Dynamic Finite Element Analysis of Impulsive Stress Waves Propagating from Distal End of Femur

The human femur is subjected to an impulsive load at its distal end during daily life. Femoral bone fracture caused by impact loading is common in elderly women. It is important to clarify the dynamic response of the femur and to evaluate the change in its stress state during impact loading. A 3-dimensional model of the femur was prepared in the present study, and the impulsive stress waves propagating from the distal end of the femur were analyzed by the dynamic finite element method. This model showed that the von Mises equivalent stress is large on the anterior and posterior sides of the mid-diaphysis when the impact direction is different from that of the bone axis. As for the femoral neck, the absolute value of minimum principal stress initially increases on the medial side;slightly later the maximum principal stress increases on the lateral side. In this case, the absolute value of the maximum principal stress was found to be larger than that of the minimum principal stress, and the absolute value of the principal stress decreased as the impact angle increased. Further, the femoral neck and the trochanter were shown to have a higher risk of bone fracture when the impact direction is coincident with the bone axis

Global deceleration and inward movements of X-ray knots and rims of RCW 103

Kinematics of shocks, ejecta knots, and the compact remnant of a supernova remnant gives an insight into the nature of the progenitor and surrounding environment. We report on a proper motion measurement of X-ray knots and rims of the magnetar-hosting supernova remnant RCW 103. Chandra data obtained in three epochs, 1999, 2010, and 2016 are used. We find a global deceleration of 12 knots and rims both in northern and southern regions within the last $\sim 24$ yrs, even though its age is thought to be larger than 2 kyr. Some of them even changed their moving directions from outward ($\sim 1,000$ km s$^{-1}$) to inward ($\sim -2,000$ km s$^{-1}$). Our findings can be explained with a collision with a high-density medium both in the northern and southern edges of the remnant, although the remnant may still be expanding in the wind-blown cavity. The proper motion of the associated magnetar 1E161348$-$5055 is possibly detected with a velocity of $\approx 500$ km s$^{-1}$.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

New Function of Autophagy in C. jejuni Invasion

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of food-borne disease worldwide. The pathogenicity of C. jejuni is closely associated with the internalization process in host epithelial cells, which is related to a host immune response. Autophagy indicates a key role in the innate immune system of the host to exclude invasive pathogens. Most bacteria are captured by autophagosomes and degraded by autophagosome-lysosome fusion in host cells. However, several pathogens, such as Salmonella and Shigella, avoid and/or escape autophagic degradation to establish infection. But autophagy involvement as a host immune response to C. jejuni infection has not been clarified. This study revealed autophagy association in C. jejuni infection. During infection, C. jejuni activated the Rho family small GTPase Rac1 signaling pathway, which modulates actin remodeling and promotes the internalization of this pathogen. In this study, we found the LC3 contribution to C. jejuni invasion signaling via the Rac1 signaling pathway. Interestingly, during C. jejuni invasion, LC3 was recruited to bacterial entry site depending on Rac1 GTPase activation just at the early step of the infection. C. jejuni infection induced LC3-II conversion, and autophagy induction facilitated C. jejuni internalization. Also, autophagy inhibition attenuated C. jejuni invasion step. Moreover, Rac1 recruited LC3 to the cellular membrane, activating the invasion of C. jejuni. Altogether, our findings provide insights into the new function of LC3 in bacterial invasion. We found the interaction between the Rho family small GTPase, Rac1, and autophagy-associated protein, LC3

Disability Prevention Programs for Older People: Factors Associated with Medical and Nursing Care Costs

This study aimed to clarify factors associated with medical and nursing care costs for older people living in community and to suggest an effective disability prevention programs. Total of participants in this study was 83 individuals (29 men and 54 women; mean age 81.2 ± 6.3 years old) on November 1st – December 28th, 2014. This study compared the average medical and nursing care costs per month with national average for those aged ≥ 65 years old. Logistic regression test was conducted to examine its association with medical and nursing care costs. Those who had outing activities ≥ 3 times a week were approximately three times less likely to reduce medical and nursing care costs than those who had outing activities < 3 times a week despite three controlled covariates (OR = 3.23 and 95% CI = 1.03 – 10.42). Disability prevention programs that improve frequency of outing at least three times in a week may become a valid economic approach to older people who do not live in nursing home

On climatology in Misasa Spa - Summary for past ten years

Misasa Spa is well known as the most radioactive hot springs in Japan (maximum Rn content: 2330×10(-10) curie/l) and it has been applied to the management of neuralgia, rheumatic diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. In this paper the climatological factors in Misasa Spa during the last decade (1956～1965) are summarized. The main features are as following: 1. The atmospheric temperature attains highest above 30℃ during the last ten days in July and the　first ten days in August. In winter the temperature goes down below 0℃. during the last ten days in January and the first ten days in February. Owing to the high humidity, however, it is not felt so cold. 2. The amount of precipitation is more than 2,000 mm or so through the year. 3. The westwards wind is prevailing. The wind grade of 2～3 are observed most frequently. 4. Approximately 150 days of the year are clear fairly clear. 5. It is proved unexpectedly that it is rich in or the ultraviolet radiation even in winter. The results pointed above may suggest that the therapeutical period is optimal between March and October

Radically Different Thioredoxin Domain Arrangement of ERp46, an Efficient Disulfide Bond Introducer of the Mammalian PDI Family

SummaryThe mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contains a diverse oxidative protein folding network in which ERp46, a member of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, serves as an efficient disulfide bond introducer together with Peroxiredoxin-4 (Prx4). We revealed a radically different molecular architecture of ERp46, in which the N-terminal two thioredoxin (Trx) domains with positively charged patches near their peptide-binding site and the C-terminal Trx are linked by unusually long loops and arranged extendedly, forming an opened V-shape. Whereas PDI catalyzes native disulfide bond formation by the cooperative action of two mutually facing redox-active sites on folding intermediates bound to the central cleft, ERp46 Trx domains are separated, act independently, and engage in rapid but promiscuous disulfide bond formation during early oxidative protein folding. Thus, multiple PDI family members likely contribute to different stages of oxidative folding and work cooperatively to ensure the efficient production of multi-disulfide proteins in the ER