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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) as right ventricular function is recently referred as an independent predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Light ventricular function is related with SCD and adopted as a criteria of ICD implantation for primary prophylaxis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of RVFAC and appropriate ICD therapy. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent initial ICD implantation for any diseases except for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome were retrospectively enrolled from 2012 to 2018. Transthoracic echocardiographic parameters before ICD implantation were evaluated to investigate the association with appropriate ICD therapy. We analyzed RV function of patients undergoing echocardiography one year after implantation. RVFAC was measured by one physician and one echocardiologist. Results In total, 172 patients (60.3±13.6 years, 131 males) including 63 ischemic cardiomyopathy were enrolled. Ninety patients received an ICD as a secondary prophylaxis. Mean LVEF and RVFAC were 38.3±14.3% and 35.8±8.82%, respectively. There was no correlation between RVFAC and LVEF (correlation coefficient =0.274). Regarding appropriate ICD therapy events, the best cut-off value of RVFAC was 34.8%. The odds ratio of low RVFAC was 2.731 (95%CI: 1.456-5.121, P Conclusion RVFAC and RV function improvement may be important to stratify the prognosis of ICD patients.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) impairs postural control and may affect how the lower limb joints are used for postural control. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how individuals with knee OA use lower limb joints for static postural control. METHODS: Ten patients with knee OA and thirteen healthy controls performed quiet standing for 30 s. The standard deviation of the center of mass (COM) and lower limb joint motions in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) planes were calculated from three-dimensional marker trajectories. Pearson’s correlation analysis and independent t-tests were conducted to investigate the relationship between COM and lower limb joint motion and to compare group difference, respectively. RESULTS: The AP hip angular velocity alone in the knee OA group and the AP hip and knee angular velocity in the control group were significantly correlated with the AP COM velocity. The ML hip angular velocity was significantly correlated with the ML COM velocity in both groups. The knee OA group exhibited a significantly larger standard deviation of AP COM velocity than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with knee OA depended solely on the contribution of the hip to the AP COM velocity, which could not be successfully controlled by the knee.

Background For decades, ICD is a well-established therapy for improving prognosis of structural heart disease with severe cardiac dysfunction, and ICD for primary prophylaxis against sudden cardiac death were routinely provided. However, long-term prognosis and clinical course are different in each individual patient with an ICD, and it is moreover unclear what kind of factors might have influences on their clinical outcomes. Purpose The aim of this study is to clarify long-term prognosis and predictors of future major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in HFrEF patients with an ICD as primary prophylaxis in Japanese population. Methods We retrospectively analyzed our ICD database. Patients underwent primary prophylactic ICD implantation from 2006 to 2020 at our institute and met the criteria of ICD recommendation of the latest Japanese guideline. Its requirements are receiving optimal medication therapy, symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association classification II or greater), and severe cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is 35% or less). Additionally, prior NSVT is considered Class I ICD recommendation. In the case of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), ICD implantation was done at least 40 days after myocardial infarction and at least 90 days after revascularization. MACEs were defined as composite outcome of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and appropriate ICD therapies. Results A total of 148 consecutive patients were enrolled (male, 120 (81%); age, 62.1±11.8 years; LVEF, 23.0±5.86%; left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd), 67.6±9.26mm; paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), 38 (26%); NSVT, 113 (76%); use of class III antiarrhythmic drugs, 48 (32%); ICM, 49 (33%); cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), 63 (43%)). One hundred twenty patients (81%) were programmed with a shock-only zone over 200 beats per minute. The median follow-up duration was 58.5 months. Among those 148 patients, MACEs were occurred to 60 patients (41%). As a result of dividing all patients into two groups by the occurrence of MACE, LVEF and LVDd were worse in MACE(+) group, whereas, MACE(−) had greater number of co morbidities. The results of cox-regression analysis showed LVDd (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03–1.12, p Conclusions The incidence of MACEs in patients with an ICD and severe HFrEF was substantially high in this Japanese population. Etiology of ICM, left ventricle size, and AF were the potential risk factors for future MACEs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at high risk of lethal arrhythmias, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are widely used for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Apical HCM is a phenotype variant of HCM, with hypertrophy predominantly affecting apex, that was initially described 30 years ago. Apical HCM patients may have different clinical prognosis compared with other subsets of HCM. In previous studies, apical HCM patients seem to have a more benign prognosis than other types of HCM. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of apical HCM patients and there are many unclear points. Moreover, there are few reports about the clinical prognosis in apical HCM patients with an ICD. Objective The aim of this study is to identify the difference between the prognosis of apical and the other types of HCM patients with an ICD. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the database of our ICD clinic. All subjects underwent ICD implantation between October 2006 and September 2018. We classified HCM patients into LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and midventricular obstruction (MVO), apical HCM and other non-obstructive types. We divided all the patients into apical and other types of HCM, and examined their background, incidence of appropriate ICD therapies, hospitalization for heart failure, electrical storm and death. Results A total of consecutive 64 Japanese HCM patients with an ICD (follow-up period, 86±24 months; age, 65±14 years; male sex, 83%; left ventricular ejection fraction, 56±14%; LV max wall-thickness, 19±7mm; LV apical aneurysm, 9.4%; 5-year risk of SCD, 4.4±2.1) were enrolled in this study. We classified them into 14 apical HCM and 50 other types of HCM patients. The clinical characteristics and major clinical events of these patients are shown in the Table 1. During the follow-up periods, there were no significant differences in the incidence of electrical storm, hospitalization for heart failure and death between the 2 groups (p=0.11; p=0.60; p=0.39). Appropriate ICD therapies occurred in 6 of 14 (43%) patients with apical HCM and 5 of 50 (10%) patients with other types of HCM (p=0.010). The risk factors of patients with apical HCM patients are shown in Table 2. Conclusions Appropriate ICD therapy was more prevalent in patients with apical HCM, compared to patients with other types of HCM. Aggressive intervention such as catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation may be considered in patients with apical HCM and higher score of 5-year risk of SCD. Further studies are needed to clarify the manifestations and long-term outcome of apical HCM patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Knee osteoarthritis (OA) negatively affects dynamic postural control, which is a basic function that individuals use to perform activities of daily living (ADL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of center of pressure (COP) control during the transition from double-leg to single-leg standing with subjective assessments of ADL and quality of life (QOL) in patients with knee OA. Methods Thirty-six patients (29 females) with moderate-to-severe knee OA participated. Dynamic postural control was evaluated during the transition from double-leg to single-leg standing. Each patient stood on a force plate, lifted the less affected limb as fast as possible, and maintained single-leg standing with the more affected limb. The COP movements corresponding to anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) and transitional phases were assessed. The maximum displacement and peak velocity of the COP movements in the medial–lateral direction were calculated. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was used for the subjective assessment of ADL and QOL. Pearson’s product correlation analysis was performed to investigate the associations of COP movements in the APA and transitional phases with KOOS-ADL and KOOS-QOL. Results In the APA phase, the maximum COP displacement was significantly correlated with KOOS-ADL (r = -0.353, P = 0.035) and KOOS-QOL (r = -0.379, P = 0.023). In the transitional phase, the maximum COP displacement and peak COP velocity were significantly correlated with KOOS-ADL (maximum displacement: r = 0.352, P = 0.035; peak velocity: r = 0.438, P = 0.008) and with KOOS-QOL (maximum displacement: r = 0.357, P = 0.032; peak velocity: r = 0.343, P = 0.040). Conclusions The present study showed that smaller COP movements in the APA phase and smaller and slower COP movements in the transitional phase correlated with poorer ADL and QOL conditions in patients with knee OA. These findings suggest that poor dynamic postural control is associated with poor ADL and QOL conditions in patients with moderate-to-severe medial knee OA. Conservative treatment for patients with knee OA may need to focus on dynamic postural control during the transition from double-leg to single-leg standing.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) as right ventricular function is recently referred as an independent predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of RVFAC and appropriate ICD therapy in order to determine the cut-off value of RVFAC. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent initial ICD implantation for any diseases except for non-dilated phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and channelopathy were retrospectively enrolled from 2012 to 2018. Primary endpoint was an initial appropriate ICD therapy. Transthoracic echocardiographic parameters before ICD implantation were evaluated by one physician and one echocardiologist to be validated. Right ventricular dimensions and function were also measured to be analyzed. Results In total, 172 patients (60.3±13.6 years, 131 males) including 63 ischemic cardiomyopathy were enrolled. Ninety patients received an ICD as a secondary prophylaxis. Mean LVEF and RVFAC were 38.3±14.3% and 35.8±8.82%, respectively. There was little correlation between RVFAC and LVEF (correlation coefficient =0.274). Regarding appropriate ICD therapy events, the best cut-off value of RVFAC was 34.8%. The odds ratio of low RVFAC was 2.731 (95%CI: 1.456-5.121, P=0.00174). Secondary prophylactic cohort with low RVFAC showed highest incidence of appropriate ICD therapy as shown in the figure. In multivariate analysis, only low RVFAC is an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapy (HR: 3.53, 95%CI:1.78- 6.99, P=0.0003). Conclusion Low RVFAC seemed independently associated with increased appropriate ICD therapy.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) is frequent phenomenon in severe heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients, and causes any negative impacts on such patients. In the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS) and Japanese Heart Rhythm Society (JHRS) guidelines, NSVT is regarded as a major component of indication for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. However, the long-term prognostic significance of NSVT in severe HFrEF is incompletely resolved. Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the relation between prior NSVT episodes and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in HFrEF patients with an ICD as primary prophylaxis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed our ICD database. Patients underwent primary prophylactic ICD implantation from 2007 to 2018 following ICD recommendation of JCS and JHRS guidelines. Patients met the criteria of receiving optimal medication therapy, symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association classification II or greater), and severe cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is 35% or less). In the case of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), implantation of ICD was done at least 40 days after myocardial infarction and at least 90 days after revascularization. Incidence of NSVT episodes were identified through daily electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter ECG or monitor ECG in the hospital. MACEs were defined as composite outcome of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and appropriate ICD therapies. Results A total of 148 consecutive patients were enrolled (male, 120 (81%); age, 62.1±11.8 years; LVEF, 23.0±5.86%; left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd), 67.6±9.26mm; paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), 38 (26%); NSVT, 113 (76%); use of class III antiarrhythmic drugs, 48 (32%); ICM, 49 (33%); cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), 63 (43%)). The median follow-up duration was 58.5 months. As a result of comparison of the Kaplan-Meier curve between NSVT group (n=113) and non-NSVT group (n=35), cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, and appropriate ICD therapy were not statistically different (Figures). Of those, MACEs were occurred to 60 patients (41%). The results of cox-regression analysis showed LVDd (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12, p Conclusions In this Japanese population, the long-term prognosis of severe HFrEF patients is considered to be comparable regardless of prior NSVT episodes. However, the incidence of MACEs in patients with severe HFrEF after ICD implantation was substantially high. ICM, left ventricle size, and atrial fibrillation were the potential risk factors for MACEs as the previous reports showed.

Background Abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) has been recommended to achieve appropriate trunk muscle response for patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, it has remained unclear whether the intervention with ADIM could change the trunk muscle response to sudden release from loading, which is considered to contribute mechanical circumstances to low back pain. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the intervention with ADIM on electromyography (EMG) activities of trunk muscles following sudden release from loading. Methods Seventeen subjects with non-specific CLBP participated. Subjects resisted trunk flexion or extension loading in semi-seated position, and then the loading was suddenly released. EMG recordings of 6 trunk muscles were acquired using a wireless surface EMG system. Onset and offset times were calculated from the EMG data. The intervention with ADIM was provided for 4 weeks. The onset and offset times were compared between pre- and post-intervention with ADIM. Results At the post-intervention, the onset of trunk flexors following release from trunk flexion loading became significantly earlier than pre-intervention (P = 0.028). The offset of flexors following release from trunk extension loading of post-intervention was significantly earlier than that of pre-intervention (P = 0.001). Conclusions We showed that the intervention with ADIM changed the EMG activity of trunk flexors in response to sudden release from loading. These results suggest a possibility that ADIM might be effective to improve the neuromuscular control of trunk flexors for the treatment of young patients with non-specific CLBP.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. AF-related stroke tends to be more severe, and the mortality rate is higher compared with stroke without AF. Recent cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have led to an improvement in the early detection of AF episodes. Previous studies showed that AF episodes detected by CIEDs are associated with ischemic stroke. However, little is known about the relationship between new-onset AF and ischemic stroke events in Japanese patients with CIEDs who have no prior AF and take no anticoagulant therapy. ESC guidelines for the management of AF recommend the use of CHA2DS2-VASc score as class I to predict the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AF. However, the validity of the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores to predict ischemic stroke and major bleeding events in patients without AF remains unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of ischemic stroke and major bleeding events in CIEDs patients without AF and assess the validity of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores in this population. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the database of our CIEDs clinic. Every 6 months, CIEDs were checked using remote monitoring system. We examined the characteristics and incidence of ischemic stroke and bleeding events. In addition, we investigated the relationship between CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores and the incidence of these events. Results We enrolled 620 consecutive patients who were followed up at our CIED clinic. We excluded patients who had a history of AF or had received anticoagulant therapies, 348 patients (follow-up period, 65±58 months; age, 70±16 years; male sex; 64%; defibrillator, 55%) were included in this study. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 2.8±1.5 points and 1.7±1.6 points, respectively. During the follow-up, 23 (6.6%) and 12 (3.4%) of 348 patients had ischemic stroke and major bleeding events, respectively. The incidence of ischemic stroke and major bleeding events stratified by the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were shown in Figure 1. Conclusion The risk stratification for ischemic stroke and major bleeding using the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores is valid in patients without AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Background Prophylactic use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) is widely spread all over the world in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Apical HCM is a phenotype variant of HCM, with hypertrophy predominantly affecting apex, that was initially described 30 years ago. Apical HCM patients may have different clinical prognosis compared with other subsets of HCM. In previous studies, apical HCM patients seem to have a more benign prognosis than other types of HCM. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of apical HCM and there are many unclear points. Moreover, there are few reports about the clinical prognosis in apical HCM patients with an ICD. Objective The aim of this study is to identify the difference between the prognosis of apical and the other HCM patients with an ICD. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the database of our ICD clinic. All subjects had been implanted with an ICD from October 2006 to August 2017. We classified HCM patients into LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and midventricular obstruction (MVO), apical HCM and other non-obstructive types. We divided all the patients into apical and other types of HCM, and examined their background, incidence of appropriate ICD therapies, hospitalization for heart failure, electrical storm and death. Results A total of consecutive 62 Japanese HCM patients with an ICD (follow-up period, 86±25 months; age, 67±14 years; male sex, 85%; left ventricular ejection fraction, 57±12%; LV max wall-thickness, 19±5mm; LV apical aneurysm, 9.7%; HCM Risk-SCD, 4.4±3.0) were enrolled in this study. We classified them into 14 apical HCM and 48 other types of HCM patients. The clinical characteristics and major events of these patients are shown in the Figure. During the follow-up periods, there were no significant differences in the incidence of hospitalization for heart failure, electrical storm and death between the 2 groups (p=0.40; p=0.22; p=0.23). Appropriate therapies occurred in 5 of 14 (36%) patients with apical HCM and 4 of 48 (8.3%) patients with other types of HCM (p=0.022). Conclusions Appropriate ICD therapy was more prevalent in patients with apical HCM, compared to patients with other types of HCM. However, the incidences of hospitalization for heart failure, electrical storm and death were not significantly different between two groups. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Radiation detection characteristics of a device combining a YAP:Ce (cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite) scintillator and a ZnO UV sensor were studied using X-ray radiation. Both ZnO and YAP have high resistance to radiation. A photoconductive-type UV sensor with comb-shaped Al electrodes with a gap of 50 μm was fabricated on the Zn-face of a nitrogen-doped ZnO single crystal. A photocurrent spectrum of the ZnO UV sensor showed a peak at wavelength of about 370 nm, and the sensor did not show a response in wavelengths of the visible light region. Scintillation characteristics of YAP:Ce were investigated under the condition of X-ray radiation. Scintillation luminescence of YAP:Ce showed a spectrum with a peak at a wavelength of about 360 nm, which almost corresponds to the peak wavelength of a photocurrent spectrum of the ZnO UV sensor. A device having a structure in which the YAP:Ce scintillator is placed above the ZnO UV sensor was fabricated. When the YAP:Ce scintillator was irradiated by X-rays, the photocurrent of the ZnO UV sensor was proportional to the X-ray intensity. The sensitivity of the device was improved by deposition of a reflective Al film on the YAP:Ce scintillator. The device using the combination of a YAP:Ce scintillator and a ZnO UV sensor can be used as a radiation detector with high radiation resistance.

This paper reports an in-chip current distribution verification technology for power devices that takes into account the effect of layout parasitics. The proposed method enables verification of dynamic current distribution in a chip considering the influence of layout parasitics from the initial stage of device development by brushing up each element technology of TCAD, Spice model, and layout parasitic extraction technology for power devices and linking them seamlessly. We report that this method was applied to the layout optimization of our 8th generation IGBTs, and the in-chip current variation could be reduced by about 50% compared to the conventional layout structure.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of RV function and appropriate therapy of ICD.Methods: This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Consecutive patients who underwent ICD implantation for any diseases were enrolled except for non-dilated phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and channelopathy. Transthoracic echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), RV basal diameter, RV end-diastolic area, and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) were evaluated. RV systolic dysfunction was defined as RVFAC Results In total, 151 patients (60.9 ± 13.6 years, 117 males) consisting of 67 old myocardial infarction, 34 dilated cardiomyopathy, 19 cardiac sarcoidosis, and 31 others were enrolled. Eighty patients received an ICD as a secondary prophylaxis. Mean LVEF and RVFAC were 37.8 ± 13.9% and 33.2 ± 10.8%, respectively. RV systolic dysfunction was present in 86 (57.0%) patients, which was significantly associated with ICD therapy (odds ratio 2.313; 95% confidence interval 1.067-5.014; P = 0.034) according to a univariate analysis. There was no correlation between RVFAC and LVEF (correlation coefficient =0.064). Regarding the subjects LVEF > 35%, RV systolic dysfunction was an independent predictor of ICD therapy in a multivariate analysis. Conclusion RV systolic dysfunction was independently associated with increased ICD therapy despite of relatively preserved LVEF.

The photoconductive characteristics of undoped ZnO single crystals grown by the hydrothermal method were improved by annealing in oxygen gas. The photocurrent in the visible light region decreased with annealing and became about 1/105 and about 1/104 of the value of the as-grown single crystal with annealing at 500°C and 600°C, respectively. The peak value of the photocurrent also decreased with annealing. The decay time of the photocurrent of annealed samples at 600°C was less than 1/104 of the value of the as-grown sample. Photosensitivity, visible rejection ratio and photoresponsivity of the sample annealed at 600°C were 4 × 104 (under illumination of 10 μW/cm2 at a wavelength of 360 nm), 3 × 103 and 2 × 103 A/W, respectively. These values are comparable to the values for a sample using a nitrogen-doped ZnO (ZnO:N) single crystal. Annealing of undoped ZnO single crystals at a relatively low temperature (500°C or 600°C) is effective for obtaining ZnO single crystals for an ultraviolet (UV) sensor with high performance. It is thought that the defects originating in oxygen vacancies of undoped ZnO single crystals were decreased by annealing in oxygen gas.

To precisely visualize the Royal City of Angkor Thom, Cambodia, we used a new method in field of cultural heritage study. Read Relief Image Map (RRIM, Chiba et al., 2008) is a powerful method which has been used for geomorphological studies. In this study, using the LiDAR data conducted at the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia in April 2012 (Evans et al., 2013), we visualized the Royal City of Angkor Thom and its vicinity (Shimoda et al., 2016). The RRIM provided a new visualization method of localizing, minute topographical changes in regions with large undulations over a wide area. It has proved to be effective in mapping, on a single wide-area map, the numerous buried remains that exist as comparable height differences or minute undulations measuring less than 1 meter in height, and provides a unique aerial view of their widespread distribution. Based on the RRIM map, past archaeological studies were referenced to reconstruct the layout of the water channel network system. Past studies revealed that a large number of ponds had been dug inside Angkor Thom. The RRIM expanded the investigation and revealed the existence of many ponds outside the royal capital indicating that a residential community had flourished outside the moat surrounded capital city.

There are many methods to express topographical features of ground surface. In which, contour map has been the traditional method and along with development of digital data, surface model such as shaded relief map has been using for ground surface expression. Recently, data acquisition has been developed very much quick, demanding more advanced visualization method to express ground surface so as to effectively use the high quality data. In this study, the authors using the Red Relief Image Map (RRIM, Chiba et al., 2008) to express ground surface visualization for a variety of map scales. The authors used 30 m mesh data of SRTM to show the topographical features of western Mongolian and micro-topographical features of ground surface in tectonically active regions of Japan. The results show that, compared to traditional and other similar methods, the RRIM can express ground surface more precisely and 3-dimensionally, suggested its advanced usage for many fields of topographical visualization.

Age-associated alterations of Th2 immune responses against nematode parasites are largely unknown. We investigated primary and memory responses against two types of gastrointestinal nematode parasites, Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Hp) and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb), in aged mice. The small intestinal gene expression of Th2 cytokines was almost unchanged after primary (Nb and Hp) and secondary infection (Hp) in aged mice in contrast to strongly increased small intestinal gene expression of Th2 cytokines in young (3-month-old) mice. Mucus production decreased (Nb), and worm expulsion was impaired (Nb and Hp) compared with the young mice. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that after Hp infection, the number of alternatively activated macrophages, which are induced by Th2 cytokines, was lower in the aged mice. On the other hand, the number of CD4(+) T cells recruited to the worm cysts was normal compared with the young mice. These results suggest that migration of CD4(+) T cells to the host-parasite interface is not affected by ageing. Alterations in Th2 immune responses in aged mice might be due to inappropriate or insufficient activation of CD4(+) T cells in the submucosa.

Polarization beam splitter is realized by arraying small half-wave plates having different principal axis directions. We monolithically fabricated it that operates in optical communication wavelength by using auto-cloning photonic crystal. Large separation angle of 30° and low insertion loss of 0.9 dB are obtained.

A new tracking system utilizing a nasogastric tube with a wireless resonated marker was developed. A narrow marker (2 mm wide and 37 mm long) was fabricated and inserted into a commercial nasogastric tube. A good quality factor of about 136 was obtained. Positional accuracy within about 10 mm was obtained when the marker was scanned for about 100 mm. The nasogastric tube was roughly tracked inside a rabbit. A reasonable and reproducible profile of the tube was measured when the tube was inserted through the mouth into the esophagus of the rabbit.

sensor5) can be operated at room temperature; however, they are comparatively large in scale, making it difficult to integrate them in a sensor array. Highly sensitive magnetic field thin film sensors operating at room temperature are useful for biomedical applications or nondestructive evaluation. Thus, development of a thin film sensor to measure biomagnetic signals at room temperature was the aim of this study. As previously reported, a coplanar line-type thin film sensor with a ceramic substrate (r = 115) to enhance sensitivity of phase change was developed 6) and successfully used to obtain magnetocardiograms (MCGs) at multiple points7). The ceramic substrate with high permittivity decreases the wave length of the carrier, the phase dramatically changing when a small field is applied. However the sensor is bulky and cannot be integrated. In the present study, we developed a thin film integrated sensor including magnetic thin film, dielectric film and conductive film. These structure can be easily developed for array sensors with the same characteristics. The goal of this study was to obtain a sensor with good characteristics (phase change > 100 degree/Oe, gain > -40 dB) for obtaining magnetocardiograms 7) .

We fabricated a Pt/ZnO Schottky photodiode based on single-crystal substrates grown by the hydrothermal growth method. We measured the electrical properties and the spectral responsivity in UV region. The responsivity was 0.1 W/A and there was a sharp cutoff wavelength corresponding to the band gap of ZnO. The fabricated diode can be used as a visible–blind sensor. We also investigated the performance of the diode for the incidence of X-rays and observed the signal obtained. We demonstrated the potential of the ZnO device for ionizing radiation.In addition, we investigated the effects of irradiating the photodiode with high energy protons. For a sample irradiated with ∼1015 protons/cm2, the dark currents were observed to increase by a factor of 10. Moreover, the behavior of the forward currents significantly changed. In the current–voltage measurement 2 months after irradiation, the dark current decreased to the same level as that before irradiation. This behavior of the dark current may indicate that the defects generated by proton irradiation had been annihilated.

We introduce a new visualization method for the three dimensional data with laser scanning from helicopter to express of the detailed landscape with "Red Relief Image Map (RRIM)"and "3D-Viewer". This RRIM and 3D-Viewer’s method effectively represent 3D topographic information without any additional devices and stereopsis ability for the audience only through two dimensional medium and shows an appropriate form of every feature in the site. Chapters present what the laser scanning from helicopter is and show some examples of mounded tombs with RRIM and 3D-Viewer. This visualization technique including detailed topographical information and geographical coordinates can be directly linked to CAD and GIS system, therefore the LiDAR can easily produce a contour line, a cross section and a bird's-eye view at any place as well as measure the height of trees. This is different from other 3D topographic image with a shadow effect. Vegetation on the site is no longer obstacle to get detailed topographical information. Therefore, in Japan, this method is useful for huge mounded tombs thickly covered with trees, especially "Ryo-bo (imperial tomb)"which are administrated by the Imperial Household Agency and common people can't enter. Also a cluster of small mounded tombs which extend in the vast area called "Gunshufun" is shown effectively for the location of each mounded tomb. This method is suitable for understanding the structure of the sites in any wide spread archaeological fields. Moreover, in the management of heritages it is important that these data present precise information of the surface of lands to understand the present situation of heritages. Detailed topographical information by "LiDAR and Red Relief Image Map and 3DViewer" will open a new gate for managing of cultural heritage sites in the future.

Early diagnosis and treatment of acute cellular rejection (ACR) after intestinal transplantation (ITx) is challenging. We report the outcome of three patients: two presented mild ACR improved with steroids. One presented steroid-resistant severe rejection, improved after rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (r-ATG), but unfortunately died for encephalitis caused by opportunistic infections.

〔目的〕本研究の目的は，変形性膝関節症患者（以下，膝OA）と健常者の足底感覚を比較すること，膝OA患者の重心動揺における足底感覚の影響を検討することである．〔対象〕下肢・体幹に障害のない健常高齢者16名，および膝OA患者17名とした．〔方法〕足底感覚の測定にはSemmes-Weinstein Monofilamentsを使用した．また，堅い支持面・柔らかい支持面での閉脚立位保持中の総軌跡長，実効値面積，単位面積軌跡長を算出した．〔結果〕母趾球と小趾球の触圧覚閾値に関して，健常群とOA群の分布に有意差を認め，OA群では小趾球の閾値が母趾球よりも高い者の割合が大きかった．健常群では，足底感覚中央値と単位面積軌跡長に有意な相関を認めなかったが，OA群では有意な負の相関を認めた．〔結語〕本研究結果から膝OA患者の姿勢制御において足底感覚が重要な役割を果たすことが示唆された．

Cases of Sparganum mansoni, caused by the plerocercoid larva of the tapeworm S. mansoni, occur through­out the world, particularly in Asian, Middle Eastern, and European countries. However, cases of infection with this parasite are rarely seen in Japan. Here, we present a case of a 61-year-old woman with a solitary subcutaneous nodule in left inner aspect of the thigh, from which a long, slender, whitish worm was surgically removed. The parasite was histopathologically identified as S. mansoni. Serological testing confirmed cure of the infection after surgical removal of the parasite. The authors advocate immunoserological examination in case of S. mansoni.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hyperventilation and increase in blood lactate during high-intensity constant-load exercise in heat and normal conditions. Seven male volunteers exercised for 10 min on a cycle ergometer at 80%·VO2max in heat (40ºC, 50%relative humidity: HT) and normal conditions (20ºC, 50% relative humidity: CON). Oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, ventilation, blood lactate and blood electrolytes (K , Na , Cl−) were measured in HT and CON. We found that ventilation was significantly higher during exercise in HT compared with CON (p

Changes in the substructure of tempered martensitic steel during the application of cyclic elastic stress in the presence of hydrogen have been investigated. Three types of specimens were prepared. The first type was subjected to cyclic elastic stress (strain rate: 3.0×10-4 s−1, number of cycles: 70000, and stress level: 0.8±0.1 σB) without hydrogen. The second type was subjected to cyclic elastic stress with hydrogen. The third type was prepared by annealing the second type at 200 °C for 2 h. These specimens are denoted here as [(n)-cycled], [H+(n)-cycled] and [H+(n)-cycled+annealed] specimens, respectively. Tracer hydrogen was used as a probe for clarifying changes in the specimen substructure. After tracer hydrogen charging, hydrogen states present in the specimens were examined using low-temperature thermal desorption spectrometry (L-TDS). Tracer hydrogen desorption in the high-temperature range from the [H+(n)-cycled] specimen increased compared with that from the [(n)-cycled] specimen. In addition, tracer hydrogen desorption in the high-temperature range from the [H+(n)-cycled+annealed] specimen was reduced by annealing at 200 °Cto the level of the [(n)-cycled] specimen. As a result, it is inferred that the formation of vacancy type defects was enhanced under the application of cyclic elastic stress in the presence of hydrogen.

Objective Current fetal cardiac intervention for restrictive atrial septum is invasive and technically demanding. We investigated the feasibility of computer-assisted high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for cardiac intervention on the atrial septum of a beating heart. Methods To create an interatrial communication in the beating heart of nine anesthetized rabbits, the heart was exposed surgically and placed under a water-filled tank, in contact with the tank's membranous base. A HIFU transducer (3.3 MHz) coupled with a diagnostic ultrasound probe (10.0 MHz) was placed in the tank over the beating heart. The focus of the HIFU transducer was set so that it could create a hole in the target area on the atrial septum during the early diastolic phase. HIFU delivery was controlled based on ultrasound images captured with real-time image-recognition software. We attempted to create interatrial communication using HIFU and assessed the cardiac tissue specimen pathologically. Results In eight of nine rabbits, small holes in the atrial septum were successfully created. Serious complications occurred in two animals: a fatal atrioventricular block in one and a cardiac tamponade in the other. Conclusion HIFU combined with a computer-assisted imaging system might be useful to create interatrial communication in beating hearts. This procedure may be helpful for making current fetal cardiac intervention less invasive. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We performed fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) measurements in an unshielded hospital environment to demonstrate our developed fMCG system using two-dimensional (2D) gradiometers based on low-T c superconducting quantum interference devices. The subjects were 25 pregnant women, including two subjects with twin pregnancies, or 27 fetuses, in this study. The 2D gradiometer was optimized for fMCG measurements and detected both the axial second-order gradient and planar-first-order gradient of a magnetic field. Depth of the fetal heart was also measured by using ultrasonography before fMCG measurement. As a result, the QRS peaks of the fMCG waveform were detected in real time for 15 cases including early fetal gestational periods as 24 and 25 weeks. Moreover, the P and T waves were also detected in some cases by averaging. These results demonstrate that the developed unshielded fMCG system can detect fMCG waveforms in an unshielded hospital environment.