Consistency and prognostic value of preoperative staging and postoperative pathological staging using F-FDG PET/MRI in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: In recent years, positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) has been clinically used as a method to diagnose non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to evaluate the concordance of staging and prognostic ability of NSCLC patients using thin-slice computed tomography (CT) and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MRI.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed on consecutive NSCLC patients who underwent both diagnostic CT and F-FDG PET/MRI before surgery between November 2015 and May 2019.

Efficacy of the continuous use of a lotion with carbon dioxide on male subjects with mild acne.

Objective: Acne vulgaris is caused by dyslipidemia, dyskeratosis and/or abnormal bacterial growth. The obstruction of skin pores due to hyperkeratosis of the infundibulum contributes to the formation of comedones. Thus, normalizing keratinization of epidermal cells in skin pores might be useful to improve acne.

Effect of a heat and moisture exchanger on temperature and humidity of inhaled gas in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) on the temperature and humidity of inhaled gas in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.

Study Design: Prospective, interventional study.

Animals: A total of four experimental dogs and four client-owned dogs weighing 13.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathology in a Case of Pleomorphic Adenoma of a Minor Salivary Gland in the Nasal Cavity.

BACKGROUND Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland is a common benign tumor of the parotid gland. However, pleomorphic adenoma arising in the minor salivary glands, including the nasopharynx, is uncommon. This report is of a case of nasal pleomorphic adenoma in which the preoperative imaging findings were consistent with the histological features of pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary gland, which differs from that of pleomorphic adenoma of the major salivary gland.

Measurement of cerebral vascular reserves with I-123 IMP SPECT without an arterial input function using the microsphere model and radiopharmaceutical dose calibration.

Objectives: Cerebral vascular reserve (CVR) is an important indicator for the management of and therapy for cerebral arterial occlusive disease (CAOD). Vasodilatory function is measured using the standard IMP-ARG method. The IMP autoradiography (IMP-ARG) method employed here uses a standardized input function, which was derived from 12 patients between 31 and 71 years of age.

Effect of medetomidine on tear flow measured by Schirmer tear test I in normal pigs.

Medetomidine, an α-adrenoceptor agonist, was reported to decrease tear flow in some species. However, there are no reports about the effect of medetomidine on tear flow in pigs. The purpose of this study was to elucidate it.

Evaluation of biliary anatomy in the caudate lobe using drip infusion cholangiography-computed tomography.

Purpose: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the caudate branches (CBs), which are bile ducts originating from the caudate lobe (CL), using drip infusion cholangiography with computed tomography (DIC-CT).

Methods: The confluence patterns of CBs were evaluated in 185 adult patients undergoing DIC-CT. The following bile duct features were evaluated: (a) number of depicted CBs; (b) identification of the caudate portion from which the CBs were derived; (c) identification of the confluence site of a CB; and (d) whether there was a difference in the confluence site of the CBs depending on the position of the right posterior hepatic duct (RPHD) and the portal vein (PV).

Improvement in the measurement error of the specific binding ratio in dopamine transporter SPECT imaging due to exclusion of the cerebrospinal fluid fraction using the threshold of voxel RI count.

Objective: In Japan, the Southampton method for dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT is widely used to quantitatively evaluate striatal radioactivity. The specific binding ratio (SBR) is the ratio of specific to non-specific binding observed after placing pentagonal striatal voxels of interest (VOIs) as references. Although the method can reduce the partial volume effect, the SBR may fluctuate due to the presence of low-count areas of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), caused by brain atrophy, in the striatal VOIs.

Spontaneously Ruptured Paraovarian Tumor of Borderline Malignancy with Extremely Elevated Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 125 (CA125) Levels: A Comparison of the Imaging and Pathological Features.

BACKGROUND Paraovarian cysts are common and are generally benign; however, they are frequently misdiagnosed as being of ovarian origin. Conversely, paraovarian tumors of borderline malignancy are extremely rare. Especially, no cases of spontaneous rupture have been reported, and all previous reports had normal serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125 level.

Enhanced oral delivery of alendronate by sucrose fatty acids esters in rats and their absorption-enhancing mechanisms.

Oral delivery is the most fascinating route for interminable drug remedy. However, the intestinal absorption of alendronate (ALN), a bisphosphonate drug after oral administration is very poor. Absorption enhancers, which help to achieve the efficiency-safety balance, are considered one of the most promising agents for the improvement the intestinal absorption of drugs.

Allosteric modulation of the binding affinity between PQBP1 and the spliceosomal protein U5-15kD.

Polyglutamine tract-binding protein 1 (PQBP1) is an intrinsically disordered protein composed of a small folded WW domain and a long disordered region. PQBP1 binds to spliceosomal proteins WBP11 and U5-15kD through its N-terminal WW domain and C-terminal region, respectively. Here, we reveal that the binding between PQBP1 and WBP11 reduces the binding affinity between PQBP1 and U5-15kD.

3-Nitro-2-pyridinesulfenyl-mediated solid-phase disulfide ligation in the synthesis of disulfide bond-containing cyclic peptides.

A new solid-phase disulfide ligation method is developed to prepare a disulfide peptide from two types of Cys-containing peptide fragments with minimum purification steps. In combination with the subsequent intramolecular amide bond formation, a cyclic nonapeptide, oxytocin, was efficiently synthesized as a fundamental model for more complex cyclic peptides.

Segmental isotope-labeling of the intrinsically disordered protein PQBP1.

Polyglutamine tract-binding protein 1 (PQBP1) is an intrinsically disordered protein abundantly expressed in the brain. Mutations in the PQBP1 gene are causative for X-linked mental retardation disorders. Here, we investigated the structure of the C-terminal segment within the context of full-length PQBP1.

Comparison of corneal safety and intraocular pressure-lowering effect of tafluprost ophthalmic solution with other prostaglandin ophthalmic solutions.

Purpose: The benzalkonium chloride (BAK) content of tafluprost ophthalmic solution (Tapros(®): tafluprost) has been reduced to balance corneal safety and preservative effectiveness (old formulation: 0.01%; new formulation: 0.001%).

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on menopausal symptoms, body composition, and cardiovascular parameters in middle-aged women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Objective: This study aims to assess the effects of proanthocyanidin-a class of polyphenol antioxidants extracted from grape seeds-on menopausal symptoms, body composition, and cardiovascular parameters in middle-aged women.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 96 women aged 40 to 60 years who had at least one menopausal symptom. The study participants were randomized to receive grape seed extract tablets containing either low-dose (100 mg/d) or high-dose (200 mg/d) proanthocyanidin, or placebo, for 8 weeks.

Formulation design of an oral, fast-disintegrating dosage form containing taste-masked particles of famotidine.

A fast-disintegrating dosage form has been developed as a user-friendly formulation that disintegrates in the mouth immediately. Patients can take it without water like a liquid formulation. In this study famotidine taste-masking technology was applied to the new fast-disintegrating tablet in an attempt to produce a novel, taste-masked, fast-disintegrating tablet.

Improvement of HPMC tablet disintegration by the addition of inorganic salts.

Effects of inorganic salts on disintegration of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrix tablets have been studied. Adding disintegrants, such as Ac-di-sol, Primojel, Kolidon-CL, or low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) to HPMC matrix tablets had no effect on disintegration property. Disintegration time was improved by adding NaHCO(3), KH(2)PO(4), K(2)SO(4), KCl, or NaCl to the HPMC tablets as tablet components.

Formulation design of taste-masked particles, including famotidine, for an oral fast-disintegrating dosage form.

In this study, the taste-masking of famotidine, which could apply to any fast-disintegrating tablet, was investigated using the spray-dry method. The target characteristics of taste-masked particles were set as follows: the dissolution rate is not to be more than 30% at 1 min and not less than 85% at 15 min, and the particle size is not to be more than 150 microm in diameter to avoid a gritty feeling in the mouth. The target dissolution profiles of spray-dried particles consisting of Aquacoat ECD30 and Eudragit NE30D or triacetin was accomplished by the screening of formulas and the appropriate lab-scale manufacturing conditions.

Preliminary evaluation of polymer-based drug composite microparticle production by coacervate desolvation with supercritical carbon dioxide.

Drug/polymer particles incorporating phenytoin in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared by desolvation of coacervates sprayed through an ultrasonic converging-diverging nozzle into supercritical (SC) carbon dioxide. The mean diameter of the particles produced and the crystallinity of phenytoin in the drug/polymer particles were evaluated with an Aerosizer DSP Particle Size Analyzer and powder X-ray diffraction, respectively. The drug release properties from the composite particles were evaluated using the USP 24 Method 2 rotational paddle method with UV detection.

Inhibition of a solid phase reaction among excipients that accelerates drug release from a solid dispersion with aging.

Hydrophobic drug substances can be formulated as a solid dispersion or solution using macromolecular matrices with high glass transition temperatures to attain satisfactory dissolution. However, very few marketed products have previously relied on solid dispersion technology due to physical and chemical instability problems, and processing difficulties. In the present study, a modified release product of a therapeutic drug for hypertension, Barnidipine hydrochloride, was developed.

[Highly concentrated vascular endothelial growth factor in Crow-Fukase syndrome with high output heart failure: a case report].

Crow-Fukase syndrome is a disease of plasma cell dyscrasia. Congestive heart failure is the biggest complication affecting the prognosis. A 57-year-old male was admitted with edema and low grade fever.

Effect of short-term administration of high dose L-arginine on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Background: A single and local administration of L-arginine after balloon angioplasty enhances nitric oxide (NO) generation and inhibits lesion formation in animals.

Objectives: The present study assessed the effect of increasing NO to inhibit restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in humans by local and systemic administration of L-arginine, a precursor of NO in humans.

Methods: L-arginine was administered to 34 consecutive patients with angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction via a cardiac catheter (500 mg/4 min) before PTCA, and via a peripheral vein (30 g/4 hr, for 5 days) after PTCA.

Risk factors indicating recurrent myocardial infarction after recovery from acute myocardial infarction.

Little is known of the risk factors of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) among Japanese patients who have survived their first MI. The risk factors for the second MI were studied in 808 of 1,042 consecutive patients who recovered from an acute MI in Iwakuni National Hospital. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only 3 of 21 variables measured were closely related with the recurrence of MI during a follow-up period of 3.