Synthesis of azafluoranthenes by iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition and evaluation of their fluorescence properties.

We report a method for the synthesis of azafluoranthenes under neutral reaction conditions in a highly atom-economical manner by the iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,8-dialkynylnaphthalenes with nitriles. A variety of nitriles react with methyl- or phenyl-substituted 1,8-dialkynylnaphthalenes to give a wide range of azafluoranthenes. Azafluoranthenes bearing an amino group show intense fluorescence at around 500 nm.

Long-term outcome, with monitoring of platelet counts, in patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis after interferon therapy.

Objective: Because the determination of the stage of fibrosis depends on rather subjective judgment, more objective parameters are needed. In this study, we followed the long-term outcome, with monitoring of platelet counts, in patients with chronic hepatitis C or liver cirrhosis (LC) who had undergone interferon (IFN) therapy.

Methods: 596 patients who were diagnosed at our institute from 1987 to 1998 with chronic hepatitis C and LC were treated with IFNs.

Serum concentrations of human hepatocyte growth factor is a useful indicator for predicting the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinomas in C-viral chronic liver diseases.

Background: Numerous reports have examined the relationship between hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and either the facilitation or suppression of the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: In this study, we measured serum HGF concentrations of blood samples and conducted prospective studies to examine the long-term outcome of C-viral chronic hepatitis (CH) and cirrhosis in patients. The subjects examined in this study include 99 patients with C-viral CH, cirrhosis, and HCC.