Experimental study on Compton camera for boron neutron capture therapy applications.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a high-dose-intensive radiation therapy that has gained popularity due to advancements in accelerator neutron sources. To determine the dose for BNCT, it is necessary to know the difficult-to-determine boron concentration and neutron fluence. To estimate this dose, we propose a method of measuring the prompt γ-rays (PGs) from the boron neutron capture reaction (BNCR) using a Compton camera. We performed a fundamental experiment to verify basic imaging performance and the ability to discern the PGs from 511 keV annihilation γ-rays. A Si/CdTe Compton camera was used to image the BNCR and showed an energy peak of 478 keV PGs, separate from the annihilation γ-ray peak. The Compton camera could visualize the boron target with low neutron intensity and high boron concentration. This study experimentally confirms the ability of Si/CdTe Compton cameras to image BNCRs.

Green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits ethanol-induced activation of pancreatic stellate cells.

BACKGROUND: Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrogenesis and inflammation. Ethanol, a major cause of chronic pancreatitis, directly induces PSC activation and oxidative stress. Inhibition of PSC activation or stimulation to PSC might be an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention of pancreatic fibrosis, and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea extracts, is a potent antioxidant of polyphenols. Therefore, we examined the mechanisms through which ethanol induces oxidative stress on PSCs and evaluated the effect of EGCG on activation and cell functions of ethanol-stimulated PSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PSCs were isolated from the pancreas of male Wister rats with Nycodenz gradient methods and cells between passages one and four were used. Isolated PSCs were cultured with ethanol (50 mM) in the absence or presence of EGCG (5 microM or 25 microM). RESULTS: The EGCG pre-treatment abolished ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane, loss of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and suppressed ethanol-induced gene expressions of Mn- and Cu/Zn-SOD. EGCG also suppressed ethanol-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, alpha-smooth muscle actin production in PSCs and activated transforming growth factor-beta1 secretion into the medium. Furthermore, EGCG inhibited ethanol-induced type-I procollagen production and collagen secretion. In addition, EGCG inhibited transformation of freshly isolated cells to activated myofibroblast-like phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that green tea and polyphenols could prevent pancreatic fibrosis by inhibiting PSC activation through the antioxidative effect.

[New therapeutic trends in nursing--natural therapies--assistance programs]. / Novas tendências terapêuticas de enfermagem--terapias naturais--programa de atendimento.

The present study reports the experience lived by the nurses in the Nursing Clinic of the Campus Universitário do Grande ABC (UniABC), using natural therapies: applied kinesiology, acupuncture and reflexology as therapeutic actions of nursing. At last, the study emphasizes the relevance of the technical-specific application in the development of nursing activities and the consequent effect in the nursing care.

Transport of magnesium by two isoforms of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger expressed in CCL39 fibroblasts.

Cytoplasmic concentrations of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) were measured with fluorescent indicators in CCL39 cells, a cell line established from Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts, transfected with complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger isolated either from canine heart (NCX1) or from rat brain (NCX3). Raising extracellular [Mg2+] to 10 mM increased Mg2+ influx and the resultant change in [Mg2+]i (delta[Mg2+]i) was monitored with furaptra under Ca2+-free conditions. In control (vector-transfected) cells, delta[Mg2+]i at 45 min was similar with or without extracellular Na+ (130 mM or 0 mM) and when [Na+]i was raised by 1 mM ouabain treatment. delta[Mg2+]i in NCX1-transfected cells was attenuated significantly in the presence of 130 mM Na+, but became comparable to (or slightly larger than) that in control cells on either removal of extracellular Na+ or treatment with 1 mM ouabain. Cells expressing NCX3 showed an intermediate dependence of delta[Mg2+]i on Na+, probably reflecting a lower degree of expression of the exchanger protein. Extracellular Na+-dependent changes in [Ca2+]i (measured with fura-2 in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and 10 microM ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore) were minimal in control cells, marked in the NCX1-transfected cells and intermediate in the NCX3-transfected cells. These results suggest that the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (either NCX1 or NCX3) can transport Mg2+ and may play a role in the extrusion of magnesium from cells.

The amino acid sequence of a Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitor from faba beans (Vicia faba L.).

The amino acid sequence of a Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitor (FBI) from seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) was determined by analysis of peptide fragments generated by reduction and S-carboxymethylation of enzymatically modified inhibitors, which were obtained from native FBI by limited proteolysis with TPCK-trypsin or TLCK-chymotrypsin at pH 3.5. The established sequence showed that FBI is highly homologous with Vicia angustifolia inhibitor (VAI0 but lacks the portion corresponding to the C-terminal 9 amino acids of VAI. The trypsin reactive-site peptide bond in FBI was also indicated to be Lys(16)-Ser(17) and the chymotrypsin reactive-site peptide bond to be Tyr(42)-Ser(43) by limited proteolysis with TPCK-trypsin or TLCK-chymotrypsin and by sequence comparison with other Bowman-Birk type inhibitors.

[A case of ankylosing spondylitis complicating Crohn's disease].

A 20-year-old man, who had suffered from ankylosing spondylitis for about 1 year, was admitted to our hospital due to melena and syncope. Physical examination revealed tenderness of abdomen and sacroiliac joint, and decreased spinal mobility. X-ray examination showed sacroiliitis and squaring of vertebral bodies. RA test and RAHA, negative; CRP, strongly positive; HLA-B 27 positive. Intestinal barium enema revealed skipping longitudinal fissure at terminal ileum, and a biopsy specimen of the colon revealed non-caseating granuloma. The association of ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease has widely been known in Europe and United States; but this is the first case reported in detail in Japan, where incidences of both diseases were much lower than those found in Caucasians.

Therapeutic abortions in California.

Therapeutic abortions in California have increased from 5,030 in 1968 to 15,339 in 1969, and over 60,000 are estimated for 1970. Also, there are pronounced regional differences in therapeutic abortions relative to live births. In 1969 the San Francisco Bay Area had six times as many abortions (115 per 1000 births) as did the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (19). Preliminary figures for 1970 indicate this difference may be narrowed to a two-fold difference by the end of the year. Experience in other countries indicates morbidity and mortality risks are high in procedures done after the twelfth week, and in California one abortion in four is done after this period. Planning is needed to assure access to abortion services in all areas of the State and to meet the obligations of law and equity implicit in the Therapeutic Abortion Act. This should include counseling, follow-up, and referral services and not just the abortion procedure alone. Extension and more effective use of family planning services could substantially reduce unwanted pregnancies and the consequent demand for abortion. Efforts are also indicated to reduce the proportion of women terminating pregnancy after the twelfth week of gestation.Deaths associated with illegal abortions have decreased from 35 in 1966-1967 to 22 in 1968-1969. This is consistent with the view that the number of illegal abortions is decreasing.