Texture Shape Optimization for Minimization of Friction Coefficient (Comparison of Shape Optimization Results for Circular and Herringbone Texture)

In order to reduce the friction coefficient of lubricated surfaces with circular and herringbone shaped textures, an adjust variable method was introduced to optimize the shape of the oil film thickness distribution in the textured areas. The optimized oil film thickness distribution can be evolved by the shape updating formula proposed by Sasaoka et al. based on the smoothed sensitivity. For computational convenience, the objective function in the optimization is defined as the friction force, not the friction coefficient. The constraint function was also defined by the Reynolds equation. The finite element method was used in the optimization procedure. The optimization results show that the herringbone shape texture has a bowl-shaped oil film thickness distribution similar to that of the circular shape texture. Furthermore, the location of the deepest part was found to be different

Factors Predicting Adhesion between Renal Capsule and Perinephric Adipose Tissue in Partial Nephrectomy

In minimally invasive partial nephrectomy (MIPN), it is important to preoperatively predict the degree of difficulty of tumor resection. When severe adhesions occur between the renal capsule and perinephric adipose tissue, detachment can be difficult. Preoperative prediction of adhesion is thought to be useful in the selection of surgical procedure. Subjects were 63 patients of a single surgeon who had received MIPN between April 2008 and August 2013 at Okayama University Hospital. Of these patients, this study followed 47 in whom the presence or absence of adhesions between the renal capsule and perinephric adipose tissue was confirmed using intraoperative videos. Data collected included: sex, BMI, CT finding (presence of fibroids in perinephric adipose tissue), comorbidities and lifestyle. Adhesion was observed in 7 patients (14.9%). The mean operative time was 291.6min in the adhesion group, and 226.3min in the group without. The increased time in the adhesions group was significant (p＜0.05). Predictive factors were a positive CT finding for fibroid structure and comorbidity of hypertension (p＜0.05). In MIPN, difficulty of surgery can be affected by the presence of adhesion of the perinephric adipose tissue. Predicting such adhesion from preoperative CT is thus important

Testosterone replacement elevates the serum uric acid levels in patients with female to male gender identity disorder

Gender identity disorder (GID) results from a disagreement between a person's biological sex and the gender to which he or she identifies. With respect to the treatment of female to male GID, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is available. The uric acid (UA) level can be influenced by testosterone; however, the early effects and dose-dependency of TRT on the serum UA concentration have not been evaluated in this population. We herein conducted a dose-response analysis of TRT in 160 patients with female to male GID. The TRT consisted of three treatment groups who received intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate: 125 mg every two weeks, 250 mg every three weeks and 250 mg every two weeks. Consequently, serum UA elevation was observed after three months of TRT and there was a tendency toward testosterone dose-dependency. The onset of hyperuricemia was more prevalent in the group who received the higher dose. We also demonstrated a positive correlation between increased levels of serum UA and serum creatinine. Since the level of serum creatinine represents an individual's muscle volume and the muscle is a major source of purine, which induces UA upregulation, the serum UA elevation observed during TRT is at least partially attributed to an increase in muscle mass. This is the first study showing an association between serum UA elevation and a TRT-induced increase in muscle mass. The current study provides important information regarding TRT for the follow-up and management of the serum UA levels in GID patients

Endothelium-dependent contraction induced by nicotine in canine basilar artery-possible involvement of a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) like substance.

ABSTRACT ABBREVIATIONS: ACh, acetyicholine; AA, &aChidOnlC acid; EDCF, endothelium-derived contracting factor; NE, norepinephrine; EDCF, endotheliumderived contracting factor; TXA2, thromboxane A2; PG, prostaglandin; STA2, 9,1 1-epithio-1 1 ,12-methano-TXA2; VOC, voltage-operated Ca channel. 70