Objective： To explore the application of MR perfusion-weighted imaging （PWI） in the benign and malignant prostate diseases, and evaluate the correlations of PWl features with vascular endothelial growth factor （V...Objective： To explore the application of MR perfusion-weighted imaging （PWI） in the benign and malignant prostate diseases, and evaluate the correlations of PWl features with vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and microvessel density （MVD）. Methods： Seventy-four consecutive patients who were diagnosed clinically for the prostate diseases, including forty-four cases with benign prostate hyperplasia and thirty cases with prostatic cancer proved pathologically, were examined by PWI. MVD and VEGF were stained with immunohistochemical methods. Some parameters of PWl, including the steepest slope of signal intensity-time curve （SSmax） and the change in relaxation rate （ΔR2^＊ peak） at lesions, were analyzed. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the results of PWl and immunohistochemistry. Results： （1） In the benign prostate hyperplasia （BPH）, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak of perfusion curve were 34.2 ± 2.9 and 1.49 ± 0.11, respectively; however, in the prostatic cancer （Pca）, they were 58.6± 4.8 and 3.18 ±0.49 respectively; there were statistical differences （t = 2.16 and 2.31, P 〈 0.05）. （2） The VEGF and MVD expressions of thirty Pca patients were significantly higher than those of forty-four BPH patients （x2 = 28.64, P 〈 0.01; t = 21.2, P 〈 0.01）. MVD expressions of Pca and BPH groups showed positive associations with VEGF expressions （P 〈 0.01）. On MR perfusion-weighted imaging, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak showed associations with MVD and VEGF expressions （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： On MR perfusion-weighted imaging, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak can reflect MVD and VEGF expression levels in the benign and malignant prostate diseases and might be implied the tumor angiogenesis so as to distinguish benign from malignant and provide the important information for the surgeon to diagnose and treat the prostatic diseases.展开更多
To address various fisheries science problems around Japan, the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) has developed an ocean forecast system by combining an ocean circulation model based on the Regional ...To address various fisheries science problems around Japan, the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) has developed an ocean forecast system by combining an ocean circulation model based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) with three-dimensional variational analysis schemes. This system, which is called FRA-ROMS, is a basic and essential tool for the systematic conduct of fisheries science. The main aim of FRA-ROMS is to realistically simulate mesoscale variations over the Kuroshio-Oyashio region. Here, in situ oceanographic and satellite data were assimilated into FRA-ROMS using a weekly time window. We first examined the reproducibility through comparison with several oceanographic datasets with an Eulerian reference frame. FRA-ROMS was able to reproduce representative features of mesoscale variations such as the position of the Kuroshio path, variability of the Kuroshio Extension, and southward intrusions of the Oyashio. Second, using a Lagrangian reference frame, we estimated position errors between ocean drifters and particles passively transported by simulated currents, because particle tracking is an essential technique used in applications of reanalysis products to fisheries science. Finally, we summarize recent and ongoing fisheries studies that use FRA-ROMS and mention several new developments and enhancements that will be implemented in the near future.展开更多
We examined demand and supply of Food Tree Species (FTS) products in Burkina Faso. The hypotheses were: 1) demand for FTS products by local communities exceeds what can be sustainably extracted, and 2) local communiti...We examined demand and supply of Food Tree Species (FTS) products in Burkina Faso. The hypotheses were: 1) demand for FTS products by local communities exceeds what can be sustainably extracted, and 2) local communities of the Sudanian zone have access to more diverse FTS products compared to Sahelian zone. Surveys were conducted in 300 households and 360 quadrats in landscapes surrounding 6 villages to determine the diversity, richness and availability of FTS. The results indicate that local communities tend to exploit FTS which are rare to find or absent in the landscape surrounding their village. While the range of FTS largely exploited tends to coincide across the two ecological zones, the diversity and density of the preferred FTS are discordant between the two zones. The results of the present study further support the need for conservation and restoration strategies to sustain the local communities demand for FTS products.展开更多
文摘Objective： To explore the application of MR perfusion-weighted imaging （PWI） in the benign and malignant prostate diseases, and evaluate the correlations of PWl features with vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and microvessel density （MVD）. Methods： Seventy-four consecutive patients who were diagnosed clinically for the prostate diseases, including forty-four cases with benign prostate hyperplasia and thirty cases with prostatic cancer proved pathologically, were examined by PWI. MVD and VEGF were stained with immunohistochemical methods. Some parameters of PWl, including the steepest slope of signal intensity-time curve （SSmax） and the change in relaxation rate （ΔR2^＊ peak） at lesions, were analyzed. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the results of PWl and immunohistochemistry. Results： （1） In the benign prostate hyperplasia （BPH）, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak of perfusion curve were 34.2 ± 2.9 and 1.49 ± 0.11, respectively; however, in the prostatic cancer （Pca）, they were 58.6± 4.8 and 3.18 ±0.49 respectively; there were statistical differences （t = 2.16 and 2.31, P 〈 0.05）. （2） The VEGF and MVD expressions of thirty Pca patients were significantly higher than those of forty-four BPH patients （x2 = 28.64, P 〈 0.01; t = 21.2, P 〈 0.01）. MVD expressions of Pca and BPH groups showed positive associations with VEGF expressions （P 〈 0.01）. On MR perfusion-weighted imaging, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak showed associations with MVD and VEGF expressions （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion： On MR perfusion-weighted imaging, SSmax and ΔR2^＊ peak can reflect MVD and VEGF expression levels in the benign and malignant prostate diseases and might be implied the tumor angiogenesis so as to distinguish benign from malignant and provide the important information for the surgeon to diagnose and treat the prostatic diseases.
文摘To address various fisheries science problems around Japan, the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA) has developed an ocean forecast system by combining an ocean circulation model based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) with three-dimensional variational analysis schemes. This system, which is called FRA-ROMS, is a basic and essential tool for the systematic conduct of fisheries science. The main aim of FRA-ROMS is to realistically simulate mesoscale variations over the Kuroshio-Oyashio region. Here, in situ oceanographic and satellite data were assimilated into FRA-ROMS using a weekly time window. We first examined the reproducibility through comparison with several oceanographic datasets with an Eulerian reference frame. FRA-ROMS was able to reproduce representative features of mesoscale variations such as the position of the Kuroshio path, variability of the Kuroshio Extension, and southward intrusions of the Oyashio. Second, using a Lagrangian reference frame, we estimated position errors between ocean drifters and particles passively transported by simulated currents, because particle tracking is an essential technique used in applications of reanalysis products to fisheries science. Finally, we summarize recent and ongoing fisheries studies that use FRA-ROMS and mention several new developments and enhancements that will be implemented in the near future.
文摘We examined demand and supply of Food Tree Species (FTS) products in Burkina Faso. The hypotheses were: 1) demand for FTS products by local communities exceeds what can be sustainably extracted, and 2) local communities of the Sudanian zone have access to more diverse FTS products compared to Sahelian zone. Surveys were conducted in 300 households and 360 quadrats in landscapes surrounding 6 villages to determine the diversity, richness and availability of FTS. The results indicate that local communities tend to exploit FTS which are rare to find or absent in the landscape surrounding their village. While the range of FTS largely exploited tends to coincide across the two ecological zones, the diversity and density of the preferred FTS are discordant between the two zones. The results of the present study further support the need for conservation and restoration strategies to sustain the local communities demand for FTS products.
