Effect of pravastatin (10 mg/day) on progression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with serum total cholesterol levels from 160 to 220 mg/dl and angiographically documented coronary artery disease. Coronary Artery Regression Study (CARS) Group

To evaluate the effect of pravastatin on progression of coronary atherosclerosis in normocholesterolemic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), 90 patients with CAD and serum cholesterol levels of 160 to 220 mg/dl were randomized into a pravastatin (10 mg/day) group (n = 45) and control group (n = 45) in a 2-year study. The proportions of patients with progression (an increase of > or = 15% in percent stenosis) and regression (a decrease of > or = 15% in percent stenosis) of coronary atherosclerosis were compared between the 2 groups. Of 90 patients, 80 (89%) had a final angiogram: the pravastatin (n = 39) and control group (n = 41). Percent changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apoprotein B levels were significantly greater in the pravastatin group than in the control group (total cholesterol -11 +/- 12% vs 3 +/- 15%, p < 0.01; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol -18 +/- 16% vs 4 +/- 21%, p < 0.01; apoprotein B -5 +/- 20% vs 6 +/- 20%, p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with progression of coronary atherosclerosis was significantly smaller in the pravastatin group than in the control group (21% vs 49%, p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with disease regression did not differ in the 2 groups (3% vs 2%, p = NS). In conclusion, this study indicates that cholesterol-lowering therapy with pravastatin can prevent the progression of coronary atherosclerosis even in normocholesterolemic patients with established CAD.     

Primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland

The morphological similarity of salivary and lacrimal gland tumors is known. Many clinicopathological studies and characteristics of salivary duct carcinoma, which bears histological similarities to mammary duct carcinoma, have been recently reported; however, only one case of lacrimal duct carcinoma is reported. A second case of lacrimal duct carcinoma is presented. A 67-year-old male with a painless mass in the right upper eyelid underwent total removal of the tumor mass. Microscopic examination of the tumor mass revealed ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland, which was the equivalent of salivary duct carcinoma. The immunohistological studies of the lacrimal duct carcinoma showed similar results to those reported for salivary duct carcinoma. The recurrent tumor in the subdural spaces was removed 2 years after the initial surgery and the patient is followed as an outpatient.     

Inferior ST segment depression as a useful marker for identifying proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion during acute anterior myocardial infarction

To determine whether or not ST segment deviation on admission electrocardiograms can identify patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction due to proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion, the magnitude and location of ST segment elevation or depression were compared between patients with proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion (group A, n = 47) and those with distal left anterior descending artery occlusion (group B, n = 59). ST segment depression in each of the inferior leads was significantly greater in group A than in group B. The incidence of ST segment depression > or = 1 mm in each of the inferior leads (II; 81% vs 27%, III; 85% vs 54%, aVF; 87% vs 47%, P < 0.01) was significantly higher in group A than in group B. In addition, the incidence of ST segment depression > or = 1 mm in all of the inferior leads was significantly greater in group A than in group B (77% vs 22%, P < 0.01). In group A, maximal ST segment elevation was more frequent in lead V2 alone (43% vs 14%, P < 0.01). Group A had greater ST segment elevation in lead aVL than group B, and the incidence of ST segment elevation > or = 1 mm in lead aVL was significantly higher in group A than in group B (66% vs 47%, P < 0.05). ST segment depression > or = 1 mm in all of the inferior leads was most valuable for identifying group A patients (77% sensitivity and 78% specificity). In contrast, the maximal ST segment elevation in lead V2 alone or ST segment elevation > or = 1 mm in lead aVL had a low diagnostic value (43% sensitivity and 86% specificity, 66% sensitivity and 53% specificity, respectively). In conclusion, this study indicates that analysis of ST segment deviation in the inferior leads is useful for identifying patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction due to proximal left anterior descending occlusion.     

Synthesis and Phase Stability of Cotunnite-Type Zirconia

The phase boundary between two high-pressure phases (ortho I and ortho II) of ZrO₂ was obtained by synthesis experiments using a 6–8 anvil-type device. The phase boundary was linearly approximated, its slope being +400 K/GPa. The phase with cotunnite (PbCl₂) structure (ortho II) appeared above 15 GPa. A single phase of Y-doped ZrO₂ with the cotunnite structure was also synthesized, but the stabilized tetragonal phase remained unchanged after the treatments at conditions where the ortho I phase forms in pure ZrO₂.     

Effects of Hydrogen and Temperature on the Kinetics of the Fluidized-Bed Nitridation of Silicon

Silicon nitride was produced via direct nitridation of silicon powder, using nitrogen with 10–40 vol% hydrogen, in a fluidized-bed reactor, 55 mm in diameter, operated at temperatures in the range of 1200–1390°C. Hydrogen enhanced the nitridation of silicon toward its completion. The overall conversion of silicon as well as the yield of α-silicon nitride increased with an increase in reaction temperature, while the yield of β-silicon nitride decreased. In nitridation at 1300°C with 40 vol% hydrogen in nitrogen, 99% of silicon was nitrided in 24 h with a yield of α-silicon nitride of about 90% in the product. When the reactor temperature was raised stepwise from 1300° to 1390°C along with the progress of nitridation, 99% of silicon was nitrided in 2.5 h and 85% of the product was α-form.     

混合动力汽车中的电机控制技术

丰田Prius是世界上第一款大规模生产的混合动力乘用车，本文对混合动力汽车特别是Prius作了简要的介绍。文中对Prius中采用的一些电机控制技术，如方波电压调制技术、过调制和使用的电压变换器都一一作了介绍。基于这些技术，Prius的输出功率得到了显著提高。最后，展望了未来汽车发展要求对现有技术的挑战。     

Fibrous hydroxyapatite grown in the gel system: effects of pH of the solution on the growth rate and morphology

In the preparation of fibrous hydroxyapatite (HAp), using the gel system consisting of agar gel containing calcium nitrate and over-layered (NH₄)₂HPO₄ solution, the pH of the solution was found to greatly influence the growth rate and morphology of the resultant products. In particular, a pH value of about 9–10 produced straight fibrous HAp in the shortest time. Also, the Ca/P molar ratio of the product increased with the pH value of the starting solution. The growth rate and morphology of the product were correlated to the ion species present in the solution at different pHs.     

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia syndrome after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Atherosclerosis may represent a significant cause of death and morbidity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Coronary involvement is more premature in lupus patients. We present the case of a young woman diagnosed with SLE at the age of 20 years who had a myocardial infarction at age 29 years. We review the mechanisms of atherosclerosis, the interrelations between atherosclerosis and autoimmunity, and between atherosclerosis and SLE. We also review the risk factors, influence of disease and treatment and the guidelines for management of accelerated atherosclerosis in lupus patients.     

Study on design of micro-stirrer for thrombus dissolution

The cerebral thrombus or blood clot might cause cerebral stroke and even decease if the clot could not be dissolved within several hours after it was formed. This paper presents the fundamental study on design of a micro stirrer for high effective dissolution. Based on the experimental results, the micro stirrer was analyzed by FEM with the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis. The stirring effect was evaluated by the movement of the stirrer and the flow around the stirrer, and the performance index associated with the dissolution performance was presented. Using the performance index, several types of stirrers were evaluated. The obtained results demonstrated that the dissolution performance of the stirrer was influenced by the shape and the volume of the PZT actuator.