Texture-based classification of lung disease patterns in chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and comparison to clinical outcomes

Computer-aided detection algorithms applied to CT lung imaging have the potential to objectively quantify pulmonary pathology. We aim to develop an automatic classification method based on textural features able to classify healthy and pathological patterns on CT lung images and to quantify the extent of each disease pattern in a group of patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP), in comparison to pulmonary function tests (PFTs).27 cHP patients were scanned via high resolution CT (HRCT) at full-inspiration. Regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted and labeled as normal (NOR), ground glass opacity (GGO), reticulation (RET), consolidation (C), honeycombing (HB) and air trapping (AT). For each ROI, statistical, morphological and fractal parameters were computed. For automatic classification, we compared two classification methods (Bayesian and Support Vector Machine) and three ROI sizes. The classifier was therefore applied to the overall CT images and the extent of each class was calculated and compared to PFTs. Better classification accuracy was found for the Bayesian classifier and the 16x16 ROI size: 92.1±2.7%. The extent of GGO, HB and NOR significantly correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and the extent of NOR with carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO).Clinical Relevance- Texture analysis can differentiate and objectively quantify pathological classes in the lung parenchyma and may represent a quantitative diagnostic tool in cHP.

A Japanese single-hospital observational trial with a retrospective case-control analysis of varicella zoster virus reactivation after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is common. To help reduce its incidence and to identify predictive factors for VZV reactivation after autologous SCT (auto-SCT), we conducted a retrospective analysis in patients with hematologic malignancy at our hospital.

METHODS

We conducted a single-hospital observational trial with a retrospective case-control analysis of post-auto-SCT VZV reactivation in patients with malignant lymphoma (ML) and multiple myeloma (MM) between January 2001 and December 2010, in the Department of Hematology at our hospital. First, we analyzed the cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation during the post-SCT period. Second, we conducted a case-control analysis to identify the risk factors for VZV reactivation within 1 year after SCT. Univariate analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. A multivariable model and logistic regression were used to assess the risk factors for VZV reactivation.

RESULTS

We included 97 patients in this study. The median duration of follow-up was 1027 days. Forty-two patients experienced VZV reactivation after SCT, while 29 (69.0%) experienced reactivation within 1 year after SCT. The cumulative incidence was 30.7% at 1 year and 51.2% for the total observation period. Multivariate analysis showed that engraftment after day 10 was an independent risk factor for VZV reactivation (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed a high incidence of VZV reactivation in the first year after auto-SCT in ML and MM patients. Patients with delayed engraftment are at high risk for VZV reactivation and should be considered for prolonged VZV prophylaxis.

Volatile Flavor Components of Ripe and Overripe Ki-mikans (Citrus flaviculpus Hort. ex Tanaka) in Comparison with Hyuganatsu (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka)

The volatile flavor components of ripe and overripe ki-mikan (Citrus flaviculpus Hort. ex Tanaka) peel oil samples, which had been isolated by cold-pressing, were investigated by capillary GC and GC-MS, and compared with the Hyuganatsu (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka) flavor. Limonene (ripe fruit, 82.44%; overripe fruit, 73.10%) was the most abundant compound in the ki-mikan oil, this being followed by gamma-terpinene (8.83% and 13.74%), trans-beta-farnesene (1.76% and 3.12%) and myrcene (1.54% and 1.13%). The composition of overripe ki-mikan oil was characterized by higher amounts of aliphatic and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, monoterpene and sesquiterpene alcohols, ketones and esters than that of ripe ki-mikan oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons, especially limonene (84.78%), were predominant in Hyuganatsu oil. The CPO composition of ki-mikan was qualitatively similar to that of Hyuganatsu, but differed quantitatively. The content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was higher in the ki-mikan oil samples than in Hyuganatsu oil, while ketones showed the opposite predominance. These differences were more evident in the trans-beta-farnesene and l-carvone contents. The ratio of both these compounds could be used to distinguish ki-mikan oil from Hyuganatsu oil.

Tunable terahertz emission from the intrinsic Josephson junctions in acute isosceles triangular Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈+δ mesas

In order to determine if the mesa geometry might affect the properties of the coherent terahertz (THz) radiation emitted from the intrinsic Josephson junctions in mesas constructed from single crystals of the high-temperature superconductor, Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈+δ, we studied triangular mesas. For equilateral triangular mesas, the observed emission was found to be limited to the single mesa TM(1,0) mode. However, tunable radiation over the range from 0.495 to 0.934 THz was found to arise from an acute isosceles triangular mesa. This 47% tunability is the widest yet observed from the outer current-voltage characteristic branch of such mesas of any geometry. Although the radiation at a few of the frequencies in the tunable range appear to have been enhanced by cavity resonances, most frequencies are far from such resonance frequencies, and can only be attributed to the ac-Josephson effect.

Difference in subcellular distribution between 45- and 37-kDa mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase in rat liver

We previously reported that the CP diet (a diet containing 5% cholestyramine and 0.1% pravastatin)-induced new species of 37-kDa mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase (MPD) was characteristically and immunologically very similar to the well-known 45-kDa MPD. In the present study, we found a difference in subcellular distribution between 45- and 37-kDa MPD by cell fractionation and immunoblot analysis. The cytosol fraction contained 45- and 37-kDa MPD. Peroxisomal fraction contained a small amount of 45-kDa MPD, but not 37-kDa MPD. Also, 45-kDa MPD in peroxisome is localized in the matrix. From these data, the difference in subcellular distribution between 45- and 37-kDa MPD may be due to differences in the physiological role of cholesterol biosynthesis in rat liver.

Mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat is reduced from the age of two weeks

We carried out a comparison of tissue distribution of mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase (MPD) between normotensive Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY) and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) using Western blotting. However, there was no difference in tissue distribution of MPD between WKY and SHRSP, expect in brain and liver. We then compared the MPD between WKY and SHRSP liver at several weeks of age. We found that MPD in the liver as well as brain of SHRSP was significantly reduced from two weeks of age. This data is useful to identify or understand the mechanism underlying the reduced amount of MPD in SHRSP.

Isotope ratio by HRGC-MS of citrus Junos tanaka (yuzu) essential oils: m/z 137/136 of terpene hydrocarbons

The isotope ratios of monoterpene hydrocarbons in Citrus junos Tanaka (yuzu) essential oils from different origins were determined by ordinary high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). Both intensities of the molecular mass peaks (m/z 136) and of the isotope peaks (m/z 137) of monoterpene hydrocarbons were measured by single-ion monitoring with an MS analysis. The isotope ratios (m/z 137/136) of the ten monoterpene hydrocarbons commonly contained in citrus essential oils, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-terpinene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, beta-phellandrene and terpinolene, were determined in yuzu samples of the highest commercial quality from 42 different production districts. Statistical treatment of these data by the t-test and sign test revealed significant differences of the isotope effects in each yuzu sample. It is suggested that this technique will be applicable for evaluating the quality, genuineness and origin of citrus fruits and their products. The isotope fingerprints were also demonstrated in several citrus fruits other than the yuzu samples.

Mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase is predominantly located in the cytosol of rat hepatocytes

Mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase (MPD) is found in the 100000 x g supernatant fraction of cells or tissues and is considered to be a cytosolic protein. Recently, other groups reported that MPD is mostly located in the peroxisomes. In this study, we used two different methods to determine whether MPD is predominantly located in the peroxisomes or the cytosol of rat hepatocytes. 1) In permeabilized rat hepatocytes or normal rat kidney cells treated with digitonin, which lack cytosolic enzyme, MPD was mainly present in the medium. 2) Double immunofluorescent labeling of cells with both anti-MPD antibody and anti-hexokinase antibody yielded an immunofluorescent pattern for both enzymes typical of the cytosolic protein. These results indicate that MPD is predominantly located in the cytosol of rat hepatocytes.

Molecular detection of tumor cells at diagnosis invading the bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with aggressive or indolent lymphomas

We studied tumor cell invasions of bone marrow and peripheral blood in patients with various types of advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by amplifying complementarity determining region III using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and developing patient-specific probes. After molecular engineering, we could detect tumor cells in bone marrow from seven of 11 cases and in peripheral blood from six of 11 cases, despite negative results in four cases studied morphologically. Indolent cases were more likely to yield positive results than aggressive cases. The reason may be different biological behaviors among the histological types.

Risk factors for early death in patients undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma

The survival time of myeloma patients improved from a few months to many years after treatment with melphalan. Perhaps chemotherapy more intensive than melphalan-prednisolone should be administered to patients at risk of early death. Therefore, early death must be accurately predicted. We analyzed 93 patients with recently diagnosed myeloma and found that 13 (14%) died within 6 months (early death). The most common cause of death was bacterial and fungal pneumonia when myeloma became uncontrollable. The response to conventional chemotherapy was poorer in patients at high risk of early death than the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that the serum level of beta-2 microglobulin was the only value that predicted early death.

Clinical benefits of lenograstim in patients with neutropenia due to chemotherapy for multiple myeloma (MM)

The object of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rHuG-CSF; lenograstim) after combination chemotherapy consisting of ranimustine, vindesine, melphalan and prednisolone (MCNU-VMP). One hundred thirty-nine consecutive patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) were allocated at random to a lenograstim group (n = 70) or a placebo group (n = 69). Patients were treated with two cycles of MCNU-VMP, and either lenograstim (2 microg/kg daily, s.c.) or placebo was administered from the day neutrophils decreased to less than 1.000/microl and was discontinued when neutrophils exceeded 5,000/microl. The median duration of neutropenia (neutrophils under 1,000/microl) was significantly shorter for the lenograstim group than the placebo group (2 days vs 9 days in the first cycle; 1 day vs 13 days in the second cycle). The incidence of febrile neutropenia in the first cycle was significantly lower in the lenograstim group than in the placebo group (9.2% vs 30.4%). No life-threatening infections were observed in either group. The two cycles of MCNU-VMP therapy were completed in 90.8% of the patients, and a higher average relative dose intensity (ARDI; 0.94) was achieved in the lenograstim group. The tumor response rate of the lenograstim group (57.8%) was higher than that of the placebo group (43.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant (chi2 = 2.634, df = 1, P = 0.105). Lenograstim was well tolerated, and no unexpected adverse events occurred. Lenograstim proved effective in controlling chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in MM patients under MCNU-VMP therapy.

Characterization of the odor-active volatiles in citrus Hyuganatsu (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka)

The volatile components of Hyuganatsu (Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka) peel oil, isolated by cold-pressing, were investigated by chemical and sensory analyses. According to chemical analysis by GC and GC-MS, limonene (84.0%) was the most abundant compound, followed by gamma-terpinene (6.9%), myrcene (2.2%), alpha-pinene (1.2%), and linalool (1.0%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominant in Hyuganatsu peel oil. The odor-active volatiles in Hyuganatsu flavor were studied by GC-olfactometry and omission tests. The characteristic flavor was present in the oxygenated fraction. Flavor dilution (FD) factors of the volatile flavor components of the Hyuganatsu cold-pressed oil were determined by aroma extraction dilution analysis (AEDA). Furthermore, relative flavor activity was investigated by means of FD factor and weight percent. Ten kinds of odor compounds having Hyuganatsu-like aroma were detected by AEDA: limonene, linalool, octanol, neral, neryl acetate, tridecanal, trans-carveol, cis-nerolidol, trans,trans-farnesyl acetate, and trans,trans-farnesol. Linalool and octanol were regarded as the most odor-active or key compounds of Hyuganatsu aroma. Diluted solutions of linalool and octanol of approximately 2 ppm gave a fresh and fruity aroma note similar to Hyuganatsu flavor.

Spherical bilayer vesicles of fullerene-based surfactants in water: a laser light scattering study

The low solubility of fullerenes in aqueous solution limits their applications in biology. By appropriate substitution, the fullerenes can be transformed into stabilized anions that are water soluble and can form large aggregated structures. A laser light scattering study of the association behavior of the potassium salt of pentaphenyl fullerene (Ph5C60K) in water revealed that the hydrocarbon anions Ph5C60- associate into bilayers, forming stable spherical vesicles with an average hydrodynamic radius and a radius of gyration of about 17 nanometers at a very low critical aggregation concentration of less than 10(-7) moles per liter. The average aggregation number of associated particles in these large spherical vesicles is about 1.2 x 10(4).

Reduction of tetrazolium salt XTT by aminoreductone formed during the Maillard reaction of lactose

Lactose, a reducing disaccharide abundant in milk, reacts extensively with the amino groups of protein through the Maillard reaction. The Maillard reaction products showed 3'-[1-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-3,4-tetrazolium]bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro)benzensulfonic acid hydrate (XTT) reducibility. The objective of this study was to clarify the Maillard reaction products responsible for the XTT reducibility. When lactose and butylamine were heated at 100 degrees C, the characteristic UV maximum at 320 nm was recognized and the relationship between the XTT reducibility and the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm was investigated. The time course and the dependence on the heating temperature of the formation of the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm were similar to those of the XTT reducibility. Their relationship showed a significant correlation (r = 0.967, n = 19). Furthermore, the spectrum change of the heated model solution by the addition of XTT suggested that the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm would be involved in the reduction of XTT. Because the compound with absorption maximum at 320 nm was identified as an aminoreductone, 1-(butylamino)-1,2-dehydro-1,4-dideoxy-3-hexulose, by NMR analysis, it can be concluded that this was the main XTT-reducing substance.

Composition of the essential oil of Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka (Hyuganatsu)

The composition of the essential oil of Citrus tamurana Hort. ex Tanaka (Hyuganatsu), isolated by the cold-pressing method, was investigated by capillary GC and GC-MS. The effects of harvesting time, degree of freshness, and size of fruits on the composition of Hyuganatsu peel oils were also determined. A total of 126 volatile constituents were confirmed in the Hyuganatsu oils. The Hyuganatsu oils contained hydrocarbons (95.95-96.95%), aldehydes (0.33-0.62%), alcohols (1.91%-2.64%), ketones (0.40-0.62%), esters (0.28-0.39%), oxides (0.04-0.06%), acids (0.01%), and trace amounts of fugenol methyl ether. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were predominant. Limonene (80.35-82.39%), gamma-terpinene (7.71-9.03%), myrcene (2.11-2.28%), linalol (1.37-2.01%), and alpha-pinene (1.17-1.43%) were the most abundant components in Hyuganatsu oils. The principal sesquiterpene hydrocarbon was trans-beta-farnesene (0.60-1.04%), and its content in Hyuganatsu oils was higher than in oils of other citrus fruits. The number of ketones and the content of l-carvone in Hyuganatsu oils were higher than in other citrus oils.