A Novel Characterization Method for Graft‐Polymer Structures Chemically Attached on Thermally Stable Polymer Films

Most polymer grafts in grafted polymer films obtained by radiation‐induced solid graft polymerization are not analyzed in detail due to difficulties in isolation of the grafts without structural decomposition. Herein, a novel structural and molecular weight characterization method is reported for polymer grafts that are chemically attached to thermally and chemically stable polymer substrates, based on a swelling‐induced graft detachment in hot water. Polymer grafts prepared by the radiation‐induced polymerization of alkyl acrylate into poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) followed by a sulfonation reaction are found to have a ternary copolymer structure whose monomer units contain –COOH or –SO₃H groups, or both.     

Changes in thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) associated with allergen immunotherapy in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), which is a CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 4 ligand with ability to recruit Th2 cells to inflammatory sites, is pathogenetically important in allergic rhinitis. Specific immunotherapy (IT), among the most effective therapies for allergic rhinitis, has incompletely understood mechanisms of action. TARC might be involved in some benefits of IT. METHODS: TARC in sera was assayed, obtained from 50 patients with house dust mite allergic rhinitis before and 1 year after beginning IT. Their ages ranged from 6 to 34 years (mean, 10), 30 were male and 20 were female. RESULTS: In patients whose nasal obstruction responded to IT, TARC decreased significantly with IT, while when response was defined in terms of sneezing or rhinorrhea, TARC did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: TARC might be an important target of IT in reducing obstructive allergic rhinitis.     

Hypoxic ventilatory depression in a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes

We describe a case of a 21-year-old man with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) who presented with hypoxic ventilatory depression. He had chronic hypoventilation, which was not explained by weakness of respiratory muscles. His hypercapnic ventilatory response was not impaired. In contrast, hypoxic ventilatory depression was observed in the isocapnic progressive hypoxic response test. After exposure to hypoxic conditions, his respiratory frequency decreased and tidal volume was unchanged. The hypoxic ventilatory depression was partially blocked by pretreatment with aminophylline. In conclusion, we need to be careful with patients with MELAS who are hypoxaemic because a vicious circle of hypoxia and hypoventilation can occur.     

Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) findings of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm: a report of two cases

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm (SAPA) is a relatively infrequently encountered but clinically important vascular change, because it carries a high risk of rupture that warrants prompt treatment regardless of its size. Thus, sufficient knowledge is indispensable when seeing chronic pancreatitis patients or post-traumatic patients. Here, we report two such cases. The first case was a 52-year-old woman known to have chronic pancreatitis who presented with hematemesis and hemodynamic instability in which X-ray computed tomography (CT) and color Doppler sonography (CDS) had difficulty visualizing slow blood flow in SAPA, but superb microvascular imaging (SMI) clearly demonstrated the slow blood flow in SAPA, prompting our therapeutic decision to perform rapid embolization. The second case was a 51-year-old woman with post-traumatic SAPA in which 3D SMI enabled us to understand more clearly the topographic relationship between multiple SAPAs as compared with conventional US, leading to a decision to provide immediate surgical treatment. SMI was thought to provide a new insight into the US diagnosis of SAPA. When examining patients suspected of having a SAPA, SMI is an indispensable diagnostic tool at present.     

Evaluation of a Free-Coupon Program for Cervical Cancer Screening Among the Young: A Nationally Funded Program Conducted by a Local Government in Japan

Background

Finding ways to improve the cervical cancer screening rates among young women has been seen as a critical national health problem in many countries, including Japan. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a free-coupon program for cervical cancer screening conducted by a local government under financial support from the Japanese national government.

Methods

The personal cervical cancer screening information was analyzed for all female residents of Toyonaka City, including any past screening history and clinical results since the year 2009, when a free-coupon program for screening was started. These results were compared to results from 2008, prior to implementation of the free-coupon screening program.

Results

The screening rates of women eligible for the free-coupon peaked dramatically compared to women of similar age who paid for their screening; however, the rates for the ineligible-age population also increased significantly in parallel to those in the free-coupon program, possibly by indirect peer and publicity effects. In women aged 20 to 25 years, the consecutive screening rate after a free-coupon screening was significantly lower than for those women who received a regular residential screening. After a free-coupon screening, the rate for participating in consecutive screenings depended significantly on the institution where the participant received her first screening test.

Conclusions

These results suggest that, for a generation of young women 20–25 years of age, a free-coupon program for cervical cancer screening was effective in increasing the first-time participation rate for screening; however, the increase in first-time participation did not lead to the expected increase in consecutive screenings.Key words: cervical cancer screening, free-coupon, screening rate, consecutive screening     

Sonographic findings in two cases of lymphangioma of the mesocolon in adults

Lymphangioma of the mesocolon is very rare. We report two cases of surgically resected and histologically proven mesocolic lymphangioma in adults. In both cases, ultrasound revealed a large cystic mass with multiple thin septa in the lower abdomen. A peculiar finding was the large craniocaudal sliding movement of the mass synchronized with the patient's respiration, which was a clue to the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphangioma. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46 :78–81, 2018;     

Treatment of Orbital Roof Blow-Up Fracture Using a Superior Blepharoplasty Incision

In orbital roof blow-up fractures, reduction can be achieved easily using an approach from the anterior cranial fossa but the procedure is highly invasive. In contrast, an orbital approach using a superior blepharoplasty incision is minimally invasive. However, if bone fragments are adhered to the dura mater, there is a risk of dura mater injury when fragments are moved for reduction. In blow-in fractures, reduction is performed by pushing the bone fragments against the anterior cranial fossa. In contrast, the procedure is difficult for blow-up fractures because bone fragments must be pulled out into the orbit through the anterior cranial fossa. Orbital blow-up fractures are often associated with intracranial injuries and frequently treated by an approach from the anterior cranial fossa. There has not yet been a report that discusses whether reduction of bone fragments should be performed in blow-up fracture without intracranial injury. In this report, we describe two cases of orbital roof blow-up fracture that did not require treatment for intracranial injury and that were treated using an orbital approach. The treatment involved only the release of orbital fat entrapped between bone fragments and did not involve reduction. The treatment outcomes were good in both cases.