A novel single-ended readout depth-of-interaction PET detector fabricated using sub-surface laser engraving.

We propose a novel scintillation detector design for positron emission tomography (PET), which has depth of interaction (DOI) capability and uses a single-ended readout scheme. The DOI detector contains a pair of crystal bars segmented using sub-surface laser engraving (SSLE). The two crystal bars are optically coupled to each other at their top segments and are coupled to two photo-sensors at their bottom segments.

Achromatic prism-type wave plate for broadband terahertz pulses.

We demonstrated achromatic half- and quarter-wave plates for broadband terahertz pulses using phase retardation by internal total reflection. Prism-type wave plates realized ultra-broadband retardation stability up to 2.5 THz, which was the limitation of our experimental setup.

Synthesis of neutral glycosphingolipids from Zygomycetes.

Novel neutral glycosphingolipids (NGSLs) containing Gal-alpha1-->6Gal, previously found in the Zygomycetes species Mucor hiemalis, were synthesized. The structures of these compounds are different from those of other fungal GSLs, and they are expected to be involved in host-parasite interactions. A key step in their synthesis is direct 1,2-cis alpha-selective galactosylation of 4,6-diol tri- and tetrasaccharide acceptors with a galactosyl donor in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS)/trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH).

Oxidation of linoleic acid encapsulated with soluble soybean polysaccharide by spray-drying.

Linoleic acid was encapsulated with a soluble soybean polysaccharide, gum arabic, or a mixture of both together with maltodextrin, and the oxidation process of the encapsulated acid was measured at 37 degrees C and at a relative humidity of 12%. The soybean polysaccharide was more effective for encapsulating the acid and suppressing the oxidation of the encapsulated acid than gum arabic. A mixture of the soybean polysaccharide and maltodextrin was also effective for this purpose when the weight fraction of the polysaccharide was equal to or greater than 0.

Oxidation of linoleic acid encapsulated with gum arabic or maltodextrin by spray-drying.

Linoleic acid was emulsified with gum arabic or maltodextrin at various weight ratios of the acid to the polysaccharide in the presence or absence of a small-molecule emulsifier. The emulsions were spray-dried to produce microcapsules. Emulsions prepared with gum arabic were smaller in droplet size and more stable than those prepared with maltodextrin, and linoleic acid in a gum arabic-based microcapsule was also most resistant to oxidation than that in a maltodextrin-based microcapsule.

Effective induction and acquisition of human monoclonal IgE antibodies reactive with house-dust mite extracts.

IgE plays a critical role in acute hypersensitivity such as anaphylaxis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. IgE antibody is, therefore, an essential reagent for studying the mechanisms of these diseases. However, it is difficult to obtain IgE antibody in amounts sufficient for research use because IgE-producing lymphocytes are very rare.

New human fusion partners, ICLU-B, -T, -E for making human hybridomas derived from various immunological cells.

To investigate human immune responses, it is useful to use cultured human immunological cell lines. Cell fusion is one method to immortalize desired cells. Therefore, we established HAT sensitive human fusion partners, ICLU-B derived from human burkitt lymphoma, ICLU-T from human T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, ICLU-E from human eosinophilic leukemia, for efficiently making various human immunological hybridomas.

Establishment of a human fusion partner for making human T-T hybridomas which can grow in serum free medium.

A new human fusion partner, ICLU-T was established for making human T-T hybridomas. Some 6-thioguanine resistant (6-TGr) clones were separated from human T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, PEER. The fastest growing clone of the 6-TGr cells was scaled up and was cultured in serum free medium.

Fluorescent diagnosis of experimental gastric cancer using a tumor-localizing photosensitizer.

To clarify the usefulness of fluorescent diagnosis for gastric cancer, we assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the tumor-localizing photochlorine photosensitizer ATX-S10 in combination with a new fluorescence diagnostic system. Into the submucosa of the stomachs of five rabbits, VX-2 tumor cells originating from squamous cell carcinoma were injected. After 3 weeks, three rabbits (Group I) were sacrificed 3 h after intravenous injection of ATX-S10 at a dose of 20 mg/kg, and their stomachs were observed by the Hg-lamp-induced fluorescence diagnostic system.