Variability in absolute apparent diffusion coefficient values across different platforms may be substantial: a multivendor, multi-institutional comparison study.

Purpose: To determine whether and to what degree absolute apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values vary between different imagers, vendors, field strengths, and intraimager conditions.

Materials And Methods: Informed consent and institutional review board approval were obtained. Diffusion-weighted (DW) images with nearly identical parameters were obtained at 1.

Monoamine neurons in the human brain stem: anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and clinical implications.

By using high-resolution, conventional, and neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging techniques, we reviewed the normal anatomy of the nuclei consisting of monoamine neurons such as dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and serotoninergic neurons and noted the changes in these nuclei that occur in some degenerative and psychiatric disorders. Multimodal MR images can directly or indirectly help in identifying the substantia nigra, locus ceruleus, and raphe nuclei that contain monoamine neurons. Neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging can detect signal alterations in the substantia nigra pars compacta and/or locus ceruleus that occur in Parkinson's disease and psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

Placental system A amino acid transport is reduced in pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA) infants but not in preeclampsia with SGA infants.

Preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are both associated with abnormal remodeling of maternal spiral arteries perfusing the placental site. This would be expected to be associated with reduced fetal growth, yet only one third of infants of mothers with preeclampsia are growth restricted. Infants with IUGR have decreased concentrations of amino acids in their blood and system A amino acid transporter activity is reduced in their placentas.

Combination therapy with short interfering RNA vectors against VEGF-C and VEGF-A suppresses lymph node and lung metastasis in a mouse immunocompetent mammary cancer model.

Cancer metastasis contributes significantly to cancer mortality and is facilitated by lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-A are involved in lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. To inhibit metastasis, combination therapy with vector-based small interfering RNA (siRNA) against VEGF-C and/or VEGF-A was conducted on murine metastatic mammary cancer.

Determination of physicochemical properties of tetrabromobisphenol A.

Aqueous solubility (Sw), 1-octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow), and vapor pressure of the nonionic form of 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromo-4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (tetrabromobisphenol A or TBBP-A) were measured. From this, enthalpies of solution and vaporization were estimated. Furthermore, enthalpy of fusion and melting point were measured to estimate subcooled liquid vapor pressure, the infinite dilution activity coefficient, and Henry's law constant.

Increased myeloperoxidase in the placenta and circulation of women with preeclampsia.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a hemoprotein normally released from activated monocytes and neutrophils. Traditionally viewed as a microbicidal enzyme, MPO also induces low-density lipoprotein oxidation, activates metalloproteinases, and oxidatively consumes endothelium-derived NO. The elevated plasma MPO level is a risk factor for myocardial events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Trichloroethylene causes generalized hypersensitivity skin disorders complicated by hepatitis.

Idiosyncratic generalized skin disorders complicated by hepatitis, which resemble severe drug hypersensitivities, occur sporadically in workers exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) in China. However, it has been a matter of controversy whether the solvent itself, not its impurities or stabilizers, can cause hypersensitivity reactions or not. This study aimed to characterize the exposure of hospitalized patients and their healthy colleagues.

Use of neuromelanin-sensitive MRI to distinguish schizophrenic and depressive patients and healthy individuals based on signal alterations in the substantia nigra and locus ceruleus.

Background: We investigated alterations in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and locus ceruleus (LC) in schizophrenic and depressive patients by using a neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that enables direct visualization of these nuclei and examined whether this technique could distinguish between these disorders and healthy subjects.

Methods: Using a neuromelanin-sensitive T1-weighted MRI technique, we examined 20 schizophrenia patients, 18 depressive patients, and 34 healthy control subjects. The signal intensities of the areas corresponding to the SNc and LC were measured, and the contrast ratios (CR) to the adjacent white matter were calculated.

Human Rvb1/Tip49 is required for the histone acetyltransferase activity of Tip60/NuA4 and for the downregulation of phosphorylation on H2AX after DNA damage.

The role of chromatin-remodeling factors in transcription is well established, but the link between chromatin-remodeling complexes and DNA repair remains unexplored. Human Rvb1 and Rvb2 are highly conserved AAA(+) ATP binding proteins that are part of various chromatin-remodeling complexes, such as Ino80, SNF2-related CBP activator protein (SRCAP), and Tip60/NuA4 complexes, but their molecular function is unclear. The depletion of Rvb1 increases the amount and persistence of phosphorylation on chromatin-associated H2AX after the exposure of cells to UV irradiation or to mitomycin C, cisplatin, camptothecin, or etoposide, without increasing the amount of DNA damage.

Regulation of caveolar cardiac sodium current by a single Gsalpha histidine residue.

Cardiac sodium channels (voltage-gated Na(+) channel subunit 1.5) reside in both the plasmalemma and membrane invaginations called caveolae. Opening of the caveolar neck permits resident channels to become functional.

Voltage-gated Nav channel targeting in the heart requires an ankyrin-G dependent cellular pathway.

Voltage-gated Na(v) channels are required for normal electrical activity in neurons, skeletal muscle, and cardiomyocytes. In the heart, Na(v)1.5 is the predominant Na(v) channel, and Na(v)1.

Biological monitoring of pyrethroid exposure of pest control workers in Japan.

Synthetic pyrethroids such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin and permethrin, which are usually used in pest control operations, are metabolized to 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and excreted in urine. Though 3-PBA can be used to assess exposure to pyrethroids, there are few reports describing urinary 3-PBA levels in Japan. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation of the exposure levels of pyrethroids and the concentration of urinary 3-PBA among pest control operators (PCOs) in Japan.

Improved geometric distortion in coronal diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging using a whole-brain isotropic-voxel acquisition technique at 3 Tesla.

Purpose: We used a whole-brain, isotropic-voxel acquisition technique to improve the geometric distortion in diffusion-weighted (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in coronal directions, which is remarkable at high magnetic fields.

Materials And Methods: We performed magnetic resonance imaging of 17 healthy volunteers using a 3T scanner and obtained coronal DWI/DTI as well as coronal images that were reformatted from isotropic volume data acquired by 1.6-mm-thick axial DWI/DTI.

Narrow CSF space at high convexity and high midline areas in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus detected by axial and coronal MRI.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the performance of axial and coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting the narrowing of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space at the high convexity and high midline areas, which is speculated to be one of the clinical characteristics of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH).

Methods: We retrospectively examined axial and coronal T1-weighted images of 14 iNPH patients and 12 age-matched controls. The narrowness of the CSF space at the high convexity/midline was blindly evaluated by five raters using a continuous confidence rating scale for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Reduced signal of locus ceruleus in depression in quantitative neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging.

We used a neuromelanin-magnetic resonance imaging technique to investigate abnormalities in the locus ceruleus in depression. We examined 20 patients with major depression and 43 age-matched controls using a 3 T scanner with a neuromelanin-sensitive sequence. The signal intensities of the areas corresponding to the rostral, middle, and caudal portions of the locus ceruleus were measured, and the contrast ratio relative to the adjacent pontine tegmentum was calculated.

Overtime, job stressors, sleep/rest, and fatigue of Japanese workers in a company.

To ascertain the usefulness of a 21-item checklist that assesses accumulated fatigue due to overwork, we examined (1) the associations between overtime work, job stressors, or the quantity of sleep/rest and subjective symptoms of fatigue, and (2) whether sleeping hours and monthly days off are associated with the accumulated fatigue parameter using the checklist. Questionnaire surveys were administered twice to Japanese workers at a plant of a manufacturing company. Among the 390 registered workers, 383 workers (284 males and 99 females) in the first survey and 350 workers (260 males and 90 females) in the second survey responded.

Age-related changes in locus ceruleus on neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla.

Purpose: To investigate age-related changes in the locus ceruleus (LC) in healthy subjects using neuromelanin magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 3 Tesla.

Methods: We examined 64 healthy volunteers (aged 23 to 80 years) using neuromelanin-sensitive T1-weighted images and measured the contrast of areas of high signal intensity corresponding to the LC.

Results: A pair of punctate areas of high signal intensity that represented neuromelanin within the noradrenergic neurons of the LC was easily recognized in all subjects.

Vaticanol C, a novel resveratrol tetramer, reduces lymph node and lung metastases of mouse mammary carcinoma carrying p53 mutation.

Purpose: The effects of vaticanol C (Vat-C), a novel resveratrol tetramer, were studied in a mouse metastatic mammary cancer model carrying mutations in p53 that produce a metastatic spectrum similar to that seen in human breast cancers.

Methods: Mammary tumors, induced by inoculation of syngeneic BALB/c mice with BJMC3879 cells, were subsequently treated with Vat-C at 0, 100 and 200 ppm in their diet.

Results: The in vitro study demonstrated that Vat-C induced apoptosis, as inferred by morphological changes, nucleosomal DNA fragmentation and elevated activities of caspases.

Calumin, a novel Ca2+-binding transmembrane protein on the endoplasmic reticulum.

We have identified a novel endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein, named "calumin", which is expressed in various tissues. This protein has a molecular mass of approximately 60 kDa and is composed of an ER-luminal domain rich in acidic residues, a single transmembrane segment, and a large cytoplasmic domain. Biochemical experiments demonstrated that the amino-terminal luminal domain is capable of binding Ca2+ with a high capacity and moderate affinity.

Indoor air pollution by 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in non-domestic buildings in Nagoya, Japan.

2-Ethyl-1-hexanol is a possibly causative chemical in sick building symptoms, although 2-ethyl-1-hexanol has received little attention as a hazardous substance in studies on indoor air pollution. Airborne 2-ethyl-1-hexanol concentrations were measured from 2002 to 2004 in 99 rooms of 42 non-domestic buildings in Nagoya, Japan. The diffusive sampling method is effective for the measurement of a low level of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in indoor air.

Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity with film in situ zymography for improved cytological diagnosis of breast tumors.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of breast tumors is a reliable diagnostic method for identifying breast carcinoma. However, it is sometimes difficult to definitely distinguish malignant from benign lesions. To improve the cytological diagnosis of breast tumors, we investigated the expression of active matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), as detected by film in situ zymography (FIZ).

8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels in human leukocyte and urine according to exposure to organophosphorus pesticides and paraoxonase 1 genotype.

Objective: In order to investigate a role of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphism in organophosphorus (OP)-induced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, urinary metabolites of OP, PON1 genotypes, and 8-OHdG levels in leukocyte and urine were measured in OP indoor insecticide sprayers and controls in summer and winter.

Methods: The study population contained 18 male sprayers and age-matched 18 male controls. Sprayers were primarily exposed to OP insecticides (mainly fenitrothion, dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon), and partially to pyrethroids (mainly permethrin) and carbamates (mainly propoxur).

Neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging of locus ceruleus and substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.

We carried out an investigation to identify neuromelanin-containing noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons in the locus ceruleus and substantia nigra pars compacta of healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson's disease using a newly developed magnetic resonance imaging technique that can demonstrate neuromelanin-related contrast. The high-resolution neuromelanin images obtained by a 3-T scanner revealed high signal areas in the brain stem and these corresponded well with the location of the locus ceruleus and substantia nigra pars compacta in gross specimens. In Parkinson's disease patients, the signal intensity in the locus ceruleus and substantia nigra pars compacta was greatly reduced, suggesting depletion of neuromelanin-containing neurons.