Bone Subtraction Iodine Imaging Using Area Detector CT for Evaluation of Skull Base Invasion by Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conventional CT has generally lower detectability of bone marrow invasion than MR imaging due to lower tissue contrast. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of conventional CT alone or in combination with bone subtraction iodine imaging using area detector CT for the evaluation of skull base invasion in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four consecutive patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT using 320-row area detector CT and contrast-enhanced MR imaging for nasopharyngeal carcinoma staging between April 2012 and November 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Bone subtraction iodine images were generated by subtracting pre- and postcontrast volume scans using a high-resolution deformable registration algorithm. Two blinded observers evaluated skull base invasion at multiple sites (sphenoid body, clivus, bilateral base of the pterygoid process, and petrous bone) using conventional CT images alone or in combination with bone subtraction iodine images. Examination of MR and CT images by an experienced neuroradiologist was the reference standard for evaluating sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (59%) showed skull base invasion at 84 sites on the reference standard. Conventional CT plus bone subtraction iodine images showed higher sensitivity (92.9% versus 78.6%, P = .02) and specificity (95.6% versus 86.1%, P = .01) than conventional CT images alone for evaluating skull base invasion. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for conventional CT plus bone subtraction iodine (0.98) was significantly larger (P < .001) than the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for conventional CT alone (0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Conventional CT plus bone subtraction iodine performs more closely to the accuracy of combining CT and MR imaging compared with conventional CT alone.

Sensory evaluation and chemical analysis of exhaled and dermally emitted bioeffluents.

Conditions in which exhaled and dermally emitted bioeffluents could be sampled separately or together (whole-body emission) were created. Five lightly dressed males exhaled the air through a mask to another, identical chamber or without a mask to the chamber in which they were sitting; the outdoor air supply rate was the same in both chambers. The carbon dioxide concentration in the chamber with exhaled air was 2000 ppm. Chamber temperatures were 23°C or 28°C, and ozone was present or absent in the supply airflow. When dermally emitted bioeffluents were present, the perceived air quality (PAQ) was less acceptable, and the odor intensity was higher than when only exhaled bioeffluents were present. The presence or absence of exhaled bioeffluents in the unoccupied chamber made no significant difference to sensory assessments. At 28°C and with ozone present, the odor intensity increased and the PAQ was less acceptable in the chambers with whole-body bioeffluents. The concentrations of nonanal, decanal, geranylacetone, and 6-MHO were higher when dermally emitted bioeffluents were present; they increased further when ozone was present. The concentration of squalene then decreased and increased again at 28°C. Dermally emitted bioeffluents seem to play a major role in the sensory nuisance experienced when occupied volumes are inadequately ventilated.

Spectroscopic evidence for selenium(IV) dimerization in aqueous solution.

The aqueous speciation of selenium(iv) was elucidated by a combined approach applying quantum chemical calculations, infrared (IR), Raman, and (77)Se NMR spectroscopy. The dimerization of hydrogen selenite (HSeO3(-)) was confirmed at concentrations above 10 mmol L(-1) by both IR and NMR spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations provided the assignment of vibrational bands observed to specific molecular modes of the (HSeO3)2(2-) ion. The results presented will provide a better understanding of the chemistry of aqueous Se(iv) which is of particular interest for processes occurring at mineral/water interfaces.

Identification of qRBS1, a QTL involved in resistance to bacterial seedling rot in rice.

Bacterial seedling rot (BSR), a destructive disease of rice (Oryza sativa L.), is caused by the bacterial pathogen Burkholderia glumae. To identify QTLs for resistance to BSR, we conducted a QTL analysis using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from a cross between Nona Bokra (resistant) and Koshihikari (susceptible). Comparison of the levels of BSR in the CSSLs and their recurrent parent, Koshihikari, revealed that a region on chromosome 10 was associated with resistance. Further genetic analyses using an F5 population derived from a cross between a resistant CSSL and Koshihikari confirmed that a QTL for BSR resistance was located on the short arm of chromosome 10. The Nona Bokra allele was associated with resistance to BSR. Substitution mapping in the Koshihikari genetic background demonstrated that the QTL, here designated as qRBS1 (quantitative trait locus for RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL SEEDLING ROT 1), was located in a 393-kb interval (based on the Nipponbare reference genome sequence) defined by simple sequence repeat markers RM24930 and RM24944.

Enhanced biofilm formation and 3-chlorobenzoate degrading activity by the bacterial consortium of Burkholderia sp. NK8 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

AIMS: To characterize biofilm formation of a chlorobenzoates (CBs) degrading bacterium, Burkholderia sp. NK8, with another bacterial species, and the biodegradation activity against CBs in the mixed-species biofilm. METHODS AND RESULTS: Burkholderia sp. NK8 was solely or co-cultured with each of five other representative bacteria in microtitre dishes. Biofilm formation involving the strain NK8 was synergistically promoted by co-culturing with only Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Epifluorescent microscopy revealed that cells of the bacterial strain NK8 were viable and distributed randomly in the mixed-species biofilms. Enumeration of the attached cells on the surface of wells revealed that cells of the strain NK8 increased approx. 10-fold by the co-culture with the strain PAO1 compared to those by monoculture of the strain NK8, and the degradation activity of 3-chlorobenzoate by the dual-species biofilms was more promoted than that by the strain NK8-monocultured biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced biofilm formation of Burkholderia sp. NK8 by the bacterial consortium occurred, but is determined by the partner bacterial species. The mixed-species biofilms have the advantage to degrade CBs on a solid surface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides a significance of bacterial consortia on the biofilm formation and the degradation activity of Burkholderia sp. NK8, which contribute for complete degradation of chlorinated aromatics.

Biological and phylogenetic characterization of Fusarium oxysporum complex, which causes yellows on Brassica spp., and proposal of F. oxysporum f. sp. rapae, a novel forma specialis pathogenic on B. rapa in Japan.

Although the causal agent of yellows of Brassica rapa (turnip, pak choi, and narinosa) in Japan was reported in 1996 to be Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans, this classification has remained inconclusive because of a lack of detailed genetic and pathogenic studies. Therefore, we analyzed the taxonomic position of this organism using Japanese isolates of F. oxysporum complex obtained from diseased individuals of various B. rapa subspecies. Phylogenetic analyses using partial sequences of the rDNA intergenic spacer region and the mating-type gene (MAT1-1-1alpha-box) showed that B. rapa and cabbage isolates belong to different monophyletic clades that separated at early evolutionary stages. Additionally, correlations were observed between the molecular phylogeny and the vegetative compatibility groups. Isolates from turnip, komatsuna, and narinosa (B. rapa group) did not show pathogenicity against cabbage or broccoli (B. oleracea group), although they caused severe symptoms on their original host species. In contrast, cabbage isolates had significantly higher (P = 0.05) virulence on B. oleracea than on B. rapa crops. Our results indicate that F. oxysporum complex isolates from B. rapa and B. oleracea are not only phylogenetically distinct but also differ in host specificity. Therefore, we propose a novel forma specialis, F. oxysporum f. sp. rapae, which causes yellows on B. rapa, including turnip, komatsuna, pak choi, and narinosa.

Potential of plant extracts in combination with bacterial antagonist treatment as biocontrol agent of red rot of sugarcane.

Plant extracts and antifungal microorganisms were tested singly and in combination for biocontrol of sugarcane red rot disease (Colletotrichum falcatum) using two sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars, CoC671 and CoC92061, in pot and field experiments. Leaf extracts of Abrus precatorius and Bassia latifolia and the rhizome extract of Curcuma longa reduced Colletotrichum falcatum mycelial growth by 80%, 58%, and 57%, respectively. Although sugarcane- planting materials (setts) treated individually with either Pseudomonas fluorescens Md1 or A. precatorius in pot experiments had the lowest incidences of red rot, 20.1% and 24.2%, respectively, none of the plant extracts were effective in the field. In contrast, when the two varieties were tested separately in two field locations, the setts treated with A. precatorius in combination with a spray or soil application of P. fluorescens Md1 had the lowest incidence of red rot in both locations, e.g., 3.1% and 3.4% incidence for CoC92061 in one location, and had a similar response to the chemical control. The results suggest the applicability of plant-based extracts for the suppression of sugarcane red rot disease in the field as an environment-friendly tool in combination with antagonists.

Low amplification and fast visual pigment phosphorylation as mechanisms characterizing cone photoresponses.

Vertebrate cone photoreceptors are known to show lower light sensitivity and briefer photoresponses than rod photoreceptors. To understand the molecular mechanisms characterizing cone photoresponses, we compared some of the reactions in the phototransduction cascade between rods and cones. For this purpose, rods and cones were obtained in quantities large enough to do biochemical studies. The cells were purified from the retina of carp (Cyprinus carpio) with a stepwise Percoll gradient. The purified rod fraction contained almost no other kinds of cells besides rods, and the purified cone fraction contained a mixture of red-, green-, and blue-sensitive cones in the ratio 3: approximately 1: approximately 1. We prepared membrane preparations from the rod and the cone fraction, and in these membranes, we measured activation efficiencies of the reactions in the phototransduction cascade. The results showed that the signal amplification is lower in the cone membranes, which accounts for the lower light sensitivity in cones. Furthermore, we measured the time courses of visual pigment phosphorylation. The result showed that the phosphorylation is much faster in the cone membranes, which also explains the lower light sensitivity and, in addition, the briefer photoresponse in cones.

[Remyelination by Schwann cell transplantation for CNS demyelinated axons: functional comparison with developmental myelination].

Transplantation of Schwann cells(SCs) induced remyelination of demyelinated rat dorsal column(DC) axons and improved conduction. To investigate the difference between developmental oligodendrocytic myelination and SC myelination in conductive functions of axons, we compared normally developmental DCs(10 days old, 22-23 days old, and adult rat), demyelinated DCs, and remyelinated DCs by SC transplantation. DCs of adult rats were demyelinated at T 11 by X-ray irradiation and ethidium bromide, and transplanted with SCs(3 x 10(4)) of adult rats. Three weeks later, the spinal cord was removed and pinned in a recording chamber and compound action potentials (CAPs) were recorded, to investigate conduction properties(conduction velocity, amplitude of CAP and response after high frequency stimulation). Normal DCs were recorded in same manner. Following transplantation of SCs, histological examination revealed SC-like patterns of remyelination of demyelinated axons. The conduction velocities of 10 days old DCs(1.7 +/- 3.4 m/s, n = 4) increased early to 8.1 +/- 3.3 m/s(22-23 days old, n = 7) and 12.2 +/- 1.5 m/s (adult, n = 5). After SC transplantation the velocity significantly improved 7.7 +/- 1.5 m/s(n = 5) compared to demyelinated axons(1.2 +/- 0.4 m/s, n = 7), but less than adult. A 600 Hz 0.5 sec stimulus train led to an amplitude decrement of 7.1 +/- 7.5%(n = 7) in demyelinated axons. Following transplantation, amplitude decreased in 66.2 +/- 11.9%(SC, n = 5), same as 22-23 days(71.7 +/- 11.7%, n = 7) old or adult(76.6 +/- 15.6%, n = 6). The recovery properties after high frequency stimulation developed earlier than conduction velocity. Following SC transplantation, the recovery properties improved to that of normal adult, but not conduction velocity. Lower conduction velocity may be due to shorter internode distance of remyelination after transplantation, same as 22-23 days old pups, than normal adult rats. Though anatomical difference and/or time after transplantation influenced the conduction, these result suggested SC remyelination might result in insufficient for conduction velocity.

Reappraisal of single-sample and gamma camera methods for determination of the glomerular filtration rate with 99mTc-DTPA.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical validity of single-sample methods and gamma camera uptake methods with 99mTc-DTPA for the estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The study was performed in 50 patients with various degrees of renal function (29 males and 21 females; age 27-90 yrs; serum creatinine level 0.34-6.49 mg/dl). As a reference the "true" GFR (GFRt) was determined from plasma clearance by means of the two compartment model curve fitting 10 plasma samples. The GFRt of more than 30 ml/min in 46 patients was compared to the GFR which was estimated with 7 single-sample methods, two gamma camera uptake methods and 24-hour endogenous creatinine clearance (24hCcr). Close correlation was observed in all single-sample methods. The highest linear correlation was observed in the Christensen and Groth's method rewritten by Watson for a 180-min plasma sample (r = 0.991, see = 5.84 ml/min). The smallest random error was observed in the Groth and Aasted's method for a 180-min plasma (r = 0.989, see = 4.31 ml/min/1.73 m2). Our method was lowest in % absolute difference analysis (mean = 4.10%). The gamma camera uptake methods correlated significantly with the GFRt (r = 0.746-0.774), but were less reliable than any of the single-sample methods (see = 15.41 ml/min-19.14 ml/min). The lowest correlation was observed in the 24hCcr (r = 0.698, see = 50.76 ml/min/1.73 m2). The single-sample method was more accurate than the gamma camera method, and the gamma camera method was more accurate than 24hCcr. The single-sample method should be recommended for the accurate determination of the GFR with 99mTc-DTPA in a patient with mild to moderate renal dysfunction.

[Single-blood-sample method for the determination of glomerular filtration rate using 99mTc-DTPA in Japanese].

The study was aimed to evaluate glomerular filtration rate with 99mTc-DTPA by means of a single-plasma-sample method in Japanese. Three were 50 patients (29 males and 21 females, age range being 25 to 91 years) with diabetes mellitus of various degree of the renal function. 99mTc-DTPA of 300 MBq/2 ml that was prepared in our hospital was injected. Dynamic renal scintigraphy was carried out and 10 blood samples were taken after the injection. Blood clearance (true GFR) of 99mTc-DTPA was determined from plasma concentration which was fitted to the biexponential curve by a non-linear least squares method. Plasma concentration (ml/min/1.73 m2) after 75 min-post injection showed very higher linear regression and linear correlation with true GFR than 0.900. The best linear regression and linear correlation was observed with 180 min-sample (r = 0.989). As general, the following equation was obtained; Y = A + Bln(X), A = 436.1217 - 3.45817t + 0.01205t2 - 0.000015t3, B = -212.601 + 1.42518t - 0.04834t2 + 0.0000062t3, X = plasma concentration at sampling time t (%ID/L/1.73 m2), t = sampling time from 75 to 300 min (r > 0.900). This is the new equation of single-plasma-sample method for the determination of GFR using 99mTc-DTPA for Japanese. The clinical feasibility should be accessed in a field of a nuclear medicine practice.

Isolation and characterization of IS1416 from Pseudomonas glumae, a new member of the IS3 family.

Isolation and characterization of four different insertion sequence (IS) elements from Pseudomonas glumae MAFF 302744 through transposition into the entrapment vector pSHI1063 are described. One of the elements, IS1416, was further characterized. IS1416 is 1322 bp long and carries 29-bp terminal inverted repeats flanked by a 3-bp direct duplication. IS1416 contains three open reading frames (ORFs), which are designated ORFA1, ORFA2, and ORFB, on one strand. Both DNA sequence of IS1416 and the deduced amino acid sequences of its ORFs strongly suggest that IS1416 is a member of the IS3 family, and is closely related to IS401 from Pseudomonas cepacia and IS51 from Pseudomonas syringae. To our knowledge, IS1416 is the first IS element isolated from P. glumae. The gene organization and possible regulation of transposition functions of IS1416 are also discussed.

Family characteristics and offspring growth in various countries. II. Stature of offsprings in various families in Japan and Korea.

The stature of 1219 offspring was examined in 578 families in Japan, and of 672 offspring in 265 families in Republic of Korea. Several traits of parents were investigated, on which using factor analysis four latent factors were extracted. In Japan they consisted of parent's age at child birth (F1), culture level and income (F2), family and apartment size (F3), and genetic factor (F4). The same factors were identified in Korea, but the first two in reverse order. The value of each factor was coded as one when below the median and as 2 when above the median. Using this code, 16 family types were distinguished ranging from 1111 to 2222. The stature of offspring was recalculated in age-independent T-scores. In Japan, family types "maximizing" the stature of offspring were 1122 for boys and 1222 for girls, whereas in Korea 1222 for both sexes, opposite were "minimizing". In the rich populations representing the civilization of the Far East, the factors promoting tall stature of offspring included the low culture-income factor and large family, thus the factors promoting short stature in poor Polish populations belonging to the Western civilization. It is not clear whether this could have been related to the economic status or to different civilization systems.

Family characteristics and offspring growth in various countries. III. Regression of offspring's stature in relation to parent's and family's factors in Japan and Korea.

1219 offspring 2-48 years old were examined in 578 Japanese and in 672 Korean families. To obtain age-independent values, we used 100-point T-scores. A multiple regression analysis, shows that the (tall) stature of Japanese offspring dependent on the genetic factor (tall stature of parents) in about 13%, on (large) family and apartment size in 0.4-1.5%, for sons also on (good) education and income of parents in 0.72%, and for daughters on (young) age of parents at child birth. In Korea, the (tall) stature of offspring was significantly related to the genetic factor (tall parents), which explained 1.8% of the variance for sons and 13% for daughters, and also to the (large) family apartment size, which explained 2.6% of the variance for sons and 0.84% for daughters. These results show in a different light the results obtained from the analysis of family types, and they provide evidence for the importance of the analysis of sets of traits in the form of family types, going beyond the importance of other multivariate techniques.

Family characteristics and offspring growth in various countries. I. Frequency of various family types in Bulgaria, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Poland.

9936 families were analyzed from Bulgaria, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Poland. A factor analysis revealed four factors: culture (F1), income (F2), genetics (F3), and family and apartment size (F4). Family types we coded as 1 if below the median and 2 if above the median. The most frequent types were represented by 1122, 2221, and 2211 (frequency 8.7-8.0%), and the least frequent by 1221 and 2111 (frequency 4.2-4.3%). Some similarity with respect to family types were found between populations: from Polish regions with heavy industry and seaside regions; from Polish towns under industrialization and from Mexico; from the Polish medium-size town of Lublin and Bulgarian towns; from Polish villages; from Polish mountain areas and north-eastern towns; from Korea; from Japan; from Polish cities.

Beneficial effects of TCV-309, a novel potent and selective platelet activating factor antagonist in endotoxin and anaphylactic shock in rodents.

Pharmacological profiles of a novel specific platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist, TCV-309 (3-bromo-5-[N-phenyl-N-[2-[2- (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-isoquinolycarbonyloxy)ethyl] carbamoyl]ethyl] carbamoyl]-1-propylpyridinium nitrate] and its beneficial effects in shock were examined. TCV-309 specifically inhibited PAF-induced aggregation of rabbit and human platelets, and [3H]PAF binding to rabbit platelet microsomes with IC50 values of 33, 58 and 27 nM, respectively. It was as potent as WEB 2086 and more potent than CV-6209 and CV-3988. TCV-309 did not cause hemolysis in human or rat blood due to a detergent-like action. In rats, TCV-309 selectively inhibited the PAF-induced hypotension, hemoconcentration and death with ED50 values of 2.7, 6.4 and 1.7 micrograms/kg (i.v.), respectively. TCV-309 most potently protected mice from death induced by PAF and due to anaphylactic shock with ED50 values of 2.1 and 2.6 micrograms/kg (i.v.), respectively, when compared with CV-3988, CV-6209, WEB 2086 (i.v.) and L-652731 (p.o.). TCV-309 also reversed PAF-induced hypotension and endotoxin-induced hypotension in rats with ED50 values of 3.3 and 1.2 micrograms/kg (i.v.), respectively. There was a significant linear relationship between the ability (ED50 value) of these PAF antagonists to prevent death induced by PAF and death due to anaphylactic shock in mice, and between their reversing ability (ED50 value) for the hypotension induced by PAF and endotoxin in rats. TCV-309 (100 micrograms/kg i.v.) protected rats from death induced by endotoxin. Thus, PAF may be a lethal mediator in anaphylactic shock and a hypotensive mediator in endotoxin shock in rodents.