Sugar alcohols enhance calcium transport from rat small and large intestine epithelium in vitro

We compared the effect of a variety of sugar alcohols on calcium absorption from the rat small and large intestine in vitro. An Ussing chamber technique was used to determine the net transport of Ca across the epithelium isolated from the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and colon of rats. The concentration of Ca in the serosal and mucosal Tris buffer solution was 1.25 mM and 10 mM, respectively. The Ca concentration in the serosal medium was determined after incubation for 30 min and the net Ca absorption was evaluated. The addition of 0.1–200 mM erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, palatinit, or lactitol to the mucosal medium affected net Ca absorption in the intestinal preparations. Differences in Ca transport were observed between portions of the intestine, but not between sugar alcohols tested. We concluded that sugar alcohols directly affect the epithelial tissue and promote Ca absorption from the small and large intestine in vitro.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: a case of extrahepatic seeding after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using an expandable needle electrode

A 2.5-cm diameter, exophytic seeding of hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography in a 76-year-old man. He had previously undergone a radiofrequency ablation therapy with an expandable, ten-hook needle electrode for the treatment of a 1.5-cm hepatocellular carcinoma in liver segment VI. Ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy revealed that this hepatocellular carcinoma was moderately differentiated, as initial tumor was. An additional radiofrequency ablation achieved complete ablation of this neoplastic mass on contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning. Recurrences were not found for eight months after. To prevent tumor seeding, using thermocoagulation when retracting the needle electrode may be useful.     

Suppression of the renin-angiotensin system induced by streptozotocin treatment in neonatal spontaneously hypertensive rats

We studied whether or not neonatal streptozotocin (STZ) treatment would alter mean arterial pressure (MAP) and blood pressure regulating factors in conscious and unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Neonatal STZ administration to SHR resulted in type 2 diabetes mellitus with reduced MAP and heart rate. Plasma glucose was markedly increased in these diabetic animals and was inversely correlated with MAP. In the diabetic SHR, the hypotensive responses to captopril (SQ) or enalapril, administered intravenously, were diminished, regardless of preceding administrations of vasopressin V1-antagonist (AVPA) or hexamethonium (C6), when compared to findings in control rats. In contrast, the C6-induced hypotension was similar in rats with diabetes and control animals. AVPA led to no decrease in MAP in either group. Hypotensive responses to SQ following AVPA and C6 inversely correlated with the plasma levels of glucose in the diabetic group. The combined blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), sympathetic nervous system and vasoconstrictive action of vasopressin (AVP) abolished the differences in MAP between the groups. Pressor and bradycardic responses to intravenous noradrenaline, angiotensin II and AVP were practically identical in the diabetic and control SHR. Urinary aldosterone excretion rate was not altered by neonatal STZ treatment. In conclusion, a decrease in MAP in SHR with neonatal STZ treatment may be attributed to the suppressed pressor activity of RAS.     

Prediction of motor outcomes and activities of daily living function using diffusion tensor tractography in acute hemiparetic stroke patients

[Purpose] The efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging in the prediction of motor outcomes and activities of daily living function remains unclear. We evaluated the most appropriate diffusion tensor parameters and methodology to determine whether the region of interest- or tractography-based method was more useful for predicting motor outcomes and activities of daily living function in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Diffusion tensor imaging data within 10 days after stroke onset were collected and analyzed for 25 patients. The corticospinal tract was analyzed. Fractional anisotropy, number of fibers, and apparent diffusion coefficient were used as diffusion tensor parameters. Motor outcomes and activities of daily living function were evaluated on the same day as diffusion tensor imaging and at 1 month post-onset. [Results] The fractional anisotropy value of the affected corticospinal tract significantly correlated with the motor outcome and activities of daily living function within 10 days post-onset and at 1 month post-onset. Tthere were no significant correlations between other diffusion tensor parameters and motor outcomes or activities of daily living function. [Conclusion] The fractional anisotropy value of the affected corticospinal tract obtained using the tractography-based method was useful for predicting motor outcomes and activities of daily living function in stroke patients.Key words: Stroke, Diffusion tensor tractography, Activities of daily living function     

How effective is the early fast treadmill gait speed training for stroke patients at the 2nd week after admission: comparison with comfortable gait speed at the 6th week

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to find whether a fast treadmill gait training speed is effective for the gait training of stroke patients in the early rehabilitation stage. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-nine stroke patients were the subjects of our investigation. They walked on a treadmill with handrail supports at a fast speed (130% of their comfortable gait speed in the 2nd week). The treadmill gaits of the patients were recorded using a 3-dimensional analysis system at two and six weeks after their admissions. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) of the temporal and spatial parameters of the two periods were statistically analyzed. [Results] For all of the patients, the ICCs of the measured parameters were greater than 0.58. In the case of patients whose gait speeds of the two periods were close, the ICC units were greater than 0.7. [Conclusion] The fast gait speed training allowed us to expose the patients to a gait speed that they were expected to acquire at a later stage of their rehabilitation. This training method was found to be beneficial for the mildly paralyzed patients.Key words: Stroke, Treadmill, Fast speed     

Effect of nicorandil on coronary spasm

In patients in whom dynamic coronary obstruction plays a predominant role in the pathogenesis of angina pectoris, dilatation of large coronary arteries and relief of coronary spasm account for the main mechanism of action of antianginal drugs. In this study, the acute vasodilating effects of nicorandil, a newly developed antianginal drug, were assessed in 10 patients who had spontaneous and ergonovine-evoked coronary spasms. The prompt, complete relief of both spontaneous and evoked coronary spasms was obtained in all of 10 patients with nicorandil. The coronary spasmolytic effect of nicorandil in the present series is thus considered to be beneficial to the treatment of coronary spasm.