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We examined the feasibility of ultrasound diagnosis of insulin-derived localized amyloidosis (IDLA). In addition to ultrasound detectability and findings, the insulin absorption rate, insulin dosage and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels before and after shifting the insulin injection site were investigated for 22 cases of IDLA. The detectability of IDLA on ultrasound was 100%; 59.1% was palpable lumps and 40.9% was not palpable. The palpable type had lower echo intensity and were harder than the non-palpable type. Blood flow decreased in IDLA, especially in the palpable type. IDLA, especially the palpable type, had a low insulin absorption rate. HbA1c level and insulin dosage decreased after shifting the injection site. The palpable type had more insulin reduction than the non-palpable type. Characteristic ultrasound images of IDLA were acquired. As the non-palpable type could be identified by ultrasound, its diagnosis encourages changing the insulin injection site; hence, ultrasound diagnosis of IDLA can enhance insulin treatment.

Food allergies have been increasing all over the world. Egg is an important component in the food industries and the second most common cause of food allergy, shortly after milk. In the wine industry, egg white is applied as a fining agent for tannin removal. In this study, a sandwich-based immunoassay for ultrasensitive detection of ovalbumin (OVA) in wine samples was developed. The assay involves the use of magnetic beads (MBs) decorated with a polyclonal anti-OVA antibody (Ab2) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), used as label for the quantification in a disposable electrochemical microfluidic device (DEμD) here developed. The Ab2-MB-HRP prepared was applied to capture, separate, and pre-concentrate OVA from wine samples. In the DEμD, OVA was immune-magnetically captured (OVA-Ab2-MB-HRP), producing a sandwich structure (GO-Ab1-OVA-Ab2-MB-HRP) on the electrode's surface. This arrangement results in an ultrasensitive device, achieving the ultralow limit of detection of 0.2 fg mL−1 OVA. Five samples of wines were analyzed by using the immuno-magneto-assay which presents excellent accuracy compared with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Confronted with the need to significantly raise the productivity of remotely located chemistry CROs Pfizer embraced a commitment to continuous improvement which leveraged the tools from both Lean Six Sigma and queue management theory to deliver positive measurable outcomes. During 2012 cycle times were reduced by 48% by optimization of the work in progress and conducting a detailed workflow analysis to identify and address pinch points. Compound flow was increased by 29% by optimizing the request process and de-risking the chemistry. Underpinning both achievements was the development of close working relationships and productive communications between Pfizer and CRO chemists.

Combining Mossbauer absorber experiments on 57Fe-deposited multicrystalline Si with a newly developed “Mossbauer spectroscopic microscope”, all 57Fe impurities incorporated in the sample can be detected and analyzed in terms of interstitials, substitutionals, small clusters, precipitates, such as iron-silicide, and their distributions against grain boundaries and defect-rich zone. The charge states can be also investigated through the isomer shifts, so that the carrier trapping centres and their distributions would be identified.

57Fe deposited p- and n-type float-zone Si are studied by high temperature Mossbauer spectroscopy. After the deposition the spectra obtained at room temperature indicate that 57Fe atoms are migrating already, and forming the components due to interstitial, substitutional Fe and other clusters in Si. A measurement, i.e., simultaneously an annealing at 1273 K for about 10 days leads further to the diffusion of 57Fe atoms into a deeper part of the matrix. The spectra depend not only on the dopants and their concentrations, but also on temperature. This Fermi level dependence will provide us information on the charge states of each Fe component in Si matrix, and therefore their energy levels.

RD the development of magnetic refrigeration of hydrogen is under way with the finding of materials with feasible magneto-caloric properties; in search of innovative hydrogen storage systems, a new process of decalin dehydrogenation/naphthalene hydrogenation based on superheated liquid-film-type catalysis was developed.

We have found a new type ordering structure in materials containing Indium. Generally conventional natural superlattice (NSL) stacks toward to { 1 1 1 } . However, the periodical structure in question stacks along the [ 0 0 1 ] direction, sometimes parallel to the substrate. We have studied the structure in detail as seen in InAlAs-bulk layers on a vicinal ( 0 0 1 ) InP substrate. We investigated the structure using a transmission electron microscope and a high-resolution X-ray diffraction method, and confirmed the structure stacks along [ 0 0 1 ] direction with a pitch three times that of the InP lattice constant. We found a similar structure in InAlGaP-bulk layers on a ( 1 0 0 ) GaAs substrate 10 ∘ tilted toward the 〈 0 1 1 〉 direction. The mechanisms have not been clarified yet, however, we consider that atomic steps on the epitaxial surface could be related.

We describe herein a phase separation of InAlAs on an InP substrate grown at a low temperature in terms of carbon doping. Phase separation of the InAlAs bulk material appeared below the growth temperature of 580 °C and this was enhanced with decrease in the growth temperature. At 550 °C, the phase separation drastically increased and was accompanied with surface corrugations. However, when the growth temperature was lower than 550 °C, the surface corrugation was again suppressed and flatness was recovered. An accumulation of In atoms was observed in the valleys between the columns in corrugations by using a scanning transmission electron microscope with high-angle annular dark field and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Photo-luminescence revealed an InAlGaAs/InAlGaAs multi-quantum well sample with corrugations showing an abnormal red-shift compared to that found with higher growth temperature. This result can be well explained if the changes in the well thickness are attributed to In accumulation. In conclusion, carbon doping at higher temperatures where phase separation does not occur, is the most suitable for fabricating devices.

A solvent extraction method for the simultaneous determination of Cu, Al, Fe and Mn by reversed phase liquid chromatography is presented. The metal chelates with 5-chloro-8-quinolinol are extracted into an acetonitrile phase with tetrabutylammonium perchlorate and ammonium sulfate as salting-out agents, followed by LC separation and determination using an ODS column. The experimental parameters such as the composition of mobile phase and concentration of the salting-out agent for phase separation have been investigated. The mobile phase is a mixture of 3:1 (v/v) acetonitrile-0.02 mol l−1 sodium acetate solution containing 5×10−3 mol l−1 5-chloro-8-quinolinol. The proposed method has been applied to the trace analysis of Cu, Al, Fe and Al in bovine liver and citrus leaves.

A primary malignant pulmonary hemangiopericytoma was diagnosed in a 45-year-old woman who complained of 10 months of cough and exertional dyspnea. One year after resection of the mass, a metastatic lesion was removed from the contralateral lung. The literature on this unusual pulmonary lesion is reviewed.

This case report describes a 36-year-old man who accidentally exposed his right hand to ionizing radiation with an energy of 50 kV, 200 mA (estimated radiation dose, 100 to 200 Gy). The short- and long-term effects of exposure to radiation are presented. Treatment was delayed until day 20, and therapeutic interventions thereafter were directed mainly toward the prevention of infection and vascular damage caused by the radiation. The antithrombotic agent argatroban was used to inhibit thrombus formation and facilitate peripheral blood flow, thereby preventing the extension of a necrotic lesion. Macroscopic changes are chronologically reviewed. Although the patient is in good general condition after the accident, he is still under observation for the potential occurrence of delayed aftereffects of the radiation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed in four patients with thorotrastosis. On CT scan, Thorotrast (thorium oxide) deposition was shown as high-density areas in the liver and spleen and the abdominal lymph nodes. These deposits were not found on MRIs. Splenic volume was significantly small due to atrophy. The contrast-noise ratio in the spleen on T1-weighted images was significantly lower. Thorotrast deposition does not affect MRI appearance; therefore it may be useful for the early detection of malignant tumors as a complication of thorotrastosis.

Purpose: Although portal imaging is a promising method of verification during static multiport irradiation, it cannot be applied directly to dynamic irradiation such as rotational conformation with multileaf collimator movement. A real-time beam monitoring system based on megavoltage computed tomography scanning has been developed to establish a verification method for the rotational conformation technique. Methods and Materials: Exit beam through the patient is extracted by the same detector unit as used for megavoltage scanning during the actual treatment. Beam edge is defined as the 50% level of the maximum dose of the detector array. Megavoltage computed tomography is done after patient setup and just prior to the actual irradiation. Detected beam pathways are overlaid on this image approximately every 1 s. Therapists can monitor correlation between the target and actual beam pathways on a real-time computer display. Results: The accuracy of field edge detection has been proven to be less than 2 mm from various measurements. Real-time monitoring is more useful in rotational conformation than in static multiport irradiation due to dynamic movement of the collimator. Field errors were identified in two of 54 sessions using this method. Conclusions: Although several limitations remain to be solved, the method presented is a useful tool for treatment verification of high accuracy radiation therapy, particularly rotational conformation irradiation.

Several forms of carboxylesterase were observed in a malathion-resistant small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus Fallen, by isoelectrofocusing. To study the mechanisms of increased esterase activity, esterases were purified and their biochemical characteristics were investigated in five active esterase isozymes of two resistant strains. These esterases have polymorphic characteristics and their molecular weights ranged from 66 to 70 kDa, due to variations in glycosylation. The p I values of these esterases ranged from 5.3 to 4.7. These esterases were immunologically related and NH 2 -terminal amino acids were identical in all isozymes regardless of p I or molecular weight. No differences have been found in kinetic parameters ( K m and V max ) to α-naphthylacetate and specific activity toward α-naphthylacetate and malathion as a substrate in all isozymes. Resistant individuals showed high ali- and malathion carboxylesterase activities and these enhancements were caused by quantitative differences of carboxylesterases with several different p I .

Time-resolved absorption spectra of 2-(2′,4′-dinitrobenzyl)-pyridine (α-DNBP) and 4-(2′,4′-dinitrobenzyl)pyridine (γ-DNBP) in solution have disclosed that three transients are involved in the photochromic reaction of these compounds in the ns-μs time region. Time-resolved resonance Raman spectra of these compounds have identified the transients as the aci-nitro acid isomer, aci-nitro anion, and N-H quinoid tautomer. It was found that there exists a difference between α- and γ-DNBP in the primary process of the photochromic reaction.

A detailed mathematical model of a semi-batch polymerization reactor is derived by considering the basic equations of reaction rate, mass and energy balances. Kinetic parameters and reactor operating conditions are obtained from experiments. Dynamic responses of reactor temperature, concentrations of monomer and polymer confirmed the justification of this model by comparing with experimental results. However, since this model is nonlinear and still has several unknown parameters, the sliding-mode control strategy is considered at the mixer. It is shown from computer simulation that this control system has excellent dynamic responses and robustness to parameter variations. Then, it is confirmed in the production reactor that this control strategy shows the effective responses and robustness.

The effect of a pre-filter on the sensitivity of a high-resolution quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) has been experimentally studied. The high-resolution QMS uses the condition of a higher stable zone in the Mathieu stability diagram where the higher zone is defined as zone II having a center of a = 2.83 and q = 3.02 in the a-q plane. The pre-filter of a short auxiliary quadrupole was added in front of a main quadrupole and only an r.f. voltage was applied. A helium peak intensity (mass 4 at 50% peak resolution of 40) increased by a factor of two compared with that without the pre-filter, when an r.f. voltage ratio of the pre-filter to the main quadrupole was roughly 0.2. An ion orbit analysis is used to support the experimental result.

Establishment of an Easy-to-Handle Quality Assurance (QA) Tool Using Plastic Scintillator for Dynamic Parameters of VMAT S. Akita, H. Takei, F. Matsubayashi, H. Asai, Y. Kamikubo, S. Nakamura, K. Sakata, Y. Nakayama, K. Maruyama, and K. Hayakawa; Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa, Japan, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, The Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR, Tokyo, Japan, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan, Kyosai Tachikawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan

LESSONS LEARNED: Themed-based education provides a setting that increases interest to learn. Participants in a group setting learn from each other. The venue provides increases interchange of Infection Control issue and resolutions. Retention of information is questionable; further evaluation is being considered. Some participant may be too focus on the food, drink & prizes incentive rather than learning.

BACKGROUND: Although the assessment of the density of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization may be important, precise quantitative evaluation of H. pylori in the gastric mucosa has been difficult. We have developed a novel real-time quantitative PCR technique based on 5' -3' exonuclease assay for detection of H. pylori. Using this system, we evaluated number of H. pylori organisms present in gastric biopsy specimens. METHODS: A primer pair for PCR amplification was made according to the reported sequence of ureA gene of H. pylori, and an oligonucleotide probe labeled with two fluorescent dyes (a reporter dye at the 5' end and a quencher dye at the 3' end) was also designed. While the probe is intact, the quencher dye greatly reduces the fluorescent signal by the reporter dye (Fluorescence resonance energy transfer phenomenon). During the PCR extension phase, the annealed probe is cleaved by 5' -3' exonuclease activity of Taq DNA polymerase, increasing the reporter dye signal. The reporter dye signal during a PCR assay was monitored with a ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detector (Perkin-Elmer). Purified PCR products of ureA gene were used as standard samples for making standard curves plotting log starting copy number and threshold cycle (Ct: PCR cycle number at which the reporter fluorescence signal reached above baseline). Biopsy specimens were collected from antral mucosa of consecutive 32 patients underwent gastroscopy (GU 9, DU 9, GC 1, NUD 13). Three biopsy specimens were obtained from each patient to avoid the effect of patchy distribution of H. pylori. DNA was extracted by conventional phenol-chloroform method. Since the size of each biopsy specimen was variable, quantitative PCR assay described above was performed using 0.5 ~tg of DNA extracted from each sample. !~_!LL_.T~: In each amplification reaction, a liner standard curve could be generated in a wide range of starting copy numbers (6xl07 to 6xl0 copies of the target sequences, R 2 > 0.99). Nine of 32 samples (DU 2, NUD 7) showed no increase in the fluorescence signal during PCR process, indicating the absence of H. pylori, which was also confirmed by histological examinations. In H. pylori positive patients, the detected ureA copy numbers (i.e. number of H. pylori organisms) were variable among patients (range 1.4x102 1.2x105 copies/0.5Mg DNA, mean 2.6x104 copies/0.51ag DNA). The average ureA copy numbers of samples from DU and GU patients were not significantly different from that of NUD patients [GU (2.1 _+ l.l)xl04, DU (1.8 _+ 0.6)xl04, NUD (2.6 + 1.1)xl04 copies/0.51ag DNA, respectively]. The sample of one GC patient showed high density of H. pylori colonization (1.2x105 copies/0.5Mg DNA). CONCLUSIONS: Accurate quantitation of H. pylori in biopsy specimens was possible with this PCR system, and it will be useful for 1-1. pylori research.