Studies on sinter deposits in Misasa radioactive hot springs (2nd report)

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of sinter deposits in a distributing pipe used for seventeen years (Sample No.1) and adhere to bathtub wall for eleven years (Sample No.2 and Sample No.3) in Misasa radioactive hot springs were investigated. The results were as follows ; (1) The color of deposits of Sample No.1 and Sample No.2 was black and the color of deposits of Sample No.3 was white. The metal elements in these deposits were qualitative analysed by spectraspan plasma emission spectrophotometry (SPES) and by fluorescent X-ray spectrometry. Following elements were detected, in Sample No.1 : Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, As, Sr, Ba, Mo, and Pb, in Sample No.2 : Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Ba, Pb and Cl and in Sample No.3 : Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba, S, and Cl, (2) The metal elements in these deposits were quantitative analysed by SPES, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and emission spectrophometry. Following elements were determined, in Sample No.1 ; Mn : 411.6, Fe : 65.7, Ba : 20.0, Ca : 11.9, Na : 5.7, Cu : 4.5, K : 4.2, Sr : 2.9, Zn : 2.6, Mg : 1.4, in Sample No.2 ; Mn : 248.2, Fe : 28.5, Ba : 15.6, Ca : 25.0, Mg : 10.5, Na : 9.3, Cu : 5.4, K : 4.9, Sr: 7.4, Zn : 3.3, and in Sample No.3 ; Ca : 275.2, Sr : 32.4, Mg: 12.4, Na: 18.7, K: 5.0, Mn: 1.7 and Fe: 0.6mg per gram. The main components of these deposits were manganese compounds (Sample No.1 and Sample No.2) and calcium compounds (Sample No.3). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of barium in sinter deposits of Misasa spa was done by authers for the first time. (3) Radioactivity in these deposits were observed by autoradiography. Among the radioactive elements, concentration of radium were 3.41×10(-8) Ci/g (Sample No.1), 4.70×10(-9) Ci/g (Sample No.2) anp 2.36×10(-11) Ci/g (Sample No.3), respectively

Element Stratification in the Middle-Aged Type Ia Supernova Remnant G344.7-0.1

Despite their importance, a detailed understanding of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) remains elusive. X-ray measurements of the element distributions in supernova remnants (SNRs) offer important clues for understanding the explosion and nucleosynthesis mechanisms for SNe Ia. However, it is challenging to observe the entire ejecta mass in X-rays for young SNRs, because the central ejecta may not have been heated by the reverse shock yet. Here we present over 200 kilosecond Chandra observations of the Type Ia SNR G344.7-0.1, whose age is old enough for the reverse shock to have reached the SNR center, providing an opportunity to investigate the distribution of the entire ejecta mass. We reveal a clear stratification of heavy elements with a centrally peaked distribution of the Fe ejecta surrounded by intermediate-mass elements (IMEs: Si, S, Ar Ca) with an arc-like structure. The centroid energy of the Fe K emission is marginally lower in the central Fe-rich region than in the outer IME-rich regions, suggesting that the Fe ejecta were shock-heated more recently. These results are consistent with the prediction for standard SN Ia models, where the heavier elements are synthesized in the interior of an exploding white dwarf. We find, however, that the peak location of the Fe K emission is slightly offset to the west with respect to the geometric center of the SNR. This apparent asymmetry is likely due to the inhomogeneous density distribution of the ambient medium, consistent with our radio observations of the ambient molecular and neutral gas.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journa

Studies on sinter deposit Misasa radioactive hot springs

Sinter deposit in a distributing pipe used for about fifteen years in Misasa radioactive hot springs was investigated. The results were as follows; 1. The metal elements in this deposit were quaIi. tatively analysed by spectraspan plasma emission spectrophotometry (SPES), by fluorescent X-ray spectrometry, and following elements were detected; B, Na, Mg, AI, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Ba and Pb. 2. The metal elements in this deposit were quantatively analysed by SPES and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and following elements were determined; Fe : 508.7, As: 26.40, Ca: 7.85, Mn : 2.00, Al : 1.80, Na: 1.60, Zn: 1.33, K: 0.80, Cu: 0.67, Sr: 0.47, Mg: 0.35, Ba: 0.33 and B : 0.30 mg per gram. The color of this deposit was red brown, and the main component was ferric oxide. 3. Radioactive elements in this deposit were detected by autoradiography and radioluxography. Among the radioactive elements, concentration of radium was 320.5×10(-12)g/g (313.0×10(-12)Ci/g)

A case of well-differentiated cholangiolocellular carcinoma visualized with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazo

Author Posting.This is the author's version of the work.It is posted here by permission of The Japan Society of Hepatology for personal use，not for redistribution.The definitive version was published in Hepatology Research, Voume39, Issue 2, pages 207-212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1872-034X.2008.00446.xWe here report the first case of cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) visualized with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using a second-generation contrast agent, Sonazoid. A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of a hepatic tumor. The tumor was described as having hyper-enhancement in the early phase and persistent enhancement in the late phase by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as hypervascularity by angiography. CEUS assessment of the nodule showed diffuse and homogeneous enhancement in the pure arterial phase, which became progressively hypoechoic relative to the adjacent liver parenchyma during the portal vein and late phases (mixed vascular phase), and showed a contrast defect with an unclear border in the Kupffer phase. Histologically we diagnosed this hepatic tumor as CoCC. In light of the above findings and the rarity of CoCC, it is helpful to incorporate the results of several imagings, such as CT, MRI, angiography and CEUS with a second-generation contrast agent when clinically diagnosing CoCC.ArticleHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH. 39(2):207-212 (2009)journal articl

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on physical symptoms in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is primarily used for pain, butmight be useful for various other physical symptoms, including nausea, fatigue,dyspnea, and constipation. However, few studies have used TENS for treating thephysical symptoms of patients with advanced cancer. In this crossover trial, we assessthe effects of TENS on pain and other physical symptoms in 20 in-patients withadvanced cancer receiving palliative care. For 5-day phases between wash out periodsof 5 days, patients received TENS or non-TENS. TENS was delivered at four points: thecenter of the back for mainly nausea and dyspnea, on the back at the same dermatomallevel as the origin of the pain (100 Hz), and on both ankle joints for constipation (10Hz). The intensity of pain and the total opioid dose used during phases were recorded.Physical symptoms were evaluated using the European Organization for Research andTreatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care(QLQ-C15-PAL). Hematological and biochemical data were recorded before and afterthe TENS phase. The average pain and total number of opioid rescue doses weresignificantly reduced by TENS. TENS tended to improve nausea and appetite loss, butnot constipation. There were no effects on hematological and biochemical parameters.Use of TENS could safely improve pain, nausea, and appetite loss in patients withadvanced cancer. Although it cannot be used as a substitute for opioids and otherpharmaceutical treatment, it may be useful to support palliative care

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Immunological factors have been involved in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The cytotoxic action of macrophages is one of the main factors causing cardiac myocyte damage. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a major signal for the accumulation of monocytes/macrophages. We examined whether MCP-1 was expressed in the myocardium of DCM patients and whether the expression level was correlated with the degree of impairment of cardiac function. The expression of MCP-1 in the myocardium was determined by immunohistochemistry in endomyocardial biopsy samples from 13 patients. The expression of MCP-1 was found in all myocardial samples from DCM patients but not in those from control subjects. Positive staining for MCP-1 was distinct in cardiac myocytes, interstitium and infiltrating cells. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed that the expression of MCP-1 was inversely correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction. In conclusion, the expression level of MCP-1 in the myocardium was correlated with the degree of impairment of cardiac function in patients with DCM.</p

Advantages of peripheral blood stem cells from unrelated donors versus bone marrow transplants in outcomes of adult acute myeloid leukemia patients

[Background aims] In allogeneic stem cell transplantation, unrelated donors are chosen in cases where appropriate related donors are not available. Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are more often selected as a graft source than bone marrow (BM). However, the prognostic benefits of PBSCs versus BM transplants from unrelated donors have not been carefully examined in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study compared outcomes of adult AML patients who underwent unrelated PBSC and BM transplantation, evaluating post-transplant complications, including engraftment, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and infections, and determined subgroups of patients who are most likely to benefit from unrelated PBSCs compared with BM transplants. [Methods] The authors analyzed 2962 adult AML patients who underwent unrelated PBSC or BM transplants between 2011 and 2018 (221 PBSC and 2741 BM) using the Japanese nationwide registry database, in which graft source selection is not skewed toward PBSCs. [Results] In 49.7% of patients, disease status at transplantation was first complete remission (CR1). In 57.1% of cases, HLA-matched donors were selected. Myeloablative conditioning was performed in 75.1% of cases, and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) was added to conditioning in 10.5%. Multivariate analyses showed a trend toward favorable non-relapse mortality (NRM) in PBSC recipients compared with BM recipients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.731, P = 0.096), whereas overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.959, P = 0.230) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 0.868, P = 0.221) were comparable between PBSC and BM recipients. Although the rate of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was significantly higher in PBSC patients (HR, 1.367, P = 0.016), NRM was not increased, mainly as a result of significantly reduced risk of bacterial infections (HR, 0.618, P = 0.010), reflecting more prompt engraftments in PBSC recipients. Subgroup analyses revealed that PBSC transplantation was advantageous in patients transplanted at CR1 and in those without ATG use. PBSC recipients experienced significantly better OS and/or DFS compared with BM recipients in this patient group. [Conclusions] The authors' results confirmed the overall safety of unrelated PBSC transplantation for adult AML patients and suggested an advantage of PBSCs, especially for those in CR1. Further optimization of the prophylactic strategy for cGVHD is required to improve the overall outcome in transplantation from unrelated PBSC donors