Correlations of leucocyte migration activating factor with interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in drug allergy

The pathogenic mechanism of drug allergy was investigated by determining leucocyte migration activating factor (LMAF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL 1 alpha) and 1 beta (IL-1 beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in 13 patients with suspected hypersensitivity to drugs, following with the relevant agents. LMAF was detected in 10 out of 11 patients in the absence of serum and in 8 out of 9 patients in the presence of serum by means of the leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT). The drug-stimulated group had a significantly higher level of IL-1 alpha production than a non-stimulated group, both without serum (p < 0.05) and with serum (p < 0.05), among patients positive for LMAF. Moreover, the LMAF-positive group had a significantly higher level of IL-1 alpha production than the LMIT-negative group, both without serum (p < 0.05) and with serum (p < 0.05). In contrast, the level of IL-1 beta production showed no significant difference, either without or with serum, between drug-stimulated and non-drug-stimulated patients who were positive for LMAF. The production of TNF-alpha in the LMAF-positive group was significantly greater in drug-stimulated patients than in non-drug-stimulated patients, but only in the presence of serum (p < 0.05). However, the level of TNF-alpha production showed no significant difference, either without or with serum, between the LMAF-positive group and the control group. Our findings suggest that IL-1 alpha may be prominently involved in the production of LMAF in allergic reactions to drugs and that the production of TNF-alpha may be enhanced in the presence of serum.     

Hearing recovery in sudden deafness with profound hearing loss

To more completely describe acromion morphology and its relationship to impingement syndrome, we performed three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (N = 111) or computed tomography (N = 27) on 132 symptomatic shoulders. The mean patient age was 46.2 years (range, 14 to 86). Four parameters were evaluated: the angle of anterior slope of the acromion in the midsagittal and lateral-sagittal planes, lateral acromial angulation in the coronal plane, and the presence or absence of medial encroachment in the acromioclavicular joint. Twenty-five asymptomatic age-matched shoulders were used as controls. All imaging data were combined because no significant differences existed between the two imaging techniques. The mean acromion angle was 19.4 degrees in the midsagittal plane and 20 degrees in the lateral-sagittal plane. In the coronal plane, 97 (73%) acromions were neutral and 35 (27%) were downward sloping. Medial encroachment was present in 31 (24%) shoulders. Age distribution from the 2nd to 8th decade demonstrated a consistent and gradual transition from a flat acromion in the younger decades to a more hooked acromion in the older decades that was significant in both the midsagittal and lateral-sagittal planes. Furthermore, a greater percentage of patients were found to have downward angulating acromions with increasing age. Ninety-eight patients (74%) had stage II or III impingement. Of these shoulders, 39 (40%) had type I acromions, 51 (52%) type II, and 8 (8%) type III. Twenty-eight of 33 acromions with coronal lateral downward sloping had impingement, and all 31 shoulders with medial encroachment had impingement.     

Thermodynamic properties of the BaO-MnO flux system

Although a great number of works on BaO-bearing fluxes for refining Fe-Cr and Fe-Mn alloys have been carried out, there still remain several unresolved problems on using them in the refining process. The principal aim of the present study is to understand the thermodynamic properties of the BaO-MnO system, which has been shown to be very effective for dephosphorization of Fe-Mn alloys. The activity of manganese oxide in the BaO-MnO flux was measured at 1573 and 1673 K by equilibrating the flux, a Ag-Mn alloy, and a gas mixture of CO and CO₂ as functions of the flux composition and temperature. The influence of BaF₂, which is an effective additive for lowering the melting temperature of the flux, on the thermodynamics of the BaO-MnO system, including the solubility of MnO in the BaO-BaF₂ system, was also investigated.     

Operation of power distribution systems by using a section management method

High-voltage power distribution systems are connected in a branch configuration so as to meet the need for highly reliable power service. When service is interrupted the faulty section is automatically isolated and the power supply is rerouted from an adjacent power distribution system thereby minimizing the service interruption area. The faulty section in the power distribution system is quickly located by means of time relays installed in the switchgears. The settings of those time relays, however, must be monitored constantly. For this reason, we have proposed a “section management method” which can supervise each section of the power distribution system. From this method, we developed a prototype automated distribution system for overall management of time relays through the use of internal software, facilities and customer feedback. This paper describes the section management of power distribution systems.     

Measurement and correlation of mutual diffusion coefficients for styrene-butadiene rubber(SBR)-n-nonane systems

The mutual diffusion coefficients for styrene-butadiene rubber(SBR)-n-nonane systems were measured using a sorption apparatus with a quartz spring at 100 and 130°C for mass fractions of n-nonane ranging from 0 to 0.16. The mutual diffusion coefficients were correlated with good agreement by the free-volume theory.     

Automatically Controlled 2-Vessel Pressure-Cooker Test-Equipment

A highly accelerated humidity test for plastic encapsulated IC reliability short-term evaluation has been studied. 2-Vessel pressure cooker test (PCT) equipment capable of controlling relative humidity and temperature independently, and of keeping specimens free from water droplet condensation, has been designed. This equipment consists of a test chamber and a vapor chamber. Humidity conditions are set by controlling the temperature difference between the test chamber and the vapor chamber. Humidity levels are controlled with the direct pressure adjustment. The whole test chamber is heated in an oven, thereby obtaining temperature stability and uniformity. Using this equipment, humidity tests were carried out on plastic molded ICs. As a result, good test reproducibility and excellent correlation in test results between PCT and conventional humidity test such as 85°C/85%RH, were obtained. As a consequence, it was found possible, in a short time, to evaluate plastic molded IC reliability quantitatively in humidity ambients using this 2-vessel PCT equipment. This equipment can be used for quality assurance testing of plastic-encapsulated ICs in a short time.     

Preparation and morphology of as-prepared and highly stretch-aligned polyacetylene

The macroscopic morphology of as-prepared polyacetylene depends on the concentration of the catalyst system. At high catalyst concentration, polymerization occurs on the free surface of the catalyst solution to form a polyacetylene film which retards further polymerization because of the limited diffusion of acetylene monomer through the film. At lower concentrations, however, successive diffusion and polymerization is possible yielding a gelatinous mass. A continuous mass does not form at an extremely low concentration; the product is flock or powder. Despite these differences in macroscopic morphology, electron micrographs show that the fibrillar structure is a common feature of all forms of polyacetylene. However, the average fibril diameter of 200 Å may depend on the polymerization conditions. Orientation of the fibrils by combined mechanical and thermal treatment is possible to produce highly stretch-aligned films which show anisotropic properties.