Suppression of spurious mode oscillation in mega-watt 77-GHz gyrotron as a high quality probe beam source for the collective Thomson scattering in LHD

Collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostic requires a strong probing beam to diagnose a bulk and fast ion distribution function in fusion plasmas. A mega-watt gyrotron for electron cyclotron resonance heating is used as a probing beam in the large helical device. Spurious mode oscillations are often observed during the turning on/off phase of the modulation. The frequency spectra of the 77-GHz gyrotron output power have been measured, and then one of the spurious modes, which interferes with the CTS receiver system, is identified as the TE(17,6) mode at the frequency of 74.7 GHz. The mode competition calculation indicates that the increase of the magnetic field strength at the gyrotron resonator can avoid such a spurious mode and excite only the main TE(18,6) mode. The spurious radiation at the 74.7 GHz is experimentally demonstrated to be suppressed in the stronger magnetic field than that optimized for the high-power operation.

Cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-DNA induces CD274 expression in human B cells and suppresses T helper type 2 cytokine production in pollen antigen-stimulated CD4-positive cells

Co-stimulatory molecules are important for regulating T cell activation and immune response. CD274 [programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), B7-H1] has emerged as an important immune modulator that can block T cell receptor signalling. We have investigated whether PD-L1 and other co-stimulatory ligands could be expressed in human B cells stimulated by cytosine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG)-DNA. CpG-DNA strongly induced the co-inhibitory molecule ligand, PD-L1, of human B cells. Results show that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling is involved directly in CpG-DNA-induced PD-L1 expression in human B cells. We sought to determine the effect of CpG-DNA-treated B cells on T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine production in Cry j 1 (Japanese pollen antigen)-stimulated human CD4-positive cells from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by Japanese cedar pollen. CpG-DNA-treated B cells reduced Cry j 1-induced interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 production in CD4-positive cells. When the binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 was inhibited by PD-1-immunoglobulin (Ig), this chimera molecule reversed the previously described reductions in IL-5 and IL-13 production. In contrast, the CpG B-treated B cells increased both interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-12 production in the presence of Cry j 1-stimulated CD4-positive cells. CpG-DNA simultaneously reduced the expression of B7RP-1 [also known as inducible co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL), B7-H2] and the ligand of CD30 (CD30L). These results indicate that CpG-DNA induces co-inhibitory molecule ligand PD-L1 expression in human B cells and PD-L1 can suppress Th2 cytokine production in Cry j 1-stimulated CD4-positive cells, while CpG-DNA increased Th1 cytokine production and reduced the expression of co-stimulatory molecule ligands that can promote Th2 inflammatory responses.

[Metastatic lung tumor from colon cancer with cavitation: report of a case]

A 55-year-old man underwent rectal amputation for rectal cancer in August 2005. A tiny thin-walled cavity lesion in his left S1+2 was found on computed tomography (CT) of the chest in November 2008. The cavity lesion in the left S1+2 gradually increased in size over 3 months and positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) showed FDG accumulation at the lesion. Videoassisted thoracoscopic (VATS) wedge resection was performed to make a definite diagnosis in March 2009. The pathological findings revealed a metastatic lung tumor from the rectal cancer. It is necessary to consider the possibility of metastatic lung tumors in a case with the cavity lesions especially in patients with a history of colon cancer.

Observation of long-distance radial correlation in toroidal plasma turbulence

This Letter presents the discovery of macroscale electron temperature fluctuations with a long radial correlation length comparable to the plasma minor radius in a toroidal plasma. Their spatiotemporal structure is characterized by a low frequency of ∼1-3  kHz, ballistic radial propagation, a poloidal or toroidal mode number of m/n=1/1 (or 2/1), and an amplitude of ∼2% at maximum. Nonlinear coupling between the long-range fluctuations and the microscopic fluctuations is identified. A change of the amplitude of the long-range fluctuation is transmitted across the plasma radius at the velocity which is of the order of the drift velocity.

Replication-competent retrovirus vector-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy in experimental models of human malignant mesothelioma

Replication-competent retrovirus (RCR) vectors have been shown to achieve significantly enhanced tumor transduction efficiency and therapeutic efficacy in various cancer models. In the present study, we investigated RCR vector-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, a highly aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. RCR-GFP vector expressing the green fluorescent protein marker gene successfully infected and efficiently replicated in human malignant mesothelioma cell lines, as compared with non-malignant mesothelial cells in vitro. In mice with pre-established subcutaneous tumor xenografts, RCR-GFP vector showed robust spread throughout entire tumor masses after intratumoral administration. Next, RCR-cytosine deaminase (RCR-CD), expressing the yeast CD prodrug activator gene, showed efficient transmission of the prodrug activator gene associated with replicative spread of the virus, resulting in efficient killing of malignant mesothelioma cells in a prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5FC)-dose dependent manner in vitro. After a single intratumoral injection of RCR-CD followed by intraperitoneal administration of 5FC, RCR vector-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy achieved significant inhibition of subcutaneous tumor growth, and significantly prolonged survival in the disseminated peritoneal model of malignant mesothelioma. These data indicate the potential utility of RCR vector-mediated prodrug activator gene therapy in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

PPARγ expression is increased in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and represses CD40/CD40L signaling pathway

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous disease involving several immune cell types and pro-inflammatory signals, including the one triggered by binding of CD40L to the receptor CD40. Peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a transcription factor with anti-inflammatory properties. Here we investigated whether CD40 and PPARγ could exert opposite effects in the immune response and the possible implications for SLE. Increased PPARγ mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR in patients with active SLE, compared to patients with inactive SLE PPARγ/GAPDH mRNA = 2.21 ± 0.49 vs. 0.57 ± 0.14, respectively (p < 0.05) or patients with infectious diseases and healthy subjects (p < 0.05). This finding was independent of the corticosteroid therapy. We further explored these observations in human THP1 and in SLE patient-derived macrophages, where activation of CD40 by CD40L promoted augmented PPARγ gene transcription compared to non-stimulated cells (PPARγ/GAPDH mRNA = 1.14 ± 0.38 vs. 0.14 ± 0.01, respectively; p < 0.05). This phenomenon occurred specifically upon CD40 activation, since lipopolysaccharide treatment did not induce a similar response. In addition, increased activity of PPARγ was also detected after CD40 activation, since higher PPARγ-dependent transcription of CD36 transcription was observed. Furthermore, CD40L-stimulated transcription of CD80 gene was elevated in cells treated with PPARγ-specific small interfering RNA (small interfering RNA, siRNA) compared to cells treated with CD40L alone (CD80/GAPDH mRNA = 0.11 ± 0.04 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02, respectively; p < 0.05), suggesting a regulatory role for PPARγ on the CD40/CD40L pathway. Altogether, our findings outline a novel mechanism through which PPARγ regulates the inflammatory signal initiated by activation of CD40, with important implications for the understanding of immunological mechanisms underlying SLE and the development of new treatment strategies.

[Simultaneously treated thymoma and lung cancer; report of a case]

A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in order to treat a mediastinal mass and 2 ground-glass attenuations in the right upper lobe detected by chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT). Partial resection of right lung and thymectomy were performed. The mediastinal mass and 2 ground-glass attenuations in the right upper lobe proved to be thymoma and bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, respectively by pathology.

Collective Thomson scattering of a high power electron cyclotron resonance heating beam in LHD (invited)

Collective Thomson scattering (CTS) system has been constructed at LHD making use of the high power electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) system in Large Helical Device (LHD). The necessary features for CTS, high power probing beams and receiving beams, both with well defined Gaussian profile and with the fine controllability, are endowed in the ECRH system. The 32 channel radiometer with sharp notch filter at the front end is attached to the ECRH system transmission line as a CTS receiver. The validation of the CTS signal is performed by scanning the scattering volume. A new method to separate the CTS signal from background electron cyclotron emission is developed and applied to derive the bulk and high energy ion components for several combinations of neutral beam heated plasmas.

Improvements of data quality of the LHD Thomson scattering diagnostics in high-temperature plasma experiments

In Large Helical Device (LHD) experiments, an electron temperature (T(e)) more than 15 keV has been observed by the yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser Thomson scattering diagnostic. Since the LHD Thomson scattering system has been optimized for the temperature region, 50 eV≤T(e)≤10 keV, the data quality becomes worse in the higher T(e) region exceeding 10 keV. In order to accurately determine T(e) in the LHD high-T(e) experiments, we tried to increase the laser pulse energy by simultaneously firing three lasers. The technique enables us to decrease the uncertainties in the measured T(e). Another signal accumulation method was also tested. In addition, we estimated the influence of high-energy electrons on T(e) obtained by the LHD Thomson scattering system.

Observation of reversed-shear Alfvén eigenmodes excited by energetic ions in a helical plasma

Reversed-shear Alfvén eigenmodes were observed for the first time in a helical plasma having negative q₀'' (the curvature of the safety factor q at the zero shear layer). The frequency is swept downward and upward sequentially via the time variation in the maximum of q. The eigenmodes calculated by ideal MHD theory are consistent with the experimental data. The frequency sweeping is mainly determined by the effects of energetic ions and the bulk pressure gradient. Coupling of reversed-shear Alfvén eigenmodes with energetic ion driven geodesic acoustic modes generates a multitude of frequency-sweeping modes.

Removal of a cavernous hemangioma in the orbital apex via the endoscopic transnasal approach: a case report

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to describe the case of a cavernous hemangioma extending from the orbital apex to the pterygopalatine fossa that was completely removed via an endoscopic transnasal approach.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 48-year-old man who presented with right hemianopsia of the left eye. MRI revealed a 1.5 x 1.1 cm mass lesion extending from the infero-medial part of the left orbital apex to the pterygopalatine fossa. Removal of the lesion was performed via the endoscopic transnasal approach. Using this approach, a wide operative view of the entire extent of the lesion from the optic canal to the orbital apex and the pterygopalatine fossa was obtained, and complete removal of the lesion was performed safely. The pathological diagnosis was cavernous hemangioma.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic transnasal approach is a safe, effective, and less invasive therapeutic modality for the removal of lesions extending from the infero-medial part of the left orbital apex to the pterygopalatine fossa. With appropriate patient selection, this approach improves access and visualization, and it enables performance of operative procedures with much less risk than the conventional microscopic transcranial or transfacial approaches.

Novel antagonists for proteinase-activated receptor 2: inhibition of cellular and vascular responses in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR(2)) is a G-protein coupled receptor associated with many pathophysiological functions. To date, the development of PAR(2) antagonists has been limited. Here, we identify a number of novel peptide-mimetic PAR(2) antagonists and demonstrate inhibitory effects on PAR(2)-mediated intracellular signalling pathways and vascular responses.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The peptide-mimetic compound library based on the structures of PAR(2) agonist peptides were screened for inhibition of PAR(2)-induced calcium mobilisation in human keratinocytes. Representative compounds were further evaluated by radioligand binding and inhibition of NFkappaB transcriptional activity and IL-8 production. The vascular effects of the antagonists were assessed using in vitro and in vivo models.

KEY RESULTS

Two compounds, K-12940 and K-14585, significantly reduced SLIGKV-induced Ca(2+) mobilisation in primary human keratinocytes. Both K-12940 and K-14585 exhibited competitive inhibition for the binding of a high-affinity radiolabelled PAR(2)-ligand, [(3)H]-2-furoyl-LIGRL-NH(2), to human PAR(2) with K(i) values of 1.94 and 0.627 microM respectively. NFkappaB reporter activity and IL-8 production were also significantly reduced. Furthermore, relaxation of rat-isolated aorta induced by SLIGRL-NH(2) was inhibited competitively by K-14585. K-14585 also significantly lowered plasma extravasation in the dorsal skin of guinea pigs and reduced salivation in mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

K-12940 and K-14585 antagonized PAR(2) competitively, resulting in inhibition of PAR(2)-mediated signalling and physiological responses both in vitro and in vivo. These peptide-mimetic PAR(2) antagonists could be useful in evaluating PAR(2)-mediated biological events and might lead to a new generation of therapeutically useful antagonists.

[Pulmonary hilar lymph node metastasis from cancer of unknown origin; report of a case]

A 47-year-old man with a history of surgery for gastric cancer had enlarging right hilar tumor. Primary or metastatic malignant tumor was suggested and the right upper lobectomy with systematic nodal dissection was performed. Pathological diagnosis was lymph node metastasis of the squamous cell carcinoma. He received no additional treatment, and is well without recurrence 5 years after resection.