Applications of microstructures fabricated by proton beam writing to electric-micro filters

Fabrication of high-aspect-ratio microstructures was performed by proton beam writing (PBW) using a microbeam line at Takasaki Ion Accelerators for Advanced Radiation Application (TIARA), JAEA Takasaki, JAPAN. As one of the applications of the high-aspect-ratio structures micro-machined by PBW, we utilized the high-aspect pillars for electric-micro filters of microbes such as Escherichia coli and Yeast based on the dielectrophoretic force. The filter is equipped with high-aspect pillars with a height of ～20 μm and a diameter of ～1 μm on a glass plate. Evaluation of the dielectrophoresis (DEP) device for capturing E. coli and Yeast was made using either observation by optical microscope or photoluminescence (PL) measurements.     

Modeling of bubble coalescence and disintegration in confined upward two-phase flow

This paper presents the modeling of bubble interaction mechanisms in the two-group interfacial area transport equation (IATE) for confined gas–liquid two-phase flow. The transport equation is applicable to bubbly, cap-turbulent, and churn-turbulent flow regimes. In the two-group IATE, bubbles are categorized into two groups: spherical/distorted bubbles as Group 1 and cap/slug/churn-turbulent bubbles as Group 2. Thus, two sets of equations are used to describe the generation and destruction rates of bubble number density, void fraction, and interfacial area concentration for the two groups of bubbles due to bubble expansion and compression, coalescence and disintegration, and phase change. Five major bubble interaction mechanisms are identified for the gas–liquid two-phase flow of interest, and are analytically modeled as the source/sink terms for the transport equation in the confined flow. These models include both intra-group and inter-group bubble interactions.     

Model evaluation of two-group interfacial area transport equation for confined upward flow

The bubble interaction mechanisms have been analytically modeled in the first paper of this series to provide mechanistic constitutive relations for the two-group interfacial area transport equation (IATE), which was proposed to dynamically solve the interfacial area concentration in the two-fluid model. This paper presents the evaluation approach and results of the two-group IATE based on available experimental data obtained in confined upward flow, namely, 11 data sets in or near bubbly flow and 13 sets in cap-turbulent and churn-turbulent flows. The two-group IATE is evaluated in steady-state, one-dimensional (1D) form. To account for the inter-group bubble transport, the void fraction transport equation for Group-2 bubbles is also used to predict the void fraction for Group-2 bubbles. Agreement between the data and the model predictions is reasonably good and the average relative difference for the total interfacial area concentration between the 24 data sets and predictions is within 7%. The model evaluation demonstrates the capability of the two-group IATE focused on the current confined flow to predict the interfacial area concentration over a wide range of flow regimes.     

Isolation and characterization of predominant microorganisms during decomposition of waste materials in a field-scale composter

A self-heating field-scale composter treating agro-industrial wastes within a period of 30 d was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Pedro et al., J. Biosci. Bioeng., 91, 159-165, 2001). Three major bands were derived from Propionibacterium acnes, Methylobacterium mesophilicum or M. radiotolerans, and Bacillus thermocloacae. Strains MSP09A and MSP06G with close affiliation to P. acnes and B. thermocloacae, respectively, were successfully isolated. Based on quantitative-PCR results, the relative population of MSP09A increased towards the end of the composting process (mesophilic stage) while MSP06G seemed to predominate during the middle period (thermophilic stage). These results correlated highly with their growth temperatures. MSP09A and MSP06G had different metabolic profiles which were largely affected by culture conditions. MSP09A was able to utilize large complex molecules of lipids and proteins. An interspecies relationship in terms of metabolites such as propionic acid was expected between the two microorganisms.     

Dural caroticocavernous fistula with both ophthalmic arteries arising from middle meningeal arteries

A 60-year-old woman presented with a dural caroticocavernous fistula (CCF) in whom both by ophthalmic arteries arose from the middle meningeal arteries instead of from the internal carotid arteries. Transarterial embolisation of the CCF was contraindicated because of the risk of blindness. Transvenous coil embolisation was therefore performed. Bilateral origin of the ophthalmic artery from the middle meningeal artery is extremely rare.     

Glibenclamide-sensitive mechanism is involved in helodermin-produced vasodilatation in rat mesenteric artery

Helodermin-caused vascular relaxation was simultaneously measured with intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rat mesenteric artery. Helodermin caused concentration-dependent relaxation in the mesenteric artery preconstricted with norepinephrine (NE). Helodermin-caused relaxation was accompanied by decrease in [Ca2+]i, D-cis-Diltiazem, a Ca2+ channel blocker, also lowered the [Ca2+]i and tension increased by NE. However, helodermin relaxed the artery more efficiently than D-cis-diltiazem, suggesting that the peptide decreased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. The vascular relaxation and the corresponding decrease in [Ca2+]i induced by helodermin were partly, but significantly attenuated by glibenclamide. Helodermin-induced vascular responses were mimicked by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) or forskolin. Furthermore, helodermin increased cAMP contents in the mesenteric artery. These findings show that vasodilatation induced by helodermin is attributable to lowered [Ca2+]i of arterial smooth muscle partly through the activation of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels, and to decrease in the myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. The increase in the cellular cAMP content probably plays a key role in the peptide-induced vasorelaxation.     

Dual-Function Semaphorin 4D Released by Platelets: Suppression of Osteoblastogenesis and Promotion of Osteoclastogenesis

Effects of the antiosteoblastogenesis factor Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), expressed by thrombin-activated platelets (TPs), on osteoblastogenesis, as well as osteoclastogenesis, were investigated in vitro. Intact platelets released both Sema4D and IGF-1. However, in response to stimulation with thrombin, platelets upregulated the release of Sema4D, but not IGF-1. Anti-Sema4D-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) upregulated TP-mediated osteoblastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast precursors. MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to TPs induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK further upregulated by the addition of anti-sema4D-mAb, suggesting the suppressive effects of TP-expressing Sema4D on osteoblastogenesis. On the other hand, TPs promoted RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in the primary culture of bone-marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMCs). Among the known three receptors of Sema4D, including Plexin B1, Plexin B2 and CD72, little Plexin B2 was detected, and no Plexin B1 was detected, but a high level of CD72 mRNA was detected in RANKL-stimulated BMMCs by qPCR. Both anti-Sema4D-mAb and anti-CD72-mAb suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity, suggesting that Sema4D released by TPs promotes osteoclastogenesis via ligation to a CD72 receptor. This study demonstrated that Sema4D released by TPs suppresses osteogenic activity and promotes osteoclastogenesis, suggesting the novel property of platelets in bone-remodeling processes.     

Correlations of Hepatic Hemodynamics,Liver Function,and Fibrosis Markers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Comparison with Chronic Hepatitis Related to Hepatitis C Virus

The progression of chronic liver disease differs by etiology. The aim of this study was to elucidate the difference in disease progression between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by means of fibrosis markers, liver function, and hepatic tissue blood flow (TBF). Xenon computed tomography (Xe-CT) was performed in 139 patients with NAFLD and 152 patients with CHC (including liver cirrhosis (LC)). The cutoff values for fibrosis markers were compared between NAFLD and CHC, and correlations between hepatic TBF and liver function tests were examined at each fibrosis stage. The cutoff values for detection of the advanced fibrosis stage were lower in NAFLD than in CHC. Although portal venous TBF (PVTBF) correlated with liver function tests, PVTBF in initial LC caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH-LC) was significantly lower than that in hepatitis C virus (C-LC) (p = 0.014). Conversely, the liver function tests in NASH-LC were higher than those in C-LC (p < 0.05). It is important to recognize the difference between NAFLD and CHC. We concluded that changes in hepatic blood flow occurred during the earliest stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD; therefore, patients with NAFLD need to be followed carefully.     

A method to modify coordinates of detectors in positron emission tomography systems

A new method to modify coordinates of detectors in any positron emission tomography (PET) system using a radioactive point source is developed. This method is based on selecting a centered detector in each detector block of PET and measuring coincidence counts between the two centered detectors in opposite detector blocks to find the coordinates of their LOR (Line of Response). Due to slight misalignment of detector positions, measured LORs may not intersect at a single point. Based on the proposed method, the coordinates of detectors can be measured with very high accuracy and the coordinate of the center of the gantry (which is normally the same as the center of field of view) can be defined correctly. The results of the application of our method to a small animal PET system (FinePET), which was recently developed at Tohoku University, Japan, are shown here. The method is expected to contribute to the design and development of PET systems which can realize a very high spatial resolution of less than 1 mm FWHM.