Renal cell carcinoma with hydronephrosis due to pelviureteric junction obstruction: a case report

A 57-year-old male was referred to our hospital with a complaint of dizziness. Abdominal computed tomography and retrograde pyelography revealed a left renal tumor associated with hydronephrosis due to pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction. A radical nephrectomy was performed and histological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma. Only five cases of renal cell carcinoma with hydronephrosis due to PUJ obstruction have been previously reported in the Japanese literature.     

Identification of two novel mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: mass spectrometric and genomic analyses

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons. The majority of patients are sporadic cases, while 5-10% of the patients have a family history of ALS (fALS). Mutations in the gene that encodes cytoplasmic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) have been identified in about 25% of fALS cases. Although the precise pathogenesis of ALS is still unknown, experimental studies including animal models suggest that fALS is caused by the toxic gain-of-function of the SOD1 mutant. We have analyzed not only SOD1 gene mutation by genomic sequencing, but also SOD1 mutant protein by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). We analyzed 33 fALS patients and found 10 mutations in SOD1 gene, in which two were novel: Asp101His substitution in exon 4 and Gly141Glu substitution in exon 5. Here, we present their mass spectrometric protein analyses and clinical features.     

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of pentazocine transdermal delivery system

The aim of this study was to prepare a pentazocine (PTZ) matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) using acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives. Among the five Duro-Tak adhesive polymers tested (87-9301, 87-2677, 87-201A, 87-2196, 87-2852), in vitro dissolution studies demonstrated the highest PTZ release flux from the Duro-Tak 87-9301 matrix. In addition, the effects of permeation enhancers, isopropyl myristate (IPM) and glyceryl monocaprylate (GEFA-C(8)), and drug content on PTZ skin permeation from prepared patches were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells fitted with hairless mouse skin. IPM and GEFA-C(8) were found to produce effective flux of PTZ at a patch concentration of 10% w/w and 5% w/w, respectively. The PTZ flux increased linearly as the loading dose increased up to 30%, whereas no further increase in flux was observed at loading doses of 40% and 50% due to drug crystallization in the matrix. Thus, the highest skin permeation rate (24.2 microg/cm(2)/h) was achieved when 30% of PTZ was loaded in Duro-Tak 87-9301 with 10% IPM and 5% GEFA-C(8). These results demonstrate the feasibility of a novel narcotic-antagonist analgesic matrix-type TDDS for PTZ.     

Radiologic and Functional Analysis of Compensatory Lung Growth After Living-Donor Lobectomy

1. Download high-res image (210KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Involvement of a proton‐coupled organic cation antiporter in the blood–brain barrier transport of amantadine

The blood‐to‐brain transport of amantadine, a weak N‐methyl‐d ‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has been shown previously to participate in the cationic drug‐sensitive transport system across the mouse blood–brain barrier (BBB). The purpose of the present study was to characterize the influx transport system by means of both an in situ mouse brain perfusion technique and in vitro studies using rat immortalized brain capillary endothelial cells (GPNT). The observed concentration‐dependent initial uptake rate of [³H]amantadine suggested the involvement of a carrier‐mediated transport mechanism. The normal uptake at physiological pH 7.4 was decreased by 72.9% in acidic perfusate, while it was increased by 35.3% in alkaline perfusate. These results suggest that pH‐dependent transport is regulated by utilizing an oppositely directed proton gradient as a driving force. In addition, the [³H]amantadine uptake was moderately inhibited by the adamantane structural analogs (rimantadine and memantine) and other cationic drugs (pyrilamine, clonidine, nicotine, etc.), but not by substrates or inhibitors of the well‐characterized organic cation transporters (tetraethylammonium, l ‐carnitine and choline). A similar inhibition pattern was observed between the in vivo studies and the in vitro experiments. These results indicate that the influx transport for amantadine across the BBB involves a proton‐coupled organic cation antiporter. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Erratum to: Stabilization of a Supersaturated Solution of Mefenamic Acid from a Solid Dispersion with EUDRAGIT® EPO

Pharmaceutical Research -     

Diagnostic value and safety of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath transbronchial biopsy for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions in patients with interstitial lung disease

BackgroundRadial endobronchial ultrasonography transbronchial biopsy with and without a guide sheath is a useful method for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). However, the diagnostic yield and complications of radial endobronchial ultrasonography transbronchial biopsy for PPLs remains elusive in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD).MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 431 patients (69 with and 362 without ILD) who underwent radial endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath transbronchial biopsy (EBUS-GS TBB) for PPLs from April 1, 2011, to March 31, 2020. We investigated the diagnostic yield and complications of the procedure for PPLs and compared them between patients with and without ILD. We also evaluated the factors contributing to successful diagnosis.ResultsThe diagnostic yield of radial endobronchial ultrasonography in patients with ILD was significantly lower than in those without ILD (62.3% vs. 75.4%, P=0.024). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of ILD as background lung [odds ratio (OR) =0.517], probe position within the lesion (OR =4.654), and the presence of solid lesion (OR =1.946) significantly affected the diagnostic yield of PPLs. There was a significant difference in the rate of pneumothorax between the patients with ILD and those without ILD (4.3% vs. 0.6%, P=0.031).ConclusionsThe presence of ILD as the background lung significantly affected the diagnostic yield of PPLs with radial EBUS-GS TBB. Regarding the complications, pneumothorax occurred more frequently in patients with ILD than in those without ILD.