A novel aromatic compound from the fungus Synnemellisia sp. FKR-0921.

The filamentous fungus Synnemellisia sp. strain FKR-0921 was obtained from soil collected on Kume Island, Okinawa. The MeOH extract of FKR-0921 cultured on a solid rice medium yielded a new aromatic compound, synnemellisitriol A (1). The structure, including the absolute configuration, was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis (FT-IR, NMR, and HR-ESI-MS), and the absolute configuration at C-9 of 1 was determined using the modified Mosher's method. Additionally, 1 was evaluated for its biological activities, including metallo-ß-lactamase inhibitory activity, type III secretion system inhibitory activity, antimicrobial activity, antimalarial activity, and cytotoxicity.

[Effects of Changing the Source-to-image Receptor Distance Parameter of Scattered X-ray Correction after Exposure on Image Quality in Portable Chest Radiography].

PURPOSE: To validate the effects of changing the source-to-image receptor distance (SID) parameter of scattered X-ray correction after exposure on the image quality in portable chest radiography. METHODS: The actual SID and tube current-time product (mAs) were varied such that the direct X-ray dose to a flat panel detector (FPD) remained constant. We created two groups as follows: Group A (with the SID parameter unchanged) and Group B (with the SID parameter changed to the actual SID after a phantom chest exposure). The image contrast ratio and standard deviation (SD) were measured on the chest radiographs for physical assessment. Observer studies were performed by seven radiological technologists. Scheffé's (Ura) paired comparison methods were performed with image contrast, noise, and overall assessment as the assessment items. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for lung nodules was performed. RESULTS: The image contrast ratio and SD in Group A changed, whereas the changes in Group B were less than those in Group A for both these properties. The observer study with Scheffé's methods showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) for all assessment items in Group A but not in Group B. The ROC analysis did not indicate any statistically significant differences in either group. CONCLUSION: Changing the SID parameter of scattered X-ray correction after exposure can possibly maintain image contrast and noise in portable chest radiography if the actual SID changes.

[Feasibility of Cerebrovascular Reserve Assessment Using Stretched Exponential Model in Major Cerebral Artery Steno-occlusive Disease: Comparison with SPECT].

PURPOSE: To clarify whether diffusion-weighted imaging using stretched exponential model can assess cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) in patients with major cerebral artery steno-occlusive disease, we compared stretched exponential parameters and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with unilateral major cerebral artery steno-occlusive disease (25 men and 4 women; age, 69±11 years) were analyzed in this study. The patients were divided into three groups: normal CVR (CVR≥30%), moderate CVR (10%≤CVR<30%), and severe CVR (CVR<10%). The distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and heterogeneity index (α) from the stretched exponential model, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from the monoexponential model, and CVR and resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) from SPECT were measured in the bilateral middle cerebral artery territories, and ipsilateral-to-contralateral ratios (rDDC, rα, rADC, and rCBF) were obtained. RESULTS: The rDDC values in severe CVR were significantly higher than those in normal CVR (P=0.003). The rDDC values were significantly negatively correlated with ipsilateral CVR (rho=-0.31, P=0.009). The rDDC values were not significantly correlated with rCBF (P=0.34). CONCLUSION: We have shown that elevated rDDC values are associated with impaired CVR. Our results suggest that diffusion-weighted imaging using stretched exponential model has a potential to evaluate hemodynamic impairment.

Furanocembranoid from the Okinawan soft coral Sinularia sp.

One new furanocembranoid diterpene, 11-hydroxy-Δ12(13)-pukalide (1), along with six known secondary metabolites, 11-acetoxy-Δ12(13)-pukalide (2), 13α-acetoxypukalide (3), pukalide (4), 3α-methoxyfuranocembranoid (5), Δ9(15)-africanene (6), and methyl (5'E)-5-(2',6'-dimethylocta-5',7'-dienyl)furan-3-carboxylate (7) were isolated from the Okinawan soft coral Sinularia sp. Their chemical structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, NMR, and HRESIMS), and the relative stereochemistry of 1 was determined by NOESY experiments and acetylation, which yielded derivative 2. In addition, compounds 1 and 7 exhibited toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality test.

On-chip optical interconnection using integrated germanium light emitters and photodetectors.

Germanium (Ge) is an attractive material for monolithic light sources and photodetectors, but it is not easy to integrate Ge light sources and photodetectors because their optimum device structures differ. In this study, we developed a monolithically integrated Ge light emitting diode (LED) that enables current injection at high density and a Ge photodiode (PD) having low dark current, and we fabricated an on-chip optical interconnection system consisting of the Ge LED, Ge PD, and Si waveguide. We investigated the properties of the fabricated Ge LED and PD and demonstrated on-chip optical interconnection.

Enhanced room-temperature electroluminescence from a germanium waveguide on a silicon-on-insulator diode with a silicon nitride stressor.

Germanium (Ge) is an attractive material for monolithic light sources on a silicon chip. Introduction of tensile strain using a silicon nitride (SiNx) stressor is a promising means for Ge-based light sources due to the enhancement of direct band gap recombination. We propose a device structure that enables current injection from a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) diode to a Ge waveguide with a SiNx stressor formed by a simple fabrication process. Direct-band-gap electroluminescence and direct-band-gap shrinkage due to the applied SiNx stressor was confirmed. Intensity of electroluminescence from the Ge waveguide with the SiNx stressor was about three times higher than that corresponding to the device without the SiNx stressor.

Antiparasitic Potential of Chromatographic Fractions of Nephrolepis biserrata and Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight-Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

Marine aquaculture development is recently impeded by parasitic leech Zeylanicobdella arugamensis (Hirudinea, Piscicolidae) in Sabah, Malaysia. The parasitic leech infests a variety of cultured fishes in aquaculture facilities. In this study, we evaluated the antiparasitic activity of the chromatographic fractions of the medicinal plant Nephrolepis biserrata methanol extract against Z. arugamensis and highlighted the potential metabolites responsible for the antiparasitic properties through liquid chromatography (LC)-quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF)-mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Out of seven fractions obtained through flash column chromatography techniques, three fractions demonstrated antiparasitic properties. Significant parasitic mortality was indicated by fraction 3 at a concentration of 2.50 mg/mL, all the leeches were killed in a time limit of 1.92 ± 0.59 min. followed by fraction 4 (14 mg/mL) in 34.57 ± 3.39 and fraction 5 (15.3 mg/mL) in 36.82 ± 4.53 min. LC-QTOF-MS analysis indicated the presence of secondary metabolites including phytosphingosine (6), pyrethrosin (1), haplophytine (9), ivalin (2), warburganal (3), isodomedin (4) and pheophorbide a (16), representing sphingoid, alkaloid, terpenoid, phenolic and flavonoid groups. Thus, our study indicated that the chromatographic fractions of N. biserrata demonstrated significant antiparasitic activity against the marine parasitic leeches due to the presence of potent antiparasitic bioactive compounds.

Quantitative evaluation of focal liver lesions with T1 mapping using a phase-sensitive inversion recovery sequence on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI.

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of T1 values measured using a phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) sequence for the diagnosis of focal liver lesions. METHOD: The study enrolled 87 patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of 38 hepatocellular carcinomas, 33 hepatic hemangiomas, 30 metastatic liver tumors, and 14 hepatic cysts. PSIR was performed before and 15 min after contrast agent administration, and then the respective T1 values were measured and the T1 reduction rate was calculated. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to compare T1 values pre- and post-contrast administration in each tumor. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's post-hoc test were used to compare T1 values among all tumors pre- and post-contrast administration and the T1 reduction rate among all tumors. RESULTS: The T1 values measured before and after contrast enhancement were 1056 ± 292 ms and 724 ± 199 ms for hepatocellular carcinoma, 1757 ± 723 ms and 1033 ± 406 ms for metastatic liver tumor, 2524 ± 908 ms and 1071 ± 390 ms for hepatic hemangioma, and 3793 ± 207 ms and 3671 ± 241 ms for liver cysts, respectively. The T1 values obtained before and after contrast administration showed significant differences for all tumors except liver cysts (P < 0.0001). T1 reduction rate was not significantly different between hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver tumor, but was significantly different among other tumors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: T1 mapping using the PSIR sequence is useful to differentiate focal liver lesions.

Analysis of stress distribution in microfabricated germanium with external stressors for enhancement of light emission.

In the field of silicon photonics, germanium (Ge) is an attractive material for monolithic light sources. Tensile strain is a promising means for Ge based light sources due to enhancing direct band gap recombination. We investigated strain engineering in Ge using silicon nitride (SiNx) stressors. We found that microfabricated Ge greatly improves the tensile strain because SiNx on the Ge sidewalls causes a large tensile strain in the direction perpendicular to the substrate. Tensile strain equivalent to an in-plane biaxial tensile strain of 0.8% at maximum was applied, and the PL emission intensity was improved more than five times at the maximum.

New cembrane-type diterpenoids from Bornean soft coral Nephthea sp. with antifungal activity against Lagenidium thermophilum.

Three new cembrane diterpenes, nephthecrassocolides A-B (1-2) and 6-acetoxy nephthenol acetate (3) along with three known compounds, 6-acetoxy-7,8-epoxy nephthenol acetate (4), epoxy nephthenol acetate (5) and nephthenol (6) were isolated from one population of Nephthea sp. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data analysis and the antifungal activities of compounds 1-6 were evaluated.

Comparison of Arterial Spin-labeling Perfusion Images at Different Spatial Normalization Methods Based on Voxel-based Statistical Analysis.

PURPOSE: Spatial normalization is a significant image pre-processing operation in statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the optimal method of spatial normalization for improving diagnostic accuracy in SPM analysis of arterial spin-labeling (ASL) perfusion images. METHODS: We evaluated the SPM results of five spatial normalization methods obtained by comparing patients with Alzheimer's disease or normal pressure hydrocephalus complicated with dementia and cognitively healthy subjects. We used the following methods: 3DT1-conventional based on spatial normalization using anatomical images; 3DT1-DARTEL based on spatial normalization with DARTEL using anatomical images; 3DT1-conventional template and 3DT1-DARTEL template, created by averaging cognitively healthy subjects spatially normalized using the above methods; and ASL-DARTEL template created by averaging cognitively healthy subjects spatially normalized with DARTEL using ASL images only. RESULTS: Our results showed that ASL-DARTEL template was small compared with the other two templates. Our SPM results obtained with ASL-DARTEL template method were inaccurate. Also, there were no significant differences between 3DT1-conventional and 3DT1-DARTEL template methods. In contrast, the 3DT1-DARTEL method showed higher detection sensitivity, and precise anatomical location. CONCLUSIONS: Our SPM results suggest that we should perform spatial normalization with DARTEL using anatomical images.

Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Distribution of Blood Fluke Infection in Nicolea gracilibranchis (Polychaeta: Terebellidae), the Intermediate Host for Cardicola orientalis (Digenea: Aporocotylidae), at a Tuna Farming Site in Japan.

Fish blood flukes of the genus Cardicola (Digenea: Aporocotylidae) are important pathogens in tuna aquaculture. Recent advances in marine blood fluke research have led to the elucidation of the lifecycles of 3 Cardicola spp. infecting tuna; all 3 flukes utilize terebellid polychaetes as the intermediate host. In our survey, we obtained large numbers of Nicolea gracilibranchis infected by larval Cardicola orientalis at our tuna farming site. To determine the spatial and temporal changes in the distribution of N. gracilibranchis surrounding tuna culture cages and their infection by C. orientalis, we conducted monthly sampling for a period of 1 yr. Terebellids were most abundant on the floats and ropes of culture cages, but a significantly higher proportion of infected N. gracilibranchis was detected on ropes, particularly up to 4 m in depth. Cardicola orientalis infection in N. gracilibranchis was clearly seasonal, with a higher infection rate between April and July. Our findings indicate that the infected terebellids inhabit specific microhabitats, and both abiotic and biotic factors likely influence blood fluke infection in the intermediate terebellid host. This information is important to better understand the general biology of marine aporocotylids and may be useful to develop a control strategy for blood fluke infection in tuna aquaculture.

Developmental stages of fish blood flukes, Cardicola forsteri and Cardicola opisthorchis (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae), in their polychaete intermediate hosts collected at Pacific bluefin tuna culture sites in Japan.

Farming of Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT), Thunnus orientalis, is a rapidly growing industry in Japan. Aporocotylid blood flukes of the genus Cardicola comprising C. orientalis, C. opisthorchis and C. forsteri are parasites of economic importance for PBT farming. Recently, terebellid polychaetes have been identified as the intermediate hosts for all these parasites. We collected infected polychaetes, Terebella sp., the intermediate host of C. opisthorchis, from ropes and floats attached to tuna cages in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Also, Neoamphitrite vigintipes (formerly as Amphitrite sp. sensu Shirakashi et al., 2016), the intermediate host of C. forsteri, were collected from culture cages in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The terebellid intermediate hosts harbored the sporocysts and cercariae in their body cavity. Developmental stages of these blood flukes were molecularly identified using species specific PCR primers. In this paper, we describe the cercaria and sporocyst stages of C. opisthorchis and C. forsteri and compare their morphological characteristics among three Cardicola blood flukes infecting PBT. We also discuss phylogenetic relations of the six genera of the terebellid intermediate hosts (Artacama, Lanassa, Longicarpus, Terebella, Nicolea and Neoamphitrite) of blood flukes infecting marine fishes, based on their morphological characters.

Discovery of intermediate hosts for two species of blood flukes Cardicola orientalis and Cardicola forsteri (Trematoda: Aporocotylidae) infecting Pacific bluefin tuna in Japan.

Fish blood flukes (Aporocotylidae) are important pathogens of farmed finfish around the world. Among them, Cardicola spp. infecting farmed tuna are considered to be serious threats to tuna farming and have received tremendous attention. We conducted periodical samplings at a tuna farming site in Japan between January and May, 2015 to determine the life cycle of Cardicola spp. We collected over 4700 terebellid polychaetes from ropes, floats and frames of tuna culture cages and found nearly 400 infected worms. Sporocysts and cercariae found in Nicolea gracilibranchis were genetically identified as Cardicola orientalis by 28S and ITS2 ribosomal DNA sequences. This was the first discovery of the intermediate host for this parasite species. Infection prevalence and the abundance of N. gracilibranchis significantly varied between sampling points and the highest number of infected terebellids were collected from ropes. We also demonstrated morphologically and molecularly that asexual stages found in a single Amphitrite sp. (Terebellidae) and adult worms isolated from farmed juvenile tuna were Cardicola forsteri. This is the first report of C. forsteri in Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis in Japan. Our results demonstrated that all three species of Cardicola orientalis, C. forsteri and Cardicola opisthorchis exist in Japanese farmed PBTs and that they all use terebellid polychaetes as the intermediate hosts.