Measurements of electron-induced neutrons as a tool for determination of electron temperature of fast electrons in the task of optimization laser-produced plasma ions acceleration.

High intensity laser-plasma interaction has attracted considerable interest for a number of years. The laser-plasma interaction is accompanied by generation of various charged particle beams, such as high-energy proton and ions with high charge to mass ratio (Q/M; same as multi-charged ions). Results of simultaneous novel measurements of electron-induced photonuclear neutrons (photoneutron), which are a diagnostic of the laser-plasma interaction, are proposed to use for optimization of the laser-plasma ion generation. The proposed method is demonstrated by the laser irradiation with the intensity of 1 × 10(21) W/cm(2) on the metal foil target. The photoneutrons are measured by using NE213 liquid scintillation detectors. Heavy-ion signal is registered with the CR-39 track detector simultaneously. The measured signals of the electron-induced photoneutrons are well reproduced by using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System. The results obtained provide useful approach for analyzing the various laser based ion beams.

Multi-charged heavy ion acceleration from the ultra-intense short pulse laser system interacting with the metal target.

Experimental demonstration of multi-charged heavy ion acceleration from the interaction between the ultra-intense short pulse laser system and the metal target is presented. Al ions are accelerated up to 12 MeV/u (324 MeV total energy). To our knowledge, this is far the highest energy ever reported for the case of acceleration of the heavy ions produced by the <10 J laser energy of 200 TW class Ti:sapphire laser system. Adding to that, thanks to the extraordinary high intensity laser field of ∼10(21) W cm(-2), the accelerated ions are almost fully stripped, having high charge to mass ratio (Q/M).

An anti-CD154 domain antibody prolongs graft survival and induces Foxp3(+) iTreg in the absence and presence of CTLA-4 Ig.

The use of monoclonal antibodies targeting the CD154 molecule remains one of the most effective means of promoting graft tolerance in animal models, but thromboembolic complications during early clinical trials have precluded their use in humans. Furthermore, the role of Fc-mediated deletion of CD154-expressing cells in the observed efficacy of these reagents remains controversial. Therefore, determining the requirements for anti-CD154-induced tolerance will instruct the development of safer but equally efficacious treatments. To investigate the mechanisms of action of anti-CD154 therapy, two alternative means of targeting the CD40-CD154 pathway were used: a nonagonistic anti-CD40 antibody and an Fc-silent anti-CD154 domain antibody. We compared these therapies to an Fc-intact anti-CD154 antibody in both a fully allogeneic model and a surrogate minor antigen model in which the fate of alloreactive cells could be tracked. Results indicated that anti-CD40 mAbs as well as Fc-silent anti-CD154 domain antibodies were equivalent to Fc-intact anti-CD154 mAbs in their ability to inhibit alloreactive T cell expansion, attenuate cytokine production of antigen-specific T cells and promote the conversion of Foxp3(+) iTreg. Importantly, iTreg conversion observed with Fc-silent anti-CD154 domain antibodies was preserved in the presence of CTLA4-Ig, suggesting that this therapy is a promising candidate for translation to clinical use.

Accurate and rapid novel genetic diagnosis for detection of sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC) test is a novel molecular-based procedure, which can assess nodal metastasis accurately and quickly. We examined the usefulness of the TRC test with a double marker, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA, to detect sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) metastasis in breast cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 264 SLNs from 131 breast cancer patients were assigned to a training set (109 SLNs from 50 patients) and validation set (155 SLNs from 81 patients). Cytokeratin 19 and CEA mRNA were detected by TRC tests, and the sensitivity and specificity of the SLN metastasis between the TRC and histology cohorts were compared. RESULTS: Mean copy numbers of CK19 and CEA by TRC tests were increased according to the metastatic size. In the training set, TRC test showed 100% sensitivity, specificity and concordance rates against the permanent histopathology test. In the validation set, sensitivity was 97.1%, specificity was 99.2% and the concordance rate was 99.4%. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the detection of CK19 and CEA mRNA using the TRC test is, an accurate and rapid method for detection of SLN metastasis and can be applied as an intraoperative molecular diagnosis in breast cancer patients.

Laser ion source: a direct plasma injection scheme for two-beam type interdigital-H radio frequency quadrupole linac.

We developed a laser ion source using a direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS) as an injection system for a two-beam type radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linac with an interdigital-H (IH) type cavity. The laser ion source in the DPIS is directly connected to the RFQ cavity without the low energy beam transport system. We achieved a high current C(2+) beam above 60 mA per beam channel from the ion source. The beam will be injected to the two-beam type IH-RFQ linac, and the linac will generate a beam current of approximately 44 mA per beam channel.

Magnetic plasma confinement for laser ion source.

A laser ion source (LIS) can easily provide a high current beam. However, it has been difficult to obtain a longer beam pulse while keeping a high current. On occasion, longer beam pulses are required by certain applications. For example, more than 10 micros of beam pulse is required for injecting highly charged beams to a large sized synchrotron. To extend beam pulse width, a solenoid field was applied at the drift space of the LIS at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The solenoid field suppressed the diverging angle of the expanding plasma and the beam pulse was widened. Also, it was observed that the plasma state was conserved after passing through a few hundred gauss of the 480 mm length solenoid field.

Design study of primary ion provider for relativistic heavy ion collider electron beam ion source.

Brookhaven National Laboratory has developed the new preinjector system, electron beam ion source (EBIS) for relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Radiation Laboratory. Design of primary ion provider is an essential problem since it is required to supply beams with different ion species to multiple users simultaneously. The laser ion source with a defocused laser can provide a low charge state and low emittance ion beam, and is a candidate for the primary ion source for RHIC-EBIS. We show a suitable design with appropriate drift length and solenoid, which helps to keep sufficient total charge number with longer pulse length. The whole design of primary ion source, as well as optics arrangement, solid targets configuration and heating about target, is presented.

Laser plasma in a magnetic field.

Laser ion source (LIS) is a candidate among various heavy ion sources. A high density plasma produced by Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser with drift velocity realizes high current and high charge state ion beams. In order to obtain higher beam current, we made experiments using the LIS with a magnetic field by which a confinement effect can make higher beam current. We measured total current by Faraday cup and analyzed charge distribution by electrostatic ion analyzer. It is shown that the ion beam charge state is higher by a permanent magnet.

Drift distance survey in direct plasma injection scheme for high current beam production.

In a laser ion source, plasma drift distance is one of the most important design parameters. Ion current density and beam pulse width are defined by plasma drift distance between a laser target and beam extraction position. In direct plasma injection scheme, which uses a laser ion source and a radio frequency quadrupole linac, we can apply relatively higher electric field at beam extraction due to the unique shape of a positively biased electrode. However, when we aim at very high current acceleration such as several tens of milliamperes, we observed mismatched beam extraction conditions. We tested three different ion current at ion extraction region by changing plasma drift distance to study better extraction condition. In this experiment, C(6+) beam was accelerated. We confirmed that matching condition can be improved by controlling plasma drift distance.

Particle simulation for direct plasma injection in a radio frequency quadrupole matching section.

We have been investigating direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS) for high-intensity heavy-ion beam acceleration. In the DPIS, laser-produced plasma is directly injected into a radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linac. To study the beam dynamics of the ion injection in the DPIS, we tracked particle motions in the RFQ matching section using three-dimensional particle-in-cell method. As a result of the numerical simulation, we found that the electrostatic field generated by the extraction electrode reduces the transmission efficiency. To avoid the radially defocusing force, the input beam into the RFQ has to be initially convergent. In the DPIS, further optimization of the plasma density is required for better matching.

Direct plasma injection scheme in accelerators.

The idea of direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS) was proposed in 2000. This new technique has been studied and proven to accelerate intense ion beams. To provide medium mass ions with highly charged states, small tabletop solid lasers were used for plasma production. Based on the measured plasma properties, aluminum and carbon ions were accelerated with more than 60 mA of current. The next experiments will use an radio frequency quadrupole designed for q/m=1/6 and explore beam productions using targets up to silver, and future work will explore production up to uranium. The DPIS has been established and is ready to be used with various accelerators which require pulsed high current, high charge state ion beams.

Middle-aged and elderly outpatients show lower body temperature responses than the young, even with the same C-reactive protein levels.

The variation of body temperature response and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with age was investigated. A cross-sectional study on new outpatients between January 2004 and June 2005 was carried out. Body temperature and serum CRP levels were examined for screening purposes in 1081 patients. Mean axillary body temperature was maintained at around 36.7 degrees C in early adulthood, and gradually declined in middle age. Middle-aged and elderly outpatients tended to show a lower body temperature response than the young, even with the same CRP levels. The critical age (boundary age) was assumed to be when the relationship between body temperature response and CRP level changed. This study suggests that the boundary age is about 40 years old.

The biocompatibility and osteoconductivity of a cement containing beta-TCP for use in vertebroplasty.

A new composite bone cement designated "G2B1" was developed for percutaneous transpedicular vertebroplasty. G2B1 contains beta tricalcium phosphate particles and methylmethacrylate-methylacrylate copolymer as the powder components, and methylmethacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate, and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate as the liquid components. Biocompatibility and osteoconductivity were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, contact microradiography, and Giemsa surface staining 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after implantation into rat tibiae. To evaluate osteoconductivity, affinity indices (%) were calculated. Scanning electron microscopy and contact microradiography revealed that bone contact with G2B1 was attained within 4 weeks (affinity index: 50.2 +/- 11.8 at 4 weeks) and at most of the margin within 26 weeks (affinity index: 87.4 +/- 7.2 at 26 weeks). Specifically, G2B1 contacted bone via a wide calcium-phosphate-rich layer, and its degradation started within 8 weeks, mainly in the marginal area. Giemsa surface staining showed that there was almost no inflammatory reaction around the G2B1. These results indicate that G2B1 is a biocompatible and osteoconductive bone cement.

A decade-long sour-taste sensation successfully treated with a proton-pump inhibitor.

We report a case study of a 54-year-old Japanese woman who persistently suffered from a sour-taste sensation in her mouth for 10 years, and was treated with a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). She found sour-tasting meals irritable, and after eating such meals the sour-taste sensation worsened. She also complained of eructation and regurgitation. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy showed duodenal erosion, superficial gastritis, and erosive oesophagitis. After 2 weeks of PPI therapy (lansoprazole, 30 mg day(-1)) the sour taste subjectively decreased to 70%, and after 6 weeks the symptoms disappeared. In addition to increased sensitivity of the mouth, gastro-oesophageal reflux might have created her obstinate sour-taste sensations. It is suggested that in such cases PPI therapy should be attempted.

The effect of Juzen-taiho-to/TJ-48 on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (CD158a/b) on peripheral lymphocytes in vitro experiment.

Juzen-taiho-to (TJ-48), a mixture of extracts from 10 medicinal herbs, has been used traditionally to treat patients with anemia, anorexia or fatigue. It is well known that the treatment of TJ-48 result in the decrease of patient's complaints, as well as the increase of NK cytolytic activity (NK activity) although its augmentation is not clear in the other kampo formula from the clinical viewpoint. To investigate its biological activities, such as the augmentation of NK activity, we analyzed the effects of TJ-48 on the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) in vitro experiment. The peripheral lymphocytes were incubated in medium alone, or medium containing TJ-48 or interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus TJ-48 at several concentrations for 48 h. After each incubation, cells were collected and their KIRs were detected by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies CD158a and CD158b. TJ-48 increased the populations of CD16+CD158a+ and CD16+CD158b+ cells in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, CD16-CD158a/b+ cells did not increase. Additionally, the extract of TJ-48 enhanced the increase of KIRs expression induced by IL-2. These actions contribute to the augmentation of NK cytolytic activity by TJ-48, and might explain, in part, its antitumor effects which has been observed in vivo.

Bioactive bone cements containing nano-sized titania particles for use as bone substitutes.

Three types of bioactive polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based bone cement containing nano-sized titania (TiO2) particles were prepared, and their mechanical properties and osteoconductivity are evaluated. The three types of bioactive bone cement were T50c, ST50c, and ST60c, which contained 50 wt% TiO2, and 50 and 60 wt% silanized TiO2, respectively. Commercially available PMMA cement (PMMAc) was used as a control. The cements were inserted into rat tibiae and allowed to solidify in situ. After 6 and 12 weeks, tibiae were removed for evaluation of osteoconductivity using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact microradiography (CMR), and Giemsa surface staining. SEM revealed that ST60c and ST50c were directly apposed to bone while T50c and PMMAc were not. The osteoconduction of ST60c was significantly better than that of the other cements at each time interval, and the osteoconduction of T50c was no better than that of PMMAc. The compressive strength of ST60c was equivalent to that of PMMAc. These results show that ST60c is a promising material for use as a bone substitute.

Usefulness of FDG-PET to diagnose intravascular lymphomatosis presenting as fever of unknown origin.

Intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) is a rare systemic disease characterized by proliferation of lymphoid cells within the lumina of small arteries, veins, and capillaries. Diagnosis requires skin, liver, lung, bone marrow, renal, meningeal, or brain vessel biopsy but is often made only when the illness has progressed or post mortem because early involvement of organs was not evident. We report a case of IVL presenting as fever of unknown origin (FUO). In this case, gallium scintigraphy and computed tomography (CT) showed no evidence of malignancy, whereas (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) showed increased FDG uptake in the sternum, left and right vertebra, humerus, femur, and especially ilium. The diagnosis was made on iliac bone marrow biopsy examination. FDG-PET was useful for the detection of spread of disease in a patient with IVL suffering from FUO.

Effect of alumina femoral heads on polyethylene wear in cemented total hip arthroplasty. Old versus current alumina.

We examined the behaviour of alumina ceramic heads in 156 cemented total hip arthroplasties, at a minimum follow-up of eight years. They were divided into three groups according to the size of the femoral head; 22, 26, and 28 mm. We measured polyethylene wear radiologically using a computer-aided technique. The linear wear rate of polyethylene sockets for the 28 mm heads was high (0.156 mm/year), whereas those for the 22 and 26 mm heads were relatively low (0.090 and 0.098 mm/year, respectively). Moreover, the surface roughness data of retrieved femoral heads clearly showed maintenance of an excellent surface finish of the current alumina. We conclude that the alumina ceramic femoral heads currently used are associated with a reduced rate of polyethylene wear.

Candida septic arthritis of the hip in a young patient without predisposing factors.

We present a case of septic arthritis of the hip caused by Candida albicans in a 24-year-old woman. This is the first report of a Candida infection of the hip in a patient without any predisposing factors. She underwent a two-stage total hip arthroplasty three years after the onset of the infection. An elevated plasma level of beta-D-glucan suggested Candida as the infecting organism and the diagnosis might have been made earlier if this test had been undertaken at presentation.

The modified Spitzy shelf operation for patients with dysplasia of the hip. A 24-year follow-up study.

We evaluated the long-term results of a modified Spitzy shelf operation for secondary osteoarthritis in 119 hips with a mean follow-up of 23.8 years. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 25 years. Preoperative osteoarthritic change, the age at operation and shelf height were important factors in determining the outcome. Of the 61 hips in the pre-stage (three) and the initial stage (58) of osteoarthritis, 53 (87%) had good results, compared with only 30 (51%) of 58 hips with advanced osteoarthritis. Of the latter, 72% of those aged less than 25 years had good results compared with only 40% of patients aged over 25 years. The shelf height in the group with good results was significantly lower than in those with poor results. This operation is a safe procedure and indicated for acetabular dysplasia or subluxation of the hip with early osteoarthritic change in patients aged less than 25 years.