Inhibitory effects of catecholamines and maternal stress on aromatase activity in the fetal rat brain

OBJECTIVES: To describe the extent of pain relief two weeks after an epidural steroid injection in patients with herniated disks and lumbar spinal stenosis, and to identify predictors of changes in pain ratings in each population. METHODS: The study design was a prospective evaluation of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and herniated disks (HDs) referred to a hospital-based pain clinic for an epidural steroid injection (ESI). A complete history, detailed physical examination, comprehensive pain questionnaire, and Brief Symptom Inventory were obtained for all patients. Pain was assessed at baseline and two weeks following a single ESI using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve patients (mean age 54 years) were enrolled, and 78 of these provided pain ratings before and two weeks after the injection. LSS patients improved less two weeks following the ESI than HD patients (P = 0.04). Just 38% of LSS patients reported improvement in pain score compared with 61% of HD patients. In analyses that combined LSS and HD patients, predictors of worse response included a report of health problems and a diagnosis of LSS. CONCLUSIONS: LSS patients have worse response to ESIs than HD patients. The poor response to ESI in patients with LSS underscores the need for randomized controlled trials of ESI in this population.     

Metallic Particle Motion in 3-Phase SF6 Gas Insulated Bus

To investigate the behavior of metallic particles in 3-phase gas insulated buses (3-phase GIB), we conducted a test by using a 3-phase 275kV, ac, 60Hz full-scale model. The test results revealed that in a 3-phase electric field, unlike in a single-phase field, metallic particles were trapped on and around the high-voltage conductors and revolved circumferentially. Computer analysis shows that it was closely related to locational and periodic changes in the electric field provided by the 3-phase GIB, and that there were points on the high-voltage conductors in which metallic particles were readily trapped. It also was proved that phenomena peculiar to the 3-phase GIB could be reproduced very well by computer simulation.     

An expression profile of genes in human retina and isolation of a complementary DNA for a novel rod photoreceptor protein

PURPOSE: To characterize expression patterns of active genes in human retina, and to isolate novel genes that are uniquely expressed in this tissue. METHODS: A 3'-directed complementary DNA (cDNA) library that faithfully represents the composition of messenger RNA (mRNA) was constructed with an mRNA preparation from a cadaveric human retina. A total of 925 3' terminal sequences were collected by sequencing randomly selected clones, of which 789 were regarded as representing chromosomally coded genes (gene signatures [GS]). GS were compared with each other and searched against GenBank. The resulting expression profile, listing gene species and their frequency, represents the composition of mRNA in the retina. By comparing this expression profile with those obtained from 10 other source cells or tissues, genes uniquely active in the retina were discovered, including some not previously described. A full-sized cDNA corresponding to one of these was isolated and sequenced. Its expression was analyzed by multitissue Northern hybridization and in situ hybridization to the retina specimen. It was then mapped on human chromosomes. RESULTS: In the expression profile, 108 genes were detected recurrently, suggesting that they are very active. Fifty-five of them were identified in GenBank, including the most abundant opsin gene and several other genes for phototransduction. Among the remaining novel and active genes, 19 were considered unique to retina on the basis of their representation status in other expression profiles and in dbEST. One of these was identified as a gene that encodes a novel secretory protein expressed in a rod photoreceptor that maps to chromosome 18p11.3. CONCLUSIONS: The expression profile of active genes in the retina represents the composition of mRNA, which reflects the relative activities of genes in this tissue. A comparison of this expression profile with those obtained with other tissues resulted in isolation of a novel cDNA specifically expressed in the rod photoreceptor. It is anticipated that additional novel genes that are uniquely active in the neural retina may be obtained with the same strategy, leading to further clarification of the biologic or physiological characteristics of this tissue.     

Development of three-dimensional electric field analysis by segment arrangement based on a charge simulation method

This paper describes the development of three-dimensional electric field analysis by using the so-called segment method which enables the electric field to be calculated with high accuracy and with enhanced efficiency, for high-voltage apparatus. In the segment method, electrode configuration of high-voltage apparatus is simulated by small components which are called segments and by the arrangement of several kinds of such segments. In this calculation, the charge simulation method is used which is suitable for segment application. As basic segments, spherical, cylindrical and ring segments are used and in addition to these, as subsegments, disc and elbow segments are adopted for good simulation of the total electrode configuration. In this paper, the fundamental construction and arrangement parameter of segments were discussed. Moreover, the segment method was applied to an actual high-voltage apparatus and the calculation accuracy was discussed. It was clarified that the segment method has sufficient calculation accuracy and is a very efficient means for three-dimensional electric field analysis.     

Sludge depositions in a long tube-high flow MSF test plant

During the operation of a multistage flash (MSF) evaporation plant, a rather rapid decrease was observed in the economy ratio of the plant when the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of the circulating brine was at a high level. This phenomenon was brought about by the reduction of heat transfer coefficients of condenser tubes due to sludge formation on the inside tube surface by the co-precipitation of ferric hydrous oxide with silica, alumina, and organic materials. The chemical analysis of the sludge and circulating brine showed a close relationship to DO values in the brine, the concentration of iron in the sludge, and the decreasing value of the heat transfer coefficient. The lowering of DO was found very effective for avoiding the sludge trouble.     

Analysis of phenmedipham in agricultural products by HPLC

An analytical method was developed for the determination of phenmedipham (PM) in agricultural products using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. A sample was extracted with acetonitrile, and the acetonitrile layer was separated by salting-out. The acetonitrile phase was isolated and evaporated. The extract was dissolved in diethyl ether-hexane (1 : 1), and then cleaned up on a Florisil column. The column was washed with diethyl ether-hexane (1 : 1), and PM was eluted with acetone-hexane (3 : 7), and the eluate was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in acetone-hexane (2 : 8), and the sample solution was cleaned up on SAX/PSA cartridge. The SAX/PSA cartridge was washed with acetone-hexane (2 : 8), and PM was eluted with acetone-hexane (3 : 7). If required, the eluate of the Florisil column was cleaned up with SAX/PSA and ENVI-Carb/ NH2 cartridges. The SAX/PSA cartridge was washed with acetone-hexane (2 : 8), and connected to be ENVI-Carb/NH2 cartridge. The cartridges were washed with acetone-hexane (3 : 7), and then the SAX/PSA cartridge was removed. PM was eluted with acetonitrile-toluene (3 : 1) from the ENVI-Carb/NH2 cartridge. PM in the eluate was separated isocratically on an ODS column (4.6 mm i.d. x 150 mm, 5 microm) using acetonitrile-water (6 : 4) as a mobile phase (flow-rate 1.0 mL/min, temp. 40 degrees C), with monitoring at 235 nm. The calibration curve was linear from 0.005 microg/mL to 10 microg/mL of PM. The recoveries of PM from eight kinds of agricultural products spiked at levels of 0.1 and 0.02 microg/g were 80.8-98.7%. The determination limit was 0.01 microg/g.     

Casting of organic glass by radiation-induced polymerization of glass-forming monomers at low temperature. II. Optical strain of remaining stress type

Previously it was found that casting could be carried out efficiently without strain formation by radiation-induced polymerization of glass-forming monomers. Two types of strain were observed in casting: thermal stream type, which was studied previously, and remained stress type. In this report, the effect of various factors on the formation of remaining stress-type strain in radiation-induced casting polymerization was studied. It was found that the molecular weight of prepolymer did not affect strain formation, while prepolymer concentration and viscosity of the system had a serious influence on strain formation. It could be deduced that this type of strain formed as a result of remaining inner stress due to poor relaxation of the shrinking stress. It was realized that less volume shrinkage of glass-forming monomers accompanying casting polymerization reduced the strain formation of this type in radiation-induced casting polymerization at low temperatures.     

Casting of organic glass by radiation-induced polymerization of glass-forming monomers at low temperatures. III. Casting and polymer properties of monomer systems including inner-plasticizing comonomers

Previously, it was found that organic glass material having no optical strain could be cast efficiently in a very short time by radiation-induced cast polymerization of glass-forming monomers. In this report, practical useful monomer systems having glass-forming property and good physical properties were investigated. Several inner plasticized comonomer systems of excellent impact resistance were found which could be glassified and applied to radiation casting. These systems included butyl acrylate or hexanediol monoacrylate as inner plasticized component. Physical properties other than impact resistance were tested. The casting polymerization was studied, and it was found that polymers without optical strain could be obtained in a remarkably short time.     

Polarization determination utilizing two arbitrarily polarizedantennas

Microwave polarimeter systems typically consist of two orthogonally polarized receiving antennas. Formulas for extracting the unknown polarization antennas with known polarization states are presented. Numerical results are generated showing the size of the errors made by assuming perfect orthogonal polarizations (either circular or linear)