Infrared Imaging of z=2.43 Radio Galaxy B3 0731+438 with the Subaru Telescope - Detection of Hα\alpha Ionization Cones of a Powerful Radio Galaxy

We report on infrared imaging observations of the z=2.429 radio galaxy B3 0731+438 with the Subaru telescope. The images were taken with the K'-band filter and the 2.25 um narrow-band filter to examine the structure and properties of the Ha+[N II] 6548,6583 emission-line components. The Ha+[N II] emission-line image shows biconical lobes with an extent of 40 kpc, which are aligned with the radio axis. The rest-frame equivalent widths of the emission lines at these cones are as large as 1100 AA, and can be well explained by a gas-cloud model photoionized by power-law continuum radiation. The isotropic ionizing photon luminosity necessary to ionize the hydrogen gas in these cones amounts to 1e57(photons/s), which is larger than that in the majority of radio-loud QSOs. From these results, we propose that the Ha alignment effect in this object is produced by biconical gas clouds, which are swept up by the passage of radio jets, and are ionized by strong UV radiation from a hidden AGN. The continuum image consists of two components, a stellar-like point source and an extended diffuse galaxy. These are supposed to be a type-2 AGN and its host galaxy. The SED is fitted by a combination of spectra of a reddened dust-scattered AGN and an instantaneous starburst population of 500 Myr old. The stellar mass of the galaxy is estimated to be 3e11 M_solar, which is as large as that of typical 3C radio galaxies at z=1.Comment: 12 pages, 4 Postscript figures, uses PASJ2.sty, PASJ95.sty, PASJadd.sty. Accepted for publication in PASJ (2000

ARG098, a novel anti-human Fas antibody, suppresses synovial hyperplasia and prevents cartilage destruction in a severe combined immunodeficient-HuRAg mouse model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The anti-human Fas/APO-1/CD95 (Fas) mouse/human chimeric monoclonal IgM antibody ARG098 (ARG098) targets the human Fas molecule. The cytotoxic effects of ARG098 on cells isolated from RA patients, on normal cells <it>in vitro</it>, and on RA synovial tissue and cartilage <it>in vivo </it>using implanted rheumatoid tissues in an SCID mouse model (SCID-HuRAg) were investigated to examine the potential of ARG098 as a therapy for RA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>ARG098 binding to each cell was analyzed by cytometry. The effects of ARG098 on several cells were assessed by a cell viability assay <it>in vitro</it>. Effects on the RA synovium, lymphocytes, and cartilage were assessed <it>in vivo </it>using the SCID-HuRAg mouse model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ARG098 bound to cell surface Fas molecules, and induced apoptosis in Fas-expressing RA synoviocytes and infiltrating lymphocytes in the RA synovium in a dose-dependent manner. However, ARG098 did not affect the cell viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of RA patients or normal chondrocytes. ARG098 also induced apoptosis in RA synoviocytes and infiltrating lymphocytes in the RA synovium <it>in vivo</it>. The destruction of cartilage due to synovial invasion was inhibited by ARG098 injection in the modified SCID-HuRAg mouse model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>ARG098 treatment suppressed RA synovial hyperplasia through the induction of apoptosis and prevented cartilage destruction <it>in vivo</it>. These results suggest that ARG098 might become a new therapy for RA.</p

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae

This review highlighted the following: (i) pathogenic mechanism of the thermostable direct hemolysin produced by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, especially on its cardiotoxicity, (ii) heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, especially structure–activity relationship of heat-stable enterotoxin, (iii) RNA N-glycosidase activity of Vero toxins (VT1 and VT2) produced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7, (iv) discovery of Vibrio cholerae O139, (v) isolation of new variant of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor that carries classical ctxB, and production of high concentration of cholera toxin by these strains, and (vi) conversion of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Vibrio cholerae to culturable state by co-culture with eukaryotic cells

The number of Japanese radiologic technologists will be increased in 40 years

It is essential to predict the long-term supply and demand for the number of radiologic technologists as medical resources. However, it is difficult to predict the number of Japanese radiologic technologists due to complex and intertwining factors. Our purpose in this study was to predict the future number of radiologic technologists using the concept of system dynamics (SD), and to clarify the effects of relevant factors. In order to estimate the number of Japanese radiologic technologists, we constructed a flow diagram using the concept of SD. We simulated the number of radiologic technologists for the following 4 cases: maintaining the status quo, a change in the pass rate for the national examination, a change in the post-graduate employment rate, and a change in the rate of continuing education. The result for the predicted number of radiologic technologists was 50,509 in 20 years, which is 4,394 (9.5 %) more than the present number, and 50,166 in 40 years, which is 4,051 (8.8 %) more than the present number. For the factors influencing the number of technologists, the influence of the pass rate on the national examination and that of the rate for post-graduate employment was larger than that of the rate of continuing education in graduate school. The number of Japanese radiologic technologists will increase until 2033 and decrease until 2042, and it does not change after 2042 in case of maintaining the status quo. Implementing the concept of SD allowed us easily to clarify the factors influencing the predicted number of radiologic technologists

A new oral care gel to prevent aspiration during oral care

目的：口腔細菌は，誤嚥性肺炎を含めた全身の疾患と密接に関係していると考えられている．誤嚥性肺炎の予防には口腔ケアが極めて重要であるが，その方法は施設や術者により様々であり，中には誤嚥のリスクを伴う口腔ケア方法も存在する．口腔ケア中の誤嚥性肺炎起炎菌を含む洗浄水の誤嚥のリスクを低下させるため，本研究では，水を使わない口腔ケアに必要かつ適正な物性を持つジェルを開発し，その物性およびプラークの除去，咽頭への流入しにくさについて評価・検討を行った．方法：ジェルの物性評価は，医療従事者31名を評価者とし，VASを用いた主観的物性評価と口腔内官能評価から，試作ジェル3種類（A～C）と市販の保湿ジェル3種類（D～F）を比較した．プラーク除去効果の評価は，健常者20名を対象とし，物性評価において最も評価が高かったジェルをジェル使用時，水道水を水使用時とし，歯科衛生士によるブラッシングにより評価を行った．評価はModified PCR を用い，ブラッシング前後のプラークの減少率を比較した．また，ブラッシング時の吸引回数をカウントし，咽頭への流入しにくさについてジェル使用時と水使用時における差を評価した．結果：物性評価において，試作ジェルBはその他5種類のジェルに比べ，有意に評価が高かった．プラークの除去効果において，Modified PCRの減少率はジェル使用時の方が水使用時よりも有意に高かった．また，吸引回数はジェル使用時の方が有意に少なかった．結論：新規に開発した試作品ジェルBは物性評価にて良好な結果を得た．さらにプラークの除去効果や咽頭への流入しにくさにて有効性を確認した．洗浄水ではなくジェルBを使用することにより口腔ケア時に流入しにくくなる可能性があるため，今後の臨床試験に期待したい．Aim: Although oral care is important in the prevention of aspiration pneumonia, the different institutions and practitioners employ various oral care methods, some of which are associated with the risk of aspiration. We have developed a new gel with the physical properties needed for waterless oral care. In the present study, we evaluated and investigated the properties and effectiveness of this gel. Methods: The physical properties of the trial gel and commercial moisturizing gels were compared using a VAS scale. The effects of plaque elimination were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Brushing was carried out by a dental hygienist using the gel and water. The number of throat suctions performed during brushing was also counted, and the difference was evaluated. Results: In the evaluation of physical characteristics, trial Gel B showed a significantly higher rating than the other gels. In plaque elimination, the rate of decrease in a modified PCR was significantly greater with the gel trial. Suctioning was also performed significantly fewer times with the trial gel. Conclusions: Good results were obtained with the newly developed trial Gel B with regard to the physical properties and the sensory evaluations. Its effectiveness was also confirmed in plaque elimination and in the evaluated risk of aspiration. The use of Gel B may have the potential to decrease the risk of aspiration during oral care and reduce the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia