The efficacy and safety profile of 2-weekly dosing of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy for platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer

International Journal of Clinical Oncology - Despite being widely used, to date (June 2021), the regimen of bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W) combined with chemotherapy is...     

Phase I study of napabucasin in combination with FOLFIRI + bevacizumab in Japanese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

International Journal of Clinical Oncology - Napabucasin is an oral NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 bioactivatable agent that generates reactive oxygen species, is hypothesised to affect multiple...     

Correction to: The efficacy and safety profile of 2-weekly dosing of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy for platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer

International Journal of Clinical Oncology -     

Oral administration of the extract from Hatakeshimeji (Lyophyllum decastes sing.) mushroom inhibits the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

We examined whether the extract from Hatakeshimeji (Lyophyllum decastes, LD) mushrooms suppresses the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by repeated application of picryl chloride (PiCl) in NC/Nga mice. Oral administration of LD extract to NC/Nga mice inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions based on lower total skin severity scores and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Splenic lymphocytes were stimulated with the T cell mitogen concanavalin A, and secretion of a Th1 cytokine (IFN-gamma) and a Th2 cytokine (IL-4) was determined by ELISA. IFN-gamma production was not inhibited by treatment with LD extract. On the other hand, IL-4 production was significantly decreased by treatment with LD extract. These results suggest that LD extract exerts anti-allergic actions by suppressing the serum IgE and Th2-type immune responses.     

A case in which contrast-enhanced transoral carotid ultrasonography was useful for pre- and post-procedural evaluation in carotid artery stenting

Contrast-enhanced transoral carotid ultrasonography (CETOCU) is a novel examination modality that is superior to other modalities in the cases of pseudo-occlusion with severe arteriosclerotic stenosis of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA), and is also useful for noninvasively evaluating changes over time in the vessel distal to the stent following carotid artery stenting (CAS). We report a case of a patient who we evaluated with CETOCU for a pseudo-occlusive ICA before and after CAS.     

Ultrasound-Guided Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in the Resuscitation Area

Background

In trauma resuscitation with resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA), urgent and accurate placement of the catheter in the resuscitation area without fluoroscopy can shorten the time from admission to REBOA, allowing rapid, temporary control of bleeding.

Protective effects of coenzyme q(10) on decreased oxidative stress resistance induced by simvastatin

The effects of simvastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), on oxidative stress resistance and the protective effects of coenzyme Q (CoQ) were investigated. When simvastatin was administered orally to mice, the levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) in serum, liver, and heart, decreased significantly when compared to those of control. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances induced by Fe(2+)-ascorbate in liver and heart mitochondria also increased significantly with simvastatin. Furthermore, cultured cardiac myocytes treated with simvastatin exhibited less resistance to oxidative stress, decreased time to the cessation of spontaneous beating in response to H(2)O(2) addition, and decreased responsiveness to electrical field stimulation. These results suggested that oral administration of simvastatin suppresses the biosynthesis of CoQ, which shares the same biosynthesis pathway as cholesterol up to farnesyl pyrophosphate, thus compromising the physiological function of reduced CoQ, which possesses antioxidant activity. However, these undesirable effects induced by simvastatin were alleviated by coadministering CoQ(10) with simvastatin to mice. Simvastatin also reduced the activity of NADPH-CoQ reductase, a biological enzyme that converts oxidized CoQ to the corresponding reduced CoQ, while CoQ(10) administration improved it. These findings may also support the efficacy of coadministering CoQ(10) with statins.     

A case of nephrotic syndrome due to lupus nephritis which was controlled with low-density lipoprotein apheresis.

Our report discusses a 29 year old female patient with nephrotic syndrome due to lupus nephritis, biopsy-proven World Health Organization classification Types IVb and V that was controlled with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis. She was initially treated with steroid therapy, including methylprednisolone pulse therapy, and the serological activity of her systemic lupus erythematosus was suppressed. However, her nephrotic state, accompanied by severe hyperlipidemia, persisted despite the steroid therapy. Since we could not obtain her consent to administer immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide, we tried to treat her using LDL apheresis (LDL-A). We found that her urine protein excretion, hyperlipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, and renal function improved following the initiation of LDL-A. This suggests that LDL-A may be an effective therapy for nephrotic syndrome due to lupus nephritis through short-term amelioration of hyperlipidemia.     

Carotid artery ultrasound and intravascular ultrasound

Lipid lowering therapy is associated with a significant reduction in cardiocerebral events. But, additional studies are necessary to identify patients in whom atheroma may results in developing coronary events. Intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) and carotid artery echocardiography have significantly contributed to the understanding of nature of atherosclerosis and have validated the concepts of vascular remodeling and vulnerable plaque. Actually, intimal-medial thickness(IMT) in carotid echo is good predictors of cardiovascular events. Positive remodeled plaque with soft characteristics is more likely to rupture and cause acute coronary syndrome. Thus, studies using IVUS and carotid echo may lead to important insights into how risk factor reduction stabilizes plaque and reduces the risk of acute coronary events.