Synthesis of Small Peptide Nanogels Using Radiation Crosslinking as a Platform for Nano-Imaging Agents for Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis.

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) have been developed as effective diagnostic and low-dose imaging agents. Nano-imaging agents with particles greater than 100 nm are difficult to accumulate in pancreatic cancer cells, making high-intensity imaging of pancreatic cancer challenging. Peptides composed of histidine and glycine were designed and synthesized.

Radiation Crosslinked Smart Peptide Nanoparticles: A New Platform for Tumor Imaging.

Nanoparticles have been employed to develop nanosensors and drug carriers that accumulate in tumors. Thus, it is necessary to control the particle size, surface potential, and biodegradability of these nanoparticles for effective tumor accumulation and safe medical application. In this study, to form a nanoparticle platform suitable for diagnostic and drug delivery system (DDS) applications, peptides composed of aromatic amino acid residues were designed and synthesized based on the radiation crosslinking mechanism of proteins.

Ezetimibe Lipid-Lowering Trial on Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in 75 or Older (EWTOPIA 75): A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background: Evidence regarding the primary prevention of coronary artery disease events by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy in older individuals, aged ≥75 years, is insufficient. This trial tested whether LDL-C-lowering therapy with ezetimibe is useful for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in older patients.

Methods: This multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end-point evaluation conducted at 363 medical institutions in Japan examined the preventive efficacy of ezetimibe for patients aged ≥75 years, with elevated LDL-C without history of coronary artery disease.

Long-term effects of beraprost sodium on arteriosclerosis obliterans: a single-center retrospective study of Japanese patients.

Introduction: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) causes ischemic symptoms of the lower limbs, reducing quality of life (QOL), and has a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary. In this study, the effects of long-term administration of beraprost sodium (beraprost) to treat ASO were investigated.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome after carboplatin and paclitaxel regimen for lung cancer.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is uncommon neurological syndrome that is characterized by specific clinical and radiologic findings. Previous reported associations of RPLS include hypertension, eclampsia, renal impairment and drugs. Prompt diagnosis and therapy is critical to ensure resolution of the neurological disability.

Effects of irbesartan on 24-h blood pressure changes and urinary albumin levels in Japanese outpatients.

In Japan, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) became covered by health insurance in April 2008. In The Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension (JSH2009), the importance of 24-h blood pressure monitoring was also described in an additional section. Therefore, ABPM may be increasingly applied in hypertension treatment.

Angiotensin receptor blockers and microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with early (microalbuminuric) stage diabetic nephropathy.

Although protection of the kidneys by renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors is well known, differences in renal protection and the characteristics of RAS inhibitors have not been fully investigated. We randomly allocated 80 patients with hypertension complicated by type 2 diabetes and accompanied by microalbuminuria to 4 groups for treatment with the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) telmisartan, losartan, candesartan and valsartan. Strict anti-hypertensive therapy was performed for 12 months (target blood pressure: lower than 130/80 mmHg), and renal function was compared.

[Case of interstitial pneumonitis induced by a Chinese herbal medicine, bofu-tsusho-san].

The patient was a 64-year-old woman. She had complained of dyspnea during exercise, productive cough, and pyrexia for two months after treatment to reduce her body weight with a Chinese herbal medicine, bofu-tsusho-san. This symptom worsened gradually, and she was admitted to our hospital for the examination and therapy.