The role of toxic planocerid flatworm larvae on tetrodotoxin accumulation in marine bivalves.

Tetrodotoxin (TTX), also known as pufferfish toxin, has been detected in marine edible bivalves worldwide. In this study, several bivalve species, Azumapecten farreri subsp. akazara, Patinopecten yessoensis and Mytilus galloprovincialis, collected from the Pacific side of the northern Japanese Islands, were studied for the accumulation of TTX in the presence of toxic planocerid larvae.

[Clinical evaluation of supplemental administration of flavoxate hydrochloride in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with nocturia resistant to an alpha1-adrenoceptor blocker].

We examined the effectiveness of supplemental administration of flavoxate hydrochloride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) whose nocturia was not adequately relieved by an alpha1-adrenoceptor blocker. Fifty-two patients who had two or more nocturnal micturition after administration of tamsulosin hydrochloride or naftopidil for 4 weeks or more received 400-600 mg of flavoxate hydrochloride in addition to an alpha1-adrenoceptor blocker for another 8-12 weeks. With supplemental administration of flavoxate hydrochloride, significant improvement was observed in the number of nocturnal micturition, total International Prostate Sympton Score, quality of life score and BPH impact index.

[A case report of primary renal carcinoid tumor].

A 54-year-old woman was referred to our institute because of abdominal pain and constipation. The computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a 3 x 3 cm of low density tumor at the upper pole of the left kidney and para-aortic lymphadenopathy. Gastrointestinal investigation revealed no particular findings suggesting a carcinoid syndrome associated with the left kidney tumor.