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Dynamic human movements are achieved by appropriate constraints on the degrees of freedom of the complex and flexible human body. The anatomy trains (ATs) theory explains such constraints with whole-body muscular connections called ATs. This paper proposes the design of a quasi-passive dynamic walker with whole-body viscoelastic connections inspired by the ATs theory and investigates the contributions of these long-distance connections to the achievement of gait. We designed a biped robot with a trunk and head, whose passive joints were supported by rubber fiber bands. The robot, named "PEARL III," is equipped with an antagonistic pair of McKibben pneumatic actuators for each leg at the human hamstring and rectus femoris positions. The most important feature of this robot is that fabric wires mechanically connect its rubber bands and actuators on the back side from the head to the foot, modeled after one of the human ATs, the superficial back lines (SBLs). In an experiment, PEARL III achieved 2D quasi-passive dynamic walking on an inclined plane by contracting and relaxing its actuators using periodic feedforward control. This result suggests that in both the robot and human cases, when a controller contracts the SBL only in the stance phase during passive dynamic walking, the SBL can achieve whole-body posture control and weight support. In addition, the SBL appears to achieve this function depending on their mode of attachment to bones and the presence or absence of antagonistic muscles (or ATs). In the future, by introducing various ATs into robots while recognizing the importance of the appropriate attachment of ATs and the presence of their antagonistic muscles (or ATs), we can expect similar effects in various 3D movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion:Significant expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its receptor (CD74) was observed in both the middle ear and inner ear in experimental otitis media in mice. Modulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its signaling pathway might be useful in the management of inner ear inflammation due to otitis media. Objectives:Inner ear dysfunction secondary to otitis media has been reported. However, the specific mechanisms involved are not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and CD74 in the middle ear and inner ear in lipopolysaccharide-induced otitis media. Method:BALB/c mice received a transtympanic injection of either lipopolysaccharide or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The mice were sacrificed 24 h after injection, and temporal bones were processed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, histologic examination, and immunohistochemistry. Results:PCR examination revealed that the lipopolysaccharide-injected mice showed a significant up-regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in both the middle ear and inner ear as compared with the PBS-injected control mice. The immunohistochemical study showed positive reactions for macrophage migration inhibitory factor and CD74 in infiltrating inflammatory cells, middle ear mucosa, and inner ear in the lipopolysaccharide-injected mice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]