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Ultra-fast coherent magnetization reversal, which is indispensable for high-speed spintronic devices, is expected to be realized by irradiation with a nearly monocyclic terahertz pulse. In this letter, using MnAs ferromagnetic nanoparticles embedded in a GaAs host matrix, we observe a large modulation up to 20% of the magnetization of these nanoparticles with terahertz pump pulse irradiation. This modulation ratio is the largest value ever reported for terahertz magnetization modulation. We reveal that the modulation is induced by the electric-field component of the terahertz pulse via spin-carrier interactions. Ferromagnetic nanoparticle systems are promising, and material designing is the key for ultrafast magnetization reversal using terahertz pulses.

Kyphosis is usually described as the deformity of the spine that results in an abnormally round back. Patients with kyphosis form a challenging group to laparoscopic surgeons because of difficulties in positioning and abdominal approach. The narrow abdomen causes difficulty with trocar insertion and some operative procedures. Here we report the transperitoneal complete laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in a case of kyphosis. An 81-year-old woman underwent this operation for urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. We took best care of the positioning and the trocar insertion; we could have accomplished utilizing four ports at semilateral position without any troubles and complications. This procedure is safe and feasible, and not thought to be a contraindication for the patients with senile kyphosis.

Acute gastroenteritis with viral infection in infants causes severe diarrhea and often results in acute renal failure due to severe dehydration. However, a viral infection, particularly rotavirus, rarely induces postrenal failure due to bilateral stones in infants. Herein, we report three cases of postrenal failure in infants due to bilateral ureteral stones induced by acute gastroenteritis with rotavirus. Following immediately nephrostomy, chemical dissolution therapy succeeded to treat postrenal failure. Immediate nephrostomy for the release of upper urinary tract obstruction combined with urinary alkalization as a chemical dissolution therapy should be considered in such cases.

The bladder urothelium is more than just a barrier. When the bladder is distended, the urothelium functions as a sensor to initiate the voiding reflex, during which it releases ATP via multiple mechanisms. However, the mechanisms underlying this ATP release in response to the various stretch stimuli caused by bladder filling remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate these mechanisms. By comparing vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT)-deficient and wild-type male mice, we showed that ATP has a crucial role in urine storage through exocytosis via a VNUT-dependent mechanism. VNUT was abundantly expressed in the bladder urothelium and when the urothelium was weakly stimulated (i.e. in the early filling stages), it released ATP by exocytosis. VNUT-deficient mice showed reduced bladder compliance from the early storage phase and displayed frequent urination in inappropriate places without a change in voiding function. We conclude that urothelial, VNUT-dependent ATP exocytosis is involved in urine storage mechanisms that promote the relaxation of the bladder during the early stages of filling.

A rapid polarization control in paraelectric materials is important for an ultrafast optical switching useful in the future optical communication. In this study, we applied terahertz-pump second-harmonic-generation-probe and optical-reflectivity-probe spectroscopies to the paraelectric neutral phase of an organic molecular dielectric, tetrathiafulvalene-p-chloranil and revealed that a terahertz pulse with the electric-field amplitude of ∼400 kV/cm produces in the subpicosecond time scale a large macroscopic polarization whose magnitude reaches ∼20% of that in the ferroelectric ionic phase. Such a large polarization generation is attributed to the intermolecular charge transfers and breathing motions of domain walls between microscopic neutral and ionic domains induced by the terahertz electric field.

The pathophysiologies of nocturia (NOC) and nocturnal polyuria (NP) are multifactorial and their etiologies remain unclear in a large number of patients. Clock genes exist in most cells and organs, and the products of Clock regulate circadian rhythms as representative clock genes. Clock genes regulate lower urinary tract function, and a newly suggested concept is that abnormalities in clock genes cause lower urinary tract symptoms. In the present study, we investigated the voiding behavior of Clock mutant (ClockMale C57BL/6 mice aged 8-12 weeks (WT) and male C57BL/6 ClockNo significant differences were observed in behavior patterns between ClockWe demonstrated that Clock

positively associated with MMP-2 (p1⁄40.0074) and MMP-9/NGAL (p

A 71-year-old woman with a right adrenal mass detected by computed tomography was referred to our institution. Before 33 months, she had undergone a radical heminephrectomy for an 11-cm renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the left moiety of a horseshoe kidney. The adrenal tumor was diagnosed as the metastasis of RCC. The tumor was subsequently removed in a laparoscopic adrenalectomy by a retroperitoneal approach. Pathologic examination revealed the mass to be the adrenal metastasis of RCC. To our knowledge, this is the initial report of a laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the adrenal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma arising from a horseshoe kidney.

The 70% ethanol extract of Soymida febrifuga was found to kill PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells preferentially under nutrition-deprived conditions at a concentration of 10 microg/mL. Phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of 27 compounds including four new compounds [(3R)-6,4'-dihydroxy-8-methoxyhomoisoflavan (1), (2R)-7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-methylflavan (2), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)coumarin (3), and 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(4'-hydroxybenzyl)coumarin (4)]. 2',4'-Dihydroxychalcone (8) displayed the most potent preferential cytotoxicity (PC(50) 19.0 microM) against PANC-1 cells. In addition, the cytotoxic activity against colon 26-L5 carcinoma (colon 26-L5), B16-BL6 melanoma (B16-BL6), lung A549 adenocarcinoma (A549), cervix HeLa adenocarcinoma (HeLa), and HT-1080 fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cell lines and their structure-activity relationship are discussed. The cytotoxic activity of 4'-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxystilbene (6) against colon 26-L5 (IC(50) 2.96 microM) was found to be stronger than the positive control, doxorubicin, at IC(50) 3.12 microM.

The gene encoding for nucleoside diphosphate kinase from Plasmodium falciparum was obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and expressed in Escherichia coli. Tracking kinases is strenuous work due to many functional and technical deficits. Tracking of Plasmodium falciparum nucleoside diphosphate kinase (PfNDK) was carried out by conventional enzyme assays combined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). ITC proved an efficient tracking method with rapid, accurate, and confident target confirmation. In addition, it provides substrate affinity and full thermodynamic profile in one experiment. Magnesium ions were found to be essential for nucleoside diphosphate (NDP) kinase activity; however, the absence of Mg(2+) did not completely interfere with the binding of nucleotides. The substrate recognition was found to depend on enthalpic forces with little entropic contributions. However, in the absence of magnesium ions the nucleotides actively bind to the enzyme driven by hydrophobic forces. The enzyme showed specific activity that was within the average of known enzymes; however, it was at least two-fold higher than that of the human enzyme.

In electronic-type ferroelectrics, where dipole moments produced by the variations of electron configurations are aligned, the polarization is expected to be rapidly controlled by electric fields. Such a feature can be used for high-speed electric-switching and memory devices. Electronic-type ferroelectrics include charge degrees of freedom, so that they are sometimes conductive, complicating dielectric measurements. This makes difficult the exploration of electronic-type ferroelectrics and the understanding of their ferroelectric nature. Here, we show unambiguous evidence for electronic ferroelectricity in the charge-order (CO) phase of a prototypical ET-based molecular compound, α-(ET)2I3 (ET:bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene), using a terahertz pulse as an external electric field. Terahertz-pump second-harmonic-generation(SHG)-probe and optical-reflectivity-probe spectroscopy reveal that the ferroelectric polarization originates from intermolecular charge transfers and is inclined 27° from the horizontal CO stripe. These features are qualitatively reproduced by the density-functional-theory calculation. After sub-picosecond polarization modulation by terahertz fields, prominent oscillations appear in the reflectivity but not in the SHG-probe results, suggesting that the CO is coupled with molecular displacements, while the ferroelectricity is electronic in nature. The results presented here demonstrate that terahertz-pump optical-probe spectroscopy is a powerful tool not only for rapidly controlling polarizations, but also for clarifying the mechanisms of ferroelectricity.

We measured the optical conductivity $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\sigma}}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ spectra of photodoped silicon by optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy and analyzed them with a two-carrier Drude model. Taking into account the values of electron (hole)-phonon scattering rates previously reported in chemically doped silicon, we evaluated the electron-hole scattering rates ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{h}}$. From 293 to $90\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, the magnitudes and temperature dependence of ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{h}}$ were successfully reproduced by a theoretical model including the effects of Rutherford scattering, Coulomb screening, and Pauli exclusion. This suggests that these three factors dominate electron-hole scattering processes in silicon. Below $90\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}, {\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{h}}$ becomes larger than that of the theoretical curve, which is attributable to a prolongation of the relaxation time of hot carriers.

Photoinduced melting of the spin-Peierls phase was investigated in Na-tetracyanoquinodimethane by pump-probe reflection spectroscopy with a time resolution of 49 fs. Photoirradiation generates coherent molecular oscillation, which indicates that the spin-Peierls dimerization decreased. Increasing the excitation photon density to $g0.02$ photon/molecule doubles the oscillation frequency attributable to recovery of the original symmetry, that is, complete melting of the spin-Peierls phase. We observed a complete photoinduced transition with symmetry recovery revealed by frequency doubling of coherent oscillations.

The present study used a dual analysis of voiding behavior and reflex micturition to examine lower urinary tract function in transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)1 knockout (KO) mice and TRPV4 KO mice. In metabolic cage experiments conducted under conscious conditions (i.e., voluntary voiding behavior), TRPV4 KO mice showed a markedly higher voiding frequency (VF; 19.3 ± 1.2 times/day) and a smaller urine volume/voiding (UVV; 114 ± 9 μl) compared with wild-type (WT) littermates (VF: 5.2 ± 0.5 times/day and UVV: 380 ± 34 μl). Meanwhile, TRPV1 KO mice showed a similar VF to WT littermates (6.8 ± 0.5 times/day) with a significantly smaller UVV (276 ± 20 μl). Water intake among these genotypes was the same, but TRPV4 KO mice had a larger urine output than the other two groups. In cystometrogram experiments conducted in decerebrate unanesthetized mice (i.e., reflex micturition response), no differences between the three groups were found in any cystometrogram variables, including voided volume, volume threshold for inducing micturition contraction, maximal voiding pressure, and bladder compliance. However, both TRPV1 KO and TRPV4 KO mice showed a significant number of nonvoiding bladder contractions (NVCs; 3.5 ± 0.9 and 2.8 ± 0.7 contractions, respectively) before each voiding, whereas WT mice showed virtually no NVCs. These results suggest that in the reflex micturition circuit, a lack of either channel is involved in NVCs during bladder filling, whereas in the forebrain, it is involved in the early timing of urine release, possibly in the conscious response to the bladder instability.

Tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery is a common and minimally invasive procedure for female pelvic organ prolapse. In 2004, this procedure was developed by a French group, and standardized surgical kits are now commercially available in many countries. Although it is less invasive, one of the shortcomings of this procedure is that it involves a single surgeon groping around with their fingers without any intraoperative monitoring. Therefore, using Intraoperative fluoroscopic monitoring during TVM surgery makes it safer, even for beginners. In this case, we performed TVM for the anterior vaginal wall. First, we used the c-arm of a fluoroscope to insert bilateral ureteral stents. A urethral catheter was then used for both urine drainage and contrast medium injection. In all procedures, we were able use fluoroscopic imaging whenever necessary. We were able to easily confirm the positions of the prolapsed bladder and the bilateral ureteral stents with fluoroscopic imaging, and the ischial spine was easy to locate before the procedure. We were also able to confirm the position of the top of the needle with fluoroscopic imaging whenever necessary. If a surgeon is worried about the risk of bladder injury during TVM surgery, they should inject contrast medium into the bladder at the start of the procedure. Intraoperative fluoroscopic monitoring during TVM surgery is easy and makes the procedure safer, even for beginners. Moreover, fluoroscopic imaging also allows intraoperative training. To avoid exposing the body to excess radiation, we must minimize the total length of the fluoroscopic examination.

We report the generation of a carrier-envelope-phase-stable femtosecond pulse at 10 µm with 800 nJ by the down-conversion of a 25-fs-long 800 nm pulse with 1.2 mJ obtained from a standard Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier. We discuss a simple optical setup for the spectral broadening of the 800 nm pulse by filamentation in air and the intrapulse difference frequency generation in a wide-bandgap nonlinear optical crystal, LiGaS2. From the measurement of the electric-field waveform of the generated mid-infrared pulse by electrooptic sampling, the maximum electric-field amplitude is estimated to be approximately 11 MV/cm at a beam diameter of 70 µm.

Using strong terahertz fields, we succeeded in rapidly modulating ferroelectric polarizations in electronic-type ferroelectrics of molecular crystals, TTF-CA and croconic acid. Polarization modulations are attributable to collective inter- or intra-molecular charge-transfers induced by terahertz field.

Ultrafast photoinduced transitions of a one-dimensional Mott insulator into two distinct electronic phases, metal and charge-density-wave (CDW) state, were achieved in a bromine-bridged Pd-chain compound [$\mathrm{Pd}{(\mathrm{en})}_{2}\mathrm{Br}]{({\mathrm{C}}_{5}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Y})}_{2}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ ($\mathrm{en}=\text{ethylenediamine}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{5}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Y}=\text{dialkylsulfosuccinate}$), by selecting the photon energy of a femtosecond excitation pulse. For the resonant excitation of the Mott-gap transition, excitonic states are generated and converted to one-dimensional CDW domains. For the higher-energy excitation, free electron and hole carriers are produced, giving rise to a transition of the Mott insulator to a metal. Such selectivity in photoconversions by the choice of initial photoexcited states opens a new possibility for the developments of advanced optical switching and memory functions.

We report a new photoinduced transition from a nonordered phase to a transient ordered phase with symmetry breaking in an organic charge-transfer compound, dimethyltetrathiafulvalene (DMTTF)-dibromodichloro-$p$-benzoquinone ($2,6Q{\mathrm{Br}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$), which is a neutral compound located near the neutral-ionic phase boundary and shows quantum paraelectricity at low temperatures. By an irradiation of a femtosecond laser pulse, an ionic domain consisting of $\ensuremath{\sim}40$ molecules is introduced into the neutral lattice per photon, giving rise to coherent molecular oscillations with fractional charge modulations over $\ensuremath{\sim}400$ molecules. This response is due to the recovery of ferroelectric nature from the quantum paraelectricity by a photoinjection of an ionic domain with a large dipole moment.

Ferroelectrics sometimes show large electro-optical and non-linear optical effects, available for polarization rotation and frequency conversion of light, respectively. If the amplitude of ferroelectric polarization is modulated in the picosecond time domain, terahertz repetition of optical switching via electro-optical and non-linear optical effects would be achieved. Here we show that polarization amplitude can be rapidly modulated by a terahertz electric field in an organic ferroelectric, tetrathiafulvalene-p-chloranil (TTF-CA). In this compound, alternately stacked donor (TTF) and acceptor (CA) molecules are dimerized via the spin-Peierls mechanism, and charge transfer within each dimer results in a new type of ferroelectricity called electronic-type ferroelectricity. Using a terahertz field, the intradimer charge transfer is strongly modulated, producing a subpicosecond change in the macroscopic polarization, which is demonstrated by transient reflectivity and second-harmonic generation measurements. Subsequently, coherent oscillation of the dimeric molecular displacements occur, which is explained by the modulation of the spin moment of each molecule., Controlling ferroelectric polarization on a terahertz timescale is a challenge, because typically the domain-wall motion occurs on much longer time scales. Here, the authors achieve control over the electronic ferroelectricity in an organic material using a terahertz pump–probe technique.

Both a quinoxaline-annelated dimer and a naphthalene-annelated dimer showed excimer-type fluorescence spectra. Excimer-type phosphorescence was observed for the quinoxaline dimer, while the phosphorescence of the naphthalene dimer was not much different from that of the monomer type. In contrast, the EPR spectra clearly showed delocoalization of the unpaired spins in the two chromophores for both molecules. The present results can be interpreted by the models of coherent supermolecule delocalization of the unpaired spins and incoherent hopping of triplet exciton for the quinoxaline and naphthalene dimers, respectively.

Micro-nano robots intended for application to various fields are developed. However, motors, which are robot's power, are not yet practical. In this paper, to realize the motor, which can be applied to micro-nano robot's power source, we established bio-motor by using surface swarming of Vibrio alginolyticus. We succeeded in controlling movement of surface swarming by ratchet shape micro channel and then driving the micro gear in the closed micro channel. As a next step, to transmit power of rotational movement, we fabricated the open micro channel and micro object (floating pillar, micro gear etc.) and succeeded in driving the object in the open micro channel. In addition, we revealed that rotational power of floating pillar by deformation of nano probe. Finally, we assembled the micro gear with shaft like crank. Therefore, it became possible transmitting the power from rotational movement to outside. Thus, we achieved to construct base of bio-motor.

OBJECTIVES The treatment of adrenal metastases using laparoscopic surgery still remains a matter of considerable controversy. The aim of this study is to present our experience of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastasis. METHODS From June 2004 to June 2011, 5 adults (4 males/1 female) with isolated metastases to the adrenal glands underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. These patients included 3 cases of lung carcinoma, a case of hepatocellular carcinoma, and a case of renal cell carcinoma. The median patient age was 69 (range 61 to 72), and the median tumor size was 3.5 cm (range 2.5 to 7.0). RESULTS Laparoscopic adrenalectomies were performed without any complications using transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. The median operative time was 142 minutes (range 126 to 174), and the estimated blood loss was 38 ml (range 25 to 158). The resection margins were free in all cases. A patient with lung cancer has been treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, otherwise, 4 patients have not. Regarding the oncological outcome, 3 of 5 patients were alive without any recurrence at a median follow-up of 14 months. About the rest two cases, one was alive with lung metastasis occurred at 15 months later, the other was died of the cancer at 14 months later. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastasis is thought to be feasible. However, the indication of the surgery must be determined depending on tumor size, cancer characteristics, risk factors and so on. Additionally, the operative procedures such as approaches must be discussed sufficiently.

Recently, micro-nano robots intended for application to various fields are developed. However, motors which are robot's power are not yet practical. In this paper, to realize the motor which can be applied to micro-nano robot's power source, we established bio-motor by using surface swarming of Vibrio alginolyticus. First, we succeeded in driving the micro gear in the closed micro channel. Next, to transmit power of rotational movement, we fabricated the open micro channel, and succeeded in driving the gear in the open micro channel similarly. In addition, we revealed that ratchet type gear rotated faster than other type. Finally, we assembled the micro gear with shaft. Therefore, it became possible transmitting the power from rotational movement to outside. Thus, we achieved to construct base of bio-motor.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: ATP from urothelium plays an essential role for afferent nerve stimulation via activation of P2X receptors in suburothelial afferent nerve plexus. However, molecular mechanisms and pathways of ATP release are largely unknown. We confirmed VNUT (Vesicular Nucleotide Transporter; PNAS 2008), plays an important role in vesicular storage of ATP in ATP-secreting cells, localized in Human and Mouse bladder urothelium. Here we have investigated the relationship between VNUT and Human clinical symptoms and urodynamic parameters, and the function of VNUT in mouse urothelial cells upon stretch stimulation. METHODS: Human bladder specimen (15 male patients) and C57BL mice were used. (1) RT-PCR (2) Immunostaining;using an anti-VNUT antibody in bladder specimen and primary culture cells. (3) Visualization of the real-time dynamics of ATP containing vesicles like exocytosis. (4) Photon imaging of ATP release;counting released ATP from control siRNA and VNUT siRNA treated urothelial cells upon mechanical stretch stimulation. (5) Comparison examination between symptomatic/urodynamic parameters and mRNA expression of VNUT in human urothelium. RESULTS: VNUT was highly expressed in the epithelium of human (fig.1) and mouse bladder tissue and primary urothelial cell culture. We also visualized the ATP-vesicles and their real-time exocytosis. Knockdown of VNUT in primary culture cells markedly reduced ATP release upon mechanical stretch stimulation (fig.2). VNUT RNA expression was negative correlation with FDV (First Desire to Void) (fig.3). CONCLUSIONS: VNUT plays an important role in stretch-elicited ATP release from urothelium. These findings suggest that urothelium should transmit ATP to afferent neurons by a mechanism of exocytosis. Source of Funding: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists(B) from JSPS

creased at 1 week and remained doubled at 4 weeks during continuous CMG. This was paralleled by similar increases in bladder compliance. A striking reduction (50%) in EUS EMG activity during filling was also seen with PNC. Isovolumetric CMG in the PNC groups revealed a 40% reduction in peak bladder contraction pressures over baseline and a 30% reduction in isovolumetric bladder contraction areas under the curves. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, we have shown that bilateral pelvic nerve crush in the rat is a promising, long-lasting model of UAB, demonstrating both bladder and outlet dysfunction consistent with pelvic nerve denervation. Increased ICI, bladder compliance, and decreased EUS activity are consistent with decreased afferent sensitivity with PNC. Decreased bladder contraction strength is consistent with compromised efferent function. By establishing a chronic rat model for UAB in otherwise normal animals, we can test potential therapies for treating UAB and voiding dysfunction, thereby addressing both afferent and efferent dysfunction.

In this paper, we established the driving systems for micro structures by using surface swarming of Vibrio alginolyticus. First, we succeeded in causing rotational movement using ratchet shape micro channel. Next, To rectify rotational movement, we fabricated center prior in the micro channel. We succeeded in smooth rotational movement using this new design micro channel. Furthermore, we succeeded in driving micro gear in the micro channel.

Toward to realizing establishment of new micro robot for micro-nano surgery, drag delivery etc., many people proposed microbe as actuator. So, evaluation of microbe property for these application arias is important. From this viewpoint, we try to fabricate evaluation tool for bacterial behavior in micro channel like capillary vessel. This evaluation will be helpful to our recent study “bacteria driven liposome as drag delivery systems”. For this purpose, we fabricated line patterned channel on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip and junction of three channel on PDMS chip by nano imprinting and rapid prototyping technique respectively. And then some kind of marine bacterial cells (Vibrio alginolyticus), this bacteria can swim in water, are injected into the fabricated micro channel and observed their behavior. As first step, we observed relationship between channel width and swimming behavior and speed in line patterned micro chip, and we found that 1!m channel limited cell behavior as one-dimensional motion. Second step, we evaluate chemotaxis property of bacteria in junction of three channels.

The relaxation dynamics of an exciton in rubrene was investigated by femtosecond absorption spectroscopy. Exciton relaxation to a self-trapped state occurs via the coherent oscillation with 78 cm(-1) due to a coupled mode of molecular deformations with phenyl-side-group motions and molecular displacements. From the temperature dependence of the decay time of excitons, the energy necessary for an exciton to escape from a self-trapped state is evaluated to be ~35 meV (~400 K). As a result, a self-trapped exciton is stable at low temperatures. At room temperature, excitons can escape from a self-trapped state and, subsequently, they are dissociated to charged species. The exciton dissociation mechanism is discussed on the basis of the results.

Toward to realizing establishment of new micro robot for micro-nano surgery, drag delivery etc., many people proposed microbe as actuator. So, evaluation of microbe property for these application arias is important. In this paper, we try to fabricate evaluation tool for bacterial behavior in micro channel like capillary vessel. For this purpose, we fabricated line patterned PDMS chip and use these chip as micro channel. Line pattern was fabricated on F-template by nano imprinting system, and these patterns were transferred on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). And then some kind of marine bacterial cells (Vibrio alginolyticus), this bacteria can swim in water, are injected into the fabricated micro channel and observed their behavior. As first step, we observed relationship between channel width and swimming behavior, and we found that 1µm channel limited cell behavior as one-dimensional motion.

In this paper, we established the transport systems for micro object by using surface swarming of Vibrio alginolyticus. First, we confirmed that V. alginolyticus were able to transport the micro beads. In this experiment, we used YM19 and YM19ΔcheY that were a kind of the variant strain of V. alginolyticus appropriate for surface swarming. Next, we examined relationship between the transport speed and the diameter of the micro bead. The micro channel was applied to control the cell movement. And then we succeeded in causing the rotational transport of object through this method.

We investigated the expression of epithelial Ca(2+) channel TRPV (transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily) 5 and 6, and vitamin D receptor in primary human renal cell carcinoma and benign peritumor tissues, and assessed the possible association between TRPV5/6 and vitamin D receptor expression.Fresh-frozen primary tumor and peritumor tissues from 27 patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma were analyzed for TRPV5/6 and vitamin D receptor expression by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that TRPV5/6 and vitamin D receptor expression was decreased 38.11, 4.44 and 3.20 times in renal cell carcinoma vs normal kidney tissue (p = 0.012, 0.002 and 0.020, respectively). Relatively higher expression was noted for chromophobe renal cell carcinoma than for the other renal cell carcinoma subtypes. Vitamin D receptor mRNA expression significantly correlated with that of TRPV6 (r = 0.508, p = 0.007) and TRPV5 (r = 0.697, p = 0.032) in renal cell carcinoma. Western blot showed results similar to those of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Different expression was detected between kidney and renal cell carcinoma tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis verified strong detection of TRPV5/6 and vitamin D receptor in distal nephrons but demonstrated weak or no immunostaining much more often in renal cell carcinoma.Decreased TRPV5/V6 expression was noted in renal cell carcinoma, which correlated with vitamin D receptor. Different expression was also detected among the different renal cell carcinoma histopathological subtypes. Our observations suggest that altered vitamin D receptor expression may be associated with renal cell carcinoma carcinogenesis via TRPV5/6.

In this paper, we try to establish newly technique evaluating the bacterial behavior in micro channel. For this purpose, we fabricated line patterned PDMS chip and use these chip as micro channel. Line pattern was fabricated on F-template by nano imprinting system, and these patterns were transferred on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Fabricated line pattern was evaluated by laser microscopy. And then sample injection and outlet hole were added. In order to quantify the chemotaxis, bacterial cells (Vibrio alginolyticus) are injected into the micro channel and observed their behavior. As first step we tried this experiment without attractant, and we found that 1µm channel limited cell behavior as one-dimensional motion.

In this paper, we established the transport systems for micro structures by using surface swarming of Vibrio alginolyticus. First, we confirmed that YM19 and YM19AcheY, that were a kind of the variant strain of V. alginolyticus appropriating for surface swarming, were able to transport the micro beads. Next, we examined relationship between the transport speed and the diameter of the micro bead. The micro channel was applied to control the cell movement. And then we succeeded in causing the rotational transportation of object through this method.

ESR spectra of the radical species derived from 60 Co γ-ray irradiation of 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene (1,3,5-CYT) and 1,3-cycloheptadiene (1,3-CYD) in halocarbon matrices have been studied in the temperature range 70–103 K. Ring inversion across the molecular plane occurs in the radical cation 1,3,5-CYT + in CCl 3 CF 3 , the activation energy being 1.7 kcal/mol. Above 90 K, 1,3,5-CYT + is deprotonated thermally in CCl 2 FCClF 2 . No dynamical effect has been observed for 1,3-CYD + .

Recently, for a recurrent patellar dislocation, medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has come to be commonly performed, yet the precise in vivo MPFL biomechanics still remains to be clarified. The purpose of this study was to analyze the length change pattern of MPFL in vivo. The subjects were comprised of ten male and ten female healthy volunteers. The length of the MPFL was measured using an open-MRI both from a leg extended position and a highly knee-flexed position in order to analyze the length change pattern of the MPFL. The MPFL length for men and women resulted in an average of 52 ± 3 mm and 43 ± 2 mm at the knee extended position, respectively. The length change pattern of the MPFL presented a slight change at up to a flexion angle of 60° and a decrease at over 60°. In terms of morphology, the fiber bundle of the MPFL experienced linear tension at a knee flexion angle of 60°. We determined that the MPFL length in vivo exhibited a specific length change pattern. MPFL mainly contributes to the medial constraint of a patella with a knee flexion of 0° to 60°, wherein it is expected to have the strongest strain at 60°. However, more studies are needed to obtain a better understanding of cases with a history of patellar dislocation.

Evaluation was done of 65 patients with cervical myelopathy treated by bilateral open laminoplasty using artificial laminas, between 1984 and 1988, who had been followed for more than 2 years. The mean recovery rate on the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system was 65% in all cases, and 72% in the cases with no other complications. The artificial laminas appeared well adapted to the laminas in computed tomography and dynamic radiographic examinations, and there were no cases of reduction of the enlarged canal. Postoperative restriction of the range of motion of the cervical spine was lessened by the positioning of lateral grooves, more appropriate external fixation, and posterior flexion exercise after operation. This procedure is not technically complicated, it does not involve appreciable blood loss during operation, it prevents grafted free fat from migrating into the spinal canal, and is advantageous for posterolateral bone chip grafting.

筆者らは, 当院および関連病院にて10年以上の長期血液透析患者87例 (男女比50:37, 年齢51.9歳, 透析期間13.6年) を対象とし, 破壊性頸椎関節症群 (I群) 22例, 境界群 (II群) 22例, 正常群 (III群) 43例に分け, その背景 (生化学所見: 血清C-PTH, ALP, Al, β2-MG, 透析歴, 透析開始時年齢, 代謝性骨病変, CTSの有無) を検討した. また, 頸椎亜脱臼を呈した2例の組織所見を検討した. その結果, 透析歴および開始時年齢は各々I群とIII群, 14.7年と12.8年 (p