Synthesis and evaluation of cyclic RGD-boron cluster conjugates to develop tumor-selective boron carriers for boron neutron capture therapy.

Boron-containing agents play a key role in successful boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Icosahedral boron cluster-Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide conjugates were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for the biodistribution to develop tumor-selective boron carriers. Integrin αvβ3 is an attractive target for anti-tumor drug delivery because of its specific expression in proliferating endothelial and tumor cells of various origins.

Efficacy and safety of palliative sedation therapy: a multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted on specialized palliative care units in Japan.

Although palliative sedation therapy is often required in terminally ill cancer patients, its efficacy and safety are not sufficiently understood. The primary aims of this multicenter observational study were to 1) explore the efficacy and safety of palliative sedation therapy, and 2) identify the factors contributing to inadequate symptom relief and complications, using a prospective study design, clearly defined measurement methods, and a consecutive sample from 21 specialized palliative care units in Japan. A sample of 102 consecutive adult cancer patients who received continuous deep sedation were enrolled.

Ethical validity of palliative sedation therapy: a multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted on specialized palliative care units in Japan.

Although palliative sedation therapy is often required in terminally ill cancer patients to achieve acceptable symptom relief, empirical data supporting the ethical validity of this approach are lacking. The primary aim of this study was to systematically investigate whether empirical evidence supports the ethical validity of sedation. This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study, which was conducted by 21 specialized palliative care units in Japan.

Efficacy of a half dose of oral pyridostigmine in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: three case reports.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent mental and physical fatigue for at least 6 months. Its pathophysiology is unknown and there is no proven effective treatment. We describe three cases who fulfill the criteria of CFS, in whom a defect of neuromuscular transmission and dysautonomia are present and who respond to acetylcholine-esterase inhibition.

Bromination by means of sodium monobromoisocyanurate (SMBI).

A variety of aromatic compounds with both activating and deactivating substituents were brominated with sodium monobromoisocyanurate (SMBI) 1, diethyl ether, diethyl ether-methanesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, or sulfuric acid were employed as solvents. Thus nitrobenzene was conveniently brominated in sulfuric acid, benzene was readily monobrominated in diethyl ether-methanesulfonic acid, and phenol was selectively brominated at the ortho position under mild conditions in refluxing diethyl ether. With substituents that are easily protonated, trifluoroacetic acid may be employed as solvent in the reaction with 1, in contrast NBS was ineffective in trifluoroacetic acid.

A case of chorea-acanthocytosis with dysautonomia; quantitative autonomic deficits using CASS.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess cardiovagal, adrenergic and postganglionic sudomotor functions in a patient with chorea-acanthocytosis. We describe a 25-year-old woman with acanthocytosis, lip and tongue biting, chorea like movements and increased levels of serum creatine phosphokinase. The patient presented with orthostatic hypotension.