Preoperative dorsal disc height is a predictor of indirect decompression effect through oblique lateral interbody fusion in lumbar degenerative stenosis.

The extent of indirect decompression after oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is one of the most important factors in deciding the strategy. To assess the radiographical predictors of the effect of indirect decompression in patients with lumbar degenerative spondylosis by OLIF. Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent OLIF at 58 lumbar disc levels were enrolled in this study.

New antimalarials identified by a cell-based phenotypic approach: Structure-activity relationships of 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-β-carboline derivatives possessing a 2-((coumarin-5-yl)oxy)alkanoyl moiety.

The identification, structure-activity relationships (SARs), and biological effects of new antimalarials consisting of a 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-β-carboline core, a coumarin ring, and an oxyalkanoyl linker are described. A cell-based phenotypic approach was employed in this search for novel antimalarial drugs with unique modes of action. Our screening campaign of the RIKEN compound library succeeded in the identification of the known tetrahydro-β-carboline derivative (4e) as a hit compound showing significant in vitro activity.

Condensed Film Formation and Molecular Packing in Cationic Surfactant-Cholesterol and Zwitterionic Surfactant-Cholesterol Systems at the Hexane/Water Interface.

A condensed film formation of surfactants with a charged head group at the oil/water interface was achieved by mixing surfactants of different geometric shapes to control molecular packing at the interface. The adsorbed films of mixed tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C14TAB)-cholesterol (Chol) and tetradecylphosphocholine (C14PC)-Chol systems at the hexane/water interface were examined by interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The interfacial tension versus Chol concentration curves have break points because of the expanded-condensed phase transition of the adsorbed film.

Solid Film Formation at the Tetradecane/Aqueous Hexadecyltrimethylammonium Bromide Solution Interface Studied by Interfacial Tensiometry and X-ray Reflectometry.

The effect of oil on condensed film formation in the adsorbed film of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16TAB) at the tetradecane (C14)/water (W) interface was examined by interfacial tension and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The interfacial tension vs temperature curves have break point due to the expanded?condensed phase transition of the adsorbed film. The partial molar entropy of C16TAB at the interface changes discontinuously, whereas the interfacial density changes almost continuously at the phase transition point.

Microdiscectomy and Foraminotomy in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy and Radiculopathy.

This study was to assess the efficacy of microdiscectomy, cage fixation, and right tranuncal foramintomy for the patients suffering from right radiulo-myelopathy. Anterior cervical foraminotomy was reported to be an effective option for the treatment of cervical degenerative radiculopathy but with the problem of recurrence. Since Hakuba reported the method of trans-unco-discal approach in 1976, it was designed as keyhole foraminotomy which was called transuncal approach, transpedicular approach or transvertebral approach.

Idiopathic and Chronic Epidural Hematoma in the Lumbar Spine: A Case Report and Review of Literatures.

Spontaneous and chronic epidural hematoma (SSEH) in the lumbar spine is rare, and idiopathic and chronic SSEH in the lumbar spine is extremely rare disease. Most of lumbar SSEH were acute and secondary with trauma, hematologic disorders, drug, and surgical procedure. Only 20 cases of chronic SSEH in the lumbar spine have been reported and 14 cases among them were considered to be idiopathic.

Coloring Technique of Magnetic Resonance Angiography for Superficial Temporal Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass Surgery.

Objective: Superficial temporal artery (STA)-to-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass is an established surgical technique for achieving revascularization. It is important to select the proper recipient artery of the MCA. Three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) and conventional angiography are useful in the selection process but need contrast agents.

The role of SET/I2PP2A in canine mammary tumors.

Canine mammary tumor is the most common neoplasm in female dogs, and it has generated considerable attention as a translational model for human breast cancer. Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a critical role as a tumor suppressor, and SET/I2PP2A, the endogenous inhibitory protein of PP2A, binds directly to PP2A and suppresses its phosphatase activity. Here, we investigated the role of SET in the tumorigenic growth in canine mammary tumor as well as in the sensitivity of tumors to existing therapeutics.

Optimal dose of ramosetron in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: A randomized, placebo-controlled phase II study.

Background: Previous studies showed that 5 μg of ramosetron, a serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT)-3 receptor antagonist, is only effective in male patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea (IBS-D). We hypothesized that either dose 1.25, 2.

Bone scintigraphy for the diagnosis of the responsible level of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty.

Objectives: This study was to investigate the efficacy of bone scintigraphy in order to diagnose the correct level of vertebral compression fractures (VCF) for the severe back pain before balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) was performed.

Patients And Methods: A total of 30 consecutive patients were treated with BKP for 38 times since May 2012. Eleven patients had acute multi-level VCFs.

[Effect of Japanese Traditional Medicine, TJ-48, on the Quality of Life of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy].

An increasing number of patients with lung cancer are undergoing outpatient chemotherapy.It is very important to retain the quality of life (QOL) of these patients.Japanese traditional medicine, TJ-48, has been reported to improve the QOL of patients with advanced cancer.

Inhibition of malaria parasite growth by quinomycin A and its derivatives through DNA-intercalating activity.

Quinomycin A and its derivatives were identified as potent antimalarial (Plasmodium falciparum) agents in a screen of the RIKEN NPDepo chemical library. IC50 values of quinomycin A and UK-63,598 were approximately 100 times lower than that of the antimalarial drug chloroquine. This activity was mitigated by the addition of plasmid DNA, suggesting that these compounds act against parasites by intercalating into their DNA.

[Analysis of factors associated with the quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received outpatient pemetrexed maintenance therapy].

Increasing number of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer are receiving outpatient maintenance chemotherapy. It is very important to maintain these patients' quality of life(QOL). Pemetrexed has been reported to be an effective maintenance chemotherapy.

[Effect of Japanese traditional medicine, TJ-41, on quality of life of patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy].

An increasing number of patients with lung cancer are undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. It is very important to maintain good quality of life(QOL)for these patients, and Japanese traditional medicine, TJ-41, has been reported to improve the QOL of patients with advanced cancer. However, the effect of TJ-41 on patients with lung cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy is unknown.

Effects of triazole derivatives on strigolactone levels and growth retardation in rice.

We previously discovered a lead compound for strigolactone (SL) biosynthesis inhibitors, TIS13 (2,2-dimethyl-7-phenoxy-4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)heptan-3-ol). Here, we carried out a structure-activity relationship study of TIS13 to discover more potent and specific SL biosynthesis inhibitor because TIS13 has a severe side effect at high concentrations, including retardation of the growth of rice seedlings. TIS108, a new TIS13 derivative, was found to be a more specific SL biosynthesis inhibitor than TIS13.

Computational fluid dynamics of carotid arteries after carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting based on postoperative patient-specific computed tomography angiography and ultrasound flow data.

Background: There are significant differences in the postoperative morphological and hemodynamic conditions of the carotid arteries between carotid artery stenting (CAS) and endarterectomy (CEA).

Objective: To compare the postoperative rheological conditions after CAS with those after CEA with patch angioplasty (patch CEA) through the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on patient-specific data.

Methods: The rheological conditions in the carotid arteries were simulated in 2 patients after CAS and in 2 patients after patch CEA by CFD calculations.

[Analysis of factors associated with quality of life for older adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving outpatient gemcitabine therapy as an alternative inpatient therapy].

An increasing number of patients with lung cancer are undergoing outpatient chemotherapy as an alternative to inpatient therapy. To investigate the factors influencing the quality of life (QOL) for these patients, we administered a QOL questionnaire, The QOL Questionnaire for Cancer Patients Treated with Anticancer Drugs (QOL-ACD) to 8 older adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The medical factors related to the overall QOL scores and other categories indicating activity, physical condition, psychological condition, social relationship, psychological condition and face scale were analyzed.

Significant differences in the postoperative morphological and hemodynamic conditions of carotid arteries of patients undergoing stenting or endarterectomy with patch angioplasty.

Objective: Carotid endarterectomy with a patch graft (Patch CEA) has been our standard treatment for patients with carotid artery stenosis, but carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative changes in the configurations and the flow velocities of carotid arteries after CAS or Patch CEA.

Methods: Thirty-one patients undergoing CAS or Patch CEA were included.

Impact of protein and carbohydrate supplementation on plasma volume expansion and thermoregulatory adaptation by aerobic training in older men.

We examined whether protein-carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation immediately after exercise each day during aerobic training facilitated plasma volume (PV) expansion and thermoregulatory and cardiovascular adaptations in older men. Fourteen moderately active older men [68 +/- 5 (SD) yr] were divided into two groups so as to have no significant differences in anthropometric measures, PV, and peak oxygen consumption rate (Vo(2peak)). Each group was provided with a mixture of protein and CHO (3.

Protein and carbohydrate supplementation after exercise increases plasma volume and albumin content in older and young men.

This study examined whether increased plasma volume (PV) and albumin content (Alb(cont)) in plasma for 23 h after exercise were attenuated in older subjects compared with in young adult subjects, and if this attenuation abated by supplementation with protein and carbohydrate (CHO) immediately after exercise. Eight moderately active older (approximately 68 yr) and 8 young (approximately 21 yr) men performed two trials: control (CNT) and Pro-CHO in which subjects consumed placebo (0.5 kcal, 0 g protein, 0.

Identification and characterization of an Ipomoea nil glucosyltransferase which metabolizes some phytohormones.

A glucosyltransferase gene InGTase1 was identified from the immature seeds of morning glory (Ipomoea nil), whose product shows a broad substrate-preference, including that of some phytohormones. When 2-trans-abscisic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, salicylic acid (SA) or (+/-)-jasmonic acid was reacted with InGTase1 and UDP-[(14)C]-glucose, each (14)C-labeled compound with high polarity was detected after thin layer chromatography. SA metabolites were identified as SA glucosyl ester by using (1)H NMR and GC/MS.

Branched-chain amino acids supplementation attenuates the accumulation of blood lactate dehydrogenase during distance running.

Aim: We investigated the effect of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation on tissue damage during distance running.

Methods: Eight male distance runners (mean +/- standard deviation; age: 20.4+/-1.

Structural factors contributing to the Abl/Lyn dual inhibitory activity of 3-substituted benzamide derivatives.

To investigate why 3-substituted benzamide derivatives show dual inhibition of Abl and Lyn protein tyrosine kinases, we determined their inhibitory activities against Abl and Lyn, carried out molecular modeling, and conducted a structure-activity relationship study with the aid of a newly determined X-ray structure of the Abl/Lyn dual inhibitor INNO-406 (formerly known as NS-187) bound to human Abl. We found that this series of compounds interacted with both kinases in very similar ways, so that they can inhibit both kinases effectively.

Control of dopamine-secretion by Tet-Off system in an in vivo model of parkinsonian rat.

We established a PC12 cell line (PC12TH Tet-Off) in which human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression can be negatively controlled by Doxycycline (Dox). First, dopamine (DA)-secretion from PC12TH Tet-Off cells was controlled by Dox-administration in a dose-responsive manner ranging from 0 to 100 ng/ml for 70 days in vitro. Furthermore, Parkinson's disease model of rats receiving encapsulated PC12TH Tet-Off cells displayed a significant decrease of dopamine concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and increase of the number of apomorphine-induced rotations by Dox-administration, as compared to transplanted rats without Dox-administration, although the significant decrease of the reduction ratio of DA concentration in the CSF with Dox-administration was recognized over time.