Are Kohn-Sham conductances accurate?

We use Fermi-liquid relations to address the accuracy of conductances calculated from the single-particle states of exact Kohn-Sham (KS) density functional theory. We demonstrate a systematic failure of this procedure for the calculation of the conductance, and show how it originates from the lack of renormalization in the KS spectral function. In certain limits this failure can lead to a large overestimation of the true conductance. We also show, however, that the KS conductances can be accurate for single-channel molecular junctions and systems where direct Coulomb interactions are strongly dominant.

The effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 infection on phagocytosis efficiency of caprine broncho-alveolar macrophages.

An experiment was designed to study the in vivo effect of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 infection on the phagocytosis activity of caprine broncho-alveolar macrophages and the extent of pneumonic lesions. Twelve healthy local Kacang goats, about 7 months of age, were divided into two groups of six. Goats in group 1 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml inoculum containing 2.8 x 10(9) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml of Staphylococcus aureus. Goats in group 2 were inoculated intratracheally with 4 ml of inoculum containing 9.5 x 10(8) CFU/ml of Pasteurella haemolytica A2 isolated earlier from pneumonic lungs of goat. At intervals of 3 and 7 days post-challenge five goats from each group were killed and the lungs were washed with sterile phosphate-buffered saline. Smears were prepared from the lung washing fluid and the number of macrophages with phagocytic activity was determined. At day 3 post-infection, goats of both groups showed a similar pattern of pneumonic lesion. The lung washing fluid of goats in group 2 was found to contain numerous neutrophils and macrophages. Goats in group 2 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher extent of lung lesions than group 1. Similarly, the average extent of lung lesions was significantly (P < 0.05) more severe in group 2 at day 7 post-infection. The lung washing fluid contained mostly macrophages. The phagocytic activity following S. aureus infection was more efficient and significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared with infection by P. haemolytica A2. There were weak correlations between the extent of pneumonic lesion and the phagocytic activity. Thus, goats with poor phagocytic activity were likely to develop more extensive lung lesions.

The acupuncture point and its connecting central pathway for producing acupuncture analgesia.

Characteristics of the acupuncture point in producing acupuncture analgesia (AA) were examined by the inhibition of noxious responses in the brain stem reticular formation, potentials, and neuronal activity in the dorsal periaqueductal central gray (D-PAG), and analgesia caused by low frequency stimulation of the acupuncture point. As a result, stimulation of the muscle beneath the acupuncture point was found to be effective in producing AA. AA measured by tail flick, vocalization, and writhing tests was abolished by hypophysectomy, and by antiserum of beta-endorphin administered into the 3rd ventricle. The pathway from the D-PAG to the anterior hypothalamus (AA-AH) in the AA afferent pathway from the acupuncture point to the pituitary gland was determined. The lateral hypothalamus, lateral septum, cingulate bundle, dorsal-hippocampus, and habenulo-interpeduncular tract were found, in addition to regions previously found, to belong to the AA afferent pathway. A network of divergence and convergence in their rostral and caudal relations was observed. The AA afferent pathway diverges from the D-PAG, converges to the HP, and then projects to the AA-AH.

Inhibition of the analgesia inhibitory system by D-phenylalanine and proglumide.

Stimulation of a nonacupuncture point (NAPS) does not normally produce analgesia in the same way that stimulation of an acupuncture point does. However, NAPS did produce dexamethasone reversible analgesia after intraperitoneal treatment with D-phenylalanine (DPA) or proglumide, or after microinjection of these compounds into such parts of the analgesia inhibitory system (AIS) as the lateral centromedian nucleus of the thalamus and part of the posterior hypothalamus. Inhibition of acupuncture analgesia (AA), or of morphine analgesia (MA) by 0.5 mg/kg, IP, which is equivalent to AA after AIS lesion, and of potentials in the lateral periaqueductal central gray evoked by repetitive NAPS or stimulation of the AIS, were antagonized by DPA. Disappearance of AA and MA in morphine tolerant acupuncture responder and nonresponder rats was reversed to reproduce the same magnitude of analgesia after proglumide application. The reproduced AA and MA were antagonized by dexamethasone. These results indicate that DPA and proglumide antagonized the AIS and unmasked the dexamethasone reversible AA and MA.

[An operated case of cervical spontaneous hematomyelia].

We have reported a case of cervical spontaneous hematomyelia caused by cavernous hemangioma. A 47-year-old woman experienced a sudden onset of pain in the neck on 5 December 1979. One week after the onset she began to have tetraparesis. There was a rapidly increasing weakness of the extremities and she was referred to our department on 25 December 1979. At the time, the positive neurological findings were flaccid tetraplegia, bilateral loss of all sensory perception below the C4 level and urinary retention. Chest x-ray films demonstrated an elevation of right diaphragma. Roentgenograms of the cervical spine were normal. Emergency myelography via cisternal puncture revealed a central filling defect at the level of C3-C5. But there was no displacement of dentate ligament on lateral view, suggesting an intramedullary mass lesion. Laminectomy from C2 to Th1 and evacuation of the intramedullary blood clot at C3-C5 level were performed successfully. Microscopic examination of clots revealed cavernous hemangioma. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient gradually improved in her motility. In the review of the literature including our case, vascular malformations are the commonest cause of spontaneous hematomyelia. They are found 12 out of 18 cases (Table 1). The symptoms of spontaneous hematomyelia are characterized by sudden onset of pain and rapid development of long tract sign in a previously asymptomatic individual. Operated cases are summarized in table 2. Good operative results are obtained 6 out 9 cases. We will emphasize that in a case of spontaneous hematomyelia with acute progression of transverse myelopathy, early diagnosis and operation are extremely important, and for this purpose, myelography is considered to be one of the most useful examinations.