Effect of Neutron Irradiation on the Microstructures and Tensile Properties of Different Carbon Fibers

Since carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite (C/C composite) materials have high thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties, they have been used as the plasma facing components in fusion facilities. As the plasma facing components are subjected to neutron irradiation in the fusion reactors, it is necessary to use irradiation damage resistant C/C composite materials as plasma facing components. Properties of C/C composite materials after neutron irradiation are generally influenced by irradiation behavior of carbon fiber and carbon matrix. In particular, the effect of irradiation on carbon fiber is important, because it is less crystalline than carbon matrix. The purpose of this study is to evaluate neutron irradiation effects on the microstructures and tensile properties of nine kinds of carbon fibers and to find out the necessary knowledge to identify the radiation resistant carbon fiber

当科において過去9年間（2003年～2012年）に治療を行った歯原性腫瘍75例の臨床的検討

2003年から2012年までの9年間に当科で診断・治療を行った歯原性腫瘍75症例について，2005年WHO分類に基づいて臨床的検討を行った．疾患別症例数は角化嚢胞性歯原性腫瘍が22例，エナメル上皮腫16例，歯牙腫16例，骨性異形性症13例，線維性異形性症3例，石灰化嚢胞性歯原性腫瘍2例，歯原性粘液腫，歯原性線維腫，腺様歯原性腫瘍が各1例であった．男女比は1.5対1であった．手術時年齢は，平均39.8歳であった．発生部位別症例数は，角化嚢胞性歯原性腫瘍，エナメル上皮腫は下顎大臼歯部に多く，歯牙腫は，上顎前歯部に多かった．治療方法は，角化嚢胞性歯原性腫瘍に対しては摘出後閉鎖7例，摘出後開放7例，生検後開窓5例，開窓後摘出3例であった．エナメル上皮腫は摘出後開放8例，区域切除3例，辺縁切除3例，開窓1例，開窓後摘出1例であった．歯牙腫16例に対しては摘出術を施行した．治療成績は75例中71例（94.7％）は再発を認めなかったが，一次症例で，エナメル上皮腫1例，角化嚢胞性歯原性腫瘍1例，歯原性粘液腫1例の3症例，他院で治療後のエナメル上皮腫1例に再発が認められた

Quantum Criticality in YbCu4Ni

We report on the quantum criticality of YbCu$_4$Ni as revealed by our combined micro- and macro-measurements. We determine the crystal structure of YbCu$_4$Ni with site mixing by neutron diffraction measurements, which suggests the possible presence of Kondo disorder. However, decreasing the local spin susceptibility distribution and the development of spin fluctuations below 10 K at ambient pressure by muon spin rotation and relaxation measurements suggests that YbCu4Ni exhibits quantum criticality. Therefore, our experimental results indicate that YbCu4Ni is a new material that exhibits quantum criticality under a zero magnetic field and ambient pressure.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy

Objective: Our objective was to do an epidemiologic survey of patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in comparison with those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Japan. Methods: In this retrospective study, we examined 46 patients with MMN and 1,051 patients with ALS from major neuromuscular centers in Japan from 2005 to 2009. Diagnosis was based on the European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) and the revised El Escorial criteria. The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was also taken into consideration in the diagnosis of MMN. Results: The ratio of MMN to ALS patients (0-0.10) varied among the centers, but mostly converged to 0.05. The prevalence was estimated to be 0.29 MMN patients and 6.63 ALS patients per 100,000 population. Conclusions: The frequency of MMN patients was around 1 out of 20 ALS patients, and MMN was possibly underdiagnosed in some centers

Protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational study of elective neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (END-TC study)

Introduction: In early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), elective neck dissection (END) is recommended when occult lymph node metastasis is suspected; however, there is no unanimous consensus on the risks and benefits of END in such cases. The management of clinically node-negative (cN0) OTSCC remains controversial. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of END and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cN0 OTSCC. Methods and analysis: This is a prospective, multicentre, nonrandomised observational study. The choice of whether to perform END at the same time as resection of the primary tumour is based on institutional policy and patient preference. The primary endpoint of this study is 3-year overall survival. The secondary endpoint are 3-year disease-specific survival, 3-year relapse-free survival and the impact on patient QoL. Propensity score-matching analysis will be performed to reduce selection bias. Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of the Nagasaki University. The protocol of this study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry. The datasets generated during the current study will be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The results will be disseminated internationally, through scientific and professional conferences and in peer-reviewed medical journals

Protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational study of elective neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (END-TC study)

Introduction In early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), elective neck dissection (END) is recommended when occult lymph node metastasis issuspected; however, there is no unanimous consensus on the risks and benefits of END in such cases. The management of clinically node-negative (cN0) OTSCCremains controversial. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the efficacy of END and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cN0 OTSCC.Methods and analysis This is a prospective, multicentre, nonrandomised observational study. The choice of whether to perform END at the same time as resection of the primary tumour is based on institutional policy and patient preference. The primary endpoint of this study is 3-year overall survival. The secondary endpoints are3-year disease-specific survival, 3-year relapse-free survival and the impact on patient QoL. Propensity score-matching analysis will be performed to reduce selection bias.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Clinical Research Review Board of the Nagasaki University. The protocol of this study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry. The datasets generated during the current study will be available from the correspondingauthor on reasonable request. The results will be disseminated internationally, through scientific and professional conferences and in peer-reviewed medical journals

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension