Mass, Spectroscopy, and Two-Neutron Decay of ^{16}Be

The structure and decay of the most neutron-rich beryllium isotope, ^{16}Be, has been investigated following proton knockout from a high-energy ^{17}B beam. Two relatively narrow resonances were observed for the first time, with energies of 0.84(3) and 2.15(5) MeV above the two-neutron decay threshold and widths of 0.32(8) and 0.95(15) MeV, respectively. These were assigned to be the ground (J^{π}=0^{+}) and first excited (2^{+}) state, with E_{x}=1.31(6)  MeV. The mass excess of ^{16}Be was thus deduced to be 56.93(13) MeV, some 0.5 MeV more bound than the only previous measurement. Both states were observed to decay by direct two-neutron emission. Calculations incorporating the evolution of the wave function during the decay as a genuine three-body process reproduced the principal characteristics of the neutron-neutron energy spectra for both levels, indicating that the ground state exhibits a strong spatially compact dineutron component, while the 2^{+} level presents a far more diffuse neutron-neutron distribution.

Versatile roles for histones in early development

The nuclear environment changes dramatically over the course of early development. Histones are core chromatin components that play critical roles in regulating gene expression and nuclear architecture. Additionally, the embryos of many species, including Drosophila, Zebrafish, and Xenopus use the availability of maternally deposited histones to time critical early embryonic events including cell cycle slowing and zygotic genome activation. Here, we review recent insights into how histones control early development. We first discuss the regulation of chromatin functions through interaction of histones and transcription factors, incorporation of variant histones, and histone post-translational modifications. We also highlight emerging roles for histones as developmental regulators independent of chromatin association.

Excess histone H3 is a competitive Chk1 inhibitor that controls cell-cycle remodeling in the early Drosophila embryo

The DNA damage checkpoint is crucial to protect genome integrity.^1,2 However, the early embryos of many metazoans sacrifice this safeguard to allow for rapid cleavage divisions that are required for speedy development. At the mid-blastula transition (MBT), embryos switch from rapid cleavage divisions to slower, patterned divisions with the addition of gap phases and acquisition of DNA damage checkpoints. The timing of the MBT is dependent on the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N/C ratio)^3-7 and the activation of the checkpoint kinase, Chk1.^8-17 How Chk1 activity is coupled to the N/C ratio has remained poorly understood. Here, we show that dynamic changes in histone H3 availability in response to the increasing N/C ratio control Chk1 activity and thus time the MBT in the Drosophila embryo. We show that excess H3 in the early cycles interferes with cell-cycle slowing independent of chromatin incorporation. We find that the N-terminal tail of H3 acts as a competitive inhibitor of Chk1 in vitro and reduces Chk1 activity in vivo. Using a H3-tail mutant that has reduced Chk1 inhibitor activity, we show that the amount of available Chk1 sites in the H3 pool controls the dynamics of cell-cycle progression. Mathematical modeling quantitatively supports a mechanism where titration of H3 during early cleavage cycles regulates Chk1-dependent cell-cycle slowing. This study defines Chk1 regulation by H3 as a key mechanism that coordinates cell-cycle remodeling with developmental progression.

Quasifree Neutron Knockout Reaction Reveals a Small s-Orbital Component in the Borromean Nucleus ^{17}B

A kinematically complete quasifree (p,pn) experiment in inverse kinematics was performed to study the structure of the Borromean nucleus ^{17}B, which had long been considered to have a neutron halo. By analyzing the momentum distributions and exclusive cross sections, we obtained the spectroscopic factors for 1s_{1/2} and 0d_{5/2} orbitals, and a surprisingly small percentage of 9(2)% was determined for 1s_{1/2}. Our finding of such a small 1s_{1/2} component and the halo features reported in prior experiments can be explained by the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum, revealing a definite but not dominant neutron halo in ^{17}B. The present work gives the smallest s- or p-orbital component among known nuclei exhibiting halo features and implies that the dominant occupation of s or p orbitals is not a prerequisite for the occurrence of a neutron halo.

Surface Localization of the Dineutron in ^{11}Li

The formation of a dineutron in the ^{11}Li nucleus is found to be localized to the surface region. The experiment measured the intrinsic momentum of the struck neutron in ^{11}Li via the (p,pn) knockout reaction at 246  MeV/nucleon. The correlation angle between the two neutrons is, for the first time, measured as a function of the intrinsic neutron momentum. A comparison with reaction calculations reveals the localization of the dineutron at r∼3.6  fm. The results also support the density dependence of dineutron formation as deduced from Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for nuclear matter.

Acute Management of Massive Epistaxis After Nasotracheal Extubation

Epistaxis is one of the most common complications of nasotracheal intubation and can be life-threatening. However, there is little discussion in the current literature on the acute management of massive epistaxis after nasotracheal extubation. This is a report of 2 patients who experienced severe unanticipated nasal bleeding immediately after extubation, 1 after a surgical procedure for oral cancer and another after restorative dental treatment. In both cases the significant epistaxis was managed successfully with a Foley balloon catheter used to pack the posterior nasal cavity. The Foley catheter technique may be useful for managing and arresting sudden postextubation epistaxis.

Regulation of miR-1-Mediated Connexin 43 Expression and Cell Proliferation in Dental Epithelial Cells

Many genes encoding growth factors, receptors, and transcription factors are induced by the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction during tooth development. Recently, numerous functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) are reportedly involved in organogenesis and disease. miRNAs regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation and destabilizing mRNAs. However, the expression and function of miRNAs in tooth development remain poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the expression of miRNAs produced during tooth development using a microarray system to clarify the role of miRNAs in dental development. miR-1 showed a unique expression pattern in the developing tooth. miR-1 expression in the tooth germ peaked on embryonic day 16.5, decreasing gradually on postnatal days 1 and 3. An in situ hybridization assay revealed that miR-1 is expressed at the cervical loop of the dental epithelium. The expression of miR-1 and connexin (Cx) 43, a target of miR-1, were inversely correlated both in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of miR-1 induced the expression of Cx43 in dental epithelial cells. Interestingly, cells with miR-1 downregulation proliferated slower than the control cells. Immunocytochemistry revealed that Cx43 in cells with miR-1 knockdown formed both cell-cell gap junctions and hemichannels at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, the rate of ATP release was higher in cells with miR-1 knockdown than in control cells. Furthermore, Cx43 downregulation in developing molars was observed in Epiprofin-knockout mice, along with the induction of miR-1 expression. These results suggest that the expression pattern of Cx43 is modulated by miR-1 to control cell proliferation activity during dental epithelial cell differentiation.

Liver resection with thrombectomy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and tumour thrombus in the inferior vena cava or right atrium

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumour thrombus (TT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) or right atrium (RA) is a rare advanced disease state with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine survival after surgical resection.

Methods

Patients with HCC and TT of either the IVC or RA, who underwent liver resection between February 1997 and July 2017, were included. Their short‐ and long‐term outcomes and surgical details were analysed retrospectively.

Results

Thirty‐seven patients were included; 16 patients had TT in the IVC below the diaphragm, eight had TT in the IVC above the diaphragm, and 13 had TT entering the RA. Twelve patients had advanced portal vein TT (portal vein invasion (Vp) greater than Vp3 and Vp4), ten had bilobar disease, and 12 had extrahepatic disease. There were no in‐hospital deaths, although two patients died within 90 days. Median survival did not differ between patients who had resection with curative intent (18·7 months) and those with residual tumour in the lung only (20·7 months), but survival was poor for patients with residual tumour in the liver (8·3 months).

Conclusion

Liver resection with thrombectomy for advanced HCC with TT in the IVC or RA is safe and feasible, leading to moderate survival.

Evaluation of Deep Thermal Rehabilitation System Using Resonant Cavity Applicator During Knee Experiments

This paper evaluates experiments on the knee using a new heating rehabilitation system. For effective thermal rehabilitation of osteoarthritis, it is necessary to heat the deep tissue inside the knee joint. Our new rehabilitation system is based on the re-entrant type resonant cavity applicator which was developed for deep hyperthermia treatment in our previous studies. Our experimental results using agar phantoms showed our heating system is able to heat the deep tissue inside the knee without physically contacting the surface skin. In this study, we developed a prototype applicator and experimented on a healthy human subject's knee under clinical conditions. To evaluate heating performance, we conducted heating experiments with our resonant cavity applicator and a conventional microwave diathermy system and compared the results. The experimental results of temperature increase distributions inside the human body were estimated by ultrasound imaging techniques. The estimated results from our knee experiments show that our heating system is able to heat knee tissue more deeply than microwave diathermy systems can and thus would be effective for deep thermal rehabilitation applications in clinics.

Effects of low-dose ketamine infusion on remifentanil-induced acute opioid tolerance and the inflammatory response in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery

Purpose

Remifentanil is associated with acute opioid tolerance that can lead to increased postoperative consumption of opioid analgesics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a low dose of ketamine prevents remifentanil-induced acute opioid tolerance and affects the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a newly recognized biomarker of inflammation.

Materials and methods

Forty patients undergoing orthognathic surgery were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study and randomly assigned to intraoperative administration of one of the following anesthetic regimens: high-dose remifentanil (0.6 µg/kg/minute); low-dose remifentanil (0.2 µg/kg/minute); or high-dose remifentanil with ketamine (remifentanil 0.6 µg/kg/minute with 0.5 mg/kg ketamine just after induction followed by an intraoperative infusion of ketamine 5 µg/kg/minute until wound closure). Fentanyl by intravenous patient-controlled analgesia was used for postoperative pain control. Visual Analog Scale pain scores and fentanyl consumption were recorded in the first 24 hours postoperatively. Perioperative serum C-reactive protein level and NLR were also determined.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar in the three study groups. There were no between-group differences in Visual Analog Scale pain scores during the study period. The high-dose remifentanil group had a significantly higher requirement for fentanyl than the other two groups. Addition of ketamine did not affect the C-reactive protein level but increased the NLR; this increase was associated with decreased fentanyl consumption.

Conclusion

High-dose intraoperative remifentanil induced postoperative acute opioid tolerance that was prevented by infusion of low-dose ketamine. Ketamine increased the postoperative NLR associated with decreased fentanyl requirement for postoperative pain control.

Massive ameloblastoma: A case report of difficult fiberoptic intubation

INTRODUCTION

Intubation can sometimes be difficult in patients with lesions in the mouth floor. Ameloblastoma is a frequently encountered tumor of the maxillofacial area. An extensive lesion might occupy the floor of the mouth, prevent displacement of the tongue, limiting the space for inserting a laryngoscope blade and resulting in difficult intubation even with fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 66-year-old man (67 kg; 171 cm) with a mental swelling was diagnosed with ameloblastoma and scheduled for surgical resection. The tumor was extensive, occupying most of the anterior floor of the mouth. We were concerned about impossible direct laryngoscopy because the massive tumor in the floor of the mouth compressed the base of the tongue against the posterior wall of the pharynx, restricting the space for inserting the laryngoscope blade. Therefore, we planned to perform awake nasal fiberoptic intubation to secure the airway. Although the procedure was complicated by the massive tumor, successful intubation was achieved by hand-assisted alteration of the direction of the endotracheal tube (ETT) under direct laryngoscopy.

DISCUSSION

Awake fiberoptic intubation was complicated by the tumor protrusion to deviate the ETT. Discovering of the ETT deviation by the insufficient blade insertion facilitated visualizing the vocal cords with the fiberoptic scope.

CONCLUSION

Identification of ETT deviation even with insufficient blade insertion and hand-assisted alteration of the direction of the ETT might raise the chances of successful fiberoptic intubation. The anesthesiologist should be aware of the likelihood of failed fiberoptic intubation and plan for alternative approaches to secure the airway.

Association of sporadic and familial Barrett's esophagus with breast cancer

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the only known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Based on striking aggregation of breast cancer and BE/EAC within families as well as shared risk factors and molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, we hypothesized that BE may be associated with breast cancer. Pedigree analysis of families identified prospectively at multiple academic centers as part of the Familial Barrett's Esophagus Consortium (FBEC) was reviewed and families with aggregation of BE/EAC and breast cancer are reported. Additionally, using a matched case-control study design, we compared newly diagnosed BE cases in Caucasian females with breast cancer (cases) to Caucasian females without breast cancer (controls) who had undergone upper endoscopy (EGD). Two familial pedigrees, meeting a stringent inclusion criterion, manifested familial aggregation of BE/EAC and breast cancer in an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance. From January 2008 to October 2016, 2812 breast cancer patient charts were identified, of which 213 were Caucasian females who underwent EGD. Six of 213 (2.82%) patients with breast cancer had pathology-confirmed BE, compared to 1 of 241 (0.41%) controls (P-value < 0.05). Selected families with BE/EAC show segregation of breast cancer. A breast cancer diagnosis is marginally associated with BE. We postulate a common susceptibility between BE/EAC and breast cancer.

Development of Styrenic Copolymers for Improving Heat Resistance of Poly(methyl methacrylate)

Styrenic copolymers comprising styrene, methyl methacrylate, and maleic anhydride were developed to improve the heat-resistance property of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The optical, thermal, and mechanical properties were examined for the blend specimens prepared by an injection-molding machine using melt-mixed samples. It was found that the copolymers, which were miscible with PMMA, increase the glass transition temperature and therefore the Vicat Softening temperature. Furthermore, the blends were completely transparent as similar to PMMA.

Conversion of graded phosphorylation into switch-like nuclear translocation via autoregulatory mechanisms in ERK signalling

The phosphorylation cascade in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is a versatile reaction network motif that can potentially act as a switch, oscillator or memory. Nevertheless, there is accumulating evidence that the phosphorylation response is mostly linear to extracellular signals in mammalian cells. Here we find that subsequent nuclear translocation gives rise to a switch-like increase in nuclear ERK concentration in response to signal input. The switch-like response disappears in the presence of ERK inhibitor, suggesting the existence of autoregulatory mechanisms for ERK nuclear translocation involved in conversion from a graded to a switch-like response. In vitro reconstruction of ERK nuclear translocation indicates that ERK-mediated phosphorylation of nucleoporins regulates ERK translocation. A mathematical model and knockdown experiments suggest a contribution of nucleoporins to regulation of the ERK nuclear translocation response. Taken together, this study provides evidence that nuclear translocation with autoregulatory mechanisms acts as a switch in ERK signalling.

While ERK signalling can produce switch-like cell behaviour, phosphorylation of ERK increases linearly with extracellular signals. Here, the authors solve this seeming contradiction by showing that nuclear translocation of ERK behaves in a switch-like manner and is controlled by ERK activity.

Expression of B7-H3, a potential factor of tumor immune evasion in combination with the number of regulatory T cells, affects against recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients

Background

In the tumor microenvironment, factors inhibiting the targeting of cancer cells by activated T cells have recently been noted. B7-H3 belongs to the B7 superfamily of immune regulatory ligands and plays an important role in the adaptive immune response of co-inhibitory/stimulatory factors in regulating T cells. However, the degree to which B7-H3 directly affects tumor immune evasion mechanisms remains unclear, particularly in patients with breast cancer. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known as a key player in the inhibition of immune mechanisms. The present study demonstrated that expression of B7-H3 on tumor cells and the number of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment independently affected prognosis in breast cancer patients.

Methods

We immunohistochemically investigated the presence of B7-H3 and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)-positive Tregs in pathological specimens from 90 patients with breast cancer.

Results

Positive B7-H3 expression was associated with shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.014). A higher percentage of Foxp3-positive cells also correlated with shorter RFS (p = 0.039). Multivariate analysis showed B7-H3 as an independent factor on RFS. Foxp3 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) correlated significantly with larger tumor size (>2 cm), expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and higher nuclear grade (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). No correlation was identified between expression of B7-H3 and the percentage of Foxp3-positive TILs.

Conclusions

B7-H3 and Foxp3 can be regarded as markers of poor prognosis in breast cancer. These expressions were not correlated, suggesting that B7-H3 expression plays an independent role in tumor immune evasion, regardless of Tregs.

[Case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome following open heart surgery for thoracic aortic aneurysm with parkinson's disease]

An 80-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease was scheduled for open heart surgery to repair thoracic aortic aneurysm. Parkinson's symptoms were normally treated using oral levodopa (200 mg), selegiline-hydrochloride (5 mg), bromocriptine-mesilate (2 mg), and amantadine-hydrochloride (200 mg) daily. On the day before surgery, levodopa 50mg was infused intravenously. Another 25 mg of levodopa was infused immediately after surgery. Twenty hours later, the patient developed tremors, heyperventilation, but no obvious muscle rigidity. Two days after surgery, the patient exhibited high fever, hydropoiesis, elevated creatine kinase, and a rise in blood leukocytes. She was diagnosed with neuroleptic malignant syndrome. She was intubated, and received dantrolene sodium. Symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome disappeared on the fourth postoperative day. The stress of open heart surgery, specifically extracorporeal circulation and concomitant dilution of levodopa, triggered neuroleptic malignant syndrome in this patient. Parkinson's patients require higher doses of levodopa prior to surgery to compensate and prevent neuroleptic malignant syndrome after surgery.

Computational analysis of associations between alternative splicing and histone modifications

Pre-mRNA splicing is a complex process involving combinatorial effects of cis- and trans-elements. Here, we focused on histone modifications as typical trans-regulatory elements and performed systematic analyses of associations between splicing patterns and histone modifications by using publicly available ChIP-Seq, mRNA-Seq, and exon-array data obtained in two human cell lines. We found that several types of histone modifications including H3K36me3 were associated with the inclusion or exclusion of alternative exons. Furthermore, we observed that the levels of H3K36me3 and H3K79me1 in the cell lines were well correlated with the differences in alternative splicing patterns between the cell lines.

[Effect on fetal umbilical arterial blood of administration of vasopressors for hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean section]

Spinal anesthesia was performed in 40 patients undergoing cesarean section. When systolic blood pressure dropped below 100 mmHg, phenylephrine 100-200 microg (P group) or ephedrine 5-10 mg (E group) was administered. The pH of the umbilical arterial blood was collected after delivery of the baby. Apgar scores, and maternal systolic blood pressure and heart rate before and after each drug administration were compared retrospectively. The umbilical arterial pH and Apgar scores tended to be slightly higher in the P group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The rate of blood pressure elevation was 27% in the P group and 41% in the E group. The heart rate decreased significantly in the P group. There was no significant difference in the systolic blood pressure before administration of each drug. Recently, it is reported that the umbilical arterial pH is higher in cases in which phenylephrine is used for hypotension after spinal anesthesia during a cesarean section. However, the optimal dose of phenylephrine is debatable and has not been established. More studies are necessary to determine which drugs should be selected according to the maternal condition.

A new heating method with dielectric bolus using resonant cavity applicator for brain tumors

In this paper, we discuss a new method of controlling heating location in the proposed resonant cavity applicator. A dielectric bolus was used to non-invasively treat brain tumors. We have already confirmed that our heating system using resonant cavity is useful to non-invasively heat brain tumors. In order to heat tumors occurring at various locations, it is necessary to control the heating area with our heating system. First, we presented the proposed heating method and a phantom model to calculate temperature distributions. The results of temperature distributions were discussed. Second, a 3-D human head model constructed from 2-D MRI images was presented. The results of specific absorption rate distributions were discussed. From these results, it was found that the proposed heating method was useful to non-invasively treat brain tumors.

Heating properties of a new hyperthermia system for deep tumors without contact

In this paper, heating properties of the proposed hyperthermia system for non-invasive treatment of deep tumors are discussed. Our heating system is composed of a large size resonant cavity applicator. In this heating method, a human body is placed between the two inner electrodes. It is heated by electromagnetic fields stimulated in the cavity without contact between the surface of the human body and the applicator. First, we presented the experimental results of heating a cylindrical agar phantom and a cylindrical fat-agar phantom using the proposed system. From the thermal images of the heated phantoms, the center of the agar was locally heated to maximum temperature. Second, we presented the experimental results of heating a mini pig. In the heating experiment, temperature measurements were performed by using fiber-optical thermometers inserted in four locations inside the mini pig. From the results, the deepest region of the liver was heated to the highest temperature 43.3 °C.

High-dose remote afterloading intraluminal brachytherapy in the treatment of unresectable hilar or upper bile duct carcinoma

273

Background: To evaluate intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) for the treatment of unresectable hilar or upper bile duct carcinoma.

Methods: Between 1992 and 2005, 48 patients were identified who were not indicated for surgical resections. Among them, 22 patients received only biliary drainage (group I) and 26 patients received ILBT (group II). Expandable metallic stents (EMSs) were used in 17 patients and ILBT was delivered using the Varisource 200 remote afterloading unit with a 10 Ci 192Ir or 60Co. Each treatment of ILBT delivered 6 Gy at a 1-cm depth, and was repeated weekly for 5 weeks. A total of 30 Gy was administered to each patient. Survival rates between the groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

Results: In group I, survival rates at 6 and 12 months were 9% and 0%, respectively. Median survival was only 2 months. In contrast, group II survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 77%, 54%, and 9%, respectively, and the median survival of this group was 13 months. Improved survival with the use of ILBT was significant, particularly in clinical stages III, IVa (p<0.01), and IVb (p<0.05). ILBT helped keep the bile duct lumen patent for a long period, but was not effective for the treatment of patients with positive lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions: Although randomized controlled studies will be necessary, the results of the present study are encouraging for using high-dose ILBT in the treatment of unresectable hilar or upper bile duct carcinoma without lymph node metastasis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Care by Kampo medicine for toxicities of colorectal cancer chemotherapy: Effect of goshajinkigan (TJ-107) and powdered processed aconite root (TJ-3023) on oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity, and effect of hangeshashinto (TJ-14) on CPT-11-related diarrhea

601

Background: FOLFOX is standard therapy of advanced-stage colorectal cancer. Sensory neurotoxicity (SN) with oxaliplatin is its dose-limiting toxicity. We decided to use goshajinkigan (TJ-107) for prevention of oxaliplatin-related SN. We think that the main action is the one with powdered processed aconite root (TJ-3023). FOLFIRI is standard therapy too. But watery diarrhea is severe side effect. We decided to use hangeshashinto (TJ-14) for prevention of CPT-11-related watery diarrhea.

Methods: The subjects were 66 patients with advanced-stage colorectal cancer. All 66 patients take TJ-107 (7.5g/day) every day from first oxaliptatin infusion day. Patients profiles were: Male/Female: 29/37, median age 69 years old (42∼84), PS0/1/2/3: 57/9/0/0, clinical stage IIIC/IV: 14/52. Oxaliplatin (85mg/m2) was given as FOLFOX4 (27case), mFOLFOX6 (34) and CapeOx (5). When SN was increased, TJ-3023 was added. TJ-3023 is ingredient of TJ-107. 12 patients had severe watery diarrhea due to FOLFIRI regimen. All 12 patients take TJ-14 (7.5g/day) from appearance of watery diarrhea. Patients profiles were: Male/Female: 8/4.

Results: Total course number of FOLFOX/CapeOX was 595/21, and average number of FOLFOX/CapeOX was 8.46/4.2. Relative dose intensity of oxaliplatin were 37.6mg/m2/week. Medicine compliance of TJ-107 was 89%. 20 patients had grade 3 toxcity (neutropenia 18, thrombocytopenia 2). TTP is 8.14 months. Response Evaluation Criteria is CR/PR/SD/PD/NE:1/36/11/5/13. SN occurred in 43 patients (65.1%). TJ-3023 was added to 10 patients. SN was slightly decreased by TJ-3023. There was no neurotoxicity case with functional impairment in this study. By TJ-14, all 12 patients have a change for the better from grade 2 to grade 1 or 0 of diarrhea. There was no constipation cases.

Conclusions: TJ-107 seem to prervent acute oxaliplatin-induced SN. TJ-3023 may be related to SN prervention mechanism. TJ-14 seem to prevent CPT-11-induced diarrhea. The continuance of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer can be expected by these Kampo medicine.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Basic study of brain injury mechanism

The purpose of this study is to discuss the mechanism of brain injury experimentally paying attention to the pressure changes on the surface of a brain agar phantom generated by a cavitation.

Heating properties of coaxial needle applicator made of SMA for hyperthermia treatments

This paper describes heating properties of the developed coaxial needle applicator made of a shape memory alloy (SMA) for brain tumor hyperthermia treatments to avoid undesirable hotspots. We estimated the temperature distribution inside an agar phantom by the finite element method (FEM) and heated the agar phantom with the developed needle applicator.

SAR analysis of a re-entrant resonant cavity applicator for brain tumor hyperthermia treatment with a 3-D anatomical human head model

A re-entrant resonant cavity applicator system for non-invasive brain tumor hyperthermia treatments was presented. We have already confirmed the effectiveness of the heating properties of this heating system with cylindrical agar phantoms and with computer simulations.