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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are structurally described as sheets of six-membered carbon atom rings (i.e., graphene) rolled up into cylinders. CNTs with only one layer are known as single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs), and those with two or more layers are known as multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs). Cup-stacked carbon nanotubes and carbon nanohorns are also sometimes called CNTs.1−3 Currently, these very attractive carbon materials and nanomaterials are a subject of vigorous product development in a broad range of fields.4−11 The reasons are that CNTs have useful electrical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics, and their base material performance can be improved by combination with other materials.12−23 A recent industrial application of CNTs as an electrode additive to lithium-ion batteries is based on their excellent electrical characteristics. Addition of CNTs prevents battery deterioration and substantially lengthens time to recharging. It is doubtless that the demand for high-performance batteries will grow increasingly with multifunctionalization of personal computers and mobile phones, development of new mobile terminals, spread of electric vehicles, and other factors.24−30 Composite materials with the excellent mechanical characteristics of CNTs have already been used in sporting goods such as golf clubs, tennis rackets, and bicycles. CNTs are also expected to have applications that reduce the weight of aircraft and automobiles.10,14,31−35 A wide variety of advantages are gained from the use CNTs in precision parts as well. CNTs are also used in transistors and memory devices, and enhance their efficiency. The use of CNTs in various displays and TV screens continues to increase in rate. CNTs are also widely used in products designed to prevent static electricity, to shield electromagnetic waves, to store electricity, and for other purposes.36−45 Furthermore, Japan is now facing nuclear energy issues stemming from the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. As a result, CNTs are expected to play a major role in developing new energy sources such as solar photovoltaic power generation and wind power generation.46−52 In the medical field, extensive research activities are underway to develop new CNTs biomaterials for use in the treatment and diagnosis of disease. For example, application of CNTs to cancer treatment and diagnosis, such as in drug delivery systems (DDSs) for treatment of cancer, hyperthermia, and in vivo imaging, has been investigated.53−57 In a study that aimed at applying CNTs to regenerative medicine, CNTs were found to work excellently as scaffold materials for nerve and bone tissue regeneration.58−63 Furthermore, R&D activities are underway to improve the mechanical strength and durability of implants by combining CNTs with existing biomaterials.64−67 Besides, numerous ideas have been put forth about how CNTs can be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Figure ​Figure11 shows the trend in the number of articles found in the PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) (accessed 20 March 2014) by searches using “carbon nanotubes” and “biomaterials” as keywords. The number has been soaring since 2005, suggesting that CNTs research has become a highly competitive field worldwide over the past few years. Of course, numerous articles on the biological applications of CNTs do exist that cannot be captured with these two simple keywords, and the graphic representation of this trend is no more than an indicator of the increase in this research over time. Figure 1 Time trends for the number of articles found in the PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) (accessed 20 March 2014) by search using “carbon nanotubes” and “biomaterials” as keywords. Recent years have seen ...

SUMMARYThis paper proposes an analytical method of solving the inverse kinematic problem for a humanoid manipulator with five degrees-of-freedom (DOF) under the condition that the target orientation of the manipulator's end-effector is not constrained around an axis fixed with respect to the environment. Since the number of the joints is less than six, the inverse kinematic problem cannot be solved for arbitrarily specified position and orientation of the end-effector. To cope with the problem, a generalized unconstrained orientation is introduced in this paper. In addition, this paper conducts the singularity analysis to identify all singular conditions.

Organic matter (OM) is present in most terrestrial environments and is often found coprecipitated with ferrihydrite (Fh). Sorption or coprecipitation of OM with Fe oxides has been proposed to be an important mechanism for long-term C preservation. However, little is known about the impact of coprecipitated OM on reductive dissolution and transformation of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides. Thus, we study the effect of humic acid (HA) coprecipitation on Fh reduction and secondary mineral formation by the dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32. Despite similar crystal structure for all coprecipitates investigated, resembling 2-line Fh, the presence of coprecipitated HA resulted in lower specific surface areas. In terms of reactivity, coprecipitated HA resulted in slower Fh bioreduction rates at low C/Fe ratios (i.e., C/Fe ≤ 0.8), while high C/Fe ratios (i.e., C/Fe ≥ 1.8) enhanced the extent of bioreduction compared to pure Fh. The coprecipitated HA also altered the secondary Fe mineralization pathway by inhibiting goethite formation, reducing the amount of magnetite formation, and increasing the formation of a green rust-like phase. This study indicates that coprecipitated OM may influence the rates, pathway, and mineralogy of biogeochemical Fe cycling and anaerobic Fe respiration within soils.

Study design A retrospective single-center study. Summary and background We routinely have used C1-C2 transarticular and cervical pedicle screw fixations to reconstruct highly destructed unstable rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cervical lesions. However, there is little data on midterm results of surgical reconstruction for rheumatoid cervical disorders, particularly, cervical pedicle screw fixation. Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid-term surgical results of computer-assisted cervical reconstruction for such lesions. Methods Seventeen subjects (4 men, 13 women; mean age, 61 +/- 9 years) with RA cervical lesions who underwent C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation or occipitocervical fixation, with at least 5 years follow-up were studied. A frameless, stereotactic, optoelectronic, CT-based image-guidance system, was used for correct screw placement. Variables including the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Ranawat class, EuroQol (EQ-5D), atlantodental interval, and Ranawat values before, and at 2 and 5 years after surgery, were evaluated. Furthermore, screw perforation rates were evaluated. Results The lesions included atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS, n = 6), AAS + vertical subluxation (VS, n = 7), and AAS + VS + subaxial subluxation (n = 4). There was significant neurological improvement at 2 years after surgery, as evidenced by the JOA scores, Ranawat class, and the EQ-5D utility weight. However, at 5 years after surgery, there was a deterioration of this improvement. The Ranawat values before, and at 2 and 5 years after surgery, were not significantly different. Major screw perforation rate was 2.1 %. No neural and vascular complications associated with screw insertion were observed. Conclusions Subjects with rheumatoid cervical lesions who underwent C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation or occipitocervical fixation using a pedicle screw had significantly improved clinical parameters at 2 years after surgery. However, there was a deterioration of this improvement at 5 years post surgery., Article, JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SCIENCE. 18(6):916-925 (2013)

We examined the cytotoxicity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the resulting cytokine secretion in BEAS-2B cells or normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs) in two types of culture media (Ham’s F12 containing 10% FBS [Ham’s F12] and serum-free growth medium [SFGM]). Cellular uptake of MWCNT was observed by fluorescent microscopy and analyzed using flow cytometry. Moreover, we evaluated whether MWCNT uptake was suppressed by 2 types of endocytosis inhibitors. We found that BEAS-2B cells cultured in Ham’s F12 and HBEpCs cultured in SFGM showed similar biological responses, but BEAS-2B cells cultured in SFGM did not internalize MWCNTs, and the 50% inhibitory concentration value, i.e., the cytotoxicity, was increased by more than 10-fold. MWCNT uptake was suppressed by a clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor and a caveolae-mediated endocytosis inhibitor in BEAS-2B cells cultured in Ham’s F12 and HBEpCs cultured in SFGM. In conclusion, we suggest that BEAS-2B cells cultured in a medium containing serum should be used for the safety evaluation of nanomaterials as a model of normal human bronchial epithelial cells. However, the culture medium composition may affect the proteins that are expressed on the cytoplasmic membrane, which may influence the biological response to MWCNTs., Article, Toxicology in Vitro. 27(6):1679-1685 (2013)

The Hexi Corridor, our study area, is located in Northwest China and is also the most developed area of oasis farming in arid regions of Northwestern China. However, the rapid development of metallurgy and chemical industries in this region poses a great threat to the accumulation of heavy metals in crops. The objectives of this study are (1) to determine the influence of heavy metals on plant growth; (2) to assess the translocation capability of heavy metals in soil-plant system; and (3) to investigate the interaction between heavy metals. Pot experiments were conducted on cole (Brassica campestris L.) grown in the arid oasis soils singly and jointly treated with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Nine treatments were applied into the pots. Under the same planting conditions, three scenarios of Cd, Pb and Cd-Pb were designed to compare the interaction between Cd and Pb. The results showed that the response of cole weights to Cd, Pb and Cd-Pb treatments was slight, while Cd and Pb uptakes in cole were more sensitive to the single effects of Cd and Pb concentration in soils from the lower treatment levels. Under the influence of the single Cd, Pb and joint Cd-Pb treatments, Cd concentrations were lower in the cole roots than in the shoots, while for Pb, the results were opposite. Comparison studies revealed that the interaction of Cd and Pb could weaken the cole’s ability to uptake, concentrate and translocate heavy metals in arid oasis soils.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The EuroQol (EQ-5D) is a widely used comprehensive measure of health-related quality of life. There has been no study that has evaluated the health-related quality of life before and after the surgical reconstruction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cervical spine lesions using EQ-5D. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the improvement of quality of life before and after surgical reconstruction of rheumatoid cervical spine using EQ-5D, and the surgical outcomes of cervical spine affected by RA. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of the patients who underwent surgical reconstruction of cervical disorders in RA. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twenty-five patients (seven men, 18 women, mean age 62.2 years) who underwent surgical reconstruction of cervical disorders in RA were enrolled. OUTCOME MEASURES: Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and EQ-5D. METHODS: Clinical symptoms were evaluated before surgery and at 2 years after surgery by measuring the JOA score. We also investigated health-related quality of life before surgery and outcome at 2 years after surgery using the EQ-5D questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean observation period was 46.3 months. Mean JOA score significantly improved from 9.1 +/- 4.5 points before surgery to 12.4 +/- 2.8 at the 2 years after surgery (p=.0001). All the EQ-5D data were improved at the 2 years after surgery, compared with the data before surgery; especially, pain (p=.005), usual activity (p=.005), mobility (p=.008), and anxiety/depression (p=.02) were significantly improved. Utility weight was 0.37 +/- 0.27 before surgery and 0.56 +/- 0.26 at the 2 years after surgery, showing significant improvement at the 2 years after surgery compared to before surgery (p=.002). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical reconstruction of rheumatoid cervical spine has been demonstrated to improve patients' health-related quality of life., Article, SPINE JOURNAL. 13(4):391-396 (2013)

"Shock bowel" is one of the computed tomographic (CT) signs of hypotension, yet its clinical implications remain poorly understood. We evaluated how shock bowel affects clinical outcomes and the extent of intestinal epithelial damage in trauma patients by measuring the level of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). We reviewed the initial CT scans, taken in the emergency room, of 92 patients with severe blunt torso trauma who were consecutively admitted during a 24-month period. The data collected included CT signs of hypotension, I-FABP, feeding intolerance, and other clinical outcomes. Demographic and clinical outcomes were compared in patients with and without hemodynamic shock and shock bowel. Shock bowel was found in 16 patients (17.4%); of them 7 patients (43.8%) did not have hemodynamic shock. Certain CT signs of hypotension, namely free peritoneal fluid, contrast extravasation, small-caliber aorta, and shock bowel, were significantly more common in patients with hemodynamic shock than in patients without (P 0.05). Injury severity score and the rate of consciousness disturbance were significantly higher in patients with shock bowel than in patients without (P 0.05). The rate of feeding intolerance and median plasma I-FABP levels were significantly higher in patients with shock bowel than in patients without (75.0% vs. 22.4%, P 0.001 and 17.0 ng/mL vs. 3.7 ng/mL, P 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in mortality. In conclusion, shock bowel is not always due to hemodynamic shock. It does, however, indicate severe intestinal mucosal damages and may predict feeding intolerance.

A high frequency asymptotic method has been applied to formulate a E-polarized plane wave diffraction by a thick and loaded slit. Internal slit region is considered as a waveguide and the excitations of the waveguide modes are given by a ray-mode conversion method from the multiply bouncing diffracted fields. Comparison with the results by the other method reveals the validity and the effectiveness of our formulation.

Ray-mode conversion technique has been applied to formulate a plane wave diffraction by a wide and thick slit perforated in a perfectly conducting screen. The internal field inside the thick slit is first formulated by multiply bouncing reflected and diffracted rays, and this ray summation is converted into a summation of parallel plane waveguide modes through the Poisson summation formula. The total field is then expressed as a summation of successive radiation fields excited by the waveguide modes at the aperture edges. The derived results are used to calculate the far fields and compared with the reference solution. Good agreement has been observed to confirm the validity of our formulation.

Background Context Pedicle screw fixation is commonly employed for the surgical correction of scoliosis but carries a risk of serious neurovascular or visceral structure events during screw insertion. To avoid these complications, we have been using a computed tomography (CT)-based navigation system during pedicle screw placement. As this could also prolong operation time, multilevel registration for pedicle screw insertion for posterior scoliosis surgery was developed to register three consecutive vertebrae in a single time with CT-based navigation. The reference frame was set either at the caudal end of three consecutive vertebrae or at one or two vertebrae inferior to the most caudal registered vertebra, and then pedicle screws were inserted into the three consecutive registered vertebrae and into the one or two adjacent vertebrae. Objectives This study investigated the perforation rates of vertebrae at zero, one, two, three, or four or more levels above or below the vertebra at which the reference frame was set. Study Design This is a retrospective, single-center, single-surgeon study. Patient Sample One hundred sixty-one scoliosis patients who had undergone pedicle screw fixation were reviewed. Outcome Measures Screw perforation rates were evaluated by postoperative CT. Materials and Methods We evaluated 161 scoliosis patients (34 boys and 127 girls; mean±standard deviation age: 14.6±2.8 years) who underwent pedicle screw fixation guided by a CT-based navigation system between March 2006 and December 2015. Results A total of 2,203 pedicle screws were inserted into T2–L5 using multilevel registration with CT-based navigation. The overall perforation rates for Grade 1, 2, or 3, Grade 2 or 3 (major perforations), and Grade 3 perforations (violations) were as follows: vertebrae at which the reference frame was set: 15.9%, 6.1%, and 2.5%; one vertebra above or below the reference frame vertebra: 16.5%, 4.0%, and 1.2%; two vertebrae above or below the reference frame vertebra: 20.7%, 8.7%, and 2.3%; three vertebrae above or below the reference frame vertebra: 23.8%, 7.9%, and 3.5%; and four vertebrae or more above/below the reference frame vertebra: 25.4%, 9.5%, and 4.1%, respectively. Fisher exact test was performed to detect significant differences among the above five groups. With regard to Grade 1, 2, or 3 perforations, the rates of screw perforation for three and four vertebrae or more above or below the reference frame vertebra were significantly larger than that for vertebrae at the reference frame (both p Conclusions In multilevel registration of three consecutive vertebrae, the accuracy of screw insertion into vertebrae at which the reference frame was not set was not significantly inferior to that in vertebrae at which the reference frame was set with regard to major perforation rate. Including minor perforations, however, a distance of three vertebrae or more above or below the reference frame vertebra produced significantly more frequent perforations.

High frequency asymptotic method has been applied to formulate E-polarized plane wave diffraction by a wide and thick slit. Slit aperture region is considered as a waveguide and excitations of the waveguide modes are given by ray-mode conversion technique. Comparison with the other method reveals the validity and the effectiveness of our formulation.

Cervical pedicle screw (CPS) insertion is technically demanding and carries a risk of serious neurovascular complications when screws perforate. To avoid such serious risks, we currently perform CPS insertion using a computed tomography (CT)-guided navigation system. However, there remains a low probability of screw perforation during CPS insertion that is affected by factors such as CPS insertion angle and anatomical pedicle transverse angle (PTA).This study aimed to understand the perforation tendencies of CPS insertion angles in relation to anatomical PTA.This is a retrospective chart review.The study enrolled 151 consecutive patients (95 men and 56 women, with a mean age of 64.6 years).Anatomical PTA and CPS insertion angles were evaluated by axial CT images.The medical records of 151 consecutive patients who underwent CPS insertion using a CT-based navigation system were reviewed. We examined the relationships between PTA and CPS insertion angle on axial CT images according to vertebral level.The average preoperative PTA at each vertebral level was 32.1° for C2, 41.5° for C3, 41.0° for C4, 39.4° for C5, 34.4° for C6, and 27.3° for C7. Corresponding CT-determined pedicle screw insertion angles were 24.9°, 31.3°, 28.7°, 27.8°, 28.0°, and 26.0°, respectively. The CPS insertion angles at C2-C6 were significantly smaller than those for PTA (p.01). In evaluations of angle thresholds from C3 to C5 that predicted a higher risk of perforation, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined CPS insertion angles of24.5° and36.5° for the identification of lateral and medial perforations, respectively.For CPS insertion into the C3-C5 pedicles using CT, there is an increased likelihood of lateral or medial perforation for insertion angles of24.5° or36.5°, respectively.

信州大学博士（医学）・学位論文・平成23年3月31日授与（甲第906号)・荻原伸英, The addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) remarkably improves the mechanical characteristics of base materials. CNT/alumina ceramic composites are expected to be highly functional biomaterials useful in a variety of medical fields. Biocompatibility and bone tissue compatibility were studied for the application of CNT/alumina composites as biomaterials. Methods & results: Inflammation reactions in response to the composite were as mild as those of alumina ceramic alone in a subcutaneous implantation study. In bone implantation testing, the composite showed good bone tissue compatibility and connected directly to new bone. An in vitro cell attachment test was performed for osteoblasts, chondrocytes, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, and CNT/alumina composite showed cell attachment similar to that of alumina ceramic. Discussion & conclusion: Owing to proven good biocompatibility and bone tissue compatibility, the application of CNT/alumina composites as biomaterials that contact bone, such as prostheses in arthroplasty and devices for bone repair, are expected., Article, NANOMEDICINE. 7(7):981-993 (2012)

Central blood pressure (BP) is a useful predictor of cardiovascular risk. Recently, a fully automated device that measures central SBP (cSBP) from radial late SBP (rSBP2) has been developed.We measured cSBP using this device, compared it with aortic SBP (aSBP) measured with a high-fidelity pressure sensor, and evaluated the accuracy of cSBP before and after vasodilator administration. The data of 66 patients (mean age, 63.4 ± 9.7 years; 49 men) who underwent cardiac catheterization were analyzed. The radial artery pulse waveform and brachial BP were measured sequentially and used to calculate cSBP. Brachial SBP and DBP were used for radial SBP (rSBP) and radial DBP to calculate the absolute value of rSBP2. The radial pulse waveform was recorded by an applanation tonometer (HEM-9000AI; Omron Healthcare Co. Ltd). A high-fidelity pressure sensor was placed in the ascending aorta, and aSBP was measured simultaneously by an invasive method.Significant positive correlations between directly measured aortic late SBP and cSBP or rSBP were observed (r = 0.93, 0.88, respectively). Changes in aSBP before and after vasodilator administration showed a trend toward higher correlation with changes in cSBP than with changes in rSBP (r = 0.84, 0.78, respectively). The slope of the linear regression line of aSBP with cSBP (slope: 0.94) was closer to unity than with rSBP (0.66).Noninvasive cSBP calculated with rSBP2 accorded well with aSBP measured by the invasive method. Vasodilator medication and four of five diseases did not affect this relation.

Three low-pH coal mine drainage (CMD) sites in central Pennsylvania were studied to determine similarities in sediment composition, mineralogy, and morphology. Water from one site was used in discontinuous titration/neutralization experiments to produce Fe(III) minerals by abiotic oxidative hydrolysis for comparison with the field precipitates that were produced by biological low-pH Fe(II) oxidation. Even though the hydrology and concentration of dissolved metals of the CMD varied considerably between the three field sites, the mineralogy of the three iron mounds was very similar. Schwertmannite was the predominant mineral precipitated at low-pH (2.5–4.0) along with lesser amounts of goethite. Trace metals such as Zn, Ni and Co were only detected at μmol/g concentrations in the field sediments, and no metals (other than Fe) were removed from the CMD at any of the field sites. Metal cations were not lost from solution in the field because of unfavorable electrostatic attraction to the iron mound minerals. Ferrihydrite was the predominant mineral formed by abiotic neutralization (pH 4.4–8.4, 4 d aging) with lesser amounts of schwertmannite and goethite. In contrast to low-pH precipitation, substantial metal removal occurred in the neutralized CMD. Al was likely removed as hydrobasaluminite and Al(OH)3, and as a co-precipitate into schwertmannite or ferrihydrite. Zn, Ni and Co were likely removed via adsorption onto and co-precipitation into the freshly formed Fe and Al solids. Mn was likely removed by co-precipitation and, at the highest final pH values, as a Mn oxide. Biological low-pH Fe(II) oxidation can be cost-effectively used to pre-treat CMD and remove Fe and acidity prior to conventional neutralization techniques. A further benefit is that solids formed under these conditions may be of industrial value because they do not contain trace metal or metalloid contaminants.

In the 2000s, the deterioration of environmental conditions became an increasingly serious issue in developing countries, because this began to have a negative impact on their economic growth. According to the World Bank (2009), climate change arising from environmental deterioration could result in a permanent deceleration in economic growth in developing countries. To maintain sustainable development, these countries need to reduce environmental pollution without sacrificing economic growth. This appears to be a particularly challenging balancing task for developing countries, since they are confronted with serious environmental problems and low economic growth. In this study, we specifically focus on developing countries and the analysis of environmental efficiency, which simultaneously accounts for CO2, SO2, and NOX. To accomplish this, we estimate the environmental efficiency of these three environmental pollutants using a Hicks-Moorsteen productivity index from 1990 to 2008 for both high income and low and medium income countries. Furthermore, using a cross-section data set and a panel data set of environmental efficiency, we examine whether the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis is applicable to all countries from the 1990s to 2000s. Several studies have estimated environmental efficiency and examined the EKC hypothesis in developed countries from the 1970s to 1990s; however, the developing countries were not addressed in this context until the 2000s. From our analysis, we obtain the following three results. First, we confirm that developed countries have low environmental efficiency. This means that developed countries have significant potential to reduce environmental pollutants but low potential for economic growth. Second, we recognize that environmental efficiency in developing countries differs by region and country. Some developing countries have significant potential to reduce environmental pollutants and high potential for economic growth. Third, we found that the EKC hypothesis examined for the three environmental pollutants is applicable from the 1990s to 2000s.

We investigated the relationship between differences in multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the biological responses they elicit in order to develop biocompatible MWCNTs. We exposed human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells to two sizes and six grades of MWCNTs and measured the resulting cell viability, total reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species (tROS/RNS) production, and cytokine secretion. Although differences in cellular tROS production were associated with differences in grades of MWCNTs, the graphitization temperature of MWCNTs apparently did not influence tROS production. However, cell viability was affected by MWCNT graphitization temperature and diameter. Moreover, cytokine secretion was apparently affected by treatment temperature, but not MWCNT diameter. We concluded that the highest temperature resulted in the most biocompatibility because impurities and carbon defects were removed from the MWCNTs. However, other mechanisms are possible. Therefore, it is important to optimize each type of MWCNT by monitoring biological responses that type elicits during the manufacturing stage for applications involving biology and medicine., Article, Journal of Nanotechnology. 2012:937819 (2012)

We examined differences in cellular responses to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using malignant pleural mesothelioma cells (MESO-1), bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), neuroblastoma cells (IMR-32), and monoblastic cells (THP-1), before and after differentiation. MESO-1, BEAS-2B and differentiated THP-1 cells actively endocytosed MWCNTs, resulting in cytotoxicity with lysosomal injury. However, cytotoxicity did not occur in IMR-32 or undifferentiated THP-1 cells. Both differentiated and undifferentiated THP-1 cells exhibited an inflammatory response. Carbon blacks were endocytosed by the same cell types without lysosomal damage and caused cytokine secretion, but they did not cause cytotoxicity. These results indicate that the cytotoxicity of MWCNTs requires not only cellular uptake but also lysosomal injury. Furthermore, it seems that membrane permeability or cytokine secretion without cytotoxicity results from several active mechanisms. Clarification of the cellular recognition mechanism for MWCNTs is important for developing safer MWCNTs., Article, International Journal of Nanomedicine. 6(1):3487-3497 (2011)

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have already been successfully implemented in various fields, and they are anticipated to have innovative applications in medical science. However, CNTs have asbestos-like properties, such as their nanoscale size and high aspect ratio (> 100). Moreover, CNTs may persist in the body for a long time. These properties are thought to cause malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer. However, based on conventional toxicity assessment systems, the carcinogenicity of asbestos and CNTs is unclear. The reason for late countermeasures against asbestos is that reliable, long-term safety assessments have not yet been developed by toxicologists. Therefore, a new type of long-term safety assessment, different from the existing methods, is needed for carbon nanomaterials. Recently, we applied a proteomic approach to the safety assessment of carbon nanomaterials. In this review, we discuss the basic concept of our approach, the results, the problems, and the possibility of a long-term safety assessment for carbon nanomaterials using the toxicoproteomic approach., Article, Journal of Proteomics. 74(12):2703-2712 (2011)

Article, Materials Today. 14(9): 434-440 (2011)

症例は89歳，女性．腹痛，血性下痢便を主訴に来院した．腹部造影CTで右下腹部，回腸遠位端を中心に腸管外ガス像を認めたが理学所見に乏しく診断的腹腔鏡を施行した．腹腔鏡検査では漿膜下にガスを含んだ微小な腸管気腫像が限局性に複数認められたが，腹膜炎・穿孔所見を認めないため開腹手術は施行せず保存的経過観察とした．経過は良好であり第5病日に退院となった．しかし2週間後に再び腹痛・下痢を主訴に来院し，腹部CTで門脈気腫，腸管気腫症（Pneumatosis intestinalis:以下PI）を認めた．文献的考察から原因としてα-グルコシダーゼ阻害剤（以下:α GIs）が疑われ，内服を中止することで軽快した．以降α GIsの内服を中止し半年間再発は認めていない．α GIsによるPIの本邦報告例は9例と少なく，門脈気腫像を認めたのは自験例を含め2例であった．このような稀な疾患に対し，初期から確定診断することは困難であり，診断的腹腔鏡検査で不要な試験開腹を回避できる．

We aimed to investigate the value of the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) on initial computed tomography (CT) to predict hemodynamic deterioration in patients with blunt torso trauma.We reviewed the initial CT scans, taken after admission to emergency room (ER), of 114 patients with blunt torso trauma who were consecutively admitted during a 24-month period. We measured the maximal anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the IVC at the level of the renal vein. Flat vena cava (FVC) was defined as a maximal transverse to anteroposterior ratio of less than 4:1. According to the hemodynamic status, the patients were categorized into three groups. Patients with hemodynamic deterioration after the CT scans were defined as group D (n = 37). The other patients who remained hemodynamically stable after the CT scans were divided into two groups: patients who were hemodynamically stable on ER arrival were defined as group S (n = 60) and those who were in shock on ER arrival and responded to the fluid resuscitation were defined as group R (n = 17).The anteroposterior diameter of the IVC in group D was significantly smaller than those in groups R and S (7.6 mm ± 4.4 mm, 15.8 mm ± 5.5 mm, and 15.3 mm ± 4.2 mm, respectively; p0.05). Of the 93 patients without FVC, 16 (17%) were in group D, 14 (15%) required blood transfusion, and 8 (9%) required intervention. However, of the 21 patients with FVC, all patients were in group D, 20 (95%) required blood transfusion, and 17 (80%) required intervention. The patients with FVC had higher mortality (52%) than the other patients (2%).In cases of blunt torso trauma, patients with FVC on initial CT may exhibit hemodynamic deterioration, necessitating early blood transfusion and therapeutic intervention.

Methylated forms of arsenic (As), monomethylarsenate (MMA) and dimethylarsenate (DMA), have historically been used as herbicides and pesticides. Because of their large application to agriculture fields and the toxicity of MMA and DMA, the sorption of methylated As to soil constituents requires investigation. MMA and DMA sorption on amorphous aluminum oxide (AAO) was investigated using both macroscopic batch sorption kinetics and molecular scale extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques. Sorption isotherm studies revealed sorption maxima of 0.183, 0.145, and 0.056 mmol As/mmol Al for arsenate (As{sup V}), MMA, and DMA, respectively. In the sorption kinetics studies, 100% of added As{sup V} was sorbed within 5 min, while 78% and 15% of added MMA and DMA were sorbed, respectively. Desorption experiments, using phosphate as a desorbing agent, resulted in 30% release of absorbed As{sup V}, while 48% and 62% of absorbed MMA and DMA, respectively, were released. FTIR and EXAFS studies revealed that MMA and DMA formed mainly bidentate binuclear complexes with AAO. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that increasing methyl group substitution results in decreased As sorption and increased As desorption on AAO.

The adsorption and desorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in relation to material surfaces were conducted to control indoor air quality. The VOC removal performance of building materials using sorption effects was validated in cases related to poor indoor air quality that occurred during non-ventilation periods during intermittent-ventilation situations. The objective of this investigation is to present the contaminant removal efficiency and practicality of a prototype air cleaner which uses sorption effects. Toluene and formaldehyde were used as pollutant sources and were continuously emitted into the test chamber. Effects due to the number of sorption units, operation time and mode of contaminant removal performance were examined. The sorption materials evaluated in this investigation were a porous material, zeolite, pumice stone and hydro-corn. As a result of the experiments, zeolite exhibited relatively high contaminant removal efficiency with toluene, and zeolite and the porous material exhibited high removal efficiency with formaldehyde for both one-cycle and two-cycle sorption modes. Moreover, significant removal performances were observed in the numerical analysis of the continuous-operation mode.

In this paper, we propose an image enlargement method by using morphological operators. Our enlargement method is based on the nonlinear frequency extrapolation method (Greenspan et al., 2000) by using a Laplacian pyramid image representation. In this method, the sampling process of input images is modeled as the Laplacian pyramid. A high resolution image is obtained with the finer scale Laplacian that is extrapolated by a nonlinear operation from a low resolution Laplacian. In this paper, we propose a novel nonlinear operation for extrapolation of the finer scale Laplacian. Our nonlinear operation is realized by morphological operators and is capable of generating the finer scale Laplacian, the amplitude of which is proportional to contrasts of edges that appear in the low resolution image. In experiments, the enlargement results given by the proposed method are demonstrated. Compared with the Greenspan's method, the proposed method can recover sharp intensity transients of image edges with small artifacts.

In recent years, the environmental relevance of coastal areas has increased. Therefore, development of environmentally friendly breakwaters is strongly expected. We selected three cases as the breakwater arrangements; one with no breakwater, one with conventional breakwater often seen near the mouths of Japanese bays, and finally a new breakwater procuring enhancement of water exchange. We studied the effects of these breakwaters on wave suppression with a hydraulic model and on water quality by numerical simulation. In addition, we numerically simulated the effect of the combination of a breakwater and a Density Current Generator (DCG) to prevent water stratification. As a result, comparing the conventional breakwater with the new one expected to enhance water exchange, we found that both were similarly effective in suppressing waves, and that the latter weakens a degree of strong thermal stratification more than the conventional one. Moreover, when a DCG was installed, there was less temperature stratification than even that with no breakwater. Therefore, it is suggested show that water quality in the bay can be further improved by installing a DCG.

SummaryHippocampal mossy fibers project preferentially to the stratum lucidum, the proximal-most lamina of the suprapyramidal region of CA3. The molecular mechanisms that govern this lamina-restricted projection are still unknown. We examined the projection pattern of mossy fibers in mutant mice for semaphorin receptors plexin-A2 and plexin-A4, and their ligand, the transmembrane semaphorin Sema6A. We found that plexin-A2 deficiency causes a shift of mossy fibers from the suprapyramidal region to the infra- and intrapyramidal regions, while plexin-A4 deficiency induces inappropriate spreading of mossy fibers within CA3. We also report that the plexin-A2 loss-of-function phenotype is genetically suppressed by Sema6A loss of function. Based on these results, we propose a model for the lamina-restricted projection of mossy fibers: the expression of plexin-A4 on mossy fibers prevents them from entering the Sema6A-expressing suprapyramidal region of CA3 and restricts them to the proximal-most part, where Sema6A repulsive activity is attenuated by plexin-A2.

P120 plays an essential role in cadherin turnover. The molecular mechanism involved, however, remains only partially understood. Here, using a gene trap targeting technique, we replaced the genomic sequence of p120 with HA-tagged p120 cDNA in mouse teratocarcinoma F9 cells. In the p120 knock-in (p120KI) cells, we found that the expression level of p120 was severely reduced and that the expression level of other components of the cadherin-catenin complex was also reduced. The stable expression of various p120 mutants in p120KI cells revealed that the armadillo repeat domain of p120 is sufficient to restore the expression level of E-cadherin. In p120KI cells, internalized E-cadherin was frequently detected as large aggregates. Transient expression of wild-type p120 and mutant p120 lacking the N-terminal region induced both relocalization of E-cadherin at the cell-cell boundaries and the disappearance of cytoplasmic E-cadherin aggregates. Transient expression of mutant p120 lacking the C-terminal region, however, only induced a small increase in E-cadherin signals at the cell-cell boundary. In these cells, the cytoplasmic E-cadherin signals became brighter and the expressed mutant p120 was incorporated in the E-cadherin aggregates. These results suggested the novel function of the p120 C-terminal region in regulating the trafficking of cytoplasmic E-cadherin.

This paper addresses the inverse kinematic problem for 7 DOF anthropomorphic manipulators with joint limits. Specifically, the paper analyzes how the joint limits restrict the redundancy to develop practical inverse kinematic resolutions under the joint limits. First, the manipulator model considered in this paper is provided. Second, how to solve the inverse kinematics of the redundant manipulator is described. Third, how joint limits affect the inverse kinematic solutions is investigated. Forth, several suggestions for resolving redundancy under the joint limits are presented. Lastly, the effectiveness of the redundancy resolutions is illustrated by simulation results.

The adsorption behavior of arsenic from water on spherical porous silica particles (SiMAG) covered with magnetite was investigated under batch equilibrium conditions at 303K. The specific surface area and the pH at zero point of charge of SiMAG were 540 m2/g and 4.6, respectively. Both of As (V) and As (III) were adsorbed on SiMAG The adsorption of As (V) increased with decreasing pH, while that of As (III) was slightly dependent on pH. The adsorption capacity of SiMAG towards As (V) was 0.85 mmol/g.

症例は43歳の男性で, 発熱, 黄疸, 嚥下困難を主訴に入院した. 高度炎症反応があり, 造影CTで胸部から腹部食道の全周性の壁肥厚と壁内低吸収域を認めた. 上部消化管内視鏡検査では食道壁は全周性に浮腫状であった. 血液培養でKlebsiella pneumoniaeが検出され, 急性食道蜂窩織炎と診断し, 抗菌薬による保存的治療を開始した. 第45病日には全身状態は改善し, 炎症所見もほぼ消退したが, 食道の狭窄, 嚥下痛のため経口摂取は不能であった. さらに, 保存的治療を継続したが, 第100病日経過後も, 食道狭窄, 嚥下痛が改善しなかったため, 第126病日, 右側結腸を用いた食道バイパス術を施行した. 術後経過は順調で術後54日目に軽快退院した. 禁食および広域抗菌薬による保存的治療を行うも狭窄症状と嚥下痛が改善せず, 外科的治療を要した急性食道蜂窩織炎の1例を経験した.

Introduction: Fluid resuscitation (FR) and massive transfusion protocol (MTP) are important initial strategies for traumatic hemorrhagic shock cases. But poor responded patients to them are difficult to rescue. In such cases, open aortic cross clamping or intra-aortic balloon occlusion (IABO) would be performed as a temporary hemostasis treatment. Recently, IABO for severe trauma has been named resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). But it is still unclear which case can be rescued with REBOA. So we studied the relationship between the responsiveness to FR and REBOA. Methods: Consecutive 46 traumatic hemorrhagic shock patients underwent REBOA at our ER for last 86 months were included. All of their FAST were positive and done FR and MTP as a first-line resuscitation. 10Fr or 7Fr IABO devices were inserted at supraphrenic level (zone I) and underwent fundamental hemostasis by operative management (OM) and/or transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). They were sorted into responded group or non-responded group for REBOA. The primary end point was a recovery rate from the shock state within 48 hours. Secondary end points were a survival rate in 30th days and a rate of complications. Results: 26 transient or non-responded patients (Fluid Non-responder) responded for REBOA (REBOA Responder group). 20 Fluid Non-responders did not respond for REBOA (REBOA Non-responder group). There were no significant differences in ISS (REBOA Responder vs. Non-responder: 45.8+/-15.2 vs. 54.8+/-22.3), amount of total fluid (7187+/-5782ml vs. 6772+/-4851) and total blood transfusion (4816+/-3006ml vs. 5080+/-3330), required time to occlude after arriving ER (25.3+/-12.6min vs. 19.4+/-9.8) and total occlusion time (76.4+/-66.5min vs. 92.7+/-34.4). There was significant difference in the changes of systolic blood pressure before and after of REBOA (59.3+/-25.7mmHg vs. 38.3+/-39.4, p=0.04). A recovery rate from shock state was 65%(12/26) vs. 0%(0/20) (p Conclusions: It would be necessary to recognize that Fluid Non-responder but REBOA Responder with traumatic hemorrhagic shock could be possible to rescue.

Retrospective observational study OBJECTIVE.: To clarify the efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin-beta (EPO-beta) injections during autologous blood donation (ABD) before spinal deformity surgery in children and teenagers.ABD is preferred for spinal deformity surgery. A few studies have assessed the usefulness of preoperative ABD with EPO-beta in anemic patients.Fifty-six spinal deformity surgery patients (41 females, 15 males; median age: 15 yrs; range, 5-19 yrs) underwent preoperative ABD. ABD was performed weekly according to the patient's body weight with a subcutaneous EPO-beta injection (24,000 U). The collected blood volumes were compared among the low hemoglobin (low-Hb) (13 g/dL), mid-Hb (13-13.9 g/dL), and high-Hb (≥14 g/dL) groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The effects of EPO-beta injection on the Hb levels were estimated using a linear mixed model.The patients underwent a median of four ABD collections (range, two to six). The median collected volume per ABD was 200 mL (range, 40-400 mL). The median total blood collection was 700 mL (range, 160-1,350 mL); the corresponding values were 700 mL, 700 mL, and 800 mL in the low-Hb, mid-Hb, and high-Hb groups, respectively (P = 0.964). The median blood loss was 500 mL (range, 10-2,940 mL); 53 out of 55 patients (96%) did not require unplanned allogeneic transfusion, including 11 out of 12 (92%) cases with blood loss1,000 mL. The additional recovery of Hb levels with one EPO-beta injection was 0.29 ± 0.14 g/dL (P = 0.039) after adjusting for confounding factors.ABD with an EPO-beta injection is useful for avoiding allogeneic transfusion during spinal deformity surgery in children and teenagers, and patients in the low-Hb group achieved ABD volumes equivalent to those in the high-Hb group. Thus, an additional recovery of Hb levels of 0.29 g/dL per injection can be expected after 1 week.4.

Background Context Osteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine is relatively uncommon and is often difficult to diagnose, especially when patients do not complain of pain. Purpose This study aims to describe an unusual case of scoliosis caused by osteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine that was challenging to diagnose. Study Design/Setting A case report of a 12-year-old girl who presented with scoliosis caused by osteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine without apparent pain was carried out. Methods Diagnosis of the lesion was made using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging as well as the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) patient-based questionnaire. Results A preoperative CT myelogram revealed a mass lesion in the lamina of the 10th thoracic vertebra that was considered to be osteoid osteoma. This diagnosis was histologically confirmed following tumor excision. The patient's spinal deformity and SRS-22 scores were both improved at 5 months postoperatively. Conclusions Osteoid osteoma of the thoracic spine may present as non-painful scoliosis. Tumor resection is effective. Clinicians should bear this uncommon lesion in mind during recommended CT examination before scoliosis surgery.

This paper presents a modeling strategy of human driving behavior based on the controller switching model focusing on the driver's collision avoidance maneuver. The driving data are collected by using the three-dimensional (3-D) driving simulator based on the CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE), which provides stereoscopic immersive virtual environment. In our modeling, the control scenario of the human driver, that is, the mapping from the driver's sensory information to the operation of the driver such as acceleration, braking, and steering, is expressed by Piecewise Polynomial (PWP) model. Since the PWP model includes both continuous behaviors given by polynomials and discrete logical conditions, it can be regarded as a class of Hybrid Dynamical System (HDS). The identification problem for the PWP model is formulated as the Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) by transforming the switching conditions into binary variables. From the obtained results, it is found that the driver appropriately switches the "control law" according to the sensory information. In addition, the driving characteristics of the beginner driver and the expert driver are compared and discussed. These results enable us to capture not only the physical meaning of the driving skill but the decision-making aspect (switching conditions) in the driver's collision avoidance maneuver as well.

It has been proposed that four members of the plexin A subfamily (plexin-As; plexin-A1, -A2, -A3, and -A4) and two neuropilins (neuropilin-1 and neuropilin-2) form complexes and serve as receptors for class 3 secreted semaphorins (Semas), potent neural chemorepellents. The roles of given plexin-As in semaphorin signaling and axon guidance, however, are mostly unknown. Here, to elucidate functions of plexin-A4 in semaphorin signaling and axon guidance eventsin vivo, we generatedplexin-A4null mutant mice by targeted disruption of theplexin-A4gene.Plexin-A4mutant mice were defective in the trajectory and projection of peripheral sensory axons and sympathetic ganglion (SG) axons and the formation of the anterior commissure and the barrels. The defects in peripheral sensory and SG axons were fundamentally related to those ofneuropilin-1orSema3Amutant embryos reported but were more moderate than the phenotype in these mutants. The growth cone collapse assay showed that dorsal root ganglion axons and SG axons ofplexin-A4mutant embryos partially lost their responsiveness to Sema3A. These results suggest that plexin-A4 plays roles in the propagation of Sema3A activities and regulation of axon guidance and that other members of the plexin-A subfamily are also involved in the propagation of Sema3A activities. Plexin-A4-deficient SG axons did not lose their responsiveness to Sema3F, suggesting that plexin-A4 serves as a Sema3A-specific receptor, at least in SG axons. In addition, the present study showed that plexin-A4 bound class 6 transmembrane semaphorins, Sema6A and Sema6B, and mediated their axon-repulsive activities, independently of neuropilin-1. Our results imply that plexin-A4 mediates multiple semaphorin signals and regulates axon guidancein vivo.

症例は55歳,男性で,8歳時に転落事故による右上腕打撲傷の既往がある.20歳ごろから同部に腫瘤を自覚していたが,受診前数ヵ月の間に急激に腫大し手拳大となった.当院整形外科で上腕動脈瘤を疑われ,手術目的で当科を紹介された.手術は全身麻酔下に上腕動脈瘤を切除し,自家大伏在静脈で血行再建を行った.病理組織所見では動脈瘤壁における内膜の著明な肥厚と中膜の断裂を認めたが,真性動脈瘤であると考えられた.本症は希な動脈瘤で,今回の症例を含め本邦では21例が報告されているに過ぎない.