Slow-wave photic stimulation relieves patient discomfort during esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Background and Aim: Although pretreatment with a sedative drug is effective in relieving pain during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), such drugs can cause significant side‐effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of slow‐wave photic stimulation on discomfort and/or pain felt during EGD. Methods: Forty consecutive patients (25 men and 15 women) who underwent diagnostic EGD in our hospital were included in the study. Twenty patients received photic stimulation for 25 min, and underwent electroencephalographic recording, in addition to the usual premedications. Twenty control patients received the same treatment but without photic stimulation. All patients evaluated the discomfort/pain felt during endoscopy against a five‐grade scale in comparison with what they had experienced in their previous examination. Results: Patients with an improved discomfort/pain score were 18/20 and 3/20 in the treated and control groups, respectively. Overall comparison of pain scores between both groups was significant (P < 0.0001). The proportion of slow‐wave activity recorded in patients’ electroencephalograms significantly increased in the treated group compared to control values (36.6 ± 6.8% vs 29.1 ± 3.4%, P < 0.001). There was a close correlation between the degree of discomfort/pain felt during endoscopy and the proportion of slow‐wave activity (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Slow‐wave photic stimulation shows promise as a treatment for relieving the discomfort and/or pain felt by patients undergoing EGD.     

Inflammatory esophagogastric polyp and fold in an adolescent

The case of a 13 year old boy with an inflammatory esophagogastric polyp and ulcerative colitis is described. Endoscopy revealed a typical polyp and gastric fold complex at the esophagogastric junction and a hiatal hernia. Histology of a biopsy specimen confirmed an inflammatory polyp covered by hyperplastic squamous and gastric foveolar epithelium. Continuous 24 hour esophageal manometry suggested gastroesophageal reflux, which may be related to the pathogenesis of the lesion. Follow-up endoscopy showed marked regression of the polyp with medication for reflux eosphagitis. This clinical entity is rare in childhood and adolescence, and the manifestations may not be readily recognized. Therefore, endoscopic biopsy is important in children with esophageal polyps. However, polypectomy is unnecessary except when malignancy is suspected or when symptoms persist.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in a child with chronic pancreatitis

In a case with chronic pancreatitis and pseudocysts related to muscular cytochrome—c oxidase deficiency, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was performed to morphologically examine the pancreas for features that may have been missed by abdominal computed tomography and pancreatography. Conventional abdominal sonography had failed to show valuable diagnostic information of chronic pancreatitis in this case. EUS demonstrated several new findings. Parenchymal atrophy was remarkable, especially in the pancreatic tail, and a dilated pancreatic main or branch duct was clearly found in the region. Moreover, pancreatic stones in the main duct were also distinctly proved. EUS may become a useful new diagnostic method in pediatric gastroenterology, especially when sufficient findings are not obtained by conventional imaging techniques. However, an ultrasonographic endoscope with a shorter rigid portion and smaller caliber should be developed for pediatric patients.     

A Biodegradable Poly-l-lactic Acid Coronary Stent in the Porcine Coronary Artery

Although biocompatibility of biodegradable stents is controversial, stents made of high molecular weight poly- l -lactic acid (PLLA) are thought to be the most promising. We investigated the biocompatibility of PLLA stents histologically and angiographically in porcine coronary arteries. The Igaki-Tamai stent is made of PLLA monofilaments (molecular mass 183 kD) with a zigzag helical coil design. Fourteen PLLA stents in 6 pigs and 9 Palmaz-Schatz half stents in 9 pigs were implanted in 15 normocholesterolemic pigs. Stents were mounted on a delivery catheter, and were implanted percutaneously into coronary arteries. Coronary angiography was performed before and immediately after stenting, at 2 and 6 weeks in five PLLA pigs and nine Palmaz-Schatz pigs. Histological studies were performed in PLLA pigs: 2 pigs at 2 weeks, 3 pigs at 6 weeks, and 1 pig at 16 weeks with hematoxylin-eosin and elastica van Giesons stains. All PLLA stents were successfully delivered. No stent thrombosis was detected in either group. There were no significant differences in minimal lumen diameter (MLD) or percent diameter stenosis between the PLLA and Palmaz-Schatz stent groups immediately after implantation, or at 2 or 6 weeks after implantation. Histological studies at 2, 6, and 16 weeks revealed no inflammation and minimal neointimal coverage on the PLLA stent struts. The PLLA stent maintained its structure for up to 16 weeks. These results suggest sufficient biocompatibility and strength of PLLA biodegradable stents in porcine coronary arteries. Clinical trial is now underway to validate the safety and usefulness of PLLA stents in humans.     

Experimental and Clinical Studies of Biodegradable Polymeric Stents

The metallic stent has become the most common device to reduce acute occlusion and late restenosis after balloon angioplasty, but the long-term effects of metallic stents in human coronary arteries are still unknown. To overcome several problems of conventional stenting, there have been many attempts to manufacture stents made of biodegradable materials. Although some studies have noted various degrees of inflammatory responses after biodegradable stent implantation, stents made of poly-1-lactic acid (PLLA) showed high biocompatibility with minimal inflammatory response and neointimal formation in porcine coronary arteries. A clinical study of PLLA self-expanding stent implantation is underway in Japan. The initial and 6-month results are favorable and suggest the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the PLLA biodegradable stent in humans. However, long-term follow-up with larger numbers of patients will be required to validate the long-term efficacy of PLLA stents.     

Clinical pharmacological study of a plasma‐derived factor VIIa and factor X mixture (MC710) in haemophilia patients with inhibitors – Phase I trial

Summary. MC710, a combined product of plasma‐derived activated factor VII (FVIIa) and factor X (FX) at a protein weight ratio of 1:10, is a novel bypassing agent for haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. In this study, pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters and safety of single doses of MC710 were investigated in 11 male haemophilia patients with inhibitors in a non‐bleeding state. This was a multi‐centre, open‐labelled, non‐randomized, active controlled crossover, dose‐escalation study of five doses (20–120 μg kg⁻¹ of FVIIa) with re‐administration of different MC710 dosages to the same subjects. The active controls were NovoSeven (120 μg kg⁻¹) and/or FEIBA (50 and 75 U kg⁻¹) which were used to compare PD parameters. The area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of MC710 active ingredients increased dose‐dependently within the range of 20 and 120 μg kg⁻¹. After administration of MC710, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was dose‐dependently improved and prothrombin time (PT) was shortened to approximately 6 s at 10 min, and APTT improvement and PT shortening effects were maintained until 12 h after administration of MC710 at all doses. No serious or severe adverse event was observed after administration of MC710; furthermore, several diagnostic marker values and those changes did not indicate any signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). These results suggest that MC710 would have haemostatic potential equal to or greater than NovoSeven and FEIBA and was be tolerable when given at doses up to 120 μg kg⁻¹.     

Gel Chromatographic Analysis of Cyclosporin and Its Metabolites in Human Blood Compartments

Gel chromatography combined with specific and non-specific cyclosporin radioimmunoassays was adopted for quantitative analysis of cyclosporin and metabolites in free and protein-bound forms in blood compartments of kidney transplant patients. The analytical method was proved to be useful for the purpose, although plasma protein-bound forms of neither cyclosporin nor metabolites could be quantitated in the system. The present study also provided, by gel chromatographic analysis, additional examples to prove that concentrations of cyclosporin metabolites in blood compartments may not be deduced or inferred simply from those of cyclosporin.     

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for inferior vena caval tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We investigated the advantages of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during inferior vena caval tumor thrombectomy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Five patients with RCC that extended into the inferior vena cava (IVC) underwent radical nephrectomy. To remove the tumor thrombus in the IVC, an inflated Fogarty balloon catheter was used to pull the thrombus below the level of the hepatic veins with real-time TEE monitoring. RESULTS: In all cases, TEE monitoring during surgery provided an accurate and excellent view of the IVC thrombus. TEE was particularly helpful for the thrombectomy to minimize hepatic mobilization by using occlusion balloon catheter in two patients whose thrombus extended to the intrahepatic IVC. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative real-time TEE monitoring is a safe, minimally invasive technique that can provide accurate information regarding the presence and extent of IVC involvement, guidance for placement of a vena caval clamp, confirmation of complete removal of the IVC thrombus and intervention using catheters to assist in thrombectomy.     

活化自体淋巴细胞过继性免疫治疗在原发性肝细胞癌中的疗效观察

目的：评价活化自体淋巴细胞过继性免疫治疗（adoptive immunotherapy,AIT）是否有助于改善原发性肝细胞癌的临床疗效。方法：选取2016年8月至2018年12月在中国人民解放军总医院第五医学中心确诊的64例原发性肝细胞癌患者,通过分层随机法分为免疫治疗组（n=29）和对照组（n=35）。免疫治疗组患者取60 ml外周血分离制备单个核细胞并在含OKT-3和IL-2的培养基中活化培养,回输前进行质控检测。免疫治疗组中的Ⅰ~Ⅲ期患者（n=14）于一线治疗后接受自体淋巴细胞输注（3个月内输注6次）,Ⅳ期患者（n=15）仅接受自体淋巴细胞输注;对照组患者接受肝细胞癌相关的其他治疗。疗效评估的主要终点是2 年无复发生存（relapse-free survival,RFS）率,次要终点为无进展生存期（progression-free survival,PFS）和总生存期（overall survival,OS）。结果：入组患者中位随访时间为2.8年（0.2~4.2年）。免疫治疗组29名患者共接受了167次（计划174次,完成率96%）预定淋巴细胞输注（平均每人次回输9.30×109个细胞,其中CD3+HLA-DR细胞约占63%）,治疗期间未观察到3级或4级不良反应发生。与对照组相比,免疫治疗组患者2年RFS率显著升高（62.1% vs 22.9%,OR=0.181,95%CI：0.06~0.54,P=0.002）,中位PFS（28 vs 8个月,P=0.004）和中位OS（38 vs 34个月,P=0.915）均显著延长。在Ⅰ~Ⅲ期患者中,免疫治疗组（n=14）2年RFS率较对照组（n=18）显著升高（92.9% vs 33.3%,OR=0.38,95%CI：0.004~0.368,P=0.005）,中位PFS明显延长（38 vs 14.5个月,P=0.005）,而两组OS间无显著差异;Ⅳ期患者两组间PFS（P=0.077）及OS（P=0.994）均未见显著差异。结论：活化自体淋巴细胞AIT为安全可行的肝细胞癌辅助性治疗方法,可提高Ⅰ~Ⅲ期肝细胞癌一线治疗后RFS率、延长患者RFS时间,而对进展期肝细胞癌患者的PFS和OS无明显影响。     

Developmental Abnormalities of Dendrites of the Cerebral Cortical Neurons in Mental Retardation*

Abstract This paper of Golgi studies describes abnormal dendritic structure and development assessed by camera lucida representation, quantitation of dendritic spines, and dendritic branch measurement in metabolic and chromosomal diseases with mental retardation, reviewing the literatures of Golgi study. Neuronal lipid storage diseases with progressive mental and motor deterioration show characteristic meganeurites between the soma and origin of the axon, and all dendrites have fewer number of branches, shorter total basal dendritic length and marked reduction of spines. Phenylketonuria and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome also present decreased number of spines. On the other hand, children and adults with Down's syndrome show poor dendritic spine density and dendritic branchings as well as structural irregularity of spines. This poor' development of dendrites suggesting postnatal poor synaptogenesis may be related to mental retardation in children. These postnatal dendritic abnormalities may be based on genetic factors such as diminished number of cortical granular cells and extrinsic factors which include poor perception of external stimuli as noted in sensory deprivation. Thus, dendritic spine abnormalities may be correlated with mental retardation. However, we need better staining method and more sytemic study.