[Collection of information regarding implants, internal and external metallic objects for MRI examinations].

In Japan, various types of MRI equipment, having varying magnetic field strengths, are widely used. However, the biggest problem encountered while utilizing an MRI is the scarcity of information and guidelines pertaining to implants, internal, and external metallic objects. This leads to uncertainty when an unspecified object is encountered during an examination andcreates the possibility of performing an ambiguous MRI. Therefore, this study classified a range of objects into 12 categories using database management software. An attempt was made to create an environment where reference and comparison of products could be performed. This study also investigated the ways and extent to which medical equipment package inserts reference the MRI. With the co-operation of various corporations and the use of information such as medical equipment package inserts, product information was collected and an environment for the reference and comparison of products became available. In addition, it became apparent while examining these package inserts that orthopedic products had the least information available. It is likely that this information will be useful in medical settings and this kind of database will become increasingly necessary in the future.

Autophagosome-lysosome fusion depends on the pH in acidic compartments in CHO cells.

Autophagy is the bulk degradation of cytoplasmic constituents in response to starvation and other environmental or intracellular cues. During this process, most of the cytoplasm is sequestered into autophagosomes, which then fuse with lysosomes where the degradation of the sequestered material proceeds. We investigated the relationship between autophagosome-lysosome fusion and the pH in acidic compartments by visualizing the fusion process using fluorescence in CHO cells. In this experiment, mitochondria were labeled with GFP by transfecting CHO cells with the presequence of ornithine transcarbamylase, and lysosomes were labeled with Texas Red Dextran; any fusion was identified by the colocalization of mitochondria (in autophagosomes) and lysosomes using fluorescence microscopy. When CHO cells were treated with rapamycin or starvation medium to induce autophagy, the colocalization of fluorescence was observed. Whereas when they were treated with 3-MA, an inhibitor of autophagy, the colocalization disappeared. We conclude that the colocalization reflects the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. Moreover, when the CHO cells were treated with drugs that increase the pH of acidic compartments, the colocalization disappeared. This suggests that the autophagosome-lysosome fusion is inhibited by increasing pH in acidic compartments independently of V-ATPase activity in CHO cells.