The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin (TEIC) in patients undergoing open heart surgery. We also attemped to define the optimum TEIC therapy protocol for prevention of perioperative infection and for treatment of staphylococcal endocarditis such as that caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Serum TEIC concentrations were measured in 14 patients divided into two groups of 7 patients each undergoing elective open heart surgery. Patients in group I received 400mg of TEIC and patients in group II received 800mg, both administered as a slow intravenous infusion over 20min immediately after induction of anesthesia. The peak serum level (mean±standard error) of TEIC was respectively 57±11 and 139±39μg/ml at 2min after administration and then the TEIC level decreased gradually to 26± 7 and 55±10μg/ml at 60min after administration. The serum level of TEIC decreased rapidly to 17±5 and 31±7μg/ml, respectively, at the start of extracorporeal circulation (ECC), and was 11±2 and 27±6μg/ml after 60min of ECC, 8±2 and 23±7μg/ml at 2min after the termination of ECC, 8±3 and 23±6μg/ml at 60min after the termination of ECC, and 7±2 and 22±5μg/ml on admission to ICU. No side effects were seen during the study, such as red neck syndrome, renal dysfunction, hearing disorders, or postoperative infection. Our results suggested that the optimum dose of TEIC for prevention of perioperative infection was around 400mg, providing levels in excess of the MIC for most pathogens that have been found to cause infection following open heart surgery, including MRSA. In addition, a dose of 800mg was needed to keep trough levels above 20μg/ml for treatment of staphylococcal endocarditis. It was also suggested that half of the initial dose should be administered on admission to ICU and also at the start of ECC if the operation is going to last longer than 7h on the basis of the concentration-time curve.

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of exercise intensity on stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) function of the lower limbs after cycling. Ten male triathletes performed a cycling graded test to determine the ventilatory threshold (VT) and two hopping-cycling (30 min of cycling at 90 or 110% VT)-hopping tests. The two hopping-cycling-hopping tests performed in random order. Power output (PO), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored throughout the 30-min cycling. Blood lactate concentrations (BLa) were measured in order to assess metabolic stress. The SSC function was calculated as the ratio of the jump height to the time spent in contact with the ground (reactive strength index [RSI]). PO, HR and RPE values during cycling at 110%VT was higher than at 90%VT (p < 0.01). BLa value after the cycling at 110%VT was higher than at 90%VT (90%VT: 2.4±1.0 vs. 110%VT: 5.9±2.8 mmol/L, p < 0.01). Regardless of the cycling exercise intensity, the RSI significantly decreased after the cycling exercise (p < 0.01). The RSI remained decreased at 15 min after the cycling exercise (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that the SSC function decreased after cycling. Exercise intensity during cycling is likely to have no effect on the decrease in SSC function.

Our extensive basic research on photodynamic therapy (PDT) application in models of intracranial malignant astrocytoma led to its clinical application for intracranial malignant astrocytoma in Japan. Having considered the safety and effectiveness of this pathology, we initiate a first-in-human clinical study of PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma. This study has an open-label, single-arm design. The initial follow-up period is 12 months, at the end of which we will quantify survival after PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma as primary objective. The secondary objective is to quantify the overall progression-free survival of treated patients and the percentage of patients surviving 6 months after PDT without recurrence. Twenty patients suffering from spinal cord malignant astrocytoma will be recruited. In particular, 10 of those should be newly diagnosed World Health Organization grade 4. After obtaining consent, each patient will receive a single intravenous injection of talaporfin sodium (40 mg/m2) 1 day before tumor resection. One day after completing tumor removal, the residual lesion and/or resection cavity will be irradiated using a 664-nm semiconductor laser with a radiation power density of 150 mW/cm2 and a radiation energy density of 27 J/cm2. The procedure will be performed 22–26 hours after talaporfin sodium administration. This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials number, jRCT2021220040).

Our extensive basic research on photodynamic therapy (PDT) application in models of intracranial malignant astrocytoma led to its clinical application for intracranial malignant astrocytoma in Japan. Having considered the safety and effectiveness of this pathology, we initiate a first-in-human clinical study of PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma. This study has an open-label, single-arm design. The initial follow-up period is 12 months, at the end of which we will quantify survival after PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma as primary objective. The secondary objective is to quantify the overall progression-free survival of treated patients and the percentage of patients surviving 6 months after PDT without recurrence. Twenty patients suffering from spinal cord malignant astrocytoma will be recruited. In particular, 10 of those should be newly diagnosed World Health Organization grade 4. After obtaining consent, each patient will receive a single intravenous injection of talaporfin sodium (40 mg/m2) 1 day before tumor resection. One day after completing tumor removal, the residual lesion and/or resection cavity will be irradiated using a 664-nm semiconductor laser with a radiation power density of 150 mW/cm2 and a radiation energy density of 27 J/cm2. The procedure will be performed 22–26 hours after talaporfin sodium administration. This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials number, jRCT2021220040).

Our extensive basic research on photodynamic therapy (PDT) application in models of intracranial malignant astrocytoma led to its clinical application for intracranial malignant astrocytoma in Japan. Having considered the safety and effectiveness of this pathology, we initiate a first-in-human clinical study of PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma. This study has an open-label, single-arm design. The initial follow-up period is 12 months, at the end of which we will quantify survival after PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma as primary objective. The secondary objective is to quantify the overall progression-free survival of treated patients and the percentage of patients surviving 6 months after PDT without recurrence. Twenty patients suffering from spinal cord malignant astrocytoma will be recruited. In particular, 10 of those should be newly diagnosed World Health Organization grade 4. After obtaining consent, each patient will receive a single intravenous injection of talaporfin sodium (40 mg/m2) 1 day before tumor resection. One day after completing tumor removal, the residual lesion and/or resection cavity will be irradiated using a 664-nm semiconductor laser with a radiation power density of 150 mW/cm2 and a radiation energy density of 27 J/cm2. The procedure will be performed 22–26 hours after talaporfin sodium administration. This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials number, jRCT2021220040).

Our extensive basic research on photodynamic therapy (PDT) application in models of intracranial malignant astrocytoma led to its clinical application for intracranial malignant astrocytoma in Japan. Having considered the safety and effectiveness of this pathology, we initiate a first-in-human clinical study of PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma. This study has an open-label, single-arm design. The initial follow-up period is 12 months, at the end of which we will quantify survival after PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma as primary objective. The secondary objective is to quantify the overall progression-free survival of treated patients and the percentage of patients surviving 6 months after PDT without recurrence. Twenty patients suffering from spinal cord malignant astrocytoma will be recruited. In particular, 10 of those should be newly diagnosed World Health Organization grade 4. After obtaining consent, each patient will receive a single intravenous injection of talaporfin sodium (40 mg/m2) 1 day before tumor resection. One day after completing tumor removal, the residual lesion and/or resection cavity will be irradiated using a 664-nm semiconductor laser with a radiation power density of 150 mW/cm2 and a radiation energy density of 27 J/cm2. The procedure will be performed 22–26 hours after talaporfin sodium administration. This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials number, jRCT2021220040).

Our extensive basic research on photodynamic therapy (PDT) application in models of intracranial malignant astrocytoma led to its clinical application for intracranial malignant astrocytoma in Japan. Having considered the safety and effectiveness of this pathology, we initiate a first-in-human clinical study of PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma. This study has an open-label, single-arm design. The initial follow-up period is 12 months, at the end of which we will quantify survival after PDT for spinal cord malignant astrocytoma as primary objective. The secondary objective is to quantify the overall progression-free survival of treated patients and the percentage of patients surviving 6 months after PDT without recurrence. Twenty patients suffering from spinal cord malignant astrocytoma will be recruited. In particular, 10 of those should be newly diagnosed World Health Organization grade 4. After obtaining consent, each patient will receive a single intravenous injection of talaporfin sodium (40 mg/m2) 1 day before tumor resection. One day after completing tumor removal, the residual lesion and/or resection cavity will be irradiated using a 664-nm semiconductor laser with a radiation power density of 150 mW/cm2 and a radiation energy density of 27 J/cm2. The procedure will be performed 22–26 hours after talaporfin sodium administration. This study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Certified Committee in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials number, jRCT2021220040).

Computed diffusion-weighted MRI is a recently proposed post-processing technique that produces b-value images from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), acquired using at least two different b-values. This article presents an argument for computed DWI for prostate cancer by viewing four aspects of DWI: fundamentals, image quality and diagnostic performance, computing procedures, and future uses.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms*