Primitive clasts in the Dar al Gani 319 polymict ureilite: Precursors of the ureilites

Primitive clasts in the polymict ureilite Dar al Gani (DaG) 319 include dark clasts, sulfide- or metal-rich clasts, and unusual chondritic fragments. The dark clasts consist mainly of phyllosilicates, sulfides and magnetite with or without fayalitic olivine. The sulfide-rich clasts consist of a silicate-rich matrix and heterogeneously distributed sulfide. The metal-rich clasts consist of a silicate-rich matrix with variable amounts of metal. The unusual chondritic fragments are chondrule and equilibrated chondrite fragments. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the silicate-rich matrices in the sulfide-rich or metal-rich clasts plot on the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral (CCAM) mixing line between Allende matrix and a dark clast in the Nilpena polymict ureilite. Their oxygen isotopic compositions are similar to those of the monomict ureilites. Considering its chondritic composition and oxygen isotopic composition, the silicate-rich matrix of the sulfide-rich clasts is the best candidate for the ureilite precursors. However, the matrix has an Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratio (mg ratio) of 0.56 and is too ferroan to produce the monomict ureilites with mg ratios of 0.74-0.95. Therefore, it may have experienced various degrees of reduction to produce precursors with the mg ratios, needed to form the monomict ureilites as residues during fractional melting. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the unusual chondritic fragments plot near the ordinary chondrites on a 3-isotope diagram, suggesting that they have no direct genetic relationship to the monomict ureilites. They were projectiles that collided with the ureilite parent body (UPB)

Search for 60Ni excesses in MET-78008 ureilite: An ion microprobe study

We have developed a technique for in-situ Ni isotopic analysis using the ion microprobe, in order to detect ^Ni excess from the decay of the short lived nuclide ^Fe (half life=1.5Ma) in ureilite samples. The silicate minerals from MET-78008 ureilite with an old U-Pb age of 4.563±0.006 Ga were analyzed. The ^Fe/^Ni ratios of olivine and orthopyroxene are between 2700 and 5400. In spite of the high Fe/Ni ratios, we could not observe any detectable ^Ni excess. From the mean value of olivine core data, we obtain an upper limit of the ^Fe/^Fe ratio at the time of ureilite formation of 1.8×10^. The time difference between CAI formation and ureilite formation was estimated to be more than 4 million years, which is consistent with the UPb data from the same meteorite. We concluded that the impact event for the disruption of the ureilite parent body happened more than 4 million years after CAI formation. However, a large uncertainty in the initial ^Fe/^Fe ratio is introduced by the possibility that the ^Ni excess observed in CAIs is of nucleosynthetic origin. Our conclusion may change if the initial ^Fe/^Fe ratio of the solar system using CAI data is too high

Changes in body composition parameters with age

Health risks are associated with changes in body composition parameters with age. In the present study, body composition parameters （appendicular skeletal muscle mass ［ASMM］, fat mass ［FM］, and water content ［water］） using bioelectrical impedance analysis （BIA） and total skeletal MM （TSMM） measured by 24-h creatinine excretion （Cr） were obtained in 30 male and 38 female healthy subjects. BIA-ASMM in both sexes and Cr-TSMM in females were negatively correlated with aging, and BIA-FM was negatively correlated with BIA-water in both sexes. Of note, Cr-TSMM was a more sensitive marker of MM than BIA-ASMM. Thus, decreases in BIA-ASMM and Cr- TSMM were the most consistent markers of aging and sarcopenia. This study may help promote nursing care for healthy aging

Petrology of a new basaltic shergottite: Dhofar 378

Dhofar 378 is a new basaltic shergottite, consisting mainly of pyroxenes, plagioclase glass, phosphates, titanomagnetite, and mesostasis. It is one of the most ferroan shergottites and resembles the Los Angeles shergottite. Pyroxenes show remarkable chemical zoning from 0.4 of Mg/(Mg+Fe) to less than 0.1, and their REE patterns are depleted in light REE whereas the REE pattern of the bulk Dhofar 378 is flat. All plagioclase grains in the original lithology completely melted by an intense impact shock, and the plagioclase melts crystallized fibrous plagioclase to form the rims surrounding the plagioclase melts. Then, the melts quenched as plagioclase glass to form the cores. The shock stage of Dhofar 378 is higher than that of the Los Angeles shergottite. The degree of impact shock for Dhofar 378 may be about 55-75GPa and is the highest among all known martian meteorites

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

Recent Advances in Ultrasound Imaging of Breast Lesions

Helminth parasites are known to elicit the immune response towards T helper 2 (Th2)-type, characterized by Th2 related cytokines, that typically include interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-13. In this review we will describe the mechanisms involved in helminth induced Th2 immune response. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) produce thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), which is both necessary and sufficient for the initiation of Th2 cytokine-driven inflammation. IL-33 mRNA is expressed early during parasite infection and IL-33 binds ST2 receptor, both of which are associated with optimal CD4+ Th2 polarization. Following innate immune cell recognition, basophils and mast cell can secrete Th2 type cytokines that are thought to contribute to CD4+ Th2 differentiation. Additionaly, dendritic cell conditioned with some helminth products can promote CD4+ Th2 differentiation. Alternatively activated macrophages, activated by the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in parasitic infections, contribute to the host protective response: control of Th1-type inflammation, wound healing and worm expulsion. Experimentally, helminths have been associated with protection against a number of autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases and type 1 diabetes. It may be a novel strategy to ameliorate autoimmune inflammation by expanding and activating the Th2 response originated from parasites

Alternative to Rituximab Therapy for a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Was Unable to Continue Anti-TNF Therapy

We herein present a case of a 38-year-old man who had bamboo spine and severe sacroiliitis and who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Infliximab (IFX) markedly improved the axial symptom but was discontinued due to the side effect of peripheral neuropathy. Switching from IFX to etanercept worsened the side effect. Rituximab (RTX) administration elicited a good response without side effects. RTX might be a suitable option for AS therapy when TNF inhibitors are difficult to use

Risk Factors for Chronic Damage Accumulation Across Different Onset Eras in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-sectional Analysis of a Lupus Registry of Nationwide Institutions (LUNA)

Chronic damage accumulation affects not only mortality but also quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Risk factors for chronic damage were explored in SLE through different onset eras. Two hundred forty-five patients at Okayama University Hospital and Showa University Hospital were divided into three groups based on the onset era: a past-onset group (onset before 1995; n=83), middle-onset group (1996-2009; n=88), and recent-onset group (after 2010; n=74). The mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) score as an index of chronic damage was 1.93, 1.24, and 0.53 in the past-, middle-, and recent-onset groups, respectively. In the pastonset group, the total SDI score was significantly associated with glucocorticoid monotherapy by linear regression analysis (β-coefficient [β]=0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-1.05) and C-reactive protein levels (β=0.67; 95% CI, 0.27-1.07). In the middle-onset group, the total SDI score was significantly associated with the SLE Disease Activity Index at registration (β=0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.12). Reducing the accumulation of chronic damage in SLE patients might be possible with the concomitant use of immunosuppressants and tight control of disease activity