[Efficacy of AboundTM for hand-foot syndrome caused by capecitabine].

Hand-foot syndrome( HFS) has been reported to be the most common adverse effect of capecitabine, with an incidence of more than 50%. AboundTM, containing ß-hydroxy-ß-methyl butyric acid( HMB), L-glutamine, and L-arginine is effective in the treatment of decubitus ulcers and in wound healing; however, whether AboundTM is efficacious for HFS caused by capecitabine is not clear. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of AboundTM in the recovery from HFS caused by capecitabine. Capecitabine administration was discontinued in 6 patients with more than grade 2 HFS, and AboundTM was administered. The time to recovery was examined. The median time to recovery to less than grade 1 HFS was 10 days( range, 4-14 days). The grade of HFS decreased following the administration of AboundTM. The findings of this study suggest that AboundTM is effective against HFS caused by capecitabine.

The effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors on the efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

The CRISPR/Cas9 technology is a prominent genome-editing tool capable of producing a double-strand break in the genome. However, the modification of hematopoietic stem cells via the homology-directed repair pathway is still inefficient. Therefore, we hypothesize that histone deacetylase inhibitors, such as valproic acid (VPA) and sodium butyrate (NaB), could enhance HDR efficiency by increasing the accessibility of the genome-editing machinery. To address the potential utilization of HDAC inhibitors therapeutically, we began by assessing the effect of VPA and NaB on two cell lines representative of the two hematopoietic stem cell lineages. No statistically significant effect on cell growth or viability was observed at concentrations as high as 5 mM. At a concentration as low as 0.005 mM NaB, an enhancement in CRISPR cutting efficiency was evidenced in both cell lines. This enhancement did not appear to be locus-specific. However, an enhancement in cutting efficiency following VPA treatment does appear to be. HDR efficiency was enhanced greater than two-fold with the use of 0.005 mM VPA. These results are promising and suggest the consideration of treatment with an HDAC inhibitor in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing protocols.

[A case of refractory deep incisional surgical site infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and successfully treated with oral linezolid].

We report a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) surgical site infection successfully treated with linezolid. A 66-year-old man had undergone total gastrectomy for gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Three days after the operation, he was diagnosed with deep incisional surgical site infection due to MRSA, and wound care was started. After discharge, he received adjuvant chemotherapy and wound care, but the wound had not healed in 10 months. We started treatment with oral linezolid and nutritional support, and the wound was fully healed 12 months after the operation. Antibiotic treatment with oral linezolid may be effective for refractory deep incisional surgical site infection due to MRSA in outpatients.

[Consideration of Lens of the Eye Protection during Mammography with the Eyelid and the Face Guard].

PURPOSE: In 2011, the International Commissionon Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended reducing the threshold dose for the lens. Therefore, it is important to reduce the lens exposure dose in medical exposures. In a cranio-caudal (CC) view of mammography, the patient' s lens receives scattered radiation. In this study, we investigated scatter dose around the lens during mammography and reviewed the simple and easy protection methods of the lens. METHODS: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters were placed in front of the device to obtain scattered radiation intensity distribution. The human phantom was placed in the same way as the CC positioning, and BR-12 phantoms with a thickness of 40 mm was placed on the FPD. Then, the scatter dose around the lens was measured using an OSL dosimeter. In order to confirm the change in the scatter radiation dose by the face guard (FG) and eyelid, we measured and compared under the same conditions the presence of FG and adipose tissue about 1 mm thick assuming the eyelid. RESULTS: Scatter radiation intensity decreased around the FG. When the FG was installed, the scatter dose was reduced about 33%, and when the adipose tissue was pasted on the OSL dosimeter, the scatter dose was reduced about 29%. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that eye closure during mammography was effective in reducing lens exposure. In the future, we would like to expect further protective effects by increasing the thickness of FG and reviewing the materials.

Development of a gel-in-oil emulsion as a transdermal drug delivery system for successful delivery of growth factors.

Growth factors (GFs) are indispensable in regenerative medicine because of their high effectiveness. However, as GFs degenerate easily, the development of a suitable carrier with improved stability for GFs is necessary. In this study, we developed a gel-in-oil (G/O) emulsion technology for the transdermal delivery of growth factors. Nanogel particles prepared with heparin-immobilized gelatin that can bind growth factors were dispersed in isopropyl myristate. The particle size of the G/O emulsion could be controlled by changing the surfactant concentration, volume ratio of the water phase to the oil phase, and gelatin concentration. In vitro skin penetration studies showed better penetration through the stratum corneum of fluorescent proteins containing G/O emulsions than of the aqueous solution of GF. Similarly, an in vivo study showed an angiogenesis-inducing effect after transdermal application of GF-immobilized G/O emulsion. Angiogenesis in mice was confirmed owing to both an increased blood vessel network and higher hemoglobin content in the blood. Therefore, the G/O emulsion could be a promising carrier for GFs with better stability and can effectively deliver GFs at the target site.

A nano-sized gel-in-oil suspension for transcutaneous protein delivery.

We developed a new oil-based delivery system for transdermal protein delivery, a gel-in-oil (G/O) nanosuspension, where gelatin-based hydrogel was coated with hydrophobic surfactants. The high entrapment efficiency of a model protein, phycocyanin (PC), into nano-sized gelatin hydrogel particles was achieved. Spectroscopic evaluation of PC suggested that the G/O nanosuspension could retain the functional form of PC in isopropyl myristate. In vitro skin permeation studies showed that the G/O nanosuspension facilitated the delivery of PC through the stratum corneum of Yucatan micropig skin.

Impact of fall-related behaviors as risk factors for falls among the elderly patients with dementia in a geriatric facility in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to clarify potential fall-related behaviors as fall risk factors that may predict the potential for falls among the elderly patients with dementia at a geriatric facility in Japan. This study was conducted from April 2008 to May 2009. A baseline study was conducted in April 2008 to evaluate Mini-Mental State Examination, Physical Self-Maintenance Scale, fall-related behaviors, and other factors. For statistical analysis, paired t test and logistic analysis were used to compare each item between fallers and nonfallers. A total of 135 participants were followed up for 1 year; 50 participants (37.04%) fell during that period. Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the total score for fall-related behaviors was significantly related to falls. It was suggested that 11 fall-related behaviors may be effective indicators to predict falls among the elderly patients with dementia.