Hematin is one of the cytotoxic factors in pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid that causes hepatocellular injury.

BACKGROUND: We recently demonstrated that pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid (PAAF) contains cytotoxic factor(s), inducing apoptosis in hepatocytes, and that PAAF induces hepatic adenosine triphosphate depletion, hepatocellular acidosis, and accumulation of hepatic intracellular sodium. Because ascitic fluid and serum from patients with hemorrhagic pancreatitis contain a lot of hematin, we aimed to test the hypothesis that hematin can induce hepatocellular injury, and then we compared its cytotoxicity with that of PAAF. METHODS: In vivo effects of intraperitoneal injection of hematin into the liver of healthy rats were evaluated with in situ nick-end labeling, blood biochemical analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities of hematin on rat primary culture hepatocytes were investigated with a cellular proliferation assay kit and DNA fragmentation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Furthermore, PAAF was fractionated with Sephacryl S-300 gel column chromatography, and cytotoxic activities of its fractions on a human hepatoma cell line (HuH-7) were compared with those of hematin. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal injection of hematin into healthy rats caused apoptosis in the hepatocytes and elevated serum glutamate oxaloacetic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Intraperitoneal injection of hematin also caused a significant decrease in the hepatic beta-adenosine triphosphate/inorganic phosphate ratio, severe hepatic intracellular acidosis, and a significant increase of hepatic intracellular sodium (Na(+)) concentration, similar to the effects of PAAF. In vitro, hematin decreased hepatocyte viability and increased the DNA fragmentation of hepatocytes, similar to the effects of 10% PAAF. Albumin reversed the cytotoxic effects of hematin and PAAF on HuH-7 cells nearly completely and partially, respectively. Fractionation of PAAF and hematin by gel column chromatography revealed that the first peak of cytotoxic activity of PAAF corresponded to that of hematin and that the cytotoxic activity was reversed by albumin nearly completely. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hematin is one of the cytotoxic factors in PAAF that causes hepatocellular injury and that cellular injuries caused by hematin may be involved in the development of multiple organ failure associated with severe acute pancreatitis.     

Mechanical analysis of the lumbar vertebrae in a three-dimensional finite element method model in which intradiscal pressure in the nucleus pulposus was used to establish the model

We established a three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) model of the 4th and 5th vertebrae, using computed tomography (CT) images (2-mm slice thickness) of a healthy 29-year-old man. Because of the lack of specific data regarding the material characteristics of the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs, we used intradiscal pressure in the nucleus pulposus to establish the model. We referred to data from Nachemson and from Sato et al. regarding intradiscal pressure and to the methods of Shirazi-Adl for data for other material characteristics (see text for these references). The mid-position model bears a load of 294 N in the vertical direction, while the models of the flexed and extended positions bear loads of 15 N-m. In addition, a degenerative disc model without intradiscal pressure was created for the standing model. The use of these models allowed the investigation of von Mises stress on the vertebral endplates and the annulus fibrosus. We also examined von Mises stress on the facet joint in normal and degenerative disc models. There was increased von Mises stress on the vertebral endplate in the anterior, center portions. von Mises stress on the annulus fibrosus increased in the posterior portion, the entrance to the neural foramen, and the exit of the neural foramen. von Mises stress was greater during flexion in the posterior portion; in particular, increasing to about 1.6 times the level seen with other postures. No changes were observed in von Mises stress on the vertebral endplates or annulus fibrosus in the degenerative disc model, but von Mises stress on the facet joints was about 2.5 times that seen in the normal disc model. Received: June 28, 2001 / Accepted: October 27, 2001     

Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas presenting with hemosuccus pancreaticus: Report of a case

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is mostly induced by a ruptured pseudoaneurysm or hemorrhage from a pseudocyst in chronic pancreatitis. We herein report a rare case with HP induced by tumor hemorrhage. The present patient is a 71-year-old woman referred to us with a diagnosis of severe progressive anemia. Endoscopy revealed hemorrhage from the papilla of Vater. Computed tomography showed a multilocular cystic tumor in the tail of the pancreas. The patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy. The histopathological diagnosis was carcinoma in mucinous cystadenoma. No cancer infiltration into the pancreatic duct was detected. Pancreatography of the resected specimen demonstrated an overt communication between the main pancreatic duct and the cystic cavity of the tumor, which was not demonstrated preoperatively by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Although the cause of HP is mainly acute or chronic pancreatitis, we should bear in mind that a pancreatic tumor may be a possible cause of HP and that, as such, prompt and proper treatment is mandatory.     

Low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation enhances osteoblast proliferation through activation of MAPK/ERK

Although the use of high-level Er:YAG laser irradiation has been increasing in periodontal and peri-implant therapy, the effects of low-level Er:YAG laser on surrounding tissues and cells remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on osteoblast proliferation were investigated. Cells of the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 were treated with low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation with various combinations of laser settings (fluence 0.7–17.2 J/cm²) and in the absence or presence of culture medium during irradiation. On day 1 and/or day 3, cell proliferation and death were determined by cell counting and by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Further, the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in laser-enhanced cell proliferation was investigated by inhibiting the MAPK pathways and then measuring MAPK phosphorylation by Western blotting. Higher proliferation rates were found with various combinations of irradiation parameters on days 1 and 3. Significantly higher proliferation was also observed in laser-irradiated MC3T3-E1 cells at a fluence of approximately 1.0–15.1 J/cm², whereas no increase in LDH activity was observed. Further, low-level Er:YAG irradiation induced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) 5 to 30 min after irradiation. Although MAPK/ERK 1/2 inhibitor U0126 significantly inhibited laser-enhanced cell proliferation, activation of stress-activated protein kinases/Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p38 MAPK was not clearly detected. These results suggest that low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation increases osteoblast proliferation mainly by activation of MAPK/ERK, suggesting that the Er:YAG laser may be able to promote bone healing following periodontal and peri-implant therapy.     

Internal Hernia with Strangulation Through a Mesenteric Defect After Laparoscopy-Assisted Transverse Colectomy: Report of a Case

A 58-year-old woman underwent laparoscopy-assisted transverse colectomy for transverse colon cancer. On postoperative day 7, she experienced sudden abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting and fever. Computed tomography showed a small bowel obstruction caused by an internal hernia. Laparotomy revealed an internal hernia through the mesenteric defect at the anastomotic colonic stumps, which had not been closed in the previous operation. Almost the entire small bowel protruding through the mesenteric defect was found in the omental bursa. We resected part of the jejunal loop, which was strangulated and congested by an adherent band. Our experience suggests that if the mesenteric defect is relatively small, it should be closed completely during laparoscopy-assisted colectomy; however, more studies are required to determine the indications for closure of the mesenteric defect to prevent this complication.     

Is modified devine exclusion necessary for gastrojejunostomy in patients with unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer?

Purpose  

Gastrojejunostomy is often performed as palliative surgery for unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer. Modified Devine exclusion (MDE) is a technical variation of gastrojejunostomy, which partially separates the mid-portion of the stomach. We conducted this study to assess whether MDE is necessary for gastrojejunostomy in patients with unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer.     

Intracranial peripheral-type primitive neuroectodermal tumor

A 15-year-old man presented with headache. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a large extraaxial tumor with cyst at the right frontotemporal region. The solid part of the tumor was homogeneously enhanced on T(1)-weighted MR imaging after injection of gadolinium. Digital subtraction angiography of the external carotid artery revealed sunburst appearance corresponding to the tumor, which was fed by the right middle meningeal artery. His headache worsened and computed tomography revealed enlargement of the tumor and intracystic hemorrhage, so emergent operation was performed. At surgery, the tumor strongly adhered to the dural membrane, and was obviously extraaxial. The tumor and cyst were gross totally removed. The attachment site at the dura mater was resected. Histological examination showed solid growth of small round cells with uniform round nuclei and minimal cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical staining showed the cells were positive for MIC-2 (CD99). The MIB-1 labeling index was 53%. The histological diagnosis was peripheral-type primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET). Following surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy were given. Ewing's sarcoma and pPNET form a family of small round cell tumors arising in the bone or soft tissue. MIC-2 is a useful marker in the differential diagnosis. Good prognosis may be attained if complete surgical excision of intracranial pPNET is achieved.     

The effect of chemical and/or mechanical conditioning on the Er:YAG laser-treated root cementum: analysis of surface morphology and periodontal ligament fibroblast attachment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study compared the surface morphology as well as the biocompatibility of dental root cementum treated with Er:YAG laser irradiation alone and with the laser irradiation followed by chemical and/or mechanical conditioning. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy cementum plates were randomly assigned to the following control and treatment groups: (1) untreated control (C), (2) Er:YAG laser irradiation (L), (3) laser plus tetracycline HCl (TC) placement (L+TP), (4) laser plus TC burnishing (L+TB), (5) laser plus EDTA gel placement (L+EP), (6) laser plus EDTA gel burnishing (L+EB), (7) laser plus saline solution burnishing (L+SB), and (8) laser plus minocycline-HCl paste placement (L+MP). Specimens were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histological observation and attachment assay using periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts. RESULTS: The laser irradiation produced a thin affected layer (5.7 microm thickness) with a superficial microstructure on the cementum surface. The characteristic microstructures of the lased surface were fragile and could be removed by chemical and/or mechanical conditioning treatments. The L+TB group exhibited marked exposure of collagen fibers after removal of the microstructures on the lased surface. The L+EP group presented a peculiar, smooth surface without exposure of collagen fibers and a uniform arrangement of spherical microparticles on the ultra-high magnification of SEM. In cell attachment assay, the L+TB group exhibited the greatest number of attached cells among all the groups, followed by the L+EP, L+SB and control group. The laser alone group exhibited the lowest number of cells. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic microstructure of the root cementum surface after Er:YAG laser irradiation has a tendency to hinder the early attachment of PDL cells. However, chemical and/or mechanical root conditioning treatment may improve and increase the biocompatibility of the Er:YAG laser-treated root cementum by removing the microstructures of the surface and/or further exposing the collagen fibers.     

Use of a gum elastic bougie for tracheal intubation with Pentax-AWS airway scope

Pentax-AWS laryngoscope (Pentax, Tokyo, Japan) consists of a disposable anatomically shaped blade, a 12-cm cable with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and a 2.4-inch liquid crystal device (LCD) color monitor display. A tracheal tube can be attached to the right side of the blade. The device may be useful in patients with difficult airways. One limitation of the device is that intubation may be difficult if it is difficult to position the glottis to the target symbol on the monitor display. We experienced such a difficulty in four patients, and the use of a gum elastic bougie enabled intubation. In a 57-year-old woman with a difficult airway, tracheal intubation using either a Macintosh laryngoscope or a fiberscope had failed. By inserting the AWS laryngoscope, the glottis was easily seen on the monitor display. Nevertheless, it was difficult to position the glottis to the target symbol, and advancing a tracheal tube collided with the tissue around the glottis. A bougie was passed through the tracheal tube, and it became possible to insert the bougie into the trachea by adjusting the angle of its tip. The tracheal tube was then easily passed over the bougie into the trachea. We successfully used the same technique in other three patients. We believe that the gum elastic bougie can be useful for tracheal intubation using the Pentax-AWS laryngoscope.     

Postoperative complications after femoral neck fracture in advanced elderly patients

BACKGROUND: We studied the prevalence of postoperative complications and the predictor for the occurrence of postoperative delirium in patients who had received surgery for femoral neck fracture. METHODS: A retrospective study, covering the period between January 1, 2005 and March 31, 2006, was carried out 50 in patients of advanced age treated for femoral neck fracture. We investigated main symptoms of postoperative complications. We also compared postoperative delirium group (D group) with no delirium group (ND group). RESULTS: The following results were obtained. Main postoperative complications were delirium, hypotension and hypoxia. And only one death case was included. In postoperative delirium, there was not a wide difference between the two groups except for hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that it might be possible to prevent postoperative complications by careful perioperative management. Hearing loss preoperatively was a risk factor of postoperative delirium in advanced elderly patients.