Volume pulse wave and respiratory diseases

We always record the volume pulse wave and oxygen saturation by using a pulse oximeter. The volume pulse wave fluctuation was induced by respiration; we have used this phenomenon to diagnose or assess respiratory diseases. First, differential diagnosis of sleep disorders, that is, central apnea, obstructive apnea, and respiration in upper airway resistance, by using only a pulse oximeter. Second, we used this phenomenon to evaluate dyspnea. When a big volume pulse wave fluctuation exists, most patients feel dyspnea, if they are awake and alert. Then, we monitored coughs by recording the volume pulse wave. Due to the pleural pressure change induced by the cough, the volume pulse wave reveals a characteristic form. This form changes with the intensity of the cough. Then we can evaluate the frequency and intensity of the cough. For recording the volume pulse wave, the pulse oximeter will be widely applicable in respiratory diseases.     

Increased expression of nucleoside diphosphate kinases/nm23 in human diploid fibroblasts transformed by SV40 large T antigen or 60Co irradiation

YACHIYODA SZ-5000 is a new model of lithotriptor made in Japan, of which the energy source is microexplosion. Compared with the old type of SZ-1, the water bag is substituted for a hot water bath and ultrasonography as well as fluoroscopy can be used for stone localization. Moreover, this new model is extremely small. The first clinical trial of 32 candidates with urinary tract calculi (34 stones) was performed at our hospital between September 1991 and June 1992. They were 10 women and 22 men between 25 and 71 with a mean of 47.3 years. All patients received no anesthesia. The stone location was: R2 for 16 stones, R3 for 5, U1 for 9, U2 for 1, and U3 for 3. The mean size was 14.1 mm. A mean number of 364, 326 and 324 shock waves were given for the R2, 3, U1, and U2, 3 stones, respectively. The second or third sessions were performed on 7 patients. Obvious symptoms and signs observed during the treatment were; local pain in 9 patients, nausea in 3, hypotension and bradycardia in 6, and hypertension in 3. Posttreatment fever up was found in two patients. In 34 stones, the efficiency evaluated 3 months later was 85.0% as determined by kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray and intravenous pyeography. In conclusion, YACHIYODA SZ-5000 is useful and safe in the management of patients with urinary tract stones.     

Neurocutaneous melanosis with intracranial malignant melanoma in an adult: a case report

A 65-year-old female with congenital giant, hairy and pigmented nevus developed sudden onset of headache and consciousness disturbance. CT scan revealed a high density mass in the right temporal subcortical region. The high density area suggested hematoma. A right temporal craniotomy was performed. Hemorrhage was observed in a black colored tumor. Histologically, the tumor was malignant melanoma, while the skin tumor was benign intradermal nevi. This patient was diagnosed as neurocutaneous melanosis. Neurocutaneous melanosis belongs to unusual congenital syndrome, and an adult case is very rare. To our knowledge this is the oldest patient to be reported with this disease.     

Molecular cloning, purification and characterization of two endo-1,4-beta-glucanases from Aspergillus oryzae KBN616

Two endo-1,4-beta-glucanase genes, designated celA and celB, from a shoyu koji mold Aspergillus oryzae KBN616, were cloned and characterized. The celA gene comprised 877 bp with two introns. The CelA protein consisted of 239 amino acids and was assigned to the cellulase family H. The celB gene comprised 1248 bp with no introns. The CelB protein consisted of 416 amino acids and was assigned to the cellulase family C. Both genes were overexpressed under the promoter of the A. oryzae taka-amylase A gene for purification and enzymatic characterization of CelA and CelB. CelA had a molecular mass of 31 kDa, a pH optimum of 5.0 and temperature optimum of 55 degrees C, whereas CelB had a molecular mass of 53 kDa, a pH optimum of 4.0 and temperature optimum of 45 degrees C.     

Aconitine induces bradycardia through a transmission pathway including the anterior hypothalamus in conscious mice

Aconitine administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) produces bradycardia mainly by a central muscarinic action. The involvement of hypothalamic regions in the occurrence of aconitine-induced bradycardia was investigated in hypothalamus-lesioned mice. The lesions were made by passing a direct current (1.5 mA, 13 s) through a monopolar electrode. The aconitine (30 micrograms/kg, i.p.)-induced bradycardia was prevented by bilateral lesions of either the whole hypothalamus, except for the lateral hypothalamus area, or the anterior hypothalamus (AH). The bradycardia was not prevented by bilateral lesions of the ventromedial, the paraventricular, the posterior or the lateral hypothalamus regions. Bupivacaine, but not atropine (1 microgram, administered into the intact AH) prevented aconitine-induced bradycardia in mice with a contralaterally lesioned AH. Aconitine (0.8 microgram) directly administered into the unilateral AH in intact mice caused a late phase and lesser extent of bradycardia. These results suggest that a transmission pathway including the AH contributes to the aconitine-induced bradycardia but does not involve the activation of muscarinic receptors in the AH.     

Manufacturing preparation by use of product model in computer

This paper describes the general concept and the framework of a product model for design and manufacturing preparation. Machining preparation, such as process and operation planning, generation of NC cutter path, and geometrical and physical simulation of the machining operation, made by utilizing information stored in the preceding stages, are implemented at each stage. Finally the use of information is shown in a product model for off-line programming of robots and for geometric and physical simulation of robot operation.     

Unique profile of IL-4 and IFN-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in infants with atopic dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using high vacuum, thermal evaporation to deposit thin films of Ti-6Al-4V onto plates for subsequent cell culture investigations. Osteoblastic response to thin-film coated plates was compared to that of cells grown on Ti alloy disk inserts and uncoated culture plates. The Ti alloy disks were polished, cleaned, and passivated following a commercial protocol for orthopedic implants. Mean surface roughness was 262 nm for the Ti alloy disks and 4.756 nm for the coated culture plates. Osteoblasts isolated from 16-day chick embryo calvariae were cultured on polystyrene, thin films, and disks. At confluence, the cells were cultured an additional 48 h and were evaluated for cell number (DNA content), rate of glycolysis (lactate production), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPase), and collagenous (3H-proline hydroxylation) and noncollagenous protein synthesis. Cell morphology was similar for the controls, disks, and thin-film groups. DNA, lactate, cell layer ALPase, 3H-hydroxyproline, and noncollagenous protein were not different (p > 0.05) among the control, thin-film, and disk groups. Medium ALPase was lower (p < 0.05) in the thin-film group compared to the control group. Although aluminum and vanadium percentages varied from nominal in the thin-film groups (11Al-2V as opposed to 6Al-4V), avian osteoblasts responded similarly to the Ti alloy thin films, disks, and uncoated culture plates for the smooth surfaces tested. The thin-film cell culture system used for elemental material studies appears to offer a promising method for the investigation of cellular response to alloyed biomaterials as well. Proper adjustments in alloy percentages before deposition, however, need to be made if thermal evaporation is utilized.     

Arterial pressure and its regulation in rats bred successively on low sodium diet

To investigate the effects of long-term sodium restriction on mechanisms regulating cardiovascular function, Wistar rats at weaning (F0) were placed on a normal (0.4%) or low (0.05%) sodium diet. The first (F1) and second (F2) generations were derived from inbreeding within each group. The resting mean arterial pressure did not differ between the diet groups of F0 or F1 rats, but it was significantly lower in F2 rats on the low sodium diet. Plasma renin concentration was similar in the two groups in each generation, and the F2 rats on both diets responded to [Sar1, Ala8] angiotensin II with the same degree of decrease in arterial pressure. Plasma norepinephrine was not influenced by sodium intake in the F0 or F1 rats, but was significantly lower in F2 rats on the low sodium diet. The depressor response to hexamethonium was similar in the two F1 groups, while low sodium F2 rats exhibited a lesser response. These results suggest that rats bred successively on a low sodium diet have a suppressed sympathetic nerve function with no enhancement of the renin-angiotensin system, which in turn results in a lower arterial pressure.     

Development of an expert system for estimating fault section incontrol center based on protective system simulation

The authors describe a practical expert system which estimates the fault section in an electric power system by inferring dynamically the protective coordination of the protective relays. The expert system represents the characteristics of protective relays by using numerical figures corresponding to the protection zone and time setting. This method provides high maintainability of the system, and also allows the system to display inference processes in a user friendly manner. The expert system described will be used at three new control centers of Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc., in 1991