We performed preoperative combined therapy using nedaplatin (CDGP) and radiation on 25 patients with squamous cell carcinoma originating from the oral cavity and maxillary sinus, and examined any adverse events that occurred during this therapeutic regimen. Regarding the irradiation, external irradiation utilizing a 6 MV linac (linear accelerator), at a dose of 2.OGy/day, was performed 5 times a week, with the target total radiation dose set at 4OGy. In addition, CDGP was intravenously administered 30 minutes before irradiation, at a dose of 5 mg/m²/day.
Mucositis was observed in all 25 subjects; however, the severity was observed to be grade 1-2, with no major differences compared with the patients given standard radiation monotherapy. Six subjects developed grade-3 leucopenia. Three subjects were thus given granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) .
Grade-2 thrombocytopenia was observed in two, and grade-3 in three, subjects. The subject with grade-3 thrombocytopenia required a platelet transfusion during surgery. No marked changes in serum creatinine levels were noted. These findings are considered to provide evidence supporting safety of this combination therapy.

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Nedaplatin (NDP), an anticancer platinum complex, is supposed to have stronger action on malignant tumor and less nephrotoxicity than cisplatin. As details of the nephrotoxicity of NDP are not known, we studied the effect of NDP on pig kidney Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity and human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HRPTE cells) . The pig kidney Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was inhibited by NDP, and the inhibition depended on the incubation time and the concentration of NDP, and the activity was recovered by sulfides. NDP decreased Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and acid phosphatase activities of HRPTE cells, and the decrease was partially inhibited by addition of 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) . HRPTE cell death by apoptosis was observed in the presence of NDP, and it was also partially inhibited by 2ME. These results suggest that the inhibition of enzyme activities by NDP may be related to nephrotoxicity, and that some sulfides can recover the activities and may reduce nephrotoxicity.

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Concentrations of aspirin and its metabolite: salicylic acid, were investigated using a microdialysis method in carrageenin-induced inflammatory lesions in the buccal region of rabbits, and the abilities of these agents to suppress PGE₂production were determined.
Compared with control levels, the PGE₂concentration in the inflammatory lesions was significantly lower at from 3 to 24 hors following aspirin administration.
The concentration of aspirin in the inflammatory lesions peaked at 20 minutes after administration, and dropped below the detection limit at 120 minutes after administration, whereas the concentration of salicylic acid peaked at 5 hours after administration, and some salicylic acid was still detectable at 24 hours after administration. Concentrations of both aspirin and salicylic acid in the blood were greater than those of the respective inflammatory lesions.
These findings suggest that aspirin and its metabolite: salicylic acid, suppress the production of PGE₂in inflammatory lesions for 24 hours after administration.

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Various medicaments containing calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH) ₂] have been used for root canal medication or temporary root canal filling. The aim of this study was to evaluate OH^-diffusion through the root canal after Ca (OH) ₂medicaments were dressed in the root canals of extracted human teeth.
Forty-five extracted human mandibular anterior teeth with a single root canal were used. After root canal preparation, they were divided into nine groups of five teeth each, and all of the root canals were filled with one of the following medicaments: a) soft-type Ca (OH) ₂paste (powder: liquid= 1: 1.2), b) medium-type Ca (OH) ₂paste (1: 1), c) hard-type Ca (OH) ₂paste (1: 0.9), d) paper point dressed with b), e) Calkil, f) Calcipex, g) Calvital, h) Vitapex, and i) Ca (OH) ₂point. In a), b), and c), sterilized saline was used as a liquid component. Then, all of the teeth were fixed in agar containing phenolphthalein, which turns red above pH 8.5. The color change of agar was considered to be the index of OH^-diffusion. Photographs of them were taken at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes later, and the results were statistically analyzed.
It was found that each group showed a different color change of agar. The red area was the largest in Group e) . In Groups f) and g), only a small red area was observed. Little color change was observed in Group h) . Groups d) and i) showed no color change. These results suggest that the powder-liquid ratio and the vehicles used for Ca (OH) ₂medication in the root canal may influence the pH change of the periapical tissue.

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Ketamine, propofol and thiopental have been used extensively for anesthesia and sedation. We evaluated the immunological role of these intravenous anesthetics on the macrophage functions of chemotaxis, phagocytosis and superoxide anion production. Ketamine significantly inhibited macrophage chemotaxis and the production of superoxide anion by macrophages, but did not affect the phagocytosis ofEscherichia coliby macrophages. Similarly, propofol significantly inhibited macrophage chemotaxis and the production of superoxide anion by macrophages, but did not affect the phagocytosis ofEscherichia coliby macrophages. In contrast, thiopental significantly inhibited macrophage chemotaxis, the phagocytosis ofEscherichia coliby macrophages, and the production of superoxide anion by macrophages. These results suggest that ketamine, propofol and thiopental may be a negative regulator of macrophage functions.

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Recently, treatment for MRSA (methicillin resistantstaphylococcus aureus) infection has been discussed because of resistance against many kinds of antibiotics. In this report, clinical study on the significance of screening of nasal carriage of MRSA for in-patients in our department have been respectively discussed. Specimens were taken from bilateral nasal cavities of inpatients. These were scratched for mannitol salt oxacillin agar culture (MSO Agar culture, Nissui Co. Ltd) and incubated for 24 to 48 hours at 35°C. Positive or negative reactions were judged by yellow-colored colonies and an agar color change from red to yellow. Positive reaction from nasal carriage showed in 13 cases (6.1%) among all examined candidates. All positive patients treated by prophylactic intra-nasal eradication of mupirocin were succeeded in elimination for nasal carriage of MRSA before hospitalization. No postoperative infection of MRSA have been complicated since a screening test for MRSA of the nasal carriage was employed.

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