Search for η^{'} Bound Nuclei in the ^{12}C(γ,p) Reaction with Simultaneous Detection of Decay Products

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2  nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Fluorescence Database of Aerosol-Candidate-Substances for Fluorescence Lidar Application

A database containing spectrum and cross-section of the fluorescence of substances has been made. In test of forest environment monitoring by our Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectrum (LIFS) lidar, the database showed that the origin substance of the aerosol observed by the lidar was cedar pollen, and the concentration was calculated using the cross-section. In the urban atmosphere monitoring, three substances stored in the database were proposed to be the origins of the aerosol. Based on these experiments, we discuss the usefulness of the fluorescence database in lidar observations.

Engraftment and proliferation potential of embryonic lung tissue cells in irradiated mice with emphysema

Recently, there has been increasing interest in stem cell transplantation therapy, to treat chronic respiratory diseases, using lung epithelial cells or alveolospheres derived from endogenous lung progenitor cells. However, optimal transplantation strategy of these cells has not been addressed. To gain insight into the optimization of stem cell transplantation therapy, we investigated whether lung cell engraftment potential differ among different developmental stages. After preconditioning with irradiation and elastase to induce lung damage, we infused embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) CAG-EGFP whole lung cells, and confirmed the engraftment of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and mesenchymal cells. The number of EGFP-positive epithelial cells increased from day 7 to 28 after infusion. Among epithelial cells derived from E13.5, E15.5, E18.5, P7, P14, and P56 mice, E15.5 cells demonstrated the most efficient engraftment. In vitro, E15.5 epithelial cells showed high proliferation potential. Transcriptome analyses of sorted epithelial cells from E13.5, E15.5, E18.5, P14, and P56 mice revealed that cell cycle and cell-cell adhesion genes were highly enriched in E15.5 epithelial cells. Our findings suggest that cell therapy for lung diseases might be most effective when epithelial cells with transcriptional traits similar to those of E15.5 epithelial cells are used.

Mesenchymal-Epithelial Interactome Analysis Reveals Essential Factors Required for Fibroblast-Free Alveolosphere Formation

Lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts are key cell populations in lung development. Fibroblasts support type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2) in the developing and mature lung. However, fibroblast-AEC2 interactions have not been clearly described. We addressed this in the present study by time course serial analysis of gene expression sequencing (SAGE-seq) of epithelial cells and fibroblasts of developing and mature murine lungs. We identified lung fibroblast-epithelial interactions that potentially regulate alveologenesis and are mediated by fibroblast-expressed ligands and epithelial cell surface receptors. In the epithelial-fibroblast co-culture alveolosphere formation assay, single intervention against fibroblast-expressed ligand or associated signaling cascades promoted or inhibited alveolosphere growth. Adding the ligand-associated molecules fibroblast growth factor 7 and Notch ligand and inhibitors of bone morphogenetic protein 4, transforming growth factor β, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β to the culture medium enabled fibroblast-free alveolosphere formation. The results revealed the essential factors regulating fibroblast-AEC2 interactions.

Digital Clubbing Is Associated with Higher Serum KL-6 Levels and Lower Pulmonary Function in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease

Background

Although digital clubbing is a common presentation in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), little has been reported regarding its role in assessing patients with ILD. This study evaluated patients with ILD for the presence of clubbing and investigated its association with clinical data.

Methods

We evaluated patients with ILD who visited the teaching hospital at which the study was conducted, between October 2014 and January 2015. Clubbing, evaluated using a Vernier caliper for individual patients, was defined as a phalangeal depth ratio > 1. We examined the association of clubbing with clinical data.

Results

Of 102 patients with ILD, we identified 17 (16.7%) with clubbing. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood was lower (65.2 ± 5.9 mmHg versus 80.2 ± 3.1 mmHg; p=0.03), serum Krebs von den Lugen-6 (KL-6) levels were higher (1495.0 ± 277.4 U/mL versus 839.1 ± 70.2 U/mL; p=0.001), and the percent predicted diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide was lower (50.0 ± 6.0 versus 73.5 ± 3.1; p=0.002) in these patients with clubbing.

Conclusions

Patients with clubbing had lower oxygen levels, higher serum KL-6 levels, and lower pulmonary function than those without clubbing.