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Objective: The use of three-dimensional T1 weighted gradient echo sequences such as the Dixon technique and the frequency-selective fat suppression (FS) technique is currently widely accepted method in MRI examinations of the liver. To assess the image qualities of the Dixon technique and the frequency-selective FS technique, the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-to-liver and fat-to-liver were compared between the two techniques in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) following administration of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid. Methods: MR images of 59 patients with a total of 86 HCCs were retrospectively evaluated. Images were consecutively obtained with the Dixon and frequency-selective FS methods in the HBP and their CNRs of HCC-to-liver and fat-to-liver were compared. CNRs and contrast ratios were calculated by the mean value of the liver parenchyma, HCC, fat and standard deviation of the liver parenchyma. The Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The median CNRs for the frequency-selective FS and Dixon techniques of HCC-to-liver were 4.3 and 5.4 (p?

With 5 figures and 2 tables Use of resistance genes would be the most effective way to address Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis in melon. In this study, based on the BAC 31O16 sequence which contains the cluster of melon resistance gene homologue, we developed four new DNA markers linked to Fom‐1, a dominant resistance gene against F. oxysporum f.sp. melonis races 0 and 2. Linkage analysis using 125 F2 plants derived from the cross between P11 (fom‐1fom‐1) and MR‐1 (Fom‐1Fom‐1) indicated that Fom‐1 was located between CAPS markers C‐MRGH12 and 62‐CAPS at a distance of 0.4 and 1.2 cM, respectively. Map position of Fom‐1 was confirmed using another mapping population consisting of 104 recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross P11 × MR‐1. The analysis of 43 fixed lines and 27 commercial F1 hybrids showed that the developed DNA markers linked to Fom‐1 correctly predicted the genotype in relation to the variety, suggesting that the region around the Fom‐1 locus is very polymorphic or there is no linkage disequilibrium between the locus and the marker loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in platelet alpha 2 adrenoreceptors and their relation to plasma catecholamine concentrations were studied in 11 patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction. A radiolabelled alpha 2 adrenoreceptor antagonist, [3H]-yohimbine, was used to assay alpha 2 adrenoreceptors on platelet membranes, and plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The number of platelet alpha 2 adrenoreceptors, the dissociation constant, and plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were studied 6.6 (3.3) (mean (SD)) hours after the onset of acute myocardial infarction and one month later. The mean (SD) number of adrenoreceptors increased significantly from 94.5 (50.5) fmol/mg protein immediately after infarction to 157.0 (65.7) fmol/mg protein one month later. The dissociation constant, however, did not change significantly (4.33 (1.40) nmol/l vs 4.37 (1.22) nmol/l). Raised noradrenaline (5.60 (4.37) nmol/l) and adrenaline (0.28 (0.14) nmol/l) concentrations had fallen significantly to normal values (1.21 (0.67) and 0.09 (0.05) nmol/l respectively) a month after infarction. The decrease in the number of alpha 2 adrenoreceptors soon after infarction may be beneficial because such a change will reduce the strength of various reactions to catecholamines, such as vasoconstriction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Unusual vasomotor responses in the coronary arteries occurred in two patients after the administration of glyceryl trinitrate to relieve spasm induced by ergonovine maleate. In one patient after treatment with glyceryl trinitrate and despite dilatation of the adjoining segments a new severe reduction in diameter occurred distally to the segments of the right coronary artery where the ergonovine induced spasm developed. In the other patient the left anterior descending artery filled very slowly after the completely occlusive spasm of the right coronary artery had resolved with glyceryl trinitrate though the circumflex did not. These vasomotor changes were associated with chest discomfort and electrocardiographic abnormalities in both cases. These findings indicate that caution is needed when performing provocative tests even after the ergonovine induced spasm has been reversed with glyceryl trinitrate. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: For MRI phantom experiments, when a support such as agar is used to fix a container holding a substance to be measured, difficulties arise, such as the time and effort for support preparation and material changes occurring over time. We specifically examined super absorbent polymer (SAP) and confirmed the usefulness of SAP as a new support for MRI phantoms in terms of measurement and changes over time., Methods: The simplicity of preparing SAP as a support, its influence on the measured values of substances, and its changes over time were compared with those of agar., Results: Compared to agar, SAP was easier to prepare. The measured values, which were stable over time, were not markedly different from those of agar., Conclusion: It was suggested that SAP could be useful as a new support in MRI phantom experiments in terms of measurements, procedures, techniques, and handling over time.

This study compared twice-refocused spin-echo sequence (TRSE) and Stejskal-Tanner sequence (ST) to evaluate their respective effects on the image quality of magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion-weighted imaging in the presence of radiofrequency (RF) shielding effect of titanium mesh in cranioplasty. A 1.5-T MR scanner with a Head/Neck coil 20 channels and a phantom simulating the T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the human brain were used. Imaging was performed with and without titanium mesh placed on the phantom in TRSE and ST, and normalized absolute average deviation (NAAD), Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and ADC values were calculated. The NAAD values were significantly lower for TRSE than for ST in the area below the titanium mesh, and the drop rates due to titanium mesh were 14.1% for TRSE and 9.8% for ST. The DSC values were significantly lower for TRSE than for ST. The ADC values were significantly higher for TRSE than for ST without titanium mesh. The ADC values showed no significant difference between TRSE and ST with titanium mesh. The ST had a lower RF shielding effect of titanium mesh than the TRSE., (© 2024. Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.)

Background: We devised a method that combines the 3D-Dixon-gradientecho (GRE) method with an improved motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMSDE) to suppress blood flow signals., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the new method we developed plaque imaging method (3D-Dixon-GRE with the iMSDE method)., Study Type: Retrospective cohort., Population: Thirty-nine patients who underwent cervical plaque imaging., Field Strength/sequence: 3.0 T/3D-GRE., Assessment: Signal intensities of the common carotid artery, aorta, plaque, muscle, and subcutaneous fat were measured through the VISTA and the 3D-Dixon-GRE with iMSDE methods, and each contrast was calculated., Statistical Test: Used the Mann Whitney U test. P-values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant., Results: Plaque and muscle contrast estimated through the VISTA method and 3D-Dixon-GRE with iMSDE method was 1.60 ± 0.96 and 2.04 ± 1.06, respectively, (P < 0.05). The contrast between the flow (common carotid artery and Aorta) and muscle according to the VISTA method and 3D-Dixon-GRE with iMSDE method was 0.24 ± 0.11 and 0.40 ± 0.12, respectively (P < 0.001). Finally, the mean contrast for subcutaneous fat and muscle at six locations was 3.05 ± 1.25 and 0.81 ± 0.23 for the VISTA method and 3D-Dixon-GRE with the iMSDE method, respectively (P < 0.001)., Data Conclusion: Compared to the conventional method (VISTA), the 3D-Dixon-GRE with iMSDE method is preferable in relation to the fat suppression effect, but it is disadvantageous regarding blood flow signal suppression. Therefore, the 3D-Dixon-GRE with the iMSDE method could be considered useful for plaque imaging., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The development of Zn-based phosphorescent materials, associated with a ligand-centered (LC) transition, is extremely limited. Herein, we demonstrated dual emissions including fluorescence and phosphorescence in luminescent tetranuclear Zn(II) clusters [Zn 4 L I 4 (μ 3 -OMe) 2 X 2 ] ( HL I = methyl-5-iode-3-methoxysalicylate; X = I, Br, Cl), incorporating iodine-substituted ligands. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses and variable-temperature emission spectra studies revealed the presence of iodine substitutions, and intermolecular halogen interactions produced the internal/external heavy-atom effects and yielded strong green phosphorescence with a long emission lifetime (λ max = 510-522 nm, Φ em = 0.28-0.47, τ av = 0.78-0.95 ms, at 77 K). This work provided a new example that the introduction of halogen interactions is an advantageous approach for inducing phosphorescence in fluorescent metal complexes.

Background: Fournier's gangrene usually occurs when a specific bacterium intrudes into soft tissue, causing a wound or tumor. We encountered a patient with Fournier's gangrene due to severe myelosuppression after chemotherapy, despite the absence of an initial lesion on the anus and rectum., Case Presentation: A 54-year-old man with a left testicular cancer recurrence had undergone chemotherapy. He had asymptomatic hepatitis and high hepatitis B virus DNA levels, which were normalized by administering tenofovir alafenamide fumarate. Twelve days after the start of chemotherapy, he complained of severe pain around the anus. The following day, he went into septic shock. Visual inspection showed dark purple skin discoloration on the left side of the anus. Laboratory data revealed severe neutropenia. Computed tomography showed a high density of soft tissue on the left side of the anus and gas bubbles in the left femoral ring. We diagnosed the patient with Fournier's gangrene due to a severe immunosuppressive state resulting from chemotherapy. We emergently removed necrotic tissue to the fullest extent possible. However, because the patient was in severe sepsis status, careful management in the intensive care unit was required for 32 days. After the first emergency operation, we performed several additional excisions. Finally, 391 days after the initial surgery, the patient was discharged from our hospital. The tumor has not recurred, and he is under outpatient observation in the urology department., Conclusion: Fournier's gangrene should be considered in patients who are in a severe myelosuppressive state due to chemotherapy, have normal hepatitis B virus DNA levels but high hepatitis B surface antigen after tenofovir administration, complain of severe pain in the perianal area, and have a dark purple skin discoloration around the anus, despite having no initial anorectal lesions., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)