Research review: DNA polymerases as molecular markers of the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes

Hepatocyte regeneration has been widely investigated, with the mitotic index and the incorporation of [³H]thymidine being used as regeneration markers. We focused on the induction of DNA replication enzymes, particularly DNA polymerases (pol) α, δ, and ε. Using rat models, we have shown that the activity of pol α in crude liver extract well represents the regenerating capacity of hepatocytes. Using pol α as an indicator, we analyzed liver regeneration in rat models under various conditions: obstructive jaundice, external or internal biliary drainage, and the obstruction of portal vein branches. It has been revealed that the ligation of the common bile duct alone induces a certain amount of hepatocyte proliferation. It was striking that external biliary drainage suppressed regeneration capacity in cholestatic rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The strong regeneration in nonligated lobes induced by portal branch ligation was similar to the liver regeneration seen after partial hepatectomy with respect to the induction of DNA polymerases. Taken together, the aspects of DNA replication, particularly the induction of DNA polymerases, may contribute to shedding new light on the regeneration of human liver. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research and for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan, and by grants from the Uehara Memorial Foundation     

Electro-oculogram of Retinal Vein Occlusion

Twenty five cases, including 26 eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) were examined by means of the electro-oculogram. The results showed that 23 of the 26 eyes suffering from RVO exhibited abnormalities of the electro-oculogram (EOG). The potential difference and Arden ratio in the RVO eyes were lower than those in the normal eyes (P<0.01). The more the visual acuity of ill eyes was decreased, the higher the abnormal rate of EOG in ill eyes was. 14 eyes had the visual acuity less than 0.1, whose EOGs were abnortmal. Six eyes had the visual acuity from 0. 2 to 0. 4, in which the EOGs of 5 eyes were abnormal. Six eyes had the visual acuity more than 0. 5, a-mong which the EOGs of 4 eyes were abnormal. Based on the above observations, it may be considered that the circulatory disturbance resulting from RVO damages not only the internal layer but also the external layer of the retina. We suggest that EOG is a useful method for distingquishing lesions caused by RVO and may reflect the functional condition     

Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: Arterial encasement on contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography

We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein, which is a rare tumor with no more than 30 cases found in the published English language literature. This case demonstrates encasement of the renal artery by the tumor mass, a previously unreported manifestation. The present study could be useful in considering this rare tumor in the differential diagnosis of renal hilar tumors.     

Hepatic-pericardio-phrenic collateral (natural shunt) in a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome

Hepatic venous outflow tract obstruction, Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), leads to portal hypertension and to the development of collaterals that bypass the obstruction. Described here is a BCS patient with an unusually large transdiaphragmatic collateral between the left hepatic and left innominate veins, which decompressed the oesophageal varices. This has not been reported earlier in the literature.     

应用自体静脉套和脑细胞生长肽对面神经损伤恢复影响的临床研究

目的研究采用自体静脉管套入吻合口并注入脑细胞生长肽的方法,对面神经损伤后功能恢复的影响.方法吻合神经断端后用自体静脉管套入吻合口并注入脑细胞生长肽.分析肌电图和观察表情肌功能恢复,比较两种方法对损伤的面神经功能恢复的影响.结果自体静脉管套入吻合口并注入脑细胞生长肽的方法,比传统方法表情肌功能恢复时间明显缩短,且一期修复比二期修复功能恢复时间明显缩短,差异具有非常显著性意义(P＜0.01).两种方法修复面神经损伤,表情肌功能恢复后检测面神经传导速度差异无显著性意义(P＞0.05).结论自体静脉管套入吻合口并注入脑细胞生长肽的方法是一种比较有前途的面神经修复方法.     

USEFULNESS OF EUS IN PORTAL HYPERTENSION WITH ESOPHAGEAL VARICES

We investigated the relationship between esophageal varices and the collaterals by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (20 MHz ultrasonic miniprobe; UMP). Moreover, we investigated the correlation between the collaterals around the esophagus and recurrence of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension who had undergone EIS. The collaterals were divided into two groups: peri‐esophageal collateral veins (peri‐ECVs) and para‐esophageal collateral veins (para‐ECVs). These were scored as mild or severe according to the stage of development. According to endoscopy, the varix form was significantly larger in severe the peri‐ECVs group than in mild the peri‐ECVs group. The prevalence of perforating veins increased according to the varix form. With regard to variceal recurrence, in patients with variceal recurrences, UMP findings included a significantly higher incidence of severe peri‐ECVs, a significantly larger diameter of perforating veins compared with patients without recurrence. In conclusion, the presence of severe peri‐ECVs and large perforating veins in the esophageal wall strongly correlates with occurrence and recurrence of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. An understanding of these UMP abnormalities on the basis of hemodynamics around the esophagus is thought to be important for management of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension.     

TH胶胃冠状静脉栓塞术治疗门脉高压症

11例TH胶胃冠状静脉栓塞术临床治疗结果表明:(1)11例中的4例急性上消化道大出血患者均在12h左右出血基本停止,随访近一年未再发生出血现象。(2)10例半年后复查肝功能均有不同程度改善。(3)一年后复查食道钡餐透视X线平片发现8例患者食道静脉曲张有不同程度减轻。(4)11例中1例因术中急性肝功能衰竭死亡。因此我们认为此术式操作简便,手术创伤小、较易推广,是治疗门脉高压症合并食管胃底静脉曲张出血的一种有效方法。     

DAY-ONLY ADMISSION FOR VARICOSE VEIN SURGERY

Day-only admissions for surgery are strongly encouraged, in an effort to keep costs down. Varicose vein surgery has been considered too major for day-only management despite the fact that there have been studies from overseas showing that it can be done with a morbidity comparable to inpatient surgery. The morbidity of day-only surgery for varicose veins (both long and short saphenous procedures) was assessed and compared with the results of inpatient surgery. Patients were also asked whether they were satisfied with the surgery being done this way. There were 165 consecutive patients available for study, 64 day-only and 101 inpatient. All patients attending Shellharbour Hospital, Shellharbour, had surgery done as day-only (as it was a morning list and allowed adequate time for recovery). Patients attending Bulli Hospital, Bulli, had surgery done as an inpatient (afternoon list). All surgery was performed by one surgeon. There was no difference (Chi-squared) in the age distribution (mean 48 years for day-only, 51 years for inpatient) or sex proportion in either group (Chi-squared test of proportions with continuity correction). Assessment of the results was done by review of the surgeon's notes, as well as telephone interviews for day-only subjects. The complication rate in both groups was similar. Wound problems represented the main complication with an incidence of 10.5% in each group. There was one deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in each group (diagnosed by duplex scan). Response to the telephone interview suggested that most patients were happy to have the surgery done as a day-only procedure. Sixty-nine per cent responded that they would have it done this way again and 76% were satisfied with the result of the surgery. This study confirms the results of overseas studies, in that varicose vein surgery can be performed as day-only procedures with a complication rate similar to inpatient procedures and with a high degree of patient satisfaction. It is suggested that this should be used as the method of choice for the majority of patients requiring varicose vein surgery.