Development of high-order harmonic focusing system based on ellipsoidal mirror.

We have developed a focusing system for extreme ultraviolet light produced by high-order harmonic generation. An ellipsoidal mirror with a precise surface shape was fabricated and installed into the focusing system. A rigid mirror manipulator and a beam profiler were employed to perform precise and stable mirror alignment. As a demonstration of the focusing performance, high-order harmonics in the wavelength range of 13.5-19.5 nm were successfully focused into a 2.4 × 2.3 µm(2) spot.

Measurement of z-direction component of electron spins field-emitted from a single-crystal magnetite whisker.

A 90° sector type spin rotator was developed for measurement of the z-direction component of a spin polarization, which is parallel to the emitter axis. The rotator enables us to measure all components of electron spins field-emitted from a single crystalline magnetite. In-plane component of spin polarization dominated of field-emitted electrons from single crystalline magnetite whisker, thus it is suggested that the magnetization of the magnetite whisker results from the anisotropy of crystalline structure rather than its shape.

One-dimensional Wolter optics with a sub-50 nm spatial resolution.

We studied an imaging system consisting of an elliptical mirror and a hyperbolic mirror [i.e., one-dimensional (1D) Wolter optics] to realize an achromatic full-field hard x-ray microscopy with a resolution better than 50 nm. We report the performance of this 1D Wolter optical system when the mirrors were ultraprecisely figured by elastic emission machining. Experiments to form a demagnified image (demagnification factor of 385) of a 10 µm slit were conducted at an x-ray energy of 11.5 keV at BL29XUL of SPring-8. The system could form a demagnified image with a resolution better than 50 nm over a 12.1 µm field.

Formation of nanocrystalline copolymer thin film PVDF-TrFE and its ferroelectric electron emission property.

Ferroelectric copolymer thin film PVDF-TrFE was deposited by spin coating method, and then annealed for the improved crystallization. The XRD and AFM measurements showed that as-formed PVDF-TrFE thin film was composed of the nanocrystallines with 50-80 nm in size and some amorphous phases. Meanwhile, as-formed PVDF-TrFE thin films also show a good polarization inversion property with a switch current of approximately 2.0 microA at a coercive field 40 MV/m. Electron emission testing results showed that under a continuous excitation of applied voltage pulses, PVDF-TrFE thin films exhibited an expected electron emission ability with emission current range of 0.08-0.52 microA, and the related electron emission mechanism was discussed.

Physiochemical properties of generic formulations of tacrolimus in Mexico.

Tacrolimus is an important immunosuppressive agent used to prevent allograft rejection after transplantation. Tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic index; therefore, it is essential that the physicochemical properties of generic formulations be identical to the brand-name formulation, Prograf. In this study, the physicochemical properties of generic tacrolimus formulations were compared with Prograf. The drug dissolution profiles of generic formulations of tacrolimus were different from that of Prograf. Tacrobell and T-Inmun exhibited faster dissolution than Prograf, and Tenacrine, Framebin, and Talgraf showed slower and incomplete drug dissolution, releasing 24% to 51% of tacrolimus within 2 hours. Generic formulations of tacrolimus demonstrated decreased solubility compared with Prograf. The solubility of Prograf was 35.7 microg/mL at 2 hours and 29.5 microg/mL at 24 hours. The solubility of Tenacrine, Framebin, and Talgraf at 2 hours was 5.5, 12.6, and 7.8 microg/mL, respectively, and the solubility decreased to 0.5, 2.3, and 2.1 microg/mL, respectively, at 24 hours. Whereas Prograf demonstrated content uniformity, the content of the generic tacrolimus formulations varied widely. The standard deviation of content for Tenacrine, Tacrobell, and T-Inmun were high at 29.3, 6.9, and 5.6, respectively. Furthermore, the mean percentage of labeled amount of T-Inmun was 84.2% with a relative standard deviation of 6.7% (minimum value; 72.7%; maximum value; 100.7%). These results indicate that generic formulations of tacrolimus tested in this study are not bioequivalent to Prograf, which suggests that their use may be of potential risk to transplant patients.

Transcatheter embolization of pulmonary artery false aneurysm associated with primary pulmonary hypertension.

A 29-year-old woman with primary pulmonary hypertension presented with recurrent hemoptysis. Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest demonstrated the enhanced mass surrounded by consolidation related to parenchymal hemorrhage. Pulmonary angiography suggested that the mass was a pulmonary artery false aneurysm. After a microcatheter was superselectively inserted into the parent artery of the false aneurysm, the false aneurysm was successfully treated by transcatheter embolization with coils. Her hemoptysis has never recurred.

Recanalization 24 months after endovascular repair of a large internal iliac artery aneurysm with use of stent-graft.

An 83-year-old man with a large internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) was treated with the use of stent-graft, suggesting successful results at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. However, 24-month follow-up computed tomography showed minor peripheral opacification of the IIAA. The patient underwent surgical endoaneurysmorrhaphy. No previous report of long-term recanalization of a satisfactorily thrombosed iliac artery aneurysm at 2 years or more after stent-grafting has been previously reported. Further follow-up studies need to be performed on the present procedure before anyone can confidently recommend it in regard to its long-term safety.

Altered hepatic hemodynamics caused by temporary occlusion of the right hepatic vein: evaluation with Doppler US in 14 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate with Doppler ultrasonography (US) the altered hepatic hemodynamics caused by temporary occlusion of the right hepatic vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 14 patients being considered for hepatic arterial infusion or transarterial embolization. In all patients, maximum peak velocity of the blood flow in the right portal vein was measured with Doppler US before and during the occlusion of the right hepatic vein. In 13 patients, color Doppler US was performed to evaluate Doppler signal in the portal venous branch in the occluded area before and during occlusion. Average peak velocity in the right hepatic artery in eight patients was measured by using a transducer-tipped guide wire before and during occlusion. RESULTS: Maximum peak velocity of the right portal vein significantly decreased with occlusion (P <.01). Hepatic venous occlusion changed the Doppler signal in the portal venous branch in the occluded area from hepatopetal to no signal in 10 patients; to weakened hepatopetal in two; and to hepatofugal in one. Average peak velocity of the right hepatic artery showed a decrease or plateau for 15-30 seconds after the start of occlusion and then a rapid increase to reach a plateau at around 75-90 seconds, with 1.5-2 times as much velocity as that before occlusion. CONCLUSION: Increase in hepatic arterial velocity is accompanied by a decrease in the portal velocity with temporary occlusion of the right hepatic vein; the expected increased drainage through the portal vein was almost undetectable.

Evaluation of hepatic functional reserve in rats with obstructive jaundice by asyaloglycoprotein receptor.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Until now, there has been no adequate means of evaluating the liver functional reserve in cases with obstructive jaundice. 99mTC-GSA (99mTechnetium-DTPA-Galactosyl-human serum albumin) is a new liver-imaging agent which binds specifically to the asyaloglycoprotein-receptor on the membrane of hepatocytes. So, the liver imaging by GSA excludes the influence of the reticuloendothelial system. Therefore, the uptake of 99mTC-GSA is considered to be a useful method for the estimation of liver functional reserve in cases with obstructive jaundice. METHODOLOGY: In this study, we examined the uptake rate and specific binding capacities of 99mTC-GSA to receptors on the membrane of hepatocytes following 1, and 2 weeks of bile-duct ligation and 1 week after reduction of jaundice using the rat model. RESULTS: The hepatic uptake rate decreased as the period of jaundice was prolonged and returned to nearly normal by the reduction of jaundice. The value of specific binding capacities at 2 weeks after bile-duct ligation decreased significantly compared to the value of the control and the reduced group (P < 0.05). The cause of decrease in specific binding capacities was indicated as the decrease of affinity constant especially in the high affinity part. These results coincide with the change of binding capacities of insulin and glucagon receptors with obstructive jaundice, which accurately reflect the severity of hepatocyte injury. CONCLUSIONS: Taking together these results, 99mTC-GSA liver scintigraphy is thought to be a useful method to evaluate the liver functional reserve in cases with jaundice.

p48 subunit of mouse PTF1 binds to RBP-Jkappa/CBF-1, the intracellular mediator of Notch signalling, and is expressed in the neural tube of early stage embryos.

BACKGROUND: Development of the pancreas and the nervous tissues is regulated by common transcription factors. A basic helix-loop-helix protein, p48 of pancreas transcription factor 1 (PTF1), is essential for differentiation of the exocrine acinar cells. RESULTS: We isolated PTF1 p48 from 9.5-day mouse embryos as a binding protein of RBP-Jkappa, a mediator of Notch signalling. p48 bound to RBP-Jkappa more strongly than and in a distinct way from Notch1. In 9.5-12.5 day embryos, p48 was expressed in the dorsal part of the neural tube as well as in the pancreatic buds. Two lines of evidence suggested functions of p48 in neurogenesis: (i) expression of p48 was induced in P19 cells when they committed to neural fate upon retinoic acid treatment, and (ii) p48 over-expressed in Xenopus embryos repressed the development of neuronal precursors. p48 inhibited the MASH1-activated transcription from the E-box, while p48 stimulated transcription from the PTF1 motif synergistically with E47. The p48/E47-activated transcription from the PTF1 motif was stimulated further by RBP-Jkappa and RBP-Jkappa derivatives that mimicked the active RBP-Jkappa/Notch complex. CONCLUSIONS: In developing embryos, p48 is expressed in both the nervous system and the pancreas. p48 inhibits neuronal differentiation. We propose possible mechanisms for this inhibition.

Antagonistic Actions in Vivo of (23S)-25-Dehydro-1alpha-Hydroxyvitamin D(3-)26,23-Lactone on Calcium Metabolism Induced by 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3).

The vitamin D analog, (23S)-25-dehydro-1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-26,23-lactone (TEI-9647), is an antagonist of the 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)] nuclear receptor (VDR)-mediated differentiation of human leukemia (HL-60) cells. To clarify whether TEI-9647 could function as an antagonist of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) in vivo, we investigated in vitamin D-deficient (-D) rats the effects of single doses of TEI-9647 on several parameters of calcium metabolism modulated by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). TEI-9647 (50 microgram/kg iv) acting alone slightly, but significantly, stimulated intestinal calcium transport (ICA) and bone calcium mobilization (BCM) only at 8 h, but not at 24 h. In contrast, TEI-9647 dose-dependently inhibited ICA and BCM stimulated by an iv dose of 0.25 microgram/kg 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) after 24 h, but not after 8 h. With respect to serum PTH levels, the administration of either TEI-9647, 50 microgram/kg, or 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), 0.25 microgram/kg, began to decrease the circulating levels by 4 h, which reached a nadir 24 h after administration. But, when TEI-9647 and 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) were simultaneously administered to -D rats, the TEI-9647 dose-dependently reversed the inhibition of PTH secretion caused by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), 0.25 microgram/kg, at 8 and 24 h after the treatment. In separate experiments, the daily iv administration of 20 microgram/kg of TEI-9647 alone to +D rats for 2 weeks resulted in no significant changes in the prevailing serum Ca(2+) concentration. But doses of 1-20 microgram/kg of TEI-9647 in combination with 0.5 microgram/kg of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), for 2 weeks, dose-dependently and significantly suppressed the serum calcium concentration increase caused by the 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3). Collectively, these results show that TEI-9647 acting alone displays in vivo weak agonistic actions, but when administered in combination with 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), is a potent antagonist of three genomic-mediated calcium metabolism parameters. We conclude that TEI-9647 can also function as an antagonist of 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) in vivo in the rat.

Substrate-binding clusters of the K+-transporting Kdp ATPase of Escherichia coli investigated by amber suppression scanning mutagenesis.

The Kdp-ATPase of Escherichia coli is a four-subunit P-type ATPase that accumulates K(+) with high affinity and specificity. Residues clustered in four regions of the KdpA subunit of Kdp were implicated as critical for K(+) binding from the analysis of mutants with reduced affinity for K(+) (Buurman, E., Kim, K.-T., and Epstein, W. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 6678-6685). K(+) binding by this pump has been analyzed in detail by site-directed mutagenesis. We have examined 83 of the 557 residues in KdpA, from 11 to 34 residues in each of four binding clusters known to affect K(+) binding. Amber mutations were constructed in a plasmid carrying the kdpFABC structural genes. Transferring these plasmids to 12 suppressor strains, each inserting a different amino acid at amber codons, created 12 different substitutions at the mutated sites. This study delineates the four clusters and confirms that they are important for K(+) affinity but have little effect on the rate of transport. At only 21 of the residues studied did at least three substitutions alter affinity for K(+), an indication that a residue is in or very near a K(+) binding site. At many residues lysine was the only substitution that altered its affinity. The effect of lysine is most likely a repulsive effect of this cationic residue on K(+) and thus reflects the effective distance between a residue and the site of binding or passage of K(+) in KdpA. Once a crystallographic structure of Kdp is available, this measure of effective distance will help identify the path of K(+) as it moves through the KdpA subunit to cross the membrane.

Generalized peritonitis due to spontaneously perforated pyometra presenting as pneumoperitoneum: report of a case.

We report a rare case of generalized peritonitis due to a ruptured pyometra in an 86-year-old woman, and also conduct a review of the previous Japanese literature. The patient presented with muscle guarding and rebound tenderness. Computed tomography (CT) disclosed a cystic mass in the peritoneal cavity, in which an air-fluid level was noted. Pneumoperitoneum around the uterus due to gas production of anaerobic bacteria was noted on a CT. At laparotomy, the uterus was markedly enlarged with a necrotic area on the uterine fundus, which was found to be perforated. A supravaginal hysterectomy and drainage were performed. We found only eight cases of a ruptured pyometra presenting as pneumoperitoneum in the Japanese literature between 1977 and 1999. The most common cause of pneumoperitoneum is a perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. However, other possible causes, as seen in our patient, should also be taken into consideration. Although it is rare, a perforated pyometra should therefore also be considered when elderly women present with acute abdominal pain.

Water extract of Helicobacter pylori stimulates interleukin-8 secretion by a human gastric epithelial cell line (JR-St) through protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

BACKGROUND: Infection by Helicobacter pylori induces cytokine production in gastric mucosal cells. Production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) is known to be markedly increased and is believed to play an important role in gastric mucosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of soluble factors of H. pylori on IL-8 production in a gastric epithelial cell line, JR-St. METHODS: JR-St cells were cocultured with a H. pylori water extract, live H. pylori or culture medium supernatant for 24 h, then the IL-8 secreted into the culture medium was assayed. The effects of three different inhibitors; (i) an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC); (ii) an inhibitor of PKC and protein kinase A (PKA); and (iii) an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) were also compared. Specific induction of IL-8 mRNA was also examined. RESULTS: Water extract of H. pylori increased IL-8 secretion 7.72-fold, more than the control. The increase was concentration dependent. Live bacteria, supernatant and water extract significantly stimulated IL-8 secretion. Addition of live bacteria increased IL-8 secretion most strongly, while the effect of water extract was small (22% that of live bacteria). Secretion was not inhibited by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine or the inhibitors of PKA and PKC H7. However, secretion was significantly reduced by the PTK inhibitor herbimycin in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, 24 h exposure to water extract increased IL-8 mRNA expression, suggesting water extract increased production of IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: Some soluble factors of H. pylori can stimulate IL-8 production by JR-St cells. Stimulation was not dependent on PKA or PKC but was, at least partially, dependent on protein tyrosine phosphorylation. This suggests that soluble factors of H. pylori can play an important role in mediating the inflammatory response of H. pylori gastritis.

[Biopsy].

We reviewed the current devices, techniques, guiding images, indications and complications of needle biopsy with CT guidance. The development of new devices such as automated cutting needle has enabled radiologists to obtain tissue specimens of good quality at biopsy. Techniques such as the tandem or coaxial method ensure more a more accurate biopsy route. And helical CT and CT fluoroscopy have markedly shortened the time required for needle biopsy. However, we sometimes encounter minor complications, and rarely major ones, during and after needle biopsy. Some of these complications may be caused by malpractice. Therefore it is important always to pay attention to the possibility of complications of needle biopsy and to minimize radiation exposures from CT fluoroscopy.

[Chronological study for solitary bone metastasis in the sternum from breast cancer with bone scintigraphy].

Since breast cancer is frequently associated with bone metastasis, bone scintigraphies have been performed to determine pre-operative staging and to survey postoperative bone metastasis. The sternum, in particular, is a site at which is difficult to differentiate between benign bone disease and bone metastasis, because of varied uptake and wide individual variations. In this study, chronological bone images were scintigraphied in six cases with solitary sternal metastasis and three cases with benign bone disease including two fracture cases and one arthritis case. On bone scintigrams in which solitary sternal metastasis appeared, increased uptake was found in five cases, and photon deficiency was observed in one case. During follow-up scintigraphies, abnormal accumulations, such as hot spots and cold lesions, increased in the bone metastasis while abnormal uptake disappeared or was unchanged in the benign bone disease cases. On CT, four cases showed osteolytic change, and one exhibited osteosclerotic change. These findings indicate that sternal metastasis usually shows osteolytic change, even if a hot lesion is recognized on bone scintigraphy. In solitary sternal metastasis, for which early diagnosis is difficult, both an integrated diagnosis using other imaging techniques and chronological bone scintigraphy are important.

[Usefulness of 67Ga scintigraphy in deciding surgical indication in secondary hyperparathyroidism].

In order to evaluate the usefulness in deciding surgical indication in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP), 67Ga scintigraphy was performed in 37 patients of SHP before parathyroidectomy (PTx). The radionuclide accumulation in skull and submandible was classified into 4 patterns (skull-submandibular pattern, skull pattern, submandibular pattern and normal pattern). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly elevated in patients of skull-submandibular pattern (13 cases) compared with skull pattern (6 cases), submandibular pattern (6 cases) and normal pattern (12 cases). Serum intact parathyroid hormone levels were significantly elevated in patients of skull-submandibular and skull patterns compared with normal pattern. No significant difference was observed among the weight of resected parathyroid glands. In 4 of 6 patients of normal pattern on 67Ga scintigram, bone scintigraphy showed a characteristic pattern of SHP including an increased accumulation in the skull and submandible. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the distal radius was increased within six to twelve months after PTx in 10 of 11 patients of skull-submandibular pattern on 67Ga scintigram, whereas only one patient showed an increase in BMD in 9 patients of normal pattern. In summary, it was concluded that 67Ga scintigraphy could provide a useful information in deciding the indication for PTx in secondary hyperparathyroidism.