Papers by Author: Yukichi Umakoshi

Abstract: Bone microstructure and its functions are maintained by the activity of bone cells such as osteoclast for bone resorption and osteoblast for bone formation. In this study, we examined the role of osteoclast on the formation of the preferential orientation of biological apatite (BAp) as a bone quality parameter using OPG-KO and op/op mouse models in which the expression of osteoclast increases for osteoporosis and decreases for osteopetrosis. The orientation degree of the BAp c-axis was analyzed by a microbeam X-ray diffraction system. We found more decrease in the preferential alignment of the BAp c-axis along the longitudinal direction of bone in the femoral bones of both OPG-KO and op/op mice at 12 weeks compared with normal control mice. We concluded that changes in the amount and activity of osteoclast affect BAp alignment, resulting in the degradation of bone microstructure in osteoporosis and osteopetrosis.

Abstract: Pinpoint nano-crystallization in Fe-based metallic glass was achieved by 2.0MV electron irradiation. Circular nano-crystalline structure regions with about 1μm in diameter were formed in the metallic glass and they were well dispersed in the amorphous matrix. In Fe77.5Nd4B18.5 alloy, micrometer order hard magnetic nano-composite region was formed in non-magnetic metallic glass matrix by electron irradiation. Electron irradiation induced crystallization is very effective for obtaining superior functional metallic materials with fine magnetic domains.

Abstract: Plastic deformation behavior of Ni3V with D022 structure was examined using the single crystals containing two dominant variants of three. At [557] loading orientation, {111}1/6<112] twinning is dominantly operative at low temperatures, but {111}1/2<112] slip is activated at high temperatures accompanied by a rapid drop of yield stress.

Abstract: The pseudoelastic behavior of Fe3Al single crystals doped with an extra element (e.g. Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Si, Ga, Ge) was investigated. In binary Fe-23.0at.%Al crystals with the D03 structure, 1/4[111] superpartial dislocations moved independently dragging the nearest-neighbor anti-phase boundaries (NNAPB) during loading. During unloading, the NNAPB pulled back the superpartials decreasing its energy resulting in a giant pseudoelasticity of which the recoverable strain is about 5 %. Addition of a third element significantly affected the pseudoelastic behavior of Fe3Al single crystals. Mn- or Ga-doped crystal demonstrated a giant pseudoelasticity. In particular, Ga-doping was found to be effective in the enhancement of the pseudoelasticity. On the other hand, the amount of strain recovery decreased upon doping of the other elements. The frictional stress of the superpartials, the back stress of the NNAPB and ordered domain structure in the crystals changed upon doping, which was closely related to the pseudoelastic behavior.

Abstract: A porous Ti-48.0at.%Al (Ti-rich TiAl) crystal, in which lotus-type long cylindrical pores were aligned and (γ/α2) two-phase lamellar structure was simultaneously developed, was fabricated by floating zone method under the pressure of hydrogen and helium mixed gas. Plastic deformation behavior and microstructure of the Ti-rich TiAl crystal with lotus-type aligned pores were investigated by focusing on the elongated pore direction. The as-grown and annealed crystals show a well-developed lamellar structure and no texture accompanied by 52% porosity and a mean pore diameter of 380 μm. Yield stress strongly depends on the loading direction against the elongated pore. When loading directions are parallel and perpendicular to the pore direction, yield stresses obey K=1 and 2.5, respectively, in equation of σ=σ0(1-p)K, where σ is the yield stress with pores, σ0 is the yield stress without pores and p is porosity. This reflects macroscopically homogeneous and locally heterogeneous plastic deformation between pores, respectively.

Abstract: Bone mechanical function is given as a result of the material and structural parameters of bone tissue. We previously reported that the material parameter of regenerated bone can be evaluated dominantly using two indices of the density and the preferred orientation degree of biological apatite (BAp). In addition, bone morphology remarkably changes during bone regeneration, which may lead to a dynamic change in the mechanical function of whole bone. In this study, therefore, material and structural parameters of regenerated bone are analyzed separately. A 5-mm-long defect was introduced in rabbit ulna and spontaneously regenerated, and then a three-point bending test was conducted at the regenerated portion. The important parameter which dominantly controls the whole bone mechanical function shifts from a structural to material parameter during bone regeneration. Moreover, it was statistically demonstrated that the increase in the material parameter is strongly determined by recovery of the orientation degree of the BAp c-axis.

Abstract: Crystallographic relation between NiAl (β ) grains and Ni3Al (γ ' ) precipitate was examined using Ni-38at%Al bicrystals with an oriented grain boundary. Microstructure and texture in B2 type intermetallic compounds such as NiAl and FeAl were controlled by a thermomechanical process focusing on obtaining highly developed <111> texture and improving ductility.

Abstract: Since preferential orientation of c-axis of biological apatite (BAp) crystallites depends strongly on the shape of hard tissue, closely relating to the in vivo stress distribution, it is a useful parameter to judge the bone quality. In this study, preferential alignment of BAp crystallites in original and regenerated hard tissues were analyzed by the micro-beam X-ray diffractometer (μ-XRD) with a beam spot of 50 or 100 μm in diameter. Regenerating processes of bone defects introduced artificially in the rabbit ulna or skull were healed by inserting a biodegradable gelatin hydrogel incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Recovery of BAp orientation alignment depends strongly on the regenerated portion and period, which is insufficient to recover the original level, while bone mineral density (BMD) is almost improved to the original level. This means that BMD recovers prior to improvement of the BAp orientation and the related mechanical function in the regenerated tissues. Thus, reloading on the regenerated portion caused by BMD restoration is suggested to accelerate to produce the appropriate BAp preferential alignment due to the remodeling process. The BAp orientation was finally concluded to be one of the most important indices to check the regenerative degree and process in the regenerated bone under the tissue engineering technique.

Abstract: Absorption and formation of hard tissues are repeated in vivo by the activity of osteoclast and osteoblast, respectively. The preferential alignment of BAp or collagen fibril is thought to be closely related to the activity of the bone cells. In this study, changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and preferential alignment of biological apatite (BAp) were examined focusing on the role of osteoblast using the model of osteopetrotic (op/op) mice in which osteoblast activity was normal but the expression of osteoclast was reduced. Osteopetrotic (op/op) mice and their normal littermates aged 5, 12 and 24 weeks were analyzed. The BMD and BAp texture of femoral diaphysis were measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and a microbeam X-ray diffractometer system with a 50 µmφ diameter beam spot respectively. The decrease in osteoclast expression induced both the reduction of the skeletal system and calcification of the medullary cavity, which are typical features of osteopetrosis. As a result, the shape, BMD and preferential BAp alignment of the femur in the op/op mice were remarkably different from those in the control group. At the center of the femoral diaphysis, BMD in the cortical area showed no significant difference between the two groups, but preferential alignment of the BAp c-axis in the op/op mice group had a lower value than that in the control group. This suggests that the decrease in the number of osteoclasts suppresses normal remodeling, resulting in a decrease in bone quality, especially the preferential alignment of the BAp c-axis.