ABSTRACT
In Lake Shinji, Japan, periodic outbreaks of musty odour have occurred since mid-May 2007. Although the substance responsible for the odour was identified as geosmin, the odour-producing organism was unknown. We cultivated an axenic unialgal strain and determined that a species of Coelosphaerium (Synechococcales) was responsible for the production of geosmin in Lake Shinji. Our analysis was conducted using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine the odorous compound. To determine the algae species, it was observed by optical microscopy to describe its morphological characteristics and the polymerase chain reaction was used to characterise the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region. In addition, we explored the relationship between the number of cells of the Coelosphaerium sp. and the concentration of geosmin. In conclusion, geosmin, the cause of the musty odour in Lake Shinji in autumn 2009, was produced by Coelosphaerium sp., and to our knowledge, this is the first report of a geosmin-producing species in the family Coelosphaeriaceae.
Subject(s)
Cyanobacteria/metabolism , Naphthols/metabolism , Cyanobacteria/cytology , Cyanobacteria/genetics , Cyanobacteria/isolation & purification , Lakes/microbiology , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 23S/geneticsABSTRACT
Ocean acidification (OA) and its associated decline in calcium carbonate saturation states is one of the major threats that tropical coral reefs face this century. Previous studies of the effect of OA on coral reef calcifiers have described a wide variety of outcomes for studies using comparable partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) ranges, suggesting that key questions remain unresolved. One unresolved hypothesis posits that heterogeneity in the response of reef calcifiers to high pCO2 is a result of regional-scale variation in the responses to OA. To test this hypothesis, we incubated two coral taxa (Pocillopora damicornis and massive Porites) and two calcified algae (Porolithon onkodes and Halimeda macroloba) under 400, 700 and 1000 µatm pCO2 levels in experiments in Moorea (French Polynesia), Hawaii (USA) and Okinawa (Japan), where environmental conditions differ. Both corals and H. macroloba were insensitive to OA at all three locations, while the effects of OA on P. onkodes were location-specific. In Moorea and Hawaii, calcification of P. onkodes was depressed by high pCO2, but for specimens in Okinawa, there was no effect of OA. Using a study of large geographical scale, we show that resistance to OA of some reef species is a constitutive character expressed across the Pacific.
Subject(s)
Anthozoa/physiology , Calcium Carbonate/chemistry , Coral Reefs , Rhodophyta/physiology , Seawater/chemistry , Animals , Calcification, Physiologic , Calcium Carbonate/metabolism , Carbon Dioxide/chemistry , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Oceans and Seas , Pacific OceanABSTRACT
Renal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare tumor. There are no unique radiological findings that can reliably aid in its preoperative diagnosis. A 60-year-old Japanese male was admitted for an abdominal mass. Ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous hyperechoic mass. Computed tomography (CT) showed a heterogeneous mass and tumor vascularity by a precontrast and dynamic study with maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume-rendering technique (VRT). Radical nephrectomy was performed, and the histopathogic diagnosis revealed renal HPC.
Subject(s)
Hemangiopericytoma/diagnostic imaging , Kidney Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Angiography/methods , Hemangiopericytoma/pathology , Hemangiopericytoma/surgery , Humans , Kidney Neoplasms/pathology , Kidney Neoplasms/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
The present study assesses the detectability of perfusion defect and the influence of breathhold on pulmonary magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging using contrast-enhanced thick-slice two-dimensional (2D) fast gradient-echo sequence compared with three-dimensional (3D) fast spoiled gradient-recalled sequence. Dynamic studies were performed in 16 patients. MR perfusion images were interpreted by two independent observers using perfusion scintigraphy as the reference standard. The patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of holding the breath measured during MR imaging. The sensitivity and specificity of 2D MR perfusion imaging in detecting perfusion defects were 93% and 94%, respectively, while those of 3D MR perfusion imaging were 89% and 85%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of 2D MR perfusion imaging was significantly higher than that of 3D MR perfusion imaging (P < 0.05) among those who could not hold their breath. Therefore, 2D MR perfusion imaging offers promise for evaluating pulmonary perfusion even among patients who cannot hold their breath.
Subject(s)
Lung/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Contrast Media , Female , Gadolinium DTPA , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Circulation , Respiration , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
In two females (58 and 14 years old) with fulminant hepatic failure, Tc-99m-PMT hepatobiliary scintigraphy was used to evaluate intrahepatic bile stagnation, and Tc-99m-GSA scintigraphy to evaluate hepatic functional reserve. In both patients, Tc-99m-PMT hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed unusual early bile excretion into the extrahepatic bile duct and small intestine within the first 30 min of imaging. These findings contradicted typical findings of intrahepatic bile stagnation of fulminant hepatic failure. The receptor index and blood clearance index determined from dynamic acquisition data on Tc-99m-GSA scintigraphy suggested a markedly decreased hepatic functional reserve. These findings were compatible with fulminant hepatic failure. A discrepancy was observed between the findings of hepatobiliary scintigraphy and those of Tc-99m-GSA scintigraphy. The pathological state of early bile excretion from the liver into the bile duct should be considered in fulminant hepatic failure.
Subject(s)
Bile Ducts/diagnostic imaging , Bile/metabolism , Gallbladder/diagnostic imaging , Liver Failure/diagnostic imaging , Liver Failure/physiopathology , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Organotechnetium Compounds , Pyrrolidines , Radiopharmaceuticals , Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin , Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate , Tetracycline , Adolescent , Fatal Outcome , Female , Gallbladder/metabolism , Humans , Liver Failure/therapy , Middle Aged , Organotechnetium Compounds/pharmacokinetics , Plasma Exchange , Plasmapheresis , Pyrrolidines/pharmacokinetics , Radionuclide Imaging , Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin/pharmacokinetics , Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate/pharmacokinetics , Tetracycline/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
The nuclear magnetic dipole moment mu and electric quadrupole moment Q of the beta-emitting 16N(Ipi = 2(-), T(1/2) = 7.13 s) nucleus have been determined for the first time by detecting its beta-NMR in a MgO crystal and beta-NQR (nuclear quadrupole resonance) in a TiO (2) crystal to be /mu/ = (1.9859+/-0.0011) mu(N) and /Q/ = (17.9+/-1.7) mb, respectively. Although the prediction of mu given by the Hartree-Fock calculation agrees well with the experiment, an abnormally small effective charge for neutrons is required to account for the experimental Q.
ABSTRACT
We successfully stabilized severe hemorrhagic shock following traumatic liver injury by percutaneous transcarotid supraceliac aortic occlusion with a 5 Fr balloon catheter. Then we were able to perform transfemoral embolization therapy of the hepatic arterial bleeding source. Transient aortic occlusion using a balloon catheter appears to be a useful adjunct in select cases where stabilization of the patient is necessary to allow successful selective embolization of the bleeding source.
Subject(s)
Aorta , Balloon Occlusion , Embolization, Therapeutic , Hemorrhage/therapy , Hepatic Artery , Liver/injuries , Resuscitation , Blood Pressure , Blood Transfusion , Hemorrhage/etiology , Hepatic Artery/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Radiography, Interventional , Shock, Hemorrhagic/physiopathology , Shock, Hemorrhagic/therapyABSTRACT
Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy was performed on a 29-year-old man who had been diagnosed as having pulmonary sarcoidosis by a transbronchial lung biopsy. A Ga-67 citrate scintigram showed increased uptake not only in the pulmonary hilum and mediastinum, but also in the thyroid gland and the right ilium. Chronic thyroiditis was confirmed by aspiration biopsy of the thyroid gland, and fibrous dysplasia was confirmed by CT guided biopsy of the right ilium. Extrapulmonary Ga-67 uptake in patients with sarcoidosis does not necessarily indicate the involvement of other tissues and organs.
Subject(s)
Citrates/pharmacokinetics , Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone/diagnosis , Gallium/pharmacokinetics , Ilium/diagnostic imaging , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/complications , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Biopsy , Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone/complications , Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone/metabolism , Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone/pathology , Humans , Ilium/metabolism , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Radionuclide Imaging , Radiopharmaceuticals/pharmacokinetics , Thyroid Gland/diagnostic imaging , Thyroid Gland/metabolism , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/complications , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/pathologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Unusual pulmonary uptake of In-111 chloride in a patient with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and autoimmune hepatitis is described. METHOD: In-111 chloride bone marrow scintigraphy was performed to evaluate the bone marrow activity associated with pancytopenia in a 56-year-old woman with autoimmune hepatitis. RESULTS: An In-111 chloride bone marrow scan showed increased pulmonary uptake predominantly in both upper lung fields. P. carinii pneumonia was seen to be developing as an immunocompromised complication after treatment for autoimmune hepatitis. CONCLUSION: When In-111 chloride bone marrow scintigraphy shows increased uptake in the lungs of immunocompromised patients, a combined opportunistic inflammatory disease such as P. carinii pneumonia should be considered in the diagnosis.