Acute idiopathic scrotal edema: ultrasonographic findings at an emergency unit.

We evaluated the US findings in acute idiopathic scrotal edema (AISE) in order to identify diagnostic features that may help to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention. We investigated 12 boys with AISE diagnosed according to the clinical course and US findings. We assessed the thickness, compressibility, and vascularity of the scrotal wall, the extent of edema, and enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes (LN), and their shape, size, and vascularity.

Imaging features of adult choledochal cysts: a pictorial review.

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital anomalies which are principally diagnosed by disproportional dilatation of the extrahepatic bile ducts. In addition, choledochal cysts are believed to arise from the anomalous union of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct outside the duodenal wall which is also proximal to the sphincter of the Oddi mechanism. The various types of choledochal cysts have been classified on the basis of these anomalous unions (Komi classification) and their anatomical locations (Todani classification).

Structural analysis and inhibitory kinetics of brain type creatine kinase by sodium dodecyl sulfate.

The studies regarding the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on enzyme activities and structures can provide a valuable insight into public health. We have predicted the 3D structure of the brain creatine kinase (CK-BB) with a high resolution and simulated the docking between CK-BB and SDS. The predicted structure had a root mean square deviation of 0.

The effects of acrylamide on brain creatine kinase: inhibition kinetics and computational docking simulation.

The occurrence of acrylamide is frequently observed in processed foods. Therefore, the harmful effects of acrylamide on metabolic enzymes are important to understand. We studied the inhibitory effects of acrylamide on the brain creatine kinase (CK-BB).

Miniature fiber-optic high temperature sensor based on a hybrid structured Fabry-Perot interferometer.

A miniature Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometric fiber-optic sensor suitable for high-temperature sensing is proposed and demonstrated. The sensor head consists of two FP cavities formed by fusion splicing a short hollow-core fiber and a piece of single-mode fiber at a photonic crystal fiber in series. The reflection spectra of an implemented sensor are measured at several temperatures and analyzed in the spatial frequency domain.

Evaluation of patients with suspected ureteral calculi using sonography as an initial diagnostic tool: how can we improve diagnostic accuracy?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of sonography as an initial diagnostic tool in patients with suspected ureterolithiasis.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of 318 patients with suspected ureteral stones over a 14-month period. All patients underwent sonography after fasting for 8 hours and bladder filling.

The effect of histidine residue modification on tyrosinase activity and conformation: inhibition kinetics and computational prediction.

We found that the histidine chemical modification of tyrosinase conspicuously inactivated enzyme activity. The substrate reactions with diethylpyridinecarbamate showed slow-binding inhibition kinetics (KI = 0.24 +/- 0.

Dimeric capsules with a nanoscale cavity for [60]fullerene encapsulation.

The acid-assisted and guest-induced formation of superstructures was achieved by the addition of haloacetic acids to a toluene solution of the resorcin[4]arene derivatives 1 and [60]fullerenes. The formation of dimeric superstructures that encapsulated a nanosized guest molecule was observed when appropriate acids, such as haloacetic acids, and suitable guest molecules, such as [60]fullerenes, were co-added to a toluene solution of cavitand 1 that has four pyridine units, whereas a complicated equilibrium between several species was detected without [60]fullerenes, and the formation of discrete superstructures was not monitored in the absence of haloacetic acids. The spectroscopic data indicate that the formed [60]fullerene-encapsulated complexes have the structure of 2.

Added diagnostic value of multiplanar reformation of multidetector CT data in patients with suspected appendicitis.

Computed tomography (CT) is an accurate and effective modality for the diagnosis and staging of appendicitis. CT provides rapid and complete evaluation of patients with suspected appendicitis and clearly demonstrates the typical findings of appendicitis, including a distended appendix, periappendiceal fat stranding, an appendicolith, and focal thickening of the cecum. Identification of an inflamed appendix at CT may be difficult in certain patients (eg, patients with scanty intraabdominal fat, an unusual location of the cecum and appendix, prominent cecal wall thickening and pericecal fat stranding, small bowel dilatation, or abscess formation adjacent to the right adnexa).

The various manifestations of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: CT imaging findings.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a tendency to rupture spontaneously which leads to a life-threatening condition. Disruption of the tumor surface or a tear in a parasitic feeding artery can cause HCC rupture leading to hemoperitoneum. When evaluating patients with a ruptured HCC, CT can detect tumors, determine tumor extent, define the presence of tumor bleeding, and show serial hematoma density changes.

Influence of pipe materials and VBNC cells on culturable bacteria in a chlorinated drinking water model system.

To elucidate the influence of pipe materials on the VBNC (viable but nonculturable) state and bacterial numbers in drinking water, biofilm and effluent from stainless steel, galvanized iron, and polyvinyl chloride pipe wafers were analyzed. Although no HPC (heterotrophic plate count) was detected in the chlorinated influent of the model system, a DVC (direct viable count) still existed in the range between 3- and 4-log cells/ml. Significantly high numbers of HPC and DVC were found both in biofilm and in the effluent of the model system.

The efficacy of the COMFORT scale in assessing optimal sedation in critically ill children requiring mechanical ventilation.

Sedation is often necessary to optimize care for critically ill children requiring mechanical ventilation. If too light or too deep, however, sedation can cause significant adverse reactions, making it important to assess the degree of sedation and maintain its optimal level. We evaluated the efficacy of the COMFORT scale in assessing optimal sedation in critically ill children requiring mechanical ventilation.

Multiplanar reformations and minimum intensity projections using multi-detector row CT for assessing anomalies and disorders of the pancreaticobiliary tree.

CT scan is regarded as the imaging modality of choice in patients with pancreaticobiliary ductal abnormalities. However, the axial orientation of the CT images provides only limited anatomical view of pancreaticobiliary ductal abnormalities. The technological advances of multi-detector row CT and three-dimensional image processing in workstations allows rapid image acquisition and a short postprocessing time.

Portal vein thrombosis: CT features.

There are many causative diseases to produced portal vein thrombosis (PVT) with the most common being liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. Visualization of abnormalities associated with PVT is crucial to diagnosis and appropriate intervention. Dynamic contrast enhanced CT is the best means of diagnosis of PVT and evaluation of various causative diseases.

Dominance of endospore-forming bacteria on a Rotating Activated Bacillus Contactor biofilm for advanced wastewater treatment.

The bacterial diversity inherent to the biofilm community structure of a modified rotating biological contactor wastewater treatment process, referred to as the Rotating Activated Bacillus Contactor (RABC) process, was characterized in this study, via both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. On the basis of culture-dependent methods, Bacillus sp. were found to exist in large numbers on the biofilm (6.

Manual reduction of torsion of an intrascrotal appendage under ultrasonographic monitoring.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of manual reduction of torsion of an intrascrotal appendage under ultrasonographic monitoring.

Methods: Fifteen boys with torsion of an intrascrotal appendage, confirmed by scrotal ultrasonography and clinical status, were included in the study. The boys were 6 to 13 years old (mean age, 9 years).

[Intraductal ultrasonography for the selection of self expandable metal stent in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma].

Background/aims: Endoscopic stent insertion with self expandable metal stent (SEMS) is one of the standard palliative treatments for the patients with unresectable bile duct carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine whether detection of longitudinal spread of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma by intraductal US (IDUS) would be helpful in the selection of metal stent for the palliative drainage in bile duct carcinoma.

Methods: Seventeen patients with histologically proven unresectable extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with IDUS were included.

High-resolution sonography for nasal fracture in children.

Objective: We describe the sonographic findings of nasal fracture in children, and we evaluate the diagnostic value of sonography as compared with conventional radiography and clinical findings to determine whether sonography can be a primary technique for evaluating nasal fracture in children.

Materials And Methods: Conventional radiographs and sonographic scans were obtained in 26 consecutive children with nasal trauma who were seen at our hospital from March 2003 to March 2005. There were five girls and 21 boys, and their ages ranged from 1 year 9 months to 15 years 11 months (mean age, 9.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel T-type calcium channel blockers.

3,4-Dihydroquinazoline analogues substituted by N-methyl-N-(5-pyrrolidinopentyl)amine at the 2-position were synthesized and their blocking effects were evaluated for T- and N-type calcium channels. Compound 11b (KYS05080), compared to mibefradil (IC50=1.34+/-0.

Growth inhibition of human cancer cells in vitro by T-type calcium channel blockers.

This paper describes the preliminary biological results that novel T-type calcium channel blockers inhibit the growth of human cancer cells by blocking calcium influx into the cell, based on unknown mechanism on the cell cycle responsible for cellular proliferation. Among the selected compounds from compound library, compound 9c (KYS05041) was identified to be nearly equipotent with Cisplatin against some human cancers in the micromolar range.

Dominance of Lysobacter sp. in the rhizosphere of two coastal sand dune plant species, Calystegia soldanella and Elymus mollis.

Bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of beach morning glory (Calystegia soldanella) and wild rye (Elymus mollis), two of the major plant species inhabiting the coastal sane dune in Tae-An, Korea, was studied by the analysis of community 16S rRNA gene clones. The amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) of the clones using HaeIII exhibited significant differences in the community composition between the two plant species as well as regional differences, but also identified a specific ARDRA pattern that was most common among the clones regardless of plant species. Subsequent sequence analysis indicated that the pattern was that of Lysobacter spp.

Placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents for pediatric tracheobronchial obstruction.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents in seven children with tracheobronchial obstruction.

Materials And Methods: Using bronchoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance, stent placement was performed in seven children (median age, 12 y; range, 2 mo-14 y). The stents were electively removed 6 months after placement or whenever there were symptom-producing complications.

Synthesis and SAR studies of a novel series of T-type calcium channel blockers.

For the novel, potent, and selective T-type Ca2+ channel blockers, a series of sulfonamido-containing 3,4-dihydroquinazoline derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their blocking actions on T- and N-type Ca2+ channels. Among them, 9c (KYS05064, IC50 = 0.96 +/- 0.

Long-term growth of pediatric patients following living-donor liver transplantation.

In order to determine the influence of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) on long-term growth, we studied the progress of 36 children who had survived more than 5 yr after LDLT from 1994 to 1999. The median age at the transplantation was 1.5 yr (range: 6 months-15 yr) and the median follow-up period was 6.