The efficacy and safety of dupilumab in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab is an antibody against interleukin-4 receptor α, used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in adult Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe AD. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase III study, conducted between December 2018 and February 2020, patients with AD received dupilumab (300 mg) or placebo once every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, and were followed up for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with both an Investigator's Global Assessment score of 0-1 and a reduction from baseline of ≥ 2 points at week 16. RESULTS: Overall, 165 patients (mean age 30·6 years; 71·5% male patients) were randomized; 82 patients were randomized to dupilumab and 83 patients were randomized to placebo. At week 16, 26·8% of patients in the dupilumab group and 4·8% of patients in the placebo group achieved the primary endpoint [difference 22·0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11·37-32·65; P < 0·001]. Compared with placebo, higher proportions of patients in the dupilumab group achieved ≥ 75% reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score (57·3% vs. 14·5%; difference 42·9%, 95% CI 29·75-55·97; P < 0·001) and had ≥ 3-point (52·4% vs. 9·6%; difference 42·8%, 95% CI 30·26-55·34; P < 0·001) and ≥ 4-point (39·0% vs. 4·8%; difference 34·2%, 95% CI 22·69-45·72; P < 0·001) reductions in weekly average daily peak daily pruritus numerical rating scale scores. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events during the treatment period was similar in the two groups. The incidence of conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis and injection site reaction was higher in the dupilumab group than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: In adult Chinese patients, dupilumab was effective in improving the signs and symptoms of AD and demonstrated a favourable safety profile.

Screening for musculoskeletal problems in Japanese schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the frequency of musculoskeletal problems in public elementary and junior high school children and to determine the advantages and problems of musculoskeletal examinations. STUDY DESIGN: School-based cross-sectional study nested in a cohort. METHODS: We examined 41,376 public elementary and junior high school children (aged 6-15 years) in Miyazaki, Japan, from 2008 to 2014. Participation was voluntary. Participants received an in-school primary musculoskeletal examination (clinical examination with check items and a questionnaire) and a secondary examination at an orthopaedic outpatient clinic as indicated. Estimated prevalence rates for musculoskeletal problems were calculated from the results of both examinations. RESULTS: The total estimated prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was 8.6%. Prevalence by school grade ranged from 3.2% to 13.7%. Estimated prevalence rates increased as grade increased and were higher in junior high school students than in elementary school students. The secondary examination identified musculoskeletal problems on the back (65.4%), knee (8.1%), ankle or feet (7.3%) and elbow (5.4%). Of those referred for a secondary examination, 44.4% had not reported musculoskeletal complaints on the initial questionnaire. Overall, 69.8% of problems diagnosed in the secondary examination were previously undiagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: School-based musculoskeletal examination enables early detection of abnormal growth and disorders of the locomotive organs and is expected to support children's musculoskeletal growth and development. We recommend musculoskeletal examinations as part of school check-ups in Japan. Our findings suggest musculoskeletal examinations should be conducted for students in higher elementary school grades and for all junior high school students. Evaluation should include both direct clinical examination and questionnaires.

Surgical treatment for pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis using iodine-supported spinal instruments: initial case series of 14 patients.

Reports have detailed the increasing use of spinal instrumentation in the treatment of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis, with the aims of achieving a lower pseudoarthrosis rate and restoring spinal alignment. However, controversy remains over the use of instrumentation in the presence of active infection because of concerns about increased bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on the metallic implant surface. Fourteen consecutive patients were followed who were diagnosed as having pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis and underwent surgery with spinal instrumentation with iodine-containing surfaces that could be directly supported to existing titanium implants. Bone-cage interfaces and implant-related complications after surgery were evaluated. The white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were analyzed during the follow-up period. To confirm the influence of iodine release from the implant, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were also examined. The infection subsided in all 14 patients. Both WBC counts and CRP levels returned to normal ranges by the final follow-up. One patient showed a lucent area around the screw and two patients showed lucencies inside the cage. However, no cage dislocations, cage migrations, or screw pull-outs were noted, and all patients' FT3, FT4, and TSH levels were within normal ranges during the follow-up period. We demonstrated the efficacy of iodine-supported titanium implants in the management of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. No cytotoxicity or adverse effects were noted in this series.

Dementia with Lewy bodies can be well-differentiated from Alzheimer's disease by measurement of brain acetylcholinesterase activity-a [11C]MP4A PET study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity measurement using N-[(11) C]-methyl-4-piperidyl acetate (MP4A) and PET in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Participants were 14 DLB patients, 25 AD patients and 18 age-matched healthy controls (HC). All subjects underwent PET scans and MP4A to measure regional brain AChE activity. We performed anatomical standardization of each brain image, and k3 values, an index of AChE activity, in each voxel were estimated by nonlinear least squares analysis. Volumes of interest (VOIs) were identified on parametric k3 images in frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital cortices, and in anterior and posterior cingulate gyri (ACG and PCG). In each VOI, the differential diagnostic performance between AD and DLB of k3 values was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver-operating characteristic. Voxel-based statistical analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Mean cortical AChE activities in AD patients (-8.2% compared with normal mean) and DLB patients (-27.8%) were lower than HCs (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant difference in mean cortical AChE activities between AD and DLB patients (p < 0.001). All regional brain AChE activities of defined VOIs except ACG were able to well discriminate DLB from AD, and notably performance was the most significant in PCG (AUC = 0.989, 95% CI: 0.965-1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Brain cholinergic deficit is consistently prominent in DLB compared with AD. PET measurement of brain AChE activity may be useful for the differential diagnosis between DLB and AD.

Carcinosarcoma of the fallopian tube with disappearance of carcinoma cells by neoadjuvant chemotherapy: case study.

The authors report a case of carcinosarcoma (CS) of the fimbria of the fallopian tube in which carcinoma cells disappeared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). A 74-year-old woman visited the present hospital with a large pelvic mass and pleural effusion. A magnetic resonance image of the tumor was highly suggestive of ovarian carcinoma. Due to the presence of both serous.adenocarcinoma cells in pleural effusion and pulmonary thrombosis, the patient was given NAC consisting of carboplatin plus paclitaxel (TC) and anticoagulant therapy with warfarin potassium. With six courses of NAC, the pleural effusion and pulmonary thrombosis disappeared, and the tumor decreased 36.2% in greatest diameter. Maximum debulking surgery was then performed. The tumor was found to be located in the fimbria of the right fallopian tube. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, and histologic examination revealed chondrosarcoma with the presence of necrotic epithelial cells. The necrotic areas were interspersed with papillary structures, and immunohistochemical study showed positivity for CK7 and negativity for CK20, p53, and estrogen receptor (ER), indicating serous adenocarcinoma. Thus, heterologous CS with disappearance of viable carcinoma cells by NAC was diagnosed. The patient was given adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of three courses of TC, and there has been no evidence of disease for 20 months. The authors' experience in this case of gynecologic CS indicates that a serous adenocarcinomatous component of tubal CS can be well cured by TC-based NAC.

Extracellular volume fraction using contrast-enhanced CT is useful in differentiating intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate whether tumor extracellular volume fraction (fECV) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) aids in the differentiation between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In this retrospective study, 113 patients with pathologically confirmed ICC (n = 39) or HCC (n = 74) who had undergone preoperative contrast-enhanced CT were enrolled. Enhancement values of the tumor (Etumor) and aorta (Eaorta) were obtained in the precontrast and equilibrium phase CT images. fECV was calculated using the following equation: fECV [%] = Etumor/Eaorta × (100 - hematocrit [%]). fECV values were compared between the ICC and HCC groups using Welch's t-test. The diagnostic performance of fECV for differentiating ICC and HCC was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. fECV and the CT imaging features of tumors were evaluated by two radiologists. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting a diagnosis of ICC. Results: Mean fECV was significantly higher in ICCs (43.8% ± 13.2%) than that in HCCs (31.6% ± 9.0%, p < 0.001). The area under the curve for differentiating ICC from HCC was 0.763 when the cutoff value of fECV was 41.5%. The multivariate analysis identified fECV (unit OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.21; p < 0.05), peripheral rim enhancement during the arterial phase (OR: 17.0; 95% CI: 1.29-225; p < 0.05), and absence of washout pattern (OR: 235; 95% CI: 14.03-3933; p < 0.001) as independent CT features for differentiating between the two tumor types. Conclusions: A high value of fECV, peripheral rim enhancement during the arterial phase, and absence of washout pattern were independent factors in the differentiation of ICC from HCC.

Long-range spin Seebeck effect and acoustic spin pumping.

Imagine that a metallic wire is attached to a part of a large insulator, which itself exhibits no magnetization. It seems impossible for electrons in the wire to register where the wire is positioned on the insulator. Here we found that, using a Ni81Fe19/Pt bilayer wire on an insulating sapphire plate, electrons in the wire recognize their position on the sapphire. Under a temperature gradient in the sapphire, surprisingly, the voltage generated in the Pt layer is shown to reflect the wire position, although the wire is isolated both electrically and magnetically. This non-local voltage is due to the coupling of spins and phonons: the only possible carrier of information in this system. We demonstrate this coupling by directly injecting sound waves, which realizes the acoustic spin pumping. Our finding provides a persuasive answer to the long-range nature of the spin Seebeck effect, and it opens the door to 'acoustic spintronics' in which sound waves are exploited for constructing spin-based devices.

CT findings of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct: assessment with multiphase contrast-enhanced examination using multi-detector CT.

AIM: To evaluate multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB), a neoplasm that is considered to be the biliary counterpart of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated multiphase contrast-enhanced CT images with 0.5 or 1mm collimation in 37 consecutive patients with resected IPNB diagnosed by a single pathologist. The CT findings were correlated with the pathological findings concerning invasion of the surrounding organs and vessels. RESULTS: All patients showed bile duct dilatation. An intraductal mass was detected in 36 patients and the following findings were observed: extensive infiltration along the bile duct more than 20mm (n=32), compared with normal hepatic parenchyma, isodense or hyperdense during the late arterial phase (n=31), not hyperdense during the portal-venous and delayed phases (n=36), and intense enhancement rim at the base of the mass during the portal-venous or delayed phase (n=27). Parenchymal invasion of the surrounding organs was seen in eight of 16 tumours showing irregular or bulging margins. Vascular invasion was false positive in four of eight tumours. CONCLUSIONS: IPNB exhibits relatively characteristic findings with multiphase contrast-enhanced examination using MDCT. A tendency to overestimate invasion of the surrounding organs and vessels was seen.

The influence of vulnerability on depression among Japanese university athletes.

Objective: This study examined the estimated causal relationship between vulnerability and depressive symptoms in Japanese university athletes and how the degree of vulnerability affects depressive symptoms. Materials and methods: In Study 1, 248 Japanese university athletes completed a continual survey from Time 1 to Time 3. In Study 2, 562 Japanese university athletes responded to another survey during the same period. Structural equation modeling was performed to estimate the causal relationship using the cross-lagged effects model for the three waves. Next, a binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the influence of vulnerability on depression. Results: Results of the cross-lagged effects model showed that all paths from vulnerability to depressive symptoms were significant, and all paths from depressive symptoms to vulnerability were not significant. Thus, vulnerability was the causative variable and depressive symptoms were the outcome variables within the causal relationship. The logistic regression results showed that those with high vulnerability were 1.7 times more likely to have moderate or higher depressive symptoms than those with low vulnerability. Vulnerable individuals are at a higher risk for developing depressive symptoms. By verifying the causal relationship between vulnerability and depressive symptoms, we can contribute to the enhancement of mental health care in accordance with the weakest link model. Appropriate psychological support for athletes can decrease depression and improve their mental health.

Spin Seebeck insulator.

Thermoelectric generation is an essential function in future energy-saving technologies. However, it has so far been an exclusive feature of electric conductors, a situation which limits its application; conduction electrons are often problematic in the thermal design of devices. Here we report electric voltage generation from heat flowing in an insulator. We reveal that, despite the absence of conduction electrons, the magnetic insulator LaY(2)Fe(5)O(12) can convert a heat flow into a spin voltage. Attached Pt films can then transform this spin voltage into an electric voltage as a result of the inverse spin Hall effect. The experimental results require us to introduce a thermally activated interface spin exchange between LaY(2)Fe(5)O(12) and Pt. Our findings extend the range of potential materials for thermoelectric applications and provide a crucial piece of information for understanding the physics of the spin Seebeck effect.

Second-line chemotherapy for carboplatin/paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer: are multi-agent chemotherapies of little value truly?

PURPOSE: We examined whether second-line multi-agent chemotherapies are of any value for carboplatin/paclitaxel (TC)-refractory ovarian cancer. METHODS: Subjects included 60 patients with ovarian, peritoneal, or tubal carcinoma who received second-line platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Thirty-nine were treated with irinotecan/cisplatin or nedaplatin and 21 with docetaxel/cisplatin shortly after TC failure. Patients were divided between those who were refractory to initial platinum-based chemotherapy (n = 29, Group A) and those who were platinum-sensitive (n = 31, Group B). Efficacy and safety of the combination chemotherapies were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Response to the combination chemotherapy was 10.3% in Group A and 41.9% in Group B. Median time to disease progression was 4.02 months and 7.21 months, respectively (p = 0.006), and median survival time was 7.89 months and 9.23 months, respectively (p = 0.003). There was no difference in response between the two regimens. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities were more frequent with the docetaxel regimen. CONCLUSION: The choice between agents for second-line chemotherapy for TC-refractory ovarian cancer should be based on whether the cancer was previously platinum-sensitive. With a history of such response, multi-agent chemotherapies are worth considering after TC failure. With no previous response, the expected efficacy of second-line multi-agent chemotherapy is low, suggesting the use of monochemotherapy.

Design of microfluidic channels to prevent negative filtration in implantable hemofiltration devices.

In order to improve the quality of life of dialysis patients, our group have been developing an implantable hemofiltration device (IHFD) composed of multiple layers of dialysis membranes and microfluidic channels. To improve the hemodialysis performance of IHFD, preventing the negative filtration, which is caused by the oncotic pressure of blood, is mandatory. In this study, we fabricated IHFDs with five different microchannel designs and experimentally investigated the performance of each device in in vitro experiment. In addition, the successful IHFD was further evaluated by ex vivo experiments with a beagle dog. The experiments verified the effectiveness of the microchannel design, which will be used for the IHFD for in vivo experiments with pigs in the future.

CT findings in autoimmune pancreatitis: assessment using multiphase contrast-enhanced multisection CT.

AIM: To assess the spectrum of findings using multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (four female and 46 male, mean age 65 years) were retrospectively identified from consecutive patients with abnormal CT findings of the pancreas and negative work-up for known causes. These patients had at least one finding supporting the diagnosis of AIP: serological abnormality, histopathological abnormality, or response to steroid. Two radiologists evaluated multiphase contrast-enhanced CT images in consensus. RESULTS: The pancreas showed diffuse enlargement (n=16; 32%), focal enlargement (n=18; 36%), or no enlargement (n=16; 32%). Forty-nine (98%) patients showed abnormal contrast enhancement in the affected pancreatic parenchyma, including hypoattenuation during the pancreatic phase (n=45; 90%) and hyperattenuation during the delayed phase (n=39; 87%). The following findings were also seen in the pancreas: a capsule-like rim (n=24; 48%); no visualization of the main pancreatic duct lumen (n=48; 96%); ductal enhancement (n=26; 52%); upstream dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (n=27; 54%); upstream atrophy of the pancreatic parenchyma (n=27; 54%); calcification (n=7; 14%); and cysts (n=5; 10%). Forty-two (84%) patients showed one or more of the following extrapancreatic findings: biliary duct or gallbladder abnormality (n=40; 80%); peripancreatic (n=8; 16%) or para-aortic (n=10; 20%) soft-tissue proliferation; and renal involvement (n=15; 30%). CONCLUSION: Patients with AIP presented with a variety of CT findings in the pancreas and the extrapancreatic organs. The present study highlights pancreatic ductal enhancement in a subset of patients with AIP.

Sequentially addressable dielectrophoretic array for high-throughput sorting of large-volume biological compartments.

Droplet microfluidics has become a powerful tool in precision medicine, green biotechnology, and cell therapy for single-cell analysis and selection by virtue of its ability to effectively confine cells. However, there remains a fundamental trade-off between droplet volume and sorting throughput, limiting the advantages of droplet microfluidics to small droplets (<10 pl) that are incompatible with long-term maintenance and growth of most cells. We present a sequentially addressable dielectrophoretic array (SADA) sorter to overcome this problem. The SADA sorter uses an on-chip array of electrodes activated and deactivated in a sequence synchronized to the speed and position of a passing target droplet to deliver an accumulated dielectrophoretic force and gently pull it in the direction of sorting in a high-speed flow. We use it to demonstrate large-droplet sorting with ~20-fold higher throughputs than conventional techniques and apply it to long-term single-cell analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on their growth rate.

Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis: assessment of clinical, CT, and pathological findings.

AIM: To assess the clinical, computed tomography (CT), and pathological findings in patients with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients (four women and 11 men, mean age 71 years) with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis and without the characteristic features of underlying disorders causing benign biliary strictures were retrospectively recruited. Two radiologists evaluated multiphase contrast-enhanced CT images acquired with 0.5 or 1-mm collimation. One pathologist performed all histological examinations, including IgG4 immunostaining. RESULTS: The intrahepatic biliary ducts showed dilatation in all 15 patients, but only seven presented with jaundice. Although laboratory data were not available in all patients, serum gammaglobulin and IgG levels were elevated in five of six patients and six of eight patients, respectively. Anti-nuclear antibody was detected in three of six patients. The involved biliary ducts showed the following CT findings: involvement of the hilar biliary duct (14/15), a mean wall thickness of 4.9 mm, a smooth margin (10/15), a narrow but visible lumen (6/15), hyper-attenuation during the late arterial phase (9/15), homogeneous hyper-attenuation during the delayed phase (11/11), and no vascular invasion (14/15). Abnormal findings in the pancreas and urinary tract were detected in eight of 15 patients. In 13 patients with adequate specimens, moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration associated with dense fibrosis was observed. Infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells was moderate or severe in nine patients and minimal or absent in four patients. CONCLUSION: Lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing cholangitis exhibits relatively characteristic clinical and CT findings, although they are not sufficiently specific for differentiation from other biliary diseases.

A novel signal processing method using system identification for underwater surface electromyography.

PURPOSE: Currently, to record underwater surface electromyography (EMG), electrodes are covered with waterproof tape. For short-term measurement, waterproof tape prevents electrical leakage. However, during long-term measurement, water or sweat can contact the electrodes, changing the measurement conditions and gradually affecting the EMG data. The purpose of present study was to devise a novel method for prolonged underwater EMG recording, which estimate dry-land EMG from underwater EMG recorded by non-waterproofed electrodes using system identification techniques. METHOD: One healthy male participated in this study. System identification was used to convert underwater EMG signals to the estimated dry-land signals. Transfer functions were derived using two pairs of surface recording electrodes on the same muscle in parallel. System input was the EMG recorded using non-waterproofed electrodes; the output was the signal recorded underwater using waterproofed electrodes (supposed to be the same as dry-land signals). To examine the validity of the present method, three experiments were conducted. RESULT: There was a high positive correlation between the estimated dry-land EMG based on the non-waterproofed electrodes and the EMG obtained using waterproofed electrodes. To test the validity of long-term recording using the novel method, the estimated dry-land EMG signals were measured during 30 minutes of underwater stepping and were stable. CONCLUSION: The novel method using non-waterproofed electrodes with system identification techniques eliminated the effect of changes in measurement conditions and appears effective for long-term, underwater surface EMG recording.

Cell carriers to deliver oncolytic viruses to sites of myeloma tumor growth.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disseminated malignancy of antibody secreting plasma cells that localize primarily to the bone marrow. Several studies have illustrated the potential of utilizing oncolytic viruses (measles, vaccinia, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus and coxsackievirus A21) for the treatment of MM, but there are significant barriers that prevent the viruses from reaching sites of myeloma tumor growth after intravenous delivery. The most important barriers are failure to extravasate from tumor blood vessels, mislocalization of the viruses in liver and spleen and neutralization by antiviral antibodies. In this review, we discuss the use of various cell types as carriers to overcome these barriers, emphasizing their relative susceptibilities to virus infection and their variable trafficking properties. Mesenchymal progenitor cells, monocytes and T cells have all shown promise as virus-delivery vehicles capable of accessing sites of myeloma growth. However, a previously unexplored alternative would be to use primary myeloma cells, or even myeloma cell lines, as delivery vehicles. Advantages of this approach are the natural ability of myeloma cells to home to sites of myeloma tumor growth and their compatibility with tumor-specific viruses that cannot propagate in other carrier cell lineages. A potential difficulty associated with the use of myeloma cells for virus delivery is that they must be exposed to supralethal doses of ionizing radiation before they can be safely administered to patients. Preliminary studies are presented in which we demonstrate the feasibility of using irradiated myeloma cells as carriers to deliver oncolytic viruses to sites of myeloma tumor growth in an orthotopic human myeloma model.

Adjuvant hysterectomy for treatment of residual disease in patients with cervical cancer treated with radiation therapy.

The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of adjuvant hysterectomy for treatment of residual disease in cervical carcinoma treated with radiation therapy. Between 1971 and 1996, 1590 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages I-IIIb) were treated with radiation therapy. Three months after completion of radiation therapy, the status of local control was investigated, and total abdominal hysterectomy was performed in cases in which central residual disease existed in the cervix. Of the 1590 patients, residual disease was identified in 162 patients. Among these patients, 35 showed an absence of distant metastasis or lateral parametrial invasion and underwent hysterectomy. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates for these patients were 68.6 and 65.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with squamous cell carcinoma and those with non-squamous cell carcinoma or between patients with stage I/II carcinoma and those with stage III carcinoma. With respect to treatment-related morbidity, five (14.3%) patients suffered grade III or IV complications after hysterectomy. Adjuvant hysterectomy is an effective addition to radiation therapy in the treatment of cervical cancer, even in patients with stage III disease and in those with non-squamous cell carcinoma.

The origin of the premotor potential recorded from the second lumbrical.

PURPOSE: When recording with a palm electrode, a premotor potential (PMP) precedes the compound muscle action potential evoked from the second lumbrical muscle following median nerve stimulation. The origin of the premotor potential has remained uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine whether the PMP-2L is a SNAP derived from antidromically activated digital sensory branches of the median nerve. METHODS: We recorded three active electrodes were placed over the second lumbrical muscle, the third lumbrical muscle, the fourth lumbrical muscle by multi-channel recordings. RESULTS: PMPs are recorded only over the median digital sensory branches after stimulating the median nerve, while they are recorded only over the ulnar branch after stimulating the ulnar nerve. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the origin of the PMP is a SNAP arising from antidromically activated digital sensory branches.

Blood-Separating Device Without Energy Source for Implantable Medical Devices.

Coagulation of blood inside the implanted medical device is quite a critical problem to limit the lifetime. In this paper, we propose a microfluidic blood separating device using curved and branched channels. It utilizes centrifugal force on curved flow and separates blood flow into blood cell rich and blood cell poor ones at the bifurcation. Though it cannot separate the plasma from blood cells completely, the blood with small concentrations of blood cells will have low coagulatibity and extend the lifetime of the implant medical device. The device does not require any external pumps or valves, i.e., the system does not need any power sources but the blood pressure. We conducted experiments with a titanium foil which contacted to human whole blood with different hematocrit values for 7 days. The device was experimentally characterized with respect to the channel design. The former experiments suggested that lower concentration of blood cells helps avoiding blood coagulations, and the latter showed that the separation by our device is mainly affected by the flow rate and channel curvature.