Detection of HLA-D-region-associated antigens on the surface of adult T-cell leukemia virus particles by immunoelectron microscopy.

To search for lymphocyte marker antigens on the surface of human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), an immunoelectron microscopic study was performed on a HTLV-producing human T-cell line, MT-2, using monoclonal antibodies, such as anti-Leu-1, -Leu-2b, -Leu-3a, -Leu-5, -Leu-10 and -HLA-DR and OKIal. The reactivity of each antibody with MT-2 cells was tested by the immunoperoxidase method at the light microscopic level. OKIal, anti-HLA-DR and -Leu-10 gave positive results. At the ultrastructural level, the surface of HTLV as well as the plasma membranes of MT-2 cells were labeled with ferritin by the monoclonal antibodies OKIal, anti-HLA-DR and -Leu-10, but not by anti-Leu-1 and -Leu-3a. These findings suggest that HLA-D region -associated antigens are common antigenic determinants shared by the surface of HTLV and the plasma membranes of MT-2 cells. These antigens on the virus surface are probably picked up selectively from the plasma membranes and may play an important role in the interaction of HTLV and target T-cells.</p

Comparison of Capillary Architecture between Slow and Fast Muscles in Rats Using a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

The skeletal muscle is classified into 2 types, slow oxidative or fast glycolytic muscle. For further characterization, we investigated the capillary architecture in slow and fast muscles. The rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were used as representatives of slow and fast muscles, respectively. To investigate capillary density, sections of both types of muscle were stained with alkaline phosphatase;the soleus muscle showed more intense reactivity, indicating that it had a denser capillary structure than the EDL muscle. We then injected fluorescent contrast medium into samples of both muscle types for light and confocal-laser microscopic evaluation. The capillary density and capillary-to-fiber ratio were significantly higher, and the course of the capillaries was more tortuous, in the soleus muscle than in the EDL muscle. Capillary coursed more tortuously in the soleus than in the EDL muscle. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, an indicator of mitochondrial oxidative capacity, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were also significantly higher in the soleus muscle. Thus, we conclude that slow oxidative muscle possess a rich capillary structure to provide demanded oxygen, and VEGF might be involved in the formation and/or maintenance of this highly capillarized architecture.</p

Performance evaluation of control panel heat exchanger

Due to miniaturization, weight reduction, and high density of electronic equipment, the control panel has become smaller and the internal heat generation temperature is higher. In addition, the installation place of the control panel is a factory etc., heat, dust, moisture, oil mist adversely affect the electronic control unit. Therefore, a control panel heat exchanger is used for sealing the control panel and releasing the heat generated therein to the outside. We evaluated the performance of the control panel heat exchanger in this research. Experiments shall be conducted in accordance with the capacity evaluation test method of the Japan Thermal Solution Equipment for Cabinet Technical Association. Experiments were conducted by installing a heat exchanger in the measurement reference box of 1700 mm in length, 700 mm in width, and 700 mm in depth made of a steel plate to which a heat insulating material with a thickness of 40 mm was attached. The dimensions of the heat exchanger are 900 mm in length, 438 mm in width and 129 mm in depth, and two fans are mounted on the inside of the heat exchanger and two on the outside air side. Twelve thermocouples were installed in the heat exchanger and twelve thermocouples were installed to check the temperature inside the box and the temperature was measured. An experiment was conducted until the temperature inside the panel reached a steady state by setting the heater unit in the measurement reference box and changing the calorific value. Experiments were also conducted until the temperature inside the board reached a steady state by changing the calorific value of the heater unit without operating the heat exchanger, and the heat release amount P0 to the outside of the reference box for measurement was obtained. The calorific value P at the temperature difference of 20 K between the average value of the intake port temperature and the exhaust port temperature inside the panel of the control panel heat exchanger and the outside air temperature was obtained. The heat release amount P0 is subtracted from the calorific value P and the value divided by the temperature difference 20 K is defined as the rated capacity of the control panel heat exchanger. From the experimental results the rated capacity was 56.0 W/K.Papers presented at the 13th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Portoroz, Slovenia on 17-19 July 2017 .International centre for heat and mass transfer.American society of thermal and fluids engineers

Acute and contained rupture of the descending thoracic aorta: Treatment with endovascular stent grafts

AbstractPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate feasibility and safety of endovascular stent grafting for the treatment of patients with rupture of the descending thoracic aorta. Methods: Thirteen patients with rupture of the descending thoracic aorta were treated with endovascular stent grafting. Six patients were treated on the day of diagnosis because their vital signs were unstable, and the other seven patients were treated electively. Five patients had infection or potential infection, and the other eight patients did not. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered or polyester-covered Z stents were used in all patients. Results: Stent grafts were successfully placed in all patients. No endoleaks were observed at the end of the procedure. However, rebleeding was observed within 2 weeks of the procedure in two patients with infection. Six patients (46%) died within 5 months of the procedure (mean survival period, 61 ± 60 days). All five patients with infection (100%) died, and only one of eight patients without infection (13%) died (P <.01). The remaining seven patients are alive during the mean follow-up period of 21 months (overall survival rate, 54%), although additional surgical interventions, including surgical conversion in one case and upper extremity extraanatomic bypass in the other, were necessary in two of these patients. Conclusion: Endovascular stent grafting may be a safe and feasible method for the treatment of rupture of the descending thoracic aorta in selected patients without infection. However, its usefulness in terms of long-term prognosis appears to be extremely limited, especially in patients with infection. (J Vasc Surg 2003;37:100-5.

Fiber type composition affects resting ATP turnover estimated by NIRS in human ischemic muscle

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of fiber type composition on resting ATP turnover at ischemic rest in human gastrocnemius (GC), tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SL) muscles using continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Fiber type composition of the muscles was evaluated by histochemical analysis of muscle biopsies. Type I fiber occupied 54.0 ± 5.3, 62.2 ± 2.6 (p< 0.05) and 87.7 ± 3.3 % (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) of total fiber cross-section area in GC, TA and SL, respectively. Initial rate of decrease in muscle oxygenation by NIRS during ischemia was converted to resting ATP turnover rate using by muscle oxygen store at rest and a phosphate-to-oxygen ratio of 5.5. Resting ATP turnover rate was also corrected for muscle temperature decrease during the ischemic period. It was 0.281 ± 0.046, 0.277 ± 0.022 and 0.366 ± 0.046 mmol・(kg wet wt)-1・min-1 in GC, TA and SL, respectively. Resting ATP turnover rate correlated with the relative type I fiber area (r = 0.748, p < 0.01) for the pooled data of all three muscles. It is suggested that the relative type I fiber area is an important factor determining resting metabolic rate in human muscles in vivo. 本研究の目的は近赤外線分光法を用いて、虚血された腓腹筋、前脛骨筋およびヒラメ筋における安静時のATP代謝速度と筋線維組成の関係を検討することである。腓腹筋、前脛骨筋およびヒラメ筋の遅筋線維占有率はそれぞれ54.0 ± 5.3、62.2 ± 2.6（p < 0.05）および87.7 ± 3.3％（p < 0.01, p < 0.01）であった。近赤外線分光法によって測定された虚血初期の筋酸素化レベルの低下率は、安静時における筋内酸素貯蔵量とリン酸／酸素比（5.5）を用いて、安静時ATP代謝速度に変換された。また、安静時ATP代謝速度を、虚血時における筋温の低下を考慮して補正した。腓腹筋、前脛骨筋およびヒラメ筋における安静時ATP代謝速度はそれぞれ、0.281 ± 0.046、0.277 ± 0.022および0.366 ± 0.046 mmol（kg wet wt）?1・min?1であった。各筋の値をまとめると、安静時のATP代謝速度は遅筋線維占有率と有意な正の相関関係（r = 0.748, p < 0.01）にあった。以上の結果から、遅筋線維占有率はin vivoの測定においても、安静時代謝量を決定する重要な要因であると示唆される

Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure Reduces Age-Related Decrease in Oxidative Capacity of the Tibialis Anterior Muscle in Mice

The effects of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen on the oxidative capacity of the skeletal muscles in mice at different ages were investigated. We exposed 5-, 34-, 55-, and 88-week-old mice to 36% oxygen at 950 mmHg for 6 hours per day for 2 weeks. The activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), which is a mitochondrial marker enzyme, of the tibialis anterior muscle in hyperbaric mice were compared with those in age-matched mice under normobaric conditions (21% oxygen at 760 mmHg). Furthermore, the SDH activities of type IIA and type IIB fibers in the muscle were determined using quantitative histochemical analysis. The SDH activity of the muscle in normobaric mice decreased with age. Similar results were observed in both type IIA and type IIB fibers in the muscle. The decrease in the SDH activity of the muscle was reduced in hyperbaric mice at 57 and 90 weeks. The decreased SDH activities of type IIA and type IIB fibers were reduced in hyperbaric mice at 90 weeks and at 57 and 90 weeks, respectively. We conclude that exposure to hyperbaric oxygen used in this study reduces the age-related decrease in the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscles

Metaplastic bone formation in a hyperplastic polyp of the stomach: a case report.

Metaplastic bony tissue along with hyperplastic mucosal epithelium showing no atypism was detected in biopsy materials from a Yamada type I gastric polyp. The tissue was metaplastic woven bone associated with calcification. Histogenesis of the bone formation is as yet unknown. This is the first reported case of the presence of metaplastic bone accompanied by hyperplastic gastric mucosa so far.</p

Neutron electric dipole moment in a supersymmetric model with singlet quarks

The neutron electric dipole moment is investigated in a supersymmetric electroweak model admitting ${\rm SU(2)}_W$ singlet and $Q = -1/3$, say $D$-type, quarks. Significant $CP$ violating phases appear in the coupling between the singlet $D$-type quarks and the ordinary $d$-type quarks. Then, through the $d$-$D$ mixing effects on the squark mass terms the gluino one-loop diagrams provide naturally the contributions $\sim 10^{-26} e~{\rm cm}$ comparable to the current experimental bound on the neutron electric dipole moment. The $CP$ violation in the $d$-$D$ coupling would also be relevant for the electroweak baryogenesis.Comment: 16 page

森林浴の歴史について

林野庁長官、秋山氏は1982年、最初に“森林浴”を提唱し、森林療法の概念を確立した。“森林の中には殺菌力を持つ独特の方向が存在し、森の中にいることが健康な体をつくる”とする、この構想の下につくられた林野庁のオリジナルの概念であった。それは健康な体をつくるために、国有林や他の自然林を利用して、心身ともに鍛えるためにそれらを利用することから始まる。国有林と自然林での生体反応を楽しみながら。健康な身体の状態を取り戻すためには、森林浴でのハイキングにより、健全な心身の健康状態を取り戻す必要がある。 ところで、我々を含む人間、日本国民が、人為的に古代からの自然環境の下で現代文明、文化を発展させてきた。人間は約500万年前の人類の誕生から、その長い歴史の中で人間と自然との関係について考えるとき、人類は現代の都市文明の中で生きていると言える。人間は、自然界に適応しながら、サルから進化した人間にとってこのことは、長い歴史から見れば、ごく最近の出来事であるが、それまでは、森林の中で、長い時間を共存してきた偉大な歴史があり、この中で、人類は進化してきた。加えて、我々日本人は欧米人とは異なる親密な自然観のもとに生活をしている。この点からも、現代人においても、私たちの周囲の自然環境が密接に温泉周辺の森林生活環境に快適性を認めている。日本は森林の土地面積が全体の75％を占め、世界有数の森林国の一つである。この数値は、アマゾン流域の無限のジャングルを持つブラジルと同一である。 一方、中国、イギリスに至っては、10％前後の少ない森林の土地面積となっている。日本は、亜寒帯から亜熱帯まで、北海道から沖縄まで細長い気候分布を持つ中で人々が生活している特色を持っているのである

Vitamin D and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level

The changes in the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations after daily 1000-IU vitamin D intake for 3 months (3-month-VD), 6 months (6-month-VD) and then 6-month cessation of vitamin D intake (6-month-VD cessation) were examined. The serum 25(OH)D levels in 11 male and 16 female subjects were 12.1 ± 3.5 ng / mL at baseline, increased to 27.1 ± 4.7 ng / mL at 3-month-VD, 28.5 ± 5.1 ng / mL at 6-month-VD and decreased to 16.4 ± 4.0 ng / mL at 6-month-VD cessation. The present study suggested that a vitamin D intake of 1000 IU / day is required to maintain the 25(OH) D concentration at 30 ng / mL or higher without vitamin D intoxication