Energy of the

The low-lying isomeric state of ^{229}Th provides unique opportunities for high-resolution laser spectroscopy of the atomic nucleus. We determine the energy of this isomeric state by taking the absolute energy difference between the excitation energy required to populate the 29.2-keV state from the ground state and the energy emitted in its decay to the isomeric excited state. A transition-edge sensor microcalorimeter was used to measure the absolute energy of the 29.2-keV γ ray. Together with the cross-band transition energy (29.2 keV→ground) and the branching ratio of the 29.2-keV state measured in a recent study, the isomer energy was determined to be 8.30±0.92 eV. Our result is in agreement with the latest measurements based on different experimental techniques, which further confirms that the isomeric state of ^{229}Th is in the laser-accessible vacuum ultraviolet range.

Calibration of the microcalorimeter spectrometer on-board the Hitomi (Astro-H) observatory (invited).

The Hitomi Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) was a pioneering non-dispersive imaging x-ray spectrometer with 5 eV FWHM energy resolution, consisting of an array of 36 silicon-thermistor microcalorimeters at the focus of a high-throughput soft x-ray telescope. The instrument enabled astrophysical plasma diagnostics in the 0.3-12 keV band. We introduce the SXS calibration strategy and corresponding ground calibration measurements that took place from 2012-2015, including both the characterization of the microcalorimeter array and measurements of the x-ray transmission of optical blocking filters.

Movement and diffusion of paramagnetic ions in a magnetic field.

The magnetic movement and thermal diffusion have been studied for Cu(2+) ions in solution. The Cu(2+) ion solution was spotted on the silica gel support and exposed to the magnetic field of 410 kOe(2) cm(-1) intensity x gradient. The Cu(2+) ions were attracted toward the filed center. The moving distance and diffusing distance were observed at various time intervals. It is shown that the Cu(2+) ions move in a large group composed of Cu(2+) ions and H(2)O molecules. The size of the group is approximately estimated to be of 4.6 mum diameter by the analysis of the drift velocity of the group and the Cu(2+) ion concentration in the group.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen: report of a case.

A case of an inflammatory pseudotumor arising in the spleen of a 60-year-old Japanese male is described herein. This benign lesion is extremely rare, with only 12 cases, including our own, having been reported in the world literature. We preoperatively diagnosed the splenic tumor as a metastasis, due to the coexistance of advanced stage carcinoma in the sigmoid colon. However, after splenectomy, histopathological examination of the mass revealed an inflammatory process. Inflammatory pseudotumors often pose diagnostic difficulties because the clinical and radiologic findings are suggestive of malignancy. The clinical and pathological features of cases previously reported are reviewed following the presentation of this case.

Changes of superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbic acid in focal cerebral ischaemia in rats.

Free radical reactions are supposed to cause ischaemic brain damage, and active oxygens can initiate these chains reaction. If active oxygens play important roles in ischaemic brain damage, the activity of superoxide dismutase, scavenger of superoxide anion, is supposed to decrease in ischaemic brain. The reduced form of ascorbic acid also scavenges superoxide anion. In rat middle cerebral artery focal ischaemia, we investigated the changes in superoxide dismutase activity and the concentration of reduced ascorbate up to 48 hours. Middle cerebral artery territory of each cerebral hemisphere was homogenized. The supernatant was divided into two aliquots; one was dialysed to remove ascorbate and the other was not. The enzyme activity of the dialysed specimen from the ischaemic hemisphere did not decrease within 4 h after the arterial occlusion. The activity of the dialysed specimen from the nonischaemic side remained unchanged during the examination. Reduced ascorbate levels in nondialysed samples showed similar changes to the superoxide dismutase activities in the dialysed samples. Our data suggest that ascorbic acid may exert the enzyme activity and that the enzyme activity remains at the normal level in the early phase of ischaemia despite the irreversible ischaemic changes that take place within 4 h after the onset of ischaemia.

[Temporal profile of the superoxide dismutase and the ascorbic acid in focal cerebral ischemia].

It has been proposed that free radical reactions are involved in ischemic brain damage. Since irreversible pathological changes occurs very early phase of the focal ischemia and the ischemic brain edema reaches its peak at about 2 days of ischemia, the free radical reactions must take place before these changes. Superoxide dismutase is a famous enzyme that dismutase superoxide anion, which is believed to be one of the initiator of the free radical reactions. If superoxide anion plays a pivotal role in the genesis of pathological ischemic brain damage and edema, the activity of the enzyme may decrease in the early phase of ischemia. Ascorbic acid is also known to be a scavenger of superoxide anion, and brain tissue contains it in a high concentration. We investigated the changes in superoxide dismutase activity and concentration of reduced ascorbate in focal ischemia. Focal ischemia was produced in rats by permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery. The animals were decapitated 30 minutes, 4, 24, and 48 hours after the operation. Middle cerebral artery territory of each cerebral hemisphere was homogenized and centrifuged with phosphate buffer. The supernatant was divided into two aliquots; one was dialyzed to remove ascorbate and the other was not. The SOD activity was measured by electron-spin-resonance (ESR) spin trapping method, and the ascorbic acid concentration was measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). Protein concentration was measured by Lowry's method. The enzyme activity was expressed as unit/mg protein, and the ascorbic acid concentration was expressed as microgram/g tissue. The SOD activity decreased markedly by dialysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multi-organ damage (MOD) induced by cancer cachexia and its pathogenesis.

The intraperitoneal implantation of the ascitic hepatoma cells, AH-130 to rats induced marked atrophy of the systemic organs within 2 weeks, resulting in the animal death. By the method of Feulgen hydrolysis curve analysis, the amount of single-stranded DNA and the degree of DNA instability were shown to be increased in these atrophic organs. In keeping pace with the progression of the cachectic multi-organ damage (MOD), the amount of lipidperoxide and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) as measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) were increased in the ascites toward the end stage of chachexia. The increased lipidperoxide and SOD induction reflect the increased production of active oxygens, especially superoxide. The marked systemic organ damage induced in cancer cachexia seems to be due to DNA damage by active oxygens.