Immobilization of an esterase inhibitor on a porous hollow-fiber membrane by radiation-induced graft polymerization for developing a diagnostic tool for feline kidney diseases.

Removal of the major urinary protein, cauxin, a carboxylesterase, from cat urine is essential for distinguishing between physiological and abnormal proteinuria by a urine dipstick. We have previously developed a material for removing cauxin by using lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) lectin which targets the N-linked oligosaccharides present in cauxin. To improve the affinity and specificity toward cauxin, we immobilized 1,1,1-trifluoro-3-(2-sulfanylethylsulfanyl) propane-2-one, an inhibitor of esterases, to a polymer chain grafted on to a porous hollow-fiber membrane by applying radiation-induced graft polymerization. Normal male urine was forced to permeate through the pores rimmed by the ligand-immobilized polymer chain. Cauxin could not be detected in the effluent from the membrane. The residence time of the urine across a membrane thickness of 1 mm was set at 7 s. The respective dynamic and equilibrium binding capacities of the membrane for cauxin were 2 and 3 mg/g. The developed cauxin-affinity membrane material was more effective for diagnosing cat kidney diseases than the LCA lectin tip.

Hydrothermal formation of tobermorite studied by in situ X-ray diffraction under autoclave condition.

Hydrothermal formation of tobermorite from a pre-cured cake has been investigated by transmission X-ray diffraction (XRD) using high-energy X-rays from a synchrotron radiation source in combination with a newly designed autoclave cell. The autoclave cell has a large and thin beryllium window for wide-angle X-ray diffraction; nevertheless, it withstands a steam pressure of more than 1.2 MPa, which enables in situ XRD measurements in a temperature range of 373 to 463 K under a saturated steam pressure. Formation and/or decomposition of several components has been successfully observed during 7.5 h of reaction time. From the intensity changes of the intermediate materials, namely non-crystalline C-S-H and hydroxylellestadite, two pathways for tobermorite formation have been confirmed. Thus, the newly developed autoclave cell can be used for the analyses of reaction mechanisms under specific atmospheres and temperatures.

[Severe hypoxia during right lateral position induced by mediastinal shift].

An 87-year-old woman with osteoarthrosis of her left hip joint was scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. After induction of anesthesia the patient was put into the right lateral position for surgery. Oxygen saturation had decreased gradually and the respiratory sound of the right lung was not auscultated. Broncofiberscopic examination showed that the position of the tracheal tube was appropriate and no secretion was found. Immediately after the patient was retuned to supine, oxygenation improved and the respiratory sound of the right lung was ausculated clearly. Chest radiographs were taken in both supine and right lateral positions. The chest X-ray findings taken in the right lateral position revealed that the right lung volume was decreased remarkably due to the extreme downward-shift of the mediastinum. The operation was postponed. The right lateral chest X-ray taken during wakefulness showed that the degree of mediastinal shift was not as remarkable as during anesthesia. After 8 days, the operation was performed using the supine position. We concluded that a downward mediastinal shift induced severe right lung volume reduction in the right lateral position during anesthesia.

A history of aggression is a risk factor for postoperative confusion in elderly male drinkers.

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between preoperative psychological state and postoperative confusion in elderly drinkers. METHODS: We studied 81 male patients, ranging in age from 65 to 80 years, who were scheduled to undergo total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. The patients were divided into two groups; non-drinkers and patients who drank 25 g or more of alcohol daily. All patients were given a neuropsychological screening evaluation, including a Mini-Mental State test, the Japanese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a depression scale test, and evaluation of a history of aggression and postoperative confusion. RESULTS: Postoperative confusion during the first 72 h after the end of the operation occurred in 7 of the 50 non-drinkers (14%) and in 11 of the 31 drinkers (35%) (P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in STAI (state anxiety and trait anxiety), Mini-Mental State, and depression scale scores between the non-drinkers and drinkers, or between patients with and without postoperative confusion. All 8 patients who had a history of aggression developed postoperative confusion. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative confusion between drinkers who did not have a history of aggression and non-drinkers. CONCLUSION: A history of aggression in elderly male drinkers is associated with postoperative confusion.