Optical field characteristics of nanofocusing by conical metal-coated dielectric probe.

Nanofocusing of surface plasmon polariton by a conical metal-coated dielectric probe was investigated numerically using the three dimensional volume integral equation. The basic characteristics of the nanofocused optical fields generated by this probe were investigated in detail. The intensity distribution near the probe tip was found to be very sensitive to the shape of the probe tip. Enhanced local fields interfere near the tip for certain probe tip shapes.

Nanofocusing of surface plasmon polaritons by a pyramidal structure on an aperture.

A numerical study of the nanofocusing of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) by a pyramidal structure on a rectangular aperture is performed by the volume integral equation method. It is possible to perform nanofocusing using this structure by using a linearly polarized wave as the incident wave. The focusing process of SPPs by the tip of the pyramidal structure has been demonstrated numerically. The characteristics of the focused optical field near the tip have been investigated in detail. It was found to be similar to that of monopole rather than that of a tiny dipole. The optical field at the tip is sensitive to the local shape of the tip. The enhanced intensity on the tip increases with an increase in the aperture width.

Feasibility of AC/EC followed by weekly paclitaxel in node-positive breast cancer in Japan.

UNLABELLED: The feasibility and efficacy of adriamycin or epirubicin in combination with cyclophosphamide followed by weekly paclitaxel (AC/EC-weekly PAC) as adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Node-positive breast cancer was treated with AC/ EC-weekly PAC, namely AC at 60/600 mg/m(2) or EC at 90/600 mg/m(2) x4 at three-week intervals, followed by weekly PAC (80 mg/m(2)) x 12, namely four cycles of single weekly administration for three weeks followed by a one-week rest (3 x 4 PAC) or single weekly administration for 12 consecutive weeks (12 PAC). RESULTS: One hundred and three of 109 consecutive patients enrolled were analyzed, of whom 96 (93.2%) completed the regimen. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 52.4% receiving AC/EC, and 10.9% of 55 receiving 12 PAC but only 2.1% of 48 receiving 3 x 4 PAC. Neuropathy disorders occurred in more than half receiving PAC, which did not improve after one-week rest in 3 x 4 PAC. CONCLUSION: AC/EC-weekly PAC is feasible and without serious complications.

[Multiple hepatic metastases and ovarian metastases of colon cancer responding to combined therapy with S-1 and CPT-11--a case report].

We report a patient with multiple hepatic metastases and ovarian metastases of transverse colon cancer treated by combination of S-1 and CPT-11. The patient was a 51-year-old woman with cancer of the transverse colon and multiple hepatic metastases. She had undergone surgery. Resection of the transverse colon and left ovary was performed because left ovarian metastases were found during the operation. After the operation, the patient was given chemotherapy with S-1 (120 mg/body on days 1-14) and CPT-11 (150 mg/body on day 1). After completion of 11 courses of chemotherapy, abdominal CT scans revealed that the LDAs of the liver had disappeared, so the patient was judged to have achieved CR. No adverse event was observed. This case suggests that the combination of S-1 and CPT-11 may be an effective regimen for advanced colon cancer with multiple hepatic metastases.

Simulation of near-field scanning optical microscopy using a plasmonic gap probe.

Imaging by near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) with a plasmonic gap probe (PGP) is simulated to confirm the operation of the recently proposed PGP. The simulations demonstrate that the probe works in illumination, collection-reflection and collection mode, and that is it not necessary to vibrate the probe tip in order to remove background noise. The resolution of the scanned image is also shown to be approximately equal to the diameter of the probe tip. Furthermore, the throughput of the probe is much higher than conventional aperture probes providing similar resolution. The proposed probe thus has the advantages of both aperture probes and scattering probes, and is expected to have excellent characteristics for use as a scanning probe for NSOM.