Hiroyuki Inoue

Identification of chondromodulin I as a novel endothelial cell growth inhibitor: Purification and its localization in the avascular zone of epiphyseal cartilage

Cartilage is unique among tissues of mesenchymal origin in that it is resistant to vascular invasion due to an intrinsic angiogenic inhibitor. During endochondral bone formation, however, calcified cartilage formed in the center of the cartilaginous bone rudiment allows vascular invasion, which initiates the replacement of cartilage by bone. The transition of cartilage from the angioresistant to the angiogenic status thus plays a key role in bone formation. However, the molecular basis of this phenotypic transition of cartilage has been obscure. We report here purification of an endothelial cell growth inhibitor from a guanidine extract of bovine epiphyseal cartilage. The N-terminal amino acid sequence indicated that the inhibitor was identical to chondromodulin I (ChM-I), a cartilage-specific growth-modulating factor. Purified ChM-I inhibited DNA synthesis and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells as well as tube morphogenesis in vitro. Expression of ChM-I cDNA in COS7 cells indicated that mature ChM-I molecules were secreted from the cells after post-translational modifications and cleavage from the transmembrane precursor at the predicted processing signal. Recombinant ChM-I stimulated DNA synthesis and proteoglycan synthesis of cultured growth plate chondrocytes, but inhibited tube morphogenesis of endothelial cells. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies indicated that ChM-I is specifically expressed in the avascular zone of cartilage in developing bone, but not present in calcifying cartilage. These results suggest a regulatory role of ChM-I in vascular invasion during endochondral bone formation.

Spatial heterogeneities in tectonic stress in Kyushu, Japan and their relation to a major shear zone

We investigated the spatial variation in the stress fields of Kyushu Island, southwestern Japan. Kyushu Island is characterized by active volcanoes (Aso, Unzen, Kirishima, and Sakurajima) and a shear zone (western extension of the median tectonic line). Shallow earthquakes frequently occur not only along active faults but also in the central region of the island, which is characterized by active volcanoes. We evaluated the focal mechanisms of the shallow earthquakes on Kyushu Island to determine the relative deviatoric stress field. Generally, the stress field was estimated by using the method proposed by Hardebeck and Michael (2006) for the strike-slip regime in this area. The minimum principal compression stress (σ3), with its near north–south trend, is dominant throughout the entire region. However, the σ3 axes around the shear zone are rotated normal to the zone. This result is indicative of shear stress reduction at the zone and is consistent with the right-lateral fault behavior along the zone detected by a strain-rate field analysis with global positioning system data. Conversely, the stress field of the normal fault is dominant in the Beppu–Shimabara area, which is located in the central part of the island. This result and the direction of σ3 are consistent with the formation of a graben structure in the area.

Comparison of different methods for contact angle measurement

Abstract The contact angle of water on several polymer films was determined by three different methods; telescopic sessile drop, laser beam goniometry, and the Wilhelmy plate technique. The telescopic sessile drop method is the simplest, but the least accurate; whereas the laser beam goniometry compares favorably with the Wilhelmy plate in terms of accuracy, but cannot easily provide information on contact angle hysteresis.

Ex vivo and in vivo evaluation of the blood compatibility of surface-modified polyurethane catheters

Catheter model tubes were prepared from a medical-grade polyetherurethane and their outer surfaces modified by surface-graft polymerization of acrylamide and dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA). The surface-graft layer was characterized by means of dry staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and protein adsorption. Ex vivo evaluation for the blood compatibility of the surface-modified polyurethane was carried out using the polyurethane tube as an arterio-venous shunt between the carotid artery and the jugular vein of rabbits. When the surface density of grafted polymer was in the range of 10-30 microg/cm2, the in vitro adsorption of IgG exhibited a minimum value and platelet adhesion to the grafted polyurethane surface was insignificant, in marked contrast with that to the virgin (nonmodified) surface. The in vivo blood compatibility of polyurethane was evaluated by implanting the catheter tube in the inferior vena cava of rabbits from the femoral vein after ligation of a distal site of the exposed femoral vein. After remaining there for predetermined periods of time, the implanted catheters were taken out together with the veins of the rabbits that had been heparinized and sacrificed just prior to excision of the veins. After exchange of the blood in the veins for saline, the excised veins were opened by cutting longitudinally to inspect for clot formations on the surfaces of the implanted catheters. Occlusion of the inferior vena cava was not observed for any of the catheters, nor was there any apparent damage or microembolizations in the lungs and kidneys. Many small-sized clots were observed on the surfaces of the nonmodified polyurethane tubes after a 2-week implantation whereas the catheter surfaces grafted with DMAA polymer chains had a much smaller number of clots. When the blood compatibility of polyurethane surfaces was graded for relative evaluation from one (marked clotting) to five (no clotting) based on the size and number of the clots, the evaluation results were as follows: 3.1 (virgin, 2 weeks), 4.0 (grafted, 1 week), 4.1 (grafted, 2 weeks), and 3.5 (grafted, 1 month).

Hydrothermal system in the Tatun Volcano Group, northern Taiwan, inferred from crustal resistivity structure by audio-magnetotellurics

The present study proposes an improved conceptual model for the hydrothermal system in the Tatun Volcano Group in northern Taiwan. In the study, audio-magnetotellurics (AMT) surveys were conducted to reveal the spatial distribution of resistivity, which is highly sensitive to fluids and hydrothermal alteration. By combining the obtained resistivity structure with other geophysical and geochemical evidence, the following hydrothermal system was inferred. Beneath Chishinshan, vapor-dominant hydrothermal fluids, supplied from a deeper part, are maintained in a low to relatively low resistivity region (5 to 20 Ω m) that is covered by a clay-rich cap, represented by an upper extremely low resistivity layer. Fluid ascent is suggested by a pressure source and clustered seismicity. Exsolved gases result in fumarolic areas, such as Siao-you-keng, while mixing of gases with shallow groundwater forms a shallow flow system of hydrothermal fluids in the Matsao area, represented by a region of less than 10 Ω m. The fumarole in the Da-you-keng area originates from vapor-dominant hydrothermal fluids that may be supplied from a deeper part beneath Cing-tian-gang, suggested by a pressure source and low to relatively low resistivity. Horizontally extended vapor-bearing regions also suggest the possibility of future phreatic eruptions. The proposed conceptual model may provide clues to detecting precursors of potential volcanic activity.

Preparatory process preceding the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake volcano, Japan: Insights from precise leveling measurements 5.Volcanology

Preparatory activity preceding the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake volcano was estimated from vertical deformation detected using a precise leveling survey. Notable uplift (2006–2009) and subsidence (2009–2014) were detected on the eastern flank of the volcano. We estimated pressure source models based on the vertical deformation and used these to infer preparatory process preceding the 2014 eruption. Our results suggest that the subsidence experienced between 2009 and 2014 (including the period of the 2014 eruption) occurred as a result of a sill-like tensile crack with a depth of 2.5xa0km. This tensile crack might inflate prior to the eruption and deflate during the 2014 activity. A two-tensile-crack model was used to explain uplift from 2006 to 2009. The geometry of the shallow crack was assumed to be the same as the sill-like tensile crack. The deep crack was estimated to be 2xa0km in length, 4.5xa0km in width, and 3xa0km in depth. Distinct uplifts began on the volcano flanks in 2006 and were followed by seismic activities and a small phreatic eruption in 2007. From the partially surveyed leveling data in August 2013, uplift might continue until August 2013 without seismic activity in the summit area. Based on the uplift from 2006 to 2013, magma ascended rapidly beneath the summit area in December 2006, and deep and shallow tensile cracks were expanded between 2006 and 2013. The presence of expanded cracks between 2007 and 2013 has not been inferred by previous studies. A phreatic eruption occurred on 27 September 2014, and, following this activity, the shallow crack may have deflated.

Seismicity controlled by resistivity structure: The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, Kyushu Island, Japan

AbstractnThe MJMA 7.3 Kumamoto earthquake that occurred at 1:25 JST on April 16, 2016, not only triggered aftershocks in the vicinity of the epicenter, but also triggered earthquakes that were 50–100xa0km away from the epicenter of the main shock. The active seismicity can be divided into three regions: (1) the vicinity of the main faults, (2) the northern region of Aso volcano (50xa0km northeast of the mainshock epicenter), and (3) the regions around three volcanoes, Yufu, Tsurumi, and Garan (100xa0km northeast of the mainshock epicenter). Notably, the zones between these regions are distinctively seismically inactive. The electric resistivity structure estimated from one-dimensional analysis of the 247 broadband (0.005–3000xa0s) magnetotelluric and telluric observation sites clearly shows that the earthquakes occurred in resistive regions adjacent to conductive zones or resistive-conductive transition zones. In contrast, seismicity is quite low in electrically conductive zones, which are interpreted as regions of connected fluids. We suggest that the series of the earthquakes was induced by a local accumulated stress and/or fluid supply from conductive zones. Because the relationship between the earthquakes and the resistivity structure is consistent with previous studies, seismic hazard assessment generally can be improved by taking into account the resistivity structure. Following on from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake series, we suggest that there are two zones that have a relatively high potential of earthquake generation along the western extension of the MTL.nGraphical abstract.

Low‐velocity zones in the crust beneath Aso caldera, Kyushu, Japan, derived from receiver function analyses

Aso volcano, in central Kyushu Island in southwest Japan, has a large caldera (18u2009×u200925u2009km) that formed by the ejection of more than 600u2009km3 of deposits 89 thousand years ago. We calculated receiver functions from teleseismic waveform data obtained from densely distributed stations in and around the caldera. We estimated the crustal S wave velocity structure from the receiver functions by using genetic algorithm inversion. We detected a low-velocity zone (Vsu2009>u20092.2u2009km/s) at a depth of 8–15u2009km beneath the eastern flank of the central cones. A sill-like deformation source has been detected at a depth of 15.5u2009km by analyses of GPS data, and a swarm of low-frequency earthquakes exists at depths of 15–25u2009km just beneath this low-velocity zone. Magma may be newly generated and accumulated in this low-velocity zone as a result of hot intrusions coming from beneath it. Except for the region beneath the eastern flank of the central cones, a second low-velocity zone (Vsu2009>u20091.9u2009km/s) extends in and around the caldera at a depth of 15–23u2009km, although phenomena representing intrusions have not been detected below it. From the estimated velocity structure, these low-velocity zones are interpreted to contain a maximum of 15% melt or 30% water.

Two-dimensional resistivity structure of Unzen Volcano revealed by AMT and MT surveys

AMT and MT surveys were conducted to investigate at high resolution the spatial resistivity structure of Unzen volcano, with consideration given to understanding its regional dimensionality. Our phase tensor analysis supports the conclusion that the resistivity structure is two-dimensional, with the strike in the E-W direction. Two-dimensional inversions suggest that Unzen volcano is likely to comprise 4 layers: a high resistivity surface (greater than 1000 Ω m), an intermediate second layer (20 to several hundreds of Ωm), a low resistivity third layer (less than 20 Ω m), and a relatively high resistivity basement. We assume the upper-most high resistivity layer consists of undersaturated lava and pyroclastic flow deposits. The second and third layers are likely to be water-saturated and form an aquifer that seems to correlate well with the emergence of groundwater discharge at the surface. In deeper areas beneath the summit, a region with a resistivity of 20–80 Ω m is surrounded by areas of extremely low resistivity (less than 3 Ω m); this structural features in Unzen volcano was first identified in this study, but is typical of the resistivity structure observed in active volcanoes. Interpreting the results of well logs and geodetic studies of Unzen volcano in light of the findings of the present study and the resistivity structure of other active volcanoes, we suggest that Unzen volcano possesses a hydrothermal system of high-temperature fluids beneath its edifice; this hydrothermal system may play a non-negligible role in controlling heat and mass transfer in the magmatic system of Unzen volcano.

Temporal variation in source location of continuous tremors before ash–gas emissions in January 2014 at Aso volcano, Japan

Volcanic tremor is often observed to be associated with an increase in volcanic activity and during periods approaching eruptions. It is therefore of crucial importance to study this phenomenon. The opening of a new vent and subsequent ash–gas emissions was observed in the active crater (Nakadake crater) of Aso volcano, Japan, in January 2014. These events were considered to be associated with phreatomagmatic activity similar to the small events of 2003–2005. During the period from December 2013 to January 2014, a significant variation in the amplitude of continuous seismic tremors was observed corresponding to surficial volcanic activity. We estimated the tremor source locations for this two-month period by a three-dimensional grid search using the tremor amplitude ratio of 5–10 Hz band-pass filtered waveforms. The estimated source locations were distributed in a roughly cylindrical region (100–150 m in diameter) ranging from the ground surface to a depth of 400 m. Migration of the estimated source location was also identified and was associated with changes in volcanic activity. We assumed that the source locations coincided with a conduit system of the volcano, consisting of networks of fractures. This area is likely situated above the crack-like conduit proposed in previous studies. Before the 2014 event, an increase in gas-dominated volcanic fluid first caused an enlargement of the conduit zone, followed by the migration of further magmatic fluid through other pathways, which resulted in a subsequent ash–gas emission. Although we do not have sufficient information to discuss the causal relationship between these processes, it seems reasonable that continuous tremors might change the conduit conditions.