Search for the Pair Production of Dark Particles X with K_{L}

We present the first search for the pair production of dark particles X via K_{L}^{0}→XX with X decaying into two photons using the data collected by the KOTO experiment. No signal was observed in the mass range of 40-110 MeV/c^{2} and 210-240 MeV/c^{2}. This sets upper limits on the branching fractions as B(K_{L}^{0}→XX)<(1-4)×10^{-7} and B(K_{L}^{0}→XX)<(1-2)×10^{-6} at the 90% confidence level for the two mass regions, respectively.

The bone attachments of the medial collateral and posterior oblique ligaments are defined anatomically and radiographically.

PURPOSE: To define the bony attachments of the medial ligaments relative to anatomical and radiographic bony landmarks, providing information for medial collateral ligament (MCL) surgery. METHOD: The femoral and tibial attachments of the superficial MCL (sMCL), deep MCL (dMCL) and posterior oblique ligament (POL), plus the medial epicondyle (ME) were defined by radiopaque staples in 22 knees. These were measured radiographically and optically; the precision was calculated and data normalised to the sizes of the condyles. Femoral locations were referenced to the ME and to Blumensaat's line and the posterior cortex. RESULTS: The femoral sMCL attachment enveloped the ME, centred 1 mm proximal to it, at 37 ± 2 mm (normalised at 53 ± 2%) posterior to the most-anterior condyle border. The femoral dMCL attachment was 6 mm (8%) distal and 5 mm (7%) posterior to the ME. The femoral POL attachment was 4 mm (5%) proximal and 11 mm (15%) posterior to the ME. The tibial sMCL attachment spread from 42 to 71 mm (81-137% of A-P plateau width) below the tibial plateau. The dMCL fanned out anterodistally to a wide tibial attachment 8 mm below the plateau and between 17 and 39 mm (33-76%) A-P. The POL attached 5 mm below the plateau, posterior to the dMCL. The 95% CI intra-observer was ± 0.6 mm, inter-observer ± 1.3 mm for digitisation. The inter-observer ICC for radiographs was 0.922. CONCLUSION: The bone attachments of the medial knee ligaments are located in relation to knee dimensions and osseous landmarks. These data facilitate repairs and reconstructions that can restore physiological laxity and stability patterns across the arc of knee flexion.

Extremely small-diameter, high-density, radio frequency, plasma sources and central gas feeding for next-generation electrodeless plasma thrusters.

Radio frequency (RF) waves including helicon waves can readily produce high-electron-density (ne up to 1013 cm-3) plasmas with a broad range of external operating parameters. Various featured RF and helicon sources in a wide range of scales are suitable for plasma propulsion schemes. Electrodeless RF plasmas have no direct contact between electrodes and antennas, which enables long-life operation. However, one of the crucial problems is to reduce the plasma size for future applications in nano- and pico-satellites. Diagnostics of the plasma parameters in a small area should also be improved. Furthermore, to increase plasma performance, it is important to consider the radial electron density (ne) profile with an increasing upper limit, observed in high-density helicon sources due to the depletion of neutrals. This problem may be controlled by the location of neutral gas feeding and knowledge of the gas pressure distribution. Here, production of RF plasmas, with extremely small diameters from 3-mm down to 0.5-mm including 1-mm, was demonstrated, and characterization of ne and the electron temperature was performed with a collisional radiative model. Finally, to improve plasma performance such as ne and the thrust force, internal gas feeding was demonstrated using a developed Pirani gauge to measure neutral density.

Spatial measurement in rotating magnetic field plasma acceleration method by using two-dimensional scanning instrument and thrust stand.

A two-dimensional scanning probe instrument has been developed to survey spatial plasma characteristics in our electrodeless plasma acceleration schemes. In particular, diagnostics of plasma parameters, e.g., plasma density, temperature, velocity, and excited magnetic field, are essential for elucidating physical phenomena since we have been concentrating on next generation plasma propulsion methods, e.g., Rotating Magnetic Field plasma acceleration method, by characterizing the plasma performance. Moreover, in order to estimate the thrust performance in our experimental scheme, we have also mounted a thrust stand, which has a target type, on this movable instrument, and scanned the axial profile of the thrust performance in the presence of the external magnetic field generated by using permanent magnets, so as to investigate the plasma captured in a stand area, considering the divergent field lines in the downstream region of a generation antenna. In this paper, we will introduce the novel measurement instrument and describe how to measure these parameters.

Effects of duloxetine on pain and walking distance in neuropathic pain models via modulation of the spinal monoamine system.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40% of patients with chronic low back pain have a neuropathic component. In this study, we assessed the effects of analgesics on tactile hypersensitivity and walking distance in the rat cauda equina compression (CEC) model of neuropathic low back pain. METHODS: The effects of analgesics on tactile hypersensitivity were examined using the von Frey test in CEC and partial sciatic nerve ligation (pSNL) models. Effects on walking distance were assessed using a treadmill test. Levels of α2δ1 subunit and ATF-3 mRNA in dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons and those of α2δ1 subunit protein in the spinal cord were determined using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Histological features were assessed using immunohistological methods. RESULTS: Histological changes indicating nerve damage (increase in ATF-3 mRNA, decrease in NF-200 and an increase in CD68 immunoreactivity) were observed in the CEC model. Duloxetine had analgesic effects in both models and improved walking distance in the CEC model. Pregabalin had analgesic effects in both models; however, the effect was weaker in the CEC model than in the pSNL model. α2δ1 subunit expression in DRG neurons and in the spinal cord was unchanged in the CEC model, but significantly increased in the pSNL model. Indomethacin had no analgesic effect in either model. Intrathecal yohimbine inhibited the effects of duloxetine with significant effects on depression. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the analgesic effects of duloxetine are mainly mediated by the spinal monoamine system, independent of the antidepressant effects of this agent. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of this study suggest that duloxetine may be an effective treatment of broad neuropathic pain states, including neuropathic low back pain. The analgesic effects of duloxetine might be mediated by alterations of the descending pain modulatory pathways in the spinal cord, independent of the antidepressant effects.

Difference in voice analysis result by pre- and post- processing of telephone line.

The purpose of this study is to verify the impact of a deterioration of the sound quality of voice by a telephone line on estimating Vitality as the extent of depressive tendency based on voice analysis using MIMOSYS. First, the voices of about 1,000 people recorded using a recorder were prepared. Next, each voice was coded and resampled in preparation for transmission over a phone line. Vitalities obtained by analyzing the voices before and after these processes were compared. The results showed high correlation between the Vitality after coding and Vitality before coding, revealing that using a telephone would be an effective way to obtain voices.

A novel method for assessing bladder-related pain reveals the involvement of nerve growth factor in pain associated with cyclophosphamide-induced chronic cystitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a prominent feature of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. There is a lack of well-characterized research tools, such as pain evaluation methods and experimental animal models, for investigating non-ulcerative cystitis. We developed a novel method for evaluating bladder pain in mice with cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis. METHODS: Cystitis was produced by a single intraperitoneal injection of CYP (300 mg/kg) or repeated injections of CYP (150 mg/kg once daily for 4 days). Blunt stimulation with a cotton probe was applied to the abdominal region, and the thresholds for withdrawal responses were measured quantitatively using an anaesthesiometer. RESULTS: The single injection of CYP provoked acute cystitis with severe bladder inflammation in mice. In these mice, we could detect an increased sensitivity to blunt stimulation, which was abolished by intravesical lidocaine. The stimulation induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in bladder-projecting sensory neurons. Chronic treatment with CYP produced persistent pain responses to the blunt stimulus. Although there were few signs of bladder inflammation in these mice, the concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) was elevated in bladder tissue, and NGF antiserum inhibited the hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The blunt probe method is useful for evaluating bladder pain signalling in mice, and revealed the involvement of an NGF-sensitive pain pathway in chronic cystitis pain. This assessment method may be useful for studying the pathophysiology of bladder pain and for developing therapeutic strategies for non-ulcerative IC/PBS in patients.

A segmented multi-loop antenna for selective excitation of azimuthal mode number in a helicon plasma source.

A flat type, segmented multi-loop antenna was developed in the Tokai Helicon Device, built for producing high-density helicon plasma, with a diameter of 20 cm and an axial length of 100 cm. This antenna, composed of azimuthally splitting segments located on four different radial positions, i.e., r = 2.8, 4.8, 6.8, and 8.8 cm, can excite the azimuthal mode number m of 0, ±1, and ±2 by a proper choice of antenna feeder parts just on the rear side of the antenna. Power dependencies of the electron density ne were investigated with a radio frequency (rf) power less than 3 kW (excitation frequency ranged from 8 to 20 MHz) by the use of various types of antenna segments, and n(e) up to ~5 × 10(12) cm(-3) was obtained after the density jump from inductively coupled plasma to helicon discharges. Radial density profiles of m = 0 and ±1 modes with low and high rf powers were measured. For the cases of these modes after the density jump, the excited mode structures derived from the magnetic probe measurements were consistent with those expected from theory on helicon waves excited in the plasma.

Development of very small-diameter, inductively coupled magnetized plasma device.

In order to miniaturize a high-density, inductively coupled magnetized plasma or helicon plasma to be applied to, e.g., an industrial application and an electric propulsion field, small helicon device has been developed. The specifications of this device along with the experimental results are described. We have succeeded in generating high-density (~10(19) m(-3)) plasmas using quartz tubes with very small diameters of 10 and 20 mm, with a radio frequency power ~1200 and 700 W, respectively, in the presence of the magnetic field less than 1 kG.

[Cryptorchidism associated with ectopic adrenal cortical tissue in the spermatic cord in a 51-year-old male]. / Un cas de cryptochidie associée à un îlot surrénalien ectopique du cordon spermatique chez un homme de 51ans.

This case report describes an exceptional case of ectopic adrenal cortex tissue (EACT) in the spermatic cord associated with ipsilateral cryptorchidism in an adult. While both EACT and cryptorchidism are fairly common congenital anomalies in boys, adult cases are uncommon. Although the spermatic cord is a known site of EACT, the reports of its association with cryptorchidism have been limited to child cases. During surgery, undescended testis was discovered and incidentally ectopic adrenal tissue along the spermatic cord was also identified. This combination of developmental aberrations in the adult has not been described, and the clinicopathological findings are reported with a brief literature review.

Effects of milnacipran, a 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, on C-fibre-evoked field potentials in spinal long-term potentiation and neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The analgesic action of 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal cord is poorly understood. We investigated the effects of milnacipran, an SNRI, on C-fibre-evoked field potentials (FPs) in spinal long-term potentiation (LTP), a proposed synaptic mechanism of hypersensitivity, and on the FPs in a neuropathic pain model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: C-fibre-evoked FPs by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve fibres were recorded in the spinal dorsal horn of anaesthetized adult rats, and LTP was induced by high-frequency stimulation of the sciatic nerve fibres. A rat model of neuropathic pain was produced by L5 spinal nerve ligation and transection. KEY RESULTS: Milnacipran produced prolonged inhibition of C-fibre-evoked FPs when applied spinally after the establishment of LTP of C-fibre-evoked FPs in naïve animals. In the neuropathic pain model, spinal administration of milnacipran clearly reduced the basal C-fibre-evoked FPs. These inhibitory effects of milnacipran were blocked by spinal administration of methysergide, a 5-HT½ receptor antagonist, and yohimbine or idazoxan, α2-adrenoceptor antagonists. However, spinal administration of milnacipran in naïve animals did not affect the basal C-fibre-evoked FPs and the induction of spinal LTP. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Milnacipran inhibited C-fibre-mediated nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn after the establishment of spinal LTP and in the neuropathic pain model, by activating both spinal 5-hydroxytryptaminergic and noradrenergic systems. The condition-dependent inhibition of the C-fibre-mediated transmission by milnacipran could provide novel evidence regarding the analgesic mechanisms of SNRIs in chronic pain.

Pharmacological characterization of lysophosphatidic acid-induced pain with clinically relevant neuropathic pain drugs.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an initiator of neuropathic pain, causes allodynia. However, few studies have evaluated the pharmacological profile of LPA-induced pain. In this study, a LPA-induced pain model was developed and pharmacologically characterized with clinically relevant drugs used for neuropathic pain, including antiepileptics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, local anaesthetics/antiarrhythmics and antidepressants. Gabapentin (1-30 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reversed LPA-induced allodynia, but neither indomethacin (30 mg/kg, p.o.) nor morphine (0.3-3 mg/kg, s.c.) did, which indicates that LPA-induced pain consists mostly of neuropathic rather than inflammatory pain. Both pregabalin (0.3-10 mg/kg, p.o.) and ω-CgTX MVIIA (0.01-0.03 µg/mouse, i.t.) completely reversed LPA-induced allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Lidocaine (1-30 mg/kg, s.c.), mexiletine (1-30 mg/kg, p.o.) and carbamazepine (10-100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated LPA-induced allodynia dose dependently. Milnacipran (30 mg/kg, i.p.) produced no significant analgesic effect in LPA-induced allodynia. In LPA-injected mice, expression of the α2δ1 subunit of the voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) was increased in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn. Furthermore, the VGCC current was potentiated in both the DRG from LPA-injected mice and LPA (1 µM)-treated DRG from saline-injected mice, and the potentiated VGCC current was amended by treatment with gabapentin (100 µM). The LPA-induced pain model described here mimics aspects of the neuropathic pain state, including the sensitization of VGCC, and may be useful for the early assessment of drug candidates to treat neuropathic pain.

Genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in endonuclease G-like 1 gene with type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In order to identify type 2 diabetes disease susceptibility gene(s) in a Japanese population, we applied a region-wide case-control association test to the 20.4 Mb region between D3S1293 and D3S2319 on chromosome 3p24.3-22.1, supported by linkage to type 2 diabetes and its related traits in Japanese and multiple populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a two-stage association test using 1,762 Japanese persons with 485 gene-centric, evenly spaced, common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers with minor allele frequency >0.1. For mouse studies, total RNA was extracted from various organs of BKS.Cg-+Lepr(db)/+Lepr(db) and control mice, and from MIN6, NIH3T3 and C2C12 cell lines. RESULTS: We detected a landmark SNP375 (A/G) (rs2051211, p = 0.000046, odds ratio = 1.33, 95% CI 1.16-1.53) in intron 5 of the endonuclease G-like 1 (ENDOGL1) gene. Systematic dense SNPs approach identified a susceptibility linkage disequilibrium (LD) block of 116.5 kb by |D'|, an LD units map and a critical region of 2.1 kb by r (2) in ENDOGL1. A haplotype-based association test showed that an at-risk haplotype is associated with disease status (p = 0.00001). The expression of ENDOGL1 was rather ubiquitous with relatively abundant expression in the brain and also in a pancreatic islet beta cell line. Mouse Endogl1 expression increased in pancreatic islets of hyperglycaemic BKS.Cg-+Lepr(db)/+Lepr(db) mice compared with that in control mice. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Based on the population genetics, fine mapping of LD block and haplotype analysis, we conclude that ENDOGL1 is a candidate disease-susceptibility gene for type 2 diabetes in a Japanese population. Further analysis in a larger sample size is required to substantiate this conclusion.

Fine positioning of a poloidal probe array.

Multipoint detection is an essential requirement for investigating plasma turbulence which is a highly nonlinear phenomenon in space and time. We have fabricated an array of 64-channel poloidal probes surrounding the linear cylindrical plasma named LMD-U in order to study turbulence properties, particularly the nonlinear mode couplings, in the domain of poloidal wave number and frequency. However, misalignments of probe tips produce spurious modes, which do not exist in the real plasma, to distort the precise wave number measurements. The paper presents the description of the 64-channel poloidal probe array with means to adjust the probe positions, with discussion on the effects of the misalignments on the wave number measurements.

Replica multichannel polymer chips with a network of sacrificial channels sealed by adhesive printing method.

Replica microchips for capillary array electrophoresis containing 10 separation channels (50 microm width, 50 microm depth and 100 microm pitch) and a network of sacrificial channels (100 microm width and 50 microm depth) were successfully fabricated on a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate by injection molding. The strategy involved development of moving mask deep X-ray lithography to fabricate an array of channels with inclined channel sidewalls. A slight inclination of channel sidewalls, which can not be fabricated by conventional deep X-ray lithography, is highly required to ensure the release of replicated polymer chips from a mold. Moreover, the sealing of molded PMMA multichannel chips with a PMMA cover film was achieved by a novel bonding technique involving adhesive printing and a network of sacrificial channels. An adhesive printing process enables us to precisely control the thickness of an adhesive layer, and a network of sacrificial channels makes it possible to remove air bubbles and an excess adhesive, which are crucial to achieving perfect sealing of replica PMMA chips with well-defined channel and injection structures. A CCD camera equipped with an image intensifier was used to simultaneously monitor electrophoretic separations in ten micro-channels with laser-induced fluorescence detection. High-speed and high-throughput separations of a 100 bp DNA ladder and phi X174 Hae III DNA restriction fragments have been demonstrated using a 10-channel PMMA chip. The current work establishes the feasibility of mass production of PMMA multichannel chips at a cost-effective basis.

Case report: internal and external jugular vein thrombosis with marked accumulation of FDG.

We report an unusual case of idiopathic internal and external jugular vein thrombosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) using (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG), which was conducted to assess subclinical malignancy, revealed intense uptake of FDG, corresponding to thrombus within the left internal and external jugular veins. Although FDG-PET is widely used in differentiating between malignant and benign diseases, we should bear in mind that this benign entity can demonstrate high accumulation of FDG.

Implantation metastasis of head and neck cancer after fine needle aspiration biopsy.

One possible complication of the aspiration biopsy of malignant tumors is dissemination of tumor cells along the needle track. However, a search of the literature revealed few definite reports of implantation metastases of head and neck tumors after fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Here we report two cases of skin metastasis of head and neck cancer after FNAB, including a patient with papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid and one with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submandibular gland. Surgical treatment prevented the spread of the tumor in both cases and there have been no evidence of recurrence to date. This report should alert head and neck surgeons to the possibility of implantation metastasis after FNAB.

[Evaluation of RI scintiscanning to parotid gland tumors].

We retrospectively evaluated preoperative radioisotope (RI) scintiscans in 275 patients (283 glands) with parotid tumors who undergoing surgery between 1987 and 2000. Technetium-99m-pertechnetate (Tc) scintigraphy was conducted on 201 glands. Oncocytoma and Warthin's tumor showed a high positive rate. In evaluating Warthin's tumor with Tc scintigraphy, sensitivity was 75% and specificity 88%; above the age of 40 years, specificity exceeded 90%. Gallium-67-citrate (Ga) scintigraphy was conducted on 207 glands. Malignant parotid tumors showed high positivity (85%), but the specificity of positive findings was quite low (38%) because 44% of benign pleomorphic adenoma, which occupied major material, showed Ga-positive findings. Ga-negative findings indicated high probability (95%) of benign tumors. Thus, Tc scintigraphy is effective in diagnosing Warthin's tumor, while Ga scintigraphy is effective in diagnosing benign tumors.