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This paper presents a high precision AFM for nanometrology of large area micro-structured surfaces. A PZT with a stroke of 100 microns is used as the Z-directional actuator for the AFM cantilever. Two capacitance-type displacement probes are aligned at two sides of the PZT along the movement direction. The displacement as well as the tilt motion of the PZT can be accurately measured and compensated for based on the probe outputs. It was confirmed that the tilt motion of the PZT was approximately 32 arcseconds over the 100 micron stroke. The sample is moved by two linear stages for scanning in the X- and Y-directions over an area of 50 mm x 40 mm. The angular error motions of the stages that influence the AFM accuracy are measured by an autocollimator for compensation. A piezo-resistive cantilever, which can output the atomic force signal by itself, was employed instead of the conventional optical force sensing device for compactness of the AFM structure. A large area sinusoidal metrology surface has been successfully measured by the developed high-precision AFM.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1- or 2-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) displays an intriguing cell biology that is mediated via interactions with seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and the nuclear hormone receptor PPARγ. To identify receptor-selective LPA analogues, we describe a series of fluorinated LPA analogues in which either the sn-1 or sn-2 hydroxyl group was replaced by a fluoro or fluoromethyl substituent. We also describe stabilized phosphonate analogues in which the bridging oxygen of the monophosphate was replaced by an α-monofluoromethylene (−CHF−) or α-difluoromethylene (−CF2−) moiety. The sn-2- and sn-1-fluoro-LPA analogues were unable to undergo acyl migration, effectively “freezing” them in the sn-1-O-acyl or sn-2-O-acyl forms, respectively. We first tested these LPA analogues on insect Sf9 cells induced to express human LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3 receptors. While none of the analogues were found to be more potent than 1-oleoyl-LPA at LPA1 and LPA2, several LPA analogues were potent LPA3-selective agonists. In contrast, 1-oleoyl-LPA had similar activity at all three receptors. The α-fluoromethylene phosphonate analogue 15 activated calcium release in LPA3-transfected insect Sf9 cells at a concentration 100-fold lower than that of 1-oleoyl-LPA. This activation was enantioselective, with the (2S)-enantiomer showing 1000-fold more activity than the (2R)-enantiomer. Similar results were found for calcium release in HT-29 and OVCAR8 cells. Analogue 15 was also more effective than 1-oleoyl-LPA in activating MAPK and AKT in cells expressing high levels of LPA3. The α-fluoromethylene phosphonate moiety greatly increased the half-life of 15 in cell culture. Thus, α-fluoromethylene LPA analogues are unique new phosphatase-resistant ligands that provide enantiospecific and receptor-specific biological readouts.

Grey scale intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a valuable clinical tool to assess the extent and severity of coronary atheroma. However, it cannot reliably identify plaques with a high-risk of future clinical events. Serial IVUS studies to assess the progression and/or regression of atherosclerotic plaques demonstrated only modest effects, of pharmacological intervention on plaque burden, even when clinical efficacy is documented. Spectral analysis of radiofrequency ultrasound data (IVUS-virtual histologyTM (IVUS-VH), Volcano Therapeutics, Rancho Cordova, CA) has the potential to characterize accurately plaque composition. The Integrated Biomarker and Imaging Study (IBIS) evaluated both invasive and non-invasive imaging techniques along with the assessment of novel biomarkers to characterize sub-clinical atherosclerosis. IVUS-VH was not included at the start of the IBIS protocol. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology we used to obtain and analyse IVUS-VH images and the approach to cross-correlations with the other techniques.

The metabolically stabilized LPA analogue, 1-oleoyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerophosphothioate (OMPT), is a potent agonist for the LPA3 G-protein-coupled receptor. A new enantiospecific synthesis of both (2R)-OMPT and (2S)-OMPT is described. Calcium release assays in both LPA3-transfected insect Sf9 and rat hepatoma Rh7777 cells showed that (2S)-OMPT was 5- to 20-fold more active than (2R)-OMPT. Similar results were found for calcium release, MAPK and Akt activation, and IL-6 release in human OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells.

The susceptibility of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to intramolecular acyl migration impedes the determination of specific receptor activation by the sn-1 and sn-2 LPA regioisomers. An efficient enantioselective synthesis of hydroxyethoxy (HE)-substituted analogues of sn-1-acyl and 2-acyl LPA derivatives that possess palmitoyl and oleoyl chains is described. While the palmitoyl derivatives fail to activate calcium release in cells transfected with LPA2 or LPA3 G-protein-coupled receptors, the LPA3 receptor is activated by both 1-HE and 2-HE oleoyl LPA analogues with a potency 10-fold lower than that of the parent oleoyl LPA.

α-Tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP), a 30 kDa cytosolic protein first described to be present in the liver and important for α-tocopherol trafficking, plays a major role in maintaining α-tocopherol levels in plasma, while α-tocopherol is known as the major lipid-soluble antioxidant. Expression of α-TTP has not only been described in animal model liver, but also in diverse other tissues such as rat brain or pregnant mouse uterus, the latter finding stressing the importance of α-TTP for embryogenesis and foetal development. In this study, we report the identification of α-TTP in human liver by anti-human α-TTP monoclonal antibodies made in rat and the cellular localization of α-TTP in term human placenta. By immunohistochemistry, intense staining of α-TTP was seen in syncytiotrophoblast as well as in villous and invading extravillous cytotrophoblast, while basal decidual cells showed slighter, but present staining of α-TTP. Foetal vessel endothelium remained unstained. It is therefore suggested that α-TTP may play a major role in supplying α-tocopherol to the foetus prior to delivery and is likely involved in maintaining adequate α-tocopherol levels in the foetus.

Abstract Objective. To evaluate the standardized uptake value (SUV) of [¹⁸F]2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose at positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for preoperative differential diagnosis between benign and malignant soft tissue masses. Design. One hundred and fourteen soft tissue masses (80 benign, 34 malignant) were examined by FDG-PET prior to tissue diagnosis. The SUVs were calculated and compared between benign and malignant lesions and among different histologic subgroups which included three or more cases. Results. There was a statistically significant difference in SUV between benign (1.80±1.42 [SD]) and malignant (4.20±3.16) soft tissue masses in total (P<0.0001). However, a considerable overlap in SUV was observed between many benign and malignant lesions. Liposarcomas (2.16±1.72) and synovial sarcomas (1.60±0.43) did not show significantly higher SUV than any benign lesions. Metastases (4.23±2.35) showed no statistically significant difference in SUV as compared with schwannomas (1.75±0.84), desmoids (2.77±1.32), sarcoidosis (3.62±1.53), or giant cell tumors of tendon sheath (GCT of TS; 5.06±1.63). Even malignant fibrous histiocytomas (5.37±1.40) could not be differentiated from sarcoidosis or GCT of TS, based on the SUV. Conclusions. A large accumulation of FDG can be observed in both benign and malignant histiocytic, fibroblastic, or neurogenic lesions. SUV at conventional FDG-PET is limited to differentiating benign from malignant soft tissue masses, when all kinds of histologic subtypes are included.

We assessed and compared the usefulness of 11C-choline positron emission tomography (PET) with that of 2-18Ffluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) PET for the differentiation between benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumours. A total of 43 patients with 45 lesions were included. 11C-choline PET and FDG PET were performed from 5 and 40 min, respectively, after injection of 275-370 MBq tracer. PET data were evaluated by using the standardized uptake value (SUV) and were analysed according to the pathological data. 11C-choline uptake in malignancies was 4.9±2.1 (n14), which was significantly higher than that in benign lesions (2.5±1.7, n31) (P<0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 11C-choline PET were 100, 64.5 and 75.6, respectively, when 2.59 of the SUV was used as the cut-off value. The FDG uptake in malignancies was 5.1±4.2 (n14) and was also significantly larger than that in benign lesions 2.9±2.9 (n31) (P<0.003). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FDG PET were 85.7, 41.9 and 55.6, respectively (cut-off 1.83). The 11C-choline uptake in the lesions correlated with FDG uptake (r0.61, P<0.003). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area under the ROC curve for 11C-choline PET (area 0.847) was higher than that for FDG PET (area 0.717). This study showed that 11C-choline PET was superior to FDG PET in differentiation between malignant and benign lesion in bone and soft tissue tumours. 11C-choline PET might be useful as a screening method for malignant bone and soft tissue tumours.

Alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) was first described to play a major role in maintaining alpha-tocopherol levels in plasma, while alpha-tocopherol was primarily reported to be a factor relevant for reproduction. Expression of alpha-TTP is not only seen in the liver, from where it was first isolated, but also in mouse uterus, depending on its state of pregnancy, stressing the importance of alpha-TTP for embryogenesis and fetal development. The cellular localization of alpha-TTP in mouse uterus is reported here. By immunohistochemistry, alpha-TTP could be localized in the secretory columnar epithelial cells of the pregnant uterus on Days 4.5 and 6.5 postcoitum as well as in the glandular epithelial cells and the inner decidual reaction zone surrounding the implantation site. On Days 8.5 and 10.5 postcoitum (midterm of mouse pregnancy), alpha-TTP could still be detected in the uterine secretory columnar epithelial cells, while in alpha-TTP knockout mice, no immunostaining was visible. It is suggested that alpha-TTP plays a major role in supplying the placenta and consecutively the fetus with alpha-tocopherol throughout pregnancy. We conclude that alpha-tocopherol plays a role in the process of implantation and that alpha-TTP may be necessary for adequate alpha-tocopherol status of the fetus.

T2*-weighted gradient-echo (GE) magnetic resonance images frequently demonstrate small hypointense lesions in patients with systemic hypertension and spontaneous hematomas. These lesions have been suspected to represent subclinical microhemorrhages. We examined the incidence of these lesions in neurologically healthy adults, and the factors associated with them. Axial T2*-weighted GE images (TR = 1,000 ms, TE = 30 ms, flip angle = 20°) were obtained in addition to conventional T1- and T2-weighted spin echo images in 450 neurologically healthy Japanese adults (289 men and 161 women; age 52.9±7.7 years, range 24–84). The overall incidence of small hypointense lesions was 3.1% (14/450), and these lesions were closely related to systemic hypertension (P<0.0001) and heavy cigarette smoking (>20 cigarettes per day; P=0.003). Although the incidence of hypointense lesions was lower in neurologically healthy adults than in the reported incidence in patients with a hemorrhagic history, the presence of these lesions was related to the risk factors for primary intracerebral hemorrhage even in the neurologically healthy adults.

Abstract:  The volatilization of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and methyl mercuric chloride (CH3HgCl) by the 45 strains (35 Pseudoalteromonas sp., 2 Vibrio sp., 1 Aeromonas sp., and 7 unclassified) of the most mercury-resistant bacteria from Minamata Bay seawater was examined in various physiological conditions. The bacteria could grow and volatilize HgCl2 in the liquid medium containing 1–10% NaCl. Two Pseudoalteromonas strains could grow and volatilize HgCl2 at pH levels ranging from 5.0 to 10.0. The resting cells of 43 strains could volatilize HgCl2 at concentrations ranging from 30 to 68% after 1-h incubation at 30  °C. The resting cells of 41 strains could volatilize CH3HgCl at concentrations ranging from 13 to 88% after 1-h incubation at 30  °C. Ninety-two percent of mercury was removed from the phosphate buffer containing 0.1 μg/ml by a resting cell of Pseudoalteromonas strain H-4 after 30-min incubation at 30  °C. We were able to screen the special bacteria, which could volatilize mercury compounds at a high rate in various physiological conditions, for the purpose of developing mercury removal methods using bacteria.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF)-dependent transacetylase (TA) is an enzyme that transfers an acetyl group from PAF to acceptor lipids such as lysophospholipids and sphingosine. This enzyme is distributed in membrane and cytosol of the cells. We previously revealed that TA purified from rat kidney membrane showed an amino acid sequence similarity to that of bovine PAF-acetylhydrolase (AH) (II). In the present study, we purified TA from the rat kidney cytosol and analyzed its amino acid sequence. The amino acid sequence of the cytosolic TA is similar to that of bovine PAF-AH (II) and membrane TA. To clarify the relationship between TA and PAF-AH (II), we isolated cDNA of rat PAF-AH (II). The predicted amino acid sequence of rat PAF-AH (II) from isolated cDNA included all the sequences found in TAs purified from the membrane and cytosolic TAs. In addition, monoclonal antibody to recombinant PAF-AH (II) cross-reacted with both cytosolic and membrane TAs. Consistent with sequence identity, recombinant PAF-AH (II) showed TA activity, whereas recombinant PAF-AH Ib, which is a different subtype of intracellular PAF-AHs, did not possess TA activity. Analysis of a series of site-directed mutant PAF-AH (II) proteins showed that TA activity was decreased, whereas PAF-AH activity was not affected in C120S and G2A mutant proteins. Thus, Cys(120) and Gly(2) are implicated in the catalysis of TA reaction in this enzyme. Furthermore, the transfer of acetate from PAF to endogenous acceptor lipids was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner in CHO-K1 cells transfected with PAF-AH (II) gene. These results demonstrate that PAF-AH (II) can function, as a TA in intact cells, and PAF-AH (II) and TA are the same enzyme.

We assessed the accuracy of the standardized uptake value (SUV) measured by simultaneous emission and transmission scanning in cancer patients using FDG positron emission tomography (PET). Conventional, independent emission (E)/transmission (T) scans and simultaneous E/T scans were conducted consecutively in 30 patients who underwent FDG PET examinations. The SUVs of 35 mass lesions and 34 selected normal tissues were derived from the independent E/T scan and simultaneous E/T scan. Experimental studies using a cylindrical phantom were also conducted to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the SUV derived from a simultaneous E/T scan. The SUVs of 18F solution in the phantom were estimated to be approximately 1, with high reproducibility in the range of total counts observed in the clinical examinations. There were no significant differences in the SUVs in 35 tumours derived from simultaneous E/T scans and those derived from independent scans, and there was a strong positive correlation between the two (r= 0.99, P< 0.01). There were also no significant differences in the SUVs in 34 normal tissue regions derived from simultaneous E/T scans and those derived from independent scans. In conclusion, simultaneous E/T scanning with FDG in patients with malignant tumours is a valid method, since the SUV derived from the simultaneous scan is accurate and reproducible.

Abstract: Objective.To determine whether there is a relationship between the peritumoral edema caused by osteoid osteoma seen on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and the patient’s age, duration of symptoms, or location of the lesion. Design and patients. All histologically proven osteoid osteomas seen in our institutions during a 5-year period in patients with known age, gender, duration of symptoms, and available radiological and MR imaging examinations were included in this study. The extent of the edema in the bone marrow and extraosseous soft tissue around the nidus of osteoid osteoma on T2-weighted MR imaging were graded from 1 (nonexistent) to 4 (extensive) by two masked observers. The relationships between the patient’s age, duration of symptoms, and location of lesions were evaluated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and analysis of variance. Results.Twenty-seven cases met the inclusion criteria. The observer agreement on grading was good. Patients of 15 years of age or younger had significantly higher grades than patients older than 15 years. There was a moderate negative linear correlation between the patient’s age and peritumoral edema. No significant relationship was identified between edema and the duration of symptoms or the location of lesions. Conclusion. Osteoid osteomas in younger patients tend to be associated with more extensive peritumoral edema.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), together with sphingosine 1-phosphate, is a bioactive lipid mediator that acts on G-protein-coupled receptors to evoke multiple cellular responses, including Ca(2+) mobilization, modulation of adenylyl cyclase, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation. In this study, we isolated a human cDNA encoding a novel G-protein-coupled receptor, designated EDG7, and characterized it as a cellular receptor for LPA. The amino acid sequence of the EDG7 protein is 53.7 and 48.8% identical to those of the human functional LPA receptors EDG2 and EDG4, respectively, previously identified. LPA (oleoyl) but not other lysophospholipids induced an increase in the [Ca(2+)](i) of EDG7-overexpressing Sf9 cells. Other LPA receptors, EDG4 but not EDG2, transduced the Ca(2+) response by LPA when expressed in Sf9 cells. LPAs with an unsaturated fatty acid but not with a saturated fatty acid induced an increase in the [Ca(2+)](i) of EDG7-expressing Sf9 cells, whereas LPAs with both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids elicited a Ca(2+) response in Sf9 cells expressing EDG4. In EDG7- or EDG4-expressing Sf9 cells, LPA stimulated forskolin-induced increase in intracellular cAMP levels, which was not observed in EDG2-expressing cells. In PC12 cells, EDG4 but not EDG2 or EDG7 mediated the activation of MAP kinase by LPA. Neither the EDG7- nor EDG4-transduced Ca(2+) response or cAMP accumulation was inhibited by pertussis toxin. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that EDG7, a new member of the EDG family of G-protein-coupled receptors, is a specific LPA receptor that shows distinct properties from known cloned LPA receptors in ligand specificities, Ca(2+) response, modulation of adenylyl cyclase, and MAP kinase activation.