IL-12 and IL-18 Induction and Subsequent NKT Activation Effects of the Japanese Botanical Medicine Juzentaihoto

In this study, we first measured some cytokine concentrations in the serum of patients treated with Juzentaihoto (JTT). Of the cytokines measured interleukin (IL) -18 was the most prominently up-regulated cytokine in the serum of patients under long term JTT administration. We next evaluated the effects of JTT in mice, focusing especially on natural killer T (NKT) cell induction. Mice fed JTT were compared to control group ones. After sacrifice, the liver was fixed, embedded and stained. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations were performed. Although the mice receiving the herbal medicine had same appearance, their livers were infiltrated with massive mononuclear cells, some of which were aggregated to form clusters. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that there was abundant cytokine expression of IL-12 and IL-18 in the liver of JTT treated mice. To clarify what the key molecules that induce immunological restoration with JTT might be, we next examined in vitro lymphocyte cultures. Mononuclear cells isolated and prepared from healthy volunteers were cultured with and without JTT. Within 24 hours, JTT induced the IL-12 and IL-18 production and later (72 hours) induction of interferon (IFN)-gamma. Oral administration of JTT may induce the expression of IL-12 in the early stage, and IL-18 in the chronic stage, followed by NKT induction. Their activation, following immunological restoration could contribute to anti-tumor effects

Successful cricothyrotomy for emergency airway management : a case report

A ６０ year-old male was brought to our emergency department by ambulance due to sudden onset of dyspnea. On examination, he was in coma since his level of consciousness decreased during transport, blood pressure was １９９／１１１mmHg, heart rate was１００ beats per minute, respirations were １０ per minute, blood oxygen saturation level（SpO２）was１００％ via assisted ventilation with Bag-Valve-Mask, and stridor was heard on auscultation. Those findings indicated airway emergency and endotracheal intubation was required. However, attempts at intubation were unsuccessful due to restriction of mouth opening. Muscle relaxant was then given to perform rapid sequence intubation, which caused vomiting. Failure to ventilation and intubation resulted in cardiopulmonary arrest. Chest compression was started immediately and decision for cricothyrotomy was made. １０ minute after cricothyrotomy, he revived. Subsequently, systemic management including therapeutic normothermia was performed at intensive care unit, then he regained consciousness. He was discharged １ month after admission

Results of the search for inspiraling compact star binaries from TAMA300's observation in 2000-2004

We analyze the data of TAMA300 detector to search for gravitational waves from inspiraling compact star binaries with masses of the component stars in the range 1-3Msolar. In this analysis, 2705 hours of data, taken during the years 2000-2004, are used for the event search. We combine the results of different observation runs, and obtained a single upper limit on the rate of the coalescence of compact binaries in our Galaxy of 20 per year at a 90% confidence level. In this upper limit, the effect of various systematic errors such like the uncertainty of the background estimation and the calibration of the detector's sensitivity are included.Comment: 8 pages, 4 Postscript figures, uses revtex4.sty The author list was correcte

横断的・総合的な幼稚園教育教員養成プログラムの構築研究

本研究では，別冊『－平成30年度広島大学大学院教育学研究科共同研究プロジェクト－横断的・総合的な幼稚園教育教員養成プログラムの構築研究論文集』を作成し，紙幅の都合で本報告書に掲載できなかった調査・研究の成果を掲載した

Observation results by the TAMA300 detector on gravitational wave bursts from stellar-core collapses

We present data-analysis schemes and results of observations with the TAMA300 gravitational-wave detector, targeting burst signals from stellar-core collapse events. In analyses for burst gravitational waves, the detection and fake-reduction schemes are different from well-investigated ones for a chirp-wave analysis, because precise waveform templates are not available. We used an excess-power filter for the extraction of gravitational-wave candidates, and developed two methods for the reduction of fake events caused by non-stationary noises of the detector. These analysis schemes were applied to real data from the TAMA300 interferometric gravitational wave detector. As a result, fake events were reduced by a factor of about 1000 in the best cases. The resultant event candidates were interpreted from an astronomical viewpoint. We set an upper limit of 2.2x10^3 events/sec on the burst gravitational-wave event rate in our Galaxy with a confidence level of 90%. This work sets a milestone and prospects on the search for burst gravitational waves, by establishing an analysis scheme for the observation data from an interferometric gravitational wave detector

Flower-like BiVO4 Microspheres and Their Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity

A flower-like BiVO4 microsphere photocatalyst was synthesized with a simple template-free homogeneous precipitation method at 60 °C for 24 h. The purpose of this study is to explore a low-cost, simple method of synthesizing the self-assembled 3D structure in order to enhance photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). In this study, the morphology, structure, and photo-absorption of flower-like BiVO4 microspheres were characterized, and the effects of photocatalysis were analyzed. The results indicate that the size of the flower-like microspheres was about 2 μm to 4 μm and they were composed of several nanosheets. The mechanism of hierarchical microsphere formation has been proposed as the Ostwald ripening process and the self-assembled process. The obtained samples were calcined under different temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C) to study the effects of calcination on the structure and on photocatalysis. The photocatalytic process was then evaluated by decolorization of methylene blue dye under visible-light irradiation

AMS Radiocarbon Dating and Pollen Analysis of Core Ks0412-3 from Kashibaru Marsh in Northern Kyushu, Southwest Japan

We performed pollen analysis and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating on cored sediments (KS0412-3) from Kashibaru Marsh, located in the western part of the Sefuri Mountains in northern Kyushu, southwestern Japan, to investigate environmental change around the marsh. Sediment accumulation began in this marsh around cal AD 1200 and continued with an estimated average sedimentation rate of about 4 mm/yr. Human rice cultivation at this location began around cal AD 1300 and was abandoned due to the deposition of a thick sand layer at around cal AD 1400. Since this event, the area has been maintained as a "natural" marsh