A Rare Case of Bilateral Pectoralis Major Muscle Defect and Abnormal Muscle.

A 56-year-old female patient with left breast cancer presented at our hospital. Preoperative CT scan showed an isolated bilateral pectoralis major muscle defect and abnormal muscle originating from the entire sternum and inserting in the lower ribs and rectus sheath. Total mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were performed. We believe that this case is unique and that others like it have never been reported. If there is a defect in the pectoralis major muscle, reconstructive surgery with a tissue expander is contraindicated. Therefore, preoperative evaluation of the chest wall musculature on imaging is recommended.

Effect of mergers and acquisitions on drug discovery: perspective from a case study of a Japanese pharmaceutical company.

The pharmaceutical industry has experienced intermittent waves of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) since the 1980s and recently appeared to be in yet another wave. Previous studies indicated rather negative impacts of consolidation on research and development, suggesting that they do not necessarily lead to long-term reinforcement of research capabilities, although they may enrich the drug pipeline in the short term. However, recent studies have implied a positive side in terms of knowledge-base transfer. Further micro-organizational studies suggested that scientists learned new knowledge and approaches from partner scientists and improved their performance and innovation. These findings imply that measures for the scientist-level integration after M&As would reinforce fundamental research capabilities in the long term.

Bone regeneration by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and a novel biodegradable carrier in a rabbit ulnar defect model.

The effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 and a novel carrier, PLGA-coated gelatin sponge (PGS), on bone defect repair was examined. A 1.5 cm unilateral segmental bone defect was created in the ulnar diaphysis of a Japanese white rabbit. In an initial study, defects were either treated with PGS impregnated with various concentrations of rhBMP-2 (0, 0.1, 0.4 and 1 mg/cm(3)) or left untreated. Defect healing was assessed by radiographic union rate, and biomechanical properties of regenerated bones were determined at 16 weeks postoperatively. In a second study, defects were implanted with PGS with or without rhBMP-2, and histologically observed at postoperative weeks 8 and 16. Radiographic union rate increased the dose-dependently at an early time point. All defects treated with rhBMP-2 (0.4 and 1 mg/cm(3)) were radiographically repaired. Mechanical properties of regenerated bones were restored in a dose-dependent manner. Neither ulnae left untreated nor implanted PGS alone showed radiographic union. Longitudinal alignment of lamellar structure was observed histologically at 16 weeks, indicating that remodeling of regenerated bone was complete. Implanted PGS was almost completely resorbed by 8 weeks, and no abnormalities were observed in the surrounding soft tissue. These results suggest that PGS is a promising carrier for rhBMP-2.