Bayesian Optimization for Cascade-Type Multistage Processes.

Complex processes in science and engineering are often formulated as multistage decision-making problems. In this letter, we consider a cascade process, a type of multistage decision-making process. This is a multistage process in which the output of one stage is used as an input for the subsequent stage.

Bayesian Quadrature Optimization for Probability Threshold Robustness Measure.

In many product development problems, the performance of the product is governed by two types of parameters: design parameters and environmental parameters. While the former is fully controllable, the latter varies depending on the environment in which the product is used. The challenge of such a problem is to find the design parameter that maximizes the probability that the performance of the product will meet the desired requisite level given the variation of the environmental parameter.

Isolation of levoglucosan-utilizing thermophilic bacteria.

We previously developed an industrial production process for novel water-soluble indigestible polysaccharides (resistant glucan mixture, RGM). During the process, an anhydrosugar-levoglucosan -is formed as a by-product and needs to be removed to manufacture a complete non-calorie product. Here, we attempted to isolate thermophilic bacteria that utilize levoglucosan as a sole carbon source, to establish a removing process for levoglucosan at higher temperature.

Weekly paclitaxel in combination with doxifluridine for peritoneally disseminated gastric cancer with malignant ascites.

Background: The efficacy of systemic chemotherapy for peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer remains unclear. The efficacy of weekly paclitaxel in combination with doxifluridine (5'-DFUR) in gastric cancer patients with malignant ascites was evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed gastric cancer with ascites were eligible.

A phase II study of weekly paclitaxel and doxifluridine combination chemotherapy for advanced/recurrent gastric cancer.

Background: Paclitaxel and doxifluridine (5'-DFUR) have distinct mechanisms of action and toxicity profiles. This study evaluated the antitumor activity and toxicities of combination chemotherapy with these drugs in patients with advanced/recurrent gastric cancer (AGC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed AGC, which was either unresectable or metastatic, were included in this study.

A combination phase I study of weekly paclitaxel and doxifluridine in advanced gastric cancer patients.

Background: Preclinical studies have shown that paclitaxel and doxifluridine can act synergistically without overlapping toxicity for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the dose-limiting toxicity and the recommended Phase II dose for this drug combination.

Patients And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed gastric cancer were eligible for the study.

Adjuvant immunochemotherapy with oral Tegafur/Uracil plus PSK in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer: a randomised controlled study.

Intravenous fluorouracil and leucovorin is the standard adjuvant treatment for stage III colon cancer. However, oral adjuvant chemotherapy is attractive because it has low toxicity and greater convenience. We investigated the benefits of oral protein-bound polysaccharide K (PSK) with tegafur/uracil (UFT) as an adjuvant in stage II and III colorectal cancer.

The effect of FR167653 in a canine total hepatic vascular exclusion model.

Background/aims: Though liver grafts from non-heart-beating donors are now attracting much attention, these grafts inevitably suffer from severe warm ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TNF-alpha and IL-1 suppression on warm ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine total hepatic vascular exclusion model.

Methodology: Warm ischemia was induced by 1-h total hepatic vascular exclusion with active splenofemuro-juglar bypass.

Advantages of Celsior solution in graft preservation from non-heart-beating donors in a canine liver transplantation model.

Background: The optimal method for preserving livers from non-heart-beating donors (NHBD) is still unknown. We compared the Celsior solution, a new extracellular-type, low-potassium, low-viscosity preservation solution, with the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution in a canine orthotopic liver transplantation from NHBD.

Materials And Methods: Fourteen adult mongrel dogs, weighing 9 to 17 kg, were divided into two groups: the Celsior or the UW group (n = 7 each).

The effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in extended liver resection with ischemia in dogs.

Background: Pringle's procedure is commonly used during liver surgery, and it sometimes causes liver failure. Metabolites of arachidonic acid, which are converted by cyclooxygenase (Cox), are involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study evaluated the effects of FK 3311, which selectively inhibits Cox-2, on ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver resection in dogs.

Results of duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy for pancreaticoduodenectomy Billroth I type reconstruction in 100 consecutive patients.

Background: This study retrospectively analyzed 100 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and pylorus-preserving PD (PPPD) with a Billroth I type reconstruction and pancreaticojejunostomy by duct-to-mucosal anastomosis using a continuous running suture.

Study Design: Seventy patients underwent PD and 30 patients PPPD for pancreatic cancer in 33, bile duct cancer in 28, ampullary or duodenal tumor in 22, chronic pancreatitis in 8, and other gastrointestinal cancer in 9. Postoperative pancreatic anastomotic leakage was diagnosed from skin excoriation around the drain site, and was defined as a high concentration of amylase in drainage fluid or leakage demonstrated on x-ray.

FR128998 ameliorates liver injury in extended liver resection with ischemia in dogs.

Background/aims: Platelet-activating factor is one of the most potent phospholipid mediators associated with inflammatory conditions such as ischemia and reperfusion injury. FR128998 (FR) is a novel platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist. In this study, we evaluated the effect of FR during an extended liver resection with ischemia in a canine model.

The effect of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor FK3311 on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine total hepatic vascular exclusion model.

Background: Liver grafts from non-heart-beating donors inevitably suffer from warm ischemic injury. In these grafts, large quantities of inflammatory cytokines and arachidonic acid metabolites are induced, further aggravating injury. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an intracellular enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandin (PG)G2 and PGH2.

FR128998 (a PAF Receptor Antagonist) Counters the Increased Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Associated with Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Canine Lung.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury induces deterioration of pulmonary function following lung transplantation. The spiro-thiazepin derivative FR128998 (FR) is a novel PAF receptor antagonist. The effect of FR on ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated in an in situ warm ischemia model of canine lungs.

Effects of FK3311 on pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine model.

Background: This study investigated the effects of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, FK3311, on warm ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the canine lung.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen adult mongrel dogs were used in this study. In the FK group (n = 8), FK (1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 15 min before ischemia and 15 min before reperfusion.

FR167653 ameliorates pulmonary damage in ischemia-reperfusion injury in a canine lung transplantation model.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are recognized as important factors in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. FR167653 has been characterized as a potent suppressant of IL-1 and TNF-alpha production. We previously reported that FR167653 suppressed the expression of IL-1 beta mRNA after reperfusion and ameliorated pulmonary I/R injury following 3-hour left lung warm ischemia in dogs.

The effect of FK409-a nitric oxide donor-on canine lung transplantation.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is known to have beneficial effects in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through maintaining endothelial integrity, inhibiting leukocyte adhesion and platelet aggregation, and inducing vasodilation. The effect of FK409 (FK), a spontaneous NO donor, was investigated in a canine lung transplantation model.

Methods: Ten pairs of weight-matched dogs were used.