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In mammalian cell nuclei, the nuclear lamina (NL) underlies the nuclear envelope (NE) to maintain nuclear structure. The nuclear lamins, the major structural components of the NL, are involved in the protection against NE rupture induced by mechanical stress. However, the specific role of the lamins in repair of NE ruptures has not been fully determined. Our analyses using immunofluorescence and live-cell imaging revealed that the nucleoplasmic pool of lamin C rapidly accumulated at sites of NE rupture induced by laser microirradiation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The accumulation of lamin C at the rupture sites required both the immunoglobulin-like fold domain that binds to barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) and a nuclear localization signal. The accumulation of nuclear BAF and cytoplasmic cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) at the rupture sites was in part dependent on lamin A/C. These results suggest that nucleoplasmic lamin C, BAF, and cGAS concertedly accumulate at sites of NE rupture for rapid repair.

8K ultra-high-definition (UHD) images enabling clearer recognition of anatomical structures could contribute to further development of surgical techniques and advanced applications in endoscopic surgery fields. This study aimed to clarify effects and challenges of endoscopic surgery with 8K UHD endoscopy compared to existing endoscopy systems.In this multicenter, cross-sectional, questionnaire survey, data were collected from surgical participants who newly used and observed 8K UHD endoscopy in patients undergoing surgery from February 2020 to February 2021. Survey items included sense of presence, reality, depth perception, visibility of tissue, eyestrain, and degree of satisfaction for operators and observers, and weight, operability, focus adjustment, physical fatigue, eyestrain, and satisfaction for camera assistants. Participants rated each 8K UHD endoscopic surgery on a one-to-five scale (definitively inferior, relatively inferior, equivalent, relatively superior, definitively superior) compared to the existing endoscopy system of each facility.Overall, questionnaire responses from 139 participants assessing 8K UHD endoscopic surgery were collected from surgeries performed in 46 patients. Respective ratings of operators and observers included sense of presence: "superior or relatively superior", 97.8% and 91.5%; reality: "superior or relatively superior", 76.1% and 72.3%; and visibility of tissue: "superior or relatively superior", 93.5% and 87.2%. Weight was rated as "inferior or relatively inferior" by 73.9% of camera assistants and focus adjustment as "inferior" by 60.9% of them.8K UHD endoscopic surgery enabled identification of surgical anatomies more clearly, provided a sense of presence and reality, and might improve educational effect. Technological development is expected to reduce the burden of camera assistants.

Although intussusception in adults generally results from malignant tumors and polyps, intussusception caused by chronic diverticulitis is extremely rare. We present the case of a 59-year-old man treated with steroids and biopharmaceuticals at the Department of Dermatology for psoriasis vulgaris. Cecal diverticulitis frequently recurred, for which he was treated during follow-up. This time, endoscopy showed a circumferential stenosis in the ascending colon, and computed tomography showed the appearance of a target sign in the right colon. As a result, the patient was preoperatively diagnosed as having intussusception of the ascending colon triggered by diverticulitis of the cecum and underwent laparoscopic right colectomy. Pathological findings of the specimen revealed multiple diverticulitis of the cecum. Therefore, we thought that the intussusception was caused by chronic inflammation of the diverticula and surrounding fibrosis. Among intussusception in adults, chronic diverticulitis should be considered as a target of surgical treatment on rare occasions.

Background Successful achievement of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is dependent on the acquisition of informed consent (IC) from patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively calculate the proportion of participation in a surgical RCT and to identify the reasons for failed acquisition of IC. Methods A 50-insitution RCT was conducted to evaluate oncological outcomes of open and laparoscopic surgery for stage IV colon cancer (JCOG1107: UMIN-CTR 000000105). The success rate of obtaining IC was evaluated in eight periods between January 2013 and January 2021. In addition, reasons for failed acquisition of IC were identified from questionnaires. Results In total, 391 patients were informed of their eligibility for the trial, and 168 (42%) were randomly assigned to either the laparoscopic surgery group (n = 84) or open surgery group (n = 84). The success rate of IC acquisition ranged from 33 to 58% in three periods. The most common reasons for failed IC acquisition were the patients’ preference for one approach of surgery based on recommendations from referring doctors and family members, and anxiety/unhappiness about randomization. Conclusions The success rate of acquiring IC from patients for an RCT of laparoscopic versus open surgery for stage IV colon cancer was lower than the expected rate planned in the protocol. To obtain the planned rate, investigators should make efforts to inform patients and their families about the medical contributions a surgical RCT can make and recognize that the period in equipoise may be limited.

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is one of the most difficult adverse events of cancer treatment for patients. However, it is still unknown why anticancer drugs cause hair loss. We aimed to clarify the mechanism of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in mice using an in vivo imaging technique with a two-photon microscope, which enables observation of the deep reaction in the living body in real time. In this study, ICR mice were injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide (120 µg/g). Changes in the hair bulb morphology, subcutaneous vessel permeability, and vessel density were evaluated by two-photon microscopy and conventional methods. In order to determine whether there is a causal relationship between vascular permeability and hair loss, we combined cyclophosphamide (50 µg/g) with subcutaneous histamine. Using two‐photon microscopy and conventional examination, we confirmed that the hair bulbs became smaller, blood vessels around the hair follicle decreased, and vascular permeability increased at 24 hours after cyclophosphamide injection [corrected]. Apoptosis occurred in vascular endothelial cells around the hair follicle. Additionally, hair loss was exacerbated by temporarily enhancing vascular permeability with histamine. In conclusion, cyclophosphamide caused a decrease in vascular density and an increase in vascular permeability, therefore increased vascular permeability might be one of the causes of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Background Liver fibrosis progresses to decompensated liver cirrhosis, for which medical needs remain unmet. We recently developed IC-2, a small-molecule compound that suppresses Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and found that IC-2 also suppresses liver fibrosis. In this study, we performed three-step screening of newly synthesized IC-2 derivatives to identify other small-molecule compounds that suppress liver fibrosis. Methods The screening system consisted of three steps: a cell viability assay, a transcription factor 4 (TCF4) reporter assay, and induction of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen 1α1 (Col1A1) expression in response to each compound. Screening using human LX-2 hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was performed to target HSCs, which are the driver cells of liver fibrosis. Results In the first step, since 9b and 9b-CONH2 at 100 μM did not have any effects on cell viability, they were omitted in the next screening. Additionally, the conditions that led to > 40% inhibition of the controls were also excluded in subsequent screening. The second step was performed under 31 conditions for 19 small-molecule compounds. Sixteen small-molecule compounds caused significant reduction of TCF4 activity relative to that of 0.1% DMSO. Of the 16 compounds, the 10 showing the greatest suppression of TCF4 activity were selected for the third step. Expressions of mRNA for α-SMA and Col1A1 were significantly reduced by seven and three small-molecule compounds, respectively. The greatest reductions in the α-SMA and Col1A1 mRNA expressions were observed in the cells treated with IC-2-F. Protein expressions of α-SMA and Col1A1 caused by IC-2-F were also comparable to those caused by IC-2. Conclusion IC-2-F was identified as a novel deactivating small-molecule compound for HSCs in vitro. These data suggest that IC-2-F is a promising medicine for liver fibrosis.

We study the scale dependence of effective diffusion of fluid tracers, specifically, its dependence on the P\'{e}clet number, a dimensionless parameter of the ratio between advection and molecular diffusion. Here, we address the case that length and time scales on which the effective diffusion can be described are not separated from those of advection and molecular diffusion. For this, we propose a new method for characterizing the effective diffusivity without relying on the scale separation. For a given spatial domain inside which the effective diffusion can emerge, a time constant related to the diffusion is identified by considering the spatio-temporal evolution of a test advection-diffusion equation, where its initial condition is set at a pulse function. Then, the value of effective diffusivity is identified by minimizing the $L_\infty$ distance between solutions of the above test equation and the diffusion one with mean drift. With this method, for time-independent gyre and time-periodic shear flows, we numerically show the scale dependence of the effective diffusivity and its discrepancy from the classical limits that were derived on the assumption of the scale separation. The kinematic origins of the discrepancy are revealed as the development of the molecular diffusion across flow cells of the gyre and as the suppression of the drift motion due to a temporal oscillation in the shear., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures

In mammalian cell nuclei, the nuclear lamina (NL) underlies the nuclear envelope (NE) to maintain nuclear structure. The nuclear lamins, the major structural components of the NL, are involved in the protection against NE rupture induced by mechanical stress. However, the specific role of the lamins in repair of NE ruptures has not been fully determined. Our analyses using immunofluorescence and live-cell imaging revealed that lamin C but not the other lamin isoforms rapidly accumulated at sites of NE rupture induced by laser microirradiation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The immunoglobulin-like fold domain and the NLS were required for the recruitment from the nucleoplasm to the rupture sites with the Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF). The accumulation of nuclear BAF and cytoplasmic cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) at the rupture sites was in part dependent on lamin A/C. These results suggest that nucleoplasmic lamin C, BAF and cGAS concertedly accumulate at sites of NE rupture for repair.SummaryKono et al. show the rapid recruitment of nucleoplasmic lamin C to sites of nuclear envelope rupture with Barrier-to-autointegration factor. Lamin A/C is also involved in nuclear DNA sensing with cytoplasmic cGAS at the ruptured sites.

High-sensitivity capacitive Faraday magnetometers were developed for static DC magnetization measurements in a sub-Kelvin region that can be used with

Introduction Transplantation of IC-2-engineered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) sheets (IC-2 sheets) was previously reported to potentially reduce liver fibrosis. Methods This study prepared IC-2-engineered cell sheets from multiple lots of BM-MSCs and examined the therapeutic effects of these cell sheets on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. The predictive factors for antifibrotic effect on liver fibrosis were tried to identify in advance. Results Secreted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 was found to be a useful predictive factor to reduce liver fibrosis. Moreover, the cutoff index of MMP-14 for 30% reduction of liver fibrosis was 0.918 fg/cell, judging from univariate analysis and receiver operating curve analysis. In addition, MMP-13 activity and thioredoxin contents in IC-2 sheets were also inversely correlated with hepatic hydroxyproline contents. Finally, IC-2 was also found to promote MMP-14 secretion from BM-MSCs of elderly patients. Surprisingly, the values of secreted MMP-14 from BM-MSCs of elderly patients were much higher than those of young persons. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the IC-2 sheets would be applicable to clinical use in autologous transplantation for patients with cirrhosis regardless of the patient's age., Highlights • IC-2- sheets from multiple lots of BM-MSCs ameliorate liver fibrosis in mice. • Secreted MMP-14 is a useful predictive marker to reduce liver fibrosis. • MMP-13 and thioredoxin in IC-2 sheets were also associated with liver fibrosis. • IC-2 also promotes MMP-14 secretion from BM-MSCs of elderly patients.

Introduction We previously reported that transplantation of hepatic cell sheets from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) with hexachlorophene, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor, ameliorated acute liver injury. In a further previous report, we identified IC-2, a newly synthesized derivative of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor ICG-001, as a potent inducer of hepatic differentiation of BM-MSCs. Methods We manufactured hepatic cell sheets by engineering from human BM-MSCs using the single small molecule IC-2. The therapeutic potential of IC-2-induced hepatic cell sheets was assessed by transplantation of IC-2- and hexachlorophene-treated hepatic cell sheets using a mouse model of acute liver injury. Results Significant improvement of liver injury was elicited by the IC-2-treated hepatic cell sheets. The expression of complement C3 was enhanced by IC-2, followed by prominent hepatocyte proliferation stimulated through the activation of NF-κB and its downstream molecule STAT-3. Indeed, IC-2 also enhanced the expression of amphiregulin, resulting in the activation of the EGFR pathway and further stimulation of hepatocyte proliferation. As another important therapeutic mechanism, we revealed prominent reduction of oxidative stress mediated through upregulation of the thioredoxin (TRX) system by IC-2-treated hepatic cell sheets. The effects mediated by IC-2-treated sheets were superior compared with those mediated by hexachlorophene-treated sheets. Conclusion The single compound IC-2 induced hepatic cell sheets that possess potent regeneration capacity and ameliorate acute liver injury., Highlights • Wnt/β-catenin signal inhibitor, IC-2, is suitable for creating hepatic cell sheets. • IC-2-treated hepatic cell sheets improved acute liver injury. • IC-2-treated hepatic cell sheets-derived C3 and AREG promote regeneration. • Hepatic cell sheets possess antioxidative property through thioredoxin system.

Transplantation of IC-2-engineered bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) sheets (IC-2 sheets) was previously reported to potentially reduce liver fibrosis. This study prepared IC-2-engineered cell sheets from multiple lots of BM-MSCs and examined the therapeutic effects of these cell sheets on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice. The predictive factors for antifibrotic effect on liver fibrosis were tried to identify in advance. Consequently, secreted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 was found to be a useful predictive factor to reduce liver fibrosis. Moreover, the cutoff index of MMP-14 for 30% reduction of liver fibrosis was 0.918 fg/cell, judging from univariate analysis and receiver operating curve analysis. In addition, MMP-13 activity and thioredoxin contents in IC-2 sheets were also inversely correlated with hepatic hydroxyproline contents. Finally, IC-2 was also found to promote MMP-14 secretion from BM-MSCs of elderly patients. Surprisingly, the values of secreted MMP-14 from BM-MSCs of elderly patients were much higher than those of young persons. The results of this study suggest that the IC-2 sheets would be applicable to clinical use in autologous transplantation for patients with cirrhosis regardless of the patient’s age.

We present studies on the low-energy magnetic excitations in the Lieb-Mattis (LM) ferrimagnetic phase. We investigate the low-energy magnetic excitations in the mixed spin-($\frac{1}{2},\frac{5}{2}$) chain $(4\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Br}\ensuremath{-}o\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Me}\mathrm{Py}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{V})\mathrm{Fe}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}$ based on low-temperature specific heat and multifrequency electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. A clear $\sqrt{T}$ term is observed in the specific heat, which indicates a contribution of the low-energy magnetic excitation with a ferromagnetic quadratic dispersion expected in the LM ferrimagnetic state. Through the ESR mode analysis, we examine the effects of magnetic anisotropy on the excited states in the LM plateau phase.

Among synchronous colorectal cancers (SCRCs) reported previously, the incidence of quadruple advanced SCRCs is very rare. We present the case who underwent laparoscopic two-segment resection of the colon requiring two anastomoses that was performed for quadruple advanced cancers, and four tumors were curatively removed. There were no signs of recurrence at 64 months after surgery. Laparoscopic surgery provided less invasiveness even for quadruple advanced SCRCs in terms of early recovery with an acceptable long-term outcome.

Background An esophageal diverticulum is rare and is frequently associated with esophageal motility disorders. Jackhammer esophagus is also rare, is characterized by esophageal hypercontraction, and comprises 4.1% of esophageal motility disorders. Here, we report a case of a patient successfully treated by laparoscopic transhiatal surgery for an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum derived from a jackhammer esophagus diagnosed with high-resolution manometry (HRM). Case presentation The patient was a 78-year-old man who presented to the hospital with dysphagia. A diverticulum was detected in the lower part of his esophagus by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. HRM was performed to investigate esophageal motility disorders. His integrated relaxation pressure was normal at 25.9 ( Conclusion Laparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy and esophagomyotomy can be useful procedures for an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum derived from a jackhammer esophagus due to their lower invasiveness.

We present an $S=2$ antiferromagnet composed of a Mn-verdazyl complex $[\mathrm{Mn}{(\mathrm{hfac})}_{2}]\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}[o\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Py}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{V}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{(4\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{F})}_{2}]$. An analysis of the magnetic behavior reveals that the strong antiferromagnetic intramolecular interaction between spins on ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ and the verdazyl radical forms an $S=2$ hybrid spin below approximately 100 K. In the low-temperature regions, the magnetic susceptibility and the specific heat indicate a phase transition to the three-dimensional order of the $S$ = 2 system. Below the transition temperature, the magnetization curve exhibits a metamagnetic phase transition. From the analysis of electron spin resonance modes, we evaluate the on-site biaxial anisotropy responsible for the anisotropic magnetic behavior.

Insufficient coverage of the area of a possible groin hernia is an important risk factor in hernia recurrence. To prevent recurrence, it is important to use the appropriate mesh size based on the size of the myopectineal orifice (MPO), which is the weak area of the abdominal wall where inguinal hernias occur. We aimed to estimate the appropriate mesh size for groin hernias by investigating MPO size. Four hundred and six patients underwent groin hernia repair using a totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach at the Zeze Hospital between July 2009 and December 2017. We investigated patients’ backgrounds, MPO components dimensions, and hernia recurrence, and evaluated the appropriate mesh size. The 359 male and 47 female patients had an average age of 63 ± 15 years. In 171, 147, and 88 cases, hernias were localized to the right, left, and bilaterally, respectively. The number of lateral, medial, femoral, and combined hernias was 317, 124, 11, and 42, respectively. The 95th percentile for the horizontal and vertical lengths in cases of hernia orifice ≥ 3 cm were 9.6 cm and 7.0 cm, respectively, while it was 9.2 cm and 6.4 cm in cases of hernia orifice

Background Although obstructive colitis with colon cancer is not a rare disease, most cases can be improved with conservative therapy. We report a case of a patient who underwent a laparoscopic two-stage operation for rectal cancer with refractory obstructive colitis after kidney transplantation. Case presentation The patient was a 71-year-old man taking immunosuppressants who had previously undergone right living kidney transplantation for chronic nephritis. He presented to hospital complaining of abdominal pain and was diagnosed as having rectal cancer with obstructive colitis. Although conservative therapy by fasting was continued for 5 weeks, his obstructive colitis did not improve. Therefore, we decided to perform a two-stage operation. First, we performed a laparoscopic Hartmann’s operation. It took 6 months for his obstructive colitis to improve after this operation, and then we performed a laparoscopic colorectal anastomosis. There were no postoperative complications in either operation. Conclusion A laparoscopic two-stage operation could be one of the operative options to reduce postoperative complications in patients with comorbidities such as taking immunosuppressants.

We present an $S=1/2$ antiferromagnetic (AF) honeycomb lattice composed of a verdazyl-based complex $[\mathrm{Zn}{(\mathrm{hfac})}_{2}][o$-Py-V-(4-${\mathrm{F})}_{2}]$. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations indicate that two AF interactions and a ferromagnetic interaction lead to the formation of a honeycomb lattice. We explain the magnetic susceptibility, magnetization curve, and magnetic specific heat based on the $S$ = 1/2 Heisenberg AF honeycomb lattice using the quantum Monte Carlo method. Further, by considering the distortion effect on the magnetic behavior, we confirm that the dimer-like lattice distortion in the present compound is small enough not to affect the intrinsic two-dimensional properties of the honeycomb lattice. Our numerical study on the distorted honeycomb lattice reveals a quantum phase transition from a disordered dimer phase to an AF ordered phase at a critical distortion ratio.

Topological properties in material science have recently received tremendous attention, as exemplified by topological insulators. As for quantum spin systems, the Haldane chain with integer spins is the best known example1. The realization of a topological quantum phase in the Haldane chain is an innovative research development related to the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics. For mixed spin chains composed of two different spins, the appearance of a topologically quantized magnetization plateau is predicted by the Lieb-Mattis theorem2 in combination with the Oshikawa-Yamanaka-Affleck criterion3. However, the actual magnetization plateau in the mixed spin chain has not yet been observed. Here, we present a model compound forming a mixed spin-(1/2, 5/2) chain. We observe a clear Lieb-Mattis plateau and well explain it quantitatively. The present results demonstrate a quantum many-body effect based on quantum topology and provide a new stage in the search for topological properties in condensed matter physics.

This chapter develops a methodology for modeling of heat transfer dynamics in a building atrium via Koopman mode decomposition (KMD). We address the phenomenon of heat transfer due to movement of air inside an atrium, where the air slowly moves over the distance between individual rooms. The heat transfer is modeled as a heat advection equation with a vector-valued velocity coefficient and a nonlinear input term from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) operations, which corresponds to a control variable. KMD is applied to the equation so that the heat transfer and HVAC operation are characterized in terms of frequencies and wavenumber vectors of Koopman modes (KMs). The velocity coefficient is then identified with a KM governing the heat transfer. The effectiveness of the modeling is demonstrated with measurement data on temperature field and HVAC operation of a practically used building. A possibility of how to use this modeling for control of heat transfer dynamics is discussed at the end of this chapter.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is usually an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and serositis. FMF develops before the age of 20 years in 90% of patients. It has intervals of 1 week to several years between attacks, which leads to renal dysfunction-amyloidosis. We report a case of atypical FMF that developed in a long-term hemodialysis patient. A 65-year-old Japanese female undergoing hemodialysis for 32 years was referred to our hospital with a fever of unknown origin (FUO) following cervical laminoplasty. The fever occurred as recurrent attacks accompanied by oligoarthralgia of the left hip and knee. We suspected FMF because of recurrent self-limited febrile attacks, although the patient showed atypical clinical features such as late-onset and highly frequent attacks. After receiving treatment, she achieved a complete response to colchicine. Therefore, a diagnosis of FMF was made based on the Tel-Hashomer criteria, which was confirmed by genetic testing. The case suggests that FMF may be of note in long-term hemodialysis patients developing FUO.

This paper develops a method for modelling of in-room temperature distribution incorporated with data collected by human sensors. This modelling is based on a standard two-dimensional heat diffusion equation with an effective diffusion coefficient. The effective diffusion coefficient is nominally identified from characteristics of air flow inside a room and its architectural design. For modelling multiple time-scale influence of human occupancy on the in-room temperature distribution, two independent parameters—the effective diffusion coefficient and human heat input—of the equation are modulated with the human sensor data that capture spatio-temporal dynamics of the occupancy in high resolution. The developed method is applied to a practical office space in commercial building in Japan so that its effectiveness is demonstrated by comparing numerical simulations of the equation with measured data on temperature.

Background Standard treatment for diffuse peritonitis due to colorectal perforation may be insufficient to suppress inflammatory reaction in sepsis. Thus, developing new treatments is important. This study aimed to examine whether intraperitoneal irradiation by artificial sunlight suppresses inflammatory reaction in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peritonitis model after surgical treatments. Materials and methods Mice were divided into naive, nontreatment (NT), and phototherapy (PT) groups. In the latter two groups, LPS was intraperitoneally administered to induce peritonitis and removed by intraperitoneal lavage after laparotomy. The PT group was irradiated with artificial sunlight intraperitoneally. We evaluated the local and systemic inflammatory reactions. Murine macrophages were irradiated with artificial sunlight after stimulation by LPS, and cell viability and expression of tumor necrotizing factor-α (TNF-α) were evaluated. Results As a local inflammatory reaction, the whole cell count, the expression of interleukin-6 and TNF-α in the intra-abdominal fluid, and the peritoneal thickness were significantly lower in the PT group than in the NT group. As a systematic inflammatory reaction, the expression of serum TNF-α, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-1β were significantly lower in the PT group than in the NT group. Irradiation by artificial sunlight suppressed the expression of TNF-α in murine macrophages without affecting cell viability. Conclusions Intraperitoneal irradiation by artificial sunlight could suppress local and systemic inflammatory reactions in the LPS-induced peritonitis murine model. These effects may be associated with macrophage immune responses.

We examine the magnetic-field-induced criticality of phase boundary near saturation field $H_{\mathrm{c}}$ in the spin-1/2 ferromagnetic (FM)-leg ladder 3-Cl-4-F-V [=3-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-1,5-diphenylverdazyl], the predominant interactions of which arise from FM chains (strong-leg type). Critical temperatures were precisely determined through dc magnetization, specific heat, and magnetocaloric effect measurements. The criticality of 3-Cl-4-F-V is characterized by a linear phase boundary with respect to $H_{\mathrm{c}}-H$ near $H\,=\,H_{\mathrm{c}}$. This behavior is similar to that of another strong-leg-type FM-leg ladder. The universal critical behavior in these strong-leg-type FM-leg ladders is expected to demonstrate the theoretically predicted quasi-one-dimensional Bose--Einstein condensation., Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B

We present a model compound for the $S=1/2$ ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain composed of the verdazyl-based complex $[\mathrm{Zn}{(\mathrm{hfac})}_{2}][4\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Cl}\ensuremath{-}o\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Py}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{V}\ensuremath{-}{(4\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{F})}_{2}]$. $Ab\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}initio$ MO calculations indicate a predominant ferromagnetic interaction forming an $S=1/2$ ferromagnetic chain. The magnetic susceptibility and specific heat indicate a phase transition to an antiferromagnetic (AF) order due to the finite interchain couplings. We explain the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization curve above the phase-transition temperature based on the $S=1/2$ ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain. The magnetization curve in the ordered phase is described by a conventional AF two-sublattice model. Furthermore, the obtained magnetic specific heat reproduces the almost temperature-independent behavior of the $S=1/2$ ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain. In the low-temperature region, the magnetic specific heat exhibits a $\sqrt{T}$ dependence, which is attributed to the energy dispersion in the ferromagnetic chain.

This paper demonstrates the anisotropic response of quantum critical fluctuations with respect to the direction of the magnetic field $B$ in Ni-doped CeCoIn$_5$ by measuring the magnetization $M$ and specific heat $C$. The results show that $M/B$ at $B=0.1\ {\rm T}$ for both the tetragonal $c$ and $a$ directions exhibits $T^{-\eta}$ dependencies, and that $C/T$ at $B=0$ follows a $-\ln T$ function, which are the characteristics of non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behaviors. For $B\,||\,c$, both the $M/B\propto T^{-\eta}$ and $C/T \propto -\ln T$ dependencies change into nearly temperature-constant behaviors by increasing $B$, indicating a crossover from the NFL state to the Fermi-liquid state. For $B\,||\,a$, however, the NFL behavior in $C/T$ persists up to $B=7\ {\rm T}$, whereas $M/B$ exhibits temperature-independent behavior for $B\ge 1\ {\rm T}$. These contrasting characteristics in $M/B$ and $C/T$ reflect the anisotropic nature of quantum critical fluctuations; the $c$-axis spin component significantly contributes to the quantum critical fluctuations. We compare this anisotropic behavior of the spin fluctuations to superconducting properties in pure CeCoIn$_5$, especially to the anisotropy in the upper critical field and the Ising-like characteristics in the spin resonance excitation, and suggest a close relationship between them., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. B

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a distressing adverse effect of anticancer drugs; however, there are currently no mechanisms to completely prevent CIA. In this study, we performed a clinical trial to examine whether sodium N-(dihydrolipoyl)-l-histidinate zinc complex (DHL-HisZnNa), an alpha-lipoic acid derivative, prevents CIA in patients with breast cancer. Between July 2014 and May 2015, we performed a multi-center, single arm, clinical trial involving 103 breast cancer patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy at three medical institutions in Japan. During chemotherapy, a lotion containing 1% DHL-HisZnNa was applied daily to the patients’ scalps. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade 2 alopecia; the secondary endpoints were the duration of grade 2 alopecia, alopecia-related symptoms, and drug-related adverse events. Alopecia was evaluated by three independent reviewers using head photographs taken from four angles. Safety analysis was performed for 101 patients who started the protocol therapy. After excluding one patient who experienced disease progression during treatment, 100 patients who received at least two courses of chemotherapy underwent efficacy analysis. All original 101 patients developed grade 2 alopecia, the median durations of which were 119 days (112–133 days) and 203 days (196–212 days) in the groups treated with four and eight courses of chemotherapy, respectively. Mild or moderate adverse events potentially related to DHL-HisZnNa were observed in 11 patients. Alopecia-related symptoms were observed in 53 patients (52%). The application of 1% DHL-HisZnNa to the scalp did not prevent CIA. However, this drug may promote recovery from CIA. Trial registration number: UMIN000014840.