Isostaticity and Mechanical Response of Two-Dimensional Granular Piles

We numerically study the static structure and the mechanical response of two-dimensional granular piles. The piles consist of polydisperse disks with and without friction. Special attention is paid for the rigid grain limit by examining the systems with various disk elasticities. It is shown that the static pile structure of frictionless disks becomes isostatic in the rigid limit, while the isostaticity of frictional pile depends on the pile forming procedure, but in the case of the infinite friction is effective, the structure becomes very close to isostatic in the rigid limit. The mechanical response of the piles are studied by infinitesimally displacing one of the disks at the bottom. It is shown that the total amount of the displacement in the pile caused by the perturbation diverges in the case of frictionless pile as it becomes isostatic, while the response remains finite for the frictional pile. In the frictionless isostatic pile, the displacement response in each sample behaves rather complicated way, but its average shows wave like propagation.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figure

Similar Data Retrieval from Enormous Datasets on ELF/VLF Wave Spectrum Observed by Akebono

金沢大学総合メディア基盤センターAs the total amount of data measured by scientific spacecraft is drastically increasing, it is necessary for researchers to develop new computation methods for efficient analysis of these enormous datasets. In the present study, we propose a new algorithm for similar data retrieval. We first discuss key descriptors that represent characteristics of the VLF/ELF waves observed by the Akebono spacecraft. Second, an algorithm for similar data retrieval is introduced. Finally, we demonstrate that the developed algorithm works well for the retrieval of the VLF spectrum with a small amount of CPU load

Differential expression of CD45RO (UCHL1) and its functional relevance in two subpopulations of circulating TCR-γ/δ+ lymphocytes

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科血管病態制御学We examined the developmental profile of TCR-γ/δ+ cells with respect to CD45RO expression. Although total TCR-γ/δ+ cells were negligible in the neonatal blood and increased with advancing age, most blood TCR-γ/δ+ cells markedly expressed CD45RO without a distinction of age, probably reflecting a different CD45RO expression of two subsets defined by BB3 and δTCS1 mAbs. The vast majority of BB3+ cells expressed CD45RO, whereas expression of CD45RO was virtually absent in the δTCS1+ population. Functional studies revealed that, while both TCR-γ/δ+ cell subsets showed CD3-mediated activation, only BB3+ (or TiγA+) cells, but not δTCS1+ cells, appeared to proliferate in response to PPD in PPD-reactive individuals. The results suggested that the CD45RO+ (BB3+ or TiγA+) subset among blood TCR-γ/δ+ cells may be mainly involved in the memory or primed component of the immune system responding to some foreign antigens

Role of interleukin 6 for differential responsiveness of naive and memory CD4+ T cells in CD2-mediated activation

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科血管病態制御学The present study was undertaken to elucidate different requirements for CD2-mediated activation of naive (CD45RO-) and memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells. A mitogenic combination of anti-CD2 (anti-T112 and anti-T113) mAbs could effectively induce the proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells even in the absence of monocytes. In marked contrast, naive CD4+ T cells did not disclose any proliferative responses to antiCD2 mAbs, when monocytes were absent in culture. This differential responsiveness of naive and memory CD4+ T cells appeared to be related largely to a difference in IL-6 - producing ability between both populations. IL-6 among monocyte-derived cytokines could correct unresponsiveness of naive CD4+ T cells to anti-CD2 stimulation. Unlike naive CD4+ T cells, memory CD4+ T cells produced IL-6 by themselves, with its mRNA being expressed on anti-CD2 stimulation. Anti-IL-6R mAb significantly inhibited proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells seen in the anti-CD2-stimulated cultures without monocytes, indicating the involvement of their own production of IL-6 in CD2-mediated activation. The results suggest an essential role of IL-6 for triggering of CD4+ T cells via the CD2 molecule

Role of interleukin 6 for differential responsiveness of naive and memory CD4+ T cells in CD2-mediated activation

The present study was undertaken to elucidate different requirements for CD2-mediated activation of naive (CD45RO-) and memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells. A mitogenic combination of anti-CD2 (anti-T112 and anti-T113) mAbs could effectively induce the proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells even in the absence of monocytes. In marked contrast, naive CD4+ T cells did not disclose any proliferative responses to antiCD2 mAbs, when monocytes were absent in culture. This differential responsiveness of naive and memory CD4+ T cells appeared to be related largely to a difference in IL-6 - producing ability between both populations. IL-6 among monocyte-derived cytokines could correct unresponsiveness of naive CD4+ T cells to anti-CD2 stimulation. Unlike naive CD4+ T cells, memory CD4+ T cells produced IL-6 by themselves, with its mRNA being expressed on anti-CD2 stimulation. Anti-IL-6R mAb significantly inhibited proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells seen in the anti-CD2-stimulated cultures without monocytes, indicating the involvement of their own production of IL-6 in CD2-mediated activation. The results suggest an essential role of IL-6 for triggering of CD4+ T cells via the CD2 molecule

Reasons for the delays in the definitive diagnosis of lung cancer for more than one year from the recognition of abnormal chest shadows

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Objective. Primary lung cancer generally has a poor prognosis if not diagnosed at an early stage. But some lung cancers grow very slowly. In particular, adenocarcinoma is sometimes observed for years with no change of tumor size. In this study, we examined the reasons for the delays in reaching a definitive diagnosis of lung cancer. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed primary lung cancer cases between January 1995 and December 1999 and examined those whose definitive diagnoses were delayed for more than a year. Results. A total of 222 primary lung cancers were diagnosed. Of those, 19 patients (group A, 8.6%) were diagnosed after more than a year, and the other 203 (group B, 91.4%) were diagnosed within one year. The proportion of women in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (p<0.05). The mean age of group A was significantly younger than that of group B (p<0.05). The Brinkman Index of group A was significantly lower than that of group B (p<0.05). The histologic types were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). In group A, 18 patients (94.7%) had adenocarcinomas. Five primary reasons for the delays in group A were identified: 1) Four patients were tentatively diagnosed as inflammation or benign tumor on CT and were consequently not followed-up. 2) The chest CT shadows in 6 patients were suspected lung cancers but transbronchial lung biopsy findings did not show malignancy. 3) Four patients were tentatively diagnosed as inflammation or benign tumor on CT, but the tumors showed only very slow growth or no change at all. 4) The chest CT shadows of 2 patients were suspected lung cancer, but the patients refused to undergo video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or closer examination. 5) Three patients did not consult medical facilities for a second examination. Conclusions. Many of the adenocarcinomas reviewed in our study grew slowly or remained unchanged for years. Doctors are mainly responsible for the delays in the definitive diagnosis and should aggressively perform VATS or closer examinations without hesitation

Accelerated production of multiple cytokines and chemokines by Epstein-Barr virus-infected natural killer cells and T cells

金沢大学医薬保健研究域保健学系[Originals][原著]平成22年10月28日受付, 平成22年12月3日受理

Oxidative stress causes enhanced endothelial cell injury in human heme oxygenase-1 deficiency

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系The first known human case of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) deficiency is presented in this report. The patient is a six-year-old boy with severe growth retardation. He has been suffering from persistent hemolytic anemia characterized by marked erythrocyte fragmentation and intravascular hemolysis, with paradoxical increase of serum haptoglobin and low bilirubin. An abnormal coagulation/fibrinolysis system, associated with elevated thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor, indicated the presence of severe, persistent endothelial damage. Electron microscopy of renal glomeruli revealed detachment of endothelium, with subendothelial deposition of an unidentified material. Iron deposition was noted in renal and hepatic tissue. Immunohistochemistry of hepatic tissue and immunoblotting of a cadmium- stimulated Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) revealed complete absence of HO-1 production. An LCL derived from the patient was extremely sensitive to hemin-induced cell injury. Sequence analysis of the patient\u27s HO-1 gene revealed complete loss of exon-2 of the maternal allele and a two-nucleotide deletion within exon3 of the paternal allele. Growth retardation, anemia, iron deposition, and vulnerability to stressful injury are all characteristics observed in recently described HO-1 targeted mice. This study presents not only the first human case of HO-1 deficiency but may also provide clues to the key roles played by this important enzyme in vivo

Comparison of cough reflex sensitivity after an inhaled antigen challenge between actively and passively sensitized guinea pigs

BACKGROUND: Late asthmatic response is observed following antigen challenge in actively, but not passively, sensitized guinea pigs. Although cough reflex sensitivity is increased after antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs, it is unknown whether the antigen-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity develops in passively sensitized animals. The aim of this study was to compare the cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin after an inhaled antigen challenge between actively and passively sensitized guinea pigs. METHODS: Measurement of number of coughs elicited by increasing concentrations of capsaicin (10(-6 )and 10(-4 )M) and bronchial responsiveness to ascending concentrations of methacholine, and analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were separately performed 24 h after an antigen challenge in actively and passively sensitized guinea pigs. RESULTS: Percentage of eosinophils in BALF and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were increased 24 h after the antigen challenge in both actively and passively sensitized animals compared with saline-challenged actively and passively sensitized animals, respectively. Absolute number of eosinophils in BALF from actively sensitized and antigen-challenged guinea pigs was significantly greater than that from passively sensitized and antigen-challenged animals. Cough response to capsaicin and concentration of substance P in BALF were increased 24 h after the antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs, but not in passively sensitized guinea pigs. Bronchial responsiveness, cough reflex sensitivity and substance P concentration and total cells in BALF were increased in actively sensitized and saline challenged guinea pigs compared with passively sensitized and saline challenged animals. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that active sensitization per se increases cough reflex sensitivity accompanied by increased inflammatory cells and substance P level in BALF, and antigen challenge further increases them, while simple IgE- and/or IgG-mediated allergic reaction per se or the low intensity of eosinophil infiltration in the airway itself may not affect cough reflex sensitivity in guinea pigs

Aortic Dissection in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection That was Diagnosed at Autopsy : A Case Report.

A 43-year-old homosexual man was referred to our hospital for chest pain and loss of consciousness. He was hypertensive, and had an uncontrolled viral load. Serum creatinine revealed acute renal failure, and he died 3 days later. On autopsy, aortic dissection (TypeB) was found. No obvious inflammatory change, granulation, bacterial or fungal infection, or medionecrosis were seen at the dissection site. To our knowledge, this was the first case with HIV in whom aortic dissection was diagnosed at autopsy. Aortic dissection is a potential differential diagnosis even in young patients presenting with hypertension and chest pain