Tongue pressure production while swallowing water and pudding and during dry swallow using a sensor sheet system

The tongue assumes an important role in bolus formation and transportation to the oropharynx and in retaining pharyngeal pressure during mastication and swallowing. Although the state of tongue-palate contact during swallowing is thought to change with bolus type, the details of these changes have yet to be clarified under normal physiological conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of bolus type on tongue pressure production against the hard palate during swallowing. Tongue pressures during swallowing 10 mL of water and 10 g of pudding and during dry swallow were measured with a sensor sheet system with five measurement points to evaluate normal physiological swallowing in 10 healthy dentate individuals. There was a common pattern in the sequential order of tongue pressure generation among the three swallowing conditions: tongue pressure was generated significantly earlier at the anterior-median part, followed by the posterior parts. During swallowing pudding and dry swallow, the duration of tongue pressure tended to increase at all channels except for the posterior-median part. The maximal magnitude of tongue pressure was significantly higher when swallowing pudding than when swallowing water at all channels except for the posterior-median part. The integrated value of tongue pressure was significantly higher when swallowing pudding than when swallowing water at all channels except for the posterior-median part. From these results, it was considered the tongue changed the sequential order, the duration and the magnitude of tongue pressure production according to the swallowing conditions (liquid swallowing, semisolid swallowing, dry swallow).

Temperature estimation in a ferromagnetic Fe-Ni nanowire involving a current-driven domain wall motion

We observed a magnetic domain wall (DW) motion induced by the spin-polarized pulsed current in a nanoscale Fe(19)Ni(81) wire using a magnetic force microscope. High current density, which is of the order of 10(11) A m(-2), was required for the DW motion. A simple method to estimate the temperature of the wire was developed by comparing the wire resistance measured during the DW motion with the temperature dependence of the wire resistance. Using this method, we found the temperature of the wire was proportional to the square of the current density and became just beneath at the threshold Curie temperature. Our experimental data qualitatively support this analytical model that the temperature is proportional to the resistivity, thickness, width of the wire and the square of the current density, and also inversely proportional to the thermal conductivity.

Somatotopic direct projections from orofacial areas of primary somatosensory cortex to pons and medulla, especially to trigeminal sensory nuclear complex, in rats

The primary somatosensory cortex (S1) projects to the thalamus and brainstem somatosensory nuclei and modulates somatosensory information ascending to the S1 itself. However, the projections from the S1 to the brainstem second-order somatosensory neuron pools have not been fully studied. To address this in rats, we first revealed the somatotopic representation of orofacial areas in the S1 by recording cortical surface potentials evoked by stimulation of the lingual, mental, infraorbital, and frontal nerves. We then examined the morphology of descending projections from the electrophysiologically defined orofacial S1 areas to the pons and medulla after injections of an anterograde tracer, biotinylated dextranamine (BDA), into the orofacial S1 areas. BDA-labeled axon terminals were seen mostly in the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex (TSNC) and had a strong contralateral predominance. They also showed a somatotopic arrangement in dorsoventral and superficial-deep directions within almost all rostrocaudal TSNC levels, and in a rostrocaudal direction within the trigeminal caudal subnucleus. In the principal nucleus (Vp) or oral subnucleus (Vo) of TSNC, the BDA-labeled axon terminals showed a somatotopic arrangement closely matched to that of the electrophysiologically defined projection sites of orofacial primary afferents; these projection sites were marked by injections of a retrograde tracer, Fluorogold (FG), into the Vp or Vo. The FG injections labeled a large number of S1 neurons, with a strong contralateral predominance, in a somatotopic manner, which corresponded to that presented in the electrophysiologically defined orofacial S1 areas. The present results suggest that the orofacial S1 projections to somatotopically matched regions of trigeminal second-order somatosensory neuron pools may allow the orofacial S1 to accurately modulate orofacial somatosensory transmission to higher brain centers including the orofacial S1 itself.

Electrical control of the ferromagnetic phase transition in cobalt at room temperature

Electrical control of magnetic properties is crucial for device applications in the field of spintronics. Although the magnetic coercivity or anisotropy has been successfully controlled electrically in metals as well as in semiconductors, the electrical control of Curie temperature has been realized only in semiconductors at low temperature. Here, we demonstrate the room-temperature electrical control of the ferromagnetic phase transition in cobalt, one of the most representative transition-metal ferromagnets. Solid-state field effect devices consisting of a ultrathin cobalt film covered by a dielectric layer and a gate electrode were fabricated. We prove that the Curie temperature of cobalt can be changed by up to 12 K by applying a gate electric field of about ±2 MV cm(-1). The two-dimensionality of the cobalt film may be relevant to our observations. The demonstrated electric field effect in the ferromagnetic metal at room temperature is a significant step towards realizing future low-power magnetic applications.

Real space observation of current-induced magnetic domain wall displacement in Co/Ni nano-wire by photoemission electron microscopy

Current-induced magnetic domain wall (DW) displacement in a Co/Ni nano-wire with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy was investigated in real space by photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) for the first time. DW velocity determined from the PEEM observation was 40 m s(-1) for the current density of 2.5 × 10(12) A m(-2), which was consistent with the result obtained by the electrical measurement used in our previous reports.

Application of MRI movie for observation of articulatory movement during a fricative /s/ and a plosive /t/

OBJECTIVE

To use an accurate method of tooth visualization in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) movie for the observation of spatio-temporal relationships among articulators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects were two volunteers. Each subject repeated a vowel-consonant-vowel syllable (ie, /asa/; /ata/), and the run was measured using a gradient echo sequence. A custom-made clear retainer filled with the jelly form of ferric ammonium citrate was then fit onto the dental arch, and a T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence was taken. Landmarks were used for superimposition of the incisor boundary onto sequential images of MRI movie. Tracings were conducted to observe the spatio-temporal relationships among articulators.

RESULTS

The incisor boundary was clearly visible in the magnetic resonance images. After superimposition, the contact distance of the tongue to palate/incisor was found to be longer during /t/-articulation than during /s/-articulation. There were prominent differences in images with and without tooth superimposition in the front oral cavity.

CONCLUSIONS

The method could distinctly extract a tooth boundary in MRI. Detailed configurational relationships between the tongue and tooth were observed during the production of a fricative and a plosive in MRI movie using this method.

Observation of the intrinsic pinning of a magnetic domain wall in a ferromagnetic nanowire

The spin transfer torque is essential for electrical magnetization switching. When a magnetic domain wall is driven by an electric current through an adiabatic spin torque, the theory predicts a threshold current even for a perfect wire without any extrinsic pinning. The experimental confirmation of this 'intrinsic pinning', however, has long been missing. Here, we give evidence that this intrinsic pinning determines the threshold, and thus that the adiabatic spin torque dominates the domain wall motion in a perpendicularly magnetized Co/Ni nanowire. The intrinsic nature manifests itself both in the field-independent threshold current and in the presence of its minimum on tuning the wire width. The demonstrated domain wall motion purely due to the adiabatic spin torque will serve to achieve robust operation and low energy consumption in spintronic devices.

Oxidative stress impairs insulin signal in skeletal muscle and causes insulin resistance in postinfarct heart failure

Insulin resistance has been shown to occur as a consequence of heart failure. However, its exact mechanisms in this setting remain unknown. We have previously reported that oxidative stress is enhanced in the skeletal muscle from mice with heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) (30). This study is aimed to investigate whether insulin resistance in postinfarct heart failure is due to the impairment of insulin signaling in the skeletal muscle caused by oxidative stress. Mice were divided into four groups: sham operated (sham); sham treated with apocynin, an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase activation (10 mmol/l in drinking water); MI; and MI treated with apocynin. After 4 wk, intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests were performed, and skeletal muscle samples were obtained for insulin signaling measurements. MI mice showed left ventricular dilation and dysfunction by echocardiography and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and lung weight. The decrease in glucose level after insulin load significantly attenuated in MI compared with sham. Insulin-stimulated serine phosphorylation of Akt and glucose transporter-4 translocation were decreased in MI mice by 61 and 23%, respectively. Apocynin ameliorated the increase in oxidative stress and NAD(P)H oxidase activities measured by the lucigenin assay in the skeletal muscle after MI. It also improved insulin resistance and inhibited the decrease of Akt phosphorylation and glucose transporter-4 translocation. Insulin resistance was induced by the direct impairment of insulin signaling in the skeletal muscle from postinfarct heart failure, which was associated with the enhanced oxidative stress via NAD(P)H oxidase.

Terrace retro-reflector array for poloidal polarimeter on ITER

A new concept of a terrace retro-reflector array (TERRA) as part of the poloidal polarimeter for ITER is proposed in this paper. TERRA reflects a laser light even from a high incident angle in the direction of the incident-light path, while a conventional retro-reflector array cannot. Besides, TERRA can be installed in a smaller space than a corner-cube retro-reflector. In an optical sense, TERRA is equivalent to a Littrow grating, the blaze angle of which varies, depending on the incident angle. The reflected light generates a bright and dark fringe, and the bright fringe is required to travel along the incident-light path to achieve the objects of laser-aided diagnostics. In order to investigate the propagation properties of laser light reflected by TERRA, we have developed a new diffraction formula. Conditions for the propagation of the bright fringe in the direction of the incident light have been obtained using the Littrow grating model and have been confirmed in a simulation applying the new diffraction formula. Finally, we have designed laser transmission optics using TERRA for the ITER poloidal polarimeter and have calculated the light propagation of the system. The optical design obtains a high transmission efficiency, with 88.6% of the incident power returned. These results demonstrate the feasibility of applying TERRA to the ITER poloidal polarimeter.

286 PRODUCTION OF NORMAL MICE USING LONG-TERM PRESERVED MOUSE SPERMATOZOA WITHOUT FREEZING

Mammalian spermatozoa preservation now plays an important role in fertility treatments, generating hybrid animals and protecting endangered and extinct species. To date, the most common method of sperm preservation is freezing in liquid nitrogen (LN2). However, this method requires constant supplementation of LN2 and also presents some safety issues involved in transporting LN2. Here we describe a new sperm preservation method that does not involve freezing. Mouse spermatozoa were cultured in four basic media (HEPES–Chatot-Ziomele-Barister’s medium (HCZB), KSOM, K+-rich nuclear isolation medium (NIM), and PBS) with or without 10% BSA or 15% Ficoll as a cryoprotectant, and preserved in a refrigerator for up to 6 months. These preserved sperm were then injected into fresh oocytes and cultured to the blastocyst stage in vitro or transferred into recipient females to demonstrate their genetic integrity. Oocytes injected with 1-month-preserved spermatozoa in NIM and PBS showed significantly higher blastocyst rates (22.8% and 18.9%) than those in HEPES-CZB and KSOM (1-way ANOVA, P < 0.05). In embryos with 3-month-preserved spermatozoa in NIM or PBS with BSA or Ficoll, 5.3–24.0%; P < 0.05 of embryos, (n = 1056) developed to the blastocyst stage, and the developmental ratio was not decreased even for 6-month preservation (13.6–18.2%; P > 0.05). Surprisingly, 18 pups were obtained using spermatozoa stored in those mediums for 6 months. Moreover, this new method allowed easy production of healthy offspring even after transporting spermatozoa between two countries by aircraft at room temperature without any protection. In conclusion, this method allows for easy long-term preservation of mouse spermatozoa in a simple, modified medium at refrigerator temperature with very low cost and wide application.

Low serum bilirubin concentration in haemodialysis patients with Type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Previous studies have implicated reduced serum bilirubin concentrations in the development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether bilirubin may explain the high incidence of vascular complications in haemodialysis patients with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We compared serum bilirubin concentrations, as well as other known aetiological risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in 206 Type 2 diabetes patients on haemodialysis with those in 741 Type 2 diabetes patients not receiving haemodialysis, and evaluated the association between serum bilirubin concentration and cardiovascular disease incidence.

RESULTS

Incidences of cardiovascular disease and systolic blood pressure were higher; however, BMI and serum total cholesterol were lower in haemodialysis patients compared with those in patients without haemodialysis. Serum total (0.30 ± 0.10 vs. 0.74 ± 0.26 mg/dl, 0.005 ± 0.002 vs. 0.013 ± 0.004 mmol/l, P < 0.0001) and indirect (0.17 ± 0.08 vs. 0.70 ± 0.23 mg/dl, 0.003 ± 0.001 vs. 0.012 ± 0.004 mmol/l, P < 0.0001) bilirubin were lower in haemodialysis patients compared with those in patients without haemodialysis. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that age (β = 0.109, F = 5.959, P < 0.05), duration of diabetes (β = -0.112, F = 6.048, P < 0.05), sex (β = -0.123, F = 8.623, P < 0.05), cardiovascular disease events (β = -0.099, F = 5.131, P < 0.05) and presence of haemodialysis (β = -0.626, F = 201.727, P < 0.01) were independent factors for serum total bilirubin. Logistic regression demonstrated that age (OR 1.089, 95% CI 1.044-1.136; P < 0.0001), duration of diabetes (OR 1.029, 95% CI 1.001-1.059; P = 0.0423), body mass index (OR 1.115, 95% CI 1.001-1.242; P = 0.0487), habit of smoking (OR 2.445, 95% CI 1.046-5.716; P = 0.0391) and serum total bilirubin (OR 0.192, 95% CI 0.037-0.989; P = 0.0484) were independent factors for cardiovascular disease events.

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum bilirubin concentration could be one of the important factors for the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetes patients receiving haemodialysis.

A novel mutation in the C-terminal region of RUNX2/CBFA1 distal to the DNA-binding runt domain in a Japanese patient with cleidocranial dysplasia

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant inherited skeletal disease with high penetrance and variable expressivity. Although many mutations in RUNX2/CBFA1, an osteoblast-specific transcription factor, have been identified as causes of CCD, it is unclear whether these mutation genotypes relate to various symptoms. Heterogeneous mutations of RUNX2/CBFA1 result in disease characterized by abnormal skeletal genesis and dental disorders. There are few reports describing the relation between detailed orofacial pathology and the RUNX2/CBFA1 genotype. The case of a Japanese patient with severe orofacial dysplasia who was clinically thought to have CCD is described here. The authors performed mutation analysis on the RUNX2/CBFA1 gene and identified a novel frameshift mutation (722delT), which produces a mutant RUNX2/CBFA1 with a truncating C-terminus distal to the runt domain.

Transfer Function Analysis of Cerebral Autoregulation Dynamics during Jaw Movements

Mastication as a mild but life-long exercise has been examined as a possibility for maintaining brain function in the elderly. Little is known, however, about the cerebral circulatory response during masticatory movement. The aim of this study was to develop a monitoring system for circulation dynamics during masticatory movement and to apply this system to the study of cerebral autoregulation. Cerebral blood flow, heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were simultaneously recorded, and changes in these circulatory systems were quantitatively evaluated in 38 young healthy volunteers. Transfer function analysis was also performed on blood pressure and cerebral blood flow for investigation of cerebral autoregulation during gum chewing. Although increases in cerebral blood flow, mean blood pressure, and heart rate suggested the activation of cerebral and systemic circulation during gum chewing, increased cerebral circulation was independent of systemic circulation. Our results suggest that cerebral autoregulation is well maintained during jaw movements.

Development of an RPD CAD system with finite element stress analysis

The structural design of removable partial dentures (RPDs) is critical for preventing distortion of the prosthesis, protecting abutment teeth and residual ridges as well as for high masticatory performance. The aim of this study was to clarify the feasibility and utility of a computer-aided designing (CAD) system with finite element analysis (FEA) for molar teeth arrangement in unilateral distal extension base RPDs. The shapes of artificial teeth and residual ridge were measured and converted into point group data. Solid models were created from surface-modelled point group data in a 3D surface CAD format. An occlusal rim was created on the residual ridge mucosa and the occlusal rim - residual ridge mucosa model with FEA function was created. Stress distribution on the residual ridge mucosa was compared by changing the loading point. The artificial teeth were then arranged in locations with the lowest amount of stress. After building an artificial teeth - saddle - residual ridge mucosa model, stress distribution in the residual ridge mucosa was re-evaluated by simulating occlusal force. On the occlusal rim - residual ridge mucosa model, stress was reduced when the loading point was located around the buccal shelf where functional cusps of artificial teeth were charted. It was confirmed that stress distribution in the residual ridge mucosa was equalized on the artificial teeth - saddle - residual ridge mucosa model. This system might be clinically useful tool for designing RPDs if FEA-guided designing of retainers and connectors can be added.

Age-related Changes in Tongue Pressure during Swallowing

Although swallowing movement is known to change with aging, age-related differences in the tongue pressure for propelling a bolus from the oral cavity into the pharynx have yet to be investigated in a physiological condition. We hypothesized that tongue pressure during swallowing changed with aging and, using a 0.1-mm-thick sensor sheet with 5 measuring points, measured it while a 15-mL quantity of water was swallowed by young and elderly dentate individuals. Both groups showed a similar order of tongue pressure production at each point. However, the elderly group showed longer duration at each point, lower maximal magnitude in the anterio-median part of the hard palate, and higher magnitude in the circumferential parts of the hard palate than the young group. These results provide the first quantitative evidence of the age-related changes in tongue movement during natural swallowing, which could be attributed to muscle weakening and morphological changes in the oropharynx.

Neural correlates to seen gaze-direction and head orientation in the macaque monkey amygdala

Human neuropsychological studies suggest that the amygdala is implicated in social cognition, in which cognition of seen gaze-direction, especially the direct gaze, is essential, and that the perception of gaze direction is modulated by the head orientation of the facial stimuli. However, neural correlates to these issues remain unknown. In the present study, neuronal activity was recorded from the macaque monkey amygdala during performance of a sequential delayed non-matching-to-sample task based on gaze direction. The facial stimuli consisted of two head orientations (frontal; straight to the monkey, profile; 30 degrees rightwards from the front) with different gaze directions (directed toward and averted to the left or right of the monkey). Of the 1091 neurons recorded, 61 responded to more than one facial stimulus. Of these face-responsive neurons, 44 displayed responses selective to the facial stimuli (face neurons). Most amygdalar face neurons discriminated both gaze direction and head orientation, and exhibited a significant interaction between the two types about information. Furthermore, factor analysis on the response magnitudes of the face neurons to the facial stimuli revealed that two factors derived from these facial stimuli were correlated with two head orientations. The overall responses of the face neurons to direct gazes in the profile and frontal faces were significantly larger than that to averted gazes. The results suggest that information of both gaze and head direction is integrated in the amygdala, and that the amygdala is implicated in detection of direct gaze.

Oxidative stress in skeletal muscle impairs mitochondrial respiration and limits exercise capacity in type 2 diabetic mice

Insulin resistance or diabetes is associated with limited exercise capacity, which can be caused by the abnormal energy metabolism in skeletal muscle. Oxidative stress is involved in mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes. We hypothesized that increased oxidative stress could cause mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle and make contribution to exercise intolerance in diabetes. C57/BL6J mice were fed on normal diet or high fat diet (HFD) for 8 wk to induce obesity with insulin resistance and diabetes. Treadmill tests with expired gas analysis were performed to determine the exercise capacity and whole body oxygen uptake (Vo(2)). The work (vertical distance x body weight) to exhaustion was reduced in the HFD mice by 36%, accompanied by a 16% decrease of peak Vo(2). Mitochondrial ADP-stimulated respiration, electron transport chain complex I and III activities, and mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle were decreased in the HFD mice. Furthermore, superoxide production and NAD(P)H oxidase activity in skeletal muscle were significantly increased in the HFD mice. Intriguingly, the treatment of HFD-fed mice with apocynin [10 mmol/l; an inhibitor of NAD(P)H oxidase activation] improved exercise intolerance and mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle without affecting glucose metabolism itself. The exercise capacity and mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle were impaired in type 2 diabetes, which might be due to enhanced oxidative stress. Therapies designed to regulate oxidative stress and maintain mitochondrial function could be beneficial to improve the exercise capacity in type 2 diabetes.

Molecular nature of mutations induced by irradiation with repeated low doses of X‐rays in spleen, liver, brain and testis oflacZ‐transgenic mice

PURPOSE

To investigate the molecular characteristics of mutations induced by repeated low doses of X-rays in spleen, liver, brain and testis of mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Muta mice, which harbour the lacZ gene contained in the lambda genome, were irradiated with 0.15 Gy every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 6 months starting at 10 weeks of age for a total of 78 times. Four months after the last irradiation, DNAs were isolated from the four different tissues and the mutant frequencies of lacZ were determined. Next, the nucleotide sequences of the mutant lacZ genes were determined and compared with that of the wild-type to identify the molecular changes in the mutants. The frequencies of different types of mutations were compared with those found in age-matched non-irradiated mice. They were also compared with those found in mice irradiated with a single high dose.

RESULTS

The repeated low-dose irradiation resulted in slight increases in the mutant frequency in the four kinds of tissues. The spleen, liver and brain in repeatedly irradiated mice showed higher frequencies of deletion type mutations than those of non-irradiated mice. In testis, however, the level of the increase was modest and not statistically significant. Complex type mutations were observed only in irradiated tissues. The characteristics observed in somatic tissues were similar to those induced by a single high dose of irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the mechanism of mutation induction in vivo is similar between low- and high-dose irradiation in spleen, liver and brain. The low induction of deletion mutations in testis with low-dose irradiation suggests that spermatogonial cells have a unique DNA repair system against low-dose radiation-induced damage.

Cascade of magnetic-field-induced quantum phase transitions in a spin-1/2 triangular-lattice antiferromagnet

We report magnetocaloric and magnetic-torque evidence that in Cs2CuBr4--a geometrically frustrated Heisenberg S=1/2 triangular-lattice antiferromagnet--quantum fluctuations stabilize a series of spin states at simple increasing fractions of the saturation magnetization Ms. Only the first of these states--at M=1/3Ms--has been theoretically predicted. We discuss how the higher fraction quantum states might arise and propose model spin arrangements. We argue that the first-order nature of the transitions into those states is due to strong lowering of the energies by quantum fluctuations, with implications for the general character of quantum phase transitions in geometrically frustrated systems.

Factors influencing 3D-MRI diagnosis in preoperative breast cancer patients

620

Background: We presented 3D-MRI will be the useful breast imaging tool in diagnosing intraductal spread and tumor size in breast cancer patients. (ASCO 2008).To do breast conserving surgery, careful management was needed in cases with widely ductal spreading and multifocal lesion. This study was to evaluate factors influencing false negative diagnosis and multifocal types of 3D-MRI, retrospectively. Methods: From July 2000, pre-operative 3D-MRI was underwent 488 cases and images were obtained 479 cases (98%). These patients could be divided into three groups according to 3D-MRI images: pattern 1) localized type (273 cases), 2) widely enhanced type (106 cases) and 3) multi-focal type (100 cases). From April 2005, resected specimen was serially step cut and total specimens were microscopically evaluated. Tumor size in 3D-MRI was 1cm over smaller than resected specimens were defined false negative cases. Investigated factors influencing 3D-MRI were age, patterns of 3D-MRI images, presence of pre-operative chemotherapy, histological type, histological grade, microscopical invasive tumor size (mm) and presence of ductal spreading. Results: The rate of histological confirmed intraductal spread were seen in 58% (158/273cases), 89% (94/106 cases) of patients with 3D-MRI pattern 1) and 2), respectively. Tumor size was correlated between MRI and specimens, significantly (n = 162, r = 06706, p < 0.001). Factors influencing false negative diagnosis of 3D-MRI were presence of pre-operative chemotherapy (p < 0.05), presence of ductal spreading (p < 0.001) and patterns of 3D-MRI images (p < 0.05). In the cases with multi-focal 3D- images, there were only 11(11/41, 26%) cases with true multifocal lesions by total specimens examination. Selection for breast conserving surgery and margin width were based by 3D-MRI images. The proportion of breast-conserved surgery were obtained 90% (437/488 cases) and local failure seen only 6 cases (local failure rate 1.4%) in 3D-MRI guided surgery. (median follow up 52 months). Conclusions: These results suggest that MRI will be the useful breast imaging tool, but caution will be needed in cases with pre-operative systemic therapy, cases expected intraductal spread by imaging tools and cases with multi-focal 3D- images.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Rat hippocampal theta rhythm during sensory mismatch

It has been suggested that sensory mismatch induces motion sickness, but its neural mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate this issue, theta waves in the hippocampal formation (HF) were studied during sensory mismatch by backward translocation in awake rats. A monopolar electrode was implanted into the dentate gyrus in the HF, from which local field potentials were recorded. The rats were placed on a treadmill affixed to a motion stage translocated along a figure 8-shaped track. The rats were trained to run forward on the treadmill at the same speed as that of forward translocation of the motion stage (a forward condition) before the experimental (recording) sessions. In the experimental sessions, the rats were initially tested in the forward condition, and then tested in a backward (mismatch) condition, in which the motion stage was turned around by 180 degrees before translocation. That is, the rats were moved backward by translocation of the stage although the rats ran forward on the treadmill. The theta (6-9 Hz) power was significantly increased in the backward condition compared with the forward condition. However, the theta power gradually decreased by repeated testing in the backward condition. Furthermore, backward translocation of the stage without locomotion did not increase theta power. These results suggest that the HF might function as a comparator to detect sensory mismatch, and that alteration in HF theta activity might induce motion sickness.

CMC-544 (inotuzumab ozogamicin), an anti-CD22 immuno-conjugate of calicheamicin, alters the levels of target molecules of malignant B-cells

We studied the effect of CMC-544, the calicheamicin-conjugated anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody, used alone and in combination with rituximab, analyzing the quantitative alteration of target molecules, that is, CD20, CD22, CD55 and CD59, in Daudi and Raji cells as well as in cells obtained from patients with B-cell malignancies (BCM). Antibody inducing direct antiproliferative and apoptotic effect, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were tested separately. In Daudi and Raji cells, the CDC effect of rituximab significantly increased within 12 h following incubation with CMC-544. The levels of CD22 and CD55 were significantly reduced (P<0.001 in both cells) after incubation with CMC-544, but CD20 level remained constant or increased for 12 h. Similar results were obtained in cells from 12 patients with BCM. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of CMC-544 were greater than that of rituximab. The ADCC of rituximab was not enhanced by CMC-544. Thus, the combination of CMC-544 and rituximab increased the in vitro cytotoxic effect in BCM cells, and sequential administration for 12 h proceeded by CMC-544 was more effective. The reduction of CD55 and the preservation of CD20 after incubation with CMC-544 support the rationale for the combined use of CMC-544 and rituximab.

Ferromagnetism and electronic structures of nonstoichiometric Heusler-alloy Fe3-xMnxSi Epilayers grown on Ge(111)

For the study of ferromagnetic materials which are compatible with group-IV semiconductor spintronics, we demonstrate control of the ferromagnetic properties of Heusler-alloy Fe3-xMnxSi epitaxially grown on Ge(111) by tuning the Mn composition x. Interestingly, we obtain L2(1)-ordered structures even for nonstoichiometric atomic compositions. The Curie temperature of the epilayers with x approximately 0.6 exceeds 300 K. Theoretical calculations indicate that the electronic structures of the nonstoichiometric Fe3-xMnxSi alloys become half-metallic for 0.75 < or = x < or = 1.5. We discuss the possibility of room-temperature ferromagnetic Fe(3-x)Mn(x)Si/Ge epilayers with high spin polarization.

Factors influencing false negative diagnosis of 3D-MRI in pre-operative breast cancer patients

Abstract #4005

Introduction: We presented 3D-MRI will be the useful breast imaging tool in diagnosing intraductal spread and tumor size in breast cancer patients (ASCO 2008). But, false negative cases were very important in breast conserving surgery and careful management was needed in 3D-MRI guided surgery. This study was to review imaging diagnosis using 3D-MRI and to evaluate factors influencing false negative diagnosis of 3D-MRI, retrospectively. Material and methods: From July 2000, pre-operative 3D-MRI was underwent 433 cases of breast cancer patients. Images were obtained 426 cases (98%). Tumor size between 3D-MRI and resected specimens were evaluated retrospectively. Cases with tumor size difference between 3D-MRI and resected specimens less than 1cm were defined related cases and cases with tumor size in 3D-MRI was 1cm more smaller than resected specimens were defined false negative cases. Investigated factors influencing false negative diagnosis of 3D-MRI were age, patterns of 3D-MRI images, presence of pre-operative chemotherapy, histological type, histological grade, microscopical invasive tumor size (mm) and presence of ductal spreading. From April 2005, the entire specimen was serially step cut and evaluated. Results: Tumor diameter from nipple side to lateral margin were measured by MRI and specimens, tumor size was correlated between MRI and specimens, significantly (n=118, r=07186, P &lt; 0.001). On Multivariate analysis revealed that factors influencing 3D-MRI diagnosis were presence of ductal spreading (p=0.0002), patterns of 3D-MRI images (p=0.06) and presence of pre-operative chemotherapy (P=0.04). Factors influencing false negative diagnosis of 3D-MRI were presence of pre-operative chemotherapy (P&lt;0.05), presence of ductal spreading (P&lt;0.01) and infiltration of lymphocyte in the edge of ductal spreading (P&lt;0.05). Selection for breast conserving surgery and margin width were based by 3D-MRI images. The proportion of breast-conserved surgery were obtained 89% (380/426 cases) and local failure seen only 6 cases (local failure rate 1.4%) in 3D-MRI guided surgery. (6-94 months, median follow up 51 months).&#x2028; Conclusion: These results suggest that MRI will be the useful breast imaging tool in diagnosing intraductal spread and tumor size in breast cancer patients. But, caution will be needed in cases with pre-operative systemic therapy and cases expected ductal spreading by other imaging tools.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4005.

Effect of Diglucosamine on the Entrapment of Protein into Liposomes

Liposomes, which had entrapped bovine serum albumin (BSA), were modified with diglucosamine by two methods. The liposome was prepared by a freeze-thawing method in the presence of the disaccharide, or the disaccharide was added to the liposome prepared in advance without it. To examine the effects of diglucosamine, the morphology, mean particle size, and zeta potential of both liposomes were compared with those of BSA-entrapping liposome prepared without the disaccharide. Diglucosamine caused no remarkable change in shape and no aggregation of the liposome. The presence of the disaccharide was confirmed on the surfaces of modified liposomes, and the entrapment of BSA into the liposomes was increased by the disaccharide. The entrapment behavior was affected by the way the disaccharide was added, and the difference in the way the BSA was entrapped was also indicated.