Neuroprotection by Brazilian Green Propolis against In vitro and In vivo Ischemic Neuronal Damage

We examined whether Brazilian green propolis, a widely used folk medicine, has a neuroprotective function in vitro and/or in vivo. In vitro, propolis significantly inhibited neurotoxicity induced in neuronally differentiated PC12 cell cultures by either 24 h hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) exposure or 48 h serum deprivation. Regarding the possible underlying mechanism, propolis protected against oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) in mouse forebrain homogenates and scavenged free radicals [induced by diphenyl-p-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). In mice in vivo, propolis [30 or 100 mg/kg; intraperitoneally administered four times (at 2 days, 1 day and 60 min before, and at 4 h after induction of focal cerebral ischemia by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion)] reduced brain infarction at 24 h after the occlusion. Thus, a propolis-induced inhibition of oxidative stress may be partly responsible for its neuroprotective function against in vitro cell death and in vivo focal cerebral ischemia

Stratified Threshold Values of QuantiFERON Assay for Diagnosing Tuberculosis Infection in Immunocompromised Populations

Background. The detection of latent tuberculosis (TB) is essential for TB control, but T-cell assay might be influenced by degree of immunosuppression. The relationship between immunocompetence and interferon (IFN)-γ response in QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) is uncertain, especially in HIV-negative populations. Methods and Results. QFT has been performed for healthy subjects and TB suspected patients. Of 3017 patients, 727 were diagnosed as pulmonary TB by culture. The absolute number of blood lymphocyte in TB patients was significantly associated with QFT. Definitive TB patients were divided into eight groups according to lymphocyte counts. For each subgroup, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted from 357 healthy control subjects. The optimal cut-off for the patient group with adequate lymphocyte counts was found, but this was reduced for lymphocytopenia. Conclusions. The lymphocyte count was positively associated with QFT. Positive criteria should be calibrated in consideration of cell-mediated immunocompetence and risk of progression to active TB

Application of Electron Beam Melting to the Removal of Phosphorus from Silicon: Toward Production of Solar-Grade Silicon by Metallurgical Processes

Removal methods of impurity from metallurgical-grade silicon (Si) are intensively studied to produce solar-grade silicon (SoG-Si) with a smaller economical load and lower cost. Removal of phosphorus (P) has been an important issue because of difficulties in application of conventional metallurgical methods such as solidification refining. Because P evaporates preferentially from molten Si due to its high vapor pressure, electron beam (EB) melting has been applied to the purification of Si. The evaporation of impurity P from Si is considered based on previous thermodynamic investigations here, and several research reports on EB melting of Si are reviewed

Correlated Rattling of Sodium‐Chains Suppressing Thermal Conduction in Thermoelectric Stannides

物質の熱伝導率を低減させる新機構を発見 --高性能な熱電材料開発の新たな指針に--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-12-27.Tin-based intermetallics with tunnel frameworks containing zigzag Na chains that excite correlated rattling impinging on the framework phonons are attractive as thermoelectric materials owing to their low lattice thermal conductivity. The correlated rattling of Na atoms in the zigzag chains and the origin of the low thermal conductivity is uncovered via experimental and computational analyses. The Na atoms behave as oscillators along the tunnel, resulting in substantial interactions between Na atoms in the chain and between the chain and framework. In these intermetallic compounds, a shorter inter-rattler distance results in lower thermal conductivity, suggesting that phonon scattering by the correlated rattling Na-chains is enhanced. These results provide new insights into the behavior of thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity and suggest strategies for the development of such materials that utilize the correlated rattling

Specifics of Space Cooperation Potential Between Japan and India (IAC-16-E3.1.9)

Space activities in the Asia Pacific region have been increasingly developing and diversifying. Many nations have sought to acquire indigenous space capabilities for a wide variety of reasons. Active commercial and security space activities can also be seen in this region. Asian nations also dream to explore the unknown in outer space by promoting space science and exploration. International space cooperation has also been considered as a key element in developing space activities in this region. In this context, the University of Tokyo (UoT) and National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) have conducted a joint research on regional space policy and programs, especially focusing on policy analysis on space policies in Japan and India as a first step. A recent study by UoT and NIAS has explored lot of commonalities and uniqueness in space policies of the two nations. These commonalities and uniqueness in space policies offer potential opportunities for future space collaboration between the two. As leading spacefaring nations, Japan and India have been playing a key role in developing space activities in the Asia Pacific region. By cooperating together, Japan and India will be able to identify and advance regional common interests in space activities in the region. In particular, recent space policies in Japan and India have placed emphasis on space applications for societal needs such as communication, remote sensing, positioning, and so on. Japan-Indian cooperation in this area will contribute to social development in the Asia Pacific region by complementing and supplementing regional space capabilities. On the other hand, Japan and India have also had substantial experiences in space science and exploration. In this regard, Japan-India joint space mission will also be a potential item for future cooperation and will be a great boost to space science and exploration activities at a regional and global level. A third pillar of collaboration is for industry-to-industry tie-ups and development of commons in space industry in the two nations. Space industrial capabilities in both nations can jointly be involved to develop and offer unique space services in applications of earth observation, satellite communications, disaster management, and security, and undertake joint manufacturing activities. Based on the analysis of the commonalities and uniqueness in space program of Japan and India, this paper examines and explores in detail potential ”mission" opportunities for space cooperation between the two nations. Hopefully, these identifications will help Japan-India space cooperation in the future

Characterization and long-term persistence of immune response following two doses of an AS03A-adjuvanted H1N1 influenza vaccine in healthy Japanese adults

Backgroun

Clinical Study Stratified Threshold Values of QuantiFERON Assay for Diagnosing Tuberculosis Infection in Immunocompromised Populations

Background. The detection of latent tuberculosis (TB) is essential for TB control, but T-cell assay might be influenced by degree of immunosuppression. The relationship between immunocompetence and interferon (IFN)-γ response in QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) is uncertain, especially in HIV-negative populations. Methods and Results. QFT has been performed for healthy subjects and TB suspected patients. Of 3017 patients, 727 were diagnosed as pulmonary TB by culture. The absolute number of blood lymphocyte in TB patients was significantly associated with QFT. Definitive TB patients were divided into eight groups according to lymphocyte counts. For each subgroup, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted from 357 healthy control subjects. The optimal cut-off for the patient group with adequate lymphocyte counts was found, but this was reduced for lymphocytopenia. Conclusions. The lymphocyte count was positively associated with QFT. Positive criteria should be calibrated in consideration of cell-mediated immunocompetence and risk of progression to active TB

Policy Analysis: Space Programmes of Japan And India

Today, increasing number of counties in the Asia Pacific region is using outer space with various purposes. Many countries are also aspiring to acquire indigenous capability for space activities. Moreover, increasing private/commercial activities are seen in this region, which is creating competition in the market for technology, applications and services. Security needs are also major drivers of space activity in many countries. Under the umbrella of Space Policy and LawNetwork in Asia Pacific (SPLANAP), University of Tokyo (Japan) and National Institute of Advanced Studies (India) have taken up a joint study to research and prepare a report on space policies of the Asia Pacific region, especially including Japan, India and many other space faring nations in this region. As the first step of this joint project, the team has undertaken a comparative analysis of space policies in Japan and India. Japan and India are leading space faring countries in this region. In Japan, promoting advanced technology inn ovation and scientific research has been the major policy objective. In addition, space utilization, as well as industrialization of spaceare also primary drivers for the space policy objectives since the enactment of Basic Space Law in 2008. In this rega rd, Japan has faced policy challenges regarding how to promote space utilization and industrialization and how to coordinate policies and goals of various stakeholders. There is a compelling need for a new thinking for space strategy based on the recent changes in Japan’s space policy. On the other hand, India has long history in “space for national development” and has actively used space systems like communication satellite and remote sensing satellite to meet various social needs, which include disaster monitoring, natural resources management, tele-education, tele-medicine, national communication, navigation services and so on. India has also developed some mechanism for policy coordinating between space agency and user organization. In recent years, India has also actively pursued space exploration program, including ambition for human space flight. In a recent study by NIAS, a clear need for a comprehensive national space policy in India has been established. In this context, this paper presents the results of the comparison of space policies and governances in Japan and India and examine commonalities/differences, characteristic, relative strengths/challenges. This comparative analysis contributes to clearly identifying policy challenges faced by the both nations and getting clue to resolving those challenge