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The enzyme activity synthesizing poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) was mainly localized in the PHB-containing particulate fraction of Zoogloea ramigera I-16-M, when it grew flocculatedly in a medium supplemented with glucose. On the other hand, the enzyme activity remained in the soluble fraction, when the bacterium grew dispersedly in a glucose-starved medium. The soluble PHB synthase activity became associated with the particulate fraction as PHB synthesis was initiated on the addition of glucose to the dispersed culture. Conversely, the enzyme activity was released from the PHB-containing granules to the soluble fraction when the flocculated culture was kept incubated without supplementing the medium with glucose. PHB synthase was also incorporated into the newly formed PHB fraction when partially purified soluble PHB synthase was incubated with d(-)-β-hydroxybutyryl CoA in vitro. Although attempts to solubilize the particulate enzyme were unsuccessful, and the soluble enzyme became extremely unstable in advanced stages of purification, both PHB synthases had the same strict substrate specificity for d(-)-β-hydroxybutyryl CoA, and showed the same pH optimum at 7.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the effectiveness of assistive work of radiological technologists (RTs) in conducting computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during emergencies., Methods: In total, 2681 examinations in 2294 patients who underwent CT or MRI during our after-hours clinic hours were conducted. The emergency of the diseases was classified into three categories: emergency diseases, semi-emergency diseases, and non-emergency diseases. The reading report of the RTs group, resident physicians (RPs) group, and senior physicians (SPs) group were used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy., Results: The RTs group had an accuracy of 87.0% for emergency and semi-emergency diseases. The sensitivity of the combined RTs/RPs/SPs group was higher than that of the RPs and SPs group alone., Conclusion: After-hours help from RTs for emergency and semi-emergency diseases enhanced sensitivity and thus demonstrated the effectiveness in emergency care.

Mammography after breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy is an important tool for followup. Early diagnosis of local recurrence enables prompt treatment decisions, which may affect patient prognosis. For complicated post-treatment changes, radiologists sometimes have difficulties in interpreting follow-up mammography. Fat necrosis, dystrophic calcifications, suture calcification features, breast edema, seroma and distorted breast are benign changes related to treatment. These findings may mimic or hide tumor recurrence making it difficult to diagnose recurrences or prevent inappropriate biopsies. Recurrent tumors in follow-up mammography show several typical findings such as increasing asymmetric density, enlarging mass, reappearance of breast edema, and micro-calcifications. The purpose of this pictorial review is to demonstrate and discuss mammographic findings of recurrent tumors and important post-treatment changes that may mimic benign or malignant lesions, also using breast ultrasound images or breast magnetic resonance images. Recognizing post-treatment changes may help radiologists to more effectively identify candidates for suspected local recurrences.

Aim: To compare the nutritional status between alcoholic compensated cirrhotic patients and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension., Methods: A total of 21 patients with compensated cirrhosis (14 with HCV-related cirrhosis and seven with alcoholic cirrhosis) who had risky esophageal varices were investigated. In addition to physical variables, including the body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and arm-muscle circumference, the nutritional status was also assessed using the levels of pre-albumin (pre-ALB), retinol-binding protein (RBP) and non-protein respiratory quotient (NPRQ) measured with an indirect calorimeter., Results: A general assessment for the nutritional status with physical examinations did not show a significant difference between HCV-related cirrhosis and alcoholic cirrhosis. However, the levels of pre-ALB and RBP in alcoholic compensated cirrhotic patients were significantly higher than those in HCV-related compensated cirrhotic patients. In addition, the frequency of having a normal nutritional status (NPRQ ≥ 0.85 and ALB value > 3.5 g/dL) in alcoholic compensated cirrhotic patients was significantly higher than that in HCV-related compensated cirrhotic patients., Conclusion: According to our small scale study, alcoholic compensated cirrhotic patients can develop severe portal hypertension even with a relatively well-maintained liver function and nutritional status compared with HCV-related cirrhosis.