Detection of nonmagnetic metal thin film using magnetic force microscopy

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) allows detection of stray magnetic fields around magnetic materials and the two-dimensional visualization of these fields. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the oscillations of an MFM tip above a thin film of nonmagnetic metal. The results show good agreement with experimental data obtained by varying the tip height. The phenomenon analyzed here can be applied as a "metal detector" at the nanometer scale and for contactless measurement of sheet resistivity. The detection sensitivity is obtained as a function of oscillation frequency, thus allowing determination of the best frequency for phase-shift measurement. The shift in resonance frequency due to the presence of a nonmagnetic metal is also discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma

Despite the relatively short follow-up period in our previous study, we had reported that increased cough reflex sensitivity (CRS) may predict the efficacy of bronchial thermoplasty (BT) for treating asthma. Herein, we examined whether CRS predicts the efficacy of BT 2 years after the final BT treatment. We also investigated the influence of BT on CRS. We reviewed 10 patients 2 years after their final BT treatment. CRS, asthma-related symptoms, asthma exacerbations, and cough-related quality of life were assessed at baseline and 2 years after BT. Five patients responded positively to BT (BT responders) and their asthma control improved. No significant difference in CRS at baseline was detected between the BT responders and nonresponders. In contrast, BT responders exhibited significant improvements in CRS 2 years after BT. CRS at baseline could not predict the BT efficacy after 2 years. This is the first report demonstrating BT desensitized CRS in consecutive case series

Imatinib ameliorates bronchiolitis obliterans via inhibition of fibrocyte migration and differentiation

Background: Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been proposed as a potential anti-fibrotic agent for fibroproliferative diseases, including bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). However, the underlying anti-fibrotic mechanisms of the agent remain unclear. We evaluated whether bone (BM)-derived progenitor cells, fibrocytes, might be a target of imatinib in the attenuation of BO. Methods: We used a murine BO model induced by heterotopic tracheal transplantation and assessed the origin of fibroblasts by using green fluorescent protein-BM chimeric mice. We also evaluated the effects of imatinib on luminal obstruction and fibrocyte accumulation. The effects of imatinib on fibrocyte migration and differentiation were assessed by culturing fibrocytes in vitro. Results: In the murine BO model, tracheal allografts showed epithelial injury and developed complete luminal occlusion 28 days after transplantation. Most of the mesenchymal cells that had accumulated in the tracheal allograft were derived from BM cells. Imatinib treatment ameliorated the airway luminal occlusion and significantly reduced the number of fibrocytes in the allografts. In vitro studies showed that imatinib inhibited migration of cultured blood fibrocytes via the platelet-derived growth factor/platelet-derived growth factor receptor axis. Imatinib also inhibited differentiation of fibrocytes via suppression of c-Abl activity that was essential for the differentiation of monocytes to fibrocytes. Conclusions: Imatinib prevents airway luminal obstruction by inhibiting the migration and differentiation of fibrocytes. Fibrocytes may be a novel target in the prevention and treatment of BO. © 2016 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.Embargo Period 12 month

Relationship between period of survival and clinicopathological characteristics in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy

Background/Aims: Cancer death in the early period after hepatectomy remains problematic in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined the relationship between clinico-pathological parameters and survival periods in 234 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. Methodology: Patients were divided into four groups: Group 1, survival >5 years; Group 2, survival for 2-5 years; Group 3, cancer death at 2-5 years; and Group 4, cancer death in 1500 ml, multiple tumors, tumor size >5 cm, not meeting Milan criteria, irregular macroscopic findings, invasion of Glissonian pedicle, invasion of hepatic vein, higher modified Japan Integrated Staging score (3-5), long-term ascites after hepatectomy and postoperative tumor recurrence within 12 months were frequent in Group 4 (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed AFP level ≥1000 ng/ml (hazard ratio (HR), 2.6) and early tumor relapse (HR, 8.1) as independently related parameters (p<0.05). Conclusions: Careful follow-up for early tumor relapse may be important for improving postoperative outcomes in HCC patients with high preoperative AFP levels

The measurement of cough response to bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine inhalation in healthy subjects: An examination using the Astograph method

Background: We demonstrated that heightened cough response to bronchoconstriction is a fundamental feature of cough variant asthma (CVA). To evaluate this physiological feature of CVA in daily clinical practice, it is necessary to clarify the cough response to bronchoconstriction in healthy subjects. We evaluated cough response to methacholine (MCh)-induced bronchoconstriction in healthy subjects. A forced oscillometry technique was used to measure airway resistance changes with Mch. Methods: Healthy never-smokers (21 men, 20 women; mean 22.3 ± 3.7 years) participated. None had a >3-week cough history, clinically significant respiratory or cardiovascular disorders, or disorders that might put subjects at risk or influence the study results or the subjects’ ability to participate. Twofold increasing concentrations of Mch chloride diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (0.039 to 160 mg/mL) were inhaled from nebulizers at 1-minute intervals during subjects’ tidal breathing after the baseline respiratory resistance (Rrs) was recorded. Mch inhalation continued until Rrs reached twice the baseline value and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) decreased to <90% of baseline value. Spirometry was measured before Mch inhalation and immediately after Rrs had increased twofold. Coughs were counted during and for 30 minutes after Mch inhalation. The cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin was also examined. Results: The number of coughs was 11.1 ± 14.3 (median, 7.0; range, 0 to 71; reference range, 0 to 39.7). There was no significant difference in the cough response between the sexes. The reproducibility of the cough response to bronchoconstriction was sufficient. No correlation existed between the bronchoconstriction-induced cough response and capsaicin cough-reflex sensitivity. Conclusions: Using the Astograph method, cough response to bronchoconstriction could be measured easily, safely and highly reproducibly in healthy subjects. © 2017 Taylor & FrancisEmbargo Period 12 month

ダイ45ジ ナンキョク チイキ カンソクタイ キショウ ブモン ホウコク 2004

この報告は第45次南極地域観測隊気象部門が,2004年2月1日から2005年1月31日まで昭和基地において行った気象観測結果をまとめたものである.観測方法,測器,統計方法等は第44次隊とほぼ同様である. 越冬期間中,特記される気象現象として,次のものが挙げられる.1) 月平均気温は7月と11月に平年を下回ったが,その他の月は平年並みか平年より高く経過した.特に2月7日の月最低気温-7.8℃は2月の高い値の極値を,12月の月平均気温0.2℃,最高気温月平均3.3℃は12月の高い値の極値を更新した.2) ブリザードは歴代8位の少なさであったが,発達した低気圧の相次ぐ接近により,6月は5.5回のブリザードとなり,月平均海面気圧980.5hPaは6月の低い値の極値を更新した.また,10月に来襲したA級ブリザードにより,10月としては過去最高の最大風速39.5m/s,最大瞬間風速49.3m/sを記録した.3) 2004年のオゾンホールの特徴は,面積,オゾン欠損量(破壊量)ともに,過去10年の中では2番目に小さく比較的小規模に推移した.This report describes the results of meteorological observations at Syowa Station from February 1st, 2004 to January 31st, 2005, carried out by the Meteorological Observation Team of the 45th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-45). The observation methods, instruments and statistical methods used by JARE-45 were almost the same as those used by the JARE-44 observation team.?Remarkable weather phenomena observed during the period of JARE-45 are as follows.1) The monthly mean temperatures were within the normals or above normal, except July and November in which monthly mean temperatures were below normal. Especially, the monthly minimum temperature of-7.8 degrees Celsius on February 7 sets a new maximum temperature for February; and both the monthly mean temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius and the monthly mean daily maximum temperature of 3.3 degrees in Celsius were the highest recorded in December.2) The frequency of blizzards was the eighth lowest in history. However, in July, blizzards occurred 5.5 times beacause grown low pressure systems approached one after another, and the monthly mean sea level pressure of 980.5 hPa was the lowest recoreded in June. An A-class blizzard in October set both a new monthly maximum wind speed record of 39.5 m/s and a new monthly maximum instantaneous wind speed record of 49.3 m/s.3) The ozone hole in 2004 tended to be small in scale. Both the ozone hole area and ozone mass deficiency (depletion ozone mass) were the second lowest in the past decade