Cell-cycle dependence on the biological effects of boron neutron capture therapy and its modification by polyvinyl alcohol.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a unique radiotherapy of selectively eradicating tumor cells using boron compounds (e.g., 4-borono-L-phenylalanine [BPA]) that are heterogeneously taken up at the cellular level.

The HKT1 Na transporter protects plant fertility by decreasing Na content in stamen filaments.

Salinity stress can greatly reduce seed production because plants are especially sensitive to salt during their reproductive stage. Here, we show that the sodium ion transporter AtHKT1;1 is specifically expressed around the phloem and xylem of the stamen in to prevent a marked decrease in seed production caused by salt stress. The stamens of AtHKT1;1 mutant under salt stress overaccumulate Na, limiting their elongation and resulting in male sterility.

Outer layer scintillating fiber for low-energy β-ray detection.

Standard plastic scintillating fiber cannot detect low-energy β-rays as the cladding prevents them from reaching the fiber core. We developed an outer-layer scintillating (OLS) fiber with a plastic scintillator on the outermost layer for low-energy β-ray detection. The concept of fiber construction is presented.

Synergistic adsorption behavior of a silica-based adsorbent toward palladium, molybdenum, and zirconium from simulated high-level liquid waste.

In this study, the synergistic adsorption behavior of palladium [Pd(II)], molybdenum [Mo(VI)], and zirconium [Zr(IV)] in simulated high-level liquid waste was systematically investigated based on various factors, such as the contact time, concentration of nitric acid, adsorption amount, and temperature using a silica-based adsorbent impregnated with N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di-n-hexyl-thiodiglycolamide (Crea) and 2, 2', 2' -nitrilotris[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)acetamide] (TAMIA-EH). The adsorption rates of Pd(II), Mo(VI), and Zr(IV) in this synergistic adsorption system were high; thus, equilibrium states could be obtained in only 1 h with high uptake percentages of more than 90%. The adsorption abilities of Pd(II), Mo(VI), and Zr(IV) were only slightly affected by variation in the concentration of nitric acid in the range of 0.

High detection efficiency scintillating fiber detector for time-resolved measurement of triton burnup 14 MeV neutron in deuterium plasma experiment.

The behavior of the 1 MeV triton has been studied in order to understand the alpha particle confinement property in the deuterium operation of toroidal fusion devices. To obtain time evolution of the deuterium-tritium (D-T) neutron emission rate where the secondary DT neutron emission rate is approximately 10 n/s, we designed two high detection efficiency scintillating fiber (Sci-Fi) detectors: a 1 mm-diameter scintillation fiber-based detector Sci-Fi1 and a 2 mm-diameter scintillation fiber-based detector Sci-Fi2. The test in an accelerator-based neutron generator was performed.

Concentration of acute phase factors in vitreous fluid in diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: Diabetic retinal maculopathy is associated with acute and chronic local inflammation. We measured the concentrations of acute phase factors in vitreous fluid of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and examined their relations to visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT) both before and after vitrectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Pre-computed system matrix calculation based on a piece-wise method for PET.

A system matrix (SM) is the basic component of iterative image reconstruction algorithms. Calculation of the SM needs a considerable amount of time due to an enormous number of lines of response (LORs) being modeled. In this study, we developed a technique based on a piece-wise calculation method in which symmetry and further division of the voxels are applied.

ELISA measurement for urinary 3-hydroxyproline-containing peptides and its preliminary application to healthy persons and cancer patients.

Background/aim: We reported that endogenous urinary 3-hydroxyproline (3-Hyp) is useful for cancer screening because cancer invasion involves the destruction of basement membrane. A simple and sensitive assay is desired.

Patients And Methods: An ELISA method using a specific antibody against a synthetic peptide of 10 amino acids including 3-Hyp corresponding to the amino acid sequences of collagen type IV alpha chain was applied to urine samples from 180 healthy controls and 22 cancer patients.

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents using improved radiosensitive liquid core microcapsules and assessment of their antitumor effect.

Purpose: Radiation-sensitive microcapsules composed of alginate and hyaluronic acid are being developed. We report the development of improved microcapsules that were prepared using calcium- and yttrium-induced polymerization. We previously reported on the combined antitumor effect of carboplatin-containing microcapsules and radiotherapy.

The efficacy and safety of topical brinzolamide and dorzolamide when added to the combination therapy of latanoprost and a beta-blocker in patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: Brinzolamide and dorzolamide are often used as adjunctive therapy to other antiglaucoma agents. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of brinzolamide 1% versus dorzolamide 1% when added to the combination therapy of latanoprost and a beta-blocker in patients with glaucoma.

Methods: An 8-week, randomized, open-label comparative study was performed in 52 patients with glaucoma.

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha protein predicts survival in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), identified as one of the transcription factors, has been found to play an essential role in oxygen homeostasis. HIF-1 is a heterodimer composed of HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta. Increased levels of HIF-1alpha have been reported during the carcinogenesis and progress of several tumors.

Expression of endothelin-1 in the brain and lung of rats exposed to permanent hypobaric hypoxia.

High-altitude hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension in humans and animals. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a novel and long-lasting vasoconstrictor. However, no study has dealt with the effects of a hypobaric hypoxic environment (HHE) on ET-1 activity in the brain.

Direct nitric oxide release from nipradilol in human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells observed with fluorescent NO probe and NO-electrode.

BACKGROUND:: Nipradilol (3,4-dihydro-8-[2-hydroxy-3-isopropyl-amino]propoxy-3-nitroxy-2-H-1-benzopyran), a potent non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, has been shown to increase NO production. The mechanisms are up-regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and direct release of NO from nipradilol. The process of direct NO release from nipradilol requires a reductase, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) in some cells but non-enzymatic NO release was reported in pig coronary arteries.

SB-431542 and Gleevec inhibit transforming growth factor-beta-induced proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has growth-stimulating effects on mesenchymal cells and several tumor cell lines. The signaling pathway for this effect is, however, not well understood. We examined how TGF-beta stimulates proliferation of MG63 human osteosarcoma cells.

Gene transfer of human hepatocyte growth factor into rat skin wounds mediated by liposomes coated with the sendai virus (hemagglutinating virus of Japan).

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) regulates cell growth, cell motility, and morphogenesis in various types of cells, including epithelial and endothelial cells, indicating that it probably promotes epithelial repair and neovascularization during wound healing. To better understand the effects of HGF on wound healing, we performed human HGF-gene transfer into skin wounds in rats. The rat HGF mRNA levels, and human and rat HGF protein concentrations in the wounds in HGF gene-transfer rats were significantly elevated at 3 days, 3 to 14 days, and 3 and 14 days after gene transfer, respectively.