Specific peptide YY (PYY) binding sites have recently been identified autoradiographically in the area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, and dorsal motor nucleus regions [collectively referred to as the dorsal vagal complex (DVC)] in rats. These medullary brain stem regions are responsible for vagovagal reflex control of gastric function, including gastric motility. We propose that PYY can modulate gastrointestinal functions, such as gastric motility, by interacting with PYY binding sites found in DVC. Furthermore, we predict that central PYY effects on gastric function are mediated by the vagus nerve. In the present study, urethan-anesthetized rats were used. PYY (20.0 and 2.0 fmol) injected directly into DVCs of the animals produced significant inhibition of gastric motility that was stimulated by centrally applied thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH is a well-accepted central stimulator of vagal efferent pathway to the stomach. Otherwise, an excitatory effect of PYY (2 pmol) on basal gastric motility was observed and considered as being pharmacological. The inhibitory effect of PYY was abolished completely by unilateral (the injection side) cervical vagotomy, suggesting that the inhibition was vagally dependent. These results support the view that physiological concentrations of PYY may inhibit proximal gut function as part of the "ileal brake" mechanism by acting directly on vagovagal control circuits in the dorsal medulla. However, extremely high doses of PYY may activate gastric function through pharmacological action at pancreatic polypeptide receptors in the DVC.

We have recently developed a nested PCR method which amplifies internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the ribosomal RNA genes of Pneumocystis carinii. To determine whether this PCR method can be used to diagnose P. carinii infections, we examined 30 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens that were shown microscopically to contain P. carinii organisms by the P. carinii ITS PCR (Pc-ITS-PCR) and five other PCR methods that have been described for detecting P. carinii in clinical specimens. The targets of these PCR methods are portions of 18S rRNA, mitochondrial (mt) rRNA, 5S rRNA, thymidylate synthase (TS), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). We also examined five different fungi, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus to determine the specificity of these six PCR methods for P. carinii. All 30 BAL specimens were positive by both the Pc-ITS-PCR and the 18S rRNA gene PCR, whereas only 26 (87%), 18 (60%), 10 (33%), and 7 (23%) of 30 BAL specimens were positive by mt rRNA gene PCR, TS gene PCR, 5S rRNA gene PCR, and DHFR gene PCR, respectively. Although the 18S rRNA gene PCR had the same sensitivity as the Pc-ITS-PCR, it nonspecifically amplified S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. The TS gene PCR also produced false-positive PCR results with C. albicans and C. neoformans. None of the other PCR methods (Pc-ITS-PCR, mt rRNA gene, 5S rRNA gene, and DHFR gene PCR) amplified the control fungal DNA. Considering both sensitivity and specificity, we conclude that Pc-ITS-PCR is the most effective of the six PCR methods evaluated in this study for the detection of P. carinii in BAL specimens.

Arecoline-treated embryos exhibited general developmental retardation in a dose-dependent manner. Our results from RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and antioxidant-protection experiments indicate that the mechanism underlying growth retardation by arecoline in embryos is predominantly due to a general cytotoxic effect induced by depletion of intracellular thiols.

124 INTRODUCTIONDevelopments in machine tools tend towards high speed technology, including high-speed machining (HSM) and high-speed cutting (HSC), especially in high speed end milling applications [1] and [2]. High speed technology applications in machine tools are characterised by a high feeding speed, low axial and radial cutting depth, increased metal removal rate, simplified processing, and reduced costs. The thermal effect of workpieces is insignificant since cutting chips remove most of the heat induced by processing, and hence cutting oil is seldom used. This trend contributes to environmental protection efforts. Only a small amount of cutting fluid is available to lubricate green cutting. The primary deformation zone is significantly heated and bears the cutting force. Therefore, major green cutting methods include tool materials, coating technology, tool geometry design, chip control, coefficient of tool-face friction with the workpiece, and selection of cutting. Green cuttingrelated developments and applications depend on technological advances in machinery and cutting tools.The grinding precision of cutting tools is determined by the surface roughness of the rake face and relief face, in which precision essentially affects the surface roughness of a workpiece and the tool life during high-speed milling. Generally, a cutting tool manufacturer evaluates the quality of grinding, first, with respect to the surface finish of end-mill, and then with by the geometrical profile. The surface finish, which influences the abrasion of the endmill, lubrication, accuracy, and tool life expectancy, depends on the surface roughness of the rake face and relief face.As the most important and the final procedure in manufacturing, grinding of cutting edges is also critical in determining geometrical shapes, cutting performance, wear on the cutting edge, and tool life [3]. Shaji and Radhakrishnan [4] analysed the grinding parameters with respect to surface characteristics, e.g., wheel, workpiece, processing, and mechanical parameters. Yin et al. [5] examined ultraprecision grinding of cemented carbides from a microstructure perspective. Kwak [6] diagnosed errors in surface grinding processing by Taguchi and response surface methods. Nguyen et al. [7] simulated impact parameters of the precision grinding process.Owing to its efficiency and systematic approach, the Taguchi method has been extensively adopted in parameter design and experimental planning [8]. Despite its application in optimizing process parameters [9] to [13], the Taguchi method is unsatisfactory for handling multiple performance characteristics. In this study we attempt to derive an efficient solution to overcome the above problem.Grey relational analysis based on the Taguchi method can be adopted to elucidate the complex relationship among the designated performance