Spatial variation of the solar wind speed in 1976 and 1977

Spatial variations of the solar wind speed with respect to angular distance from the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) reported by ZHAO and HUNDHAUSEN (J. Geophys. Res., 88,451,1983) and by HAKAMADA and MUNAKATA (J. Geophys. Res., 89,357,1984) are re-examined. During the period considered here, the solar wind reaches higher speeds in magnetic northern higher latitudes than in magnetic southern higher latitudes, as shown by ZHAO and HUNDHAUSEN, although the solar wind speed in magnetic southern middle latitudes has a steeper gradient than in magnetic northern middle latitudes. Further, the solar wind speed is minimum on the HCS. This situation of the solar wind speed can be approximated by a simple functional form of V(km/s)=V_αtanh^2 (C(λ-λ_m))+V_m, where λ is an angular distance of the earth from the HCS, which is measured perpendicular to the HCS. V_α, C, V_m and λ_m are constants determined by the least squares method. V_α and C are 225km/s and 0.032 for λ>0,and 134km/s and 0.061 for λ<0,respectively. V_m and λ_m are equal to 390km/s and 0 degree, respectively

Impact of Positive Lymphocyte Cross-match Test on Livingdonor Liver Transplant

［Introduction］ In liver transplant, antibody mediated rejection is believed to occur less frequently and to lead less graft losses than in kidney transplant. So, liver transplant has been performed irrespective of positive lymphocyte crossmatch test. Nowadays, even in kidney transplant, both ABO incompatibility and cross-match positivity are being overcome with plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and improvement of immunosuppressive agents such as rituximab and IL-2 receptor antagonists. Retrospective analysis on living donor liver transplant recipient was performed focusing on cross-match positivity and posttransplant complications. ［Patients and methods］ Since 1994, 41 living-donor liver transplants were performed. Retrospective analysis was done in 33 patients, who were done pretransplant cross-match test. Immunosuppression was basically initiated with steroid and tacrolimus. ［Results］ Twelve patients （36.3%） were positive for lymphocyte cross-match. Acute rejection occurred in 13 cases（33.3％） within 180 post transplant days. One-year rejection-free survival were 42.3% in positive cases and 72.2% in negative cases （p<0.05）, but there was no significance in patient survival. Posttransplant complications including biliary stenosis, hepatic vein stenosis, and portal vein stenosis occurred more frequently in positive lymphocyte crossmatch transplant patietns（p<0.05）. ［Conclusion］ With improvement of immunosuppressive agents, liver transplant can be successfully performed with more favorable survival even in cross-match positive pair. Complications, however, happen more frequently in those recipients compared to cross-match negative ones. Posttransplant course should be carefully followed focusing on biliary and vascular complications. Screening of donor specific antigen by FACS cross-match test and LABScreen® would give us new information and strategy.弘前医学. 64(Suppl.), 2013, p.S107-S11

弘前大学移植ユニットにおける腎移植 : 初期5 年の経験

Introduction Kidney transplantation has been widely accepted as a definitive therapy for patients with renal failure. The Hirosaki Kidney Transplant Unit was organized in June 2006 in conjunction with the Departments of Urology, Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine and Nephrology, and Gastrointestinal Surgery, from the Hirosaki University School of Medicine. Herein, we introduce our current results and discuss our future strategies. Patients and Methods From June 2006 to December 2011, 36 kidney transplants were performed with 31 living donors and 5 deceased donors. Immunosuppression therapy included an inductor treatment of anti-CD25 antibody and triple therapy with calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. Results Recipients included 25 males and 11 females. The patients’ average age was 41.8 years. Nine living–pairs were ABO incompatible. Deceased donors were performed at Oyokyo Hospital. Median follow-up period was 27.6 months. Acute cellular rejection occurred in 8.3% of patients. Positive antigenemia for cytomegalovirus happened in 16.7% of patients, but none developed invasive diseases. All recipients are currently surviving. Graft survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years are 100%, 94.7%, and 94.7%, respectively. Conclusion Successful kidney transplantations have been performed by a multidisciplinary unit at Hirosaki University. Our next step is a promotion to increase organ donation