Fabrication of TiNi shape memory alloy microactuators by ion beam sputter deposition

TiNi shape memory alloy has been recently investigated for use in micro actuators because of the high power to volume ratio. Conventional sputtering methods, such as RF and DC sputtering and magnetron sputtering, have previously been used by other workers in order to deposit TiNi thin films. As-deposited films produced by these methods are amorphous, and are then crystallised typically by annealing at 500°C for 1 hour in order to exhibit the shape memory effect. These deposition methods have invariably used alloyed targets to grow thin films. In this thesis, an Ion Beam Sputter Deposition (IBSD) method has been used by which argon ions are used to bombard nonalloyed targets. The thin films grown by this technique demonstrate the characteristics of the shape memory effect. Films have been characterised by electrical resistivity, resistance and thermal measurements, giving physical properties in excellent agreement with those quoted in the literature. Compositional and density measurements were done by X-ray reflectometry and were consistent with equi-atomic composition and nominal density for TiNi. In addition thermal modelling was used to investigate implications of heating and cooling rates for microactuator operation. Finally, a novel fabrication process is proposed, combining ion beam milling and Focused Ion Beam (FIB) trepanning for the process of micro actuator production

Successful Treatment in a Case of Massive Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Paraneoplastic Syndrome

Paraneoplastic syndromes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not uncommon. However, the prognosis is poor and follow-up and improvement of paraneoplastic syndromes with treatment have been reported rarely. We report a successful case in an aged man of a massive HCC with paraneoplastic syndrome, treated by combined intraarterial chemotherapy and hepatic resection. Paraneoplastic syndrome (erythrocytosis and hyperlipidemia) was monitored throughout the treatment and erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA also was analyzed in the resected liver. The hemoglobin level and serum levels of EPO and total cholesterol (T-cho) decreased dramatically with treatment, along with a decrease in serum levels of α-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II). Semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that the residual cancer expressed EPO RNA but the nontumor tissue did not. This was a rare case of paraneoplastic syndrome of HCC that was treated successfully. This case indicates that paraneoplastic syndrome reflected tumor progression and that serum levels of both EPO and T-cho might be used as tumor markers

Adenosine receptors in the isolated rabbit afferent and efferent arterioles

Adenosine has been noted as one of the endogenous modulators of renal hemodynamics. Renal hemodynamic was mainly regulated by two resistance vessels, the afferent arteriole and efferent arteriole. However, there is still no consensus as to the intrarenal vascular action site of adenosine. In this study, we examined the direct effect of adenosine on the isolated microperfused rabbit afferent and efferent arterioles. Adenosine decreased the lumen diameter of microperfused afferent arterioles dose-dependently (Control : 14.35±0.97μm, adenosine 10-7M : 12.73±1.40μm, 10-6M : 8.18±1.21μm, 10-5M : 4.33±1.16μm, n=6). Adenosine increased the lumen diameter of adenosine A1 antagonist, 8-(normantan-3-yl)-1,3-dipropylxanthin (KW-3902), pretreated-microperfused afferent arterioles preconstricted by norepinephrine. Pretreatment with adenosine A2 antagonist, (E)-1,3,-dipropyl-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-7-methylxanthin (KF-7837), enhanced adenosine induced-afferent arteriolar vasoconstrictor effect. Adenosine did not change the lumen diameter of microperfused efferent arterioles, but adenosine increased the lumen diameter of norepinephrine preconstricted-microperfused efferent arterioles. The present data suggest that the afferent arterioles possesses both adenosine A1 and A2 receptors and the efferent arterioles possesses predominantly adenosine A2 receptors at least in the rabbit kidney

Validation of radiographic response evaluation criteria of preoperative chemotherapy for bone and soft tissue sarcomas: Japanese Orthopaedic Association Committee on Musculoskeletal Tumors Cooperative Study

AbstractBackgroundThe radiographic evaluation of the response to preoperative chemotherapy for bone and soft tissue sarcomas is based mostly on the change in primary tumor size before and after chemotherapy, as is done for many solid cancers. Its prognostic correlation, however, has hardly been validated.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective validation study of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) radiographic response evaluation criteria of preoperative chemotherapy for bone and soft tissue sarcomas as a JOA Committee on Musculoskeletal Tumors cooperative study. A total of 125 consecutive patients with high-grade bone (n = 77) and soft tissue (n = 48) sarcomas treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and definitive surgery in 25 tertiary referral hospitals were selected for the study. We investigated the correlation between the tumor size-based radiographic response evaluation criteria of preoperative chemotherapy for bone and soft tissue sarcomas provided by the JOA Committee on Musculoskeletal Tumors (hereafter called the JOA criteria) and the patients’ overall survival using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.ResultsThe JOA criteria correlated relatively well with survival for malignant bone tumors (mostly comprising osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma) but not for soft tissue sarcomas, suggesting that the tumor size-based radiographic evaluation criteria for the response to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with soft tissue sarcomas is invalid.ConclusionsThe JOA criteria, based on the change in primary tumor size, is valid for malignant bone tumors but invalid for soft tissue sarcomas. Other new evaluation modalities of the response to preoperative chemotherapy using innovative functional imaging techniques are needed for soft tissue sarcomas

Efficacy and Safety of Switching Prostaglandin Analog Monotherapy to Tafluprost/Timolol Fixed-Combination Therapy

Purpose. To assess the efficacy and safety of switching from prostaglandin analog (PGA) monotherapy to tafluprost/timolol fixed-combination (Taf/Tim) therapy. Subjects and Methods. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, or ocular hypertension who had received PGA monotherapy for at least 3 months were enrolled. Patients were examined at 1, 2, and 3 months after changing therapies. Subsequently, the patients were returned to PGA monotherapy. The examined parameters included intraocular pressure (IOP) and adverse events. A questionnaire survey was conducted after the switch to Taf/Tim therapy. Results. Forty patients with a mean age of 66.5 ± 10.3 years were enrolled; 39 of these patients completed the study protocol. Switching to Taf/Tim significantly reduced the IOP from 18.2 ± 2.6 mmHg at baseline to 14.8 ± 2.5 mmHg at 1 month, 15.2 ± 2.8 mmHg at 2 months, and 14.9 ± 2.5 mmHg at 3 months (P<0.001). Switching back to the original PGA monotherapy returned the IOP values to baseline levels. Taf/Tim reduced the pulse rate insignificantly. No significant differences were observed in blood pressure, conjunctival hyperemia, or corneal adverse events. A questionnaire showed that the introduction of Taf/Tim did not significantly influence symptoms. Conclusions. Compared with PGA monotherapy, Taf/Tim fixed-combination therapy significantly reduced IOP without severe adverse events

Protective effect of photodegradation product of nifedipine against tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced oxidative stress in human glomerular endothelial cells

Recently, increasing evidence suggests that the antihypertensive drug nifedipine acts as a protective agent for endothelial cells, and that the activity is unrelated to its calcium channel blocking. Nitrosonifedipine (NO-NIF) is metabolically and photochemically produced from nifedipine, and NO-NIF has been recognized as a contaminant of nifedipine because it has no antihypertensive effect. Treatment of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) suppressed the cell viability and facilitated the expression of Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule 1(ICAM-1) in human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) though, pretreatment of NO-NIF significantly recovered the TNF-α-induced cell damage to the same extent as Trolox-C did, and suppressed the ICAM-1 expression in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, NO-NIF inhibited the cell toxicity induced by cumene hydroperoxide, which hampers the integrity of cell membrane through oxidative stress, as effective as Trolox-c. These data suggest that NO-NIF is a candidate for a new class of antioxidative drug that protect cells against oxidative stress in glomerular endothelial cells

A proposed core curriculum for dental English education in Japan

Background: Globalization of the professions has become a necessity among schools and universities across the world. It has affected the medical and dental professions in terms of curriculum design and student and patient needs. In Japan, where medicine and dentistry are taught mainly in the Japanese language, profession-based courses in English, known as Medical English and Dental English, have been integrated into the existing curriculum among its 83 medical and 29 dental schools. Unfortunately, there is neither a core curriculum nor a model syllabus for these courses. Methods: This report is based on a survey, two discussion forums, a workshop, and finally, the drafting of a proposed core curriculum for dental English approved by consensus of the participants from each university. Results: The core curriculum covers the theoretical aspects, including dental English terms and oral pathologies; and practical aspects, including blended learning and dentist-patient communication. It is divided into modules and is recommended to be offered for at least two semesters. Conclusions: The core curriculum is expected to guide curriculum developers in schools where dental English courses are yet to be offered or are still in their early development. It may also serve as a model curriculum to medical and dental schools in countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central and South America, where English is not the medium of instruction