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For a sensing system to detect the early signs of overflows in sewer systems, we fabricate a high-efficiency module with a thermoelectric generator (TEG) to utilize the temperature of a manhole cover as a heat source. In order to increase the temperature difference across a thermoelectric generator, a phase change material (PCM) is used as a latent heat storage for storing heat through the TEG from the manhole cover. In this paper, the design of the TEG module and the heat storage to enable efficient utilization of the latent heat, and the results of measurements of electrical energy the City of Koriyama, Japan, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here report a 60-year-old woman in whom autopsy revealed a metastasis in the right cardiac ventricle from a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the left hand. The tumors in the myocardium and left hand were both well-differentiated SCCs with keratinization and sporadic keratin pearls. High concentrations of heart failure markers together with a pericardial effusion suggested antemortem chronic heart failure. Our case is particularly unusual because there were no regional lymph node metastases and the cardiac metastasis was not one of multiple metastases; thus, hematogenous metastasis to the right side of the heart alone had occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The common variants p.I27L (rs1169288), p.A98V (rs1800574) and p.S487N (rs2464196) of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-α ( HNF1A ) gene have been inconsistently associated with impaired glucose tolerance and/or an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aimed to investigate whether these associations are affected by weight. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 861 Japanese subjects (males: 65.5%; 61.8 ± 12.3 years) attending a health-screening programme. Interactive effects between HNF1A variants and weight status on risk of T2DM or dysglycaemic status were determined. Results The 27L variant carriers were at higher risk of T2DM and dysglycaemic status than non-carriers, but only in normal-weight subjects [odds ratio (OR): 2.04, P = 0.03 and OR: 2.56, P = 0.01, respectively]. An interactive effect of the p.I27L (rs1169288) variant and weight status on the risk of dysglycaemic status was found ( P = 0.04). Age, but not body mass index (BMI), was a risk factor for dysglycaemic status in the 27L carriers (OR: 1.05, P = 0.0003), whereas BMI was a risk factor in non-carriers (OR: 1.23, P = 0.008). No carriers of 98V were identified, and 487N was not associated with either T2DM or dysglycaemic status in our study population. Conclusion These findings suggest that the HNF1A p.I27L (rs1169288) variant may be a significant risk factor of T2DM in normal-weight subjects and that earlier inconsistent results may have been due, in part, to subjects’ weight status. Further investigations in larger cohorts are needed to verify these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The prognosis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multiple intrahepatic metastases is extremely poor. Combination therapy with subcutaneous interferon (IFN) alfa and intraarterial 5-fluorouracil was reported to be effective against such advanced HCC. We describe results of debulking surgery followed by combination therapy with IFN alfa and 5-FU for massive HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastases. Methods: In 27 HCC patients with massive tumors and multiple intrahepatic metastases, we performed combination therapy with IFN alfa and 5-FU after maximal liver tumor resection. Results: Mean patient age was 63.3 years. Including intrahepatic metastases, tumors numbered 5 or more in 17 patients (63%). Portal or hepatic vein branches were invaded in 22 (81%). The mean maximum tumor diameter was 102 mm. Among 24 patients whose results were analyzed, an objective response by residual intrahepatic metastases was observed in 13 (54%; complete response in 12, and partial response in 1). Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 73.2%, 38.7%, and 38.7%, respectively; 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free rates were 38.2%, 22.3%, and 22.3%. Conclusions: Debulking surgery followed by IFN alfa and 5-FU combination chemotherapy offers possibility of long-term survival despite massive HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined a microstrip line structure to reduce the current concentration at the outer edge of a microstrip line. We developed three kinds of microstrip line; sliced-microstrip line, layered-film microstrip line, and conventional microstrip line. The first microstrip line is a line divided into the narrow line, and the second one is a line made by a layered thin film. Electromagnetic simulations indicated that the current concentration of the outer edge of the sliced microstrip line and layered film microstrip line was lower than that of a conventional microstrip line. We measured the power handling capability of the filters made by sliced-microstrip lines, layered-film microstrip lines, and conventional microstrip lines. The value of the first and the second filters was better than that of a conventional one. The difference in the characteristics is based on the difference in the current concentration at the outer edge of the microstrip lines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: To investigate the longitudinal angiogenic activity of subchondral bone and cartilage during the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) using a rabbit model of OA. Materials and methods: OA was surgically induced by anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) in left knee of 12 months old female New Zealand white rabbits (n = 33). Histological examination, immunohistochemistry, and angiogenic activity assay was done at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 weeks after ACLT. Histologic evaluation was performed with haematoxylin and eosin, safranin-O staining to assess the OA change of medial femoral condyle (MFC) and lateral femoral condyle (LFC). CD31 immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm the vascular invasion at osteochondral junction. A co-cultured tubule formation assay was conducted to evaluate angiogenic activity of the subchondral bone and cartilage of MFC and LFC as well as synovium. Association between histological changes, angiogenic activity, and vascular invasion were evaluated. Results: OA changes increased in a time-dependent manner both in MFC and LFC. Angiogenic activity of subchondral bone showed a monomodal change during the OA progression, achieved a peak in the early to progressive stage and decreased to normal level in the late stage of OA. Surge of vascular invasion was observed following the increase of angiogenic activity in the progressive stage of OA. Angiogenic activity of cartilage did not change during the course of OA progression. Conclusion: Angiogenic activity of subchondral bone was elevated in the early to progressive stage of OA and vascular invasion into the osteochondral junction followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative changes in maxillary stability after Le Fort I osteotomy in three groups: with an unsintered hydroxyapatite (u-HA)/poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) plate; a PLLA plate; and a titanium plate. Subjects comprised 60 Japanese patients diagnosed with mandibular prognathism. All patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. All patients were randomized in groups of 20 to a u-HA/PLLA group, a PLLA plate group and a titanium plate group. Changes in postoperative time intervals between the plate groups were compared using lateral and posteroanterior cephalography. The uHA/PLLA group had significantly larger values than the PLLA group regarding change of mx1-S perpendicular to SN between 3 and 12 months (T3) (P =0.0269). The uHA/PLLA group had a significantly larger value than the PLLA group regarding change of S–A perpendicular to SN between baseline and 1 month (T1) (P =0.0257). There was no significant difference in the other measurements. This study suggests that maxillary stability with satisfactory results could be obtained in the u-HA/PLLA, PLLA plate and titanium plate groups, although there was a slight difference between the u-HA/PLLA and PLLA plate systems in Le Fort I osteotomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in lip pressure before and after orthognathic surgery for skeletal Class III patients. The subject groups were 32 female and 31 male patients diagnosed with mandibular prognathism and/or maxillary retrognathism who underwent orthognathic surgery. Control groups consisted of 20 women and 20 men with normal occlusion without dento-alveolar deformity. Maximum and minimum lip closing force was measured with Lip De Cum® for the control groups and subject groups preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The difference between the pre- and postoperative values of the groups was examined statistically. The maximum lip closing force in men was significantly larger than that in women in both the preoperative Class III group (p =0.0330) and the control group (p =0.0097). The preoperative Class III group was significantly smaller than the control group in maximum lip closing force in both men (p <0.0001) and women (p <0.0001). The postoperative maximum lip closing force was significantly larger than the preoperative value in both men (p =0.0037) and women (p =0.0273) in the Class III group. This study suggested that the maximum lip closing force increases after orthognathic surgery in Class III patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examined the association between the angle of the trunk inclination in the non-pitching direction in the early cocking (EC) phase, and the shoulder and trunk movement at ball release (BR). The study involved 16 adult males who had belonged to a baseball club in their high-school days. The angle of trunk inclination in the non-pitching direction in the EC phase, as well as the angles of trunk twisting and lateral and anterior inclinations, the extent of pelvic movement, and the shoulder-horizontal adduction angle and abduction angle at BR were calculated to investigate the associate between pitching movements in the EC phase and at BR. The results revealed that the associations between the angle of the trunk inclination in the non-pitching direction in the EC phase, the rate of pelvic movement, and the angles of trunk twisting and lateral and anterior inclinations at BR were significant. Trunk inclination in the non-pitching direction in the EC phase influenced the pitching movement at BR, suggesting that, to increase the translational motion, the trunk inclination in the non-pitching direction is more favorable when the inclination is smaller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fatigue strength of Al-Cu alloy was examined by a repeated tensile mode when the specimens were aged and reversion annealed. The specimen quenched from 723K and aged fully around room temperature showed fatigue strength which depended on the existence of soft surface layer, while the specimen quenched from 823K and aged in the same way showed fatigue strength independent of the existence of the soft surface layer. Fatigue strength of the specimen, of which the soft surface layer was removed, was the same for either quenching temperature. Fatigue strength became higher when the soft surface layer was thickened with reversion annealing for 600s at 323K after aging. The existence of soft surface layer was thought to increase the fatigue strength, at least in the repeated tensile mode of the aged Al-Cu alloy as well as Al-Zn alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fatigue tests of Zr-based bulk metallic glass plates were conducted under cyclic-torsion, and the results were compared with those obtained under cyclic-bending and axial-loading. The fatigue strength of axial-loading was lower than that under cyclic-bending because the fatigue strength depends on the cooling rate in the casting process of the material, which is different in the thickness direction. The fatigue strength of plane-bending reflects the strength at the specimen surface while that of axial-loading is determined by the weakest strength in the thickness direction. For cyclic torsion of specimens with rectangular cross-section, however, the fatigue crack initiation site must be determined by the ratio of specimen width to specimen thickness, and fatigue strength depends on the ratio. Therefore, the criteria for fatigue limit under combined stress for metallic glass should be constructed considering the crack initiation site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fatigue strength of Al-Cu alloy was examined by a repeated tensile mode when the specimens were aged and reversion annealed. The specimen quenched from 723K and aged fully around room temperature showed fatigue strength which depended on the existence of soft surface layer, while the specimen quenched from 823K and aged in the same way showed fatigue strength independent of the existence of the soft surface layer. Fatigue strength of the specimen, of which the soft surface layer was removed, was the same for either quenching temperature. Fatigue strength became higher when the soft surface layer was thickened with reversion annealing for 600s at 323K after aging. The existence of soft surface layer was thought to increase the fatigue strength, at least in the repeated tensile mode of the aged Al-Cu alloy as well as Al-Zn alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fatigue tests of Zr-based bulk metallic glass plates were conducted under cyclic-torsion, and the results were compared with those obtained under cyclic-bending and axial-loading. The fatigue strength of axial-loading was lower than that under cyclic-bending because the fatigue strength depends on the cooling rate in the casting process of the material, which is different in the thickness direction. The fatigue strength of plane-bending reflects the strength at the specimen surface while that of axial-loading is determined by the weakest strength in the thickness direction. For cyclic torsion of specimens with rectangular cross-section, however, the fatigue crack initiation site must be determined by the ratio of specimen width to specimen thickness, and fatigue strength depends on the ratio. Therefore, the criteria for fatigue limit under combined stress for metallic glass should be constructed considering the crack initiation site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to histologically and immunohistochemically evaluate bone formation using both self-setting [alpha]-tricalcium phosphate ([alpha]-TCP; Biopex) and absorbable plate (Super Fixsorb-MX) in rabbit cranium bone. STUDY DESIGN: Twelve adult male Japanese white rabbits (12-16 wk, 2.5-3.0 kg) were used. The surgical defects were made in the nasal bone of a rabbit, and Biopex was implanted in the left side and no material in the right side. Two-hole absorbable plate and 2 screws (Super Fixsorb-MX) were fixed across the defect in each side. The rabbits were killed at 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery, and formalin-fixed specimens were embedded in acrylic resin. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. For immunohistochemical analysis, the specimens were treated with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) antibodies. Finally, these were evaluated microscopically. RESULTS: New bone formation was observed in the region of absorbable plate and nasal membrane after >4 weeks. The area of new bone with Biopex was significantly larger than that of the control side after 1, 4, and 12 weeks (P < .05). The number of BMP-2-stained cells in the experimental side was significantly larger than in the control side after 4 and 12 weeks (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the use of absorbable plate (Super Fixsorb-MX) in combination with Biopex could be useful and that both of Super Fixsorb-MX and Biopex could provide adequate bone regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]