Local damage to reinforced concrete structures caused by impact of aircraft engine missiles Part 1. Test program, method and results

Structural damage induced by an aircraft crashing into a reinforced concrete structure includes local damage caused by the deformable engines, and global damage caused by the entire aircraft. Local damage to the target may consist of spalling of concrete from its front face together with missile penetration into it, scabbing of concrete from its rear face, and perforation of missile through it. Until now, local damage to concrete structures has been mainly evaluated by rigid missile impact tests. Past research work regarding local damage caused by impact of deformable missiles has been limited. This paper presents the results of a series of impact tests of small-, intermediate-, and full-scale engine models into reinforced concrete panels. The purpose of the tests was to determine the local damage to a reinforced concrete structure caused by the impact of a deformable aircraft engine.     

Augmented antitumor efficacy of combination chemotherapy of nedaplatin with 5-fluorouracil in in vivo murine and human tumor model

Augmented antitumor activity was demonstrated in combination chemotherapy of Nedaplatin (NDP) or Cisplatin (CDDP) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) against murine lung carcinoma and human squamous carcinoma from head and neck. Either NDP or CDDP (1/4 to 1 maximum tolerated dose; MTD) was injected once and 5-FU (1/16 MTD) was injected daily for five days via tail vein to tumor-implanted mice. The sequential administration of either NDP or CDDP prior to 5-FU (NF or CF therapy) showed severe body weight loss followed by the toxic death of tumor-bearing mice at the MTD of NDP or CDDP. In contrast, the reverse sequence of the treatment, that is, 5-FU prior to NDP or CDDP (FN or FC therapy), resulted in the synergistically enhanced inhibition of tumor growth and the prolonged survival in comparison with NDP, CDDP or 5-FU monotherapy. The antitumor activities of the combinations of CDDP with 5-FU was less than those of the combination of NDP with 5-FU. Especially, at the MTD of NDP in FN therapy, long-term tumor-free survival was frequently observed. Thus, FN therapy was thought to be the most efficient regimen in combination of NDP with 5-FU as a clinical therapy.     

Characterization of haemagglutinin-esterase protein (HE) of murine corona virus DVIM by monoclonal antibodies

We analyzed the characteristics of seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against purified HE (hemagglutinin-esterase) glycoprotein of the murine coronavirus DVIM (diarrhea virus of infant mice). Immunocrossreaction of these mAbs with JHM and/or MHV-S suggest that antigenic epitopes of HE of DVIM are similar to those of JHM and/or MHV-S. Four mAbs (1b4, 3a28, 4c19, 10b7), designated as group A mAbs, strongly inhibited both HA and AE activities. On the other hand, three mAbs (5a3, 6a6, 13a4), referred to as group B, had a comparatively weak HA inhibition activity. These results indicate that the antigenic epitopes of this glycoprotein can be classified into at least two groups and that the functional sites of HA and AE activities are similar but not identical. Neutralizing activity was shown in group A mAbs exclusively, suggesting that the ratio of HA and/or AE activities may play important roles in the cell fusion activity of DVIM-infected cells.     

Outcomes of 50 leukemia patients who received bone marrow transplants from unrelated donors]

In this study, we examined the ability of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) to stimulate the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase homologues p42/44 MAP kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase and its effect upon DNA synthesis in primary cultures of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). TNF strongly stimulated p38 MAP kinase and JNK activity in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner. By contrast, TNF was a very poor activator of p42/44 MAP kinase relative to the known activator of p42/44 MAP kinase in endothelial cells, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). TNF-stimulated activation of p38 MAP kinase, and MAPKAP kinase-2, a known downstream target of p38 MAP kinase, was strongly inhibited by pre-incubation with the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580, whereas the minor activation of p42/44 MAP kinase was abolished by pre-incubation of the cell with the novel MAP kinase kinase 1 inhibitor PD098059. Addition of TNF resulted in a 50-60% decrease in DNA synthesis in BAECs. Pre-incubation with PD098059 or co-incubation with ATP failed to modify the inhibitory effect of TNF upon DNA synthesis. SB203580 reduced basal DNA synthesis by approximately 50%; however, if failed to modify the inhibition mediated by TNF. These results indicate that TNF strongly activates both p38 MAP kinase, JNK and, to a minor extent, p42/p44 MAP kinase. It is likely that only one of these kinases, JNK, plays a role in the regulation of DNA synthesis in these cells.     

Hepatocyte growth factor in glycerol-induced acute renal failure

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) facilitates the regeneration of injured kidney in acute renal failure (ARF). Here we investigated the HGF production in glycerol-induced ARF rats. HGF mRNA expression levels were elevated in liver, spleen, and lung 6-24 h after glycerol injection. Tissue HGF protein levels determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay also increased in liver and spleen, whereas they decreased in the injured kidney 24 h after injection. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the number of HGF-producing cells did not increase in the liver. HGF receptor/c-Met mRNA levels were elevated only in the kidney. These results indicate that HGF supplied in an endocrine manner may play an important role in the regenerating process following ARF.     

Z-dol Versus Z-tetraol: Bonding and Durability in Magnetic Hard Disk Application

A component-level study has revealed that the durability of magnetic hard disks coated with Z-dol improved with increasing level of relative humidity, while the durability of disks coated with Z-tetraol was generally superior and not affected by the humidity within the range investigated (8–80%). It has been shown earlier that water molecules effectively passivate the catalytic centers responsible for the lubricant degradation. The Z-dol molecular chain has a hydroxyl group at each end, while the Z-tetraol molecular chain has two hydroxyl groups at each end. Having surmised that the superior performance of Z-tetraol can be ascribed to its ability to retain water molecules at its multiply hydroxylated ends, the solubility of water in Z-dol, Z-tetraol, and Z-TX were investigated using proton NMR spectroscopy. The study revealed that Z-tetraol is not only able to retain a much larger number of water molecules at its ends, but also is able to form stronger hydrogen bonds. Z-tetraol would then bond more tightly to the carbon overcoat (via hydrogen bonding with the surface hydroxyl groups), and be more resistant against catalytic degradation owing to its affinity to, and retention of water molecules.     

Orthotopic transplantation of a partial hepatic autograft in dogs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability of an orthotopic transplantation of partial hepatic autograft in dogs as a means of surgical training. Male mongrel dogs weighting 10-15 kg were used. The left lobe of the liver was harvested while preserving the left branches of the portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct, and the left hepatic vein. The remnant liver was removed while preserving the inferior vena cava using a veno-venous bypass. Orthotopic transplantation of the autograft was performed while anastomosing the left hepatic vein to the inferior vena cava, portal and arterial reconstruction, and external biliary drainage. Thirteen out of 29 dogs survived more than 48 h after transplantation. However, 6 out of 13 dogs were sacrificed after developing bile peritonitis due to a dislodgement of the biliary catheter, and only two dogs were able to survive for 7 days after transplantation. The arterial ketone body ratio recovered to 1.0 within 1 h after reperfusion, and the ratio of the dogs that survived for more than 48 h remained above 1.0 until sacrifice. Orthotopic transplantation of a partial hepatic autograft is a useful and simple procedure to train surgeons for partial liver transplantation.     

Effect of sodium tauroursodeoxycholate (UR-906) on liver dysfunction in bile duct-ligated rats

We investigated the effect of sodium tauroursodeoxycholate (UR-906) on cholestasis in common bile duct-ligated rats in comparison with the effect of dehydrocholic acid. UR-906 (30-180 mumol/kg) and dehydrocholic acid (180 mumol/kg) were intravenously given once daily for consecutive 20 days in rats and the common bile duct was ligated for the last 10 days. On the next day after the last test drug administration, serum biochemical and plasma hemostatic variables were determined. UR-906 significantly ameliorated the elevation of serum cholesterol, phospholipid, bilirubin and bile acid concentrations in bile duct-ligated rats. UR-906 significantly suppressed the prolongation of plasma prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. Furthermore, UR-906 significantly suppressed the decreases in plasma coagulation factor II and X activities. However, dehydrocholic acid did not cause significant changes in any of the variables examined in this model. These results suggest that UR-906 has a beneficial effect against cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation in rats and that this drug may be useful in the treatment of clinical cholestatic disorders.     

General pharmacological profile of the novel cholecystokinin-A antagonist loxiglumide

The general pharmacological properties of a novel cholecystokinin-A antagonist, loxiglumide ((+/-)-4-(3,4-dichlorobenzamido)-N-(3-methoxypropyl)-N-pentylgl utaramic acid, CR 1505, CAS 107097-80-3) on central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, cardio-respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, hematological and miscellaneous systems were investigated in experimental animals. 1. Central nervous system: At a dose of 30 mg/kg, i.v. loxiglumide showed ptosis in one of 6 mice, but at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg, i.v. no change on gross behavior in mice. Loxiglumide had no effect on locomotor activity and thiopental-induced hypnosis, anti-convulsive activity, analgesic activity in mice and rectal temperature changes in rats. 2. Autonomic nervous system: In vitro, loxiglumide at concentrations of 10(-4) and 3 x 10(-4) mol/l slightly inhibited agonist-induced contractions in the isolated guinea pig ileum and spontaneous rhythmic contractions in the isolated non-pregnant rat uterus. But loxiglumide had no effect on oxytocin-induced contraction in isolated non-pregnant rat uterus. 3. Cardio-respiratory system: Loxiglumide had no effect on heart rate and electrocardiogram in anesthetized dogs. But it slightly increased blood pressure and decreased the frequency of respirations at a dose of 30 mg/kg, i.v. Furthermore, loxiglumide slightly decreased femoral arterial blood flow at doses of more than 3 mg/kg, i.v. On the other hand, it had no effect on contractile force or contraction rate in the isolated guinea pig atrium and resting tension in the isolated rabbit aorta. 4. Gastrointestinal system: Loxiglumide increased bile secretion at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, i.v. in anesthetized rats and at doses of 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, i.v. in anesthetized dogs. However, total bile acid output was not affected by loxiglumide. On the other hand, loxiglumide had no effect on pancreatic secretion, gastric secretion and gastric emptying in rats and intestinal transport activity in mice. 5. Hematology: In vitro, in the case of samples without bovine serum albumin, at concentrations of more than 1.9 x 10(-3) mol/l loxiglumide showed hemolysis, while in the case of samples with bovine serum albumin, at concentrations of more than 6.9 x 10(-3) mol/l loxiglumide showed hemolysis, and its maximal potency was weak compared to albumin-free conditions. On the other hand, in vivo, loxiglumide had no effect on hemolysis. In addition, it had no effect on platelet aggregation, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. 6. Miscellaneous pharmacological actions: Loxiglumide had no effect on local anesthetic activity in guinea pigs and renal function in mice. These results suggest that loxiglumide seems to produce no serious side effects on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, cardio-respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, hematological and miscellaneous systems at pharmacologically effective doses.     

Inhibition of nucleolar function and morphological change by adriamycin associated with heat shock protein 70 accumulation

Adriamycin (ADR) has been considered to target mainly DNA metabolism in the nucleus. Recently, we observed the nuclear translocation of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) after ADR treatment. We examined which intranuclear changes might be related to this alteration of HSP70 localization. We found considerable alternations in the nucleolar morphology and function in ADR-treated tumor cells, i.e., a ring-shaped segregation of granular components of almost all nucleoli and a dramatic reduction of nucleolar 45S ribosomal precursor RNA biosynthesis in HeLa cells exposed to 100 microM ADR for 2 h. Concomitantly with these changes, HSP70 was concentrated into the nucleoli, as in the case of heat shock treatment. These results indicate a novel anticancer effect of ADR via the suppression of cellular protein biosynthesis, in addition to its effect on DNA.