Westernized food habits and concentrations of serum lipids in the Japanese

It has recently been reported that there exists a new 'RING-finger' protein family among the zinc-finger (Zf) proteins. Previously, we had isolated the mouse Mel-18 cDNA (mMel-18) encoding the nuclear RING-finger protein that exhibits an ability to bind to a nonspecific DNA column. Here, we have isolated and characterized the human Mel-18 cDNA (hMel-18) using the mMel-18 cDNA as a probe. The deduced hMel-18 protein contains 344 amino acids (38 kDa) with a RING-finger motif, a helix-loop-helix (HLH)-like structure and a Pro/Ser-rich region. The hMel-18 gene is conserved among vertebrates. Its mRNA is highly expressed in placenta, lung and kidney, but the level is low in liver, pancreas and skeletal muscle. Using in situ hybridization, we mapped hMel-18 to band q22 of chromosome 12. It is possible that the Mel-18/bmi-1 gene family represents a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila polycomb gene group.     

The Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult: Measurement of smoking outcome expectancies of experienced smokers.

The original Smoking Consequences Questionnaire (SCQ; T. H. Brandon & T. B. Baker, 1991) measured college students' outcome expectancies for cigarette smoking. A version (SCQ-Adult) was needed for assessing expectancies in more typical, older, nicotine-dependent smokers. Two separate versions of the SCQ were developed and compared. Tests of construct validity provided greater support for the version comprising probability items over the version comprising subjective expected utility items. As expected, principal components analyses revealed a greater number of factors than the original SCQ suggesting that expectancies become more specific with smoking experience. All scales showed good reliability. Over the course of smoking cessation treatment, expectancies became less positive, especially for abstaining participants. Other validity tests also tended to be consistent with research on alcohol expectancies and with contemporary models of drug outcome expectancies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

An analysis of slow phase velocity on congenital nystagmus-asymmetrical responses of optokinetic stimulation

Persistence of the hypoglossal artery is an unusual congenital abnormality of the carotid arterial system, and the simultaneous occurrence of atheromatous disease in the internal carotid artery and persistent hypoglossal artery is even more uncommon. Carotid surgery in this situation is challenging, and the surgeon must be aware of potential inherent pitfalls. A 74-year-old woman with asymptomatic stenosis of both internal carotid and hypoglossal arteries associated with occlusion of the contralateral internal carotid artery underwent successful revascularization. The anatomy of this unusual lesion and the surgical strategies, which included cranial nerve dissection and mandibular subluxation, are reviewed.     

Arthroscopic replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament with a double semitendinosus tendon

At the university hospital of emergency surgery in Innsburck and at the emergency services department of the hospital in Schwaz, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed in 467 patients between January 1992 and September 1993. In 117 cases, a double semitendinous tendon was used as an autograft. A total of 60 of these patients were followed up at an average of 20 months (13-33) after reconstruction. The results were rated according to the OAK and the Tegner scores. Objective measurements of instability were carried out by a KT 1000 arthrometer. In addition, 21 patients underwent computer-interfaced dynamometer testing using a Cybex 6000. Standardized loading of the thigh muscles was performed at angular velocities of 60 degrees/s (3 repetitions) and 240 degrees/s (30 repetitions): peak torques and total work were analyzed. The mean age was 23.5 years (17-55): 48 were male, 21 female. The main reasons for the ACL ruptures were sports injuries (51 cases). The patients were classified into three groups according to the data of the repair (group 1 reconstruction up to 1 week after trauma-28 patients: group 2: reconstruction between the 2nd and 6th week after trauma-15 patients: group 3: reconstruction 6 and more weeks after trauma-26 patients). In group 1. additional ruptures of the menisci. lesions of the MCL. and chondromalacia were seen in 71.4%. in group 2 in 73.3% and in group 3 in 80.8%. The average rating in the OAK score was 90.16 points: 38 patients (55.70%) had excellent results. 18(26.09%) were good. 9(13.04%) were fair and 4(5.80%) were poor. The Tegner activity score showed a reduction of 0.36 points on average. The largest amount of anterior translation was performed with the KT 1000 manual drawer test (2.29 mm on average compared with the contralateral side). Dynamometer testing showed a statistically significant difference in flexor and extensor mechanism (compared with the non-involved side) in both peak torques and total work. A repeat arthroscopy became necessary in five cases: arthrofibrosis in three and incipient joint infection in two cases.     

A new minimum zone method for evaluating flatness errors

A new minimum zone method for flatnes error analyis is proposed in this article. Based on the criteria for the minimum zone solution and strict rules for data exchange, a simple and rapid algorithm, called the control plane rotation scheme, is developed for the flatness analysis of a flat surface. Experimental work was performed, and some examples are given in terms of the minimum zone and least-squares solutions.     

The material properties of sulphonated phenolic resin reinforced cement mortars

The material properties of new sulphonated phenolic resin (SP) reinforced cement mortars have been investigated. SP was found to promote the dispersion of cement particles and to interact with Ca(OH)₂. As a result, the resulting mortars exhibit better workability, more compact structure and higher compressive strength than plain mortars. The mortar with 1 wt% SP present after 28 days curing exhibits a compressive strength of 66MPa, which is about 18% higher than that of plain mortar.     

Transition metal joints for steam generators—An overview

The transition metal joint (TMJ) between an austenitic stainless steel and a chromium-molybdenum (Cr-Mo) ferritic steel used widely in steam generators of power plants has for a long time presented problems relating to premature failures in service. The direct (bimetallic) TMJ presently in use is designed for a service life of about 200,000 h; but such TMJs with iron-base weld metals have been failing in service within about one-third of their design lifetime, while their counterparts with nickel-base weld metals fail within about one-half of their design lifetime. The causes for such premature service failures of these TMJs are discussed in detail, leading to the development of improved TMJs. One of the improved TMJs with a trimetallic configuration of austenitic stainless steel/Alloy 800/Cr-Mo ferritic steel is discussed in detail, covering its development, characterisation and evaluation. Accelerated performance tests in the laboratory have indicated a four-fold improvement in the service life of the TMJ with this trimetallic configuration compared to the bimetallic configuration. The metallurgical details of these studies are also discussed in this paper.