Pyridylazulenes: synthesis, color changes, and structure of the colored product.

A facile method for the synthesis of 1- and 2-pyridylazulenes, and of 1,3-dipyridylazulenes, is described. Color and spectral changes of these pyridylazulenes upon the addition of either acid or metal ions were investigated in detail. The color changed from blue to red upon the addition of trifluoroacetic acid or soft metal ions, depending on the substitution patterns of the pyridyl group on the azulene skeleton. The structures of the protonated or coordinated products were examined on the basis of the spectral data. It was found that the protonation or coordination of metal ions occurred on the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring, but not on the carbon atom of azulene ring. The transition intervals of several pyridylazulenes for use as pH indicators were also determined.

Combined use of a magnifying endoscope with a narrow band imaging system and a multibending endoscope for en bloc EMR of early stage gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: En bloc EMR is performed in Japan as a curative treatment for early stage gastric cancer. However, current methods of EMR are technically difficult and require proficiency in determining the extent of the cancer. This study assessed the feasibility of a new method to obviate these problems and to facilitate en bloc EMR. METHODS: The new method uses two types of endoscopes: a magnifying endoscope with a narrow band imaging system to enhance the definition of mucosal and microcirculatory structure, and an endoscope with multibending tip deflection to maintain orientation during EMR. Forty-two consecutive cases of mucosal gastric cancer treated by EMR were reviewed retrospectively. In 12 of these patients, 12 lesions that fulfilled guideline criteria for EMR were treated by the modified, en bloc EMR method of circumferential incision and snare resection by using the two endoscopes. RESULTS: The rate of complete en bloc resection with the new method of EMR was 91.7%, (11/12). There was no major complication. CONCLUSIONS: The new en bloc resection method for EMR with two endoscopes described here is feasible and may be a safe and a reliable technique for curative treatment of mucosal gastric cancer.

Cilostazol, a potent phosphodiesterase type III inhibitor, selectively increases antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein subclass LpA-I and improves postprandial lipemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Low levels of high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) as well as impaired postprandial lipemia are known to be associated with the increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). HDL are heterogeneous in size and apolipoprotein composition. Recent evidence indicates that among the 2 major HDL subclasses, those without apolipoprotein A-II (LpA-I) are more antiatherogenic compared with those with apoA-II (LpA-I:A-II). Cilostazol, a novel selective phosphodiesterase type III inhibitor, has been shown to inhibit platelet activation and is also a potent vasodilator. Additionally, cilostazol has been shown to modulate lipoprotein profiles by raising HDL-C and lowering plasma triglyceride (TG) levels. The present study investigated the effect of cilostazol on HDL composition (LpA-I and LpA-I:A-II levels) and postprandial lipemia in patients with type 2 DM. Seventeen patients were given cilostazol 200 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. At weeks 0 and 12, fat tolerance tests (30 g/m(2)) were performed to assess postprandial lipemia. Plasma TG and remnant-like lipoprotein particles cholesterol (RLP-C) were significantly decreased by 17% and 26%, respectively (P <.05), and HDL-C was significantly increased by 14% (P <.01). LpA-I was significantly increased by 23% (P <.01) from the mean value of 45 mg/dL to 55 mg/dL. In contrast, LpA-I:A-II remained unchanged, resulting in significantly increased %LpA-I (apoA-I on LpA-I/total apoA-I x 100) from 35% to 40% (P <.01). Areas under the curve for TG and RLP-C after the fat meal were both nonsignificantly decreased by 17%. Patients with higher plasma TG levels had a greater benefit from the treatment with cilostazol as revealed by fasting TG levels and fat tolerance tests. HDL-C responses to cilostazol were independent of baseline plasma TG levels or percentage changes in TG, indicating that the underlying mechanisms for raising HDL and reducing TG levels are distinct. In conclusion, cilostazol selectively increased LpA-I, thus favorably altering HDL towards a more antiatherogenic composition. This finding, together with the improved postprandial lipemia, indicates that cilostazol has a potent antiatherogenic function by modulating HDL and remnant metabolism in patients with type 2 DM.