Geriatric nutritional risk index as the prognostic factor in older patients with fragility hip fractures.

This study investigated the long-term survival and incidence of secondary fractures after fragility hip fractures. The 5-year survival rate was 62%, and the mortality risk was seen in patients with GNRI < 92. The 5-year incidence of secondary fracture was 22%, which was significantly higher in patients with a BMI < 20. BACKGROUND: Malnutrition negatively influences the postoperative survival of patients with fragility hip fractures (FHFs); however, little is known about their association over the long term. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the ability of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) as a risk factor for long-term mortality after FHFs. METHODS: This study included 623 Japanese patients with FHFs over the age of 60 years. We prospectively collected data on admission and during hospitalization and assessed the patients' conditions after discharge through a questionnaire. We examined the long-term mortality and the incidence of secondary FHFs and assessed the prognostic factors. RESULTS: The mean observation period was 4.0 years (range 0-7 years). The average age at the time of admission was 82 years (range 60-101 years). The overall survival after FHFs (1 year, 91%; 5 years, 62%) and the incidence of secondary FHFs were high (1 year, 4%; 5 years, 22%). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed the risk factors for mortality as older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04), male sex (HR 1.96), lower GNRI score (HR 0.96), comorbidities (malignancy, HR 2.51; ischemic heart disease, HR 2.24; revised Hasegawa dementia scale ≤ 20, HR 1.64), no use of active vitamin D3 on admission (HR 0.46), and a lower Barthel index (BI) (on admission, HR 1.00; at discharge, HR 0.99). The GNRI scores were divided into four risk categories: major risk (GNRI, < 82), moderate risk (82-91), low risk (92-98), and no risk (> 98). Patients at major and moderate risks of GNRI had a significantly lower overall survival rate (p < 0.001). Lower body mass index (BMI) was also identified as a prognostic factor for secondary FHFs (HR 0.88 [p = 0.004]). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that older age, male sex, a lower GNRI score, comorbidities, and a lower BI are risk factors for mortality following FHFs. GNRI is a novel and simple predictor of long-term survival after FHFs.

Relationship between baseline characteristics and response to risedronate treatment for osteoporosis: data from three Japanese phase III trials.

We evaluated the influence of baseline age, bone mineral density (BMD), and serum levels of vitamin D on the response to risedronate treatment. Risedronate consistently increased BMD, but our results suggest vitamin D supplementation may be necessary to achieve optimal treatment effect. Furthermore, early intervention may help prevent bone fractures. INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the influence of baseline age, BMD, and vitamin D insufficiency on the response to risedronate treatment. METHODS: Data regarding 1447 patients was obtained from the registries of three phase III clinical trials of risedronate. The response to treatment was expressed in terms of BMD increase and occurrence of new vertebral fractures. The patients were stratified by baseline values for age (<65, 65-72, and ≥72 years), lumbar spine BMD T-score (osteoporotic, <-2.5; and non-osteoporotic, ≥- 2.5), and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (deficient, <21 ng/mL; and non-deficient, ≥21 ng/mL). RESULTS: Risedronate consistently increased lumbar spine BMD in all the groups, with similar percentage and absolute increments in all the age tertiles. The percentage, but not absolute, increment in BMD was significantly higher (p = 0.0003) in the osteoporotic than that in the non-osteoporotic patients (baseline). Of the 1330 patients whose baseline serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were available, 44.7% had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL), while 89.2% had insufficiency (<30 ng/mL). The percentage and absolute increments in BMD were lower (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in the vitamin D-deficient than those in the non-deficient patients. New vertebral fractures occurred in 1.5 and 0.8% of the osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic patients, respectively (end of the treatment). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic response in elderly patients is consistent, but early initiation of risedronate treatment may help prevent fractures. Risedronate-induced increase in BMD is lower in patients with vitamin D deficiency, suggesting that vitamin D supplementation is important to achieve optimal treatment response.

Long-term outcome of transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

This study sought to examine the long-term outcomes of transtrochanteric anterior rotational osteotomy (ARO) as treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Twenty-one patients (33 hips), aged 20-40 years, underwent ARO between 1980 and 1988. We examined 16 patients (25 hips), a 76% follow-up rate. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survivorship analysis. Patients with surviving hips were evaluated by the modified Oxford hip score and Short Form 36 (SF-36). Twelve hips in eight patients had survived at the final follow-up. The average length of hip survival was 24.6 years (range: 20.1-27.2 years). Three patients (six hips) had died of unrelated causes without any subsequent operation. Based on Kaplan-Meier analysis with the endpoint defined as the need for a subsequent operation, the hip survival rate at 25 years was 73.7% (95% confidence interval, +/-19.8%). Based on classification by the modified Oxford hip score, five hips were classified as excellent, two hips were good, and the remaining five hips were fair. The average SF-36 summary score for the physical and mental components was 38.7 and 47.2 points, respectively. The physical component summary scores for three patients exceeded the normal level of the Japanese population. Lupus (2010) 19, 860-865.

[Infective endocarditis with acute embolism to the lower extremity artery caused by a vegetation: report of a case].

Successful surgical treatment of a case of infective endocarditis with embolism to a lower extremity artery is reported. A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of infective endocarditis. Echocardiography showed a vegetation on the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve measuring 19 mm in diameter. We planned surgical treatment, including aortic valve replacement, however, embolism of a lower extremity artery by the vegetation occurred during the waiting period for the operation. We removed the offending vegetation from the popliteal artery and replaced the peccant aortic valve with a prosthetic valve in separate operations. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was transferred to another hospital on the 33rd day after the valve replacement surgery.

Th1 but not Th17 cells predominate in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: Recent animal studies have revealed critical roles of interleukin (IL)17, which is produced by a newly identified subset of helper T cells, Th17 cells, in the development of autoimmune diseases including arthritis. However, in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA), detailed characteristics and the prevalence of Th17 cells are unclear. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 123 patients with RA and 28 healthy controls. Mononuclear cells were also prepared from synovial membrane or synovial fluid of 12 patients with RA. IL17 (IL17A) positive T cells were identified by a flow cytometer after ex vivo stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. Disease activity was assessed with the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). RESULTS: IL17 positive cells were detected in CD45RO+ CD4 T cells. Most IL17 positive T cells produced neither interferon (IFN)gamma nor IL4, but tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha similar to murine Th17 cells. The frequency of Th17 cells was neither increased in RA nor correlated with DAS28. Unexpectedly, the frequency of Th17 cells was significantly decreased in the joints compared with PBMC of the same patients with RA, whereas Th1 cells were more abundant in the joints than in PBMC. CONCLUSIONS: We could not obtain evidence that positively supports predominance of Th17 cells in RA. Further careful investigation is necessary before clinical application of IL17-targeting therapy.

Leg-length discrepancy after transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy was designed to avoid some of the disadvantages of varus wedge osteotomy, such as post-operative leg-length discrepancy. In this retrospective study we investigated the leg-length discrepancy and clinical outcome after transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy undertaken in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Between January 1993 and March 2004, this osteotomy was performed in 42 hips of 36 patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. There were 15 males and 21 females with a mean age at surgery of 34 years (15 to 68). The mean follow-up was 5.9 years (2.0 to 12.5). The mean pre-operative Harris hip score was 64.0 (43 to 85) points, which improved to a mean of 88.7 (58 to 100) points at final follow-up. The mean varus angulation post-operatively was 25 degrees (12 degrees to 38 degrees ) and the post-operative mean leg-length discrepancy was 13 mm (4 to 25). The post-operative leg-length discrepancy showed a strong correlation with varus angulation (Pearson's correlation coefficient; r = 0.9530, p < 0.0001), which may be useful for predicting the leg-length discrepancy which can occur even after transtrochanteric curved varus osteotomy.

Effects of local infusion of OP-1 on particle-induced and NSAID-induced inhibition of bone ingrowth in vivo.

Excessive polyethylene wear particles from joint replacements may lead to periprosthetic osteolysis and loosening. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decrease fracture healing and bone ingrowth. We hypothesized that continuous local infusion of OP-1 (BMP-7) would increase local bone formation in the presence of two different adverse stimuli, polyethylene particles, and an oral NSAID. The Drug Test Chamber (DTC) was implanted in the proximal tibia of mature rabbits. The tissue growing into the chamber was exposed to OP-1 solution (110 ng/day), which was infused via an osmotic pump. Infusion of OP-1 alone for 6 weeks enhanced local bone formation in the chamber by 80% (p < 0.05) over infusion of carrier alone. In the presence of polyethylene particles, infusion of OP-1 increased local bone formation by 38% (p < 0.05) over treatment with particles and carrier. Oral administration of NSAID reduced local bone formation by 58% (p < 0.05); this suppressive effect caused by NSAIDS was completely reversed by the infusion of OP-1 (p < 0.05). These findings underline a potential role for local treatment with OP-1 to increase bone formation in the presence of potentially adverse stimuli such as polyethylene wear particles or NSAID use.

[Lung cancer in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia].

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of surgical treatment for lung cancer concomitant with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). Between 1994 and 2003, 673 patients with primary lung cancer were treated. Forty-four patients (6.54%) of 673 patients were complicated with IIP. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. There were 37 male and 7 female with an average age of 67 years. They underwent 7 wedge resections of the lung, 3 segmentectomies, 32 lobectomies and 2 bi-lobectomies as surgical treatment for lung cancer. Five of these 44 patients died of acute exacerbation of IIP after the operation. The exacerbation occurred in an average postoperative day of 5 (range, 3 to 7) day. Preoperative values of serum CRP, LDH, SP-D and KL-6 failed to predict the occurrence of the exacerbation of IIP after the surgery. The preoperative value of %DLCO was lower in patients with the exacerbation than patients without the exacerbation (42.3+/-9.6% versus 66.8+/-18.8%, p=0.018). The postoperative 5-year survival rate for pathological stage I lung cancer were 84.9% and 70.2% (p=0.134) for patients without IIP and patients with IIP, respectively. Although the acute exacerbation of IIP after the surgery caused catastrophic outcomes, the long-term results in surgical treatment for stage I lung cancer simultaneously concomitant with IIP were not so poor. It is very important to avoid the postoperative exacerbation and further effort and research are required to avoid the exacerbation.

Effect of vitamin K2 on three-dimensional trabecular microarchitecture in ovariectomized rats.

Menatetrenone, a vitamin K2 with four isoprene units, has been reported to improve osteoporotic bone loss. The purpose of this investigation was to clarify the effect of menatetrenone on the three-dimensional (3D) trabecular microarchitecture in ovariectomized (OVX) rats by using microcomputed tomography (MCT). Forty-two 13-week-old female rats were used and divided into four groups: the OVX (OVX + MK-4) group treated with menatetrenone, the (OVX untreated) group, the sham-operated (Sham + MK-4) group treated with menatetrenone, and the sham-operated group not treated with menatetrenone (Sham untreated) group. OVX rats were fed a calcium-deficient diet. Menatetrenone treatment was begun just after the ovariectomy, and the mean menatetrenone oral intake over the 8-week period was adjusted to 30 mg/kg BW per day. The proximal metaphyseal region of the right tibia was evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and MCT. A parametric analysis of the reconstructed trabecular volume was carried out using bone volume fractions, the fractal dimension calculated by the 3D box-counting method, and the connectivity density as determined by topological analysis. Menatetrenone significantly increased the trabecular bone volume, fractal dimension, and connectivity in the OVX + MK-4 group compared with the OVX-untreated group (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that an 8-week administration of menatetrenone protects against the loss of trabecular bone volume and its connectivity when treatment is begun just after the ovariectomy. Despite this apparent protection, it remains unknown whether it is possible to reestablish trabecular connectivity if therapeutic intervention occurs after the trabecular connectivity has been lost.

Does the Adamkiewicz artery originate from the larger segmental arteries?

OBJECTIVE: The Adamkiewicz artery supplies most of the blood to the anterior spinal artery, which perfuses the anterior two thirds of the spinal cord. During operations for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, detailed anatomic knowledge of the Adamkiewicz artery and its correlation with the intercostal and/or lumbar arteries is important to prevent postoperative paraplegia. METHODS: Minute dissection was performed on 102 formol-fixed adult cadavers without any history of circulatory disorders. The Adamkiewicz artery was found in the epidural space after laminectomy of the vertebrae. The entire course between the Adamkiewicz artery and the intercostal and/or lumbar artery was dissected carefully. The vertebral level, laterality, and mean diameter of all Adamkiewicz arteries were investigated. The correlation between the diameter of the Adamkiewicz artery and that of the intercostal and/or lumbar arteries was also determined. RESULTS: The mean number of Adamkiewicz arteries per cadaver was 1.3 +/- 0.65, and the mean diameter was 0.77 +/- 0.24 mm (range, 0.50 to 1.49 mm). Approximately 70% of the Adamkiewicz arteries originated from the intercostal and/or lumbar arteries on the left side, frequently at the T8-L1 vertebral level. There was no statistically significant correlation between the diameter of the Adamkiewicz artery and that of intercostal and/or lumbar arteries. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that, during operations on the thoracoabdominal aorta, the intercostal and/or lumbar arteries should be preserved, regardless of their diameter, to prevent postoperative paraplegia.

Re-replacement for prosthetic valve dysfunction: analysis of long-term results and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic heart valve re-replacement still remains a challenging situation. Although some studies have examined the early results, the long-term survival has not yet been well analyzed. The aim of this study was to detect the factors that affect the long-term outcome of operation. METHODS: Between April 1964 and September 1996, 231 prosthetic valve re-replacements were performed including 16 cases of third valve replacement. There were 100 men and 131 women with a mean age of 47 +/- 14 years. RESULTS: The actuarial survival rate was 65% +/- 4% at 5 years and 41% +/- 7% at 10 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that New York Heart Association class IV and left ventricular ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of late death. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that advanced New York Heart Association functional class and lower left ventricular ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of late death. If operation is performed before patients reach such a deteriorated condition, long-term results are excellent.

Successful surgical treatment of giant coronary artery aneurysm with fistula.

Giant coronary artery aneurysm with fistula formation is a rare entity. We report a giant coronary artery aneurysm with a maximum diameter of 70 mm with fistula, in which a favorable course was obtained after surgical treatment. We also review the literature on giant coronary artery aneurysms exceeding 50 mm in maximum diameter.

Mixture of hyaluronic acid and phospholipid prevents adhesion formation on the injured flexor tendon in rabbits.

Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, a highly surface-active polar lipid, has been implicated as a potential boundary lubricant for synovial joints. We examined the effects of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine on the flexor tendon and its protective effect against postoperative adhesion in two experimental steps. First, the flexor digitorum fibularis and the distal pulley of rabbits were set for a friction test. The test was performed with saline solution, sodium hyaluronate, or a mixture of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and sodium hyaluronate as the lubricant. The friction coefficient was significantly lower with the mixture of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and sodium hyaluronate than with saline solution or sodium hyaluronate. We concluded that the decreased friction coefficient indicates that dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine could complement the boundary-lubricating ability of the tendon. In the second experiment, we used an experimental adhesion model of the flexor digitorum fibularis in the rabbit. During the operation, either saline solution, sodium hyaluronate, or a mixture of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and sodium hyaluronate was injected into the tendon sheath. The specimen was sent to another tester, and the work required to tear off the adhesion was measured. The work required was significantly greater for the tendons that had been injected with saline solution than for those given injections of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and sodium hyaluronate. Our findings suggest that dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine plays an important role in the boundary lubrication of the tendon and that after tendon injury, the administration of a mixture of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and sodium hyaluronate may improve tendon lubrication and prevent adhesion formation.

A new friction tester of the flexor tendon.

We have developed a new device to measure the friction force and calculate the friction coefficient between a rabbit flexor tendon, a pulley and a proximal phalanx. The flexor digitorum fibularis tendon of a rabbit was taken intact with the proximal phalanx, and tendon pulleys were attached to both ends of the bone. Both ends of the tendon were clamped to acrylic plates and connected to stainless-steel plates equipped with strain gauges. A pretension of 1.96 N was applied so as not to loosen the tendon. The proximal phalanx was fixed to an acrylic plate on the actuator, which gave 8 mm of transfer to the acrylic plate at a speed of 2 mm/s. The interface between the tendon and the surrounded tissue created the friction force, when the load was applied on the distal pulley. The friction force could be obtained from the difference between the tension of both ends of the tendon, which was measured with strain gauges and sampled with a personal computer. The friction force and the friction coefficient were calculated from the measured force and the applied load. The load and the pre-loading time, which was defined as loading duration before gliding, were varied in order to observe the change of the friction coefficient. The friction coefficient was not affected by the load and increased with the pre-loading time. The value of mu(s) ranged from 0.027 to 0.111 (0.072 +/- 0.023), and that of (mu)d ranged from 0.010 to 0.069 (0.039 +/- 0.014) (pre-loading time was 5 s). Our method will allow for the examination of various surgical treatments and lubricants. Moreover, it can be applied to other tissues of any animals with similar structures to the rabbit's digitorum.

The accuracy of image-guided knee replacement based on computed tomography.

Our study evaluated the accuracy of an image-guided total knee replacement system based on CT with regard to preparation of the femoral and tibial bone using nine limbs from five cadavers. The accuracy was assessed by direct measurement using an extramedullary alignment rod without radiographs. The mean angular errors of the femur and tibia, which represent angular gaps from the real mechanical axis in the coronal plane, were 0.3 degrees and 1.1 degrees, respectively. The CT-based system, provided almost perfect alignment of the femoral component with less than 1 degrees of error and excellent alignment with less than 3 degrees of error for the tibial component. Our results suggest that standardisation of knee replacement by the use of this system will lead to improved long-term survival of total knee arthroplasty.

Oxidative refolding of lysozyme assisted by negatively charged liposomes: relationship with lysozyme-mediated fusion of liposomes.

Oxidative refolding of denatured/reduced lysozyme was examined in the presence of charged liposomes composed of neutral 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and negatively charged 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (POPG). Surface charge density of liposomes had a marked effect on the interaction between liposomes and reduced lysozyme which is observed in the early stage of the refolding. It was found that there was a critical level of surface charge density of liposomes (-0.15 C/nm2) at which the interaction between liposomes and lysozyme drastically changed. At the surface charge density of liposomes ranging from -0.15 to -1.4 C/nm2, the interaction between liposomes and lysozyme resulted in aggregate formation. In contrast, at the surface charge density ranging from 0 to -0.15 C/nm2, no aggregate formation was observed if the lysozyme/liposome molar ratio was less than 600. On the basis of the experimental results, a model for the interaction between charged liposomes and lysozyme was proposed, focusing on the mechanism of protein-induced fusion of charged liposomes as well as protein refolding on liposomes. Then, the optimal condition for oxidative refolding of lysozyme was examined in the presence of charged liposomes by controlling the lysozyme-liposome interaction. The reactivation yield of lysozyme was improved up to 85% in the presence of liposomes with a surface charge density of -0.14 C/nm2.

Bronchial stump reinforcement in right pneumonectomy with fascia lata and gelatin resorcin formalin (GRF) glue: case report.

We reinforced the bronchial stump with fascia lata and Gelatin Resorcin Formalin (GRF) glue in a right pneumonectomy. This method was found to be simple and useful. We describe our case and the method herein. A 62-year-old woman had a malignant polypoid lesion which completely occluded the introitus of the right main bronchus and deviated to the introitus of the left main bronchus. Right pneumonectomy was done but materials (pleura, pericardium, intercostal muscle, etc.) obtained from the thoracic cavity were insufficient for bronchial stump reinforcement due to severe adhesion caused by prior tuberculosis. Therefore, we reinforced the bronchial stump using the fascia lata and GRF glue. Fascia lata is a superior material for reinforcement in terms of strength and ease of molding, as well as harvesting. GRF glue is a superior adhesive with rapid and strong fixation. We consider this method of reinforcing the bronchial stump with fascia lata and GRF glue to be feasible, in particular, for pneumonectomy or lobectomy without adequate material in the thoracic cavity because of severe adhesion or lesions.

Distribution of cytokeratin polypeptides detected by monoclonal antibodies K8.13 and K8.12 in the fetal bovine ruminal epithelium.

Temporal and spatial distributions of cytokeratin (CK) polypeptides were detected by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) K8.13 and K8.12 during the development of the bovine ruminal epithelium. By the Western blotting analysis after the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis, mAb K8.13 confirmed 60.8 and 63.0 kD CK polypeptides in the fetal ruminal epithelial extract, and mAb K8.12 also 48.0 and 54.0 kD CK polypeptides. Immunohistochemical reactivities against both mAbs were detected only in the epithelial cells throughout the fetal periods. Distributions of CK polypeptides detected only by mAb K8.13 were observed on the basal side of the epitherial layer, but not by mAb K8.12 in the 7 cm fetus in crown-rump length. MAb K8.13 reacted also intensely with columnar-shaped cells in the basal layer in the fetuses of the later developmental periods. These results suggest that CK polypeptides detected by mAb K8.13 might be involved in the differentiation and/or the maintenance of the basal layer in the ruminal epithelial development.

The lubricating ability of biomembrane models with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and gamma-globulin.

Two kinds of friction tests were conducted to investigate the lubricating effect of the injection of amphiphilies on the osteoarthritic joint. The effects of the addition of L alpha-dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl-choline (L alpha-DPPC) riposomes and gamma-globulin in a saline solution of sodium hyaluronate (HA) were evaluated through pendulum friction tests. The frictional characteristics of pig shoulder joints were confirmed to depend on the viscosity of the lubricants only in the physiologically low load condition and in the condition immediately after loading. Detergent (polyoxyethylene p-t-octylphenyl ether) was successfully used to remove adsorbed films from the articular surfaces. The friction coefficient of natural synovial joints was significantly increased in a mode of mixed lubrication with the HA solution of 0.2 g/dl by the treatment of the surface with the detergent. The addition of L alpha-DPPC riposomes or gamma-globulin significantly improved the boundary lubricating ability of the articular surfaces treated with the detergent, depending on the quantity of those additives. It appears that the L alpha-DPPC riposomes and gamma-globulin can form protective films on the articular surfaces like a biomembrane. Moreover, the reciprocating frictional behaviour in sliding pairs of pig articular cartilages and glass plates was studied in order to elucidate the tribological role of those constituents in the boundary lubricating film on the articular surface. Pig synovial fluid and water solutions of HA were used as lubricants. The synovial fluid had superior lubricating ability compared to the HA solution of equivalent viscosity under a physiologically high load condition. This fact seems to be responsible for the boundary lubricating ability of constituents other than hyaluronic acid. Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of L alpha-DPPC on the glass plate were kept at a low and stable friction coefficient, depending on the number of film layers. In conditions of mixed films with L alpha-DPPC and gamma-globulin, the frictional behaviour was improved by increasing the quantity of gamma-globulin. A model is proposed in which the effective adsorbed films are composed of proteins, phospholipids and other conjugated constituents on the articular surfaces to be accurate in describing the boundary lubricating mechanism. The mechanism is controlled by hydrophobic groups in those amphiphilies.

[Investigation on 19 operated cases of intrathoracic thyroid tumors].

We investigated in this paper nineteen patients who had undergone removal of intrathoracic thyroid tumors. They were 4 males and 15 females, aged 22-73 years, on the pathological classification, 4 with follicular adenomas, 4 with adenomatous goiters, 6 with papillary carcinomas, 1 with follicular carcinoma, 3 with papillary and follicular mixed carcinomas and 1 with anaplastic carcinoma. A 10-year survival rate of carcinomas is 77.1%, and there were 4 cases that had long term interval (6-30 years) between removal of cervical thyroid carcinoma and finding out of intrathoracic thyroid carcinoma. One case of follicular adenomas gave rise to metastasis to lung after four years from removal of intrathoracic tumor, and so it is necessary to do a long term observation after removal of thyroid tumors.