The bitter and related constituents have been isolated fromVernonia amygdalina (Compositae), a plant ingested by wild chimpanzees possibly suffering from parasite-related diseases in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Isolated from the plant were four known sesquiterpene lactones, seven new steroid glucosides, and two aglycones of the glucosides. The sesquiterpene lactones showed significant in vitro antischistosomal, plasmodicidal, and leishmanicidal activities. Antischistosomal activity was also found for the major steroid glucoside, vernonioside B1. A trend in the glucosides to show significant antischistosomal, plasmodicidal, and amebicidal activities when the sugar moiety was removed, was observed. Vernodalin, judged as the most significant constituent for antiparasitic activities in vitro, was tested for in vivo antischistosomal effect. It was, however, highly toxic to the cercaria-infected mouse. Chimpanzees have been only rarely observed to ingest anything but the pith of the young stem. The occurrence of vernonioside B1 and its aglycone vernoniol B1, the major constituents among the steroid-related constituents, were detected at significant levels in the pith. However, vernodalin was abundant only in the leaves and bark. Thus, chimpanzees at Mahale were hypothesized to control parasite-related diseases by ingesting the young pith of this tree containing steroid-related constituents.

Lansoprazole fast-disintegrating tablets (LFDT) are a patient-friendly formulation that rapidly disintegrates in the mouth. LFDT consist of enteric-coated microgranules (mean particle size, approximately 300 m mm) and inactive granules. In the design of the inactive granules, mannitol was used as a basic excipient.

Turbine inlet temperature of the latest MHI's "G" series industrial gas turbine has been approaching 1500°C. Accompanied by the development of gas turbines with higher firing temperatures, the capability of hot sections materials, such as combustor and turbine parts, must be improved.In response to this demand, Ni-base superalloys have been developed by MHI's alloy design system. These Ni-base superalloys have been applied to rotating blades and stationary vanes.Advanced materials have been incorporated in both existing engines to improve the reliability and in the latest engines to realize high efficiency. These advanced materials have shown good results after field operations.

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