drift length and an 86.4 × 134.4 cm2 pad plane with 12 096 pads that are equipped with the generic electronics for TPCs. The SπRIT TPC allows for an excellent reconstruction of particles and provides isotopic resolution for pions and other light charged particles across a wide range of energy losses and momenta. The details of the SπRIT TPC are presented, along with discussion of the TPC performance based on cosmic rays and charged particles emitted in heavy ion collisions.

The effect of cashew leaf extract on small intestine morphology and growth performance of Jawa Super chicken.

AIM: This research aimed to study the effect of leaf extract of cashew as a bioactive compound in feed on the morphology of the small intestine in Jawa Super chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used 72 1-day-old Jawa Super chicks reared for a further 16 days. We used a randomized complete design, in which basal feed was supplemented with ethanolic extract of cashew leaves at 0 g/kg feed (control), 1.25 g/kg feed (P1), 2.5 g/kg feed (P2), 5 g/kg feed (P3), 10 g/kg feed (P4), and 20 g/kg feed (P5). Parameters observed included growth performance, chicken morphometry, and morphology of the small intestine, comprising the length and width of the villi, the depth of the crypt, and the number and size of goblet cells in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Data analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's test, with significance defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: Ethanolic extract of cashew leaf significantly increased body weight, feed efficiency, body morphometry, villus length, crypt depth, number of goblet cells, and extent of goblet cell area of the small intestine at 16 days. The morphological results from the small intestine showed that P4 and P5 were significantly better than control. CONCLUSIONS: Cashew leaf ethanolic extract mixed with 10 g/kg basal feed is effective as a natural feed supplement for Jawa Super chickens.

Marker of lipid peroxidation related to diabetic nephropathy in Indonesian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

OBJECTIVE: Even though diabetes patients exhibit an increased oxidative stress, its correlation with diabetic nephropathy is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lipid peroxidation marker correlates well with eGFR and UACR in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: We collected urine and serum samples of Indonesian type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatients with normo- and microalbuminuria at a Local Government Clinic (from ages: 39-74 years). Urinary 8-iso-PGF2α was measured by ELISA, the serum malondialdehyde by TBARS assay, and urinary albumin by BCG albumin assay. eGFR was calculated using the corrected-Cockcroft-Gault (CG), MDRD, and CKD-EPI equation. Other necessary data were obtained through questionnaires. RESULTS: The results showed that the increasing level of malondialdehyde was mildly correlated with the decline in eGFR (MDRD). In contrary, there was a significant positive correlation between 8-iso-PGF2α concentration and eGFR based on the corrected-CG, MDRD study, and CKD-EPI equation (r=0.457, p<0.001; r=0.424, p<0.001; r=0.443, p<0.001). This relationship still persisted in the normoalbuminuric subjects (n=43) (r=0.491, p=0.001; r=0.461, p=0.002; r=0.455, p=0.002). The multivariate analysis showed that 8-iso-PGF2α together with fasting plasma glucose was the most predictive factor for the high 2-quantile eGFR (adjusted OR 1.001, (95% CI, 1.000-1.001)). However, there was no significant correlation between UACR with malondialdehyde (r=0.268, p=0.050) and 8-iso-PGF2α(r=-0.030, p=0.808). UACR itself was inversely correlated with eGFR based on the corrected-CG, the MDRD, and CKD-EPI (r=-0.232, p<0.05; r=-0.228, p<0.05; r=-0.232, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased 8-iso-PGF2α and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients may play a role in the pathophysiologic significance of diabetic nephropathy, even while considering the effect of potential confounders.

Association of serum arginase I with L-arginine, 3-nitrotyrosine, and exhaled nitric oxide in healthy Japanese workers.

The associations of serum arginase I with serum L-arginine, serum 3-nitrotyrosine, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) were evaluated cross-sectionally in healthy Japanese workers. The serum median (minimum-maximum) levels of arginase I, 3-nitrotyrosine, and FENO in healthy people (n = 130) were 14.6 (0.94-108.1) ng/mL, 81.0 (0.27-298.6) pmol/mg protein, and 14.0 (5.0-110.0) parts per billion, respectively. Significant correlations of arginase I with FENO, L-arginine, 3-nitrotyrosine, and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 (% predicted)) were observed, and correlations of FENO with immunoglobulin E (IgE), NOx, arginase I, and sex and allergy were also observed. By multiple regression analysis, arginase I showed positive associations with FENO and 3-nitrotyrosine, and a negative association with L-arginine; and FENO showed positive associations with IgE and NO2(-) + NO3(-) (NOx), and a negative association with L-arginine, as well as an association with sex. Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed linear inverse associations of arginase I and 3-nitrotyrosine with L-arginine, and showed linear positive associations of FENO with IgE and NOx. It was concluded that serum arginase I might regulate serum L-arginine and 3-nitrotyrosine via L-arginine, and that IgE or NOx might regulate FENO in a healthy Japanese population.

Inhibition of arginase ameliorates experimental ulcerative colitis in mice.

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced from the conversion of L-arginine by NO synthase (NOS) and regulates a variety of processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Considering the increased activity of arginase in colitis tissue, it is speculated that arginase could inhibit NO synthesis by competing for the same L-arginine substrate, resulting in the exacerbation of colitis. We examined the role of arginase and its relationship to NO metabolism in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Experimental colitis was induced in mice by administration of 2.5% DSS in drinking water for 8 days. Treatment for arginase inhibition was done by once daily intraperitoneal injection of N(ω)-hydroxy-nor- arginine (nor-NOHA). On day 8, we evaluated clinical parameters (body weight, disease activity index, and colon length), histological features, the activity and expression of arginase, L-arginine content, the expression of NO synthase (NOS), and the concentration of NO end-product (NOx: nitrite + nitrate). Administration of nor-NOHA improved the worsened clinical parameters and histological features in DSS-induced colitis. Treatment with nor-NOHA attenuated the increased activity of arginase, upregulation of arginase Ι at both mRNA and protein levels, and decreased the content of L-arginine in colonic tissue in the DSS-treated mice. Conversely, despite the decreased expression of NOS2 mRNA, the decreased concentration of NOx in colonic tissues was restored to almost normal levels. The consumption of L-arginine by arginase could lead to decreased production of NO from NOS, contributing to the pathogenesis of the colonic inflammation; thus, arginase inhibition might be effective for improving colitis.

Computed tomography for evaluation of puerperal infections.

Pelvic computed tomography was used to evaluate 74 women with persistent puerperal infection. There was at least one abnormal roentgenographic finding in 57, and these are correlated with clinical and surgical findings. In 16 women, a palpable pelvic mass was seen on tomography, however, masses not appreciated clinically were visualized in another 29 women, and in five, a clinically palpable mass was not visualized by tomography. In 12 women who had a normal pelvic examination, septic pelvic thrombophlebitis was diagnosed by tomography. Over-all, there was poor correlation with roentgenographic findings and uterine incisional necrosis and dehiscence. We conclude that pelvic tomography is useful to evaluate some women with persistent puerperal infection, but that these studies must be correlated with clinical findings.

Posterior abdominal stab wounds: role of CT evaluation.

Stab wounds to the back present a diagnostic problem, since missed occult abdominal injuries can lead to serious morbidity. In a prospective study of 205 patients, the authors evaluated the usefulness of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in assessment of low-velocity penetrating injury to the back. CT results were classified into three groups. Category 1 included injuries limited to superficial subcutaneous tissue (n = 174); category 2, injuries to the retroperitoneal compartment (n = 18); and category 3, injuries within the peritoneal cavity (n = 13). Fifty patients underwent surgery, including 30 with category 1 injuries, nine with category 2 injuries, and eleven with category 3 injuries. CT categorization of injury, compared with surgical findings in these 50 patients, had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 93%. The CT interpretation was considered correct if it demonstrated peritoneal penetration or retroperitoneal injury potentially requiring surgery. The remaining 155 patients were managed nonoperatively, and none had late complications. Abdominal CT is a reliable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of penetrating injury to the back.

Noninvasive localization of parathyroid adenomas: a comparison of X-ray computerized tomography, ultrasound, scintigraphy and MRI.

Thirty-two (32) patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (17 with prior localization surgery, 15 without) were studied by a combination of computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), nuclear medicine (NM), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for parathyroid adenoma localization. The sensitivity and true-positive ratio of each imaging technique and various combinations of techniques were evaluated. Of the 28 proven parathyroid adenomas (27 by surgery, 1 by digital subtraction angiography), 24 were imaged by two techniques, 19 by three techniques, and 10 by all four imaging techniques. The sensitivities were NM (65%), CT (76%), US (77%), and MRI (81%). The differences between true-positive ratios of 82%, 64%, 71%, and 77%, respectively, were not statistically significant. If multiple techniques were considered as a single test (i.e., a positive localization requires two or more tests to be positive at the same location), then sensitivity for a two-study combination was 79% and true-positive ratio 86%. Three techniques showed a sensitivity of 63% and a true-positive ratio of 92%, four modalities 40% and 100%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the various combinations of techniques employed (e.g., CT and US, US and MR, NM and MR, etc.). Thus, there appears to be an advantage in performing multiple techniques (regardless of which combination is selected) until two tests are positive at the same location.

Hepatic and thoracic amaebiasis.

Sonographic and radiographic fidings were reviewed in 27 patients with hepatic amebiasis. Sonography usually demonstrated nonspecific, peripheral, hypoechoic lesions. The only diagnostic sonographic appearance was a combination of a hypoechoic lesion and diaphragmatic disruption, which was found in four patients. About 50% of the patients had accompanying radiographic abnormalities that were nondiagnostic. These included elvation of the right hemidiaphragm, basilar pulmonary infiltrates, and pleural effusions. Liver abscesses occasionally grew during the first 2 weeks of treatment even though the patients were responding well to medical therapy. Lesions frequently became more anechoic and better defined on follow-up examinations. Successfully treated abscesses may calcify rather than diminish.