Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting a cancer patient for whom a combination therapy with a retinoid and a cancer treatment agent is effective, which comprises a step of selecting a cancer patient having a malignant tumor with the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the stroma. In addition, the present invention provides a medicament which comprises a cancer patient having a malignant tumor with the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the stroma is a subject and is administered in combination of a retinoid and a cancer therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A decrease amount in plate thickness at a spot weld is detected at a predetermined time period when application of pressure is still maintained after termination of power supply to electrodes for spot welding. The decrease amount is correlated with the magnitude of diameter of nugget formed by spot welding, e.g., a larger diameter of nugget signifies a stronger the joint, and therefore, the quality of joint at the spot weld can be examined on the basis of the detected decrease amount. Since a value obtained by integrating plate thickness detection data of the spot weld during the predetermined time period is correlated, as the decrease amount is, with the magnitude of the diameter of a nugget, the quality of the joint may also be examined on the basis of this integrated value.