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Chronic itch conditions are often accompanied by neural itch sensitization, known as hyperknesis (excessive itch induced by stimuli that would normally induce only mild itching or pain) and alloknesis (considerable itch evoked by light tactile stimuli). Herpes zoster (shingles) can cause neuropathic itch (postherpetic itch), although it is unknown whether hyperknesis accompanies postherpetic itch. The authors report five patients with postherpetic itch who showed increased touch-evoked itch (punctate hyperknesis) in the affected skin areas compared with the contralateral site. Collected skin biopsy specimens from two patients showed histopathologically detected reduced intraepidermal nerve fibers in the affected skin areas, reflective of small C/Aδ fiber neuropathy. In one case, improvement in itching and comparable levels of touch-evoked itch on the affected and contralateral sites were noted after 6 months without any medication, accompanied by restored intraepidermal nerve fibers proven through rebiopsy of the affected site. Reduced intraepidermal nerve fibers could be one of the precipitating factors for postherpetic itch and its associated punctate hyperknesis.

The functions of basophils have not been elucidated until recently because of their rarity. However, with recent developments in basophil-specific antibodies and basophil-deficient animals, the roles of basophils in various diseases related to chronic inflammation have been clarified. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of basophils in human ulcerative colitis (UC) and oxazolone (OXA) colitis using genetically engineered Mcpt8Immunohistochemical staining of human colon specimens was performed to examine the involvement of basophils in the pathogenesis of UC. We examined the correlation between the number of infiltrating basophils and the UC endoscopic index of severity (UCEIS), Mayo score, and Matts score. We also examined the correlation between eosinophil count and basophil infiltration. In murine experiments, we examined whether basophil infiltration was involved in OXA-induced colitis and whether basophil depletion improved inflammation in Mcpt8Colonic basophil infiltration was significantly increased in patients with UC. There were significant correlations between UCEIS, Mayo score, Matts score, and the number of infiltrating basophils. In murine OXA-induced colitis, a significant increase in basophil infiltration was observed. When basophils were depleted by diphtheria toxin in Mcpt8Basophil infiltration correlated with endoscopic, clinical, and pathological scores in human UC independently of eosinophil infiltration, and depletion of basophils ameliorated mucosal inflammation in murine OXA-induced colitis, collectively suggesting that basophils exert a proinflammatory role in chronic intestinal inflammation such as UC.

イオンビーム分析法のラザフォード後方散乱分析法、粒子励起エックス線放出分析法及び粒子励起ガンマ線放出分析法は、ターゲットにイオンビームを照射した際に発生する二次放射線を検出することで、ターゲット内の元素組成等の情報を得ることができる。これらの分析法は、これまで、生体試料、無機材料等の分析に用いられてきたが、最近はリチウムイオン電池の電極材料の分析にも利用されその有効性が明らかになってきた。今後も様々な分野でイオンビーム分析法の利用が期待される。

現在発症原因が不明な肺疾患の特発性肺線維症（IPF）は、シリカやケイ酸塩との関連が疑われている。しかし、一般的なSEM/EDS分析ではケイ素に対する感度が不十分なため、肺葉組織内のケイ素濃度とIPF発症との相関は不明であった。そこで本研究では、SEM/EDSの100倍の感度を有する大気マイクロPIXE分析のX線エネルギースペクトルからケイ素-硫黄比を定量するプログラムを開発し、IPF組織切片とコントロール組織切片の分析に適用したところ、ケイ素-硫黄比の増加が努力肺活量低下等の肺機能悪化と相関があることが明らかとなった。

Fusarium onychomycosis is uncommon in the temperate climate zone of Japan. Based on the morphological characteristics and a gene analysis, we diagnosed a patient with ungual hyalohyphomycosis caused by Fusarium cugenangense belonging to the F oxysporum complex. This intractable disease was cured by 6‐month treatment with efinaconazole 10% solution.

Particulate matter (PM) collected hourly by an automated sampling unit of the Atmospheric Environmental Regional Observation System (AEROS) was characterized by external micro-particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis and imaging. Micro-PIXE analysis revealed the overall elemental composition and differences in the elemental composition ratios of PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 collected as individual spots on Teflon tape filters from the unit, and the blank Teflon tape showed a clean background. Moreover, micro-PIXE imaging visualized regions with different elemental compositions in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10. Accumulation of PM2.5 particles was found frequently on tape filters which accounted approximately for 70% of particular elemental composition including heavy metals like iron, compared to that from whole area. The results suggest that PIXE effectively reveals elemental composition of hourly-collected PM by AEROS system for futuristic application for source apportionment of those over Japan.

Ion beam-induced luminescence (IBIL) spectroscopy was used for luminescent material characterization and analysis for the investigation of new scintillator families. Under continuous 3 MeV proton microbeam irradiation, the crystal structures of α-SiAlON:Eu, β-SiAlON:Eu, and CaAlSiN3 (CASN) emitted bright luminescence at peak wavelengths of 605, 540, and 670 nm, respectively. As the irradiation progressed, the IBIL intensity of the conventional ZnS:Ag scintillator decreased sharply, whereas that of the SiAlONs and CASN remained within the detection limit. IBIL spectroscopy was performed on individual grains of the SiAlON scintillators. IBIL imaging and spectroscopy of two grains of β-SiAlON:Eu showed that the main peak in the IBIL spectrum of β-SiAlON:Eu obtained from a large-area beam scan consisted of several small peaks, which were observed in spectra from individual grains. Our experimental results suggest that microscopic spectroscopy of IBIL is an effective tool for microscopic material characterization of luminescent targets.

We demonstrated the enhancement of the optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) contrast of negatively charged silicon vacancy (VSi-) in SiC by thermal treatment. To create high density VSi-, Proton Beam Writing (PBW) was conducted. After an annealing at 600 °C, ODMR contrast showed the highest value in the investigated temperature range. At a fewer irradiation fluence, despite no significant change was observed in terms of VSi- PL intensity, the improvement of the ODMR contrast was observed. Considering defect energy levels and annealing behavior previously reported, it was deduced that the improvement of the ODMR contrast was caused by the reduction of other irradiation induced defect centers, such as EH1/EH3 centers.

We demonstrated optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measurements using three-dimensional (3D) arrayed silicon vacancies (VSis) in in-plane SiC pn diodes. Proton beam writing successfully created 3D arrayed VSis using different ion (proton) energies. The results of PL mapping analysis indicate that the features of luminescent spot such as size and depth can be estimated by a Monte Carlo simulation (SRIM). This suggests that diagnosis at any locations in SiC devices can be realized using VSi quantum sensors. Luminescent spots with different depth ranging 4-60 μm showed similar ODMR spectra including its contrast, which means that a similar sensor sensitivity is expected. The results suggest that 3D arrayed VSi can act as quantum sensor elements with uniform sensitivity in SiC devices.

For use in medical and life science research, a device and sample preparation methods were developed to irradiate cultured cells and individual animals with a focused microbeam of cyclotron-accelerated heavy-ions. The new irradiation device positions both sample and microscope with micrometer precision. The beam size is smaller than 3 µm when the distance between the beam exit from vacuum to the irradiation device is less than 500 µm for 13.0 MeV/u 20Ne ions. This beam size is sufficiently small to irradiate intracellular targets in cultured cells. A beam size smaller than 10 µm was obtained for 12C ions of 26.7 MeV/u at a distance of 2 mm from the beam exit, which enabled irradiation of specific cells in a small model animal. Methods to prepare cultured cells and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for irradiation using the new device are reported, and the results of the first irradiation experiments presented.

Lithium distribution in the composite electrode of an all-solid-state lithium battery was analyzed by microbeam- particle-induced X-ray emission and gamma-ray emission techniques. Two kinds of pellet-type cells, incorporating LiCoO2 as the cathode-active material and the superionic conductor Li10GeP2S12 as the solid electrolyte, were prepared: one in the as-prepared state and the other in the charged state. Changes in the lithium distribution near the interface of the composite cathode and separator were visualized by normalizing lithium/cobalt and lithium/ germanium intensity. Lithium extraction from LiCoO2 due to charging was confirmed by the decrease in normalized intensity at the cathode composite region. The evaluation of the lithium concentration variation in the composite electrode for the all-solid-state battery during the electrochemical reactions could provide essential information for construction of a favorable composite electrode to enable preparing high-performance all-solid-state lithium batteries.

For use in medical and life science research, a device and sample preparation methods were developed to irradiate cultured cells and individual animals with a focused microbeam of cyclotron-accelerated heavy-ions. The new irradiation device positions both sample and microscope with micrometer precision. The beam size is smaller than 3 μm when the distance between the beam exit from vacuum to the irradiation device is less than 500 μm for 13.0 MeV/n 20Ne ions. This beam size is sufficiently small to irradiate intracellular targets in cultured cells. A beam size smaller than 10 μm was obtained for 12C ions of 26.7 MeV/n at a distance of 2 mm from the beam exit, which enabled irradiation of specific cells in a small model animal. Methods to prepare cultured cells and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans for irradiation using the new device are reported, and the results of the first irradiation experiments presented.

Interleukin (IL)-31 is a type 2 cytokine involved in the itch sensation in atopic dermatitis (AD). The cellular origins of IL-31 are generally considered to be Th2 cells. Macrophages are also a candidate as cellular sources of IL-31.To determine the expression of IL-31 by macrophages and to elucidate the productive mechanisms and contributions to itch in AD skin lesions.Expression of IL-31 by macrophages, expressions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and periostin, and presence of infiltrating basophils in human AD lesions were examined through immunofluorescent staining, and correlations were assessed. Furthermore, mechanisms of inducing IL-31-expressing macrophages were analyzed in an MC903-induced murine model for AD in vivo and in mouse peritoneal macrophages ex vivo.A significant population of IL-31A network comprising IL-31-expressing macrophages, TSLP, periostin, and basophils plays a significant role in AD itch.

全固体リチウムイオン電池の高性能化には、充電状態の変化に伴うリチウム分布の変化の可視化が必須である。しかし、従来技術ではその可視化が困難であった。今回、3MeVのプロトンビームが通過できる薄いポリイミド膜を用いた測定用の全固体リチウムイオン電池セルを開発し、その可視化を試みた。実際に全固体リチウムイオン電池セルの充電電圧を3.6V〜4.2Vに変化させ、3MeVプロトンマイクロビームをプローブとするマイクロPIXE/PIGEで元素分布を分析したところ、正極と固体電解質の界面において充電電圧の上昇に伴うリチウム濃度低下が可視化された。リチウム濃度の低下は全固体リチウムイオン電池の欠点である界面抵抗の原因と考えられており、今後、開発した電池セルを用いたマイクロPIXE/PIGEを活用することにより、全固体リチウムイオン電池の性能向上に資するデータが得られると期待される。, Materials Research Meeting 2021

SiCデバイス中に作製したシリコン空孔量子センサーを用いて電流誘起磁場を直接測定した, 応用物理学会秋季学術講演会

The mechanisms underlying itch are not fully understood. Physicians usually encounter difficulty controlling itch in generalized pruritus. Since only a small percentage of patients with generalized pruritus respond to antihistamines (H1 receptor antagonists), a variety of itch mediators and mechanisms other than histaminergic signals are considered to be involved in itch for these non-responsive patients. In 2012, we created guidelines for generalized pruritus. Those guidelines have been updated and revised to make some of the definitions, diagnostic terms, and classifications more applicable to daily clinical practice. Cutaneous pruritus as designated in these guidelines is a disease characterized by itch without an observable rash. Generalized pruritus (without skin inflammation) is defined as the presence of itch over a wide area, and not localized to a specific part of the body. This entity includes idiopathic pruritus, pruritus in the elderly, symptomatic pruritus, pregnancy-associated pruritus, drug-induced pruritus, and psychogenic pruritus. Localized pruritus (without skin inflammation) represents fixed itch localized to a specific part of the body, and includes anogenital pruritus, scalp pruritus, notalgia paresthetica, and brachioradial pruritus. These guidelines outline the current concepts and specify the diagnostic methods/treatments for cutaneous pruritus.

⼤気マイクロPIXE（Particle Induced X-ray Emission）分析は、多元素の同時分析⼿法であり、大気環境中から捕集された⼤気中微粒⼦を１時間程度で測定できる。しかし、各元素の定量値を得るためには、X線エネルギースペクトルから背景雑⾳を分離しピークフィッティングすることが必要であり、その自動化が多数の大気環境試料の分析する際の課題である。そこで本研究では、重みつき⾮線形最⼩⼆乗法によるピークフィッティングを用いたピーク強度自動導出プログラムを開発した。しかし、一部の元素では、背景雑⾳を過少評価することに起因して誤差が大きくなることが分かった。今後、背景雑⾳の分離法を改良する予定である。, 第58回アイソトープ・放射線研究発表会