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We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the Type Icn supernova (SN) 2021ckj. Spectral modeling of SN 2021ckj reveals that its composition is dominated by oxygen, carbon and iron group elements, and the photospheric velocity at peak is ~10000 km/s. From the light curve (LC) modeling applied to SNe 2021ckj, 2019hgp, and 2021csp, we find that the ejecta and CSM properties of Type Icn SNe are diverse. SNe 2021ckj and 2021csp likely have two ejecta components (an aspherical high-energy component and a spherical standard-energy component) with a roughly spherical CSM, while SN 2019hgp can be explained by a spherical ejecta-CSM interaction alone. The ejecta of SNe 2021ckj and 2021csp have larger energy per ejecta mass than the ejecta of SN 2019hgp. The density distribution of the CSM is similar in these three SNe, and is comparable to those of Type Ibn SNe. This may imply that the mass-loss mechanism is common between Type Icn (and also Type Ibn) SNe. The CSM masses of SN 2021ckj and SN 2021csp are higher than that of SN 2019hgp, although all these values are within the diversity seen in Type Ibn SNe. The early spectrum of SN 2021ckj shows narrow emission lines from C II and C III, without a clear absorption component, in contrast with that observed in SN 2021csp. The similarity of the emission components of these lines implies that the emitting regions of SNe 2021ckj and 2021csp have similar ionization states, and thus suggests that they have similar properties of the ejecta and CSM, which is inferred also from the LC modeling. Taking into account the difference in the strength of the absorption features, this heterogeneity may be attributed to viewing angle effects in otherwise common aspherical ejecta., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is defined as lymph node metastasis without a detectable origin until after the initial treatment has been performed. The most common occult primary site in the head and neck, as revealed by a review of the published literature, is the oropharynx. An occult primary site in the oral region is extremely rare. We report a rare case of head and neck CUP (HNCUP) in a 69-year-old female patient, wherein the occult primary lesion was a primary intraosseous carcinoma (PIOC) invading the anterior maxilla. During the course of the initial diagnostic workup, no primary lesion could be identified; however, cervical lymph node metastasis to left levels IB and IIA were observed in the patient. A neck dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy was performed. However, the PIOC of the anterior maxilla was identified 6 months after neck treatment and was confirmed as the occult primary tumour of the HNCUP. This case is quite rare and required a comprehensive workup to guide optimal treatment. Careful follow-up or active biopsy should be considered if osteolytic changes are observed in the jaw.

In this work, our aim is to investigate the star formation rate (SFR) of the host galaxies of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the early Universe. To this end, we constructed a sample of 149 luminous (L2 − 10 keV > 1044 erg s−1) X-ray AGNs at z ≥ 3.5 selected in three fields with different depths and observed areas from the Chandra COSMOS Legacy survey, XMM-XXL North, and eROSITA Final Equatorial-Depth Survey. We built their spectral energy distributions (SED) using the available multi-wavelength photometry from X-rays up to the far-IR. Then, we estimated the stellar mass, M*, and the SFR of the AGNs using the X-CIGALE SED fitting algorithm. After applying several quality criteria, we ended up with 89 high-z sources. More than half (55%) of the X-ray sample have spectroscopic redshifts. Based on our analysis, our high-z X-ray AGNs live in galaxies with a median M* = 5.6 × 1010 M⊙ and SFR* ≈ 240 M⊙yr−1. The majority of the high-z sources (∼89%) were found inside or above the main sequence (MS) of star-forming galaxies. Estimations of the normalised SFR, SFRNORM, defined as the ratio of the SFR of AGNs, to the SFR of MS galaxies, show that the SFR of AGNs is enhanced by a factor of ∼1.8 compared to non-AGN star-forming systems. Combining our results with previous studies at lower redshifts, we confirmed that SFRNORM does not evolve with redshift. Using the specific black hole accretion rate (i.e. LX divided by M*), λBHAR, which can be used as a tracer of the Eddington ratio, we found that the majority of AGNs that lie inside or above the MS have higher specific accretion rates compared to sources below the MS. Finally, we found indications that the SFR of the most massive AGN host galaxies (log (M*/M⊙) > 1011.5 − 12) remains roughly constant as a function of M*, in agreement with the SFR of MS star-forming galaxies., GM acknowledges support by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu, ref.MDM2017-0765. IG acknowledges financial support by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme “XMM2ATHENA” under grant agreement No101004168. The research leading to these results has received funding (EPandIG) from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Programme under the AHEAD 2020 project (grantagreementn.871158).

The origin of the diverse light-curve shapes of Type II supernovae (SNe), and whether they come from similar or distinct progenitors, has been actively discussed for decades. Here we report spectropolarimetry of two fast declining Type II (Type IIL) SNe: SN 2013ej and SN 2017ahn. SN 2013ej exhibited high continuum polarization from very soon after the explosion to the radioactive tail phase with time-variable polarization angles. The origin of this polarimetric behavior can be interpreted as the combination of two different aspherical structures, namely an aspherical interaction of the SN ejecta with circumstellar matter (CSM) and an inherently aspherical explosion. Aspherical explosions are a common feature of slowly declining Type II (Type IIP) SNe. By contrast, SN 2017ahn showed low polarization not only in the photospheric phase but also in the radioactive tail phase. This low polarization in the tail phase, which has never before been observed in other Type IIP/L SNe, suggests that the explosion of SN 2017ahn was nearly spherical. These observations imply that Type IIL SNe have, at least, two different origins: they result from stars that have different explosion properties and/or different mass-loss processes. This fact might indicate that 13ej-like Type IIL SNe originate from a similar progenitor to those of Type IIP SNe accompanied by an aspherical CSM interaction, while 17ahn-like Type IIL SNe come from a more massive progenitor with less hydrogen in its envelope., 19 pages, 14 figures; accepted for publication in MNRAS

A thick section plate specimen of a completely refined Gr.91 steel plate met the requirements of ASME code concerning the toughness and creep strengths due to exact control of the chemical composit...

In steel members strengthened by carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates, the thermal stresses are introduced in the steel members, the CFRP plates and the adhesive layers when temperature changes because the linear thermal expansion coefficients of steel and CFRP are mismatched. As so far, the authors proposed a technique to reduce the thermal stress in steel members strengthened by CFRP plates, which involves bonding aluminum alloy plates with CFRP plates. In the proposed method, the thermal stress in steel member can be reduced so that there are negligible levels of stress in steel member when the cross sectional areas of CFRP and aluminum plates are designed to correspond to the coefficient of thermal expansion of steel, even though the thermal stresses are introduced in the CFRP and aluminum plates. In this study, to confirm the maintaining the thermal stress reduction in steel member by proposed method, thermal stress measurement in steel plate strengthened by CFRP and aluminum plates was carried out about 21 months. In this research, the thermal stress introduced in the steel plate strengthened by CFRP plates was also measured. Furthermore, to assume the thermal shear and normal (peel) stresses in adhesive layers, FE analysis with plane stress element was employed. As the result, it was shown the thermal stresses in steel plate with CFRP plate were able to calculate by using composite theory and measured temperature. Furthermore, in steel plate strengthened by CFRP and aluminum plates, the thermal stress introduced in steel plate was negligible-small through the all-season. It was found the thermal stresses in steel plate with CFRP plates as well as CFRP and aluminum plates were also estimated by using composite theory and measured temperature. In the steel plate strengthened by CFRP and aluminum plates, the thermal shear and normal stresses in adhesive layer glued to steel plate become smaller than that in the conventional CFRP bonded specimen. However, the shear stress in adhesive layers between CFRP and aluminum plates in proposed method was higher than the thermal stress in adhesive layers between CFRP plates in conventional method.

Apoptotic cell death plays a pivotal role in the development and/or maintenance of several tissues including thymus. Deregulated thymic cell death is associated with autoimmune diseases including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a prototype murine model for analysis of human multiple sclerosis. Because Thy28 expression is modulated during thymocyte development, we tested whether Thy28 affects induction of EAE as effectively as antigen-induced thymocyte deletion using Thy28 transgenic (TG) mice. Thy28 TG mice showed partial resistance to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-induced thymic cell death in vivo, as assessed by annexin V-expression and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The resistance to anti-CD3 mAb-induced cell death in Thy28 TG mice appeared to correlate with a decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation and reduced down-regulation of Bcl-xL. Moreover, thymic hyperplasia was detected in Thy28 TG mice, although thymocyte development was unaltered. Development of peripheral lymphoid tissues including spleen and lymph nodes was also unaltered. Thy28 TG spleen T cells showed an increased production of IFN-γ, but not IL-17, in response to both anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAbs. Finally, Thy28 TG mice displayed accelerated induction of EAE as assessed by disease incidence, clinical score, and pathology following immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein compared with control WT mice. These findings suggest that modulation of Thy28 expression plays a crucial role in the determination of thymic cell fate, which may contribute to the development of EAE through proinflammatory cytokine production.

In steel members strengthened with carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate, thermal stresses are introduced in the steel members, the CFRP plates and the adhesive layers when temperature changes because the linear thermal expansion coefficients of steel and CFRP are mismatched. Therefore, the thermal stress caused by temperature change has to be considered when designing the repair or strengthening of a steel member with CFRP plates. With this in mind, the authors proposed a technique to reduce thermal stress in steel members strengthened by CFRP plate on both side, which involves bonding aluminum alloy plates with CFRP plates. In this proposed method, the thermal stresses in steel member can be reduced so that there are negligible levels of stress when the cross sectional areas of CFRP and aluminum plates are designed to correspond the coefficient of thermal expansion of steel, even though the thermal stresses are introduced in the CFRP and aluminum plates. So far, a thermal bending moment was not considered in the proposed method, because the steel members strengthened by CFRP-aluminum laminated plate on top and bottom sides were assumed. However, if the proposed method is applied on one side of steel member, the thermal stress in the steel member might not be reduced completely by generated thermal bending moment. Therefore, to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for one-sided bonding, heat tests were conducted on a steel plate with a laminated plate bonded on one side. Additionally, to verify test results and calculate the shear and peel stresses in the adhesive layers, a numerical model that used Eigenvalue analysis was proposed and applied. The tests revealed that using the proposed method to create a two-layered laminated plate consisting of CFRP and aluminum plates could not reduce the thermal stress completely in a thin steel plate. However, it was found that the thermal stress in steel plate can be completely reduced, even in thin steel plate, when the proposed method is used to create a three-layered laminated plate consisting of one CFRP plate between two aluminum plates, which when composited has a thermal bending moment equal to zero.

Due to the demands for expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG), an increase in LNG storage tank constructions is now expected. For over 50 years, 9%Ni steel with excellent mechanical properties at a cryogenic temperature under -162°C has been used as inner-tank material for LNG storage tanks. As nickel is an expensive and a rare metal, a reduction of the nickel content in steel can save construction costs of LNG storage tanks. A new steel plate for LNG storage tanks has been developed by optimizing the chemical composition and applying the latest thermomechanical control process (TMCP) technology. TMCP is a production process wherein the rolling temperature and cooling rate after rolling are controlled, thereby enabling the refining of the microstructure. For the application of the new steel to LNG storage tanks, the brittle crack initiation properties and propagation properties of the base plate and welded joint were analyzed. The new steel has a finer microstructure and larger amount of retained austenite than conventional 9%Ni steel. It was demonstrated through various large-scale fracture tests that the new steel has excellent performance equivalent to conventional 9%Ni steel. The new steel plate (7.0%–7.5%Ni) has already been adopted in an aboveground LNG storage tank in Senboku Terminal 1 of Osaka Gas Corporation. This tank, which has a capacity of 230,000 m3 and is the largest of its kind in the world, was constructed in November 2015. It was confirmed that weldability and formability of new steel in the construction of LNG storage tanks are also equivalent to 9%Ni steel. The LNG storage tank has been safely operating till this day. The newly developed steel (6.0%-7.5%Ni) was standardized in JIS, ASTM, ASME, and API. Furthermore, in addition to Class 9 of ASTM, Class 10 having higher strength was specified. The new steel can be used in LNG storage tanks all over the world.

During 2014 and 2015, NASA's Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission proceeded successfully through Phase C, Design and Development. An X-ray (0.2{12 keV) astrophysics payload destined for the International Space Station, NICER is manifested for launch in early 2017 on the Commercial Resupply Services SpaceX-11 flight. Its scientific objectives are to investigate the internal structure, dynamics, and energetics of neutron stars, the densest objects in the universe. During Phase C, flight components including optics, detectors, the optical bench, pointing actuators, electronics, and others were subjected to environmental testing and integrated to form the flight payload. A custom-built facility was used to co-align and integrate the X-ray \concentrator" optics and silicon-drift detectors. Ground calibration provided robust performance measures of the optical (at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center) and detector (at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) subsystems, while comprehensive functional tests prior to payload-level environmental testing met all instrument performance requirements. We describe here the implementation of NICER's major subsystems, summarize their performance and calibration, and outline the component-level testing that was successfully applied.

We have carried out x-ray diffraction and small-angle x-ray scattering measurements of expanded fluid alkali metal rubidium (Rb) and observed that the nearest neighbor distance decreases despite the fact that the average interatomic distance increases with volume expansion, indicating that the attractive force among ions is enhanced. Such structural change emerges in the density range where the fluid is still metallic. The density range also corresponds with the region where the instability of the electron gas has been theoretically predicted, suggesting the modulation in the charge fluctuations of the electron gas plays an essential role for such enhanced attraction among ions. Motivated by these unusual structural features, we have moved on investigating the electronic state in expanded fluid Rb through synchrotron-based high-resolution Compton scattering experiments. We have succeeded in measuring the Compton profile of fluid Rb using newly developed a high-pressure vessel for the Compton scattering experiments.

Background: Since the 1990s, primary endocrine therapy has been considered the gold standard in the adjuvant and metastatic treatment settings for estrogen and/or progesterone receptor (ER and/or PgR) positive breast cancer. This therapy has also been shown to be effective as neo-adjuvant endocrine therapy in these indications. In recent years, the focus of clinical interest has shifted to the third-generation aromatase inhibitors from tamoxifen. The optimal treatment duration time and causal relationship between neo-adjuvant endocrine therapy and survival, however, are not clear. We therefore conducted the present study to investigate the potential benefits of neo-adjuvant exemestane (E) therapy with the goal of identifying the optimal treatment duration (4 months versus 6 months). Methods: Conducted at three hospitals in Japan, this study was a multicenter, randomized phase II trial of pre-operative E treatment in postmenopausal women with untreated primary breast cancer. Fifty postmenopausal women with ER positive and/or PgR positive invasive breast cancer were randomly assigned to E (25 mg/day) for 4 months (4 mo) or E (25 mg/day) for 6 months (6 mo). All patient data were collected by UMIN and were analyzed by the National Cancer Center in Japan. Tumor regression (by clinical examination, ultrasound, and MRI), pathological response, shift towards breast-conserving surgery, and safety assessments were the main outcome measures. Results: Of the 50 patients that enrolled, 28 patients had undergone surgery. The mean ages in the 4 mo and 6 mo treatment groups were 66.7 years and 66.8 years, respectively. No significant differences in the patient characteristics were found in the two groups. The response rates (partial or complete responses) by clinical examination in the 4 mo and 6 mo groups were 37.5% and 50%, respectively. Pathological responses (minimal response or better) were found in 13.3% and 41.7% of patients and a partial mastectomy was performed in 50.0% and 58.3% of patients after 4 mo and 6 mo, respectively. Conclusion: To date, the results of this study demonstrate that treatment with E for 6 mo was more efficacious than treatment with E for 4 mo. Further work is in progress to obtain data from additional patients and to identify the optimal duration of neo-adjuvant E. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-07.

We studied the levels of immunoglobulins in colostrum, milk and sera from two common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) mothers (M1 and M2), and in sera from their newborn infants. During pregnancy they continued intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG). Antibody levels from maternal and cord blood collected at delivery and colostrum and milk, collected on the 3rd and 7th post-partum days, respectively, were analyzed. Although cord/maternal blood ratios of total immunoglobulins and subclasses, as well as specific antibodies differed between M1 and M2, both showed good placental transfer of anti-protein and anti-polysaccharide antibodies, despite lower cord/maternal blood ratios in M2. Anti-Streptococcus pneumoniae antibody avidity indexes were similar between paired maternal and cord serum. Both mothers' colostrum and milk samples showed only traces of IgA, and IgM and IgG levels in colostrum were within normal range in M1, whereas M2 presented elevated IgG and low IgM levels, when compared with healthy mothers. The study of colostrum and milk activity showed that they strongly inhibited enteropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesion in vitro. CVID patients must be informed about the relevance of regular IVIG administration during pregnancy, not only for their own health but also for their immune immature offspring. Breast-feeding should be encouraged as colostra from these CVID patients strongly inhibited E. coli adhesion to human epithelial cells thus providing immunological protection plus nutritional and psychological benefits for the infant.

In this report, we describe a patient who contracted fatal cryptococcosis after the induction of hemodialysis. A 76-year-old man was hospitalized to initiate hemodialysis. On admission, clinical findings showed no signs of any infections, and hemodialysis was inducted favorably. On the 6th hospital day he suddenly had a dyspnea and died from acute respiratory failure having a dyspnea for only 6 h. By microscopic examination at autopsy, we detected microemboli in the pulmonary capillary arteries caused by Cryptococcus and that the embolic source was a multiple-abscessed spleen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary capillary microembolism caused by cryptococcemia.

LONG HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) is a bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factor that activates photomorphogenesis and root development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Previously, STF1 (soybean [Glycine max] TGACG-motif binding factor 1), a homologous legume protein with a RING-finger motif and a bZIP domain, was reported in soybean. To investigate the role of STF1, the phenotypes of transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing STF1 and HY5 were compared. In addition, the DNA-binding properties of STF1 and HY5 were extensively studied using random binding site selection and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Overexpression of STF1 in the hy5 mutant of Arabidopsis restored wild-type photomorphogenic and root development phenotypes of short hypocotyl, accumulation of chlorophyll, and root gravitropism with partial restoration of anthocyanin accumulation. This supports that STF1 is a homolog of HY5 with a role in light and hormone signaling. The DNA-binding properties of STF1 and HY5 are shown to be similar to each other in recognizing many ACGT-containing elements with a consensus sequence motif of 5′-(G/A)(G/A) TGACGT(C/G/A)(A/T/G)-3′. The motif represents a characteristically strong preference for flanking sequence to TGACGT and a larger sequence than the sequences recognized by the G-box binding factor and TGA protein families. The finding of C-box, hybrid C/G-, and C/A-boxes as high-affinity binding sites over the G-box and parameters associated with HY5 recognition define the criteria of HY5/STF1 protein-DNA interaction in the promoter regions. This study helps to predict the precise in vivo binding sites of the HY5 protein from the vast number of putative HY5 genomic binding sites analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation on chip.

We developed a trigger system for the measurement of proton-induced rare hadronic reactions around the beam kinetic energy T p = 400 MeV based on highly segmented trigger scintillation detectors and programmable logic modules. The trigger system was designed to enhance events with the negative-pion production by the difference of the curvatures of the particle tracks in a magnetic field. Since the production cross-section of the negative-pion by the proton-induced reactions was smaller by about 3 orders of magnitude than the total cross-section around the beam energy, we expected large reduction of the trigger rate by the negative-pion selection. The construction of the trigger system was not trivial due to a large detector acceptance that was inevitable to measure the rare reactions. The performance of the trigger system was evaluated by using T p = 430 MeV proton beams. An excellent reduction, more than 2 orders of magnitude reduction, of the background events was achieved.

We present a spectroscopic survey of galaxies in the COSMOS field using the Fiber Multi-Object Spectrograph (FMOS), a near-infrared instrument on the Subaru Telescope. Our survey is specifically designed to detect the Halpha emission line that falls within the H-band (1.6-1.8 um) spectroscopic window from star-forming galaxies with 1.4 < z < 1.7 and M_stellar>~10^10 Msolar. With the high multiplex capability of FMOS, it is now feasible to construct samples of over one thousand galaxies having spectroscopic redshifts at epochs that were previously challenging. The high-resolution mode (R~2600) effectively separates Halpha and [NII]6585 thus enabling studies of the gas-phase metallicity and photoionization state of the interstellar medium. The primary aim of our program is to establish how star formation depends on stellar mass and environment, both recognized as drivers of galaxy evolution at lower redshifts. In addition to the main galaxy sample, our target selection places priority on those detected in the far-infrared by Herschel/PACS to assess the level of obscured star formation and investigate, in detail, outliers from the star formation rate - stellar mass relation. Galaxies with Halpha detections are followed up with FMOS observations at shorter wavelengths using the J-long (1.11-1.35 um) grating to detect Hbeta and [OIII]5008 that provides an assessment of extinction required to measure star formation rates not hampered by dust, and an indication of embedded Active Galactic Nuclei. With 460 redshifts measured from 1153 spectra, we assess the performance of the instrument with respect to achieving our goals, discuss inherent biases in the sample, and detail the emission-line properties. Our higher-level data products, including catalogs and spectra, are available to the community., 26 pages, Updated version resubmitted to ApJSS; Data products and catalogs are now available at http://member.ipmu.jp/fmos-cosmos/

OBJETIVO: Estudar a produção de anticorpos a antígenos polissacarídicos em pacientes com ataxia-telangiectasia CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Utilizando a técnica de ELISA, determinamos os níveis de IgG aos sorotipos 1, 3, 5, 6B, 9V e 14 do pneumococo em 14 pacientes com ataxia-telangiectasia, antes e após a imunização com a vacina pneumocócica 23-valente. Resposta adequada a cada sorotipo foi definida como IgG > 1,3 µg/ml ou o incremento de quatro vezes dos níveis pós em relação aos pré-imunização. RESULTADOS: Seis pacientes (43%) não responderam a todos os sorotipos analisados, quatro a apenas um sorotipo, um paciente a dois, dois a três e apenas um paciente a quatro dos seis sorotipos analisados. Nenhum paciente apresentou resposta adequada a todos os sorotipos testados. Os níveis de IgG ao pneumococo pós-imunização foram superiores aos pré-imunização para todos os sorotipos testados, exceto o 3. Apesar disso, os valores médios pós-imunização foram inferiores a 1,3 µg/ml para todos os sorotipos analisados, exceto o 14. A média de incremento da resposta foi inferior a quatro para todos os sorotipos analisados. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que pacientes com ataxia-telangiectasia têm grande risco de apresentar resposta inadequada ao pneumococo, o que pode ser uma das causas das infecções sinopulmonares de repetição.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the production of antibodies to polysaccharide antigens in patients with ataxia-telangiectasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used the ELISA technique to measure the levels of IgG antibodies to serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6B, 9V and 14 of Streptococcus pneumoniae in 14 patients with ataxia-telangiectasia before and after immunization with 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine. Adequate response to individual polysaccharide can be defined as a postimmunization antibody titer equal to or greater than 1.3 µg/ml or as a minimum fourfold increase over the baseline (preimmunization) value. RESULTS: Six (43%) patients showed an absent response to all serotypes analyzed. Four patients showed adequate response to only one serotype, one patient to two serotypes, two patients to three serotypes and only one patient to four out of six serotypes analyzed. No patient had adequate response to all serotypes tested. Postimmunization pneumococcus IgG levels were higher than preimmunization levels to all serotypes analyzed, except for serotype 3. In spite of this, the mean postimmunization levels were lower than 1.3 µg/ml in all serotypes, except for serotype 14. Mean increment was less than four in all serotypes analyzed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients with ataxia-telangiectasia are at a high risk of having an impaired response to pneumococcus, which may be one of the causes of recurrent sinopulmonary infections in these patients.

Fan-out process is one of the major technologies within WLP(Wafer Level Package), where silicon chips are buried into the mold substrate. (Fan-Out WLP)(Fig.1, 2)[1] We have developed the exposure system applying advantage of direct imaging technology with using no-mask or reticle. The system has the capability of compensating displacement of the chips on the reconfigured substrate. We have been successful that the system was able to do alignment exposure with accuracy of equal or less than 2um at |Ave.| + 3 σ.

Magnetic Compton profiles (MCP) have been measured in the [100], [110] and [001] directions on the single crystals of La 2−2 x Sr 1+2 x Mn 2 O 7 ( x =0.30, 0.35 and 0.42) at 10 K. The occupation numbers in t 2g and two e g type orbitals ( x 2 − y 2 and 3 z 2 − r 2 ) of Mn-3 d state are evaluated from the line-shape analysis of MCP's in the [001] direction by using theoretical profiles derived from the ab initio calculations for (MnO 6 ) 8− cluster. It has been found that the e g state is dominated by the x 2 − y 2 type orbital at every hole concentration, x , and the 3 z 2 − r 2 type orbital population decreases with increasing x . From the result, the connections of e g orbital state with the electron correlation effect, exchange interactions, lattice distortion and electronic inhomogeneity are discussed.

Background: The retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway, which governs cell cycle progression, is frequently genetically altered in cancer, causing deregulated expression of the E2F-1 transcription factor, which promotes DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression. Recent studies show that E2F-1 also participates in apoptosis induction in a p53 dependent or independent manner. Despite its crucial role and paradoxical effects on cell turnover, the function of E2F-1 in human cancer is unclear. Aims: To evaluate E2F-1 expression using immunohistochemistry in 43 surgically resected oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) specimens. Methods: This study analysed the association of E2F-1 with tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis and the upstream regulators modulating these processes, and its impact on patient outcome. Tumour cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed as percentage of MIB-1 positive or apoptotic cells (MIB-1 labelling index (MI) and apoptotic index (AI)), respectively. Results: Entire specimens showed abnormal expression of one or more upstream regulators of pRb/E2F-1. Although E2F-1 positivity was not associated with the expression of upstream regulators, it showed a linear and positive correlation with MI but not AI. Patients with high MI, low AI, or high E2F-1 positivity had significantly shorter recurrence free survival. By multivariate analysis, high MI and low AI were independently associated with recurrence free survival, but E2F-1 was not. Conclusions: Increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis are associated with adverse prognosis in patients with OSCC. Although E2F-1 remains a controversial prognostic factor, its expression was closely associated with tumour cell proliferation and might influence clinical outcome, mainly via cell cycle progression.

Here we describe 2 patients with acute leukemia in whom human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) encephalitis developed after cord blood transplantation. In patients 1 and 2, generalized seizure and coma developed on day 62 and day 15, respectively, after cord blood transplantation, which failed to engraft in patient 1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patient 1's brain showed low-intensity signals at the gyri of the bilateral lateral lobes on T1-weighted images and high-intensity signals on T2-weighted images. MRI of patient 2's brain showed high-intensity signals in bilateral white matter on T2-weighted images and on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed an increased protein level with pleocytosis in patient 1 and a normal protein level without pleocytosis in patient 2. Polymerase chain reaction analysis detected HHV-6 DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid of both patients. Patient 1 recovered after administration of gancyclovir for 3 weeks. However, she again suffered from encephalitis after discontinuation of gancyclovir, and died of sepsis. Patient 2 died from an anoxic brain caused by generalized seizure. When neurological symptoms and signs appear in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients, we should consider HHV-6 encephalitis and promptly and empirically treat them with gancyclovir or foscarnet.

Aims: The long-term effects of dietary diacylglycerol (DAG) on body fat and lipid metabolism were studied in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Methods: Ten patients (seven males, three females) ranging in age from 40 to 64 years were enrolled. During the test period, 9.8g of DAG was ingested per day for 3 months. Results: Body mass index did not change throughout the study. The abdominal fat area measured by CT scan decreased significantly at 3 months, and increased significantly 3 months after completion of the DAG ingestion period. The serum composition of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) decreased significantly at 3 months and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly at 3 months; these were determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Serum lipoprotein (a) decreased significantly at 3 months. Conclusions: Our study showed that 3-month ingestion of DAG reduced the amount of abdominal fat and improved serum lipid profiles in free-living HD patients.

OBJETIVO: Rever as publicações recentes mais relevantes sobre alergia medicamentosa e oferecer ao clínico subsídios para uma maior compreensão dessa problemática de grande relevância para a saúde pública. FONTES DOS DADOS: Busca de artigos originais e revisões indexados nas bases MEDLINE, Pubmed e Lilacs, publicados na última década, relacionando o tema de alergia a medicamentos com mecanismos imunológicos, epidemiologia, diagnóstico laboratorial, lesões cutâneas, manejo clínico e reexposição ao fármaco. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: As reações alérgicas representam um terço das reações adversas a medicamentos. São consideradas eventos raros, mas com elevada morbimortalidade. Apesar da descrição de Gell & Coombs, útil para classificar reações alérgicas a fármacos, algumas permanecem sem classificação devido ao desconhecimento dos mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos. A existência de subpopulações de células T com características diversas daquelas comumente descritas revela a complexidade do tema e, ao mesmo tempo, elucida inúmeras questões inerentes ao mesmo. Recentemente, um novo conceito de apresentação de fármaco a linfócitos T surgiu, diante de evidências crescentes do seu envolvimento nas lesões cutâneas decorrentes de reações alérgicas a medicamentos. Na prática clínica, é muito difícil a correlação de sinais e sintomas das reações alérgicas a medicamentos com o mecanismo imunológico envolvido sem o auxílio de testes laboratoriais. Testes cutâneos in vivo e testes in vitro têm sido empregados nas suspeitas de reações alérgicas a medicamentos. No entanto, há poucos produtos comerciais adequados para sua execução. CONCLUSÕES: As reações alérgicas a fármacos constituem uma fração importante dos eventos adversos a medicamentos. É importante enfatizar a necessidade de notificação dessas reações pelos profissionais envolvidos no tratamento do paciente de forma sistematizada, por meio de ações de farmacovigilância, bem como a identificação dos possíveis mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos através de testes laboratoriais, história e avaliação clínica detalhadas.OBJECTIVE: This review addresses the most recent published literature regarding drug allergy, in order to provide physicians with a background for a better understanding of this problem of great relevance for public health. SOURCES OF DATA: The sources of data for obtaining the original and review articles published in the last 10 years were MEDLINE, Pubmed and Lilacs. The articles chosen for this review relate drug allergy to immunological mechanisms, epidemiology, clinical and laboratory evaluation, skin lesions, clinical management, and re-exposure to the drug. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Allergic reactions represent one third of adverse drug reactions. They are considered rare but with high morbimortality. Gell & Coombs' definition has been useful for classifying some types of drug allergic reactions; however, some still remain without classification because of poor knowledge of the mechanisms involved. The existence of T cell subpopulations with diverse characteristics reveals the complexity of the subject and, at the same time, elucidates several questions raised about it. It was recently postulated a new concept of chemically inert drug presentation to T cells, restricted to the major histocompatibility complex, but in a non-covalent and labile way. In clinical practice, without adequate laboratory tests, it is difficult to correlate clinical symptoms and immunological mechanisms. In vitro and in vivo skin tests have been employed in cases of suspected drug allergy reaction. However, there are very few commercially available reagents. CONCLUSIONS: Drug allergy constitutes an important problem in adverse drug reactions because of its potential of morbidity and mortality. It is necessary to emphasize the relevance of pharmacovigilance during treatment of patients, as well as the identification of possible immunological mechanisms involved in the events, through laboratory tests and detailed history and clinical evaluation.

We report on the in situ observation of temperature-driven drastic morphology evolution and surface pre-melting of the Bi(0 0 1) nanofilm deposited on the Si(1 1 1)-7 × 7 surface by use of spot-profile-analyzing low-energy electron diffraction (SPA-LEED). Surface step density of the single-crystalline, epitaxial Bi(0 0 1) film decreases above 350 K in a critical manner. On annealed Bi(0 0 1) films, we have detected surface pre-melting with a transition temperature of 350 K, which yields reversible diffraction intensity drop in addition to the harmonic Debye–Waller behavior. The observed surface flattening of the as-deposited film is driven by the increased amount of mobile adatoms created through the surface pre-melting.

Aims: Several studies have reported that dysregulation of β catenin or k-ras mutation promotes cyclin D1 expression. This study investigated the relation between cyclin D1 expression and clinicopathological parameters in carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (CAV), and also assessed the relation between increased cyclin D1 expression and β catenin/k-ras status in this series. Methods: Thirty CAVs were evaluated for cyclin D1 expression by immunohistochemistry in relation to patient clinicopathological features. Aberrant β catenin expression and k-ras mutation were also investigated by immunostaining and direct sequencing, and related to cyclin D1 expression. Results: Increased cyclin D1 expression was seen in 17 of 30 CAVs and was significantly correlated with tumour cell proliferation and disease free survival time (p = 0.018, p = 0.018, respectively). Nuclear accumulation of β catenin was found in nine of 30 cases, including four cases with missense mutations in exon 3 of CTNNB-1, and was significantly correlated with increased cyclin D1 expression (p = 0.003). k-ras gene mutation was detected in 12 of 30 cases, and was also significantly correlated with increased cyclin D1 expression (p = 0.026). Overall, 14 of 17 CAVs with increased cyclin D1 expression showed nuclear accumulation of β catenin and/or k-ras mutation. Conclusions: Increased cyclin D1 expression appears to be associated with tumour proliferation and poorer clinical outcome in CAV. It is also associated with both aberrant β catenin expression and k-ras mutation. These results are consistent with the in vitro data that cyclin D1 can be transactivated by activated β catenin–T cell factor/LEF and k-ras pathways.

We propose an HMM-based text-indicated writer verification method, which is based on a challenge and response type of authentication process. In this method, a different text including ordinary characters is used on every occasion of verification. This text can be selected automatically by the verification system so as to reflect a specific writer's personal features. The specific writer is accepted only when the same text as indicated by the verification system is inputted, and the system can verify the writer's personal features from the inputted text. Moreover, the characters used in the verification process can be different from those in the enrollment process. This method makes it more difficult to get away with forged handwriting than the previous methods using only signatures. In the proposed method, the characteristics of the indicated text and each writer's personal features are both represented by using hidden Markov models.

This study introduces a method of locally controlling heat flux for preventing micrometre-order deformation with injection molding of miniature products. The experiment used a 98×98×117 mm size mold assembly to produce a box-shaped product of 30×15×6 mm with 1 mm thick walls. The mold had heat flux sensors with thermocouples embedded at depths of 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm from the surface, a sensor to measure the pressure on the ϕ1 mm ejecting pin. ϕ1 mm double wall pipe coolers, and ϕ1 mm bar-shaped heaters. The mold locally controlled the heat flux for each injection cycle or mold zone. The control improved the straightness of the miniature product from 20 μm to 3 μm.

9-(4′-Aminophenyl)-9H-pyrido [3,4-b] indole (aminophenylnorharman, APNH) is a novel mutagenic heterocyclic amine, produced by the reaction of norharman with aniline in the presence of S9 mix. In the present study, the maternal and developmental toxicity of APNH were investigated in ICR mice administered oral doses of 0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg/day on gestational days (GD) 6 through 15 or 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg on GD 12. Maternal and foetal parameters were evaluated on day 18 of gestation. Foetuses of dams treated on GD 6–15 were examined for external and skeletal malformations and variations, and foetuses of dams treated on GD 12 were inspected for cleft palate. Maternal death occurred when APNH was administered at 5 mg/kg/day on GD 6 –15. No significant decrease in body weight gain during the administration period was observed at doses of 2.5 mg/kg/day or less when applied on GD 6– 15. Adverse changes in general condition of dams were observed in the groups treated at doses of 2.5 mg/kg/day and above on GD 6 –15, whereas no adverse effects on dams were noted even when APNH was applied at a fairly high dose on GD 12. Intracytoplasmic vacuolation in hepatocytes, necrosis of proximal tubular epithelial cells and desquamation of necrotic epithelial cells in the tubular lumen were observed in dams treated with APNH at 2.5 or 5 mg/kg/day on GD 6 –15. Increased pre-implantation loss was observed at 5 mg/kg/day and post-implantation loss was observed at 2.5 mg/kg/day and above when applied on GD 6–15, or at 20 mg/kg when applied on GD 12. Foetal body weight was decreased by APNH in a dose-dependent manner. The frequency of external malformations (cleft palate) was significantly increased in the group treated with APNH at 2.5 mg/kg/day on GD 6–15 compared to the controls. However, there were no foetuses with cleft palate even when APNH was given at 20 mg/kg on GD 12. No significant increases in skeletally malformed foetuses were found in any APNH-treated group. The frequency of lumbar ribs was increased dose dependently. This study demonstrated the develop-mental toxicity of a mutagenic compound, APNH, in mice at maternally toxic doses, and that cleft palate observed in term foetuses resulted from the adverse effect of APNH on the maternal environment during organogenesis. More detailed studies are warranted to assess the possible risks to pregnant women from exposure to APNH. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2002) 21, 147 – 151.

Microholes with a diameter of 10 μm were drilled in glass by ultrasonic vibration cutting using a microtool fabricated by wire electrodischarge grinding. The workpiece was vibrated in order to realize high-precision tool rotation. Cutting was performed in the ductile regime at a depth of cut of 0.05 μm, leaving neither fractures nor cracks around the rim of the hole. The application of ultrasonic vibrations resulted in (1) a decrease in the required cutting force, (2) an extension of the tool life, (3) an increase in the permissible penetration and tool length and (4) smoother machined surfaces.

X-ray Compton scattering measurements have been carried out for fluid rubidium (Rb) from near the melting point up to the critical regions. The electron kinetic energy (KE) was derived from the valence Compton profiles and its relative variation as a function of the fluid density was compared with that of the electron gas model. Reduction in the KE occurs more slowly than that predicted by the model as the fluid density decreases and an apparent deviation in the KE from the model is observed at the densities where the fluid is still metallic. These findings suggest that a fluctuation intrinsic to the low-density electron gas causes charge inhomogeneity in valence electrons in real fluid rubidium, being coupled with ionic density fluctuations.

Magnetic regenerator materials, such as HoCu2, Er3Ni, Gd2O2S, and so on, are always needed to produce the cooling power at the temperature of 4.2 K using regenerative cryocoolers. The use of a large quantity of magnetic regenerator materials affects directly the fabrication cost of 4K cryocoolers. From this point of view, we introduce a magnetic regenerator material economizing method in this paper. An innovative regenerator structure was adopted for two-stage Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler. The structure has a bakelite rod inserted in the co-axial layout of the 2nd stage regenerator in which HoCu2 spheres are filled. The cold temperature side of the 2nd stage regenerator is occupied with 50% by volume of the bakelite rod and HoCu2 spheres, and the warm side is packed with lead (Pb) spheres as a single layer. The bakelite rod is a dummy volume. Two types of conventional GM cryocoolers with power consumption of 1.3 and 7.3 kW, respectively, are tested. The experimental results show that the filling volume...

A high prevalence of systemic infections caused by enterobacteria such as Escherichia coli is observed during the neonatal period. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the major factors responsible for septic shock caused by these Gram-negative bacteria. We have recently demonstrated the presence of anti-LPS immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies in cord blood with a repertoire identical to that found in maternal serum. In the present study, we analyzed anti-LPS O111 antibody isotypes in maternal serum and colostrum from mothers and in cord serum from their respective full-term (n = 30) and preterm (n = 13) neonate infants. The main isotype found in serum samples from mothers of term infants was IgM (range between 28 and 54 mg/l), followed by IgA (1-2 mg/l) and IgG (2-3 mg/l). The range of IgG antibody concentrations in cord blood was between 2 and 3 mg/l, as a result of placental transfer. A novel observation in our study was that the LPS bands recognized by colostral antibodies were completely different from those recognized by IgG in serum. Colostral IgA antibodies recognized several bands not bound by serum IgG antibodies from the respective maternal serum, independently of the antibody quantity. In addition, we verified the pattern of LPS recognition by serum IgA and colostral IgA antibodies was identical, what suggested that the antibody isotype found in serum could probably be derived from differentiated IgA-positive cells which were homing to the mucosa through the mucosal homing mechanism. Identical pattern of recognition was obtained comparing the IgA and IgM isotypes in colostrum. Slight differences in the pattern of recognition were found between colostral and serum IgM antibodies. The fact that colostral antibodies recognize much more bands than serum antibodies may be important for the host to mount an effective immune response in the intestinal lumen, in order to prevent excessive absorption of LPS, reducing possible systemic effects caused by the molecule.

A review of data processing of electromagnetic emission observation collected at the Complex Geophysical Observatory Karimshino (Kamchatka peninsula) during the first 5 months (July–November, 2000) of its operation is given. The main goal of this study addresses the detection of the phenomena associated with Kamchatka seismic activity. The following observations have been conducted at CGO: variations of ULF/ELF magnetic field, geoelectric potentials (telluric currents), and VLF signals from navigation radio transmitters. The methods of data processing of these observations are discussed. The examples of the first experimental results are presented.

Background: Fanconi`s anemia (FA) is a rare recessive chromosomal instability disorder, characterized by progressive bone marrow failure and congenital defects. Patients with FA present with recurrent infections, particularly those of the respiratory tract. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether patients with FA have altered antibody-mediated immune responses. Methods: A group of 12 patients with FA, 5–32 years old (6 males) was studied. Serum levels of IgG, IgM, IgA and IgG subclasses, isohemagglutinin titers and specific IgG antibodies to poliovirus and measles were determined using standard methods. Immediate skin tests to common inhalant allergens were performed, and total and specific serum IgE was quantitated using a fluoroenzymatic assay (Uni-CAP, Pharmacia). Antipneumococcal antibodies were measured by ELISA before and 4–8 weeks after immunization with pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumo 23, Pasteur Mérieux Connaught). Responses to serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6B, 9V and 14, which are the most prevalent in our country, were studied. Results: Ten patients had elevated IgE levels in sera, and 7 of them had detectable specific IgE and positive immediate skin tests. An inadequate response to pneumococcal vaccination was found in 2 of the 12 patients. Isohemagglutinin titers and levels of IgG, IgM, IgA and IgG subclasses and antipoliovirus and antimeasles antibodies were within the normal limits for age in all patients. Two patients had undetectable IgG4 levels (below 5 mg/dl). Conclusions: The results indicate that a proportion of patients with FA (2/12) in our study had inadequate responses to pneumococcal vaccination. No other significant abnormalities of the immune system were found in these patients.

This research has developed an integrated manufacturing system for ϕ300mm silicon wafer, using fixed abrasive instead of conventional free slurry, to provide a totally integrated solution for achieving the surface roughness Ra < 1nm (Ry < 5∼6 nm) and the global flatness < 0.2μm/ϕ300mm. In addition to the space saving, this integrated system also significantly reduces the total energy consumption by 70%, compared with the current process used for ϕ200mm Si wafer. Three core technologies: the hybrid process mechanics, the GMM (giant magnetostrictive material) actuated positioning/alignment device and the ecologically friendly coolant circulation system are described in this paper. The system performance and results are then presented and discussed.