The value of multidetector-row CT in the preoperative detection of pancreatic insulinomas

PURPOSE

The authors sought to quantitatively analyse enhancement characteristics of pancreatic insulinomas in different phases and determine the value of multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) for detecting insulinomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-six patients with surgically proven insulinomas diagnosed between 2002 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. These patients underwent single-phase (group 1) or dual-phase (group 2) helical CT scanning.

RESULTS

Sensitivity for detecting insulinomas in group 2 was superior to that in group 1 (p<0.05).The sensitivity for insulinoma detection in the arterial phase was superior to that in the portal-venous phase (p<0.05). The mean attenuation values of the insulinomas and normal pancreas during the unenhanced arterial and portal-venous phases were, respectively, 40.5+/-8.75 HU (Hounsfield units), 114.48+/-27.30 HU, 112.19+/-19.52 HU and 44.56+/-6.48 HU, 81.16+/-15.22 HU, 90.54+/-13.80 HU, and there was statistical difference between them (p=0.000). The contrast enhancement of insulinomas in the arterial and portal-venous phases was 74.03+/-29.51 HU and 70.90+/-21.93 HU, respectively, and there was no statistical difference between them (p=0.499). The tumour to normal-pancreas attenuation differences in the arterial and portal-venous phases were respectively 33.32+/-20.96 HU and 20.58+/-16.32 HU, respectively, and there was statistical difference between them (p=0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Dual-phase CT has a promising sensitivity in detecting pancreatic insulinomas. The acquisition of images in the arterial phase is more helpful for detecting insulinomas.

The role of magnetoelastic strain on orbital control and transport properties in an LaTiO(3)-CoFe(2)O(4) heterostructure

Epitaxial heterostructures of CoFe(2)O(4)/LaTiO(3)/LaAlO(3) have been successfully prepared by using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The magnetoresistance (MR) of the samples is negative and linear with field at H≥2 T, exhibiting no dependence on field directions. Nevertheless, when H<2 T, the MR is negative in a field parallel to the sample plane, but positive in that along the film normal. This novel observed anisotropic MR is explained in terms of the magnetic anisotropy in the ferrimagnetic layer, as well as the magnetoelastic coupling between the two. In fields of different directions, the top CoFe(2)O(4) layer contracts or expands in the sample plane due to the significant magnetostriction effect, changing its resistance accordingly and exerting compressive or tensile strains on the bottom LaTiO(3) layer. Apparently the orbital status and the one-electron bandwidth in the LaTiO(3) layer are altered, which leads to a change in resistance.

Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Uromyces appendiculatus hyphae and haustoria and their comparison to sequences from other rust fungi

Hyphae, 2 to 8 days postinoculation (dpi), and haustoria, 5 dpi, were isolated from Uromyces appendiculatus infected bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Pinto 111) and a separate cDNA library prepared for each fungal preparation. Approximately 10,000 hyphae and 2,700 haustoria clones were sequenced from both the 5' and 3' ends. Assembly of all of the fungal sequences yielded 3,359 contigs and 927 singletons. The U. appendiculatus sequences were compared with sequence data for other rust fungi, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Uromyces fabae, and Puccinia graminis. The U. appendiculatus haustoria library included a large number of genes with unknown cellular function; however, summation of sequences of known cellular function suggested that haustoria at 5 dpi had fewer transcripts linked to protein synthesis in favor of energy metabolism and nutrient uptake. In addition, open reading frames in the U. appendiculatus data set with an N-terminal signal peptide were identified and compared with other proteins putatively secreted from rust fungi. In this regard, a small family of putatively secreted RTP1-like proteins was identified in U. appendiculatus and P. graminis.

Selective targeting of pigmented retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells by a single pulsed laser irradiation: an in vitro study

This work describes the selective targeting of pigmented retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells by a single pulsed laser irradiation. We observed: (1) single pulsed laser irradiation caused cellular damages on pigmented, and not on non-pigmented RPE cells at laser radiant exposure up to 2550 mJ/cm(2); (2) in the mixture of pigmented and non-pigmented RPE cells, single pulsed laser-induced damage was confined to pigmented RPE cells. This study demonstrates that the pigmented RPE cells can be selectively damaged, using a single pulsed laser irradiation, without thermal coagulation to adjacent non-pigmented RPE cells.

Proximal magnetometry in thin films using betaNMR

Low energy ion implantation of hyperpolarized radioactive magnetic resonance probes allows the NMR study of thin film heterostructures by enabling depth-resolved measurements on a nanometer lengthscale. By stopping the probe ions in a layer adjacent to a layer of interest, it is possible to study magnetic fields proximally. Here we show that, in the simplest case of a uniformly magnetized layer, this yields an unperturbed in situ frequency reference. We also discuss demagnetization contributions to measured shifts for this case. With a simple illustrative calculation, we show how a nonuniformly magnetized layer causes a strongly depth-dependent line broadening in an adjacent layer. We then give some experimental examples of resonance line broadening in heterostructures.

Evolving Connectionist System Based Role Allocation for Robotic Soccer

Robotic soccer is an intelligent system where a group of mobile robots are controlled to perform soccer play ( http://www.fira.net ). The allocation of a suitable role for each robot in a team is a key for the success of the play. The paper treats this issue as one of pattern classification, and solves it with an Evolving classification function (ECF), a special evolving connectionist system (ECOS). A robot's role is determined by and evolves with the states of system (robots and target) in real time. The software and hardware platforms are set up for data collection and learning. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified by the experimental studies.

CCDC134, a novel secretory protein, inhibits activation of ERK and JNK, but not p38 MAPK

In this study, we report a novel gene, CCDC134 (coiled-coil domain containing 134), that encodes a secretory protein that can inhibit the MAPK pathway as a novel human MAPK-regulating protein. The CCDC134 mRNA contains 1280 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 229 amino acids. CCDC134 is a classical secretory protein. Expression profile analysis by Northern blot, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot reveals that CCDC134 is widely expressed in normal adult tissues, tumor tissues and cell lines. Functional investigation reveals that overexpression of CCDC134 and its purified protein significantly inhibit transcriptional activity of Elk1 and phosphorylation of Erk and JNK/SAPK but not p38 MAPK. Conversely, specific siRNA against CCDC134 activates Elk1 transcriptional activity and promotes Erk and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation. These results clearly indicate that CCDC134 is a novel member of the secretory family and down-regulates the Raf-1/MEK/ERK and JNK/ SAPK pathways.

High-Q-preserving coupling between a spiral and a semicircle micro-cavity

We present an efficient design for direct coupling between a spiral-shaped and a semicircle-shaped microcavity (micro-cavity) as an alternative to traditional evanescent wave coupling for planar integrated photonic technology. We observe the preservation of the high Q-value of the spiral oscillator when coupled to a semicircle under current injection using an AlGaAs single-quantum-well heterostructure. With slight alterations to the directly coupled micro-cavity configuration, such as coupling shape and overlap distance, the number of observed modes and output intensity are changed. AlGaAs and InGaN spiral-shaped microcavities have unidirectional emission normal to the spiral notch.

beta-NMR of isolated lithium in nearly ferromagnetic palladium

The temperature dependence of the frequency shift and spin-lattice relaxation rate of isolated, nonmagnetic (8)Li impurities implanted in a nearly ferromagnetic host (Pd) are measured by means of beta-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (beta-NMR). The shift is negative, very large, and increases monotonically with decreasing T in proportion to the bulk susceptibility of Pd for T > T* approximately 100 K. Below T*, an additional shift occurs which we attribute to the response of Pd to the defect. The relaxation rate is much slower than expected for the large shift and is linear with T below T*, showing no sign of additional relaxation mechanisms associated with the defect.

20E-regulated USP expression and phosphorylation in Drosophila melanogaster

The developmental profiles of ultraspiracle protein (USP) in the tissues of Drosophila melanogaster were investigated using a USP specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) as a probe. Western blot analysis revealed four USP mAb reactive bands (p46, p48, p54 and p56), each with tissue- and stage-specific expression patterns. The p54 and p56 were expressed in nearly all larval and prepupal tissues tested with fluctuations in abundance. However, the p46 and p48 were detected exclusively in the midgut of prepupae and shown to be the proteolytic products of p54 and p56. A lambda protein phosphatase assay demonstrated that the p56 is the phosphorylated form of p54. The expression and phosphorylation of the p54 USP is regulated by 20E. Protein kinase consensus recognition sequence analysis revealed 10 putative phosphorylation sites in Drosophila USP, with seven sites for protein kinase C (PKC) and three sites for casein kinase II (CKII). The fact that seven out of 10 putative phosphorylation sites reside in the ligand- and DNA-binding domains suggests that phosphorylation may play important role in regulating USP function. Identification of the in vivo USP phosphorylation sites and signal transduction pathways that regulate the specific USP phosphorylation is currently underway.

Effects of ecdysone agonists on the expression of EcR, USP and other specific proteins in the ovaries of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.)

Tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide have been previously shown to significantly reduce fecundity and cause vitellogenin accumulation in hemolymph of the codling moth Cydia pomonella L. In the present study, the effects of these ecdysone agonists, tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide, on the expression of ecdysone receptor (EcR), ultraspiracle protein (USP) and other proteins in the ovaries of C. pomonella L., were investigated at both the translational and/or transcriptional levels with an aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which the fecundity was reduced. Western and Northern blot analyses revealed that the expression of a 65 kDa (p65) EcR, and 60 and 64 kDa (p60 and p64) USP proteins were enhanced by tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide at both transcriptional and translational levels. Northern blot analysis indicated that the p65 EcR protein is encoded by EcRB1 transcript and that the p60 and p64 USP bands were the products of USP-1 transcript. Immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that both the p60 and p64 USP coprecipitated with the p65 EcR and that p64 was a dominant USP to form complex with EcR. In addition, several other specific proteins were also identified and their expressions affected by the agonists. The data suggest that the ecdysone agonists regulate, via the EcR/USP complex, the expression of these specific proteins that might eventually lead to the inhibition of fecundity in the codling moth.

An intelligent controller for automated operation of sequencing batch reactors

In this paper the results are presented of original research into the automatic and "intelligent" detection of breakpoints in Dissolved Oxygen (DO) profiles. The research has been based on a large body of data collected from laboratory SBRs operating on synthetic wastewater. Two different approaches were followed to identify the endpoints. The paper analyses and evaluates the results of automatic detection on the basis of geometric features in the DO profiles. This was followed by classification of the detected breakpoints using different soft computing techniques based on Neural Network (NN), Fuzzy Neural Network (FuNN) and Evolving Fuzzy Neural Network (EfuNN) software systems for breakpoint classification. A high rate of successful detection and classification was obtained with up to 96% of the decisions made correctly. In order to overcome the limitations of this system to adapt to dynamically changing process conditions, an intelligent control model was developed by a combination between an Evolving Fuzzy Neural Net (EfuNN) combined with a logic decision unit. This system has the ability to "learn on-the-fly" and adjust its response pattern in order to maintain a high rate of successful breakpoint detection under varying changing process conditions. This software system has been sucessfully embedded on a small programmable controller for integration into larger process control systems for the operation of SBR plants.

[Historical investigation of dentifrice in China]

A herbal literature survey was carried out on data concerning historical pharmacognostical changes of "dentifrice" in China and how diseases of the teeth and gums had been treated there in ancient times. It had been considered to be a matter of utmost importance that to prevent teeth from decaying, only the brushing of teeth with a toothbrush was necessary. Over time, various tooth agents have been found to treat oral diseases the teeth and gums. Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ginseng Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Menthae Herbal, and salt were widely used materials. Investigations from all approaches are being carried out to develop remedies for oral diseases, including Kampo medicine and the pharmacological effects of numerous crude drugs. When tracing the pharmacognostical changes of dentifrice in ancient China, we felt wonder at and admiration for the abundance of clinical experiences described in the old herbal and medical literature we researched.

Nuclear translocation of PDCD5 (TFAR19): an early signal for apoptosis?

The programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein is a novel protein related to regulation of cell apoptosis. In this report, we demonstrate that the level of PDCD5 protein expressed in cells undergoing apoptosis is significantly increased compared with normal cells, then the protein translocates rapidly from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells. The appearance of PDCD5 in the nuclei of apoptotic cells precedes the externalization of phosphatidylserine and fragmentation of chromosome DNA. This phenomenon is parallel to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, independent of the feature of apoptosis-inducing stimuli and also independent of the cell types and the apoptosis modality. In conclusion, the nuclear translocation of PDCD5 is a universal earlier event of the apoptotic process, and may be a novel early marker for apoptosis.

Platelet-derived growth factor promotes the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in vascular smooth muscle cells by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway

Vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis are characterized by abnormal accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the intimal lining. The intimal VSMCs exhibit an increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), and the administration of pharmacological PPARgamma agonists attenuates vascular lesion formation. The factors that regulate PPARgamma expression in the vasculature are poorly defined. Here we report that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) upregulates PPARgamma by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/Akt signaling pathway. Using Northern-blotting and Western-blotting analyses, we observed that the levels of PPARgamma mRNA and protein were increased by 2- to 3.5-fold in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) treated with PDGF (20 ng/mL). This was abolished by preincubation of HASMCs with a PI3-kinase inhibitor (LY294002, 50 micromol/L), and partially inhibited by a MEK1 inhibitor (U0126, 10 micromol/L), but not affected by a p38 kinase inhibitor (SB202190, 10 micromol/L). In addition, overexpression of the dominant-negative p85 subunit of PI3-kinase or Akt proteins blocked the PDGF-induced PPARgamma expression. Taken together, our results suggest that PDGF induces PPARgamma expression in VSMCs by a PI3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. The characterization of factors and signaling pathways that modulate PPARgamma expression in VSMCs may have important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.