TiNbSn stems with gradient changes of Young's modulus and stiffness reduce stress shielding compared to the standard fit-and-fill stems

BACKGROUND

The difference between Young's moduli of the femur and the stem causes stress shielding (SS). TiNbSn (TNS) stem has a low Young's modulus and strength with gradient functional properties during the change in elastic modulus with heat treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of TNS stems on SS and their clinical outcomes compared to conventional stems.

METHODS

This study was a clinical trial. Primary THA was performed using a TNS stem from April 2016 to September 2017 for patients in the TNS group. Unilateral THA was performed using a Ti6Al4V alloy stem from January 2007 to February 2011 for patients in the control group. The TNS and Ti6Al4V stems were matched in shape. Radiographs were obtained at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups. Two surgeons independently checked the SS grade and appearance of cortical hypertrophy (CH). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores before and 1 year after surgery were assessed as clinical scores.

RESULTS

None of the patients in the TNS group had grade 3 or 4 SS. In contrast, in the control group, 24% and 40% of patients had grade 3 and 4 SS at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups, respectively. The SS grade was lower in the TNS group than in the control group at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups (p < 0.001). The frequencies of CH in both groups were no significant difference at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups. The JOA scores of the TNS group significantly improved at 1 year after surgery and were comparable to control group.

CONCLUSION

The TNS stem reduced SS at 1 and 3 years after THA compared to the proximal-engaging cementless stem, although the shapes of the stems matched. The TNS stem could reduce SS, stem loosening, and periprosthetic fractures.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials. ISRCTN21241251. https://www.isrctn.com/search?q=21241251 . The date of registration was October 26, 2021. Retrospectively registered.

Impacts of external rotators and the ischiofemoral ligament on preventing excessive internal hip rotation: a cadaveric study

BACKGROUND

This study examined the biomechanics of preventing excessive internal hip joint rotation related to the hip flexion angle.

METHOD

An intramedullary nail with a circular plate equipped with a protractor was installed in the femur of nine normal hips. The circular plate was pulled by 3.15 Nm of force in the internal rotation direction. The external rotators were individually resected, finally cutting the ischiofemoral ligament. The cutting order of the external rotators differed on each side to individually determine the internal rotation resistance. The external rotators were resected from the piriformis to the obturator externus in the right hips and the reverse order in the left hips. Traction was performed after excising each muscle and ischiofemoral ligament. Measurements were taken at 0°, 30°, and 60° of hip flexion, and the differences from baseline were calculated.

RESULTS

For the right hip measurements, the piriformis and ischiofemoral ligament resection significantly differed at 0° of flexion (p = 0.02), each external rotator and the ischiofemoral ligament resections significantly differed at 30° of flexion (p < 0.01), and the ischiofemoral ligament and piriformis and inferior gemellus resections significantly differed at 60° of flexion (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). In the left hips, the ischiofemoral ligament and obturator externus, inferior gemellus, and obturator internus resections significantly differed at 0° of flexion (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p = 0.01, respectively), as did each external rotator and the ischiofemoral ligament resections at 30° of flexion (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The ischiofemoral ligament primarily restricted the internal rotation of the hip joint. The piriformis and obturator internus may restrict internal rotation at 0° and 60° of flexion.

Mid-term results of a new femoral prosthesis using Ti-Nb-Sn alloy with low Young's modulus

Background

This study was performed to investigate the mid-term results of Ti-Nb-Sn (TNS) alloy stem with a low Young’s modulus.

Methods

This study was a multicenter prospective cohort study. A total of 40 primary total hip arthroplasties performed between April 2016 and September 2017 was enrolled in this study. With the unique functional gradient properties by heating treatment, the strength of the proximal portion was enhanced, while the distal portion maintained a low Young’s modulus. The surgeries were performed through the posterolateral approach using the TNS alloy stems. Radiographs were taken from immediately after surgeries until 3 years, and stress shielding and subsidence of the stems were evaluated. The incidences of the stem breakage were also assessed. Clinical assessments were performed using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Hip Disease Evaluation Questionnaire (JHEQ) scores.

Results

Among the 40 enrolled patients, 36 patients were female and 4 were male. At 3 years after surgery, there were no radiologic signs of loosening, subsidence, or breakage of the stem. Stress shielding was observed in 26 hips (65%). Of 26 hips, 16 hips (40%) were grade 1 and 10 hips (25%) were grade 2. There was no advanced stress shielding. The JOA and JHEQ scores significantly improved compared with the preoperative scores.

Conclusion

The current study using a new TNS alloy femoral stem showed good clinical outcomes at 3-year follow-up. Radiologically, there was no loosening or subsidence of the stem. The mild stress shielding was observed in 65% of patients.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN21241251.

The date of registration was October 26, 2021.

Retrospectively registered.

Mid-term result of acetabular reconstruction using a Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device with hydroxyapatite impaction

The aim of this study is to investigate the mid-term results of 29 hips in 26 patients who underwent acetabular reconstruction using a Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device and impaction with hydroxyapatite (HA) granules. The acetabular bone defects were AAOS type II for six hips and type III for 23 hips. The mean Merle d’Aubigné clinical scores were significantly improved after operation. Six hips developed implant migration and breakage, and five of six hips were revised after an average of 5.5 (range 2.0–8.8) years. All hips with thickness of the grafted HA less than 10 mm were stable. As the HA became thicker, the failure rate were significantly increased. The Kaplan–Meier survival rates at 10 years were 73.2%, with 100% and 67.0% for AAOS type II and III defect respectively as the end point was failure condition. Reconstruction using a Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement device and impaction with HA granules was an alternative method in the absence of adequate allografts.

Fatty degeneration and wnt10b expression in the supraspinatus muscle after surgical repair of torn rotator cuff tendon

PURPOSE

In the torn rotator cuff muscles, decreased expression of wnt10b prior to elevation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) has previously been reported. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the expression profiles of these adipogenesis-related genes after rotator cuff detachment and reattachment in a rabbit model.

METHODS

We investigated gene expression profiles of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and wnt10b in different parts of rabbit supraspinatus (SSP) muscle after tendon detachment (n = 6 for each time point). In addition, we assessed expression of the same genes after SSP reattachment with different intervals from initial detachment (n = 6). Fatty degeneration of the SSP muscle was examined by Oil red-O staining. Gene expression profiles were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

After SSP detachment, Oil red-O-positive oil deposits increased after 3 weeks. In the SSP reattachment model, numerous Oil red-O-positive cells were present at 5-week reattachment, following 2- and 3-week detachment. PPARγ and C/EBPα messenger ribonucleic acid expression exhibited a significant increase at 2 and 3 weeks after SSP detachment and remained increased at 5-week reattachment after 2- and 3-week detachment. A decreased expression of wnt10b was observed from 1 week after SSP detachment. Expression of wnt10b was recovered not in the central area of the SSP muscle but in the periphery after reattachment. Adipogenic change was not observed when SSP tendon was reattached after 1-week detachment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results may suggest that once the adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ and C/EBPα, were elevated, repair surgery after rotator cuff tear could not prevent the emergence of fat in the SSP muscle.

Meniscal tear morphology independently affects pain relief following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in middle-aged patients

PURPOSE

To analyze the influence of meniscal tear pattern on clinical outcomes following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in middle-aged patients with medial meniscal tears.

METHODS

A total of 123 patients (130 knees) aged ≥ 50 years who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for medial meniscal tears were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were none to moderate medial knee osteoarthritis [Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade ≤ 3] and a minimum of 2-year follow-up (median 4.6 years; range 2.1-8.0 years). Meniscal tears observed during arthroscopic examination were classified into six types: radial tear of the middle segment, posterior root tear, horizontal tear of the posterior segment, flap tear, minor tear, and complex tear. Postoperative outcomes were classified into effective (group 1) and non-effective (group 2) according to the pain relief administered 1 month postoperatively and at the final follow-up. Demographic variables, KL grade, type of meniscal tear, and postoperative follow-up period were evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty knees (38%) were classified into group 1. Of the six types of tears, radial tear of the middle segment [odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-20.9] and flap tear (OR 12.9, 95% CI 1.8-140.7) were significant predictors of good outcome on multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In middle-aged patients with medial meniscal tears, radial tear of the middle segment was independently associated with less pain following arthroscopic meniscectomy. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy may be indicated in patients with radial tear if conservative treatment fails.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case-control study, Level III.

Prospects for observing and localizing gravitational-wave transients with Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA

We present possible observing scenarios for the Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo and KAGRA gravitational-wave detectors over the next decade, with the intention of providing information to the astronomy community to facilitate planning for multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. We estimate the sensitivity of the network to transient gravitational-wave signals, and study the capability of the network to determine the sky location of the source. We report our findings for gravitational-wave transients, with particular focus on gravitational-wave signals from the inspiral of binary neutron star systems, which are the most promising targets for multi-messenger astronomy. The ability to localize the sources of the detected signals depends on the geographical distribution of the detectors and their relative sensitivity, and [Formula: see text] credible regions can be as large as thousands of square degrees when only two sensitive detectors are operational. Determining the sky position of a significant fraction of detected signals to areas of 5-[Formula: see text] requires at least three detectors of sensitivity within a factor of [Formula: see text] of each other and with a broad frequency bandwidth. When all detectors, including KAGRA and the third LIGO detector in India, reach design sensitivity, a significant fraction of gravitational-wave signals will be localized to a few square degrees by gravitational-wave observations alone.

Clinical features and radiological findings of 67 patients with SAPHO syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to facilitate the understanding of the SAPHO (Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis, and Osteitis) syndrome by analyzing the clinical and radiological features of 67 Japanese patients with SAPHO syndrome.

METHODS

Sixty-seven Japanese patients (female/male: 44/23, mean age at onset: 48.5 years) were diagnosed with SAPHO syndrome from 2002 to 2013 at our hospital. Medical records and radiological imaging of these patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Among the 67 patients, 41 had dermatological manifestations, such as palmoplantar pustulosis, acne, and psoriasis. Initial symptom was local pain in all patients, and the most common initial site of the symptom was the anterior chest. Bacterial and fungal cultures from 20 bone biopsies were all negative. Histopathological diagnosis of the specimens was non-specific inflammation in all cases. Bone lesions were observed in 65 patients (97.0%). On the other hand, articular lesions including enthesitis were found in 31 patients (46.2%).

CONCLUSION

SAPHO syndrome had different clinical and radiological aspects. The clinical features were not remarkable, except the dermatological manifestations and the involvement of the anterior chest. Bone lesions including hyperostosis and osteitis were found radiographically in the majority of patients with SAPHO syndrome. These are the characteristics of the SAPHO syndrome, with the exclusion of other bone diseases.

Bone mineral density of postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis depends on disease duration regardless of treatment

The aim of this study was to determine the associations of disease activity and disease duration with the bone mineral density (BMD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We also evaluated the associations of biological drugs with bone loss. A total of 138 postmenopausal RA patients were retrospectively assessed to identify the associations of disease activity, disease duration, and biological drug use with BMD. We assessed the associations of disease duration, a C-reactive protein based disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), simplified disease activity index, clinical disease activity index, health assessment questionnaire scores, and the use of biological drugs with the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck BMDs using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses in bisphosphonate treatment and non-bisphosphonate treatment groups at 1 year of follow-up. The multivariate linear regression analyses showed that disease duration was significantly related to the BMD of the femoral neck and total hip regardless of bisphosphonate treatment. The use of biological drugs was not significantly associated with BMD. Hip BMD in postmenopausal women with RA depends on the disease duration regardless of bisphosphonate use. Biological drugs for RA treatment were not negatively associated with general bone loss.

Patient trends in orthopedic traumas and related disorders after tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake: An experience in the primary referral medical center

BACKGROUND

In the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese Red Cross Ishinomaki Hospital played an important role as a principal referral center within the Ishinomaki region, one of the most severely affected areas in eastern Japan. The present study describes the patient population, clinical characteristics, and time courses of the medical problems observed at this hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective survey of medical logs and records was conducted on the first 2 weeks after the earthquake to characterize orthopedic traumas and related disorders treated during this catastrophe. Patient number, severity of injuries, number of patients secondarily transported to the referral medical centers in the inland area, and the number of surgeries performed during the study period were investigated.

RESULTS

Totally, 7686 patients visited the hospital. Of which, 1807 patients suffered from exogenous diseases, such as trauma, burns, crush syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, and infectious diseases. Patients who suffered from hypothermia were the most frequently seen within the first 2 weeks after the earthquake. Interestingly, most patients' conditions were not severe and required only simple treatments. Four patients (0.2% of patients with exogenous diseases) were secondarily transported to the referral medical centers in the inland area and only four patients were surgically treated because of a lack of available implants, surgical devices, and electric power supply.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which occurred during an early spring afternoon, resulted in a unique orthopedic patient population, which included few severely injured patients compared with numerous deaths. We believe that each coastal region hospital should develop its own emergency medical care system to address future tsunami events while considering their surrounding environment. The information described in the present study should be important for preparation toward future events involving massive earthquakes followed by tsunami disasters.

Coulomb Blockade in a Two-Dimensional Conductive Polymer Monolayer

Electronic transport was investigated in poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) monolayers. At low temperatures, nonlinear behavior was observed in the current-voltage characteristics, and a nonzero threshold voltage appeared that increased with decreasing temperature. The current-voltage characteristics could be best fitted using a power law. These results suggest that the nonlinear conductivity can be explained using a Coulomb blockade (CB) mechanism. A model is proposed in which an isotropic extended charge state exists, as predicted by quantum calculations, and percolative charge transport occurs within an array of small conductive islands. Using quantitatively evaluated capacitance values for the islands, this model was found to be capable of explaining the observed experimental data. It is, therefore, suggested that percolative charge transport based on the CB effect is a significant factor giving rise to nonlinear conductivity in organic materials.

X-ray STM: Nanoscale elemental analysis & Observation of atomic track

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) combined with brilliant X-rays from synchrotron radiation (SR) can provide various possibilities of original and important applications, such as the elemental analysis on solid surfaces at an atomic scale. The principle of the elemental analysis is based on the inner-shell excitation of an element-specific energy level "under STM observation". A key to obtain an atomic locality is to extract the element-specific modulation of the local tunneling current (not emission that can damage the spatial resolution), which is derived from the inner-shell excitation [1]. On this purpose, we developed a special SR-STM system and smart tip. To surmount a tiny core-excitation efficiency by hard X-rays, we focused two-dimensionally an incident beam having the highest photon density at the SPring-8.After successes in the elemental analyses by SR-STM [1,2] on a semiconductor hetero-interface (Ge on Si) and metal-semiconductor interface (Cu on Ge), we succeeded in obtaining the elemental contrast between Co nano-islands and Au substrate. The results on the metallic substrate suggest the generality of the method and give some important implications on the principle of contrast. For all cases of three samples, the spatial resolution of the analysis was estimated to be ∼1 nm or less, and it is worth noting that the measured surface domains had a deposition thickness of less than one atomic layer (Fig. 1, left and center).jmicro;63/suppl_1/i14-a/DFU045F1F1DFU045F1Fig. 1.(left) Topographic image and (center) beam-induced tip current image of Ge(111)-Cu (-2V, 0.2 nA). (right) X-ray- induced atomic motion tracks on Ge(111) that were newly imaged by the Xray-STM. On the other hand, we found that the "X-ray induced atomic motion" can be observed directly with atomic scale using the SR-STM system effectively under the incident photon density of ∼2 x10(15) photon/sec/mm(2) [3]. SR-STM visualized successfully the track of the atomic motion (Fig. 1, right), which enabled the further analysis on the mechanism of the atomic motion. It is worth comparing our results with past conventional thermal STM observations on the same surface [4], where the atomic motion was found to occur in the 2-dimensional domain. However, our results show the atomic track having a local chain distribution [3].The above mentioned results will allow us to investigate the chemical analysis and control of the local reaction with the spatial resolution of STM, giving hope of wide applications.

Proximal bowel necrosis after high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

High ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery may jeopardize blood supply to the proximal bowel. We undertook this study to review the clinical features and outcomes of patients who developed proximal bowel necrosis after high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery, and to assess the incidence and the risk factors for this complication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing high or low ligation for sigmoid colon and rectal cancer with a primary anastomosis between April 2004 and March 2009 was performed. Patient and tumor characteristics and the incidence of bowel necrosis were reviewed.

RESULTS

Four hundred and nine patients were included to the analysis. Six out of 302 patients (2.0%) with high ligation developed proximal bowel necrosis, while the remaining 107 patients with low ligation did not suffer from this complication. All patients who developed proximal bowel necrosis underwent secondary surgery with resection of necrotic bowel. The pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed mucosal to transmural ischemic necrosis without the evidence of vascular thrombosis or embolic occlusion. Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension were significantly associated with proximal bowel necrosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that cerebrovascular disease was an independent predictor of this complication. Of these six patients, two died from associated complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal bowel necrosis after high ligation is potentially fatal, and this report provides a warning in clinical settings where high ligation is indicated. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its distinct relationship with high ligation and to clarify whether low ligation would be a safeguard.

Characteristics of family caregivers with sleep dissatisfaction in Japan: identification using CHAID dendrograms

The rapid increase in the population of the elderly has raised several social issues. The current study focused on sleep dissatisfaction in family caregivers to identify family caregivers with a heavy care burden. This study aimed to detect the characteristics of caregivers who are most likely to have sleep dissatisfaction. A chi-squared automatic interaction detection technique was used to analyze data collected from 92 research care managers who collected demographic and sleep dissatisfaction information from 280 caregivers and their care recipients. Caregivers whose care recipients were unstable and bedridden were most likely to have sleep dissatisfaction. When care recipients were not stable or non-bedridden, had severe dementia symptoms, and were physically independent, their caregivers were the second most likely to have sleep dissatisfaction. When care recipients were not stable or non-bedridden, had moderate dementia symptoms, and did not need help in transferring, their caregivers had the lowest risk of sleep dissatisfaction. Although many recent studies have found a high prevalence of insomnia among the elderly, describing the characteristics of caregivers who are most likely to have sleep dissatisfaction is a significant challenge. When care recipients are physically independent, the severity of the recipient's dementia symptoms relates to the caregiver's dissatisfaction with his/her sleep. In physically dependent care recipients, the severity of the recipient's dementia did not contribute to the caregiver's dissatisfaction with his/her sleep.

Electrical conduction of organic ultrathin films evaluated by an independently driven double-tip scanning tunneling microscope

The electrical transport properties of organic thin films within the micrometer scale have been evaluated by a laboratory-built independently driven double-tip scanning tunneling microscope, operating under ambient conditions. The two tips were used as point contact electrodes, and current in the range from 0.1 pA to 100 nA flowing between the two tips through the material can be detected. We demonstrated two-dimensional contour mapping of the electrical resistance on a poly(3-octylthiophene) thin films as shown below. The obtained contour map clearly provided an image of two-dimensional electrical conductance between two point electrodes on the poly(3-octylthiophene) thin film. The conductivity of the thin film was estimated to be (1-8) × 10(-6) S cm(-1). Future prospects and the desired development of multiprobe STMs are also discussed.

Formation and electrical transport properties of pentacene nanorod crystal

The monophasic formation of an uncharted pentacene crystal, the pentacene nanorod, has been investigated. The restricted formation of the pentacene nanorod on a bare mica surface reveals a peculiar surface catalytic crystal growth mode of the pentacene. We demonstrated the charge transport measurements through a single pentacene nanorod and analyzed the data using a periodic hopping conduction model. The results revealed that the pentacene nanorod has a periodic conductive node within their one-dimensional crystal.

Acquired radioresistance of human tumor cells by DNA-PK/AKT/GSK3beta-mediated cyclin D1 overexpression

Recurrence is frequently associated with the acquisition of radioresistance by tumors and resulting failures in radiotherapy. We report, in this study, that long-term fractionated radiation (FR) exposures conferred radioresistance to the human tumor cells, HepG2 and HeLa with cyclin D1 overexpression. A positive feedback loop was responsible for the cyclin D1 overexpression in which constitutively active AKT was involved. AKT is known to inactivate glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK3beta), which is essential for the proteasomal degradation of cyclin D1. The resulting cyclin D1 overexpression led to the forced progression of S-phase with the induction of DNA double strand breaks. Cyclin D1-dependent DNA damage activated DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), which in turn activated AKT and inactivated GSK3beta, thus completing a positive feedback loop of cyclin D1 overproduction. Cyclin D1 overexpression led to the activation of DNA damage response (DDR) consisted of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)- and Chk1-dependent DNA damage checkpoint and homologous recombination repair (HRR). Long-term FR cells repaired radiation-induced DNA damage faster than non-FR cells. Thus, acquired radioresistance of long-term FR cells was the result of alterations in DDR mediated by cyclin D1 overexpression. Inhibition of the AKT/GSK3beta/cyclin D1/Cdk4 pathway by the AKT inhibitor, Cdk4 inhibitor or cyclin D1 targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed the radioresistance. Present observations give a mechanistic insight for acquired radioresistance of tumor cells by cyclin D1 overexpression, and provide novel therapeutic targets for recurrent radioresistant tumors.

Depression among caregivers of the frail elderly in Japan before and after the introduction of the Public Long-Term Care Insurance System

Cross sectional studies were conducted in five towns in Japan before and after the introduction of the Long-term Care Insurance System (LTCIS), in order to evaluate the factors relating to depression among family caregivers for the frail elderly. Depressive caregivers were more likely to consult with their doctors, to be in poor health, to care for demented elderly with behavioral disturbances than the non-depressive caregivers both before and after the LTCIS. Before LTCIS, depressive caregivers were more likely to attend to the elderly for more than 16 hours per day than their counterparts. After the LTCIS, depressive caregivers were more likely to be a spouse, to care for a frail elderly male, and less likely to be able to go out without accompanying the elderly than their counterparts. Even after the introduction of LTCIS, half of the caregivers were depressive. It is suggested that a government agency should be created to support not only the frail elderly but also their caregivers.

Measurements of short-lived cosmic-ray-produced radionuclides in rainwater

Cosmic-ray-produced (CP) nuclides with half-lives shorter than 21h were measured in rainwater by ultra-low-background gamma spectrometry at Ogoya Underground Laboratory. As levels of CP nuclides are extremely low and their half-lives are very short, quick sampling methods for a large volume of rainwater and rapid chemical separations by ion exchange method were developed. The nuclides measured were short-lived (24)Na, (28)Mg, (38)S, (38)Cl, (39)Cl, as well as nuclides with longer half-lives (7)Be and (22)Na. The number of atoms of CP nuclides in rainwater were evaluated to range from 30 to 1500L(-1) for (24)Na (n=16, mean; 520 [6.7mBqL(-1)]), 80 to 600L(-1) for (28)Mg (n=13, mean; 260 [2.4mBqL(-1)]), 400 to 1900L(-1) for (39)Cl (n=6, mean; 1200 [250mBqL(-1)]), 1x10(6) to 4x10(7)L(-1) for (7)Be (n=16, mean; 7x10(6) [1.05BqL(-1)]) and 2x10(3) to 1x10(5)L(-1) for (22)Na (n=9, mean; 2x10(4) [0.2mBqL(-1)]).

Association of laboratory data and death within one month in cats with chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively compare the data taken at the first visit of 34 cats with chronic renal failure surviving more than one month (surviving group) and 16 cats dying within one month (non-surviving group).

METHODS

Records were collected on cats with chronic renal failure presented to a private veterinary practice in Nagoya, Japan, from March 1996 to March 2005. All cats with chronic renal failure diagnosed on the basis of case histories, clinical signs (such as, lethargy, anorexia, loss of bodyweight and vomiting) and a high plasma creatinine (>180 micromol/l) were included in the study.

RESULTS

Plasma creatinine, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, packed cell volume and urine protein/creatinine ratio were significantly different between cats of the surviving and non-surviving groups. In the surviving group, survival statuses were recorded, and laboratory data was obtained within one month before death in 13 cats. In the 13 cats, plasma creatinine, packed cell volume and urine protein/creatinine ratio showed significant differences between the data taken within one month before death and that taken at first visit, and only urine protein/creatinine ratio exhibited a consistent alteration (increase) in relation to first visit data.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

These results indicated that plasma creatinine, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, packed cell volume and urine protein/creatinine ratio were associated with death within one month and urine protein/creatinine ratio was most likely to be associated with mortality in cats with chronic renal failure.

Cytochemical Localization of Glycoconjugates in the Secretory Epithelial Cells Lining the Prostate Gland of the Miniature Pig

The aim of the study was to emphasize several specific functional aspects of the mammalian prostate gland. In this connection, the subcellular localization and characterization of glycoconjugates in the secretory epithelial cells were examined that line the prostate gland of the miniature pig, using cytochemistry, including lectin-gold methods. The results verified a diversified pattern of glycoconjugates in the structures of the secretory cells. The secretory granules and the free surface coat of the plasma membrane contained several sugar moieties such as alpha-D-Man, alpha-D-Glc, alpha-L-Fuc, beta-D-Gal, GalNAc, GlcNAc and NeuAc (sialic acid), whereas the Golgi apparatus exhibited GlcNAc and sialic acid residues. In addition, the cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum showed alpha-D-Man and alpha-D-Glc moieties. It seems likely that the secretory glycoconjugates demonstrated contribute to favourable conditions for fertilization.

Morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical characterization of secretory production of the ciliary glands in the porcine eyelid

In addition to performing general histology and cytology of the ciliary glands of the miniature pig, we studied the localization of glycoconjugates and beta-defensins in these glands with the use of carbohydrate histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The secretory cells of the glands were equipped with non-homogeneous secretory granules, a well-developed Golgi apparatus and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The secretory epithelium and luminal secretion of the glands contained large amounts of neutral and acidic glycoconjugates with various saccharide residues (alpha-L-Fuc, beta-D-Gal, alpha-D-GalNAc and sialic acid). The sebaceous glands and tarsal glands also exhibited positive reactions to most of the histochemical methods. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptide group of beta-defensins was demonstrated to be products of the ciliary glands, as well as the sebaceous glands and tarsal glands. The results obtained are discussed with regard to the specific function of the ciliary glandular secretions. These secretory products may be related to the moistening and general protection of the skin surface of the eyelid and ocular surface.

Neuroradiologic and clinicopathologic features of oculoleptomeningeal type amyloidosis

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the pathogenesis of leptomeningeal amyloidosis in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy amyloidogenic transthyretin Y114C (FAP ATTR Y114C).

METHODS

The authors analyzed eight FAP ATTR Y114C patients. Six patients showed CNS symptoms associated with leptomeningeal amyloidosis. To examine the function of the blood-CSF barrier and blood-brain barrier (BBB), the authors performed CSF and MRI studies. The authors also performed a histopathologic study of autopsy specimens to examine the distribution of amyloid deposition in the CNS.

RESULTS

CSF study showed high total protein concentrations and increased albumin CSF/serum concentration quotients (Qalb; an indication of blood-CSF barrier function). MRI with gadolinium (Gd) revealed enhancement from brainstem to spinal cord. Serial brain MRI studies with FLAIR images after Gd administration showed Gd leakage into the subarachnoid space (two patients). These findings suggested the blood-CSF barrier and BBB dysfunctions. Constructive interference in steady state (CISS) three-dimensional Fourier transformation (CISS-3DFT) sequence analysis demonstrated amyloid-induced funiculus structures joining the spinal cord and dura mater (one patient). Histopathologic study revealed intense amyloid deposition in leptomeninges, vessel walls, and parenchyma in spinal cord and the brain. These distributions of amyloid deposition are unique compared to other TTR related leptomeningeal amyloidosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy amyloidogenic transthyretin Y114C had CNS disorders related to amyloid deposition in leptomeninges, vessel walls, and parenchyma in spinal cord and the brain. The pathogenesis of CNS disorders may reflect disruption of the blood-CSF barrier and blood-brain barrier by amyloid deposition.

Electronic structure of a polydiacetylene nanowire fabricated on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite

A molecular wire candidate, the polydiacetylene chain, fabricated in a substantial support layer of monomers self-assembled on a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surface, was studied using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The density of states of individual polymers and constituent monomers were observed on the same surface, and then compared with the calculated results. The spectrum delineating the density of states of the polydiacetylene wire clearly reveals the theoretically predicted pi-band and band edge singularities of the one-dimensional polymer.

Correlation between facial morphology, mouth opening ability, and condylar movement during opening-closing jaw movements in female adults with normal occlusion

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parameters of facial morphology, maximal voluntary mouth opening ability, and condylar movements in 21 adult females, aged between 20 and 24 years. The subjects had a normal occlusion without sign or symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Mandibular movements were recorded using an opto-electric jaw movement recording system with six degrees of freedom under a series of maximal mouth opening-closing movements. Maximal jaw opening and coincident condylar movement were measured three-dimensionally. The mean values of the incisor and condylar path were 41.1 +/- 3.5 mm (range 35.6-50.9 mm) and 12.8 +/- 2.8 mm (range 8.1-19.2 mm), respectively. Although the positive correlation between maximal jaw opening and facial morphology was significant, none of the variables significantly differed between the value of the condylar path and facial morphology. The length of the path of maximum incisor movement and the condylar path during mandibular movement also did not correlate. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated a positive association between the maximal length of the incisor path and the cephalometric value of mandibular ramus inclination (R2 value was 0.369). The results of this study suggest that facial morphology size has a limited effect on maximal voluntary mandibular opening and condylar movements in normal adult female subjects.

(4E)-dehydrocitrals [(2E,4E)- and (2Z,4E )-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienals] from acarid mite Histiogaster sp. A096 (Acari: Acaridae)

A mixture of two monoterpenes was obtained as the opisthonotal gland secretion from unidentified Histiogaster sp. A096 (Acari: Acaridae), and their structures were elucidated to be (4E)-dehydrocitrals [(2E,4E)- and (2Z,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienals] by GC/MS, GC/FT-IR, UV and 1H-NMR spectra. Both isomers of (4E)-dehydrocitral prepared by syntheses in 4 steps from 3-methyl-2-butenal with 34.2% yields (based on the ylide) were separated by column chromatography into the (2E,4E)- and (2Z,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal. Mass spectra together with GC retention times of the purified natural (4E)-dehydrocitrals were identical with those of synthetic (2E,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal and (2Z,4E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienal. The geometry at the 2-C position of both synthetic (4E)-dehydrocitrals was confirmed by NOESY analyses. This is the first identification of (4E)-dehydrocitrals from the animal kingdom.

Structural elucidation and synthesis of 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde from astigmatid mites

The structure of a novel aromatic compound contained in the unidentified Rhizoglyhus mite (Acaridae: Astigmata) was elucidated, without its isolation, to be 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde (tentatively named gamma-acaridial) by a combination of GC/MS and GC/FT-IR together with knowledge of related mite compounds. The structure was confirmed by a 5-step synthesis, starting from methyl 3-hydroxybenzoate, in a 15% overall yield. The compound is widely distributed not only among Astigmata but also among Oribatida, although its biological function is obscure at present.

Effects of genotype matching of feline major histocompatibility complex (FLA) class II DRB on skin-allograft transplantation in cats

In order to confirm the effects of matching of expressed feline major histocompatibility complex (FLA) class II DRB genotype on transplantation immunity in cats, skin-allogeneic transplantation was carried out between cats, in which DRB genes expressed were genotyped by the RT-PCR-RFLP method using group-specific primers. Duration until grafts were rejected was 14.63 +/- 1.69 days (mean +/- standard deviation) in the pairs that had the same type of subgroups, 7.25 +/- 0.71 days in the pairs that had one different type of subgroup and 6.88 +/- 0.35 days in the pairs that had two different types of subgroups. The duration of graft survival in the pairs with the same type of subgroups was significantly longer (P<0.01) than those in the pairs with different types. Although FLA components involved in transplantation immunity should not only be DRB genes, it was suggested that the expressed FLA-DRB genotype might associate with feline transplantation immunity, and that typing and matching of expressed FLA-DRB genes might be one of the important factors in the control of feline transplantation immunity.

Burden among caregivers of frail elderly in Japan

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the factors related to the feelings of psychological stress, called heavy burden, in caregivers who took care of frail elderly in the eastern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. Fifty-eight caregivers answered a self-administered questionnaire, involving the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) and thus described their own caregiving situation. Compared to caregivers with a light burden, heavily burdened caregivers were less likely to have time to go out without patients, but were more likely to consult physicians. Heavily burdened caregivers spent a longer time on looking after the elderly as well as on physical caregiving, and also used more social services than lightly burdened caregivers. However, the physical disabilities of the patients did not differ between the two groups. Even after controlling for confounding factors, the time spent on looking after frail elderly was found to be a significant factor related to the caregivers' heavy burden (10-24 hrs vs. 0-9 hrs; odds ratio: 5.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-25.58). These findings suggest that looking after frail elderly for a long time seems to be an important factor related to caregivers' developing psychological feelings of heavy burden.