Aging characteristics and mechanical properties of commercial 7xxx series Al composites were investigated from viewpoint of ceramic contents. After sintering process, sintered densities of blended and composite powder were 95 and 97%, respectively. Each part was solution-treated at for 60 min and aged . And two-step aging was also performed form . The aging behavior of the sintered composite pow-der was different from that of sintered blended powder. The peak aging time of the composite was rapid as well due to strain. Before aging, mechanical properties of sintered composite powder was significantly higher than that of sintered blended powder. These increments of properties were directly affected by ceramic particles. However, after aging, incremental rate of mechanical properties was slowed in the composite

Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. has been successfully used as an oriental medicine for various diseases including allergic disorders. Histamine is a major factor on various allergic responses and it is reported that histamine was released from mast cells by sensitization of allergens. In this study, ethanol extracts from E. senticosus Maxim. were prepared and the composition was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The eleutheroside B as a primary effective component of E. senticosus was contained approximately 225 mg/kg in root bark extracts. The extracts were found to significantly inhibit compound 48/80-induced histamine release form mast cells in dose dependent manner. However the extracts had low cytotoxicity on the mast cells with MTT assay. These results showed that E. senticosus Maxim. extracts may be the effective materials on inflammatory disorders.