A 32-year-old woman underwent the laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. During the operation, adrenaline was injected into her right ovary, because the amount of bleeding decreased. Soon after the injection, ventricular tachycardia occurred and her blood pressure increased to 190/125. The use of lidocaine induced the electrocardiogram to return to normal and brought down the blood pressure to a normal range. The operation was finished without hitch.　　Vasopressin has both an excellent hemostatic effect and cardiovascular side effects, and is often used at many medical facilities in Japan. But the treatment with vasopressin is neither covered by health insurance nor the relief system for sufferers from adverse drug reactions.　　So we usually use adrenaline which is insurable at laparoscopic operations. Adrenaline has also a hemostatic property, and causes severe cardiovascular adverse events such as ventricular tachycardia when used together with halogenated inhalation anesthetic. The Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists concludes that no serious side effects will arise from using adrenalin and sevoflurane or isoflurane based on its own findings.　　We had a case with ventricular tachycardia which occurred after an adrenaline local injection. But we recommend a careful use of adrenaline for local injection during a laparoscopic operation.

We report our experience of successful hemostasis after dental extraction with the use of rFVIIa in a FVII deficient patient. Preoperative PT% was 25%, and FVII was less than 3%. Thirty minutes before tooth extraction, 1.2 mg of rFVIIa was injected. At the beginning of the operation, PT% was more than 200%, FVII was 336%, and the hemostasis after dental extraction was excellent. rFVIIa was used effectively and safely for dental extraction in this case of FVII deficiency.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that induces symptoms such as a decrease in motor function and cognitive impairment. Increases in the aggregation and deposition of amyloid beta protein (Aβ) in the brain may be closely correlated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, the effects of an adzuki bean extract on the aggregation of Aβ were examined; moreover, the anti-Alzheimer's activity of the adzuki extract was examined. MATERIALS/METHODS: First, we undertook thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to evaluate the effect of an adzuki bean extract on Aβ42 aggregation. To evaluate the effects of the adzuki extract on the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in vivo, Aβ42-overexpressing Drosophila were used. In these flies, overexpression of Aβ42 induced the formation of Aβ42 aggregates in the brain, decreased motor function, and resulted in cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Based on the results obtained by ThT fluorescence assays and TEM, the adzuki bean extract inhibited the formation of Aβ42 aggregates in a concentration-dependent manner. When Aβ42-overexpressing flies were fed regular medium containing adzuki extract, the Aβ42 level in the brain was significantly lower than that in the group fed regular medium only. Furthermore, suppression of the decrease in motor function, suppression of cognitive impairment, and improvement in lifespan were observed in Aβ42-overexpressing flies fed regular medium with adzuki extract. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal the delaying effects of an adzuki bean extract on the progression of Alzheimer's disease and provide useful information for identifying novel prevention treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Brain ; Cognition Disorders ; Diptera ; Drosophila ; Fluorescence ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Objective : In 2011, the Ishikawa Prefectural Joint Committee of Blood Transfusion Therapy was organized in Ishikawa Prefecture. Since 2012, pharmacists have promoted educational activities regarding the appropriate use of albumin products for different occupations based on a survey involving all medical institutions in Ishikawa Prefecture. We examined the effects of these activities with respect to the usage of albumin products. Methods : A questionnaire survey regarding blood transfusion therapy, including the total usage of albumin products, departments responsible for the management of albumin products, and health care professionals’ awareness of issues on the appropriate use of albumin products, was conducted from 2011 until 2014 involving all medical institutions where blood transfusion preparations were used in Ishikawa Prefecture. Results : The questionnaire collection rate was ≥70%. The results showed that, in middle- or small-scale medical institutions, departments/physicians other than the Department of Pharmacy were responsible for the management of albumin products. Furthermore, some health care professionals did not recognize/understand problems regarding the appropriate use of albumin products. Pharmacists newly increased educational activities by study meetings for various occupations or panel discussions involving participants. The participants’ occupations varied, and the number of institutions to which they belonged was 20 to 24. The total usage of albumin products in Ishikawa Prefecture decreased by approximately 20% between 2011, when these attempts were started, and 2014. Discussion : This study suggests that the educational activities by pharmacists and other health care professionals at the prefectural level reduced the total usage of albumin products.