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.

Refractory Ascites After Liver Transplantation: An Analysis of 1058 Liver Transplant Patients at a Single Center

A retrospective study of 1058 liver transplant recipients was performed to determine: (i) the incidence, etiology, timing, clinical features and treatment of refractory ascites (RA), (ii) risk factors for RA development, (iii) predictors of RA disappearance, (iv) predictors of survival following RA and (v) the impact of RA on patient survival. Sixty-two patients (5.9%) developed RA and its disappearance occurred in 27/62 cases. Patients having hepatitis C virus (HCV) had a significantly higher hazard rate of developing RA (p < 0.00001). No other baseline characteristic was associated with RA. Cox stepwise regression analysis of the hazard rate of RA disappearance found two significant factors: HCV recurrence as the reason for developing RA implied a poorer outcome (p = 0.006), whereas an unknown reason implied a favorable outcome (p = 0.02). In addition, survival following RA was significantly poorer among patients having bacterial peritonitis or HCV recurrence. Finally, the mortality rate was significantly (nearly 8.6 times) higher in patients following RA development while it was ongoing (p < 0.00001); however, if the RA disappeared, then the additional risk of death also disappeared. This study illustrates the importance of developing an optimal treatment strategy to (i) effectively treat RA if it develops and (ii) prevent hepatitis C recurrence.     

Improved formulations of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides using wrapped liposomes.

Previously, we demonstrated that wrapping dextran fluorescein anionic/cationic lipid complexes with neutral lipids produced a stable formulation that markedly increased the duration of the compound in plasma after intravenous administration to rats. The improved drug-delivery properties of the wrapped liposomes (WL) relative to other formulations suggested that this technology could offer important advantages for the administration of other polyanionic drugs, including antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). In the present study, we investigated the value of WL for formulating fluorescence-labeled phosphorothioated ODN (F-ODN). WL encapsulating F-ODN/cationic lipid complexes were prepared efficiently using similar methodology to that used in our earlier study. Studies confirmed that these WL were stable in vitro. Following intravenous administration to mice, free F-ODN and naked F-ODN/cationic lipid complexes were rapidly eliminated whereas administration of the WL resulted in high blood concentrations of drug that were maintained for several hours. Additional studies were conducted in mice that were inoculated with tumor cells (Caki-1 xenograft model, human kidney); in these experiments, intravenous administration of WL delivered 13 times more F-ODN to the tumor site than achieved after injection of free F-ODN.     

Ultraflex expandable stents for the management of air leaks.

Postoperative empyema and aspergillosis were diagnosed in a 66-year-old man. Since non-operative therapy was not effective, we performed surgery. On the 8th postoperative day, a covered Ultraflex expandable stent (Boston Scientific, Galway, Ireland) was implanted to make a one-way airway for blocking a major air leak from a bronchopleural fistula causing respiratory distress. His general condition improved gradually, and he was discharged 30 days after stenting. In conclusion, we used a covered Ultraflex expandable stent to make an airway to block an air leak. This may be a new application for this stent.     

Factors associated with levels of physical activity at work and during leisure time]

Factors associated with levels of physical activity at work and during leisure time were analyzed among 577 subjects who had been selected as population controls for a case-control study by random selection from telephone directories. The intensity of physical activity at work was inversely associated with body mass index, the proportion of professionals & managers, consumption of western style breakfast, coffee, butter/margarine, and whisky; and positively associated with rice intake. Frequency of physical activities during leisure time was positively associated with consumption of vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, milk, cheese and coffee, and moderation in eating; and inversely associated with rice intake and the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and medication. The association of physical activity with these factors should be considered in studying its relationship to disease risk.     

Five percent, 7.5% or 10% hypertonic saline prevents delayed neuronal death in gerbils

PURPOSE: To clarify the appropriate concentration and dose of hypertonic saline solution (HSS) for preventing delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 subfield after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. METHODS: Thirty gerbils were randomly assigned to five groups: physiological saline solution (PSS) group, ischemia/reperfusion treated with PSS 2 mL x kg(-1); 5% HSS group, treated with 5% HSS 2 mL x kg(-1); 7.5% HSS group, treated with 7.5% HSS 2 mL x kg(-1); 10% HSS group, treated with 10% HSS 2 mL x kg(-1); 20% HSS group, treated with 20% HSS 2 mL x kg(-1). Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries for four minutes. Five days later, histopathological changes in the hippocampal area were examined, and the degenerative ratio of the pyramidal cells were measured according to the following formula: (number of degenerative pyramidal cells/total number of pyramidal cells per 1 mm of hippocampal CA1 subfield) x 100. RESULTS: In PSS and 20% groups, neuronal cell damage was observed five days after ischemia. In the other three groups, these changes were not observed. The degenerative ratios of pyramidal cells were as follows; PSS group: 91.6 +/- 5.6%, 5% HSS group: 7.2 +/- 1.6%, 7.5% group: 8.3 +/- 1.4%, 10% HSS group: 6.2 +/- 1.1%, 20% HSS group: 85.8 +/- 8.7% (P < 0.05; PSS and 20% HSS vs three other groups). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that 5, 7.5 or 10% HSS 2 mL x kg(-1) may prevent delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 subfield after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in gerbils.