In this study, we showed the bioavailability of ubiquinol (QH) in the form of water-dispersive powder.Two groups of 5 healthy young subjects received single oral administration of 100 mg of QH in the form of a soft capsule containing QH dissolved in safflower oil or 40% water-dispersive powder in the fasting period, and changes in the plasma QH concentration were monitored over time.The water-dispersive powder form of QH exhibited superior bioavailability even when administered in the fasting period.

A 32-year-old woman was referred to our hospital during the 35th week of pregnancy because of chest pain and dyspnea. The cesarean section was performed and a healthy infant was delivered. On the 16th hospital day, she developed heart failure. Echocardiograms revealed protrusion of the mitral valve into the left atrium in systole, vegetation and worsening of mitral regurgitation. CT showed splenic infarction. Mitral valve replacement was performed after inflammatory findings were improved by antibiotics. We reported here a case of infective endocarditis during the perinatal period.

A case of Budd-Chiari syndrome in which direct surgical intervention was successfully performed is reported. A 43-year-old female who had had a history of hepatic coma was pointed out complete obstruction of inferior vena cava (IVC) between the right atrium and diaphragma, associated with hepatic dysfunction and esophageal varices. At operation, the IVC lesion was visualized directly by thoracotomy through midsternal incision and by laparotomy through right hypochondrial oblique incision, with the liver retracted. Under partial extracorporeal circulation with suction of blood from hepatic vein, the IVC was incised, 3cm in length, and membranous tissue causing obstruction was resected. The defect of the IVC wall was repaired with ringed EPTFE patch. Postoperatively, both central venous and portal pressure were decreased, 21 mmHg to 10mmHg and 26cm H₂O to 21cm H₂O, respectively, with good patency of the IVC on venogram. Now the patient is up and well, 11 months after operation. Thus, complete removal of obstruction under direct vision is thought to be important for surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the current state of nursing for the sexuality of patients with cancer at the end-of-life. In December 2018, we asked 313 nurses from 18 palliative care units in Kanagawa Prefecture about their awareness, feelings, and behavioral intentions and hands-on experience for the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life. The collection rate of the questionnaire was 52.7% (165 cases). Eighty-two nurses (49.7%) had experience supporting the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life. The contents of the support were “Recommend physical contact”, “Listening”, “Recommend hug”, and “Take sufficient time when entering the room, such as waiting for a reply after knocking or calling out”. Meanwhile, at ward conferences, only 11 (6.7%) had talked about the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life. It has been suggested that, at present, support for the environment in which patients with cancer nurture love with their partners at the end-of-life is left to individuals and not systematically.