Long-term pulmonary complications of chemical weapons exposure in former poison gas factory workers.

Context: Sulfur mustard (SM) and lewisite are vesicant chemical warfare agents that can cause skin blistering and chronic lung complications. During 1929-1945, a Japanese factory produced poisonous gases, which included SM, lewisite and other chemical weapons. The aim of this study was to investigate the chest computed tomography (CT) findings among long-term survivors who worked at this factory.

Thylakoid Development and Galactolipid Synthesis in Cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria carry out oxygenic photosynthesis and share many features with chloroplasts, including thylakoid membranes, which are mainly composed of membrane lipids and protein complexes that mediate photosynthetic electron transport. Although the functions of the various thylakoid protein complexes have been well characterized, the details underlying the biogenesis of thylakoid membranes remain unclear. Galactolipids are the major constituents of the thylakoid membrane system, and all the genes involved in galactolipid biosynthesis were recently identified.

Embolization for type 2 endoleak with sac expansion after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm: safety and effectiveness.

To evaluate the safety and outcome of embolization as treatment for persistent type 2 endoleak (T2EL) occurring after abdominal aortic stent graft implantation. This retrospective study included seven consecutive patients (one female, six males, mean age 72 years, range 66-88 years) with T2EL between January 2011 and September 2012. In all, T2EL was associated with an increase more than 5 mm in the aneurysm.

Cold temperature blocks thyroid hormone-induced changes in lipid and energy metabolism in the liver of Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles.

Background: Exposure of the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles to low temperature affects many biological processes including lipid metabolism and the thyroid hormone (TH) signaling pathway, resulting in arrest of TH-induced metamorphosis. To clarify what molecular events occur in this phenomenon, we investigated the glycerophospholipid and fatty acid (FA) compositions, the activities of mitochondrial enzymes and the transcript levels of related genes in the liver of control (26 °C) and cold-treated (4 °C) tadpoles with or without 5 nM 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3).

Results: Exposure to T3 decreased the tail height and polyunsaturation of FAs in the glycerophospholipids, and increased plasma glucose levels and transcript levels of primary TH-response genes including TH receptor, and some energy metabolic (cox4, srebp1 and fas) and FA chain elongase genes (elovl3 and elovl5).

Digalactosyldiacylglycerol is essential in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, but its function does not depend on its biosynthetic pathway.

Digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) is a major component of thylakoid membranes, occupying approximately 20% of the membrane system. This lipid composition is conserved from cyanobacteria to the chloroplasts of terrestrial plants, suggesting that DGDG is important for the function of photosynthetic membranes. Here we isolated the gene for DGDG synthase in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (7942dgdA) and found that this gene is essential for this species.

Preoperative Fluorine 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the value of preoperative fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET-CT) for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively examined 60 patients who received F-FDG PET-CT prior to hepatic resection for small HCC (≤30 mm) with subsequent MVI confirmation by histopathology. The associations between PET-positive status and tumor factors were assessed.

Diversity in Biosynthetic Pathways of Galactolipids in the Light of Endosymbiotic Origin of Chloroplasts.

Cyanobacteria and chloroplasts perform oxygenic photosynthesis, and share a common origin. Galactolipids are present in the photosynthetic membranes of both cyanobacteria and chloroplasts, but the biosynthetic pathways of the galactolipids are significantly different in the two systems. In this minireview, we explain the history of the discovery of the cyanobacterial pathway, and present a probable scenario of the evolution of the two pathways.

A case of tubulocystic carcinoma of the kidney with aggressive features.

Tubulocystic carcinoma of the kidney is rare and typically indolent. Our case involved an aggressive tubulocystic carcinoma as well as the radiological confirmation of its relation to papillary renal cell carcinoma. A 46-year-old male presented with renal multiloculated cysts with a solid part.

Cerebral blood flow in transient hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy: Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance study.

Objective: Our purpose was to apply arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to characterize regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF: the CBF values at each voxel / the subject's mean global flow) in patients with transient hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy.

Methods: Our study included 27 patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer and pre-131I therapy and 24 controls. Patients were evaluated at two points in time: before and after thyroxine replacement.

Low-tube-voltage selection for non-contrast-enhanced CT: Comparison of the radiation dose in pediatric and adult phantoms.

Purpose: We used pediatric and adult anthropomorphic phantoms to compare the radiation dose of low- and standard tube voltage chest and abdominal non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans. We also discuss the optimal low tube voltage for non-contrast-enhanced CT.

Methods: Using a female adult- and three differently-sized pediatric anthropomorphic phantoms we acquired chest and abdominal non-contrast-enhanced scans on a 320-multidetector CT volume scanner.

Change in Imaging Findings on Angiography-Assisted CT During Balloon-Occluded Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in imaging findings on CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and CT during arterial portography (CTAP) by balloon occlusion of the treated artery and their relationship with iodized oil accumulation in the tumor during balloon-occluded transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (B-TACE).

Methods: Both B-TACE and angiography-assisted CT were performed for 27 hepatocellular carcinomas. Tumor enhancement on selective CTHA with/without balloon occlusion and iodized oil accumulation after B-TACE were evaluated.

Embolization of Arteriovenous Malformations: Effect of Flow Control and Composition of n-Butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate and Iodized Oil Mixtures with and without Ethanol in an in Vitro Model.

Purpose To elucidate the effect of flow control (ie, balloon occlusion) and the composition of various mixtures of n-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and iodized oil, with and without the addition of ethanol, for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations in an in vitro model. Materials and Methods A simulation circuit device that featured an artificial nidus was filled with heparinized swine blood obtained during exsanguination from another Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-approved protocol and was constructed to generate pulsatile flow. Mixtures of NBCA and iodized oil (NL) at a 1:1 ratio (NL 1:1); NL and ethanol (NLE) at a 1:1:3 ratio (NLE 1:1:3) with or without flow control; and NL at 1:3, 1:5, and 1:10 ratios without flow control were injected six times each for a total of 42 trials.

Safe use of iodinated and gadolinium-based contrast media in current practice in Japan: a questionnaire survey.

Purpose: To help establish consensus on the safe use of contrast media in Japan.

Materials And Methods: Questionnaires were sent to accredited teaching hospitals with radiology residency programs.

Results: The reply rate was 45.

The essence of the Japan Radiological Society/Japanese College of Radiology Imaging Guideline.

Diagnostic imaging is undoubtedly important in modern medicine, and final clinical decisions are often made based on it. Fortunately, Japan has the highest numbers of diagnostic imaging instruments, such as CT and MRI devices, and boasts easy access to them as well as a high level of diagnostic accuracy. In consequence, a very large number of imaging examinations are performed, but diagnostic instruments are installed in so many medical facilities that expert management of these examinations tends to be insufficient.

sHLA-G and sHLA-I levels in follicular fluid are not associated with successful implantation.

In the field of in vitro fertilization (IVF), useful markers for the prediction of successful implantation for oocyte or embryo selection are essential. It has been reported that sHLA-G (sHLA-G1/HLA-G5) could be detected in the supernatant of the fertilized embryo and in follicular fluid samples (FFs), and that the presence of sHLA-G was related to successful implantation. If sHLA-G could be used as a marker of oocyte selection from multiple FFs, oocytes could be selected without physical contact, thus reducing the likelihood of damage.

[Trabecular bone changes in the spine after transarterial chemoembolization therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma].

The number of computed tomography(CT)-guided interventional procedures has increased because they are less invasive and more cost-effective than open surgery. Transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is a method in which chemotherapeutic drugs are injected into the artery that supplies the tumor. It is also well known that multidetector-CT has tremendously advanced our diagnostic capabilities broadly throughout medicine.

Preoperative Coil Embolization in Patients With a Replaced Hepatic Artery Scheduled for Pancreatectomy With Splanchnic Artery Resection Helps to Prevent Ischemic Organ Injury.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevention of liver ischemic injury by preoperative coil embolization in patients with a replaced hepatic artery scheduled for pancreatectomy with splanchnic artery resection.

Methods: Between July 2009 and May 2012, 4 patients with replaced hepatic artery underwent pancreatectomy plus splanchnic artery resection. The replaced right hepatic artery was preoperatively embolized in 2 patients.

Geographic Distribution of Radiologists and Utilization of Teleradiology in Japan: A Longitudinal Analysis Based on National Census Data.

Background: Japan has the most CT and MRI scanners per unit population in the world, and as these technologies spread, their geographic distribution is becoming equalized. In contrast, the number of radiologists per unit population in Japan is the lowest among OECD countries and their geographic distribution is unknown. Likewise, little is known about the use of teleradiology, which can compensate for the uneven distribution of radiologists.