Reactions of excited-state benzophenone ketyl radical in a room-temperature ionic liquid

金沢大学理工研究域自然システム学系The photochemistry of the benzophenone ketyl radical in D1 excited state, BPH(D1), was studied by means of two-color dual-pulse laser flash photolysis (355 and 532 nm) in a room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (Bmim-TFSA), and in methanol. Upon excitation with the 532 nm pulse, BPH(D1) emitted strong fluorescence. The transient absorption and fluorescence spectra of BPH(D1) were measured with nanosecond and sub-nanosecond time resolution, respectively. The observed Stokes shift was 1700 cm-1 in Bmim-TFSA, and this shift was close to that in acetonitrile. The fluorescence lifetime of BPH(D1) was determined to be 5 ns in Bmim-TFSA, and again the value was close to that in acetonitrile. The rate constant of the reaction of BPH(D1) with CCl4 in Bmim-TFSA was determined to be (2.1 ± 0.4) × 109 M-1 s-1, which was 10 times the rate constant calculated on the basis of the bulk viscosity of Bmim-TFSA. The results are discussed in terms of the effective microscopic viscosity of the ionic liquid that was recently reported for the cage effect. © 2010 the Owner Societies

Analysis of the Prognostic Factors of Extensive Disease Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Tokushima University Hospital

Background : Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) presents aggressive clinical behavior, and its prognosis is still poor. Previously, performance status (PS), or the existence of brain, bone, or liver metastasis were reported to be unfavorable prognostic factors. Given the recent progress of treatment modalities such as radiotherapy techniques and bone modifying agents, the prognostic factors might be different from previous findings. Therefore, we analyzed the prognostic factors of extensive disease SCLC (ED-SCLC) in recent years. Methods : ED-SCLC patients treated in Tokushima University Hospital between 2010 and 2016 were analyzed. Log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used in univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively. Results : Totally, 79 patients were analyzed. In the univariate analysis, age, PS, interstitial pneumonia (IP), liver metastasis, pleural dissemination, neutrophil counts, hypoalbuminemia, hypercalcemia and several liver and biliary enzymes were identified as poor prognostic factors. In the multivariate analysis, age, PS, IP, and liver and biliary enzymes were identified. Moreover, the PS in patients with liver metastasis was significantly worsened. Conclusions : In this study, we newly demonstrated that IP was a significant poor prognostic factor of ED-SCLC. Although liver metastasis was not extracted in multivariate analysis, it may have an impact on the prognosis of ED-SCLC

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (gefitinib) augments pneumonitis, but attenuates lung fibrosis in response to radiation injury in rats

Background : Gefitinib, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, has been reported to be associated with interstitial lung disorders, and their high incidence and mortality have become a matter of great concern, especially in Japan. In this study, we investigated the effect of gefitinib on different phases of radiationinduced lung disorders in an experimental model. Methods : The thoraxes of Wistar rats were irradiated on day 1 with a single X-ray dose of 20 Gy, and gefitinib (50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered from day 1 to 14. The rat lungs were harvested on days 15 and 57 and the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. Results : Gefitinib treatment increased the infiltration of inflammatory cells, which produced more pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β), in the lungs of the irradiated rats on days 15 and 57, while gefitinib treatment reduced collagen content of the lungs in irradiated rats and decreased proliferation and EGFR expression in the lung fibroblasts from irradiated rats on day 57. Conclusions : In irradiated rats, gefitinib treatment augmented lung inflammation, including inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, while gefitinib treatment attenuated fibrotic lung remodeling due to the inhibition of lung fibroblast proliferation

Accurate diagnosis of chronic low back pain in a high-level college athlete : a case report

A 21-year-old woman who was high-level college softball player presented with a 6-month history of low back pain that had been treated unsuccessfully by medication at local clinics. There was tenderness in the left paravertebralmuscle at the lower lumbar level. X-ray and computed tomography revealed congenital scoliosis and an L6 hemivertebra. Short tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging showed a fluid collection at the left L6-S1 facet joint.We performed a diagnostic facet injection, consisting of 1% lidocaine and steroids, that was infiltrated into the left facet joint at L6-S1. Her persistent low back pain disappeared immediately after the facet block. We diagnosed left-sided facet arthritis at L6-S1. Due to her multiple congenital anomalies, excessive loading occurred at the facet joint. Therefore, we opted for conservative management, including mobilization of the thoracic spine and stretching of hamstrings and quadriceps. This case report underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis of low back pain and of the diagnostic utility of short tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging and lumbar facet block in young athletes with chronic spinal pain

<Symposium> Regional Geography and Area Studies Reconsidered Discussion

地誌学とエリアスタディ : 現状と課

Somatic mutations of CADM1 in aldosterone-producing adenomas and gap junction-dependent regulation of aldosterone production

Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are the commonest curable cause of hypertension. Most have gain-of-function somatic mutations of ion channels or transporters. Herein we report the discovery, replication and phenotype of mutations in the neuronal cell adhesion gene CADM1. Independent whole exome sequencing of 40 and 81 APAs found intramembranous p.Val380Asp or p.Gly379Asp variants in two patients whose hypertension and periodic primary aldosteronism were cured by adrenalectomy. Replication identified two more APAs with each variant (total, n = 6). The most upregulated gene (10- to 25-fold) in human adrenocortical H295R cells transduced with the mutations (compared to wildtype) was CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase), and biological rhythms were the most differentially expressed process. CADM1 knockdown or mutation inhibited gap junction (GJ)-permeable dye transfer. GJ blockade by Gap27 increased CYP11B2 similarly to CADM1 mutation. Human adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) expression of GJA1 (the main GJ protein) was patchy, and annular GJs (sequelae of GJ communication) were less prominent in CYP11B2-positive micronodules than adjacent ZG. Somatic mutations of CADM1 cause reversible hypertension and reveal a role for GJ communication in suppressing physiological aldosterone production

State of the Art : Elbow Arthroscopy : Review of the Literature and Application for Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum

Elbow arthroscopy has become a safe and effective treatment option for a number of elbow disorders. The most rewarding and successful indication is the removal of loose bodies. Loose bodies are often a result of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the　capitellum, and arthroscopy in this case is useful for performing debridement, thereby eliminating the need for a more extensive open procedure associated with complications. In this review, we describe our arthroscopic technique for OCD of the capitellum. We usually conduct arthroscopy in the supine position, and use 2.9-mm arthroscopes of 30°and 70°. The 70°arthroscope provides a greater operative field than the 30°arthroscope. Arthroscopic treatment for OCD may require 2 anterior and 2 posterior portals. Loose bodies are commonly found in the radial fossa, coronoid fossa, and in the olecranon fossa. Once the loose bodies are removed, all unstable cartilage of the capitellum lesion is removed to create a stable bed. If any sclerotic changes to the lesion bed are observed, we create microfractures in the lesion bed. The most significant complication in arthroplasty is neurovascular injury. However, we have never experienced this devastating complication, which can be avoided by paying careful attention to detail

The state of the art in arthroscopic hip surgery

Hip arthroscopy is among the most rapidly evolving arthroscopic techniques in the last decade and offers the benefits of being both a minimally invasive procedure and an excellent diagnostic tool. Improvements in instrumentation and surgical skills have advanced our ability to accurately diagnose and treat various conditions of the hip joint, and hip arthroscopy has elucidated several pathologies that cause disabling symptoms. Many of these conditions were previously unrecognized and left untreated. The indications for hip arthroscopy include the management of early osteoarthritis, synovial disorders (e.g., synovial osteochondromatosis), labral tears, chondral lesions, and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), which is increasingly recognized as a disorder that can lead to the development of early cartilage and labral injury. A better understanding of hip arthroscopy, including the anatomy, improved surgical techniques, indications, and complications of the procedure, is essential for its success. This review article discusses the state of the art of arthroscopic hip surgery