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An experiment of α -induced reactions on yttrium-89 was performed to investigate the excitation functions of 89 Zr and 90 Nb , which are suitable for immuno-PET studies. The stacked-foil method, activation technique, and off-line γ -ray spectrometry were used for this investigation. The excitation functions of 92 m , 91 m , 89 m , 89 g Nb , 88 Zr , and 90 m , 88 g , 87 m , 87 g Y were also derived and compared with earlier experimental and the TENDL-2017 data. Good agreements with part of the previous studies were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cross sections of α-induced reactions on natural zirconium were measured up to 50 MeV using the stacked-foil technique, activation method and high resolution γ-ray spectrometry. The production cross sections of 93m,99Mo, 90g,92m,95g,95m,96Nb and 88,89g,95Zr were determined and compared with other experimental data measured earlier and result of theoretical calculations. The integral thick target yield of 99Mo was deduced from the measured cross section data. Highlights • Excitation functions of α-induced reaction on natZr up to 50 MeV were measured. • Production cross sections of Mo, Nb and Zr radioisotopes were determined. • End of bombardment activity of 99Mo was deduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial activity-guided purification of the dichloromethane fraction of the aerial parts of Comarum salesovianum (Steph.) Aschers.et Gr. led to the isolation and elucidation of three phenolic lipid derivatives: 6-(non-8-enyl) salicylic acid ( 1 ), 6-nonyl salicylic acid ( 2 ) and 3-(non-8-enyl) phenol ( 3 ), which were found for the first time in the natural source. The equal mixture of compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against all tested Gram-positive bacterial strains ( Enterococcus faecalis , Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus ) with inhibitory zones of 12.2–22.1 mm, whereas each single compound showed weaker activity than the mixture of 1 and 2 . However, compound 3 strongly inhibited (29.9 ± 1.8) the growth of M. luteus . The presence of salicylic acid with the unsaturated aliphatic side chain is essential for the antibacterial activity strength of phenolic lipid molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to clarify the diagnostic value of capsule-like rim enhancement (CLRE) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for distinguishing malignant from benign tumours of the parotid gland. We retrospectively evaluated contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images of 100 patients with malignant and benign parotid tumours for the presence, completeness, and irregularity of CLRE and its maximum thickness. We investigated any correlation of imaging and histopathological findings for 51 cases showing CLRE with available histology. The presence and completeness of CLRE did not differ significantly between benign and malignant tumours. Malignant tumours had more irregular CLRE than benign tumours (P<0.05). The mean CLRE thickness was significantly greater for malignant (2.4mm) than benign tumours (1.4mm) (P<0.0001). The two types of tumour were most accurately distinguished using a cut-off value of 1.5mm thickness. Histopathology demonstrated the general correspondence of thick CLRE on MRI in malignant tumours with thick but sparse fibrous tissue and infiltration of tumour cells and lymphocytes, whereas thin CLRE in benign tumours typically represented dense fibrous tissue without infiltration of tumour cells. CLRE was more irregular and thicker in malignant tumours than in benign tumours, which may be of help in differentiating them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have investigated the microstructure formed in association with charge ordering transition in perovskite manganites Pr0.55Ca0.45MnO3 (PCMO) and Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 (NSMO). By optical microscope observation, surface relief is observed below the charge ordering transition temperature T CO (CO represents charge ordering phase) for both of the specimens. Two surface trace analysis and Laue back reflection technique has been revealed that microstructures are composed of twinned variants which have {101}CO and {112}CO twinning planes for PCMO and NSMO, respectively. We have also investigated the magnetic field dependence of T CO by magnetization measurements and found that the T CO decreases parabolically with increasing magnetic field. This magnetic field dependence of T CO in PCMO is in good agreement with the calculated one based on the Clausius–Clapeyron equation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Absorption and fluorescence spectra of Bi ions in multi-component oxide glasses melted in air were measured. Absorption bands in the range of 400–1000nm and fluorescence bands at round 1210nm were only detected in the silicate, borosilicate, borate, and germanate glasses with or without a small amount of alkali or alkaline-earth oxides. The relative IR fluorescence intensity increased with decreasing basicity of matrix glasses and with adding the Al2O3. The compositional dependence of the relative IR fluorescence intensity and the IR fluorescence mechanism are discussed in terms of redox reaction and energy diagram of bismuth-related species in oxide glasses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although placental proteins play multiple roles in fetal and placental development and in the maintenance of pregnancy, many remain inadequately characterized. In the present study, we comprehensively analyzed these proteins by using a proteomic approach. Samples were denatured with guanidine hydrochloride, which was found to be superior to the commonly used urea for the present purpose, and subjected to 2-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis (2-DE) to obtain placental proteome maps. The identified protein spots (ca. 60% of the total) on the proteome maps included several pregnancy-related proteins (PRPs). Furthermore, a novel 2D immunoblotting (2-DI) analysis of molecules related to pre-eclampsia revealed three immunopositive spots that appeared to correspond to dynactin p-50, a protein related to cell turn-over. The rate of positivity for dynactin p-50-reactive antibodies was significantly (P =0.0024) higher in 26 pre-eclamptic women than in 58 normally pregnant women. These results indicate that dynactin p-50 may be involved in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the current study, we isolated 10 carbazole alkaloids from the plant species Murraya koenigii (Rutaceae), and examined their effects on the growth of the human leukemia cell line HL-60. Three carbazole alkaloids, mahanine (6), pyrayafoline-D (7) and murrafoline-I (9), showed significant cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells. Fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining revealed that the percentage of apoptotic cells with fragmented nuclei and condensed chromatin was increased in a time-dependent manner after treatment with each alkaloid. Interestingly, each carbazole alkaloid induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, both caspase-9 and caspase-3 were also time-dependently activated upon treatment with the alkaloids. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 inhibitors suppressed apoptosis induced by these alkaloids. The results suggest that these three alkaloids induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells through activation of the caspase-9/caspase-3 pathway, through mitochondrial dysfunction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Red fluorescence properties of Mn4+ ions in CaAl12O19 compounds prepared by the solid-state reaction were investigated in order to seek a candidate for red-emitting phosphor of white LED. The fluorescence spectrum of CaAl12O19:Mn4+ consists of main peak at 656nm with three satellite peaks due to the 2E→4A2 transition of Mn4+. The excitation spectrum exhibits a broad band between 250 and 550nm with three peaks occurring around 338, 398, and 468nm. The fluorescence intensity excited at 400nm, which correspond to the wavelength of GaN-based LEDs, is about 80% compared with the excitation spectrum peak at 338nm. The measured chromaticity of red fluorescence is x=0.728, y=0.269. CaAl12O19:Mn4+ would be suitable for red-emitting phosphor of white LED because CaAl12O19:Mn4+ is excellent in the excitation spectral profile and the chromaticity. The effect of CaF2 and MgF2 additions on the relative fluorescence intensity of CaAl12O19:Mn4+ is discussed in terms of the flux and charge compensation effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fluorescence spectra of Ce3+ ions in silicate, borate, and phosphate glasses melted in Ar were measured. The relative fluorescence intensity of Ce3+ in the ultraviolet region increased in the order of R=Ba, Ca, Sr, and Mg in the 20Li2O–20RO–60SiO2 glass samples and with decreasing BaO content in the BaO–B2O3 glass samples, respectively. In contrast, the relative fluorescence intensity of Ce3+ did not change with varying the glass composition in phosphate glass samples. The compositional dependence of the relative fluorescence intensity of Ce3+ is discussed in terms of redox reaction of Ce3+–Ce4+ in oxide glasses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have previously shown the involvement of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in inducing running behavior. Stimulation of kainate (KA)-type glutamate receptors in the unilateral VMH of the rat exclusively elicited stereotyped running behavior. However, the neural pathways or functional connections of the VMH neurons involved in the running activity are yet to be elucidated further. In this study we examined whether the subthalamic locomotor region (SLR) is involved in the expression of the running activity originating in the VMH. The multiunit activity (MUA) in the ipsilateral SLR was significantly increased by KA injection into the VMH of urethane-anesthetized animals. Concomitant injection of 6,7-dinitroquioxalline-2,3-dione (DNQX, a KA-type glutamate receptor antagonist) with KA blocked this change in the MUA. Unilateral pre-injection of either kynurenate (non-selective glutamate receptor antagonist), d-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5, an NMDA-type glutamate receptor antagonist) or DNQX into the SLR blocked the expression of the running activity induced by KA injection into the ipsilateral VMH. Results from the present study suggest that communication between KA-sensitive efferents from the VMH to glutamatergic pathways acting via NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in the SLR may underlie expression of running behavior originating in the VMH. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have made crystallographic analysis for microstructures formed by charge ordering transition in Pr0.55Ca0.45MnO3 and Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 whose changes of crystal structure associated with a charge ordering transition are quite different from each other. It was found that charge-ordered phases in Pr0.55Ca0.45MnO3 and Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 are composed of crystallographic domains with {101}CO (CO represents a charge-ordered phase) twinning planes and {112}CO twinning planes. The twinning planes of Pr0.55Ca0.45MnO3 and Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 correspond to {110} planes of cubic perovskite structure such as BaTiO3, if the crystal structures in the charge-ordered phases are applied to the unit cell of cubic perovskite structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The efficacy and safety of naldemedine (a peripherally acting m-opioid receptor antagonist) for opioidinduced constipation (OIC) in subjects with cancer was demonstrated in the primary report of a phase III, double-blind study (COMPOSE-4) and its open-label extension (COMPOSE-5). The primary end point, the proportion of spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) responders, was met. Here, we report results from secondary end points, including quality of life (QOL) assessments from these studies. Patients and methods: In COMPOSE-4, eligible adults with OIC and cancer were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive oncedaily oral naldemedine 0.2mg (n=97) or placebo (n=96) for 2weeks, and those who continued on to COMPOSE-5 received naldemedine for 12 weeks (n=131). Secondary assessments in COMPOSE-4 included the proportion of complete SBM (CSBM) responders, SBM or CSBM responders by week, and subjects with ≤1 SBM or CSBM within 24 h postinitial dose. Changes from baseline in the frequency of SBMs or CSBMs per week were assessed at weeks 1 and 2. Time to the first SBM or CSBM postinitial dose was also evaluated. In both studies, QOL impact was evaluated by Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms (PAC-SYM) and PAC-QOL questionnaires. Results: Naldemedine improved bowel function for all secondary efficacy assessments versus placebo (all P≥0.0002). The timely onset of naldemedine activity versus placebo was evidenced by median time to the first SBM (4.7 h versus 26.6 h) and CSBM (24.0 h versus 218.5 h) postinitial dose (all P<0.0001). In COMPOSE-4, significant differences between groups were observed with the PAC-SYM stool domain (P=0.045) and PAC-QOL dissatisfaction domain (P=0.015). In COMPOSE-5, significant improvements from baseline were observed for overall and individual domain scores of PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL. Conclusions: Naldemedine provided effective and timely symptomatic relief from OIC and improved the QOL of subjects with OIC and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]