Detection and grading for esophageal varices in patients with chronic liver damage: comparison of gadolinium-enhanced and unenhanced steady-state coherent MR images

The purpose of this study was to compare observer interpreted steady-state coherent coronal images and gadolinium-enhanced axial images in terms of the detection and grading of esophageal varices. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed within 2 weeks in 90 patients with chronic liver damage, including 55 with untreated esophageal varices, for periodic screening purposes. Two blinded readers retrospectively reviewed T1- and T2-weighted images with gadolinium-enhanced (gadolinium image set) and steady-state coherent (coherent image set) images. Sensitivity for the detection of esophageal varices was higher (P<.001) in the gadolinium image set (76%) than in the coherent image set (35%); on the other hand, specificity was higher (P<.001) in the coherent image set (91%) than in the gadolinium image set (66%). Furthermore, area under the ROC curve was higher for the gadolinium image set (Az=0.823) than the coherent image set (Az=0.761) (P=.48). Moderate and weak positive correlations with endoscopic grades were found for the gadolinium image (r=0.48, P<.01) and coherent image sets (r=0.34, P=.018). The addition of steady-state coherent imaging to the current routine liver imaging protocol did not improve the detection or grading of esophageal varices, whereas gadolinium-enhanced imaging was found to be potentially valuable. Nevertheless, endoscopy was confirmed to be mandatory in patients with esophageal varices suspected by MRI of the liver.     

On the necessary and sufficient condition for the extended Wedderburn–Guttman theorem

Let A be a u by v matrix, and let M and N be u by p and v by q matrices, where p may not be equal to q or rank(M^′AN)<min(p,q). Recently, Galantai [A. Galantai, A note on the generalized rank reduction, Acta Math. Hungarica 116 (2007) 239–246] presented what he claimed to be the necessary and sufficient condition for rank(A-AN(M^′AN)^-M^′A)=rank(A)-rank(AN(M^′AN)^-M^′A) to hold. This rank subtractivity formula along with the condition under which it holds is called the extended Wedderburn–Guttman theorem. In this paper, we show that some of Galantai’s assertions are incorrect.     

Light-harvesting energy transfer and subsequent electron transfer of cationic porphyrin complexes on clay surfaces

A novel energy-transfer system involving nonaggregated cationic porphyrins adsorbed on an anionic-type clay surface and the electron-transfer reaction that occurs after light harvesting are described. In the clay-porphyrin complexes, photochemical energy transfer from excited singlet zinc porphyrins to free-base porphyrins proceeds. The photochemical electron-transfer reaction from an electron donor in solution (hydroquinone) to the adsorbed porphyrin in the excited singlet state was also examined. Because the electron-transfer rate from the hydroquinone to the excited singlet free-base porphyrin is larger than that to the excited singlet zinc porphyrin, we conclude that the energy transfer accelerates the overall electron-transfer reaction.     

Syntheses and characterization of oxygen/sulfur-bridged incomplete cubane-type clusters, [Mo3S4Tp3]+ and [Mo3OS3Tp3]+, and a mixed-metal cubane-type cluster, [Mo3FeS4ClTp3]. X-ray structures of [Mo3S4Tp3]Cl, [Mo3OS3Tp3]PF6, and [Mo3FeS4ClTp3

The reaction of [Mo3S4(H2O)9]4+ (1) with hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) ligands produced [Mo3S4Tp3]Cl x 4 H2O ([3]Cl x 4 H2O) in an excellent yield. An X-ray structure analysis of [3]Cl x 4 H2O revealed that each molybdenum atom bonded to the Tp ligand. We report four salts of 3, [3]Cl x 4 H2O, [3]tof x 2 H2O, [3]PF6 x H2O, and [3]BF4 x 2 H2O in this paper. The solubility and stability of the chloride salt in organic solvents differ completely from those of the other salts. We have also prepared a new compound, [Mo3OS3Tp3]PF6 x H2O ([4]PF6 x H2O), via the reaction of [Mo3OS3(H2O)9]4+ (2) with KTp in the presence of NH4PF6. All the molybdenum atoms bonded to Tp ligand. 1H NMR signals corresponding to nine protons bonded to three pyrazole rings in one Tp were observed in a spectrum (at 253 K) of [3]BF4 x 2 H2O. It shows that cluster 3 has a 3-fold rotation axis in CD2Cl2 solution. Twenty-one 1H NMR signals corresponding to twenty-seven protons bonded to nine pyrazole rings in three Tp ligands were observed in a spectrum (at 233 K) of [4]PF6 x H2O; obviously, 4 has no 3-fold rotation axis, in contrast to 3. The short CH...mu3S distance caused large upfield chemical shifts in the 1H NMR spectra of 3 and 4. The reaction of 3 with metallic iron in CH2Cl2 produced [Mo3FeS4XTp3] (X = Cl (5), Br (6)). X-ray structure analysis of 5 has revealed the existence of a cubane-type core Mo3FeS4. Complex 3 functions as a metal-complex ligand for preparing a novel mixed-metal complex even in nonaqueous solvents. The cyclic voltammogram of 5 shows two reversible one-electron couples (E(1/2) = -1.40 and 0.52 V vs SCE) and two irreversible one-electron oxidation processes (E(pc) = 1.54 and 1.66 V vs SCE).     

Fabrication of freestanding m-plane GaN wafer by using the HVPE technique on an aluminum carbide buffer layer on an m-plane sapphire substrate

A freestanding m-plane GaN wafer is fabricated by using the hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) technique on an aluminum carbide buffer layer on an m-plane sapphire substrate. X-ray pole-figure measurements show a clear m-plane orientation of the GaN surface. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of GaN (1 1¯ 0 0) X-ray rocking curve (XRC) with the scattering vector along the [1 1 2¯ 0] direction is approximately 800 arcsec; this indicates good crystallinity. On the other hand, the FWHM for the case in which the scattering vector is oriented along the [0 0 0 1] direction is broad; this suggests the influence of structural defects along this direction. In fact, basal plane stacking faults (BSF) with a density of approximately 3×10⁵ cm⁻¹ is observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The preparation of a 45-mm-diameter m-plane GaN wafer due to spontaneous separation of the GaN layer from the sapphire substrate is demonstrated.     

Two distinct pathways for essential metabolic precursors for isoprenoid biosynthesis

Isoprenoids are a diverse group of molecules found in all organisms, where they perform such important biological functions as hormone signaling (e.g., steroids) in mammals, antioxidation (e.g., carotenoids) in plants, electron transport (e.g., ubiquinone), and cell wall biosynthesis intermediates in bacteria. All isoprenoids are synthesized by the consecutive condensation of the five-carbon monomer isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to its isomer, dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). The biosynthetic pathway for the formation of IPP from acetyl-CoA (i.e., the mevalonate pathway) had been established mainly in mice and the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Curiously, most prokaryotic microorganisms lack homologs of the genes in the mevalonate pathway, even though IPP and DMAPP are essential for isoprenoid biosynthesis in bacteria. This observation provided an impetus to search for an alternative pathway to synthesize IPP and DMAPP, ultimately leading to the discovery of the mevalonate-independent 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway. This review article focuses on our significant contributions to a comprehensive understanding of the biosynthesis of IPP and DMAPP.     

Precise measurement of positronium hyperfine splitting using the Zeeman effect

Positronium is an ideal system for the research of the quantum electrodynamics (QED) in bound state. The hyperfine splitting (HFS) of positronium, Δ_HFS, gives a good test of the bound state calculations and probes new physics beyond the Standard Model. A new method of QED calculations has revealed the discrepancy by 15 ppm (3.9σ) of Δ_HFS between the QED prediction and the experimental average. There would be possibility of new physics or common systematic uncertainties in the previous all experiments. We describe a new experiment to reduce possible systematic uncertainties and will provide an independent check of the discrepancy. We are now taking data and the current result of Δ_HFS?=?203.395 1 ±0.002 4 (stat., 12 ppm) ±0.001 9 (sys., 9.5 ppm) GHz has been obtained so far. A measurement with a precision of O(ppm) is expected within a year.     

Simultaneous determination of sodium dodecyl sulphate and sodium linear-dodecylbenzenesulphonate with 1-stearyl-4-(4-aminonaphthylazo)-pyridinium bromide by spectrophotometry

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and sodium linear-dodecylbenzenesulphonate (DBS) with 1-stearyl-4-(4-aminonaphthylazo)-pyridinium bromide (SAPB) is described using the difference at the maximum absorption wavelength of the SDS- and the DBS-ion associate. SDS and DBS have been determined independently by measuring their respective absorbances at the maximum absorption wavelength. The apparent molar absorptivities of the SDS- and the DBS-ion associate are 8.0×10⁴ l mol^–1 cm^–1 at 445 nm and 4.5×10⁴ l mol^–1 cm^–1 at 424 nm, respectively. The calibration graph for SDS is linear in the range from 0.1 to 1.0×10^–6 mol/l in the presence of 1.2×10^–6 mol/l DBS and for DBS from 0.8 to 2.0×10^–6 mol/l in the presence of 8.0×10^–7 mol/l SDS. The relative standard deviation (n=15) for 8.0×10^–7 mol/l SDS is 3.4% and for 1.6×10^–6 mol/l DBS 2.1%. The proposed method has been applied to the simulatenous determination of SDS and DBS in river water samples.     

Triphenylstibine oxide–phosphorus(V) sulfide as a novel condensation catalyst system: application to the synthesis of dipeptides

Triphenylstibine oxide (Ph₃SbO) and phosphorus(V) sulfide (P₄S₁₀) synergistically catalyzed the aminolysis of N-protected amino-acids with amino-acid esters in benzene. Ph₃SbO accelerated both the initial conversion of carboxylic moieties into the corresponding thiocarboxylic moieties by P₄S₁₀ and the subsequent aminolysis of the resulting thiocarboxylic acids. Thus, dipeptides such as Z–A–A′–OEt (where Z = PhCH₂OC(O)– and A,A′ = Ala,Gly; Gly,Gly; Leu,Gly; Phe,Gly; Phe,Leu;Ser,Gly; Val,Gly, respectively) were conveniently prepared even at 35°C.     

T-matrix analysis of electromagnetic wave differaction from a Fourier grating

This paper is described for T-matrix analysis of the electromagnetic wave diffraction from a Fourier grating that the boundary value problem is treated by applying the extended boundary condition. The rigorous form of the expression of matrix elements is presented in the term of Bessel functions of the first kind. The error of power conservation versus the truncated number has been examined for mode number. Diffraction efficiencies versus groove depth and wavelength for a second or third harmonic wave of Fourier grating have been discussed. Numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained from other method and experimental values. Reasonable numerical results are presented for a groove depth per period of the Fourier grating less than 0.25.