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No studies have investigated the prognostic value of left atrial stiffness (LASt) estimated using echocardiography in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).72 dogs had MMVD and 46 dogs were healthy dogs.Clinical retrospective cohort study. The survival information of MMVD dogs that underwent echocardiographic examination was obtained. The peak velocities of early diastolic transmitral flow (E) and mitral annular motion as determined by pulsed wave Doppler (E') were determined. The left atrial reservoir strain (ε17 dogs having MMVD died of cardiac-related causes with 55 MMVD dogs censored. The MMVD dogs with LASt its 95% upper prediction limit (LASt 0.56; n = 26; median survival time, 484 days; 95% confidence interval, 283 days-indeterminable) had shorter survival times (P0.001) than those with LASt ≤ its 95% upper prediction limit (LASt ≤ 0.56; n = 46; median survival time,1112 days; 95% confidence interval, indeterminable). Multivariable Cox's proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that the ratio of the left atrial dimension to the aortic annulus dimension and LASt were independent predictors of cardiac-related death among conventional echocardiographic indices, εIn dogs with MMVD, increased LASt estimated using echocardiography is an independent predictor of cardiac-related death, and LASt can be more useful for prognostication than ε

It is difficult to correlate the direction of mandibular canal branches (MCBs) with altered sensation in dental treatments. In contrast, calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) is related to vasodilation, bone formation, and the interaction with the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, we investigated the detailed morphological characteristics of MCBs using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and observation of the CGRP distribution around the MCB. The MCB measurements were evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to identify morphological correlations. A total of 168 sides of mandibles from 84 cadavers were analyzed in this study. Most of the MCBs were primarily in the direction of the clock model from X to XI in sagittal sections and XII to I in coronal sections of the mandible. The structure of the MCB was divided into the fine canal branch (60.4%, 223/369), partial branch (24.4%, 90/369), and no canal branch (15.2%, 56/369). PCA indicated that the measurement element with the MCB and its structures were correlated in contrast to tooth factors. Positive CGRP reactions were clearly observed in the no-canal branch group compared to other groups. These data provide useful suggestions for MCB dynamics and information for clinical dental treatment.

Introduction: Few studies have evaluated the utility of echocardiographic indices of right ventricular (RV) function in predicting prognosis in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Animals: Sixty-seven client-owned dogs were diagnosed with MMVD.Materials and methods: clinical cohort study. Dogs diagnosed with American college of veterinary internal medicine (ACVIM) stage B2, C or D between April 2014 and March 2017 were enrolled. Long-term outcomes were assessed by telephone or from the medical record. The primary end-point was defined as cardiac related death. Echocardiographic indices of RV function, including the RV Tei index, free wall and septal RV longitudinal strain, were obtained. Univariable and multi variable Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to identify variables predictive of cardiac-related death. Results: Twenty-four dogs died during the follow-up period. The median follow-up time was 482 days, and the median survival time for dogs with cardiac-related death was 230 days. For cardiac-related death, peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity, ACVIM stage C or D, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, RV Tei index and RV end-diastolic area were predictors in univariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. In multivariable Cox proportional analysis adjusted for the left atrial to aorta ratio, peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity and ACVIM stage, an increase in the Tei index by 0.1 increased the hazard ratio of cardiac-related death by 33% (95% con-fidence interval, 16-70%; P 1/4 0.002).Conclusions: In dogs with MMVD, RV dysfunction assessed by the Tei index is an independent predictor of cardiac-related death.

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 568–574 Objective: To determine whether a link exists between inflammation and aquaporin-5 distribution in submandibular glands from three animal models for Sjogren’s syndrome: IQI/JIC, r1ΔT/r2n and non-obese diabetic mice. Methods: Mice of different ages were used. Inflammatory infiltrates were quantified using the focus score. Acinar aquaporin-5 subcellular distribution was determined by immunohistochemistry and quantified using labelling indices. Results: Minor inflammatory infiltrates were present in r1f/r2n mice. Massive inflammatory infiltrates and acinar destruction were observed in 24-week-old non-obese diabetic mice, 10-and 13-month-old IQI/JIC mice and some r1ΔT/r2n mice. Aquaporin-5 immunoreactivity was primarily apical in submandibular glands from 8- and 24-week-old Balb/C mice, 8-week-old non-obese diabetic mice, 2-, 4- and 7-month-old IQI/JIC mice and r1f/r2n mice. In contrast, decreased apical aquaporin-5 labelling index with concomitant increased apical-basolateral, apical-cytoplasmic and/or apical-basolateral-cytoplasmic aquaporin-5 labelling indices was observed in 24-week-old non-obese diabetic, 10- and 13-month-old IQI/JIC and r1ΔT/r2n mice with a focus score ≥ 1. Conclusions: Altered aquaporin-5 distribution in submandibular acinar cells from IQI/JIC, non-obese diabetic and r1ΔT/r2n mice with a focus score ≥ 1 appears to be concomitant to the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and acinar destruction.

Introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) have been reported to damage endemic plants of the Ogasawara Islands by gnawing. This study used seasonal field observations of plants together with analysis of rat stomach contents and age structure to help understand the cause or mechanism of black rat twigcutting activities. Twigs of Ochrosia nakaiana and Hibiscus glaber were found to be cut by black rats on the islands of Nishijima, Anijima, and Mukojima in March and April 2006 and 2007. Fragments of twig tissues in rat feces proved that the rats ate twigs, rather than only gnawing or cutting them. Age compositions of trapped black rats showed that the season of plant damage corresponded with that of low breeding activities of the rats and scarcity of preferred foods (January–March). We assume a link between low breeding activities of the black rats and food shortage, which motivated the rats to consume twig tissues.

This paper describes a fully integrated single-chip CMOS mixed-signal system on a chip (SoC) for DVD player applications. It integrates one digital signal processor (DSP), two 32-bit CPUs, three dedicated processing units, a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) read channel with an analog front end (AFE), and many other subsystems on the same die. The AFE includes a fifth-order G/sub m/-C filter and attains over 66 dB C/N overall. PR(3,4,4,3) structure is employed in the PRML read channel. Owing to the PRML signal processing and the mixed-signal system level optimization in the PRML read channel, less than 10/sup -6/ of bit-error rate (BER) is obtained for the focus offset margins over /spl plusmn/0.5 /spl mu/m. This SoC is fabricated in 0.13-/spl mu/m one-poly six-Cu CMOS technology. It contains 24 million transistors in a 63.87 mm/sup 2/ die and consumes 1.5 W at 40 MSample/s data rate, which corresponds to DVD 1.5 times playback operation mode.

A radicular cyst arising from the primary second molar and causing displacement of the permanent successor to the lower border of the mandible, with accompanying buccal expansion, was examined clinically and radiographically. Extraction of the primary molar and extirpation of the cyst led to uneventful healing. The primary molar had received pulp treatment with therapeutic agents approximately 1.5 years prior to the patient's first visit. The relationship between pulp treatment and rapid growth of the radicular cyst is discussed.

Bi-2212 bulk cylinders have been prepared by the diffusion process for current lead application. The Bi-2212 oxide superconducting layer is synthesized through the reaction between a Sr-Ca-Cu oxide tubular substrate and a Bi-Cu oxide coating layer with Ag addition. The Bi-2212 diffusion layer about 150 /spl mu/m in thickness with textured structure formed around a tube 20/16 mm in outside/inside diameter. The transport current of the tube specimen exceeds 6.250 A at 4.2 K under self-field, which corresponds to a transport current density of 35,000 A/cm/sup 2/. The overall joint resistance is measured to be about 150 m/spl Omega/ at both ends of the specimen, composed of Cu endcap, Sn-Pb solder and Ag contact on the specimen. The resistivity of the commercial Sn-Pb solders is About 2 n/spl Omega/m at 4.2 K, and one order of the magnitude higher than that of Cu and Ag. Therefore, the soldering process is important in reducing the joint resistance and the resultant Joule heat. Present Bi-2212 bulk conductors with large transport current are promising as current leads for superconducting magnets.

Bi-2212 oxide superconducting current leads have been prepared by the diffusion process. The Bi-2212 diffusion layer is synthesized through diffusion reaction between a Sr-Ca-Cu oxide substrate and a Bi-Cu oxide coating layer with Ag addition. The Bi-2212 diffusion layer, about 150 /spl mu/m in thickness, formed around the cylindrical tube and rod shows dense and textured structure with plate-like grains. The transport Jc of the diffusion layer exceeds 20000 A/cm/sup 2/ at 4.2 K under self-field. The transport Ic of the rod specimen 3 mm in diameter exceeds 300 A at 4.2 K. The transport Ic of the tube specimen 20/16 mm in outside/inside diameter exceeds 2500 A, and is estimated to be 4000 A at 4.2K under self-field. The Joule heating of the electrodes formed on both ends of the tube specimen is 5-7 mW since the overall voltage of the electrodes is 5-7 /spl mu/V at 4.2 K and transport current of 1000 A. Therefore, the total heat load, including heat leakage conducted through bulk tube specimen between 4 K and 40 K, is expected to be less than 100 mW at a current of 1000 A. Present Bi-2212 oxide conductors with large transport Ic as well as low resistance and thermal conductivity, seem to be promising as current leads for superconducting magnets.

HIV-1-specific CTL has a crucial role in the elimination of the virus. However, a restricted number of common HLA class I alleles has been studied for their presentation of HIV-1 CTL epitopes. We have attempted to identify HIV-1 CTL epitopes presented by HLA-A*2402 using reverse immunogenetics. Fifty-three HLA-A*2402-binding HIV-1 peptides were used to induce specific CTL in PBL of four HIV-1-infected individuals carrying HLA-A24. Twelve peptides were strongly suggested to be HLA-A*2402-restricted HIV-1 CTL epitopes because these peptides induced the specific CTL that killed both the target cells pulsed with the specific peptides and those infected with the vaccinia HIV-1 recombinant virus in at least one HIV-1-infected individual. Of these epitopes, 11 were confirmed by the generation of the specific CTL clones. Six were the Env epitopes while three, one, and one were derived from Gag, Pol, and Nef proteins, respectively. Analysis of 12 HIV-1-infected individuals using these peptides showed that 5 derived from the Env protein and one from the Nef protein were strong epitopes. These strong epitopes were derived from the diverse region of HIV-1 while weak epitopes were conserved in the HIV-1 clade B strain. Analysis of CTL recognition of mutations in these strong epitopes suggested that the mutations in the Env epitopes may critically influence CTL recognition in vivo.

We recently showed HLA-B35-restricted CTL activity for 10 HIV-1 epitopes in PBL from two HIV-1-infected individuals. In the present study, we established CTL clones specific for nine of these HIV-1 epitopes to confirm these HLA-B35-restricted epitopes. The specific CTL clones effectively killed the HLA-B*3501-positive target cells infected with the HIV-1 vaccinia recombinant virus. These results confirmed that nine HIV-1 CTL epitopes are presented by HLA-B*3501 molecules. The CTL activity specific for four Pol and two Nef epitopes was induced in the peptide-stimulated PBL from three or more of seven HIV-1-infected individuals, indicating that these six are common epitopes. Eight were considered strong epitopes because the specific CTL activity was detected in the cultured PBL that was once stimulated with peptides. Thus, the present study excluded the possibility that the disability of the presentation of HIV-1 epitopes by HLA-B35 molecules is associated with the accelerated progression of AIDS in HLA-B35-positive individuals. Analysis of mutated epitopes found in an HIV-1 type B strain using the CTL clones revealed that most mutated epitopes partially or markedly affect the recognition of CTL clones. Of 19 mutations that affected recognition of the CTL clones, 7 reduced peptide-HLA-B*3501 binding, while 12 affected TCR recognition. These results indicate that natural mutations of HLA-B35-restricted HIV-1 CTL epitopes affect the recognition of CTL by mechanisms that reduce both peptide binding and TCR recognition.

NK cells and some T cells have receptors for MHC class I molecules that negatively regulate the recognition of these cells. In the present study, we show alpha beta CTL clones carrying the receptors for HLA-DR molecules that inhibit this cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity of two CTL clones possessing NK activity was inhibited by the surface expression of HLA-DR and HLA class I molecules on the target cells. The inhibitory effect of DR molecules on the cytotoxicity of the CTL clones was confirmed by using T2 transfectants expressing HLA-DR3. These results suggest that receptors for both HLA-DR and HLA class I molecules negatively regulate the recognition of T cells.

NK cells have receptors for MHC class I molecules that inhibit cytotoxicity against target cells. We show that recognition of gamma delta CTL is negatively regulated by receptors for MHC class I molecules. Cytolysis of C1R cells by gamma delta CTL clones was inhibited by the expression of polymorphic HLA class I molecules on target cells and was restored by blocking with anti-HLA class I mAb, suggesting the presence of inhibitory receptors for HLA class I molecules. The receptors for HLA class I molecules on gamma delta T cells were heterogenous. The immune responses to various Ags may be regulated via these inhibitory receptors on T cells and NK cells.

Dengue virus infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. We analyzed dengue virus-specific CD8+ CD4- CTL at the clonal level to further understand the role of CD8+ CTL in dengue virus infections. Dengue virus-specific CD8+ CTL clones were established from lymphocytes of a dengue 4-immune adult. Three patterns of dengue serotype specificities were identified: 1) specific for dengue 4, 2) cross-reactive for dengue 2 and dengue 4 (subcomplex-specific); and 3) cross-reactive for all four dengue virus serotypes. Three dengue 4-specific clones and one dengue 2/dengue 4 cross-reactive clone were further analyzed. All four of the clones were HLA-B35 restricted and recognized NS3. The epitopes were mapped to amino acids (aa) 483 to 618 of NS3. The epitope was then defined by using synthetic peptides. Three dengue 4-specific clones and one dengue 2/dengue 4 cross-reactive clone recognized the same peptide (TPEGIIPTL) encompassing aa 500 to 508 of dengue 4 NS3. The peptide encompassing aa 500-508 of dengue 2 NS3 was recognized by a dengue 2/dengue 4 cross-reactive clone but was not recognized by the dengue 4-specific clones. Dengue 4-specific and dengue 2/dengue 4 cross-reactive clones used different TCR. These results indicate that CD8+ CTL clones that use different TCR and demonstrate two distinct serotype specificities recognize the same 9-mer peptide in the context of HLA-B35.

To determine whether a link exists between inflammation and aquaporin-5 distribution in submandibular glands from three animal models for Sjögren's syndrome: IQI/JIC, r1ΔT/r2n and non-obese diabetic mice.Mice of different ages were used. Inflammatory infiltrates were quantified using the focus score. Acinar aquaporin-5 subcellular distribution was determined by immunohistochemistry and quantified using labelling indices. Minor inflammatory infiltrates were present in r1f/r2n mice. Massive inflammatory infiltrates and acinar destruction were observed in 24-week-old non-obese diabetic mice, 10-and 13-month-old IQI/JIC mice and some r1ΔT/r2n mice. Aquaporin-5 immunoreactivity was primarily apical in submandibular glands from 8- and 24-week-old Balb/C mice, 8-week-old non-obese diabetic mice, 2-, 4- and 7-month-old IQI/JIC mice and r1f/r2n mice. In contrast, decreased apical aquaporin-5 labelling index with concomitant increased apical-basolateral, apical-cytoplasmic and/or apical-basolateral-cytoplasmic aquaporin-5 labelling indices was observed in 24-week-old non-obese diabetic, 10- and 13-month-old IQI/JIC and r1ΔT/r2n mice with a focus score≥1. Altered aquaporin-5 distribution in submandibular acinar cells from IQI/JIC, non-obese diabetic and r1ΔT/r2n mice with a focus score≥1 appears to be concomitant to the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and acinar destruction.

To quantitatively evaluate the waveform distortions observed through a catheter-manometer system, the tolerance range of amplitude errors and that of phase errors are defined as both within +/- 5%, and the frequency bandwidth was calculated where the frequency characteristics of amplitude and those of phase difference satisfy the two tolerance ranges by use of a second-order kinetic equation. The results were expressed by three variables, composed of the natural frequency (fn), damping coefficient (zeta), and highest frequency (fh) corresponding to the frequency bandwidth; a chart was constructed with fn on the x-axis, zeta on the y-axis, and fh as parameter. Also on the chart, the propagation delay times (td's) determined by fn, zeta, and fh were plotted. We measured the frequency characteristics of two 7-Fr Swan-Ganz catheters with lengths of 75 and 110 cm. fn's and zeta's were found to be 13.9 and 10.1 Hz and 0.23 and 0.32, respectively. Referring to this chart, the maximal fh these catheters would be able to reproduce within the tolerance ranges and the propagation td's can be predicted to be 3.2 and 2.4 Hz and 7 and 12 ms, respectively. Suppression of resonance by use of Accudynamic improved the maximal fh's to 3.9 and 2.9 Hz, respectively, but resulted in the increased td's to 14 and 19 ms due to increased zeta.

Podocytes cover the glomerulus and their adjacent foot processes form a principal barrier called the slit diaphragm. Podocyte dysfunctions, including podocyte loss and slit diaphragm disruptions, induce chronic kidney diseases (CKD). In this study, we analyzed the correlations between podocyte injuries and renal dysfunctions in domestic carnivores. Dogs and cats were divided into normal and CKD groups according to renal histopathology and plasma creatinine values. Immunostaining results showed that linear reactions of slit diaphragm molecules, e.g., nephrin, podocin, and ACTN4, were parallel to glomerular capillaries in all animals. However, in dogs, reactions of nephrin and ACTN4 were changed to a granular pattern in the CKD group, and their intensities significantly decreased with the number of podocytes in the glomerulus. Moreover, the expression of nephrin and ACTN4 negatively correlated with creatinine. Real-time PCR analysis showed that nephrin mRNA expression in the kidneys of CKD dogs was significantly lower than that in normal animals, and negatively correlated with creatinine. Although no significant correlation between renal dysfunction and podocyte injury was detected in cats, histoplanimetric scores of tubulointerstitial lesions in CKD cats were higher than those in both normal cats and diseased dogs. Furthermore, mRNAs of WT1 and SD molecules were detected in urine from CKD animals. In conclusion, podocyte injuries such as podocytopenia and decreased expression of nephrin and ACTN4 in the glomerulus were more strongly correlated with renal dysfunction in dogs than in cats. These findings suggest that the CKD pathogenesis, especially susceptibilities to podocyte injuries, differed between dogs and cats.

Previous studies indicated that weak xenoresponse to HLA class I by mouse T cells is due to the inefficient interaction of mouse CD8 with the alpha 3 domain of HLA class I. The present study using chimeric H-2Kb molecules with recombinant alpha 3 domain between H-2Kb and HLA-B7 as well as single amino acid mutants of H-2Kb demonstrated that each substitution at residues 224 and 228 affects recognition of CD8-dependent mouse CTL clones. On the other hand, reactivity of IL-2-producing H-2Kb-specific T cell hybridoma transfected with mouse CD8 alpha was abrogated by substitution at residue 224 but not by that at residue 228. This indicates that the substitution at residue 228 affects recognition of CD8-dependent CTL but does not critically affect binding of CD8 to MHC class I molecules, although residue 224 abrogates binding of CD8. The model structure of the alpha 3 domain of H-2Kb suggests that the substitution at residue 224 induces conformational change of CD8 binding loop, whereas minimum structure change by the substitution at residue 228 is expected. It is therefore speculated that minimum structure change of CD8 binding loop by substitution at residue 228 may influence binding affinity of CD8, which abrogates recognition of CD8-dependent CTL but not IL-2 production of the CD8-dependent T cell hybridoma.

Human minor histocompatibility antigen-specific, HLA-B * 3501-restricted cytotoxic T-cell clones were assayed on a panel of 25 different target cells previously typed by serology as HLA-B35. Cells from 6 donors were not killed and cells from 2 of these were further studied by molecular cloning to characterize their HLA class I alleles. Two new HLA-B35 subtypes were identified. The sequence of one of them differs from B * 3501 by one nucleotide change at codon 156, replacing a Leu for an Arg. The sequence of the other new subtype also shows a single nucleotide change compared to B * 3501, with Gly→Val substitution at residue 16. With these new variants, the allelic complexity of HLA-B35 extends now to eight subtypes

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with perflubutane microbubbles improves the diagnostic accuracy to differentiate benign and malignant focal liver lesions in dogs.Perflubutane microbubbles-enhanced ultrasonography is useful for differentiation of benign from malignant focal splenic lesions in dogs.Twenty-nine clinical dogs with single or multiple focal splenic lesions detected by conventional ultrasonography.Prospective clinical observational study. Perflubutane microbubbles-enhanced ultrasonography was performed in 29 dogs with focal splenic lesions. Qualitative assessment of the enhancement pattern was performed in the early vascular, late vascular, and parenchymal phases.In the early vascular phase, a hypoechoic pattern was significantly associated with malignancy (P=.02) with sensitivity of 38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25-38%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 84-100%). In the late vascular phase, a hypoechoic pattern was significantly associated with malignancy (P=.001) with sensitivity of 81% (95% CI, 66-90%) and specificity of 85% (95% CI, 65-95%). There was no significant difference between malignant and benign lesions during the parenchymal phase.Hypoechoic splenic nodules in the early and late vascular phases with perflubutane microbubbles-enhanced ultrasonography are strongly suggestive of malignancy in dogs.

A cDNA of alpha alpha-trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28) from a cDNA library of male bean-shaped accessory gland of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, has been isolated by the homology screening approach. Sequence analysis of the cDNA (1830 bp) revealed that the cDNA encoded a protein of 555 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 64457. The deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarities to rabbit small intestine and Escherichia coli trehalases. Northern blotting and semi-quantitative PCR analyses revealed that a trehalase transcript with about 2.0 kb was abundant in bean-shaped accessory glands. In the glands, the amount of trehalase transcript increased from 1 to 2 days after adult ecdysis. These tissue- and stage-specific gene expressions of trehalase corresponded to the tissue- and stage-specificity of trehalase activity.

It is known that the alpha-chain of CD8 binds to a negatively charged loop composed of residues 223 to 229 on MHC class I Ag and that binding of CD8 alpha enhances Ag recognition of T cells. We have recently shown that the mouse CD8 alpha homodimer does not bind to either the HLA class I alpha 3 domain or a mutant of H-2Kb Ag containing a substitution of glutamine for methionine at residue 224, which brings this residue toward the human consensus. Here we report a complementary study of the CD8 beta-chain. The functional role of the CD8 beta-chain was analyzed by using four T cell hybridoma lines expressing mouse CD8 alpha and transfected with the mouse CD8 beta gene. As compared with the lines expressing only CD8 alpha, allorecognition of the chimeric H-2Kb Ag that contains the HLA class I alpha 3 domain was enhanced in lines expressing both CD8 alpha and -beta. This enhancement was blocked by either anti-CD8 mAb or anti-HLA class I alpha 3 domain mAb. In addition, we show that CD8 alpha beta binds the H-2Kb mutant Ag at residue 224. These results suggest that the beta-chain allows the CD8 alpha beta heterodimer to recognize the chimeric H-2Kb Ag. A model for the role of the beta-chain is presented.

To identify mAb reacting with the HLA class I alpha 3 domain, 14 mAb recognizing monomorphic determinants expressed on HLA-A, B, and C Ag or restricted to HLA-B Ag were screened in indirect immunofluorescence with mouse L cells expressing HLA-B7/H-2Kb chimeric Ag. mAb CR1S63, CR10-215, CR11-115, and W6/32 were found to react with the HLA class I alpha 3 domain in addition to the alpha 2 domain. mAb Q1/28 and TP25.99 were found to react only with the HLA class I alpha 3 domain. The determinants recognized by the six mAb were mapped on the HLA class I alpha 3 domain by indirect immunofluorescence staining of L cells expressing H-2Kb Ag containing different segments of the HLA-B7 alpha 3 domain chimerized with the H-2Kb alpha 3 domain. mAb TP25.99 reacts with chimeric Ag containing the HLA-B7 184 to 199 stretch, mAb CR10-215 and CR11-115 react with chimeric Ag containing the HLA-B7 184 to 246 stretch, mAb CR1S63 and Q1/28 react with chimeric Ag containing the HLA-B7 184 to 256 stretch, and mAb W6/32 reacts with chimeric Ag containing the whole HLA-B7 alpha 3 domain. Functional analysis using human CD8 alpha-bearing mouse H-2Kb-specific T cell hybridoma cells (HTB-Leu2) showed that only mAb TP25.99 inhibited IL-2 production by HTB-Leu2 cells stimulated with L cells expressing KbKbB7 Ag. This inhibition may occur because of the spatial proximity of the determinant defined by mAb TP25.99 to the CD8 alpha binding loop and/or because of change(s) in the conformation of the CD8 alpha binding loop induced by the binding of mAb TP25.99 to the HLA class I molecule. Furthermore, mAb TP25.99 inhibited the cytotoxicity of CD8-dependent and CD8-independent CTL clones. These results indicate that mAb TP25.99 has unique specificity and functional characteristics. Therefore it represents a valuable probe to characterize the role of the HLA class I alpha 3 domain in immunologic phenomena.

This paper presents a model of a wind turbine-fed interior permanent magnet synchronous generator (IPMSG) connected to converter middot inverter drive system. Control inputs are defined as a torque of a wind turbine and the converter voltages and inverter voltages of the IPMSG drive. The drive system becomes a multi-input and multi-output controlled object. Variable control objects such as maximum efficiency operation, maximum torque/ampere control, unity power factor control of the converter and inverter can be able to control simultaneously. The validity of the proposed model is confirmed by simulation results composing by the optimal regulator theory.

The surface expression of two HLA-C blank Ag (Cb-1 and Cb-2) on PBL was investigated with Cb-1- and Cb-2-specific CTL clones generated by the stimulation of the HLA-C blank Ag on transfected Hmy2CIR cells. The Cb-1- and Cb-2-specific CTL clones could lyse EBV-transformed B cells and PHA-induced T cells from which the HLA-C blank genes were derived. Furthermore, the reactivity of these CTL clones with PHA-induced T cells was blocked by HLA class I monomorphic mAb. These results demonstrated that the HLA-C blank Ag are expressed on the surfaces of PBL. Thus, despite the fact that the HLA-C blank Ag are expressed on normal PBL, they are incapable of generating corresponding alloantibodies. On the other hand, the present study demonstrated that these Ag on normal PBL are able to induce specific CTL and that the capacity of these Ag to induce allogeneic CTL is almost identical to that of HLA-B Ag, indicating that they may function as alloantigens in vivo and play a significant role in the rejection of organ grafts and in the graft-versus-host reaction in bone marrow transplantation.

Our previous studies demonstrated that allorecognition of HTB176.10 and HTB177.2, H-2Kb-reactive CD4-CD8- T cell hybridomas is markedly influenced by the exchange of the alpha 3 domain between H-2Kb and H-2Dp. The recombinant genes of the exon 4 between H-2Kb and H-2Dp were constructed to determine the residues of the alpha 3 domain that influence the allorecognition of these T cell hybridomas. Seven recombinant genes of the exon 4 were generated by in vivo recombination in Escherichia coli. Chimeric genes containing these recombinants were transfected into L cells and the transfectants expressing equivalent amounts of chimeric molecules were selected by flow cytometry. Studies on responses of these T cell hybridomas to the chimeric molecules confirmed our previous observation that the primary structure of the alpha 3 domain influences the allorecognition by the hybridomas. Moreover, it was indicated that residue 256 on the alpha 3 domain markedly affects the allorecognition by the T cell hybridomas, although substitutions at residues 184, 193, 195, 197, 262, and 264 exerted some effects on the T cell recognition. Further studies with the use of a single amino acid mutant of H-2Kb at residue 256 confirmed the effect of substitution at residue 256 on allorecognition of the T cell hybridomas. Taken together, results of this study demonstrated that polymorphism of the alpha 3 domain is indeed involved in the formation of allodeterminants recognized by TCR.

Argininemia results from a deficiency of arginase (EC 3.5.3.1), the last enzyme of the urea cycle in the liver. We examined the molecular basis for argininemia by constructing a genomic library followed by cloning and DNA sequencing. Discrete mutations were found on two alleles from the patient, a product of a nonconsanguineous marriage. There was a four-base deletion at protein-coding region 262-265 or 263-266 in exon 3 that would lead to a reading-frame shift after amino acid residue 87 and make a new stop codon at residue 132. The other was a one-base deletion at 77 or 78 in exon 2 that would lead to a reading-frame shift after residue 26 and make a stop codon at residue 31. For confirmation, genomic DNAs from the patient and from her parents were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction method. The patient was shown to be a compound heterozygote, inheriting an allele with the four-base deletion from the father and the other allele with the one-base deletion from the mother. These data seem to be the first evidence of a case of argininemia caused by two different deletion mutations.

A novel HLA-B5 CREG gene, HLA-B SNA was cloned and the primary structure was determined. The sequence data showed that HLA-B SNA was identical to HLA-B51 except the alpha 1 domain in which one amino acid substitution at residue 74 and 5 amino acid substitutions associated with the Bw4/Bw6 epitopes were observed between these Ag. The comparison with other HLA-B locus genes suggested that HLA-B SNA evolved from HLA-B51 by gene exchange or recombination at the exon 2 between HLA-B51 and B8. A total of 10 of 14 HLA-B51-specific CTL clones showed significantly weak or no recognition of HLA-B SNA Ag. They also gave the same degree of a lysis of Hmy2CIR cells expressing the HLA-B35/51 chimeric Ag composed of the alpha 1 domain of HLA-B35 and other domains of HLA-B51 as that of Hmy2CIR cells expressing the HLA-B SNA Ag. These results demonstrated that amino acid substitutions within positions 77-83 associated with the HLA-Bw4/Bw6 epitopes have an influence on recognition of the HLA-B SNA antigen by HLA-B51-specific CTL.

This paper presents a model of PWM converter and inverter-fed Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor drive system. The IPMSM drive system becomes a multi-input and multi-output control objects, then multi variable control objects such as adjustable speed, unity power factor control and maximum efficiency control can be designed simultaneously. The converter source current components are regulated by vector control (VC) strategy to achieve the desired DC link voltage and unity source power factor. The efficiency can be improved by minimizing the total loss of IPMSM. So, an efficiency optimization algorithm is developed to minimize the total controllable losses of IPMSM. To obtain desired DC link voltage, unity source power factor as well as desired speed of IPMSM with efficiency optimization simultaneously, a state space model for the overall system of IPMSM and converter is derived in a synchronously rotating reference frame. An augmented state space model is developed to design a controller by which the desired control objectives can be achieved. Using the proposed MIMO optimal regulator, desired DC link voltage, unity source power factor as well as desired speed of IPMSM with efficiency optimization can be achieved simultaneously. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is verified by simulations performed by using Matlab/Simulink.

This paper presents a field oriented direct torque control system in Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM) which controls torque to be the maximum and flux to be the minimum simultaneously. In order to control torque directly, a concept of magnetic energy conversion is introduced. A state space model described by magnetic energies which one is stayed in the field and the other is converted to torque are presented. Direct torque control based on the state space model is more robust to disturbance such as load torque change. A PWM inverter-fed IPMSM control system has been driven by field oriented control algorithm without chattering applied on sliding mode control. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed by simulation results.

Coupling of soft magnetic films to antiferromagnetic substrates was studied by spin-polarized secondary electron microscopy. Permalloy (Ni80Fe20 alloy) films were deposited on antiferromagnetic NiO(111) single-crystal substrates. A domain structure consisting of fine grains (∼50 μm) was characteristic of the NiFe film deposited without applying magnetic field. The domain image and its response to applied field suggested existance of local easy axis and local unidirectional anisotropy. When macroscopic unidirectional anisotropy was introduced to the NiFe film by depositing under an applied dc magnetic field, many of the fine grains disappeared and the film showed large domains (∼1 mm). In the large domains, small elongated reversed domains (∼20 μm×60 μm) aligned parallel to each other implying local easy axis of magnetization. The type of domain behavior described above was not observed in a NiFe film on MgO(111) substrate that had the same crystal structure as NiO but no magnetic ordering. An x-ray analys...

Thin metal evaporated (ME) tape with low remanence-thickness product (Mrδ), high coercivity (Hc) and low noise was designed to match a magnetoresistive (MR) head. This article focuses on the high density recording performance of a shielded MR head/thin ME tape media designed for use with an MR head. The PW50 measurement was adopted to certify that the depth of recording was restricted by magnetic layer thickness. Reduced second harmonic distortion at low density shows saturation-free operation of the MR head. Frequency domain measurements indicate drastically reduced ac erase noise level and higher output level at short wave length. High readback density (neglecting intertrack interference) of 1.07 Gbits/in2 with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) after equalization of 18.7 dB was attained for a FeNi (AMR) head and 1.29 Gbits/in.2 with SNR of 20.0 dB for a spin-valve (GMR) head. The performance of the MR head/thin ME tape system was compared to commercial ME tape and thin metal particulate tape in terms of noise...

Linearity of the magnetoresistive (MR) transfer curve for an unshielded spin-valve (SV) sensor was studied. When the NiFe free layer thickness is greater than 5.0 nm, the anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) effect in it may overlap the giant magnetoresistive effect of the SV structure and deteriorate the linearity of the sensor response. By using a bilayer of NiFe/NiFeTa as the free layer for suppressing the AMR effect, superior linearity was obtained without a loss of the MR ratio. This new SV structure shows 5.0% as the MR ratio and −32.1 dB as second harmonic distortion, compared to −19.5 dB for a conventional one.