Estimation of thermal comfort felt by human exposed to extreme heat wave in a complex urban area using a WRF-MENEX model

Thermal comfort could indicate human thermal sensation when exposed to a local meteorological condition. Because humans can suffer illness when exposed to heat or even die, it is essential to assess human comfort levels to increased temperature and to provide this information to the public. This study aims to estimate thermal comfort using the human heat balance model combined with a numerical meteorological model in Seoul mega city during the heat wave periods experienced during 2016. The gridded thermal comfort index of physiological subjective temperature (PST) was calculated based on the Man-Environment Heat Exchange (MENEX) model, which used as inputs the meteorological parameters, clothing insulations, and metabolic rates. High-resolution meteorological parameters were obtained by coupling Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with Building Effect Parameterization (BEP) + Building Energy Model (BEM) using detailed urban classification. The modeling results showed that the PST distribution has a clearly heterogeneous spatial distribution during the heat wave period. The high PST values were largely found in the residential area during the day, due to the high temperature and low wind speed associated with high-density buildings, and the daily maximum PST reached a very hot level (44.1-54.0 °C). Our study suggested that the human heat balance model combined with the numerical meteorological model could be used to provide more reliable information about thermal comfort to groups that may be vulnerable to the effects of heat waves in complex urban environments.

A1 Pulley Release of Locked Trigger Digit by Percutaneous Technique

We performed 118 percutaneous releases of the locked trigger digits in an office setting using a specially designed knife. Thirty-five digits were locked in flexion, 79 digits in extension and the remaining four were fixed in a semiflexed position. Successful percutaneous release was achieved for 107 digits (91%), with the remaining 11 digits requiring an open surgical procedure. Although there were no persistent triggering in 98 digits with a follow-up of at least 6 months, painful stiffness at the interphalangeal joints remained in ten digits despite of physical therapy. No neurovascular injury occurred. We suggest that a locked trigger digit can be successfully released with the percutaneous technique.

Etomidate blocks LTP and impairs learning but does not enhance tonic inhibition in mice carrying the N265M point mutation in the beta3 subunit of the GABA(A) receptor

Enhancement of tonic inhibition mediated by extrasynaptic α5-subunit containing GABAA receptors (GABAARs) has been proposed as the mechanism by which a variety of anesthetics, including the general anesthetic etomidate, impair learning and memory. Since α5 subunits preferentially partner with β3 subunits, we tested the hypothesis that etomidate acts through β3-subunit containing GABAARs to enhance tonic inhibition, block LTP, and impair memory. We measured the effects of etomidate in wild type mice and in mice carrying a point mutation in the GABAAR β3-subunit (β3-N265M) that renders these receptors insensitive to etomidate. Etomidate enhanced tonic inhibition in CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus in wild type but not in mutant mice, demonstrating that tonic inhibition is mediated by β3-subunit containing GABAARs. However, despite its inability to enhance tonic inhibition, etomidate did block LTP in brain slices from mutant mice as well as in those from wild type mice. Etomidate also impaired fear conditioning to context, with no differences between genotypes. In studies of recombinant receptors expressed in HEK293 cells, α5β1γ2L GABAARs were insensitive to amnestic concentrations of etomidate (1 μM and below), whereas α5β2γ2L and α5β3γ2L GABAARs were enhanced. We conclude that etomidate enhances tonic inhibition in pyramidal cells through its action on α5β3-containing GABAA receptors, but blocks LTP and impairs learning by other means - most likely by modulating α5β2-containing GABAA receptors. The critical anesthetic targets underlying amnesia might include other forms of inhibition imposed on pyramidal neurons (e.g. slow phasic inhibition), or inhibitory processes on non-pyramidal cells (e.g. interneurons).

Identification of small molecular compounds and fabrication of its aqueous solution by laser-ablation, expanding primordial cartilage

OBJECTIVE

The discovery of small molecular compounds that expand cartilage is needed. We searched for small molecular compounds that expand cartilage or enhance the actions of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) on cartilage.

DESIGN

Metatarsal primordial cartilage explants prepared from 14.5 days postcoitum (d.p.c.) mouse embryos were organ-cultured in the presence or absence of BMPs and/or 4-(5-Benzol[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-4-pyrldin-2-yl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-benzamide hydrate (BPIB) and its related molecules. The perichondrium was removed from some of the cartilage explants by partial digestion with collagenase. BPIB aqueous solution was prepared by fragmenting BPIB crystals in water with laser irradiation and then added to cartilage explants in organ culture.

RESULTS

We found that small molecular compounds, BPIB, available as SB431542 from Sigma and its related molecules, expand primordial cartilage explants in organ culture. These molecules are transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inhibitors, and the addition of excess TGF-β reduced cartilage expansion induced by these molecules. The co-administration of BPIB and BMPs synergistically expanded cartilage explants. Removal of the perichondrium abolished BIPB-induced cartilage expansion but not BMP-induced cartilage-expansion, suggesting that BPIB, but not BMPs, expands cartilage through the perichondrium. Furthermore, we used the laser-ablation technique to generate BPIB aqueous solution in the presence of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) without the use of hazardous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The laser-ablation-generated BPIB aqueous solution was more stable, expanded cartilage explants more effectively than BPIB colloidal solution prepared with DMSO, and synergistically enhanced BMP-induced cartilage expansion.

CONCLUSIONS

A small molecular compound, BPIB, expands primordial cartilage explants. A BPIB aqueous solution was created by laser-ablation without using DMSO and proved to be biologically active.

Inhaled anesthetic responses of recombinant receptors and knockin mice harboring α2(S270H/L277A) GABA(A) receptor subunits that are resistant to isoflurane

The mechanism by which the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane produces amnesia and immobility is not understood. Isoflurane modulates GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) in a manner that makes them plausible targets. We asked whether GABA(A)-R α2 subunits contribute to a site of anesthetic action in vivo. Previous studies demonstrated that Ser270 in the second transmembrane domain is involved in the modulation of GABA(A)-Rs by volatile anesthetics and alcohol, either as a binding site or a critical allosteric residue. We engineered GABA(A)-Rs with two mutations in the α2 subunit, changing Ser270 to His and Leu277 to Ala. Recombinant receptors with these mutations demonstrated normal affinity for GABA, but substantially reduced responses to isoflurane. We then produced mutant (knockin) mice in which this mutated subunit replaced the wild-type α2 subunit. The adult mutant mice were overtly normal, although there was evidence of enhanced neonatal mortality and fear conditioning. Electrophysiological recordings from dentate granule neurons in brain slices confirmed the decreased actions of isoflurane on mutant receptors contributing to inhibitory synaptic currents. The loss of righting reflex EC(50) for isoflurane did not differ between genotypes, but time to regain the righting reflex was increased in N(2) generation knockins. This effect was not observed at the N(4) generation. Isoflurane produced immobility (as measured by tail clamp) and amnesia (as measured by fear conditioning) in both wild-type and mutant mice, and potencies (EC(50)) did not differ between the strains for these actions of isoflurane. Thus, immobility or amnesia does not require isoflurane potentiation of the α2 subunit.

IL-21 is critical for GVHD in a mouse model

Immunological effects of IL-21 on T, B and natural killer (NK) cells have been reported, but the role of IL-21 in GVHD remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate that morbidity and mortality of GVHD was significantly reduced after BMT with splenocytes from IL-21R(-/-) mice compared with those from wild type mice. To further confirm our observation, we generated a decoy receptor for IL-21. GVHD was again less severe in mice receiving BM cells transduced with the IL-21 decoy receptor than control mice These results suggest that IL-21 critically regulates GVHD, and that blockade of the IL-21 signal may represent a novel strategy for the prophylaxis for GVHD.

Interferon-gamma and NF-kappaB mediate nitric oxide production by mesenchymal stromal cells

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to have an immunosuppressive effect. Previously, we demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is one of the immunomodulatory mediators of MSCs. We herein show that primary mouse bone marrow MSCs and three cell lines that mimic MSCs suppress both differentiation and proliferation in Th1 condition, whereas the suppression in Th2 condition is mild. NO production is inversely correlated with T cell proliferation in Th1 and Th2 conditions. NO is highly induced in Th1 and minimally induced in Th2. Moreover, an inhibitor of NO synthase restores both proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in Th1 condition. Furthermore, an anti-IFN-gamma antibody strongly inhibits NO production and an inhibitor of NF-kappaB reduces the level of induction of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in MSCs. Taken together, our results suggest that NO plays a significant role in the modification of Th1 and Th2 differentiation by MSCs, and that both IFN-gamma and NF-kappaB are critical for NO production by MSCs.

Screening of genes responsible for differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stromal cells by DNA micro-array analysis of C3H10T1/2 and C3H10T1/2-derived cell lines

BACKGROUND

The molecular mechanisms underlying the biologic effects or differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have not been clarified. Screening for genes differentially expressed at different stages is an important step in determining these molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the gene expression profiles of C3H10T1/2 (10T1/2) cells and two sublines, A54 (pre-adipocyte) and M1601 (myoblast), as a model of MSC and downstream committed progenitors.

RESULTS

We found up-regulated expression of delta-like-1 (Dlk), Wnt-5a and IL-1 receptor-like-1 (ST2) in 10T1/2 cells; stem cell factor (SCF) and stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in A54 cells; and cardiac muscle-specific gene in M1601 cells. Overexpression of Dlk in A54 cells did not induce any effects on their differentiation into adipocytes. After differentiation into adipocytes, A54 cells reduced the expression of SCF, SDF-1 and Ang-1 as well as the ability to support the formation of a cobblestone appearance.

DISCUSSION

The results suggest that these three lines hae different gene profiles and are a useful system for analyzing the differentiation and function of MSC and progenitor cells.

Ordered nanoporous arrays of carbon supporting high dispersions of platinum nanoparticles

Nanostructured carbon materials are potentially of great technological interest for the development of electronic, catalytic and hydrogen-storage systems. Here we describe a general strategy for the synthesis of highly ordered, rigid arrays of nanoporous carbon having uniform but tunable diameters (typically 6 nanometres inside and 9 nanometres outside). These structures are formed by using ordered mesoporous silicas as templates, the removal of which leaves a partially ordered graphitic framework. The resulting material supports a high dispersion of platinum nanoparticles, exceeding that of other common microporous carbon materials (such as carbon black, charcoal and activated carbon fibres). The platinum cluster diameter can be controlled to below 3 nanometres, and the high dispersion of these metal clusters gives rise to promising electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction, which could prove to be practically relevant for fuel-cell technologies. These nanomaterials can also be prepared in the form of free-standing films by using ordered silica films as the templates.

Fibrous contracture of muscles following intramuscular injections in adults

Periarticular fibrous muscle contractures in adults from repeated injections in the same site is predictable. The causes of joint contracture in children are many and complex, but in adults it seems certain that this phenomenon is the result of repeated injections of analgesics or other agents into 1 muscle area. Any drug if repeatedly injected locally may cause fibrosis of the muscle and subsequent joint contracture. Five cases of bilateral abduction contracture of the shoulder in adults including the first case of bilateral abduction contractures of shoulder and hip plus bilateral flexion contracture of elbow and extension contracture of a knee are reported. No underlying disease which might predispose to this fibrosis of muscles was noted. The frequency and period of injections were variable over several years. In all patients the interference in activtities of daily living were serious, but the deformities were corrected by release of the fibrous band with relief of discomfort and restoration of joint motion without recurrence. Noting the potential complication of repeated intramuscular injections in one area, this practice should be avoided whenever possible in adults, as well as in children.

Enhanced efficacy by percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from the poloxamer gel in rats

The pharmacokinetics and anti-inflammatory activity of piroxicam from the poloxamer 407 gel were determined to investigate percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from poloxamer gels in rats. The poloxamer 407 gel containing 1% piroxicam showed significant inhibition of carragenin-induced rat foot swelling when compared to the control group. The extent of inhibition of swelling (%) showed a linear relationship with the logarithm of piroxicam dose within approximately 0.4-3.2 mg/kg. The enhancing effect of polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether, non-ionic surfactant on the percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from poloxamer 407 gel was evaluated in rats. The piroxicam gel containing polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether increaesd the relative bioavailability approximately 1.8-fold compared with the gel without enhancer. Percutaneous administration of piroxicam gel containing polyoxyethylene-2-oleyl ether to rats showed a relatively constant, sustained blood concentration with minimal fluctuation.

Release of adriamycin from poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)/poly(ethylene oxide) nanoparticles

Prolonged circulation of anticancer agent in blood is expected to decrease the host toxicity and enhance the anticancer activity. The purpose of this study is to develop and characterize the prolonged and sustained release formulation of anticancer agent using biodegradable poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PBLG/PEO) polymer nanoparticles. PBLG/PEO polymer is a hydrophilic/hydrophobic block copolymer and forms a micelle-like structure in solution. Spherical nanoparticles incorporating adriamycin were prepared by a dialysis method. The fluorescence intensity of adriamycin in the nanoparticles was increased when sodium dodecylsulfate was added. It is one of the evidences of entrapment of adriamycin in the polymer nanoparticles. Only 20% of entrapped drug was released in 24 h at 37 degrees C a and the release was dependent on the molecular weight of hydrophobic polymer. The endothermic peak of adriamycin at 197 degrees C disappeared in the nanoparticles system, suggesting the inhibition of a crystallization of adriamycin by polymer adsorption during the precipitation process. The mean residence time of adriamycin from the nanoparticles was more than threefold that from a free adriamycin. These results suggest usefulness of PBLG/PEO nanoparticles as a sustained and prolonged release carrier for adriamycin.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of trimebutine and its major metabolite, N-monodesmethyl trimebutine, in rat and human plasma

A rapid, selective and very sensitive ion-pairing reversed-phase HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of trimebutine (TMB) and its major metabolite, N-monodesmethyltrimebutine (NDTMB), in rat and human plasma. Heptanesulfonate was employed as the ion-pairing agent and verapamil was used as the internal standard. The method involved the extraction with a n-hexane-isopropylalcohol (IPA) mixture (99:1, v/v) followed by back-extraction into 0.1 M hydrochloric acid and evaporation to dryness. HPLC analysis was carried out using a 4-microm particle size, C18-bonded silica column and water-sodium acetate-heptanesulfonate-acetonitrile as the mobile phase and UV detection at 267 nm. The chromatograms showed good resolution and sensitivity and no interference of plasma. The mean recoveries for human plasma were 95.4+/-3.1% for TMB and 89.4+/-4.1% for NDTMB. The detection limits of TMB and its metabolite, NDTMB, in human plasma were 1 and 5 ng/ml, respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range 10-5000 ng/ml for TMB and 25-25000 ng/ml for NDTMB with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999 and with within-day or between-day coefficients of variation not exceeding 9.4%. This assay procedure was applied to the study of metabolite pharmacokinetics of TMB in rat and the human.

Prolonged release of tegafur from S/O/W multiple emulsion

To develop a prolonged and sustained release preparation, we prepared an albumin microsphere-in-oil-in-water emulsion (S/O/W) and examined sustained release from it in comparison with other control preparations such as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and microspheres in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Tegafur was used as a model drug. A microsphere-in-oil emulsion was prepared by adding albumin microspheres to soybean oil containing 20% Span 80. To prepare an S/O/W emulsion, the microsphere-in-oil emulsion was added into an aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose containing Pluronic F68. The mean particle size of the albumin microspheres was 3 microns, and the ratio of entrapment of tegafur into albumin microspheres was about 25%. In an in vitro release test, the t75 of the S/O/W emulsion was fourfold greater and in an in vivo release test the mean residence time of tegafur from the S/O/W emulsion was more than twofold that from a W/O emulsion or microsphere system. The mean residence time of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) from an S/O/W emulsion was also greater than with other dosage forms. These results suggest the possible usefulness of an S/O/W emulsion for the sustained and prolonged release of tegafur.

Production and Purification of Remazol Brilliant Blue R Decolorizing Peroxidase from the Culture Filtrate of Pleurotus ostreatus

An extracellular H(inf2)O(inf2)-requiring Remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR) decolorizing enzymatic activity was found in the culture medium of Pleurotus ostreatus. The enzymatic activity was maximally obtained in idiophase, and the optimum C/N ratio was 24. High C/N ratios repressed the enzymatic activity, and addition of veratryl alcohol had no effect on the production of enzyme. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephacryl S-200 HR chromatography, DEAE Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, and Mono Q chromatography. The purification of RBBR decolorizing peroxidase, as judged by the final specific activity of 6.00 U/mg, was 54.5-fold, with a yield of 9.9%. The molecular mass of the native enzyme determined by gel permeation chromatography was found to be about 73 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the enzyme was a monomer with a molecular mass of 71 kDa. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 3.0 to 3.5 and at 25(deg)C. Under standard assay conditions, the apparent K(infm) values of the enzyme toward RBBR and H(inf2)O(inf2) were 10.99 and 32.97 (mu)M, respectively. The enzyme had affinity toward various phenolic compounds and artificial dyes, and it was inhibited by Na(inf2)S(inf2)O(inf5), potassium cyanide, NaN(inf3), and cysteine. The absorption spectrum of the enzyme exhibited maxima at 407, 510, and 640 nm. The addition of H(inf2)O(inf2) to the enzyme resulted in an absorbance decrease at 407 and 510 nm.

Total hip acetabular cup flange design and its effect on cement fixation

The design of pods and flanges on the acetabular cup surface was investigated to determine the effects on cement fixation of the total hip arthroplasty (THA) acetabular cup. To a basic cup designed with pods, four different types of flange designs were added: a cup without a flange, a cup having a flange with 12 scallops, a cup having a flange with three scallops, and a cup having a continuous flange. The cups were each inserted, via an MTS machine, into an instrumented simulated acetabulum containing polymerizing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The PMMA intrusion pressure was measured by four pressure transducers, and the cement intrusion depth was measured via three rheometers. Also, three continuous-flange cups were manually inserted into cadaver acetabula in order to study the shape of the cement mantle around the cup. A cup with a continuous flange generated significantly higher cement intrusion pressures and depths when compared with the other three cups. A cup with pods and a continuous flange produced concentric positioning of the cup with a uniform cement thickness around the cup and was well contained within the reamed acetabulum.

The fatigue resistance of orthopaedic wire

The fatigue resistance of stainless-steel orthopaedic wire was investigated in samples of commercially available (1.2 mm, 16-gauge) stainless-steel wire. The wires were subjected to various types of notching, bending, twisting, and knotting and were then tested on a specially designed wire fatigue testing fixture. The results indicate that a 1% notch is enough to reduce the fatigue resistance of the wire by 63%. Bending, twisting, and knotting of the wire did not appear to seriously affect the fatigue resistance.

Acetabular cup groove and pod design and its effect on cement fixation in total hip arthroplasty

The effect of pods and grooves of a total hip acetabular cup on the cement-cup interfacial fixation strength was studied with five differently designed acetabular cups. The first cup had no pods and no grooves; the second cup had pods and no grooves; the third cup had pods and 1.0-mm-deep grooves; the fourth cup had pods and 1.5-mm-deep grooves; and the fifth cup had pods and 1.5-mm-deep, undercut grooves. All were embedded in cement and in block molds and were torsionally loaded until failure. The cup with no pods and no grooves showed almost no torsional resistance when compared to the cups with pods. While no statistically significant difference was found among the different depths of grooves, the addition of undercutting of grooves tended to give higher resistance to torsional load when compared with the plain grooved cups. Pods and grooves on the cup are prerequisites for adequate fixation; however, deeper grooves not only are unnecessary but pose potential problems in regard to creep, fracture, and wear. Pods on the cup aid in positioning the cup in a concentric manner.

Femoral cement pressurization during total hip arthroplasty. The role of different femoral stems with reference to stem size and shape

Aseptic loosening is the most common cause of femoral component failure following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Improvements have been made in cementing technique, but little attention has been directed toward the effect of different femoral components on bone cement pressurization. The effect of three different femoral stem sizes in one femoral canal and of eight different femoral stem designs on bone cement extrusion pressures was investigated on autopsy specimens. In a given femur significant increases in bone cement pressurization were achieved about the distal two-thirds of the femoral component in progressing from a small to a medium to a large stem. Similarly, femoral stems with rounded, rectangular cross sections generated greater bone cement pressurization about the distal two-thirds of the stems than stems trapezoidal and diamond-shaped in cross section due to their increased stem volume. The results of this study favor the use of the largest femoral component stem, preferably one with a rounded, rectangular cross section, that will fit comfortably in a given femoral canal and still allow a surrounding cement envelope such that bone cement pressurization will be enhanced with implant introduction.

The femoral cement compactor. An improvement in cementing technique in total hip replacement

Aseptic loosening is the most common cause of femoral component failure in total hip arthroplasty. Even with new cementing techniques, bone-cement pressurization is low in the most proximal area of the femoral canal. To correct this problem, we devised the femoral cement compactor. This device increased the pressurization of bone cement in the proximal area of the femur by 71 per cent and increased the duration of the pressurization fourfold as compared with the results achieved by finger-packing methods. Pressurization of the cement was also increased in the middle and distal areas of the proximal portion of the femoral canal. These findings suggest that using the femoral cement compactor may contribute to improved cement fixation of the femoral component during total hip replacement.

Acetabular cement compactor. An experimental study of pressurization of cement in the acetabulum in total hip arthroplasty

To improve cement fixation of acetabular components for total hip arthroplasty, a new instrument, the acetabular cement compactor, was devised. Measurements in human cadaveric acetabula show that the cement intrusion pressure is significantly and substantially increased by the acetabular cement compactor. The depth of cement intrusion is greatly improved when the compactor is used, as compared with finger packing. The impression casts of the acetabular cement are superior when the cement is inserted using the acetabular cement compactor. Occlusion of the orifice of the keying holes permits generation of high pressure in the cement within them. This can be achieved by using the keying-hole seal. Pressurization of the acetabular cement used in the dough stage by the acetabular cement compactor substantively improves acetabular cement fixation.

Development of a new orthopedic wire fatigue tester

Even though orthopedic wire is commonly used in orthopedic surgery, very little is known about its fatigue properties. This article describes the development of a simple, effective testing machine that simulates the in situ fatigue loading of orthopedic wire. A mathematical analysis has predicted the maximum stress that is generated in wires in the fatigue machine. The fatigue resistance of intact monofilament wires made from different materials was studied. It was found that F90 was more resistant than F562, which in turn was more resistant than F138, grade 2. Also studied was the effect of cold-forming different notch sizes on the wire surface. It was found that even the slightest notch (1% of wire diameter) reduced the fatigue life by 63%.

A cement fixation system for total hip arthroplasty

To combat the most common and most serious cause of mechanical failure of total hip arthroplastics, namely loosening, a method of improving the insertion of methacrylate is presented, called the cement fixation system. Using the cement gun with the keying hole seal, the methacrylate is pressure injected into the keying holes in the acetabulum. The acetabular cement compactor pressurizes the rest of the cement used in the acetabulum. The medullary canal of the femur is occluded by a bolus of methacrylate delivered to the desired depth by the medullary plug syringe. Thus, the cement is delivered from the plug proximally via the cement gun and femoral cement syringe. Finger packing is not used. The entire femoral cement mass is then pressurized using the femoral cement compactor. This cement fixation system produces higher extrusion pressure, better penetration of the cement, better fixation to the bone and reduces voids, defects, and discontinuities in the methacrylate mantle.