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An equation of state (EoS) for Ca(OH) 2 portlandite has been obtained through measurements of pressure and temperature dependence of volume by means of in-situ X-ray observation. The bulk modulus and its pressure derivative at zero pressure calculated using third-order Birch-Murnaghan's equation of state is 33.1 GPa and 4.2 at 300 K, respectively. The unit cell parameters and the volumes have been also determined at 573 K and 673 K. Temperature derivatives of the bulk modulus and its pressure derivative have been calculated to be -0.022 GPa/K and 0.0072 K -1 , respectively. Thermal expansion coefficient of portlandite has been calculated from the EoS. The pressure dependence of entropy has been obtained from the present thermo-elastic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative influence of simple thoracotomy and lobectomy on pulmonary gas exchange was investigated in 10 patients undergoing thoracotomy and lobectomy (L group) and 10 patients with simple thoracotomy (ST group). Gas exchange was assessed with hot-wire mass spectrometry and blood gas analyses preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h and on days 4, 6 and 13. The preoperative values of alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient (AaDO2), ventilation-perfusion mismatch (V(A)/Q) and circulatory shunt (Qs/Qt) were maintained in the ST group. In the L group, however, AaDO2 and Qs/Qt showed good maintenance of gas exchange for only 6-12h after lobectomy and then deteriorated because of peripheral atelectasis, resulting in poorer values than those in the ST group on days 4 and 13. Careful postoperative management, including pulmonary toilet, is essential for maintenance of gas exchange and prevention of pulmonary complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A yogurt supplemented with B. longum BB536 was administered at 250 ml per day for 2 weeks to six healthy volunteers. The effects on the fecal microflora, fecal putrefactive substances, fecal enzymatic activities and fecal properties were examined and compared with the effects of standard yogurt. A significant increase (p<0.05) in the proportion of Bifidobacterium in the fecal microflora was observed following ingestion of yogurt containing B. longum BB536. The numbers of Lactobacillus also increased significantly (p<0.05). Clostridium sp. and total aerobic bacteria in the feces tended to decrease. The level of some putrefactive substances, including ammonia (p<0.05), indole and p-cresol decreased, whereas the levels of short chain and volatile fatty acids increased significantly (p<0.01). Urease activity decreased concomitant with the decrease in ammonia levels. These findings suggested that administration of yogurt containing B. longum BB536 was effective to improve the intestinal environment. Similar effects were observed with standard yogurt but they were less evident than in the case of yogurt containing B. longum BB536. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]