Non-averaged sea surface images of a shallow are usually rich in

Non-averaged sea surface images of a shallow are usually rich in the footprints of meso- and submesoscale processes, which are due to a variety of forcings and mask the manifestations of resuspension. The two-fold discrepancy between the long-term average Loffwnav(λ) and Lonwnav(λ) indicates the probability of a broader range of ‘instantaneous’ radiances in daily images of a shallow and gives an idea of the errors in deriving water constituents from

normalized radiance without regard for the resuspension of bottom sediments. The latter is a multistage process whose stages vary temporally and spatially. This list is far from complete. To overcome these difficulties, it may be reasonable to confine the use of satellite data to images of a shallow obtained at wind speeds below Epigenetics Compound Library high throughput 3 m s− 1. A comprehensive numerical model for resuspension

with data assimilation capability seems to be the most appropriate solution. Further interdisciplinary studies Gamma-secretase inhibitor of relevant processes and phenomena are needed to ensure the feasibility of the model approach. The ocean colour data used in this study were produced by the SeaWiFS Project at the Goddard Space Flight Centre. The use of this data is in accord with the SeaWiFS Research Data Use Terms and Conditions Agreement. The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. “
“Water column conditions in coastal lagoons depend on a number of factors, including the balance of surface heat fluxes at the air-sea interface, the contribution of fresh water discharge or runoff, wind stress and tidal mixing (Simpson and Hunter, 1974, Simpson and Bowers, 1981, Bowers and Simpson, 1987, Simpson, 1997, Yanagi

et al., 2001 and Butanapratheprat et al., 2008). Positive surface heat flux and fresh water discharge strengthen the vertical stability, whereas tidal currents and wind stress increase water mixing and turbulence. However, these factors are modified in each area. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the controlling factors and their role in order to know the mechanism of water column stability in the area of interest. The Red Sea (Figure 1) lies in an arid zone where evaporation GNE-0877 is very high > 2 m year− 1 (Morcos 1970) and precipitation very low. Consequently there are no river discharges in the area. Many studies have been carried out regarding the surface heat fluxes in the Red Sea (Bunker, 1976, Bunker and Goldsmith, 1979, Hastenrath and Lamb, 1979, Ahmad and Sultan, 1987, Ahmad and Sultan, 1989, Ahmad et al., 1989 and Tragou et al., 1998), most of them referring to the main body of the Red Sea. However, a study by Ahmad et al. (1989) calculated the monthly variations in heat fluxes at the air-sea interface in coastal waters near Jeddah, Red Sea. The Red Sea possesses an irregular bottom topography. The coastline is bordered by shallow fringing reefs, the edges of which slope gently into lagoons bordered by an offshore barrier reef system (Morley 1975).

In addition, internet-based surveys (SurveyMonkey, Palo Alto, CA,

In addition, internet-based surveys (SurveyMonkey, Palo Alto, CA, USA) of the subjects explored herein were sent to the participating eye cancer specialists. The results of the literature

review and survey were adapted to the Brachytherapy journal’s instructions for authors by the corresponding author (PTF). Then, every ABS-OOTF member was allowed at least one opportunity to review and comment. Based on this feedback, the report was edited and returned to at least one representative from each center for a second review. As possible, all comments and suggestions were included in this report. In addition, the report was submitted to the ABS for additional review and approval before submission to the journal, Brachytherapy. Many important recommendations of the ABS-OOTF were graded using levels of consensus modified from the 2003 ABS levels

of Nag et al. (27) ( Table 1). The ABS-OOTF Belnacasan purchase recommends that plaque procedures should be performed in specialized medical centers with expertise in ophthalmic brachytherapy (Level 1 Consensus). Such centers should include a team composed of a subspecialty-trained plaque surgeon, a radiation oncologist, and a medical physicist experienced in GSK1120212 price plaque brachytherapy. Furthermore, it was agreed that these centers read and become familiar with the 2011 and 2012 published eye plaque dosimetry, construction, and quality assurance guidelines published by the TG-129 and ABS [13] and [26]. In addition, each program should have written quality assurance guidelines functionally in place at their institutions. The results of the ABS-OOTF review of the literature, our clinical experience,

and collective judgment are as follows. The diagnosis of uveal melanoma and Rb is complex. However, modern methods have greatly improved the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. Although patient history and physical examination Baricitinib (slit lamp and ophthalmoscopy) are indispensible, state of the art ophthalmic oncology services also use high- and low-frequency ultrasound imaging, photography, intraocular angiography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, CT, MRI, positron emission tomography/CT, and biopsy [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35] and [36]. In addition, wide-field fundus photography (RetCam; Clarity Medical Systems, Pleasanton, CS) has become indispensible for the diagnosis, staging, and monitoring the effects of Rb treatment. Although beyond the scope of this work, multimodality ophthalmic imaging plays an increasingly integral role in tumor diagnosis and follow-up. Although the initial diagnosis, follow-up for tumor control, and intraocular side effects are best revealed by the ophthalmic oncologist, these results should be periodically examined and reported by each brachytherapy center. Indications for the use of plaque therapy have expanded since 2003 ABS guidance (Table 2) (27).

The luminescent signal was detected using a compatible CCD imagin

The luminescent signal was detected using a compatible CCD imaging and analysis system measuring absorbance at 450 nm. The concentration of each sample was quantified by comparing the spot intensities with the corresponding standard curves calculated from the standard sample results using the SearchLight Array Analyst Software. Integrated density values were proportional Epigenetics inhibitor to the concentrations of bound proteins. Standard curves, raw data and final pg/ml concentrations for each analyte and each sample were reviewed in the array software and exported to Microsoft Excel Software for

further statistical analysis. Sample values were calculated from the standard curve in a linear range. All counts were based on individual sections and show the total number of neurons per slice. The number of microscopically detectable immunoreactive ChAT-positive neurons was counted in each whole slice and visualized under the 40 × objective by a blind observer. Multistatistical Vincristine price analysis (KaleidaGraph) was

obtained by one-way ANOVA with Fisher LSD post hoc test, comparing controls against respective treatments in which p < 0.05 represents statistical significance. We were interested in identifying the most efficient transfection method for generating NGF-secreting primary rat monocytes. Each system was Progesterone optimized and evaluated for reproducibility and functional

gene expression (NGF secretion). Unfortunately, no NGF secretion was observed in primary monocytes transfected by electroporation, Effectene or FuGene (even following extensive optimization) (Table 1). Note that Table 1 only displays NGF secretion under optimized conditions. Refer to Methods section for all transfection conditions tested. Although the transfection conditions tested within each method were not always equivalent (i.e. DNA concentration) to other methods tested, this was not the reason for different efficiencies between systems. DNA input was determined in accordance with the recommended method levels and thus different concentrations were needed to optimize each method. When primary rat monocytes were transfected using nucleofection, monocytes secreted 0.8 ± 0.2 ng/ml NGF per 24 h per 1 million cells under optimized conditions (determined after many attempts at varying transfection conditions, see Table 1). Approximately 10–30% of nucleofected monocytes were transfected with the pmaxGFP vector (data not shown). However, monocyte nucleofection reproducibility was low (21%). Cell viability was also relatively low in nucleofected cells, where approximately 89% were annexin-V-positive and approximately 51% PI-positive (Fig. 1D–F). Although many attempts were made to enhance reproducibility and determine the factors responsible (i.e.

This in vitro study had a randomised and blinded design Tokens o

This in vitro study had a randomised and blinded design. Tokens of poly(methylmethacrylate) resin were fabricated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After this, the surface roughness was measured and the tokens were randomly divided into 12 groups for the biofilm assays. Biofilms of one reference strain and two clinical isolates of C. albicans (ATCC 90028, P01 and P34) and C. glabrata (ATCC 2001, P11 and P31) were allowed to develop on token surfaces. Control and experimental groups were formed. FLZ at 2.56 μg/mL, the concentration bioavailable

in saliva, 15 was added to the medium of the experimental group. The biofilms were developed for 48 h, and the bioactivity was evaluated using an XTT (sodium 3′-[1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis (4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulfonic acid hydrate) reduction colorimetric Selleckchem BTK inhibitor assay. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM) and transmission Obeticholic Acid chemical structure electron microscopy (TEM) were used for cellular structure analyses. Tokens were fabricated using acrylic resin polymerised by a hot water bath

(QC-20 PMMA – Dentsply Ltd., Weybridge, England), according to the manufacturer’s instructions, at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) and 50 ± 5% (relative humidity) under aseptic conditions, using a metal matrix (10 mm diameter and 2 mm thick). The tokens were immersed in distilled water at 37 °C for 12 h for residual monomer release.16 Then, the tokens were ground using progressively smoother aluminium oxide papers (320, 400 and 600 – grit) in a horizontal polisher (model APL-4; Arotec, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Next, the tokens were disinfected with 70% alcohol, washed twice with sterile distilled water and then ultrasonicated for 20 min to remove any contaminates and residues from the surface. Surface roughness of the acrylic resin tokens was measured using a profilometer (Surfcorder SE 1700; Kosaka Laboratory Ltd., Kosaka, Japan) accurate to 0.01 μm with a total measurement length of 3.2 mm and 0.5 mm/s. Three readings were made for each token, and a mean value was calculated.17 The average surface

roughness obtained Evodiamine was 0.31 ± 0.02 μm. Biofilm assays were performed using two reference strains: C. albicans ATCC 90028 and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 and two clinical isolates of each strain (P01 and P34) and (P11 and P31), respectively. The clinical isolates were obtained from the surface of the acrylic prosthesis of patients without symptoms of oral candidosis. Before the experimental procedures, the identity of all isolates was reconfirmed by the CHROMagar®Candida test (Difco Laboratories, Detroit, MI, USA) and the carbohydrate assimilation test using the Vitek-2 identification system (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France). 18 Prior to each experiment, each Candida strain was grown aerobically on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 37 °C for 18 h.

The RAS is composed of an enzymatic cascade in which angiotensino

The RAS is composed of an enzymatic cascade in which angiotensinogen (AGT) is converted to Angiotensin (Ang) I by renin and subsequently to Ang II by angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE). Another important component of RAS, the Ang-(1-7), is primarily formed from Ang II by angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). It is well documented that Ang II, acting via its AT1 receptor, is a potent proinflammatory, pro-oxidant, and prothrombotic agent that interferes with several steps of intracellular insulin

signaling. The ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis has been suggested as an important counterregulatory arm in the RAS with opposite effects to those of ACE/Ang II/AT1. The Ang-(1-7) can Gefitinib produce NO-dependent vasodilation as well as antiarrhythmic, antiproliferative, and antithrombotic effects [5], [16], [21], [22] and [23]. Recently it was demonstrated that Mas-deficiency in FVB/N mice induces dyslipidemia, lower glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, decreased glucose uptake in white adipose cells, in addition to an increase in adipose tissue mass. On the other hand, transgenic rats with increased circulating Ang-(1-7)

(TGR) have improved lipid and glucose metabolism [22] and [23]. A recent study confirmed the increased Ang-(1-7) plasma levels in TGR (51.82 ± 6.3 in TGR vs. 29.17 ± 8.7 pg/mL in Sprague–Dawley rats); and also showed a lower body weight (278.3 ± 13.3 g in TGR vs. 375.7 ± 10.2 g in Sprague–Dawley rats), improved insulin sensitivity and diminished triglycerides plasma levels (14.82 ± 3.77 mg/dL in TGR vs. 35.22 ± 3.39 mg/dL in Sprague–Dawley rats) in this model CDK activity [23] However, the role of Ang-(1-7) in hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis pathways is still poorly understood. Thus, the present study evaluated both pathways in the liver of transgenic rats which express Ang-(1-7) releasing fusion protein

(TGR) showing approximately twofold increase in Ang-(1-7) plasma levels compared to Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Ten TGR and control Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were obtained from the transgenic animal facilities at Laboratory of Hypertension (Federal University Thiamet G of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil). The animals were kept under controlled light and temperature conditions, with free access to water and chow diet, in accordance to the ethical guidelines of our institution. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation and samples of blood and hepatic tissue were collected, weighed and immediately frozen in dry ice and stored at −80 °C for further analysis. Serum was obtained after centrifugation (3200 rpm for 10 min at 4 °C). ELISA kits were used to measure serum glucagon (ALPCO; Boston, USA) [10]. Hepatic glycogen was extracted and determined as glucose following acid hydrolysis. Briefly, liver samples were placed in tubes with 30% KOH (Sigma; St. Louis, MO, USA) saturated with Na2SO4 (Sigma; St. Louis, MO, USA).

, 2001 and Ambrose and Anderson, 1990 and Davis et al (1982) rep

, 2001 and Ambrose and Anderson, 1990 and Davis et al. (1982) report increased scour and a reduction of fine material at the reef edge. Relatively fine sediments are frequently associated with higher organic contents and greater macrobenthic diversity and

biomass compared with coarser sediments ( Snelgrove and Butman, 1994) but this changes when the organic load becomes excessive (see below). Water flow is critical to benthic assemblages as it supplies both food and oxygen and removes waste-products (Gray et al., 2002, Jumars and Nowell, 1984, Pearson and Rosenberg, 1978 and Vogel, 1994). Sedimentary hypoxia can occur naturally, for example where water exchange is limited (Karlson

et al., selleck 2002), but it is often linked to the deposition of organic matter from anthropogenic activities such as aquaculture (Black, 1998, Diaz and Rosenberg, 1995 and Diaz and Rosenberg, 2008) and wood processing (Pearson and Rosenberg, 1978). The effect of organic enrichment on benthic fauna is gradual and, initially, is frequently associated with an increase in biodiversity and/or biomass until such a point where bacterial respiratory oxygen demand exceeds supply and the sediment becomes hypoxic (Hargrave et al., 2008 and Pearson and Rosenberg, 1978). In conditions selleck inhibitor where oxygen is effectively absent, indicated by an electric potential (Eh, redox potential, henceforth redox) of < ∼0 mV on the hydrogen CHIR-99021 research buy scale (Hargrave et al., 2008 and Zobell, 1946) benthic anaerobic bacteria reduce a series of proton receptors (consisting of various oxides and sulphates) during respiration (Christensen et al., 2000). The reduction of sulphates produces hydrogen sulphide (Diaz and Rosenberg, 1995, Pearson and Rosenberg, 1978 and Snelgrove and Butman, 1994) that is toxic to

all but relatively few adapted species and, consequently, anoxic sediments are characteristically species poor (Diaz and Rosenberg, 1995 and Pearson and Rosenberg, 1978). The oxygenation status of muddy sediments, measured using a redox probe, is a widely used and cost-effective, real-time indicator of the ability of that sediment to support a diverse and productive benthic infauna (Pearson and Stanley, 1979, Wilding, 2006, Wilding, 2012 and Wildish et al., 2001). Redox is used as a proxy of the status of sediments around putative point-impact sources such as pulp-mills and aquaculture sites (Pearson and Stanley, 1979, Wilding, 2006, Wilding, 2012 and Wildish et al., 2001). Wildish et al. (2001) defined four zones, in relation to likely macrofaunal response, according to the measured redox (mV): >+100 = normal, +100–0 = transitory, 0 to −100 = polluted, <−100 = grossly polluted. These broad categories of redox v. macrofaunal response will be used here.

In contrast to alpine skiing and soccer, the nonweight-bearing en

In contrast to alpine skiing and soccer, the nonweight-bearing environment of swimming may have elucidated an adaptational response necessary to increase the strength to weight ratio of the skeleton. This could allow for the optimization of the skeleton that is beneficial for a swimmer, where the skeleton can withstand applied forces in their sport and training, while simultaneously limiting the weight of the skeleton. Although it is possible that optimization of the skeleton has occurred in swimmers due to their loading environment, it is also possible that

swimmers are naturally equipped with this type of bone structure, and are therefore more likely to continue in their sport. It has previously been shown that genetics account for

approximately 60–80% of the variance in bone structure [57], [58] and [59], and it seems very likely that self-selection bias exists for JAK2 inhibitors clinical trials bone parameters on a larger scale that correlate highly with body size and shape, for example total cross-sectional area of a bone. However, regarding other parameters such as Ct.BMD in this sample, particularly after adjusting for body size, it seems more plausible that an adaptational response has occurred, and any other self-selection bias would not depend on specific bone traits, but instead neuromuscular and fitness traits. For example, it click here seems more likely a child who has better coordination, easier access to sporting activity, gains enjoyment from the sport, and has particular advantages pertaining to large-scale

structure (e.g. height), may be directed into particular sports, but not solely because of inherited bone traits. Nevertheless, we cannot disregard the possibility of self-selection bias, and therefore must consider it as a potential reason for observable Depsipeptide nmr differences in bone traits across sporting activities. We note important limitations of this study. First, the cross-sectional design does not allow for evaluation of causal relationships between loading occurring during sporting activity and bone quality, and this data may also be affected by selection bias. Due to this possibility, our findings should be considered hypothesis generating, and as such, they provide a foundation for future prospective studies. Second, our health history questionnaire revealed a history of menstrual cycle disturbances in four female subjects (one alpine skier, three controls) and these may have lead to alterations in bone metabolism in these participants. However, we did not adjust for history of amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea in our analysis, as these subjects were not identified as outliers for bone parameters. Third, we did not measure vitamin D intake nor did we obtain serum samples of serum 25(OH)D. Thus, we cannot rule out the possibility that seasonal variation in vitamin D levels may have influenced our findings. Fourth, HR-pQCT scanning is limited to the distal radius and distal tibia, sites of minimal or no muscle insertion points.

Il connaissait chacun par son nom et prénom et lui prêtait une at

Il connaissait chacun par son nom et prénom et lui prêtait une attention particulière, ne

serait-ce que par un mot approprié Natural Product Library nmr qui tombait au juste moment. Ces principes de rigueur et d’humilité étaient complétés par le don de soi et l’abnégation. Il enseignait par l’exemple. Il était disponible jour et nuit, samedi-dimanche, vacances ou pas vacances, gardes ou pas gardes. Toutes les nuits, il appelait dans le service pour témoigner par sa parole qu’il était disponible en cas de coup dur, pour donner un conseil. Dans son service, il y avait en fait trois visites quotidiennes : la relève de la garde le matin, le prise de la garde l’après-midi, et cette visite nocturne téléphonique où seul à seul il s’entretenait avec le réanimateur de garde. Combien il était difficile de répondre à ses exigences qu’il imposait, combien ses collaborateurs

souffraient sous le fouet de son exemple, mais combien ils étaient fiers de compter parmi ses élèves et de mériter sa confiance. Après les mots de rigueur, d’humilité et d’abnégation, c’est le mot d’humaniste qui vient à l’esprit. L’acharnement au travail qu’il s’imposait et qu’il imposait aux autres reposait sur une indéfectible foi en l’homme et de profondes qualités humaines. Toujours à l’écoute de la souffrance des enfants, de celle de leur famille, de son équipe médicale et paramédicale, il savait faire passer le message d’une rigueur dans le travail basée sur la compassion envers l’autre. Il aimait autrui autant AZD9291 order qu’il aimait son métier et il aimait son métier parce qu’il aimait autrui. Voilà le Tolmetin point d’ancrage de son quotidien ; voilà le message fondateur qu’il voulait partager et transmettre.

Ce sont ces mêmes principes qui ont motivé ses missions humanitaires en Asie, en Afrique et ses discrètes actions auprès des plus démunis. Cet amour profond pour autrui était à l’origine d’une de ses obsessions : il fallait « avoir le corrigé du devoir » comme il le disait lui-même. Qu’est-ce à dire ? Sa hantise était que la réanimation, de par l’utilisation incontrôlée de techniques de plus en plus sophistiquées, prisse le pas sur son véritable but. Par une boutade, il définissait celui-ci de la façon suivante : « le but de la réanimation est de donner la possibilité aux enfants qui nous sont confiés de devenir un jour une grand-mère ou un grand-père dont la vie aura été heureuse ». Il fallait impérativement savoir ce que devenait à long terme les enfants qui étaient passés dans le service qu’ils fussent prématuré, nouveau-né à terme, enfant ou adolescent. Pour lui, le but de la réanimation était d’introduire ou réintroduire du bonheur dans une vie et une famille.

(2006) The midgut of P nigrispinus, like other Heteroptera Pent

(2006). The midgut of P. nigrispinus, like other Heteroptera Pentatomorpha (see for example D. peruvianus, Silva et al., 1995), is divided into three major chambers, from which the first (AM, anterior midgut) and the last (PM, posterior midgut) are dilated and the middle chamber (MM, middle midgut) is cylindrical ( Fig. 1B). Salivary and midgut luminal contents are mildly acidic. The mean selleckchem and standard errors of pH values (n = 10) are 6.0 ± 0.1 in salivary gland and 5.6 ± 0.1 in AM, 5.7 ± 0.1 in MM, and 5.8 ± 0.1 in PM. The fine structure of P. nigrispinus

midgut cells do not differ much from other Heteroptera Pentatomomorpha, like D. peruvianus ( Silva et al., 1995) and Brontocoris tabidus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) ( Guedes et al., 2007 and Fialho

et al., 2009). Hence, only the apical features that are interesting in the context of this work will be described. The apex of midgut cells display microvilli that are ensheathed with glove-like finger membranes, the perimicrovillar membranes (Fig. 2A and B). What are remarkable are the muscles fibers visible in the midgut lumen (Fig. 2C and D). These ingested muscles fibers are discernible only in the anterior and middle midgut, suggesting that they are digested as the food moves toward the hindgut. Activities measured in extracts of midguts and salivary glands are described in table 1. The substrate Suc-AAPF-MCA was not hydrolyzed by homogenates of salivary glands and midguts, thus ruling out the occurrence of chymotrypsin as a digestive enzyme. Z-FR-MCA (like benzoyl-Arg-p-nitroanilide, BApNA) may be hydrolyzed by both cathepsin L-like enzymes, which are cysteine proteinases, and trypsin, which is a serine proteinase. They may be GSK126 in vivo distinguished, however, by their pH optima and their response in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents (usually Cys) and E-64 (Terra and Ferreira, 1994). By these criteria, the major proteinase in both salivary glands and midgut is cathepsin L, although a small amount of trypsin activity is present in salivary glands. These conclusions are based in the following

observations: (1) assays with Z-FR-MCA at pH 6.0 in the presence of Amino acid Cys were strongly inhibited by E-64 (100 ± 10% in midguts and 92 ± 7% in salivary glands), revealing the presence of a cathepsin L activity; (2) assays with Z-FR-MCA at pH 7.5 with salivary gland homogenates were inhibited by only 31 ± 8% in the presence of E-64, indicating the occurrence of a trypsin activity. No activity was found at those conditions in midgut samples, discounting the presence of significant trypsin activity in midguts. Activity on Z-RR-MCA is only 2% of the activity determined with Z-FR-MCA, confirming that the enzyme is really a cathepsin L, discounting the possibility of being a cathepsin B (also a cysteine proteinase), which would be more activity on Z-RR-MCA (Barrett et al., 2004). Enzyme activities determined with native collagen (thus presenting a triple helix) correspond to the metalloproteinase collagenase.

Slice selective images demonstrating SQUARE MRI contrast (Fig  3A

Slice selective images demonstrating SQUARE MRI contrast (Fig. 3A–D) and the resulting T1 map (Fig. 3E) were acquired using a single animal. Images were processed and reconstructed in Prospa (v. 3.06, Magritek, Wellington, New Zealand)

by applying a sine-bell squared window function to the raw data before two-dimensional Fourier transformation. The two dimensional image data were exported for further analysis using IGOR Pro (v. 6.01; Wavemetrics, Lake Oswego, OR, USA). To construct the T1 map shown in Fig. 3E the image data were combined into a three dimensional matrix having two spatial dimensions (the slice selective images) and DAPT order one time dimension (the delay before acquisition). Linear regression analysis of the natural logarithm of the signal intensity as a function of delay time was used to obtain spatially resolved T1 values in Fig. 3E. Representative data from four selected volume elements in Fig. 3E are shown in Fig. 4. T1 values calculated outside the lung region were composed solely of background noise and were not displayed in Fig. 3E. The final T1 map was overlaid onto the lung image at delay time td = 0 s for clarity of presentation. Male Sprague–Dawley

rats (350–400 g, Charles River UK Ltd, Margate, UK) were euthanized by overdose of pentobarbital (Sigma-Aldrich Ltd, Gillingham, UK) in accordance with local animal welfare guidelines and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986). Immediately after confirmation of death, a catheter was inserted into the caudal vena cava to allow flushing of the pulmonary circulation with PD0325901 research buy 20–30 cm3 heparin 100 IU/cm3

(Wockhardt UK Ltd, Wrexham, UK) in 0.9% saline solution (Baxter Healthcare Ltd, Thetford, UK) followed with phosphate buffer solution (PBS, Sigma-Aldrich Ltd, Gillingham, UK) in order to remove residual blood from the pulmonary circulation. The heart and lungs were removed en masse. A polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) adapter tube was inserted 5–10 mm above the carina and sutured into place. The heart and lungs were suspended in 5% glucose solution (weight/volume) with the trachea Rutecarpine pointing downwards in a custom-built acrylic ventilation chamber, as detailed in Fig. 1. The ex vivo lungs were repeatedly inflated with 8–10 cm3 of room air to check for leakage either from the suture around the trachea or the lungs themselves. For the presented work the lung harvesting procedure was completed with 100% success of removing the lungs intact. Normally with a skilled operator the ex vivo technique results in over 90% of lungs being suitable for imaging. The lungs were chilled to 278 K for transportation to the imaging facility. The pure gas phase relaxation time of 83Kr is sufficiently long with T1 times of several minutes at ambient pressure [16] to permit hp gas extraction and transfer.