Treatment of Vogt-Koyanagi- Harada's disease during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Caution should be exercised in treating patients with autoimmune diseases during pregnancy.

CASES

We successfully treated three cases of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease (VKH disease) during pregnancy.

OBSERVATIONS

In the second trimester (14-27 weeks) of 1 patient, inflammation was mild and could be treated by topical corticosteroid. There is the possibility that her immune response had been modified by pregnancy. Systemic corticosteroid in a high dose was administered to the two cases in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (28-41 weeks). The severity of inflammation in these 2 patients was similar to that in nonpregnant women. Inflammation subsided immediately without recurrence in all cases. No abnormality was found during the deliveries or in the babies.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment for VKH disease during pregnancy should be chosen according to the severity of inflammation, the stage of pregnancy, and the maternal and fetal conditions.

Oxidative DNA damage by a metabolite of carcinogenic 1-nitropyrene

Nitropyrenes are carcinogenic pollutants. Adduct formation following nitro-reduction is considered to be a major cause of nitropyrene-mediated DNA damage. We investigated the role of 1-nitrosopyrene, a metabolite of 1-nitropyrene, in causing oxidative DNA damage, using 32P-5'-end-labeled DNA. 1-Nitrosopyrene was found to facilitate Cu(II)-mediated DNA damage in the presence of NADH. Catalase and a Cu(I)-specific chelator attenuated DNA damage, indicating the involvement of H2O2 and Cu(I). Typical *OH scavenger did not have a significant effect. These results suggest that the main reactive species is probably a DNA-copper-hydroperoxo complex. We also measured 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine formation by 1-nitrosopyrene in the presence of Cu(II) and NADH, using an electrochemical detector coupled to a high-pressure liquid chromatograph. We conclude that oxidative DNA damage, in addition to DNA adduct formation, may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of nitropyrenes.

Clinical features of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 uveitis: a long-term follow-up

To investigate the clinical manifestations of human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 uveitis (HU), 112 HU patients who were followed up periodically for more than one year were retrospectively analyzed with respect to their ophthalmological and systemic complications. The gender ratio (female/male ratio) of the HU patients was 2.0 and the initial complications were foggy vision in 34.5%, ocular floaters in 33.3%, and blurred vision in 15.5%. As for the ocular symptoms, the majority (78.6%) of patients were classified as intermediate uveitis with vitreous inflammation. Recurrence of uveitis episodes was seen in one half of the patients (51.8%); 12 patients had more than six uveitis episodes. The interval of uveitis episodes varied from two weeks to 10 years. Nearly one half of the patients (43.8%) had ocular complications: e.g., cataract in 22 patients, persistent vitreous opacities in 17 patients, and glaucoma in 16 patients. Although the visual prognosis was essentially good, 11 patients had poor visual prognosis (<0.1). The causes of poor vision in these patients were cataract, cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, and optic nerve atrophy. Of the 112 HU patients, two developed HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) after the onset of HU, while none developed adult T-cell leukemia. Sixteen HU patients had a previous history of Graves' disease and a past history of methimazole therapy, while Graves' disease was found in another HU patient only after HU onset and methimazole was not administered before the onset of HU. The present data of long-term follow-up indicate that (1) HU causes various ocular complications and its visual prognosis can be poor, (2) TSP/HAM can be induced even after the onset of HU, and (3) methimazole is not a risk factor of HU after Graves' disease.

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and conformational analysis of A-ring diastereomers of 2-methyl-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and their 20-epimers: unique activity profiles depending on the stereochemistry of the A-ring and at C-20

All eight possible A-ring diastereomers of 2-methyl-1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (2) and 2-methyl-20-epi-1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (3) were convergently synthesized. The A-ring enyne synthons 19 were synthesized starting with methyl (S)-(+)- or (R)-(-)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate (8). This was converted to the alcohol 14 as a 1:1 epimeric mixture in several steps. After having been separated by column chromatography, each isomer led to the requisite A-ring enyne synthons 19 again as 1:1 mixtures at C-1. Coupling of the resulting A-ring enynes 20a-h with the CD-ring portions 5a,b in the presence of a Pd catalyst afforded the 2-methyl analogues 2a-h and 3a-h in good yield. In this way, all possible A-ring diastereomers were synthesized. The synthesized analogues were biologically evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The potency was highly dependent on the stereochemistry of each isomer. In particular, the alpha alpha beta-isomer 2g exhibited 4-fold higher potency than 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1) both in bovine thymus VDR binding and in elevation of rat serum calcium concentration and was twice as potent as the parent compound in HL-60 cell differentiation. Furthermore, its 20-epimer, that is, 20-epi-alpha alpha beta 3g, exhibited exceptionally high activities: 12-fold higher in VDR binding affinity, 7-fold higher in calcium mobilization, and 590-fold higher in HL-60 cell differentiation, as compared to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1). Accordingly, the double modification of 2-methyl substitution and 20-epimerization resulted in unique activity profiles. Conformational analysis of the A-ring by (1)H NMR and an X-ray crystallographic analysis of the alpha alpha beta-isomer 2g are also described.

Hydroxylation of nitrated naphthalenes with KO2/crown ether

Superoxide radical anion (O2*-), generated by KO2/crown ether, is effective for hydroxylation of nitronaphthalenes. When mono- and di-nitronaphthalenes are treated with KO2/crown ehter, hydroxylation results at the electron-deficient site caused by the electron withdrawing effect of the substituted nitro group. Kinetic experiments suggest that the hydroxylation proceeds by two different mechanisms dependent on the first one-electron reduction potential of nitronaphthalenes.

[Reactive species responsible for biological actions of photoexcited fullerenes]

Fullerene (C60, C70, etc.) is an effective photosensitizer and its utilization as a pharmacophore for photo-chemotherapy of tumors has received considerable attention. We developed a method to solubilize fullerenes into water with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a detergent. By using thus prepared aqueous fullerene solutions, we have clarified a series of biological activities of fullerene under photoirradiation which include DNA-cleavage, hemolysis, mutagenicity, cancer-initiation, and cell-toxicity. A newly synthesized C60 derivative with an acridine moiety as a DNA-chelating function showed much more effective DNA-cleaving activity in the presence of NADH. Visible-light irradiation of PVP-solubilized C60 in water in the presence of NADH as a reductant and molecular oxygen resulted in the formation of O2.-, which was detected by the EPR spin-trapping method. Formation of O2.- was also evidenced by the direct observation of a characteristic signal of O2.- by the use of a low-temperature EPR technique at 77 K. On the other hand, no formation of 1O2 was observed by the use of TEMP as a 1O2 trapping agent. No near-IR luminescence of 1O2 was also observed in the aqueous C60/PVP/O2 system. These results suggest that photoinduced bioactivities of the PVP-solubilized fullerene are caused not by 1O2, but by reduced oxygen species (O2.-, .OH) which are generated by the electron-transfer reaction of C60.- with molecular oxygen.

Bioactivity and mechanical properties of PDMS-modified CaO-SiO(2)-TiO(2) hybrids prepared by sol-gel process

Hydrolysis and polycondensation of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), tetraisopropyltitanate (TiPT), and calcium nitrate gave essentially pore- and crack-free transparent monolithics of PDMS-modified CaO-SiO(2)-TiO(2) hybrids, when PDMS/(TEOS + TiPT) was larger than 26:74 in weight, under constant ratios of TEOS/TiPT of 9:1 in mol and Ca/(TEOS + TiPT) of 0.15 in mol. Their apatite-forming abilities in a simulated body fluid, which is indicative of bioactivity, increased with decreasing PDMS/(TEOS + TiPT). Their extensibility and Young's modulus decreased and increased, respectively, with decreasing PDMS/(TEOS + TiPT). The hybrids with PDMS/(TEOS + TiPT) of about 30:70 in weight showed fairly high apatite-forming ability, high extensibilities, and Young's moduli almost equal to those of the human cancellous bones. These new kind of bioactive materials with unique mechanical properties may be useful as bone-repairing materials.

[Molecular mechanics study on Conformation of a homooligopeptide constituted by isovalin]

Conformational energy computations on a homo-hexapeptide of (S)-isovaline were performed using molecular mechanics on MacroModel. Conformational search calculations were carried out by Monte Carlo method. AMBER* was used as the force field. The global minimum energy conformation was found to be a 3(10)-helix coordinated by four hydrogen bonds. The results of the theoretical analysis of the conformation of the peptide are in agreement with its reported conformational properties in the solid state determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

[Computational study on antioxidation mechanism of catechins]

All C-H and O-H bond dissociation enthalpies (BDE's) in catechins, (-)-epigallocatechin) were calculated by semi-empirical molecular orbital calculation using the SPARTAN program. The BDE's of benzyl hydrogens (C-2 position in catechins) were found to be quite low. This suggests that abstraction of benzyl hydrogen is crucial step for antioxidative activity. This is corroborated by the reported results of LC/MS and spectrophotometric analysis of reaction intermediates from catechins treated with AAPH.

[Biological activity of photoexcited fullerene]

Fullerene (C60, C70, etc.) is a third carbon allotrope discovered in 1985, and a great deal of attention has been focused on its physical and chemical properties in recent years. We are very interested in its biological properties for use fullerene as a pharmacophore. We first developed a method of solubilizing fullerene itself in water to perform in vitro biological screening. The concentrations of aqueous C60 and C70 solution with 5% poly(vinylpyrorridone) (PVP) are 400 and 200 micrograms/mL, respectively. By using aqueous fullerene solutions prepared in this manner, we have clarified a series of biological activities of fullerene, consisting of DNA-cleavage, hemolysis, cancer-initiation, and cell-toxicity under photoirradiation, and chondrogenesis and inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity without photoirradiation. The biological activity of photo-excited fullerene was found to be promising, because fullerene is a highly efficient photo-sensitizer. We synthesized a C60 derivative with an acridine moiety as a DNA-chelating function and assessed its effective DNA-cleaving activity. What kind of active species is involved in the biological action of photo-excited fullerene is our next concerns. Two pathways have been reported for the photo-excitation of fullerene. The so-called Type II energy transfer pathway generates singlet oxygen (1O2), while the Type I electron transfer pathway gives a fullerene radical anion (C60.-, C70.-). In order to clarify the effective oxygen species actually responsible for the biological action of photo-excited fullerene, we performed DNA-cleaving tests and EPR spectroscopic analyses under several conditions. The results showed that the photo-induced biological activity of fullerene is not caused by 1O2, but by reduced oxygen species (O2.-, .OH) generated by the electron transfer reaction of C60.-, with molecular oxygen. Its specificity is thought to be mainly attributed to the high-reducible property of fullerene. Since the reductive activation of molecular oxygen by photo-excited fullerene was observed at physiological concentrations of NADH as the reductant, fullerene can be classified as an oxyl-radical-generating photosensitizer. Pharmaceutical application of fullerene to cancer photo-dynamic therapy appears promising.

Synthesis, conformation, and chemical properties of new mini parallel double-stranded peptides conjugated with -Phe-Phe- and -Phe-Phe-X-sequences

To investigate the chemical conformations and functions of the -Phe-Phe-Val- or -Phe-Phe- sequences contained in the Alzheimer's disease related beta-amyloid peptide, a series of mini parallel double-stranded peptides conjugated with two peptide residues to one spacer were designed and prepared. The structure of the compounds was elucidated by circular dichroism (CD) spectrum and NMR two dimensional (2D) nuclear Overhauser enhancement and exchange spectroscopy (NOESY) measurments. The structure of 1,2-ethano-bis(L-Phe-L-Phe-L-Leu), 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Phe-L-Leu), 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Phe-L-Val), and 1,12-dodecano (D-Phe-D-Phe-D-Leu) conjugated with L-Leu and L-Val residues show a beta-turn-like nucleation. The dihedral angles (theta = +75 degrees, omega = +180 degrees, phi = +90 degrees, phi = -87 degrees, psi = +180 degrees) obtained from experimental coupling constant (J) data, etc. support that 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Phe) adopts beta-turn mimic nucleation. The 1,12-dodecano- bis(L-Leu-L-Leu-L-Phe), 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-lle-L-Phe-L-Leu), and 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Val-L-Leu), etc. adopt most probably a random structure by CD studies. It was found by titration spectrum that an inclusion complex of 1:1 ratio (association constant; azobenzene (guest, Ka=1.0 x 10(4)M-1) is formed between 1,12-dodecano-bis(L.-Phe-L-Phe-L-Leu) and [L0]=1.758 x 10(-5)M-1). Moreover, the stability of the complexes was increased in order of 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Phe-L-Leu) x azobenzene> 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Phe-L-Val) x azobenzene> 1,12-dodecano-bis(L-Phe-L-Val-L-Leu) azobenzene. The data show that X-Phe-L-Phe-L-spacer(S)-L-Phe-L-Phe-X (X=amino acids; S = 1,2-ethano- and 1,12-dodecano-) plays an important role as a binding site of the artificial receptor. The hydrophobic interaction of the four Phes in the two strands is a very interesting issue in the physiological action of proteins as well as the conformation of the backbone of X-L-Phe-L-Phe-spacer(S)-iL-Phe-l.-Phe-X.

Thermal decomposition of an ultrathin Si oxide layer around a Si(001)-(2 x 1) window

We examine the thermal decomposition of an ultrathin Si oxide layer around a Si(001)-(2 x 1) window opened by electron-beam-induced selective thermal decomposition. The decomposition progresses at the oxide/Si(001)-(2 x 1) boundary and follows two rate-limiting steps with activation energies of 4.0 and 1.7 eV. We propose that the former and latter energies correspond to the reaction of Si monomer with the oxide and the desorption of the SiO into the vacuum, respectively.

Decolorization of heat-treatment liquor of waste sludge by a bioreactor using polyurethane foam-immobilized white rot fungus equipped with an ultramembrane filtration unit

A bench-scale bioreactor using immobilized fungal cells equipped with an ultramembrane filtration unit was developed as a means of decolorizing brown color components (melanoidins) arising from the heat-treatment liquor (HTL) of waste sludge. Artificial HTL containing 4200 color units of synthetic melanoidin supplemented with 1000 mg/l ethanol was first subjected to decolorization by the fungus Coriolus hirsutus IFO4917 immobilized onto polyurethane foam cubes. Then, the resultant biologically treated HTL was subjected to ultrafiltration to obtain the permeate (filtrate) as the effluent. The retentate (concentrate) of the filtration unit, containing the remaining melanoidin of high molecular weight and extracellular decolorizing enzymes, was returned to the fungal bioreactor to allow further decolorization. This system was operated in a sequencing batch mode under nonsterile conditions. Contamination of the bioreactor with air/water-born microbes markedly lowered the decolorization efficiency. However, this problem was solved by heating the returned concentrate at 50 degrees C for 10 min. Under the almost stable condition of a hydraulic retention time of 2 d in a 1-d cycle sequencing batch mode, about 70% decolorization was routinely achieved using the entire system (bioreactor + ultrafiltration), while the contribution of the fungal bioreactor alone to the decolorization was about 45%.

Trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, an aldehydic lipid peroxidation product, lacks genotoxicity in lacI transgenic mice

In order to cast light on the significance of lipid peroxidation products for carcinogenesis, the lacI mutant frequency (MF), micronucleus induction and cell proliferation were analyzed in lacI transgenic mice treated with trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a typical example. Male mice were ip injected with HNE at doses of 0, 5 or 50 mg/kg bw and 48 h thereafter, peripheral blood was collected for analyzing micronucleus induction. After 14 days, the mice were sacrificed to allow tissue sampling for examination of lacI MF and cell proliferative activity. Sixty percent of the mice given 50 mg/kg HNE died within 5 days after the treatment, but no other mortalities were observed. Histopathologically, marked pulmonary hemorrhage was found in the 50 mg/kg HNE group mice that survived until day 14. Immunohistochemically, HNE-modified proteins were detected in their alveolar macrophages. The HNE treatment did not increase lacI MF in the liver, kidney and lung and no significant increase in micronucleus induction or cell proliferation in major organs was found in either treatment. Moreover, no tumors developed in the 5 mg/kg HNE-treated mice which survived until week 78. Our results thus indicate that HNE lacks in vivo genotoxicity in lacI transgenic mice even when lethal doses are applied.

Rapid detection of Nocardia amarae in the activated sludge process using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Nocardia amarae, a mycolic acid-containing bacterium, has often been reported to cause foaming of activated sludge in wastewater treatment plants. In this study, the number of N. amarae cells in the activated sludge process was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with anti-N. amarae polyclonal antibody. Use of the antibody enabled N. amarae to be detected at levels of 10(4) to 10(7) colony forming units. On the other hand, the antibody reacted with only a small portion of activated sludge, in which no N. amarae cells were detected by the plate count method. Competitive ELISA was employed to estimate the N. amarae cells in samples taken from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, including raw wastewater and activated sludge foam. The cell numbers estimated by competitive ELISA corresponded well with those obtained by plate counts. Hence, the antibody produced in this study was shown to be effective for the rapid monitoring of N. amarae in the activated sludge process.

Microbial decolorization of melanoidin-containing wastewaters: Combined use of activated sludge and the fungus Coriolus hirsutus

A white rot fungus, Coriolus hirsutus, exhibited a strong ability to decolorize melanoidin in cultures not supplemented with nitrogenous nutrients. Addition of peptone to the cultures lowered the ability of the fungus to decolorize melanoidin, but that of inorganic nitrogens (Ns), ammonium and nitrate did not bring about any marked reduction in the ability. These results suggest an inhibitory effect of organic N on melanoidin decolorization. Therefore, for enhancing the decolorization of melanoidin in wastewaters by the fungus, activated sludge pretreatment of the wastewaters was expected to be effective, i.e., activated sludge is capable of converting available organic N into inorganic N. To confirm this, waste sludge heat treatment liquor (HTL), wastewater from a sewage treatment plant, was pretreated with activated sludge. In practice, pretreatment of HTL under appropriate conditions accelerated the fungal decolorization of HTL. In the pretreated HTL, the fungus was shown to produce a high level of manganese-independent peroxidase (MIP). Addition of Mn(II) to the pretreated HTL caused a further increase in the decolorization efficiency of the fungus and a marked increase in the manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity. Consequently, the increases in MIP and MnP activities were considered to play an important role in the enhanced ability of C. hirsutus to decolorize HTL.

Elastofibroma dorsi: CT, MRI, and pathologic findings

We report two cases of elastofibroma dorsi and discuss the CT and MR findings and histopathology of these tumors. Increased awareness of the characteristic MR patterns should lead to reduced misdiagnosis of such lesions as malignant and prevent unnecessary wide excision.

Dog-bite injuries to the breast in children: deformities to secondary sex characteristics and their repair in an extended follow-up

Injuries from dog bites are not uncommon among children. However, the site of the wound is rarely on the breast. The authors report two cases of nipple-areolar injuries caused by dog bites. The affected children were followed during the development of secondary sex characteristics. In one child, this follow-up period was more than 10 years. In treating such wounds to the breast, subsequent growth of the nipple-areolar complex should be considered, particularly in girls because of the area's importance as a secondary sex characteristic.

Scavenging mechanisms of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epicatechin gallate on peroxyl radicals and formation of superoxide during the inhibitory action

The scavenging effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) on peroxyl radicals and their mechanisms were studied by investigating the products formed during the first stages by 2,2'-azobis(2-aminopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidation, without any isolation, using LC/MS, spectrophotometry, chemiluminescence analyses, and semiempirical molecular orbital (MO) calculations. The results show that EGCG can be converted to an anthocyaninlike compound followed by cleavage of the gallate moiety by oxidation. On the other hand, ECG can be converted to an anthocyaninlike compound after cleavage of the gallate moiety. The calculated C-H bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) for EGCG and ECG at the C-2 position were quite low (62.7 and 66.8 kcal/mol, respectively) compared with O-H BDEs at the phenolic sites (ca. 70 kcal/mol), suggesting that the C-2 hydrogen can be abstracted by free radicals. The addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased the chemiluminescence in EGCG by one-half during the inhibitory action. Active oxygen including superoxide (O2-) would be produced in EGCG, but not in ECG. The authors proposed the antioxidative mechanisms of EGCG and ECG depending on the experimental results and theoretical calculations.

Distribution of angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes in the rat kidney

ANG II contributes importantly to the regulation of renal vascular resistance, glomerular filtration, and tubular epithelial transport, yet there remains a paucity of information regarding the localization of the ANG II type 1 and 2 (AT1 and AT2) receptors within the rat kidney particularly within the vasculature. The present study was designed to localize the transcriptional and translational site(s) of AT1 and AT2 receptor (AT1R and AT2R, respectively) expression within the rat kidney. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected the AT(1)R translational sites throughout the kidney, with the strongest labeling found in the vasculature of the renal cortex and the proximal tubules of the outer medulla. The AT2R protein expression was found throughout the rat kidney, although there was little to no expression found in the glomerulus and medullary thick ascending limbs of Henle (TAL). Gene-specific primers were then designed to distinguish between the receptor subtypes within microdissected renal tubular and vascular segments using RT-PCR. AT1AR, AT1BR, and AT2R mRNA were found within the renal vasculature (afferent arterioles, arcuate artery, and outer medullary descending vasa recta). The mRNA for both the AT1R isoforms was also detected in the glomeruli and the renal tubules (proximal tubules, TAL, and collecting ducts); however, no AT2R mRNA was detected within the glomerulus and was inconsistently found within the medullary TAL (MTAL). Taken together, these data show that mRNA for the AT1R subtypes was located in all of the renal tubular and vascular segments. Evidence for AT2R mRNA was also found in all but two of the vascular and tubular segments, the MTAL, and the glomeruli. These results are consistent with the whole tissue immunohistochemically localized receptors.

Comparison of mechanically ruled versus holographically varied line-spacing gratings for a soft-x-ray flat-field spectrograph

Recent progress in the design of aspheric wave-front recording systems has permitted the manufacture of holographic gratings with highly variable groove densities that are suitable for flat-field spectrographs. A holographic grating thus recorded was processed to produce a laminar profile by use of reactive-ion etching. Measurements are reported of the absolute diffraction efficiency of this grating and of a comparable mechanically ruled grating. It is found that the holographic grating is much more effective in suppressing the higher orders. The spectral resolution was determined by use of a carbon Kalpha x-ray generator and a spectrograph with an imaging detector. The spectral resolution of the holographic grating was approximately 3 times worse than that of the ruled grating.

[Stereoselective epoxidation with bulky dioxiranes generated from substituted cyclohexanones]

Dioxiranes have recently been shown to be important and versatile oxidants, which are generated from potassium monoperoxysulfate (KHSO5) and ketones. Dimethyldioxirane, a dioxirane generated from acetone as a ketone, is particularly useful as an oxidation reagent with a broad scope of synthetic applications. Several papers have been reported about stereoselective epoxidation using dimethyldioxirane. However, there have been only a few examples using dioxiranes generated from other ketones. Dioxiranes derived from sterically hindered ketones are expected to be "bulky oxidant", and to be useful for stereoselective epoxidation. In a CH2Cl2-buffered water (two-phase system) in the presence of phase-transfer agent under neutral condition (pH 7.8) according to the reported procedure, the epoxidations with hindered alpha-substituted cyclohexanones proceeded in very low yields. After a survey of possible conditions we found that basic (pH 11) CH2Cl2-MeOH-buffer system was effective for the epoxidations of olefins with Oxone (active constituent KHSO5) and substituted cyclohexanones. We carried out epoxidation of cyclohexen derivatives with dioxiranes derived from alpha-substituted cyclohexanones in a CH2Cl2-MeOH-buffer solvent system at pH 11. High trans selectivities were obtained. Furthermore, according to this method acyclic silyl ethers were stereoselectively oxidized to afford erythro epoxides.