Induction of CYP3A activity by dexamethasone may not be strong, even at high doses: insights from a case of tacrolimus co-administration.

Background: Dexamethasone (DEX) induces CYP3A activity in a concentration-dependent manner. However, no study has examined changes in the blood concentration of CYP3A substrate drugs when DEX is administered at high doses. Herein, we present a case in which tacrolimus (TAC), a typical CYP3A substrate drug, was co-administered with a chemotherapy regimen that included high-dose DEX.

Intraosseous carcinoma of the anterior maxilla identified as the occult primary tumour of carcinoma of unknown primary.

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is defined as lymph node metastasis without a detectable origin until after the initial treatment has been performed. The most common occult primary site in the head and neck, as revealed by a review of the published literature, is the oropharynx. An occult primary site in the oral region is extremely rare.

Integrated Experimental and Computational Studies on the Organocatalytic Kinetic Resolution of β-Unfunctionalized Primary Alcohols Using a Chiral 1,2-Diamine: The Importance of Noncovalent Interactions.

The enantioselective kinetic resolution of β-unfunctionalized primary alcohols with benzoyl chloride was carried out in the presence of a catalytic amount of a novel chiral 1,2-diamine derived from ()-proline. Several valuable chiral 2-substituted propan-1-ols were obtained with good enantioselectivities. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the noncovalent interaction, such as CH-π interaction, is crucial for the enantioselectivity of the resolution.

Combined Computational and Experimental Studies on the Asymmetric Michael Addition of α-Aminomaleimides to β-Nitrostyrenes Using an Organocatalyst Derived from Alkaloid.

Maleimides are often used as electrophiles in conventional reactions; however, their application as nucleophiles is limited to only a few reactions, and reactions utilizing α-aminomaleimides as asymmetric Michael donors have not been reported to date. Thus, in this work, asymmetric Michael addition of α-aminomaleimides as Michael donors to β-nitrostyrenes was conducted for the first time using an organocatalyst derived from a alkaloid. Density functional theory investigations were crucial to improve the enantioselectivity of the adduct.

Prediction of the permeability of antineoplastic agents through nitrile medical gloves by zone classification based on their physicochemical properties.

Background: Permeability of antineoplastic agents through medical gloves is an important factor that must be considered for the appropriate selection of gloves. However, predicting the permeability of antineoplastic agents through medical gloves based on their physicochemical properties remains difficult. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the physicochemical properties and permeability of antineoplastic agents through medical gloves.

Evaluation of the permeation of antineoplastic agents through medical gloves of varying materials and thickness and with varying surface treatments.

Background: Medical gloves are an important piece of personal protective equipment that prevents exposure to antineoplastic agents. The permeability of medical gloves to antineoplastic agents is a crucial factor in the appropriate selection of gloves. However, the relationship between glove permeability and material type, thickness, and surface treatment is poorly understood.

Evaluation of the pharmaceutical characteristics of various enteric-coated aspirin tablets under different storage conditions.

The formulation characteristics of 6 brands of enteric-coated aspirin tablets under unpackaged conditions at 40°C and 60°C for 4 weeks were analyzed. Appearance, salicylic acid content, dissolution rates, and surface properties (by Raman microscopy) were evaluated to determine stability data, taking into account the clinical use of generic drugs. No change in appearance, decomposition, or dissolution rates was observed in unpackaged aspirin tablets stored at 40°C for 4 weeks.

Isolation and characterization of a thermotolerant ammonia-oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas sp. JPCCT2 from a thermal power station.

A thermotolerant ammonia-oxidizing bacterium strain JPCCT2 was isolated from activated sludge in a thermal power station. Cells of JPCCT2 are short non-motile rods or ellipsoidal. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that JPCCT2 belongs to the genus Nitrosomonas with the highest similarity to Nitrosomonas nitrosa Nm90 (100%), Nitrosomonas sp.

Iron(III) chloride-catalyzed convenient one-pot synthesis of homoallyl benzyl ethers starting from aldehydes.

[reaction: see text] Iron(III) chloride-catalyzed effective allylation reactions of acetals with allyltrimethylsilane proceeded smoothly in high to excellent yields. In addition, this method could be applied to the one-pot synthesis of homoallyl benzyl ethers by a combination of dibenzyl acetalization of aldehydes and consecutive allylation of dibenzyl acetals.

Cyanobenzoylation and hydrocyanation of aldehydes with benzoyl cyanide using no catalyst.

[reaction: see text] In the presence of MS 4A in DMSO, cyanobenzoylation of various aldehydes with benzoyl cyanide proceeded very smoothly to give the corresponding cyanohydrin benzoates in high to excellent yields without an acid or a base. On the other hand, reaction of aldehydes with BzCN in DMSO-H(2)O also occurred readily to afford the corresponding free cyanohydrins exclusively.

Thoracoscopic parasternal lymph node dissection for the staging of breast cancer.

With the advent of advanced thoracoscopic techniques, new applications have been expanding their roles in thoracic surgery. The aim of this paper is to introduce our new thoracoscopic approach in performing parasternal lymph node dissection of advanced breast cancer for its staging. This technique does not need the removal of any costal cartilage which is usually done in the conventional classical technique after radical mastectomy.

[A case of hepatic metastasis from rectal carcinoma successfully treated with pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy (PMC)-CPT-11 therapy].

We performed PMC-CPT-11 therapy (modified pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy plus irinotecan, or modified PMC) in a case of sigmoid colon cancer with local invasion and multiple hepatic metastases. This regimen combined PMC therapy which includes Hartmann's operation, simple hysterectomy and postoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), with intravenous irinotecan, or CPT-11. The multiple hepatic metastatic lesions disappeared after surgery and no local recurrence has been found since.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases in an elderly patient that responded dramatically to UFT therapy].

An 88-year-old female patient suffering from Borrmann type 3 advanced gastric cancer complicated by multiple hepatic metastases underwent a total gastrectomy. A small dose of 200 mg/day of UFT was administered orally every day postoperatively. At postoperative month 6, a marked diminishment of the hepatic metastatic lesions was noted.

In vivo subcellular elemental dynamics in liver graft: With special reference to effect of non-selective endothelin receptor antagonist, TAK-044, on the graft injury.

Background: No data are available concerning the in vivo subcellular dynamics of elements in liver grafts and the effect of endothelin receptor antagonist, TAK-044, against graft injury. Methods: Liver transplantation was performed in porcine under active veno-venous bypass. The grafts stored in chilled preservation solution were recirculated following reflush with lactated Ringer's solution with or without TAK-044 (10 mg/kg).

Highly efficient kinetic resolution of beta-halohydrins catalyzed by a chiral 1,2-diamine.

Kinetic resolution of racemic beta-halohydrins has been achieved by reaction with benzoyl chloride in the presence of a catalytic amount (0.3 mol%) of a chiral diamine combined with diisopropylethylamine to afford the corresponding benzoates and unreacted beta-halohydrins in good to excellent enantioselectivities. The benzoate can be converted to the corresponding allylic benzoate without loss of optical purity by treatment with (1,5-diazabicyclo[4.

Laparoscopic surgery assisted by a transvaginal approach.

We used laparoscopic surgery assisted by a transvaginal approach for gastrointestinal diseases. In the first case, a huge submucosal tumor enucleated laparoscopically from the minor curvature of the stomach was extracted through the vagina. In the second case, partial resection of the rectum to treat rectal endometriosis was performed laparoscopically with the assistance of manual handling inserted transvaginally.

Progression of hepatocellular carcinoma as reflected by nuclear DNA ploidy and cellular differentiation.

Background/aims: Intratumor heterogeneity of DNA ploidy within a single hepatocellular carcinoma is not well understood. The present study was designed to examine the histologic distribution of intratumor DNA ploidy in hepatocellular carcinomas of different growth types in relation to cell differentiation.

Methods: Twenty patients (16 men and four women; mean age, 60.

Thoracoscopic treatment of esophagobronchial fistula with esophageal diverticulum.

Thoracoscopic fistulectomy and diverticulectomy for esophagobronchial fistula with esophageal diverticulum were performed on a 49-year-old-woman. The neck of the diverticulum and the fistula were divided with endo-stapling technique. Intraoperative esophagoscopy was found to be useful for the definite localization and complete excision of the fistula and the diverticulum and the avoidance of stenosis of the esophagus.

Factors regulating tumor pressure in hepatocellular carcinoma and implications for tumor spread.

This study was performed to investigate factors determining tumor pressure (TP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a correlation of pressure gradient between TP and portal vein pressure (PVP) with tumor spread. TP and hepatic tissue pressure (HTP) were measured in 70 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC. Changes in TP after hepatic artery occlusion (HAO) or portal vein occlusion (PVO) were observed.

Hepatoprotective effect of a nonselective endothelin receptor antagonist (TAK-044) in the transplanted liver.

This study was designed to investigate whether or not a novel nonselective endothelin A/B (ETA/ETB) receptor antagonist (TAK-044) provides hepatoprotection during porcine liver transplantation. The grafts were stored in chilled Euro-Collins solution and recirculated following reflush with lactated Ringer's with (TAK group) or without (control group) TAK-044 (10 mg/kg). Intracellular (cytoplasma, mitochondria, and nucleus) calcium (Ca) concentrations were measured in the hepatic biopsy materials obtained serially at varying time point from donor laparotomy to recipient closure using an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer.

Intrahepatic metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of the portal vein as an efferent vessel.

The mechanism and pathogenesis of the high frequency of intrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been elucidated. Two hundred and thirty one tumors (< or = 5 cm in diameter) of resected specimens of HCC were examined for the relationship between mode of tumor spread and tumor size. Efferent vessels in HCC were identified by direct injection of radiopaque material into the tumor in 23 resected liver specimens selected at random from the 231 tumors.

Microwave coagulonecrotic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The present study reports on the usefulness of microwave coagulonecrotic therapy (MCT) as a treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor hepatic reserve. From June 1992 to March 1995, MCT using a microwave electrode was employed on 8 patients using laparoscopic control and 19 with the open method, and wedge resection (Hx) was applied to the 23 patients. All patients had HCC with poor hepatic reserve.

Intrahepatic metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma: evidence for spread via the portal vein as an efferent vessel.

Background: The mechanism and pathogenesis of the high frequency of intrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been elucidated.

Methods: Two hundred thirty-one tumors ( < or = 5 cm in diameter) of resected specimens of HCC were examined for the relationship between mode of tumor spread and tumor size. Efferent vessels in HCC were identified by direct injection of radiopaque material into the tumor in 23 resected liver specimens selected from the 231 tumors.

Pathologic and radiographic studies of intrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma; the role of efferent vessels.

The efferent vessel of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the mechanism and pathogenesis of the high frequency of intrahepatic metastasis in HCC has not yet been clarified. Three hundred ninety-three resected specimens of HCC were examined for tumor thrombosis in the portal vein and the hepatic vein: 231 tumors < or = 5 cm in diameter were examined for the relationship between mode of tumor spread and tumor size. Efferent vessels in HCC were identified by direct injection of radiopaque material into the tumor in 23 resected liver specimens and by percutaneous infusion of radiopaque media into tumor nodules in 8 patients.