A scaling relation of anomalous Hall effect in ferromagnetic semiconductors and metals

A scaling relation of the anomalous Hall effect recently found in a ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ti,Co)O_2_ is compared with those of various ferromagnetic semiconductors and metals. Many of these compounds with relatively low conductivity sigma_xx_ < 10^4 ohm^-1 cm^-1 are also found to exhibit similar relation: anomalous Hall conductivity sigma_AH_ approximately scales as sigma_AH_ proportional to sigma_xx_^1.6, that is coincident with a recent theory. This relation is valid over five decades of sigma_xx_ irrespective of metallic or hopping conduction.Comment: 10 pages, 1 table, 1 figure. To be published in Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 46, issue 26 (2007

In-Needle Pre-Column Derivatization for Amino Acid Quantification (iPDAQ) Using HPLC

Pre-column fluorescent derivatization has been used for the fast quantification of amino acids using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. However, it generally requires an offline in-vial derivatization process with multiple derivatization reagents. The offline derivatization requires the same number of reaction vials as the number of sample vials for use as a reaction chamber for the derivatization reaction in an autosampler. Therefore, the number of samples analyzed per batch using the pre-column derivatization method is halved. To benefit from the pre-column derivatization method, we transformed the derivatization process from an offline chamber process to an online in-needle process (in-needle Pre-column Derivatization for Amino acids Quantification; iPDAQ). Fluorescent derivatization in the injection needle obviated the need for vacant vials as reaction chambers. Consequently, the throughput per batch improved up to two times, and the consumption of derivatization reagents was reduced to less than one-tenth of that in the conventional vial method. We demonstrated to separate and quantify the amino acids in various biological samples. Herein, we presented a novel HPLC-based amino acid quantification method that enables the continuous analysis of a large number of samples. The iPDAQ facilitates accurate amino acid quantification due to the automation of derivatization and achieves improvement in the throughput and reduction of analysis labor

Pedunculated early colorectal cancer with nodal metastasis: a case report

Abstract Background Pedunculated polyps are more likely to be amenable to complete resection than non-pedunculated early colorectal cancers and rarely require additional surgery. We encountered a patient with a pedunculated early colorectal cancer that consisted of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymphatic invasion. We performed an additional bowel resection and found nodal metastasis. Case presentation A 43-year-old woman underwent colonoscopy after a positive fecal occult blood test. The colonoscopist found a 20-mm pedunculated polyp in the descending colon and performed endoscopic resection. Histopathologic examination revealed non-solid type poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The lesion invaded the submucosa (3500 μm from the muscularis mucosa) and demonstrated lymphatic invasion. In spite of the early stage of this cancer, the patient was considered at high risk for nodal metastasis. She was referred to our institution, where she underwent bowel resection. Although there was no residual cancer after her endoscopic resection, a metastatic lesion was found in one regional lymph node. The patient is undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and there has been no evidence of recurrence 3 months after the second surgery. Conclusions Additional bowel resection is indicated for patients with pedunculated polyps and multiple risk factors for nodal metastasis, such as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and lymphatic invasion. We encountered just such a patient who did have a nodal metastasis; herein, we report her case history with a review of the literature

腰椎後側方固定術後の隣接椎間障害 : 4年以上の経過観察における検討

Background. Controversy remains regarding the subsequent degeneration of adjacent segments, and little reliable information could be found in the literature regarding long-term clinical results and adjacent segment degeneration. The objective of this study is to investigate the degenerative change of adjacent segments to the fusion site and clinical outcome after posterolateral lumbar fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation and identify the risk factors in degenerative change at adjacent segments. Methods. Thirty-two patients who underwent posterolateral lumbar fusion and were able to be followed over four years were evaluated in this study. The intervertebral disc height, percent of slip, lumbosacral joint angle, lumbar lordosis and disc angle were all examined. The postoperative progression of degeneration at adjacent segments were defined as more than a 50 % narrowing in the adjacent disc height or more than a 5 % slip in adjacent segments in comparison to the preoperative neutral lateral radiographs. The clinical results were assessed using an evaluation scores for lumbar lesions proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association. Results. Fifteen (46.8%) of the 32 patients had adjacent segment degeneration including slip or narrowing. No significant correlation was found between the adjacent segment degeneration and the recovery rate at the final follow-up. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between the adjacent segment degeneration at the lastest follow-up and postoperative radiographic measurements. 　Conclusions. The rate of radiographic degeneration at the adjacent segments was 46. 8%. No significant correlation was found between degenerative change in the adjacent segments and the clinical results. We could not identify any preoperative radiographic factors which might have influenced the segments adjacent to the fusion.腰椎後側方固定（以下PLF）術後の長期において，X線上の不安定性が見られ，隣接椎間障害が考えられる症例も少なくない．また固定隣接椎間障害の長期成績について様々な報告があるが，いまだに議論されているところである．pedicle screw を併用してPLF を行った症例のうち，４年以上経過観察可能であった32 症例を対象とした．術前後と最終経過観察時の椎間板腔の高さ・％ slip，および術前のlumbosacral jointangle，腰椎前弯角，固定椎間のdisc angle を全例計測した．臨床症状の評価として術前後の腰痛疾患治療成績判定基準（JOA）を用いて検討した．32 例中15 例（46.8％）で隣接椎間のすべりや狭小化を認めた．隣接椎間障害の有無と最終経過観察時のJOA スコアー改善率の間に有意な相関関係は認められず，X 線上の隣接椎間の変性と臨床症状は相関関係がないと思われた．隣接椎間に影響を及ぼす因子について隣接椎間障害のある群とない群で検討を行ったが，術前単純X 線像としてとして固定椎間の% slip・lumbosacral jointangle・腰椎前弯角・disc angle について比較検討を行った結果，いずれの項目も有意な差は認められなかった