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Treatment of [Au2Pd(dppm)(d-pen)2] ([1]) with Cu(NO3)2 gave a 1D (AuI2PdIICuII2)n coordination polymer, [Cu2(1)2(H2O)4](NO3)4 ([2](NO3)4), which was reversibly converted to its dehydrated species, [Cu2(1)2(H2O)2](NO3)4 ([3](NO3)4), with retention of crystallinity. The magnetic feature of [2](NO3)4 differs dramatically from that of [3](NO3)4, showing an unusual loop in the course of the magnetic susceptibility measurements due to the reversible opening and closing motions of dicopper(ii) paddle wheels in the solid state.

Carotid artery angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is now used as an alternative to surgical endarterectomy. The introduction of cerebral protection systems during stenting has improved carotid artery stenosis treatment, with less periprocedural complications. A "mouse in a trap" method was conceived and used in three patients. This involved an emboli entrapment-aspiration system using one proximal occluder in the common carotid artery and two distal occluders in the internal carotid artery or external carotid artery, followed by serial inflation-deflation cycles during each carotid stenting procedure. Debris was retrieved before dilation in one patient, after deployment in one, and after dilation in two. Although only used in a few cases to date, the method may improve the practice of CAS in treating patients with carotid stenosis, resulting in less thromboembolic events., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

To understand the cause of discoloration of the sea laver "nori," which is found in the Ariake Sea, the concentrations of pigments and elements in the normal and discolored laver samples were determined. In the discolored samples, a decrease in all of the pigments, chlorophyll a and carotenoids, and proteinous pigments, phycobiliproteins, was clearly observed. This was accompanied by a decrease in the content of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and P. Good correlations between these elements and chlorophyll a, as well as between these elements and phycobiliproteins, were confirmed, indicating that, in addition to the deficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus, the deficiency of trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu), which are specifically required for photosynthesis, could be a reason for the discoloration of nori. The cause of elemental deficiency is also discussed.

Trigeminal neuralgia is known to be caused by vascular compression at the trigeminal root entry zone (REZ) and microvascular decompression provides good outcome in most of cases. However, in some cases, no vascular compression was observed at the REZ. Over the last 2(1/2) years, the first author operated on 53 cases of trigeminal neuralgia with microvascular decompression and encountered nine cases where no offending vessels were noted at or near the REZ. They were divided into two groups: five cases involving an initial operation and four cases involving a second operation. In the former, arachnoid thickening, angulation or torsion of the root axis were common findings. Dissection of thick arachnoid around the root along the whole length reversed the root to be straight and flaccid. Complete pain relief was noted in four of five cases. In one case of atypical pain, constant facial pain remained. In the latter four cases, where the first operations were done more than 4 years before, thick granulation was noted around REZ without new offending vessels in two cases. In the remaining two cases, where no offending vessels were noted in the first operation, thick adhesion of a distal portion of the root with dura on the pyramidal bone was noted. Meticulous dissection of t he whole length of the root was done and complete pain relief was obtained. Delayed but complete pain relief in these nine cases was noted. Based on operative findings, arachnoid thickening or granulomatous adhesion between the root and surrounding structures can cause an abnormal course of the trigeminal nerve root, which causes root angulation and/or torsion. They can also cause pulsatile movement of the trigeminal nerve root. This tethering effect can promote abnormal root stretching force, especially at REZ, which might promote hyperexitability of the nerve. This speculative mechanism suggests that it is important to make the root free along the entire length, especially at its distal portion in cases with no offending vessels., (Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We investigated whether regimen comprehension deteriorated in the elderly patients who did not suffer from obvious dementia. Eligible patients were ambulatory elderly patients who did not show any signs of dementia and could visit our outpatient clinic by themselves. 138 patients (age: 43-89, 75 males and 63 females, underlying diseases: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arrhythmia etc.) were tested with a regimen comprehension scale (RCS: Jpn J Geriat 1997; 34: 209-214). The differences in scores among individuals increased with age. Scores of 5 or less in the RCS were recorded in 10 out of 69 patients aged 65 or more, but no such scores were recorded in younger patients (p < 0.01). The 60 patients who scored less than full marks were classified into two groups, the T-group (tutored by pharmacists), and a Non Tutored group. RCS was tested again in both groups. Only in the T-group (n = 28), did the second scores increase significantly (from 7.2 +/- 0.9 to 8.6 +/- 2.0 (m +/- SD); p < 0.01) after tutorial by pharmacists. Comparing the 7 patients who obtained an RCS score of 5 or less and age- and gender-matched controls who got full marks, there was no difference in the HDS-R test. These results suggest that even in elderly patients who did not show any signs of dementia, the regimen comprehension deteriorated with age, and tutorials in medication protocols were considered to be effective.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether regimen comprehension deteriorates in the elderly without obvious mental disability. Eligible patients were elderly who could visit hospitals by themselves. We recruited 138 patients (age: 43-89, 75 males and 63 females, underlying diseases: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, arrhythmia etc.) from our outpatient clinic. The participants were tested with a regimen comprehension scale (RCS: Jpn J Geriat 1997; 34:209-214). The differences in scores among individuals increased with age. Scores of 5 or less were recorded in 10 of 69 patients aged 65 or more, but in non of 69 patients aged less than 65 (p < 0.01). The 60 patients who could not get full marks were classified into 2 groups: the tutored group (T) who were tutored by pharmacists about taking drugs, and the non-tutored group (N). Both group were tested again with RCS to evaluate the effect of tutorial. In T-group (n = 28), the second scores increased significantly (from 7.2 +/- 0.9 to 8.6 +/- 2.0 (m +/- SD); p < 0.01). Although the second scores showed a tendency to increase in N-group (n = 29), there was no statistical significance. In 7 patients who obtained less than a score of 5 on the RCS and age- and gender-matched controls who received full marks on the RCS, the HDS-R test failed to show any differences between the two groups. Thus, we concluded that even in the self-attending elderly patients, the regimen comprehension deteriorated with age, and tutorials were considered to be effective.

The combination action of ampicillin and dicloxacillin was studied in vitro. The following conclusions were obtained. 1) When both ampicillin and dicloxacillin were employed, an increase in antibacterial activity was observed against beta-lactamase producing E. coli No. 106 (clinical isolated strain). 2) A synergistic action of ampicillin and dicloxacillin was proved by chequer board dilution method for E. coli No. 106. 3) A same synergistic action of ampicillin and dicloxacillin was also proved by the growth curve for E. coli No. 106. 4) Dicloxacillin showed an inhibition in degradation of ampicillin brought about by beta-lactamase extracted from E. coli No. 106. 5) When the organisms of E. coli No. 106 were exposed to the combination of ampicillin and dicloxacillin, spheroplast-like structure and lysis were observed by scanning electron microscope.