Countermeasure against explosion of gas insulated porcelain bushing

In order to investigate countermeasures against the explosion of gas-insulated porcelain bushings, full-scale explosion tests using actual porcelain bushing shells were conducted. Suitable countermeasures are gas volume reduction, gas pressure reduction, and elastic lining methods. The effectiveness of each was demonstrated by the full-scale explosion tests. An equation on the scattering distance of fragments of the porcelain shell was derived from the test results. A prototype explosion-proof gas-insulated porcelain bushing was developed, and its mechanical and electrical performance were confirmed     

Primary structure of the novel bacterial rhodopsin from extremely halophilic archaeon Haloarcula japonica strain TR-1

A novel bacterial rhodopsin was identified in Haloarcula japonica strain TR-1. The gene encoding the bacterial rhodopsin was cloned and sequenced. The structural gene consisted of an open reading frame of 750 nucleotides encoding 250 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Ha. japonica bacterial rhodopsin showed the highest homology to those of cruxrhodopsins.     

Establishment and characterization of a multipotential neural cell line that can conditionally generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in vitro

In the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), multipotential neural stem cells in the neuroepithelium generate the three major types of neural cells, namely, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying proliferation and differentiation of these neural stem cells, we established a cell line named MNS-57 from the embryonic day 12 rat neuroepithelium by introducing the mycer fusion gene, in which c-myc can be conditionally activated by adding oestrogen to the culture medium. MNS-57 cells expressed nestin, vimentin, and the RC1 antigen, which are potential markers for neural stem cells. We show that under particular culture conditions, MNS-57 cells can conditionally generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in vitro, indicating that they are likely to originate from multipotential neural stem cells. Incubating MNS-57 cells with either oestrogen, which activates mycer, or growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated their growth, and the combination of oestrogen and bFGF (or EGF) had a synergistically stronger mitogenic effect than the single factors. Furthermore, both c-myc activation and bFGF appeared to be necessary for the differentiation of MNS-57 cells, and only when stimulated by both signals simultaneously, the cells committed to generating multiple neural cell types. Thus, the property of the cell line is unique in that its differentiation into neurons and glia can be conditionally manipulated in vitro in an exogenous signal-dependent manner. We propose that the cell line described here will provide an useful in vitro model to understand genetic and environmental mechanisms that control the generation of neural cell diversity in the CNS.     

Swyer-James syndrome with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema due to bronchial asthma

A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to moderate asthmatic attacks. Dyspnea and hypoxemia progressed gradually despite medication. A chest roentgenogram revealed left unilateraly hyperlucency with pneumomediastiumn and subcutaneous emphysema. Swyer-James syndrome was diagnosed. Several cases of Swyer-James syndrome with bronchial asthma airway hyperresponsiveness have been reported, but we know of no reports of Swyer-James syndrome with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema due to prolonged asthmatic attacks. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema may be caused by abnormally high pressures in the bronchial lumen and alveolar space during asthmatic attacks, because the emphysematous lesion may be structurally weak.     

FS-400M submarine optical repeater housing

This paper describes the physical design and characteristics of FS-400M submarine optical repeater housing which has the ability to withstand the severe deep-sea environment for more than 25 years. In this repeater housing, a heat-dispersive and shock-absorbing structure using Al powder mixtured rubber cushion and metal fin, an optical and power feedthrough using epoxy resin and solder, a caulking-type cable termination with multi-hole sleeve, and a completely insulated joint chamber located in a cable coupling are developed.     

Usefulness of enhanced US by CO2 microbubbles for segmental-subsegmental TAE for hepatocellular carcinoma

Enhanced US by intraarterial infusion of CO2 microbubbles is useful for segmental to subsegmental TAE of hepatocellular carcinoma for several reasons. First, we can obtain better recognition of the tumor stain of hepatocellular carcinoma which is even faint on DSA. Secondly, we can recognize the co-relation between tumor stain and its related segment or subsegment well. Therefore, subsegmental or segmental TAE can be performed easily and precisely using enhanced US by CO2 microbubbles. We noted the bigger advantage of enhanced US by CO2 microbubbles especially in the repeated treated cases of TAE for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Chest wall deformities and thoracic scoliosis after costal cartilage graft harvesting

Donor-site complications, specifically chest wall deformities and thoracic scoliosis, occurring after harvest of costal cartilage grafts are presented and discussed. The cases of 18 patients (12 male and 6 female), who underwent costal cartilage grafts for microtia reconstruction from 1975 to 1993, were reviewed for donor-site complications using radiography and physical examination. Ribs from which costal cartilage had been harvested showed increased inward bowing on radiographs in 16 of 32 donor sites. The frequency of rib deformity in donor sites was 20.0 percent when cartilages were harvested from patients older than 10 years of age, whereas it was 63.6 percent in patients younger than 10 years old. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.027, Fisher's exact test), although only 32 grafts were performed in 18 cases. The upper ribs demonstrate a higher incidence of deformity than lower ribs. Thoracic scoliosis was found in 4 of 16 cases. The biomechanical impact of these deformities was considered because of respiratory movement of the thorax and injury to the germinal growth center of the ribs. We recommend delaying costal cartilage grafts for as long as possible, leaving the costochondral junction intact to minimize chest wall deformity and thoracic scoliosis.