TiO2 microspheres containing magnetic nanoparticles for intra-arterial hyperthermia

Magnetic microspheres measuring 15–35 µm in diameter are believed to be useful for intra-arterial hyperthermia. In this study, we attempted to prepare titanium dioxide (TiO2) microspheres containing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). MNP-containing TiO2 microspheres with diameters of approximately 30 µm were successfully obtained by sol–gel reaction of titanium tetraisopropoxide in a water-in-oil emulsion with added cosurfactant of 1-butanol and subsequent heat treatment at 200°C. The microspheres showed ferrimagnetism owing to high content of MNPs in approximately 60 wt % and had a low-crystalline TiO2 matrix. Furthermore, the agar phantom was heated to above 43°C after approximately 1 min under an alternating magnetic field of 100 kHz and 300 Oe and showed in vitro biocompatibility similar to that of MNP-free TiO2 microspheres. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2308–2314, 2017

燃焼の火力および危険性に関する評価

Various materials are burned in outdoor activities and natural disasters. The purpose of thisstudy was to observe the thermal power and dangerous level of combustion. In experiment 1a,the highest thermal power was obtained when disposable chopsticks were burned using itto-kanstove of own making. In experiment 1b, the thermal power of bincho charcoal was superior. Inexperiment 2a, the temperature of ceiling of simulated shelter was measured. Two conditions,namely, three sidewalls and non-sidewall were prepared. The temperature of ceiling was147.1℃ in the former and 66.1℃ in the latter with the ceiling height of 40cm. In experiment2b, we observed the flammability of withered leaf. We discussed the suitability regarding newindexes of thermal power suggested by us and the properties of danger of fire

Electroconvulsive shock attenuated microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus and ameliorated schizophrenia-like behavior of Gunn rat

BACKGROUND: Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is regarded as one of the efficient treatments for intractable psychiatric disorders, the mechanism of therapeutic action remains unclear. Recently, many studies indicate that ECT affects the immune-related cells, such as microglia, astrocytes, and lymphocytes. Moreover, microglial activation and astrocytic activation have been implicated in the postmortem brains of schizophrenia patients. We previously demonstrated that Gunn rats showed schizophrenia-like behavior and microglial activation in their brains. The present study examined the effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS), an animal counterpart of ECT, on schizophrenia-like behavior, microgliosis, and astrogliosis in the brain of Gunn rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups, i.e., Wistar sham, Wistar ECS, Gunn sham, and Gunn ECS. ECS groups received ECS once daily for six consecutive days. Subsequently, prepulse inhibition (PPI) test was performed, and immunohistochemistry analysis was carried out to determine the activation degree of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus by using anti-CD11b and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody, respectively. RESULTS: We found PPI deficit in Gunn rats compared to Wistar rats, and it was significantly improved by ECS. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that immunoreactivity of CD11b and GFAP was significantly increased in Gunn rats compared to Wistar rats. ECS significantly attenuated the immunoreactivity of both CD11b and GFAP in Gunn rats. CONCLUSIONS: ECS ameliorated schizophrenia-like behavior of Gunn rats and attenuated microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus of Gunn rats. Accordingly, therapeutic effects of ECT may be exerted, at least in part, by inhibition of glial activation. These results may provide crucial information to elucidate the role of activated glia in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and to determine whether future therapeutic interventions should attempt to up-regulate or down-regulate glial functions. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0688-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Indirect cytotoxicity evaluations of antibacterial raw silk fabric doped with calcium, copper and zinc on fibroblasts and osteoblasts

Antibacterial materials are widely used to prevent hospital-acquired infections. In our previous report, metal (calcium, copper or zinc)-doped raw silk fabrics were shown to possess strong antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli. However, antibacterial materials may occasionally be harmful to the human body; thus, in this study, we investigated the cytotoxicities of extracts from metal-doped raw silk fabrics with respect to fibroblasts and osteoblasts indirectly. Calcium-doped raw silk fabric demonstrated cytocompatibility with fibroblasts. Contrarily, copper- and zinc-doped raw silk fabrics remarkably decreased the cell densities of fibroblasts, indicating their cytotoxic effects. This observation could be attributed to the high concentrations of the released copper or zinc ions. However, calcium-, copper- and zinc-doped raw silk fabrics did not demonstrate any cytotoxic effects on osteoblasts because a high concentration of the serum alleviated the effects of these metal ions released from the fabrics. Thus, calcium-doped raw silk fabric is a promising antibacterial material that does not induce strong cytotoxicity. This study will facilitate the design of materials that are both antibacterial and safe. </jats:p

Temporal relationship between malnutrition and oral function impairment in older adults with dysphagia: A cross-lagged panel model

Objectives: This study aimed to longitudinally investigate the temporal relationship between tongue pressure and malnutrition in older adults with dysphagia and to determine the antecedent factors. Design: This is a retrospective cohort study. Setting and Participants: In total, 177 participants aged ≥65 years with dysphagia who visited a specialized dysphagia rehabilitation clinic between 2014 and 2018 were enrolled. Measurements: Malnutrition was assessed based on the phenotypic criteria (unintentional weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced skeletal muscle mass) from the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition framework. Tongue pressure was measured using a tongue pressure measuring device. The bidirectional association between tongue pressure and malnutrition was examined, adjusting for age, sex, cognitive function, occlusal support status, and comorbidities. Results: In the Cross-Lagged Panel Model, a significant cross-lagged effect was observed from tongue pressure to malnutrition at 6 months (β = −0.135, p < 0.001) and 12 months (β = −0.112, p = 0.028). However, the pathway from malnutrition to tongue pressure was not significant. Logistic regression analysis also revealed that baseline tongue pressure was significantly associated with malnutrition at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86–0.95) and 12 months (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84–0.94). During the follow-up period, tongue pressure improved; however, the prevalence of malnutrition increased. Conclusions: Decreased tongue pressure may precede malnutrition in older adults with dysphagia; however, a reverse relationship was not observed. The findings suggest the importance of incorporating oral function assessment as part of the risk assessment for malnutrition