Structure-driven CO selectivity and gas capacity of ionic clathrate hydrates.

Ionic clathrate hydrates can selectively capture small gas molecules such as CO, N, CH and H. We investigated CO + N mixed gas separation properties of ionic clathrate hydrates formed with tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBAC), tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) and tetra-n-butylphosphonium chloride (TBPC). The results showed that CO selectivity of TBAC hydrates was remarkably higher than those of the other hydrates despite less gas capacity of TBAC hydrates.

Treatment of a unicameral bone cyst in a dog using a customized titanium device.

A 4-year-old Shih-Tzu, referred for an enlarged left carpus, was diagnosed with a unicameral bone cyst. A customized titanium device was inserted into cystic lesion and fixed by titanium screws. Sufficient strength of the affected bone with the device inserted to maintain limb function was established after resection of contents of cystic lesion.

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on chemically induced long-term depression.

In this study, we have investigated the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on chemically induced long-term depression (LTD). LTD was induced by a brief application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or (R,S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist. Bath application of E2 alone potentiated population excitatory postsynaptic potentials.

Experience with programmed steroid treatment with thymectomy in nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis.

Background: The benefit of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis management is recognized but the perioperative course can fluctuate. The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical benefit of dose-escalated steroid therapy with thymectomy for nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis.

Methods: We reviewed the records of 69 myasthenia gravis patients who were followed up after undergoing transsternal thymectomy with extended anterior mediastinal dissection in our hospital between 1976-2000.

Real-time visualization of partial liquid ventilation in a model of acute lung injury.

Background: To clarify the effects of partial liquid ventilation, we visualized and morphologically analyzed real-time alveolar recruitment in a model of acute lung injury.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: a group that underwent hydrochloric acid aspiration and mechanical gas ventilation (ALI group, n = 15), a group that underwent acid aspiration and partial liquid ventilation beginning 90 minutes after acid aspiration (PLV group, n = 15), and a group that underwent mechanical ventilation without acid aspiration (control group, n = 5). The number of ventilated alveoli and the diameter of the largest ventilated alveolus in each of 10 high-power fields observed on fluorescence micrographs with a tracer of labeled albumin were determined and averaged from 90 to 210 minutes after acid aspiration.

Scopulariopsis fungus ball.

We report on a 67-year-old woman with a rare Scopulariopsis fungus ball in the right middle lung lobe. Pathologic examinations after right middle lobectomy showed that the lesion contained a moniliaceous mold fungus that was cultured and identified as Scopulariopsis. The patient's postsurgery course was uneventful.

Surgical considerations for pulmonary actinomycosis.

Background: Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary actinomycosis is difficult without surgical intervention.

Methods: Thirteen patients (10 men, 3 women; mean age, 62 years) underwent pulmonary resection and were given a pathologic diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis at our institution between 1976 and 2001. To clarify when pulmonary actinomycosis should be suspected in patients and the role of surgical intervention, we reviewed preoperative clinical characteristics, computed tomography findings, surgical indication, operative procedure, postoperative clinical course, and outcome.

Pleural gas gangrene secondary to esophageal injury by an ingested fish bone.

We report a 73-year-old woman with right pleural gas gangrene, treated successfully by thoracoscopic debridement. The clinical course and chest computed radiography and thoracoscopy findings suggested that her condition resulted from a relatively rare esophageal injury after she accidentally ingested a fish bone. Video-assisted thoracoscopic intervention has proved useful in cases involving pleural gas gangrene.