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AbstractWater distillation packed with materials having adsorption ability is proposed for wastewater detritiation, and behavior of HTO depletion or enrichment is experimentally investigated. It is proved that the apparent volatility ratio of H2O-to-HTO is increased by an isotopic effect on adsorption under a steady-state operation. Danckwerts’ surface renewal model is applied to explain the T enrichment process in a lab-scale water distillation column. The effect is estimated in terms of an adsorption enhancement factor included in the T separation factor, εHT,ad,which depends on the kinds of adsorbents and liquid-vapor flow conditions. The value of the enhancement factor is also confirmed εHT,ad = 1.02 in a comparatively large-scale distillation operation packed with Sulzer packing or Raschig ring coated with zeolite adsorbent. A large-scale distillation tower can be designed to detritiate radioactive wastewater generated in Fukushima’s Daiichi NPS based on the present experimental results.

Palladium nanoparticles protected by alkanethiolates with a core diameter 1.3−3.9 nm were synthesized by the treatment of PdCl2(CH3CN)2 with tetraalkylammonium bromide and LiBEt3H in THF, followed by the addition of alkanethiols. The mean size and its deviation as observed by transmission electron microscopy varied in relation to changes in the reaction conditions involving variables such as the ammonium salt, the molar ratio of the reactants, the reaction time, and the alkanethiol. Smaller particles were obtained when the ratio of [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] to other reagents was decreased, the reaction time was increased, and a long alkanethiol was used.

The effects of a newly developed pyridone carboxylic acid antibacterial agent, sparfloxacin, on intestinal microflora were investigated in six healthy male volunteers. Sparfloxacin was given orally in two doses of 200 mg each with a 12 h interval, for 7 d. Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and streptococci including enterococci in the faecal flora were suppressed markedly during sparfloxacin treatment. Sparfloxacin did not decrease the level of anaerobic bacteria except for fusobacteria veillonella and Clostridium perfringens. Sparfloxacin had little effect on the overall levels of total bacteria in the intestine.

A purified stachyose and raffinose fraction of soybean oligosaccharides was fermented in vitro by Bifidobacterium spp., although not B.bifidum, and fermented to a limited degree by Lactobacillus salivarius, Mitsuokella multiacida and the Bacteroides fragilis group, but was not fermented by other bacteria. Six healthy adult males (28-48 yr of age) ingested 10 g of soybean oligosaccharides extract (SOE; 23 per cent stachyose and 7 per cent raffinose) daily independently or in combination with 6 ± 109 colony forming units (c.f.u.) of B.longum 105 for 3 wk. During ingestion of SOE, the number of bifidobacteria increased significantly.

Simultaneous quantification methods and sample preparation methods for five typical biogenic amines (5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and octopamine), one precursor (tyramine), and three metabolites (N-acetyldopamine, N-acetyloctopamine, and synephrine) using HPLC with an electrochemical detector were developed. These methods were applied to investigating the distribution of these amine derivatives in the central nervous system of last instar of Spodoptera litura. In the central nervous system, all amines listed above were detected; among those, N-acetyldopamine and N-acetyloctopamine existed at relatively high levels rather than their free-amines. Chlordimeform, a potent antifeedant, caused an increase in N-acetyldopamine levels in cerebral and suboesophageal ganglia and a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine and N-acetyloctopamine levels in the cerebral, suboesophageal, and thoracic ganglia. On the other hand, aristolochic acid I, a newly found antifeedant from Aristolochia albida, did not cause any statistically significant change in any amine levels, except for dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine in suboesophageal ganglia and tyramine in thoracic ganglia. From these results, it has been suggested that chlordimeform and aristolochic acid I each had a different mode of antifeedant activity against S. litura.Copyright 1995, 1999 Academic Press, Inc.

In a survey of antifungal stress compounds induced by cupric chloride we found that leaves ofChenopodium albumexuded a highly fungitoxic metabolite mucondialdehyde (trans-2,trans-4-hexadienedial), which was associated with 13-oxo-9,11-tridecadienoic acids (cis-9,trans-11 andtrans-9,trans-11 isomers) presumably resulting from β-scission of 13-hydroperoxy-octadecadi(tri)enoic acid. The biogenesis and role as a general defensive agent in plants are briefly discussed.

The ethyl acetate extracts ofRorippa indica Hiern. contained hirsutin, arabin, camelinin, and three novel ?-methylsulfonylalkyl isothiocyanates (n=8, 9, and 10). These compounds severely inhibited lettuce (Lactucasaliva) hypocotyl and root growth at 0.1 mM or above. The precursor glucosinolates of hirsutin, arabin, and camelinin were isolated. Presence of the three ?-methylsulfonylalkylglucosinolates, along with other glucosinolates in the roots were verified by the isolation and identification of their desulfoderivatives. Using the continuous root exudate trapping apparatus and GC-MS, hirsutin and the three?-methlylsulfonylalkyl isothiocyanates were detected in the root exudates ofR. indica, suggesting that these isothiocyanates are the primary candidate of allelopathic compounds contributing to the aggressiveness of this cruciferous weed.

The root exudates fromPolygonum sachalinensein a recirculating system significantly inhibited lettuce seedling growth. The rhizomes and roots ofP. sachalinensewere extracted with 80% acetone. Bioassay of the neutral-acidic fraction on the TLC agar plate showed the inhibitory activity corresponded to the two yellow pigment bands. Two orange needles were isolated and identified as anthraquinone compounds: emodin and physcion. Both compounds exhibited inhibitory activities against the seedling growth of several testing plant species. Glucosides were isolated fromP. sachalinenseand were identified as emodin-1-O-β-D-glucoside and physcion-1-O-β-D-glucoside, respectively. On plant growth bioassay, these glucosides showed no phytotoxic activity against lettuce seedlings. The concentrations of emodin, physcion, and their glucosides from rhizome with roots, aerial parts, fallen leaves, and soil were determined. The rhizome with roots and fallen leaves contained emodin and physcion at relatively high concentrations. Emodin also occurs in the soil of this plant community with effective concentrations in the fall. The results indicate that these anthraquinones are responsible for the observed interference and are potent allelopathic substances.

Both the neutral and acidic fractions of the acetone extract of yellow fieldcress (Kireha-inugarashi,Rorippa sylvestris Besser) inhibited lettuce seed germination. Salicylic,p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and syringic acid were identified in the acidic fraction. In the neutral fraction, hirsutin (8-methylsulfinyloctyl isothiocyanate), 4-methoxyindole-3-acetonitrile, and pyrocatechol were identified. Bioassay using a root exudate recirculating system showedR. sylvestris during flowering inhibited the lettuce seedling growth. Hirsutin (13µg/plant/day) and pyrocatechol (9.3µg/plant/day) were the major compounds released into the rhizosphere. Several combinations of pyrocatechol,p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and hirsutin reduced lettuce seedling growth. These compounds seemed to be allelochemicals.

In the early period following radical hepatectomy for hepatoma, recurrences in the remaining liver are frequently found. In regenerating liver, implantation and growth of tumour cells released into the portal system during surgical treatment might be promoted. We examined the relationship between liver regeneration and the formation of metastases following hepatic resection. Intraportal injections of rat ascites containing hepatoma AH130 cells at a concentration of 1 x 10(5) cells 0.2 ml-1 were made at various periods following two thirds liver resection in rats. Tumour cell injections immediately at 24 h after surgery resulted in an increased number of hepatic metastases compared with control animals. Tumour cell injections 2 weeks after hepatectomy, however, had no significant difference in effect compared with control rats. In contrast, tumour cells injected immediately after removal of half of the caudate lobe resulted in the same number of metastases as control animals. These results demonstrate that the number of artificially induced hepatic metastases was increased during an initial period of active liver regeneration and was proportional to the volume of hepatectomy. The effect of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or mitomycin C (MMC) as inhibitors of hepatic regeneration on liver metastasis after hepatectomy was studied. The administration of 5FU (20 mg kg-1) or MMC (0.2 mg kg-1) immediately, 24 and 48 h after hepatectomy resulted in a marked reduction in metastatic lesions. The administration of 5FU caused delays in weight gain and decreases in the wet weight of remaining liver, while MMC had no effect on either. Accordingly, results of 5FU administration may be due to inhibitory effects on liver regeneration whilst that of MMC administration may be due to cytocidal antitumour effect. The effect of OK-432 as an immunoactivator on the implantation and growth of tumour cells in regenerating liver was also studied. Pretreatment with OK-432, 0.5 mg intraperitoneally on 7 consecutive days, had no effect on hepatic metastases. The pathophysiology of liver regeneration may enhance hematogenous hepatic metastasis and release of tumour cells during surgical manipulation may represent an important cause of recurrence following hepatic resection.

A highly potent attractant of zoospores ofAphanomyces cochlioides, a causal fungus of the root rot disease of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), was isolated from spinach roots, and its structure was determined by spectroscopic evidence and chemical synthesis as cochliophilin A (5-hydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone,1). A chromosorb particle prepared by soaking in solution of1showed a potent attracting activity toward the zoospores using concentrations of1above 10−9or 10−10M.

The effect of E1077, a new parenteral cephalosporin, given for 5 d to six healthy male volunteers, on the intestinal microflora was investigated. Faecal specimens were cultured quantitatively for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, before, during and after administration. The levels of Enterobacteriaceae were suppressed during E1077 administration. E1077 decreased the levels of bifidobacteria and eubacteria slightly, however, it did not decrease the levels of faecal bacteroides. E1077 had little effect on the overall levels of total faecal bacteria.

Dewaxed leaf surface extracts of 12 plants from Hokkaido, prepared by dipping fresh leaves in chloroform for 3 min, were used in a choice leaf-disk bioassay against larvae of the tobacco cutwormSpodoptera litura. Activity was found only in the extract ofSenecio cannabifolius, a very successful weed in Hokkaido. Individual fractions of the extract, however, were not active. Incorporation of the individual fractions of the surface extracts as well as fractions of the methanolic extracts of the leaf residue into an artificial diet fed to neonateS. litura led to the isolation of ethyl (1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl) acetate, the major surface compound, as the active principle. This compound was also present in the methanolic extract of the leaf residue together with methyl (1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl) acetate, which had the same growth inhibitory effect on the larvae. The presence of these compounds in the foliar surface and tissue suggests a defensive role against herbivores.

The effects of a newly developed carbapenem antibiotic, meropenem, on intestinal microflora were investigated in healthy male volunteers. Six volunteers were given intravenously one dose of 500 mg at 12 h intervals for 5 d, and another six volunteers received 1000 mg of meropenem. Faecal samples were collected during the investigation period for cultivation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Meropenem induced an increase in enterococci and a decrease in streptococci in all subjects. Meropenem caused a marked decrease of the levels of intestinal bacteria especially, Enterobacteriaceae, eubacteria, Gram-positive anaerobic cocci, bacteroides and veillonellae in some subjects. Meropenem caused a marked decrease of the total levels of intestinal bacteria in two of six subjects who received 500 mg and 1000 mg of meropenem respectively. There were no differences between subjects receiving the 500 mg dose and 1000 mg dose of meropenem.

A dural tear is a common but troublesome complication of endoscopic spinal surgery. The limitations of space make repair difficult, and it is often necessary to proceed to an open operation to suture the dura in order to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. We describe a new patch technique in which a small piece of polyglactin 910 is fixed to the injured dura with fibrin glue. Three pieces are generally required to obtain a watertight closure after lavage with saline. We have applied this technique in seven cases. All recovered well with no adverse effects. MRI showed no sign of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.

<it>Objective</it>. To investigate whether surgery is appropriate for elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients who are already approaching their statistical life expectancy. <it>Patients and methods</it>. The subjects were 10 patients who underwent cervical spine surgery for rheumatoid arthritis at an age of over 70 yr. The pain grade and neurological deficit class according to Ranawat, peri‐operative complications, causes of death and pre‐operative cardiopulmonary function were assessed. <it>Results</it>. Good pain relief was achieved. Relief of pain enabled the patients, who could not sit up even in bed because of intolerable neck pain, to ride in a wheel chair without using a neck collar. Only one death was related to surgery. Pre‐operative cardiopulmonary function was not significantly different compared with that of elderly patients undergoing other surgical procedures. <it>Conclusion</it>. Surgery is a valuable option for the management of elderly patients with rheumatoid cervical spine since it can improve the quality of life.

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