Comparison of different approaches in complete thoracoscopic segmentectomy of lung lower lobe.

Background: Safe and oncologically acceptable segmentectomy outcomes were reported for early-stage lung cancer. The high-resolution computed tomography allowed us to find detailed structures inside the lungs, such as the pulmonary ligaments (PLs). Hence, we have presented the relatively anatomically challenging thoracoscopic segmentectomy, for the resection of the lateral basal segment, the posterior basal segment, and both segments through the PL as a PL approach.

Regioisomeric allene dimer formation by the reaction of tetraarylbutatrienes with tetracyanoethene.

The reaction of tetraarylbutatrienes (tetraaryl[3]cumulenes) with tetracyanoethene (TCNE), a strong electron-accepting molecule, at room temperature yielded novel four-membered ring compounds (head-to-tail unsymmetrically substituted diarylallene dimers) by [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the central C=C bond of the butatrienes. This reaction proceeded through a head-to-head symmetrically substituted diarylallene dimer intermediate. Unsymmetrical butatriene also formed a small amount of another head-to-tail dimer.

Thermal cyclotrimerization of tetraphenyl[5]cumulene (tetraphenylhexapentaene) to a tricyclodecadiene derivative.

Tetraphenyl[5]cumulene (tetraphenylhexapentaene) underwent cyclotrimerization in refluxing toluene for 10-15 min to give a tricyclodecadiene derivative in 68% yield.

Regioselective synthesis of 6-alkyl- and 6-prenylpolyhydroxyisoflavones and 6-alkylcoumaronochromone derivatives.

The palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of 6-iodoisoflavone, prepared from 3'-iodoacetophenone derivative, with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol gave 6-alkynylisoflavone derivative, which was hydrogenated to give 6-alkylhydroxyisoflavone (luteone hydrate) (2). Dehydration of 2 gave 2',4',5,7-tetrahydroxy-6-prenylisoflavone (luteone) (1). Wighteone hydrate (3) was also synthesized from 6-iodotris(benzyloxy)isoflavone in a similar manner.

Long-term survival in adult mediastinal neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma rarely occurs in adults, in whom prognosis is poor. Here we report on the effective use of multimodal therapy to achieve long-term survival in adult mediastinal neuroblastoma. In a 33-year-old male with severe pain radiating from the left hypochondrium to the back area, no abnormal shadow was detected on first examination; the shadow appeared in chest X-ray only 10 months later when the severe pain recurred.

Bronchoplasty with plication of the proximal bronchial membranous portion.

Bronchoplasty originally designed for patients with inadequate pulmonary function who cannot tolerate pneumonectomy, has recently yielded good results as well as offering an alternative to pneumonectomy. We describe a technique for plication of the proximal bronchial membranous portion when there is significant discrepancy in lumen size between the main and the segmental bronchi to allow precise end-to-end anastomosis. Plication helps prevent postoperative anastomotic stenosis and obstruction.