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Extensive pilot plant experimental studies for a period of one year were carried out to study the impact of climatic conditions on the operational performance of an innovative Fresnel solar collecting system. The solar measurements revealed that the total yearly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) on the tested site amounts to 1132 kWh/m2. The thermal collector efficiency, which depends on climatic conditions such as solar insolation, ambient temperature, receiver temperature as well as heat losses, ranges from 60% to 80%. The cost effectiveness when the tested Fresnel solar collection system with solar multiple of 1.0 (limited to day time operation) is combined with a commercial thermal desalination plant is compared with one completely run by fossil fuel. The breakeven fuel cost whereby the levelized cost of water of the two cases will be equal is yielded at a fuel cost of $92/bbl. When the tested Fresnel solar collection system is run at a location with a relatively high annual DNI level (1937 kWh/m2), the fuel breakeven cost falls to $52/bbl. This study also revealed that combining a Fresnel solar collection system with an MED thermal desalination plant under specific climatic conditions is considered more cost effective when operated without thermal energy storage.

本稿は， 福祉社会学でのケアをめぐる研究において， ケアの場に対する相互行為分析の応用可能性， 有効性について検証することを目的とした方法論的考察であり， とくにエスノメソドロジーに焦点をあててその確認を行った． まず， ケアを 「ケア」 として成立せしめている状況は， その場における人びとの相互行為によってつくられることを確認した上で， 社会福祉の近接領域での比較的数少ない先行研究のうち， 2 つを検討した． その結果まず第 1 には， 科学的理論化の態度が他者理解の本質とはなりえず， それが根ざす他者と共にある社会的場面での実践においてケア （療育） が問われるべきで， そのための経験的研究が促されることについて確認しえた． また第 2 に， エスノメソドロジーの観点に基づくビデオエスノグラフィーを用いた研究について検討し， この方法がケアの場のように言葉を介さないような空間においても分析が有効であること， さらに社会福祉領域でのケアに関しても応用可能であるとみなされ， ケアという相互行為の社会学的解明にとって有効であることが確認できた．

Accumulating evidence indicates that VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) play a central role in the development of peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) associated with human brain tumors. However, the roles of these proteins, particularly of MMP-9, in PTBE associated with benign meningiomas have not been elucidated. We investigated the association between clinical features and biological factors, such as VEGF and MMP-9, and the incidence of PTBE and edema index (EI) in 60 patients with benign meningiomas. In this study, supratentorial lesions were examined for evaluating the extent of PTBE in the surrounding normal brain tissue. VEGF and MMP-9 expression was immunohistochemically examined. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of pial blood supply (odds ratio [OR] 12.250; P = 0.0096) and VEGF (OR 7.683; P = 0.0155), but not MMP-9 (OR 1.178; P = 0.8113), expression are significant factors that independently predict the incidence of PTBE and influence EI. VEGF (P = 0.0397) and MMP-9 (P = 0.0057) expression correlates with the presence of pial blood supply. Moreover, tumors with high VEGF and MMP-9 expression had higher EIs than those with high expression of either (P = 0.030). Our findings suggest that MMP-9 expression was positively related to VEGF expression and pial blood supply and promoted the occurrence of PTBE by inducing the disruption of the arachnoid membrane and formation of pial blood supply.

It is important to understand how long-term geological phenomena such as uplift and erosion influence deep hydrogeological and hydrochemical environments, and to predict the influence of such long-term geological phenomena in the future for the geological disposal of nuclear wastes. From the viewpoint of groundwater flow, it is necessary to estimate long-term topographic changes, and to evaluate their influence on deep groundwater flow conditions. In this study, the influence of long-term topographic change on deep groundwater flow conditions was numerically assessed. The general paleotopographic features of a wide area were estimated and groundwater flow simulations were carried out around the Tono area. As a result, the effects of long-term topographic changes and hydraulic features of faults on groundwater flow conditions, such as hydraulic gradient, velocity distribution, flow paths, and lengths, were confirmed. In general, if topographic characteristics such as locations of major mountains and valleys around the site have not changed, the groundwater flow paths will not significantly change. The methodology, which is proposed in this study, used to understand groundwater flow evolutions due to long-term topographic changes is efficient for identifying detailed assessment areas and is recommended based on the results of this study.

When a large-scale disaster occurs, it is crucial to secure means of communication. However, as the damage to the communication networks might be aggravated as the magnitude of the disaster becomes larger, it would likely cause a state where all communications are disrupted. In addition, as the amount of damage to the power plant and transmission line becomes more significant, it could disrupt the supply of electricity over an extended period of time. The purpose of this research is to develop an autonomous anti-disaster base station that houses a power supply system, which uses both solar panels and batteries as the source of power, and has satellite Internet and wireless LAN environment so as to contribute to the securing of Internet communication immediately following a great earthquake. We developed a prototype system of the autonomous anti-disaster base station that features two types of satellite Internet connection equipment. The prototype system was put through a demonstration experiment during an anti-disaster drill held at a university. During the anti-disaster drill, the students of the university that evacuated to a sports field used their own smart devices to connect to the wireless LAN access point of the prototype system and registered their safety information into the safety confirmation system of the university through the satellite Internet. The access log of the safety confirmation system allowed us to verify that access was successfully made to the safety confirmation system through the prototype system. In addition, we conducted a questionnaire survey of the university students following the drill and were able to verify the usefulness of the system.

本稿では援助の実践場面で経験される、どちらが「援助者」でどちらが「被援助者」かが、当事者自身さえ認め難いような関係が成り立ち、福祉的な行為と感情との享受が同時的・相互的になされている状態としての「福祉的」について考察することを目的とした。そこでまず心理的経験、とくに「同一化」と「同一性」の関係との比較、次いで知覚的経験における「イマージュ」概念あるいは「相貌」の知覚と「客観的世界」の関係との比較を行った。その結果「福祉的化」は、両経験とは転倒した方向性をもっていることがわかり、これには近代市民社会における集合表象としての「個人主義」の関わりがあることを述べた。最後に、「福祉的」の経験は、人と人との支え合いの始点へ実感を伴うかたちで経験させ、客体化された援助関係のあり方から援助当事者を解放させ、主体性を回復させる瞬間でもあること、その結果としてクライエントとの関係の再構成を促す基盤ともなりうるものと考察された。さらに、援助する側の専門性、援助される側の対象論的規定という、従来の制度的な捉え方を超える可能性を見出す契機になりうることを指摘した。

To elucidate factors associated with the very low risk of gastric neoplasia in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, approximately 1/50 of the level in Japan, we recruited 52 male and 39 female participants from the general populace in the city of Yogyakarta in October 2003. Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies were found in only 5% (0-13) (95% confidence interval) and 4% (0-9) for Javanese males and females, respectively, and were statistically lower than the 62% (58-65) and 57% (53-60), respectively, in Japanese. Furthermore, positive findings of pepsinogen test were only 0 and 2% (0-6) for males and females, in Yogyakarta, and were again significantly lower than the 23% (22-25) and 22% (20-23), in Japan. The very low incidence of stomach cancer in Yogyakarta may be due to a low prevalence of H. pylori infection and chronic atrophic gastritis.

In order to evaluate the load on the low back of care workers in nursing homes for the elderly, basic activities and working postures were analyzed for six care workers using the 30-s snap reading method. The trunk inclination angle (TIA) was also measured continuously using an inclination monitor. The analysis of basic activities showed that 22.5% and 21.1% of the workshift were spent on 'bathing and ablution' and 'meal', respectively, and 9.3%, 8.7% and 8.3% were spent on 'assistance with elimination', 'assistance with moving and repositioning' and 'exchange of bed sheet', respectively. Total of the assistance activity was 43.7% of the workshift. The analysis of working posture showed that 'standing' and 'standing bent forward' accounted for 36.1% and 29.5%, respectively, of the workshift. Total of three postures loading the low back ('standing bent forward', 'squatting', 'kneeling') accounted for 39.0%. The time spent in TIA of 20 degrees or more was 45.7%. The postures loading the low back during 'bathing and ablution', 'exchange of bed sheet' and 'assistance with elimination' account for 68.3%, 58.2% and 49.6%, respectively, which suggests that these activities load the low back of the care workers considerably.

地下空洞掘削に伴う空洞周辺岩盤中の間隙水の挙動変化を評価することを目的として, 東濃鉱山 (核燃料サイクル開発機構東濃地科学センター: 岐阜県土岐市) に分布する第三紀堆積岩盤において空洞壁からのボーリングにより岩石コアを採取し, 得られた岩石コアから間隙水を抽出し, 水素・酸素安定同位体比および電気伝導度の測定を行った.結果として, 空洞壁からの距離と安定同位体比および電気伝導度の関係に関しては, 空洞壁に近い地点の間隙水ほど空洞掘削に伴う蒸発の影響を受けやすいことが示唆され, 同一地点の間隙水における最大抽出圧力と安定同位体比および電気伝導度の関係に関しては, 岩石との吸着力が強い間隙水ほど空洞掘削に伴う蒸発の影響を受け難いことが示唆された. また, これらの間隙水の挙動は岩質の相違により異なることが示唆された.後者の岩質に伴う空洞周辺の地下水流動特性の違いは, 岩質の違いを考慮した鉛直2次元の飽和地下水流動解析結果から判断される地下水流動状況とも整合することが示唆された.本研究において適用された堆積岩中の間隙水を抽出し, 安定同位体比を測定する手法は, 空洞掘削に伴う周辺岩盤中の地下水挙動の把握, とりわけこれまで実態の把握が困難であった空洞周辺の不飽和領域の把握に有効な手法であることが示された.

Although globalization urges corporations worldwide to pursue economic efficiency, culturally induced differences in corporate behavior persist in a globalized business world. This paper explores the behavior of Japanese corporations in this context. Interviews were conducted to investigate the internal decision-making process in major Japanese firms. Their outcome provides the basis for the following hypothesis: A unique characteristic of Japanese companies, which can be different from that of Western firms, is that they have similar managerial behavior with other Japanese companies in the same industry. The collectivity culture exists behind it. This hypothesis is attested by case analyses of historical events of two Japanese industries in the global market in the past half century. Japanese firms in the automotive and electronic industries exhibited similar behavior in their entries to foreign markets either in marketing or production.

Objectives: In order to clarify the effect of lead on higher cerebral functions, lead-exposed workers (Pb group) and controls were examined for event-related potentials. Subjects and Methods: Fourteen lead-exposed workers with a mean age of 57.1 yr (SD=4.27, range 48-64; lead concentration of whole blood ranged from 33 to 106 μg/dl with a mean of 58.6 and SD 28.6 μg/dl) and 19 agematched control workers with a mean age of 57.3 yr (SD=4.80, range 48-65) were examined. Visual P300 was recorded by button pushing to the target image (minute checkerboard pattern, 20%), and the NO-GO potential by no button pushing to the target image (same as above, 50%). Results: Latencies of P300 in the Pb group (475 ± 46.0 ms) were significantly delayed compared with those in controls (407 ± 42.4 ms, p

Vesicles and bullae formation is rare in dermatomyositis. We describe a 60-year-old woman who presented with vesiculobullous dermatomyositis with panniculitis and no muscle disease.

PM2.5測定用の47mmφテフロンフィルターと一般的な大気サンプリング用の110mmφ石英フィルターを用いて, 秤量時の相対湿度変化が秤量値に及ぼす影響を, 秤量室の相対湿度を50%に調節した場合としなかった場合を比較することによって調べた.テフロンフィルターの秤量精度は, 秤量室の相対湿度を調節した場合としない場合で大きな差はなかった.秤量室の相対湿度を50%に調節したときのPM2.5質量の標準偏差は15μg, PM2.5質量濃度の定量下限値は6.3μg/m3となり, 低濃度のPM2.5測定は精度が不十分であることが分かった.一方, 石英フィルターの秤量精度は, 秤量室の相対湿度を50%に調節したときの方が調節しないときより2～5倍も良く, 秤量室の相対湿度を一定に保つことは, 石英フィルターを精度よく秤量する上で非常に重要なファクターであることが分かった.秤量室の相対湿度を50%に調節したときのSPM質量の標準偏差は36μgとなり, 2週間で約400m3の大気サンプリングの場合, SPM質量濃度の定量下限値は0.89μg/m3となった.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a hematopoietic stem cell disorder in which clonal cells defective in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) biosynthesis are expanded, leading to complement-mediated hemolysis. PNH is often associated with bone marrow suppressive conditions, such as aplastic anemia. One hypothetical mechanism for the clonal expansion of GPI(-) cells in PNH is that the mutant cells escape attack by autoreactive cytotoxic cells that are thought to be responsible for aplastic anemia. Here we studied 2 model systems. First, we made pairs of GPI(+) and GPI(-) EL4 cells that expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and various types of ovalbumin. When the GPI-anchored form of ovalbumin was expressed on GPI(+) and GPI(-) cells, only the GPI(+) cells presented ovalbumin to ovalbumin-specific CD4(+) T cells, indicating that if a putative autoantigen recognized by cytotoxic cells is a GPI-anchored protein, GPI(-) cells are less sensitive to cytotoxic cells. Second, antigen-specific as well as alloreactive CD4(+) T cells responded less efficiently to GPI(-) than GPI(+) cells in proliferation assays. In vivo, when GPI(-) and GPI(+) fetal liver cells, and CD4(+) T cells alloreactive to them, were cotransplanted into irradiated hosts, the contribution of GPI(-) cells in peripheral blood cells was significantly higher than that of GPI(+) cells. The results obtained with the second model suggest that certain GPI-anchored protein on target cells is important for recognition by T cells. These results provide the first experimental evidence for the hypothesis that GPI(-) cells escape from immunologic attack.

A homeodomain containing transcription factor PDX-1 can induce beta-cell-specific gene expressions in some non-beta-cells and may therefore be useful for future diabetes gene/cell therapy. Among the potential target organs or tissues for transcription factor-mediated induction of beta-cell-like differentiation are the intestinal epithelial cells. They have certain merits over other tissues and organs in terms of accessibility for gene delivery and of similarity in developmental background to the pancreatic primordium. In this study, we used an intestinal epithelium-derived cell line, IEC-6 cells, and investigated the possible effects of PDX-1 expression in those cells. By exogenous expression of the PDX-1 gene, IEC-6 cells started expressing multiple beta-cell-specific genes such as amylin, glucokinase, and Nkx6.1, which were not found in the original IEC-6 cells. Insulin gene expression, which was missing initially even in the PDX-1-transfected IEC-6 cells, became detectable when the cells were transplanted under the renal capsule of a rat. When the PDX-1(+) IEC-6 cells were kept in vitro, treatment with betacellulin could also confer insulin gene expression to them. Although insulin secretory granules became visible by electron microscopy, they were secreted regardless of glucose concentration. The in vivo or in vitro inductions of the insulin gene expression were not observed in the PDX-1(-) IEC-6 cells. Thus, our present observations demonstrate the potency of intestinal epithelial cells as a tool for diabetes gene/cell therapy and provide further support for the potency of PDX-1 in driving beta-cell-like differentiation in non-beta-cells.

Inhalation toxicokinetics of p-dichlorobenzene ( p-DCB) in humans was evaluated, and the amounts of daily absorption and internal accumulation were estimated in order to obtain fundamental data for the risk assessment of chronic low-level exposure in the general population. Seven male subjects continuously inhaled about 2.5 ppm of p-DCB vapor for 1 h, and the concentration-time courses of p-DCB in their exhaled air and serum and of urinary 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), a major metabolite of p-DCB, were examined. The toxicokinetics of p-DCB was evaluated on the basis of the time courses using a linear two-compartment model. The amounts of p-DCB absorbed daily and the internal accumulation in chronic low-level exposure were extrapolated using the estimated toxicokinetic parameters. p-DCB was transferred from inhaled air to the body with a constant high absorption rate during exposure. The major route for elimination from the body was urinary excretion followed by metabolism, not exhalation. However, during 9-11 h after the start of exposure, the fraction of p-DCB excreted in urine was only 5-16% of the amount absorbed. Furthermore, most of the absorbed p-DCB seemed to be distributed rapidly to the tissues, such as fat, according to toxicokinetic analysis. Consequently, p-DCB seems to require a long time to be completely eliminated from the body. The amounts of daily absorption and internal accumulation were extrapolated to average 0.27 mg/day and 2.9 mg, respectively, in the subjects exposed chronically to 1 ppb of p-DCB. The amount absorbed daily agreed approximately with that extrapolated from rats which inhaled p-DCB in our previous study.

A novel IFN-like molecule, limitin, was recently identified and revealed to suppress B lymphopoiesis through the IFN-αβ receptor, although it lacked growth suppression on myeloid and erythroid progenitors. Here we have studied diverse effects of limitin on T lymphocytes and compared limitin with previously known IFNs. Like IFN–α and -β, limitin modified immunity in the following responses. It suppressed mitogen- and Ag-induced T cell proliferation through inhibiting the responsiveness to exogenous IL-2 rather than suppressing the production of IL-2. In contrast, limitin enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity associated with the perforin-granzyme pathway. To evaluate the effect of limitin in vivo, a lethal graft-versus-host disease assay was established. Limitin-treatment of host mice resulted in the enhancement of graft-versus-host disease. Limitin did not influence thymocyte development either in fetal thymus organ cultures or in newborn mice injected with limitin-Ig, suggesting that limitin is distinguishable from IFN-α and -β. From these findings, it can be speculated that the human homolog of limitin may be applicable for clinical usage because of its IFN-like activities with low adverse effects on, for example, T lymphopoiesis, erythropoiesis, and myelopoiesis.

A methanol extract from Belamcanda chinensis showed a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of the SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the mutagen 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (furylfuramide). The methanol extract from B. chinensis was re-extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol. A suppressive compound in the dichloromethane extract fraction was further fractionated by SiO2 column chromatography. EI-MS and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy were then used to delineate the structure of the compound that confers the observed suppressive effect. Comparison of the obtained spectrum with that found in the literature indicated that iristectorigenin B (1) is the suppressive compound. Iristectorigenin B and its methylated derivative (7, 4’-di-O-methyliristectorigenin B(2)) had the suppressive effects on umu gene expression of the SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against furylfuramide, 4NQO, MNNG, and activated Trp-P-1, which do not require liver metabolic activation by S9. These compounds also showed the suppression of SOS-inducing activity against Trp-P-1 and AfB1, which require liver metabolizing enzymes. In addition to the antimutagenic activities of these compounds against furylfuramide, Trp-P-1 and activated Trp-P-1 were also assayed by an Ames test using S. typhimurium TA100.

A methanol extract from Pueraria lobata showed a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of the SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the mutagen 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (furylfuramide). The methanol extract from P. lobata was re-extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water, respectively. A suppressive compound in the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extract fractions was isolated by SiO(2) column chromatography and identified as tectorigenin (1) by EI-MS and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Compound 1 and its methylated derivative [7,4'-di-O-methyltectorigenin (2)] had the suppressive effects on umu gene expression of the SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against furylfuramide, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, N-methyl-N'-nitrosoguanidine, and activated Trp-P-1, which do not require live metabolic activation by S9. These compounds also showed suppression of SOS-inducing activity against Trp-P-1 and AfB(1), which requires liver metabolizing enzymes. In addition to the antimutagenic activities of these compounds against furylfuramide, Trp-P-1 and activated Trp-P-1 were also assayed by an Ames test using S. typhimurium TA100.

A methanol extract from Pogostemon cablin showed a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the mutagen 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (furylfuramide). The methanol extract was re-extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, butanol, and water. A dichloromethane fraction showed a suppressive effect. Suppressive compounds against furylfuramide in the dichloromethane fraction were isolated by SiO(2) column chromatography and identified as 7,4'-di-O-methyleriodictyol (1), 7, 3',4'-tri-O-methyleriodictyol (2), and 3,7,4'-tri-O-methylkaempferol (3). In addition, three flavonoids, ombuine (4), pachypodol (5), and kumatakenin (6), were isolated and identified from the dichrolomethane fraction. Compounds 1 and 3 suppressed50% of the SOS-inducing activity at0.6 micromol/mL, and the ID(50) values of both compounds were 0.25 micromol/mL. Compound 2 showed a weakly suppressive effect (17%) at a concentration of 0.6 micromol/mL, and compounds 4-6 did not. These compounds were also assayed with 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), which requires liver metabolizing enzymes. Compounds 3-6 suppressed80% of the SOS-inducing activity of Trp-P-1 at0.06 micromol/mL, and compounds 1 and 2 suppressed 87 and 63% at a concentration of 0.3 micromol/mL. In addition, these compounds were assayed with activated Trp-P-1, and the suppressed effects of these compounds were further decreased when compared to Trp-P-1. The antimutagenic activities of these compounds against furylfuramide, Trp-P-1, and activated Trp-P-1 were assayed by the Ames test using S. typhimurium TA100.

Patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) have one or a few clones of mutant hematopoietic stem cells defective in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) synthesis as a result of somatic mutation in the X-linked gene PIG-A. The mutant stem cell clone dominates hematopoiesis by a mechanism that is unclear. To test whether a lack of multiple GPI-anchored proteins results in dysregulation and expansion of stem cells, we generated mice in which GPI-anchor negative cells are present only in the hematopoietic system. We transplanted lethally irradiated mice with female fetal liver cells bearing one allele of the Piga gene disrupted by conditional gene targeting. Because of the X-chromosome inactivation, a significant fraction of the hematopoietic stem cells in fetal livers was GPI-anchor negative. In the transplanted mice, cells of all hematopoietic lineages contained GPI-anchor negative cells. The percentage of GPI-anchor negative cells was much higher in T lymphocytes including immature thymocytes than in other cell types, suggesting a regulatory role for GPI-anchored proteins at an early stage of T-lymphocyte development. However, the proportions of GPI-anchor negative cells in various blood cell lineages were stable over a period of 42 weeks, indicating thatPiga mutation alone does not account for the dominance of the mutant stem cells and that other phenotypic changes are involved in pathogenesis of PNH.

A bibenzyl compound that possesses antimutagenic activity was isolated from the storage stem of Dendrobium nobile. The isolated compound suppressed the expression of the umu gene following the induction of SOS response in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 that have been treated with various mutagens. The suppressive compound was mainly localized in the n-hexane extract fraction of the processed D. nobile. This n-hexane fraction was further fractionated by silica gel column chromatography, which resulted in the purification and subsequent identification of the suppressive compound. EI-MS and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy were then used to delineate the structure of the compound that confers the observed antimutagenic activity. Comparison of the obtained spectrum with that found in the literature indicated that moscatilin is the secondary suppressive compound. When using 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (furylfuramide) as the mutagen, moscatilin suppressed 85% of the umu gene expression compared to the controls at

Respiratory uptake was investigated for 10 polar organic solvents with high blood/air partition coefficients (lambda(blood/air)): ethyl acetate (lambda(blood/air), 77), methyl iso-butyl ketone (90), methyl acetate (90), methyl propyl ketone (150), acetone (245), iso-pentyl alcohol (381), iso-propyl alcohol (848), methyl alcohol (2590), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE, 7970), and propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME, 12380). Test-air concentrations (Cinh) were 25 to 200 ppm. Four healthy male volunteers inhaled the test air for 10 min at rest and then room air for 5 min. The percentage of solvent in the end-exhaled air and in the mixed-exhaled air increased after the start of the test-air respiration, and reached a quasi-steady-state level within a few min. The speeds of these increases at the start of the test-air respiration became lower as lambda(blood/air) increased. The mean uptakes (U) for the last five min of the test air respiration were 67.3, 52.9, 60.4, 53.0, 52.6, 63.0, 60.3, 60.8, 79.7, and 81.3%, respectively, for ethyl acetate, methyl iso-butyl ketone, methyl acetate, methyl propyl ketone, acetone, iso-pentyl alcohol, iso-propyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, EGBE and PGME. Thus, U values of the alcohols were higher than those of the ketones and lower than the glycol ethers. The overall view, except for esters, showed that U increased with lambda(water/air) increases. This tendency can be explained by a hypothesis that solvent absorbed in the mucus layer of the respiratory tract is removed by the bronchial blood circulation. U values of ethyl acetate and methyl acetate were higher than those of methyl iso-butyl ketone and methyl propyl ketone, though the lambda(blood/air) values of these esters were nearly equal to those of the ketones. For the respiration of the esters, their metabolites, ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol, were detected in the exhaled air. The exhalation percentage of the metabolites increased after the start of test-air respiration and reached a quasi-steady-state level of 2 and 3%, respectively, by the 5th min. These data suggest that removal of the solvent via metabolism in the wall tissue of the respiratory tract plays an important role for the esters.

Two isoflavones, daidzein (1) and genistein (2), were isolated from soybean hypocotyls. Daidzein and genistein showed a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of the SOS response in Salmonellatyphimurium TA1535/pSK1002 against the mutagen 3-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3b]indole (Trp-P-1), which requires liver metabolizing enzymes. Compound 1 suppressed 73% of the SOS-inducing activity at concentrations

Recently, we demonstrated that major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted cross-presentation of exogenous self-antigens can induce peripheral T cell tolerance by deletion of autoreactive CD8+ T cells. In these studies, naive ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells from the transgenic line OT-I were injected into transgenic mice expressing membrane-bound OVA (mOVA) under the control of the rat insulin promoter (RIP) in pancreatic islets, kidney proximal tubules, and the thymus. Cross-presentation of tissue-derived OVA in the renal and pancreatic lymph nodes resulted in activation, proliferation, and then the deletion of OT-I cells. In this report, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying this form of T cell deletion. OT-I mice were crossed to tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) knockout mice and to CD95 (Fas, Apo-1) deficient mutant lpr mice. Wild-type and TNFR2-deficient OT-I cells were activated and then deleted when transferred into RIP-mOVA mice, whereas CD95-deficient OT-I cells were not susceptible to deletion by cross-presentation. Furthermore, cross-presentation led to upregulation of the CD95 molecule on the surface of wild-type OT-I cells in vivo, consistent with the idea that this is linked to rendering autoreactive T cells susceptible to CD95-mediated signaling. This study represents the first evidence that CD95 is involved in the deletion of autoreactive CD8+ T cells in the whole animal.

In order to evaluate the load on the low back of teachers in kindergartens, basic activity and working posture were analyzed for four teachers by means of video recording. The trunk inclination angle (TIA) was also measured continuously during full workshifts for 12 kindergarten teachers by means of an inclination monitor. The kindergarten teachers spent 67% of the workshift on activities in contact with children, "indoor group childcare", "indoor free playing", "outdoor childcare", "preparation and clearing away" and "help and care", and did not take a recess during the workshift. They spent 36% of the workshift in three working postures with the load on the low back, "standing bent forward", "squatting" and "kneeling". Cumulative time at a TIA of 20 degrees or more represented 43% of the workshift. The frequency of trunk-lifting from severe bending forward (TIA > 45 degrees) was 95 times/hr on average. A comparison of the kindergarten teachers and nursery teachers in 4-5 year age classes showed that the time distributions of basic activities were generally similar to each other. Although the time distributions of working postures were also similar, time spent "standing bent forward", "squatting" and "kneeling" was longer in the kindergarten teachers than in the nursery teachers. Cumulative time at a TIA of 45 degrees or more was significantly longer in the kindergarten teachers. Although the frequency of trunklifting was not significantly different, the kindergarten teachers tended to lift their trunk more frequently. The present study found that the load on the low back was considerably great in the kindergarten teachers.

Synergistic extraction of Ni(II) by a mixture of the active component in the commercial extractant LIX63, 5,8-dimethyl-7-hydroxydodecane-6-oxime, and di-oleylphosphoric acid (DOLPA) has been investigated by liquid surfactant membranes (LSMs) containing a commercial surfactant, Span 80. Solvent extraction of Ni(II) with the mixture of LIX63 and an ordinary extractant, di(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) was carried out. The results show that the LIX63–DOLPA mixture has a high synergistic effect on the extraction of Ni(II) in the LSM system compared with the LIX63–D2EHPA mixture. The synergistic effect of the LIX63–DOLPA mixture is attributed to a mixed ligand complex formation with the stoichiometry of Ni2+/LIX63/DOLPA = 1/2/2. Besides extract-ant synergism, the effects of several operation factors in the LSMs were investigated: permeation of Ni(II), pH of external aqueous'phase, and concentrations of extractant and surfactant. The permeation mechanism of Ni(II) in LSMs has been elucidated b...

In this report, we show that cross-presentation of self-antigens can lead to the peripheral deletion of autoreactive CD8+ T cells. We had previously shown that transfer of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8+ T cells (OT-I cells) into rat insulin promoter–membrane-bound form of OVA transgenic mice, which express the model autoantigen OVA in the proximal tubular cells of the kidneys, the β cells of the pancreas, the thymus, and the testis of male mice, led to the activation of OT-I cells in the draining lymph nodes. This was due to class I–restricted cross-presentation of exogenous OVA on a bone marrow–derived antigen presenting cell (APC) population. Here, we show that adoptively transferred or thymically derived OT-I cells activated by cross-presentation are deleted from the peripheral pool of recirculating lymphocytes. Such deletion only required antigen recognition on a bone marrow–derived population, suggesting that cells of the professional APC class may be tolerogenic under these circumstances. Our results provide a mechanism by which the immune system can induce CD8+ T cell tolerance to autoantigens that are expressed outside the recirculation pathway of naive T cells.

In order to clarify the bioavailability of lead in plasma (PbP), we performed a study on five workers in a Japanese factory manufacturing lead glass-based paints. Blood and urine samples were obtained over a period of 15 months, during which time the workers took it in turns to perform sifting work (with the highest level of lead exposure) for 1-month periods. A total of 75 sets of blood and urine samples were thus obtained. We determined whole blood lead (PbB), PbP, Urinary coproporphyrin (CPU), urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALAU), urinary lead (PbU) and ALA in plasma (ALAP). In the 15 sets of samples obtained at the end of the period with a high level of lead exposure, PbP correlated significantly with ALAU, CPU, PbU and ALAP, but PbB correlated significantly only with PbU. In the 60 sets of samples obtained following a low level of lead exposure, correlation coefficients between the concentrations of PbP and of ALAU, CPU and PbU exceeded those between the concentrations of PbB and of ALAU, CPU and PbU. These findings indicate that PbP is a better dose indicator of lead biochemically available for heme synthesis and that PbU has a closer correlation with PbP than with PbB.

Phosphoric esters having bis(4-ethylcyclohexyl) (D4ECHPA) and bis(4-cyclohexylcyclohexyl) (D4DCHPA) groups as the alkyl substituents were synthesized in order to investigate their selectivity in the extraction of rare earth elements from acidic nitrate media, together with the apparent molecular weights of the extractants in toluene, the acid dissociation constants and the aqueous distribution coefficients of the extractants. These extractants were found to exist as dimeric species in toluene. The acid dissociation constants of the extractants are nearly the same as that of bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogenphosphate (D2EHPA), which is a typical commercial acidic phosphorus extractant. The aqueous distribution coefficients of the extractants become greater in the order D4ECHPA > D2EHPA > D4DCHPA. From the concentration dependencies of the hydrogen ion and extractant on the distribution ratio of rare earth elements, it was concluded that the rare earth elements (M3+) were extracted with D4ECHPA and D4DCHPA (HR) as...

Urinary excretions of nitrate and N-nitrosothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (N-nitrosothioproline; NTPRO) were determined in rats with osteogenic disordered syndrome (ODS, od/od), lacking L-ascorbic acid (ASC) biosynthesis, after i.p. administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg) followed by thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (thioproline, 20 mg/rat). L-Ascorbic acid-sufficient ODS rats showed the excretion of nitrate and NTPRO at the levels of 20.3 +/- 7.9 mumol/24h and 369 +/- 111 pmol/24 h respectively, whereas the levels of nitrate and NTPRO in ASC-deficient (scorbutic) rats increased to 54.7 +/- 5.6 mumol/24 h (P < 0.01) and 796 +/- 367 pmol/24 h (P < 0.05) respectively. Administration of L-arginine further increased urinary excretion of nitrate and NTPRO while D-arginine showed no effect. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine, a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), strongly inhibited endogenous formation of both nitrate and NTPRO. These results indicate that increased excretion of NTPRO in ODS rats stimulated by LPS involves induction of NOS leading to an increase in endogenous formation of reactive nitrogen oxides such as N2O3, a potent nitrosating agent at physiological pH conditions. Increased NOS activities in the plasma and various tissues of ODS rats were observed 5 h after treatment with LPS. The possibility of extragastric N-nitroso compound formation in inflammation sites is discussed.

A method for the determination of delta-aminolevulinic acid in plasma of lead-exposed workers by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection of a fluorescent delta-aminolevulinic acid derivative (2-methylidineamino-3,5-diacetyl-4,6-dimethylpropionic acid) was established. The detection limit of delta-aminolevulinic acid in plasma was 0.01 microgram/ml at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1. A linear correlation was obtained between the amounts of delta-aminolevulinic acid injected from 0.01 to 0.5 microgram/ml (r = 0.999). The recovery of 0.05 and 0.1 microgram/ml of delta-aminolevulinic acid added to plasma with various concentrations of delta-aminolevulinic acid in plasma ranged from 80.0 to 100.8%. This method, combined with the use of an automatic sampler, should facilitate the routine measurement of delta-aminolevulinic acid in plasma.