High-Resolution Laser-Assisted Magnetic Nanoparticle Imaging Using a High-TC SQUID Magnetometer

A new type of magnetic nanoparticle imaging (MPI) system has been proposed and developed. The spatial resolution of MPI systems is generally determined and limited by the size of the magnetic sensors used and the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles detected. Here, high-resolution imaging of magnetic particles was realized by combining the MPI system with a high-TC SQUID magnetometer and laser scanning system. The spatial resolution of this system was not determined by the properties of the magnetic nanoparticles but was determined by the laser spot size focused on samples. Thus, the higher spatial resolution imparted by conventional MPI systems could be expected. As a demonstration of the imaging system, two cylindrical containers filled with magnetic particles solutions were fabricated and measured. Although the containers were spaced only 2 mm apart, they could be clearly distinguished by the obtained signals. A knife-edge analysis was also applied to the obtained signals, and the spatial resolution of our system was estimated to be approximately 0.9 mm

Perceiving Direction of a Walker: Effect of Body Appearance

Human can perceive others' walking direction accurately even with 117ms observation (Sato, et al., ECVP2008). We aimed to see whether appearance of walker's body affects the accuracy of perceiving direction of the walker. Thus, we employed three different appearances: realistic human computer-graphics body (CG-human), nonrealistic cylinder-assembled body (Cylinders), and point-light walker (Points). We made a three-dimensional model of an adult-size walker who walked at a place. CG-human stimuli were generated by rendering the model with smooth shading. We made Cylinders stimuli by replacing body parts such as arms, legs, head, and hands with cylinders. Points stimuli were made by tracking 18 positions (mostly joints) of the body like biological motion. One of walkers was presented for 117, 250, 500 or 1000ms while its direction was randomly varied by 3deg steps to 21deg left or right. Observers judged whether the walker was walking toward them (hit) or not (miss), and self-range was measured in terms of the standard deviation for hit distributions. The perceived self-range was narrowed with long duration, and with CG-human stimulus. It is suggested that the accuracy of perceiving walker's direction depends on body appearance, and it is higher for human-like body than nonhuman body

Hybrid type HTS-SQUID magnetometer with vibrating and rotating sample

Highly sensitive measurement of the very weak magnetic characteristics of magnetic particles in solution or of a solution itself is required for applications, such as biomedical examinations. In this paper, higher sensitivity and additional performance with relaxation measurement and harmonic signal detection were achieved by an improvement of the driving mechanism and the high-resolution electric magnet, and optimization of the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detection unit. A servomotor was used for sample vibration and rotation with precise control and high speed. For detection of the M-H characteristics, the sample was vibrated under the magnetic field in the electromagnet. For measuring the relaxation of the magnetization, the sample was rotated. A first-order differential pickup coil with a normal conducting wire connected to the input coil of a high-temperature superconductor-SQUID was used to detect the magnetic signal from the sample. High-resolution measurement of the magnetic moment on the order of 10-11 A m2 was achieved with this system configuration. An ac magnetic field with a dc bias could then be applied to the sample for detection of the harmonic signal. The magnetic relaxation signal from the sample was measured by another of the same type of differential detection coil equipped outside of the electric magnet by rotating, instead of vibrating, the sample. The magnetization curve for a low concentration of iron nanoparticles with a superparamagnetic character in the solution was successfully measured using the developed magnetometer, and the relaxation phenomenon was also characterized

Yokukansan (Kampo medicinal formula) prevents the development of morphine tolerance by inhibiting the secretion of orexin A

Background: Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional herbal (Kampo) medicine consisting of seven herbs, is effective in the treatment of pain disorders, such as headache, postherpetic neuralgia, fibromyalgia, and trigeminal neuralgia, and we have previously shown it to be effective against morphine analgesic tolerance in rats. It has been reported that orexin receptor antagonists prevent the development of morphine tolerance and that YKS inhibits the secretion of orexin A in the hypothalamus. This study examined whether the inhibition of the secretion of orexin A by YKS is one mechanism underlying its effect against morphine analgesic tolerance. Methods: Male Wistar rats were administered a subcutaneous injection of morphine hydrochloride (10 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. One group was preadministered YKS, starting 3 days before the morphine. The withdrawal latency following thermal stimulation was measured daily using a hot plate test. On day 5, the levels of orexin A in the plasma and the midbrain were measured, and the appearance of activated astrocytes in the midbrain was examined by immunofluorescence staining. Results: The preadministration of YKS prevented the development of morphine tolerance. The repeated administration of morphine significantly increased the plasma and midbrain levels of orexin A and the activation of astrocytes. These increases were significantly inhibited by the preadministration of YKS. Conclusion: These results suggest that the preadministration of YKS attenuated the development of antinociceptive morphine tolerance and that the inhibition of orexin A secretion may be one mechanism underlying this phenomenon. Keywords: Astrocyte, Kampo medicine, Morphine tolerance, Orexin A, Yokukansa

Incidence and Risk Factors for Incident Syphilis among HIV-1-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Large Urban HIV Clinic in Tokyo, 2008−2015

<div><p>Background</p><p>The epidemiology of incident syphilis infection among HIV-1-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) largely remains unknown.</p><p>Methods</p><p>The incidence and risk factors for incident syphilis (positive TPHA and RPR> = 1:8) among HIV-1-infected MSM who visited a large HIV clinic in Tokyo for the first time between 2008 and 2013 were determined, using clinical data and stored blood samples taken every three months for screening and determination of the date of incident syphilis. Poisson regression compared the incidence of syphilis at different observation periods.</p><p>Results</p><p>Of 885 HIV-1-infected MSM with baseline data, 34% either presented with active syphilis at baseline (21%) or became infected with syphilis during follow-up (13%). After excluding 214 patients (MSM with syphilis at baseline (n = 190) and no follow-up syphilis test (n = 24)), of 671 men, 112 (17%) developed incident syphilis with an incidence of 43.7/1,000 person-years [95% CI, 36.5–52.3]. The incidence decreased slightly during observation period although the trend was not significant (2008–2009: 48.2/1,000 person-years, 2010–2011: 51.1/1,000 person-years, 2012–2013: 42.6/1,000 person-years, 2014 to 2015: 37.9/1,000 person-years, p = 0.315). Multivariable analysis identified young age (<33 years versus >40, HR 4.0, 95%CI 2.22–7.18, p<0.001), history of syphilis at baseline (HR 3.0, 95%CI 2.03–4.47, p<0.001), positive anti-amoeba antibody (HR 1.8, 95%CI 1.17–2.68, p = 0.006), and high baseline CD4 count (CD4 ≥350 /μL versus CD4 <200, HR 1.6, 95%CI 1.00–2.53, p = 0.050) as risk factors for incident syphilis. Incidence of syphilis was particularly high among young patients (age <33 years: 60.1/1,000 person-years). Interestingly, 37% of patients with incident syphilis were asymptomatic.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Although incidence of syphilis did not increase during the observation period, it was high among HIV-1-infected MSM, especially among young HIV-1-infected MSM and those with history of syphilis, in Tokyo. Regular screening for syphilis needs to be strictly applied to this population.</p></div

Results of uni- and multi-variable analyses to estimate risk factors for incident syphilis infection.

<p>Results of uni- and multi-variable analyses to estimate risk factors for incident syphilis infection.</p

Patient enrollment process.

<p>^¶Syphilis was defined by Rapid Plasma Reagin ≥8 and positive <i>Treponema pallidum</i> latex agglutination. MSM: men who have sex with men.</p