Evaluation of Lipopolysaccharide and Interleukin-6 as Useful Screening Tool for Chronic Endometritis.

Universal diagnostic criteria for chronic endometritis (CE) have not been established due to differences in study design among researchers and a lack of typical clinical cases. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) have been reported to cause inflammation in the reproductive systems of several animals. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of LPS in the pathogenesis of CE in humans.

Seasonal adaptation of Mangalica pigs in terms of muscle morphology and metabolism.

The skeletal muscle plays an important role in maintaining body temperature, which is mediated by thermogenesis and glucose or lipid metabolism. Mangalica is a native Hungarian pig that has cold tolerance and can live in grazing environments throughout the year. We evaluated the morphological and genetic aspects of Mangalica using muscle tissues to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the tolerance to seasonal effects in grazing environments.

[A case of recurrent endocrine cell carcinoma of the common bile duct successfully treated by hepatic artery infusion with CPT-11 and CDDP].

A 77-year-old woman underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with the diagnosis of biliary tract cancer. Postoperative immunohistochemical study showed endocrine cell carcinoma originating in the common bile duct. Systemic infusion of gemcitabine was started as adjuvant chemotherapy, however, 6 months after the operation, multiple liver and lymph node metastases were revealed by computed tomography.

New paradigm in molecular engineering of sensitizers for solar cell applications.

A novel thiocyanate-free cyclometalleted ruthenium sensitizer for solar cells is designed and developed. Upon anchoring to nanocrystalline TiO(2) films, it exhibits a remarkable incident monochromatic photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 83%. The solar cell employing a liquid-based electrolyte exhibits a short circuit photocurrent density of 17 mA/cm(2), an open circuit voltage of 800 mV, and a fill factor of 0.

Ruthenium-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation of allenyl alcohols and amines: selective synthesis of lactones and lactams.

Allenyl alcohols such as 4-hydroxybuta-1,2-dienes and 5-hydroxypenta-1,2-dienes having a variety of substituents undergo cyclocarbonylation in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst under mild conditions selectively to give five- and six-membered lactones in a high yield with 100% atom economy. 5-Aminopenta-1,2-dines are also cyclocarbonylated to give gamma-lactams. A possible carbonylation mechanism involving a ruthenium cluster intermediate is proposed on the basis of experimental results.

Ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylation of allene: direct synthesis of methacrylates and methacrylamides.

Carbonylation reactions of allene in alcohols and amines in the presence of a ruthenium carbonyl catalyst under mild conditions gave methacrylates and methacrylamides, respectively, in good yields with an atom economy of 100%.

Case report. Cryptococcal cellulitis showing necrotizing vasculitis.

A 65-year-old woman with refractory anaemia who had been treated with systemic corticosteroids for several months developed cryptococcal cellulitis of the right cubital fossa. She was treated empirically for a presumed bacterial cellulitis with little response. Histological examination of debrided tissue revealed Cryptococcus as the causative organism.

Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor showing remarkable whorl formations.

A case of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is reported. Histologically, spindle cell proliferation with remarkable whorl formations was predominant in the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD117 (c-Kit) and vimentin and partially positive for CD34.

[A Warthin's tumor showing extensive necrosis].

Warthin's tumors are one of the most easily recognizable tumors using light microscopy. However, histopathological diagnosis is difficult in a few cases when characteristic cystic cavities with papillary walling and underlying lymphoid stroma are obscured by reactive changes. We describe a case of an extirpated Warthin's tumor of the right parotid gland which demonstrated extensive necrosis, squamous metaplasia and xanthomatous inflammation.

Ruthenium-catalyzed cyclic carbonylation of allenyl alcohols. Selective synthesis of gamma- and delta-lactones.

[reaction: see text] Ruthenium complex-catalyzed carbonylation of allenyl alcohols quantitatively gave cyclic carbonyl compounds, gamma- and delta-lactones, in which the hydroxy group of allenyl alcohols participated in the cyclization. A wide variety of allenyl alcohols, such as mono-, di-, and trisubstituted alcohols, can be used in this reaction to produce 3- and 4-substituted gamma-lactones. Similarly, the cyclic carbonylation of 3,4-pentadien-1-ol 10a and 2-methyl-4,5-hexadien-2-ol 11a gave delta-lactones, 5,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one 10b, and 5,6-dihydro-6,6-dimethyl-3-methyl-2H-pyran.

[Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis of the right thumb].

Black fungi are a group of fungi that are characterized by the development of a pale brown to black color in the cell walls of their vegetative cells, conidia, or both. A mycotic infection caused by a member of black fungi can be subdivided into three clinical entities: phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and mycetoma. Phaeohyphomycosis is distinguished from mycetoma by the absence of grain (organized, interwoven mycelial aggregates) formation, and from chromoblastomycosis by the absence of sclerotic bodies (thick-walled muriform cells).