Since the discovery of a red-colored saline solution of a heme derivative that reversibly binds and releases O₂ (1983), significant efforts have been made to realize an O₂ infusion as a red cell substitute based on the sciences of both molecular assembling phenomena and macromolecular metal complexes. We have specified that hemoglobin (Hb)-vesicles (HbV) and recombinant human serum albumin -hemes (rHSAhemes) would be the best systems that meet the clinical requirements. The HbV encapsulates ultrapure conc. Hb solution, that is free of any infectious elements, with a phospholipid bimolecular membrane (diameter, 250 nm∅), and its solution properties can be adjusted comparable with blood. Surface modification of HbV with a water-soluble polymer ensures stable dispersion state and storage over a year at 20°C. In vivo tests have clarified the efficacy for extreme hemodilution and resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock, and safety in terms of biodistribution, metabolism in RES, clinical chemistry, blood coagulation, etc.. The HbV does not induce vasoconstriction thus maintains blood flow and tissue oxygenation. The rHSAheme is a totally synthetic O₂ carrier that incorporates 8 heme derivatives (axial base substituted hemes) as O₂ binding sites in the hydrophobic pockets of rHSA, which is now manufactured in Japan as a plasma-expander. Hb binds endothelium-derived relaxation factor, NO, and induces vasoconstriction. The rHSA-heme binds NO as Hb does, however, it does not induce vasoconstriction due to its low pI (4.8) and the resulting low permeability across the vascular wall (1/100 of Hb). A 5%-albumin solution possesses a physiologic oncotic pressure. Therefore, to increase the O₂-transporting capacity, albumin dimer is effective. Albumin dimer can incorporate totally 16 hemes with a regulated oncotic pressure. The rHSA-heme is effective not only as a red cell substitute but also for O₂ therapeutics (e.g., oxygenation for tumor). Significant efforts have been made to produce HbV and rHSA-hemes with a facility of GMP standard, and to start preclinical and finally clinical trials.

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Living cells contain a whole set of intracellular information networks, including signal transduction pathways that control gene expression, intracellular ion influxes and cellular excitability. Stimulations by extracellular molecular messenger or physical stimuli activates these intracellular information networks, modulate physical functions. According to the special characteristics cells could be used as a part of a biological information network within biodevices. Recently, the studies about bioelectronic access to such biological informations as cellular and biomolecular signals were accelerated. This paper describes new concepts of electrochemical methods using cell-based biodevices.

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In this paper, we aim to construct a system that measures older people's sensory, motor and cognitive functions related to spatial localization. We constructed an experimental system that could measure hand pointing movements to a light spot that was displayed for 200ms. Experiment data show that older people frequently lose sight of a target presented at 80 degrees. This result suggests that the risk of traffic accident increases because of an oversight when older people go across a road. The experimental data show that significant differences between the older and young groups appeared in the localization angle. The average angle that older subjects pointed at was greater than the average angle of younger subjects. In order to analyze individual differences among the older subjects, we defined an evaluation scale, ‘IEO, ’ from each subject's localization angle. The ‘TEO’ score and ADL (Activities of Daily Living) questionnaire score were highly correlated (0.95).

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Surface recovery of germanium substrate for infrared spectroscopic studies of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films has been investigated by infrared multiple-angle incidence resolution spectroscopy (MAIRS). A Gesubstrate is, in general, repeatedly used for fabrication of LB films for infrared spectroscopic studies. For the recycling process, the substrate covered by LB films is washed by sonication in organic solvents and pure water. This cleaning generally works well for ordinary analytical use, especially for thick samples, such as polymer and liquid materials. Nonetheless, in the present study, the cleaning by sonication only has been found to be inappropriate for the measurements of monolayer-level samples. The infrared MAIRS analysis has revealed that the 5-monolayer cadmium stearate LB film deposited on a fresh Ge substrate has a molecular tilt angle of ca. 13° from the surface normal, while that deposited on a recycled substrate by sonication has an angle of ca. 30°. Infrared MAIRS analysis has experimentally proved that the ideal recovery of the Ge surface can be achieved by cleaning the substrate with chemical rinse with the use of acid solution.

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In the pulsed high magnetic field, electromagnetic force is acted on the metallic materials with high electrical conductivity. Using this principle, the evaluation system of strength for materials in the high magnetic fields was developed and tested. Cu and Al-6063 pipes are used in this study. Water-cooled bitter-type pulse magnet is used. Time constant of pulse field is 2.6ms. The pipes are crushed above 10 T, which indicates huge electromagnetic force is acted. From the experimental results, we estimated the electromagnetic force. Obtained centrifugal stress directed to the central axis is quantitatively the same as yield point.

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