Craniofacial morphology varies among individuals, which is regulated by the interaction between genes and the environment. Soft-diet feeding is a widely-used experimental model for studying the association between the skeletal morphology and muscle-related loading on the bone. Traditionally, these studies have been based on linear and angular measurements provided on two-dimensional (2D) radiographs in the lateral view. However, 2D observation is based on simplification of the anatomical structures and cannot detect three-dimensional (3D) changes in detail. In this study, we newly developed a modified surface-based analysis with micro-3D computed tomography (CT) to examine and detect the 3D changes in the mandible associated with soft-diet feeding. Mice at 3 weeks of age were fed a powdered soft-diet (SD) or hard-diet (HD) of regular rodent pellets until 9 weeks of age. Micro-CT images were taken at age 9 weeks to reconstruct the anatomical architecture images. A computer-generated averaged mandible was superimposed to directly visualize the morphological phenotypes. Gross observation revealed the apparent changes at the posterior body of the mandible, the angular process and the condyle between HD and SD mice. Significant differences in the mapping indicated the regions of significant displacement in the SD mice over the averaged 3D image of the HD mice. This map revealed that vertical displacement was most evident in 3D changes. We also noted a combination of vertical, transverse and anteroposterior directions of displacement in the condylar growth, resulting in complicated shape changes in the whole condylar process in SD mice. In contrast, transverse displacement was more significant in the coronoid process. The map analysis further showed the significant outward displacement of the inner surface of the alveolar process, which consequently resulted in thinning of the alveolar process.

A compact centrifugal blood pump has been developed as an implantable left ventricular assist system. The impeller diameter is 40 mm, and pump dimensions are 55 x 64 mm. This first prototype, fabricated from titanium alloy, resulted in a pump weight of 400 g including a brushless DC motor. The weight of a second prototype pump was reduced to 280 g. The entire blood contacting surface is coated with diamond like carbon (DLC) to improve blood compatibility. Flow rates of over 7 L/min against 100 mm Hg pressure at 2,500 rpm with 9 W total power consumption have been measured. A newly designed mechanical seal with a recirculating purge system (Cool-Seal) is used for the shaft seal. In this seal system, the seal temperature is kept under 40 degrees C to prevent heat denaturation of blood proteins. Purge fluid also cools the pump motor coil and journal bearing. Purge fluid is continuously purified and sterilized by an ultrafiltration unit which is incorporated in the paracorporeal drive console. In vitro experiments with bovine blood demonstrated an acceptably low hemolysis rate (normalized index of hemolysis = 0.005 +/- 0.002 g/100 L). In vivo experiments are currently ongoing using calves. Via left thoracotomy, left ventricular (LV) apex descending aorta bypass was performed utilizing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular graft with the pump placed in the left thoracic cavity. In 2 in vivo experiments, the pump flow rate was maintained at 5-9 L/min, and pump power consumption remained stable at 9-10 W. All plasma free Hb levels were measured at less than 15 mg/dl. The seal system has demonstrated good seal capability with negligible purge fluid consumption (<0.5 ml/day). In both calves, the pumps demonstrated trouble free continuous function over 6 month (200 days and 222 days).

Goals:The commercially available saliva substitute Oralbalance® has been reported to alleviate symptoms of post-radiotherapy xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients. Oralbalance® may also be effective for xerostomia in patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with high-dose chemotherapy and total-body irradiation. However, HCT patients are severely compromised, and saliva substitute must therefore not promote infection. This study was performed to determine the effects of Oralbalance® on microbial species identified during HCT. Patients and methods:Microbial identification of oral mucosa was performed in 28 patient undergoing HCT. The antimicrobial effects of Oralbalance® against bacteria and fungi detected in the HCT period were examined in vitro. Briefly, bacteria and fungi were spread on agar plates, and 0.1 g of Oralbalance® gel was applied (about 1 cm). After incubation at 37°C for 24 h, the presence of a transparent zone of inhibition around Oralbalance® was observed.Main results: Not only bacterial species constituting normal flora of the oral mucosa, but also those not usually constituting normal flora, e.g., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, were detected. A transparent zone was observed around Oralbalance® in all bacterial species examined. No transparent zone was observed for Candida albicans, but growth was inhibited in the area where Oralbalance® was applied.Conclusions: Oralbalance® does not facilitate increases in microorganisms in the HCT period. Oral care with Oralbalance® does not promote infection in patients undergoing HCT.

Chemoembolization by selective intra-arterial infusion of mitomycin C in microcapsule form exerts potential therapeutic effects through infarction and prolonged activity. Of 20 patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with one or more courses via a hepatic arterial catheter, a change in tumor size could be measured in 16. Measurable tumor regression amounting to greater than 50% was shown in 6 patients (38%), 25-50% in 3 (19%), and less than or equal to 25% in 6 (38%), while tumor increased in 1. Serum alpha-fetoprotein, which was greater than 300 ng/ml before treatment in 13 patients, clearly fell after treatment in 10 (77%). The survival rate at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment was 75%, 65%, and 24%, respectively, for all patients, and 92%, 85%, and 38% in 11 patients without a tumor cast in the portal vein or its major branches. Systemic toxicity was mild, and all patients tolerated treatment well. These results indicate that chemoembolization with mitomycin C microcapsules is a useful palliative measure for treatment of inoperable HCC.

The development of a percutaneous artificial internal organ system requires a reliable biocompatible connection between the external environment and the inside of the human body. Such is necessary for the success of a permanent left ventricular assist device. However, the search for a satisfactory interface at the epidermal level has proven to be difficult. Carbon has been proposed for this application, but its texture does not typically promote ingrowth from surrounding tissue. We have therefore employed a new processing method to produce a fine trabecularized carbon implant. The method for preparing the implant involves infiltrating low temperature pyrolytic carbon into the surface of a carbon core which is wrapped with carbon fabric. This results in a tightly woven porous structure of carbon (carbon fiber diameter: 35-50 microm, maximal pore size >200 microm) with gradually increasing porosity from 15-75%. We implanted test samples percutaneously in a calf for in vivo histological evaluation. Thirty days after implantation epidermal downgrowth was minimal. Microscopic analysis revealed that a thin fibrous capsule surrounded the implant, and mature connective tissue with accompanying blood vessels filled the pores of the fine trabecularized carbon layer. From these results we suggest that fine trabecularized carbon is ideally suited for a percutaneous device system in a permanent left ventricular assist device.