Correlation of Local FOXP3-Expressing T Cells and Th1-Th2 Balance in Perennial Allergic Nasal Mucosa

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play some important roles in allergic rhinitis. The most specific marker for Treg is FOXP3, a recently identified transcription factor that is essential for Treg development. In order to clarify the levels of Treg in allergic nasal mucosa, we studied the relationship between FOXP3-expressing cells and Th1-Th2 balance in nasal mucosa by means of immunohistochemistry. Human turbinates were obtained after turbinectomy from 26 patients (14 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 12 patients with nonallergic rhinitis). To identify the cells expressing the FOXP3 protein, double immunostaining was performed by using anti-FOXP3 antibody and anti-CD3 antibody. There was no significant difference in the percentage of FOXP3+CD3+ cells among CD3+ cells in the nasal mucosa of two groups. The proportion of FOXP3+CD3+ cells tend to be correlated positively with GATA3+CD3+ cells/T-bet+CD3+ cells ratio (R = 0.56, P = 0.04). A positive correlation with GATA3+CD3+/T-bet+CD3+ ratio and FOXP3+CD3+/CD3+ ratio suggests the role of local regulatory T cells as a minimal control of the chronic allergen exposure in nasal mucosa

Fault detection system for ICRF transmission line in LHD

The transmission line is one of the most important components of ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) heating devices. In the case of unexpected trouble on the line, such as a breakdown, immediate power-off is necessary in order to avoid severe damage on the line. Breakdowns are difficult to detect with a reflection monitor, since the reflection may originate from a change in the antenna-plasma coupling. In the Large Helical Device (LHD), a Fault Detection System (FDS) for the transmission line was developed, which detects the breakdown utilizing the unbalance of three signals from the both ends of the line. For the precise balancing in the normal condition, the calibration is iteratively conducted. FDS is insensitive to the change of the antenna impedance, therefore, FDS can detect breakdown clearly. Frequency shift is also detectable with the FDS applied to a long transmission line. Therefore, the self-oscillation accompanying frequency shift could be detected in addition to breakdown

The design of a slit ICRF antenna in EU-DEMO

Although ICRF heating has achieved the high heating efficiency necessary to achieve high-performance plasmas, it has not overcome the reliability and economic problems associated with the antenna structure inside the vacuum vessel in fusion reactors. We suggested a slit ICRF antenna that uses the blanket surface as a transmission line to solve these problems. With a single slit ICRF antenna with a width of 3 m and a height of 15 cm, the electric field strength to the magnetic field direction was successfully suppressed to 5 kV/cm when 20 MW of power radiation was achieved from the single slit. The slit ICRF antenna had a bending angle in the electromagnetic wave transmission path to prevent direct neutron impact on the first wall and a vacuum gate from rapidly preventing water or air leakage accidents. The slit ICRF antenna has a simple structure that allows heating at high power density while minimizing blanket volume reduction