Direct conversion of silver complexes to nanoscale hexagonal columns on a copper alloy for plasmonic applications.

We introduced a novel method for the rapid synthesis of silver nanohexagonal thin columns from an aqueous mixture of sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) and silver chloride (AgCl) simply added to a phosphor bronze substrate. The reaction is based on galvanic displacement and the products are potentially useful for plasmonic applications.

[Clinical study of the urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli harboring extended-spectrum beta lactamase].

Multiple drug resistance is one of the problems associated with the treatment of urinary tract infection. Urine bacterial culture confirmed extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in 56 patients in the Department of Urology, Hokkaido Social Welfare Association Furano Hospital. The mean age of the patients was 83 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:2. The source of infection was cystitis in 51 patients and pyelonephritis in 5 patients. The most common underlying disease was neurogenic bladder in 42 patients, and a urinary tract catheter had been placed in 33 patients. Before the detection of ESBL-producing E. coli, common bacteria included E. coli, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas. ESBL-producing E. coli were sensitive to the following antibiotics: carbapenem; cephamycin; aminoglycoside; and synthesized penicillin. ESBL-producing E. coli are resistant to multiple drugs. The use of urinary tract catheterization and antibiotics for asymptomatic urinary tract infection should be kept to a minimum.

Additional reduction in serum phosphorus levels by pulverized lanthanum carbonate chewable in hemodialysis patients.

Lanthanum carbonate (LC) is one of the relatively new phosphate binders. The general LC dosage form is a chewable pharmaceutical preparation. This investigation was targeted to subjects who do not chew LC chewable preparations adequately, for the purpose of studying the clinical efficacy of changing to pulverized prescriptions, such as changes in serum phosphorus levels (P levels). The study took place at Minamisenju Hospital in October 2011, with 41 subjects on maintenance hemodialysis. We pulverized all of the LC chewable medicines of the LC insufficient mastication group (non-chewing: NC group, n = 18) using a crusher, and changed them to pulverized prescriptions. The testing period was set at 10 weeks. In the NC group, there was a significant lowering of P levels from 5.86 ± 1.31 mg/dL before pulverization of the LC chewable preparation (week 0) to 5.38 ± 1.26 mg/dL after 2 weeks of administration of the pulverized medication (P = 0.0310), 5.20 ± 1.25 mg/dL after 4 weeks (P = 0.0077), and 5.12 ± 1.34 mg/dL after 6 weeks (P = 0.0167). P levels in other patients than NC group showed no significant change. In this study, the P levels in the NC group was lowered significantly by changing the LC chewable to the pulverized prescription, and the residual LC images on the abdominal X-rays disappeared to the point where they could barely be confirmed.