MRI contrast-dose relationship of manganese(III)tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin with human xenograft tumors in nude mice at 2.0 T

Previously we reported that Mn(III)tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin, MnTPPS₄, is a contrast agent which can effectively enhance tumor detection by MRI. By imaging 30 additional athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous MCF-7 WT human breast carcinoma xenografts, we have extended dose-contrast relationships over a wide range of intraperitoneal (IP) doses ranging from 0.025 to 0.50 mmol/kg. The benefits of IP injection are higher possible doses on a volume basis and a reduction in toxicity versus IV administration. Full coronal cross-section images have been obtained on a 2-T spectrometer. Although individual tumor masses displayed different distribution patterns, reflective of their internal morphology, single doses of 0.10 mmol/kg or greater were necessary to produce a detectable effect. At a dose of 0.50 mmol/kg, marked enhancement was produced. Multiple small dosages administered over the course of several days before imaging did not produce increased enhancement. Preliminary results on the new porphyrin derivative, MnTPPS₃, indicate that the ratio of the toxic dose to the effective dose may be adjustable to render this class of agents clinically useful.     

A new strip line broad-band measurement evaluation for determining the complex permeability of thin ferromagnetic films

In the present paper, a new method for determining the frequency dependent complex permeability of thin magnetic films, designed for measurements up to 5 GHz, is presented. The measurement technique described here was carried out by a one-port permeameter, which is based on a short-circuited strip line. The complex permeability was deduced by a new analytical approach from the measured reflection coefficient of a strip line (S₁₁) with and without a ferromagnetic film material inside. An adaptive error correction was applied in the measurement procedure. The spectral permeability of thin FeCoAlN films with an in-plane uniaxial anisotropy of μ₀^*H_a=3.2 mT induced by annealing at CMOS temperatures in a static magnetic field was investigated. The measurements were compared with a theoretical model taking the Landau–Lifshitz and eddy current theories into account. A resonant frequency of about 1.6 GHz was observed.     

Confined buckling of inextensible rods by convex difference algorithms

In this Note we present an approach to determine the local minima of a specific class of minimization problems. Attention is focused on the inextensibility condition of flexible rods expressed as a nonconvex constraint. Two algorithms are derived from a special splitting of the Lagrangian into the difference of two convex functions (DC). They are compared to the augmented Lagrangian methods used in this context. These DC formulations are easily extended to contact problems and applied to the determination of confined buckling shapes. To cite this article: P. Alart, S. Pagano, C. R. Mecanique 330 (2002) 819–824.     

Extension of the static shakedown theorems to softening materials

A generalization of the static shakedown theorems for elastic plastic hardening solids with isotropic [Mech. Res. Commun. 29 (2002) 159] and anisotropic [Acta Mechanica, 2004] damage accounting for the possibility of material softening is proposed.     

Sesquiterpenoids from the Root Bark of Acanthopanax leucorrhizus and Their Biological Activities

Three furoeremophilane‐type sesquiterpenoids, including one new, 1α‐acetoxy‐6β‐(benzoyloxy)‐10β‐hydroxy‐9‐oxofuroeremophilane ( 1 ), and two known, 1β,6β‐diacetoxy‐9‐oxofuroeremophilane ( 2 ) and (6α)‐furoeremophilan‐14,6‐olide ( 3 ), were isolated from the root bark of Acanthopanax leucorrhizus from China. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including IR, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments. A preliminary bioassay revealed that compound 1 exhibits weak cytotoxicities against the human tumor cell lines MCF‐7 and SMMC‐7721 with the IC₅₀ values of 75.12±1.69 and 168.36±2.01 μg/ml, respectively. Compound 1 and 2 showed moderate activities against Escherichia coli with the MIC values of 32 and 64 μg/ml, respectively.     

Large orbit sizes in finite group actions

In this paper, we study the relations of the sizes of various sections of finite linear groups and the largest orbit size of the linear group actions. We also study various applications of those orbit theorems.     

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic images and MRI volumetric studies for lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy

We obtained 2D magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic images (MRSI) and MRI volumetric measurements (MRIV) of amygdala and hippocampus in 30 consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) being evaluated for surgical treatment. Both MRSI and MRIV lateralization showed good agreement with the current gold standard of clinical-EEG lateralization. Each exam separately correctly lateralized 25 out of 30 patients with no false lateralization. Combining both exams, lateralization could be achieved in 28 out of 30 patients. The two patients with no significant asymmetry had bitemporal EEG abnormalities, and bilateral damage on both MRIV and MRSI. There was a good correlation between the magnitude of the MRSI and MRIV asymmetry (Pearson COEFFICIENT = 0.83; p < .0001). Both MRSI and MRIV were normal in our patients with seizures originating outside the temporal lobes. Both MRIV and MRSI can lateralize TLE in 83% of patients. Combination of the two modalities allows lateralization in 93% of patients. Patients who cannot be lateralized generally have symmetrical bitemporal abnormalities; they are not incorrectly lateralized. The structural and chemical pathologic abnormalities seen in TLE seem to be associated with the seizure focus, and may be as, or even more, reliable than a few recorded seizures in predicting the side from which most seizures originate.     

A lightning initiation mechanism: application to a thunderstorm electrification model

The use of numerical models has greatly increased our understanding of the electrical and microphysical process within electrified clouds. We use the University of Washington, 1.5-dimensional thunderstorm model to examine the effects of including a runaway electron based lightning initiation mechanism. We find that this mechanism can significantly alter the electrification history of modeled storms and produce vertical electric field profiles that are very similar to those of observed storms. To cite this article: R. Solomon et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1325–1333.     

Sub-millimolar determination of formalin by pulsed amperometric detection

Formalin, formaldehyde in the presence of methanol, was determined by pulsed amperometric detection (PAD). A triple waveform using E_det=−0.3 V (t_det=30 ms), E_oxd=+0.8 V (t_oxd=200 ms), and E_red=−0.8 V (t_red=350 ms) versus Ag/AgCl was applied at a Au electrode for detection in a flow injection (FI) system. The approach was rapid and yielded a sub-millimolar detection limit (0.0129 mM) with a dynamic range up to 100 mM. A precision of 8.8% R.S.D. at 1.0 mM for two hundred repetitive injections by the FI-PAD was obtained, whereas holding at a constant potential (−0.3 V versus Ag/AgCl) for anodic oxidation of formaldehyde caused the response to decrease dramatically after a few measurements. The method developed was used to analyze the formalin contents of water from rinsed samples of vegetables and fruit and ice-melt from seafood, and the method showed good agreement with the liquid chromatography (LC) method.