Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model analysis of the inhibitory effect of vonoprazan on the metabolic activation of proguanil.

We previously reported that repeated oral administration of vonoprazan (VPZ) followed by oral administration of proguanil (PG) in healthy adults increased blood concentration of PG and decreased blood concentration of its metabolite cycloguanil (CG) compared with administration of PG alone. In this study, we investigated whether this interaction can be quantitatively explained by VPZ inhibition of PG metabolism. In an in vitro study using human liver microsomes, VPZ inhibited CG formation from PG in a concentration-dependent manner, and the inhibition was enhanced depending on preincubation time.

Trends in hepatitis E virus infection: Analyses of the long-term screening of blood donors in Hokkaido, Japan, 2005-2019.

Background: After experiencing several cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E (TT-HE) in Hokkaido, Northern Japan, hepatitis E virus (HEV) screening in blood donors, using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAT), was introduced in 2005.

Study Design And Methods: The frequency of HEV RNA-positive donations (2005-2019) was investigated, and the HEV RNA-positive specimens were phylogenetically analyzed. In August 2014, the 20-pooled NAT (20P-NAT) was replaced with an individual-NAT (ID-NAT) system.

[Assessment of Chemotherapy-Induced Adverse Events Using a Sharing System of Patient-Reported Information via a Touch Panel].

Screening for total pain and sharing of patient information including adverse events for patients receiving chemotherapy by medical staff is needed in clinical practice. We introduced a sharing system for patient-oriented outcome sheets via a touch panel at an outpatient chemotherapy clinic. This study aimed to assess whether the system contributes to the improved management of treatment-related adverse events.

Preventive effect of pre-warming, hot compress, and pH adjustment in oxaliplatin-induced venous pain.

Background Venous pain induced by peripheral intravenous administration of oxaliplatin remains clinically unresolved. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of comprehensive intervention care for venous pain in colorectal cancer patients receiving oxaliplatin. Setting A Japanese tertiary hospital.

High Ferritin Level and Malnutrition Predict High Risk of Infection-Related Hospitalization in Incident Dialysis Patients: A Japanese Prospective Cohort Study.

Aims: The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between serum ferritin and infectious risks.

Methods: We evaluated all hospital admissions due to infections, clinical biomarkers and nutrition status in 129 incident Japanese dialysis patients during a median follow-up of 38 months.

Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the period without infections requiring hospitalization was significantly shorter in ferritin > median (82.

Four cases of orbital hyperdensity identified by postmortem computed tomography.

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has become a common examination method in the field of forensic medicine. Head computed tomography provides information of the orbit and eyes, and forensic pathologists may come across abnormal intraocular findings of cadavers upon PMCT. Here, we present four cases in which we identified orbital hyperdensity by PMCT.

Frontal suspension for congenital ptosis using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex(®)) sheet: one-year follow-up.

Background: The frontalis suspension technique is the surgical method of choice in patients with ptosis and a levator function of 4 mm or less. Several types of materials have been used, including Gore-Tex(®), which has been used successfully as a frontalis sling material since 1986. Recently, a Gore-Tex sheet (wider than a sling or strip) suspension was reported.

Combination of a modified Hotz procedure with the Jones procedure decreases the recurrence of involutional entropion.

Purpose: Involutional entropion is a common condition in Asian countries, including Japan. One cause of involutional entropion is weakening of the capsulopalpebral fascia (CPF). The aged, thin, membranous nature of the CPF limits the results of correction by the original Jones procedure (CPF tightening) alone, so we added the modified Hotz procedure to the entropion repair.

Fish-tail resection for treating congenital entropion in Asians.

Preface: The Asian race has a high prevalence of congenital entropion. It was reported that over 20% of Japanese children have congenital entropion at the age of 1 year. One of the structural causes of this condition is the development of epiblepharon, which attaches the lower eyelid to the upper eyelid, and is also common among Asians.

[Epicanthoplasty simultaneous with epiblepharoplasty in cases of epiblepharon with epicanthus].

Introduction: Postoperative recurrence is common following surgery in patients with epiblepharon and co-existing epicanthal folds. We report the results of using combined epicanthoplasty and modified Hotz's procedure techniques aimed at correcting the structural anomalies and improving surgical out-come.

Methods: We performed combined epicanthoplasty and modified Hotz's procedure procedures on 5 patients (10 eyelids) between May 2007 and October 2008.

In vivo stimulation on rabbit retina using CMOS LSI-based multi-chip flexible stimulator for retinal prosthesis.

We have performed in vivo electric stimulation experiments on rabbit retina to demonstrate feasibility of CMOS LSI-based multi-chip flexible neural stimulator for retinal prosthesis. We have developed new packaging structure with an improved flexibility and device control system which totally controls the LSI-based multi-chip stimulator, counter electrode, and stimulation generator. We have implanted the fabricated multi-chip stimulator into sclera pocket for STS (Suprachoroidal Transretinal Stimulation) configuration.

Evaluation of phosphenes elicited by extraocular stimulation in normals and by suprachoroidal-transretinal stimulation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: To determine the efficient parameters to evoke electrical phosphenes is essential for the development of a retinal prosthesis. We studied the efficient parameters in normal subjects and investigated if suprachoroidal-transretinal stimulation (STS) is effective in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using these efficient parameters.

Methods: The amplitude of pupillary reflex (PR) evoked by transcorneal electrical stimulation (TcES) was determined at different frequencies in eight normal subjects.

Laboratory investigation of microelectronics-based stimulators for large-scale suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation (STS).

This paper describes the technological developments underlying the realization of a reliable and reproducible microchip-based stimulator with a large number of stimulus electrodes. A microchip-based stimulator with over 500 electrodes for suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation (STS) is proposed in this paper, and an example is presented. To enhance reliability and reproducibility for such a large array, we introduce a flip-chip bonding technique and place microchips on the reverse side of a substrate.

Threshold suprachoroidal-transretinal stimulation current resulting in retinal damage in rabbits.

The purpose of this study is to determine the threshold suprachoroidal-transretinal stimulation (STS) current that results in retinal damage in rabbits. Biphasic STS pulses (anodic first, frequency 20 Hz) were used to stimulate the retina of pigmented rabbits (n = 18) continuously for 1 h using a 100 microm diameter platinum wire electrode. The STS current that induced retinal damage after 1 h was determined by ophthalmoscopy or by fluorescein angiography (FA) independently.

Electrical stimulation with a needle-type electrode inserted into the optic nerve in rabbit eyes.

Purpose: To investigate whether electrical stimulation of the optic nerve can elicit an electrical evoked potential (EEP) in rabbits and to determine whether such stimulation is a useful approach for the placement of a visual prosthesis.

Methods: Two needle-type electrodes were inserted into the optic nerve using a transvitreal approach. For electrical stimulation, monophasic and biphasic pulses were used.

Transretinal electrical stimulation by an intrascleral multichannel electrode array in rabbit eyes.

Background: A new method of stimulating the retina electrically, called suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation (STS), was shown to be effective in eliciting electrically evoked cortical potentials (EEPs) in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. Before extending this technique to patients, it is important to determine its safety and feasibility in eliciting EEPs from medium-size animal (rabbits). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of the surgical procedures used to implant an multichannel electrode array into a scleral pocket, and to determine whether the implanted electrodes can stimulate the retina effectively.

Transretinal electrical stimulation with a suprachoroidal multichannel electrode in rabbit eyes.

Purpose: Several approaches for placing an electrode device for visual prosthesis have been previously proposed. In this study, we investigated if transretinal stimulation from the suprachoroidal space can elicit an electrical evoked potential (EEP) in albino rabbits.

Methods: A flat electrode array (polyimide plate, platinum electrode) was developed and used for this study.

Analysis of swertiamarin in Swertia herb and preparations containing this crude drug by capillary electrophoresis.

Swertia herb (florescent whole plantof Swertia japonica, Gentianaceae) has long been utilized as a folk medicine in Japan. It is often blended in general gastroenteric drugs as a bitter stomachic. Swertiamarin, a bitter secoiridoid glycoside, is the representative constituent of this crude drug and Swertia herb is normally evaluated by the swertiamarin content.

A Case of Reversed Ophthalmic Artery Flow without Occlusion of the Internal Carotid Artery.

Background: We report a case of reversed ophthalmic artery (OA) flow showing neither occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) nor ophthalmic symptoms.Case: An 82-year-old man had transient blindness in both eyes. After left carotid endarterectomy, ophthalmic symptoms improved in the right and left eyes.

[A case of reversed ophthalmic artery flow without occlusion of the internal carotid artery].

Background: We report a case of reversed ophthalmic artery (OA) flow showing neither occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) nor ophthalmic symptoms.

Case: An 82-year-old man had transient blindness in both eyes. After left carotid endarterectomy, ophthalmic symptoms improved in the right and left eyes.

Is nitrotyrosine generated in human erythrocytes in circulation?

Nitrotyrosine is considered a stable biomarker of reactive nitrogen species, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH) in biomaterials. There are inconsistent observations on the detection of free and protein-associated nitrotyrosine in normal human plasma. Human erythrocytes, differentiated from erythrocyte precursor cells in the bone marrow, circulating in the body for an average of 120 d, and finally removed by spleen macrophages, may be exposed to reactive nitrogen species.

Effect of beta-carotene on the transformation of tyrosine by nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrous acid.

In the NO2-exposure of tyrosine in 70% dioxane/phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), beta-carotene enhanced the degradation of tyrosine and/or 3-nitrotyrosine produced, whereas alpha-tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate inhibited the transformation of tyrosine into 3-nitrotyrosine. Generation of certain active species in the interaction of beta-carotene with NO2 was suggested.