Showing papers by "Kyushu University published in 1988"

Acetylcholine releases endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and EDRF from rat blood vessels.

Abstract: 1. The effects of haemoglobin and methylene blue on the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced electrical and mechanical responses of smooth muscle cells were investigated in rat aorta and rat main pulmonary artery. 2. When the endothelium was intact, ACh induced a transient hyperpolarization and sustained relaxation of tissues precontracted with noradrenaline. Both hyperpolarization and relaxation were absent in preparations without endothelium. 3. Haemoglobin and methylene blue inhibited the ACh-induced relaxation, but not the transient hyperpolarization. 4. In aorta with an intact endothelium, ACh produced an increase in both the rate of 86Rb efflux and tissue cyclic GMP levels. The changes in ion flux were unaffected by either haemoglobin or methylene blue in concentrations which almost abolished the increase in cyclic GMP concentrations. 5. In arteries with an intact endothelium, indomethacin had no effect on the ACh-induced electrical and mechanical responses or on the increase in 86Rb efflux and tissue cyclic GMP levels. 6. It is concluded that in the rat aorta and rat main pulmonary artery, ACh releases two different substances, an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and a hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), from the endothelial cells. Neither substance appears to be derived from a pathway dependent on cyclo-oxygenase. EDHF seems to play a minor role in the relaxation of noradrenaline-induced contractions.

Electroluminescence in Organic Films with Three-Layer Structure

Abstract: We have succeeded in the fabrication of a stable organic electroluminescent (EL) device with a three-layer structure; hole transport layer/emitting layer/electron transport layer. The EL device was prepared by vacuum evaporation. Efficient carrier double injection into the emitting layer was realized by the use of separate hole and electron transport layers. Bright EL emission was observed in a darkened room at the dc bias voltage of 50 V. Stable emission lasted for more than five hours at this condition. The emission spectrum could be changed with variation of the organic material for the emitting layer.

Prevalence of Fatty Liver in a General Population of Okinawa, Japan

Abstract: A total of 2, 574 residents in Yaeyama District of Okinawa, Japan, were investigated using real time ultrasonography to determine the real prevalence of fatty liver in the general population and to define its associated factors Overall prevalence of fatty liver was 140% Prevalence of fatty liver in persons under 19 years old was only 12%, and increased with age to a maximum in persons 40-49 years of age and then decreased For persons over 20 years old, obesity index and serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol were measured, and alcohol consumption was asked Prevalence of fatty liver was significantly higher in drinkers than non-drinkers (p <001), and increased with alcohol consumption Furthermore, in persons not suffering from obesity prevalence of fatty liver was significantly higher in drinkers than in non-drinkers (p < 0001) The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that obesity and elevated serum triglyceride level in both sexes, and alcohol in males were significant predictors of fatty liver In conclusion, prevalence of fatty liver increased with age to a maximum in persons 40-49 years of age and overall was 140% Obesity was the strongest associated factor in both sexes and in males alcohol was also a strong factor

Oxygen ion conductivity of the ceria-samarium oxide system with fluorite structure

Abstract: Ionic conduction of oxygen in the ceria-samarium oxide system was investigated as a function of temperature, partial pressure of oxygen and the oxide composition, together with its crystal structure, density and defect structure. The ionic conductivity of (CeO2)1−x(SmO1.5)x was the highest in ZrO2-, ThO2- and CeO2-based oxide systems. The system CeO2-SmO1.5 consisted of the solid solution with a fluorite structure atx<50 at.%. The ionic transference number was nearly unity between 600 and 900°C. With an increase in Sm2O3 content, the ionic conductivity gradually decreased due to a decrease in mobility of oxygen ions. The samarium oxide-doped ceria was less reducible than pure and alkaline earth oxide-doped ceria.

Electronic Interaction between Metal Additives and Tin Dioxide in Tin Dioxide-Based Gas Sensors

Abstract: The electronic interaction of SnO2 with Ag and Pd particles dispersed on its surface was examined by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The binding energies (BE) of Sn3d and O1s of Ag(1.5 wt%)-SnO2 and Pd(3.0 wt%)-SnO2, which were lower by 0.5–0.7 eV than those of pure SnO2 in the as-prepared state, shifted reversibly by reduction and oxidation treatments. These shifts in BE are shown to reflect the shifts of Fermi energy of SnO2 which are interacting electronically with the metal additives. The electronic interaction depended on the metal loading, being strongest at 1.5 wt% and 3.0 wt% loadings of Ag and Pb, respectively. The implication is that the electronic interaction is of primary importance to the inflammable gas detection by Ag-SnO2 sensors.

Electronic Interaction between Metal Additives and Tin Dioxide in Tin Dioxide-Based Gas Sensors : Surfaces, Interfaces and Films

Abstract: The electronic interaction of SnO2 with Ag and Pd particles dispersed on its surface was examined by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The binding energies (BE) of Sn3d and O1s of Ag(1.5 wt%)-SnO2 and Pd(3.0 wt%)-SnO2, which were lower by 0.5–0.7 eV than those of pure SnO2 in the as-prepared state, shifted reversibly by reduction and oxidation treatments. These shifts in BE are shown to reflect the shifts of Fermi energy of SnO2 which are interacting electronically with the metal additives. The electronic interaction depended on the metal loading, being strongest at 1.5 wt% and 3.0 wt% loadings of Ag and Pb, respectively. The implication is that the electronic interaction is of primary importance to the inflammable gas detection by Ag-SnO2 sensors.

High Temperature Fuel Cell with Ceria‐Yttria Solid Electrolyte

Abstract: The solid electrolyte of the system CeO/sub 2/-Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ exhibited high ionic conductivity, as well as almost unity ionic transference number at 600/sup 0/-1000/sup 0/C. High current density and electrical power can be obtained from a (CeO/sub 2/)/sub 0.9/(YO/sub 1.5/)/sub 0.1/ fuel cell at 600/sup 0/-800/sup 0/C. La/sub 0.6/Sr/sub 0.4/CoO/sub 3/ was an excellent cathode as compared with Pt electrode. A thin film of stabilized zirconia coated by RF-sputtering is effective in protecting the anodic surface of ceria-yttria electrolyte from reduction with hydrogen. The open-circuit voltage of the fuel cell approached the theoretical value with this coating treatment.

Highly sensitive peptide‐4‐methylcoumaryl‐7‐amide substrates for blood‐clotting proteases and trypsin

Abstract: Seventy-four peptide amides of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (Mec) of the type Boc-Xaa-Yaa-Arg-NH-Mec were newly synthesized and tested to find specific substrates for blood-clotting proteases and trypsin. The Xaa and Yaa residues of these substrates have been replaced by 12 and 15 different amino acids, respectively. Among these peptides, the followings were found to be most sensitive substrates for individual enzymes: Boc-Asp(OBzl)-Pro-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 160 s-1, Km = 11 microM, kcat/Km = 15,000,000 M-1 s-1) for human alpha-thrombin, Z-less than Glu-Gly-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 19 s-1, Km = 59 microM, kcat/Km = 320,000 M-1 s-1) for bovine factor Xa, Boc-Gln-Gly-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 5.8 s-1, Km = 140 microM, kcat/Km = 42,000) for bovine factor XIIa, Boc-Asp(OBzl)-Ala-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 9.2 s-1, Km = 120 microM, kcat/Km = 77,000 M-1 s-1) for bovine activated protein C, and Boc-Gly-Phe-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 29 s-1, Km = 230 microM, kcat/Km = 130,000 M-1 s-1) for bovine plasma kallikrein. Moreover, Boc-Glu(OBzl)-Ala-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 46 s-1, Km = 370 microM, kcat/Km = 120,000 M-1 s-1) was newly found as a good substrate for human factor XIa. Bovine trypsin effectively hydrolyzed peptide-NH-Mec substrates containing Ala and Pro at the P2 site. The most reactive substrate was Boc-Gln-Ala-Arg-NH-Mec (kcat = 120 s-1, Km = 6.0 microM, kcat/Km = 20,000,000 M-1 s-1).

Polygonal Approximations of a Curve — Formulations and Algorithms

Abstract: A general framework for polygonal approximation problems in various situations is given, and solution algorithms are discussed. The problems are classified according to three criteria: (1) whether the curve is the graph of a piecewise linear function y=f(x) of the independent variable x, or it is a general polygonal curve in the plane, (2) which error criterion is adopted (for a piecewise linear function, we consider only one criterion), (3) whether the objective is to minimize the number of vertices of the approximate curve when an error bound is given, or to minimize the approximation error when the number of vertices of the approximate curve is specified. The problems are first formulated in terms of graph theory, and then computationally efficient algorithms are constructed by taking advantage of fundamental algorithms for convex hulls in computational geometry.

Organic Electroluminescent Device with a Three-Layer Structure

Abstract: An electroluminescent device with a three-layer structure was constructed using an intensely fluorescent material, 12-phthaloperinone derivative, for the emitter material. The cell structure of Mg-electrode/amorphous electron-transport layer/polycrystalline emitting layer/amorphous hole-transport layer/Au-electrode was constructed on a glass substrate. Yellow EL emission was clearly observed in normal room lighting at the dc bias voltage of 60 V. The emission intensity was proportional to the injection current over a wide current range of 10-7 to 10-3 A/cm2. The EL intensity exceeded 1 µW/cm2 at the injection current of 2 mA/cm2.

Open‐state substructure of inwardly rectifying potassium channels revealed by magnesium block in guinea‐pig heart cells.

Abstract: 1 Outward single-channel currents through inwardly rectifying K+ channels of cardiac myocytes were studied in the open cell-attached configuration to clarify the mechanism of the rectification The outward currents, which were not recorded in the cell-attached configuration, appeared after the inner surface of the patch was exposed to low-Mg2+ solution by rupturing a part of the cell membrane 2 The single-channel current-voltage (I-V) relation was linear in the absence of Mg2+ and crossed the voltage axis near the equilibrium potential for K+ (EK) The channel conductance was 22 and 16 pS (15-16 degrees C) at external K+ concentrations of 150 and 40 mM, respectively 3 The channel rapidly closed on stepping the membrane potential of the patch to values more positive than EK Decay of the average current during depolarization was fitted with a single-exponential function The time constant appeared voltage dependent, but also tended to increase slowly with time after opening the cell to the bath solution 4 Mg2+ on the cytoplasmic side blocked the outward currents without affecting the inward currents The half-saturation concentration of the Mg2+ block was 17 microM as examined by measuring the mean patch current at +70 mV 5 In the presence of internal Mg2+ at a micromolar level (2-10 microM), the outward single-channel current fluctuated between four levels including two intermediate levels (sublevels) in addition to the fully open channel current and the zero-current levels The I-V relations of each sublevel were equally spaced with an interval of about 7 pS Corresponding sublevels were found spontaneously in the inward direction 6 Occupancy at each level was estimated from reconstructed traces at various Mg2+ concentrations and voltages, and compared with the value predicted from the binomial theorem At different probabilities for the blocked state, the distribution of the current levels showed reasonable agreement with the binomial theorem These findings suggest that the inwardly rectifying K+ channel of cardiac cells is composed of three identical conducting subunits and each subunit is blocked by Mg2+ independently 7 Dwell times in each substate were distributed exponentially On the assumption of the above model, the blocking (mu) and unblocking (lambda) rates were calculated The value of mu increased with higher Mg2+ concentrations or larger depolarizations, while lambda ranged between 50 and 90 s-1 and seemed independent of Mg2+ 8 Owing to the voltage-dependent block by Mg2+, the average current decayed exponentially on depolarization beyond EK(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Influence of alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and occupational status on idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Abstract: An epidemiologic study compared 112 patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head having no history of systemic corticosteroid use and 168 hospital controls. Patients and controls were matched for gender, age, ethnicity, hospital, and time of initial diagnosis. The role of alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and occupational status was assessed in relation to the development of ON. The relative risk (RR), the measure of association between ON and the risk factors, was statistically adjusted for the potential confounding effects of other factors by the conditional logistic regression model. An elevated risk for regular drinkers (RR = 7.8, p less than 0.001) and a clear dose-response relationship was noted (test for trend; p less than 0.001): the RRs were 3.3, 9.8, and 17.9 for current consumers of less than 400, 400-1000, and greater than or equal to 1000 ml/week of alcohol, respectively. A significantly increased risk was found for current smokers (RR = 3.9; p less than 0.05). However, the cumulative effect of smoking was not evident. No increased risk was found for obesity or for heavy physical work. Regarding causation of ON, this study confirmed the consistent association with excessive alcohol intake and suggested the immediate untoward effects of smoking. The role of heavy physical work as a form of mechanical stress was not correlated with ON.

Nonadiabatic coupled-rearrangement-channel approach to muonic molecules.

Abstract: A new variational approach to muonic molecules is proposed. The total three-body wave function is expanded in terms of basis functions spanned over the three rearrangement channels in the Jacobian coordinate system. Energy levels of the dt\ensuremath{\mu} molecule are calculated with a high accuracy and a short computation time. For the weakly bound state with J=v=1, which is a key to the muon-catalyzed d-t fusion, the calculated energy ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}_{11}$ is better than the literature data. With the use of the most up-to-date, 1986 CODATA--recommended [E. R. Cohen and B. N. Taylor, CODATA Bull. 63 (1986)] values of physical constants, we obtained ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}_{11}$=-0.660 264 eV with 2662 basis functions and ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}_{11}$(\ensuremath{\infty})=-0.66030\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}000 02 eV by extrapolation.

Spontaneous proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes increased in patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy.

Abstract: We found unstimulated (spontaneous) peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation significantly increased in 14 patients with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I-associated myelopathy (HAM) compared with findings in HTLV-I seropositive non-HAM carriers (N = 8) or HTLV-I seronegative controls (N = 16). The proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, or pokeweed mitogen was decreased in the HAM patients. Cell clusters were frequent in cultures of unstimulated PBL from the HAM patients, but much less common in the controls or carriers. This spontaneous PBL proliferation was depressed when adherent-cell populations were depleted from the cultures. IL-2 activity increased in the supernatant of 3-day cultured cells from HAM patients, but not in cultured cells from the controls. Since IL-2 receptor positive cells increased in HAM, this spontaneous PBL proliferation is probably a response to IL-2 through the expression of IL-2 receptors.

Calcium-activated non-selective cation channel in ventricular cells isolated from adult guinea-pig hearts.

Abstract: 1. A class of Ca2+-activated non-selective cation channel was identified in ventricular cells, which were dissociated from adult guinea-pig hearts using collagenase. 2. Under cell-attached conditions the patch electrode filled with a Na+-rich solution recorded no obvious single-channel current at the resting membrane potential. Subsequent superfusion of the ventricular cell with a Na+-free Tyrode solution induced an inward-going single-channel current as well as contracture of the cell. Kinetics of this channel were not affected by varying the membrane potential. 3. Single-channel currents showing a conductance similar to those observed in the cell-attached patches were recorded in isolated inside-out membrane patches when the inner side of the membrane was exposed to a free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) higher than 0.3 microM. The slope conductance of the channel was 14.8 +/- 2.9 pS (mean +/- S.D., n = 17) at 20-25 degrees C. 4. The reversal potential examined in the inside-out patch was about 0 mV irrespective of the Na+-rich, K+-rich, Li+-rich or Cs+-rich solutions on either side of the membrane, thereby indicating that the channel was almost equally permeable to these cations. 5. The open probability of the channel was increased by raising [Ca2+]i with the maximum value of 0.93 +/- 0.17 (n = 4) at about 10 microM [Ca2+]i. The dose-response relation was fitted to the saturation kinetics with a Hill coefficient of 3.0 and a half-maximum concentration of 1.2 microM [Ca2+]i. 6. The gating kinetics were complex; both the open and closed time histograms showed at least two exponential components with time constants of 3.8 +/- 1.3 ms and 140 +/- 110 ms for open time and 1.8 +/- 1.1 ms and 14.9 +/- 5.3 ms for closed time (n = 4) at 10 microM [Ca2+]i. Reduction of [Ca2+]i resulted in both a decrease of the time constant of the slow component in the open time histogram and an increase of the two time constants of the closed time histogram. 7. Contribution of the channel to the whole-cell current was discussed based on an estimation of the channel density, presumably about 0.04 approximately 0.4/microns 2. Maximum activation of the channel would produce 7.2 approximately 72 nS of membrane conductance, which would explain the reported magnitude of the Ca2+-mediated background conductance of the single myocyte. The channel may also contribute, at least in part, to the transient inward current which develops in Ca2+-overloaded cardiac cells.

Hypocholesterolemic action of chitosans with different viscosity in rats

Abstract: The relationship between hypocholesterolemic efficacy and average molecular weight of chitosan was studied in rats fed a cholesterol-enriched (0.5%) diet. Several chitosan preparations with a comparable degree of deacetylation but differing widely in average molecular weight, as demonstrated by viscosity, almost completely prevented the rise of serum cholesterol at the 5% dietary level. At the 2% level, chitosans with viscosities at both extremes exerted a comparable cholesterol-lowering action. The glucosamine oligomer composed mainly of three to five aminosugar residues was not effective. The results indicate that the hypocholesterolemic action of chitosans is independent of their molecular weight within the tested viscosity range.

Tectonics and hydrogeology of the northern Barbados Ridge: Results from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 110

Abstract: Drilling near the deformation front of the northern Barbados Ridge cored an accretionary prism consisting of imbricately thrusted Neogene hemipelagic sediments detached from little-deformed Oligocene to Campanian underthrust deposits by a decollement zone composed of lower Miocene to upper Oligocene, scaly radiolarian claystone. Biostrati-graphically defined age inversions define thrust faults in the accretionary prism that correlate between sites and are apparent on the seismic reflection sections. Two sites located 12 and 17 km west of the deformation front document continuing deformation of the accreted sediments during their uplift. Deformational features include both large- and small-scale folding and continued thrust faulting with the development of stratal disruption, cataclastic shear zones, and the proliferation of scaly fabrics. These features, resembling structures of accretionary complexes exposed on land, have developed in sediments never buried more than 400 m and retaining 40% to 50% porosity. A single oceanic reference site, located 6 km east of the deformation front, shows incipient deformation at the stratigraphic level of the decollement and pore-water chemistry anomalies both at the decollement level and in a subjacent permeable sand interval. Pore-water chemistry data from all sites define two fluid realms: one characterized by methane and chloride anomalies and located within and below the decollement zone and a second marked solely by chloride anomalies and occurring within the accretionary prism. The thermogenic methane in the decollement zone requires fluid transport many tens of kilometers arcward of the deformation front along the shallowly inclined decollement surface, with minimal leakage into the overlying accretionary prism. Chloride anomalies along faults and a permeable sand layer in the underthrust sequence may be caused by membrane filtration or smectite dewatering at depth. Low matrix permeability requires that fluid flow along faults occurs through fracture permeability. Temperature and geochemical data suggest that episodic fluid flow occurs along faults, probably as a result of deformational pumping.

Donor-derived cells in the central nervous system of twitcher mice after bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract: The twitcher mouse is an animal model of galactosylceramidase deficiency, comparable to Krabbe's disease, a lysosomal storage disease in humans. As in most lysosomal storage diseases, neurological deterioration is a prominent feature of the disease in these mice. Transplantation of enzymatically normal congenic bone marrow was earlier found to result in prolonged survival and increased levels of galactosylceramidase in the visceral organs of twitcher mice. It is now reported that bone marrow transplantation results in increased galactosylceramidase levels in the central nervous system (CNS). Concomitantly, the levels of psychosine, a highly toxic lipid that progressively accumulates in the CNS of untreated twitcher mice, stabilized at much lower levels in the CNS of treated twitcher mice. Histologically, a gradual disappearance of globoid cells, the histological hallmark of Krabbe's disease, and the appearance of foamy macrophages capable of metabolizing the storage product were seen in the CNS. By immunohistochemical labeling it was demonstrated that these foamy macrophages were of donor origin. The infiltration of enzymatically competent, donor-derived macrophages was accompanied by extensive remyelination in the CNS. It is concluded that after bone marrow transplantation, donor-derived macrophages infiltrate the affected brain tissue and are capable of inducing a partial reversal of the enzyme deficiency.

Diagnosis and Operative Indications for Polypoid Lesions of the Gallbladder

Abstract: • In 411 patients undergoing cholecystectomy, benign polyps were present in 32 gallbladders and malignant polyps were present in eight. Histologically, cholesterol polyps accounted for most of the benign lesions, and all the malignant lesions were adenocarcinomas. Gallstones coexisted in 50% of the malignant lesions and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed anomalous pancreaticobiliary junctions in three of five patients with malignant lesions. Sixty-nine percent of patients with benign lesions were under 60 years of age, whereas 75% of those with malignant lesions were over 60. Ninety-four percent of the benign lesions were under 1.0 cm in diameter, while 88% of the malignant lesions exceeded this size. Spread and size of the tumor showed a close correlation. Therefore, size of the tumor is a vital indicator in the treatment of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder, and a malignancy should be considered when the tumor exceeds 1.0 cm in diameter. ( Arch Surg 1988;123:26-29)

On the normal form of the symmetric hyperbolic-parabolic systems associated with the conservation laws

Abstract: On considere le probleme aux valeurs initiales pour les systemes non lineaires d'ordre 2: w t +∑ j=1 n f j (w) x j =∑ i,j=1 n {G ij (w) w xj } x i ou G ij (w) sont des matrices m×m. On donne une condition suffisante pour que ce systeme se mette sous une forme normale d'un systeme hyperbolique-parabolique

Lymphadenectomy for cure in patients with early gastric cancer and lymph node metastasis.

Abstract: The anatomic distribution, size, and histologic mode of involvement of 98 metastatic lymph nodes in 49 of 370 patients were examined to determine to what extent lymphadenectomy should be performed in addition to gastrectomy in patients with early gastric cancer. Nodal involvement in the marginal sinus (30 nodes) and partial medullary sinus (37 nodes) were commonly seen, and the lymph nodes of those types were enlarged compared with 1,086 patients with no metastatic lymph nodes (control group). Lymph nodes of the wide medullary sinus (11 nodes), small nodule (3 nodes), and massive involvement types (17 nodes) did not enlarge compared with those of the other types and those of the control group. Most of the metastatic sites (76.6 percent) were in the perigastric lymph nodes along the lesser and greater curvatures, about a fifth were in the extraperigastric nodes along the left gastric, common hepatic, celiac, and splenic arteries, and the least were in the extraperigastric nodes (3.1 percent) along the hepatoduodenal ligament. Since the rate of macroscopic diagnosis during operation was so poor, regardless of the histologic modes of nodal involvement, and also in cases of metastatic lymph nodes less than 15 mm in widest diameter, for curative operation of patients with early gastric cancer, perigastric and extraperigastric lymph nodes along the main arteries near the stomach should be completely dissected, in addition to resection of the stomach.

Autopsy study of incidence and distribution of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Hisayama, Japan.

Abstract: The incidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in a general population was evaluated in brains of 400 consecutive autopsies of residents of Hisayama, Japan (November 1971-October 1983). Six samples taken from frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, hippocampus, and basal ganglia of the same side of each brain were stained with both hematoxylin and eosin and Congo red. The specimens were surveyed microscopically with polarized light for deposition of amyloid in the vascular wall. In 26 cases with brain hemorrhage, the region surrounding the hemorrhagic sites was further examined to study the probable causal relation between cerebral amyloid angiopathy and brain hemorrhage. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy was found in 40 of 218 men (18.3%) and 51 of 182 women (28.0%). The incidence increased with age in both sexes. The frontal lobe was most frequently affected (66 cases), followed by parietal lobe (65), occipital lobe (49), temporal lobe (44), and hippocampus (32); the putamen was never affected. The incidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy did not correlate with blood pressure or with the severity of cerebral atherosclerosis. Among the 26 cases in which there was brain hemorrhage, only one cerebellar hemorrhage, in an 85-year-old man, was attributed to cerebral amyloid angiopathy. This case showed four microaneurysms in vessels, with cerebral amyloid angiopathy surrounding the hemorrhagic site. Thirty similar lesions were observed in eight cases without brain hemorrhage. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy may play an etiologic role in the development of brain hemorrhage through formation of angionecrosis and microaneurysm.

Diagnosis and operative indications for polypoid lesions of the gallbladder

Abstract: Sur 411 malades soumis a la cholecystectomie, 32 presentent des polypes benins et 8 des polypes malins (epitheliomas glandulaires). Coexistence de lithiase dans 50% des cas. Les polypes malins sont plus volumineux que les polypes benins. Une lesion maligne doit etre soupconnee chaque fois qu'un polype depasse 1 cm de diametre

Fluidization state of ultrafine powders

Abstract: The fluidity of submicron powders was studied in a small-scale transparent column. Powders of Ni, Si3N4, SiC, Al2O3 and TiO2 were smoothly fluidized when gas velocity exceeded the apparent minimum fluidization velocity. The electrical conductivity of the particles did not affect the fluidizing quality in the range of the present experiments. All the tested submicron particles formed agglomerates during fluidization. The agglomerate size and the apparent minimum fluidization velocity were dependent on species of particles and fluidizing gas. The equilibrium size of agglomerates calculated from the apparent minimum fluidization velocity and the sedimentation velocity was in the range of 70-700 μm. However, the agglomerates of CaCO3 and ZrO2 were very cohesive and could not be evaluated. The primary particle size was not a proper measure for the classification of fine particles.