Tribological interaction between polytetrafluoroethylene and silicon oxide surfaces.

We investigated the tribological interaction between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and silicon oxide surfaces. A simple rig was designed to bring about a friction between the surfaces via sliding a piece of PTFE on a thermally oxidized silicon wafer specimen. A very mild inclination (~0.5°) along the sliding motion was also employed in order to monitor the tribological interaction in a gradual manner as a function of increasing contact force. Additionally, some patterns were sketched on the silicon oxide surface using the PTFE tip to investigate changes produced in the hydrophobicity of the surface, where the approximate water contact angle was 45° before the transfer. The nature of the transferred materials was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XPS results revealed that PTFE was faithfully transferred onto the silicon oxide surface upon even at the slightest contact and SEM images demonstrated that stable morphological changes could be imparted onto the surface. The minimum apparent contact pressure to realize the PTFE transfer is estimated as 5 kPa, much lower than reported previously. Stability of the patterns imparted towards many chemical washing processes lead us to postulate that the interaction is most likely to be chemical. Contact angle measurements, which were carried out to characterize and monitor the hydrophobicity of the silicon oxide surface, showed that upon PTFE transfer the hydrophobicity of the SiO2 surface could be significantly enhanced, which might also depend upon the pattern sketched onto the surface. Contact angle values above 100° were obtained.

Changes in soil microbial biomass and aggregate stability under different land uses in the northeastern Turkey.

The characteristics of three neighboring soils from the NE of Turkey were evaluated in order to elucidate the effect of different land-use management on the soil aggregate stability and microbial biomass in Galyan-Atasu dam watershed. Three experimental sites corresponding to three land uses were selected. The first site is a hazelnut orchard (agriculture), the second site is a forest dominated by mature coniferous trees, and the third site is grassland. Soil aggregate stability values for the 1-2-mm aggregates increased from forest (lowest) to agriculture (highest) in the current study. The percentage of clay was highest in agriculture soils with 33.57 %, and overall stability values increased according to soil clay content. The lower aggregate stability in the forest soils probably reflects the highly silty texture soils with 11.95 % compared to agriculture and grassland. However, in our study, there were no significant correlations between aggregate stability and organic C concentrations either in cultivated or forested soils. Aggregate stability depended more on the organic matter content when the organic matter content was greater than 50 or 60 mg g(-1). Below that threshold, aggregate stability may be mainly related to clay content. Furthermore, the results confirmed that higher percentages of Cmic/Corg in agricultural soils are the result of more labile organic substrates maintained in the soil, allowing a higher microbial biomass C per unit of soil organic C. This work gives a better understanding of the relationships between land-use type and soil aggregation and allows to know the soil response to different types of management in humid environments.

The consistency of Gleason scores may effect the operation outcomes for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a single surgeon and a single pathologist data.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the effects of consistency in preoperative and postoperative Gleason scores to the operation outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 204 of 347 patients were included the study. 143 patients whose preoperative prostate biopsies were evaluated in the other Institute were not included into the study. The preoperative data of patients and operation outcomes were investigated from institute's files of patients. Patients were divided to three groups by using consistence of pre and postoperative Gleason scores. The tumor, node and metastasis classification were used for staging prostate cancer. RESULTS: Mean age was 63 and the mean PSA level was 11 ng/dl overall. In statistical analysis PSA levels, Gleason score and rate of positive score were significantly low in Group I (p < 0.05). As in operative data, nerve sparing surgical technique was performed statistical significance higher in Group 1 than other Groups. External bleeding rate of Group II was significantly lower than the other Groups. In univariate and multivariate analysis, postoperative pathologic stage was statistical significant for consistency of pre and postoperative Gleason scores. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Gleason scoring system is safe and usable for evaluating prostate biopsies and operative specimens. The consistency in pre and postoperative Gleason score effect the operation technique and also operation outcomes. Working with an experienced uro-pathologist provides to inform patients more accurate and better.

Clinical and prognostic importance of XIAP and USP8 in advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of the apoptosis regulators X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and ubiquitin specific protease 8 (USP8) with clinical parameters, survival and response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The study included 34 NSCLC patients (28 females, 6 males) and 44 healthy individuals (17 males, 27 females) as a control group. XIAP and USP8 levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The median serum XIAP level of the patients and the control group showed no significant difference. USP8 level was higher in patients than in controls (p<0.0001). In univariate analysis, there was no significant relationship between XIAP and USP8 serum levels and age, sex, performance status, weight loss, stage of disease, histopatological type and response to chemotherapy. Response to chemotherapy did not differ between the high and low XIAP and USP8 groups . There was no significant difference in progression- free survival (PFS) (p=0.432 and p=0.50, respectively) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.989 and p=0.90, respectively) between the low and high XIAP and USP8 groups. CONCLUSION: No relationship was found in serum XIAP and USP8 levels with clinical parameters, response to chemotherapy, PFS and OS in patients with advanced stages of NSCLC.

Long term experience in high grade glial tumors with temozolomide.

PURPOSE: Temozolomide is used concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) and as consolidation therapy in high grade gliomas (HGGs). In the present study we present our experience of long-term efficacy and toxicity of temozolomide in HGGs. METHODS: After surgery, temozolomide was administered at 75 mg/m(2) daily concurrently with RT, followed by 6 courses of consolidation therapy (150-200 mg/m(2) for 5 days every 28 days). RESULTS: A total of 172 patients with either glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (n= 142; 82.6%) or anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) (n= 30; 17.4%) were studied. The objective response rate (ORR) was 42.5%, including 12 (7%) complete responses (CRs) and 61 (35.5%) partial responses (PRs). In the GBM group, median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 9 and 16 months, respectively. In the AA group, median PFS and OS were 16 and 24 months, respectively. Three-year OS was 18.2% for GBM, and 39.4% for AA. In elderly patients (14.5%), median PFS and OS were 8 and 11 months respectively for both HGGs. Serious toxicities were mainly hematologic. CONCLUSION: Temozolomide is an effective agent in HGGs with favorable outcome and low toxicity profile even in advanced age.

Comparison of two techniques in posterior lens dislocations: Scleral suture fixation vs. modified Yamane intrascleral lens fixation.

PURPOSE: To compare the use of Yamane flanged intrascleral haptic fixation and scleral suture fixation (SSF) techniques in combination with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of posterior lens dislocations. METHODS: Patients who underwent PPV and scleral fixated IOL implantation due to subluxation/luxation of the crystalline lens/intraocular lens (IOL) were included in this retrospective study. The Yamane group included patients who underwent Yamane flanged intrascleral haptic fixation technique, while the SSF group consisted of patients who underwent conventional SSF. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations preoperatively and postoperatively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The Yamane group comprised of 39 eyes of 39 patients, and the SSF group included 35 eyes of 35 patients. Postoperative complications included hyphema (Yamane group: 2/39 (5.1%); SSF group: 0/35 (0%)) IOL decentration (Yamane group: 5/39 (12.8%); SSF group: 0/35 (0%)), corneal edema (Yamane group: 4/39 (10.2%); SSF group: 0/35 (0%)) cystoid macular edema (CME) (Yamane group: 1/39 (2.5%); SSF group: 3/35 (8.5%)) and retinal detachment (Yamane group: 1/39 (2.5%); SSF group: 1/35 (28.5%). The mean surgery time was significantly lower in the Yamane group compared with the SSF group (P<0.001). No cases of hypotony, conjunctival erosion, haptic exposure or endophthalmitis were encountered throughout follow-up. CONCLUSION: SSF remains a safe and effective technique for management of posterior lens dislocations. The Yamane intrascleral IOL fixation technique is an effective alternative to conventional SSF, which has a relatively steep learning curve. Postoperative complications, including IOL tilt and decentration, may be experienced in the initial cases.

Evaluating the effect of tumor size and sidedness on prognosis in stage 2 colon cancer: a retrospective population study.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of tumor size and tumor sidedness on prognosis in patients with stage 2 colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 501 patients diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer were evaluated retrospectively. It was evaluated whether the patients' age, gender, tumor differentiation, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, overall survival rate, and disease-free survival rate had any correlation with horizontal tumor diameter and tumor sidedness. In the ROC analysis performed to determine the cut-off value for the tumor diameter, which we think will predict survival, no significant results were obtained with maximum sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, the median value of the tumor diameter, which is 5 cm, was accepted as the cut-off value.  Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used for survival analysis and determination of prognostic factors. RESULTS: When the patients were evaluated in terms of tumor localization, 189 (37.7%) patients had right colon tumors and 312 (62.3%) patients had left colon tumors. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival according to tumor localization. When the patients were analyzed by dividing them into two groups according to the horizontal tumor size (<5 cm and ≥5 cm), no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) p=0.085, p=0.699, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the management of patients with stage 2 colon cancer requires a better understanding of tumor biology rather than features such as tumor size and localization.

Prognostic role of pre-operative serum ferritin level in stage 2 colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum ferritin level in patients with stage 2 colon cancer who underwent curative surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 120 patients who were stage 2 after curative surgery and whose ferritin levels were measured at the time of diagnosis without starting any treatment were analyzed. Demographic data such as age and gender, histopathological characteristics such as tumor size, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), number of removed lymph nodes, tumor grade, and clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital medical charts or electronic medical records. In the survival analysis, the cut-off level of ferritin was accepted as 150 ng/ml, which is the upper limit determined by the World Health Organization (WHO), as a prognostic factor. RESULTS: Fifty (41.7%) of the patients were female, 70 (58.3%) were male, and the median age was 63.5 (range 24-90) years. There was no significant difference between the low and high ferritin groups regarding age, gender, T stage, tumor localization, histological subtype, PNI, LVI, removal of less than 12 lymph nodes, and tumor size. Disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with high ferritin levels were worse than patients with low ferritin levels, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Serum ferritin level is an easily monitored, cost-effective, and reproducible marker. In this study we found that high ferritin level was associated with poor survival, although it was not statistically significant.

Phakic iris-claw IOL implantation, with Bursa technique, through a self-sealing scleral tunnel and without iridotomy or iridectomy.

PURPOSE: To present a novel technique for the implantation of phakic iris-claw intraocular lenses (IOL) in highly myopic cases. METHODS: Twelve cases, under the age of 40, with high myopia were included in this retrospective study. The mean follow-up span was 14.4+/-5.8 months. Phakic iris-claw IOL implantation was performed, through a 5.5 or 6.5 mm self sealing scleral tunnel with Bursa technique. No suturing and opening a peripheral iridectomy or iridotomy was required in our study. Pre- and postoperative patient evaluation included manifest and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), induced astigmatism, and intraocular pressure (IOP) assessments. RESULTS: All eyes gained one to nine lines of BCVA of the Snellen chart. The vector analysis revealed an induced astigmatism of 0.63 D. No significant IOP change was detected throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that nonfoldable iris fixated phakic IOL implantation, through a self-sealing incision with Bursa technique, is safe and requires no iridectomy or iridotomy in cases with deep anterior chambers.

Effect of oral gabapentin on the intraocular pressure and haemodynamic responses induced by tracheal intubation.

BACKGROUND: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation may cause undesirable increases in blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Gabapentin has been used effectively to attenuate the pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. We investigated whether the pre-treatment with gabapentin attenuates the IOP in addition to a haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. METHODS: Sixty ASA I-II patients were randomly allocated into two groups who received either gabapentin (800 mg) or placebo 2 h before surgery. IOP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR were measured before and after the induction of anaesthesia as well as at 0, 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 min following intubation. RESULTS: IOP and MAP increased from baseline immediately after intubation in the placebo group (P=0.001 and 0.002, respectively). When compared with the placebo group, IOP values of the gabapentin group were significantly lower for the first 15 min after tracheal intubation (P=0.002 at 0 min, P=0.006 at 1 min, P<0.001 at 3 min, P<0.001 at 5 min, P<0.001 at 10 min and P=0.003 at 15 min) while MAP was lower in the first 10 min (P=0.001 at 0 min, P=0.002 at 1 min, P<0.001 at 3 min, P<0.001 at 5 min and P=0.028 at 10 min). These results showed that gabapentin effectively suppresses the increase in IOP secondary to endotracheal intubation and attenuates the increases in MAP. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that gabapentin is a useful adjuvant in order to prevent an increase in the IOP in response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

Modifying the position of cataract incisions in triple procedure.

PURPOSE: The authors present a surgical technique for enhancing the visualization of the lens capsule by lamellar corneal dissection and performing phacoemulsification through the partially trephined recipient bed in eyes undergoing penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery. METHODS: First, the cornea was thinned by lamellar dissection in 11 patients undergoing triple procedure (penetrating keratoplasty, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation). After continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) was performed in the closed system, phacoemulsification was carried out through the incisions that were created on the partially trephined recipient bed. The trephination was completed by excising the remaining corneal tissue and intraocular lens was implanted. At the end of the surgery, donor cornea was sutured into the recipient bed. RESULTS: The cataract surgery was performed in a closed system and the cataract incision places were removed at the end of the surgery; therefore both CCC and phacoemulsification could be completed easily without any intraoperative complication in 11 eyes of 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification, through the recipient bed that is thinned by lamellar dissection, could be safely performed in a short time, under good view of the lens.

Long-term results of a suture burial technique.

PURPOSE: To report the long-term (minimum 24 months of follow-up) results of a scleral suture fixation technique. METHODS: Surgical databases from one surgeon were reviewed for consecutive cases from March 2003 to August 2005 in which the scleral suture fixation technique was used and a minimum follow-up of 24 months was completed. In this study, by knotting the suture onto itself, the author has buried the end and the knot of the suture into the sclera for scleral fixation, to stay put within the sclera. Intraoperative technical complications, postoperative visual outcomes, intraocular pressures, and suture-related complications were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 150 scleral-sutured free suture ends were evaluated after a minimum 24 months of follow-up in 75 eyes of 75 patients. No technical or suture-related complications (suture exposure, irritation, granulomas, giant papillary conjunctivitis, suture abscess) were recorded throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up of the suture burial technique - which allows avoidance of scleral incision, flap, or tunnel formation, as well as patch grafts for scleral fixation of intraocular lenses - showed it to be safe and effective.

Alteration of surfactant protein A expression in renal cell carcinoma.

Surfactant protein-A (SP-A) belongs to a family of collagen-containing C-type lectins called collectins. SP-A is expressed by renal tubule epithelial cells. We investigated the distribution of SP-A in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) using immunohistochemical techniques and western blotting. We used 35 formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) RCC tissue samples. We compared results with clinico-pathological parameters of RCC including age, sex, Fuhrman grade, tumor volume, tumor node metastasis (TNM) and clinical stage. SP-A was localized in the glomerulus and renal tubule epithelium in nontumor tissue and strong SP-A immunoreactivity was observed in tumor tissue. SP-A was expressed in the RCC tumor cells (64%) and nontumor cells (34%) in males and RCC tumor cells (90%) and nontumor cells (30%) in females. There was a significant correlation between SP-A immunoreactivity in tumor cells and gender, age, tumor diameter, Fuhrman grade and tumor diameter. Western blot analysis supported the immunohistochemical findings. We present evidence for involvement of SP-A in RCC and suggest that increased SP-A expression in RCC is associated with favorable prognosis.

Adenovirus-mediated IKKbetaKA expression sensitizes prostate carcinoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Despite the fact that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells, TRAIL resistance in cancer cells has challenged the use of TRAIL as a therapeutic agent. First, prostate carcinoma cell lines (DU145, LNCaP and PC3) were screened for sensitivity to adenovirus delivery of TRAIL (Ad5hTRAIL). As amplified Ikappa B kinase (IKK) activity is responsible for the constitutive nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation leading to uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis, a dual vector approach using both an adenovirus vector (Ad) expressing the dominant-negative mutant of IKKbeta (AdIKKbetaKA) and Ad5hTRAIL was employed to determine if prostate cancer cells were sensitized to TRAIL in the setting of IKK inhibition. Inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway through IKK blockade sensitized all three prostate cancer cell lines to TRAIL, regardless of NF-kappaB activation or decoy receptor gene expression. Moreover, a novel quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay and conventional flow cytometry analysis indicated that TRAIL-resistant DU145 and LNCaP cells, but not TRAIL-sensitive PC3 cells, expressed substantial amounts of TRAIL Decoy Receptor 4. In conclusion, TRAIL decoy receptor expression appeared to be the chief determinant of TRAIL resistance encountered in prostate carcinoma cell lines.

Microincisional cataract surgery (MICS) with pulse and burst modes.

PURPOSE: To compare the amount of ultrasound (US) energy and balanced solution (BS) required for burst mode and pulse mode during bimanual phacoemulsification surgery. METHODS: One hundred cases were divided into two groups (the pulse mode Group 1 [50 eyes], the burst mode Group 2 [50 eyes]). One surgeon (M.B.) performed phaco notemulsification procedures using topical anesthesia with the AMO Sovereign in all patients. The technique was based on the nuclear hardness and surgeon's criteria and performed bimanually. The surgery time, total ultrasound time (UST) and effective US power (USP), and used balanced solution (BS) were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: The mean surgery time, mean UST, and mean used BS volume were not statistically different in both groups (p>0.05). The mean EPT was statistically highly different in both groups (p>0.001). There was a slight tendency toward more surgery time in Group 2 than in Group 1, although the difference was not significant (p=0.146). Statistically significant higher results (Group 1: r=0,889, p<0.001, and Group 2: r=0,834, p<0.001) were seen in Group 1 when both groups were evaluated for the surgery time and used BS volume. When UST and used BS volume were evaluated in Groups 1 and 2, significant relation was seen in both but the correlation is statistically higher in Group 1 (Group 1: r=0,765, p<0.001, and Group 2: r=0,544, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The very low energy modes with the WhiteStar technology are suitable for bimanual cataract surgery.

Are normal hemodynamic responses invariably associated with normal penile rigidity and potency?

The existence and importance of patients with low penile buckling pressure and normal penile hemodynamic status have been recently recognized. We assessed the ratio of inadequate erection for vaginal penetration (low buckling pressure) in patients with normal penile vascular system proved with penile Doppler ultrasonography. A total of 101 patients with normal penile vascular status were retrospectively scrutinized dependent on penile axial rigidity (buckling pressure). Ninety patients had sufficient penile axial rigidity (> or = 550 g) whereas in the remaining 11 patients (11%) inadequate penile buckling pressure for vaginal penetration (< 550 g) was determined. Penile geometric and mechanical properties should not be overlooked during the evaluation of penile vascular system lest the patient be incorrectly diagnosed as having psychogenic impotence.

Relationship between apoptosis regulator proteins (bcl-2 and p53) and Gleason score in prostate cancer.

Cellular proliferation programmed cell death (apoptosis) are associated with tumor growth in general, and prostate cancer growth in particular. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of the apoptosis regulating genes bcl-2 and p53 and Gleason score in core needle biopsy specimens of prostate cancer using immunohistochemistry. We studied bcl-2 and p53 expression in 12 cases of low grade (Gleason score 2-5), 12 cases of intermediate grade (Gleason score 6-7) and 8 cases of high grade (Gleason score 8-10) prostate cancer. Overexpression of bcl-2 was noted in 3 of 32 patients (9.32%). One of them was high grade; others were intermediate grades. Expression of p53 was observed in 3 of low grades; others were high grade. The statistical analysis of present data suggest that there is no significant relation between p53 and bcl-2 expression and Gleason score in prostate cancer.

The effect of anterior chamber maintainer on anterior chamber contamination.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of anterior chamber continuous infusion maintainer system on the contamination of anterior chamber in phacoemulsification surgery. METHODS: Clear corneal phacoemulsification surgery was performed in 132 eyes of 132 randomly selected patients with cataract who were divided into two groups of 66 eyes according to the use of an anterior chamber maintainer (ACM) system. The fluid specimens were taken from anterior chamber in the beginning and at the end of the surgery. They were transferred under anaerobic conditions and investigated by culturing onto blood agar and thiogluconate broth media. Differences between the two groups with respect to contamination of the specimens were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of the group undergoing surgery without a maintainer system (Group A) was 63 +/- 10 years (min = 41, max = 80) versus 59 +/- 10 years (min = 33, max = 80) in the other group (Group B) in which the maintainer was used during surgery. In the postoperative specimen, Micrococcus species were isolated from one eye (1.5%) in Group A and S. pyogenes in one eye (1.5%) from Group B. Mean follow-up interval was 12 +/- 6 (min = 4, max = 28) months. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ACM system in clear corneal phacoemulsification surgery carries no additional risks as far as contamination is concerned.

Morbidity associated with patient positioning in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of distal ureteral calculi.

In 115 patients with 123 distal ureteral stones located below the lower border of the sacroiliac joint, in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed with a Siemens Lithostar Lithotriptor. Our initial experience with the prone position in 8 out of 49 cases did not reveal stone fragmentation and on the final treatment sessions shock waves were allowed to enter via the obturator or sciatic foramen whilst the patients were in the supine position, in order to compare the results of treatments performed in both positions. The mean number of treatment sessions per patient, mean number of shock waves per treatment sessions, mean shock voltage per session and mean fluoroscopy time per session were significantly lower in the supine group than in the prone group (p < 0.05 for all variables). ESWL of the distal ureteral stones in the prone position seems to have an associated patient morbidity when we compare the results of treatments performed in both positions.

"In vitro" MRI findings of an agent can be used in the imaging of GABA receptors and similar agent's future projections.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze magnetic resonance imaging findings of gamma-amino butyric acid and gamma deuteroxy sodium butyrate and to evaluate possible "in vitro" and "in vivo" areas of use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Materials used included gamma-amino butyric acid and gamma deuteroxy sodium butyrate which is formed by the replacement of the deuteroxy group. An amino group in the gamma position of gamma-amino butyric acid was evaluated with a standard magnetic resonance device with the power of 1.5 Tesla and a brain coil. These findings have been compared. RESULTS: Gamma deuteroxy sodium butyrate has shown to have statistically different signals than gamma-amino butyric acid, 0.09 NaCl, distilled water and gadolinium chelates. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that "in vivo" studies should be conducted in addition to phantom studies; Deuterium imaging may be used with or without proton imaging with technical support. Other agents may be studied for "in vivo" use following the labeling with Deuterium.