Air pollution and airborne infection with mycobacterial bioaerosols: a potential attribution of soot

Atmospheric pollutants are hypothesized to enhance the viability of airborne microbes by preventing them from degradation processes, thereby enhancing their atmospheric survival. In this study, Mycobacterium smegmatis is used as a model airborne bacteria, and different amounts of soot particles are employed as model air pollutants. The toxic effects of soot on aerosolized M. smegmatis are first evaluated and excluded by introducing them separately into a chamber, being sampled on a filter, and then cultured and counted. Secondly, the bacteria-soot mixture is exposed to UV with different durations and then cultured for bacterial viability evaluations. The results show that under UV exposure, the survival rates of the low-, medium-, and high-soot groups are 1.1 (±0.8) %, 70.9 (±4.3) %, and 61.0 (±17.6) %, respectively. This evidence significantly enhanced survival rates by soot at all UV exposures, though the combinations of UV exposure and soot amounts revealed a changing pattern of survival rates. The possible influence by direct and indirect effects of UV-damaging mechanisms is proposed. This study indicates the soot-induced survival rate enhancements of M. smegmatis under UV stress conditions, representing the possible relations between air pollution and the extended pathogenic viability and, therefore, increased airborne infection probability.

Crystal structure of alkaline cellulase K: insight into the alkaline adaptation of an industrial enzyme

The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of alkaline cellulase K was determined at 1.9 A resolution. Because of the most alkaliphilic nature and it's highest activity at pH 9.5, it is used commercially in laundry detergents. An analysis of the structural bases of the alkaliphilic character of the enzyme suggested a mechanism similar to that previously proposed for alkaline proteases, that is, an increase in the number of Arg, His, and Gln residues, and a decrease in Asp and Lys residues. Some ion pairs were formed by the gained Arg residues, which is similar to what has been found in the alkaline proteases. Lys-Asp ion pairs are disfavored and partly replaced with Arg-Asp ion pairs. The alkaline adaptation appeared to be a remodeling of ion pairs so that the charge balance is kept in the high pH range.

Pharmacological advantages of conjugation of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase with succinylated keratin fragment: improvement of biological properties and resistance to oxidative damage

To improve the in vivo pharmacological potential of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), human recombinant Cu,Zn-SOD was conjugated with succinylated keratin fragment (Suc-ker). Suc-ker-conjugated Cu,Zn-SOD (Suc-ker-SOD) was formed by attachment of about 3.7 mol of Suc-ker to 1 mol of Cu,Zn-SOD and exhibited an apparent mean molecular weight of 107 kDa. Suc-ker-SOD exhibited 74.1% SOD activity on a molar basis. When Suc-ker-SOD was administered i.v. into mice, its plasma half-life was prolonged to 20.5 min compared with 4.7 min for native SOD. After i.v. administration of 51Cr-labeled proteins into mice, native SOD was excreted rapidly into urine and no significant accumulation was observed in organs other than the kidneys. On the other had, Suc-ker-SOD was taken up rapidly by the liver. Furthermore, Suc-ker-SOD exhibited much lower immunogenicity and much better therapeutic effects than native and poly(styrene-co-maleic acid)-conjugated SOD against paraquat toxicity in mice. Moreover, the inactivation rate of Suc-ker-SOD by H2O2 was less than those of native SOD and polyethylene glycol-conjugated SOD. The effect of H2O2 on liganded Cu++ in the active site of Suc-ker-SOD was much less than those of other SOD derivatives. These results indicate that Suc-ker-SOD has advantages over the other SOD derivatives tested.

The physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of fragmented keratin as a new drug carrier

Two types of fragmented keratin were prepared from buffalo horn and hoof using savinase and Na2S, and their physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties were examined in mice. The number-average molecular weight of enzymatically fragmented keratin (E-FK), chemically fragmented keratin (C-FK), and fragmented gelatin (FG) were 8000, 33,000, and 6600, respectively. The systematic acute toxicity of FKs was significantly low. Moreover, the immunogenicity of FKs was significantly lower than that of superoxide dismutase. FKs and FG were partially hydrolyzed by trypsin. FKs were digested easily by alpha-chymotrypsin, but FG underwent less hydrolysis under the same conditions. FKs were bound to plasma proteins, including albumin, and also to some proteins in liver and kidney homogenates. In plasma, E-FK was hydrolyzed slowly, but in liver and kidney homogenates it showed slightly faster hydrolysis. In contrast, FG was not hydrolyzed in any of the media used here. After intravenous administration of FKs and FG to mice, these molecules were rapidly eliminated from the plasma. E-FK and C-FK were taken up into the kidneys (CLuptake, kidney; 10,400, 11,600 microliters/h/g), and then gradually excreted in urine. FG was excreted rapidly into urine (CLurine; 6360 microliters/h). Interestingly, C-FK was also taken up into the liver (CLliver; 4820 microliters/h). These results indicated that fragmented keratins are biodegradable materials and might be used as new types of liver- and kidney-specific targeting carriers.

[Perioperative management of patients with Meigs syndrome]

We report our perioperative management of three cases of Meigs syndrome. The major pre-operative problems in Meigs syndrome are physical trouble caused by giant mass in peritoneal space, respiratory distress, and poor nutrition. These problems must be settled before the operation. The important points in the pre-operative management are 1) respiratory care employing the intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) and the pleural effusion drainage, and 2) the correction of intravascular volume and the concentration of albumin and hemoglobin by transfusion of massive lactated Ringer solution and albumin solution and/or whole blood when they are necessary. During the operation, the epidural anesthesia under spontaneous breathing is the best method of anesthesia. According to circumstances, we adopt the intra-tracheal intubation with continuous positive airway pressure breathing (CPAP). We can generally deal with excessive bleeding by transfusion of lactated Ringer solution and plasma expander, during the first half of operation. By the end of the operation, however, the correction of the concentration of albumin and hemoglobin must be made by the fresh frozen plasma and blood transfusion. After the operation, we use epidural analgesia to control the postoperative pain. We have succeeded in the treatment of three cases of Meigs syndrome owing to our perioperative management as described above.

[The effectiveness of cervical epidural block for the treatment of status asthmaticus]

Epidural anesthesia is currently used for the operation of patients who have bronchial asthma. We have ascertained the effectiveness of cervical epidural block for the treatment of status asthmaticus even in the ICU. The present patient had repeated history of severe asthma and was no longer expected to respond to the routine therapy. After we failed to wean him from the ventilator several times, we performed cervical epidural block on him. His condition improved dramatically after the block and he was easily weaned from the ventilator. The three notable improvements are (1) no use of sedatives, (2) normalized arterial blood pH with decrease in expiratory resistance and (3) stabilization of circulation. Sympathetic nervous system is excited in patients with asthmatic attack. As a result, high concentrations of catecholamines deteriorate general condition of patients. On the other hand, cervical epidural block seems to be effective to prevent hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Our result suggests that alpha-adrenergic effect of epinephrine which is given as a routine therapeutic drug, will very likely worsen asthmatic attack.

Multiple xanthogranulomas in an adult

Xanthogranulomas develop in adults as well as in children; however, adult cases with multiple lesions are very rare. We report an adult who developed both multiple cutaneous lesions on the face and trunk and lesions on the conjunctiva, oral mucosa and genitalia. We believe that this is the first such case described.

Low-loss in-line microfilter fabricated by precision trench machining

A machining technique has been developed that enables a narrow, smooth damage-free walled trench to be cut into an optical fiber engraved in a silica substrate by using a fine silica powder effect. This technique allows a very low insertion loss (0.21 dB) in-line microfilter to be made by inserting a thin filter plate into a trench cut into an optical fiber already fixed to a substrate.

Fiber optic Fourier transform spectrometer with a coherent interferogram averaging scheme

A fiber optic Fourier transform spectrometer capable of coherent interferogram averaging is constructed, for the first time to our knowledge. One fiber arm of the interferometer is periodically stretched, and the amplitudes of the fundamental and second harmonics of the modulation frequency in the photocurrent output are simultaneously detected. Successful operation results from the generation of an external clock for sampling the interferogram from the detected outputs varying in phase quadrature. Even when the moving mirror in the interferometer translates nonlinearly and two fiber arms receive random perturbations independently, sampling can be uniformly performed along the interferogram. From the experiments, variation of sampling start position on each interferogram was limited within 100 nm during one hundred repetitive scans. For 100 coherent averages, therefore, the SNR increased by ~10 without deformation.

Contribution of prostacyclin to D-tubocurarine-induced hypotension in humans

In order to evaluate the role of prostacyclin in d-tubocurarine-induced hypotension in human, the authors examined the relationship of changes of arterial blood pressure and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level following iv administration of d-tubocurarine (dTc), with or without prior administration of aspirin and H1 antagonist. The bolus injection of dTc 0.6 mg/kg caused a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) that was associated with a significant increase in plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (P less than 0.05 in both). The maximum MAP decrease and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha increase were noted at 2 min after dTc administration. Pretreatment with aspirin DL-lysine (25 mg/kg) or diphenhydramine (1 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the responses of MAP (P less than 0.05 in both) and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level (P less than 0.01 for aspirin group, P less than 0.05 for diphenhydramine group). There was a significant correlation between the changes in plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and those in MAP (Kendall tau (tau) = -0.504, P less than 0.01). These findings suggest that a bolus injection of dTc induces a release of prostacyclin through H1 receptor, which is responsible for the dTc-induced transient decrease of blood pressure in humans.

Development of a trench depth measurement system for VLSI dynamic random access memory vertical capacitor cells using an interferometric technique with a Michelson interferometer

A practical trench depth measurement system for VLSI dynamic random access memory vertical capacitor cells has been developed with a Michelson interferometer. The system is composed of an optical head, a Michelson interferometer, and a host computer. A He-Ne laser is used to monitor a prism displacement in the interferometer and to perform the coherent averaging of interferograms. It is found that the accuracy of the measured values with the system is within +/-0.1microm in the 2-5-,microm depth range. Both trench depth and reflection coefficient distributions of test wafer trenches are demonstrated by the system.

Scanning acousto optic filter for measuring VLSI dynamic random access memory vertical capacitor cells

A new trench depth measurement system for VLSI dynamic random access memory vertical capacitor cells is presented. The proposed system is characterized by two features: (1) use of a TeO(2) acoustooptic tunable filter and (2) symmetric setup of the test and reference wafers. The former feature leads to high speed signal averaging and to stable performance without mechanical noise. With the symmetrical setup configuration, noise due to light power fluctuation can be effectively minimized by simultaneously detecting two light beams, one reflected from the test wafer and the other from the reference wafer without trenches. As a result, the proposed system is found to be entirely promising for a trench depth monitoring system used in the in-line process, where ultimately high trench depth detection sensitivity is required.

Characterization of silica-based waveguides with an interferometric optical time-domain reflectometry system using a 1.3-microm-wavelength superluminescent diode

Backscattering of silica-based glass waveguides is characterized for the first time to our knowledge by using an interferometric optical time-domain reflectometry system. High spatial resolution, as short as 15 microm, is obtained by using a newly developed 1.3-microm-wavelength superluminescent diode. Scattering centers produced by waveguide irregularities are clearly observed in glass optical waveguides. Waveguide loss and bend loss in the curved regions are estimated from the backscattered light intensity distribution.

Continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine for cancer pain control

The continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine, a new approach to the relief of severe cancer pain, has been carried out using a portable infusion pump. The efficacy of this method was examined in 30 patients by visual analogue scale. An infusion rate of 4 micrograms/kg/day following intramuscular administration of 0.004 micrograms/kg gave satisfactory pain relief without serious complications. The minimum effective blood concentration was not detectable by high-performance liquid chromatography. Advantages of this therapy are its simplicity, applicability in many types of cancer, multiple sites of administration, and easier training on the part of health personnel.

Low excess loss conditions of polarization-maintaining fiber couplers

Loss characteristics and field intensity distributions of fused polarization-maintaining fiber couplers are measured. From the results, it is shown that excess loss spectra have a sinusoidal response. Further, the loss peaks of the usual polarization-maintaining and absorption-reducing (PANDA) fiber couplers with indexdepressed stress applying parts are larger than those of PANDA couplers with index-matched stress applying parts. It is also confirmed that low excess loss of <0.1 dB can be obtained for a large waist diameter of the fused region even in conventional PANDA fiber couplers.

Effect of continuously warmed irrigating solution during transurethral resection

The effects of a continuously warmed irrigating solution on body temperature during transurethral resection of the prostate and of bladder tumours were studied in forty patients. Anaesthesia was spinal and deep body temperatures of the forehead and lower abdomen were measured, using a deep body thermometry system. Both forehead and lower abdominal deep body temperatures decreased significantly in the patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate with an irrigating solution at operating room temperature, but did not decrease in the patients who received a continuously warmed irrigating solution. The same results were obtained for the patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour. Our results indicate that a continuously warmed irrigating solution could prevent the fall in body temperature during transurethral resection, especially prostate resection, under spinal anaesthesia.

Precise method for angular alignment of birefringent fibers based on an interferometric technique with a broadband source

A new method for precisely aligning the principal axes between two birefringent fibers is presented using a Michelson interferometer and a broadband source. Angular alignment can be accomplished by measuring the interference peak value corresponding to the rotation angle between the principal axes of the birefringent fibers. Angular alignment accuracy is limited by the mode coupling produced near the connection with reduced dependence on the fiber crosstalk. Following the experiment, minimum angular misalignment was +/-0.086 degrees , which corresponds to -56-dB crosstalk at the connection.

New measurement system for fault location in optical waveguide devices based on an interferometric technique

A new measurement system for fault location in optical waveguide devices is presented. The system consists of a fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder and a bulk-type Michelson interferometers. The spatial resolution of the scatter distribution is <380 microm, which is limited by the averaging time. The minimum detectable backscattered power is -116 dB relative to the light power propagating in the waveguides. Preliminary experimental results using single-mode fibers <10 cm long are demonstrated.

Acetaldehyde syndrome after celiac plexus alcohol block

In the course of celiac plexus alcohol block, facial flushing, palpitations, and hypotension are occasionally incurred in some patients. We hypothesized that the phenomenon represents acetaldehyde syndrome, not response to increased blood levels of ethanol as might be supposed. In order to prove our hypothesis, we selected five patients scheduled to undergo celiac plexus alcohol block, and, with their consent, we measured blood concentration of ethanol and acetaldehyde before and for 6 hr after the block. We also determined the phenotypes of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in their hair roots. We found that "flushers" are found exclusively among subjects without ALDH I, and that their blood levels of acetaldehyde were significantly higher than those of "non-flushers" within 10 min after the block. The flushers also gave histories of facial flushing after ingestion of small amounts of ethanol. On the basis of such histories one can anticipate whether acetaldehyde syndrome is likely or unlikely to accompany the block.

Method for measuring the trench depth of a very-large-scale-integration dynamic random-access memory capacitor based on a Michelson interferometer

A simple method is proposed to measure precisely the trench depth of very-large-scale-integration, dynamic random-access memory capacitor cells., The measurement system is based on a Michelson interferometer using a silicon wafer with trenches as one of the two reflecting mirrors. Measurements of the trench depth can be made within 0.2-microm error.

Measurement of spatial distribution of mode coupling in birefringent polarization-maintaining fiber with new detection scheme

We present a new detection scheme for measuring the spatial distribution of mode coupling in birefringent, polarization-maintaining fibers. The new method canl improve the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 100 compared with the previously reported heterodyne-detection scheme. As a result, origin of the mode coupling in a low-cross-talk, birefringent fiber is clarified.

[Treatment of cancer pain by continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine]

The efficacy of continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine for the treatment of terminal cancer pain was studied. Continuous subcutaneous administration of 4-8 micrograms/kg/day of buprenorphine, examined by the visual analogue scale was revealed to have satisfactory analgesic potency for control of every type of terminal cancer. This therapy can be undertaken by any member of the medical staff because of its safety and simplicity. The indications for this method are almost unlimited when the subcutaneous tissue can absorb the drug at a constant rate. Continuous subcutaneous buprenorphine administration via a portable infusion pump allows patients with severe pain from cancer the opportunity to move about freely.

Articles found in the possession of a methamphetamine abuser

A plastic syringe containing bloody fluid, 2 ampules of 20% glucose, and ampule containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride and calcium bromide, powder in a plastic bag and powder wrapped in paper were among the articles found in the possession of a 42-year-old male methamphetamine abuser, who had been taken to a mental hospital owing to his hallucinations. Examination of the patient revealed several recent needle punctures on the left forearm. The concentration of methamphetamine and its metabolite, amphetamine, in blood collected 1 day following the last intake was 76 nmol/100 g. Analysis of the powder and of the contents of the syringe revealed methamphetamine hydrochloride at a concentration of 99.0-99.5% and 7.4%, respectively. Neither glucose nor diphenhydramine were detected in the contents of the syringe. It would seem that the patient abused methamphetamine hydrochloride by intravenous injection after dissolving it in city water or distilled water.

A fatal methamphetamine poisoning associated with hyperpyrexia

After self-administration of 0.05 g of methamphetamine hydrochloride intravenously on three occasions at intervals of 3 h, a 25-year-old female methamphetamine abuser ingested approximately 1.5 g of methamphetamine hydrochloride, and was found dead 3-4 h later. Complete rigor mortis was observed 1-2 h after death and the rectal temperature was 38.4 degrees C 3-4 h after death. Distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the body was analyzed by chemical ionization mass fragmentography. Amphetamine/methamphetamine concentrations (mumol/100 g) were 0.26/28.8 in blood, 0.64/68.2 in brain, 0.96/117.1 in liver, 0.53/50.6 in kidney, and 1.49/1045 in stomach contents. Total amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride in stomach contents was 11.6 mg. Amphetamine in tissues was a metabolite of methamphetamine, and amphetamine in stomach contents resulted from excretion into saliva and gastric mucous excretion. With rectal temperature at death estimated at more than 41 degrees C, it would seem that hyperpyrexia played an important role in causing death from methamphetamine poisoning.

Pure single-mode LiNdP4O12 solid-state laser transmitter for 1.3-microm fiber-optic communications

A pure single-mode high-bit-rate solid-state laser transmitter was fabricated using a GaAlAs laser-pumped LiNdP(4)O(12) laser oscillator, a YIG isolator, and a LiNbO(3) traveling-wave directional-coupler waveguide modulator. Signal peak power of 0.17 mW coupled to an output single-mode fiber was obtained at 1.317-microm wavelength. Half-wavelength voltage was 6.0 V and 3-dB bandwidth was 2.8 GHz.

Optical waveguide 2 x 2 matrix switch using dielectric chip motion

Input and output light angles in a total internal reflection optical waveguide switch, in which a guided light beam is switched by dielectric chip contact with a low-index channel built in a waveguide film, are studied to construct a matrix switch. Output angle depends on channel width, chip contact width, chip position, and input angle. In a single switch experiment, the output angle is larger than the total reflection critical angle for the channel due to narrow chip contact width. By utilizing this property, a nonblocking 2 x 2 matrix switch, driven by PZT bimorphs, is fabricated. Insertion losses of 2.9-6.0 dB, cross talk values of 10.8-28.1 dB, and switching time of 6 msec are obtained for the TE(0) mode at 0.633-microm wavelength.

Design calculations for directional couplers fabricated by Ti-diffused LiNbO(3) waveguides

Coupling characteristics for designing a LiNbO(3) directional coupler fabricated by Ti diffusion have been investigated with a modified WKB method. The present analysis is verified by comparing the refractive-index change in the Ti-diffused LiNbO(3) waveguide derived from direct measurement and coupling length calculation. Coupling length variations due to refractive-index change, diffusion length waveguide spacing, and wavelength are described. Tolerances in coupling length mismatch and propagation constant differences affecting cross talk of the directional coupler are discussed.

[Specificity of the resistance exhibited by peritoneal macrophages of rats immunized against rubeola virus]

Peritoneal macrophages in rats with no immunization against rubella virus and inoculted with bovine infectious rhinotracheitis virus are prone to suffer from a cytopathogenic effect with formation of inclusion bodies, and lysis, succeeding in reisolating the virus. The resistance of peritoneal macrophages of rats inoculated against rubella virus in nonspecific, since such resistance continues to show when macrophages interact with bovine infectious rhinotracheitis virus. The results support evidence that in the Inflammatory process suffered by rubella virus-inoculated rats, a cell immunity develops and macrophages are some of the cells performing the response.

Optical field calculation of impurity diffused channel waveguides by linear segment layer approximation

A mode analysis based on linear segment layer approximation is demonstrated for arbitrarily graded-index waveguides. To shorten calculation time, normalized propagation constants are achieved with the WKB method, and the optical field distributions are found with the linear segment method. The results coincide well with the exact solution. Electric field distributions with several kinds of diffused waveguides are compared. Optical intensity distributions in a 3-D diffused waveguide are demonstrated using the effective-index method.

Light deflector using a chalcogenide amorphous loaded LiNbO(3) waveguide

A large-angle Bragg deflector has been demonstrated, utilizing the photoinduced refractive-index change in an As-Se-S-Ge amorphous film loaded on a Ti-diffused LiNbO(3) waveguide. Modal analysis shows that optical fields and effective indices in a LiNbO(3) wavelength are affected strongly through the index change in the amorphous overlayer. Coupling coefficient and interaction length of the deflector are derived analytically by the coupled wave theory. Interaction length becomes short rapidly with increasing the refractive-index change of the grating or the loaded film thickness. An almost 40 degrees deflection has been achieved experimentally with a 0.7-microm grating pitch and 1-mm interaction length.

Optical properties of titanium-diffused LiNbO(3) strip waveguides and their coupling-to-a-fiber characteristics

Optical propagation losses and coupling losses in Ti-diffused strip waveguides, fabricated in y-plate and z-plate LiNbO(3), have been examined at 1.15-,microm wavelength. Propagation losses for y-plate and z-plate waveguides are ~0.5 dB/cm. Coupling losses in the y-plate and z-plate waveguides for a single-mode fiber are 2.5 and 1 dB, respectively. This difference is due to the large surface diffusion anisotropy; it is expressed by near-field pattern overlap calculations.

Single-mode optical-waveguide fiber coupler

A single-mode fiber coupler to the Ti diffused LiNbO(3) strip waveguide has been devised. The influences of three axial displacements and two angular misalignments on the coupling efficiency have been investigated at 6328-A wavelength. The coupler has a special feature wherein coupling degradation caused by fiber displacement after connection can be recovered to the initial state. The total optical insertion loss is 3 dB after fixing the fiber to the LiNbO(3) strip waveguide, which is 4 microm wide and 8 mm long.