Carcinogenicity examination of Agaricus bisporus, edible mushroom, in rats

Carcinogenicity of Agaricus bisporus, the edible mushroom, was studied in rats. Female Charles River Sprague - Dawley rats (CD rats) were given a diet containing a 30% dry powder of A. bisporus for 500 days until the termination of the experiment. A control group was given a basal diet without A. bisporus. The rats in the experimental group had mammary tumor, thymoma, adrenal adenoma and pituitary adenoma. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of these tumors between the experimental group and control group. No carcinogenic activity of A. bisporus was observed in this experiment.     

Mitral valve replacement with preservation of the posterior leaflet, chordae tendineae and papillary muscles (modified MVP)

The modified MVR leaving the posterior leaflet and its subvalvular tissues intact was performed in 40 patients including 17 of MR, 17 of MSR and 6 of MS from 1981 to 1984 in this institution. Mitral valves were replaced mostly with mechanical valves and using interrupted everting mattess sutures. Moreover, the aortic valve was simultaneously replaced in 13 patients and the tricuspid valve was also treated with annuloplasty, commissurotomy or replacement in 11 patients. There were no hospital deaths and 3 late deaths caused by MOF or unknown cause. Left ventricular rupture as a fatal complication did not occur. High cardiac index and LVSWI with low left atrial pressure were maintained in the immediate postoperative period. Q-d times at the base, mid portion and apex of the left ventricle were measured by 2-D echocardiograms in the follow-up period and were compared with those of patients with conventional MVR. Those at apex and mid portion were significantly shorter in patients with modified MVR than in patients with conventional MVR. These findings suggest that the left ventricular contraction might be maintained better in the former than in the latter. In conclusion, preservation of the posterior leaflet, chordae tendineae and papillary muscles should be preferable in MVR for prevention of both LOS and left ventricular rupture.     

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus with various central and peripheral neurological disorders developed with motor paralytic bladder as a major manifestation

A 29-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed accerelated hypertension, motor paralytic bladder and various other neurological abnormalities is described. Cystometry demonstrated flaccid atonic neuropathic bladder. Elevated protein level and albuminocytologic dissociation were recognized in her cerebral spinal fluid. Magnetic resonance imaging study detected high signal intensities in themedulla oblongata andcauda equina. Her clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities were resolved after two courses of methyl-prednisolone pulse therapy. Possible roles of antiphospholipid antibodies were considered in the pathogenesis of her neurologic abnormalities.     

Use of ultrasound in detecting optimum position of distal end of ventriculoatrial shunt in relation to tricuspid

Summary An ultrasonic instrument was devised to aide accurate placement of the cardiac tube during the vertriculo-atrial shunt operation. The ultrasonic method was applied in 22 clinical cases in surgery and compared with the roentogenographic method and the endocardiac electrocardiographic method. The tricuspid valve echo was easily detected, because it has characteristic pulsating, polyspiky and shifting nature within an extent of 1 cm according to the cardiac beat. It was concluded from the comparative study that the roentogenographic method only gives silhouette, and the relationship between the probe tip and the vertebral body segment was almost inconsistent. Furthermore, the endocardiac electrocardiogram did not always show biphasic P wave and biphasic P wave was recorded at various distances ranging from 0 cm to 3.5 cm from the tricuspid valve. On the other hand, the ultrasonic method has the important advantages that the distance between the probe tip and the tricuspid valve can be measured directly and correctly, thus enabling operator to place the probe at any desired position in relation to the tricuspid valve.