Tomita Hospital

Background:The effect of axial rotation between the femoral neck and ankle joint (total rotation [TR]) on normal knees is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the TR effect on normal knee kinematics.Methods:Volunteers were divided into groups large (L), intermediate (I), and small (S), using hierarchical cluster analysis based on TR in the standing position. TR was measured using three-dimensional (3D) bone models generated from CT. A two-dimensional to 3-dimensional registration technique was used to assess the spatial position and femur and tibia orientation during squat. The axial rotation, varus-valgus alignment, and anterior-posterior translation of the femur relative to the tibia were evaluated.Results:Group L had the highest TR, whereas group S had the lowest TR (L: 36.6° ± 6.0°, I: 23.2° ± 3.0°, and S: 13.8° ± 5.1°). Above 50° of flexion, femoral external rotation was greater in group S than in groups L and I. From 40° to 110°, the medial side was more anterior in group L than in groups I and S, whereas the lateral side was more posterior in group S than in groups L and I.Conclusions:Individuals with larger TR had more femur anterior-medial translation relative to the tibia.

A 2-year randomized controlled trial conducted to test the feasibility and effectiveness of currently available smart home technology compared 46 treatment and 67 control home-based frail elders who lived alone. Treatment group participants were provided with a computer with Internet access and X10-based smart home technology. Problems in the use of the technology were categorized into 4 areas: person, computer, X10 products, and home. For each area, solutions were identified. Participants benefited from the smart home technology, and 91% recommended its use by others. The treatment group maintained physical and cognitive status, whereas the control group declined significantly in both.

Human and industrial activities have recently lead to problems in regard to the eutrofication of isolated bodies of water due to influx of phosphate ions from industrial and domestic wastewater. Various methods have been developed for the removal of phosphate ions. And in particular, adsorption allows efficient and inexpensive recovery of phosphate ions in which the adsorbant and adsorbate are regenerable. In this study, investigations were carried out regarding the production of aluminum oxide hydroxide and granular aluminum oxide hydroxide, the adsorption and desorption capacities of these substances with respect to phosphate ion, and desorption efficiency and phosphate ion recovery levels obtained using sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. Adsorption and desorption were repeated 50 times in order to evaluate the effectiveness of aluminum oxide hydroxide, and it was determined that the adsorption performance of aluminum oxide hydroxide and granular aluminum oxide hydroxide with respect to phosphate ions is highly relative to aluminum oxide. The quantity of phosphate ions adsorbed was seen to decrease with repeated use of aluminum oxide hydroxide. The adsorption mechanism for phosphate ions onto aluminum oxide is conjectured as involving the presence of active hydroxyl groups contributing to ion exchange at the surface of the aluminum oxide hydroxide, ion exchange with phosphate ions, and the chemical bonding of hydroxyl groups with phosphate ions. It was thus clarified that aluminum oxide hydroxide is suitable for use as an adsorbant for the recovery of phosphate ions. Moreover, the investigations suggested that this material would be useful for preserving phosphate ion resources by recovering phosphate, a cause of eutrophication, as a value-added sodium phosphate product.

Hydrotalcites containing copper (Cu-HT) were synthesized using MgCl2, AlCl3and CuCl2, and hydrotalcites containing zinc (Zn-HT) were synthesized using MgCl2, AlCl3 and ZnCl2 Their disinfection activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureusandE. coli phage Q β (phage Qβ) were investigated by the shake-flask method. Cu-HT possessed strong disinfection activities against E. coil and phage Qβ, whereas Zn-HT showed bactericidal activity against E. coil, S. aureus and phage Qβ. Copper elution from Cu-HT was undetectable during the disinfection test. The disinfection activity of Cu-HT was due to the presence of copper. The pH of Cu-HT suspensions was pH 9.3 as a result of the hydration reaction at the surfaces of the Cu-HT particles. The remarkable disinfection activity of Cu-HT against phage Qβ seemed to be based on the cooperative action of copper in Cu-HT and the direct contact of phage Qβ cells to the hydroxyl layers on the surfaces of the Cu-HT particles. We propose that Cu-HT can be used as an alternative disinfectant to chlorine in a water purification system.

The aggregation properties of washed SHRSP platelets were investigated in comparison with normotensive WKY platelets at prehypertensive (4 weeks), early hypertensive (11 weeks) and late hypertensive (17 weeks) ages in the absence of plasma factors. The number of platelets in SHRSP was markedly lower with the development of hypertension than that in WKY. The thrombin- and collagen-induced aggregation was markedly reduced in the platelets from 11 and 17 week old SHRSP compared with that of age-matched WKY, whereas the degree of platelet aggregation in 4 week old SHRSP showed a tendency to be even greater than that in WKY. The changes in blood pressure and platelet aggregability were correlated inversely. ADP did not induce aggregation in the same system used for thrombin and collagen stimulation but in another system it aggregated washed rat platelets. Aggregation responses to ADP and ionophore A23187 were also significantly lower in 14 week old SHRSP platelets than age-matched WKY platelets. Together with other evidence, these results suggest that defective Ca2+ function, rather than the presence of exhausted platelets, is responsible for hypoaggregability in SHRSP platelets.

Thirty-one cats were divided by age into 3 groups, young (Y), middle (M) and old (O). Continuous recordings of local cerebral blood volume (CBV) and frequent measurements of mean transit time of blood (t) were made from the Sylvian opercula after ischemia was produced by transorbital clipping of the middle cerebral artery at its origin (MCA occlusion). Control recordings were made simultaneously from the corresponding area of the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. MCA occlusion temporarily stopped cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the area supplied by the ipsilateral MCA, as indicated by a rapidly decreasing CBV and complete disappearance of hemodilution curves. Within 30 sec, CBF resumed with a dilatation of the vascular bed and reappearance of hemodilution curves through newly developed collateral channels. Despite a low CBF, below half the control, CBV recovered, overshooting the control level. The appearance of hyperemia in the ischemic area was statistically significant. Such "low perfusion hyperemia" was slower in appearance and of more diverse magnitude in group O than in group Y. This suggested that aging may lead to a decrease in rapidity of the vascular response to ischemia and impair the integrity of collateral vessels.