Levels and ages of selenium and metals in sedimentary cores of Ise Bay as determined by 210-Pb dating technique

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology -     

Periodic oscillation of intracranial pressure in ventricular dilation: a preliminary report

Artificial pressure waves (PWs) were generated by manual inflation of a balloon in the trigonum of the lateral ventricle in seven adult mongrel dogs with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. In 14 of 16 series of continuous appearances of artificial PWs, local shifts of the brain were successfully monitored using small strain-gauge sensors at the periventricular structures in these animals. Of the 14 series, 13 showed displacements of the periventricular structures, suggesting ventricular dilation. These results did not always correlate with macroscopic findings. They are thought to be due largely to periventricular oedemas and, in part, non-uniform dilations of the ventricles during PWs. We conclude that a water hammer formed by reflection of an increased pulse pressure of PWs at the site of CSF absorption causes a shift of CSF from the ventricle to the periventricular structures through the wall of the ventricle. This phenomenon appears amplified in patients with impaired CSF absorption. Thus, PWs have a pathological role in the progress of ventricular dilation in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus.     

A pilot study of the assessment of the quality of life, functional results, and complications in patients with an ileal neobladder for invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the functional results, health-related quality of life (QOL) outcomes, and complications in patients with an ileal neobladder in comparison to those with cutaneous diversion (ileal conduit and cutaneostomy). METHODS: Between September 1992 and February 2003, we consecutively performed an ileal neobladder (the Studer method) in 30 patients and cutaneous diversion in 38 patients. In August 2004, questionnaires were mailed to 54 patients. The questionnaire included the validated health-related quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, SF-36 General Health Survey, and a urinary incontinence questionnaire. We also evaluated the functional results in patients with an ileal neobladder and the postoperative complications in patients with both urinary diversions. RESULTS: The data from 41 patients (21 ileal neobladder procedures and 20 cutaneous diversions) were available for the analysis. No differences in the overall QOL were observed between the two groups. Complete daytime and night-time urinary continence was achieved in the 21 patients (100%) and 13 patients (61.9%), respectively. The mean value of the maximum flow rate was 15 +/- 12 mL/min in the 21 neobladder patients. There were 19 early complications in 18 patients (60.0%) and seven late complications in six patients (20.0%) with an ileal neobladder. However, there were 15 early complications in 14 patients (36.8%) and eight late complications in six patients (15.8%) with cutaneous diversions. CONCLUSION: The findings regarding the health-related QOL and the frequency of complications in the neobladder group and those in the cutaneous diversion group were similar. However, the functional results and the status of urinary continence in the neobladder patients were satisfactory.     

A case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with internal pancreatic fistula causing left ureteral obstruction]

A 75-year-old man had been admitted to another hospital because of left abdominal pain, and was given a diagnosis of left hydronephrosis and acute pancreatitis. After a JJ stent insertion and medication, he was transferred to our hospital for further examinations. US and EUS revealed a chronic pancreatitis-like pattern and multicystic lesion in the pancreas head and body. At that time enhanced CT findings showed an extrapancreatic low density area to be inflammatory change, extending from the pancreas body to the left crus of the diaphragm and posteriorly the spreading from the left crus of the diaphragm via the left urinary duct into the left iliopsoas muscle, in which MRI revealed partial high intensity. ERCP and MRCP showed focal irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct of unknown cause, and we decided that an internal pancreatic fistula due to pancreatitis had induced left ureteral obstruction, caused by a protein plug or alcohol. Follow-up 6 months later showed that extrapancreatic spreading of the low density area had markedly regressed without any change in the ureteral obstruction.     

Effects of Increasing Concentrations of Propofol on Jugular Venous Bulb Oxygen Saturation in Neurosurgical Patients under Normothermic and Mildly Hypothermic Conditions

Background: Recent evidence suggested that propofol can deteriorate the cerebral oxygen balance compared with inhalational anesthetics. However, dose-related influences of propofol on cerebral oxygen balances were not clearly investigated. In the current study, the authors investigated the effects of increasing concentrations of propofol on jugular venous bulb oxygen saturation (Sjo2) in neurosurgical patients under normothermic and mildly hypothermic conditions.

Methods: After institutional approval and informed consent were obtained, 30 adult patients undergoing elective craniotomy were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to either normothermic or hypothermic group (n = 15 in each group). In the normothermic and hypothermic groups, tympanic membrane temperature was maintained at 36.5[degrees] and 34.5[degrees]C, respectively. Sjo2 was measured at predicted propofol concentrations of 3, 5, and 7 [mu]g/ml using a target-controlled infusion system in both groups.

Results: At a predicted propofol concentration of 3 [mu]g/ml, there were no significant differences in Sjo2 values between the normothermic and hypothermic groups, although the incidence of desaturation (Sjo2 < 50%) was significantly higher in the normothermic group than in the hypothermic group (30% vs. 13%; P < 0.05). Sjo2 values and the incidence of desaturation remained unchanged during the changes in predicted propofol concentration from 3 to 7 [mu]g/ml both in the normothermic and hypothermic groups.     

Validation of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions for evaluation of invasive character of urinary bladder carcinoma in rats and mice

A series of 8 rat and 16 mouse invasive bladder carcinomas were investigated for the presence of silverstained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) to clarify whether this parameter is applicable to the estimation of their invasive character. With regard to number of AgNORs per cell, neither rat nor mouse carcinomas showed any difference between invasive and noninvasive sites within the same tumor. However, the frequency of cancer cells bearing bizarre dots, irregular in size and shape, was significantly higher at sites of actual invasion. Quantitative data generated using an image analyzer revealed significantly lower values for NOR roundness and significantly larger NOR size in invasive sites than in noninvasive sites in all groups. Double staining for the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and AgNORs was performed on eight rat carcinomas and a close correlation between the two was confirmed. Thus the number of AgNORs in PCNA-positive cells was significantly greater than in PCNA-negative cells. Furthermore, a particularly strong correlation was observed for incidences of PCNA-positive cells and bizarre dots (P<0.01). The quantitative data also demonstrated significant differences in size and shape of dots. It is concluded that AgNORs have diagnostic value for the invasive character of bladder carcinomas.     

MOLECULAR GENETICS OF THE SA GENE

1. We have recently identified a candidate gene for rat genetic hypertension, termed S_a, by identifying an mRN A species that shows markedly higher expression in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) than in those of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). 2. Subsequent genetic co-segregation analyses by ourselves and others indicated that the S_a gene locus did indeed influence blood pressure. Moreover, in a preliminary association study, we found an association of a polymorphism of the human S_a gene with essential hypertension. 3. Further studies to identify functions of the Sa gene products are required before reaching a definite conclusion.     

Flunarizine induces a transient loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in nigrostriatal neurons

Neurotoxic effects of flunarizine (Fz), a selective calcium channel blocker, on the nigrostriatal dopamine system was investigated. Systemic injections of Fz to mice resulted in a transient loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive nigrostriatal neurons without cell loss. TH immunoreactivity in these neurons was greatly reduced as rapidly as one day after drug administration (regardless of dosage used) and thereafter recovered in both dose- and time-dependent manners. Such a novel neurotoxic action of Fz may constitute a morphological substrate for reversible drug-induced parkinsonian signs described in recent clinical case reports.     

Aggressive resection for advanced pancreatic carcinoma

An aggressive pancreatectomy was performed on a 53 year old Japanese man with advanced cancer of the pancreas. The tumor originated from the body of the pancreas and invaded the stomach, duodenum, left kidney, transverse colon and common hepatic artery. An unexpected cancer was also found in the head of the pancreas during the operation. Therefore, total pancreatectomy, total gastrectomy, left adrenonephrectomy, resection of the left transverse colon and dissection of the regional lymph nodes were performed. Resection of the common hepatic artery was also performed, followed by an end-to-end anastomosis between the common hepatic artery and celiac trunk. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was doing well until nine months after the operation when multiple metastatic lesions were noted in the liver. He died 391 days after the operation from hepatic failure.