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Two new synthetic approaches to anhydrogabosines are developed from the polyoxygenated aldol cyclization intermediates, bearing different O‐protecting groups, which were transformed to various gabosine‐type cyclitols. Selective sulfonylation on the required hydroxyl group of the intermediates and the subsequent oxirane ring closure are employed as the key steps in both approaches, by which (+)‐epoxydon, (–)‐phyllostine, (–)‐RKTS 33, and (–)‐parasitenone were synthesized from δ‐d‐gluconolactone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography provides a more functional diagnostic image than conventional ultrasonography. This prospective exploratory study compared the novel contrast agent, Visphere™, with commercial contrast agents in five healthy Beagle dogs. Visphere™ has the smallest diameter and highest concentration compared with Sonazoid® and SonoVue®. Each dog received an intravenous injection of Visphere™, Sonazoid®, or SonoVue®. Images were recorded for 300, 600, and 60 s in the heart, liver, and left kidney, respectively. The mean pixel values of the regions of interest for each organ were expressed as time intensity curves (TIC). The agents all improved the visualization of left ventricular endocardial border delineation in the heart, and had similar TICs and clinical useful durations. In contrast, Visphere™ expressed the highest mean pixel value in the liver parenchyma at an early observation time and maintained the intensity until 600 s, like Sonazoid®. The renal evaluation results indicated there were no statistically significant differences in time‐to‐peak for the renal cortex or medulla among the agents. Compared with the other two agents, SonoVue® had the lowest peak enhancement for the renal cortex and medulla. No dogs had any adverse reactions during or after the study. All three agents provided adequate results for left ventricular endocardial border delineation, and Visphere™ may have the same potential as Sonazoid® to detect and characterize hepatic lesions. Visphere™ and Sonazoid® may offer better visualization quality to evaluate renal function. In conclusion, the novel contrast agent, Visphere™, is comparable with commercial agents and could be applied in different major organs in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromuscular ultrasound is an accepted and valuable element in the evaluation of peripheral nerve and muscle disease. However, ultrasound has several limitations to consider, including operator dependency and lack of a viable contrast agent. Fortunately, new technological advances show promise in resolving these issues. Ultra-high resolution ultrasound enables imaging of the nerve at the fascicular level. Shear wave elastography imaging can provide measures of tissue stiffness that can act as a surrogate measure of nerve and muscle health. Photoacoustic imaging may overcome neuromuscular ultrasound's current lack of contrast agents to detect inflammation and other functional changes within nerve and muscle, while artificial intelligence stands to address operator dependency and improve diagnostic imaging. The basic principles of each of these technologies are discussed along with current research and potential future applications in neuromuscular imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) could be useful for early evaluation of the treatment response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: This study retrospectively selected HCCs in which homogeneous retention of iodized oil was confirmed on non–contrast‐enhanced computed tomography performed immediately after TACE. Therapeutic responses of HCCs were evaluated by CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE and by contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) approximately 4 weeks after TACE. We investigated the noninferiority of CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE to CECT approximately 4 weeks after TACE in terms of the diagnostic accuracy of the therapeutic response to TACE on HCC. Results: Eighty‐nine HCCs were enrolled in this study between April 2014 and June 2016. A complete response was observed in 57 of 89 nodules (64.0%), and an incomplete response was observed in the remaining 32 nodules (36.0%). The accuracy rates for CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE and CECT approximately 4 weeks after TACE in the therapeutic effect of TACE on HCCs were 83.1% (95% confidence interval, 73.7%–90.2%) and 83.1% (95% confidence interval, 73.7%–90.2%), respectively. The difference in diagnostic accuracy between methods was 0%, which was below the predetermined noninferiority limit of 15%, and CEUS 1 to 2 days after TACE was noninferior to CECT approximately 4 weeks after TACE. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CEUS is a useful modality for early therapeutic evaluation of TACE for HCC, and we can thus plan the next treatment strategies for HCC within a few days after TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important Chinese medicine decoction, Wu‐tou decoction has been used to treat rheumatic arthritis for more than a thousand years. We previously reported that the Wu‐tou decoction could change the urinary and serum metabolites in adjuvant‐induced arthritis rats significantly. The purpose of this research was to confirm the potential biomarkers obtained by previous non‐targeted metabolomics study through quantitative analysis by liqui chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, in the meantime, to further study the effective material basis of Wu‐tou decoction. Firstly, the important compounds in the tryptophan metabolism pathway, the arginine and proline metabolism pathway, the amino acid metabolism pathway, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the vitamin B6 metabolism pathway, and the phenylalanine metabolism pathway, which were identified as potential biomarkers in previous study, were selected for quantitative analysis. Then the linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, selectivity, accuracy, precision, stability, recovery, and matrix effect of the quantitative method were examined. Finally, ten and eighteen metabolites were quantitatively analyzed in the serum and urine, respectively. The results showed that seven out of ten serum potential biomarkers and ten out of eighteen urine potential biomarkers were confirmed as real biomarkers. This research provides a powerful reference for the study on effective material basis of Wu‐tou decoction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) with the P102L mutation is a rare genetic prion disease caused by a pathogenic mutation at codon 102 in the prion protein gene. Cluster analysis encompassing data from 7 Czech patients and 87 published cases suggests the existence of 4 clinical phenotypes (typical GSS, GSS with areflexia and paresthesia, pure dementia GSS, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease-like GSS); GSS may be more common than previously estimated. In making a clinical diagnosis or progression estimates of GSS, magnetic resonance imaging and real-time quaking-induced conversion may be helpful, but the results should be evaluated with respect to the overall clinical context. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:643-652. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unexplained chronic inflammation is prevalent in end-stage kidney disease, and contributes toward accelerated cardiovascular disease, and premature death. The source of inflammation is unclear, although increased gastrointestinal permeability is a likely contributory factor. Whether a "leaky" gut leads to penetration of the systemic circulation by gut-derived pathogens is at least partly dependent on Kupffer cell function. These resident liver macrophages are an important part of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), and there is evidence for Kupffer cell and reticuloendothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease. These observations are compatible with the inflammatory milieu of chronic kidney disease being of gut origin. Measuring gut permeability in chronic kidney disease is challenging. Use of fecal biomarkers and other novel serum biomarkers represent potential alternative tools. One such marker is (1-3)-Beta-D-glucan, a polysaccharide constituent of many fungal, bacterial, and plant cell walls; levels of (1-3)-Beta-D-glucan are elevated in hemodialysis patients. Gastrointestinal permeability and impaired removal by the RES may contribute to these high levels, suggesting potential importance as a biomarker. High levels of (1-3)-Beta-D-glucan also falsely elevate endotoxin measurements. Measuring the contribution of gastrointestinal permeability and RES dysfunction to systemic inflammation may be an important step in designing therapies to reduce systemic inflammation in chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Sonazoid and SonoVue in subjects with focal liver lesions. Methods: The patients who had untreated focal solid liver lesions confirmed by B‐mode ultrasonography were eligible for the study. The target lesion and whole liver were scanned by gray scale ultrasonography; then, contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography was performed, and the results were evaluated blindly. The main end point was accuracy improvement with postcontrast versus precontrast ultrasound examination for diagnosis of the target lesion of interest as malignant or benign against the reference standard. Results: There were 65 patients with 65 hepatic tumors enrolled in the study. The improvement of diagnostic accuracy was 0.30 in the Sonazoid group and 0.16 in the SonoVue group (95% confidence interval, –0.828–0.168; P = .24). Using 20% as the noninferiority margin, the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (0.168) was less than 0.20. The number of lesions detected during the whole‐liver scanning in the Sonazoid group was significantly more than that detected in the SonoVue group (P = .024). Conclusion: The diagnosis value of Sonazoid is noninferior to SonoVue, and this new contrast agent can improves the whole‐liver image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We evaluated the detection rates for perfusion defects in hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas comparing the low mechanical index (MI) and high MI contrast modes during the post–vascular phase (PVP) of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography. Methods: Seventy‐eight patients with 84 hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas (mean diameter, 23.4 ± 11.2 mm) were selected for this retrospective study. All the patients underwent whole‐liver scanning using conventional ultrasonography before injection of a perflubutane‐based contrast agent (Sonazoid), and all the detected nodules were classified as either hypoechoic or hyperechoic nodules. Next, hypoechoic and hyperechoic nodules were evaluated using contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography, and the presence of a perfusion defect was assessed for each nodule using both the low MI (0.2–0.3) and the high MI (0.7–1.2) contrast modes during the PVP (10 minutes after injection). The data were analyzed using the McNemar test. Results: Forty‐four nodules were classified as hypoechoic nodules, and the remaining 40 nodules were classified as hyperechoic nodules using conventional ultrasonography. The detection rate for perfusion defects determined using the high MI contrast mode was higher than that determined using the low MI contrast mode in hyperechoic nodules during the PVP (low MI, 58% [23 of 40]; high MI, 90% [36 of 40]; P < .0001). However, no significant difference was observed between the low MI and the high MI contrast modes in hypoechoic nodules (low MI, 80% [35 of 44]; high MI, 89% [39 of 44]; P = .125). Conclusion: Compared with the low MI contrast mode, the high MI contrast mode was more sensitive for detecting perfusion defects in hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with hyperechoic nodules during the PVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photopolymerization is a phenomenon that is the basis of much of today's microfabrication technology and intense research is conducted to improve its control and the characteristics of end products for a variety of applications. The design of microscopic structures often relies on the accurate knowledge and modeling of photopolymer's behavior upon exposure, i.e. the Dill parameters, for each radiation species of interest and therefore the development of flexible characterization techniques is of great importance. SU‐8 is a popular compound that is representative of a whole class that relies on cationic polymerization, where an acid is obtained via photolysis of an onium salt during exposure. Here we report on the observation of SbF6−via laser desorption mass spectrometry on SU‐8 exposed to UV light at the wavelength of 365 nm and demonstrate that the yield of this counter‐anion as a function of exposure is consistent with the Dill C parameter value available in the literature. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 967–972 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a fast scheme of multiparametric perfusion functional imaging (PFI) based on dynamic contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS) for assessing renal microvascular hemodynamics. Method: The flow process in the DCEUS‐based PFI was modified step‐by‐step to improve its operational efficiency, which was validated through in vivo renal perfusion experiments. A multiparametric model with a comprehensive coefficient of imaging quality (CIQ) was then built on four terms of the average information entropy, contrast, gray, and noise coefficient of PFIs to evaluate the sacrifice of imaging quality during modifications of DCEUS‐based PFI. Results: The multiparametric model successfully evaluated modifications of DCEUS‐based PFI from multiple perspectives (R2 = 0.73, P < 0.01). Compared with the raw scheme in the renal sagittal and coronal planes, the fast PFI scheme significantly improved its operational efficiency by 62.82 ± 1.07% (P < 0.01) and the nine PFIs simultaneously maintained a similar CIQ of 0.26 ± 0.06. Conclusions: The inhomogeneous hemodynamic distributions with a ring‐like feature in the renal microvasculature were accurately and efficiently characterized by the fast PFI scheme. The fast PFI scheme can be applied for early diagnosis, follow‐up evaluation and monitoring treatment of chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The real time monitoring and quantification of the concentration of highly fluorescent nitrogen‐doped carbon nanodots (C‐dots) in eukaryotic Tobacco bright yellow‐2 (BY‐2) plant cells was investigated by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. The quantitative measurement of their fluorescent emission intensity was possible because of the high photo‐resistance, good water solubility and the absence of fading effect of the nanoparticles, which is frequent occurred problem of the conventional organic dyes. The microscopic analysis revealed that C‐dots entered generally into the cells through endocytosis and caused negligible cytotoxicity. The multicolor cellular imaging of labeled Tobacco BY‐2 demonstrates that the cells were in good health conditions and any blinking artifacts were not observed. The quantification of fluorescence emission intensity was carried out in the intracellular regions where the relationship between the C‐dots concentration and relative emission was linear. Based on a control experiment with fluorescence liposomes with known dependence between C‐dots concentration and emission, we were able to determine the amount of accumulated nanoparticles in the inner compartments of the eukaryotic cell through subsequent digital image analysis. The reported microscopic approach may be used for accurate testing and direct examination of the drug internalization mechanisms by C‐dots as sensitive probes in single cells or tissues. • Carbon nanodots have linear dependence between their concentration and emission intensity in aqueous solution and cytoplasm of living cells. • The relative emission intensity and concentration values of carbon nanodots were quantified by confocal microscope in Tobacco BY‐2 plant cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of real‐time three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) in guiding percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). Materials and Methods: A hydronephrosis model was devised in which the ureters of 16 beagles were obstructed. The beagles were divided equally into groups 1 and 2. In group 1, the PCN was performed using real‐time 3D US guidance, while in group 2 the PCN was guided using two‐dimensional (2D) US. Visualization of the needle tract, length of puncture time and number of puncture times were recorded for the two groups. Results: In group 1, score for visualization of the needle tract, length of puncture time and number of puncture times were 3, 7.3 ± 3.1 s and one time, respectively. In group 2, the respective results were 1.4 ± 0.5, 21.4 ± 5.8 s and 2.1 ± 0.6 times. The visualization of needle tract in group 1 was superior to that in group 2, and length of puncture time and number of puncture times were both lower in group 1 than in group 2. Conclusions: Real‐time 3D US‐guided PCN is superior to 2D US‐guided PCN in terms of visualization of needle tract and the targeted pelvicalyceal system, leading to quick puncture. Real‐time 3D US‐guided puncture of the kidney holds great promise for clinical implementation in PCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize the morphology and function of each section of the reproductive system of male Callinectes danae, as well as the stages of reproductive development and their relation to secondary sexual characteristics. Development of their reproductive system begins after completion of the pubertal moult. The growth of the gonopodium showed negative allometry for both juveniles and adults. The reproductive system is divided into portions with different functions. There is a germinal zone in the testes containing spermatogonia, a zone of maturation containing spermatocytes, spermatids or spermatozoa, as well as a collecting duct, which carries spermatozoa to the vas deferens. There are two matrices in the anterior vas deferens that initiate the separation of spermatozoa groups, one composed of polysaccharide acids (matrix I) and another consisting of neutral polysaccharides (matrix II). In the median vas deferens, the matrix II forms an acellular capsule, which forms the spermatophores. In the posterior vas deferens, the matrices are accumulated, initially with a granular texture and are homogenous for the final portion. The ejaculatory duct and penis have muscle lining to expel the spermatophores at copulation. Even after copulation, males retain a stock of spermatophores, allowing copulation with other females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A cyanoborohydride‐promoted radical cyclization methodology has been developed to access α‐chlorolactams in a simple and efficient way using NaBH3CN and trichloroacetamides easily available from allylic and homoallylic secondary amines. This methodology allowed the synthesis of a library of α‐chlorolactams (mono‐ and bicyclic), which were tested for herbicidal activity, trans‐3‐chloro‐4‐methyl‐1‐(3‐trifluoromethyl)phenyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone being the most active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate ultrasonographic features of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver with contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid (perflubutane; GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway). Methods: Thirty‐one patients with 31 focal nodular hyperplasia nodules who underwent CEUS using Sonazoid between July 2012 and February 2015 were included in this study. After the microbubble contrast agent was injected, intermittent CEUS images were obtained during the following 4 phases: arterial (10–40 seconds), portal venous (60–90 seconds), delayed (3 minutes), and Kupffer (>10 minutes). Three abdominal radiologists retrospectively reviewed the images and achieved consensus for vascular (central artery, stellate vascularity, and centrifugal enhancement) and dynamic enhancement patterns during the late arterial, portal venous, delayed, and Kupffer phases. Results: The patients included 12 men and 19 women (age range, 21–82 years; mean, 47 years). The mean diameter of the lesions ± SD was 2.2 ± 0.9 cm (range, 1.0–4.0 cm). On CEUS, 24 of 31 lesions (77.4%) showed central artery and stellate vascularity in the early arterial phase, and 25 (80.6%) showed centrifugal enhancement. Twenty‐six lesions (83.9%) were hyperechoic during the late arterial phase and showed hyperenhancement or isoenhancement during the serial dynamic phases. Kupffer‐phase images indicated that only 2 lesions (6.5%) were hypoechoic compared with surrounding liver parenchyma, whereas 29 (93.5%) remained either hyperechoic (2 [6.5%]) or isoechoic (27 [87.1%]). Conclusions: Contrast‐enhanced US using Sonazoid for focal nodular hyperplasia showed typical vascular patterns of central artery vascularity, stellate vascularity, and centrifugal enhancement. Most cases were either hyperenhanced or isoenhanced on serial dynamic‐ and Kupffer‐phase imaging. Based on these results, CEUS can provide useful information for noninvasive focal nodular hyperplasia diagnoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the influences of composite dynamic contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS) on multiparametric perfusion imaging (PPI) and to develop a novel PPI scheme through pulse‐inversion Bubblet decorrelation (PIBD) to improve its contrast and detailed discriminability. Method: In in vivo perfusion experiments on rabbit kidneys, a pair of phase‐inverted “Bubblets” was constructed. Phase‐inverted raw radiofrequency echoes were reconstructed by using the maximum coefficients obtained from Bubblet decorrelation analysis and summed to form DCEUS loops. Nine perfusion parameters were estimated from these loops and color coded to create the corresponding PIBD‐based PPIs. Results: In addition to time‐related PPIs, the contrast and detailed discriminability quantified by the average contrast and information entropy of intensity‐ and ratio‐related PPIs were proportional to the microbubble detection sensitivity and microvascular discriminability evaluated by CTR in DCEUS techniques. Compared with the second harmonic, the CTR of DCEUS and the average contrast and information entropy of PPI were significantly improved by 9.03 ± 5.39 dB (P < 0.01), 6.39 ± 1.38 dB (P < 0.01), and 0.57 ± 0.15 (P < 0.05) in PIBD technique, respectively. Conclusions: As a multiparametric functional imaging technique, these improvements in the proposed scheme can be beneficial to accurately quantify and depict the hemodynamic perfusion features and details of tumor angiogenesis, and further can also assist clinicians in making a confirmed diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our aim was to describe the reproductive system of males and the formation of sperm packages in the seminal receptacle (SR) of recently mated females of the arrow crab Stenorhynchus seticornis. The male reproductive system was analyzed, and was described using light microscopy and histological and histochemical methods. The first pair of gonopods was described by means of scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the dehiscence of spermatophores was tested using samples obtained from the vas deferens of males and from the seminal receptacle of recently mated females. Testes were tubular type, and each vas deferens consisted of three regions: the anterior vas deferens (AVD), including a proximal portion that was filled with free spermatozoa and a distal portion contained developing spermatophores; the median vas deferens (MVD) that contained completely formed spermatophores; and the posterior vas deferens (PVD), which contained only granular secretions. The accessory gland, which was filled with secretions, was located in the transition region between the MVD and the PVD. The spermatophores from the MVD were of different sizes, and none of them showed dehiscence in seawater, whereas those spermatophores in contact with the seminal receptacle were immediately broken. The ultrastructure of the gonopods revealed the presence of denticles at the distal portion, which contribute to the mechanical rupture of the spermatophore wall during the transfer of sperm. The contents of the PVD and accessory gland of males are transferred together with the spermatophores, and are responsible for the secretions observed among the sperm packets in the SR of the female. We suggest that these secretions formed the layers found in the SR of recently mated females, and may play a role in sperm competition in arrow crabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In laser projection system, speckle reduction by wavelength and angular diversities are often treated independently. Here, it is experimentally shown that there is a clear dependency between wavelength and angular diversities. Also, speckle reduction by wavelength and angular diversities are theoretically investigated. The theoretical calculation agrees well the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the short-term reproducibility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in lung cancer patients.Materials and Methods: In all, 50 patients (50 lesions) underwent free-breathing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) (b = 0, 300, 800 s/mm2 ) and IVIM (10 b-values, 0-1000 s/mm2 ) scans twice (0.5-1-hour interval) at 3T. Regions of interests (ROIs) were drawn on ADC maps and IVIM images to derive the mean ADC value and IVIM parameters D, D*, and f. Intra- and interobserver, test-retest reproducibility were assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), within coefficient-of-variations (WCVs), and Bland-Altman analysis. The effects of type, size, and location of lung lesions were compared with WCVs.Results: D and ADC showed good intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver agreement, while D* and f showed relatively larger variability (WCV 20.89-34.97%). The test-retest reproducibility of D and ADC were good (ICC 0.763-0.837; WCV 11.12-12.55%), while those of D* and f were relatively poor (ICC 0.604-0.842; WCV 36.54-72.62%). D and ADC had decreased reproducibility for lesions <2 cm (WCV 14.20%, 16.34%, respectively) and for lesions in the lower lung zones (WCV 16.52%, 14.78%, respectively). f had decreased reproducibility in central lung cancers (WCV 50.11%) and lesions >2 cm (WCV 42.64%). D* had even worse reproducibility in peripheral lung cancers (WCV 84.11%) and lesions in the lower lung zones (WCV 80.84%).Conclusion: If the change in ADC, D, D*, and f values is less than ∼31%, 34%, 170%, and 130%, respectively, it may be caused by measurement error. The type, size, and location of lung lesions have an effect on measurement errors.Level Of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy Stage: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1003-1012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen and nitrogen heterocycle systems are found in a vast number of natural substrates and biologically active molecules. In particular, phthalan, isochroman, and isoindoline scaffolds are present in many classes of products such as antimycotics, antibiotics, antioxidants, pigments, and fluorophores. Therefore several procedure dedicated to the building of such heterocycles have been developed. In this review a detailed analysis of literature data relating to these scaffolds is described. Particular attention has been devoted to their biological and chemical potentiality, and an in-depth investigation into the most important synthetic methods is reported. Cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira coupling of suitable alcohols and amides has been carefully considered, because it represents a valuable and atom-economic route for the construction of alkylidenephthalans, -isochromans, and -isoindolines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the agreement between Kupffer phase of Sonazoid contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) and hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in the evaluation of focal liver lesions (FLLs).Methods: One hundred fifty-four FLLs in 154 patients who underwent both Sonazoid CEUS and gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI were included in this retrospective study. FLL visibility on the Kupffer-phase images was graded as one (invisible or isoenhancing), two (vaguely visible or vaguely hypoenhancing), or three (clearly visible or clearly hypoenhancing), and that on the hepatobiliary-phase images of MRI was graded as one (invisible or hyper/isointense), two (vaguely visible or weakly hypointense), or three (clearly visible or strongly hypointense). Pairwise comparison of lesion visibility between the two modalities was performed, and intermodality agreement was assessed.Results: On Kupffer-phase CEUS, 31 (20.1%) lesions were invisible, 17 (11.1%) were vaguely visible, and 106 (68.9%) were clearly visible. On the hepatobiliary-phase MRI, 9 (5.9%) lesions were invisible, 45 (29.2%) were vaguely visible, and 100 (64.9%) were clearly visible. Overall, lesion visibility scores were not significantly different between the two modalities (p = 0.121), but the visibility was significantly better on MRI in smaller lesions. Twenty-eight lesions (18.2%) showed discrepancy in the visibility on CEUS and MRI, and most of the cases (89.7%) were lesions that were invisible on CEUS but visible on MRI.Conclusions: The overall visibility of FLLs was comparable between the Kupffer phase of Sonazoid-CEUS and the hepatobiliary-phase images of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, with a discrepancy between the two modalities in 18% of the cases. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:542-550, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Windows are vital elements in the built environment that have a large impact on the energy consumption in indoor spaces, affecting heating and cooling and artificial lighting requirements. Moreover, they play an important role in sustaining human health and well-being. In this review, we discuss the next generation of smart windows based on organic materials which can change their properties by reflecting or transmitting excess solar energy (infrared radiation) in such a way that comfortable indoor temperatures can be maintained throughout the year. Moreover, we place emphasis on windows that maintain transparency in the visible region so that additional energy is not required to retain natural illumination. We discuss a number of ways to fabricate windows which remain as permanent infrared control elements throughout the year as well as windows which can alter transmission properties in presence of external stimuli like electric fields, temperature and incident light intensity. We also show the potential impact of these windows on energy saving in different climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the molecular machinery that underlies autophagic responses has been characterized with ever increasing precision in multiple model organisms. Moreover, it has become clear that autophagy and autophagy-related processes have profound implications for human pathophysiology. However, considerable confusion persists about the use of appropriate terms to indicate specific types of autophagy and some components of the autophagy machinery, which may have detrimental effects on the expansion of the field. Driven by the overt recognition of such a potential obstacle, a panel of leading experts in the field attempts here to define several autophagy-related terms based on specific biochemical features. The ultimate objective of this collaborative exchange is to formulate recommendations that facilitate the dissemination of knowledge within and outside the field of autophagy research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast agents ( CA) are routinely used in clinical practice to improve the diagnosis of diseases and to monitor therapy response. The majority of CA comprises small molecules accumulating at pathological sites due to vascular abnormalities, such as changes in perfusion and permeability. For many diseases, high diagnostic accuracy can be achieved with contrast-enhanced imaging. This means that new CA will only succeed in translation if they either show superior performance with respect to diagnostic accuracy, safety and cost, support a new imaging modality, or are directly linked to the refinement of therapy, e.g., as a companion diagnostic. Unfortunately, these basic demands are often not carefully considered by the scientific community, leading to concepts with low chances of clinical translation. Thus, it is not surprising that, despite steadily increasing numbers of publications, there is quite the opposite trend when it comes to the clinical approval of new diagnostics. As a matter of fact, except for PET tracers, in the last decade, only a handful of CA received FDA or EMA approval. Furthermore, several approved products were discontinued by the manufacturers because of low market potential, a competitive own product, suboptimal clinical performance, or safety concerns. This review article discusses the current status of approved diagnostic probes for clinical imaging modalities, with a focus on new trends in CA development. In this context, molecularly targeted diagnostics or probes for emerging fields, such as image-guided surgery, nanomedicine, or theranostics, will be introduced and discussed with regard to their clinical translation. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1441. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1441 For further resources related to this article, please visit the . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Perflubutane microbubbles, a second-generation ultrasound contrast agent, are phagocytized by Kupffer cells. This characteristic may be useful to differentiate diffuse hepatic diseases in dogs. Hypothesis/objectives To determine whether the washout ratio in the hepatic vein (HV) measured by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography ( CEUS) can distinguish between inflammatory and noninflammatory hepatic disorders in dogs. Animals Forty-one client-owned dogs with hepatic disorders including 14 with hepatitis, 7 with primary hypoplasia of the portal vein ( PHPV), 9 with congenital portosystemic shunt ( cPSS), and 11 with other hepatopathy were enrolled. Six dogs without hepatic disease also were evaluated as healthy controls. Methods Dogs with hepatic disorders were prospectively included. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography of the HV was performed for 2 minutes. Washout ratio was defined as the attenuation rate from peak intensity to the intensity at the end of the CEUS study. Results Washout ratio in the hepatitis group (median, 18.0%; range, 2.0-37.0%) was significantly lower than that of the PHPV (median, 52.2%; range, 11.5-86.3%), cPSS (median, 60.0%; range, 28.6-77.4%), other hepatopathy (median, 70.5%; range, 26.6-88.4%), and normal (median, 78.0%; range, 60.7-91.7%) groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for hepatitis was 0.960, with a 95% confidence interval ( CI) of 0.853-0.990. Washout ratio ≤37.1% resulted in a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 78.5-100%) and specificity of 85.2% (95% CI, 67.5-94.1%) for the prediction of hepatitis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Washout ratio can distinguish hepatitis from the other noninflammatory disorders with high accuracy. This result might reflect impaired Kupffer cell phagocytosis in dogs with hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI (EOB-MRI) in the diagnosis of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.Methods: A total of 69 patients diagnosed with or suspected of having liver metastasis were enrolled. These hepatic lesions were diagnosed by histopathological examination after surgical resection or based on follow-up using various imaging modalities. The diagnostic accuracies of CEUS and EOB-MRI were compared.Results: One hundred thirty-three lesions were detected. Of these lesions, 109 were diagnosed as liver metastases. Of the 133 lesions, 90.2% were detected on CEUS, and 98.5% on EOB-MRI. One hundred nine lesions were diagnosed as liver metastasis. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for diagnosis were 0.906 and 0.851 on CEUS and EOB-MRI, respectively (p = 0.41). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were 90.8%, 84.5%, 97.1%, 67.1%, and 90.2%, respectively, for CEUS, and 95.4%, 70.8%, 93.7%, 77.3%, and 91%, respectively, for EOB-MRI.Conclusions: CEUS has a higher specificity and PPV for the diagnosis of liver metastasis than EOB-MRI. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:138-144, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study was conducted to assess the injection precision in capillary electrophoresis for cationic analytes (arecoline, codeine, papaverine). The precision was measured in respect to methods sensitivity in various injection modes in capillary electrophoresis: standard hydrodynamic injection (3.45 kPa for 6 s), large volume sample stacking (3.45 kPa for 40 s), and field-amplified sample injection (10 kV for 65 s). All measurements were conducted for aqueous solutions of standards to minimize the errors linked to the sample preparation step. The methods were submitted to precision assessment at three concentration levels: at the limit of quantification, three-fold and ten-fold of limit of quantification. The results were compared to those from high-performance liquid chromatography as a reference technique. The field-amplified sample injection method was shown to provide greatest sensitivity (quantification limits down to 4 ng/mL for all three tested compounds) but the lowest precision. High-performance liquid chromatography was established as the most reliable technique (coefficient of variation in all intraday experiments was below 1%). It was also shown that with a use of large volume sample injection technique, similar sensitivity as in high-performance liquid chromatography can be easily reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The intra-operative detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by ultrasonography is indispensable for laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. However, it is occasionally difficult to localize an HCC on an ultrasound in chronic liver disease. Two cases of partial hepatectomy using hookwire marking under CT guidance are presented. Materials and Surgical Technique The location of the HCC was identified by CT scan, and the puncture site was determined. A hookwire system, made of a stainless steel hook, was used to localize the HCC. The hookwire was placed percutaneously close to the HCC, and then the patient was taken to the operating room as soon as possible. After identification of the hookwire marker, the cutting line was determined on the liver surface to ensure a sufficient surgical margin in laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. Discussion Two cases underwent these procedures with easy intra-operative marking of the resection area. This technique facilitates safe laparoscopic partial hepatectomy for an HCC that is invisible on ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Elevated bile amylase level in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction ( PBM) or high confluence of pancreaticobiliary ducts ( HCPBD) is well known as a risk factor for gallbladder carcinoma ( GBC) development. However, the effects of occult pancreaticobiliary reflux ( OPR), a condition characterized by high bile amylase level in the presence of an anatomically normal pancreaticobiliary junction, on GBC development remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between OPR and GBC. Methods Clinicopathological data of 52 patients who were preoperatively diagnosed with gallbladder ( GB) tumor (22 malignant, 30 benign) were retrospectively reviewed. All of the patients underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to evaluate pancreaticobiliary junction morphology and bile amylase level. The relationship between the histological diagnosis of GB lesions, and pancreaticobiliary junction morphology and bile amylase level were investigated. Results Pancreaticobiliary maljunction, HCPBD, and normal pancreaticobiliary junction ( NPJ) were identified in 12, nine, and 31 patients, respectively. The rates of GBC in patients with PBM, HCPBD, and NPJ were 58% (7/12), 67% (6/9), and 29% (9/31), respectively. Of the 31 patients with NPJ, 22 had OPR and nine of these had GBC. None of the patients with NPJ and normal bile amylase level had GBC. Additionally, among patients with NPJ, bile amylase level was significantly higher in patients with GBC than in patients with benign tumors. Conclusions Occult pancreaticobiliary reflux, like PBM and HCPBD, is a risk factor for GBC development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in the assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft model.Materials and Methods: Thirty-five HCC nude mouse models were established. IVIM was performed on a 1.5T MR scanner at baseline (n = 5) and serially at 7, 14, and 21 days after sorafenib treatment. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCtotal ), true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) at these timepoints were measured and compared between the treated (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). Differences in measurements among different timepoints were evaluated. Correlations between IVIM parameters and histologic features including necrotic fraction (NF) and microvessel density (MVD) were analyzed.Results: Compared to the control group, ADCtotal and D were significantly higher at each timepoint (P = 0.009), while f significantly decreased at 7 days (P = 0.009) and increased at 21 days (P = 0.028) in the treated group. Serial measurements in the treated group showed that both ADCtotal and D increased significantly at 7, 14, and 21 days compared to baseline (P < 0.05), while f significantly declined at 7 days (P = 0.016) and increased at 21 days (P = 0.009). Significant correlations were found between ADCtotal and NF (r = 0.811, P < 0.001), D and NF (r = 0.838, P < 0.001), and between f and NF (r = 0.528, P = 0.017) in the treated group.Conclusion: IVIM may provide useful biomarkers for evaluating the therapeutic effects of sorafenib on HCC.Level Of Evidence: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:270-280. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic Cluster Therapy ( ACT) represents a novel concept for targeted drug delivery. Ultrasound is applied to activate intravenously administered free-flowing clusters of microbubbles and microdroplets within the target pathology, depositing 20-30 μm large bubbles in the microvasculature for 5-10 min. Further application of ultrasound induces biomechanical effects which increase vascular permeability and enhance localized extravasation of coadministered drugs. Herein we report investigations done to assess the preclinical safety of ACT, using doses up to 1 mL/kg (3 μL perfluoromethyl-cyclopentane/kg). In dogs, half the animals were exposed to ultrasound activation in the heart for 1 min, no ultrasound was applied in the other half. Posttreatment observation time was 24 h. Clinical signs, ophthalmoscopy, clinical pathology, macro-, and microscopy were used as endpoints. No differences between groups with and without ultrasound activation were observed. Short-lasting leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, possibly secondary to a slight and short-lasting increase in plasma histamine and complement split products, were the only effects noted. In rats ACT was activated in the liver for 5 min. Histopathology and clinical chemistry parameters remained unchanged. Lastly, rats were treated with ACT activated in the heart and thereafter placed on a rotarod for evaluation of motor coordination. No differences were observed between animals treated with ACT and controls. In conclusion, ACT appeared safe at dose-levels up to 1 mL/kg and with activation either in the heart or the liver. These results, together with positive efficacy data upon coinjection with cytotoxic compounds encourage further preclinical safety studies with the objective of entering subsequent clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To clarify the value of gray-scale ultrasound (US) combined with contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) with perflubutane in diagnosing early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A total of 57 surgically resected, well differentiated HCCs were analyzed. Hepatocellular carcinomas were macroscopically diagnosed as vaguely nodular or distinctly nodular types, which correspond to early HCC or progressed HCC, respectively. Gray-scale US findings were evaluated in terms of shape (round or roundish, or irregular), border and contour (well-defined and smooth, or poorly defined), and intratumor echo levels (hyper, hypo, iso, heterogeneous, or mosaic). Contrast-enhanced US findings were evaluated during the arterial phase (vascularity [finely homogeneous, dendritic, or chaotic] and perfusion enhancement [homogeneous or heterogeneous]), portal phase (presence or absence of washout), and post-vascular phase (echo intensity level [defect, incomplete defect, or iso-enhancing]). Results Eighteen HCCs were categorized as early HCCs and the remaining 39 were categorized as progressed HCCs. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the diagnosis of early HCC yielded area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) values for border and contour on gray-scale US and echo intensity level in the CEUS post-vascular phase of 0.782 and 0.828, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis also indicated that both of these gray-scale US and CEUS findings were independently associated with early HCC. The Az value for the combination of border and contour and echo intensity for the diagnosis of early HCC was 0.907, corresponding to a high diagnostic value. Conclusion The combination of gray-scale US and CEUS can provide high-quality imaging assessment for diagnosing early HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient utilization and subsequent reuse of cell components is a key factor in determining the proper growth and functioning of all cells under both optimum and stress conditions. The process of intracellular and intercellular recycling is especially important for the appropriate control of cellular metabolism and nutrient management in immobile organisms, such as plants. Therefore, the accurate recycling of amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates or micro- and macronutrients available in the plant cell becomes a critical factor that ensures plant survival and growth. Plant cells possess two main degradation mechanisms: a ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy, which, as a part of an intracellular trafficking system, is based on vesicle transport. This review summarizes knowledge of both the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy pathways, describes the cross-talk between the two and discusses the relationships between autophagy and the vesicular transport systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calreticulin ( CRT), a well conserved endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein for Ca2+-binding, is widely expressed in multicellular eukaryotes. CRT plays a key role in many cellular processes, including Ca2+ homeostasis. To address the role of CRT underlying the Ca2+ homeostasis alternation during the mineralization cycle of the mud crab ( Scylla paramamosain), we cloned the full-length cDNA of CRT gene ( Sp CRT) from S. paramamosain, and its protein contains all signature domains of CRT. Tissue distribution showed the Sp CRT transcript was far more abundant in hepatopancreas than in others. Meanwhile, seven moult stages of the crab were characterized by observing the third maxilliped under microscope and clear uropod images were presented. During the moult cycle, the total calcium levels in the hepatopancreas were determined using ICP- AES. It decreased significantly at stage A and B ( p < 0.05), and was relatively steady between inter-moult C and early pre-moult D0 ( p > 0.05). It was then gradually increased thereafter by nearly 274.2% until stage E (compared with stage C) ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of Sp CRT in the hepatopancreas was the lowest in the moult stage E and post-moult stage A, and then it maintained at a high level in other stages. Taken together, the relative retard timing of calcium incrument corresponding to the higher expression of Sp CRT may suggest CRT plays a critical role in Ca2+ storage in hepatopancreas during the moult cycle of crustaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly chemo-, regio- and stereoselective cobalt-catalyzed Markovnikov hydrosilylation of alkynes was developed. Various functionalized groups, such as halides, free alcohols, free aniline, ketones, esters, amides, and nitriles are tolerated, which may lead to further applications and late-stage derivatizations. To date, this is the most efficient cobalt catalytic system (TOF=65 520 h−1; TOF=turnover frequency) for hydrosilylation of alkynes. The Hiyama-Denmark cross-coupling reactions of vinylsilanes with aryl iodides underwent smoothly to afford 1,1-diarylethenes. A unique regioselectivity-controllable hydrosilylation/hydroboration reaction of alkynes was also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pyridinebis(oxazoline) cobalt complex is a very efficient precatalyst for the hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes with Ph2SiH2, providing α-vinylsilanes with high (Markovnikov) regioselectivity and broad functional-group tolerance. The vinylsilane products can be further converted into geminal borosilanes through Markovnikov hydroboration with pinacolborane and a bis(imino)pyridine cobalt catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly chemo- and regioselective partially intramolecular rhodium(I)-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of allenynes with alkynes is described. A range of diverse polysubstituted benzene derivatives could be synthesized in good to excellent yields, in which the allenynes served as synthetic equivalent to the diynes. A high regioselectivity could be observed when allenynes were treated with unsymmetrical alkynes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims To investigate the differences in mechanical effects and ablation zone between radiofrequency (RF) ablation with and without Sonazoid uptake in an in vivo rabbit liver model. Methods Our study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Twenty-five rabbits were randomly allotted to one of five ablation durations (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 min). For each rabbit, RF ablation was performed twice, before and 10 min after Sonazoid administration (i.e. control group vs. Sonazoid group), using a 1-cm internally cooled electrode (40W) equipped with a parallelly fixed pressure-monitoring device. During ablation, a 'popping' sound was perceived and recorded along with tissue pressure changes and RF ablation parameters. Then, the ablation volume and microscopic changes were compared. Results Popping sounds were more frequently perceived in the control group (21/25 vs. 1/25, P < 0.001). The time to first pressure peak was shorter in the Sonazoid group (22.3 ± 1.1 s vs. 46.3 ± 4.4 s, P < 0.001) with similar pressures (39.8 ± 4.2 mmHg vs. 35.6 ± 4.1 mmHg, P = 0.350). Time to first roll-off and mean power output were significantly less in the Sonazoid group (17.6 ± 1.2 s vs. 71.2 ± 8.2 s, P < 0.001; 9.4 ± 0.3 W vs. 12.8 ± 0.5 W, P < 0.001). Consequently, the Sonazoid group had lower total energy and ablation volumes for all durations. Microscopically, the control group showed larger conflu-ent disruptions, whereas the Sonazoid group showed many smaller disruptions scattered throughout the ablation zones. Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation after Sonazoid uptake induces a smaller ablation zone than conventional RF ablation. However, it appears to ablate the liver tissue with less mechanical effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levorotatory enantiomers of gabosines D and E were synthesized through a divergent approach that could equally well be applied to the synthesis of the dextrorotatory enantiomers, which have been isolated from natural sources. The approach relies on an initial desymmetrization of p-methoxyphenol, followed by an enzymatic resolution that separately provides the two enantiomers of synthon 3. This versatile synthon can be further transformed into the diverse polyoxygenated cyclohexane target molecules. Key steps in the synthesis of (-)-gabosines D and E from (4 R,6 S)- 3 are the stereoselective hydroxymethylation at the α-carbonyl position leading to (+)- 4, and the subsequent reagent-controlled epoxidation of the carbon-carbon double bond. A branching in the sequence also allowed the synthesis of the anhydrogabosines (-)-epiepoxydon and (+)-phyllostine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims We are developing a computer-aided diagnosis ( CAD) system for estimating the malignancy grade of hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound ( CEUS). In this study, observers estimated the malignancy grade of HCC with and without the cues provided by CAD. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained and informed consent was waived. A total of 232 histologically confirmed HCCs were studied: 76 well-differentiated HCC (w- HCC), 133 moderately differentiated HCC (m- HCC), and 23 poorly differentiated HCC (p- HCC). In this observer study, CEUS vascular images acquired using the maximum intensity projection technique were displayed together with static B-mode and Kupffer-phase (defined as 10 min after injection) images. Five hepatologists independently assigned confidence ratings for the malignancy grade of each HCC. Each hepatologist first read each case without CAD and then immediately afterwards with CAD. The observers' rating data were evaluated by multireader multicase receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) analysis. Results The overall sensitivity of our CAD system for discrimination between three histological differentiation grades of HCC was 87.5% (203/232). For discrimination between w- HCC and m/p- HCC, the mean area under the ROC curve ( AUC) for the five observers was significantly improved from 0.779 ± 0.074 to 0.872 ± 0.090 with CAD ( P = 0.0069). For discrimination between m- HCC and p- HCC, the mean AUC was also significantly improved from 0.713 ± 0.107 to 0.863 ± 0.101 with CAD ( P = 0.0321). Conclusion The use of our CAD system can significantly improve the diagnostic performance of hepatologists in discriminating between three histological differentiation grades of HCC using CEUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the female reproductive system of the yellowline arrow crab Stenorhynchus seticornis by means of histological and histochemical techniques. Mature specimens obtained in the field were kept in the laboratory for mating experiments. After 24 h, newly mated females were dissected, and their reproductive trait routinely processed for embedding in historesin. The specimens examined each possessed a pair of kidney-shaped seminal receptacles ( SR), and these we classified as ventral type, based on the location of the oviduct opening. The mesodermal dorsal region ( DR) of SR consisted of a stratified epithelium with scaly cells, while the ectodermal ventral region ( VR) was composed of a simple epithelium covered by a cuticle. The oviduct opened at the transition region ( TR) between DR and VR and had no velum. The simple epithelium of TR had more folds on the face of the oviduct opening. The vagina exhibited the same features as the TR epithelium and was contiguous to VR, anchored by muscles. In the lumen, from one to three strata of sperm packets were observed, the dorsal one containing free sperm, and the most ventral stratum, spermatophores. An acidophilic glycoprotein layer enclosed the strata. Spermatophores in the ventral stratum were enclosed in a voluminous secretion, composed by acid polysaccharides most likely from the last male mated. The ventral-type receptacle, stratified sperm packets, and polyandry, usually observed in females of Majoidea, suggest the occurrence of sperm competition in S. seticornis, favoring the sperm of the last male mated, as its sperm mass is located near the opening of the female oviduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY It is important that photovoltaic (PV) systems detect islanding caused by power system faults to ensure electrical safety. Thus we propose a novel islanding detection method which detects the harmonic impedance by injecting harmonic currents synchronized with the exciting current harmonics of the pole transformer. For the case in which an induction motor load is included in the load system, basic experiments on islanding detection and simulation analysis are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts related to gastroenterology and hepatology which include colonoscopy, colonic polypectomy, and sigmoidoscopy.

Amethod that involved the combination of pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography and semipreparative reversed-phase liquid chromatography has been established for the preparative separation of alkaloids from Hypecoum leptocarpum. From 1.2 g of crude sample, 31 mg N-feruloyltyramine, 27 mg oxohydrastinine, 47 mg hydroprotopine, 25 mg leptopidine, and 18 mg hypecocarpine have been obtained. The structure of the new compound, hypecocarpine, is confirmed based on the analysis of spectroscopic data, including NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopy and positive electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry. The known chemical structures were characterized on the basis of ¹H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The purities of the five alkaloids are all over 92.7% as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The alkaloids' cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells is assessed by using a Cell Counting Kit assay and their inhibitory effect on fatty acid synthase expression is assessed by a Western blot assay. These results suggest that leptopidine could suppress growth and induce cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells and that the cytotoxicity of leptopidine may be related to its inhibitory effect on fatty acid synthase expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sub-type of the intramolecular aldol cyclization reaction has been discovered and characterized. It was used to synthesize novel family of tricyclic, decahydro-2,8-phenanthroline heterocyclic systems, and NMR techniques were applied for complete characterization of their complex structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]