Dual wavelength 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy using a novel flexible light-emitting diode unit

Background

Photosensitizers used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat dermatologic disease are metabolized into mainly protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), which has five absorption wavelength peaks: 410?nm, 510?nm, 545?nm, 580?nm, and 630?nm. Although only red light around 635?nm and blue light around 400?nm are used as light sources for PDT, the efficiency of PDT might be improved by using multiple wavelengths, including those that correspond to the other absorption peaks of PpIX. Furthermore, because the target disease often occurs on the face, a flexible-type light-source unit that can be fitted to the lesion without unnecessarily exposing the mucous membranes, e.g., the eyes, nostrils, and mouth, is preferred.

Therapeutic efficacy of miconazole on deep-seated fungal infections in the respiratory tract system

We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of miconazole (MCZ, Florid-F inj.), a new antifungal agent for parenteral use, in deep-seated fungal infections of respiratory tract system. A daily dose of 400-1,800 mg of MCZ was given intravenously for 12-38 days (mean: 23.4 days) to 7 patients: 2 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis, 1 patient with bronchial aspergillosis, 1 patient with pulmonary candidiasis and 3 patients with candidemia. One additional patient with pulmonary aspergillosis received three instillations of 20 mg of MCZ into the thoracic cavity. The clinical effects were excellent in 1, good in 4 and poor in 3 patients. The efficacy rate was 100% in 5 cases with respiratory fungal infections but 3 cases with candidemia did not respond well to the treatment. Four strains each of Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. were identified as causative organisms. Seven of the 8 strains were eradicated by administration of MCZ. Side effects observed were irritation and heat in a leg in 1 patient, hyperlipoidemia in 2 patients and eosinophilia in 1 patient. The adverse reactions disappeared after the completion of the therapy. From the above results, we conclude that MCZ is one of the most useful antifungal agents for parenteral use as a first choice on deep-seated fungal infections in the respiratory tract.     

Anti-Oxidative Therapy with Oral Dapsone Improved HCV Antibody Positive Annular Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma

A 72-year-old fisherman who was positive for the HCV antibody developed an annular, erythematous, infiltrated lesions on sun-exposed areas. The lesions were diagnosed as annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma both clinically and histologically. Topical corticosteroid and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for several months failed to improve the lesions. We then started dapsone, a known anti-oxidant, at 50 mg/day. A month later, the margins of the erythematous lesions faded, and the infiltration gradually decreased. No recurrence has been observed for one year after the start of the therapy. Anti-oxidative therapy appears to be effective for annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma and could be an alternate therapy for refractory granulomatous disease.     

Comparative study of G- and D-cell population in the dog stomach

Since somatostatin is a local hormone controlling gastric acid secretion and gastrin release, quantitative histopological distribution of the G-cells and D-cells in the canine whole stomach was investigated by the specific immunoperoxidase staining technique. The G-cells were identified only in the pyloric antrum and the estimated total number of G-cells was 15.5 X 10(6) cells. Most of the D-cells were also found in the pyloric antrum but a few were found scattered diffusely throughout body and fundus of the stomach. The estimated total number of D-cells was 11 X 10(6) cells in the pyloric antrum and 4 X 10(6) cells in the corpus and fundus. The G-/D-cell ratio in the antrum was 1.4:1. The number of G-cells as well as D-cells per unit mucosal surface area was significantly higher on the greater curvature and the proximal part of the antrum than on other areas of the antrum. Thus, the pattern of distribution in G-cells was similar to that of D-cells and there was a highly significant correlation between G- and D-cells per unit mucosal surface area. It would appear that under normal conditions, the number of G- and D-cells in the antrum are in good balance and may play an important role in the control mechanisms related to gastric secretion.     

Urinary FDP D-dimer and E fragments in renal transplantation

Both D-dimer and E fragments in urinary FDP were determined in renal transplantation patients. Urinary D-dimer fragments increased in 14 out of 20 acute rejections (70.0%) and in 6 out of 18 chronic rejections (33.3%). Urinary E fragments increased in 8 out of 9 acute rejections (88.9%) and in 4 out of 5 chronic rejections (80.0%). It is suggested that urinary FDP-E fragment is a better indicator to detect or predict rejection than the whole Urinary FDP. The appearance of D-dimer in the urine indicates intravascular coagulation in glomeruli followed by a secondary fibrinolysis in the course of the rejection reaction. The urinary D-dimer/FDP ratio which was used as the indicator of fibrinolytic activity in glomeruli was obtained in various conditions of renal transplants. The ratios were relatively high in the urines from well functioning grafts. This ratio deteriorated at the onset of rejection crisis and tended to go upward during the course of the recovery when the rejection was reversible. In the cases of irreversible acute rejection and chronic rejection, these ratios remained at a low level. D-dimer/FDP ratio might be useful indicator to predict the reversibility of rejection and the prognosis of renal allograft. Furthermore, these findings suggest that fibrinolytic and thrombolytic therapy by the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) along with immunosuppressive drugs might be more effective for the treatment of these rejections.     

Isolation of a renal function-facilitating constituent from the Oriental drug, salviae miltiorrhizae radix

An attempt was made to isolate the active component which exhibits an improving effect on renal function from Salviae Miltiorrhazae Radix (Chinese crude drug). Systematic isolation from aqueous extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix was carried out, and Compound 1 was found to be more effective than any of the other constituents in improving renal functional parameters; that is, a marked reduction of glomerular filtration rate following adenine ingestion was improved by administration of this substance. The renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were also increased in renal failure rats. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data, Compound 1 was shown to be identical with magnesium lithospermate B.