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Background The primary object of this study was to identify treatment-related variables that may predict relapse of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), which will be critical for the development of a suitable protocol for wider application. Methods A total of 28 children (age 0-18 years) with AML underwent PBSCT and have had a minimum follow-up of 25 months; including 24 patients in their first complete remission (CR) and four in their second CR. The patients were divided into two cohorts according to the study phase: 16 patients were treated in an early phase pilot study and 12 patients in their first CR were treated in a prospective trial. Fifteen of the first-CR patients had any of the cited high-risk features of high WBC count (>100x10(9)/l; n = 5), FAB M0/M4/M5/M7 subtypes (n = 11) or delayed achievement of CR (n = 9). Except in one patient, cytoreductive regimens did not include total body irradiation (TBI). Results After PBSCT, one patient died of veno-occulsive disease (VOD) and another patient relapsed early on day 43, but the remaining patients showed engraftment. Leukemic relapse was observed 1-29 months after PBSCT (median, 8 months); in all of the 4 children treated in their second CR and in 11 of the 24 patients (46%) treated in their first CR. The remaining patients have been disease-free for 24 to 97 months (median, 53 months). Using a multivariate analysis, the timing of apheresis was the most significant prognostic factor for those treated in their first CR (p = 0.03); 12 of the 16 patients whose PBSC were collected beyond 2.5 months of CR continue to remain in CR, while seven of the eight patients whose PBSC were harvested within 2.5 months of CR relapsed. Conclusion Although the small number of patients studied does not allow firm conclusions to be drawn regarding the relative effectiveness of this therapy, the results do suggest the feasibility of further studies of PBSCT for the treatment of childhood AML with high-risk features including the assessment of minimum residual disease.

全国の324市制自治体を対象に, 事業系ごみの受け入れ状況や収集範囲などの条例・規則とごみ収集量や総ごみ処理量との関係について統計分析を行った。事業系ごみを受け入れない自治体は受け入れる自治体に比べて総処理量原単位平均値が約200 (g/人/日) 小さいことがわかった。収集量原単位と人口あたりの飲食店数やサービス事業所数との相関関係を調べた結果, 手数料形態, 排出容器指定, ごみ分別方式といった収集制度ごとの分類において有意な相関が見られた。事業系ごみの直接搬入処理単価と事業系ごみ排出原単位との問に有意な負の相関が確認され, 有料化制度の有効性が実証できた。事業系ごみの収集範囲や種々の収集条件によって, 処理計画対象とするごみ収集量が有意に変動することが確認できた。

セメント産業を中心とする産業クラスターにおいて, 廃棄・副産物の経済価値を考慮した環境負荷量の評価手法について検討した. 廃棄・副産物を含む複数の生産物を算出する産業プロセスにおける二酸化炭素排出量の割り当て (アロケーション) を取引高による重みづけでおこなった結果を重量や容積といった量的な重みづけに基づいた従来の一般的なライフサイクルインベントリーの結果と比較した. 積み上げ法による「全てのものを重量換算しなければならない問題」や産業連関分析法による「無償あるいは逆有償の廃棄・副産物を算定に加えることができない問題」を解消するとともに, 生産と消費双方のプロセスにおいて廃棄・副産物の有効利用をうながすための環境負荷評価手法を提示することができた.

The free water method was applied to evaluate dissolved oxygen (DO) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) dynamics and the metabolic characteristics by using continuously measured DO and pH data at the center of Lake Kasumigaura (L.K.) and the South Basin of Lake Biwa (S.B.). The rates of primary production and respiration were determined by subtracting the oxygen and C02 fluxes due to air-water gas exchange from the rates of change in the masses of DO and DIC in the Lake. The averaged ratios of air-water gas exchange to change in the masses were 14%(DO) and 20%(DIC) in L.K. and 10%(DO) and 9%(DIC) in S.B. and those ratios were affected by wind velocities. As the results of estimating gross primary production in the daytime (8am.-4pm.), we obtained the averaged DO production rates of 8.0 (S.D. 5.6) )μM·h-1 in L.K. and 3.2(S.D. 2.0)μM·h-1 in S.B. The averaged DIC consumption rates were 4.5(S.D. 2.9)μM·h-1 in L.K. and 1.9(S.D. 1.0)μM·h-1 in S.B.. The relationships between the metabolic quotients (MQ) and N03-N vs. NH4-N ratios in the lake water were verified on the basis of the smoothed time series data by using moving average.

It has become significant to illustrate the environmental load emissions and the costs by waste recycling system, and to improve the actual recycling processes in various industries. Objective of this study is to evaluate the carbon dioxide emission and costs in the construction processes of new and recycled pavement. Three kinds of materials (asphalt, cement, and aggregate) are put into road building. We reached the recycling effects in the carbon dioxide emission and construction costs by applying these materials to some model cases of the traffic volume. The following results were obtained in this study.(1) Recycling of pavement waste asphalt is effective for reducing 56% of carbon dioxide emission.(2) Recycling of pavement waste aggregate increases carbon dioxide emission but it is greatly effective for saving resources consumption.(3) While the recycled asphalt pavement is expected to have some advantages in reducing carbon dioxide emission and construction costs, it was founded the recycled concrete pavement to increase carbon dioxide emission and construction costs.

In this study, we assessed environmental impact related to cement industry, concrete industry and several industries using limestone by Material Flow Analysis. Especially, cement industry and concrete industry were assessed by Material Flow Accounting, and calcium was assessed which is principal ingredient of limestone by Material Balance Analysis. The obtained results are: Firstly, environmental impact index (DMI, HMF, TMR) related to cement industry and concrete industry was calculated from 1990 to 1994 by Material Flow Accounting. From these index, direct inputs of natural resources to each industry were found and potential of environmental impact that was caused by producing action of each industries could be assessed. Secondly, limestone flow both direct input and indirect input to cement industry and concrete industry was obtained in 1994. From this flow, utilization and consumption of limestone was found, and total evaluation of effective use of limestone was possible. Furthermore, we verified material flow analysis from the obtained result.

In Japan, regarding the place of end-of-life care, many people preferred the home. However, there is a discrepancy between patients’ wishes and the actual circumstances. The primary aim of this study was to explore the factors that determine discharge home of patients in a palliative care unit. A total of 31 patients met the criteria. The patients who could be discharged home (group 1; n = 23) were compared with the others (group 2; n = 8). Palliative prognostic index was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 ( P = .032). Regarding routes of feeding, oral intake was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 ( P = .043). That is to say, factors determining discharge home of patients may be influenced by the patient’s prognosis and the necessity of a feeding device.

Several factors of the household waste emission in the Japanese local public bodies were investigated. We classified more than 2500 local public bodies into some clusters by using regional characteristics and factor analysis. These classifications could extract a significant administrative management system of the household waste. A significant correlation between many factors in relation to business, commercial and consumer's activities and the per capita emission of the household waste was obtained. Especially, a coefficient of correlation taken from the big cities was high because urbanization should promote the mixture of commercial waste into the household waste. In the big cities, the per capita floor area of house was related to the reduction of per capita emission of waste. A difference of collecting system for the mixed waste from system for the classified w aste was significant and per capita emission in the big cities with collecting system for the mixed waste was significantly high. An effect of waste reduction with the charged collecting system was also extracted.

The role of nutritional support on terminally ill patients with cancer in a palliative care unit has not been clarified. A total of 63 patients were retrospectively investigated; the patients receiving individualized nutritional support (intervention group [n = 22]) were compared to the others (control group [n = 41]). The intervention group received individualized nutritional support. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of patients between the groups. The prevalence of bedsores was significantly lower in the intervention group (14% vs 46%, P = .012). The prevalence of edema and the use of antibiotic therapies tended to be lower in the intervention group than in the control group (36% vs 54%, P = .19; 14% vs 27%, P = .34, respectively). Some terminally ill patients with cancer in a palliative care unit might benefit from nutritional support.

A terphenylboronic acid 1 and its silylated derivative 2 are prepared from (2-nitrophenyl)acetic acid for the purpose of controlling stereochemistry of synthetic organic reactions. These boronic acids are found to recognize α and β-anomers of 2-deoxyribofuranosides. That is, when these boron compounds are added to a 1 : 1 mixture of α and β-t-butyl 5-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-ribofuranosides, the boronic acids 1 and 2 from the corresponding boronates preferentially with the β-anomer.

In order to help the environmentally sound management of water regions and their basins, we are struggling to present a new supporting system. This system is made up by three parts; 1) watershed information system comprised of data base, some tools for handling the geographical data, and watershed indicies, 2) a number of models for predicting the future water environment, cost/results of some restoration practices, etc., 3) manual for proposing and giving priority to some reasonable plans of basin-wide management. In this first-report, the structure and functions of watershed information system are discussed and build up for Lake Kasumigaura's basin. In addition, the application of one runoff model (HSPF) to a small basin (9 km2) is examined.

Attainment conditions of the water quality standard (COD) in Japanese 113 lakes (197 designated sites) were investigated by using observed COD concentration between 1978 and 1988. Observed concentration in about a half of all designated sites have exceeded the standard value of each site every year. Only 20% of the sites have attained the water quality standard every year. Objective 113 lakes could be classified according to two indices of ‘the ratio of exceeding year in 1978-1988’ and ‘the ratio of observed mean in 1978-1988 to the standard’. Though the attainment conditions throughout Japanese lakes have become better, the decreasing ratio of the autochthonous COD to the allochthonous indicated the emphasis of watershed management.

Context Oral administration of medication is often difficult in terminally ill cancer patients, and a subcutaneous route is traditionally one of the most preferred parenteral routes. Recent studies suggest, however, that some patients and families prefer the intravenous route, and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are actively used in oncology settings. Nonetheless, in the palliative care setting, no empirical studies have investigated the patient-perceived usefulness of PICCs. Objectives The primary aim of this prospective observational study was to clarify the levels of patient-perceived comfort and convenience, in addition to procedure-related distress, resulting from the use of PICCs by terminally ill cancer patients. Results Among 219 patients admitted to a palliative care unit during the one-year study period, 39 (18%) patients underwent a PICC insertion trial (a total of 44 procedures were performed because five patients underwent PICC insertion twice). Of the 44 procedures, 38 (86%) were successful, requiring a mean of 23±7.9 minutes, without serious procedure-related complications. Patient-reported levels of procedure-related distress were not distressing (68%), slightly distressing (8%), and distressing (24%). Patient-reported comfort levels with parenteral access were becoming more comfortable (94%) and no change (6%). Patient-reported convenience levels of parenteral access were becoming more convenient (94%) and no change (6%). Complications were reversible catheter coagulation (10%), irreversible catheter coagulation (8%), and mild levels of edema of the upper extremity (8%). The PICCs remained in place in 82% of the patients until death. The median period of placement was 15 days, with the longest placement being 81 days. Conclusion PICCs were safely inserted in about 90% of terminally ill cancer patients within about 20 minutes. Although 30% of the patients experienced transient mild procedure-related distress, more than 90% of the patients felt that the parenteral route was more comfortable and convenient after the procedure. PICCs may provide a safe, comfortable, and convenient alternative for terminally ill cancer patients, if placement of the PICC is individualized to the patient situation and after alternatives are considered. Further studies are needed to compare the superiority of the PICC and traditional subcutaneous route to clarify what types of patients are the most suitable for each procedure.

The concentration of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates(LAS)in the Lake Teganuma estuary indicated a seasonal variation and a downstream decrease. The downstream decrease in the studied section varied between 28% and 100% seasonally, and the average was 66(±25)% during 1987-1988. As to explain the decrease, we investigated biodegradation of LAS in water, diffusive exchange of dissolved phase LAS through the sediment/water interface, and settling of adsorbed phase LAS. Adsorption experiments were performed between 0.3-9 ppm of the initial concentrations of LAS. The experimental equation used to estimate the adsorption coefficient of LAS was verified by using adsorption data from field observations. The averaged value 2.4×10−5 cm2 sec−1 for the diffusion coefficient in the sediment interstitial water was obtained from the experiments using the sediment core samples. The biodegradation rate constant (between 0.06 and 3.33 day−1) in water and the diffusive flux rate (between −0.157 and 0.022 mg m−2 hour−1) from water to sediment were obtained from field observations and experiments. Based on this information, a mathematical model was applied to simulate the downstream decrease of LAS in water. With this model, nearly 10% of the total LAS from the river was found to be transported to sediment both in summer and winter. The settling flux of LAS in the lake estuary was ten times greater than the diffusive flux. The settling flux was ten times smaller than the disappearing flux by biodegradation in summer but was the same level in winter.

To examine the benefits of steroid avoidance in adult living donor liver transplantation, we compared the clinical courses of nine recipients receiving basiliximab or daclizumab and 13 historical patients who received steroids. The 1-year patient and graft survival and the incidence of acute cellular rejection were similar in both groups. The side effects of immunosuppression tended to be more frequent in the steroid group. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA levels measured early after transplantation remained suppressed in the steroid-free group. Steroid avoidance was beneficial in the recipients, as both steroid side effects and recurrence of HCV could be avoided.

We encountered a late pulmonary complication after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) that has not been previously reported. High-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of this disease were compared with the pathology. HRCT obtained on inspiration showed dilated thick-walled bronchioli, and innumerable centrilobular linear and branching structures in the bilateral middle and lower lobes. Neither mosaic perfusion nor air-trapping was seen in HRCT on inspiration and expiration. These HRCT findings were atypical compared with those of former bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) after bone marrow transplant (BMT). Pathologic specimens obtained by open lung biopsy showed thickening of the wall from the distal bronchioli to the alveolar ducts due to submucosal and intraepithelial infiltration of lymphocytes, histiocytes and foamy macrophages, which was not accompanied by organizing changes. These changes resemble lymphocytic bronchiolitis in lung transplant recipients, which was well correlated with HRCT findings. We think that our case was a new late pulmonary complication after UCBT.

From 1985 to 2002, 22 patients with local recurrence after radical mastectomy have been treated in our hospital. Resection was possible in 9 patients. We evaluated long-term prognosis of the 9 patients. The observation interval from first recurrence was 17-207 months (median 91.5 months). Five of the 9 experienced recurrence again. Opposite axillary lymph node metastasis was observed in 2, bone metastasis in 1, liver metastasis in 1, and lung metastasis in 1. Disease free interval (DFI) until the first recurrence of patients with a second recurrence was 69-100 months (median 90 months). The interval from first recurrence to second recurrence was 46-108 months (median 60 months). Each second recurrence occurred within double the DFI until the first recurrence. For all of the patients in which a second recurrence was not observed, the observed interval was shorter than the DFI until first recurrence. Local recurrence should be considered systemic disease. Many of the patients who underwent resection of the local recurrence experienced a second recurrence after longer observation. We believe that patients with local recurrence should be observed for a period of about double the DFI.

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is a recently added new agent for the treatment of hemophiliacs with inhibitors. A major drawback to the use of rFVIIa is its short half-life, necessitating frequent and intermittent bolus injections. Continuous infusion of rFVIIa has been reported as a feasible, convenient, safe and cost-effective alternative to intermittent bolus injections. We report the use of continuous rFVIIa infusion during and after left elbow arthroplasty in a hemophiliac with a high titer of inhibitor to factor VIII. rFVIIa was administered as a bolus injection (100 micrograms/kg) at the start of the operation, after which continuous infusion (10-30 micrograms/kg/h) was immediately started and continued for 6 days. Tranexamic acid (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was also administered as an antifibrinolytic treatment. Laboratory monitoring of hemostatic efficacy was performed in this case using prothrombin time and the thrombelastogram. Finally, effective intra- and postoperative hemostasis and normal healing of the surgical incisions were achieved, except for local thrombophlebitis. Although the optimal maintenance or target level of rFVIIa has been a matter of debate, we consider continuous infusion of rFVIIa to be a feasible, convenient, safe and cost-effective alternative to intermittent bolus injections.

39 Background: Palliative care has a positive effect on many clinical outcomes, yet most referrals to palliative care have occurred late. End-of-life (EOL) cancer care has become increasingly aggressive. There have been no studies investigating the association between early palliative care referrals and aggressive EOL care in Japan. Methods: This study was designed to explore the association between early palliative care referrals, inpatient hospice utilization, and aggressiveness of EOL care by investigating cancer decedents. A retrospective cohort study in a cancer designated hospital in Japan. This study examined 266 consecutive cancer decedents. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) adults and (2) patients who died from cancer or causes related to cancer. Patients who died from causes unrelated to cancer were excluded. A total of 265 patients met the criteria. We explored the association between early referrals (>3 months before death) and inpatient hospice utilization and the relationship between the timing of referrals and aggressive EOL care measured by a composite score adapted from Earle et al. Results: Patients were divided into an early referral group (n=54) and a control group (n=211). The rate of inpatient hospice utilization was significantly higher in the early referral group (74% vs. 47%, P

Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) was detected in a 0–30 cm deep sediment column collected in Lake Teganuma (one of the most polluted lakes in Japan). The range of the LAS concentration in sediments was between 0.1 and 500 µg g−1 (C11–C14 homologs per dry solid) and its vertical profile showed a seasonal variation. A mathematical model, which includes a diffusion term and a biodegradation term, was used to simulate the temporal variation of LAS in the sediment column and to calculate the diffusive flux rate of LAS across the sediment/water interface. An averaged diffusion coefficient of 2.4 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 for the sediment interstitial water was obtained from sediment core samples located in Lake Teganuma. The biodegradation rate constant (0.002 d−1) of LAS in the sediment obtained from the model analysis was considerably less than that reported for LAS in anaerobic waters. These results confirm that a model describing diffusive transport and biodegradation of LAS in the sediments can simulate the temporal variation of LAS in near surface sediments. The diffusive flux rate from overlying water to bottom sediment was calculated to be between −0.20 and 0.52 (C11–C14 LAS) mg m−2 h−1 and the annual net flux rate was 0.7 g m−2 y−1.

A terphenylboronic acid 1 and its silylated derivative 2 are prepared from (2-nitrophenyl)acetic acid for the purpose of controlling stereochemistry of synthetic organic reactions. These boronic acids are found to recognize α and β-anomers of 2-deoxyribofuranosides. That is, when these boron compounds are added to a 1 : 1 mixture of α and β-t-butyl 5-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-D-ribofuranosides, the boronic acids 1 and 2 from the corresponding boronates preferentially with the β-anomer.

An analytical method for linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) using HPLC was studied. It was found that the peaks of different LAS isomers with alkyl chain lengths between 11 and 14 could be separated by gradient elution with aqueous NaClO4 solution and acetonitrile. The pretreatment of the LAS in the environmental samples was studied and an easy-to-use method involving solvent extraction with 4-methyl-2-pentanone was developed. By using these techniques the concentrations of the different LAS analogues in environmental samples could be measured respectively. The method was used to determine LAS in the aquatic environment; and the seasonal changes of these chemicals were clearly observed.

鶏初生ビナを用いて,肝臓におけるアセテート-1-14Cからの脂肪酸合成能(in vivo)及び脂肪酸合成関連酵素の活性に及ぼす高蛋白質飼料の影響,並びに高炭水化物飼料から高蛋白質飼料に切り換えた場合,及びその逆の切り換えを行った場合における脂肪酸合成能の変化を調べた.肝臓の脂肪酸合成能は17%蛋白質飼料を10日間与えた時に著しく増加したが,67%蛋白質飼料給与時にも,その59%に相当する増加がおこった.これに対し,39%脂肪飼料の給与では,脂肪酸合成能はわずかに増加したにすぎなかった.脂肪酸合成に対するNADPH供給源であるNADP-リンゴ酸脱水素酵素の活性は,17%蛋白質飼料の給与では著しく増加したが,67%蛋白質飼料給与では全く増加しなかった.NADP-イソクエン酸脱水素酵素の活性は,飼料の蛋白質含量の増加につれて増加し,高蛋白質飼料給与による脂肪酸合成能の増加との間に密接な関連が認められた.アセチル-CoAカルボキシラーゼ及び脂肪酸合成酵素の活性は,67%蛋白質飼料の給与により,17%蛋白質飼料の給与の場合とそれぞれ同程度にまで増加した.17%蛋白質飼料で飼育した10日齢のヒナを16時間絶食させて,脂肪酸合成能を低下させた後,67%蛋白質飼料を給与すると,5時間以内では脂肪酸合成能の回復は全く起らなかったが,17%蛋白質飼料では著しい回復がみられた.同様な方法で67%蛋白質飼料から17%蛋白質飼料に切り換えた場合も,5時間以内における脂肪酸合成能の回復の程度は,67%蛋白質飼料の再給与にくらべて著しく低かった.

The actual mechanism on the generation of pollution loading is so complicated that it should be simplified in modeling for its quantifications. Therefore, there is no perfect modeling for those. On the proposal of our new concept for modeling, we tried to describe the real phenomenon or mechanism from source to river more precisely. We have estimated generated pollution loading at a dry period per branch or drain in the middle basin of the Tama River. The data or materials for this investigation are based on the administrative informations which were summed up in 1981. In order to ascertain the calculated pollution loadings, these data were compared with the real water conditions which have been provided by the large-scale and simultaneous river survey in August 1981. We proposed the methodology for adjustment of observed values by ones from plural sections and described the real water conditions in the river. According to the ratio of estimated value and actual condition, we ascertained that our procedure or methodology of calculations for quantification of the generated pollution loadings is reasonable.

This study aims to make clear the reaction kinetics at Pt, O 2 (g)/zirconia electrodes in the oxygen partial pressure, P O 2 , of ∼ 10 −4 − 1 atm at ∼ 400–∼800°C. By a critical review on the preceding studies, problems were pointed out in the application of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm to the P O 2 dependence of electrode conductance, in the assumption of electric double layer at the electrode interface, and of the inconsistency between the recent reaction model of surface diffusion controlled kinetics and the absolute rate theory. It was shown that the charge transfer kinetics cannot be the rate determining step (RDS) of the electrode reaction. The possible RDS was concluded to be either (i) dissociative adsorption of oxygen molecules on the Pt surface or (ii) surface diffusion of O ad atoms on the Pt surface to the Pt/zirconia contact. The diffusion of O ad atoms on the Pt surface was considered to be proportional to θ(1−θ)(∂μ O /∂ x ), where θ is the occupancy of O ad atoms on Pt and μ O is the oxygen chemical potential on the Pt surface. The rate equation, current-potential relationship, and the electrode conductivity, σ E , were calculated for the cases the RDS is (i) and (ii), respectively. By comparing the calculated σ E versus log P O 2 relationship with the reported ones, it was shown that the RDS is (i) for T ≲ 500°C and is (ii) for T ≳ 600°C. In the former case, σ E is essentially constant irrespective to P O 2 , and in the latter case, σ E maximum appears on the σ E versus log P O 2 relations.

Fecal samples were examined in 117 children, ranging in ages from 8 to 14, in a primary school in Chiang Mai City, north Thailand. The positive rate of all parasitic infections was 23.9%. Hookworms were the most prevalent parasite (17.1%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (5.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (3.4%), Entamoeba coli (1.7%), Entamoeba histolytica (0.9%) and Opisthorchis viverrini (0.9%). No Ascaris lumbricoides was found, mainly because of individual treatment with drugs.

In order to make clear the reaction kinetics at the Pt, O 2 (g)/stabilized zirconia electrodes, measurements were made on the dc electrode conductivity, σ E , between 370 and 800°C and anodic and cathodic polarization at 700°C in the P O 2 range of 10 −4 −1 atm. Above 600°C, the log σ E versus log P O 2 plot showed maximum. Below 500°C, σ E was essentially constant irrespective of P O 2 . At 700°C, when the P O 2 was high, the limiting current appeared for anodic polarization. In the lower P O 2 , the limiting current was observed at the cathodic polarization. The results were analyzed based on the reaction model proposed in Part I of the present paper. Above 600°C, the diffusion of adsorbed oxygen atoms on the Pt surface was confirmed to be the rate determining step. The activation energy of the surface diffusion of O ad atoms on Pt was found to be 41 ± 2.5 Kcal/mol, and the heat of adsorption of O ad on Pt was 53 ± 4 Kcal/mol. Below 500°C, the reaction rate was determined by the dissociative adsorption of oxygen molecules on the Pt surface near the Pt/zirconia boundary. The activation energy of this reaction was about 37 ± 4 Kcal/mol.

Effects of L-methionine on the barley powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei) were studied by electron microscopy. Barley leaves were treated with L-methionine (8×10-3M aqueous solution) 24hr before inoculation with the fungus. Primary haustoria formed in the treated leaves were examined under an electron microscope 24, 58, 96 and 168hr after inoculation. At early stages of infection, no degeneration was observed in the cytoplasm of the haustoria. Their sheath membranes were covered with electron-dense materials and their sheath matrix also contained electron-dense materials different from the former. At later stages, the haustorial content increased in electron-density, and large, more densely stained deposits were found in the cytoplasm. Epidermal cells of barley leaves treated with L-methionine before inoculation with the fungus usually became necrotic, accumulating electron -dense granules in the vacuoles. Since this phenomenon has been observed in leaves of barley varieties resistant to the barley powdery mildew, the inhibitory action of L-methionine on the fungus is thought to be due to the induction of resist ant reaction in barley leaves by L-methionine treatment. In hyphae of the fungus on barley leaves treated with L-methionine, degeneration of cell organelles could not be found, but large vacuoles with electron-dense deposits could. When barley leaves were inoculated with the fungus and treated with L-methionine 96hr after inoculation, abnormal conidia showing different stages of degeneration (partial expansion of cell wall, aggregation of the cytoplasm, and disappearance of the aggregated materials) were collected 72hr after treatment.