On the texture of γFe2O3particles in magnetically and mechanically oriented magnetic tape

The degree of preferred orientation in magnetic recording tape was investigated by an X-ray pole figure technique and by measuring magnetic properties. Acicular γFe2O3particles dispersed in PVA film were oriented by mechanical stretching and magnetic orientation. The pole figures of these samples indicated the texture with [110] to the orientating direction. The degree of orientation in stretched film was much higher than in magnetically oriented film. Further, it was observed that the particles tend to align uniaxially in mechanical orientation, and biaxially in magnetic orientation.     

New steroidal constituents from the bulbs of Lilium candidum

Eight spirostanol saponins, including four new compounds, and two known furostanol saponins were isolated from the fresh bulbs of Lilium candidum. The structures of new compounds were determined to be (25R,26R)-26-methoxyspirost-5-ene-3 beta,17 alpha-diol 3-O-?O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)] -beta-D-glucopyranoside?, (25R,26R)-26-methoxyspirost-5-ene-3 beta,17 alpha-diol 3-O-?O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[6-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranos yl- (1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside?, (25R,26R)-26-methoxyspirost-5-ene-3 beta,17 alpha-diol 3-O-?O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside? and (25S)-spirost-5-ene-3 beta,27-diol 3-O-?O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O - [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside?, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including two-dimensional NMR techniques, and the result of hydrolysis. The inhibitory activity of the isolated saponins on Na+/K+ ATPase was evaluated.     

Phenotypical heterogeneity of CD4+CD8+ double-positive chronic T lymphoid leukemia

BACKGROUND: One of the most controversial areas in patient selection and donor allocation is the high-risk patient. Risk factors for mortality and major infectious morbidity were prospectively analyzed in consecutive United States veterans undergoing liver transplantation under primary tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. METHODS: Twenty-eight pre-liver transplant, operative, and posttransplant risk factors were examined univariately and multivariately in 140 consecutive liver transplants in 130 veterans (98% male; mean age, 47.3 years). RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of the patients had postnecrotic cirrhosis due to viral hepatitis or ethanol (20% ethanol alone), and only 12% had cholestatic liver disease. Ninety-eight percent of the patients were hospitalized at the time of transplantation (66% United Network for Organ Sharing [UNOS] 2, 32% UNOS 1). Major bacterial infection, posttransplant dialysis, additional immunosuppression, readmission to intensive care unit (P=0.0001 for all), major fungal infection, posttransplant abdominal surgery, posttransplant intensive care unit stay length of stay (P<0.005 for all), donor age, pretransplant dialysis, and creatinine (P<0.05 for all) were significantly associated with mortality by univariate analysis. Underlying liver disease, cytomegalovirus infection and disease, portal vein thrombosis, UNOS status, Childs-Pugh score, patient age, pretransplant bilirubin, ischemia time, and operative blood loss were not significant predictors of mortality. Patients with hepatitis C (HCV) and recurrent HCV had a trend towards higher mortality (P=0.18). By multivariate analysis, donor age, any major infection, additional immunosuppression, posttransplant dialysis, and subsequent transplantation were significant independent predictors of mortality (P<0.05). Major infectious morbidity was associated with HCV recurrence (P=0.003), posttransplant dialysis (P=0.0001), pretransplant creatinine, donor age, median blood loss, intensive care unit length of stay, additional immunosuppression, and biopsy-proven rejection (P<0.05 for all). By multivariate analysis, intensive care unit length of stay and additional immunosuppression were significant independent predictors of infectious morbidity (P<0.03). HCV recurrence was of borderline significance (P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Biologic and physiologic parameters appear to be more powerful predictors of mortality and morbidity after liver transplantation. Both donor and recipient variables need to be considered for early and late outcome analysis and risk assessment modeling.     

Dermatological study on dark eye circles and their treatment with newly developed cosmetics

Repeated exposure to UV radiation can induce cutaneous damage leading to permanent structural degeneration of the dermal extracellular matrix and formation of visible wrinkles. It is not so easy to efface severely UV-damaged skin, because the degenerated abnormal structure of that skin is usually fixed by tight cross-linkings. So, we think that one of the important approaches to the anti-wrinkle skin care is the treatment of photodamaged skin in the early stage. However, it is difficult for most cosmetic users to perceive their dermal UV damage. In the present study, we investigated the possibilities of two non-invasive measurements of skin mechanical properties as convenient biomarkers of degeneration of the extracellular matrix. The condition of the three-dimensional structures of dermal collagen fibres, which depends on the degree of UV damage, correlated with a mechanical parameter measured by the Resiliometer we developed. Accumulation of denatured elastic fibres (elastosis) induced by photoaging correlated with certain mechanical parameters measured by the Cutometer. These findings suggest that dermal structural changes associated with photoaging can be assessed non-invasively using these devices.     

Surface characteristics and staining of experimental visible light-cured unfilled resins

This experiment was designed to study the internal colour change of five experimental visible light-cured (VLC) resins and to deduce the relationship between staining and the physicochemical properties of the resins and a glass. The staining of the materials was measured colorimetrically, with immersion in two types of staining solution (Oil Orange or Food Red 3) for 70 days at 37°C. The water sorption, contact angle and zeta-potential of these samples were also measured. With the Oil Orange dye a positive relationship was observed only between staining and the contact angles, whereas with Food Red 3 dye a positive relationship was observed between staining and the zeta-potential and between staining and the water sorption. The results could allow a comparison of the relative contributions to staining made by physicochemical forces for the samples tested.     

Use of the Reflection of Near‐Infrared Light for the Nondestructive Examination of Blood Flow and Other Applications

Abstract

Reflection of near‐infrared light is measured by commercial equipment. We found that samples in motion and at rest show differences in the intensity of reflection of a laser beam. This may suggest the possibility of its use to detect organ necrosis in vivo. In addition, we find the possibility of the use of this reflection of the near‐infrared light for the non‐destructive inspection of internal changes in perishables, e.g., their degree of ripeness.