Crystallization of charged gold particles mediated by nonadsorbing like-charged polyelectrolyte.

We report that the aqueous dispersions of negatively charged submicron-sized colloidal Au particles formed non-close-packed colloidal crystals by the addition of a like-charged linear polyelectrolyte, sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA). Au particles often form irregular aggregates in dispersions because of a strong van der Waals force acting between them. To prevent aggregation, we introduced negative electric charges on particle surfaces.

[A contribution of a pharmaceutical department to the safety management of an outpatient's cancer chemotherapy].

A concern about safety management is growing rapidly in the field of an outpatient's cancer chemotherapy. Therefore, the pharmaceutical department of Tokai University Hachioji Hospital has employed; (1) a system to check injection prescriptions accompanied by records of drug administration and (2) an injection drug preparation worksheet for a certain communication. The results that examined their usability were as follows: (1) a prescription check found a deviation of recipes from the protocol, then all of the deviations were revised, (2) use of the worksheet with an indicated cancellation line completely prevented preparation mistakes in the case of a prescription change.

Role of pyloroplasty after proximal gastrectomy for cancer.

Background/aims: The necessity of pyloroplasty as a drainage procedure after proximal gastrectomy remains controversial in terms of the postoperative quality of life. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether pyloroplasty is necessary after proximal gastrectomy.

Methodology: Thirty-five patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition between 1993 and 2000 were studied.

[Successful treatment by tacrolimus in two patients with Osserman's grade III intractable myasthenia gravis and elderly IIb].

Tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressive agent, has recently become available for the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG). However, few reports have evaluated the usefulness of tacrolimus in the elderly and in intractable MG classified as Osserman's grade IIb or higher. In this study, we examined the effects of tacrolimus in two patients with postthymectomy Osserman's grade III and IIb MG.