Estimation of base blood pressure by using a new device in the outpatient clinic.

Direct measurement of intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) for 24-h provides approximately 100,000 values that vary enormously, but each (BPi) can be expressed by the equation BPi = BP0 + DeltaBPi (BP0, base BP; DeltaBPi, BP increment, i=1, 2, ..., 100 x 10(3)). About 20% of outpatients with hypertension exhibit white-coat hypertension (WCH). In such patients, DeltaBPc (i = c; c, time at the clinic) is surmised to be large. A method for explaining the physiological factors in DeltaBPc and the estimation of base BP in the outpatient clinic is important. This study addresses this issue. A total of 293 subjects were divided into four groups: 1) WCH group, 45 individuals (office BP > or = 140/90 mmHg and 24-h indirect BP < 125/80 mmHg); 2) normotensive (NT) group, 84 controls matched for age and sex; 3) WHO-I group, 95 hypertensive patients with WHO stage I (office BP > or = 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP > or = 125/80 mmHg); and 4) WHO-II group, 69 hypertensive patients with WHO stage II. Their BPc and heart rate (HR; HRc, clinic HR) values were measured by a BP-ECG monitoring device in the outpatient clinic. Power-spectral analysis was used to obtain the ratio between the low-frequency component (LF) and high-frequency component (HF) of ECG-RR variability (LF/HF = LH). Twenty-four-hour indirect BP (and BP0) and base HR (HR0) were measured by a portable device (TM2425) at 30-min intervals. Then, DeltaBPc (= BPc - BP0) was estimated by performing linear multivariate analysis applying the model equation DeltaBPc = (BPc -alphaLH)(1-betaHR0/HRc) + epsilon to the above variables (alpha and beta, constant values; epsilon, error). This model equation made it possible to estimate BP0 (and DeltaBPc) with a high coefficient of correlation (r > or = 0.85, mean of error less than 0.82 +/- 5.9 mmHg). The predictive accuracy for discrimination between WCH and sustained hypertension (WHO-I and WHO-II groups) by this equation was 88%. The new DeltaBP-estimation device (BP-ECG monitor) enabled us to infer BP0 and is therefore useful in estimating WCH in the outpatient clinic.     

Effects of anthocyanidin derivative (HK-008) on relaxation in rat perfused mesenterial bed.

Anthocyanins, which are responsible for a variety of bright colors (including red, blue, and purple) in fruits, vegetables, and flowers, are consumed as dietary polyphenols. Anthocyanin-containing fruits are thought to decrease coronary heart disease and are used in anti-diabetic preparations. Diabetes is associated with a variety of cardiovascular complications that may be mediated by endothelial dysfunction, and so this study was designed mainly to characterize the influence of a synthesized anthocyanidin derivative (HK-008) over acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation in mesenteric arterial beds isolated from rats. In a glucose-tolerance test in intact rats, HK-008 (30 mg/kg) reduced the glucose level as effectively as the same dose of glibenclamide. The aortic relaxation induced by pinacidil (an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener) was greatly inhibited by glibenclamide (10 microM), and also significantly inhibited by HK-008 (10 microM). Interestingly, the ACh-induced relaxation in the perfused, preconstricted mesenteric arterial bed was significantly enhanced by HK-008 (10 microM), and this enhancement was significantly attenuated by indomethacin (10 microM). The ACh-induced mesenteric relaxation was impaired by an increase in oxidative stress, viz. superoxide-generating treatment [xanthine oxidase (XO; 0.1 U/ml) plus hypoxanthine (HX; 10 microM)]. However, this impairment was strongly suppressed by HK-008 (10 microM). These results suggest that HK-008 increases endothelium-induced relaxation by suppressing oxidative stress or modulating prostanoids signaling. This compound may therefore be useful against certain cardiovascular disorders.     

A case of parathyroid hormone-related peptide producing gallbladder carcinoma presenting humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy]

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) in neoplastic syndrome has been most commonly reported in squamous cell carcinoma. Gallbladder carcinoma with HHM is uncommon. In this report, we describe a male case of gallbladder carcinoma with marked hypercalcemia and a high level of serum parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP). An immunohistochemical examination using PTHrP was also positive.     

Epinephrine is an enhancer of rat intestinal absorption.

Some physiological substances, including acetylcholine and nitric oxide, are useful candidates for stimulation of intestinal absorption of drugs. In the present study, we elucidated the ability of epinephrine (Epi) to stimulate the intestinal absorption of drugs. We evaluated the ability of Epi to enhance absorption of macromolecules using dextran (Mw 4000 Da), which is poorly absorbed from the intestine, as a model compound in situ in a closed loop of the rat jejunum. Treatment of the jejunum with Epi resulted in significant increase in absorption of dextran in a dose-dependent fashion. The area under the curve (AUC) from 0 to 4 h in the Epi-treated jejunum was 13-fold higher than that in the vehicle-treated jejunum. The absorption-enhancing activity of Epi was 40-fold higher than that of caprate, a clinically used absorption-enhancer of drugs. In the experimental conditions used in this study, histological injury of the mucosa and perturbation of the mucosal membrane were not observed in the Epi-treated jejunum. Treatment with an antagonist of alpha-adrenergic receptors attenuated the stimulation of intestinal absorption by Epi, and treatment with an agonist of alpha-adrenergic receptors resulted in enhancement of intestinal absorption. While an antagonist of beta-adrenergic receptors enhanced the absorption-enhancing effect of Epi, an agonist of beta-adrenergic receptors stimulated intestinal absorption. These results indicate that stimulation of adrenergic receptors may be a novel strategy for intestinal absorption of drugs.     

ENDOSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF MUCOSAL SPREAD LESION OF CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA USING PERORAL CHOLANGIOSCOPY WITH NARROW BAND IMAGING

A 69‐year‐old man was admitted to Toho University Omori Medical Center complaining of icterus. Abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were suspicious of cholangioma of inferior bile duct. Peroral cholangioscopy using narrow band imaging (NBI) was performed and it was possible to diagnose the mucosal spread lesions of cholangioma. Histological findings reflected the endoscopic findings. Mucosal spread lesions of cholangiocarcinoma were successfully diagnosed using the CHF‐B260 for NBI.     

Surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm

Two successful cases of the surgical treatment for coronary artery aneurysm (non-Kawasaki disease) were reported. The first case had a saccular aneurysm on the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) #14. Resection of the LCx aneurysm was performed subsequent to single vessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the distal portion of LCx#14 under the cardioplegic cardiac arrest. The second case had aneurysms on both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) #7 (fusiform) and the LCx#11 (saccular). After double vessel CABG to LAD#7 and LCx#11, ligation or resection of two aneurysms was performed successfully. Postoperative courses have been uneventful with good angiographic results achieved. Since these surgical procedures demonstrated safety, the patients are expected to achieve a good long-term prognosis.     

A Rare Case of Biliobiliary Fistula

Abstract: Biliobiliary fistula is a rare clinical entity. The case of a 72 year old female, who presented with epigastric pain and jaundice, is detailed herein. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed two stones, one each in the common bile duct and the gallbladder. Continuous endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) was performed to relieve obstructive jaundice. Further study with contrast medium administered via the ENBD tube revealed a fistula between the neck of the gallbladder and the common bile duct. The cystic duct was intact. A stone was considered to have migrated into the common bile duct through the fistula. A diagnosis of biliobiliary fistula, Corlette type I was made. However, in this particular case, a biliobiliary fistula was noted at a site below the junction of the cystic duct and common bile duct. Removal of the gallbladder stones was followed by cholecystectomy. The common bile duct was then repaired by utilizing a T-tube. No evidence of malignancy was recognized in the resected gallbladder specimen. In the one year to date since surgery, the patient has been asymptomatic and without signs of biliary disease.