Usefulness of 11C-methionine-PET for predicting the efficacy of carbon ion radiation therapy for head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma

The aim of this study was to determine whether l-methyl-[¹¹C]-methionine (MET) positron emission tomography (PET) allows the prediction of outcomes in patients with head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma treated with carbon ion radiation therapy (CIRT). This was a retrospective cohort study involving 85 patients who underwent a MET-PET or MET-PET/computed tomography (CT) examination before and after CIRT. MET uptake in the tumour was evaluated semi-quantitatively using the tumour-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR). Local recurrence, metastasis, and outcome predictions were studied in terms of TNR before CIRT (TNRpre), TNR after CIRT (TNRpost), and the TNR change ratio. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed significant differences between patients with higher TNRpre values and those with lower TNRpre values in regard to local recurrence, metastasis, and outcome (log-rank test P<0.0001 for all three). There were also significant differences in metastasis rates and outcomes between patients with higher and lower TNRpost values (log-rank test P=0.0105 and P=0.027, respectively). The Cox proportional hazards model revealed TNRpre to be a factor significantly influencing the risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 29.0, P<0.001), risk of metastasis (HR 2.67, P=0.024), and the outcome (HR 6.3, P<0.001). MET-PET or MET-PET/CT is useful for predicting the outcomes of patients with head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma treated with CIRT.

Three-Dimensional Display of Liver, Spleen, Hepatoma, and Blood Vessels by MR Imaging and Computer Graphics

The technique of generating 3-D images from CT and MR data has made progress. Manipulation of the images has become simpler, the processing time shorter, and the quality better. Clinical application of this technique has been performed for images of brain (5, 7, 8) and bone (1, 2, 6), but only a few studies have been done of abdominal organs (3, 4).

A New Seco-Clerodane-Type Diterpenoid from Bornean Liverwort Schistochila acuminata

A new compound, schistochilic acid D (1) and two known compounds (2 and 3) were isolated from MeOH extract of Bornean liverwort. Schistochila acuininata collected from Mount Trus Madi, Sabah. The structure of the new metabolite was established based on spectroscopic (ID NMR, 2D NMR, and IR). and HRESIMS data. In addition, another population of S. acuminata collected from Mount Alab (Sabah) yielded four known compounds, 2, 3, 4 and 5. These compounds were tested for their biological potential against the B 16-Fl0 cell line. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity.

16-Hydroxycembra-1,3,7,11-tetraene, a new Cembrane Diterpene from Malaysian Soft Coral Genus Sarcophyton

One new cembrane diterpene, 16-hydroxycembra-1,3,7,11-tetraene (1), along with three known compounds, 15-hydroxycembra-1,3,7,11-tetraene (2), sarcophine (3) and sarcophytoxide (4) were isolated from Sarcophyton sp. collected from Karah Island, Terengganu, West Malaysia. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data. Activities of these compounds against antibacterial resistant clinical bacteria are reported. Only 1 exhibited inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus.

Capgermacrene C, a New Sesquiterpenoid from a Bornean Soft Coral, Capnella sp

A new bicyclogermacrene, capgermacrene C (1), along with a known compound, 1,4-peroxy-5-muurolene (2), were isolated from a population of Bornean soft coral Capnella sp. The structures of these metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, and HRESIMS. Both compounds were subjected to antibacterial activity tests against antibiotic resistant clinical bacteria, but produced only negligible inhibition.

Capgermacrene C, a New Sesquiterpenoid from a Bornean Soft Coral, Capnella sp

A new bicyclogermacrene, capgermacrene C (1), along with a known compound, 1,4-peroxy-5-muurolene (2), were isolated from a population of Bornean soft coral Capnella sp. The structures of these metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including NMR, and HRESIMS. Both compounds were subjected to antibacterial activity tests against antibiotic resistant clinical bacteria, but produced only negligible inhibition.

16-Hydroxycembra-1,3,7,11-tetraene, a new Cembrane Diterpene from Malaysian Soft Coral Genus Sarcophyton

One new cembrane diterpene, 16-hydroxycembra-1,3,7,11-tetraene (1), along with three known compounds, 15-hydroxycembra-1,3,7,11-tetraene (2), sarcophine (3) and sarcophytoxide (4) were isolated from Sarcophyton sp. collected from Karah Island, Terengganu, West Malaysia. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data. Activities of these compounds against antibacterial resistant clinical bacteria are reported. Only 1 exhibited inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus.

A New Seco-Clerodane-Type Diterpenoid from Bornean Liverwort Schistochila acuminata

A new compound, schistochilic acid D (1) and two known compounds (2 and 3) were isolated from MeOH extract of Bornean liverwort Schistochila acuminata collected from Mount Trus Madi, Sabah. The structure of the new metabolite was established based on spectroscopic (1D NMR, 2D NMR, and IR). and HRESIMS data. In addition, another population of S. acuminata collected from Mount Alab (Sabah) yielded four known compounds, 2, 3, 4 and 5. These compounds were tested for their biological potential against the B16-F10 cell line. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity.

Two New Lobane Diterpenes from a Bornean Soft Coral Sinularia sp

Two new lobane diterpenoids, prenyl-α-elemenone (1) and ent-prenyl-β-elemene (2), along with ,a known compound, α-murrolene (3) were isolated from a population of Bomean soft coral Sinularia sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic, including 2D NMR, and HR-MS data. These compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities against antibiotic resistant clinical strains.

A new cembrane-type diterpenoid from Bornean liverwort Chandonanthus hirtellus

A new compound, chandonanol (1), along with four known compounds, chandonanthone (2), iso-chandonanthone (3), anastreptene (4), and (6R,7S)-sesquiphellandrene (5), was isolated from the MeOH extract of Bornean liverwort Chandonanthus hirtellus. The structure of the new metabolite was established by analyses of the spectroscopic data (1D NMR, 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and IR). These compounds were tested for their activity against antibiotic-resistant clinical strains. Chandonanol (1) exhibited potent bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Two New Lobane Diterpenes from a Bornean Soft Coral Sinularia sp

Two new lobane diterpenoids, prenyl-α-elemenone (1) and ent-prenyl-β-elemene (2), along with a known compound, α-murrolene (3) were isolated from a population of Bornean soft coral Sinularia sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic, including 2D NMR, and HR-MS data. These compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities against antibiotic resistant clinical strains.

Three new cembranoids from the Bornean soft coral Nephthea sp

Three new cembranoid diterpenes, 10-hydroxy-nephthenol acetate (1), 7,8-epoxy-10-hydroxy-nephthenol acetate (2), and 6-acetoxy-7,8-epoxy-10-hydroxy-nephthenol acetate (3), along with a known compound, 6-acetoxy-7,8-epoxy-nephthenol acetate (4), were isolated from the Bornean soft coral Nephthea sp. Antibacterial and anticancer activities were exhibited by compounds 1 and 2 against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)/Escherichia coli (ATCC 13311) and Hela/MCF-7, respectively.

[A case of chronic progressive motor-dominant multiple mononeuritis associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome]

A 45-year-old female with a history of dry eyes presented with chronic progressive disturbance of her right finger extension, bilateral foot drops, and dysesthesia in the left lower leg. On admission, neurological examination revealed decreased tendon reflex in the right upper limb and bilateral lower limbs, and dysesthesia in the distal outer portions of the bilateral lower legs. Her vibration sensation was moderately diminished in both lower legs. Weakness ranging from moderate to severe was predominantly found in the muscles innervated by the radial (r > l), medial (r > l), ulnar (r > l), deep peroneal (r ≒ l), tibial (r < l), and medial planter nerves (r < l). Nerve conduction study showed asymmetrical axonal neuropathy, while chronic neurogenic changes were observed on needle electromyography. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis results were unremarkable, except for an elevated IgG index (1.53) and the presence of oligoclonal IgG bands. Seropositive anti-SS-A antibody and histological findings of the biopsied minor salivary gland, as well as the lack of other connective tissue disorders, indicated primary Sjögren syndrome (SjS). A left sural nerve biopsy showed inhomogeneous reductions in the myelinated fibers within fascicules, mild infiltration of CD8-positive T lymphocytes around small vessels, and no fibrinoid necrosis in the arteries. From these findings, the diagnosis of motor-dominant multiple mononeuritis associated with primary SjS was made. Therapy that comprised a single course of intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone (1 g for 3 days), followed by oral prednisolone (60 mg/day) with gradual tapering, resulted in no amelioration of her symptoms. She then received IV immunoglobulin (0.4 mg/kg/day for 5 days), which resulted in moderate improvement in the strength of several muscles and a reduction of CSF IgG index (0.89). A wide variety of peripheral nerve complications are documented in primary SjS. However, the present case is unique in the symptoms of chronic progressive, motor-dominant, multiple mononeuritic phenotype.

New Laurene-type Sesquiterpene from Bornean Laurencia nangii

We report the chemical composition of a population of Bornean Laurencia nangii Masuda. A new compound, neolaurene (1), along with five known metabolites, neolaurallene (2), 2,10-dibromo-3-chloro-α-chamigrene (3), deoxyprepacifenol (4), cycloelatanene B (5) and intricatetraol (6), were isolated and their chemical structures elucidated based on spectroscopic data. In addition, their cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity were evaluated.