ICG fluorescence endoscope for visualization of the placental vascular network.

Intrauterine laser photocoagulation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) needs accurate in-situ recognition of placental vascular anastomosis. Because the conventional procedure is highly dependent upon the operators' skill and experience, we developed a new way to visualize the placental vascular network by a rigid-type fluorescence endoscope coupled with intravenous administration of Indocyanine green (ICG). The feasibility of the fluorescence endoscope was examined with monkey placentas and pregnant rats.

Transcutaneous cisternal puncture for sampling of cerebrospinal fluid in awake rat.

Reported cisternal puncture methods require the anesthetization and fixation of an animal within a stereotaxic frame. To determine the effect of anesthesia and animal fixation on the central nervous system (CNS), amino acid concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampled by transcutaneous cisternal puncture were compared among awake rats, pentobarbital-anesthetized rats and pentobarbital-anesthetized rats fixed in a stereotaxic frame. Although the concentrations of many amino acids in the CSF of pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were lower than in awake rats, use of the stereotaxic frame resulted in significantly increased amino acid concentrations in the CSF.

Strain differences to effects of aging on concentrations of amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid between Sprague Dawley rat and Wistar Kyoto rat.

Age-related alterations and differences of weights and those of amino acid concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated between Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats from eight to twenty weeks of age. The weights of SD rats were heavier than WKY rats at all ages. The age-related alterations of the CSF concentration of many amino acids within each strain were significant but showed no significant trend with age.

Effect of pazufloxacin mesilate on the serum concentration of theophylline.

We studied the effect of pazufloxacin mesilate (T-3762), a new fluoroquinolone for intravenous administration, on the serum concentration of theophylline. Evaluation consisted of comparisons of serum levels of theophylline (when it was given alone, as a control), with serum levels of theophylline when T-3762 was given concomitantly. We measured the serum concentrations and the urinary excretion rates of theophylline in healthy adult male volunteers who were given theophylline for 5 days, followed by an i.