Occupational Factors and Problem Drinking among a Japanese Working Population

Problem drinking is a serious public health problem in the workplace. However, few Japanese epidemiological studies have investigated the occupational characteristics of problem drinking. The purpose of this study is to clarify the occupational risk factors for problem drinking among a Japanese working population. We used data from a random-sampling survey about mental health and suicide, conducted among Hamamatsu City residents aged 15 to 79 yr old during May and June in 2008. The relation between occupational factors and problem drinking was analyzed with multiple logistic regression models stratified by gender. CAGE questionnaire was used to assess problem drinking. With regard to employment types, problem drinkers were more prevalent among self-employed women. With regard to occupational types, clerical and service professions had more problem drinkers of either sex, while administrative/managerial and sales professions had more women with such problem. With regard to company size, male problem drinkers were more prevalent in smaller companies than in larger ones. These results indicate that the prevalence of problem drinkers in the workplace depends on where one works. It is necessary to consider these characteristics to provide effective measures to address problem drinking in the workplace.     

Fixed eruption due to quinine in tonic water: A case report with high‐performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet A analyses

Fixed drug eruption is a common cutaneous adverse reaction in young patients with a characteristic clinical appearance. However, the diagnosis and identification of the substance may be difficult if food or food additives provoke the fixed eruption. A 26‐year‐old man had a history of two episodes of cutaneous erythema with residual pigmentation. Close examination of the history including his diet in addition to an oral challenge test and patch testing led to the diagnosis of fixed eruption secondary to quinine in tonic water. We examined for the presence of quinine in commercially available brands of tonic water using ultraviolet A and irradiation and high‐performance liquid chromatography. Both Schweppes and CANADA DRY brands of tonic water emitted fluorescent light upon ultraviolet A irradiation, and contained quinine at concentrations of 67.9 and 61.3 mg/L, respectively. Quinine contained in some tonic waters may trigger fixed eruption.     

Contrast‐enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions

Background and Aim

Differential diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions is challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of contrast‐enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH‐EUS) for diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐five patients with localized gallbladder lesions were evaluated by CH‐EUS between March 2007 and February 2014. This was a single‐center retrospective study. Utilities of fundamental B‐mode EUS (FB‐EUS) and CH‐EUS in the differentiation of gallbladder lesions and sludge plug were initially compared. Thereafter, these two examinations were compared with respect to their accuracy in the diagnosis of malignant lesions. Five reviewers blinded to the clinicopathological results evaluated microcirculation patterns in the vascular and perfusion images.

Results

In the differentiation between gallbladder lesions and sludge plug, FB‐EUS had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 82%, 100%, and 95%, respectively, whereas CH‐EUS had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 99%, and 99%, respectively. FB‐EUS‐based diagnosis of carcinomas based on tumor size and/or shape had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 61–87%, 71–88%, and 74–86%, respectively. Additional information regarding irregular vessel patterns in the vascular image and/or heterogeneous enhancement in the perfusion image on CH‐EUS increased the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of carcinomas to 90%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. There was a significant difference between FB‐EUS and CH‐EUS in terms of carcinoma diagnosis.

Conclusion

CH‐EUS was useful for the evaluation of localized gallbladder lesions.     

Gene Expression Analysis Using a High‐Resolution DNA Microarray of Peripheral Whole Blood Immediately Before and After Leukocytapheresis for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is a safe, unique therapy pertaining to intractable rheumatoid arthritis (RA) even in cases of drug allergy or infectious states. To investigate how to represent LCAP efficacy, we have conducted gene expression analyses from the peripheral blood of RA patients treated with non‐woven polyethylene terephthalate filters. Peripheral blood samples were collected immediately before and after treatment from eight RA patients who received LCAP. Among these patients, all of them achieved 20% improvement in the core set of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20), and thus, they were confirmed as LCAP responders. Gene expression analysis was done with a high‐resolution DNA microarray. The results of each of the two groups' gene expression values (immediately before and after LCAP) were calculated using Welch's t‐test. Calculations were performed with a statistical software R.basic package: if the P‐value was less than 0.05, this was seen as a significant change. In a comparison of 25 370 gene expressions, the number of genes showing a P‐value < 0.05 in the upregulating group was 2110, and in the downregulating group it was 1864. The results of pathway analysis using the MetaCore program indicate that gene groups work for cytoskeletal remodeling are upregulated, and genes related to immune responses, such as antigens presenting via major histocompatibility complex class I and II, are downregulated just after LCAP. These findings may relate to LCAP efficacy for RA patients, but this needs further investigation.     

Hybrid approach with laparoscopic wall-inversion surgery and single-incision intragastric surgery for intraluminal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A case report

Laparoscopic wedge resection (LWR) for intraluminal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) leads to excessive resection of normal gastric wall. We report a case of GIST around the cardia successfully treated with full-thickness partial resection using a hybrid approach of laparoscopic surgery and single-incision intragastric surgery (SIIGS). A 69-year-old woman had a 5 cm intraluminal GIST at the posterior wall around the cardia. Submucosal injection of glycerin and indigo carmine was performed with transoral endoscopy. Circumferential seromuscular incision followed by placement of seromuscular sutures to invert the lesion into the stomach was performed under laparoscopy. By SIIGS, resection of the inverted mucosa and retrieval of the tumor were completed. A hybrid approach consisting of laparoscopic wall-inversion surgery and SIIGS was useful for intraluminal GIST and may expand the indications for laparoscopic wall-inversion surgery by removing size limitations.