Wisely Designed Phthalocyanine Derivative for Convenient Molecular Fabrication on a Substrate.

An axial-substituted silicon phthalocyanine derivative, SiPc(OR)2 (R = C4H9), that is soluble in organic solvent is conveniently synthesized. This silicon phthalocyanine derivative reacts with a hydroxyl group on a substrate and then with another phthalocyanine derivative under mild conditions. The accumulation number of the phthalocyanine molecules on the substrates is easily controlled by the immersion time. On the basis of AFM (atomic force microscopy) images, the surface of the phthalocyanine-modified glass substrate has uneven structures on the nanometer scale. ITO electrodes modified with the composition of the phthalocyanine derivative and PCBM show stable cathodic photocurrent generation upon light irradiation.

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis 43 Years after Distal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer.

We herein report a case of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) in a patient without chronic kidney disease after gastrectomy. A 69-year-old man underwent distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer at 25 years old. After 43 years, he developed bowel obstruction and underwent enterolysis of the encapsulated small intestine. A pathological examination of the capsular membranes revealed inflammation, foam, and giant cells that destroyed foreign substances. The patient was discharged 1.5 months later. Foreign body reactions to surgical instruments used in gastrectomy are considered a cause of EPS. EPS due to foreign body reactions to surgical instruments should also be considered in such cases.

Successful treatment of severe renal failure caused by malignant hypertension using a combination of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors: a case report.

Marked activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an important role in malignant hypertension (MHT) by worsening hypertension and renal function. The rates of readmission for severe hypertension and cardiovascular disease in such emergencies are high, suggesting that suppression of the RAAS may be inadequate during the acute phase in some cases. This report presents a case of MHT complicated with renal insufficiency (creatinine 3.93 mg/dL) and massive proteinuria, in which antihypertensive therapy, including an angiotensin receptor blocker, aliskiren, and spironolactone, normalized blood pressure (BP) and preserved renal function. Plasma renin activity was extremely high (131.9 ng/mL/h) on admission but normalized within almost 2 weeks. Although aliskiren and spironolactone were discontinued before discharge, BP was well controlled and renal function was further improved (creatinine 1.14 mg/dL) at follow-up 24 months later. This case of renal failure induced by MHT was successfully treated with a combination of RAAS inhibitors during the acute phase. The controlled BP and improved renal function in this patient suggest that adequate suppression of the RAAS cascade during the acute phase is potentially effective in terms of breaking the vicious cycle of MHT with hyperreninemia.

Potential Tuning of Nanoarchitectures Based on Phthalocyanine Nanopillars: Construction of Effective Photocurrent Generation Systems.

Nanopillars composed of a photoresponsive phthalocyanine derivative have been conveniently fabricated using a continuous silane coupling reaction on a substrate. The chemical potentials of phthalocyanine nanopillars (PNs) are precisely controlled by changing the number of phthalocyanine derivatives on the substrate. In addition, photocurrent generation efficiencies have been strongly influenced by the number of phthalocyanine derivatives. High photocurrent conversion cells in a solid state have been obtained by the combination of PNs and a fullerene derivative.